History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens, Part 48

Author: Gansser, Augustus H., 1872-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond & Arnold
Number of Pages: 738

USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens > Part 48

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When in the Legislature, Mr. Cobb was a member of the committees on insurance and ways and means, and introduced the bill that resulted in the adoption of what is known among insurance men as the "Michigan Stand- ard Policy." He was also active in securing the passage of the noted Ontonagon & Brule River Railroad bill, and of the tax law of 1882. He was a member of the special committee ap-

pointed to investigate the charges of miscon- duct against the management of the State Re- formatory at Ionia. In 1881, he was appointed a member of the visiting board of Albion Col- lege. In local politics, he has never had an inclination to figure. His offices are located on the corner of Adams street and Center avenue.

On November 1, 1871, the subject of this sketch married Laura Munger, a daughter of the late Algernon S. Munger, of Bay City. Mr. Munger was one of the first settlers of the city, and one of the most active promoters of its various interests. He was one of the organiz- ers of the East Saginaw & Bay City Railroad, now a part of the Pere Marquette system. He served as mayor, county treasurer and super- visor, and was always identified with measures tending to promote the public welfare. His daughter, Mrs. Cobb, was born in Cass County, Michigan ; her parents removed, when she was a child, to Bay City, where she was reared and educated. To Judge Cobb and his estimable wife have been born two children, namely : Susan, who died at the age of six years; and George Arthur, born August 3, 1875, educated in the Bay City schools and Alma College, and married to Maggie Parker on July 23, 1892.

Judge Cobb was grand regent of the Royal Arcanum of Michigan for 1884, having been vice grand regent in 1883. He is also a mem- ber of the National Union. He belongs to H. P. Merrill Post, No. 419, G. A. R., and was a charter member of that post as well as of U. S. Grant Post, No. 67. He has held the offices of quartermaster, adjutant, chaplain, comman- der and trustee. He was a delegate to the Na- tional Encampment held in Boston in 1890. He is now past commander of two posts, hav- ing filled every position of trust.

Judge Cobb and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Bay City. The Judge was secretary of the board of trus-

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tees of this church for a number of years and also served as treasurer. He has been a mem- ber of the sessions for II years, and officiated as clerk during half of that time.

J OHN CARROLL, proprietor of the lar- gest wholesale produce and fruit es- tablishment of Bay County, Michigan, is one of the most enterprising and successful business men of Bay City. He began life under adverse circumstances, and it was only after years of hard and consistent effort that he was enabled to take his place among the leaders in the business world of this locality. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1848, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Welsh) Carroll, both natives of Ireland. Our subject was two years old when his mother died and his father soon after emigrated to America, leaving him in Ireland with a younger sister, Margaret, who is now the wife of Pat- rick Cahill, of Orange County, New York.

John Carroll was given only an ordinary education in Ireland. On September 14, 1865, he landed at New York, where he turned his hand to various occupations in an endeavor to earn an honest living. Removing to Orange County, New York, he worked on a farm, but not having a taste for that life he returned to New York City, where he was employed for a time as a laborer on a railroad. Later he did contract work and superintended the construc- tion of some buildings. He was then called upon to assume management of the old Man- hattan Hotel at No. 29 Centre street, New York, while its owner was abroad, and this he did successfully for a period of nine months. He later made application for a position on the New York police force. Out of 45 who took the examination, he was one of the five that passed, but he decided to go West before he

qualified. In 1869, he came to Bay City, Mich- igan, and opened a butcher shop. He had good backing but not caring to use another's money he closed that business, and engaged as mana- ger in the same line at the same stand, contin- uing there about one year. He then engaged in draying for a few months, when he again started in the butcher business in association with D. F. Kenny, to whom he later sold out. Mr. Carroll then engaged in farming and buy- ing cattle and slaughtering for the market. After about five years, he returned to Bay City and engaged with Hammond, Standish & Company, as manager of their fresh meat de- partment. He remained three years and then again started in for himself. The firm of Logan & Carroll, produce merchants, was es- tablished in 1889 and continued for three years. After the dissolution of the partnership, the firm of Carroll, Hurley & Company came into existence and continued for one year, being succeeded by that of Carroll & Rose. Later, Mr. Carroll purchased his present building and has since continued alone. He was the first produce merchant in Bay City to handle oranges in car-load lots, and the first and the only one in the city to make a business of storing eggs. He is a wholesale dealer in pro- duce, fruits, confectionery and the "Peerless" brand of Baltimore oysters. His store, located at No. 113 Third street, has ample storage facilities connected therewith. Mr. Carroll has been highly successful and has every reason for feeling proud of the rapid progress he has made. He erected four dwellings in South Bay City at a cost of from $1,200 to $2,500 each, and has a beautiful home on Lincoln street, which cost $4,000. He has served as highway commissioner of the village of Ports- mouth, and as supervisor of Bay City two terms.

