Dr. William Upjohn was born in Shaftsbury, England, March 4, 1807. His father, whose name he bore, was a man of great ability and widely known throughout the west of England. He was a devoted Christian and was the author of several religious works. In 1795 he married Mary Standard, of Tisbury, and reared a family of twelve children, three boys and nine girls, William being the eldest son. Mr. Upjohn was a wealthy English gentleman and his children all received liberal educations.
It is most fitting here to speak of William's brother Uriah. In fact, it is impossible to write a sketch of the life of William Upjohn without touching upon the life of this brother, with whom he was always most closely associated. Together they came, in 1828, to explore the wonders of the new world. They both graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and together, in 1835, they both came to Michigan where they found vast fields of usefulness. They had no thought of remaining permanently in the then Territory of Michigan, but Uriah met pretty Maria Mills and after that he could not leave. They were married and lived long and useful lives. Their work and influence in Kalamazoo County, where Dr. Uriah had located, can never be forgotten. Not only was the doctor's medical skill widely sought, but he was a deep thinker and a sound adviser on all subjects. He would almost bear a part in the history of Barry County, for many a long ride did he take to Hastings from his home in Richland, and many a life was saved in Barry County by his wonderful medical skill. When Dr. William Upjohn was in the civil war it was to his brother, Uriah that the people of Hastings turned. No decisive step was ever taken by one brother without the counsel of the other, and this wonderful brotherly friendship and love is a thing to ever cherish and remember.
Both the brothers settled first in Richland, where William spent the first four years farming. But the work of caring for the sick was more than one physician could do and so he joined Uriah in the practice of medicine.
Dr. William Upjohn's first trip to Hastings was made by the marked trees to visit Mr. Leach, after whom Leach Lake was named. He left his patient with but a few hours to live and on his way home stopped in Hastings to care for the sick. In a little store building which stood where the white brick barn now stands, at the southeast corner of Creek and State streets, he met Henry A. Goodyear and Alvin Bailey. These gentlemen prevailed upon him to settle in Hastings, inasmuch as there was no physician in the place. This was in 1841. In 1842 he married Affa Cannett, who died in the first year of her married life. In 1847 he married Lydia Amelia, sister of his first wife, who was the mother of his three daughters. Dr. and Mrs. Upjohn spent a long life together, Mrs. Upjohn surviving her husband three years.
Dr. Upjohn's first home in Hastings was on the southwest corner of Creek and Apple streets. He later built the house which is now just east of the C., K. & S. railway where it intersects the Michigan Central. This place was laid out in garden beds bordered by English box and planted to shrubs and flowers. State Street now passes through what was once the doctor's beautiful garden. He afterwards located on Broadway, where he made his home until his death. He owned some valuable pieces of property in Hastings.
Dr. William Upjohn was so prominently identified with the history of this county that his name can never pass from its pages. He was one of the best and grandest citizens Barry County ever had. He was loved and honored by all, not only for his medical skill, but for his work in public and among the poor.
In 1852 he was elected register of deeds and the same year he was elected a member of the first Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. At his death the University authorities paid him a very high tribute.
In 1862 governor Blair tendered him the position of surgeon of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, which he accepted. From the position of regimental surgeon he was promoted to Surgeon-in-Chief of the First Brigade, First Division of Cavalry, of the Army of the Potomac. The doctor was with Kilpatrick in his raid on Richmond and accompanied General Sherman in his raid up James River. He served throughout the war and at its close went with General Custer to what were then the vast unexplored plains of the West, to put down the Indian trouble. He made as fine a war record as could be desired. The doctor was a great horseback rider and he took into the army with him the horse he had ridden in his practice. This faithful animal carried his master to the Black Hills and back and died in the stable from which he was taken when the doctor entered the service.
It was in 1865 when Dr. Upjohn once more returned to Hastings and resumed his practice, for several years in the ‘70's having associated with him his nephew, Dr. William E. Upjohn, now of Kalamazoo. He passed many useful years beloved and honored by his fellow citizens and died August 2, 1887, mourned by all.
History of Barry County, [Michigan] by Hon. W. W. Potter. With biographical sketches of prominent men by Ford Hicks and Edward Butler.
