USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume I > Part 67
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
CAPTAIN A. D. PERKINS
John Perkins the first settler of the Perkins family in this country, was born about 1590, in Gloucestershire, England. He brought his wife and five children with him to America. One of their fellow passengers was the afterward famous divine, Rev. Roger Williams. They were in time to celebrate the first Thanksgiving Day ever kept in America.
John Perkins was prominent in the affairs of the colony and lived at Ipswich. His will is still extant. Some of his land bordered a brook called by the curious name "Labor-In-Vain." Members of the Perkins family served their country in the colonial wars, the War of the Revolu- tion and the War of 1812.
526
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Captain Alonzo D. Perkins, the subject of this sketch, was the son of Dorman and Nancy Perkins and was born in Brunswick, Maine, in 1814. Following his father in a seafaring life, he became a ship builder and sailor, entering the coast trading with his father at the early age of four- teen. Later he sailed between New York and Liverpool, and other ports on the continent of Europe, and made voyages from New York to the West Indies. In 1839 he came as far west as Buffalo, was employed in fitting out the Brig Osceola and as captain sailed the vessel to Chi- cago. On the return voyage he brought back the first load of wheat ever shipped in bulk from that port. In August, 1844, he came to Monroe and took command of the steamer General Wayne. In that same year he married Miss Katharine Norman, daughter of Abraham and Marianne Norman of this city who had recently come from Norfolk, England. He afterward took command of the fine line of steamers run- ning between Monroe and Buffalo, when the L. S. & M. S. railroad from the city to Adrian was the only line in this section of the country. He was commander in succession of the steamers Southerner, Baltic, South- ern Michigan, Western Metropolis and the City of Buffalo; the latter being the fastest steamer ever known on the lakes up to that time. Dur- ing this time he became widely known along the lakes and bore the hon- ored and well deserved reputation of being the most trustworthy com- mander on the Great Lakes. About this time he was appointed commo- dore of the Lake Erie fleet.
He remained as commander on the lakes until the completion of the railroad connections between the East and the West, when the line of steamers from this port to Buffalo was abandoned. In 1861 he went to New York to superintend the construction of the Morning Star of which he became commander. As captain of this large vessel, he made several trips between New York and New Orleans, when in 1862 he re- tired to his home in Monroe. Among his achievements as lake and ocean captain, he commanded the first vessel which went down the lakes past the rapids in the St. Lawrence river and around to New York, which trip was at that time considered quite a feat. During all his varied ex- perience as commander of ocean and lake vessels, Captain Perkins never met with an accident. After retiring from seafaring he became govern- ment inspector of ships on the Great Lakes.
Among honors, shown him on his seafaring life, was the presenta- tion by the citizens of Buffalo of a fine set of colors for his steamer, this set of colors, consisting of five silk flags: the American flag, two com- modore flags, a pennant and a Jack. Accompanying the gift was the following letter :
"Commodore A. D. Perkins, Steamer City of Buffalo.
"DEAR SIR :- We, citizens of the city of Buffalo, do pray you to accept the accompanying Commodore Pennant as a slight testimonial to the high esteem with which we regard you as a gentleman and sailor, and of the just pride we feel in having so noble and splendid craft bear the name of our prosperous city.
So long as you guide her gallant prow as she cleaves the green waves of Erie, may the sight of your broad penant, as it flutters in the breeze and the memory of happy associations connected with it, cherish anew within our hearts mutual feelings of regard and lasting friendship."
One of the Buffalo papers in mentioning the presentation of flags said :
"We can only add that a worthier man, a more gallant sailor and more perfect gentleman never received a compliment. Captain Perkins is one of our oldest navigators and has in all situations as commander, man and Christian, commanded the entire confidence and esteem of all who have known him."
527
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
The following is also a testimonial of the regard with which he was considered.
Office of the New York Mail Steamship Co., 161 Broadway New York, September 3, 1863.
"Whereas, Capt. A. D. Perkins has tendered his resignation as Com- mander of the good steamship Morning Star, to take effect from this date, and
"Whereas, Capt. Perkins has been from the commencement a true and devoted friend of the enterprise and an experienced and trust- worthy Commander, therefore be it
"Resolved, By the Board of Directors of the New York Mail Steam- ship Co., that in accepting his resignation we part with Captain Perkins with unfeigned regret.
