History of Michigan United States of America

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Local History Notes:

MICHIGAN, one of the more recently settled of the North-Western States, occupies two peninsulas, the southern one lying between Lakes Erie, St. Clair, and Huron on the E., and Lake Michigan on the W.; and the northern between Lakes Michigan and Huron on the S., and Lake Superior on the N. The whole is bounded N. by Lake Superior, E. by the straits of St. Mary, Lake Huron, St. Clair river and lake, Detroit river and Lake Erie, (all which separate it from Canada West,) on the S. by Ohio and Indiana, and on the W. by Lake Michigan and Wisconsin, from the latter of which it is partly separated by the Menomonee and Montreal rivers. Michigan lies between 41° 40' and 47° 30' N. lat., (if we exclude Isle Royale, a dependency of this state,) and between 82° 12' and 90° 30' W. lon. The northern peninsula is about 320 miles in extreme length from S. E. to N. W., and 130 in its greatest breadth, and the southern about 283 from N. to S., and 210 from E. to W. in its greatest width. The joint area of the two peninsulas is 56,243 square miles, or 35,595,520 acres, of which only 1,923,582 were improved in 1850. About two-fifths of the area is included in the northern peninsula.

Population: Though originally settled by the French, the great bulk of the population is from the New England and Middle States. A large portion of the latter is of New England descent. The number of inhabitants in Michigan in 1810, was 4762; 8896 in 1820; 31,639 in 1830; 212,267 in 1840, and 397,654 in 1850, of whom 208,471 were white males, 186,626 white females; 1412 colored males, and 1145 colored females. There were also 72,611 families, occupying 71,616 dwellings. Of the entire population, 140,648 were born in the state, 200,943 in other states of the Union, 10,620 in England, 13,430 in Ireland 2448 in Wales, 14,008 in British America 10,070 in Germany, 945 in France, 3291 in other countries, and 1211 whose places of birth were unknown, making about 12 per cent. of the population of foreign birth. In the twelve months preceding June 1st, 1850, 1190 paupers received aid, of whom 541 were foreigners, and in the same period there were 4520 deaths, or about 12 in every one thousand persons. Of 122 deaf and dumb, 1 was a colored person; of 122 blind, none were colored; of 136 insane, 1 was colored, and of 190 idiotic, 3 were colored.

Counties: Michigan is divided into 64 organized counties, viz. Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Chippewa, Clinton, Eaton, Gennessee, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Mackinaw, Mason, Midland, Montcalm, Monroe, Newago, Oakland, Oceana, Ontonagon, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne, besides 21 unorganized counties. Capital, Lansing.

Cities and Towns: The towns of this state exhibit the same rapid growth which is so wonderful a characteristic of the Western States generally. Detroit, the largest town in the state, had, in 1850, a population of 21,019. The other principal towns are Ann Arbor population, 4868; Jackson, 4147; Flint, 3304; Grand Rapids, 3147; Ypsilante, 3051; Adrian, 3006; Marshall, 2822; Pontiac, 2820; Monroe City, 2813; Tecumseh, 2679; Kalamazoo, 2507; Coldwater, 2166; and Clinton, 2130. These populations, as in New England, sometimes include the townships.

