History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 68

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 68

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).

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

boarded at Ashley's Tavern for two years. He superintended the construction of several miles of Gratiot Turnpike, and ultimately settled the homestead on Section 1, Clinton Township. In December, 1833, Mr. Ferris visited his father, who was a Captain in the war of 1812. He served ten days in the Toledo war. He was married, February 17, 1833, to Jane S. Edgerly, daughter of James C., who settled in Chesterfield Township in spring of 1822, while it was yet a wilderness. They were the parents of five children -- Martin, who was a lawyer at Brownstown, Ind., died at Minneapolis, Minn .. in Septem- ber, 1869; Marion A., James E., Jennie and Frank. Mr. Ferris was Assessor of Clinton in 1832; was Road Commissioner for many terms, and one of the County Superintendents of the Poor when the County Farm was purchased.

MARTIN FERRIS was born June 7, 1834. He attended the district school, also select school, at Mt. Clemens. At the age of seventeen, he entered the law office of Ferris & Frost, of Peekskill, N. Y., where he remained three years; returned to Michigan in 1855, read law in Detroit three months, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. He went South in 1856, and opened a law office at Brownstown, Ind., in 1857, and was soon ad- mitted to all the higher courts of the State. He was highly successful in business until 1865, when, his health beginning to fail on account of throat disease and bronchitis, in June. 1868, he came home for the last time. In August of that year, he went to Minne- apolis, Minn., for his health and business, and died September 8, 1868. He was buried at Brownstown, Ind.

GEORGE C. FLETCHER, son of Jesse Fletcher, of Ludlow, Windsor Co., Vt., was born June 13, 1817; came to Newark, Ohio, with parents, in 1822: visited New York City in 1824, and Ludlow in 1825, and lived with his grandfather Fletcher; passed some time at Keeseville, N. Y .; in 1833, came to Cleveland, Ohio, to Detroit in 1834, and to MIt. Clemens in 1836, where he was engaged in mercantile life for twenty-two years. In 1861, much of his property was destroyed by fire. His valuable farm of 180 acres, on North Gratiot street, in Clinton Township, is an evidence of the success which waited upon his labors since that time. Mr. Fletcher was married, in 1836, to Eliza G. Hough, to whom four children were born, namely : Emma, Betsy C., Sydney M. and George W. Of these children, Sydney is dead. Mr. Fletcher is the owner of stock in the Detroit Placer Min- ing Company, now operating in Idaho.

WILLIAM FLUEMER, son of Charles Fluemer, of Prussia, German Empire, was born February 8, 1825; came to Philadelphia, Penn., in 1844, and to Macomb County, Mich., m 1850. Here he engaged in farming until 1860, when he moved into Mt. Clem- ens, opened a confectionery store, which he operated for nine years, until the completion of his flouring mill. Mr. Flnemer married Miss Mary Dierlam, of Philadelphia, in 1846, to whom were born eight children, of whom five are living, namely: Mary, William, Charles, Amelia and Lewis.

REV. THOMAS FORSTER, born at Harrisburg, Penn., November 15, 1812, son of Gen. John Forster, of the war of 1812. He was educated at Dickinson College, of Car- lisle, Penn., where he graduated in 1829. He graduated from the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Penn., in 1839. He was educated first for law; was admitted to the bar in 1833, and practiced for a short time. He united with the Presbyterian Church in 1834; was licensed and ordained in 1840 to preach at Margaretta Furnace, York Co., Penn., where he labored two years. then went to Wellsboro, Penn., where he remained a short time, and in 1845 came to Mt. Clemens: was supply of the church here for five years, until he removed to Monroe, Mich., in 1850, where he was stated supply for about two years; was pastor at Middletown, Del., for three years: returned to Michigan in 1857, where he was stated supply at Southfield for nine and a half years. He returned to Mt. Clemens in 1867, where he still resides. Mr. Forster was married, in February, 1848, to

Fr. G. Hendrick

HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY. 585

Miss Eliza R. Hall, daughter of Dr. Hall, deceased. They are the parents of four chil- dren -- Mary E., Thomas H., John E. and George Chalmers. Thomas H. is married and resides at Lansing, where he is clerk in the Secretary of State's office.

