History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 74

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166

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E. J. Schermerhorn, of the firm of England & Schermerhorn, manufacturers of boots and shoes, Francis street, was born in Erie county, New York, and is 34 years of age; came with his parents to Calhoun county, Mich., in 1850; commenced learning the trade of boot and shoe making in 1862; came to Jackson in 1867, and in 1869 formed a partnership with Joseph England and started to manufacturing with $16 worth of stock, bought on credit. Both being practical, enterprising workmen, their trade rapidly in- creased, and they now work eight men, and did a business in 1880 of $8, 000, which will be much larger in 1881. They employ the most

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expert tradesmen the State affords, use the very best grades of stock and manufacture foot-wear that is unsurpassed. Mr. Scher- merhorn's ancestry were from Holland, and were among the first settlers in New York. He is the financial manager of their estab- lishment, and does the cutting. Mr. S. married Bertha Beagle, of Saginaw, in 1872. They have 2 living children-Beulah, eight years of age, and an infant, one of a pair of twins. Mr. S. is a member of the Order of Red Men, Cayuga Tribe, No. 6.

T. J. Schuhmacher, boarding-house and saloon keeper, was born in Baden Baden, Germany, July 11, 1831; in his boyhood he worked on a farm; in 1852 went into the army, where he remained six years; and was on the police force eight years; then entered the grocery business, in which he remained until 1872, when he immi- grated to America, and engaged in farming three years; in 1875 he engaged in his present business. He married Miss Maria Agatha, in 1858; they have 5 children-Lena, John, George, Clara and Emma. They are members of the Catholic Church. His prop- erty is valued at $2,500.

Frank Schulte, druggist, No. 123 E. Main street, is a native of Prussia, and is 35 years of age. He came to America at the age of 22; located at Detroit, and was engaged in the drug business as salesman nearly six years. He followed the same vocation in Lansing a number of years, until Aug. 1, 1876, when he came to Jackson, and the April following commenced business for himself. His stock comprised a single bushel basket of goods, but persistent energy has established a profitable and rapidly increasing trade, which exhibits a value of $3,500 yearly. Mr. Schulte married in Lansing, Mary Schneider, of Detroit, a native of Germany. They have a son six and a half years old, and a daughter four. He is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, acting as Secretary four years; also of the German Workingmen's Association, where he had the same position. He is Treasurer of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and holds the same office in the Harmonia Society. He is the inventor and patentee of the "Indian Tonic Bitters," a preparation of roots and herbs compounded with iron, which is giving marked satisfaction where he has introduced it.

Charles O. Scofield, of Cowhamn & Scofield, carriage manntact- nrers and dealers in agricultural implements, 121 and 123 E. Court- land street, is a native of Monroe county, N. Y., born Jan. 7, 1848. His parents, Warren and Caroline Scofield, nee Nowland, were also New York people. Mr. S. enjoyed the school opportunity of the farmer's boy, and when abont 19 years of age came to Jackson, and for some four or five years sold groceries, as a clerk. In 1872, having formed a partnership with W. F. Cowham, he engaged in the sale of farm machinery; and later in making buggies and car- riages, in which they employ 15 to 20 men, and nearly as many in the agricultural department of their business. Mr. Scofield mar- ried Jennie Billings, of Leoni, Jackson Co., Mich., in 1878. They have 1 son-Frank Wilbur.

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William L. Seaton, Postmaster of Jackson, was born Aug. 19, 1823, near Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y. His parents were born in the same county that Robert Burns was, in Scotland, and immi- grated to the United States in 1820. Mr. Seaton attended the common school until 12 years of age, and the next three years at select school; then spent two years clerking in a dry-goods store, after which he was a student in Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y., over a year. Mr. Seaton then taught school winters and read law summers for three years. In 1849 he married Roxanna Parker, of MeConnellsville, Oneida Co., N. Y., and for several years there- after engaged in the mercantile business in that county, and in Pontiac, Mich. In 1855 he was appointed Deputy Warden of the Michigan State's Prison, at Jackson ; and two years after was appointed Building Commissioner of the State's Prison, by Gov. Bingham. In 1859 Mr. S. received the appointment of Warden of the prison, and filled the position six years. He was appointed Postmaster of Jackson, by President Johnson, in 1866, which office he still holds, having been successively re-appointed twice by President Grant, and once by President Hayes. His commis- sion will expire in 1882. Mr. Seaton has served two years as Alderman in the City Council of Jackson, and one term as a mem- ber of the County Board of Supervisors, from the city, and was chairman of that body.

