Palmer Family

Charles Henry Palmer (1814-1887) was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Born in Lenox, New York, he graduated from Union College in 1837 and married Betsey Ann Cowles in 1839. After their marriage, they followed his parents to Michigan, where Palmer became principal of the Romeo Academy in 1847. He served on the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan from 1852-1859, and was instrumental in securing his close friend, Henry Tappan, as president of the university.

From his home in Pontiac, Palmer began developing and investing in mines in 1854. He opened the Portage Lake District's first successful copper mine, the Pewabic, and invested in other copper and iron ore mines in the area, among them the Franklin Mining Company and the South Pewabic Mine. He also joined groups of investors to help develop the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon Railroad and the Portage Lake and River Improvement Company Canal connecting Portage Lake with Lake Superior.

Charles and Betsey Palmer had four children: Charles Henry Palmer (184?-1911), Clarence A. Palmer, Virginia Louise Palmer Pickman, and Philomela Palmer Hoffman.

Philomela Palmer Hoffman was a favorite, cherished aunt to Charles Palmer's (184?-1911) children, judging from comments made about her in the family's correspondence. She continued many of her father's business interests, including managing her parents' estate after their deaths. She also invested in real estate in Pontiac. She married Conrad P. Hoffman, although it is not known whether or not they had children.

Charles Henry Palmer (184?-1911), known occasionally as "Henry", continued his father's business interests, in addition to launching many of his own. He was involved with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico and actively traded stocks on the Eastern exchanges. Palmer married Mary Elizabeth Spalding Palmer, with whom he had at least one child, Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield, known as "Bessie".

In addition to continuing some of her father's business interests and managing his estate after his death, Elizabeth Virgnia Palmer Bradfield was a sculptor, and traveled to Paris in 1896 to study sculpting. She married Thomas Parks Bradfield in 1896, with whom she had at least two children, Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward and Thomas Palmer Bradfield.

Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward married Harold Lee Ward, establishing the Palmer family's connection with the Ward family of Orchard Lake. Her brother, Thomas Parks Bradfield, graduated from Michigan College of Mines in Houghton as a mining engineer, and spent several years working in South America. He married Esther Gourd in 1924, but they were divorced in 1926.

From the guide to the Palmer Family Papers, 1853-1940, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)