The business career of Mr. Woodbury in this city is familiar as a household word. From 1847 down to the day of his unfortunate death he has been at the head or deeply interested in business movements here of importance. A short time after he came here Mr. J. Parsons, who had been his clerk., became a partner in the dry goods business for several years. Then the late Hon. Allen POTTER and Mr. Woodbury became associated in the iron business. In 1850, or about that time, Woodbury & Potter, who were associated together in the hardware business, became proprietors of the blast furnace established just, before by a Mr. WILDER at a point adjoining the Riverside cemetery, the place then being known as Enniskillen from the famous distillery which years before had existed in that vicinity. This venture proved quite profitable and was continued several years until the iron ore on the west side of the river was exhausted. This was a famous industry in Kalamazoo in those days. The furnace was sold to and run by the late William BURTT. Together with Mr. Potter and with Mr. GALE, Mr Woodbury carried on the hardware business for some years. With Mr. Potter and Mr. J. A. WALTER he became one of the leading members of the Kalamazoo Gas Light company. In 1854 Mr. G. H. Gale became a partner in the hardware business and the store now occupied by Messrs PARSONS & WOOD was first occupied by this firm. In 1855 the firm changed to Potter Gale & Parsons. It was in 1858 that Woodbury with Messrs. Potter & Walter became proprietors of the gas works which were established the year before. In 1856 Messrs. Woodbury & Potter and Wood established the banking office which in 1865 became the well-known and popular Michigan National bank. Indeed, it would fill columns to relate the various an important business enterprises in which Mr. Woodbury has been engaged and which have been uniformly successful. His large business experience, his forecast, shrewdness and superior judgment (with what seemed to be a fortunate star) always led him to do the right thing in business enterprises, as well as in all that he undertook.

In 1852 Mr. Woodbury served as president of the village, and subsequently two terms as village trustee. In all matters pertaining to the advance of this place from the day he came here, he has been a liberal giver and a wise adviser, and his name has given great encouragement and strength to every undertaking which he has favored. And, yet, throughout all his business relations he has never wronged any one, and that person does not live who can truthfully say that Jeremiah P. Woodbury ever treated him otherwise than honorably and fair.

As a citizen, a neighbor, a friend, as a business man, in Short, in, all the relations of life, no man in our community stood higher. And though his age was nearly eighty-three years, and he seemed to have reached that age when his usefulness had passed, he is as deeply mourned as he would have been even a score of years ago. For a man of his age he was remarkably vigorous, and was one of the happiest, most genial of men, ready at all times to help those in need, or to give capital to new enterprises. He was passionately fond of hunting and fishing, and in pursuit of his amusement he would outlast many a younger man. It seems strange that in the countless adventures which both Mr. Cobb and Mr. Woodbury have passed through, that this should be about the first accident.

But it is in his own family, and in his immediate circle of kindred and intimate friends that his loss is wholly irreparable, for no parent was ever more dearly loved and prized than he. His good humor, his affectionate nature, his helpfulness and his freedom from anything like personal helpless. ness by age all seemed to give token that for many many years he would be spared to remain with them, and, but for the accident it is believed that he would have lived another ten years at least.

His wife and four children survive him.

Alexis Ransom [From the Kalamazoo Telegraph]

Mr. RANSOM was born in Townshend, Vermont, February 22, 1805, and consequently had nearly completed the eighty-third year of his age. He was the fourth of six sons of Major Ezekiel Ransom, all of whom were among the very early settlers of Kalamazoo county, and all of whom here found their graves where they had lived. His father, Major Ransom, was a somewhat remarkable man and distinguished himself in the war of 1812. His mother, Lucinda FLETCHER Ransom was a no less remarkable woman, well born and bred. She was the daughter of Colonel, or as he was always called, General Fletcher, one of the most distinguished men in Vermont in his day, and one of the most influential in opposing both the rival claims of New York and New Hampshire for the territory which became the independent State of Vermont, and twice during the contest General Fletcher was imprisoned for what he deemed righteousness' sake, or a strenuous defense of the rights of the people of the new State. There are some living in Kalamazoo yet who will well remember Mrs. Ransom as a true lady of the old school, and whom, in fine courtesy of bearing and manner, Mr. Alexis Ransom strongly resembled. "A perfect lady," his mother was wont, and justly, to be called. She was a woman of the strictist integrity, and a fine sense of right in the smallest matters, traits in which the deceased also resembled his mother. Mrs. Ransom, the mother, had, as will be remembered by all who knew her, a wonderful love and enjoyment of music, traits which all of her twelve children (for there were six daughters as well as six sons in the family), and especially Alexis Ransom and the youngest son, Wells, inherited. It was a family that could make a musical choir of themselves at any family gathering, and the writer of this sketch can perfectly recall the rapt face of the dear old mother at many of these gatherings as she listened, involuntarily keeping time with a finger, and sometimes joining in a few notes that she especially loved.