LEWIS A. FOX, son of Gustavus Fox, an early settler of Macomb, was born in Clin- ton Township, Section 9, September 16, 1835. His early experiences may be summed up as follows: Limited school facilities, hard work; picked brush, rolled logs, made staves, cut and hauled wood to Mt. Clemens-the hauling being done with aid of oxen, and the wood being sold for 50 cents per cord; morning calls made with aid of lumber drawn by oxen; mother accustomed to carry a blazing brand to restrain the wolves from seizing the boy; Indian playmates, etc., etc. Mr. Fox survived these olden days; married Miss Sarah, daughter of David Tucker, of Harrison Township, November 16, 1861, to whom five chil- dren were born, namely: Herbert, Elizabeth, Alice, Gertrude and Arthur. He has a valua- ble farin of sixty five acres; is a member of Grange, and has been Justice of the Peace for past five years.

GUSTAVUS FOX, son of Joel Fox, was born in Connecticut April 11, 1810. Joel settled near Batavia, N. Y., in IS15, and moved to Canada in 1825. Mr. Fox came to Macomb County in 1832, worked for a short time at Mt. Clemens, and then entered sixty- eight acres on Section 9, Clinton, which is the homestead farm. He experienced all the vicissitudes of pioneer life, and, like the pioneers, overcame all obstacles. He was mar- ried. in 1835, to Miss Sarah Burnham, to whom eight children were born-Lewis A., George W., Sarah E., Margaret J., John (., Herrick W., Henrietta M. and Robert B. - all living, the youngest being twenty eight years old.

HENRY FRIES, born in Dutchess County, N. Y., June 3, 1827. son of John A., of same county, and Margaret Mink, of Columbia County, N. Y. Mr. Fries was educated in the schools of Dutchess County. He moved to Wayne County, N. Y., in 1843, and to Macomb County, Mich., in IS51, where he resided on a farm in Harrison Township, as agriculturist and stock-raiser, until 1877, when he sold and removed to city of Mt. Clem- ens. He was married, in March, 1853, to Mrs. Gertrude Shook. daughter of William Phillips, to whom were born five children by first husband, three of whom are living- - Jacob, Elizabeth (Hall) and Ada (Chase). Mr. Fries was Connty Superintendent of the Poor for over twenty years.

S. S. GALE. Over one hundred and seventy five year- ago, there came to the United States from England three brothers named Gale, all of whom are supposed to have landed at New York City. William, presumably the senior, was the father of five sons, well-known settlers of Dutchess County, N. Y .- William, John, Noah, Roger and Joseph. The first was born in 1732, and died in 1804. He was the father of eight sons-William. Isaac, Joseph, Reuben, Nathaniel. Ira, Rufus and Jeremiah. William was born in 1756, and died in 1780. He had one son, William, who was the father of Samuel S. Gale. He was born in Fairfield County, Conn., May 25, 1780; was married to Miss Mary Welch, of Westchester County, N. Y., in May, 1504. To them were born John P., James M., Peter B. and Samuel S. His daughters were Betsy. Maria and Hannah Ann. After the death of his first wife. William Gale married Miss Lydia Smith, to whom were born Zenas S .. William W., Manly P., Polly, Eliza. Thirza J., Amelia D. and Mary E., of whom Polly and Eliza died in infancy. S. S. Gale was born at Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan- uary 4, 1819. His father was a teacher, a builder and a farmer. He moved into the wilderness of Lock Township in 1822, and there young Samnel lived to see that wild traet converted into fertile fields. At the age of eighteen years, he entered life on his own ac count. In 1837, he visited his brother, John P., at Mt. Morris, N. Y., where he worked at carpentry and joinery for one year. In 1838, he returned to the homestead. and soon after entered Groton Academy, where he studied for four years, giving most of his time

