In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printings (1890 and 1909) are folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Compendium of history and biography of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan (1909), The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a full record of territorial days in Michigan, and the annals of Wayne County (1889), Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County (1890)
ALBERT HAMILTON WILKINSON was born at Novi, Oakland County, Michigan, November 19, 1834. His father, James Wilkinson, was of English descent, and was born in Henderson, Jefferson County, New York, February 24, 1800. In 1825 he purchased from the Government a tract of land in Novi, upon which, as one of the earliest pioneer farmers, he continued to reside until his death on February 3, 1872. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Yerkes. She died in 1863. Her ancestors were of German descent, and came to America in the Colonial period. James Wilkinson had six children, five of whom reached mature age. The eldest was Harmon, who died at the age of nineteen. The other children, in their order after A. H. Wilkinson, were James Milton, now a banker at Marquette, Michigan; Melissa, wife of Homer A. Flint, Register of the Probate Court of Detroit; William Lewis, deceased, and Charles M., a lawyer, at Minneapolis.
Albert H. Wilkinson was reared in the country, but early in life evinced a taste and desire for a professional career. His education began in the district school, and was continued at the Cochrane Academy, at Northville, Michigan, conducted by the father of the late Lyman Cochrane, first Judge of the Superior Court of Detroit. After leaving Northville, Mr. Wilkinson conducted a winter school in Milford Township, Oakland County, and subsequently entered the State Normal School at Ypsi* anti, being one of the earliest students of that institution at its opening in the spring of 1853. At the end of a year and a half he left the Normal School to accept the position of principal of the Union Graded School at Centreville, St. Joseph County, Michigan. Being determined to perfect himself in his studies, he remained only five months at Centreville, and then, for the purpose of studying Greek, went to Rttfus Nutting's Academy at Lodi Plains, Washtenaw County, From there, in 1 8 5 5, he entered the Michigan State University, graduating in the classical course in 1859. He then attended the law department of the University, remaining during the school year, afterwards studying in the office of Judge M. E. Crofoot, of Pontiac, and in June, 1860, was admitted to the bar.
In the fall of 1860, and for a short period thereafter, he practiced in partnership with Henry M. Look, and afterwards with Oscar F. Wisner. In August, 1 861, he came to Detroit, and for the following five years continued the practice of law with W. P. Yerkes, Probate Judge. On January i, 1866, with Hoyt Post, he established the law firm of Wilkinson & Post, which was continued until 1873, when Mr. Post retired, and Mr. Wilkinson formed a partnership with his brother Charles M., under the firm name of A. H. & C. M. Wilkinson. In 1877 Mr. Post again became a partner of the firm, and from that time until 1884, when Charles M. Wilkinson retired, the firm was known as Wilkinson, Post & Wilkinson. Since 1884 it has been Wilkinson & Post. Mr. Wilkinson's practice has been general, but of late years has tertained largely to the settlement of states.
His party affiliations have been with the Republican party. He has been a member of the School Board from the Fifth Ward, and from 1873 to 1877 served as Judge of Probate.
He was one of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company and of the Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and has been attorney and director of both companies. He was also one of the organizers of the Michigan Savings Bank, and has always been its attorney.
When quite young he became a member of the Baptist Church, and is an earnest and influential spirit in that organization, and for several years has been a trustee and deacon in the First Baptist Church. He has been active in Sunday School work, and for many years was Superintendent of the First Baptist School, and also of the Clinton Avenue Mission School. He assisted in the organization and was the first president of the Detroit Baptist Social Union. His reputation in the community is that of an upright, consistent Christian gentleman, an honest, painstaking lawyer, a good neighbor and a firm friend, and he has received and fulfilled many important trusts faithfully and honorably.
He was married July 4, 1859, to Elvira M. Allen a graduate of the State Normal School in 1858.
JAMES WITHERELL was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, June 16, 1759. His ancestors came from England between 1620 and 1640. In June, 1775, when only sixteen years old, he voluntarily enlisted as a private in a Massachusetts regiment, and served at the siege of Boston and entirely through the War of the Revolution. He was severely wounded at the battle of White Plains, was at the battles of Long Island, Stillwater, and Bemis Heights, and present at the surrender of Burgoyne. He was also with the army at Valley Forge when it endured the severest of its sufferings, and the following summer fought at the battle of Monmouth. During the latter part of his services he held a commission of Adjutant in the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment. He witnessed the execution of Andre, at Tappan, and with other soldiers participated in the final disbanding of the Continental Army in 1783, at Newburg.
