Michigan
Biographical Sketch of Ernest S. Bowen
Ernest S. Bowen, born May 8, 1858, in Levanna, New York, rose from humble beginnings as the son of a farmer. He pursued mechanical engineering at Cornell University, graduating in 1890 with honors. After gaining experience at McIntosh, Seymour & Company, he partnered with Walter L. Fay to establish the firm Fay & Bowen. An active community member, Bowen served on the public works board and belonged to several fraternal organizations. He married Clara L. Hogle in 1888 and had three children.
Biography of Samuel D. Pierson
Samuel D. Pierson, born October 26, 1851, in Pittsford, New York, is a prominent director at the J. W. Smith Dry Goods Company in Geneva, New York. He began his career at age fourteen and demonstrated remarkable determination throughout his professional life. The son of Rev. Job Pierson, a respected Presbyterian minister, Samuel contributed to various business and community endeavors, including serving as a trustee of the Geneva Savings Bank and engaging with local organizations. Though unmarried, he is known for his empathy and strong moral character, earning the trust of many.
Biography of George Fordon
William Fordon, born in England in 1757, was a farmer who married Sarah Dunslee in 1792. Their son, George Fordon, born in 1803 near Whitby, emigrated to the United States in 1831, believing it offered better opportunities. He traveled the Midwest before settling on a tract near Geneva, New York. A pioneer in under drainage techniques, George initially faced skepticism but later proved successful. He married Hannah Stephenson in 1822, and they had several children, becoming active members of the Episcopalian church.
Biography of Daniel Kane
Daniel Kane, born on November 27, 1854, in Geneva, New York, has served as the Chief of Police there for over twenty years. His career began in 1882 as a patrolman, where his dedication and skill led to rapid advancement. Renowned for his efficiency in policing and detective work, Kane played a pivotal role in numerous criminal apprehensions, including a notable bank robbery case. A respected community member, he was active in local fraternal organizations and was married to Elizabeth Tannian, with whom he had six children.
Biographical Sketch of William H. Cornford
William H. Cornford, born September 8, 1835, in England, immigrated to America as a child with his family. He trained as a carpenter and fought in the Civil War with the Seventy-sixth and Ninth Michigan Volunteers. After the war, he settled in Michigan, first in Hudson and later in Birch Run as a pioneer farmer, before returning to Phelps in 1871. Cornford, a past commander of the local Grand Army post, died on October 3, 1909, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Catharine and had several children.
Biography of Homer Crane Bliss
Homer Crane Bliss, born April 30, 1868, in Springport, Michigan, is a prominent figure in Florence, Massachusetts, serving as assistant treasurer of the Corticelli Silk Company. A descendant of the esteemed Bliss family, his lineage traces back to Thomas Bliss, an early Puritan settler from Devonshire, England, who faced persecution before migrating to America. Bliss has dedicated over forty years to his company, holding various civic roles, including director of local banks and member of several community organizations. He married Eleanor M. Guilford in 1896 and resides in Florence.
Biography of George W. Kirchwey
George W. Kirchwey, born July 3, 1855, in Detroit, is a distinguished member of the Albany bar and the dean of Albany Law School. He excelled academically at Yale, earning numerous honors, and began his law career under Stedman & Shepard in Albany. Kirchwey co-founded a successful law practice with James W. Eaton, specializing in corporation law while remaining active in literary and civic affairs. His dedication as dean has revitalized the law school, and he continues to balance his professional duties with family life.
Michigan Frontier Forts Prior to 1902
The post enumerates various military installations and forts located throughout Michigan, detailing their specific sites. Key locations include Brady Fort at Sault Ste. Marie, multiple forts at Detroit, and several on Mackinac Island, such as Mackinac Fort and George Fort. Other notable forts listed include Gratiot Fort at the St. Clair River and St. Joseph’s Fort on Lake Huron. This compilation highlights Michigan’s strategic military presence prior to 1902, reflecting the state’s historical significance in regional defense.
Biography of James Shanahan
James Shanahan, born February 6, 1829, in Ireland, is a distinguished engineer and master mechanic, currently serving as New York State’s Superintendent of Public Works. His career began with an apprenticeship in masonry, leading to significant contributions to infrastructure, including work on the Erie and Oswego canals and the New York Central Railroad. A member of the Democratic Party, he briefly served in the state assembly. Shanahan’s expertise and dedication have established his reputation as a key figure in the mechanical and public works sectors of New York.
