John W. Paine, photograph artist, 118 West Main street, started in business in Jackson in August, 1868, in a small room at 149 East Main, with $3 worth of stock, and no chair or head-rest. For the first three years he made a specialty of ferreotypes. Having greatly enlarged his business he moved to 115 West Main street in 1872; removed to still more ample quarters five years later, and Dec. 24,1880, located in his present fine rooms. Mr. Paine began the feature of large portrait work in crayon and India ink in 1877, and through the efforts of competent agents, sends pictures of this class into several States. Mr. Paine is the son of Daniel Paine and Eliza Peck, natives of New York State, and was born in Lenawee county, Mich., in 1844. He began to learn the art of photography in Adrian in 1861, and after several changes of location settled in Jackson. He married Beatrice (Weaver) Jenkins, in Jackson, in May, 1879, who was born in Williams county, O. Mr. Paine is a member of the Masonic order, Adrian Lodge, No. 19.
Charles H. Palmer, of Palmer & Selover,
grocers, 209 West Main street, son of Samuel H. and
Cynthia (Culver) Palmer, is a native of the City of
Jackson, born in 1843. They emigrated from New York
State to this county in 1838, where they both died,
leaving Charles an orphan at the age of 11 years. He
then began to depend upon his own efforts for support;
enjoyed the privileges of the common school till 15,
then began learning the wagon-making trade and worked
at it a number of years; went to Rome, Georgia, where
a brother was engaged in the business, intending to
become a manufacturer. After being there 15 months the
civil war broke out, and he returned home. He and his
brother were post sutlers in Chattanooga the last two
years of the war, and were quite successful. Mr.
Palmer then went into the oil region of Pennsylvania,
and in 18 months in the grocery business lost all he
had; returned to Jackson in 1866 and went to work at
carpentering; in 1872, in company with a Mr. Hardy, as
the firm of Palmer & Hardy, embarked in his
present business, Mr. H. being succeeded three months
after by Richard Selover, his present partner. Mr.
Palmer began with a capital of $34.50. They sold the
first year nearly $25,000, and the trade has now
increased to $40,000 a year. Mr. Palmer became an Odd
Fellow in 1868; is Past Grand Patriarch of the State
of Michigan, is present Grand Representative of the
State to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, which meets in
Cincinnati in September 1881. He is also a member of
the Masonic order, Lodge 17 and Chapter No. 3; of the
A. O. U. W., and the K. of H,; is Alderman from the
fourth ward; has been a member of the Baptist Church
14 years, for five years a Trustee, and an officer in
the Sunday-school. He married Laura A. Baum, of
Jackson, in January, 1868. They have a daughter eight
years of age.
David Gibbs Palmer, Justice of the Peace, is one of a family of 9 sons and 1 daughter of Samuel H. and Cynthia A. (Culver) Palmer, of New York State. Six of their children are now living. Mr. Palmer was born in Edenburg, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1829; came with his parents to Michigan in 1835; lived two years in Detroit, then removed to five miles west of Ann Arbor, and kept a tavern on the old Territorial road; remained in that vicinity until March, 1841; removed thence to Jackson; kept the Bascom House one year, then engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, which trade David G. learned and worked at until 1860. His father was a member of the first Legislature that convened in Lansing. He and his wife died in Jackson in 1853. Mr. Palmer was elected justice in 1861; in January, 1863, was mustered as Quatermaster of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, and served in that capacity till the close of the war. They were chiefly with the Army of the Potomac After returning from the service Mr. Palmer was three years in the grocery trade in Jackson; farmed some years; in 1870 took the U. S. census of the city and three townships; was Chief of Police in 1876 and 1877, and in 1879 was again elected to his present office. He served as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Odd Fellows of the State in 1871; was chosen Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States in 1872 and 1873. He married Eliza P. Barber, a native of New York, in Jackson, 1848. They have 2 daughters-Ella A. and Ruth A., both married.