The deceased may be said to have first started out in life for himself in Clinton county, N. Y. From there he went to Glen Falls, where he married Miss Lois STONE., a sister of Mrs. E. J. FISH of this town. Four children of that marriage, three daughters and one son, survive their father. In the fall of 1837, Mr. Ransom came to Kalamazoo; the next spring, however, he went to Allegan, where he was for four years associated with the then influential and prosperous firm of the brothers ELY. These were the years of the great financial crisis, known as the days of wild-cat money in Michigan, and the firm with which Mr. Ransom was connected was among those that "went under" in those trying times, and Mr. Ransom was strongly tempted to give up the West and return again to New England.

But he was the favorite brother of Governor Ransom, who, very anxious to keep him in Kalamazoo, in order to tempt him to remain, conveyed to him for a nominal sum, a deed of four acres of land, on a portion of which he built a house, which, rebuilt, is the one in which he lived for forty-three years, or till his death. After his return to Kalamazoo from Allegan, for a time he was engaged in the flour trade with Mr. Fish, his former partner, and for some time with the late Mr. Lucius CLARK in mercantile business. In 1845, under President Polk, Mr. Ransom was appointed postmaster for a full term and he has served some time as justice of the peace in Kalamazoo, Interest in lumber mills not far from Vicksburg has occupied Mr. Ransom and taken him much from home for several years past, but no man ever loved his home better, and he was very seldom away over a Sunday.

Mr. Ransom's first wife died in 1855. and in 1856 he married Mrs. Nancy BROWN, widow of Mr. Lewis M. Brown, who survives him and to whom his loss is irreparable; for a happier union and a happier family of stepchildren on both sides is very seldom to be found in the history of second marriages. Four children of the first marriage, one son, Mr. James Ransom, and three daughters, with a son and daughter of Mrs. Ransom, survive and mourn for a kind father and a good man. Said Mr. Wyllys Ransom, son of Governor Ransom, to the writer today, "A purer man than uncle Alexis, I don't believe ever lived; when a child I used to see a great deal of him, for he was my father's favorite brother, and I cannot recollect of ever hearing so much as a slang phrase from his lips."

Mr. Ransom was a man of few words, but a great reader and a close thinker, and his mental powers and memory continued with scarce an indication of failure or impairment till he was stricken down with his last illness about a week before his death. The same may also be said of his industrious habits and activities which continued to the last. On all subjects be was accustomed to think for himself, and no man ever more cheerfully and courteously conceded to others the same right to think and act for themselves. In politics he was a democrat., and a strong one, but he counted among some of his truest and warmest friends, those who did not agree with him in political matters. In matters of religion, too, though very little of a talker, he thought and acted for himself, and the writer has often heard him say: "On matters of such importance I must think for myself, and be guided by my own conscience. I hold it the sacred duty of every person living to do this, and I can't, why, not if I would, merely indorse another's opinion on subjects like these." It is but a few days since, however, that he expressed to the writer his strong and, as he said, growing belief in the immortality of all life, and he more and more felt (for these things he deemed must be matters of feeling rather than knowledge with everyone), That with man, death was but a continued life under other conditions from those of this life. We laid aside our old clothes and moved into new habitations with, perhaps, a larger range, but we took our real selves with us, and they made our happiness or unhappiness there as here and everywhere. Such,, he said, were his growing feelings about that of which he did not profess to know anything, though he thought more about it than anything else in the world.

