USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 45
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ALONZO HINCHEY was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., July 10, 1843. In 1844 he moved with his parents to Ypsilanti; in 1846 to Okemos, Mich., and remained there until 1849. He then moved * to Lansing; then to Shiawassee County, and was there engaged in Wright, Butman & Co's saw mill. In 1862 he was engineer on the tug "Curby," for Capt. John Stewart. In 1863 he engaged with S. H. Webster, at Zilwaukee, as circular sawyer, remaining there until 1864, when he enlisted in the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, Company E, under Capt. John F. Hinchey. He served one year, and received his discharge by general order number eighty-three of the War De- partment. He then returned to Saginaw City, and engaged as circular sawyer. In 1871 he moved to Green Oak, and engaged in the mill business. . In 1872 he came to Bay City, then moved to Caseville, and remained there until 1879, when he returned to Bay City, and is at present engaged with F. E. Bradley & Co. He was married to Mary J. Stanfield, of Brighton, Mich., in 1870, and has three children. His wife died in 1875.
JOHN CURREN was born in County Down, Ireland, February 10, 1842. His parents emigrated to Canada when he was but three months old. In 1863 he removed to Berrien County, Mich., where he engaged in saw-milling and millwrighting. In 1868 he removed to Carrollton, Saginaw Co., Mich., where he was engaged with S. H. Webster in the manufacture of salt. In 1870 he removed to Bay City, taking charge of Mr. Webster's salt business here until he transferred the business to Chapin & Co., who, after a successful period, transferred it to Eddy Bros. & Co., Mr. Curren being re- tained. He has been a member of the fire department since 1872. He was married September 16, 1873, to Addie L. Wilkinson, of Berrien Springs, Mich., and has three children. His residence is 126 Mercer Street.
CHARLES H. SMITH was born in Elmira, Chemung Co., N. Y., June 13, 1855; remained there up to 1863, then, with his parents, moved to South Bay City, then called Portsmouth. After leaving school he learned the saw-filing business with his father, and has followed it ever since during the Summer seasons, scaling logs in the woods Winters. He is, and has been, engaged with the firm of Miller Bros. for the last three years as their gang-saw filer. He understands the business well, having had some years of ex- perience. He is an industrious young man, and has a home of his own, No. 500 Fremont Avenue. He was married October 8, 1878, to Miss Della Smith, of Hanley, Mich., and has one child.
ALEXANDER RICHARDSON 'is a native of Ireland, and was born November 5, 1846. In 1867 he settled in East Saginaw, and in the Spring of 1868 he came to Bay City, and was engaged some
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time in the lumber woods, and for the past nine years in the hotel and saloon business. He is at present keeping a hotel on the corner of Water and Sixteenth Streets.
JOSEPH ELLIOT was born in Woodstock, Canada, December 21, 1838, and remained there until he was nine years old. During that time he attended school, and was one year employed in his uncle's store. He served two years at the machinists' trade. Going to Buffalo, N. Y., he learned the trade of sign and ornamental painting. Was there two years, then moved to Detroit, Mich. Built the steamer called the "Little Earston," and brought her to Bay City, where she was run in connection with the steamer "Fox," from Bay City to East Saginaw. After running her one season, he sold her to Jerome, of Saginaw City. He then returned to Detroit, and built the propeller "Prairie Flower," which he traded for a half interest in the steamer "Fox." The latter was run from Detroit to Chatham, but proved a failure. He then went to Chicago, and was two years engaged in painting. He then built the propeller "Emma," and brought her to Bay City; run her one year, and sold her to P. C. Andre. He bought the tug "Fanny White" soon after, which blew off her steam drum, his father being killed by the acci- dent. He continued in the tug business for a short time after, then sold out, and went to Omaha. There he engaged in building, and lost all he had. Returning to Bay City he was for some time in the show business with his brother. He then went to Milwaukee and engaged in boat painting. Remained there until 1870, then returned to Bay City, and engaged in sign and ornamental paint- ing, in which business he still continues, having an extensive trade in that line. He was married in 1859 to Agnes L. Mills, daughter of Capt. Mills, of Detroit. His paint shop is under the Wolverton House.
HENRY HELLMUTH was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1850. He came to Bay City in 1870, and worked as a tinsmith for A. Logan, in South Bay City. He clerked for Newton & Beach one year, and was four years in their tin shop. In 1875 he made a visit to Germany, returning in 1876. He then commenced busi- ness for himself. He is keeping the Eagle House, on the corner of Saginaw and Sixth Streets. He was married to Annie L. Winter- meyer, of Bay City, in 1878.