In 1872, Mr. Carroll was united in mar-

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riage with Annie Joyce, a native of Ontario, Canada, and they had 16 children, 10 of whom are living, namely: Daniel, interested in the insurance business, who married Rosalie Foley ; and Catherine, Maud, Madge, Michael, Jett, John, Jr., Rhea, Beatrice and Fidelis, who are at home. Religiously, the family are members of St. James' Catholic Church. When the church and the parochial school were erected, Mr. Carroll was placed on the building com- mittees. Fraternally, he is a member of the Elks; Knights of Columbus; K. of M .; the C. M. B. A .; and an honorary member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

A LLEN L. STEWART, one of the pioneer business men of Bay City, Michigan, was here engaged in the early history of the place in the boot and shoe business and afterward was engaged in the bakery business on the corner of Center and Saginaw streets. Since 1874 he has de- voted his attention to fire insurance and real estate. He was born in Eaton, Madison County, New York, December 1, 1826, and is a son of Lemuel and Lydia ( Barstow) Stew- art, and grandson of William and Polly Stewart.

William Stewart, the grandfather, was born in Scotland and came to America in colonial days, becoming a farmer of New York, in which State he died. He was a "minute-man" during the Revolution; he was taken prisoner by General Burgoyne and was marched to Quebec where he was held captive. His wife, Polly, was born in the North of Ireland, July I, 1748, and died June 13, 1848, aged almost 100 years. Her home at Whitehall, New York, was for a time the headquarters of Gen- eral Burgoyne on his march to Saratoga. They had two sons,-Lemuel and Addison.

Lemuel Stewart was born at Whitehall, New York, June 28, 1773. When a young man, he took up wild land in the then almost wilderness of Madison County, New York, and followed farming there throughout the remain- der of his life, dying May 5, 1849. He was twice married, by his first marriage having nine chil- dren. He married for his second wife Lydia Barstow, who was born July 14, 1785, and died October 10, 1854. They had three chil- dren, as follows : Nancy, Prudence and Allen L. Nancy, born in 1819, and deceased No- vember 29, 1899, was the wife of Elias Bump, of Flint, Michigan. Prudence, who is living in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 80 years, is the wife of Addison Gage, by whom she had three children, of whom a son and daughter are living at the present time.

Allen L. Stewart, the youngest of the chil- dren born to his parents, was reared on a farm and attended district school, also attending academy at Morrisonville, the county seat, one year. He then taught school in different dis- tricts for, two years, among his pupils being Governor Bliss and the latter's younger broth- ers and sisters. When he was a young man, his father died, and Allen purchased the old homestead, which he conducted about three years. Two years after his marriage, he re- moved to Flint, Michigan, in 1856, and en- gaged as clerk in the store of Samuel Warren. In the spring of 1857 he bought out the Hig- gins Brothers' shoe business on Saginaw street in Flint, which he conducted until 1861, when he removed to East Saginaw, where he was soon after burned out, losing all his stock. He. then returned to Flint and clerked two years for Baker & Ripley, shoe dealers, until 1863, when he removed to Bay City and opened a shoe store on Water street, near the corner of Sixth. The following July occurred the great fire which swept away so much of the city, but:

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saving a large amount of his stock, Mr. Stew- art again opened a store on Water street. He sold out in 1865 and purchased a business cor- ner on Fourth and Saginaw streets, where he established a bakery in the fall of that year. In 1866 he purchased land and built a brick block on the corner of Saginaw and Center streets, the first good business block erected on Saginaw street at that time. This building has a frontage of 20 feet, a depth of 100 feet, and is two stories high, and in it he has had his offices for many years. Here he established his bakery which he conducted until 1874, when he sold out and turned his attention to the fire insurance business, representing a State com- pany, whose head office was at Lansing. In connection with his insurance agency, he later engaged in the real estate business, and con- tinues to be interested in both lines at the pres- ent time. He has always been a man of the greatest activity and enterprise, and has left his imprint on the progress and development of this community. He is well informed on public events, possesses a retentive memory and easily recalls the details of early life in Bay City.

