USA > Michigan > Early history of Michigan, with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators > Part 21
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WILLIAM C. STEVENS.
Auditor General from 1883 to 1887. was born at Plymouth, Mich., Nov. 14, 1837, and from 1846 to 1861 resided at Whitmore Lake. He entered the service as a lieutenant in the 3d Michigan cavalry in 1861, was discharged in 1862 for disability, but in the fall of that year became a captain in the 9th Michigan cavalry, and was pro- moted to major, serving until the close of the war. Studied law and graduated from the University law class of 196s, went into practice at East Tawas, served as prosecuting attorney, and ten years county treasurer. In politics a Republican. Now resides at Ann Arbor.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
WILLIAM N. STEVENS
Was born at Elizabeth, N. J., April 29, 1813. He learned the trade of a carpenter and worked at it for several years. He moved front New York city to Plymouth, Mich., in 1834, and from there to Whit- more Lake in 1847. He was engaged in mercantile business from 1847 to 1872. He was a Representative from Washtenaw county in 1861-2. He was county clerk in 1872. In 1882 removed to Ann Arbor, where he now resides.
EDWIN STEWART
Was born at Cambria, N. Y., August 28, 1819. He came to Michigan in 1837. In 1839 he taught school in Pine Lake, Oakland county. He attended the branch of the State University at Kalamazoo, gradu- ated as a physician at Rush medical college, Chicago, in 1850, and since that time has been a practicing physician. He resides at Men- don. He was a Representative in 1861-2-3-4-5, as a Republican. He was postmaster at Mendon during President Arthur's administration.
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JAMES STEWART,
Representative from Wayne county in 1869-70, was born near Glas- gow, Scotland, in 1830. His early occupations were machine work and railroading. He came to the United States in 1851. After a year spent in Penn Yan, N. Y .. he removed to Michigan, settling in Van Buren, Wayne county, where he engaged in lumbering. He is still in the same business in the village of Belleville, although for several years he carried on a flouring mill at New Boston. He has always been a Democrat. He has been honored with various otlices, and is now a justice.
WILLIAM W. STICKNEY,
Judge of the 6th circuit from 1881 to 1888, was born in Shoreham, Vt., January 30, 1832, received an academical education; taught school; graduated from the Poughkeepsie law school in 1855, and studied elsewhere. He was admitted in 1856, and commenced prac- tice at Lapeer, where he now resides. He was two years prosecuting attorney, and served on the school board many years, and was its president. In polities a Democrat. Resides on a farm. Hle was defeated for re-election in 1886.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
ELI L. STILLSON.
Representative from Calhoun county in 1845, was born in Scipio, N. Y., May 20, 1804. When young he removed with his father to Rochester, N. Y., and was in the mercantile business in early life. In 1836 he came to Battle Creek, Mich., and devoted himself to the profession of law. He held the offices of master in chancery and justice. His court was regarded as a model in point of dignity, pre- cision and practice. Died November 11, 1862.
- JOSEPH W. STINCHCOMB,
Representative from Barry county in 1877, was born in Perry county, Ohio, July 2, 1828. He removed to Seneca county, Ohio, in 1830. Received a common school education. In 1860 he removed to Michi- gan and settled in Sunfield, Eaton county, removed again to Wood- land, Barry county, where he now resides. He has held the offices of school inspector, highway commissioner, and justice. In politics a Republican.
FRANCIS B. STOCKBRIDGE,
Of Kalamazoo, was born in Bath, Me., April 9, 1826. Became a clerk at Boston at the age of sixteen, and remained there until 1847, then became a lumber dealer in Chicago. In 1850 engaged in the manu- facture of lumber in Allegan county, which he continued until 1874. With O. R. Johnson as partner has been heavily engaged in lumber- ing in the upper peninsula, is largely interested in silver mining, and in southern pine. He was a Representative in the Michigan legisla- ture of 1869-70. and Senator in 1871-2. He was a Whig, but a Repub- lican since 1854. He declined the position of minister to the Hague in 1867. He is largely engaged in the breeding of fine horses with S. A. Brown of Kalamazoo. In 1887 was elected United States Senator and his term will expire in 1893.
