History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 76

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

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

and collected rents as agent; and in 1876 became manager of the Jackson Foundry, and in April, 1877, became a one- third owner. The business of the concern has much improved under Mr. Smith's management, and is now making money. When past his 20th birthday Mr. S. married the adopted daughter of Joseph French, Ellen M. French, who died six years later, leaving 1 daughter. He married Mary J. Hibbard 11 years ago, by whom he has 2 daugh- ters and a son. He is a member of the Masonic order, lodge and chapter; has held several local offices.

Frank L. Smith, one of the proprietors of the Hurd House, was born in Stafford, Conn., in July, 1830, and is the son of Cal- vin L. and Mary (McNary) Smith, also of Connecticut. Frank received the benefits of the schools of the neighborhood until 12 years old, when his parents moved to Michigan and settled in Ar- mada, Macomb Co., where he enjoyed little school advantages until past 18, when he attended a select school in a neighboring district four winters, working mornings and evenings to pay his board and tuition. He worked for his father on the farm sum- mers until 20 years of age, when he was given his time, and then hired to a neighbor for $12 per month. The following year he worked for another farmer at $12.50 a month; each year's earnings being saved and placed at interest. The third scason he spent five months with a Government surveying party at $20 per month, which was also put at interest. When 24 years old he came to Jackson and was employed as clerk in the old American Hotel. In October he went to Adrian, worked a short time in the railroad shops, then ran as fireman on an engine; in August he went home and remained on the farm 18 months, meantime purchasing a half interest in the homestead. In the spring of 1856 Mr. S. returned to Jackson and took the management of the American, but only remained till fall, then went into the Hibbard House as clerk. Ang. 23, 1864, he entered the army as Quartermaster of the 29th Mich. Vol. Inf. Two months later the regiment was consolidated with the 28th, and there being no vacancy Mr. S. was mustered out of service. He then leased the Marion House-the American re. fitted and name changed-for $2,400 a year. At the close of the year he and his present partner, L. C. Hurd, bought the old Tre- mont House stand on the site of the present Hard House, of his wife's father, J. S. Hnrd, for $14,000. A year later they built a story upon it. In October, 1868, it was destroyed by fire, a total loss. They at once began erecting the present building, and on Dec. 24, of that year, moved into it. The hotel has since been re- arranged and enlarged, so that its estimated value is $40,000, and is capable of accommodating 150 guests. It is well managed and does a large business.

Mr. Smith married Miss Adda Hurd in August, 1865. They have 2 children-Irene, 12, and Georgie A., 10 years old.

Hon. Hiram Horton Smith, retired, Jackson, Mich., was born in Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y., in December, 1809. His father,

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Oliver M. Smith, of Northfield, Mass., married Miss Anna Horton, daughter of Judge Horton, of Malone, who were the parents of 7 children that grew to adult age. His parents moved to Vermont when he was five years old, and he chiefly lived with his Grand- father Horton from 10 to 15 years of age, where he enjoyed excel- lent school privileges. His grandfather died at that time and he became self-dependent. He went into a mercantile house in Cas- tleton, Vt., at $66 a year and his clothes, for three years. He then started in merchandising in Granville, N.Y., not meeting with success. He was married at the age of 23 to Frances Dean Denni- son, of Woodstock, Vt. In April, 1835, he came to Mich., and after a few months, settled in the town of Summit, Jackson Co., and farmed two years; sold out and bought a section of land in Ing- ham county, and when the county was first organized was elected the first County Treasurer; served two terms and was immediately after elected County Clerk. In 1842 he was elected to the Legis- lature, taking his seat Jan. 1, 1843. In the summer of 1844 he engaged in merchandising; moved to Lansing in 1847, continuing in the same business; built an important piece of plank road from Lansing to Howell; retired from active merchandising in 1852; dealt in real estate, erected extensive mills, etc. He has been ac- tively identified with, and was one of the originators of, the Jack- son, Lansing & Saginaw R. R .; was made Vice-President, and had supervision as the chief executive man in building the road; man- aged its construction, etc. He left that organization in the suni- mer of 1868, to build the Jackson & Ft. Wayne R. R., and he, in company with P. B. Loomis, were the principal movers and builders. Mr. S. being President of the company, held the position until January, 1871, having completed the road in the fall of 1870. In January, 1871, he became President of the Detroit, Lansing & Lake Michigan, now the Detroit, Lansing & Northern R. R., having his offices in Detroit: built that road and then built the Detroit & Bay City road. In 1872-'73, as superintendent of con- struction, built several lines, in all about 700 miles of railroad. Since the fall of 1873 lie has been engaged in no active business except to look after his estate. His family consists of 4 sons and 1 daughter.

