The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-10-29

II articles and covenant. Mr.. ComsioclI
and Reuben Griggs were chosen Dea-
cons, Feb. 10, 1888. The early meet
ings were held ut the residences of Dea-
con Comstock and John +. Swain. To
the day Of his death Deacon Comstock
filed the deacons chair, stannch rep
resentative of the First Baptist Church
of Owosso. Il leader and revered counsel
or, who walked with God"
From the County History =
Hon. Elias Comstock, who has been
prominently identified with the history
of this community since 1885, WIS born
at New London, Conn, Dec. Is, 1899.
His father, Rev. Elkanah Comstock. WAS
a Baptist clergyman, and removing from
Connecticut 10 Albany 90, n. Y, about
1902, was pastor of the Baptist Church
in the town of Berne until 1907. He
then removed to Cayuga CO., n. ", serv-
ing as pastor of churches in the towns
Of Scipio and Owosco, n. y, until the
fall of 1924. when, with Lis family he
emigrated to Michigan. He settled at
Pontiac and became The first l,asto of
the first Baptist Church IN The territory.
His son, Elias Comstock, received The
advantages afforded in the common
schools of New York state, and finally
completed his studies under the tuition
of Mr. Ellis, at Skaneatees, \ y. From
his eighteenth year until his removal to
Michigan, May, 1928, he WAS occupied
rs a teacher in Cayuga county, n. Y.
Soon after his arrival he engaged in
teaching III Detroit rs assistant TO
John Farmer then principal Of the De-
troit Academy. He next taught school
in Pontiac, which then contained less
than u dozen families. In 1924 he en-
gagged in mercantile business at Stony
Creek, Oakland county. The following
year he returned to Pontiac where he
BECAME the successor of John J. Jer-
main, the first merchant OF that place.
He was appointed clerk of Oakland
county by Governor Cass in 1927, and
soon after by the same authority, be-
came Justice of the Peace, continuing to
hold-bo offices for eight years. While
filling the positions of clerk and justice
he also found time to clear and cultivate
q farm of eighty acres, which is now
wholly within the limits of the city of
Pontiac.
Having sold his possessions in Pontiac
in 1885, he then located land on the
Shiawdssee river, now Il part of the city
of OwOsso. Like others, he located his
land with the idea that Owo>so was to
be the county seat but the interests of
Detroit land owners prevailed, and Co
runna was established. BY the settle.
ment Of Messrs. Overtun and Van Wor
mer many improvements had been
made upon his purchase. A dwelling
house had teen erected for him by Hen.
~ ). Smith, and in pursuance of his
plans, on the 18th of May, 1886, he set
tied his family at The Rapids" COM
pleting heionrney from the Exchange"
in canoe. Holding an appointment
as Justice ul The Peace Of Oakland conn
", aud as this region was then attached
to that county for all judicial purposes,
he became the first resident justice, AMI
the succeeding year (lS37) was elected
to the same position ia the new town
ship of Owosso. During the years ! 53S,
80, and 40 he served as Supervisor. In
subsequent years he has served as Judge
of probate, county judge, associate judge
of the Circuit Court, and in 1852, 1856,
and 1858 he was chosen county clerk on
the Republican ticket. Although more
than fonrscore years OF age, yet in appar-
ent good health and honored by all who
know him, Judge Comstock still resides
in the beautiful little city he assisted to
found forty-five years ago.
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