The Oldest Of Our Pioneers

Col. James M. Willcoxsou, a figure familiar to all the people of this county who liave had auy official business to perform here at Ann Arbor for the past half-century, tlied on Friday last, and with the exception of his sister, Mrs. John W. Maynard, at whose home he died, he was probably the oldest pioneer in the county, having come here in 1826. The following article, prepared by a friend of the family, gives a brief sketch of his life : The funeral of Mr. Willeoxson took place from the residence of his sister, Mrs. John W. Maynard, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock' in charge of the Ann Arbor Commandery of Knighte Templar, of which body he was a member. At the time of his death Mr. Willcoxson was one of the oldest residents of Aun Arbor. Born in Oneida county New York, in 1812, be was brought to Ann Arbor by his pp.reuts in 1826; since then, or for 71 yeavs, Mr. Willcoxson has been a continuous resident of this city. When he came to Ann Arbor there were but a few 8traggling houses where the main portion of the city now stands, the stores, milis, and postoffice being across the river in the Fifth ward. He had often visited large companies of wild Indians camped up the river, near the pulp mili, and had seen herds of wild deer browsing upon the campus. Fifty years ago Mr. Willcoxson was one of the social leaders of the town- agreeable, polite and popular- his attendance was a necessary factor in all social functions. His father, Gideon Willcoxson, was a lawyer of good abilities and a popular orator. Of his several children Mrs. John W. Maynard is now the sole survivor. Gideon Willcoxsou once owued ten acres of land in the heart of the city on which now stands the Henry W. Rogers place on Huron street, the residence of John W. Maynard, and all the buildings between. He was prominent llason and very active in business. H died quite young and was often spoke of by his son with touching affectio and respect. J. M. Willcoxson wa well educated and designed by tai fatlier for the legal profession. He was a great reader, familiar with Shakespeare and the standard English writers of a half a century since. In his early days J. M. Willcoxson taught school and several persons are now living who were his scholars in an old log school house, on the base line in Xorthfield 60 years ago. From the traditions which haye come down to us he was a popular teacher and "A brisk wielder of the birch and rule." At oue time he attended as a student the Manual Labor school, which was located on the farm where Christian Eberbach now resides - a school which has the honor of being the first school ever established in this country where the students paid their expenses in part by labor on the school farm. The school continued for several years, but in the end was a financial failure and long since ceased to exist. Mr Willcoxson was a familiar figure upon our streets for more than two generations, but he always maintained the respect of his fellow citizens and never lost the character of an honorable, intelligent and courtly gentleman.