History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 116

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co.
Number of Pages: 952

USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 116

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

GILBERT R. LOVEJOY, P. O. Lenox, son of Julius Lovejoy, who was born in New York in 1808, and Elizabeth A. ( Parker) Lovejoy, who was born in Porter, Niagara Co .. N. Y., June 27, 1SIS, and married to Julius Lovejoy in 1837. (Record burned). The Lovejoy family came to Michigan in 1842, or 1843, and located in Columbus, St. Clair County, and remained there up to 1869; then came to their present residence, Lenox (Richmond Village). Macomb County. Two of her sons, John M. and Almeson M. Lovejoy were in the army in 1862, and died at home of sickness. John in 1867 and Al- meson in 1871. Four of her sons are yet living-William, mechanic, at Memphis; Henry E .. conductor on Grand Trunk Railroad. Gilbert was the first Village Marshal elected in Richmond Village, and served one year and a half. and resigned and went as foreman on grade construction on the Michigan Air Line Railroad between Rochester and Pontiac; commenced as general auctioneer in 1879. which business. in connection with other branches, he is conducting successfully. He is one of the firm of Lovejoy Brothers, in the agricultural implement business, in Richmond; also partner in the firm of Perkins & Lovejoy, coal. lime and building materials. Julius Ira, who also resides with his mother. is a general produce dealer. The only daughter, wife of Mr. Stoddard, died in

837

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

1874, and is buried in Memphis cemetery. Reminiscences of ancestry: Mrs. Lovejoy thinks she is a grand-daughter of Gen. Lee. of the Revolution. Her mother's name was Hildah Lee. youngest daughter of Gen. Lee. Soon after coming to Michigan, their house and all its contents, including family records, was burned. leaving the family. consisting of parents and three children, destitute, and as there were only ten or fifteen families within a radius of ten miles. they commenced life again alone, and by dint of close economy and hard labor and suffering privations, have succeeded in securing a good home and comfortable living.

A. LUTTENBACHER.

JOHN S. PARKER, P. O. New Haven, son of John U. Parker, who was born in Mansfield, Windham Co., Conn .. and Harriet (Sandford) Parker, born in Coventry, Tol- land Co., Conn. John U. Parker emigrated from Connecticut to Homer, Cortland Co .. N. Y .. in 1817. John S. was born in Mansfield, Windham Co., Conn, May 17, 1810. and was married to Delia Palmer January IS. 1832: was born in Coventry, Tolland Co .. Conn .. December 13, 1811. They removed to Michigan in September. 1835, and located in Clinton, now Warren, on Sections 21 and 22: from there to Columbus, St. Clair County, on the Gratiot Turnpike, in 1838; one of the first County Commissioners elected in St. Clair County, and for three years held the office. He cleared up two good farms, one of which he sold in 1866, and bought a hotel in New Haven, which he still conducts for the good of humanity, without the aid of liquor.

CALVIN A. SMITH was born in London, Canada West. June 13, 1847, and is a son of Thomas G. Smith. The elder Smith was born in the State of Vermont, and moved with his family from London. Canada, to this country in 1854. Our subject, C. A. Smith, spent the younger part of his days on his father's farm, and received a good education. He worked in his father's stave-mill for several years. This mill was burned in 1871. He began work for Mr. H. R. Hazelton, of New Haven, in 1874, at scaling and measuring timber. He is the chief stave cutter, and when his time is not occupied at the mill, he is salesman in Mr. Hazelton's extensive store. He was married November 14, 1869, to Miss Mary E. MeNellie, by whom he has five children-Rettie J., Lilly May, Hattie Bell, Burt A. and Gertrude L. Mr. Smith is now serving his second term as Treasurer of Lenox R. P. He is one of the Village Council, and is a member of the New Haven Cornet Band. and a member of the K. of H.