On being mustered out of service, he found himself in possession of seventy dollars in Continental scrip. With this sum he settled in Connecticut, studied medicine, and after about five years removed to Vermont and engaged in the practice of his profession. Here he rose rapidly in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and was called upon to fill a number of public offices. He served in the Legislature of Vermont from 1798 to 1803, was County Judge for the two following years, and State Councillor for the three years following 1804. In 1807 he was elected to Congress, and in 1808 had the pleasure of voting for the Act which abolished the slave trade. While in Congress, on April 23, 1808, he was appointed by President Jefferson one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Michigan. Soon afterwards he resigned his seat and started for the then almost unknown region. Arriving here, he found the duties of his office arduous and perplexing. He was not only one of the Chief Judges, but the Governor and Judges together constituted the Territorial Legislature, and they also acted as a land board in adjusting old land claims, and in laying out anew the City of Detroit. From the time of his arrival in Detroit until his decease. Judge Witherell was prominent in all public affairs. As one of the Judges he did more than any one else to squelch the fraudulent Detroit Bank, and he aided materially in bringing the chaotic laws of the Territory into somewhat of symmetry, and was the author of the "Witherell Code."
His family, who had been residing at Fair Haven,
Connecticut, did not come to Detroit until 18 10, and they remained only about a year, the unsettled state of affairs with the Indians, and their threatening attitude, causing them to return to Vermont. The next year after their return the War of 181 2 began, and Judge Witherell, who, in the absence of Governor Hull, was the only Revolutionary officer in the Territory, was placed in command of the Territorial militia. On the arrival of General Hull and the almost immediate surrender of Detroit, Mr. Witherell refused to surrender his corps, but allowed them to disperse. He, with his son, James C. C. Witherell, who was an ofRcer in the volunteer service, and his son-in-law, Colonel Joseph Watson, became prisoners, and were sent to Kingston, Ontario, where they were released on parole. They then went to West Poultney, Vermont, and after being exchanged, the Judge returned to his duties, and continued in the same office until February i, 1828, when he was appointed Secretary of the Territory.
Judge Witherell was about six feet in height, erect in form, and possessed a positive character. His correspondence shows great facility of expression, a wide range of words, and that he was a student of books and men is abundantly evident. It was said of him, by one of the most eminent statesmen of the age, that " he possessed as pure a heart and as sound an intellect as is ordinarily given to human nature." His sterling integrity, moral worth, and prompt attention to official duties, made him an acceptable judge. He was a man of few words, but of clearly defined opinions, and possessed an almost inflexible will. These qualities of mind, guided by his strong common sense, enabled him to exert a leading influence in whatever position he was placed.
In 1 81 3 he bought what is known as the Witherell Farm, and resided upon it until 1836. He then, removed to a residence on the site of the present Detroit Opera House, where he died on January 6,
The Legislature was then in session in the city, and both it and the Supreme Court of the State passed eulogistic resolutions, and adjourned as a mark of respect.
Judge Witherell was married to Amy Hawkins, on November 11, 1780. She was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and was a descendant of Roger Williams. Her father's name was Charles, her mother's maiden name, Sarah Olney. They had six children: James C. C, born July 14, 1791; he entered Middlebury College in 1803, but went with the family to Detroit, arriving in a government sloop on June 20, 18 10; he died at Poultney on August 26, 1 81 3, Sarah Myrawas born September 6, 1792, married Colonel Joseph Watson, and died in Poultney, March 22, 1818. Betsey Matilda was born in 1793, married Dr. E. Hurd, and died at Detroit in 1852. Mary Amy was born in October, 1795, married Thomas Palmer in. 1821, and died in Detroit, March 19, 1874. Benjamin F. H. was born in 1797, and died June 22, 1867. James B. was born May 12, 1799, became a midshipman in the United States Navy, and died of yellow fever on board the United States ship Peacock, during a passage from Havana to Hampton Roads.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HAWKINS WITH- ERELL was born at Fair Haven, Vermont, August 4, 1797, and was the second son of Judge James Witherell, one of the Judges of the Territorial Supreme Court of Michigan.
He was educated chiefly in the East, under the tuition of Dr. Beaman, and in 181 7, on the permanent removal of his father's family to Detroit, he commenced the study of law m the office of Governor Woodbridge. In 18 19 he was admitted to the bar of the Territorial Court, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Detroit On the motion of Daniel Webster, he was subsequently admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.
