Bio: Ezra Bertram, Lenawee Co., MI
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Bio: Ezra Bertram, Lenawee Co., MI
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Posted: 19 Jul 2008 11:07AM GMT |
Classification: Biography
Surnames: Bertram, Bates, Colvin, Daniels, Tomer, Graw/Grau
"Illustrated History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County Michigan," by John I. Knapp & R. I. Bonner [The Times Printing Company, Adrian, MI, 1903], p.p. 179-180:
EZRA BERTRAM, Jr., was born in Rome, Lenawee County, Mich., October 6, 1836, being one of the first to be born in the township, and is now one of its oldest residents. His father, Ezra BERTRAM 2d, was born in Redding, Conn., November 5, 1806. When he was six years old, his father, Ezra BERTRAM 1st, was a sailor, commanded an ocean merchant ship and lived in Redding, Conn., his family consisting of his wife and four children. In 1812 he gave up his ship and removed to Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., and purchased a farm, engaging in the dairy business, making butter for the New York market. Here his oldest son, Ezra 2d, lived until he was sixteen years old, when he was appointed a cadet to West Point. He remained at the Academy for two years, when he was ordered to Fortress Monroe. In 1826 he resigned his commission, not liking a soldier's life. He at once returned to the State of New York and settled in Hartland. Here his first employment was in teaching school. He also learned the carpenter's trade, working summers and teaching winters, until 1833, when he came to Michigan, settling on Section 29 in Rome, this county. He entered his first land from the government, but afterwards added to it until he possessed two hundred acres. In 1870 he erected a large brick house on "BERTRAM Hill," on the same section where he resided until his death, August 29, 1888. He was as well known as any man in his township. He participated in the "Toledo War," was elected for several terms as Justice of the Peace, but finally practiced in the justice courts, being a successful pleader and formidable opponent to professional lawyers. His gift for "story telling" was remarkable, being able to frustrate the "other side" with apt sayings and ridiculous comparisons, often convulsing the Court and jury. In 1829 he married Miss Charlotte A. Bates, daughter of John and Aveline (Calvin) Bates, of Hartland, Orleans County, N. Y., and they became parents of twelve children, Ezra, Jr., being the fourth child and third son. Mrs. Aveline (Bates) BERTRAM was born in Hartland, N. Y. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was with Gen. Scott in the battle of Lundy's Lane and other important engagements. He came to Lenawee County in 1833, and died in Rome, this county, on the land he took from the government, in October, 1861. Her mother, Aveline (Calvin) Bates, was born in Rutland, Vt., and died in Rome in 1867. Ezra BERTRAM, Jr., subject of this sketch, was born upon the farm that he now owns, on Section 29 in Rome, and has always lived there. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment, Michigan Cavalry, and served through the great Rebellion. Most of his service was in the Western army. The regiment was rendezvoused at Grand Rapids in the fall of 1861, proceeded to St. Louis and at once became a part of Gen. Sheridan's brigade. In the Texas campaign the regiment was in Gen. Custer's brigade. The regiment was re-enlisted in the fall of 1863, and served in all four and one-half years. He was wounded twice in battle. He was discharged at Jackson, Mich., in February, 1866. Upon his return from the army he returned to his home in Rome, and has given his attention to farming ever since. He now owns a fine farm of 245 acres, under a good state of cultivation. He served his township as Supervisor for two terms, three terms as Highway Commissioner, School Director, etc., etc. February 19, 1864, Ezra BERTRAM, Jr., married Miss Patience Daniels, daughter of Reuben and Sarah Daniels, of Woodstock, this county, and they are the parents of three children, as follows: Fred E., born November 6, 1869, married Miss Frankie Tomer, has two children and resides in Rome; Frank E., born April 2, 1873, married Miss Katie Graw, has two children, and resides in Adrian City; Minnie E., born October 7, 1878, married John H. Bates and resides in Rome. Mrs. Patience (Daniels) BERTRAM was born in Madison, Somerset County, Maine, November 1, 1840, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1856. Her parents were natives of Maine, and died in Robinson, Ottawa County, Michigan. Her father died in 1882, aged 72. Her mother died August 19, 1899, aged 86 years.
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Fair Warning: Some "facts" in this bio are not quite factual. There are females with the given names Elvira, Elvina and Evelyn, but not one single Aveline has been found. "Aveline" [Bates] BERTRAM was never known as anything but Charlotte; Aveline [Calvin] Bates was born Charlotte Colvin [ca 1784] in Ira, Rutland Co., VT. According to Michigan Birth Returns for Lenawee County, Minnie BERTRAM, daughter of Ezra & Patience, was born 06 Nov 1878, not as noted above.
