In 1839 he was united in marriage with Miss Betsey A. Cowles, a highly educated and accomplished lady and teacher, who survives him. His parents having removed to Michigan in 1835, he naturally followed to the new state, and became principal of Romeo Academy in 1847. In those years the numerous academies were the nurseries of the colleges and universities, and furnished the educated men of the land. At the head of various institutions of this kind Mr. Palmer ranked among the most accomplished educators of his time, and the Romeo Academy was at the head of the academical institutions of the state. The rich, intellectual fruit of his training is found to-day among the brightest intellects of this and other states. In 1851 he was elected one of the regents of the University of Michigan, and was soon recognized as the leader and best equipped member of the board. He was ardently devoted to the upbuilding of that institution, and threw his whole energy into the work of its reorganization and the perfecting of measures looking to the making it the great institution of learning which it has since become. He was made corresponding secretary of the board, and through his untiring efforts and in the face of great difficulties, the celebrated Dr. Tappan, the patron saint of the University, was secured as its president. The wisdom of Mr. Palmer's choice has since been demonstrated in a thousand ways, but in no direction more apparent than in placing the institution apon a substantial educational basis.

Mr. Palmer's temperament called for a more active and remunerative field of operations, and in 1853 he settled his family in Pontiac, as a permanent home, and in 1854 went to Lake Superior and immediately entered a career of mining development and speculation, in which he continued till near the close of his life, experiencing all the ups and downs of the mining business, but persevering against odds at times which would overwhelm most men. He first opened and managed as one of the owners the Pewabic copper mine, the first successful venture of the kind in the now famous Portage Lake district. He was one of the incorporators of the Franklin mine in 1857, South Pewabic mine in 1865, the Ossipee, now Oscoda mine, in 1867, and the Kearsage mine the same year. In 1869 he purchased the celebrated PalmerLoring tract, adjoining the Calumet and Hecla property, and out of the attempt of Loring and a Boston party to defraud Mr. Palmer of his rights in this purchase by the freeze-out process, arose the great suit to maintain his claim, which went to and was last fall decided in his favor by the United States Supreme Court, and which suit for the last dozen years absorbed all the intense mental and physical activity of the man.

By this decision his old age was crowned with affluence, a transfer from darkness to the broad sunlight of prosperity, and he greeted the decision with a satisfaction unspeakable.

Also, in 1856 he was one of the chief promoters and corporators of the Portage Lake and River Improvement Company, connecting Portage Lake with Lake Superior by canal. In 1870, in connection with W. N. Walker, George Jerome and S. L. Smith, the Houghton & Ontonagon railroad was incorporated, built 30 miles of road from Champion to L'Anse, bought the Marquette & Ontonagon road, and formed the present M. H. & O. railroad company, and was the chief promoter in several other large enterprises of a similar character.

Since 1875 he has resided almost entirely at his home in Pontiac, engaged in the prosecution of his suit mainly, but always wide awake to surroundings, and aided materially in securing the asylum for this city, of which he was one of the early trustees; he also took a warm interest in the Michigan military academy of which he was trustee; also a vestryman of Zion Episcopal church from 1861 to 1877, except the year 1872.

Charles H. Palmer was a broad gauge man, of fine culture, great capacity for organization and business, splendid physique and perfect address. His perceptions were keen and quick, and his power of analyzation was remarkable.

He leaves besides his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Virginia Louise Pickman, of Dillon, Montana, Miss Philomela C., residing at home, Charles H. Palmer, of Lake Superior, and Clarence A., of Toledo.

JOHN H. SMITH.

John H. Smith died at his residence in Novi, on Wednesday, May 4, 1887, aged 67 years.

The deceased was born in Bristol, Ontario county, N. Y., March 23, 1820. At ten years of age he came with his parents to the territory of Michigan, and settled upon the farm where he died, and upon which he has resided 57 years. He was the youngest of eight children, two of whom are still living. The deceased had a very wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and the manly form and genial face of "John H.," as he was called far and near, will be sadly missed by the many who have known and esteemed him as an upright, honorable and influential neighbor, citizen and friend.

This will be especially true with the Masonic fraternity, of which he has been long a prominent and active member. As he always desired to exemplify the character of a true man and citizen, so did he that of a true Mason.

Mr. Smith had been much of the time in poor health for several years, but his death was very sudden and unexpected. In attempting to walk out a little to give directions about some work he wished to have done, he had gone but a few steps from his door when he sank to the earth and immediately

expired. Although he spoke not at the time, he had often conversed freely upon the subject of his decease, especially during a severe illness in 1882. The writer well remembers his calm resignation in view of what was then believed to be imminent death, and the unfaltering trust manifested by him in that hour of his extremity. Death seemed to have no terror to him. He died as he had lived, a man who acted in obedience to his own convictions, regardless of results. A wife and three daughters mourn the loss of a kind, devoted husband and loving father. Their bereavement is sore indeed, and they have the heartfelt sympathy of those who know their great affliction.

HON. JAMES BAYLEY.

James Bayley, one of the earliest pioneers of Troy, Oakland county, passed quietly away about 8:30 p. m., on Sunday, May 1, 1887, at his late residence in Birmingham. He was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, July 7, 1802, and was at the time of his death eighty four years, nine months and twenty four days old. His father, Isaac Bayley, and his mother, were from Windsor county, Vermont, and settled in Scipio, where his father died when the subject of this notice was four years old. At the age of twelve he was given his clothes and began life for himself. At first he engaged in the manufacture of harness and saddlery; at fourteen to eighteen at the tanning and currier business, for which labor during these years he received his board, clothes and instructions in those trades. During the next three years he was enabled to lay by from his earnings a sum sufficient to come to Michigan. in April, 1824, to buy lands for a homestead. After viewing lands in several townships in Oakland county he located the east half of the southwest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 21, town 2 north, range 11 east, on May 10, 1824, and returned to New York. On January 20, 1825, he married Miss Dorcas Pearsall, daughter of Michael Pearsall, of his native town, with whom he lived sixty two years, three months and eleven days, and who still survives him.

