June 2 A Public Entertainment was given by the Freshman Class.
June 18 Entry Concerning Dr. Thomas Haigh
My brother Thomas Haigh, whose death occurred on the above date in
New York City, was a much beloved member of our family.
The event greatly affected all of us.
He was much older than I, but he was very lovable. A fine, dashing, good-looking fellow, over six feet tall, whose brilliant career, while it lasted, greatly appealed to my youthful fancy.
His untimely death in his thirty-first year was the cause of the first gloom of family sadness that came into my life.
June 21 On June 20 I left the College for home to remain two weeks.
June 21
Funeral of Thomas Haigh at
Dearborn, at the Old Family
Homestead. My Uncle Henry’s family from
Detroit and many friends living in or near
Dearborn were present.
Thomas Haigh
Note.
The following account, written in the hand of my brother George W. Haigh, probably in 1871, I found in an old box of papers at
Dearborn.
I copy it here for preservation.
“Thomas Haigh, born at
Waterloo, New York, on
March 14, 1840.
His father is now a farmer of
Dearborn, Michigan.
His mother was Betsey Williams Haigh, long since dead.
Her father was Thos Williams who came to
New York from
Yorkshire, England, in 1824 or thereabouts.
Richard Haigh, the father of Thomas Haigh, came to
New York from
Yorkshire, England about 1826.
He was born at
Wakefield May 4, 1811.
His father was John Haigh and his grand father was also John Haigh all of
Wakefield.
Thomas Williams the maternal grandfather of Thomas Haigh was a successful Woolen Manufacturer at
Poughkeepsie, New York, previous to the Commercial Crisis of 1837 at which time he failed in business and never recovered.
Thomas Haigh was greatly influenced by the example of his Uncle John L. Haigh, a prominent citizen of Selby,
Yorkshire, England, and also a successful Solicitor there, a leader in local affairs and in Church and Sunday school work.
Thomas Haigh’s early education was in
Seneca Falls,
New York, where he attended the
Seneca Falls Academy under Dr. Johnson D. Avery and Mr. L.C. Beach.
In 1853 his father moved with his family to
Michigan and bought the farm known as the Joshua Howard place in
Dearborn.
Here Thomas Haigh worked faithfully on the farm until 1859 when he went to the
State Agricultural College at
Lansing where his old brother George had preceded him in 1857 the year the College opened.
Thomas remained two years at the College 1859 and 1860. S.R. Fisk was then President and until Williams became President Dr. George Thurber was a member of the Faculty, also Professor T.C. Abbot who later became President.
The Civil (War) was coming on.
Thomas and his brother George enlisted in the Engineering Corps of the United States Army and served for a time in
Missouri.
In 1862, the Engineering Company in which he was serving having been disbanded, he went with Dr. George Thurber and on his urgent advice to
New York City to begin the Study of Medicine.
He entered the
College of
Physicians and Surgeons at
Columbia University.
His medical education was aided by the friendship of Dr. George Thurber and Dr. John C. Dalton of
Columbia College where he graduated, and afterwards became an instructor.
He commenced the practice of medicine in May 1866.
While at
Columbia College he spent his vacations as an acting assistant Surgeon in the Army, being assisted in securing such service by Dr. J.C. Dalton whose brother was Medical Director of the Army of the
Potomac.
In this service he had charge of Wards in the 9
th Army Corps Hospitals at
Fredericksburg and
Whitehorse,
Va., and after the
Battle of the Wilderness he was for a time in charge of the Fifth Army Corps Hospital at City Pointe.
In the winter of 1868 & 9 a number of Physicians in upper
New York met Dr. (at) Haigh House in
79th Streetand organized the Upper New York Medical Society, which has since exercised good influence in Upper New York Medical Circles.
Dr. Haigh met with marked success in his location in
79th Street.
But his health began to fail and he was persuaded to remove to
Passaie, New Jersey which he did, Dr. Thurber moving there with him. But he never fully regained his health.
When a boy of 17 at
Dearborn he suffered a severe attack of inflammation of the bowels from which he suffered at times and probably never entirely recovered.”
(The following seemed to be in Emma’s hand.)