JOHN SEE was born in Pittsburgh, Canada, May 25, 1842, and remained there until he was twenty-one years old. During that time he learned the carpenter and joiners' trade, and worked at that business four and one-half years. He then learned the engineering business, which he has followed ever since. In 1876 he came to Saginaw City, and was with Barnard & Binder three years as engineer of their mill. In 1879 he came to Bay City, and engaged with the firm of Chapin & Barber, as engineer, and still holds the position in the same mill, under the firm of Eddy Bros. & Co., which position he has filled satisfactorily. He resides at No. 108 Fitz- gerald Street. He was married August 11, 1871, to Miss Nina Quinn, of Port Austin, Mich., and has two children.
CHARLES H. SHOREY was born in Stillwater, Me., December 24, 1847. At the age of five years, with his parents, he moved to Somerset County, and was there until he was thirteen years old. While there he attended school. He then moved to Sherbrook, Can- ada. While there he attended school until he was sixteen years old. He then moved to Vermont. Was there a short time, and returned to the state of Maine. He remained there up to 1866, and then came to Bay City, and is at present engaged with the firm of Murphy & Dorr as saw-filer. He is an industrious young man, and attentive to business. He has a home of his own on Webster Street, between Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Streets. He was married in No- vember, 1873, to Miss Mattie Gregory, of the state of Maine, and has two children.
GEORGE F. KEMPTER was born in St. Clair County, Mich., July 21, 1854. At the age of five years, with his parents, he moved to South Bay City, and attended school up to the age of thirteen years. He then learned the machinists' trade. At the age of eighteen years he began the engineering business, and has followed it ever since with good success. He has been prosperous, and has a good home of his own at No. 208 Polk Street. He is at present engaged with E. J. Hargrave & Son, as engineer of their mill. He under- stands the business thoroughly. He was married January 1, 1877, to Miss Kittie Purtill, of St. Clair County, Mich., and has one child.
LEMUEL FURMAN was born in Oxford Co., Canada, March 18, 1856. In the same year his parents moved to Genesee Co., Mich., and were there four years. In 1860 he moved to Freeland, Mich. He was there two years, and during that time he attended school. In 1862 moved to the town of Monitor, Bay County; was with his father on a farm. His father then engaged in lumbering for O. A. Ballou, of Kawkawlin, and carried on the business up to 1874. During that time he was with his father helping him in his busi- ness. After retiring from that business, in 1874, he engaged in the manufacture of pumps, which he still follows with good success. His factory is on Eleventh Street. He is an industrious young man and attentive to his business. He resides at No. 708 Jackson Street.
JOHN FOWLER was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., July 7, 1824. At an early age, with his parents, moved to Tompkins Co., N. Y. He was there some years, and then moved to the state of Ohio. While there he learned the engineering business. Then he came to Calhoun Co., Mich., and was there some years. While there was en- gaged in the engineering business. He then moved to Iowa; was there four years engaged as engineer. He then moved to Missouri, and was there three years in the same business. In 1868 he moved to Bay City, and has been engaged in the engineering business ever since. He has worked for several firms. He was six years first assistant engineer of the Bay City Fire Department. He is at present second assistant engineer. He is also engaged with Miller Bros., of Bay City, as their engineer. Resides at No. 403 Taylor Street. He was married in 1860, to Miss Emily Kane, of Missouri, and has three children.
ROBERT J. PARKER was born in Porter, Niagara Co., N. Y., March 26, 1854. In 1858 he moved with his parents to Port Dover, Canada; remained there eight years. He then engaged in sailing, which he continued for eight years, working Winters in the woods. In 1872 he moved to Ludington, Mich., and engaged in the lumber business. In 1874 he came to Bay City and engaged as bar-tender for M. O'Brien, and remained with him two years. He then opened a restaurant in the Watson Block basement, then transferred it to the Birney Block; also added a hack line to his business, and some time after disposed of his property and purchased a tow barge; sailed her part of a season and sold her. In 1882 he purchased the block situated on the southeast corner of Third and Washington Streets, and opened a restaurant and boarding house, which he still continues. He was married to Mary E. Roberts, of Flint, Mich.
THOMAS Fox was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 1, 1836, remaining a short time. He moved with his parents to Bangor, Me. In 1847 he moved to Detroit and engaged with S. Pitts, in his saw mill. In 1855 he moved to Saginaw and engaged with Charles Merrill, as foreman of his saw mill, remaining one year, when he came to Bay City and engaged as sawyer for Mr. Dotys, and O. A. Ballou & Co. In 1861 he engaged as foreman for A. Rust & Co., in their mill; in 1865, in the same capacity for Pitts & Cranage. In 1876, engaged in the manufacture of a patent lock, Mr. Fox being one of a stock company. The business being a failure here, was transferred to New Britain, Conn. In 1879 he returned to Bay City
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and is at present engaged as foreman for Murphy & Dorr. He was married in 1860 to Alice Burdon, of Bay City, and has one child.