On February 22, 1854, Mr. Stewart was married in Madison County, New York, to Pamelia Wentz, who was born in Binghamp- ton, New York, and was a daughter of Wil- liam Wentz, whose parents came to this coun- try from Germany. She died November 8, 1901, leaving one son, Sydney Holmes Stew- art, born in Bay City, Michigan, December 19, 1864, and now prospecting in Alaska, who married Carrie Nellis in 1885 and has a daugh- ter,-Elsie,-born March 22, 1893.

Mr. Stewart is one of the oldest Masons in Bay City, having joined the order in 1864. In 1884 he joined Blanchard Chapter, and Bay City Commandery. During 1884-85 he served as worshipful master of Bay City Lodge, No. 129, F. & A. M., and at the present time

is treasurer of the lodge. He has filled nearly al the offices in Bay City Commandery and in 1893 was eminent commander. In 1887 he joined the Michigan Consistory, and has taken the 33rd degree, Scottish Rite, being now the head of Rose Croix Chapter, A. A. S. R. He is president of the board of directors of the Masonic Temple Association. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Universalist Church, and has served as clerk and trustee a number of years. He cast his first vote in Michigan for John C. Freemont for President, and has always been a Republican, although taking no active part in political affairs.

EORGE S. COLE. It would not be a very difficult matter for a stranger traveling through Monitor township, Bay County, to locate the prosperous farmers, and the general air of thrift and com- fort surrounding the home of George S. Cole, in section 22, would immediately attract atten- tion. This fine farm of 80 acres is well-situated and finely improved. Mr. Cole was born in New Jersey and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Shafer) Cole.

Samuel Cole was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, of German parents, and had four brothers and one sister, namely : Aaron, Michael, John, Jacob, and Catherine, all now deceased. In his younger days he worked at shoemaking in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and then bought a farm of 95 acres, in Sussex County, New Jersey, where he lived until 1867, when he sold that property and purchased a farm of 178 acres in Warren County, New Jersey, which continued to be his home to the day of his death at the age of 85 years. After becoming a resident of New Jersey, he mar- ried Sarah Shafer, who was a native of that

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State. Their children were: Lavina, wife of M. Snover, a farmer of Blair township, War- ren County, New Jersey; Sarah, wife of Wil- lis Ragan, of Newton, New Jersey ; George S., of this sketch; Nathan, a farmer of Aurora, Nebraska; Amanda (Castner), of Newton, New Jersey; Mary, wife of Marshall Snover, a farmer of Blair township, and Samuel, a farmer of Hardwick township. Warren County, New Jersey. Our subject's father was a stanch Democrat and held several township offices. He and his wife were members of the Dutch Reformed Church.

In 1877, George S. Cole came to Michigan and during one winter attended school at Ox- ford, Oakland County. He then spent three years in farm work before he purchased an 80-acre farm in Tuscola County. Later he gave up farming there, and in 1882 came to Bay City, where he worked two years in the "Detroit Mill," selling his farm in the mean- time. For II years he filled the position of night watchman at this mill. In 1893 he bought his present farm of 80 acres and has carried on general farming ever since. He has taken a deep interest in his property and has spared neither labor nor expense in making it attractive, valuable and comfortable. In 1900 he erected his fine, modern, brick residence, which is heated by a complete hot air system and resembles a city home in its comforts and conveniences. He also erected a large barn, wagon house and all necessary outbuildings. His grounds are kept in repair and the place is one of the ideal rural homes of Monitor town- ship.

On April 6, 1892, Mr. Cole was married at Bay City, to Hattie Hallam, who was born in Norfolk District, Ontario, Canada, where her parents were farmers. In 1886 she came with a sister to Bay City, where she formed the acquaintance of our subject, which resulted

in this happy marriage. They have one daugh- ter, Alma, aged II years.

Politically, Mr. Cole is and always has been identified with the Republican party. He is justly considered one of the township's repre- sentative men.

