USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 30
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In 1856 General Wilcox published "Shoepack Recollections: A Wayside Glimpse of American Life," and another, in 1857, entitled "Toca: An Army Memoir, by Major March."
General Wilcox is well remembered by the older citizens of Detroit, some of whom were his early schoolmates. Among them was the late
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Judge Campbell, who recently, in alluding to him, said : "I know of none among the young men of my boyhood, who possessed the amiable qualities of mind and heart, which so endeared him to them and my- self more than General Wilcox," and further (referring to E. B., his brother,) "he also partakes of the same genial and lovable qualities, in a great degree, and besides is a happy, polished and interesting writer. His articles always read well and abound in pungent wit, clothed in choice language."
THOMAS McGRAW.
Thomas McGraw was born September 17th, 1824, at Castleton, County of Limerick, Ireland. On the paternal side he is of Scotch- Irish descent and on the maternal, German. They were married in Ireland, came to the United States in 1825, bringing the subject of this sketch with them.
The father of Mr. McGraw, Redmon McGraw, was born at Castleton, Limerick county, Ireland, in 1777. He is said to have been a man, liberal as to education and also to the inherent rights of his fellow men. It was the latter which caused him to remove to America where he could enjoy free expression and equal rights, hence, against the protest and advice of his friends, as well as the vestry of the church, of which he was a member, he sold his property and came to the United States. He died in Oakland county in 1852. The mother of Mr. McGraw was born in Germany. She, with her parents, had taken passage for America (being Episcopalians in their religious views) when their vessel was driven on the Irish coast and disabled, compelling them to abandon her. The family then took up their residence in Limerick. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Faught. She died in 1877.
For the first ten years they resided on a farm in the State of New York, and in 1835 removed to the then Territory of Michigan. Mr. McGraw being then eleven years of age and the farmer's life distaste- ful to him, he, therefore, thus early began to lay plans for some more congenial avocation, and employed his available time in reading and acquiring a general knowledge of the world outside the farm. He conceived the impression that a sailor's life would suit him and at the age of fifteen left home, with a view of testing it. He, however, on reaching Rochester, N. Y., changed his mind, and accepting a situ- ation as clerk in a store at a salary of ninety-six dollars a year, he remained at Rochester. At the end of two years he returned home and invested his earnings in forty acres of land. He subsequently sold this land for seven hundred dollars, thus acquiring a large sum for those days, with which to commence business in a country town. Prior to this sale he had acted as the Detroit agent of a Pittsburg iron company,
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with whom he remained until 1847, when he determined to make a business venture on his own account and established a retail store at Novi, Oakland county. He continued the business, in connection with that of operating in wool, until 1864, at which time he came to Detroit, and established the wool house of T. McGraw & Co. As the business increased he took in not only the State of Michigan but extended his transactions to the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. He also started a branch for marketing his purchases in Boston, Mass. The business proved successful and his surplus acquisitions he
has invested in real estate and manufacturing industries in Detroit. Although he still operates in wool he has curtailed the extent, devoting the major portion of his time to the care of his real estate and manu- facturing interests. He now owns the (formerly) Mechanics', now McGraw Block and is the president of the Globe Tobacco Works, besides being interested in other manufactories.
Mr. McGraw is a generous man, giving liberally to all objects of a moral and benevolent character, readily responding to all demands made upon his time or money for relief to the worthy, or in enterprises tending to promote the healthy growth of the city and the happiness of its citizens. (The compiler remembers on one occasion, however, in 1851, when Mr. McGraw was unable to respond to a demand made upon him, owing to circumstances beyond his control.) Mr. McGraw has for years been connected with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of St. John's Episcopal church. He married Miss Sarah I. Selden, April 13th, 1848. She was the granddaughter of Rodman Hazard, of Hancock, a prominent man in Massachusetts. They have lost two daughters, one of whom died in 1868, the other in 1869.
ELON W. HUDSON.
" Every man is conscious of a two-fold life-the one trivial and ordinary, the other sacred and recluse. One which he carries to his business, to society, and the dinner table-the other, in which his youth and aspirations survive for him, and which is a confidence between himself and God."
In his life, the subject of this sketch would seem to have demon- strated that he regarded his obligations to his Maker as paramount, and made all else subservient to them.