August Sepp, cigar manufacturer, was born in the kingdom of Prussia, province of Rhine, March 28, 1838, where he received a common-school education; before coming to this country he was engaged in the tobacco and wine business; in 1865 immigrated to the States, landing in New York, where he remained a short time; thence to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was engaged in the cigar trade one year; went to Chicago and was there about two years; and in 1875 came to Jackson, and was foreman of the cigar department in the prison for a year and a half, since which time he has been engaged in his present business. He married Miss Annie McMann, who was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1848. Mr. S. is a member of Concordia Lodge, No. 228, of Ft. Wayne; A. O. U. W .; Manhattan Tribe, No. 51 Improved Order of Red Men, and I. O. O. F., Lincoln Lodge, No. 4.

J. M. Seward, grocer, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., Aug. 22, 1829. When he was seven years of age his parents immigrated to Berrien county, Mich., where he received a common-school edu- cation. In 1855 he married Miss Maria L. Taylor, who was a pioneer of Erie county, N. Y. When her father first went to Buffalo, N. Y., there was only one house in the city, and he kept a place where people could stop over night, and get something to eat; he was in the war of 1812; is still living, at the age of 84, and is hale and hearty. While Mr. and Mrs. Seward were visiting her old home, he showed them some plastering he had done over 60 years ago, and there was not a crack in it. Mrs. S. was born in Erie county Sept. 30, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. S. have had 6 children, 5 of whom are living. Mr. S. has held several offices of trust; was

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Sheriff of Berrien county four years; in 1869 was elected to the State Legislature, and in 1870 Sergeant-at-Arms two consecutive terms. Has a son who has been messenger.

Alonzo M. Shearer. proprietor of Jackson Steam Laundry, is a native of Jackson county, born in the town of Waterloo, and is 35 years of age. His parents, Peter M. and Permelia (Taylor) Shearer, were natives of Saratoga county, N. Y. They came to Jackson county and settled where Alonzo was born, in 1844, but some years after removed to Grass Lake, where Mr. Shearer began clerking in a store, at the age of 14. Four years later he came to Jackson, and continued two years in the same capacity. In 1866 he went to Montana Territory; was absent three years, most of the time engaged in the grocery business in Helena, in which he was quite successful, but put the money into mining and lost it; returned to Jackson with $3.35 in his pocket, and again hired to sell dry-goods, in the store of H. S. & C. C. Ismon, some two or three years. He then spent two years in the grocery trade in Eaton Rapids; returned to Jackson, and in April, 1874, he bought the Jackson Laundry, then a small affair. He has since conducted it with a large annual increase of business. It is supplied with all modern facilities for doing the best class, of work, and has a trade of $10,000 a year. Mr. Shearer married Josephine Campbell, of Jackson, in 1870.

George F. Sherwood, Superintendent of the Jackson Gas Light Works, was born in Westchester county, town of Bedford, N. Y., in 1843; is the son of George E. Sherwood, of Stamford, Conn., and Mary Reynolds, of Bedford, N. Y. Young Sherwood left his birth- place at three years of age, and when old enongh went to the trade of steam-engine building in the New York Steam-Engine Works. Sometime after he took the position of engineer on one of the vessels of the Star Steamship Line, sailing between New York and New Orleans, which position he held several years, making 28 or 29 voyages; also crossed the Atlantic twice. He served nearly a year in the United States navy, chiefly on board the Vanderbilt. Subsequently he engaged in building and operating gas works for 10 years; then came to Jackson in March, 1876, to take charge of the Jackson Gas Works, and has been Superintendent for the com- pany since. Mr. Sherwood was united in marriage with Miss Kate Emmons, of New York city, May 22, 1863, at Mt. Vernon, N. Y. They are the parents of 3 sons and 4 daughters. Mr. S. is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery, and of the Knights of Pythias. His parents are residents of the city of New York.