Face of the Country, Geology, and Minerals: The southern peninsula of Michigan, so interesting in its agricultural and economical aspects, is rather tame in its topographical features, as there is no considerable elevation (compared with the country immediately around it) within its whole extent, though the ridge which divides the waters flowing into Lakes Huron and Erie from those flowing into Lake Michigan, is 300 feet above the level of the lakes, and about 1000 above the sea. The country, however, may be generally characterized as a vast undulating plain, seldom becoming rough or broken. There are occasional conical elevations of from 150 to 200 feet in height, but generally much less. The shores of Lake Huron are often steep, forming bluffs; while those of Lake Michigan are coasted by shifting sandhills of from 100 to 200 feet in height. In the southern part are those natural parks, thinly scattered over with trees, called in the parlance of the country "oak openings;" and in the S. W. are rich prairie lands. The northern peninsula exhibits a striking contrast, both in soil and surface, to the southern. While the latter is level or moderately undulating, and luxuriantly fertile, the former is picturesque, rugged, and even mountainous, with streams abounding in rapids and water-falls -- rich in minerals, but rigorous in climate, and sterile in soil. The Wisconsin or Porcupine mountains, which form the watershed between Lakes Michigan and Superior, are much nearer the latter than the former, and attain an elevation of about 2000 feet in the N.W. portion of the peninsula. The E. part of this division of the state is undulating and picturesque, but the central hilly, and composed of table-land. The shores of Lake Superior are composed of a sandstone rock, which in many places is worn by the action of the wind and waves into fancied resemblances of castles, &c., forming the celebrated Pictured Rocks; while the shores of Lake Michigan are composed of a limestone rock. The streams on the northern slope of the Porcupine mountains have a rapid descent, and abound in picturesque falls and rapids. The north peninsula is primitive, and the southern secondary; but primitive rocks are scattered over the plains of the latter of more than 100 tons weight, most abundant on the borders of the great lakes, on the flanks of valleys, and where traces of recent floods are apparent.

Michigan, in its northern peninsula, possesses probably the richest copper mines in the world. A block of almost pure copper, weighing some tons, and bearing the arms of the state, rests imbedded in the walls of the National Monument at Washington. The region from which this block was taken lies on the shores of Lake Superior, near the mouth of the Ontonagon river. The same mineral abounds in Isle Royale, near the N. shore of Lake Superior. Iron, said to be of a very superior quality, is found in a district about 60 miles S. E. of the great copper region, as well as in some other parts of Michigan. The other minerals known to exist in this state, whose mineral resources are very imperfectly developed as yet, are lead, gypsum, peat, limestone, marl, and some coal. An excellent sand for the manufacture of the finer kinds of glass-ware is found on the shores of Lake Michigan as well as Lake Erie. The copper mines in the northern peninsula are estimated to have produced within the past year, (March, 1853,) nearly 4000 tons of copper, worth, on the seaboard, $1,500,000. Great activity prevails in the mining region this year; new discoveries are being made, an increased number of hands employed, and additional machinery erected. A mass of copper, weighing 5072 pounds, sent from Michigan, is now (1858) exhibited at the World's Fair in New York.

Lakes, Rivers, and Islands: Michigan is fairly entitled to the soubriquet of "The Lake State," surrounded as it is by the largest fresh water lakes on the globe. The sea-like Superior laves the shores of the northern peninsula for more than 350 miles, with its stormy waves, while Lake Michigan washes the western shore of the southern peninsula for nearly the same distance. Lake Huron, the N. E., for 300; and Lakes Erie and St. Clair, the S.E., for about 40 and 30 miles respectively; giving to Michigan a lake coast of considerably more than 1000 miles. The small lake, St. Clair, lies about midway between Lakes Huron and Erie, with which it communicates by the straits (commonly called rivers) St. Clair and Detroit, each about 25 miles in length. There are a number of small lakes in Michigan of no importance to navigation, which yet add to the general picturesqueness of the state. The straits of Mackinaw (formerly written Michilimackinac) separate the southern from the northern peninsula, and connect the waters of Lakes Michigan and Huron by a navigable channel. Finally, the straits of St. Mary unite the waters of Lake Huron with Lake Superior, but here unfortunately occurs a bar to the navigation, in a rapid called the Sault St. Mary, which has a descent of about 22 feet in half a mile. A ship-canal is now being excavated, which it is expected will soon enable vessels to surmount this impediment. The rivers of Michigan are not large; the most important in the southern peninsula, on the W., (commencing at the S.,) are the St. Joseph's, Kalamazoo, Grand, Maskegon, and Manistee, all emptying into Lake Michigan; and on the E. are the Au Sable and Saginaw, flowing into Lake Huron, and the Huron and Raisin, discharging their waters into Lake Erie. The Saginaw is formed by a number of branches, proceeding from almost every point of the compass. The rivers of the northern peninsula are also small, and, as has been before stated, those descending into Lake Superior have short and rapid courses, obstructed by frequent falls and rapids, which oppose navigation, but furnish valuable mill-sites. The principal rivers in this section are, the Mehomonee, Montreal, and Ontonagon. The Menomonee, forming part of the boundary between Wisconsin and Michigan through the greater part of its course, empties itself into Green bay. The Montreal also forms a portion of the same boundary, but discharges its waters into Lake Superior, as does the Ontonagon, about 50 miles farther E. Keweenow bay, on the northern peninsula, opens into Lake Superior; and Green bay, in the S. W. of the same peninsula, opens into Lake Michigan. This bay is partly in Wisconsin. Great and Little Traverse bays project from Lake Michigan into the N.W. of the southern peninsula, and Thunder and Saginaw bays, from Lake Huron, extend into the N.E. of the same peninsula. The St. Joseph's, Kalamazoo, Grand, and Maskegon have courses of from 200 to 300 miles, and are navigable from 40 to 50 miles for vessels of light drought. There are several small islands belonging to Michigan. The most important of these are Isle Royale, in Lake Superior, valuable for its copper mines; and Mackinaw, Beaver, Bois Blanc, and Drummond islands, in and near the straits of Mackinaw.

