Rodolphus Tryon, one of the pioneers of the town of Alaiedon, was born in Deerfield, Mass., Oct. 20, 1809. William Tryon, grandfather of the subject of this narrative, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution; he served with distinction throughout that important struggle, and after the war settled in Massachusetts, where Zebina, father of Rodolphus, was born in 1785. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and married Miss Emily Hodges. They reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. He died in Madision Co., N. Y., in 1830.

After the death of his father, Rodolphus obtained employment in various capacities, and in 1835 married Miss Lavina Derby; she was born in Ticonderoga, N. Y., in 1810. In September, 1836, he started from Williamsville, Erie Co., N. Y., with twelve dollars, invested in oils and essences, with which to pay his expenses to Michigan. He first stopped in the Lima, where he worked at various jobs and accumulated a sum sufficient to purchase fifty acres of government land in the town of Sylvan, Washtenaw Co. He returned to his home, walking the entire distance, and in the spring of the following year came on with his family, which consisted of his wife and brother, and settled in the town of Lima, Washtenaw Co., where he remained eighteen months, when he settled upon his purchase in the town of Sylvan. In 1839 the Michigan Central Railroad was being built through that part of the State, and Mr. Tryon took several contracts, taking his pay in State warrants. These warrants were worth only forty-five cents on the dollar, and their depreciation seriously embarrassed him, so much so that on his removal to Alaiedon, in 1844, he was nine hundred dollars in debt; a sum largely in excess of the cash valuation of his entire property. His situation wasl discouraging, but it was not in his nature to give up, and his success is evidence of what can be accomplished by energy and perseverance. The first few years were replete with toil, privation, and misfortune; but aided and sustained by his devoted wife, to who he attributes much of his success, he made a home for his family, paid his creditors in full, and to-day is possessed of a well-won competency. Mrs. Tryon is a lady of more than an ordinary amount of resolution and stamina, which may perhaps be attributed in part to her New England origin. Her father, Oliver Cromwell Derby, was a native of New Hampshire, where he was born in 1768. Her mother, Lovina Stockwell, was born in Massachusetts in 1770. Mr. and Mrs. Tryon have reared a famimly of six children, only two of whom are living, Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Harris. One son, Rudolphus P., lost his life in the defense of his country. He died in hospital from wounds received at the battle of Fair Oaks.

In his religious convictions Mr. Tryon is a Methodist, and for many years has been a class-leader. He never desired political perferment, but has held many positions in trust. For eleven years he has been magistrate of the town, and has occupied other positions of responsibility. Socially he is genial and courteous, and his hospitality is proverbial. Possessed of many of the virtues and but a few of the failings of mankind, he has endeared himself to the people in such a way that he will long be remembered.






Taken from:
"History of Ingham and Eaton Counties Michigan, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Their Prominent Men and Pioneers", by Samuel W. Durant.
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., 1880.
Page 218

Biographies Michigan Biographies Project

Sondra Higbee