History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 56

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962

USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 56

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John W. Fitzmaurice, of East Saginaw, the well-known Michigan temperance lecturer, was born on the island of Cape Breton, Gulf of St. Lawrence, May 25, 1833, and is the only son of Cæser Fitz- maurice, and a grandson of Lieut. Col. John Fitzmaurice, of H. B. M. 1st Royals, and for a number of years Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, also brother to Henry Fitzmaurice, Earl of Kerry in Ireland, and Marquis of Lawnsdowne in England, making the subject of this sketch a second cousin to the present Lord Lawns- downe. Mr. Fitzmaurice was brought up and educated in Niagara, Ontario. He prepared himself for the ministry, and came to Michigan in 1865, and the following year was ordained a minister of the gospel at Bedford, Calhoun county . He demitted the minis- try and came to Saginaw Valley in 1870, and became a journalist, being associate editor of the Daily Courier in East Saginaw. Later he became city editor of the Enterprise, and afterward edited the Daily Republican, also of East Saginaw.

In the fall of 1876 he entered the lecture field as a temperance speaker, and continued to labor in this capacity for four years. As a temperance man he has been eminently successful; having re- ceived during that period, over 40,000 signatures to the temperance pledge. In 1878 he was nominated for Congress from the eighth district on the Prohibition ticket, but of course suffered defeat. Ile was called to Canada in 1880 to lecture on temperance, where he spoke 46 nights in succession in Toronto, and 92 nights in Hamil- ton, receiving 6,000 signatures to the pledge. The name " Fitz- maurice " is familiar throughout Michigan and Canada, and indeed the name ranks with the most noted temperance workers of America. IIe is now engaged in the real estate and general broker- age business in East Saginaw.

Earnest C. Foland, a leading boot and shoe dealer of South Sagi- naw, was born in Mount Clemens, Mich., Sept. 27, 1853. He emigrated to Zilwaukce in the spring of 1870. In 1875 he removed to West Bay City, and to Saginaw the following fall. He came to South Saginaw in 1876, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of first-class boots and shoes. He was married in '73 to Miss Lizzie Gasmen, who died; and Dec. 25, 1878, lie married Miss Anna Calderwood, by whom he has 1 daughter, Minerva.

Charles Fuerstenau, of the firm of Fuerstenau & Weaver, was born in Germany, Nov. 4, 1853. Ile came with his parents to

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Detroit in 1866, where he learned the upholstering trade with Will- iam Brown. In 1874 he came to East Saginaw and worked for Feige Brothers. He remained with them over three years, when, business becoming a little slack, they stopped liim for some time. Being of an enterprising nature, Mr. Fuerstenau could not remain idle; he therefore began work on a small scale at his own honse, expecting to resume work for his employers when they desired; but they became offended at his proceedings, and dismissed him from their employ. This, though a very trying moment to Mr. Fuerstenau, is the event of his life which can be pointed to as the beginning of the era of his wonderful success as a business man. In March, 1877, he established a small shop with abont $500 capital, and had he not possessed an unusual amount of energy he would have gone under. But he worked hard, mentally and physically, for over two years, and was prospered. He then took a partner, Mr. Julius Guenther, who added $500 to the capital stock. Mr. Fuerstenan bought his partner's interests in 1880, paying hin $2,200. He then took James A. Weaver as a partner, who added $6,000 to tlie capital stock, Mr. Fuerstenau putting in the same amount. They have since that time greatly increased their stock, until they oc- cnpy 10 large store rooms, on the corner of Genesee avenue and Jefferson street. To better give an idea of the extent of the busi- ness we give the following: From September, 1880, to June 15, 1881, their sales amounted to over $70,000. Mr. Fuerstenau was married, Oct. 31, 1876, to Miss Minnie Grethe, by whom he has had 3 children; of these 2 are living, Minnie and Jen- nie.

Gage Bros., dealers in hot-air furnaces and mannfacturers of copper, sheet and tin work for steamboats, mills, etc., Union block, S. Water street, East Saginaw. This firm was established by George and Thomas Gage in 1879, and at present secures a large portion of the ever-increasing trade of Saginaw connty. The brothers are skillful mechanics, having learned their trade in Detroit, and do a large business in steam - fitting, which forms an important branch of their business.