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

in winter to teaching. and. during vacations, to manual labor. In his third year of acad- emical study, he was elected School Inspector for Groton Township. During the build- ing of the new academy, he took the contract for roofing, by which, with other work on the building, he realized a sum sufficient to pay his school expenses for the ensuing year. Returning to Mt. Morris after completing his academical course, he worked a short time tor his brother, and then entered the law office of Wisner & Fitzhugh, in 1841. In 1842, he came to Michigan with a purse of $25. Arriving at Detroit June 7. leaving his trunk there, he pushed on foot to Pontiac, passed the cars on the Milwaukee Railroad at Bir- mingham, and arrived there that evening. On this journey, he exchanged some good Eastern money for Pontiac bank bills, which proved entirely worthless. It was a valuable lesson in Western finances. At Pontiac he introduced himself to George M. Wisner,

brother of Wisner of Mt Morris. He succeeded Prof. Williams as Principal of Pontiac Academy, and opened it as a high school, with two pupils, which number increased to thirty before the close of the term. He conducted the high school for four years. at the same time pursuing law studies in the office of the Wisners. He was admitted an attorney at law before Judge Whipple. December 11, 1846. at Pontiac. In 1847, he opened a law office at Farmington, Oakland County, There he married Miss Mary Collins, daughter of George W. Collins, one of the pioneers of Oakland, November 27, 1850. This lady was born at East Bloomfield, N. Y., November S. 1822. They are the parents of George C .. born at Farmington July 29. 1852. and Cynthia Maria. both now residents of Mt. Clem- ens. G. C. Gale married Miss Florence Dixon October 10, 1878, In the fall of 1852, Mr. Gale was Principal of the North City School at Ann Arbor. He was also a member of the School Re-organization Committee, which originated the idea of primary ward schools and a central high school. After three years at Ann Arbor, Mr. Gale returned with his family to Farmington and entered business as dry goods salesman. When the Union School of Mt. Clemens was organized, he was asked to become its Principal. which office was accepted. In the falt of 1860, he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and as such was engaged in the celebrated canse of Gilbert Hathaway versus William Jenny. About two months before the termination of his office as Circuit Court Commissioner, No- vember 19, 1862, he entered a partnership with Sturtevant, the hardware merchant, and. January 1, 1863, became an active partner in the concern. March 21, 1864, Sturtevant sold his interest to Mr. Gale, and since that time the latter has carried it on successfully. A reference to the school history of Mt. Clemens will point out Mr. Gale's relation to the School Board. In the organic chapter, reference is made to his appointment as Judge of Probate. In reviewing the foregoing notice, one must be forcibly reminded of all that which earnestness and energy, directed by principles of honor and honesty. are capable of achieving. After a number of years devoted principally to what are known as the learned professions - professions which won for Mr. Gale both honors and emoluments-we find him entering commercial life and making a marked success therein within a few years.

EDWARD C. GALLUP, deceased, was born in Connecticut in 1814; came to Mt. Clemens in 1834. and married Mrs. Eliza Hawkins, daughter of Judge Clemens, in 183S. He engaged in dry goods trade here: subsequently became wool-buyer, which business he followed until his death, in August, 1878. His wife and one daughter, Mrs. Martha (Gal- Inp) Crittenden, are living. The former is in possession of letters written to Judge Clem- ens as early as 1804, and of an account of a journey made by Gen. Cass and himself to negotiate a treaty with the Indians on the lake shore.