"Resolved, That in the arduous duties he has been called upon to perform he has shown a remarkable capacity, ever retaining the con- fidence of this board and of the traveling community.
"Resolved, That we claim our. admiration of Captain Perkins as a commander of rare ability and our respect for his many manly virtues, and it is our sincere desire that health, happiness and prosperity may ever attend him.
"Resolved, That the Secretary of this Board transmit to Captain Per- kins a copy of these resolution."
The above resolutions were unanimously adopted. By order of the JAMES A. RAYNOR, President. Board,
ROBERT J. HUBBARD, Secretary.
Captain A. D. Perkins,
DEAR SIR: In transmitting to you the inclosed resolutions of the Board of Directors of the New York Mail Steamship Co., I cannot let the occasion pass without personally expressing the deep regret I feel at parting the agreeable association which has existed between us since our respective connections with this Company.
It has been my pride to say that Captain Perkins had the helm of The Morning Star; it gave confidence with the assurance that no truer man could command. I was very sorry that you deemed it expedient to resign, and I can only add my best wish that every happiness may ever attend you.
Very sincerely your friend, ROBERT J. HUBBARD.
161 Broadway, September 3, 1863.
Captain Perkins died at his home in Monroe, January 15, 1880, sur- vived by Mrs. Perkins and four children-John N., Norman A., Mrs James MacBride of Grand Rapids, and Mrs. F. A. Nims, of this city.
CAPTAIN GEORGE W. STRONG
Captain George W. Strong was born in the first month of the nine- teenth century, at Glastonbury, Vermont, and came to Monroe in 1831, where from that time, during his long and useful life, his years were spent in active participation in the business and municipal affairs of the city of his adoption. He died in Monroe in 1892 at the ripe age of ninety-two. He was a man of sterling integrity, untiring, persistent industry and generous impulses, through all the discouragements and difficulties of the ordinary course of business, which he experienced at various times, instead of yielding to these untoward circumstances and failure of plans over which he had no control, they only stimulated him
528
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
to greater exertions and the undertaking of even more important and ambitious projects, in which he had the co-operation of his fellow citi- zens who had unbounded faith in his integrity and business foresight. Captain Strong's first venture in his chosen line of business was in building a warehouse at the docks on the river below the city, and enter- ing into the business of transportation, forming a partnership with R. G. Clark. He also contracted with the city to build a breakwater at LaPlaisance Bay harbor, following which he built a fleet of scows to be used as lighters for handling cargoes from vessels to the docks. He built the first steamer ever launched in the River Raisin, a light draught vessel of small size, which was named the Elvira Smith. About this time he also engaged in the grain trade between Monroe and nearby Cana- dian ports and added another boat, the Revenge; a store was built at the docks, and did a large business in marine stores and farmers' supplies. His business prospered and was expanded to meet the demands of trade. He next built the Helen Strong and placed her on the Monroe and Buffalo route. Not long after, this steamer was lost in a violent storm on Lake Erie, together with a $9,000 stock of merchan- dise intended for his store. This was a sad blow, for there was no insurance, but this did not discourage the doughty captain.
When the shipping business at LaPlaisance was abandoned, upon the completion of the government canal between Monroe and the piers, he purchased and removed to the docks, the largest warehouse there, conveying it over the ice on the river during the following winter, where he rebuilt and used it for many years. IIe built, in 1848, another boat, the steamer Baltimore. for the Buffalo trade, and erected and con- ducted for a long time a hotel near the docks, which had a success- ful career. That vicinity, at the time, was a bustling and important business center; it was the only shipping port in the west for the grain trade, wheat being brought here in wagons from points as far west as St. Joseph county, 175 miles west of Monroe, and in the height of the season it was not unusual to see gathered at the docks from two hundred to three hundred teams waiting in line to transfer their loads of wheat and oats, while scores of schooners and other sail vessels were anchored in the river or tied up at the docks awaiting their turn to receive the consignments to eastern markets. It is a matter of fact that the first flour ever shipped out from Michigan was a consignment of two hundred barrels from the port of Monroe, to New York; this lot of flour graded as superfine in that market and found a ready sale, thus opening up successful commercial relations with eastern cities. This flour was made in the mill of Miller and Tremain, of Monroe. Captain Strong associated with himself in his business enterprises, his four sons, Thomas, Albert, William and Thurlow. At the advanced age of eighty years, with his son Thomas, entered upon a new enterprise, the milling business, in a building near the Monroe street bridge, which unfortu- nately met with disaster and failure. His last days were spent at his home in Monroe and when he was laid to rest it was with the respect and veneration of a large concourse of his fellow citizens. Capt. Strong held many municipal offices, having been elected supervisor, alderman, and in 1855 was mayor of the city.
