Been Married Sixty Years

BEEN MARRIED SIXTY YEARS

Mr. and Mrs. Roswell Waterman Celebrate Tomorrow

PIONEERS OF ANN ARBOR

Judge Cheever Writes an Interesting Sketch of Their Lives

On February 22 occurred the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Roswell Waterman, at their residence, 502 East Washington street, Ann Arbor, Mich. Mr. Waterman has attained the age of eighty-four years, and Mrs. Waterman, eighty-one years, and both are in good health. The sixtieth anniversary of a marriage of two people is so unusual that their near relatives think that it is worthy of a family reunion and celebration.

Mr. Waterman came to Michigan in 1835, from a farm situated on the Ridge road upon the shore of Lake Ontario in the town of Richfield, Wayne county, New York. Mrs. Waterman, nee Sophronia Maria Noble, was a daughter of Sylvester D. Noble whose home was for many years on West Huron street, east of the home of Deacon Loren Mills on "Piety Hill' in Ann Arbor. Mr. Noble was one of the pioneer anti-slavery men and his home was one of the principal stations on the underground railroad from the South to Canada and his daughter and husband imbibed these sentiments and did what they could to aid this worthy cause. Miss Noble came with her parents to Ann Arbor in 1835 from Syracuse, New York. Mr, Waterman and Miss Noble were married February 22d, 1842, by the Rev. John A. Baughman of the Methodist Episcopal church, at the residence of the bride's father, small frame house located on the north side of West Washington street, the second door east of tho old Lutheran church.

Mr. Waterman, in 1838, had bought a farm of the United States government in the town of Bronson, Branch county. The deed was signed by President Martin Van Buren, and he still has the old deed, and keeps it as an interesting relic of the olden days. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman went to this farm in Bronson in a stage coach (there being no railroads at that time) and lived there for a while. They returned, however, to Ann Arbor and Mr. Waterman for several years, in company with his brother, Daniel, carried on a dry goods business in the building owned by them on the corner of Main and Huron streets, which is now occupied by the Farmer's and Mechanic's bank. Some years later Mr. Waterman built a brick store on the west side of Cook's old frame hotel. This was the first brick store built in that block, and at the time of he great fire in the spring of 1849, in which most of the buildings on this block were burned, this brick store saved Cook's hotel. Mr. Waterman tells me that when he first came to Ann Arbor he, Wm. Wagner, Jacob Volland and John C. Schairer all boarded at the old Cook's hotel, taking their meals at the same table, and we can all readily imagine that this was a right lively and jolly table.

In 1845 Mr. Waterman bought for a residence, a lot on the east side of Fifth avenue, between Liberty and William streets, now occupied by Dr. Rominger, and paid $100 for the lot. He built a dwelling house on this lot, which they occupied until he purchased his farm of 160 acres in 1847, in the township of Pittsfield about two miles southeast from Ann Arbor. In 1848 Mr. Waterman sold garden seeds in Michigan, Indiana and Canada for G. D. Hill, who had a seed farm on what is now Hill's addition to Ann Arbor. Mr. Waterman and his three sons carried on his farm, until he moved into the city of Ann Arbor in September, 1874.

The immediate family now consists of Mr. and Mrs. Waterman, and their children as follows: Mrs. Permelia Monroe, of Ann Arbor; Noble R. Waterman and Edgar D. Waterman, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Geo. E. Waterman, of Ypsilanti; there are also several grandchildren and great grandchildren now living. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman it may be truly said have been and are among the substantial and valued citizens of this community. The father of Mr. Waterman and four brothers besides himself were successful merchants. While Mr. Waterman lived in Rochester, N. Y., he says that John W. Caldwell & Son, leading merchants there, had some goods shipped from New York city to Rochester in eight days, and the newspapers published the fact as one of the seven wonders. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church during their married life, and have contributed much by their regular attendance upon all its services, and by financial assistance to maintain this strong church in this community.

They did what they could to aid the soldiers in the field during the civil war, and to maintain and preserve this government. They have given to the community a family of children who are strong, vigorous, worthy and helpful citizens in every respect.

They both always have, and still maintain a deep interest in all political, social, moral and religious questions that affect the welfare of the community, and are ready to do what they can to support and maintain all that is in society. They have always been temperate, honest, faithful and devoted to the highest welfare of the state and nation. It may well be said of them Thou hast been worthy and faithful servants and deserve the commendation of all good citizens. --NOAH W. CHEEVER. February 21, 1902.