Mr. Ransom's death January 16, 1888, was most peaceful. In the first days of his illness he suffered much; but for twenty-four or thirty-six hours, life simply waned until it ceased, and he slept over into a new morning in the beyond. It was a somewhat noticeable coincidence that Mrs. L. E. BULKLEY, an old resident of Kalamazoo, a very intimate friend of the family, and sister-in-law of Mrs. Ransom, one of the last friends in the conscious remembrance of the deceased, of whom he spoke, (died in Cleveland at almost the very same hour that he did.

The Post Office Under Alexis Ransom.

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Sylvester Fredenburg

Died at his residence on Sept. 51, 1887, in Wakeshma. Sylvester FREDENBURG, aged 65. The ancestors of the Freenburgs in America were eleven brothers who came from Germany to America and settled on the Hudson sometime previous to the Revolutionary war, Sylvester, the subject of this sketch, was a descendant of one of these brothers. He was born in Kinderhook, Columbia county. N. Y., April 8, 1823. At the age of twenty-seven years, he removed with his father's family to Arcadia, Wayne county, N. Y. His father was highly esteemed and held various offices. Both he and his wife died at Arcadia. In 1845 Sylvester Fredenburg married Miss Jane M. WHEELER of Sodus, N. Y. In 1852 he came to Wakeshma from Wayne county, N. Y., and located when that town was very much of a wilderness. And with his indomitable energy and perseverance he has improved to a fine state the farm which he first purchased, his fertile brain having devised many improved appliances for economy and comfort in the management. He had just completed the last building he thought necessary to make, the most complete in the country. No one will be missed from the community more than he, as his life has been devoted largely to the benefit of his fellowmen. He was untiring in his efforts to relieve the distressed. His motto has been "return good for evil." Mr. Fredenburg has been prominently identified with the development of his township and has occupied many positions of trust, the duties of which he has discharged with ability and fidelity. He was supervisor from 1867 to 1876. He has also settled many estates some of which were very. complicated. His abounding good nature and generosity were no less marked traits than his courage, tenacity of purpose, love of justice and fair play. His fortitude and courage, his will-power and patience were especially displayed in his last illness. Truly a good man is taken from the community in which he was esteemed and honored. His business relations have brought him in contact with hosts of people not only in his immediate community but throughout a large portion of southwestern Michigan, and, wherever he has been he has left warm friends. In his political belief be has been a life long democrat, in his religious connections a member of the German Reformed church. He leaves only his devoted wife, who has been his companion from early manhood, having never had any children.

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Mrs. Olivia Bushnell

Mrs. Olivia BUSHNELL died at her home in Leroy, Tuesday morning, June 19 , 1888, of heart disease, and her funeral was attended at the Congregational church the following day. She and her husband, Dudley N. Bushnell, came to Leroy in the spring of 1837, and settled on the farm now owned by their sons, Harlow D. and Elon D., and where she had a home to the Iast. The deceased was the daughter of Asa and Prudence Bushnell, and sister of the Rev. W. and John Bushnell, all of whom became residents of Leroy and left their remains in the old cemetery opposite the Congregational church, where her remains were buried beside those of her husband. The wives of the two brothers were also buried here, and the entire eight were early members of the church in whose house of worship the funeral was held.

The family to which Mrs. Bushnell belonged has an honored history. Of French Huguenot origin, probably, the earliest of the name in this country who came from England to America and were among the first settlers of Guilford and Saybrook, Conn.