“On
the 18th of Nov. 1870, by advice of friends, he went to
Florida with his wife, thinking that a change to a warm climate might be beneficial to his health.
He was still ambitious and hopeful and felt very earnestly that there was much for him to do and that he simply must not give up now. And he seemed to improve during the first few months that he was there.
At times he seemed to feel that he might get well entirely.
His greatest trouble in all his illness was that he had struggled so hard and had accomplished so little.
He knew that he had it in him to arrive at a point where he could exert good influence and be of useful service, and he saw that there was so much that should be done.
But in the last of the month of May following he began to fail rapidly and he realized too well that he must give up all his hopes and aspirations.
It was thought doubtful if he would live through the voyage home.
He was very low and meek but was perfectly conscious of his state.
He lived for a few days after we arrived in
New York.
We knew that some of his family and his loved ones would be there.”
(The following was in Bessie’s hand writing.)
“In character Tommy was from a boy always very upright and fearless. For associates he chose those who were older and more improving. Early in life, at 17, he united with the Episcopal Church; and all through his life, in his interesting letters home and in other ways he showed a deep tone of piety and noble thought.”
His remains are buried in
Northview Cemetery at
Dearborn.
Later Note. In 1899 (July2nd) George, Richard, and Henry removed Tommy’s remains from
Oak Grove Cemetery, the old Sloss Burying Ground in
Dearborn to
Northview Cemetery. The following is the entry in my Diary of that date:
We opened Tommy’s grave and took out all that was left of his remains, a few pieces of the coffin and the bones. The coffin plate was in almost perfect condition, bearing the inscription:
“Thomas Haigh M. D. Died June 18, 1871. In the thirty-first year of his age.”
We put all into an old chest, put the plate on the chest, fastened down the lid and brought it home.
Tomorrow Father & George will bury the remains in the Haigh lot in
Northview Cemetery.
I feared this task might be unpleasant or gruesome, but it was not so. All the flesh was gone from the bones, but the hair and beard remained, and was in perfect shape as Tommy wore them. We almost thought that we could have recognized him from these alone.
The handles from the coffin we put in the chest.
Still later Note: In 1905 after Father’s death, I had a family monument erected in
Northview Cemetery on a new lot on the West hill.
We had Tommy’s remains again transferred to this new lot and their resting place properly marked by a suitable headstone.
Henry A. Haigh
Aug. 28 My sister Bessie and brother Thomas’ widow Emma came to the College for short visit.
Sept. 11 Many students are leaving the College.
Sept. 18 Commenced the Study of Surveying.
Sept. 30
Michael McFadden old resident of
Dearborn died there today.
Oct. 8
Great Fire in the woods around the College. Students all out fighting it. Some in No. 12. Also Great Fire reported raging in
Chicago.
Nov. 15 Commencement Exercises of the College took place. Success of the Class of 1871 proclaimed. Pres. James B. Angel of the University delivered the Address and it was fine.
Nov. 27
Mark Twain lectured in
Lansing on “Roughing It.”
Though a little disappointed, I was glad indeed to hear him.
Dec. 16 A further reference to Mark Twain occurs as follows:
Mark Twain’s lecture at
Lansing on “Roughing It” was a description of Western life, the Silver Mines of Nevada and elsewhere,
Utah, etc.
He said it was taken in part from his recent book bearing the same title.
I have read this book some. It is different but not as good, nor fine, nor funny, as his great “Innocents Abroad.”
The following were my studies at the College in 1871.
Bookkeeping
Algebra
Geometry
Geology
History
Practical Agriculture
Surveying
The standing was kept by numbers. 10 was the highest. To pass the final examination 7 was required. My standing was low, around 8 on the average. I failed to pass once. That was in horticulture under Dr. Beal. I made it up later.
Frank Gulley always stood perfect, or nearly so.
Dec. 18 Went home by way of the Detroit Lansing and Lake Michigan Railroad. It was cold and snowy at the time.
Dec. 20
Went to
Detroit and got me an overcoat for $22.00.
While there I called on Robbie Wainwright.
