USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 39
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The Review has always been independent in politics, and devoted to the local interests of the village of its nativity. It is now a six-column eight-page paper, suc- cessful, bright and enterprising, and a fair exponent of the intelligence and thrift of the pleasant village of Richmond.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
ARMADA.
Armada village is one of the bright enterprising towns of the county, sur- rounded by a wealthy and intelligent community, and inhabited by an industrious and thorough class of business men, and it seems a good field for a newspaper.
In 1874 the Armada Inder was founded by Ed. H. Bently, the first number appearing in October of that year. It was edited and managed at Armada though printed at Detroit. It was a five-column paper, independent in politics and issued weekly. Though sprightly and intelligent it failed to survive the first year.
In 1876, in April, Mr. A. F. Stowe, started a small job office at Armada, and on the 10th of May published the first number of the Armada Telegraph. It was a small four-column paper, quarto in form, independent in politics. In the vicissitudes of its early career it was reduced in size to a four-column bi-weekly folio, and its publication continued by Mr. Stowe until January 1880, when he sold to Charles J. Seely. Mr. Seely immediately enlarged the paper, commenced the publication of a weekly again, enlarged it to a six-column quarto in which form it is now published by Mr. Seely, with every appearance and prospect of success. The Telegraph is in- dependent in politics. In August 1880, J. E. Barringer, the enterprising secretary of the Armada Agricultural Society, commenced the publication of the Armada Agriculturalist. It is published during the months of August, September and October of each year, and is devoted to the interests of the Agricultural Society of Armada and the success of the Armada Fair held at that place.
PERSONAL NOTICES.
Spencer Boothe Russell, the present editor and proprietor of the Press, is the son of John and Ruth Ann Russell, the former a native of Ireland, who immigrated to the United States when but eighteen years of age, settling in the State of New York, where he continued to reside until his death in 1851. He was a hardy, wiry specimen of that ancient Celtic race of whom it was truly said "he was the straightest man in the county, an accomplished athlete, and without a peer, either in the harvest field or in the garb of a Christian." His wife was Ruth Ann Bur- ton, nee Andrus. The Andrus family came from Rhode Island into Yates county, New York in an early day. The family dates its origin back to the landing of the Pilgrims, and proudly traces its progenitors to the blue-blooded Puritans who came over in the May Flower. They are of that peculiar type of Rhode Island yankee, whose physiognomic traits and Quakerish drollery of dialect are all present. Not even the Celtic blood, the quick wit and ready speech of a North of Irelander, have been able to absorb the identity of the Andrus type of New England's sturdy stock. The town of Jerusalem, Yates County, N. Y., became the home of the Russells, and here the subject of this sketch was born, November 24, 1846. A few
HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
years later the family moved to Ontario County where John Russell met his death from the effects of overwork and exposure. The widow toiled on with her six fatherless children for a few years, and then moved West, landing at New Balti- more, Macomb County, in the fall of 1853. The poor woman but journeyed to her death ; for after a brief struggle with poverty and disease of the new West, she, too, entered upon that long journey beyond the river, bequeathing her six little ones to the world. In the spring of 1855, the subject of our narrative, being left praetieally homeless and friendless, started out to make a name and fortune in a world of which he knew nothing. Being recommended to the family of Abbot Van Horn, who had just settled in the woods of northeastern Chesterfield town- ship, he went to the home of that settler, and entered into his first business transaction. Van Horn agreed to furnish him a home and give him what advan- tages the district school afforded, until he was eighteen years old. On his own be- half the boy eontraetor promised to stay the required term of years, to give his assistance on the farm in summer season and such as he eould while attending sehool. No contract, signed and sealed with all the impressive solemnities and forms of law, was ever more sacredly observed. And to the influence of this Chris- tian home, and the principles of business integrity and morality here inculcated, Mr. R. eredits his success in life. After the expiration of his contract the next few years were spent in a course of schooling and private instructions at Mt. Clemens. In the spring of 1866 he entered the law office of Hubbard & Crocker, and began the study of law, which was continued, with the exception of the win- ter months spent in teaching distriet schools, until August, 1868, when he was ad- mitted to the bar of Macomb County.