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Pembroke S. Grimes

This former well known citizen, one of the earliest dentists of Kalamazoo, and a resident since 1839, died January 9, 1889, after an illness of five months. To the older citizens of Kalamazoo, Mr. GRIMES was one of the best known of our people. He was for many years, the leading dentist of Kalamazoo, and did a thriving business. He went to Europe and remained nearly a year, in 1865 , and was present at the world's exposition in Paris. After his return his health failed, and he has been an invalid ever since, for several years being unable to leave his home. For the past eight years he has been better, and able to be out almost daily in a carriage. Some five months ago he became quite ill, and death from tuberculosis resulted. His wife died about eleven years ago. He leaves one son, Frank, who has been with him for some time past. Deceased was sixty-four years old. When fifteen years of age he left his native home, Naples, N. Y., for the West, alone. In 1839 he walked from Detroit to Kalamazoo. He took up painting as an occupation after coming here and followed this for years. He showed considerable talent, too, as an artist, as well as a house painter, and the writer remembers a number of his sketches in oil which showed a good degree of talent, and the promise that, had he pursued art study, he would have succeeded. But an opportunity occurring, he learned dentistry, and soon became proficient, and was very successful, becoming the leading dentist here, and amassing a considerable fortune. He married Miss Sylvia HAWKINS of Paw Paw, and his domestic relations were very happy.

Elery F. BRIGGS

This well known pioneer died at his home in Vicksburg, September 20, 1887, aged 75 years. He located on the place where he died nearly fifty years ago, and had secured a property valued at $25,000 to $30,000. He lived a bachelor until three years ago, when he married Miss BRANCH, of Long lake, who survives him. Deceased was born in Livingston county, N. Y. His funeral was held September 21.

Benjamin F. Doolittle

Benjamin F. DOOLITTLE, who settled on Gull Prairie, with his parents, in 1835, died at Plainwell, June 23, 1888, from apoplexy, while sitting in a chair on the lawn adjoining his residence, in that village. He had been at Kalamazoo during the afternoon, was in usual good health, and had just reached his home from a trip down town. Mr. Doolittle's age was sixty-four. He leaves a wife and two sons.

Holland Gilson

Holland GILSON of Climax, one of the earliest pioneers of this county, died at his home July 30, 1888, aged 87 years and 8 months. He came to Michigan in 1834, from near Rutland, Vt., and settled in the village of Bronson. For ten years be lived here, and was among those who dug the race for Arcadia creek, diverting it from its original and meandering disposition, making the race for the Cooley water power and other small concerns below. This was in 1834. In 1836 he purchased of T. P. SHELDON of this place the southeast quarter of section I8 of Climax, and in the winter removed his family and household goods, by an ox team, to his new home, and all came near freezing to death. Mr. Gilson has lived on that farm ever since and added to its acres. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilson, only two of whom survive. The deceased was one of the sturdy New England stock, that could always make his way through difficulties and always maintain a good name and the respect and esteem of neighbors. Mr. Gilson has been a warm partisan, in politics standing by the Whig party while it continued, and by the republican to the end of his life. His wife, who is eighty-five years old, still lives.

Prof C. W. Heywood [From the Battle Creek Journal]

Chester W. HEYWOOD was born March 12, 1821, in Plainfield, Washington county, Vermont. The next year he removed with his parents to Ontario county, N. Y., and in 1823 to Mendon, Monroe county, in the same State. Here he lived until 1837 when he came to Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and resided there until 1843, when he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and some time after entered the University in that city. From that institution be graduated an A. B. in 1853, and an A. M. in 1859, with the second honors of his class. He was, really a self-made man. He paid his college expenses by doing the janitor work of the institution, and serving as mailing clerk for the Rochester Daily Democrat.

He taught in Rochester two years. Since that time he has held the position of principal of the following schools: Kingsville Academy, Ohio, seven years; Conneaut Academy, Ohio, two years; Springfield Academy, Pa., one year; Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College, Ohio) one year. He was professor in Hiram College while James A. Garfield was one of the trustees. He was a personal friend of Garfield, and was associated with him in both business and social relations.

He was superintendent of the high school in Kent, Cuyahoga county Ohio, one year, book-keeper of Kent Glass Works one year, superintendent of East Cleveland schools two years, and salesman for the large coal firm of L Crawford & Soils, in Cleveland for some time.

In 1876-78 he was principal of the old Geauga Seminary, Ohio; was principal of the Hartford union school, Van Buren county, Michigan, two years, and of the Galesburg union school one year, and of the Scott school in Pavilion one year. He removed to Battle Creek in 1887. He edited the Battle Creek Call for some time, and was editing the Kalamazoo Herald, when in the first part of February last he was struck by a fast driven horse while crossing Portage street in Kalamazoo. He was taken into the Kalamazoo house supposed to be dead. He soon revived and in a short time went to his home in Battle Creek, where he died on the morning of the 19th of April, 1888.

