John Brewer (politician)

John Brewer (May 14, 1800 – June 2, 1870) was an American farmer and politician who served in the first session of the Michigan House of Representatives after adoption of the state constitution.

John Brewer
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Washtenaw County district
In office
November 2, 1835 – January 1, 1837
Personal details
Born(1800-05-14)May 14, 1800
DiedJune 2, 1870(1870-06-02) (aged 70)

Biography

John Brewer was born on May 14, 1800.[1] In September 1825, he and his brother Abram were among the first settlers in the area of Superior Township, Michigan, known as the Free Church neighborhood.[2][3] Abram died soon after their arrival.[4] John Brewer purchased 160 acres (65 ha) of land in the area in April 1826, another 160 acres by 1840, and a third 160-acre tract by 1856.[5]

Brewer served as a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1835, and was elected to the first session of the Michigan House of Representatives following the constitution's approval.[6] He established the first post office in Superior on March 2, 1838, and was its first postmaster.[7] He served in other official positions in the area, including township supervisor in 1848, 1849, and 1858, and as a justice in 1852.[5]

He was instrumental in building a church building in 1855 for the First Free Church of Michigan, which had previously met in his home. The building itself was razed in the 1930s, but the cemetery still remains, and was in use for burials through 1952.[8] The church was open to all denominations.[9]

Brewer died on June 2, 1870, and is buried in the Free Church Cemetery.[10][5]

Notes
  1. Huber 2009: His date of death is June 2, 1870, and his age is given as 70 years, 19 days.
  2. C. C. Chapman 1881, p. 1066.
  3. Finney 1928, p. 34.
  4. C. C. Chapman 1881, p. 1067.
  5. Williams 2007, p. 5.
  6. C. C. Chapman 1881, pp. 350, 352.
  7. Williams 2007, p. 4.
  8. Williams 2007, pp. 4–5.
  9. C. C. Chapman 1881, p. 1073.
  10. Huber 2009.

References
  • Finney, Byron A. (1928), Fuller, George N. (ed.), Washtenaw County, Historic Michigan, vol. 3, Dayton, Ohio: National Historical Association, retrieved 2018-11-19
  • History of Washtenaw County, Michigan and Biographies of Representative Citizens, Chicago: C. C. Chapman, 1881, retrieved 2018-11-19
  • Huber, Brent (June 5, 2009), "Tombstone of John Brewer", Find A Grave, retrieved 2018-11-19
  • Williams, Karl (April 2007), "The Post Offices of Superior Township; Dixboro, Superior, Geer" (PDF), Superior Township, retrieved 2018-11-19
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