ALBERT C. MONROE, son of the late Randy Monroe, was born in Lockport, N. Y., July 17, 1839. In 1849 he moved with his parents to Bay City, then called Lower Saginaw. His father opened the first boot and shoe store in Bay City, and did a large business with the Indians, but in 1852 when the cholera broke out he fell a victim to the fatal disease. After his fater's death Mr. Monroe engaged in the millwright and carpenter business, and also was engaged in the manufacture of a patent fluting iron, in company with his brother William, at Chicago, but was burned out at the time of the big fire. He then returned to Bay City and engaged in the carpenter busi- ness, corner Tenth and Jefferson Streets.
JOHN F. COLLINS was born in Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., Oc- tober 17, 1857. In 1861 he moved with his parents to Bay City. At the age of fifteen he engaged in the confectionery business; re- mained there three years. He then engaged as clerk with D. Bemgar- ten; then with Hawley & Walsh, in the same capacity. In 1878 he opened a grocery store on Monroe Street, between First and Woodside, which he continued one year. He then engaged with Kinney & Francis as head clerk. In 1881 he, in company with his father, visited the Rocky Mountains and other places of interest. In 1882 he re- turned home and was appointed superintendent of street paving, and is at present engaged in the Golden Eagle Clothing House. He was married to Dora B. Hess, of Bay City.
WILLIAM WERDEN was born in Prince Edward Co., Canada, September 12, 1841, remaining there twelve years. In 1852 he moved to Hamilton, Ontario, where he learned the carriage trim- ming trade. In 1856 he removed to Berlin, there learning the harness trade. The year 1857 was spent in various parts of the country. In 1858 he returned to Prince Edward and engaged with W. G. Staf- ford in the harness trade, which position he held for eight years. In 1872 he moved to Saginaw City, where he remained until 1879, when he removed to Bay City and engaged with J. A. Shannon as carriage trimmer, which position he still retains. He was married August 5, 1862, to Emma E. R. Nix, of Prince Edward, Ontario. He has three children.
JOHN M. PARSHALL was born in Newburg, Cuyahoga Co., O., in 1829. He came to Pontiac, Mich., in 1832. In 1848 commenced steamboating as fireman on the steamer "John Owen," and was shortly promoted to the position of second engineer. He worked on her three years, when he purchased a half interest in the boat and assumed the position of captain. Was also engineer during the Winter seasons on the D. & M. R. R. He transferred the machinery of the old steamer "Ruby" to the "Evening Star." Mr. Parshall was afterward engaged for nine years on the Saginaw River as en- gineer of several boats, and in 1873 assumed the position of engineer of the late John McEwan's saw mill, where he still remains. He was married in 1855 to Cynthia M. Cole, of Mount Clemens, Mich., and has one son, now an engineer on the M. C. R. R.
JOHN M. SCHUCKER was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., March 4, 1834. In 1858 he came to Bay City. In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Michigan Cavalry, and served three years and three months and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He is at present engaged in the saloon business with F. Hopp on the Third Street Bridge. Was married to Sarah A. McMath, who died in 1878; he afterwards married Mrs. France. Residence, Monroe Street, between Second and Third Streets.
FRED. HAMME was born in Germany, October 7, 1840. After his school days were over he learned the bakery business. Then came to America and settled in Troy, N. Y., and was one year in the confectionery business. In 1873 he came to Bay City and en- gaged with Fred. Arnold in the bakery business. In 1878 he en-
gaged in the bakery business for himself, which he carried on suc- cessfully for two years. In 1880 he entered in a co-partnership with Charles Zuehlsdorff, under the firm name of Hamme & Co., and opened a bakery on Campbell Street, which they still continue. He was married to Hulda Lauter, of Germany, and has four children.
NICHOLAS PHILIPPY was born in Lyons, France, January 1, 1848. He afterward lived in Luxemburg, Germany, for a few years. He came with his parents to America and settled in Wisconsin, in 1854. In 1860 he went to Lake Superior and three years later came to Bay City. In 1872 he engaged in the barber business, and is at present, in 1883, employed in that capacity by Von Kaenel, in the Fraser House barber parlors. He was married in 1881 to Nellie B. Philipps, of Ontario.