Miscellaneous African American Genealogy
African American genealogy poses unique challenges due to limited record-keeping prior to the Civil War. A dedicated section addressing these resources is vital, paralleling Native American research. While improvements have been made through new publications and guides, effective research requires a methodical approach, particularly when differentiating between records for enslaved individuals and free Black individuals. Key resources include census, military, court, and church records, alongside cemetery databases. Understanding these differences is crucial for tracing African American ancestry in pre- and post-emancipation contexts.
Indian Villages, Towns and Settlements of Michigan
This section offers an alphabetical catalog of villages, towns, and settlements in historical Michigan, as documented in the Handbook of American Indian of North America. It includes names ranging from Aegakotcheising to Angwassag, Big Rock to Brownstown, and Cheboygan to Gatagetegauning, culminating in Grand Traverse. This comprehensive listing highlights the diverse heritage and geographical significance of these locales within the context of Michigan’s Native American history.
G-Michigan Indian Villages, Towns and Settlements
This post provides a comprehensive list of Indian villages, towns, and settlements as documented in the Handbook of Americans North of Mexico. It includes Gatagetegauning, a former Chippewa village located on the Michigan-Wisconsin border, and Grand Traverse, another Chippewa settlement near Flint, Michigan. Gatagetegauning was noted for its historical significance and the Vieux Desert Chippewa population, while Grand Traverse served as a notable hunting and camping ground, named by French traders for its strategic location along an important Indian trail.
C- Michigan Indian Villages, Towns and Settlements
The post provides a comprehensive list of Indian villages, towns, and settlements in Michigan, referencing the “Handbook of Americans North of Mexico.” It highlights Cheboygan, originally known as Kichibwagan, a former Ottawa band settlement on the Cheboygan River. Following the treaty of July 31, 1855, the band received land near Burls Lake, but subsequent congressional acts in 1872 and 1876 resulted in the allotment of their lands and the restoration of surplus to public domain.
A- Michigan Indian Villages, Towns and Settlements
The post provides a detailed enumeration of Indian villages, towns, and settlements within Michigan, as outlined in the Handbook of Americans North of Mexico. Notable entries include Aegakotcheising, an Ottawa village documented in 1851, and Angwassag, a Chippewa village near St. Charles with an estimated population of 50 in 1894.
Biographical Sketch of Frank H. Kelly
Frank H. Kelly, born on February 8, 1870, in Rock Island, Illinois, has spent his life in the city where he practices law. A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School in 1891, he began his legal career in 1892. Notably, he served as Master in Chancery and is currently the assistant States Attorney. A Republican and active in various fraternal organizations, Kelly is well-regarded in his community. He married Anna A. Slattery in 1895, and they have two daughters.
Dakota Tribe
The Dakota, a major division of the Sioux tribes, comprised several dialects including Santee, Yankton, and Teton. Historically, they are believed to have originated from the northeast, migrating southwest due to conflicts with the Chippewa. By the 19th century, they inhabited areas around the Mississippi River and later faced displacement and conflicts, notably during the Minnesota uprising of 1862 and the Black Hills War of 1876. Despite challenges, the Dakota maintained their cultural identity and social structures, demonstrating strong resilience and adaptability throughout their history.
Sauk Tribe
The Sauk, also known as the Sac Tribe, are an Algonquian people originally inhabiting the eastern peninsula of Michigan. Historically linked with tribes such as the Potawatomi and the Foxes, they were identified in early European records as part of the Gens de Feu or “People of Fire.” Their movements over time were shaped by warfare, notably conflicts with the Neuter Nation and Iroquois, leading to migrations towards present-day Wisconsin. By the 18th century, they established villages near Green Bay but faced internal divisions and external pressures, resulting in a significant decline in population and territory.
American Indian Reservations
The post details various Indian reservations in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming, highlighting the tribes associated with each reservation, the acreage, and the legal acts, treaties, and executive orders used for their establishment. For instance, the Ute reservation in Colorado encompasses 483,750 acres, while the Qualla Boundary in North Carolina totals 63,211 acres. Each entry reveals the complex history of land allocation and indigenous rights through a series of legal and governmental decisions.