ABNER W. STEPHENS P. O. New Haven, is the son of John Squire Stephens, of Richmond Village, of Irish descent, and Anna (Woodruff) Stephens, who was born in Connecticut. They were married Jannary 5, 1793. Abner W. was born in Canaan, Litch- field Co., Conn., June 26, 1801. and emigrated to Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in March. 1807. He had a very limited education, but plenty of hard work, in a new country. He was married to Abigail Resseguie October 5, 1825. in Verona, Oneida County. He soon removed to Van Buren, Onondaga County, where they resided until they came to Michi- gan. He came and took up 240 acres of Government land on Sections 1 and 12. Town 4 north, Range 14 east, Lenox. He came with his family in 1836. There was not a farm taken up within three miles. He and his brother John lived in a turnpike shanty while building his first house. The shanty was burned while they were at work on the house. and their provisions, watch, rifle and most of their clothing, and some money, amounting to $70, were consumed. They had to go to Mt. Clemens, fifteen miles, for supplies. The town was called Ray. He was so far from town-meeting that he never voted nntil Lenox was organized. He voted for the first town officers, when no political lines were drawn. He voted the first Republican ticket in the town, and has continued on that line. He was one of the first Highway Commissioners; served one year as Assessor, and eight years as Justice of the Peace, from 1840. He says they had to use all the basswood in town to fill

888

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

the offices. In the fall of 1836, his money and provisions were all gone and nothing raised. With a family of a wife and six children to care for, the future looked gloomy. As the only resort, and by request of A. I. Baird, humberman of St. Clair County, and some of his neighbors, he consented to open a public house on the Gratiot Turnpike. He was furnished his first barrel of flour for it by Lyman Granger, of Lenox, and forty bushels of potatoes by Mr. Simons, of Lenox, eight miles away. He had to be trusted by a stranger. After navigation closed. he had plenty to do, and succeeded in living and rearing a family of nine children, five of whom are living. He cleared up a good farm, and is now retired and enjoying the fruit of his toil in peaceful old age.

CHAPTER XLI. HARRISON TOWNSHIP

In the chapters of the general history, the carly settlement of this township is very fully treated. So, also, is the story of the dead city of Belvidere. Here it will be merely necessary to review its organic history and perhaps make a few special references to its present inhabitants

The first meeting was held May 28, 1827, in accordance with the terms of the act, with William Meldrum, Moderator: Francis Labadie. Justice of the Peace, and Henry Taylor, Clerk. The first officers elected were: James Meldrum, Clerk: Jacob Tucker, Collector: Charles Tucker. B. Thomas and F. Labadie, Commissioners of Highways: Charles Pletier. Sr., Overseer of the Poor; John B. Chapman, Constable. A tio vote was given for the office of Supervisor. A special election was held JJune 9, 1827, which re- sulted in the choice of Henry Taylor to fill that office. The principal township officers since 1827 are named below:

TOWN ROSTER.

Supervisors- Henry Taylor, 1827 29: Jacob Theker. 1829-38; David Lyon, 1838 39: George Kellegg, 1839 10: Homan Beal, 1840 11; Henry J. Tucker. 1811 12; Henry Toats, 1812-45; William J. Tucker. 1845-48; Antoine Chortier, 1848-19: Alonzo A. Goodman. 1819-50; Robert Toats, 1850 -55; William J. Tucker, 1855 61; Alonzo A. (foodman, 1861-63; Edward Toals, 1863-61: William J. Tucker, 1864-68; Edward Teats, 1868 73: Frederick C. Forton, 1873 75: John Filler, 1875 77; Edward Teats, 1877-82.

Clerks-James Meldrum, 1827-33; Valorous Maynard, 1834-35; Robert Meldrum, 1835 35; A. C. Hatch, 1839; A. W. Flagg. 1810: Henry Teats, 1841: Henry J. Tucker, 1812 13: Robert Teats, ISH 16; Alonzo A. Goodman, 1817 -48; Robert Teats, 1848; Jacob Tucker, 1850: David Tucker. 1851-53: Houry Van Allen, 1854 -56; Randolph Stiger, 1857; Robert Teats, 1858-59; Edward Teats, 1860-62; Simon Rackham, 1863 66: Dositee Chortier, 1867 70; John Feller, 1871 72: Henry Fries, 1873-74; Lemuel M. Sackett. 1875: Henry Campan, 1876 77: Stephen Lawton, 1878 SO: Franeis Chor- tier. 1881-53.