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JOHN STOCKTON
Was born in Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 24, 1798, and when young removed with his parents to Chillicothe, O., became a clerk, and served in the war of 1812, and was in command of Fort Malden when peace was declared. In 1815 was the private secretary of Gov. Cass, and in 1816 became a Detroit merchant. Removed to Mt. Clemens, and was post- master there three years, also county clerk and register of Macomb county. Ile was a justice of the peace from 1819 to 1874. He was a
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member of the territorial council from 1824 to 1832, and again in 1934; Senator in 1835; Representative in 1810-1-50, and speaker pro tem. in 1850. In 1824 he was government superintendent of the Lake Superior copper mines. He raised the Sth Michigan cavalry in 1862, and escorted it to the field, two of his sons being captains in the regi- ment. Deceased.
MARTIN P. STOCKWELL,
Member of the constitutional convention of 1867, was born in Cato, N. Y., and located a farm in Dover, Lenawee county, in 1837. Has held the offices of justice and supervisor, and for eight years was county superintendent of the poor. Politically a Republican.
CAMERON C. STODDARD,
Representative from Tuscola county in 1861-2, was born in Essex county, N. Y., in February, 1830. By occupation a farmer, in poli- tics a Republican. He came to Michigan from western New York in 1858. Enlisted as a private in company A, 29th Michigan infantry, in 1864, and returned home in September, 1865, with a commission as 1st lieutenant. He was supervisor several terms, and clerk of Tuscola county from 1872 to 1876. Died January 24, 1876.
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JESSE STODDARD
Was born in Litchfield, Conn., July 3, 1792. He married in 1814, removed to Genesee county, N. Y., in 1816, and from there to Hills- dale county in 1836. By occupation a farmer. He was a Repre- sentative in the legislature of 1849.
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WILLIAM STODDARD
Was born August 31, 1821, in Sheldon, N. Y., received a common school education, came to Michigan in 1836, and settled as a farmer in Litchfield, Hillsdale county. He was a Representative in 1857, and Senator in 1871-2-3. A Republican in politics. He died in 1873.
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CHARLES W. STONE.
Representative from Newaygo county in 1883, was born in the county of Warren, N. Y., June 2, 1933, and received his education in the common schools. He came to Michigan in 1954, and settled in
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
Newaygo county, where he has resided since. He is a farmer and breeder of short horn cattle, and has lumber interests. He has been nine times elected supervisor of his township, and twice elected county treasurer. Was a National in politics.
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CLEMENT W. STONE,
Representative from Roscommon and other counties in 1877, was born May 30, 1840, in Gloucester, Mass. In 1843 he removed to Michigan and located in Kalamazoo. He received an academical education. In 1861 enlisted as commissary sergeant in the sixth regi- ment, Mich. volunteers, and was promoted to the captaincy of Co. D of that regiment. At the close of the war he held the position of inspector general of the district of south Alabama and west Florida. In 1866, in connection with his brother, he purchased the Kalamazoo weekly Telegraph, and afterwards established the daily Telegraph. In 1872 he located at Houghton Lake. In 1874 he was elected supervisor of Roscommon township, at that time being attached to Midland county. In 1875 he was elected county treasurer of Roscommon county. He was engaged in farming and real estate, In politics a Republican. Deceased.
HIRAM STONE,
Representative from Monroe county in 1844-5-8, was a lawyer in fine practice at Monroe. Died while on his way to California.
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JOHN W. STONE,
Representative in congress from 1877 to 1881, was born in Wads- worth, O., July 18, 1838. He received a common and select school education, came to Michigan in 1836, and taught school four winters. He was clerk of Allegan county two terms. Studied law, was admitted in 1862, and was prosecuting attorney of Allegan county from 1865 to 1871. Was elected circuit judge in 1873, resigned in 1874, and went into practice at Grand Rapids. After the close of his second term in congress was U. S. district attorney for western Michigan until 1885. Now in practice at Houghton, Mich. A Republican in politics.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
WALES F. STORRS
Was born at Westport. N. Y., Jan. 19, 1816. He received the educa- tion of common schools, moved with his parents to Portage county, Ohio, in 1834, worked on a farm until 1836, and then taught school for several years. In 1859 he removed to Grand Haven, Michigan, and engaged in lumbering. In 1867 he was a Representative, and in 1871-2 a Senator. A Whig until 1854, then a Republican.
WILLIAM L. STOUGHTON,
Attorney General 1867-9, and Representative in congress 1869-73, was born in Bangor, N. Y., March 20, 1827. Received an academical edu- cation, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He was prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph county, 1855-9, and for some time U. S. district attorney for Michigan. He resigned, became lieutenant colonel of the 11th Michigan infantry, became colonel April 1, 1862, lost a leg in battle, was made brigadier general, and at the close of the war major general, "for gallantry in the field." He practiced law several years at Grand Rapids, then resumed practice at his old home in Sturgis, where he died in the spring of 1888.