ALFRED B. OLIN was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., May 14, 1836. In 1839 he moved with his parents to Clinton County, Mich., and remained there twenty-one years, during which time he was engaged in farming and stage driving. In 1862 he came to Bay City and engaged in drilling salt wells, and later en- gaged as engineer in an oar factory one season. He then visited the oil regions of Canada, and sunk the Dominion well at Goderich. He was engaged in the hotel business one year at Chicago, and is at present engaged as superintendent for N. B. Bradley & Son, in their salt block.
JOHN M. LUTZ was born in Germany, February 5, 1823. In 1854 he came to Bay City and built a large boarding house and saloon on Jackson Street, which he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred September 28, 1879. Mr. Lutz was crossing the Third Street Bridge; the swing was open, and he be- ing near-sighted, walked off into the river. Every effort was made to restore him to life, but in vain. He left a wife and one child to mourn his loss. He was married in 1850 to Sarah Christina Thauer, of Germany. His wife continues the business at the old place.
ALVIN M. COURTWRIGHT was born in the town of Newark, N. Y., August 22, 1838, and remained there twelve years. In 1850 he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, and remained there sixteen years, during which time he was engaged in farming with his father. In 1866 he came to Bay City and engaged in the mill- wright business, which he still continues. He is at present engaged with F. E. Bradley & Co. He was married to Sarah F. Nagle, of Fulton, Wis., and has four children. Residence, 239 North Jeffer- son Street.
CHARLES BABCOCK was born in Whitestown, Oneida Co., N. Y., November 20, 1836. In 1838, with his parents moved to Sterling, Macomb Co., Mich., and remained there seventeen years. He then moved to Detroit and learned the machinist trade. He then moved to the state of Iowa, engaged in building saw mills; re- mained there two years and moved to Pekin, Ill. He was engaged as engineer on a steamer running from Peoria to Havana; also on steamers on the Detroit River. In 1863 he came to Bay City, engaged with James Watson and O. Bryan. In 1868 he engaged with Eddy, Avery & Eddy as engineer, which position he still re- tains. He was married to Martha Hawthorne, of Troy, Mich., and has one child.
CHARLES RABY was born in Montreal, Canada, December 15, 1844, and remained there until he was nineteen, and engaged in the millwright business. In 1863 he came to Bay City and en- gaged with N. B. Bradley in the same capacity, where he still continues. He was married to Mary Bower, of Bay City, and has five children. Residence, 300 Howard Street.
FREDERIC SHORMAN was born in Germany, May 1, 1839. In 1858 he came to America and located at Buffalo, N. Y., remain- ing there until 1881, when he came to Bay City and engaged in
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the gardening business. He was married in October, 1882. Resi- dence, on Tenth Street.
HOMER GREGORY was born in Trumbull, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, July 22, 1838, remaining there twenty-four years, during which time lie attended school and worked on his father's farm. In 1860 he engaged as engineer in the oil works at Mecca, Ohio, and re- mained there two years. In the Fall of 1862 he moved to East Saginaw and engaged as engineer on river steamboats, which he still continues. He was married to Celia Hiller, of Saginaw Count . Residence on Third Street.
JOSEPH C. BAHLHORN was born in Detroit, Mich., July 6, 1853, remaining there fifteen years. He moved to Buffalo, N. Y., and remained two years, during which time he learned the painting trade. In 1870 he returned to Detroit, then moved to East Saginaw, then to Marquette, then to Pontiac and Port Huron, returned to Detroit, and in 1875 came to Bay City and engaged in the paint- ing and paper hanging business, which he still continues. He was married May 22, 1878, to Margaret McKinzie, of Bay City, and has one child. Residence, 416 Farragut Street.
LEONARD UBERRATH was born in Germany, November 23, 1823. He came to America and located at New York City, where he re- mained for a short time, when he moved to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1854 came to Bay City. In 1865 he started in the mason busi- ness, which he has carried on successfully ever since. He was married August 19, 1855, to Emily Rhenard, and has two children. Resi- dence, Monroe Street, between Sixth and Seventh.
DANIEL COURTWRIGHT was born in Tioga County, N. Y., August 23, 1828. In 1852 he moved to Wisconsin, engaged in farming and carrying on carpenter and joiner trade. In 1868 he came to Bay City, and engaged in the carpenter and joiner busi- ness, which he still continues. He was married to Sarah M. Allen, and has two children. Residence, Adams Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets.
JOHN McQUAIG was born in Gratiot County, Ontario, June 16, 1838. In 1869 he came to Michigan and commenced getting out square timber on Bad River. He afterward went to Au Sable, and later to Tawas, where he remained four years engaged in lum- bering. In 1876 he came to Bay City and located in the South End. At present he is poor master of Bay City. Mr. McQuaig was married in 1873 to Catherine McClennan, and has two chil- dren. His residence is at No. 38 Stanton Street.