D. R. Palmer, retired blacksmith, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1817, where he was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. When 16 years old he went as an apprentice four and a half years; in 1838 came to Jackson county, where he engaged in blacksmithing, and has followed the same ever since, making 30 years. He married Miss Abigail Wilmoth, daughter of Ira and Betsey (Howe) Wilmoth, natives of New York, who was born March 21, 1823. There were 3 children, 2 of whom are living-Emorv, born Nov. 25,1853; Adelaide, born Nov. 4, 1846; Albert D., born Oct, 18, 1844, and died March 4, 1846. Mr. Palmer came to Jackson with only $30 in his pocket, but by hard work has accumulated a competency, and to-day is reaping his reward.
Frank A. Palmer, job-printer, West Main street, son of ----- Palmer, is a native of Jackson, Mich., and was born in February, 1845. He began learning the printer's trade in the Citizen office at the age of 15 years. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 9th Mich. Inf., being but 16, but large of his age and was taken for some years older. Dec. 7, 1863, Mr. Palmer veteranized; was promoted to 2d Lieutenant, Dec. 1, 1864,-the youngest officer in his regiment,-and in April, 1865, was commissioned 1st Lieutenant, and given the command of Co. F, with a Captain's pay, until discharged Sept. 25, 1865. In July 1862, Mr. Palmer was captured by Gen. Forrest, was soon after pardoned and sent home, and did not rejoin the regiment until January, 1863. While home on a leave of absence, he was united in marriage to Sarah Rockwell, April 10,1865. Her mother was Samantha De Land, one of the very first settlers in Jackson County. After leaving the army Mr. Palmer passed several years clerking in stores for different parties, till July 1868. then took charge of Col. C. V. De Land's printing office at Saginaw; became a partner in November, and in June, 1874, they started the Daily Saginaw Republican, which not proving a successful financial venture, was discontinued at the end of 16 months, the weekly edition and job office being continued. Later the daily was revived and published until Mr. Palmer returned to Jackson, in April 1877. In January 1878, he bought his present office. From June 1878, he published a Greenback journal entitled the Legal Tender, for about 5 months, when he sold it to H. N. Mather, and it was soon after suspended, Mr. Palmer purchasing the material. His office is finely equipped with steam-power presses and a large supply of job material, the whole plant valued at $4,500. Mr. Palmer is a member of the order of Red Men, Cayuga Tribe, No. 6. He and wife have 2 sons and a daughter.
William H. Palmer, M. D., was born in the village of Jacksonburgh, now Jackson city, in 1840. His parents were Joshua and Rebecca (Stevens) Palmer, the former a native of Wayne Countv, N. Y., the latter of Canadian birth. Joshua Palmer came to Jacksonburgh in 1830, and Miss Stevens soon after. The Doctor is the eldest of 4 children, 2 of each sex, but only himself and sister remain. He was educated in the schools of Jackson, and read medicine with Dr. Gorham, a pioneer physician of the place. He attended his first course of lectures in Ann Arbor in 1859-'60, the second course in 1860-'61, and in the fall of the latter year went into the army as hospital steward of the Ninth Michigan Infantry, and in 1862 was commissioned as First Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, retaining that position until the close of his three years service. He then commenced practice in Jackson, and has occupied his present office continuously for more than 17 years. Dr. Palmer was united in marriage with Mary Wolcott, of Jackson, in July 1873. They have 1 daughter, aged six years. Doctor was a member of the Citv Council four vears, and officiated as its first President, served as Supervisor from the Seventh and Eighth wards in 1880-'81, elected on the Greenback ticket by a large majority; is serving his fourth year as a member of the citv school board, district 17. He passed through all the chairs of the Great Council of Red Men for the State of Michigan several years ago; is now Great Keeper of Wampum of the Great Council and a delegate to the Great Council of the United States. Parents are both living in Jackson.