Elon W. Hudson is a native of the Empire State, and was born in Chenango county, N. Y., January 23, 1818. His parents were both of Rhode Island birth, and of English ancestry. George P. Hudson, the father of Mr. Hudson, was born near Providence, Rhode Island, September 29th, 1793, and his mother, Deborah Winsor, was born in the same town in 1797. Both were from Revolutionary stock, whose names will be found among the participants in the struggle for Ameri-
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can independence. They were married in the town of Norwich, April 17, 1817. They died at New Berlin, the former, March 22, 1881, and the latter August 3, 1840. They had thirteen children, of whom E. W. is the eldest son.
Mr. Hudson came to Detroit in 1846, and engaged in the shipping and forwarding business, which he prosecuted successfully for a number of years, meanwhile building and owning some of the largest vessels floating the lakes, among them the Zach Chandler, Henry P. Baldwin, Harvest Home, Harvest Queen, H. H. Brown, S. E. Hudson, Zephyr, Nautilus (rebuilt), besides rebuilding many others. He also invested largely in real estate, as well as in several important manufac- facturing industries, which have had much to do in promoting the com- mercial and material prosperity of our beautiful city. While thus engaged in active business pursuits, he did not lose sight of his religious and moral obligations, giving liberally his time and money to advance and establish enterprises tending to elevate and improve the morals of society, and the good of humanity.
Among the numerous gifts of Mr. Hudson in the interests of the church, education, benevolence and humanity, is the donation to Grace Church of the valuable lots on the corner of Fort and Second streets, and his liberal contributions toward the erection of the magnificent edifice in which this society worship, and of which he has been the senior warden since 1867. The large subscription to the Michigan University, the donations to the numerous charitable institutions of the church and the city, all of which he has made in such a modest manner that the knowledge of his munificent giving is almost confined to those who have been benefited by his generosity. So reticent has Mr. Hud- son been in respect to his numerous contributions, that in many instances even his wife is ignorant of their extent. In 1849, Mr. Hud- son married Miss Sarah E. Fuller, of Providence, R. I. Her paternal ancestors were of Massachusetts antecedents. On the maternal side, her mother, Abby Fuller, being a daughter of Captain Joseph Northup, who, prior to the days of steam, was the owner of the Newport and New York Packet Line, composed of eight fast sailing vessels, and was well and favorably known both in New York, Newport, and on the New England coast. He was the grandson of one of the four Northup brothers, who emigrated from England and settled in Rhode Island about the day of Roger Williams. Mrs. Hudson is an exem- plary and kind hearted woman, doing good work as opportunity and circumstances afford, and for many years was one of the Board of Directors of the Protestant Orphan Asylum, and has been active in her efforts to aid and assist all organizations of a similar character and objects. Her husband is greatly indebted to her for wise counsel, encouragement and cheerful sympathy in the varied circumstances
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encountered by him during their wedded life. Soon after their marri- age they purchased the property on Fort street West, upon which they subsequently erected the elegant residence which they have con- tinuously occupied for the past thirty-seven years, extending generous hospitalities in an unostentatious manner.
In church matters, Mr. Hudson has been an earnest, practical worker, during the greater portion of his life, while devoting by pre- cept and example his energies to its spiritual strength and growth, he has carefully guarded its material and financial interests.
As a citizen, he has in a quiet way answered, in proportion to his means and the extent of his influence, all demands made upon him to promote the growth of his adopted city in morals, material wealth and beauty, and enjoys the confidence and respect of its citizens, and the public generally.
In politics, Mr. Hudson has been identified with the Republican party from its organization. Though often solicited, he has never held a public political position, but has never withheld his support, or his money, in furthering the legitimate objects and purposes of the party of his choice. Notwithstanding his age exempted him from personal ser- vice during the late war, he in many ways gave liberally of time and money for bounties, etc., toward maintaining the authority of the Government and the suppression of the rebellion.
The character of Mr. Hudson is that of a modest, courteous gentle- man, and while never obtruding his opinions, is independent and firm in their maintenance.
January 23, 1888, being the seventieth birthday of Mr. Hudson, a very agreeable surprise was arranged by his associates of Grace Church vestry, who, together with former members of the vestry, assembled at the church in the evening, and proceeded in a body to his residence on Fort street.