Captain Strong built and successfully conducted Strong's Hotel, located on Washington street, for many years, until it was destroyed by the disastrous fire which visited Monroe in 1868, the severest blow that the Strong's ever experienced; the money loss exceeded $20,000, with not a dollar of insurance on the property. Notwithstanding this calamity, the bricks were hardly cold before arrangements were under- taken to rebuild the hotel on a larger scale. The property of the old
529
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Bank of River Raisin, on which stood that historic financial institution, together with the Trinity Episcopal church property immediately in the rear, both at the southeast corner of the public square, were pur- chased, and work commenced in the following spring upon a new and modern hotel. "All hands" turned in to push the enterprise and soon the present attractive and substantial "Park Hotel" rose from the ashes of the former building. In the face of the disaster which had over- taken the plucky Captain, it seemed like a stupendous undertaking at the time, and it was; but it was successfully carried out, and the new hotel opened auspiciously with the Captain and his two sons, William and Thurlow A., in charge as landlords and managers. It was an example of the force and industry and perseverance under great dis- couragements, which was a marked characteristic of the men.
Thurlow A. Strong, the only living son, is a well preserved man of 83 years.
THOMAS G. COLE
was born in Canandaigua, New York. His father, Luther Cole, emi- grated from Massachusetts in 1785. He carried the first mail on horse- back, in a leather pouch strapped around him, through the Indian coun- try to Utica; but was never molested, as the Indians respected and admired his courage and honesty, and were wont to consult him on matters of interest to the Six Nations. Red Jacket was a devoted friend, as well as other chiefs. Luther Cole was also engaged in survey- ing the "Holland Purchase." He was a merchant for a number of years in Canandaigua, where his children were born and educated. He valued an education above all things, as the following extract from one of his letters, dated February 24, 1817, to his son, Harry S. Cole, attests :
"I need not again remind you that it is altogether on account of the expense I do not consent for you to come home at each vacation. You say it is very unpleasant for you to stay in that 'Dutch Hole' (Union College). I know it, my dear child, we all have to encounter many unpleasant things in the course of our lives. I did not send you to college for pleasure. You did not go there for pleasure, you went for an education and it requires all my efforts and economy to keep you there until your education is obtained; besides once a year is often enough to come home, considering the distance."
Thus he early impressed upon his children the necessity of improving their opportunities, as well as a self-respecting economy. His chil- dren were all remarkable for the purity of their language and general intelligence. Those identified with Michigan were the Honorable Harry S. Cole, of Detroit, who was attorney-general of the Territory of Michigan, and distinguished as a lawyer; James Cole surveyed some of the first lands in the state, and wrote a very readable account of his travels; Joseph C. Cole, the younger brother, was also a fine writer, and at various times interested with his brother, Thomas G. Cole, in business; one daughter, Mrs. Harriet Cole Fifield, was long a resident of Monroe, and was noted for her brilliant wit and kind and generous heart.
The subject of this sketch, Thomas G. Cole, was a pupil of the celebrated Canandaigua Academy. He came with some of his com- panions to Monroe in 1825, where he engaged in the mercantile business and various agricultural pursuits, as well as mills. He proved a very public-spirited citizen to the growing settlement, and was ever foremost in improving the material interests of the town. It was often said of him, "To insure success in any public enterprise, it was only necessary Vol. I-34
530
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Thomas G. Cole should advocate or lead." He was identified with the city canal, the first large brick hotel, the erection of the first brick block.
