1894 Michigan State Census – Wayne County

United States Soldiers of the Civil War Residing in Michigan, June 1, 1894 [ Names within brackets are reported in letters. ] Brownstown Township – David Sanderson. William Carson. Edward Carson, William J. Vreeland. William S. Vreeland, Albert W. Wegar. Roderic Broughton, Frederick Closser. John Busembark. John Washer. Frank Ferstel, William Knight. John R. Brown, William H. Blanchard, Charles Strewing. John Shavanaw. Thomas Raymond, H. A. M. Jones. H. Abram Frank, William Anteau. Samuel W. Vanpelt, Henry M. Smith. Samuel F. Smith, Henry Lautenschlager. Wesley B. Littlefield, Chandler D. Wells, David Smith, Lorenzo Ferstel, Edmund Beech, Charles Simpson, Lucius Lobdell, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas William Hill

Hill, Thomas William; banker; born, England, May 30, 1847; son of Thomas R. and Mary Alice Hunt Hill; public school education; married, Detroit, Mich., July 15, 1870, Harriette C. De La. Hooke; one son, Harold H.; came to America with parents in 1850; located at Flint, Mich.; enlisted, September 1863, with the Michigan Cavalry (Custer Brigade), (Sheridan’s Cavalry Corps); served until the close of the war; with the W. U. Telephone Co. at Toledo until 1869; with the same company at Detroit, as bookkeeper and cashier, 1869-1885; transferred to Cleveland, as mgr. of their Cleveland office, 1885-1892; elected cashier Cleveland … Read more

Slave Narrative of Sam McAllum

Interviewer: Marjorie Woods Austin Person Interviewed: Sam McAllum Location: Meridian, Mississippi Date of Birth: September 2, 1842 Age: 95 Place of Residence: Meridian, Lauderdale County To those familiar with the history of “Bloody Kemper” as recorded, the following narrative from the lips of an eye-witness will be heresy. But the subject of this autobiography, carrying his ninety-five years more trimly than many a man of sixty, is declared sound of mind as well as of body by the Hector Currie family, prominent in Mississippi, for whom he has worked in a position of great trust and responsibility for fifty years … Read more

Ottawa Indian Chiefs and Leaders

The following were chiefs or leaders of the Ottawa Indians. Pontiac An Ottawa chief, born about 1720, probably on Maumee river, Ohio, about the mouth of the Auglaize. Though his paternity is not positively established, it is most likely that his father was an Ottawa chief and his mother a Chippewa woman. J. Wimer says that as early as 1746 he commanded the Indians, mostly Ottawa, who defended Detroit against the attack of the northern tribes. It is supposed he led the Ottawa and Chippewa warriors at Braddock’s defeat. He first appears prominently in history at his meeting with Maj. Robert Rogers, in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William J. Guthrie

William J. Guthrie, one of San Bernardino’s brightest and most successful business men, was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was there brought up and educated, and started out in life as an employee in a mercantile agency, where he obtained a thorough knowledge of business customs and methods. His connection with that branch of business continued for years, during which time he rose from a reporter to joint partner in the McKillop Mercantile Agency. In 1878 he came to California and spent a year in the Ohio valley, Ventura County, when he was made superintendent of the Dunn Mercantile Agency … Read more

Biography of George H. Crafts

George H. Crafts, a rancher near Redlands, was born in New York City in 1844, and came to California with his father in 1861. His father, Myron H. Crafts, was born in Whately, Massachusetts, in 1816, and established the first temperance grocery in New York City. He also had a large meat-curing house there, but was burnt out in 1844, and then went to Jackson, Michigan, where he started a soap and candle factory. He next went to Windsor, where he farmed for a while, and then went to Detroit and accepted a position as cashier in C. & A. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles A. Ricks