John S. Smith, foreman Bennett's Brick and Tile Works, resi- dence, 415 Ganson street, is a son of George and Mary (Raine) Smith, natives of Durham, England, and was born in that place Dec. 31, 1845, where he received a common-school education, and learned the machinists' trade, which he followed until 1869, then came to the United States and located in Scranton, Pa., where he followed his trade, being engaged by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Great Western R. R. Co .; thence to Jackson, Mich., where he has been engaged in the brick and tile works. He married Miss H. E. Bullen, a native of this county, and their 3 children are Estella M., Sidney Fay and Mary Evaline. Mr. S. is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 50.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Joseph Smith, grocer, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., and is 43 years of age. His parents, James and Catherine (Carey), were of foreign birth. Mr. Smith grew to adult age in his native place, following the vocation of a clerk for some years. He went to Chicago in 1862, where he engaged in the same pursuit for some time. He was employed by the Government in a civil capacity abont two years. In 1866 he came to Jackson, and in company with a brother embarked in the grocery trade, of which he be- came sole proprietor in 1869 on the death of his brother. In 1880 he located at his present stand, No. 256 E. Main street. He keeps a general line of staple and fancy groceries, and does a business of $20,000 a year. He is one of the Trustees of school district No. 17, and has been a member of the board four years. He is Pres- ident of the Catholic Benevolent Association. He married, in 1868, Miss Ellen Walsh and has 6 sons and 1 daughter. He and his family are members of St. John's Catholic Church.

William. W. Snow, of the well-known firm of Snow, Gilson & Co., dealers in boots and shoes, was born in Millbury, Worcester Co., Mass., in 1837-only child of Warren and Sally C. Snow; both parents died before he was 10 years of age. He attended school until 18 years of age, then apprenticed himself to the machin- ists' trade, occupying some three years. Upon the expiration of the term, he was offered a Incrative position with a shoe manufactur- ing firm, and continued with them until the fall of 1860, when he settled in Jackson, as member of the firm of Damon & Snow. Retiring his interest at the end of one year, he followed the life of a commercial salesman two years with a Binghamton, New York, house, and four years with a Cleveland, Ohio, honse, when, through a proposition of the Hon. J. H. Noyes, the firm of Snow, Gilson & Co. was established in 1869, which firm extended their business until their sales had attained the magnitude of $200,000 a year, bnt through the losses of business during the late financial crisis were obliged to succumb to the inevitable and close their doors; but men of their stamp will not be kept down, and we shall ex- pect, in five years, to see them again on the road to prosperity. Mr. Suow was united in marriage in 1865 to Andor S. Woods, daughter of A. P. Woods, who was one of the earliest settlers of the now thriving city of Jackson.

Theodore Stein, proprietor of the Home Cigar Manufactory, 145 West Pearl street, was born in Luxemburg, Europe, and is 31 years of age. He came to the United States when five years old, the family settling in Wisconsin, which has been his home until he came to Jackson in 1875. His parents now reside in Sheboygan, that State. Mr. Stein went to the trade of cigar-making very young, had completed it at 16, and since that time has earned his own living. In 1875 he and August Zeck established the Home Cigar Factory in the old Dwight Block, since burned, they two do- ing all the work. They then located in the Goldsmith Block, from January, 1879, until they removed to his present number, July 1,

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

1880. Mr. Stein bought his partner's interest Jan. 1, 1879, and became sole proprietor. The volume of business has steadily and rapidly grown until he now employs 20 hands, and produced in 1880 nearly half a million of cigars, worth $20,000; and will do a much larger business this year. Mr. Stein married Sophia Kuehne, of Chicago, in 1875. He is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and the A. O. U. W.