He began almost immediately to be sought for public office, and was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1824, and Recorder of the city in 1828. In 1834, and during the most of the year 1835, he served as Judge of Probate and from 1835 to 1839 was Prosecuting Attorney for Wayne County. In 1843 he became District Judge of the Criminal Court, the district consisting of the counties of Wayne, Washtenaw, and Jackson, and held the office for four years, and until the Court was abolished by the Constitution of 1850. In 1857 he was chosen Circuit Judge of Wayne County to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of Judge Douglass, and was re-elected to this office for two successive terms, serving in all some ten years. During his term as Circuit Judge he also, in 1858, under the law, served as one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and from 1862 to 1864 was Judge of the Recorder's Court. In addition to the above he served as a member of the convention of 1836 at Ann Arbor, which resulted in securing the admission of M michigan as a State; he was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850. He served as State Senator in 1840 and 1 841, as Regent of the University in 1848, and as Historiographer of the city of Detroit from 1855 to 1867. He also held at various periods of time the military offices of Judge Advocate General. Brigadier-General, and Major-General of the militia, and was President of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Association at the time of his death. He was President of the State Historical Society for many years, and wrote numerous articles illus-
1134 JUDGES And LAWYERS.
trative of the history of Michigan, and in his day In his prime he was over six feet in stature, genial no one was better acquainted with the history of and kindly in his disposition, and universally es-
Detroit than himself. Many of his recollections teemed as an upright and honorable man, and had were published in the Detroit Free Press, over the a host of warm personal friends, especially among signature of Hamtramck, and a number of them the French residents. He was married in 1824 to were republished by the State Historical Society of Mary A. Sprague, of Poultney, Vermont. They
Wisconsin. He was one of the corporators of the had four children, namely, Martha E., James B.,
First Protestant Church of Detroit, and one of the Harriet C. M., and Julia A. His wife died in August, first trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal 1834, and in 1837 he married Delia A. Ingersoll.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
est to aid in establishing the common school system Witherell died on June 26, 1867. of the city.
As printed in The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a full record of territorial days in Michigan, and the annals of Wayne County (1889). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
A. H. WILKINSON.
Albert Hamilton Wilkinson is by birth a Wolverine, having been born in the township of Novi, Oakland county, in the Territory of Michigan, November 19th, 1834.
His father, James Wilkinson, was born in the State of New York. The maiden name of his mother was Elizabeth Yerkes, born in Seneca county, in the State of New York. They were married near Northville, Mich. They had seven children; four only are living. His father died February 3, 1872, and his mother in 1863.
Judge Wilkinson, the subject of this sketch, worked on his father's farm during the smnmer and attended school during the winter. At the age of fifteen he commenced to prepare for college and for a time attended the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. He taught school at Lodi, Centerville and Ann Arbor while pursuing his studies. He entered the University of Michigan in 1855, graduating in the literary course in 1859. July 4th he married Miss Elvira M. Allen, daughter of Henry Allen, deceased, of the town of West Bloomfield, Oakland county, Michigan. During the winter of 1859-60 he attended the law lectures at the University and was admitted to the bar in 1860. He commenced the practice of law at Pontiac, Michigan, but in the fall of 1861 removed to Detroit, opened a law office and soon acquired a good practice.
Mr. Wilkinson was elected Judge of Probate in 1872. At the end of his term he resumed his practice, associating with him Mr. Hoyt Post, and since, under the firm name of Wilkinson & Post, has secured an extensive practice, not only in Michigan but reaching to other States. While the Judge has made law his specialty he has engaged in several industrial enterprises tending to promote the material growth of the city. His wife and himself are members of the First Baptist church and take an active and prominent part in all movements directed to the extension of its influence over its younger members and attendants. Like all men possessing his temperament, he is earnest in whatever he imdertakes, and having, in early life, received a training which inculcated an abhorrence of evil, he has the reputation of being a Christian gentleman, a conscientious lawyer, a firm friend and an upright and enterprising citizen.
As printed in Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County (1890). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ALBERT H. WILKINSON.
A publication of this nature exercises its most important function when it takes cognizance of the life and labors of those citizens who have risen to prominence through their own well directed efforts and who have been of material value in furthering the advancement and development of the commonwealth. Mr. Wilkinson is best known to the citizens of Detroit and the state of Michigan as a member of the bar, to which he was admitted in June, 1860. Except for a period of four years, 1873-7, during which time he occupied the bench of the probate court of Wayne county, he has continuously practiced his profession, and in his practice has gained such success as should fill to the full the measure of ambition.