BYRON G. STOUT,
Representative from Oakland county in 1857-9, speaker in 1859, and Senator in 1861-2, was born near Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1829, and became a resident of Oakland county, Mich., in 1831. He graduated from the State University in 1831. Studied law one year, devoted eight years to teaching, and since has given most of his time to agriculture and real estate. In 1862 he was the union-democratic nominee for governor, but was defeated. A Republican until 1862, since a Democrat. Was the democratic nominee for congress in 1868 and 1870, and for State Senator in 1883, was a delegate to the repub- lican national convention in 1856, and to the democratic national con- ventions of 1868, 1880, and 1888. Resides at Pontiac.
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DAVID B. STOUT,
Representative in the legislature of 1838, settled at Allegan, Michigan, in 1836. In politics a Whig. He removed to New Jersey in the forties, was a Free Soiler in 1848, became a preacher, and died in that state.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
ISAAC STOW,
Representative from Livingston county in 1875, was born in Wey- bridge, Vt., Dec. 10, 1830. In 1836 he came with his parents to the western part of Livingston county. He had the advantage of a good high school for some months. He has filled nearly every position in the gift of his township, and with the exception of three years has held the office of supervisor since 1865. He is engaged in agriculture. In politics a Democrat.
ALEXANDER H. STOWELL,
Senator from Wayne county in 1853, was born in Vermont in 1808. He came to Michigan at an early day, and wasa bookbinder by trade. He identified himself with the business of Detroit, and became a trader in a general way, especially in real estate. He was alderman 1850-3, and served as assessor and city marshal at various times. Was a Democrat in politics. Deceased.
JAMES J. STRANG
Was born at Scipio, N. Y., March 21, 1813, and was the son of a farmer. He received a common school education, followed by a short term at Fredonia academy. When young he became a con- spicuous debater in the rural clubs, and had a morbid desire for distinction. At the age of twelve he joined the Baptist church, and was for some time an active member. He was restlessly active, taught school, delivered temperance addresses, worked on his father's and other farms, and at the age of twenty-one commenced the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1836, and soon after married Mary Perce. He practiced law at Mayville and Ellington, N. Y., and was postmaster at Ellington. In 1843 he emigrated to Burlington, Wisconsin, and formed a law partnership with C. P. Barnes. In 1844 he visited Nauvoo, Ill., the Mormon headquarters, was speedily converted and baptized into that faith. He was authorized by Joseph Smith, as an elder and minister, to establish a Mormon colony in Wisconsin. Strang founded his colony at Voree, (now Spring Prairie) Wisconsin, and published the Voree Herald. The colony grew. In May, 1847, he explored the Beaver Islands, and made it his headquarters. St. James was named from him, and in 1850 the colony elected him king. He then published the Northern Islander, and the saints became the owners of homesteads. In 1849 his first wife left him, and he had another wife in 1851, a second in 1852, and
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two others in 1855. In July, 1856, he was murdered on Beaver Island, and was buried at Spring Prairie, Wis. He was a Represent- ative in 1853-5, as a Democrat. He was a man of ability, and aside from polygamy, of upright character, scholarly life and studious habits, and a good writer and speaker.
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SAMUEL STREET,
Representative from Berrien county in 1850, was a native of North Carolina. He located a farm in Bertrand, Berrien county, in 1835, and built a double log house, where he lived until his death in 1861. He was a supervisor of Bertrand.
RANDOLPH STRICKLAND
Was born at Dansville, N. Y., February 4, 1823, and died May 5, 1881, His grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. His education was obtained under great difficulties, mostly at night by the light of burning pine knots. From sixteen to twenty-one he was employed in a saw-mill, working sixteen hours a day. In 1844 he taught school in Ingham county, Michigan. For five years he was engaged in studying and working, and was admitted to the bar in 1849. After a short time spent in practice at Detroit, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Clinton county, and held that position for eight years. He first resided at Dewitt, after that at St. Johns. He was a delegate to the republican national convention of 1856; a Senator in 1861-2: provost marshal, 1863-5; aud Representative in congress 1869-71. He was a Republican in politics.
DANIEL STRIKER,
Secretary of State from 1871 to 1875, was born in Rose, N. Y., April 9, 1835, and came with his parents to Concord, Mich., the same year. In 1831 they moved to Baltimore; Barry county. He became a clerk at Hastings from 1855 to 1858. He was clerk of Barry county six years; deputy county clerk three years; supervisor and chairman of county board; was admitted to the bar in 1870; has been engaged in the drug and hardware trade, and a national bank director. He is chairman of the Albion college endowment fund committee, and devotes his time to that and to banking. In politics a Republican.
