Parents: Calvin & Elizabeth Betsy (Scott) Bingham.
Henry H. Bingham was born Jan. 7, 1814, at Camillas, N. Y.,
and at the age of 24 years settled in Leoni township, May 8, 1838.
His grandfathers served in many battles of the Revolution. (History of Jackson Co.)
The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) January 11, 1896 Page 5
DIED.
BINGHAM. On Friday, January 10, 1896, at his home in Jackson, Mich., Henry H. Bingham, father of Albert W. Bingham of this city.
Contributor: Loretta Castaldi (47472615) • [email protected]
Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Michigan.
Chapman Brothers, 1890, Chicago, pp. 814-815

HON. HENRY H. BINGHAM, ex-Warden of the Michigan State Penitentiary, is now retired from the active duties of life and living amid the environments of a pleasant home in Jackson, enjoying the companionship of hosts of friends. His residence in this county comprises the long period of fifty-two years, he having first pitched his tent in this region on the 8th of May, 1838. A man enterprising and public-spirited, he at once entered into everything which promised good for the people around him. He was the first Clerk of the Pioneer Association, later Secretary and subsequently President for a number of years.
A native of Camillus, Onondaga County, N. Y., Mr. Bingham was born January 7, 1814, and remained a resident of his native State until reaching manhood. In 1836 he came to look over the Territory of Michigan and two years later took up his abode at Leoni, this county, as a merchant and with a stock of goods established the second store in that village. In 1842, he removed to Grass Lake and was in business there several years. In the meantime, in 1839, he purchased a tract of land in the northern part of Leoni Township, upon which some small improvements had been made and thereafter for several years he engaged extensively in farming. Some years later he purchased a farm in Henrietta and Blackman Townships, a part of which he still owns.
Early in 1852 Mr. Bingham removed to Jackson as assistant keeper of the State Prison and operated in that capacity with short intermissions until January, 1855. He then became Clerk of the institution and finally was advanced to the post of Warden which he held for five years. Subsequently he was engaged in the real-estate business and also dealt in produce while at the same time managing the operations of a farm.
Mr. Bingham came to the State as a Democrat, then became imbued with Free Soil principles and finally in 1855, identified himself with the Republican party. After having held various township offices he, in 1848, was elected a member of the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, this being about the time the party tactics were essentially altered. After joining the Republicans he became quite prominent in political affairs and is still one of the wheelhorses of the party in this section, taking much satisfaction in the fact that his home is only a few rods from the old oaks under which on July 6, in the fall of 1854, was organized the Republican party. On this historic spot a pole now stands, being buried in the roots of the trees under which stood Zachariah Chandler, Jacob M. Howard, Kinsley S. Bingham, Austin Blair, David S. Walbridge and other great reformers who here set the ball rolling which culminated in a revolution of the politics of the State and Nation.
In making the journey West in 1836, Mr. Bingham started via the Erie Canal and at Buffalo boarded the steamer Michigan which a week later landed him at Detroit. Thence he came on foot to Green Oak, Livingston County, stopping at the house of his brother, K. S. Bingham, who at different times was Representative, Governor and United States Senator. During the time of his connection with the penitentiary, Mr. Bingham instituted large improvements therein and later under his management it was for the first and only time self-supporting, a fact of which Mr. Bingham is justly proud.
Miss Amelia Wells became the wife of Mr. Bingham October 19, 1843, the wedding being celebrated at the bride's home in Oakland County. Dr. Wells, the father of Mrs. Bingham was a native of Vermont and at an early day located at Geneseo, Livingston County, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1836, being one of its pioneer citizens and physicians. He and his estimable wife spent their last days in Howell, this State, with their son, Dr. William S. Wells. There were born of the union of Mr. Bingham and his wife six children, namely: Frances C, who died an infant; Henry S. of Detroit; Albert W., a resident of Washington, D. C.; Florence, Mrs. E. A. Sumner, of Detroit; John C. who died aged two years and three months, and Mary W. The parents of our subject were natives of Bennington, Vt., (the father named Calvin Bingham) who came West and after a residence of many years died in Marcellus, Onondaga County, N. Y. The subject of this sketch and his estimable wife are people highly respected in their community and are carrying with them the best wishes of many kind hearts who have gathered around them.
Contributor: Dave Randall (46866800) • [email protected]