R ICHARD FIELD CONOVER, a well-known resident of Bay City, Michigan, and the manager of large landed family interests, was born in South Amboy, New Jersey, and is a representa- tive of one of the old established families of that section. He is a son of Francis Stevens Cono- ver, a captain in the United States Navy, and of Helen Field, the daughter of Hon. Richard Stockton Field, judge of the United States District Court of New Jersey, and a grandson of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

After graduating at Princeton College, he entered the Columbia Law School, and after graduation settled for a short time in the prac- tice of the law at Newark, New Jersey. He then went to Texas and spent 15 years in ranching in that State. While in Texas he was married to Cornelia Fitzhugh, who is a daugh- ter of the late William D. Fitzhugh and a granddaughter of Dr. Daniel Hughes Fitz- hugh and Judge Charles Carroll. These names are very familiar ones to the citizens of Bay County, Michigan.

In 1900 Mr. Conover came to Bay City to assume the management of real estate be- longing to his wife and her mother, Mrs. Wil- liam D. Fitzhugh. It includes property all over Bay County, Mr. Fitzhugh's posessions at one time probably excelling those of any other landowner in this section.

Mr. and Mrs. Conover enjoy one of the

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most charming homes of Bay City and it is frequently the scene of delightful social func- tions. They have three children : Carroll Fitz- hugh, Helen Field and Alida Van Rensselaer. Mr. and Mrs. Conover are members of Trin- ity Protestant Church.

R OBBIN'S B. TAYLOR, a prominent attorney-at-law at Bay City, Michi- gan, a well-known and highly re- garded citizen, was born May 15, 1839, at Plattsburgh, New York, and is a son of Rev. Stephen and Electa (Newcomb) Taylor.

Rev. Stephen Taylor was a minister in the Baptist Church. When our subject was a child of four years the father removed from New York to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and pur- chased a farm where his seven children were reared. The three survivors are our subject, a daughter in California and a son in Colorado. The parents have long since passed away. The mother came of excellent family, being a daughter of Judge Newcomb, of Plattsburgh, New York.

Robbins B. Taylor was reared on the Ohio farm and was educated in the district schools and in a local academy. In 1866 he came to Michigan and in the following year entered upon the reading of the law in the office of Grier & McDonnell, pioneer attorneys, the former of whom became, at a later date, judge of the Circuit Court. In 1868, Mr. Taylor was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was admitted to the bar. He entered into practice at Bay City and also soon became interested in loans and real estate. At present his atten- tion is entirely given, outside of an office prac-

tice, to the latter interests. Mr. Taylor's office is conveniently located at the corner of Third and Washington streets, Bay City. During his years of greatest professional activity he has been alone. At one time he was in part- nership with H. H. Wheeler, who was subse- quently twice elected to the State Senate. Mr. Taylor was a member of the first Board of Pub- lic Works of Bay City and served four years as its chairman. He was an early appointee on the School Board and later served two terms by election. He has always been one of the city's wide-awake, progressive citizens and he has done his full share in promoting her pros- perity.

In 1868, Mr. Taylor was married to Angie L. Fling, who was born at Saranac, New York. They have one son, Clayton R., who was born at Bay City, in 1870. He was educated at home by private tutors until prepared for col- lege and then went to Akron, Ohio, going from there to the Northwestern University, at Chi- cago, where he was graduated in law. He is now junior member of the well-known law firm of West, Eckhart & Taylor, which is located in the First National Bank Building, Chicago. In that great city of competition and opportunity, Clayton R. Taylor has met with gratifying success. In 1898 he married Alice Hatch, who was formerly a teacher in the Bay City High School and is the accomplished daughter of Judge Hatch, of Detroit, Michi- gan. They have had two children, the survi- vor being a little maid named Helen Louise, who is dearly beloved by her. grandfather, the subject of this sketch.

Mr. and Mrs. Robbins B. Taylor have also in their kindness of heart, reared and thor- oughly educated two children, both of whom are happily married and well established in life.

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R OBERT L. KING, attorney-at-law and justice of the peace at Bay City, Michigan, is a native of this city, born here in 1871, and is a son of Alfred M. and Frances (Thompson) King.