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GILBERT STRIKER,
Representative from Barry county in 1873-4, was born in Washing- ton, N. Y., October 13, 1811. In 1818 his parents removed to Wayne county, N. Y. He received a common school education. In 1835 removed to Michigan and settled in Concord, Jackson county. In 1852 he removed to Baltimore, Barry county, where he now resides. He has served in several responsible positions in his township. A farmer by occupation, and a Republican in politics.
OLIVER P. STROBRIDGE,
Representative from Lapeer county in 1850, was born in Claremont, N. H., June 1, 1818. By profession a physician. He came to Michi- gan in 1840, and lived at Farmington until 1845, when he removed to Almont, and practiced his profession until 1873. Then went to Cali- fornia for his health and did not return to Almont until a short time before his death, Feb. 1, 1880.
JOHN STRONG,
Representative from Wayne county in 1835-6, was a native of Eng- land, born 1799. He came to Michigan in 1822, was a farmer by occupation, and died March 25, 1881. His son (of the same name) has since held seats both in the House and Senate, from Wayne and Monroe counties.
JOHN STRONG, JR.,
Was born in Greenfield, Michigan, April 7, 1831. He received a com- mon school education and followed farming until 1863, when he removed to South Rockwood, Monroe county, and engaged in mill- ing, in manufacturing staves, heading, and lumber, in merchandise, farming and raising short horn stock. In 1861-3 he was a Repre- sentative from Wayne county, in 1579 in the same position from Monroe county, and in 1881-2-3 was a Senator from Monroe county. In politics a Democrat.
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MYRON STRONG
Was born and brought up in Rochester, N. Y. He removed to Cass county, Michigan, in 1835, and settled on a farm near Edwardsburg. In 1838 he was elected an associate judge of the county. He was a Representative in 1841. He sold his farm in 1847 and returned to Rochester, N. Y., where he lived until the close of the late war, when he removed to Florida, and died there about 1872.
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MICHIGAN BIOGRAPHY.
SYLVESTER A. STRONG,
Representative from Jackson county in 1879, was born Sept. 10, 1833, in St. Lawrence county, N. Y .; removed to Michigan in 1835, and became a resident of Jackson county in 1840. He received a com- mon school education, and chose a farmer's life. He has held many offices, including treasurer, highway commissioner, and justice. Politics, national.
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JOHN STRUBLE,
Representative from Cass county in 1:75, was born in Union county, Pa., Feb. 9, 1823, removed to Michigan in 1846, and settled at Three Rivers, St. Joseph county. He received a common school education, and held the offices of supervisor and justice. His occupation is farming. In politics a Democrat.
CHARLES E STUART
Was born at Canaan Corners, Columbia county, New York, Novem- ber 25, 1810. His father soon removed to Waterloo, N. Y., where he received the education of common and grammar schools. At the age of nineteen he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar of Seneca county. In 1835 he settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., and began his distinguished career as a lawyer and politician. In 1842 he was Representative in the state legislature; from 1847 to 1849, and from 1851 to 1853 he was Representative in congress; and from 1853 to 1859 was United States Senator from Michigan. He attained high reputation as a lawyer, speaker and legislator. His personal appear- ance was faultless: he was at once commanding and graceful; just above the medium height, and compactly built. A fine eye lighted up a classic head and face. In his legal contests he never lost poise or temper, never used manuscript or notes, and never abused a wit- ness or opponent. As a public speaker he was always in demand. In words, look, tone and gesture he carried art to the highest finish. With great intellectual endowments, keen perception and courage, he attained high position at the bar, and in the political arena. In the Senate he was a fine presiding officer. On account of ill health, he retired from practice and public life many years ago. He was a dele- gate at large from Michigan to the democratic national convention in 1860, and was the leader of the Douglass delegates. He was also a delegate at large to the democratic national convention in 1868, and was a delegate to the union convention at Philadelphia in 1866. For
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the last seventeen years of his life he was an invalid, but never lost his interest in public affairs. He raised the 13th Michigan infantry in 1862. He died at Kalamazoo May 19, 1887.
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DAVID STUART
Was born in the state of New York; removed to Detroit, Michigan; was elected a Representative from Michigan in the thirty-third con- gress as a Democrat. receiving 10.125 votes against 9,370 votes for Howard, Whig, and 605 for Dexter, Free Soiler, serving from Dec. 5, 1853, to March 3, 1855.