He was married in 1853 to Miss Clarissa B. BANNISTER, of LeRoy, N. Y. He leaves a wife and six children, one daughter and five sons. He has ever been a kind husband and father, governing by love and reason, never by force. He always discussed a question pro and con with his children, hearing their opinions, unbiased, giving due consideration to them,, and then gave his own with the best paternal advice. At first he strongly objected to his son Alba's choosing his present business as a profession, but although Alba chose it against his wishes, he helped him in every way that he could. He wrote his most popular songs, trained him in elocution, and helped to fit him for some of his most difficult roles, and when convinced of Alba's success he was pleased with his choice.

While a student in Rochester University, Prof. Heywood became well acquainted with Frederick Douglas, who was then editing the North Star in that city. Judge Albion W. Tourgee, the author, and his wife were both pupils of Prof. Heywood.

Prof. Heywood was gifted as a conversationalist. His friends could learn wore from his talk than from books. And what he had learned from men, books and study, he could reproduce in substance, and would often surprise his friends by giving passage after passage of all eloquent speech or poem. he had read, or the full account of some historical event. His memory seemed to reproduce from the past anything he had read or heard, at his bidding.

The writer once asked him to give the meaning of the names of the old political parties of New York, which, like the plagues of Egypt, once afflicted that State. His reply was an interesting political reminiscence that would have entertained Thurlow Weed or Horace Greeley.

An old farmer friend said of him: "A man that appreciates a good thing would never get tired of Prof. Heywood's talk."

He was a republican in politics, and a Baptist in his religious convictions.

Capt. Barnard Vosburg [From the Battle Creek Journal]

Capt. Barnard VOSBURG, well and favorably known in this community for many years, died at his late home, near Galesburg, on December 21, 1887. He leaves a widow and five grown up sons, to whom will fall the inheritance of a handsome property.

Barnard Vosburg was born in Copake, Columbus county, N. Y., in January, 1827. He came to Michigan in 1853, settling in the vicinity of Galesburg, on new lands, which he converted into a fertile and valuable farm. When the war for the Union began, he went to the front as captain of company A , Thirteenth Michigan Infantry. This was the regiment organized at Kalamazoo by the late Col. C. E. STUART, of that place. Capt. Vosburg has been a prominent and influential member of the democratic party; enlisting in its service in his youth, he was always true to its principles. He has been an active and useful member of the Kalamazoo County Agricultural Society, and also of the State society! and of many other associations of a public character. He was a. man of vigorous intellect, clear intelligence and close observation. Observation had been a valuable instructor to him.

Thus trained in the political schools of life, Capt. Vosburg was a useful man in the community where he lived.

He was widely known among turf men, and was considered authority on the rules and regulations that govern the sports of the race-course.

If he was stern and inflexible as an opponent, he was the kindest and most generous of friends ., when a difficulty had been explained away. His large heart welled over with sympathy at seeing a destitute old friend, or a poor family in want, and it was a sympathy that was wont to find expression in relieving such destitute and deserving ones.

At the annual meeting of the Kalamazoo County Pioneer Society, in August, 1887, Capt. Vosburg was elected its president. This was a tribute to the active interest he had always taken in this society, as well as to him as a public spirited citizen. He was a man of high social qualities, companionable, ready to converse on the varied topics of the day, and will be missed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Daniel Cahill

For nearly sixty years Daniel CAHILL has been seen and known in Kalamazoo county. He died June 25, 1888, at his home in Portage, of paralysis, aged seventy-six years. He had been in feeble health for some time, and it has been several years since he was able to be about his farm as of old.

The deceased was born in Pennsylvania, June 14, 1812. He removed to Michigan in May, 1833 and began business in the making and selling of furniture on east Main street. His brother Abraham also came here about the same time and began business as a tanner, at a point just east of where Justice JANNASCH lives. In 1839 Mr. Cahill removed to Dry Prairie, Portage township, and became a farmer, and his home has been there ever since. He was successful as a farmer and prominent as a citizen, not only of that township but of the county, always taking an active part in social business and political affairs.