Chauncey H. Gage, attorney at law, and Circuit Judge elect of the 10th Judicial District of Michigan, was born at Detroit, Mich., June 17, 1840. His parents were Morgan L. and Amy (Coffeen) Gage, natives of New York. When Mr. Gage was nine years of age his father removed to Saginaw City, and three years later to East Saginaw. When 16 years of age he entered the employ of S. W. Yawkey & Co., lumber merchants, remaining with them and their successors, C. Moulthrop & Co., two shipping seasons. In the winter of 1857 he was elected Enrolling Clerk of the State Senate, holding that position during the session of 1857 and the extra session the following winter. He commenced the study of law with Webber & Wheeler, in 1858, remaining with the firm until Jan. 1, 1863. He was admitted to the bar of this State, Sept. 19, 1861, and to practice in the U. S. Courts

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July 2, 1867. In 1862, was elected Prosecuting Attorney of this county, aud held that office four years. He was a member of the East Saginaw School Board in 1864; President of the Young Men's Association iu 1866; City Recorder in 1871-'2, and City Attorney in 1878. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Gage was a candidate for Circuit Judge, on a non-partisan ticket, and supported by a majority of the bar of the county and the Democratic and Green- back conventions. He was elected for a term of six years-Jan. 1, 1882, to Jan. 1, 1888. He was married in September, 1864, to Mildred, daughter of Martin and Eunice A. (Lilly) Smitli, who was born in Ohio in April, 1842. One child was given them, Maurice S., boru July 4, 1865. Mrs. Gage died in March, 1866, and Mr. G. was again married, July 10, 1875, to Isabel, daughter of George W. and Sophia E. (Lee) Peck, who was born in Livingston Co., Mich., April 20, 1852. They have 1 child, Lewis P., born in February, 1881.

Morgan L. Gage, deceased pioneer of East Saginaw, was born at Troy, N. Y., in 1807. He removed with his father to Detroit in 1819, and there grew into manhood, and by his industry, in- tegrity and active energy, soon won the confidence of his fellow citizens. He was a member of the Brady Guards, and was Captain of the volunteer company from Detroit, raised by the Brady Guards to go into the Mexican war in 1847. He removed to Saginaw City in 1849, and in 1852 located at East Saginaw, where he labored unselfishly, zealously and actively in promoting her prosperity until his death. He held several official positions in the city, and at the opening of the war raised and commanded "Co. A," of the 14th Reg. Michi. Vol. Inf., and was on duty at the front for nearly one year. This service made inroads upon his vigor and health from which he never fully recovered. In 1857, Capt. Gage and Norman Little, with others, secured the appropriation of the lands for the construction of that road to be granted by the Legislature to the F. & P. M. R. R. Co., and East Saginaw, to be named as a point on the road. He did very much to induce the construction of the plank roads to Vassar, St. Louis aud Watrousville, and as State Road Commissioner superintended the construction of the State road from Saginaw to Au Sable. Mr. G. was united in marriage in July, 1838, withi Miss Amy Coffeen, who is now residing at East Saginaw.

The marked characteristics of his life were self-reliance, industry, unbending integrity, a high sense of honorable dealing in public and private life, and devotion to his family. He died April 4, 1876, leaving a wife and 7 children.

Jacob L. Geir, manufacturer of candies, Hovey block, Waslı- ington ave., East Saginaw, was born at Kingston, Canada, Jan. 7, 1849. He is the second son of George and Margaret M. (Keller) Geir. When 18 years of age lie learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it three years at Rochester, N. Y .; and five years at the confectionery business. In 1874 Mr. Geir opened a confectionery

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

establishment at No. 20 Monroe ave., Rochester, N. Y. where he remained until April, 1881. On the 9th day of that month he came to East Saginaw, and has since been engaged in mannfacturing candy, turning out at present from 150 to 200 barrels per day, and business still increasing. He was married at Rochester, N. Y., July 28, 1869, to Mary C., danghter of John and Harriet (Jordan) Noyes. They liave 1 child-George L., born March 25, 1876.

Elward Germain was born in Buffalo, New York, Oct. 30, 1847, and is a son of Edward Germain, sr., who was born in Que- bec in the year 1793 and is now residing in East Saginaw. Our subject came to Detroit in 1856, and to East Saginaw in 1863. He first worked in TenEyck's stave factory, and thus worked at the carpenter's trade for three shillings a day for some time. He worked at the builder's trade until 1874, when he erected his planing mill, of which we will speak at further length elsewhere in this work. He was married June 9, 1870, to Miss Emma Taylor, daughter of Alonzo Taylor.