His examination was pronounced by the judge and bar to be one of the best in the history of the eircuit. Visiting his native State during the following winter a little incident happened that may not be out of place here. The reported loss of a party of sleigh-riders while crossing a lake, led to the rumor at Mt. Clemens that Mr. Russell was one of the number. The report spread rapidly and gained credence wherever it was told. Many were the expres- sions of regret that so promising a career should be thus suddenly eut-off in the very beginning. " One day," says Mr. Russell, " there eame a letter from a distant friend less eredulous than those at Mt. Clemens informing me of my reported death and the anxiety of friends at my old home. The anxious friends were at onee re- lieved, but the report was never publiely contradicted until my appearance upon the streets of Mt. Clemens the following April. I shall never forget the look of blank astonishment with which I was greeted by those to whom my appearance was the first intimation of a resurrection." Instinctively following the Star of Empire, Mr. R. took his flight westward, and on the 9th of May, 1869, found himself in the city of Omaha, Neb. But a longing desire to enter his chosen profession never de-
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IIISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
serted him, and the following January he hung out his professional shingle at Fort Scott, Kan., upon which the empire star was at that time shedding its most effulgent rays. But that season was very unhealthy, and after a severe attack of fever fol- lowed by the Kansas shakes he decided to forever " shake " that country, which he did, retiring to western Michigan in the fall of 1870 very much broken in health, and so found his way back to Mt. Clemens two years later. In the spring of 1873, he was elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools, and on the first day of May assumed the duties of his office, and also the editorial management of The Press. After two years of double duty the Superintendency Law was repealed, since which time he has given his entire attention to newspaper work. In 1878 he associated his brother in business with him, who still shares the duties of manage- ment.
Mr. Russell took an active part in local politics, holding several minor offices in the village, afterwards city, until the spring of 1881, when he was chosen mayor of the city over a formidable opponent. The story of his subsequent removal by the Governor, on purely technical grounds, his re-nomination and re-election as given elsewhere in this volume, is a fair and impartial recital of the facts. The legal technicality upon which the Governor based the removal was the alleged interest of Mayor Russell in a contract for printing between the city and the firm of S. B. and H. E. Russell, which, as shown by the testimony, amounted to less than $25 a year and was entered into for the sole benefit of H. E. Russell. The case attracted the attention of the Press throughout the State and never was the official act of an executive more severely criticised and impartially condemned. Public sympathy in Macomb County was all in favor of Mr. Russell and his re-accession to the may- oralty was a subject of congratulation for months afterward. Instead of the stain which a few political enemies had confidently hoped to bring upon his public record, it proved one of the happiest triumphs of his whole life. No more appropriate words can be used in closing this short biographical sketch than the following from the pen of that veteran journalist and former citizen, Geo. F. Lewis. The article is only one of the many handsome tributes paid Mr. Russell at the time by the daily and weekly press of the State. It appeared in the Bay City Morning Call, of which Mr. Lewis was then managing editor, and may form a very apt conclusion to this sketch. " Mr. Russell," says the writer, " is a gentleman of no small individuality, a clever man of some means, decidedly good financial ability, nndemonstrative even to reticence, but square and conscientious, if we know what is what in this direction. He is far from that morbid sensibility which magnifies every trifling trouble into a threatened disaster, and satisfied in his conscience that he meant to be fair and honorable, he paid very little attention to the proceedings which were taken for his removal.
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
" Henry E. Russell was born in the town of Jerusalem, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1848. Came to this State and county in 1852, moved to Oakland in 1860, and to Allegan in 1863, where he lived until the late rebellion. He enlisted in the 24th Michigan Infantry in 1864, and served until the close of the war. After the war he entered the Seminary at Allegan, and received such an education as that institution affords. He left the Seminary in 1869. Taught schools in Allegan up to 1872, when he moved into Kent County. There he taught school in Alpine and Algoma Townships until 1874, when he returned to Macomb. He passed a short time at Memphis, this county, in 1874, and in the winter of that year entered the office of the Press at Mount Clemens. In 1878 he formed a partnership with S. B. Russell. He is a practical printer and superintendent of office. Mr. Russell was married to Miss Fanny M. Miller, sister of Lew M. Miller, of Lansing, April 23, 1878."