From the time he became a resident of Portage he was selected to hold local offices and in other ways was a leading and influential citizen. He was chosen several times as supervisor, as clerk, as highway commissioner, and always proved an excellent and efficient officer. He was a good farmer, an enterprising citizen and busy man. In politics he was an ardent Whig until the republican party was formed, when he became a devoted member and promoter of that organization.

In 1860 he was elected county clerk and held that office until 1866. After the close of his official service he returned to his farm and has not been in public life since. The results of a laborious life and the infirmities of age began to tell upon him years ago, and he had been in a feeble condition for some time. He outlived nearly all those who were his early neighbors, being among the last who settled in Portage in 1838. Mr. Cahill leaves a widow and six children.

Andrew Y. Moore [From the Kalamazoo Telegraph]

A friend at Schoolcraft sends us the announcement of the death of this former prominent and highly, respected citizen of Kalamazoo county -- a man closely identified with the start and progress of the development of this part of the State. He was deeply interested in agriculture, and his farm in Schoolcraft was for many years regarded as a model. He was devoted especially to the raising of fine horses in the early days. He was one of the first presidents of the Kalamazoo County Agricultural Society and was for years one of its most zealous members. In 1855 he was chosen president of the State Agricultural Society. He was a gentleman of fine address and prepossessing appearance. His death occurred at Tulare, California. He was ill but a few days, having been seized with a bilious trouble on the previous Friday and died Wednesday His condition was not considered alarming until an hour or two before his death, although he himself expressed the opinion that it would prove-his last illness. He passed away peacefully and painlessly.

The Tulare Register gives all extended and appreciative obituary of Mr. Moore: "His form and face were familiar to us all and every man. woman and child in Tulare respected the hale old gentleman who, though burdened with the weight of more than four score years, still went about the business of life! making every day a little richer to the world for his having been spared to see its close. Andrew Young Moore was born in New Jersey May 14, 1802. At an early day he moved with his family to Moorestown, Pa. In 1832 he removed to Schoolcraft, this county, and his life here and his work is familiar to old citizens of the county. He was influential in establishing the State Agricultural College. Mr. Moore introduced the first gang plow into Michigan and the first combined harvester that cut grain and put it in the sack that was ever used in California, the latter being sent out there by him in 1854. Just before the breaking out of the war, Mr. Moore sold out his interests in Michigan and returned to Pennsylvania, settling at Wilkesbarre, where he went into mercantile ventures which were not fortunate and in 1877 came to Tulare, with very meagre resources and well advanced in years. By the aid of a brother then living he made wise purchases of realty which turned out advantageously. In all the relations of life he was a man whose example was worthy of following.

Rev. James T. Robe

Sherman COMINGS with his family, consisting of his wife, five daughters and one son, came from Berkshire, Franklin county, Vermont, in the year 1830, and settled on his new lands on Toland Prairie, Kalamazoo county. The parents died many years ago. The eldest daughter, Harriet, who became Mrs. Linus ELLISON, died October 31, 1887. Nancy P. married L. J. FOX of Kalamazoo, where she spent over forty years of her life. She died February 13, 1888, at the home of her brother, J. K. Comings, in Comstock.

There are but three of this old pioneer family now living. James R. Comings now lives on the land his father located in 1830. Mrs. J. STORRS, a sister, lives in Missouri, and Mrs. A. E. NICHOLS, the youngest of the family, lives in Muskegon

Stillman JACKSON

This worthy pioneer died at his home in Richland, Kalamazoo county, Oct. 11, 1887, in the eightieth year of his age. He came from Vermont to Gull Prairie (Richland), in 1833. He leaves a wife, two sons and three daughters.

Luther H. Trask

Luther H. Trask was born in Milbury, Worcester county, Mass., Feb. 15 1807. He received a common school education. When sixteen years of age he engaged in manufacturing pursuits for several years and then became a farmer. In 1828 he married Miss Louisa FAY of Southboro, Mass., by whom he had two children, George and Hannah. In 1834 Mr. Trask came to Kalamazoo and was so well pleased that he removed his family to this place which has ever since been his home. He at once became prominent in the village and county, in political, religious and social affairs.

