Trowbridge, C. C. (Charles Christopher), 1800-1883

C.C. Trowbridge was born in Albany, New York on December 29, 1800. he entered business and came to Detroit in 1819. A year later he joined Governor Lewis Cass on his exploration of Lake Superior, becoming his private secretary. Trowbridge was secretary to the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, 1821-1835. He was cashier of Bank of Michigan, 1825-1836; president of Michigan State Bank, 1844-1853; and was secretary and cashier before serving as president of the Oakland & Ottawa Railroad Company (later known as the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad Company). Trowbridge was also alderman of Detroit in 1833 and was elected Mayor of Detroit in 1834. He died in Detroit on April 3, 1883.

From the description of Charles Christopher Trowbridge papers, 1702-1925. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 280984361

Indian agent, banker, mayor of Detroit, Michigan, and regent of University of Michigan.

From the description of C.C. Trowbridge papers, [ca. 1823-ca. 1840]. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34422718

Charles Christopher Trowbridge was born in Albany, New York, December 29, 1800. He moved westward to Detroit in 1819 and shortly thereafter joined General Lewis Cass as a clerk and assistant topographer in Cass' expedition among the Indian tribes of the upper Great Lakes and Mississippi River. The purpose of the expedition was partly scientific and partly to improve relations with the Indian tribes of the area. In 1821, Secretary of War Calhoun appointed Trowbridge as Indian agent with responsibility of accompanying chiefs and representatives of the Six Nations of New York state to Green Bay for the purpose of finding suitable lands where the Six Nations might resettle. As an agent and Indian negotiator, Trowbridge was becoming increasing proficient in the study of tribal dialects and the customs and traditions of the Indians of the area. With his acknowledged expertise on Indian affairs, Trowbridge was given further and varied assignments as Indian agent, translator and mediator.

In 1825, Trowbridge began increasingly to devote himself to business pursuits such as banking, land development and sawmills. He also turned to politics, serving as mayor of Detroit in 1834 and running unsuccessfully for governor in 1837. Following Trowbridge's defeat, Governor Stevens T. Mason appointed him regent of the University of Michigan, where he served from 1839 until 1842. Business and civic pursuits engaged Trowbridge for the remainder of his life. He died April 3, 1883.

Further biographical information about Trowbridge will be found in James V. Campbell, "Biographical Sketch of Charles Christopher Trowbridge," Michigan Pioneer Coll., 6: 478-91; in Trowbridge's autobiography, Personal memoirs of Charles Christopher Trowbridge as written for his kindred (Detroit: 1893); and The territorial papers of the United States: Vol. XI, The Territory of Michigan, 1820-1829, p. 936.

From the guide to the C.C. Trowbridge papers, ca. 1823-ca. 1840, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)