Of those who were present at their wedding, there are still living Mrs. Betsey Alexander, Mrs. Philbrick, sisters, and Henry and Sherman Pearsall, brothers of Mrs. Bayley, and Benj. Daniels. Of these Mrs. Alexander and Mr. Daniels were present at the funeral.

His early education was obtained at the district schools of those early days; yet with the advantages of a private library to which he had access, and by observation, associations and experiences, few men of his advantages were better informed of public men, measures and affairs of the state and nation than he. In April, 1825, with his wife, he bade farewell to relatives and

friends in his native town, and came to Michigan, settling early in May upon those lands he had purchased from the government the year, previous.

Mr. and Mrs. Bayley have had six children born to them; one son at the age of twenty one was drowned, two infant twins, a son and daughter, died when nearly two years old. Two sons, Volney and Adams, and one daughter, Clarissa, Mrs. William Dennison, are still living.

In 1830 he was induced by Phineas Davis, of Detroit, to remove there and take charge of a tannery and currier establishment, which he conducted with marked ability about three years, when he returned to his farm and commenced with renewed energy to improve it, until he had the satisfaction of receiving from his brother farmers the unqualified commendation of having one of the best appointed and cultivated farms in the county. Mr. Bayley has been president of the Oakland county and State Agricultural societies, member of many of their committees, an influential and prominent member of those societies, to whom he gave his counsel and material aid in their infancy, continuing the same until he relinquished his active farm life. He became a member of the Baptist society in Troy in 1837. His parents before him were zealous Baptists, and the son walking in the steps of the parents, became a consistent, active and influential member of the society. At the spring election in 1839 he was elected supervisor, in 1849 justice of the peace, in 1864 to the house of representatives; in 1860 he was appointed farm superintendent of the State Agricultural College at Lansing, which office he held for three years with credit to himself and material profit to the institution and state. Finding the perplexities and arduous duties were taxing him excessively, and his health failing, he resigned his position and returned once more to his farm in Troy in February, 1863, where he remained until 1868, when he purchased a residence in Birmingham where he removed and resided until his death. These very early pioneers of the county and state are rapidly passing away. They silently drop out of the line and soon no land marks will remain to remind us of those whose brain and muscle felled the forests, built our schools, churches, public improvements, etc., etc., and made it possible to sustain the present population of this beautiful peninsula state.

CAPT. WILLIAM ALBERTSON.

Capt. William Albertson, of Pontiac, an early pioneer, a highly respected and honored citizen, died after many years' illness, of consumption, at the home of his son, W. S. Albertson, on Feb. 4, 1887.

The deceased was born near Sing Sing, New York, November 27, 1811. He was married to Rebecca, eldest daughter of Rev. C. F. Frey, at New York

city, July 19, 1836. They moved to Michigan in November of 1844, and for six months sojourned at Elizabeth Lake, this county, with the late Almeron Whitehead, when they became residents of Pontiac. Mr. Albertson first entered the store of Peck & Standish, and up to the outbreak of the rebellion had been honored with various offices of public trust, such as village marshal, treasurer, constable and deputy sheriff during the administration of Clark Beardsley, and again in later years under Sheriff Wixon, and also for a time served acceptably as Assistant U. S. Revenue Assessor.

He took an active part in the organization of the 22d Michigan Infantry, and received the commission of 2d lieutenant of Co. A, which he was largely instrumental in raising. He remained with the regiment till the close of the war. He was a good soldier, efficient in the discharge of his duties, having had for several months the entire charge of the regiment, and serving also for a time as quartermaster. He received the commission of captain about six months before the close of the war. In whatever capacity he was called upon to serve he was found competent and faithful.

At the close of the three years' service he gave in defense of his country, he was mustered out with a constitution weakened by overwork and exposure and health seriously impaired.

He never regained his wonted vigor. In 1883 he wintered in California, receiving but temporary benefit, however, frem that salubrious climate. On his return he gradually relapsed into that debilitated condition which, despite the constant, ever watchful care of a devoted companion, and the tender ministrations of loving children, his life ebbed out gradually and as perceptibly as the setting sun sinks below the western horizon, leaving a halo of a well spent life to mark his going.

ELIJAH GROW.

We are sad to chronicle the death of Elijah Grow, a well to do farmer and an old and esteemed citizen. He was thrown from a buggy Thursday, April 21, with but slight injuries on one side of the head, and died Sunday, April 24, 1887, at half past one. He was one of ten Grow brothers, and twin to Elisha Grow, who passed away the 4th of March, 1887. They were born in Pomfret, Windom Co., Conn., August 24, 1810; his parents, Elisha and Louisa Grow, moved from Pomfret to Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1812; in 1831 he experienced religion and was of the Baptist faith; was married to Charity Baker, in Homer, Jan. 19, 1833, she passing away May 6, 1885. They moved from Homer to Springfield, Oakland Co., Michigan. There they liyed until 1851, when they sold their farm, and bought in Waterford, adjoining the old homestead, where they lived until 1855, then moved to Clarkston, remaining