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HON. MICHAEL L. ESSICK, a lawyer and citizen of excellent
reputation, was born in Ohio, Feb. 20, 1834. His parents were
Samuel and Grizella (Todd) Essick. They were natives of Pennsylvania. He was of German and Scotch descent; while she was of Scotch and Irish lineage. The name Essick is of German origin.
Mr. Essick's parents were married in their native state about the
year 1830. Immediately after their marriage they moved into Ohio,
where they lived until 1839, in which year they moved into Indiana
and settled in Miami county, where they continued to reside till
death ended their long and useful careers. The father died in the
year 1878, and thirteen years later the mother's death occurred.
They had eight children, of which only three are now (1896) living;
The father was a tanner by trade. Beside following his trade he was also a farmer and merchant. He was of strong force of character, a man of strong brain power, and was universally respected, such distinguished men as Colfax, Fitch, Jernegan and others were his
friends and admirers, and they were frequently his guests. He was
the first abolitionist in Miami county, and his house was a station for
the historic "underground railway'' system, and conveyed many
fugitive slaves on horseback. Many were the nights that the subject
of this sketch, though then a small boy, led the fugitives on the path
that conducted the slave further in his flight for freedom. Samuel
Essick and his good wife are still remembered in Miami county
where they were hardy pioneers, leading most exemplary lives
They were members of the Lutheran church for many years and
contributed much to the upbuilding of the church of their choice.
Their son, whose name introduces this review, was brought up on
the farm. The labors of his youth consisted in farm work and
assisting his father in his tannery. After attending the county
schools, he spent four years in Wabash college at Craufordsvlle
He then studied law. In the year 1857 he went west, and on March
4 of that year landed at Manhattan. Kan. There he purchased a yoke of oxen and began hauling rock for the building of a school house. Later he was engaged in surveying. Then he opened a
law office in Manhattan, and soon afterward was elected state senator. He was a member of the senate of the session of 1861-62, and
gained an enviable reputation as a legislator. He was the prime
mover of the legislation that located the present state industrial
school at Manhattan. In August 1862, Mr. Essick enlisted as a
private in Company G of the Eleventh Kansas volunteers. In 1863
he was discharged for promotion. He was made first lieutenant in
the Sixth Kansas cavalry, and later was commissioned to raise the
"Leavenworth Post battery," of which he was commissioned first
lieutenant. He refused the commission, and with this act his war
record ended. While in the service he participated in the following
engagements among others: Battles of Prairie Grove, Cave Hill,
Maysville and Van Buren. At the close of the civil war Mr. Essick
found himself a poor man and the prospects for money making in
Kansas were not encouraging, consequently he determined to return
to Indiana, In 1865 he located in Rochester, and became the owner
and editor of the Chronicle, remaining as such for about three years.
In 1867 he became circuit prosecutor for a judicial circuit then consisting of eight comities. He held this position for two years,
performing the duties of the office with fitting ability. Since then
he has been actively engaged in practice of law at Rochester. While
living at Manhattan, Kan., he married (Oct. 31, 1858) Miss Ellen L.
Rowley (a lineal descendant of Hannah Dusten), then teaching
school near Manhattan. She was born in Ohio, but losing her parents
when she was a small girl, she was brought up by a brother at Angola, Ind. She had poor educational advantages, but her love of
books was strong and she educated herself by close application to
her books, and became a teacher early in life. She has always been
a student, and today she is well educated. She is of literary tastes,
and has the reputation of being a good writer, though she has never
made special literary efforts. She is a zealous member of the Presbyterian church, and a leader in social circles. To the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Essick there are two living children. The elder, Vivian,
is married and is farming in Fulton county. The younger, Samuel, is
a young man of good education, and a successful career is anticipated for him by his friends. In April, 1896, Mr. Essick was nominated by the republicans for judge of the Forty-first judicial district,
which is composed of the counties of Marshall and Fulton. Mr. Essick's career has been a varied experience, embracing almost every
phase of man, and yet, one of extended research and thirst for
Knowledge.
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