Colonel Michael Shoemaker is a native of the township of Ger- man Flats, Herkimer county, New York. His ancestors were the first white settlers in the valley of the Mohawk, and were of Ger- man descent, being of those Protestants who voluntarily expatri- ated themselves from the Lower Palatinate upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. In 1710 the ancestors of Col. Shoe- maker arrived in New York. They subsequently located in Co-

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lumbia county, New York, and in 1723 they received patents for lands on the Mohawk river, on the very outskirts of the white set- tlements, for the purpose of interposing a barrier to the incursions of the French and Indians. The name was spelled by the immi- grants, Schumacher, but was Anglicized by the English officials, and the name in the patents issued by them was spelled as at present, as is stated in the memoir of Robert Shoemaker, the father of Colonel Shoemaker, in Benton's "History of Herkimer County." "German emigrants from the Lower Palatinate planted themselves in the Upper Mohawk valley, under the auspices of General William Burnet in 1723, as a more immediate barrier against sudden incursions of the French. Patents 52, 53, 55. Patents settled in 1723 and 1724." Doc. History of New York. " Ninety-two persons are named in the grant of land known as the Burnetfields Patent; among them are Rudolf Shoemaker for lot 17, on which Colonel Shoemaker was born, on the south side of the Mohawk river, and Thomas Shoemaker for lot 12 on the north side of that stream." This Rudolf Shoemaker married Gertrude Herkimer; their son, John Jost Shoemaker, married Mary Smith, daughter of Robert Smith, a native of Yorkshire, England; and their son, Robert Shoemaker, married Catherine Myers, daughter of Michael Myers and Catherine Herter, and to them was born the subject of this sketch, Michael Shoemaker, April 6, 1818. Colonel Shoemaker comes of stock connected with the history of the French, Indian and Revolutionary wars. Of his grandmother, Catherine Herter, history says: "Herter, son of a patentee, a militia officer, taken prisoner with his family, in the French and Indian wars, in 1757, and carried to Canada. Mrs. Herter gave birth to a daughter in a birch canoe while crossing the St. Law- rence. The family were kept as prisoners one year, then released, and they returned to the Mohawk valley, where this daughter, named Catherine, married Michael Myers, and lived to the good old age of 81 years, dying Sept. 4, 1839." Judge Michael Myers, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the most prominent citizens of what was then Western New York. He was the first member of the Legislature elected from that newly settled country, and was for 14 years a member of either the Assembly or Senate. He was also one of the judges for many years pre- vious to his death, which occurred Feb. 17, 1814, and which was caused by the breaking ont afresh of a severe wound in the leg which he received at the battle of Johnston, fought in 1781, dur-

ing the Revolutionary war. His paternal great-grandmother, Gertrude Herkimer, was a sister of General Nicholas Herkimer, who commanded the American forces at the battle of Oriskany, and who died from wounds received in that battle, August, 1877. John Jost Erghemar was father of the above, and before it became Anglicized into Herkimer, it was spelled Herkhiemer, Herckimer, Harkemier, Herchamer, Harkamare, Ergemore, as was Schu- macher, spelled Schumaker, Shumaker, Shumacker, Shoemaker, and these various spellings were used when speaking of the ac-

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tions of the same individual, as may be seen by reference to the "Documentary History of the State of New York." Robert Shoemaker was one of the most highly esteemed of the citizens of Herkimer county; was Sheriff of the county at a time when it was an honor to hold that office; he was also a member of the Legisla- ture, and held a commission and saw service on the Canadian frontier in the war of 1812.

The educational advantages of Col. Shoemaker derived from schools was very limited, and whatever proficiency in knowledge lie may have attained in any branch, is to be eredited more to his fondness for books than to the instruction he received at the com- inon school which he attended at what is now the village of Mohawk, previous to his 13th year, or to the instrnetion received in a few months at a select school in the village of Herkimer. In the summer of 1831 he was placed in the hardware store of Clute & Bailey, Sehe- nectady, but the work proving too heavy for him, he was taken by his father to Albany and placed in the dry-goods store of D. D. & W. Winne. He was subsequently with Barney Vandenburgh until his death, and then with Seth Crapo until the summer of 1835, when he importuned his parents to allow him to go to Illinois, where his brother-in-law, Dr. A. W. Bowen, had settled the year previous, and try his fortunes in the then far West, to which the great tide of immigration was then tending. In September, 1835, our young adventurer, then 17 years of age, took passage on a line