HI. R. Good, chief engineer water-works, was born May 25, 1834, at Newfane, Niagara Co., N. Y .; son of James and Elizabeth (Hold) Good. His mother died in 1844 and his father about 1856, at Newfane. He was partly bronght up on a farm, and at the age of 16 began to learn the machinist's trade. In 1852 he came to Michigan, and went to Bay City for a short time, also in Genesee county, and came to Saginaw in 1853. He remained but a year and a half when he went to Illinois, and ran an engine two years on the Chicago & Rock Island railroad. In 1856 he went to St. Louis, where he finished learning his trade in the machine shops. In 1858 lie took an engine to Jersey Co., Ill., and put it np in a grist-mill, running the engine one year. He returned to Saginaw and put an engine up for Champlin & Penny, and in 1861 entered the shops of Weeks Bros .; remained with them until 1873, running an engine summers and working in the shops winters. For two years of this time lie was at East Tawas for the same company. In December, 1874, he entered the water works and has been chief engineer of this institution ever since, having the general manag- ing of the entire works. Mr. Good was married Oct. 3, 1860, to Matilda Richardson, who died in 1879, leaving 2 children, a son and daughter. He was married again Jan. 19, 1871, to Phobe Crane, and they have 2 daughters. One child, Lula, was inar- ried to A. T. Blackmer, while the rest of the children are living at home.

Marion Goodale, of the firm of Smith & Goodale, proprietors Central mills, East Saginaw, was born near Geneva, N. Y., June 22, 1848, and is of English ancestry. When two years of age he accompanied his parents to Washington Co., Wis., where he re- mained five years. They then removed to Delhi Mills, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where Mr. G. subsequently engaged in the milling business, in connection with Mr. Goodale & Henley. In 1879 he

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CITY OF EAST SAGINAW.

came to East Saginaw, and in partnership with Charles HI. Smith, rented the old brewery, converting it into a fine mill, well stocked with the latest and improved mill machinery. Mr. Goodale was married at Ann Arbor, Mich., July 10, 1876, to Kate, daughter of Barney B. Harkins, of Ann Arbor.

C. W. Grant, Secretary of the East Saginaw Board of Trade, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., March 15, 1818. His parents were Charles and Margaret (Hines) Grant; father is now a resident of Clinton Co., Mich., mother died in New York, in 1825. Mr. Grant was reared at Perry, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he received his educational advantages. He came to Michigan in 1839, locat- ing at Portland, Ionia Co., Mich., where he owned and operated a saw and grist mill, one of the first in the county. In the spring of 1840, he went to Flushing, Genesee Co., and started the first circu- lar saw in operation in that county, in Charles Seymour's mill. That same year he went to Flint, where he remained until 1849. In the latter year he came to East Saginaw in a boat on the Flint and Saginaw rivers, and placed a circular saw in Emerson & El- dridge's saw-mill, the first saw of the kind on the Saginaw river. In . the spring of 1850, he entered into partnership with A. M. Hoyt, and the firm built the " old blue mill," and the first frame house at East Saginaw. This mill sawed the lumber for the northern divi- sion of the Saginaw and Genesee plank road, and was afterward purchased by Mr. Hoyt. Mr. Grant subsequently bought a saw- mill at Lower Saginaw, which was destroyed by fire in 1860. In 1865 he purchased an interest in the Chicago mill, known as Grant & Saylor's mill. In the panic of 1875, he was forced to go into bankruptcy, giving up all his property. In January, 1880, he bought the Callam mill, at Carrollton, and it is now operated under the firm name of C. L. Grant & Co. In 1855 Mr. Grant was elected Sheriff of Saginaw county, holding that position for four years. He was Depnty U. S. Marshal from 1856 to 1860, and in 1876, was elected Secretary of the East Saginaw Board of Trade, which position he still occupies. He is also Deputy U. S. Collector of Customs for this district. Mr. Grant was married in Genesee Co., Mich., in the autumn of 1861, to Electa Curtis, a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y.

Robert Granville, manufacturer of boots and shoes, on Potter street, East Saginaw, was born in Devonshire, Eng., March 19, 1832, and is a son of John and Grace (Nicholsson) Granville. When 14 years of age he was apprenticed to the boot and shoe trade, where he remained six years, For several years he worked as a journey- man in England, Canada and the United States. He finally located in Perth Co., Can., where he owned a "country store," and did repairing in connection with his business. After eight years, he removed to East Saginaw, and has since been engaged at his trade. He was married in Perth Co., Can., July 19, 1860, to Martha A., daughter of James and Grace (Giddy) Smale, who was born Ang. 5, 1838. They have 6 children-John J., Mary J., William H., Nora

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G., Amy and an infant. Mrs. Granville is a member of the M. E. Church.