Author: Potter, William W., 1869-1940 Page 234-238
Dr. William Upjohn was born in Shaftsbury, England, March 4, 1807. His father, whose name he bore, was a man of great ability and widely known throughout the west of England. He was a devoted Christian and was the author of several religious works. In 1795 he married Mary Standard, of Tisbury, and reared a family of twelve children, three boys and nine girls, William being the eldest son. Mr. Upjohn was a wealthy English gentleman and his children all received liberal educations.
It is most fitting here to speak of William's brother Uriah. In fact, it is impossible to write a sketch of the life of William Upjohn without touching upon the life of this brother, with whom he was always most closely associated. Together they came, in 1828, to explore the wonders of the new world. They both graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and together, in 1835, they both came to Michigan where they found vast fields of usefulness. They had no thought of remaining permanently in the then Territory of Michigan, but Uriah met pretty Maria Mills and after that he could not leave. They were married and lived long and useful lives. Their work and influence in Kalamazoo County, where Dr. Uriah had located, can never be forgotten. Not only was the doctor's medical skill widely sought, but he was a deep thinker and a sound adviser on all subjects. He would almost bear a part in the history of Barry County, for many a long ride did he take to Hastings from his home in Richland, and many a life was saved in Barry County by his wonderful medical skill. When Dr. William Upjohn was in the civil war it was to his brother, Uriah that the people of Hastings turned. No decisive step was ever taken by one brother without the counsel of the other, and this wonderful brotherly friendship and love is a thing to ever cherish and remember.
Both the brothers settled first in Richland, where William spent the first four years farming. But the work of caring for the sick was more than one physician could do and so he joined Uriah in the practice of medicine.
Dr. William Upjohn's first trip to Hastings was made by the marked trees to visit Mr. Leach, after whom Leach Lake was named. He left his patient with but a few hours to live and on his way home stopped in Hastings to care for the sick. In a little store building which stood where the white brick barn now stands, at the southeast corner of Creek and State streets, he met Henry A. Goodyear and Alvin Bailey. These gentlemen prevailed upon him to settle in Hastings, inasmuch as there was no physician in the place. This was in 1841. In 1842 he married Affa Cannett, who died in the first year of her married life. In 1847 he married Lydia Amelia, sister of his first wife, who was the mother of his three daughters. Dr. and Mrs. Upjohn spent a long life together, Mrs. Upjohn surviving her husband three years.
Dr. Upjohn's first home in Hastings was on the southwest corner of Creek and Apple streets. He later built the house which is now just east of the C., K. & S. railway where it intersects the Michigan Central. This place was laid out in garden beds bordered by English box and planted to shrubs and flowers. State Street now passes through what was once the doctor's beautiful garden. He afterwards located on Broadway, where he made his home until his death. He owned some valuable pieces of property in Hastings.
Dr. William Upjohn was so prominently identified with the history of this county that his name can never pass from its pages. He was one of the best and grandest citizens Barry County ever had. He was loved and honored by all, not only for his medical skill, but for his work in public and among the poor.
In 1852 he was elected register of deeds and the same year he was elected a member of the first Board of Regents of the University of Michigan. At his death the University authorities paid him a very high tribute.
In 1862 governor Blair tendered him the position of surgeon of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, which he accepted. From the position of regimental surgeon he was promoted to Surgeon-in-Chief of the First Brigade, First Division of Cavalry, of the Army of the Potomac. The doctor was with Kilpatrick in his raid on Richmond and accompanied General Sherman in his raid up James River. He served throughout the war and at its close went with General Custer to what were then the vast unexplored plains of the West, to put down the Indian trouble. He made as fine a war record as could be desired. The doctor was a great horseback rider and he took into the army with him the horse he had ridden in his practice. This faithful animal carried his master to the Black Hills and back and died in the stable from which he was taken when the doctor entered the service.
It was in 1865 when Dr. Upjohn once more returned to Hastings and resumed his practice, for several years in the ‘70's having associated with him his nephew, Dr. William E. Upjohn, now of Kalamazoo. He passed many useful years beloved and honored by his fellow citizens and died August 2, 1887, mourned by all.
History of Barry County, [Michigan] by Hon. W. W. Potter. With biographical sketches of prominent men by Ford Hicks and Edward Butler.
Author: Potter, William W., 1869-1940 Page 234-238
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