boat on the Erie eanal to Buffalo. There was then no railroad west of Schenectady. On his arrival at Buffalo, he found that the last steamboat for Chicago had taken its departure some days pre- vious and he engaged passage on the fast-sailing sehooner, Benja- min Barton, which had a cabin fitted up for passengers, as had most of the best elass of sailing vessels on the lake at that time, and all of which were well-laden with the enterprising and adventurous natives of New York and New England, who were seeking a home in the wilds of Michigan, or on the prairies of Illinois and the far West. After a detention of several days, caused by a strong wind blowing down the lake, the fleet of sail vessels, then in Buffalo harbor, took its departure, and one of the most beautiful and im- pressive sights ever witnessed by him was that of this fleet when all were fairly under sail, with all their eanvas stretched to catch the favorable breeze, as they spread out, fan-like, in numbers greater than ever seen together before or since. The voyage was not without its incidents, for the favorable breeze soon became a furious storm and the schooner ran into Put-in-Bay, then uninhab- ited, and came to an anchor until the storm subsided. All the passengers then availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the historie ground where were buried the dead that fell in that battle, so creditable to our little navy, on the lakes, and by which Commodore Oliver H. Perry won imperishable renown. Young Shoemaker had suffered during the storm as only those who have been sea-sick, and that in its most aggravating form, ean appreciate. When he landed on the island, the ground appeared to rise to

5 S Vanghead

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meet his feet as he stepped, and it was with some difficulty that he could navigate at all. This experience was enough to sat- isfy him for the time being with a lake voyage, and on the arrival of the schooner at Detroit, he informed the captain that he should leave and go overland the balance of his journey. The captain endeavored to overcome this resolution, but Shoemaker said to him that he would not make the trip to Chicago with him if he would give him the schooner and its cargo.

Detroit at this time had not a paved street, nor a public or private carriage. The only vehicles used for pleasure-riding were French carts, drawn by ponies, with buffalo skins spread in them for the protection of the dresses of the ladies. The Michigan Exchange was then, as now, one of the best hotels in the West. The city, or rather town, was resounding with warlike notes, and the din of arms, as the excitement arising out of the " Toledo war," was then at its highest pitch. The roads from Detroit to Ypsilanti were almost impassable, and passengers by the Chicago stage line were compelled to walk a good part of the distance, and were always expected to assist with a rail or other lever in ex- tricating the so-called stage when stuck in the mud. Our adventurer, after remaining one day in Detroit to recruit, left on the early morning. The first day was spent in reaching Tecumseh, where the passengers took supper, and, after a ride of two nights and two days more, arrived in Chicago, then containing about 2,500 people. There were a few small hamlets, called villages, on what was then called the Chicago road. From Chicago to Joliet the journey was made by the regular stage line, the stage being a common road wagon drawn by two horses. There were then but two or three settlements between Chicago and Joliet. Young Shoemaker received a kindly and hearty welcome from his sister and his brother-in-law, Dr. A. W. Bowen, whom he found comfortably domiciled in a log house. He now began his business career on a capital of five dollars, which was the amount of money he had on hand when he arrived at Joliet, and as he hasnever since received any accession to it from outside, any accumulation he may have acquired for the comfort of his declining years is to be placed to the credit of his industry, energy, and that constant attention to business which has characterized his life. For a short time he was employed in the store of R. L. Wilson & Co., general merchants, the firm being composed of Richard L., John L., and Charles L. Wilson, the first named dying early, and the two latter after- ward,-for many years well-known residents of Chicago. But the spirit of speculation in real estate was ripe, and Dr. Bowen, having about this time platted "Bowen's Addition to Joliet," offered to sell Shoemaker several lots, and wait for his pay until the lots were sold. This offer was accepted, and young Shoe- maker became a real-estate speculator, though then but 18 years of age. The title to the property was, however, left in the name of Dr. Bowen, for convenience of transfer.