Ricks, Charles A.; sec’y and treas. Kuhlman Car Co.; born, Knoxville, Tenn., Aug. 14, 1868; son of Augustus J. and Emma Maxwell Atwater Ricks; educated, Kenyon Military Academy, and Kenyon College; married, Oct. 21, 1897, at Detroit, Mich., Miss Margaret Trowbridge; business career, 1888 clerk First National Bank, Massillon, O., sec’y and treas. Massillon Loan Ass’n; came to Cleveland in 1890, and became auditor and traveling salesman for the Standard Oil Co.; in 1896, appointed mgr. of the Cleveland station; in 1900, organized the G. C. Kuhlman Car Co., sec’y and treas., builds electric and steam railway cars, turning out … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. H. Jones

Jones, J. H.; banker; born, Dundee, O., Aug. 20, 1867; son of A. C. and Annie Russell Jones; common and high school education, and one year at Ohio Northern University; married, Detroit, Mich., 1904, Lottie M. Vemmard Allen; issue, five children; Republican; three years member Public Library Board; never held political office and does not expect to do so; began work with The Iron Valley Bank, at Canal Dover, O., twenty-six years ago; served two years as clerk; one year at The Citizens Bank, at Ada, O., as asst. cashier; for nearly twenty-three years, has been with The Lake Shore … Read more

Huron Tribe

Encampment among the Islands of Lake Huron

Commonly known as the Huron Tribe, Huron Indians, Huron People, Huron First Nation, Wyandot Tribe, and Wyandot Indians (Huron – lexically from French huré, bristly,’ ‘bristled,’ from hure, rough hair’ (of the head), head of man or beast, wild boar’s head; old French, ‘muzzle of the wolf, lion,’ etc., ‘the scalp,’ ‘a wig’; Norman French, huré, ‘rugged’; Roumanian, hurée, ‘rough earth,’ and the suffix –on, expressive of depreciation and employed to form nouns referring to persons). The name Huron, frequently with an added epithet, like vilain, ‘base,’ was in use in France as early as 1358 as a name expressive … Read more

Biography of Jacob Kissel

JACOB KISSEL, junior member of the firm of Church & Kissel, began at a very early age to assume the practical duties of a business life, and by diligence, good habits, and a judicious use of natural tact has developed a character which will tell for usefulness in his day and generation. He has acquired a commercial standing which portends for him that prosperity and rank among his fellow-men vouchsafed alone to those who have worthily earned them. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1854, and is a son of Jacob Kissel who was born in Germany, but … Read more

Biography of Richard M. Kleinhans

Richard M. Kleinhans is a veteran railroad man, having been in the active service more than twenty years. He started in his native State of Michigan, worked through various grades of promotion with the Lake Shore Branch of the New York Central lines, and finally came to the Southwest in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas. He is now car accountant for that road with headquarters at Parsons. Born in Detroit, Michigan, September 8, 1877, he is a son of George and Cecelia (Hunt) Kleinhans. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1813, moved from that state to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph G. Doherty

Doherty, Joseph G.; secretary Cleveland Milling Co.; born, Detroit, Mich.; educated Detroit public schools; married, Dec. 2, 1901; two children; secretary and general mngr. Cleveland Milling Co.; member Masonic order. Golf preferred recreation.

Life and travels of Colonel James Smith – Indian Captivities

An Artists rendition of James Smith

James Smith, pioneer, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1737. When he was eighteen years of age he was captured by the Indians, was adopted into one of their tribes, and lived with them as one of themselves until his escape in 1759. He became a lieutenant under General Bouquet during the expedition against the Ohio Indians in 1764, and was captain of a company of rangers in Lord Dunmore’s War. In 1775 he was promoted to major of militia. He served in the Pennsylvania convention in 1776, and in the assembly in 1776-77. In the latter year he was commissioned colonel in command on the frontiers, and performed distinguished services. Smith moved to Kentucky in 1788. He was a member of the Danville convention, and represented Bourbon county for many years in the legislature. He died in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1812. The following narrative of his experience as member of an Indian tribe is from his own book entitled “Remarkable Adventures in the Life and Travels of Colonel James Smith,” printed at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1799. It affords a striking contrast to the terrible experiences of the other captives whose stories are republished in this book; for he was well treated, and stayed so long with his red captors that he acquired expert knowledge of their arts and customs, and deep insight into their character.