A. L. Stiles, farmer and drover, Jackson, Mich.

William P. Stiles, proprietor of the Red Ribbon Coffee and Oyster House, was born in 1830, in Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y., where he lived until he was 20 years old. According to his own statement he was educated on the "outside of books," as he commenced learn- ing the trade of a book-binder at the age of nine. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Freidenburg) Stiles. His father was a native of New York; his mother of Holland. When 20 years old William went to Syracuse, where he worked at his trade two years, and afterward three years in New York city. He spent two years looking through the Western States accepting such employ as offered, arriving in Jackson in May, 1858, where he established a book-bindery in connection with the office of the Citizen, which con- nection continued until July 9, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. B, 1st Mich. Inf. In the fall of that year was assigned to the duty of nurse in the regimental hospital in the army of the Potomac. In the spring of 1863 he was appointed hospital steward; was taken sick and left his regiment the night before the second battle of Bull Run. He was in the hospital until he received his discharge in January, 1864. He came to Jackson and as soon as he was recovered engaged in book-binding nntil compelled to abandon it by failing health. When the city police force was organized he was appointed on it, and served seven years, until May, 1879. He at once engaged in his present business. He has always been a strong, ontspoken temperance man, and was the only inan on the police force who wore the " Red Ribbon." His business is prosperous and increasing. Has invented an apparatus for making coffee which renders a decoction clear as amber and preserving all the delicate aroma of the berry, and through its perfection has become celebrated in the making of coffee. He was married at the age of 21, in Cazenovia, N. Y., to Miss Catharine Serena Helmer. They are members of the M. E. Church, and have 2 children-Ida and Kitty. Mr. Stiles is a member of the Order of Chosen Friends.

Nathan H. Stone, contractor and builder, 117 W. Biddle street, was born in Royalton, Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1836. Nathan Stone, his father, was a native of Vermont and married Anna Jolina Fenn, of the same State. Mr. Stone is the eighth of a family of 4 sons and 6 daughters. The parents moved to Michigan in 1837, and settled in the town of Hanover, Jackson Co. There his father passed the remainder of his life on a farm, and for a number of years filled the office of Town Clerk, and other local offices. He died in 1849, leaving his widow with a large family. Nathan was

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

early thrown upon his own resources. Being a natural mechanic he became an expert in the use of tools, and withont serving an apprenticeship, began working at the carpenter's trade. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Safrona L. Gildersleve, born in Geanga county, O., in August, 1839. At 10 years of age she came with her parents to Jackson county, where they both since died, and 3 of their 5 children, leaving only Mrs. Stone and a sister. Mr. Stone moved to Jackson in 1863; soon after was drafted and paid nearly all he was worth for a substitute. He worked at carpenter- ing for others several years, during which he superintended the coil- struction of some extensive buildings, among them the court-honse at Marshall. About 12 years ago he embarked in jobbing business extensively, and has erected many among the finest and most elab- orate private residences and business blocks in the city, working a force of men varying from 15 to 75. These elegant structures stand as speaking monuments of his good taste and superior work- manship. Mr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of 2 sons, 1 dying in infancy. Orville B. is a promising young man of 18 years. Mr. S. has made two trips to the Pacific coast, first in 1874, when he traveled 295 miles over the mountains on foot, and again in 1878, to settle the estate of a deceased brother.

John Straub , upholsterer, Jackson, Mich., was born in Wittenberg, Phiningan, Germany, April 29, 1832; received a common-school education. At the age of 10 years he learned the trade of har- ness-maker and upholsterer. In 1853 he entered the German army, 7th Regt. and 6th Co .; remained in the service three years, when he bought a substitute for $300 for the balance of his term. In March, 1856, embarked in a sailing vessel for the United States, and landed in New York on the 3d of May; thence to Philadelphia, Pa., where he remained one year and worked at his trade; after- ward visited Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Lonis; returned to Albany, N. Y., where he remained two years ; made a trip to his home and re- mained a few months; back to Cincinnati, O., where he married Miss Fredricka Snyder, who was born in Bavaria, Oct. 20, 1840; there were 2 children, 1 of whom is living. After leaving Cincin- nati, Mr. S. went to Ann Arbor, remained a short time, then came to Jackson, where he was employed as foreman in the upholstery de- partment of the prison for 14 years, since which time he has been engaged in his present business. Mr. Stranb came to this county a poor man, but by close attention to business has accumulated a fine property.

