Sketch Of Roswell Waterman

FOR OVER SIXTY YEARS A RESIDENT OF WASHTENAW

One of the Earlier Business Men of the City — A Man Whose Life Was Worthy of Emulation

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Roswell Waterman died at his home in this city, No. 502 E. Washington street, February 17, 1903, aged 85 years, 10 months and 15 days. Mr. Waterman was born in the state of New York, April 2, 1817, and came to Michigan in 1835 from a farm on the Ridge Road upon the shore of Lake Ontario in the town of Richfield, Wayne county, New York. Mr. Waterman married Sophronia Maria Noble, a daughter of Sylvester D. Noble, who then lived on W. Huron street in this city. Miss Noble came with her parents to Ann Arbor in 1835, from Syracuse, N. Y. Mr. Waterman and Miss Noble were married February 22, 1842, by the Rev. John A. Baughman, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, at the residence of the bride's father, a small frame house located on the north side of W. Washington street, near the old Lutheran church. 

Mr. Waterman then owned a farm in the town of Bronson in Branch county, Michigan, and Mr. and Mrs. Waterman soon after their marriage went to this farm in a stage coach (there being no railroads at that time) and lived for a while. They returned, however, to Ann Arbor and Mr. Waterman for several years in company with his brother David, carried on the dry goods business in a building owned by them on the corner of Main and Huron streets, which is now occupied by the Farmers & Mechanics 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 the great fire, in which most of this block was burned, this brick store saved the Cook hotel. 

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, and 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 southwest of Ann Arbor. Mr. Waterman and his sons carried on this farm until he moved to the city of Ann Arbor in September, 1874. Since moving to Ann Arbor Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have owned a cottage at the Methodist resort at Petoskey and have spent the summer months there and the rest of the year at their home in Ann Arbor. 

Mr. Waterman leaves surviving him his widow, Sophronia M. Waterman, his daughter, Mrs. Permelia Monroe of Ann Arbor, and his sons, Noble R. Waterman, Edgar D. Waterman of Salt Lake City, Utah, and George E. Waterman of Ypsilanti, and there are also several grandchildren and great grandchildren now living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Waterman, it may be truly said, have been among the substantial and valued citizens of this community. Mr. Waterman was a successful merchant, farmer and business man. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have always maintained and exhibited all the cardinal virtues during their long and busy lives. They have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church during their married life and have aided much by their regular attendance upon all its services and by financial assistance to maintain this strong church in this community. 

Mr. Waterman did much to aid the soldiers in the field during the Civil War and to maintain and preserve this government. 

He has left a family of children and grandchildren who are strong, vigorous and worthy citizens in every respect. Mr. Waterman has always maintained a deep interest in all politIcal, social, moral and religious questions that affect the welfare of the community. He has always been temperate, honest, patriotic and devoted to those principles and Institutions that tend to maintain the highest welfare of the state and the nation. 

NOAH W. CHEEVER.