Justices of the Peace -David B. Conger, David Lyons. 1837; Henry Teats, Asher Wilcox. 1838: A. C. Hatch, Alfred C. Haich, John Connor, Nelson Oviatt, Aaron W. Flagg, 1839; Asher Wilcox, 1839 10; George Kellogg, 1810 11: Henry Teats, Robert Meldrum, [S42: Thomas Lough, Robert Meldrin, 1813: Asher Wilcox, Edward Tuckar, flomen Beal, IS11: Thomas Rowse, 1815; Henry Teats, 1816; Edward Tuckar, 1817; Joseph Dematressa, 1848: Samuel Shear, 1849; Nathan Mosher, 1850; Jeremiah Johnson, 1851;

889

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

Sam Shear, Homer Beal, Henry Van Allen, 1853; Alonzo A. Goodman, 1854: Sam Shear, Henry Van Allen, 1855: Robert Teats, Henry Frege, 1857: Alonzo A. Goodman, Henry Frege, Samuel Shear. 1858; Henry Teats, Samuel Shear, 1859: S. Rackham, 1859 60: Joshua Diekinson, 1561; Samnel Shearer, 1862: Henry Teats, 1863; Robert Meldrum, 1861: Joshna Dickinson, 1865; David Tucker. 1866: Richard Chotier, 1867; Sam Shear, John Fuller, 1868; Philip Ballard, 1569; David Tucker, John A Fries, 1869 70; Sam Shear, 1870: Fred Finton, Henry Teats, 1571; Philip Ballard, William J. Tucker, 1872; Robert Meldrum, 1873; Andrew Mayhew, 1874: Richard Tremble, 1575; David Tucker, 1876; Thomas J. Shoemaker, 1577; Jacob Hazenbuhlen, William J. Theker, ISTS: Jo soph P. Ballard, 1879: Thomas J. Shoemaker. 1850: John J. Reimold. ISSI.

In this township two tickets were run in 1882, the Union and Township, with Henry Campau at the head of each. The Union ticket was successful except for Clerk. Frank Chortier, on the Township ticket, being elected over Thomas J. Shoemaker. by one major ity. Jacob Hetzenbuhler was elected Treasurer over John Campan by one majority.

ORGANIZATION.

In acquiesence with the prayer of citizens of Macomb County, the district, which lies east of a line between a tract of land confirmed to John Tucker and James Connor, and extending to the Saline River on the north side of the River Huron and all the country which lies east of a line between a tract confirmed to Lewis Peltier and a tract confirmed to Pierre Phenix. on the south side of the River Huron, including the settlements north- east of the base line, near Milk River on the lake shore, to the month of the said River Huron, was erected into a township under the name of Harrison. This act was approved Angust 12, 1818.

Harrison Township, as erceted under legislative enactment. April 12, 1827, comprised all the country between the county line of Macomb and St. Clair, on the town line be- tween Town 4, Range 13. and Town I, in Range It. running south to the lake, near the farm of JJoseph Sansfacon, so as to inelude his farm in the town of Clinton, which includes Towns 4, 3 and a part of 2, in Range 14, was named Harrison, and the first town meeting was ordered to be held at the house of Charles Peltier. Jr., the last Monday in May, 1827.

The first house of worship erected in the county was the Catholic Church, in 1775. This old house stood on the south bank of the Clinton, abont four miles below the site of Mt Clemens, in Harrison Township.

The first marriage among the white settlers is supposed to be that of Nicholas Paten- ande, in 1758 or 1759. The second that of Richard Connor, or O'Connor, and Mary My ers, the Indian captive, in 1781.