DR. VALENTINE GARDNER, physician and surgeon, was born in Bavaria, German Empire, September 19, 1821, son of Adam Gardner, who settled in Ohio in 1835. Dr. Gardner attended school in Bavaria until 1840, when he visited his father's home in Ohio. In the spring of 1841 he returned to Europe, where he remained until 1843, when he

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

came to Ohio. There he attended the Cleveland schools for some years: graduated from the Erie Medical College in 1548. His practice at Cleveland was continued for several years, until his removal to Defiance. Ohio, where he was a practitioner until November. 1879, the date of his settlement at Mt. Clemens. Dr. Gardner married Miss Catherine Hursh. They are the parents of four children, viz-Mary. Jennie. Valentine and C'harley. Dr. Gardner has built up for himself a good practice.

NORTHUP J. GIBBS, Architect and Superintendent of Mt. Clemens, was born in Sterling Township, Macomb, July 2, 1838. His father. Orton Gibbs, of Albany, N Y .. located in this county in 1826. Mr. Gibbs labored in the homestead farm and attended the district schools until he entered the Agricultural College at Lansing In 1857, he began to take lessons in art and drawing, under Prof. I. T. Smith, of Detroit. In 1859. he entered the United States Army for service during the Mormon troubles. In the late

war, he served until 1964. and was present at the surrender of the United States troops at St. Augustine Springs. Texas, Angust 27. 1861. Lyand's command was paroled on the ground and ordered to Fort Craig. thence marched to Leavenworth. Kan. After his dis- charge, he located at St. John's, Mich .. and opened an architect office there. He settled at Mt. Clemens in 1874, while it was still an old-time French hamlet, and now holds the position of City Surveyor and Civil Engineer. What improvements have been effected under his direction are evident to-day in the new residences. hotels, county court house. jail, etc. Mr. Gibbs married Miss Emma Davy, daughter of Charles Davy, of Warren Township, in 1864. They are the parents of one child. Mr. Gibbs is deservedly popu- lar. and his architectural designs are widely esteemed.

SAMUEL GIBBS. deceased, was born in New Hampshire in October, 1795, son of Samuel and grandson of Samuel, of English ancestry, who were driven from their homes during the religious persecution of Cromwell. Mr. Gibbs settled in Cattaraugus County in 1804: came to Washington. Macomb County, in 1831: was married. in June. 1824, to Miss Hannah Rowell, to whom five children were born Charlotte, Samuel MI .. Ogilvie. Mary and Sarah. Mr. Gibbs died July 13. 1880.

REV. J. M. GORDON. Pastor of M. E. Church. was born at Lyons. Wayne Co., N. Y., November 12, 1834, son of Samuel Gordon, of Scotch descent. aud a native of Wayne County. He was educated in the public schools of Canada, Michigan. and at the Union School of Detroit: took a four-years' theological course in Detroit Conference, from IS63 to 1867: began as local preacher about 1860, on the old Farmington Circuit: entered the regular ministry in 1863 :. was two years at South Saginaw, where he organized the M. E. Church in a schoolhouse, and built the church in 1863: moved to Hancock, Mich., in the fall of 1865. and to Flushing in 1867. He was pastor of the two churches at Peters- burg and Deerfield, Mich .. in the fall of 1869: appointed Presiding Elder of Lake Super- ior District in 1871, where he served four years. He was stationed at Morenci, Mich .. iu IS75: at Howell in 1875: and came to Mt. ('lemens in 1980, where he is now pastor. Mr. Gordon married. December 30, 1856, Julia D. Ross, of Wayne County, Mich., to whom four children were born. Ella E .. Livingston R. and Frank L. are living.