He acted as surveyor and proved of great service to the people at that time, and this business he gave much attention to in subsequent years, even up to a late period. He erected a number of houses and stores, among these his own residence, the first brick house in Kalamazoo. He was county clerk for the years 1.839-40. In 1842 and 1843 he was receiver of the United States land office then located here. He was one of the inspectors of the State prison from 1855 to 1860. In 1853 he was appointed a trustee of the Michigan asylum and was president of the board till 1878.

Mr. Trask was active in the cause of education from the time he first came here through life. He was one of the founders of the Michigan Female Seminary at this place and has been one of the chief promoters and a member of its executive committee from the first. Mr. Trask almost as much as any citizen whom we ever had among us, has been identified with the growth and progress of Kalamazoo from the little hamlet he found here to the great city which it has become.

Germain H. Mason [From the Kalamazoo Telegraph]

Germain H. MASON, the subject of this sketch, was born of sturdy Puritan stock, at Rutland, Vt., August 8, 1831. In 1843 the entire family emigrated to the West, stopping first at Orland, Indiana, and finally settling Mendon, St. Joseph county, Mich. The boy Germain remained at home engaged in farming pursuits until 1847, when. as a lad of fifteen years, entered a printing office to learn the business. Four years later we find him steadily engaged on the Centreville Advertiser, where he remained nearly one year. After working for a short time, first at Hillsdale and then at other places, he became connected with the Toledo Blade (then under the control Hon. Joseph R. Williams, well known throughout Michigan, where he formed the acquaintance of the famous "Artemas Ward," with whom he was great favorite. Health failing at Toledo, he returned to Mendon, and for while was engaged with his brother-in-law in manufacturing business.

On the 15th of October, 1857, he was married to Miss Esther C. BANCKER who, with one daughter, Mrs. Maud RANNEY, survives him.

His intellectual tastes led him, at last, to abandon mechanical pursuits, for which he had great natural aptitude, and in 1859 he began the study of law in the office of Hon. P. M. SMITH at Centerville. He was admitted to practice in 1860, and formed a partnership With William Allison. His capacity to acquire legal knowledge and his ability to apply it to the purposes of his profession, together with his brilliant wit and attractive manners soon gave him a wide acquaintance and a valuable practice. He was elected circuit court commissioner in the fall of 1860, elected prosecuting attorney in 1862 and reelected in 1864, serving in both capacities with ability and to the great satisfaction of court and people.

His memory will be cherished by all who ever knew him. His bright mental qualities, honorable impulses, social charms and faithful friendship will never be forgotten by the wide circle in which they were well known.

Russel Munger

Russel MUNGER was born June 5, 1805. He settled in the township of Prairie Ronde, Kalamazoo county, June 1, 1835, residing on the same farm fifty-three years, and died in the home he had made. He settled on a timbered farm, and for some years came to the village of Schoolcraft to do his trading; his wife, and generally a neighbor's wife, came with him, in a lumber wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen.

Here are the prices of a. few articles of merchandise in 1841, in Mr. Munger's account: Nails, 121/2 cents per pound; calico, 25 to 31 cents per yard; unbleached cotton, 17 cents; sugar, 18 3/4; Young Hyson tea, $1.25 per pound. These goods were paid for with pork at two dollars per hundred pounds, and yet the pioneers were happy.

Amos Deacon Allen

Amos Deacon ALLEN was born at Chester, Vermont, May 19, 1815; died at Kalamazoo, December 20, 1888, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. Capt. Allen emigrated to Michigan, in 1837, and settled in Schoolcraft. His first employment was clerking for T. & A. BEALS; he then served that and the adjoining towns as constable for a number of years, then as justice of the peace until 1848, when he was elected county clerk of Kalamazoo county, and served eight years very acceptably to the court and 'to the people of both parties. Sometime after the breaking out of the late war he enlisted and was made commissary sergeant of the 13th Michigan infantry. He was promoted to the second lieutenancy of Company G. Dec. 24, 1862, and resigned his commission Oct. 23, 1863, on account of disability.