EZRA BERTRAM, Jr., was born in Rome, Lenawee County, Mich., October 6, 1836, being one of the first to be born in the township, and is now one of its oldest residents. His father, Ezra BERTRAM 2d, was born in Redding, Conn., November 5, 1806. When he was six years old, his father, Ezra BERTRAM 1st, was a sailor, commanded an ocean merchant ship and lived in Redding, Conn., his family consisting of his wife and four children. In 1812 he gave up his ship and removed to Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., and purchased a farm, engaging in the dairy business, making butter for the New York market. Here his oldest son, Ezra 2d, lived until he was sixteen years old, when he was appointed a cadet to West Point. He remained at the Academy for two years, when he was ordered to Fortress Monroe. In 1826 he resigned his commission, not liking a soldier's life. He at once returned to the State of New York and settled in Hartland. Here his first employment was in teaching school. He also learned the carpenter's trade, working summers and teaching winters, until 1833, when he came to Michigan, settling on Section 29 in Rome, this county. He entered his first land from the government, but afterwards added to it until he possessed two hundred acres. In 1870 he erected a large brick house on "BERTRAM Hill," on the same section where he resided until his death, August 29, 1888. He was as well known as any man in his township. He participated in the "Toledo War," was elected for several terms as Justice of the Peace, but finally practiced in the justice courts, being a successful pleader and formidable opponent to professional lawyers. His gift for "story telling" was remarkable, being able to frustrate the "other side" with apt sayings and ridiculous comparisons, often convulsing the Court and jury. In 1829 he married Miss Charlotte A. Bates, daughter of John and Aveline (Calvin) Bates, of Hartland, Orleans County, N. Y., and they became parents of twelve children, Ezra, Jr., being the fourth child and third son. Mrs. Aveline (Bates) BERTRAM was born in Hartland, N. Y. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was with Gen. Scott in the battle of Lundy's Lane and other important engagements. He came to Lenawee County in 1833, and died in Rome, this county, on the land he took from the government, in October, 1861. Her mother, Aveline (Calvin) Bates, was born in Rutland, Vt., and died in Rome in 1867. Ezra BERTRAM, Jr., subject of this sketch, was born upon the farm that he now owns, on Section 29 in Rome, and has always lived there. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment, Michigan Cavalry, and served through the great Rebellion. Most of his service was in the Western army. The regiment was rendezvoused at Grand Rapids in the fall of 1861, proceeded to St. Louis and at once became a part of Gen. Sheridan's brigade. In the Texas campaign the regiment was in Gen. Custer's brigade. The regiment was re-enlisted in the fall of 1863, and served in all four and one-half years. He was wounded twice in battle. He was discharged at Jackson, Mich., in February, 1866. Upon his return from the army he returned to his home in Rome, and has given his attention to farming ever since. He now owns a fine farm of 245 acres, under a good state of cultivation. He served his township as Supervisor for two terms, three terms as Highway Commissioner, School Director, etc., etc. February 19, 1864, Ezra BERTRAM, Jr., married Miss Patience Daniels, daughter of Reuben and Sarah Daniels, of Woodstock, this county, and they are the parents of three children, as follows: Fred E., born November 6, 1869, married Miss Frankie Tomer, has two children and resides in Rome; Frank E., born April 2, 1873, married Miss Katie Graw, has two children, and resides in Adrian City; Minnie E., born October 7, 1878, married John H. Bates and resides in Rome. Mrs. Patience (Daniels) BERTRAM was born in Madison, Somerset County, Maine, November 1, 1840, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1856. Her parents were natives of Maine, and died in Robinson, Ottawa County, Michigan. Her father died in 1882, aged 72. Her mother died August 19, 1899, aged 86 years.
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Fair Warning: Some "facts" in this bio are not quite factual. There are females with the given names Elvira, Elvina and Evelyn, but not one single Aveline has been found. "Aveline" [Bates] BERTRAM was never known as anything but Charlotte; Aveline [Calvin] Bates was born Charlotte Colvin [ca 1784] in Ira, Rutland Co., VT. According to Michigan Birth Returns for Lenawee County, Minnie BERTRAM, daughter of Ezra & Patience, was born 06 Nov 1878, not as noted above.