JOHN B. GOULD, born at London, Canada West. August 14, 1854, was educated in the public schools of that city: came to Detroit in 1574, and to Mt. Clemens in same year. He entered on the trade of carriage-maker at the age of sixteen years, at which he con- tinues to labor His marriage with Miss Martha Biddlecomb took place in March. 1876. They are the parents of three children Ethel E., Frances M. and Carling J. Mr. Gould is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

PETER P. GREINER was born in Wayne County, Mich., February 22, 1840, son of John Greiner, who came from France in 1833, settled in Wayne County, and died in 1555. Mr. Greiner's mother is still living on the old homestead. aged eighty.two years. The old

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

lady is healthy and active, and has over one hundred and thirty children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Greiner received a common-school education; passed one year in the Lake Superior lumbering woods, and returned in the fall of 1864 to Wayne, where he farmed two years; came to Mt. Clemens in 1866 as clerk for Joseph Knoll, whose in. terest he purchased in January, 1867. He operated a livery for five years, and in ISSO resumed grocery business. He married Miss Amelia Knoll in 1865, to whom were born nine children, one of whom, Albert, was drowned. in August, ISSI, while returning from a pleasure trip on the lake with his parents and others. Mr. Greiner was Village Trustee and Deputy Marshal for four years.

CHARLES S. GROESBECK was born in Warren Township November 3, 1833, son of Louis Groesbeck, who was born near Detroit, and settled on Section 28, in Warren Township, in 1831, buying his land from the Government at 10 shillings per acre. This otd settler died in 1855. Charles S. Groesbeck's grandfather, Walter G., came from Hol- land in the pioneer days of Detroit. Mr. Groesbeck was educated in the Detroit public schools; was elected to the State Legislature in 1862, and served till 1864; elected County Clerk in 1870, which position he held eight years: was Justice of the Peace in this county for over twenty years. He moved to Mt. Clemens in May, 1571, where he now resides; owns two farms in Warren Township; is a dealer in real estate: was engaged in manu- facture of sash, doors and blinds for four years, and is now manufacturing lumber and staves at Mt. Clemens. He was married, April 20, 1865, to Miss Lydia D. Beebe, a na- tive of Illinois. Of eight children born to them, seven are living -- Rosie, Josephine, John, Frank, Maud, Henry and Anna B. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Groesbeck was Supervisor of Warren Township several years, and has always taken a deep interest and active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of this county.

ERENST HAGEN, son of John and Christina (Ronge) Hagen, was born in Prussia October 18, 1822. He was educated in a religious school. Coming to the United States in 1854, he located at New Baltimore, Macomb County, where he remained two years. In 1856, he moved into Sterling Township, and in 1859 to Clinton Township. He passed two years in Clinton, and then came to Mt. Clemens, where he resided six months. Mov- ing to Wyandot, he made that village his home for a half-year, when he returned to Clin- ton and took up his residence on his farm of 170 acres. This tract of land he cleared and brought under cultivation. He married Miss Finch in 1847, to whom ten children were born, of whom seven are living, viz .: Rudolph, Amelia, August, Miner, Siner, Annie and Paulina. Mr. Hagen served in the Schleswig-Holstein war of 1847, and was a soldier for two and one-half years in the Prussian infantry. He has held the position of School Director for two and one-half years. His removal into Mt. Clemens City, which he pur- poses inaking his home, took place in April, 1882.

WILLIAM E. HALL is a son of E. Wright Hall, who established the glass works at Mt. Clemens at an early day. Mr. Hall was raised and educated here; engaged in the drug business in 1863, which continued until 1871. He was the express and telegraph agent, and the first to remove these offices, from the depot into the city. In partnership with Mr. Shook, he erected a saw-mill and hub and spoke factory at Mt. Clemens in 1871: he also dealt extensively in hard-wood humber until 1877. In 1880, Mr. Ilall and Mr. Kandt built the steam barge William Rudolph; is now building the two large boats. Mr. Hall's lumber business averages 3,000,000 feet annually. He was elected Township Treasurer in 1876, and is now Supervisor of the First Ward of the city. He married Miss Letitia J. Shook, daughter of the late Robert Shook, December 10, 1868. They are the parents of five children-William R., Engene E., Harry W., Nelly B. and Blanche.