Alfred M. King has been a resident of Bay City since 1868. For several years he taught school and then entered upon the practice of the law, a profession which has claimed his main attention ever since. He has served as a justice of the peace and also has been circuit court commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. King still reside at Bay City, their family consisting of four sons and one daughter.

Robert L. King was reared at Bay City. After completing the common-school course here, he entered the shop of John D. MacKin- non, where he learned the machinist's trade, one which he followed until 1895. In the meantime he completed his law reading and was admitted to the bar in 1897; he has devoted the greater part of his attention to this profes- sion since that date and has met with very satisfactory success. Politically he has always been an active Democrat and has been honored by his party on many occasions. He was elected circuit court commissioner and served in 1898 and 1899,-a term of two years. In 1901 he was elected justice of the peace and will serve for four years, having the distinction of being one of the two magistrates in the city.

Mr. King married Grace Leonard, who was a daughter of John E. Leonard, a substan- tial citizen of Bay City. Mrs. King died in June. 1902. leaving one son, Robert F., Jr. Mr. King is a member of the Protestant Epis- copal Church. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason, and at present is master of Portsmouth Lodge, No. 190, F. & A. M. He belongs also to the Knights of the Maccabees and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. He is regarded as one of the progressive, enterprising young pro-

fessional men of the city, well-equipped for the future and possessing the qualifications for advancement in professional and political fields.

€ E. CORLISS, one of the best-known citizens of Bay City, Michigan, who was identified with the city press for many years and now is city treasurer, was born March II, 1859, at Al- bany, New York, and is a son of R. B. and Catherine W. (Ward) Corliss.

The parents of Mr. Corliss resided at Al- bany for many years, the father following the trade of painter there during all his active life, and his death taking place there in 1874. His widow removed to Bay City, Michigan, where she died in 1890, aged 74 years. Our subject has two sisters, viz: Mrs. F. L. Wands and Mrs. W. W. Bassett, both of Bay City.

E. E. Corliss was reared at Albany and completed his education in the Boys' Academy of that city. He has been a resident of Bay City for more than a quarter of a century and has been a prominent figure during the greater part of this time. For many years previously and up to 1899, he had charge of the circula- tion department of the Bay City Times and Tribune and gained a wide acquaintance and hosts of friends in his newspaper connection. His political association has always been with the Republican party and he has been one of its most efficient workers. He served one term as supervisor of the 11th District, and in 1899 was elected deputy city treasurer, serving in that office continuously until April, 1903, when he was elected to his present office of city treas- urer. His public service has reflected credit both upon himself and the city.

Mr. Corliss married at Albany, New York, being united to Anna M. Smith, of that city,

ROBERT W. ERWIN, B. S., M. D.

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and they have two children, viz: Edna, who married George H. Floyd, of the Fletcher Hardware Company, of Detroit, and has one daughter,-Virginia; and Catherine, who is a ,student in the Bay City High School. The pleasant family residence is situated on North Farragut street.

Mr. Corliss has many agreeable fraternal connections, belonging to the Masonic Blue Lodge and Council at Bay City; the Elks, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Maccabees and the Royal Arcanum.

R OBERT W. ERWIN, B. S., M. D., who enjoys the distinction of being the third oldest physician in practice at Bay City, Michigan, has been iden- tified with the interests of this city for the past 30 years. Dr. Erwin was born at Laceyville, Harrison County, Ohio, May 24, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Rebecca (Law) Erwin.

Dr. Erwin is descended on the paternal side from Scotch Presbyterian ancestors, who came to America prior to the Revolutionary War. His mother was born in Ireland of Eng- lish ancestry. The family is well represented in clerical life, both in the Church of England and among the followers of John Wesley.

The enforced industry of life on a farm gave our subject energetic habits and to this exercise Dr. Erwin attributes much of his sus- tained vigor, and long continued capacity for hard work. His education was pursued through the winters at the district schools, but the summers found him hard at work on his father's farm. When but 17 years old, after five months in a neighboring academy, and three months in the Hopedale (Ohio) Normal School, he was accepted as a teacher in the local school. He continued to teach through the

winters until after the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted for service in the 170th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served until the expiration of his term of enlistment.

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History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens, Part 48

Author: Gansser, Augustus H., 1872- Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond & Arnold Number of Pages: 738

Author: Gansser, Augustus H., 1872-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond & Arnold
Number of Pages: 738