John E. Nellis, publisher of the Monitor, was born at Brantford, Canada West, August 30, 1828. His father, John Nellis, was born in New York State about 1775, and left that State with his father, who was one of the U. E. Loyalists of that time. Mr. Nellis was educated at Brantford. In 1856 he began mercantile life, which he continued in Michigan from 1866 to 1872, when he entered on the publication of the Wayne County Courier. The first number of the Courier was issued in January, 1873. Mr. Nellis published the journal until March, 1879, when he dis- posed of his interest therein, and moved to Mount Clemens, there he purchased the Monitor from Edward O'Brien, and entered at once on the publication of that jour- nal, which now is considered one of the best managed and edited weekly newspa- pers in this State. He has filled the position of United States Custom Officer at the port of Mount Clemens since March, 1880. Mr. Nellis married Miss Eleanor R. Griffin in 1855. The children of this marriage are Georgiana, born in 1856; Frank E., born in 1857; Jesse M., born 1861; Nellie A., born in 1863, and Grace R., born January 7, 1874.
Frank E. Nellis, editor of the Monitor, born at Watertown, Canada, March 27, 1857, settled in Wayne County, Michigan, in 1866. He attended the schools of Wyandotte until 1871, when he entered the Enterprise office, where he learned the art of printing. When his father became publisher of the Courier he continued to work there as foreman until 1875, when he became local editor. In 1878 he entered the Detroit office of the Courier. He remained at Detroit until March, 1879, when he came to Mount Clemens as editor of the Monitor, in which journal he claims a third interest. As editor of this journal he has won for himself the name of being at once energetic, industrious, judicious and honest. They form the main characteristics of the man. Mr. Nellis, Sr., is business manager of the paper, which position is admirably filled. Within the last two years the circulation of
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IHISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
the Monitor has increased from 300 to 1,000 copies per week ; while the value of the office has advanced from $1,200 to $6,000.
Lew. M. Miller, formerly connected with the Press of Macomb, was born in Ray Township, March 3, 1849. In the summer of 1868 he entered the law office of Hub- bard & Crocker. Had charge of school at Davis or Brooklyn in 1869-'70, and at Freeman's Mill in 1870-'71, when he received the appointment of engrossing clerk of the Mich. H. of R. Since that period he has served in the house as engrossing and enrolling clerk or journal clerk, during three extra sessions and six regular ses- sions of the Legislature. He was elected Circuit Court Commissioner for Macomb in 1872. In the summer of 1873, he issued the Mount Clemens Reporter. In 1875 he assumed control of the Big Rapids Magnet ; but severed his connection with that journal in 1876. Returning to Mt. Clemens, he consolidated the Reporter with the Monitor, the latter having been purchased by Thomas H. Foster. He made it, what is termed a " red-hot Republican paper." In 1877 Forster & Miller sold their inter- est in the Monitor to Cooper. Since 1878 Mr. Miller has made Lansing his home, where he is a member of the Secretary of State's staff. His marriage with Miss Mary A. Clippinger, of Lansing, took place Feb. 3, 1875.
George Alvin Waterbury, son of John C. and Lory A (Parks) Waterbury, was born near St. Clair, St. Clair Co., Aug. 11, 1847. At an early day Mr. Waterbury, Sr., and family came to Michigan. In 1845 he removed from Calhoun County and settled three miles north of Lexington, in Sanilac County, where he resided until 1852, when the family moved into Lexington village. There George A. attended school and continued there until 1863, when he became a student at the Dickinson Institute, Romeo. He attended that institution for about two years; before it be- came the Union school. He then went to Oberlin in 1865-'6, which college he at- tended until 1868. In 1868 he entered the law department of the University at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in 1869. On leaving college he entered the law office of Newbury, Pond & Brown at Detroit, where he remained about a year. In 1871, Mr. Waterbury was connected with the post-office at Lexington. Sub- sequently he traveled extensively until June 1873. In Aug. 1878, he purchased the office of the Observer from I. D. Hanscom, and entered upon the publication of that journal the same month. Mr. Waterbury married Miss Jennie Killam of Addison Township, Oakland Co., daughter of Powell C. Killam, formerly of Bruce, referred to in the historical sketch of Bruce Township.