The first white female child born in the county was Susanna Connor, daughter of Richard Connor, who married Elisha Harrington.

The first white male children were the sons of Patenande and the son of Richard Connor, who was claimed by the Indians as their adopted child.

The first school organized in the county was that under Joseph Rowe, in Harrison in 1794. A room in William Tucker's dwelling formed the school-room. Rowe remained ten years in the settlement, leaving in ISO1.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERINTR ..

Harrison contains a sufficient quantity of the best varieties of timber, including white and black oak, black walnut, hickory, beech and maple. The land is about equally divided between rolling and level. Near the month of the river it is inclined to be tlat. and. in some places, swampy. but, on the whole, very little irredeemable land exists within its boundaries. The Clinton divides the township into two equal parts. The creeks

890

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

known as Tucker's and Ventre de Beruf drain the southern sections of the town, while a small ereek flowing northeastward into the lake. waters the northeastern sections.

As an agricultural region, Harrison ranks with the foremost townships in the county. In all of the staple agricultural productions it shows a fair proportion. The site of the fallen eity of Belvidere is an evidence of the progress of agricultural science. Here, where once a city was drowned out, the model farm of Messrs. Campbell & Sackett exists.

The importance and value of land in Harrison Township is greatly enhanced by its elose proximity to the county seat. It is bounded on the west by Clinton Township, and the corporation limits of Mt. Clemens also touch its western boundary. Its citizens gen- erally are an industrious elass of people, hospitable and good farmers, under whose guid- ance the prosperity of the township is assured.

East of the mouth of the Huron River, commencing at the now site of the "ruins of Belvidere," and between that point and St Clair River. the only two Canadian families had settled. These men had " squatted " at a point near the bank of Salt River, and had possessed themselves there of a salt spring. This salt spring was regarded by them as the future source of considerable wealth. The salt spring is now well known by our people as the one in the little glen where the plank road bridge crosses Salt River, about four miles up the stream from the lake. The spring was looked upon as of great value and impor- tance by the agent of the United States Government, who was sent out to investigate and survey the Government interest here in 1804, and, in a communication to Thomas Jeffer- son, Secretary of State, we find mention made of this "Salt Interest " by C. Jouett, the then Indian agent at Detroit. In this report the agent says: "From experiments that have been made, I am justified in saying that this spring deserves the public attention. It was wrought some time by a couple of men, who, owing to their want of capital. were incapable of conducting the business on an advantageous plan. By those men I have been assured that a quart of water did with them turn out a gill of salt; and in all their trials with greater quantities it never failed to produce a like proportion. There is a suffi- eient quantity of water to supply works to any extent." This salt spring was claimed by a firm whose names are recorded in the State papers at Washington, as Meldrum & Parks, and whose title had been obtained from the Indians in some such manner that the Govern- ment refused to recognize their elaim as of any validity, affecting, as it did, so important an interest.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first settlers were the Sauks up to 1520. The Otchipwes came in 1520, and drove out the small bands of Wyandots and Miamis.

William and Joseph Tuckar and Mary Myers are supposed to be the first English- speaking visitors to the distriet now comprised in Macomb County. They were carried into captivity by the Otchipwes from their homes in Virginia, while yet the elder brother, William, was only eleven years of age-about the year 1754.

Joseph Tuekar died on a desolate island in the upper lake region some time after his arrival here, and must be considered the first white man known to the Indians of the Huron who deceased.

The first actual white settler was Nicholas Patenaude, who acquired and improved Claim 273. fronting on Lake St. Clair, in 1758. In his testimony before the United States Land Commissioners, in ISOS, he substantiated his statement under oath and by witness.

LITERARY AND EDUCATIONAL.