Biography of W. Ladd

W. Ladd, of Redlands, first came to California in 1851. He shipped his horses and wagons from near Detroit, Michigan, to Chicago, and then to Missouri. April 9, 1851, they started from St. Joseph, Missouri, across the plains, and on August 11, of the same year, they arrived in Virginia City. Mr. Ladd mined until 1852, when he went back to Michigan by way of Panama. He worked at blacksmithing and the wagon-maker’s trade at Dearborn, Michigan, from 1852 until 1859, and on April 9, of the latter year, he again started from St. Joseph, Missouri, across the plains for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edwin Victor Hale

Hale, Edwin Victor; banker; born, Cleveland, Aug. 1, 1869; son of Edwin B. and Susan C. Hoyt Hale; educated, Yale University, A. B.: married, Detroit. Mich., July 19, 1899, Florence Clark; children, E. V. Hale, Jr., Florence and Constance; teller Western Reserve National Bank, 1892-1898; asst. see’y and treas. American Trust Co., 1898-1899; treas. The Citizens Savings & Trust Co., 1899-1903; vice pres. The Citizens Savings & Trust Co., 1913; director The First National Bank; member the Union, Tavern, Roadside Country, and Willowick Clubs.

James Bethel Todd of Detroit MI

James Bethel Todd8, (Bethel7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born March 25, 1830, died Nov. 25, 1898, in Detroit, Mich., married June 10, 1860, Louisa M. Howard, who was born Nov. 22, 1840, at Amherst Island, Canada. Children: 2067. James Howard, b. May 26, 1869, in Pultneyville, N. Y. 2068. Percival.

Biographical Sketch of John Hudlett

Hudlett, John; baker; born, Germany, Jan. 14, 1875; son of Fred and Magdalena Spaiser Hudlett; educated, Gymnasium at Zweibunenen, Germany; married, Detroit, Mich., Nov. 28, 1903, Antionette Biringer; one daughter, Antionette; master baker for 10 years; located at 14330 Euclid Ave.; member Master Bakers’ Ass’n. Recreation: Motoring. Was delegate to the Stodtoerband.

Basman, Cyril Louis “Louie”, Jr. – Obituary

Richland, Oregon Cyril Louis “Louie” Basman Jr., 80, a longtime Richland resident, died Jan. 7, 2004, at his home. Louie’s family honored his request that there be no formal service for him. He was born on Jan. 1, 1924, at Detroit, Mich., to Cyril Louis and Joanna Thomaszowski Basman. He attended and graduated from Royal Oak High School. After graduation he went on to attend Laurence Institute of Technology. Louie served in the U.S. Navy as a pilot from 1943 to 1946. In 1944, he married June Ankrom at St. Augustine, Fla., and again at Las Vegas, Nev., (just to … Read more

Ketscher, Ruth Jean – Obituary

Enterprise, Oregon Ruth “Jean” Ketscher, 84, of Burns and formerly of Enterprise, died Monday at her home. A memorial service at St. Katherine’s Catholic Church in Enterprise begins at 10 a.m. Monday. The service will be followed by burial at the Enterprise Cemetery and a celebration of life in the church hall. Arrangements are under the direction of Bollman Funeral Home. Mrs. Ketscher was born Oct. 9, 1922, in Detroit, Mich., to Catherine Gelineau and Ross Wadsworth Waffle, the second of sixth children. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in home economics and history, then became a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lawrence E. Caviness

There is a special pride that we can take in tracing the career of one of the sons of Oregon, who has gained his education and training in this section and who has wrought out a success for himself that manifests him as a man of ability and business force. Such a one is the subject of this sketch and we are pleased to accord his representation in this volume both because of his bright achievements, that have placed him as eminently successful in the industrial world, and because of his qualities of moral worth and intrinsic value that have … Read more