Mattie C. Strong, physician and surgeon, was born in Newbern, Armaugh Co., Ireland, Jan. 7, 1845. Her mother emigrated to the United States when Mattie was three years old; her father died in Ireland when she was two years and a half old. Her mother, Mary (Copeland) Cochran was left with a family of 11 children to bring up and educate; and although her husband left means enough to come to this country and give her children an education, i was a trial that few women would have undertaken;

R. D. anderson

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

but with a Christian spirit and a strong will, she overcame all obsta- eles, and can be proud of the well-fought battle. In 1848 she took passage in a sailing vessel with her 11 children and landed in Quebec after a voyage of 38 days. From there she went to Toronto; thenee to Livingston county, and remained there three years; thenee to Watertown, Clinton Co., where they remained 16 years. Mrs. Strong attended the seminary at Lansing and Ann Arbor several terms, but did not graduate at either. In 1868 she married Reuben E. Strong, a native of Cattaraugns Co., N. Y., son of Ezra B. Strong, formerly of Vermont. Previous to her marriage she taught school six consecutive years. Three years after her marriage, she commenced reading medicine with her sister, Mrs. Dr. Cooper, of East Saginaw, who was a graduate of the Woman's College of Philadelphia, Pa., with whom she remained one year, then entered the University at Ann Arbor in 1872, where she attended a full course, and in the spring came to Jackson, where she pursued her studies under Dr. Chittoek's in- struetion through the summer vacation, and the fall following again attended leetures. The following spring she continned her studies with Dr. Chittoek and the following winter attended an- other course and graduated March 24, 1875. She has a brother who is a physician, Isaac Cochran, who was a graduate of Ann Arbor in 1868. She had two brothers in the 23d Mich. Regt. Vol. Sanmel entered as a private and was promoted to Orderly Ser- geant, and Isaae came out as 2d Lieutenant.

Rowen Summers, proprietor of the Globe Shoeing Shop, was born in, or near, St. Thomas, Canada, in May, 1822, where he learned his trade. He carried on his business several years in Wardsville, where he also conducted a hotel. During several years he located in Utica, Macomb Co., Mich. He first came to Jackson abont 28 years ago and acted as foreman two years for Messrs. Pinney & Samson in the trip-hammer department of their works. He was in the employ of the M. C. R. R. mending rails, after- ward was engaged in forging irons for mowers and reapers for McNaughton & Lathrop about eight months. He then formed a partnership with John Helmer and opened a smith shop, carrying on business in this relation four years, when he went into the army as First Lieutenant of Co. C, 17th Mieh. Infantry. He enlisted in September, 1862. September 14 he received a gunshot wound in the abdomen at the battle of South Mountain, Md., and was in the hospital two months, returning to his regiment on recovery. He resigned March 3, 1863, returned to Jackson and resumed his old business relations. The partnership was dissolved about a year later, and he prosecuted his trade alone, managing his shop and carrying mail in the city meanwhile. He spent about two years traveling in the South, and was in Baltimore four years in the employ of the B. & O. R. R. Co. Since his return he has been running the blacksmithi business; employs two mechanies and makes shoeing a specialty, doing first-class work. Mr. Sum- 44

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

mers was married at about the age of 20 to Susan Kingsland, of Michigan. They have buried all their children, 5 in number.

Alfred E. Sutton, proprietor of Sutton's livery and sale stable, West Pearl street, was born in September, 1841, in Huron county, O. His father, Laban Sutton, married Miss Mary, daughter of Elder R. Farley, deceased, of Greenwich, O., who was a pioneer in the Methodist ministry in that part of the State, and a very prom- inent member of the Masonic order. In his childhood, Mr. Sut- ton's parents moved to Erie county, O., where he was brought up and educated in the public schools. In June, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 101st O. Vol. Inf .; at the end of the year was transferred to a United States dispatch boat, and remained in that branch of the service two years, chiefly upon the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Mr. S. had charge of the midship guns. He was discharged after the close of the war, and returned to Ohio; came to Jackson, Mich., in the spring of 1866, and engaged in grading by contract, running a number of teams. In July, 1867, he engaged in the livery business where the Opera House now stands; later was in the rear of the Hard House, and removed to his present location in 1879; has had several partners, but has been alone since 1877; does a general livery and sale basiness, and has abont $4,000 capital invested. He owned and broke the celebrated horse Sammy Tilden, and trotted him in 18 races. In September, 1866, Mr. S. married Mariette Cross, a native of Erie county, O. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, lodge, chapter and commandrey. Mr. Sut- ton now wears a very valuable gold watch and chain presented to Mr. Geo. A. Baldwin, deceased, as IIigh Priest of the Jackson Chapter, by its members, June, 24, 1870, and bequeathed in his will to Mr. S. as a token of friendship.