The literary privileges of the early settlers were on neither an exalted nor advanta- geous footing for many years. Many localities, while yet in their infancy, both east and west of this county, were far better situated in this respect. Here the increased and

891

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

manifold privations debarred the pioneers of our county from erecting either the primitive log schoolhouse or the equally original sanctuary. But when the harassing circumstances of their situation would permit. they exerted every energy toward the development of intellectual and moral culture. At first, very little concert of action could be obtained. partly because of the strangeness of the new situation, and partly because many enter- tained doubts as to whether they would permanently remain in their new homes. Yet those who had families with them manifested a praiseworthy and zealous regard for the future of their offspring. Doubtless the first schools taught in the county were those taught by the Moravian missionaries, those brave and heroic champions of religion and learning, justice and piety, whose works have left an indelible impress on the history of every settlement in this Western country. The first school taught in the English language of which we have any definite anthority was under the teaching of Joseph Rowe, in the house of William Tueker, in Harrison This was eighty-one years ago. Edward Tueker was one of the scholars in the primary department. The teachers' wages were $10 per month, with board, washing and mending ineluded. Mr. Rowe acted in the capacity of a savant whenever an occasion offered. He frequently read the Episcopal burial service at funerals, as there were none present to conduct any other exercises. He remained about ten years in this vicinity. After peace again pervaded the settlement, the families residing on the river east of Mt. Clemens built a log schoolhouse a few rods from the site of the residence of Lafayette Tucker. This was the first schoolhouse in the county. Benjamin P. Dodge, a British Tory, was one of the first teachers who occupied it. Richard Butler taught school in it as early as 1824. and Dr. Henry Tavlor in 1827. The school drew scholars from the distance of five miles. Henry Harrington was one of Dr. Taylor's pupils. Robert Tate, a Scotehman, taught school in this county as early as 1806. It was a family school. gathered at the house of William Clemens. After he had fulfilled his mission here as a pedagogue, he returned to Canada, whenee he came. After the war, Ezra B. Preseott employed his spare time in advancing the interest of education. He built a house just below the residence of John St ckton. To show his versatility of talent, he lived the life of a bachelor and kept house for himself. " The school was a literary een- ter for the settlers, and. for want of artificial carriages to reach it, the children resorted to those which nature afforded. John Hays, then a lad, would mount his pony. take on two of his sisters behind him, and away to school, giving his pony the limits of ranging through the hours of study. When their daily task was done. they returned by the same conveyance."

PRESENT SCHOOLS.

There are three district schools in the township, now under the direction of David Theker. James Perry and Edward Teats. The buildings are frame, valued at $1,700. The total expenditure of the township for school purposes. during the year ending Sep- tember 5. JSS1, was abont $1,100, $292 of which were paid to the teachers. The number of children of school age in the township is 235, of which number 170 attended school regularly during the year. The primary school interest fund amounted to $283; the I mill tax to $292.52, and the balance derived from other sources.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

The history of this township is continued in the personal sketches of its most prom- inent citizens, given in the pages devoted to that branch of local history.

CHARLES BOOTZ. P. O. Mt. Clemens, Box 159, was born in Northern Germany, September 7. 1824; he was raised on a farm and received the education which the com- mon schools of Germany afford; he lived with his parents until 1846, when he bought a farm for himself, and the same year married Miss Anna Kunstman, May 27: there were

892

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

nine children born to them in Germany -Minnie, Riecka, Alwine, Fred, Emily, Anna. Charles, Emil and Mary, of whom two are married-Minnie and Riecka. Mr. B. and family left Germany May 31, 1872, and arrived at New York June 18: going West. they reached Detroit, where they remained until 1874, when they moved to Macomb County and located on seventy one aeres on P. C. 167; this property is estimated to be worth $4,500.

RICHARD B. CONNOR, P. O. Mt. Clemens, born at Detroit January 18, 1849; was educated at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. After leaving college, he entered on the life of an agricultorist and stock-raiser, which he has made a success. He married Miss Archange Rivard, daughter of Ferdinand and Pauline Rivard. Feb. 1. 1870. To them eight children were born, of whom Isabelle, Richard P., Allen R., Mary A. and Frances C. are living. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Connor has been Superintendent of the Schools of Harrison; filled other town offices and is the possessor of a valuable farm of sixty-two aeres, on P. C. 163.