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During the year 1836 Dr. Bowen sold to Benjamin Carver, of Herkimer county, New York, a number of lots in Bowen's Addi- tion, including those of Shoemaker, and in part payment took a stock of merchandise, and as the advance in price had given him an interest in this investment, young Shoemaker became a partner of his brother-in-law, under the name of A. W. Bowen & Co. In 1837 he bought the interest of Dr. Bowen, and after conducting the business for some time in his own name, accepted a proposition in 1838 made him by Joel A. Matteson, and at the age of 20 became full and managing partner of the firm of Matteson & Shoemaker. At this time the Illinois & Michigan canal, con- necting the waters of Lake Michigan and the Illinois river, was in process of construction, and the firm of Matteson & Shoemaker not only transacted a large business with the town and country, but was also extensively engaged in furnishing supplies to contractors on the canal, doing a larger business in this direction than any other firm on the line of the canal. They also became heavy contractors on the canal, and built several sections in the heavy rock work in and near Joliet, their contracts amounting to several hundred thousand dollars. These contracts were payable in money, but the State of Illinois being unable to negotiate its bonds, a final estimate, amounting to $60,000, was paid in canal scrip and State bonds, worth at that time but 18 cents on the dollar.

In the summer of 1851 young Shoemaker bought Matteson's interest in the business, and soon after formed a partnership with his brother Matthew, under the name of M. & M. Shoemaker.

In 1842 the firm bought the mill and property at Michigan Cen- ter, Jackson Co., Mich. In 1845 he bought the interest of Matthew Shoemaker, who removed from the State. He then sold his stock of goods for real estate, and never again engaged in trade, but for 28 years owned the mill and continued the milling business at Michigan Center, being at the same time quite extensively inter- ested in real estate. In March, 1845, Col. Shoemaker was ap- pointed inspector of the State's prison by Gov. John S. Barry. This was not only unsolicited, but the appointment was the first notification to him that his name was used in that connection. His colleagues were Dr. Ira C. Backus and Lewis Bascomb. By the influence of Col. Shoemaker Dr. Joseph Tunnecliff, Jr., was ap- pointed physician to the prison.

In 1847 Col. Shoemaker received the Democratic nomination for Senator for the district composed of Washtenaw, Jackson and Livingston counties, the district having four Senators, two elected every alternate two years. This nomination was unsought and unexpected. Col. Shoemaker was elected, while his colleague on the ticket was defeated. In 1849 Col. Shoemaker was again nom- inated, again elected, and again his colleague was defeated. Col. Shoemaker, though one of the youngest Senators, took at an early day a stand as one of the most industrious and influential of the members of the Senate, which he not only maintained, but con- tinually increased with his time of service in the Senate. In 1851

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he was elected President pro tempore of the Senate. The present constitution of the State was adopted by the State convention while he was serving his last term, by which single senatorial and repre- sentative districts were required, and it was Col. Shoemaker's influence that secured for Jackson county two Senators. Col. Shoemaker served at this time five sessions, and was of those called Free-Soil Democrats.

In the Senate in 1849 he voted against the repeal of instructions to the members of Congress from Michigan to vote for the Wilmot proviso which had been adopted by the Legislature at a former session. The repeal was sought to be obtained previous to the election of Gen. Cass to the United States Senate after his defeat for the presidency, for the purpose of placing the Democratic party of the State on the doctrine promulgated by Gen. Cass in his Nicholson letter. The repeal of the instructions was adopted by the casting vote of Lieut .- Gov. Wm. M. Fenton in a Senate in which 'there was but one Republican. In 1852 Col. Shoemaker was not nominated, and the district elected a Republican. In 1854 and '58 he was again nominated, but the Republican party had obtained the complete ascendency, and he was defeated; nor was there again elected a Democratic Senator in Jackson county until 1874. In 1876 Col. Shoemaker was again nominated and elected. He, although one of a small minority, by his candor, industry and good judgment, stood second to none in influence in that body. Col. Shoemaker was also the Democratic candidate for the Senate in 1868, but was defeated, as the county was largely Republican.

Col. Shoemaker was author of the law closing saloons and pro- hibiting the sale of liquor on election days; of that providing for filing accounts before Boards of Supervisors, and other laws of a beneficial character.

Col. Shoemaker has been a member of most of the Democratic State conventions held since he has been in the State, and has pre- sided in several of them. In 1856 he was one of the candidates on the Democratic ticket for Presidential electors, and in 1857 was, without being a candidate for any office, appointed Collector of Customs for the Port of Detroit, the district then embracing the whole of the State of Michigan.

In 1859 Col. Shoemaker was elected, while at Lansing, and without his knowledge, Supervisor of the township of Leoni, and in the summer Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 74

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166