Deacon Chester R. Taylor was born in Rochester, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1828. His early life was passed near Grass Lake village, amid Indians, wolves, owls, hawks and reptiles. Being the oldest child he was compelled to work hard, and did most of his studying by a log fire. The school-house was two miles away, but he attended school some during the winter. Children then were accompanied by men with guns to protect them from the wolves. At the age of 16 he attended the academy at Grass Lake, working for his board; at 17 he joined the M. E. Church; in 1845-'6, came to Jackson to learn the wagon-maker's trade; in 18 months went to Lodi, and worked at his trade a part of the time and in the harvest field a part of the time; went to Rochester, N. Y., to learn to make carriages; worked at his trade at Jenkins' Corners; attended Barker's Academy at the latter place, also joined the Christian Church; returned to Michigan in the summer, and to Roches- ter again the ensuing fall; was there during the cholera siege of 1849; came back to Jackson and taught school two winters; worked at his trade awhile; went to Grass Lake with Henry Hale to work in his carriage shop, and attended college in Leoni (now in A Irian ). Dec. 25, 1853, Mr. Taylor married; went to honsekeep-

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ing, farming, wagon-making and building a new house until the spring of 1855, then sold a part of his farm and came to Jackson, where he worked until 1859, then bought D. G. Palmer's wagon business and carried it on several years. Six years ago he rented his shop and started out as State agent for the Baker Grain Drill, afterward adding Buck's Patent Wagon Spring; this busi- ness he still continues. Mr. Taylor is a strong worker in the temper- ance canse, and has always been very temperate in all his habits, -never using tobacco, tea, coffee or stimulants of any kind; to this he attributes his excellent health and great powers of endnr- ance. He was Secretary of the first prohibition convention, is Clerk and Deacon of the Christain Church, and was Secretary of the Michigan State Christian Conference 15 years. His mother died Jan. 10, 1840.

Myron W. Tarbox, editor and publisher of the Saturday Even- ing Star, is the youngest editor in the city, being 31 years of age; but he has had an experience more varied and more extensive in the fields of journalism than many of his elders. He began as re- porter for the Albany Morning Express, in 1869; continned in this capacity three years. In October, 1871, he married Miss Mollie Wood, daughter of the late S. D. Wood, of Binghamton, N. Y., and shortly after located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He immediately purchased a one-half interest in the Daily and Weekly Times, of that city, and became, shortly after, its managing editor. Under his intelligent direction and vigorous policy the paper was greatly improved, and prospered. But the panic came on and its influence was felt severely; yet the paper survived, though losing money, and in December, 1876, Mr. Tarbox dis- posed of his interest, and came to this city. In company with others here he started a daily evening paper-the Times-which rapidly gained a place in the newspaper field, and bid fair to be- come an influential journal. But in June of 1877 he was seized with the "Texas fever, " and, selling his interest in the Times, he migrated to Galveston, Texas, where he was engaged on the edito- rial staff of the Galveston News-the most important journal and enjoying the largest circulation of any paper south of Louisville. After a year's hard work he purchased the Galveston Journal of Commerce, a commercial paper of influence. But his health soon failed, and he was compelled to seek a more congenial climate- one possessing less humidity-and he removed to Brownsville, on the Rio Grande frontier. Here he took entire charge, under a sal- ary, of the Democrat, a semi-weekly paper, and shortly consol- idated the Ranchero, a daily paper, with it, and conducted it very successfully, publishing a portion of it in the Spanish language. When he had remained there nine months. his impaired health had become restored, and he concluded he had had enough frontier ex- perience, and he returned to Jackson. Mr. Tarbox relates many interesting adventures he met with on the Mexican frontier, in which the pistol and stiletto played an important part. In 1879

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he established the Saturday Evening Star, and has placed it on a sound basis, and he assures us he expects to spend the remainder of his life in Jackson.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 76

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