ARNOLD JOBSA, P. O. Mt. Clemens, a native of Holland, settled at Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y., about the year 1844; he came to Macomb in 1867, and located his farm: his wife, Miss Nellie Johnston, is a native of Holland. Louis Jobsa was born March 25. 1839: was raised on a farm; received a common-school education; has been elected Town Treas- urer and Justice of the Peace and resides with his father.

FRANCIS LETOURNEAU, P. O. Box No. 6SS, Mt. Clemens, father of Mrs. Jose- phine Paquette, was born in Macomb County in 1800; he labored on the farm until 1815. when he began the trade of ship and house builder. Mrs. Josephine Paquette was born June 1. 1833, at Detroit, educated in the common sehools, and subsequently studied in her father's house. The family moved to Mt. Clemens in 1854, where Miss Josephine Letourneau was married to Jarvis Paquette, at Mt. Clemens. June 16, 1857, by whom she had eight children, seven of whom are living-Mary C., Joseph, Francis, Louis, Marie, Charles and Fred: her husband was instantly killed, February IS, 1878, by a fall- ing tree or limb. The Paquette family resided at Detroit from 1857 to 1874. when they located on P. C. No. 175, where the family now live; the property is valued at $3,600, being seventy-two acres, with dwelling-house and improvements.

JAMES PERRY, P. O. Mt. Clemens, son of John and Mary (Kelly) Perry. natives of Ireland, was born March 4, 1836; he was educated in Ireland, and completed his studies in Rochester, N. Y. ; his parents settled in the Canadas in 1841, moved to Rochester, N. Y., where James Perry joined them in 1848; he learned the cooper's trade and followed it for four years, until 1854; he married the daughter of John A. and Margaret (Mink) Fries, September 25, 1855, when they moved to Macomb County; they are the parents of twelve children-John H .. Ella R., Eugene, Lucy and Lewis, twins, James, Mar- garet. Mary J., Edith and Eva. Mr. Perry is a member of the Presbyterian Church; he owns 100 acres on P. C. 172; he makes a specialty of horse-raising: two of his animals were awarded the first prize for two years at the State Fair, and always take the first pre- mium at the county fairs.

JOHN J. REIMOLD, son of John J. and Catharine Reimold, natives of Germany, was born at Wurtemberg October 6. 1828; received a liberal education and left his home for the United States in 1853; arriving at Mt. Clemens, he restuned farming, and then entered the butchering business, which he continued until 1863. He married Miss Pris- cilla Moser, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth Moser, February IS, 1857; they are the parents of eight children Alice, Fred, Rosa, Mary, Sarah, Charles, Henry and Jennie. Mr. Reimold holds the offices of Justice and Drain Commissioner; he is a member of the Mt. Clemens Grange, Lodge 637; owner of 132 acres in P. C. 229, Harrison; is an exten- sive stoek-raiser and a thorough agrienlturist.

893

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

T. J. SHOEMAKER. P. O. Mt. Clemens, resides on French Claim 229, settled origi- nally in 1795, by John Loveless, who sold to Joseph Robertjean in 1795.

FRANCIS X. STARK, P. O. Mt. Clemens, was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria April 7. 1846. Jacob Stark, who brought his family to this country in 1553, died shortly after his arrival. The family located on a farm on Swan Creek, where they lived for two years, then removed to New Baltimore, where two more years were passed: next, to Spring Wells, Wayne County, and ultimately. to Harrison, where Mr. Stark's mother and sister have a farm of 330 acres, on P. C. 129. F. X. Stark married Miss Mary Livernois, of Wayne County, in 1869; they were the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living -- Mary E., Francis M., Frances S., Joseph, Charles A., Mary R. and Edward F. Mr. S. carried on a brick factory at, Spring Wells for seven years previous . to his coming to Harrison Township.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 116

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co. Number of Pages: 952

Author: Leeson, Michael A., [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, M. A. Leeson & co.
Number of Pages: 952