Cosper Rorick's Biography, Seneca Township, Lenawee County, Michigan

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Cosper Rorick

Cosper Rorick was born in Seneca, Lenawee County, Mich., October 8, 1838.  
His father, Estell Rorick, was born in Deckertown, Sussex County, N.J., 
April 21, 1809, where he lived until 1834.  He was the son of Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Wilson) Rorick, natives of Sussex County.  The Rorick ancestors 
were German, and the Wilsons were Irish.  Estell Rorick was brought up a 
farmer, and always followed that calling.  In 1837, he came to Michigan and 
purchased land in Section 7, in Seneca, this county, but subsequently sold 
out and purchased land in Dover. After residing a few years in Dover he 
again removed to Seneca and purchased a farm on Sections 8 and 17, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred September 14, 1880.

February 7, 1836, Estell Rorick married Miss Hannah Breese, daughter of 
Elias and Deborah (Bennett) Breese, of Horse Heads, N.Y., and they had four 
children:  Cosper; Deborah Ann, who married Philetus Spear; Lovina A., who 
married Dr. C.F. Bennett; Mary Melissa, who married Sylvester K. Porter.  
Mrs. Hannah (Breese) Rorick was born in Horse Heads, N.Y., January 1, 1804, 
and died in Seneca, October 30, 1896.  Cosper Rorick, subject of this 
sketch, has always lived in Lenawee County, and was educated in the district 
schools of his township, Barrows' Academy in Medina, and at Oak Grove 
Academy, in Medina village.  He has always lived on a farm, and followed 
that business until 1894, when he located in the village of Morenci, where 
he now resides.  While engaged in active farming he was largely interested 
in dairying, and for twenty-five years had a cheese factory on his farm.  He 
also handled considerable livestock (cattle and hogs) and fitted them for 
market.  At one time he owned seven hundred and sixty acres of land, nearly 
all in one body.  He erected fine buildings, among the very best in the 
township, and has always taken pride in keeping them in good repair.  He 
erected a good residence in Morenci, where he lives and is now engaged in 
looking after property interests.  He is a Director and Vice President of 
the First National Bank of Morenci.  He never took to politics, and never 
sought or held political office.

June 30, 1861, Cosper Rorick married Miss Alice Horton, daughter of Samuel 
and Lucina Horton, of Fairfield, and they have four children, as follows:  
George Herbert, born June 28, 1864, married, September 17, 1885, Mary Edith 
Kennedy, has two children, and resides in the home farm in Seneca; Horton 
C., born December 6, 1866, married Mary Edna Packard, September 1891, has 
three children, and resides in Toledo, Ohio; Eva May, born July 28, 1873, 
married George H. Crane, September 16, 1897. They have one child, and reside 
in Monessen, Pa.; Leila Estell, born June 5, 1880, married Albert V. Foster, 
September 16, 1903, and resides in Morenci.  Mrs. Alice (Horton) Rorick was 
born in Lafayette, Medina County, Ohio, March 26, 1842, and died May 19, 
1891.  November 21, 1842, Mr. Rorick married Miss Amie C. Spaulding, 
daughter of Leonard L. and Cordelia (Jacobs) Spaulding, of Detroit, Mich.  
Her father, a native of Vermont, was born in 1809, and died in Jonesville, 
Mich., in 1884.  Her mother was a native of London, Canada, born January 6, 
1823, and died January 31, 1885.

Source:

Knapp, John I. and R.I. Bonner. 1903. Illustrated History and Biographical 
Record of Lenawee County, Mich., Containing an Accurate Epitomized History 
from the First Settlement in 1824 to the Present Time: Adrian, MI: The Times 
Printing Company.