WINFIELD S. HATHAWAY, son of Hon. Hiron Hathaway, was born at Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., December 25, 1832. His father, son of Seth Hathaway, of Massachu-

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HISTORY OF MACOMB COUNTY.

setts. of English descent, was born June 5. 1799. The family came to Richmond Town- ship in 1836, where Mr. Hathaway was educated. In 1867. he held the position of lum- ber-scaler for Horace Perkins & Sons until 1875. He was elected Sheriff in November. 1874, and entered on the duties of that office in January, 1875, serving through two torins. After retiring from this office, he managed his farm, two miles south of the city. for two years. He married Miss Jane Dixon, daughter of Richard Dixon. of Detroit, in 1857. The three children of this marriage are deceased. Hiron Hathaway was elected to the Legislature in IS41; and in 1855 was a member of the Constitutional Convention at Lan- sing: in 1850 was Associate Judge of Macomb; in 1539 was Supervisor of Richmond and in 1852, President of Armada Village. W. S. is a member of Mt. Clemens Chapter. R. A. M., and very popular throughout the county.

DR. ABNER HAYWARD. physician and surgeon, was born at Jolinson, R. L., Sep. tember 26, 1829. His father. Robert G. Hayward, of English descent. was born at Thompson. Conn., March 10. 1800. His mother, Eliza Cornell, niece of Ezra Cornell, founder of the Cornell University, was born at Somerset, Md., December 1, ISO1. His father was engaged in a cotton factory in Rhode Island for several years: came to Mich- igan in 1830 and settled in Monroe County; moved to Ingham County in 1837. after which he devoted his attention to farming. Dr. Hayward, the subject of this sketch. received such advantages as the country school afforded, after which he attended the Hillsdale Col- lege, and subsequently the Michigan Union College. He taught school six terms; read medicine under Drs. Watts & Chubb, and attended medical lectures at the university at Ann Arbor, in 1859 and 1860. Having his attention called to the homeopathic method of administering medicine, he became convinced of its superiority, and, after having prac- ticed medicine four years at Aurelius, Mich .. he attended lectures and graduated from the Homeopathie Hospital College of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866. He then located at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., and built up a fine practice where allopathic opposition was so strong it was supposed a homeopathist could not live. After remaining there five years and a half, he removed to Mt. Clemens, and has, during a residence of more than ten years, been engaged in an extensive practice. He married Miss Alice J. Smith, a native of Barring- ton, Orange Co .. N. Y., who was then a resident of Jackson County. She was educated in the Michigan Union College, and taught school several terms. in which she was very successful. Since her marriage, she has read medicine with her husband. attended the medical college at Detroit, and is a skillful practitioner. They are the parents of four children. of whom Maude Louise and Frank H. are living; Lillie J. K. and Charlie C. died in infancy. Dr. Hayward is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and also of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of Michigan.

JOHN HEMMEN. deceased, was born in Luxemburg, Germany. December 25. 1825; came to Detroit in 1856, where he was in the service of Michigan Central Railroad for sev- eral years. He was proprietor of City Hotel, opposite Milwaukee depot, for twelve years: came to MIt. Clemens in 1871, and took charge of hotel on northeast corner of square, which he called the Hemmen House, and operated until his death. July 14, 1880. He married Miss Frederica Vogt March 10, 1858, to whom were born five children, of whom Lizzie and Laura are living. Mrs. Hemmen came to the United States alone in 1852. The family belong to the Catholic Church. of which Mr. Hemmen was also a member.

GOTHOLD HEMME. The subject of this sketch is a son of Andrew Hemme, who was born in Saxe Weimar, September 7, 1822; settled in Wayne County in 1854, and in Ma- comb County in April, 1859. He is the owner of twenty acres in Section 31, Clinton, and by trade a carpenter. He was married, in 1854, to Miss Caroline Apel, to whom five chil- dren were born, namely: August, Charles, Louise. Elizabeth and Minnie. Mrs. Hemme died in 1868. He married Miss Sophia Dietzsch in 1871. to whom two children were

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History of Macomb County, Michigan, Part 68

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