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THE OLD
MEMBERS OF THE CALHOUN AND KALAMAZOO
COUNTY BARS BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
ISAAC E. CRARY
Was born October 2, 1804, at Preston, New London county, Ct. He was of genuine Puritan stock of the Scotch border. He was the great, great, grandson of Elder-William Brewster, of the Mayflower company. His early youth was spent on the farm. He graduated at Washington (Trinity) college,, and read law with Henry W. Ellsworth; practiced two years at Hartford, Ct., and at the same time assisted George J). Prentice editorially on the New-England Weekly Review. He came to Marshall, Mich., in 1832, where he commenced practice. Here he was appointed general of militia; was a member of the constitutional convention of 1835 and also in 1850; the same year (1835) was elected delegate to congress from this then territory; was representative in Congress from 1836 to 1841; was member of the state legislature and speaker of the house in 1842. * He died in Marshall, May 8, 3851. Isaac E. Crary was the friend and able adviser of Rev. John D. Pierce in founding the educational system of Michigan. Dr. Horace Bushnell, in his lecture on the historical personages of Connecticut, pays a high tribute to Mr. Crary in placing his name among the eminent . historical characters of that state, and further says, "he is now using that talent for which he was honored here, in helping to form a new state in the west. " Mr. Crary became law partner with Abner Pratt in Marshall. He was a well read lawyer, safe counselor, clear, logical reasoner, and known
more for his able management of suits than for forensic eloquence. Law, education and politics found in him an able and sterling exponent. A democrat of the old school, during the first epoch of politics in Michigan, whenever he appeared at the hustings his recognized ability and urnblem-ished character gave great weight to his speeches.
Michigan
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