John C. Waterbury, father of G. A. Waterbury of Romeo, may be considered an old resident of Sanilac County. He has served that district of Michigan, in the Legislature for two terms, and in the Senate for two terms. He was appointed United States Assessor during the war ; elected Judge of Probate for his County, and held many offices of trust in the township of Lexington. He was born in Del-
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
aware County N. Y., in 1815, came to Michigan, and settled in Calhoun County in 1838; moved thence to St. Clair County in 1840, and again to Sanilac in 1847, where he now resides. He married Miss Lory Andrews Parks, in 1838. This lady was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1815, and came with her husband to Mich- igan in 1838.
F. C. Buzzell and his brother C. H. Buzzell, inaugurated a new paper in 1880 under the name of the Romeo Democrat, and the first number was issued May 1 of that year. As individuals the Buzzells are strictly Republican in politics; yet their journal is a faithful advocate of Democratic principles. The first named pro- prietor, son of Martin and Julia A. (Wing) Buzzell, was born at Romeo, July 3, 1856; was educated in the schools of the village, entered on the study of law in the office of J. L. Starkweather, in 1876, and opened a law office in 1877, the business of which office is conducted by him at present.
Clyde H. Buzzell, brother of F. C. Buzzell, was born at Romeo in 1858. He is a practical printer, and holds the position of foreman in the Observer office since April 1881. In connection with the history of Romeo, a biographical sketch of this family is given.
William H. Marvin, son of Milton and M. A. (Morse) Marvin natives of New York, was born at Ypsilanti, Mich., Oct. 14, 1842. He attended the district school, and in 1866 entered the Normal School of Ypsilanti, where he studied for three years. After leaving the Normal, he inaugurated a real estate and insurance office at Ithaca, Gratiot Co. There he continued in business until 1871, when he moved to Toledo, O. After some time devoted to insurance business at Toledo, he pub- lished the first railroad guide ever issued there, which is now a prosperous publica- tion bearing the endorsement of all the railroad companies. In 1873 he entered the office, now known as the Northern Ohio Democrat. Here he continued until .1874. During that year he opened a printing office in company with E. V. E. Rauch. In 1856 he moved to Utica, Mich., where he established the Utica Sentinel, with O. B. Culley as a partner. The first copy of this paper was issued Aug. 11, 1876, being the first newspaper published in the village since the collapse of the Utica Enterprise over forty years ago. In 1877 Culley disposed of his interest in the Sentinel, and removed to Marine City. This journal is thoroughly independent, well conducted, and claimed to be one of the most prosperous newspapers in the county. Mr. Marvin married Laura E. Smith, of Ithaca, Oct. 4, 1868. The chil- dren are Luna, born Feb. 14, 1870, and Laura P., born Sept. 23, 1874.
Charles J. Seeley, son of Burton W. and Mary (Curtis) Seeley, was born in Armada village, March 4, 1861. Has always lived in the village and has engaged in various enterprises until Jan. 1, 1880, at which time he purchased of A. F. Stowe the Armada Telegraph, and is the owner and manager of that
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paper at the present time. It is published in the interest of the Republican party.
Del. T. Sutton, editor and publisher of the Richmond Review, was born Oct. 1. 1858. The greater portion of the first seven or eight years of his life was spent on a farm, in what is known as the Kellogg neighborhood, in the township of Ray, in this county. He then removed to Richmond, where his father William R. Sutton, engaged in the mercantile business. Residing at that place for some years, he removed to New Haven. He lived at this place for several years when he returned to Richmond. In June, 1876, in company with George W. Kin- field, he started the Richmond Herald. After an existence of about two weeks, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Sutton assuming the whole business, which he continued until November of the same year, when he sold out to David L. Cooper, in whose employ he remained for about eight months. He then assumed the position of local and assistant editor of the Port Huron Daily and Weekly Times, where he remained for several months. His next enterprise was the estab- lishing of the Greenback Sentinel. a campaign journal. In October, 1878, he removed to Homer, Calhonn Co., to edit and publish the Index. He was married to Miss Lillie B. Thompson, of Richmond, Dec. 25, 1878. In August, 1880, he returned to Richmond, purchased the Richmond Review, of which journal he is now editor and publisher.