NERISSE LAPORTE was born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1843. In 1865 he emigrated to Michigan, and came direct to Bay City and was employed for some time as a blacksmith by C. Rivett & Bros. In 1873 he engaged in the same business for himself, on Woodside Avenue, and shortly afterward added a livery stable to his other property. At present he conducts both branches of the business. He was married in 1873 to Philanise Beaudoin, of Ontario. They have five children.
EDWARD TRAHAN was born in Quebec City, P. Q., September 26, 1836, remaining there thirty years engaged in the ship carpenter busi- ness. In 1867 he moved to Bay City and engaged in the same business. In 1878 he engaged as foreman in B. Witthauer's ship yard and dry dock, which position he still retains. He was married in 1865 to Josephine McLauglin, of Rome, N. Y., and has one child.
FERDINAND HOPP was born in Hamburg, Germany, January 30, 1853, and came to Niagara, state of New York, in 1857. In 1872 he came to Bay City and engaged in the saloon business with Mr. Schucker, on the Third Street Bridge, the firm being Hopp & Schucker. Mr. Hopp resides on Grant Street, between Second and Third Streets. He has a wife and two children.
DEWITT C. BRAWN, son of the late Peter Brawn, was born in Port
Rowan, December 18, 1850. He came to Zilwaukee, Mich., with his parents, and remained there two years, when he came to Bay City. His father was appointed by the Government as light-house keeper, which office he held until his death, which occurred January 24, 1872. Dewitt C. remained five years with his mother, attend- ing to the liglit-house, but is at present engaged with the Smith Tug Line. He was married November 30, 1876, to Ida E. Sharp, and has two children.
HARRY G. STEGGLE was born in Suffolk, England, July 3, 1843, came to Chicago in 1866, and to Flint in 1867. In 1871 he moved to Bay City and engaged in the blacksmith business. July 22, 1882, his shop was destroyed by fire. Mr. Steggle has since erected a commodious shop on the corner of Third and Jefferson Streets, where he still continues the business. He has a wife and three children. Residence, 1013 Farragut Street.
ARTHUR RANDALL was born in Hadley, Lapeer Co., Mich., December 18, 1851. In 1861 moved with his parents to Bay City, attending school for a short time. He then engaged with G. K. Jackson as tally boy, continuing in that capacity until 1869, when he engaged in scaling and inspecting lumber for Mr. Jackson, which position he still retains. He was married November 23, 1874, to Addie A. Egan, of Canada, and has one child. Resi- dence, 1012 North Grand Street.
JOSEPH E. DEVLIN was born in Northumberland, Canada, Sep- tember 25, 1835. In 1878 he finished learning the trade of a mill- wright, came to Bay City in the same year and worked in Briscoe's and McEwan's mills as filer. He was afterward foreman for E. Carrier & Co., at their mill, and is at present with Pitts & Cranage, as filer. His residence is on First Street, between Grant and Farra- gut Streets.
WILLIAM H. MILLER was born in Seneca County, N. Y., July 19, 1823. In the Spring of 1833 he removed with his parents to Hillsdale County, Mich., where he operated a farm until he was forty years of age. He then moved to Iowa, and in 1871 returned to Michigan, and came to Bay City. In 1873 he was appointed Collector of toll on the Twenty-third Street bridge, which position he still retains. Mr. Miller was married to Mary E. Rich, of Michigan, in 1856, and has two daughters. He resides on Harri- son Street, South Bay City.
JAMES S. RILEY was born in Franklin County, Pa., July 28, 1818. At thirteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Brooke County, now in West Virginia. After learning the tailor- ing business he went to Jefferson County, Ohio, then to Trumbull County, then to Portage County. In 1864 he came to Bay City, where he engaged in the business of inspecting lumber. He was married in 1846 to Cornelia Webb, of New York State.
FRANK DUPLANTY is a native of Canada. Born November 27, 1840. In 1849 he came to Bay City. He first engaged in saw mill- ing there on the F. & P. M. R. R., where he remained two years,. and is at present engaged as roadmaster on the Detroit & Bay City Railroad. He has a wife and three children. Residence on Woodside Avenue in the First Ward.
LUCIUS W. TOBIAS was born in Chesaning, Saginaw County, Mich., in 1856. In 1861 he moved to Corunna, Mich. He came to Bay City in 1869, and engaged in the dray business. Has been in the fire department since 1874, and is at present captain of the Second Ward Company. In 1882 he was elected constable of the Second Ward. He was married in 1877 to Elizabeth Sears, of Bay City, and has one child.
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