Albert H. Wilkinson was born in Novi, Oakland county, Michigan, on the 19th of November, 1834, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Yerkes) Wilkinson. James Wilkinson was a native of New York, and was born on the 24th of February, 1800. In 1826 he came to Michigan, becoming a settler of Oakland county. He purchased eighty acres of land from the government, the grant being signed by Thomas Jefferson, and his first few years as a resident of the state were attended by the hardships incident to pioneer life. His entire life was spent in agricultural pursuits, and he became prominent among that county's landed proprietors. He was elected to, and filled with credit, various offices in the gift of the people, among which were those of town clerk, justice of the peace and supervisor. He ever stood as an exponent of loyal citizenship, and was a personality whose memory is cherished in the section in which his life of enlightened usefulness was lived. He married Elizabeth Yerkes, daughter of Joseph Yerkes, a pioneer settler of the northwest section of Wayne county. His death occurred on the 3d of February, 1872, and that of his wife on the 26th of September, 1863. They were survived by two sons, Albert H. and Charles M. Wilkinson.
Albert H. Wilkinson received his early education in the district schools of Oakland county, later attending Cochrane Academy, at Northville, and in the fall of 1852 became a member of the first class in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, completing his studies there in 1854. In the fall of that year he was offered and accepted the position of principal of the union school at Centerville, St. Joseph county. He further prepared for college in the private school of Rufus Nutting, at Lodi Plains, and in 1855 entered the literary department of the University of Michigan, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1859. He attended the first term of the law school of the University of Michigan, later entered the law office of Judge M. E. Crofoot, at Pontiac, and in June, 1860, was admitted to the bar. In the fall of that year he formed a partnership with Henry M. Look, and later with O. F. Wisner. Mr. Wilkinson became a resident of Detroit on the 30th of August, 1861, and formed a partnership with W. P. Yerkes, at the time judge of the probate court of Wayne county, to which office he himself was destined twelve years lated to be elected. In 1866 Mr. Yerkes removed to Northville and on January i, 1867, formed with Hoyt Post the firm of Wilkinson & Post. After assuming his duties as probate judge, in 1873, he retired from the firm, forming with his brother, Charles M. Wilkinson, the firm of A. H. & C. M. Wilkinson, an association which continued under this style until his term on the bench expired, in 1877. after which Mr. Post again became a member, under the firm style of Wilkinson, Post & Wilkinson. C. M. Wilkinson retired in 1884, and the firm again became Wilkinson & Post. In 1898 the present firm of Wilkinson, Post & Oxtoby was formed. The firm of Wilkinson, Post & Oxtoby is one of the prominent and influential law firms of the state, and includes among its clients many of the most important financial and industrial corporations of the city. During his practice, which has covered nearly fifty years and which has been seldom equalled in respect to length, Judge Wilkinson has appeared in connection with important litigation in both the state and federal courts. He is a man of strong character and powerful individuality, a speaker of no mean power, and in argument is logical and convincing. His political allegiance has been given to the Republican party and of its policies he has ever been a consistent and active supporter. He was elected judge of the probate court of Wayne county in 1872, as previously stated, and served two terms as a member of the board of education of the city of Detroit. His practical activities have not been confined to the practice of law, however, as he has been an influential factor in the development of the business life of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company and of the Michigan Fire & Marine Insurance Company, of which he was the attorney of record and a member of the board of directors. He was also one of the organizers of the Michigan Savings Bank. The law firm of which he is the senior member are and have been since the organization of these corporations their attorneys. Mr. Wilkinson has been extensively engaged in the development of the residence section of the city, principally in the east end. He is a member of Kilwinning Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Fellowcraft Club, American Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association and the Detroit Bar Association. He was elected president of the last named organization in 1906 and re-elected in 1907. He is a member of the First Baptist church and has served upon both its boards of trustees and deacons, and was also superintendent of its Sunday school for many years.
On the 4th of July, 1859, Mr. Wilkinson married Miss Elvira M. Allen, daughter of Henry Allen, a pioneer settler of West Bloomfield, Michigan. They have one son, Ralph B.. Wilkinson, personal mention of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
As printed in Compendium of history and biography of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: James Witherell Thomas Palmer
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.