Geo. F. Lewis, known as the "genial Saginawian," " Fred " Lewis, etc., etc., was born at Harvard, Woreester County, Mass., June 7, 1828. Came with parents to Mt. Clemens in 1835. Set first type in office of Macomb Statesman, then edited by John N. Ingersoll. Subsequently held positions in the office of the Mt. Clemens Patriot, in 1838; the Detroit Daily Commercial Bulletin, in 1848; the Macomb Co. Herald, in 1849 ; the Port Huron Commercial, in 1851 ; the Peninsular Advocate, in 1855. In March, 1868, he inangnrated the Daily Courier, at Saginaw ; projected" the Saginawian, in 1869; the Mt. Pleasant Journal, in 1880, and the Daily Morning Call, at Bay City, in 1881.
We have now given, in as much detail as the subject requires, a history of the newspapers of Macomb County. For many of the facts the writer is indebted to friends who have kindly aided him with memoranda of names and dates, and thus materially lessened the labor of research. Among those whose kindness in this respect we desire specially to acknowledge are Fred. B. Lee, of the Monroe Index ; Del T. Sutton, of the Richmond Review; Chas. J. Seely, of the Armada Telegraph ; S. H. Ewell, of Romeo ; A. J. Heath, of New Haven ; N. L. Miller, of Mt. Clemens.
The foregoing is but a sketch of the subject. There remains yet to be told the story of the newspaper man's struggle with poverty ; the bitter disappoint- ment of his cherished plans and hopes when his journal proved a financial disaster ;
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
the heart bnrnings born in the midst of controversy ; the generous feeling of for- giveness when the controversy was ended ; the improvidence of the printer which led to financial embarrassment; the unappreciated talent expended upon a too indifferent public ; the loyal liberality of one of the profession toward another, which is a distinguishing characteristic of the trade of printing and journalism ; and last, the many happy social events which have been enjoyed at the ancient cel- ebrations of Franklin's birthday.
It was once a rule of the profession in this county to celebrate the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, and over a generous banquet, with music and fair speeches, to laud the Printer, Statesman and Patriot, and keep green the memory of the distin- guished men who have in the past adorned the printer's trade and the profession of journalism. In the midst of such scenes we have heard the ringing oratory of An- drew S. Robertson, the witty response of Geo. F. Lewis, the quiet good sense of Fred. Lee, and the eloquence of other tongues, some of which are sealed with the silence of the grave.
Our county has had the services of these men. Their hearts and brains have been taxed in promoting the interests of the people of this county, and these inter- ests have been generously served by them. There are many personal reminiscences which belong to this sketch, but the time at our disposal prevents our entering upon their detail. In the ranks of the profession have been numbered the political leaders of the county, the leaders of our legal men, the leaders of the advance to social and practical events within the borders of our county, and . the fraternity of to-day can look back over the past history of their profession in this county with a just pride in their achievements, their ability, their social and political standing, and claim descent from a noble line of leaders. May we hope that at some future gathering of the Pioneer Society the men of to-day may be recognized in the same way by our followers, " and that the good we do may live after ns."
CHAPTER XIX.
POETRY OF MACOMB.
From the earliest period in the history of man, poetry has maintained a relation to him at once remarkable and mysterious. She always led him from the mate- rialistic longings of nature, to a reverence for the Invisible Ruler of the Universe. In every age, in every land, she hesitated not for a moment in her admiration of the world's Great Architect ; she always believed and adored the Divinity, withont other proof than faith, without other demonstration of His being, than that which
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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.
Nature spreads before her. In this poetry is alone sublime. Let us, for an instant, cast away hope, or set aside our belief that this world is the work of an Almighty hand. What is the result ? Our senses become enshrouded in a cloud which seems to damp our energies, as well as to hide the beauties of Nature, and leave the animal side of our own characters alone visible. True religion and poetry have ever walked together. Under the Old Dispensation, the commands of our God were entrusted to her regular measures, and centuries after the Prophets, she was made the lan- guage of the New Law. Poetry has been, is, and will be the language of Heaven, the language which at once soothes and elevates the soul of man, the language which may be comprehended and felt, in a word the language of refined thought which comprehends by faith, and points out the end from the beginning.
The propriety of introducing this chapter can not be questioned. Not only do the poems contribute to show the character of the poetry, which flourished in the county from 1860 to the present time ; but they also serve, in some few in- stances, to recall events and names in the history of Macomb, that might otherwise be forgotten. It may be stated, however, that no effort was made toward a special collection of verses, the few which do appear being selected from a very limited repertoire.
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