Animals: The wild animals of Michigan are the wolverine, black bear, wolf, elk, deer, moose, lynx, wildcat, panther, fox, martin, raccoon, porcupine, opossum, weasel, skunk, gopher, squirrel, marmot, rabbit, hare, with some beavers, otters, muskrats, and minx.

Objects of Interest to Tourists: The island of Mackinaw, in the straits of the same name, already visited for its picturesque beauty, may probably become the future Newport of the North-western States. In addition to its bold shores, rising to a height of nearly 200 feet perpendicularly above the water, and the charm of its picturesque views and cool breezes, it has the accompaniment of fine fishing in its vicinity; and the pleasant excursions to Sault St. Mary, to angle for the far-famed white fish, to tempt the sportsman and epicure to while away a summer vacation in this vicinity. About 60 miles W. of the entrance of the strait St. Marie, are the celebrated "Pictured Rocks," composed of sandstone of various colors, and worn by the action of the wind and waves into resemblances of ruined temples, castles, &c. One peculiarly striking object, called the Doric Rock is a colonade of four round pillars, of from about 3 to 7 feet in diameter, and 40 feet in height, supporting an entablature, 8 feet thick and 30 feet across. These rocks extend for about 12 miles, and cades shoot over the precipice, so that vessels can sail between them and the natural wall of rock. On laying out the track for a railway across the state from Detroit, the engineers encountered a singular lake, covered with an accumulation of vegetable matter-the growth of ages-but concealing beneath a deep and dangerous, though not extensive lake, which made it necessary to make a detour from the road.

Climate, Soil, and productions: Notwithstanding the severity of the climate in Michigan, it is moderated by its proximity to the lakes; yet the temperature of the northern peninsula is quite rigorous. A registry kept at Fort Brady, in January, 1825, showed a range of 61° between 36° above and 25° below zero, with prevailing winds S. E.; while in July, of the same year, the range was from 51° to 89° and winds mostly W. Average for the year 43-52; maximart, 89°; minimum, 25°; range, 114°; prevailing winds W; fair days, 162; cloudy, 43; rainy, 95, and snowy, 65. The temperature of southern Michigan is milder than the same parallel in the Eastern states. Observations kept at Detroit, in January, 1828, showed a range of from 3° below to 60° above zero; averaging 33° for the month, prevailing winds S. W. The northern peninsula is favorable to winter grains, but not to Indian corn; while the southern produces maize as well as the winter grains abundantly. The prevailing diseases are bilious fevers, ague, and dysentery; consumption is rare.