Thomas A. Paradise, engineer Jackson & Fort Wayne railroad, was born in Kamouraska, Canada, Jan. 8, 1839. When 10 years old he left home and went to Quebec, where he learned the trade of shoemaking, and remained one year; in 1S51 went to Aurora, Ill., where he worked at shoemaking and attended a stationary engine; in 1854 engaged on the C. B. & Q. R. R. as fireman, and in 1856 was promoted to engineer, and has been in that capacity over 25 years; has never injured a passenger nor even pinched a brakeman's fingers. In 1864 he was employed on the M. C. R. R., and remained on the same until 1873, when he made his present engagement. Mr. P. enlisted in the Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Co. E; participated in the battle of Perryville; shortly after the battle, while out foraging, he lifted a wagon out of a ditch and injured himself; was sent back to Nashville, where he was pronounced unfit for field service, and was transferred to the V. R. C.; served until the close of the war-nearly three years. Mr. Paradise married Miss Henrietta Sunley, daughter of Robert Sunley, a native of England. She was born in Canada July 8, 1849. By this union there were 4 children, 3 of whom are living-Ellen C, Cora M. and Beatrice. Mr. P. is a member of Sides' Lodge, I. 0. O. P., No. 150, Detroit.
William H. Parker & Silas Hoyt, flour,
feed and commission merchants, Mill street, do a
business, chiefly local and retail, of $100 per day.
The house was established by Mr. Parker, in the
Keystone Block, five years ago, since which time he
has had several partners, the present firm being
formed in October, 1879. Mr. Parker is a native of
Oakland County, Mich., born in 1835. His father,
Jehiel Parker, was from New York; came to Michigan in
early manhood and married Hannah Daily; were the
parents of 7 children. Mr. Parker spent the first 25
years of his life on the homestead farm; was chiefly
educated in Ypsilanti; spent 12 years in railroad
business, 10 in constructing, and two in running a
train as conductor. Upon the inauguration of the civil
war, he went into the army in April 1861, in the 1st
Mich. Infantry, three months' men, then in the 9th
Mich. Infantry, as Sergeant; served 18 months, and was
discharged from disability. Having improved in health,
in 1863 he took charge of a construction corps of 100
men, and served until the war closed; then spent a
year in Newbern, N. C, and a year in Ypsilanti; then
located in Jackson. He married Ellen Crittenden, of
Ypsilanti, in 1866, and had 2 children, 1 son living.
James A. Parkinson, of Gibson & Parkinson, attorneys at law, Bennett Block, West Main Street, was born in the town of Concord, Jackson Co., Mich., Sept. 26, 1846. William F. Parkinson came to this county in 1839, and in 1845 was united in marriage with Celinda Gibbs. They were both natives of New York, and were the parents of 3 sons, of whom James is the eldest. He was educated in Albion College, graduating in the class of 1869; was Principal of the Albion Union school one year; began the study of law in the office of W. K. Gibson and Wolcott in the fall of 1870, and was admitted to practice in February, 1872; located in Elk Rapids, Mich.; in the fall of 1874 was elected Judge of Probate of Antrim county, and held the office until he removed to Jackson in June, 1875. At the fall election of 1876 Mr. Parkinson was chosen Prosecuting Attorney of Jackson County, and upon retiring from the office, Jan. 1, 1879, he immediately formed a law partnership with W. K. Gibson, which still continues, with the addition of Byron S. Ashley to the firm, Jan. 1, 1881. The firm has probably the heaviest law practice in Central Michigan. Mr. Parkinson is a member of A. F. & A. M., and of K. of P., and is Chancelor Commander of the latter. He is serving a second term as Trustee of Albion College. As a lawyer Mr. Parkinson has few equals of his age in Michigan.