The Rev. Dr. Carroll, in feeling and touching words, congratulated the venerable gentleman on having attained the prescribed "three- score years and ten," and trusted he would be spared for many years to come.
Mr. Hudson, somewhat embarrassed, warmly reciprocated the kindly feelings which the visit and the Rector's words so heartily expressed, and assured all present of the deep interest he felt in the welfare of Grace Church, and all his fellow members. A pleasant hour was spent, and the gentlemen were hospitably entertained by Mrs. Hudson, the visitors leaving behind them a reminder of their call in the shape of two richly bound volumes of Farrar's "Life of Christ," handsomely inscribed as follows: "1818-Jan. 23-1888. Mr. Elon
ยท
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W. Hudson, Senior Warden of Grace Church, Detroit, since the organization of the Parish, A. D. 1867. A tribute of affectionate esteem from co-laborers in present and past vestries."
Mr. Hudson was one of the original incorporators of Woodmere Cemetery.
GEORGE FOOTE.
George Foote, of Detroit, Mich., was born May 4, 1818, at Bur- lington, Vt., being the second son of the Hon. Alvan Foote who was born at Castleton, Vt., and a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1799, who was the eldest son of George Foote, a patriot soldier of the War for Independence, who took an active part in Bennington Battle under General Stark, of New Hampshire, October, 1777, was taken prisoner and for months confined in Fort Ticonderoga by the British. He escaped from there into Vermont and later joined the command of Colonel Ethan Allen and was one of Vermont's volunteers present when that fort was surrendered. Thus much for his paternal grand- parents.
Mr. Foote has yet other grounds for pride of ancestry, for his grandfather on his mother's side was also a patriot of that war, a Boston man, a graduate of Harvard College, an established lawyer who early joined the Massachusetts line of ten thousand furnished by that State and placed under the command of General Lincoln fully equip- ped, and offered to the United States government, and were received and mustered into service by General Washington, at Boston. They were early in the field, and upon the battle field of Saratoga were victorious, thence on through the war to Yorktown, being present at the surrender of Cornwallis. Colonel Nathan Rice was often on the staff of Gen. Knox, was personally acquainted with General Lafayette and other distinguished officers of the army.
George Foote, the subject of this notice, after having received a fair education, at the age of eighteen came to Detroit, May 19, 1836, and was employed by a widely known merchant, Franklin Moore, with whom he was associated in an extensive business for a period of nearly forty years, closing at his death, and that of a junior partner, George F. Bagley, fulfilling every obligation to its creditors and those with whom dealings were had. Mr. Foote yet enjoys the confidence of his many friends, was at various dates an active member of the Board of Aldermen, director of a bank, active for years as a volunteer fireman, prominent in many social clubs, an ardent Republi- can and a Presbyterian in faith. He was twice married. First to the daughter of James A. Dwight, of Montreal, C. E., who had four daughters, each well placed in life, married and blessed with families;
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second, to the daughter of the late John Hungerford, of Torrenton, Connecticut, by whom he had two sons and one daughter, who reached majority, and are also well placed in life.
It has been the lot of Mr. Foote to enjoy a pleasant life of fifty- four years, and to have known Michigan in its infancy, its settlement, its progress, and to fully appreciate its advancing influence among its sister States.
DANIEL J. CAMPAU.
Among the varied objects of a landscape we behold a tree. Sep- arating it from other objects we find it has a trunk, leaves, branches, etc. Examining these different parts, then uniting them in one, we form a notion of the tree. The first part of this process is analysis, the second synthesis. The instruments of analysis are observation and experiment; of synthesis, definition and classification.
In determining the characteristics of a man we are not permitted, as biographers, to compare him with another, but must simply judge by his own and the acts of his progenitors. While education and cir- cumstances contribute to form character, they cannot change, entirely, - the inherent nature. Nations are proud of their antiquity, and individ- uals of their ancestry.
Daniel J. Campau is the son of Daniel J. Campau, Sr., and Marie Frances Palms, and the grandson of Joseph Campau and Adeleide Dequindre, who was the daughter of Major Dequindre. For their genealogy, reference is made to the first, second and third periods of this compilation.