Expense Account for 1871. The best part of the Diary for 1871 was the Expense Account. It was fairly well kept and showed persistence and care. It was entitled “
Expenses Dr.and Cr. 1871.”
The following are the items:
Feb. 20
My fare to
Lansing 3.70
Feb. 22 College Fees 30.00
Feb. 23 Room furniture % 1.70
Feb. 23 Oil can .20
Feb. 25 Chair 2.00
Feb. 25 Bookkeeping 1.50
Feb. 28 Algebra 1.75
Feb. 28 Missionary .33
Feb. 28 Lamp Chimney .15
Feb. 28 Room key 1.00
Mar. 1 Share of table 1.13
Mar. 10 Postage stamps .25
Mar. 10 History 2.10
45.83
April 1 Amount brought over 45.83
April 5 Note Book .70
April 7 Lyceum Fee .15
April 8 Pair of Slippers 2.25
April 8 Soap & sundries .60
April 8 Hair cut .25
April 8 Corn popper .25
May 1 College Cap 3.00
May 1 Repair Watch 2.50
May 15 Board – over Cr. For work 11.07
May 15 Straw Hat .25
May 15 Envelopes .15
May 29 Ticket to theatre .75
May 29 Present for Mother .50
May 30 Collars .25
May 30 Paper & Envelopes .45
May 30 Soda drinks .15
May 30 Papers .15
June 24 Pants 2.64 Gloves 1.25 Hat 1.00 4.89
June 24 Fare Dearborn to Det. & Return .70
June 24 Haircut .25, Sundries .25 .50
June 24
Fare to
Lansing to
Dearborn 3.65 Am’t forwarded $78.99
June Amt brought over 78.99
June Collars, cuffs, re(?) 1.50
June Soap & sundries .70
July Church Contribution .15
July
Misc. Expense in
Detroit 2.65
July
By fare to
Lansing 3.15
July Dinner .50, Check (lost) .50 1.00
July Mending pants .25
July Dentist 1.50
July Picture .20
July Card board & ? .50
July Dentist office 4.00
July Dentist office 2.00
Aug. Present for Prof. Cook .59
Aug. College Fees (Settled for by 0.00
Richard?)
Aug. Pencil & Stamps .15
Aug. Share of Expense & Lecture 1.14
Aug. Pair boots 7.00 lamp c.15 7.15
Aug. Expense to Grand Ledge .80
Sept. Miscellaneous Expense .85
Sept. Pd College on % 10.00
Sept. Dentist – filling .75
Sept. Set drafting instruments 3.00
Amt. carried over 121.02
Am’t forwarded 121.02
Oct. 1 Paper & Envelopes 3.25
Nov. Photographs 2.50
Hair cut .25
Postage Stamps .25
College Bill 12.00
Drawers 1.25 Gloves .75 2.00
Vest 3.75 Pd Mrs. Rockwell 1.00 4.75
Pants 9.00 Gloves 1.00 10.00
Rubbers 1.50 Twine .50 2.00
Dec.
Fare to
Dearborn 2.60
Harpers .10 ? .10 .20
Hair cut .25 & .25 .50
Overcoat 20.00
Watch Repair 2.50
Coat & pants & Vest 25.00
Fare Det & Ret. .70
Overalls & Jacket 3.00
Hat 3. Shirt 1. 4.00
Hair Oil .25 By fare .70 .95
Shirt .75 Underwear 1.25 2.00
Total Expense 1871 219.97
Received in 1871.
Feb. 20 Cash from father 50.00
Mar. 18 same 5.00
May 15 Cash from father 15.00
May15 Cash R. 7.00
June 24 Order 3.89
June 24 Order 3.65
June 24 Order 1.70
June 24 ticket .65
July 9 Cash – F. 10.00
July 9 Cash – M 6.00
Aug. 10 Cash – M 5.00
Sept. Cash – F 20.00
Oct. Cash –F 2.00
Nov. Cash – F 22.00
Nov. Cash Wager 25.00
Dec. Cash – F 5.00
Dec. Cash –F 20.35
202.24
The suit bo’t on Dec. was, I think, paid for by father 25.00
Expenses for 1871 were 227.24
219.97
$ 7.27