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PATRICK STUART,
Representative from Wayne county in 1887, was born at Tulnagingay, Fermanagh county, Ireland, March 17, 1820. Ilis father was a mechanic, and died leaving a widow and four children, of which Patrick was next to the youngest. In a few years their means were exhausted, and when the subject of this sketch was but seven years old he was compelled to help make his own living. Afterwards he traveled through Ireland. Scotland and England, and finally, in 1843, sailed for America, where he learned the brass molder's trade, married and settled in Detroit, where he has resided about thirty- seven years, working at his trade until three years ago, when he was made sewer inspector. Mr. Stuart is a Democrat, and was elected Representative by a vote of 12,255.
ROBERT STUART
Was born at Callander, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1785. He received a fair education, and at the request of his uncle, David Stuart, then an agent of the northwest company, he came to Montreal, Canada, when twenty-two years of age. There he made himself master of the French language, and subsequently entered the office of the attorney general of the province. He, with his uncle, John Jacob Astor, and others, in 1810 became partners in a scheme for establishing trading posts on the Pacific coast and its rivers. In September, 1810, the Stuarts with a crew of fifty-one sailed for the mouth of the Columbia river, where they founded Astoria, and' established several trading posts on the Columbia and its tributaries. The war of 1812 compelled them to sell out to the northwest fur co., and Mr. Stuart with a party of six traveled overland from Astoria to New York. In 1817 he removed to the island of Mackinac as the general agent of the
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American fur company, which he successfully managed until 1835, when the business was closed out and he removed to Detroit, invest- ing largely in real estate. He became a director in the old bank of Michigan, and was appointed state treasurer in 1840, which position he held nearly one year. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church. In all religious matters his place was in the front rank. He died October 29, 1848.
DAVID STURGIS,
Senator from Clinton county in 1851, was born in Brant county, Ontario, March 10, 1810. By occupation a merchant; in polities a Democrat. Came to Detroit in 1837 and engaged in peddling for the wholesale house of Beecher & Abbott, making his trips by the way of Pontiac and De Witt to Grand Rapids, which gave him an oppor- tunity to find a place to settle. Commenced mercantile business at Portland, then removed to De Witt in 1840, and remained there mer- chandizing and milling until the founding of St. Johns, in which he took an active part with Auditor General Swegles and others in 1853-4. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850: associate judge in 1842; supervisor of De Witt in 1850 and 1853; and trustee of the union school at St. Johns. Fond of pioneer life he took pride in the advancement of the state, and was a great favorite of the Indians, speaking their language fluently. Died in February, 1864.
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JAMES SULLIVAN
Was born in Exeter, N. H., Dec. 6, 1811, and was of illustrious ances- try, his grandfather being General Sullivan of the revolution, who was governor of New Hampshire from 1786 to 1789, and representa- tive in congress. His father, George Sullivan, was an eminent law- yer, and was attorney general of New Hampshire, and representative in congress. James Sullivan graduated from Dartmouth college at the age of eighteen, studied and practiced law at Concord, N. H., in 1837 came to Niles, Michigan, soon after removing to Edwardsburg and thence to Cassopolis. He was a practitioner at the bar of Cass county from 1838 to 1878. and was an able lawyer. He was prosecut- ing attorney from 1852 to 1854. In 1853 he removed to Dowagiac, where he resided until his death in August, 1878. He was Senator in 1855, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1850. He there made a speech on the grand jury system which was regarded as a masterpiece of eloquence and logic.
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JACOB SUMMERS
Was born in the state of New Jersey, Jan. 7, 1787. He was by occu- pation a farmer, in politics a Democrat. His father became a judge of records in Philadelphia. The son settled in Shelby, Macomb county, in 1831. Ile was supervisor in 1836; Representative in the legislature of 1835 and 1836; Senator in 1837-8-9-40-9 and 1850, and associate judge of Macomb county. He was a man of strong mind, but uneducated, indolent and eccentric. But as a legislator he had great influence, and often defeated the strongest men of the State in legislation. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Jake." He died July 25, 1863.
JOHN J. SUMNER
Was born April 17, 1832, in Sodus, N. Y., and received the education of common schools. In 1847 he emigrated with his parents to Bed- ford, Monroe county, where he now resides. Has been postmaster at Lambertville twenty-two years: justice eight years; supervisor five years; Representative in the legislature in 1871-2; and Senator in 1873- 4. Occupation general merchant and farmer. A Republican until 1884, since a Prohibitionist.
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