Great fertility is the characteristic of most of the soil in the middle and S. of the lower peninsula; mostly free from stone, and of a deep, dark sandy loam, often mingled with gravel and clay. The northern peninsula has a large portion of rugged and poor soil, but its agricultural capabilities are not yet well developed. Portions of it are well timbered with white pine, spruce, hemlock, birch, oak, aspen, maple, ash, and elm. As the wants of the advancing settlements increase the demand, this region can furnish large supplies of lumber from its forests of pine, spruce, &c., manufactured at the fine mill-sites afforded by the rapid streams on the Superior slope of the Porcupine mountains. Much of southern Michigan is occupied by those beautiful and fertile natural lawns, called oak openings, covered with scattered trees, and free from underwood. Another portion is prairie, and yet another timbered land, covered with black and white walnut, sugar maple, different species of oaks, hickory, ash, basswood, soft maple, elm, linden, locust, dogwood, poplar, beech, aspen, sycamore, cottonwood, cherry, pine, hemlock, spruce, tamarack, cypress, cedar, chestnut, papaw, &c. The prairies are small, and divided into wet and dry, the latter of course being somewhat elevated. The N. W. of the lower peninsula is but little known, but recent letters from that region represent it as well timbered, well watered, and fertile; it, however, has an uninviting aspect from the lakes. On the shores of Lake Huron, near Saginaw bay, is a marshy district. Michigan is eminently an agricultural state; the staple products being wheat, Indian corn, oats, Irish potatoes, (for which it is especially favorable,) butter, hay, maple sugar, wool, and live stock, with large quantities of buckwheat, rye, peas, beans, barley, fruits, cheese, beeswax, and honey; and some tobacco, sweet potatoes, wine, grass seeds, hops, flax, silk, and molasses. In 1850 there were 34,089 farms in Michigan, containing 1,929,110 acres of improved land, (being about 60 acres to each farm,) producing 5,641,420 bushels of Indian corn; 4,925,889 of wheat; 2,866,056 of oats; 2,359,897 of Irish potatoes; 472,917 of buckwheat; 2,043,283 pounds of wool; 7,065,878 of butter; 1,011,492 of cheese; 2,439,794 of maple sugar; 404,934 tons of hay, and live stock to the value of $8,008,734; market products, $14,738; orchard, $132,650, and slaughtered animals, $1,328,327.

Manufactures: In common with the other more recently settled states, Michigan has not yet had leisure to give much attention to the development of her manufacturing resources. In 1850 there were in the state, 1,979 manufacturing establishments each producing $500 and upwards annually, of which 15 were engaged in woollen manufactures, employing $94,000 capital, and 78 male and 51 female hands, consuming raw material worth $43,402, and producing 141,570 yards of stuffs worth $90,242; 64 forges, furnaces, &c. employing $210,450 capital, and 362 male hands, consuming raw material worth $105,865, and producing 5430 tons of castings, pig iron, &c. valued at $300,697; $139,425 capital, and 98 hands were employed in the manufacture of 10,320 barrels of ale, porter, &c., and 890,900 gallons of whiskey, wine, &c.; and 60 tanneries, employing $286,000 capital, consuming raw material worth $203,450, and producing manufactured leather valued at $363,980; domestic manufactures were fabricated worth $354,936.

Internal Improvements: This youthful state has made rapid advances in internal communication, although she has been provided by nature with an excellent and cheap highway to nearly all her borders, in the inland seas which surround her. In January, 1853, she had 474 miles of railroad completed, which connect Detroit and Munroe with Chicago, Illinois, and various interior towns in Michigan. Detroit is also connected with Pontiac, and Adrian with Toledo, Ohio. A portion of the Southern railroad leaves Michigan, and passes into Indiana, about 40 miles E. of Lake Michigan. A contract has been entered upon (1853) for constructing a ship-canal round the rapids on St. Mary's river, to connect Lakes Superior and Huron, and to be completed in 1855. This work, when in operation, must add greatly to the commercial importance ef Michigan, and enhance the value of the copper, iron, and lead mines on the shores of Lake Superior.

Commerce: Michigan, surrounded as it is by inland seas, is most favorably situated for internal trade, and trade with British America. Her foreign commerce is, however, small, and only amounted, in 1851-2, in imports, to $191,976, and exports $145,152; tonnage entered for the same year, 66,041; cleared, 69,981; owned, 46,318·12, of which 24,681·73 was steam tonnage; number of vessels built, 16, with a tonnage of 2639·00. In the spring of 1853 there were owned at Detroit and Mackinaw, 56 steamers, with a tonnage of 17,925. The lake trade of 1851 has been stated at, imports, $5,330,609, and exports, $5,790,860. Wheat and other grain, flour, pork, live stock, wool, and copper are among the leading articles of export.