After leaving the mercantile business, he was largely interested in railroads. Mr. Cole and the late Walter P. Clark were the contractors for constructing the road between Monroe and Hillsdale, of which when finished he was appointed superintendent. He was next interested in obtaining the right of way for a railroad from Monroe to Toledo, which right when secured was sold to the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad Company. Mr. Cole obtained the con- tract for the construction of the road, and completed the work in one year. It was then pronounced one of the best built roads in the state.
During the latter years of his life he devoted his time to a large and beautiful farm on the north side of the river, fronting on Noble avenue ; from that point it stretched north about a mile. He was interested in some of the finest breeds of horses ever brought to the county, and in the raising of mules, the sale of which proved valuable to his estate at the outbreak of the war.
Mr. Cole married Miss Mary E. Disbrow, a beautiful and accom- plished young lady of Monroe, who long presided over his home, and has been foremost in promoting every good cause.
Mr Thomas G. Cole was noted for many sterling qualities. His integrity, energy, honor and benevolence were conspicuous throughout his useful life. He was a firm believer in Christianity, and when in health, a constant attendant upon divine services.
He died in Detroit (where he was under medical treatment), July 25, 1862. Many of the citizens of Monroe repaired to Detroit to return with his remains to Monroe, the railroad company of which he had long been a director, sending a special train. He left a wife and seven children. The eldest is Mrs. James A. Raynor, of New York. The oldest son, James Luther Cole, was born August 25, 1830; died April 25, 1880. The second daughter is Mrs. George Armitage, of Monroe. The second son is Henry T. Cole, of Monroe.
Harriet F. Cole married Frank W. Tryon, of New York, in July, 1865, and now resides, with her daughter, Sara C., in the homestead on Macomb street, Monroe. Her eldest daughter, Annie R., married Edward Wilder, of Monroe, and now resides in Charlottesville, Vir- ginia. The youngest daughter, Mary Disbrow Cole, married John McClelland Bulkley, of Monroe, June 22, 1865, and now resides at No. 66, Macomb street. Their children are Harry C. Bulkley, a lawyer (the firm of Campbell, Bulkley & Ledyard, Detroit;) Mrs. Arthur C. Tagge, of Montreal, and Grace Chetwood Bulkley, the latter dying in infancy.
COLONEL JOHN ANDERSON
was a very conspicuous and active pioneer of Monroe who came to the River Raisin in 1800, and who by reason of his sturdy and upright character was recognized as a most valuable acquisition to the settlement of Frenchtown. He was of Scotch descent, and maintained the marked characteristics of that race. He married Miss Maria Knaggs, at Maumee, Ohio, whose brother James Knaggs became noted in connection with his services during the War of 1812, on this border, particularly as a scout, in the commands of Generals Harrison and Cass. He had two sons, one born at Maumee, named John, and one a native of Frenchtown, named Alexander Davidson, who was an attorney in Monroe, and served as judge of probate of his county several terms. Hon. Warner Wing, of Monroe, married the only daughter, Eliza. Many stirring adventures and interesting incidents in the early experiences of Colonel Anderson
531
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
have been related by himself and his family, which filled up a life of wonderful admixture of hazard and hardship as well as primitive enjoyment.
Soon after the surrender at Detroit, Colonel Anderson, who had from his efficiency as colonel of the militia and exertions as an organizer became prominent, was a marked man by Tecumseh and his band, and they were determined to take his life. The Colonel, with the small number of Americans on the river, were compelled to leave to escape the vengeance of the Indians, leaving his wife (the sister of James Knaggs) in possession of his store and property. He then resided on the site on Elm avenue now owned and occupied as the residence of Theodore Ilgenfritz, Esq. A portion of the house was occupied as a residence, the remainder as a store and fur-trading establishment, liber- ally supplied with goods adapted to the wants of the Indians, together with an abundant supply of fire-water. Mrs. Anderson was familiar with the language of the various tribes of Indians, and had as a clerk and helper in the store become well acquainted with most of the trading Indians. When the news reached her of the capture of General Winchester and his forces, knowing well the habits and customs of the savages, especially when under the influence of liquor, she hurried to the cellar of the store, where the liquors were stored, and caused the heads of the whisky barrels to be knocked in. The Indians burst in the door, ransacked the store, then repaired to the cellar, prostrated them- selves on their breasts and filled themselves with whiskey. When drunk and wild, they returned to the portion of the house occupied as a residence, with the most unearthly yells and whoops; emptied the scalps they had gathered in bags on the parlor floor, and dancing around the room, slapped the bleeding scalps against and bespattering and dis- figuring the walls and ceiling. Mrs. Anderson was in the room adjoining, seated on a large chest containing the money and valuables of her husband. The Indians approached her in a threatening and menacing manner, and with upraised tomahawks and knives commanded her to rise up. She having often traded with them and speaking fluently their language, raised her voice to its highest pitch and pointing her finger at them, with the expression, "Shame! so many Indians fight one squaw !" and was then, with the interference of two resolute Indians, left unmolested, retaining her treasures.