When the regiment came home as a veteran organization in February, 1864, he again enlisted and was made first lieutenant, March 19, 1864, and was afterwards appointed brigade commissary at Chattanooga, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He received a brevet captain's commission.

Capt. Allen was a justice of the peace from 1875 to 1883, and was one of the best with which Kalamazoo was ever blessed. When Judge Wells was appointed chief judge of the Alabama Claims Court, Capt. Allen was made one of the clerks of that court, serving to the end with satisfaction to the court and credit to himself.

Capt. Wright L. Coffinberry [Grand Rapids Eagle]

Capt. Wright L. COFFINBERRY was born at Lancaster, Ohio, April 5, 1807. His father, George L. Coffinberry, was born in Berkeley county, Va. He was a farmer and cut the first road from Wheeling, W. Va., to Zanesville, Ohio, and drove the first team over it. He went to Chillicothe, Ohio, in its earliest days and four years later removed to Lancaster, at a period when it was first laid out. The mother of the deceased, Elizabeth (LITTLE) Coffinberry, was a native of Berkeley county, Va. His parents fixed their residence at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1809, when their son was two years old. He received a common school education and at eighteen years of age left the farm to learn the trade of millwright and carpenter, which calling he followed thirteen years, winning a good repute as a. mechanic. At the solicitation of the Civil Engineers' Corps of Ohio he enrolled himself in that body in 1836 and has seen much active service in civil engineering in the States of Ohio and Michigan.

In 1844 he went to St. Joseph, this State, and in 1846 came to this city, where he opened a watch and clock repair shop which he carried on for four years. In 1850 he was elected first city surveyor and three years later was engaged by the government as surveyor of lands in the northern part of the State. In 1854 he was again elected city surveyor and held the position three years. He has platted about one hundred and fifty additions to the city. In 1859 he surveyed a State road from Grand Rapids to Northport, in the extreme north of Leelanaw county, the location of which cost a month's travel on foot carrying a knapsack. In 1860 he fulfilled a contract to construct a road forty miles long north of Newaygo, cutting and bridging it. In 1861. he enlisted and raised a company of 100 men in this city (Co. C, First Regiment Michigan Engineers and Mechanics). He Served as captain One and one-half years during the war of 'the Rebellion, when he resigned.

His collection of plans and drawings and curious remains of his career in his profession is novel and affords matter for much entertainment. In 1881 he was elected county superintendent of the poor, which position he held for six years, discharging the difficult and delicate duties with marked ability and faithfulness.

He was married August 18, 1831, near Mansfield , 0., to Jane BEACH, who was born in Pennsylvania and reared in Ohio. August 18, 1881, they celebrated their golden wedding. Mrs. Coffinberry survives him, aged nearly eighty-four years. They have had four children: Emma, who died in 1844; Andrew B. , married and residing in this city; Rebecca J. and Julia F., who have long been widely useful teachers in the city schools.

Mr. Coffinberry had had an experience covering a list of vicissitudes equal to most men who were representatives of the old pioneer period. He began the work of temperance here many years ago and labored unremittingly in its interest. He was, one of the earliest members of the republican party, and never swerved from fealty to that party.

He had been connected with the Odd Fellow and Masonic orders for many years. During his early residence in this city he was a member of the Lyceum This was, superseded by the Lyceum of Natural History. During the war the latter barely existed, and finally was merged in the Kent Scientific Institute, which is an important institution of the city. Of this he has always been an active member, serving at different periods as the president of all these societies, and for several years he was chairman of the committee on archaeology He had made many explorations in that line, collecting many valuable relies in archaeology.

He was a man of abounding kindness of heart, of the most absolute integrity with profound religious convictions which actuated his every moment of life, and with a reputation as a man and a citizen which is a rich legacy for his family. His death will be mourned in many a household besides his own, and his wise counsels and exemplary life will be remembered with Pleasure by all who have had the rare good fortune to, know him.

Mr. Coffinberry left his home in Grand Rapids, Mich., Tuesday morning, March 26, 1889, in his usual health, and expired in a street car, without a moment's warning. He was a gentleman of unusual vigor, both of body and mind, and this continued until the day of his death.