Robert Patterson, physician and surgeon, 503 S. Mechanic street, Jackson, was born in Adrian, Mich., Dec. 18, 1837; was the son of the Hon. Joseph H. and Lucynthia (Phillips) Patterson; father a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1801; when 18 years old he came to America and located in Lockport, N. Y. In 1828 he came to Adrian, Mich., where he purchased a farm and engaged in farming. He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention at Detroit in 1835, and was also elected to the first Legislature held in Lansing and served two terms. He figured largely in State politics, and his influence was felt in an early day. There were four counties named by him, viz.: Antrim, Wexford, Roscommon and Clare. His wife was a native of Chautauqua, and was born in 1816. She is still living. The subject of this sketch commenced the reading of medicine in 1862 in the office of Dr. R. Stephenson, where he remained a portion of the time for three years; graduating at Ann Arbor in March 1865. He followed his profession in Cass County until 1877, when he came to Jackson. He married Miss Marion L. Bugbee, daughter of Dr. Israel Bugbee, a native of Vermont, who was a graduate at Fairfield Medical College at Genesee, N. Y.; her mother was a native of England, and came to the States in an early day; was adopted by Professor Mussey, of Dartmouth College. She was born Sept. 8, 1840. There are 2 children-Escaoville and Fred; both are members of the Methodist Church.
Erastus Peck, attorney at law, is a native of
Yates County, N. Y., and was born in December, 1839.
His parents, David G. and Catharine (Hughes) Peck,
were both of that State. At the age of 14 Erastus
entered Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, remaining a year,
subsequently took a course in Genesee College-now
Syracuse University-graduating in the class of 1860.
He came to Michigan that summer, and began reading law
with Henry L. Henderson, in Mason. In 1862 Mr. Peck
passed his examination before the Circuit Court and
was admitted to the Bar. He remained there in practice
until 1864; then came to Jackson and was clerk in the
Provost Marshal's office two years; opened a law
office in 1866, and has continued active in the
profession since. The winter of 1861-'2 Mr. Peck spent
in Lansing as clerk of the Judiciary Committee, and
correspondent of the Detroit Tribune, and the winter
of 1862-'3 he was there as Assistant Engrossing and
Enrolling Clerk of the House. Mr. Peck is now serving
his fifth term as City Attorney, and has been School
Inspector several years. Previous to 1872 he voted the
Republican ticket, but being personally acquainted
with Mr. Greeley, He supported him and has since
affiliated with the Democracy. He married Miss Ella,
daughter of William Mundy, an old settler in Jackson,
in 1871. They have 1 child-William Mundy Peck, aged 7
years. Mr. Mundy died in 1859; his widow is living and
resides with Mr. Peck.
P. W. Peppard, Superintendent of Jackson Pulp Co., is a son of Standish and Catherine (Deal) Peppard, natives of Allegheny county, Pa., where they raised a family of 6 children, 3 of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Jan. 28, 1844, where he received a liberal education. When he first left home he was employed in steam boating on the Ohio, Red and Mississippi rivers, and in 1878 came to Jackson County, where he has been engaged since at his present business. He enlisted in the 28th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served three years; was engaged at the battle of Antietam. But soon after was taken sick and afterward was detailed as clerk in the Adj. Gen.'s office at Point Lookout.
Henri V. Perrin, Cashier of the Jackson County Bank, was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1843. His father, Artemns Perrin, was a native of Connecticut, and married Hortensia T. Allen, of Massachusetts. Henry was educated in Fredonia Academy, Michigan State University, and Hillsdale College, from which he graduated in the class of 1860, teaching several terms during his college course, and one year since in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Detroit. He then returned to New York and took charge of his father's farm and business for 10 years; returned to Jackson in 1871; traveled six months for a New York book house. At the end of that time, in 1872, the Jackson County Bank was organized and Mr. Perrin chosen it's Cashier. In 1862 he married Ellen P., daughter of Hon. Freeman C. Watkins, late of Norvell, Jackson County, and one of the first settlers in the southeast part of the county. He was born in New Hampshire, and married Philinda Fitzgerald, of Skaneateles, N. Y., whose parents were among the pioneers here. Mr. Watkins was elected to the State Legislature from Jackson County in 1850, and was chosen a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1867. He was killed by a runaway team in 1880, at the age of 69 years. Mr. Perrin and wife have 1 son-Howard E., 17 years of age. Mr. Perrin's father resides in Fredonia, N. Y.; mother died in 1876. Their family originally consisted of 2 sons and 1 daughter; the latter now deceased. Mr. Perrin and wife are associated with the First Baptist Church.