DANIEL S. BACON
was a native of the state of New York, having been born in Onondaga, in July, 1798. He came to the then Territory of Michigan in 1835, and settled permanently in Monroe, where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life. His first occupation in his new sphere of action, was as a school teacher, for some time conducting a private school in the village. Circumstances led to his becoming interested in the develop- ment of farming lands along the River Raisin, the disposal of which to incoming settlers in Monroe county engaged his attention for some years. He afterwards became very much interested in the development of farming and fruit lands in the northwestern portion of the state, and an enthusiastic advocate of the attractions of this region, and its future. His predictions have been more than realized. The Grand Traverse region especially was given much time and attention. With General L. S. Humphrey he engaged in a number of business enterprises in Monroe, and was always an active and dependable factor in business operations in the early days in Monroe. When a young man he was a member of the legislative council of the territory, and subsequently
532
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
appointed one of the associate judges. He was judge of the probate court for three terms, and held other elective and appointive offices in the county with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In July, 1856, he was chosen elder in the First Presbyterian church of Monroe. He was twice married, and to the first union was born one child, a daughter, Elizabeth, who in 1864 was married to Major General George Armstrong Custer. Judge Bacon was a man, who, by the rectitude of his character and life, his dignified though affable person- ality, gained a wide circle of friends, and the esteem of all who knew him. He died at his home in Monroe, which is now the site of the federal building and post office, corner of Monroe and Second streets, in May, 1866, at the age of sixty-eight years. This was, after the marriage of his daughter, called the Custer home, because the General always came here when duties in the army permitted, and which he loved better than any other spot on earth.
WALTER P. CLARKE
Among the earlier residents of Monroe, who was an active business man, and was connected with many of the enterprises of the city and state, was the subject of this sketch. Mr. Clarke was born in Rhode Island, came to Michigan in 1832, and settled in Monroe in 1834, where he commenced the grocery business, which he continued for some years. In 1842, he was elected mayor of the city, and until his removal west, in connection with railroad construction contracts, he was one of the lead- ing business and public men of the place. In connection with the late Thomas G. Cole, Mr. Clarke was a moving spirit in the construction of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad from Monroe to Adrian. They founded the village of Deerfield, and built the mills at that place. After the completion of this work, Mr. Clarke, with his three sons ( Walter P., Stephen G., and Frank B. Clarke), undertook heavy contracts for construction of sections of track on the Michigan Central, the Illinois Central, the Rock Island, and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroads. After the completion of these enterprises he pur- chased a farm near Galesburg, Illinois, upon which he resided for several years, but finally returned to Monroe, where he died, April 11, 1870.
JOSEPH B. GALE
Joseph B. Gale was born in Monroe, June 24, 1830. He was the son of Samuel and Martha Gale, who were early settlers in this county. Mr. Gale lived with his parents on the Gale farm, now known as the county farm, until he was twenty-three years of age. Being fond of adventure, he determined to seek his fortune in the far west. He went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he remained about six years, during which time he made several hazardous trips through Kansas and the Indian territory, where he with companions encountered severe fighting with the Indians. In 1859 he was one of the first adventurers to Pike's Peal; and camped on Cherry Creek, the present site of Denver. He undertoos and was successful in carrying freight supplies from Leavenworth to Denver, each trip requiring about three months. In 1861, when the war broke out, he accompanied General Lane as a scout and later was engaged by the government, acting in the same capacity, constantly riding through Kansas, Missouri and Indian territory. At the close of the war he went to Montana, prospecting, and traveled through the Big Horn valley, where General Custer and his noble band were massacred.
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.