Education: On the subject of education, Michigan is largely imbued with the opinion of New England, (from whence so many of her sons derive their origin,) that republican government and common school education must proceed or fall together. Her school fund, in 1852, was $575,668; in addition to which, is a fund called the University Fund, of $100,000. In 1850, $42,794 were apportioned among the schools, and $81,392 raised by taxation for their support, besides $46,797 raised for buildings, &c. During the same year, 132,234 pupils attended the schools, of whom 125,866 were educated from the public funds. There is a state normal school, at Ypsilanti, about going into operation, for the education of teachers, under the control of aboard of six persons appointed by the legislature. The township libraries, in 1850, numbered on their shelves 84,823 volumes.

Religion: Of the 362 churches in Michigan, in 1850, the Methodists owned 103, the Presbyterians 67, Baptists 58, Roman Catholics 42, Congregationalists 29, Episcopalians 25, and Lutherans 12; the rest belong to Friends, Christians, Dutch Reformed, Free Church, Moravians, Union Church, Universalists, Mariners, and some others, giving one church to every 1098 persons. Value of church property $723,200: See Table of Religions, APPENDIX.

Public Institutions: Provision has recently been made for the establishment of asylums for the deaf, dumb, blind, and insane, which are now in course of construction. The former at Flint, and the latter (the insane) at Kalamazoo. An additional appropriation of $20,000 was made in favor of these institutions in 1853. They are under the control of a board of 5 trustees, appointed by the legislature. The state prison is at Jackson, and had 131 inmates in November, 1850, of whom 115 were white, and 16 colored; 94 could read and write, 34 read only, 3 could neither read or write, and 19 learned to read in prison; 86 were natives, and 45 foreigners. The income during the year was $10,700, and expenditure $16,736, leaving nearly $6000 to be paid by the state.

Government, Finances, &c: The governor and lieutenant-governor of Michigan are each elected by the people for two years; the former receiving a salary of $1500 per annum, and the latter, who is ex-officio president of the senate, $6 per diem, during the sessions of the legislature. The senate consists of 32, and the house of representatives of 66 members-both elected by the people for two years. The state sends 4 members to the national house of representatives, and casts 6 electoral votes for president of the United States. The judiciary consists of a supreme court, composed of 8 circuits, presided over by one chief, and seven associate judges. The assessed value of property in Michigan, in 1850, was $30,877,223; public debt, November 30, 1852, $2,307,850.19; school fund $500,000; other productive property $628,000; expenses, exclusive of debt and schools, about $125,000 a year; total expenses for 1852, $431,918.87, and receipts $451,082.97. In January, 1853, the banking capital of the state was $665,803, circulation $861,140, and $197,294.92 in coin.

History: Michigan was colonized by the French near Detroit in the latter half of the seventeenth century, and also at Mackinaw; but like other French colonies in America, did not progress rapidly. At the peace of 1763 it came, with the other French possessions in North America, under the dominion of Great Britain, and so remained till the breaking out of the American Revolution, when it of course came into the hands of the United States. On the expulsion of the French, the celebrated Indian chief, Pontiac, seized the occasion to rid the country of the hated whites, by a general uprising, and simultaneous attacks on all the forts of the English on the lakes. Mackinaw was taken by stratagem, and the garrison mercilessly butchered. Detroit was besieged for some months by Pontiac with 600 Indians; but it held out till the Indian allies, becoming weary of the siege, retired, and left Pontiac no choice but to make peace. The British did not surrender Detroit to the United States till 1796. In 1805, Michigan, which up to that period had been a part of the North-west territory, was formed into a separate government. In 1812 it became the scene of some stirring events in the war with Great Britain. Lying contiguous to Canada, it was invaded in the very commencement of that struggle, and its capital (Detroit) surrendered, August 15, 1812, by General Hull, under circumstances which led to his displacement from his command. Previous to this, Fort Mackinaw had been taken by the enemy. At Frenchtown, in this state, occurred (January 22, 1813) a cruel massacre by the savages, of a party of Americans, prisoners of war. General Harrison soon after drove the enemy out of the territory of Michigan, and removed the seat of war into Canada. Michigan became an independent member of the American confederacy in 1837, and has since been rapidly progressing in population, wealth, and internal improvements.