Daniel J. Campau, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was born in Detroit, August 20th, 1852. He received his preparatory course in the schools of Detroit, entered St. John's College at Fordham, New York, and after his graduation read law and was admitted to the Detroit bar in 1879. Soon after, the ill health of his father imposed upon him the care of the estate, so much so as to compel him to give up the general practice of his profession. The subsequent death of his father threw almost the entire care of the estate upon him, necessi- tating the consumption of most of his time. Characteristic of the enter- prise, as well as the sagacity, which distinguished his grandfather, he sought to utilize the unimproved property belonging to the estate so as to add to the substantial improvement and embellishment of his native city, and also to afford a revenue to the estate. Another characteristic of his grandfather is his love for a good horse, which has led him to become prominent among the horsemen of not only Michigan, but made him a national reputation in that direction. The manly and
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honorable course pursued by him in the management of the Detroit Driving Club, of which he is president and which he organized in 1884, and the subsequent organization of The American Trotting Associa- tion, upon the basis of honorable competition, has eliminated all that is low and dishonorable in racing, and made the sport reputable, so that it is now patronized and attended by the very best of citizens.
While Mr. Campau has been engaged in the foregoing, he has not neglected political matters. He is very popular with the masses of the people, and for some years has been a leading spirit in the councils of the Democratic party. President Cleveland, in consideration of his influence, and in appreciation of his worth, appointed him collector of customs for the District of Detroit in 1886, and notwithstanding the recent change of administration, so well had he administered the duties of his office, that no effort was made for his removal; but recognizing the Jacksonian doctrine, "that not even in semblance could he hold office under the dominant party adverse to his political convictions," he tendered his resignation the latter part of January, 1890.
Mr. Campau is an active, energetic man, showing much determin- ation and push in the development of what he has undertaken, and all of which he accomplishes in a quiet, unostentatious manner, and with no flourish of trumpets. So in regard to other enterprises of a bene- volent character, he closely resembles his grandfather in the way of their bestowal. In all matters tending to advance the public interests, in the way of material improvements, he is a generous giver of time and money. He is equally as methodical in his business system as was his grandfather. Those acquainted with both have often been reminded of their similarity, and of many other characteristics which are some- what distinguished and marked.
AROUET RICHMOND.
The following is an extract from the Detroit Evening News of April 10th, 1890:
"Arouet Richmond, for fifty years a resident in Detroit and long known as among her solid business men, died at seven o'clock last evening, after an illness of about five weeks. He had for some time been a sufferer from rheumatism, and the disease, complicated with pneumonia, led to the fatal result April 9th, 1890.
"Mr. Richmond was born at Canandaigua, New York, December 17th, 1817, of English parentage. He received a common school edu- cation and learned the trade of a book binder, thus laying the founda- tion for the management of the extensive business which he afterward conducted. In 1839 the State printing of Michigan was secured by
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the old Advertiser Company, and wanting a practical man to look after the book binding, they sent to Rochester for young Richmond to take charge of this department. He soon set up an establishment for him- self, first occupying a store in the block where the old Fireman's Hall now stands. Mr. Backus soon afterward became a member of the firm and its growth, enterprise and prosperity form an important fea- ture in the business history of Detroit. The recent troubles of this extensive house, which in no wise involved its financial standing, are familiar to all readers of current news. Claim was made that Mr. Richmond, so long an active, pushing and judicious business man, had become incompetent to look after his affairs, and since that time he had been in practical retirement.
"The deceased was a member of the Episcopal church, and for years a recognized pillar in St. John's. He was twice married, and leaves a wife and five children, the youngest being fourteen. Those unmarried still reside at the handsome homestead, 43 High street East."
Mr. Richmond was a Knights Templar, and for a long time was active as a member of the Masonic fraternity.
EMIL S. HEINEMAN.
Emil S. Heineman was born at Neu-Haus, Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, December 11, 1824. After receiving a business education, Mr. Heineman left his native land for America, in 1851. Stopping for a short time in New York, he proceeded to Cincinnati, where he remained until 1860, when he removed to Detroit, which has since been his home.