Representative from Jackson County in 1850, was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., July 20, 1812. His parents removed to western New York in 1814.
He came to Grass Lake Michigan in 1837, but
removed to Leoni in 1839, where he kept a hotel. Later
removed to Jackson and was a justice for eight years.
He had a genial, happy disposition, was a great
humorist, and delighted in entertaining friends with
stories and anecdotes. He died July 17, 1862.
J. Henry Pilcher, of Brown & Pilcher, wholesale and retail book and stationery merchants, West Main street, was born in Spring Arbor town, Jackson Co., Mich., in January, 1839; is the son of Rev. Elijah and Caroline M. Pilcher, daughter of Dr. Benjamin II. Packard, who came to the site of Jackson in the fall of 1829, in company with his brother-in-law, Josiah W. Bennett, and each took up 160 acres of land near what is now the center of the city, and upon which they settled the following spring, and erected a saw-mill and other improvements. Rev. Pitcher's wife descended from Vermont people, who removed to New York in an early day, and settled upon the Holland purchase, in Genesee County. He was a native of Virginia, and preached the first sermon in Jackson, Jan. 27, 1831. Henry's mother having died in his infancy, he was brought up by his maternal grandfather, who left the farm when Henry was five years old, and settled in the village of Jacksonburgh. Mr. Pilcher was educated here and in Albion College, of which his father was one of the founders. In 1855 he went to Iowa, and was several years Cashier in a bank in Mount Pleasant and in Council Bluffs; returned to Jackson in the fall of 1859, and was employed in a similar capacity in the bank of Loomis & Whitwell for some years. He then became bookkeeper in the book house of Brown & Carter until August 1872, when he succeeded Mr. Carter as a partner, the firm assuming its present title. The house was first established by George D. Brown in 1848, then a young man aged 20 years, having been born and reared in Auburn, N. Y. Some time after he took Mr. Carter as partner, who continued until succeeded by Mr. Pilcher. The firm occupies a very large store, with basement, fronting on Main, their retail department, and a large double store fronting on Pearl Street, as the wholesale house. They have a trade of $150,000 to $160,000 a year. Mr. Pilcher has been twice married, first to Lucy Porter, of La Salle County, Ill., who died in 1870, leaving 4 children; and in January 1872, to his present wife, whose maiden name was Mollie S. Pilcher. She is the mother of 1 son. Mr. Pilcher and wife are members of the M. E. Church, of whose Sundayschool he was Superintendent 20 years.
Constant C. Pond, lumber manufacturer and dealer, son of Josiah and Nabbia (Gates) Pond, was born in Vermont in 1822. He was bound to an uncle in Addison county, Vt., with whom he remained until past 20 years of age; came to Jackson, Mich., in May 1847; bought and lived on a farm in Liberty tp., until the fall of 1859, then spent a year in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, returning to Jackson in the fall of 1860. In November 1872, Mr. Pond became a member of a joint stock company, with a capital of $20,000 to manufacture lumber, and after carrying on the business three years he bought out all the partners save one, and a year later became sole proprietor. Thomas Hood, his son-in-law, was admitted as a partner, and took active charge of the business. At the close of two years M. P. Gale became a member of the firm, with one-third interest. The concern then invoiced about $40,000. Their mills have a capacity of 40,000 feet per day. The present year (1881) their mills will cut 24,000,000 feet, their daily payroll is over $600. Mr. Pond married Esther Ager, of Warren County, Pa., in July 1841. They have 2 daughters, 1 the wife of Thomas Hood, the other the wife of Owen Groom. In 1874 Mr. Pond erected the block which bears his name on West Courtland Street, and on Christmas, 1875, made each of the daughters a present of one-third interest in it, valued at $5,000 each.