Biographies:

Byron M. Cutcheon, representative, was born in Pembroke, N.H., May 11, 1836; son of James and Hannah (Tripp) McCutcheon; grandson of Frederick MeCutcheon, a Revolutionary soldier, and Anne (Brown); and a descendant of Phedris McCutcheon of Barrington, N.H., 1720-1751. He removed to Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1855, and Was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1861, with the degree of A.B., receiving that of A.M. in 1866. He was principal of the Ypsilanti high school, 1861-62, and in the latter year entered the Union army as captain in the 20th Michigan infantry, rising by promotion to the ranks of major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel. He was brevetted colonel and brigadier-general for "conspicuous gallantry," 1864-65, and received the medal of honor from congress for distinguished bravery; was twice wounded at Spottsylvania Court House; was assigned to the command of the second brigade, 1st division, 9th army corps, Army of the Potomac, in 1864, and was mustered out in 1865. He studied law at Ypsilanti, Mich., and was graduated in law at the University of Michigan in 1866, practising at Manistee, Mich., until 1883. He was a member of the board of control of railroads of Michigan, 1866-83; was presidential elector, 1868; city attorney, 1870-71; county attorney, 1873-74; regent of the University of Michigan, 1875-83; postmaster of Manistee, 1877-83; and a Republican representative in the 48th, 49th, 50th and 51st congresses, 1883-91, being defeated for the 52d congress. In the 51st congress he was chairman of the committee on military affairs. In 1891 he was appointed by President Harrison civilian member of the U.S. beard of ordnance and fortification, of which Gen. John M. Schofield was president, and served as such until March, 1895. He was an editorial writer on the Detroit Tribune until May, 1896, when he resumed the practice of law, having removed in 1891 to Grand Rapids, Mich.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Zachariah Chandler, senator, was born in Bedford, N. H., Dec. 10, 1813; son of Samuel and Margaret (Orr) Chandler. He attended the common school of Bedford and the academies at Pembroke and Derry, and in 1833 removed to Detroit, Mich., where he commenced trade as a dry-goods dealer, with a capital of one thousand dollars, furnished him by his father in lieu of a collegiate education. His business steadily increased and he eventually acquired a large fortune. He was an abolitionist and helped support the "underground railroad." In 1851 he was elected mayor of Detroit as a Whig, and in 1852 was an unsuccessful candidate for governor of Michigan. He was also Whig candidate for the U. S. senate in 1853. In 1854 he participated actively in the organization of the Republican party. He was elected U. S. senator, Jan. 10, 1857, to succeed Senator Cass, receiving eighty-nine votes against sixteen cast for Cass, and took his seat March 4, 1857. He was a chairman of the committee on commerce after March, 1861. In March, 1858, he opposed the admission of Kansas, under the Lecompton constitution, in a speech before the senate, and the same year made a written agreement with Senators Wade and Cameron in which they combined against Senator Green of Missouri, who had threatened an attack on Senator Cameron for words spoken in debate. He gained notoriety through a letter written to Governor Blair, Feb. 11, 1861, in which he said, "Without a little blood-letting the Union will not in my estimation be worth a rush," and which he was called upon to defend on the floor of the senate. He contributed generously to the support of the war, was in favor of confiscation measures, opposed short-term enlistments and expressed himself as sorry that the President did not call for five hundred thousand men, rather than seventy-five thousand. On Dec. 5, 1861, he moved the resolution which resulted in the appointment of a joint committee on the conduct of the war, of which he became a member, but declined the chairmanship. This committee opposed General McClellan's military management. and on July 16, 1862, Mr. Chandler made a powerful speech in which he assailed that officer's competency. He was re-elected to the senate in 1863, and made, in 1864, a vigorous campaign for the Republican ticket. He was re-elected to the senate in 1869, and in 1874 he made a speech against the inflation of