On his first arrival in Detroit, he for a time was associated with the late David Amburg, and also with the Hon. Edward Breitung, late Member of Congress from the Lake Superior District. In 1861, Mr. Heineman established a clothing house, occupying first, the store under the Russell House, corner of Woodward avenue and Cadillac Square, from thence he removed and occupied the second floor over G. and R. McMillan's store, and that occupied by Roos' restaurant. He then began to extend his business into a wholesale trade, and find- ing the location too small, moved to the building at Nos. 142 and 144 Jefferson avenue, and established the house of Heineman, Butzel & Company, which up to the first of January last did a large and success- ful trade, when Mr. Heineman withdrew, and is succeeded by Messrs. Martin and Magnus Butzel, who continue the business at the same place.
In 1860, Mr. Heineman married Miss Fanny Butzel, by whom he
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has a number of children, David E., being a promising young lawyer, and Solomon E., secretary and treasurer of the Merz Capsule Com- pany.
Mr. Heineman has acquired a handsome fortune, owning one very fine brick block on Bates street; is a large stockholder in the Fort and Elmwood street railway, of which he is the treasurer. He has one of the finest residences on Woodward avenue, the grounds about it being a perfect flower garden, exhibiting the fine taste of the owner in their cultivation and embellishment.
This competency has been secured by the practice of frugality, industry, and honest and honorable dealing with his fellow men, whose esteem and confidence he has won and still holds.
Mr. Heineman has been alive and active in promoting all enter- prises tending to build up and improve the city of his adoption, and has not withheld his time or money whenever and wherever the giving would benefit humanity.
JACOB BELLER.
Jacob Beller, a native of Switzerland, the only Republic at the time in Europe, was born in Moosackn, in Homburg, May 10, 1824. He was the son of Jacob Beller, or Bachler (so spelled formerly), and Maire (Stauffer) Beller, or Bachler. His father was born June 24, 1796, and his mother, October 17, 1800. His grandfather, Hans Bachler, was born near Wasseldon, Switzerland, and his grandmother, Anna Waber, at Baucher Schwar, Switzerland. Jacob Beller is a citizen of Buchholerburg (meaning a mountain), in the Oberaut, (or bailiwick or town, in English), of Staufferburg. He was baptised in the church of that town, May 14, 1824. After attend- ing the schools and acquiring a good business education, he, with his parents, left his native town, June 12, 1844, for Havre de Grasse, and there took passage on the good ship Havre de Grasse, Captain Thompson, master, for New York, July 4th, 1844. They reached the latter city August, 13 1844.
Mr. Beller, after remaining a short time at New York, proceeded to Rochester, where he entered the employ of Messrs. Molson Brothers, who were leather manufacturers, and also had large nurseries. September 24, 1847, he married Janet Allan, whose acquaintance he had made three years before. She was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in September, 1820. She died January 29, 1861. He had by her four children: Jacob W., who died in California, December 10, 1875; Jesse, who married Jacob Haller, and now lives in British Columbia; John, who is now engaged in business at Sioux City, Iowa; and Marion, who
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now resides at Three Rivers, Michigan, where she has erected a church of the Free Methodist denomination, and where she devotes her time to its affairs, preaching, taking care of the poor, and other works of a charitable character. She is ( judging from her letters), a cultivated and highly educated lady, and has consecrated her life to the work of the church.
Mr. Beller removed from Rochester, N. Y., to Detroit, in 1852. He engaged in business first on Monroe avenue. He subsequently erected the fine brick building on State street, which he still owns. Mr. Beller married the second time Magdalena Keller, by whom he had one son, Frederick. He is now farming in California.
Mr. Beller is well known in the city and throughout the State, as having devoted his money and energy in establishing pleasure gardens and rural places of resort. His present enterprise is on the bank of the river, nearly opposite the bridge approach to Belle Isle Park, and consists of bath houses for swimming, with a frontage of five hundred feet on the river. A regular swimming master is permanently engaged, and the art is scientifically taught. The grounds are laid out tastefully, and afford accommodation for three thousand six hundred people. The bath house proper has a capacity for five hundred persons, and is the most complete bathing establishment is this country, costing, with the pier running into the river, over ten thousand dollars, the entire outlay for it, the gardens and buildings exceeding one hundred and ten thousand dollars. The land cost forty-six thousand dollars. Mr. Beller has done much, and been faithful in providing for the pleasure of the public, and has an institution of which Detroit feels justly proud. That it is fully appreciated is evidenced by the liberal patronage bestowed upon it by its citizens.
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