Benjamin Porter, President of Porter Coal Mining Company, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Powers) Porter, was born in Batavia, N. Y., in 1825; came with parents to Detroit, Mich., in 1833; father being a mechanic, erected the old Baptist church, one of the first houses for worship in that city. Mr. Porter receiving the appointment to superintend the erection of the State's prison, removed to Jackson in 1838, and cut the first tree on the ground where it now stands. He and wife both died in Jackson, from the effects of broken limbs. Benjamin, Jr., attended the Jackson schools and one term at the Marshall. He established a blacksmith, wagon and plow shop, as his first business; he next bought a stock of goods in Jackson, shipped them to Lansing, sold out the stock in about a year, then returned to Jackson and engaged in the manufacture of brick, burning from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 annually. Having become interested in mining coal, he abandoned the brick business some 10 years ago, and has given that his attention since. The Porter Coal Company, of which he is President, was formed about that time; employs about 100 men, and mines 400 tons per day. In 1879 Mr. Porter bought a tract of coal land in Boulder County, Colorado; organized the Jackson Coal Co., and began mining in October of that year, taking out 150 tons per day. When 22 years of age he married Esther Case, of Jackson, who died three years after, the mother of 2 children since deceased. About a year after her death he married Elizabeth Howells, also of Jackson, who has borne him 3 sons and 1 daughter. Mr. Porter has served three years on the Board of Supervisors; was Trustee of Jacksonburgh; has been a member of the City Council four years, and City Clerk a number of years; is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Past Commander of Jackson Commandery, No. 9; Past Grand Commander of the State; Past Grand High Priest of the State, and is also Past Grand Secretary of the State.
Thomas N. Porter, engineer Michigan Central railroad, is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Harrison) Porter; father of Irish descent, coming to Canada when 19 years old; married and raised a family of 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls. The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 25, 1840. When a boy he learned the blacksmith's trade with his father and followed it several years. In 1864 he came to Marshall, and in 1866 commenced railroading as fireman; after working about three and a half years in this capacity he was promoted to engineer. In all his railroading he has never injured a passenger or had a smash-up. He married Miss Jane A. Sunley, of Canada, who was born Feb. 28, 1848. They have had 2 children, 1 of whom is living.
Lewis M. Powell, attorney at law and ex-Judge
of Probate of Jackson County, was born in Bradford
County, Pa., in September 1828. His parents were Lewis
Powell and Betsey (Marvin) Powell, natives of Dutchess
county, N. Y. They immigrated from Penn Yan, Yates
Co., N. Y., to Washtenaw County, Mich. in the fall of
1835. Judge Powell's education was c***ed in the
common schools and by two years' attendance ***** Lake
Academy. In 1847 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, *******
the public schools of the city three years, and two
years ** the time read law with the law firm of Salmon
P. Chase and Henry W. Snow. In 1850 Mr. Powell went to
Louisiana, and in ******* returned to Michigan and to
farming till December, 185* ***** red the law office
of Johnson & Higby, of Jackson, as ****** was
admitted to the Bar in November, 1858; he remained
with Johnson & Higby until the next spring; opened
a law office in Grass Lake, and continued there until
1868; then returned to Jackson, and has been
continuously in practice here since, save the four
years from Jan. 1, 1877, to Jan. 1, 1881, when he was
holding the office of Judge of Probate. Judge Powell
filled the office of City Attorney of Jackson one
year; was Prosecuting Attorney for the county in 1875
and 76. Judge married Lavina, eldest daughter of Hiram
Policy, of Grass Lake, Jan. 2, 1860. They have a son
and a daughter. Politically, Judge has always been a
Democrat.
Edward Price, proprietor of meat market,
Jackson, Mich., was born in Willshire, England, Sept.
16, 1831, where he was reared at the trade, and has
followed it all his life. In 1860 he came to the
United States, and located in Rochester, N. Y. In 1862
he enlisted in the 8th N. Y. Cav., Co. K., and
participated in all the battles of his company; was at
the battle of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, where
he saw the first gun that was fired; was at the grand
review at Washington; remained until the close of the
war, serving nearly three years. He then came to
Jackson, and has followed his present occupation ever
since; does a business of -$17,000 to $18,000 per
year. He married Miss Charlotte P. Cox, daughter of
John Cox, of Gloucestershire, Eng., who was born in
1828. There were 2 children-Lottie and Ann Elizabeth.