the currency, and was uncompromising in demanding a prompt return to specie payments. On Oct. 19, 1875, President Grant appointed him secretary of the interior, to succeed Columbus Delano, resigned, which office he held until the close of Grant's administration, March 4, 1877. Upon Isaac P. Christiancy's resignation as United States senator from Michigan in February, 1879, Mr. Chandler was elected to fill the vacancy. His most noted speech was made on March 3, 1879, at 3:30 in the morning, when a bill granting arrears of pensions to veteran soldiers in the Mexican war was under consideration, which would include in its provisions the possibility of a pension to Jefferson Davis. Mr. Chandler was very severe in his denunciation of Mr. Davis, and his speech aroused excitement in the senate, and brought his name prominently before the public as a presidential candidate. In the campaign of 1876 he was made chairman of the Republican congressional committee. On Oct. 31, 1879, he addressed the Young men's Republican club at Chicago, Ill., and was found dead in his room the next morning, the result of a cerebral hemorrhage. The date of his death is Nov. 1, 1879.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Charles Miller Croswell, governor of Michigan, was born in Newburg, N.Y., Oct. 31, 1825; son of John and Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. He removed to Adrian Mich., in 1837 and learned the trade of carpenter. In 1845 he began the study of law and was appointed deputy county clerk. He was city registrar, 1850-54, was admitted to the bar in 1855 and practised in partnership with Thomas McIntire Cooley. He was mayor of Adrian in 1862 and was state senator in 1863, 1864, 1865 and 1867, and president pro tempore at each session. He was a delegate from Lenawee county to the state constitutional convention of 1867 and president of the convention. He was elected in 1868 member at large of the Michigan house of representatives, and was its speaker, 1873-74. He was governor of the state for two terms, 1877-81. He also served as secretary of the state board of correction and charities after the expiration of his term as an ex officio member of the board. He was married in February, 1852, to Lucy M., daughter of Morton Eddy. She died in 1868 and in 1880 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of the Hon. Joseph Musgrave of Charlotte, Mich. He died in Adrian, Mich., Dec. 13, 1886.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Thomas White Ferry, senator, was born in Mackinac, Mich., June 1, 1826; son of the Rev. William Montague and Amanda (White) Ferry. His father was born in 1769, graduated at Union college in 1821, was a missionary in Michigan after 1821, establishing a school at Mackinac, and afterward engaged in the lumber business at Grand Haven, becoming wealthy and leaving to benevolent objects at his death in 1867, $120,000. Thomas was educated at the public school and engaged in the lumbering business at Grand Haven. He was county clerk; a state representative, 1850-56; state senator in 1856; delegate-at-large to the Republican national convention of 1860; and delegate to the Loyalist's convention, Philadelphia, 1866. He was a representative in the 39th, 40th and 41st congresses, 1865-71, and re-elected to the 42d congress but did not take his seat, having been elected a U.S. senator to succeed Senator Howard and taking his seat, March 4, 1871. He was chosen president pro-tempore of the senate, March 9th and 19th and Dec. 20, 1875, and was acting vice-president of the United States from the death of Vice-President Wilson, Nov. 22, 1875, until March 4, 1877. In the absence of President Grant he presided at the opening of the Centennial exposition at Philadelphia, July 4, 1876, and delivered the address. He also presided at the impeachment trial of Secretary Belknap and at the sixteen joint meetings of congress, and during the electoral count, 1876-77. He was re-elected U.S. senator, Jan. 17, 1877, and was president protempore of the senate, March 5, 1877, Feb. 26, 1878, April 17, 1878 and March 3, 1879. In 1883 he was again a candidate before the state legislature for re-election to the U.S. senate and after balloting from January 16th to March 17th, Thomas W. Palmer was elected. He died in Grand Haven, Mich., Oct. 14, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

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