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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Landmarks of Detroit
A History of the City
by Robert B. Ross and George B. Catlin - 1898


              [69-70]
              
              NEWBERRY, HON. JOHN S. (deceased), was born in Waterville,
           Oneida county, N.Y., November 18, 1826. He was the eldest son
           of ELIHU and RHODA (PHELPS) NEWBERRY. The American branch of
           the family was founded by THOMAS NEWBERRY, who emigrated from
           England and settled in Dorchester, Mass., in 1625. MR. NEWBERRY
           removed to Michigan when he was five years old and after a
           short stay in Detroit the family settled in Romeo, where he
           participated in such educational advantages as were to be ob-
           tained in the public schools of that day. Later he attended a
           private school in Detroit and in 1841 entered the University
           of Michigan, graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1845.
           In the mean time he had acquired a knowledge of civil engineer-
           ing and surveying, and subsequent to his graduation he entered
           the employ of the Michigan Central Railway in the construction
           department, where he remained two years. The following year he
           spent in traveling through the western Territories, and on his
           return to Detroit he entered the office of Van Dyke & Emmons,
           where he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1853; sub-
           sequently he formed the firm of Towle, Hunt & NEWBERRY; and
           later withdrawing, associated himself with ASHLEY POND, under
           the firm name of POND & NEWBERRY; this firm took in HENRY B.
           BROWN (now judge of the United States Supreme Court) and upon
           the withdrawal of MR. POND continued the business under the
           name of NEWBERRY & BROWN. In 1863 MR. NEWBERRY abandoned the
           practice of law. In 1864 the Michigan Car Company was organ-
           ized, MR. NEWBERRY becoming the largest stockholder and its
           president. From this industry have sprung some of Detroit's
           most important industries, notably the Baugh Steam Forge Co.;
           Detroit Car Wheel Co.; Detroit Steel and Spring Co.; Fulton
           Iron and Engine Works and many kindred establishments, in
           which MR. NEWBERRY was a large stockholder and held official
           positions. The several industries transacted an average vol-
           ume of business ranging from three to five millions of dollars
           annually and giving employment to nearly three thousand hands.
           At the time of his death on January 2, 1887, he was a director
           in the Detroit, Mackinaw & Marquette Railway; Detroit & Cleve-
           land Steam Navigation Co.; Vulcan Furnace Co. of Newberry,
           Mich.; Detroit National Bank; Detroit, Bay City and Alpena
           Railway; D. M. Ferry & Co,; Detroit Railway ElevatorCo. and
           many other prominent corporations of Detroit and Michigan. On
           reaching his majority MR. NEWBERRY joined the Whig party, with
           which he was associated until the birth of the Republican
           party when he changed to that candidate for public favor. He
           was appointed provost marshal by PRESIDENT LINCOLN, serving
           in 1862 and 1863 with the rank of captain. In 1879 he was
           elected to Congress from the First district of Michigan and
           served one term, during which time he rendered good service
           to the commercial interests of the country as a member of the
           committee of commerce. Realizing that his personal interests
           were suffering, he refused a second nomination and devoted
           his energies to his various business enterprises. During the
           last of his life, in connection with his business associate,
           JAMES McMILLAN, he founded Grace Hospital, to the establish-
           ment of which he contributed $100,000. In 1855 he married
           HARRIET N. ROBINSON of Buffalo, N.Y., who died in 1856,
           leaving one son, HARRIE R. In 1859 MR. NEWBERRY married HELEN
           P. HANDY of Cleveland, O., and they had three children;
           TRUMAN H., JOHN S. and HELEN H.
           
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