W. B. Gress, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, cor. Genesee aud Washington streets, East Saginaw, established his present business in 1869, and has labored energetically and faith- fully to attain the high place he now holds among those in the same business. Mr. Gress employs several skilled workmen, and turns ont an admirable quality of foot wear. In 1862 Mr. Gress was among those who were called out by the State of Minnesota to suppress the terrible Indian massacre.

J. L. Hall, proprietor sale and boarding stable, East Saginaw, is a native of Kentucky, and came to Michigan in 1879. He was em- ployed by Jake Selegman as a salesman in his sale stable for some time, but established his present business in 1881. He occupies a building 40 x 160 feet in size, and three-stories high, in which he buys and sells the best breeds of horses, and also buggies and har- ness.

J. J. Harvey, proprietor livery stable and carriage repository, East Saginaw, was born in New York, June 29, 1839, and in 1865, came to Michigan. In 1861, he enlisted in the 26th N. Y. Vol. Int., and served two years for the honor of the Union. He re enlisted in the 188th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served till the close of the war; was made 2d. Lient., and had Captain's commission sent him, but never received it. His present stable was built in 1878-'9, at a cost of $10,000, the site also costing $6,000, and it is considered one of the best stables of the kind in Michigan.

P. P. Heller, one of East Saginaw's business men, was born at Renfelts, Germany, in 1849. In 1863 he came to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, where he remained until the year 1868, when he moved to East Saginaw, where he engaged in differ- ent pursuits up to 1876. He then opened a general grocery, flour and feed store, at the southeast corner of Lapeer and 6th streets. In 1871 he was married to Miss Mary Kreith, who died in 1876, leaving one child, Adolph G. Mr. H. is one of your live, thorough- going men, taking an active part in the political arena.

John Henning & Son, proprietors of general grocery, flour and feed store, near the corner of 5th and Fitzhugh streets, represent one of the principal houses in that portion of the city. John Henning was born at Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1822. In 1848 he emi- grated to this country, coming direct to East Saginaw; was engaged in various pursuits until 1867, when he purchased his present prop- erty and permanently located in business; was married in Germany, to Miss Lena Neorvman, by whom he has had 7 children, namely : Fred, who is married and resides in Kansas City, Mo .; Christian, who married Miss Christina Dettmer, of Tawas City; John, mar- ried, and is a captain of one of the boats plying on the river; Henry, at home; Minnie, who is married and is living in East Saginaw; her husband is one of the leading contractors of the place; Charles, at home, interested in store and member of Workingmen's Associ-

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CITY OF EAST SAGINAW.

ation; Emma and Herman. Christian, in 1880, was elected Coun- cilman of his ward upon the Republican ticket; also Treasurer of the Workingmen's Association. These different gifts of trust placed upon him by his fellow citizens truly show him to be one of Sagi- naw's most trusted citizens.

Christopher Holzheimer, first son of Godfrey and Albina Holz- heimer, was born near Berlin, Germany, Oct. 5, 1841. When two and a half years old, he accompanied his parents-to Niagara Co., N. Y., where they engaged in farming until 1865, when they removed to Lisbon, Ottawa Co., near Grand Rapids, Mich. On April 16, 1861, Mr. HI. enlisted in Co. C, 28tlı Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Mapes, and was discharged; re-enlisted in the 2d N. Y. Mounted Rifles, Sept. 16, 1863, and was discharged at Petersburg, Va., Aug. 10, 1865. Mr. Holzheimer has been twice married. At East Saginaw, Aug. 1, 1876, he married Louisa Kil- linger, who was born on Water st., East Saginaw, April 13, 1853. She bore him 2 children-Frank and William. He has 3 children by his second wife.

Roswell G. Horr, Representative to Congress from the Eightli District of Michigan; residence, East Saginaw; was born at Waits- field, Vt., Nov. 26, 1830. He is a son of Roswell and Caroline (Turner) Horr, natives of Vermont. When four years of age he accompanied his parents to Lorain Co., Ohio, where his father died April 25, 1841. Herc R. G. passed liis early life, assisting his mother on the farm in the summer seasons, and attending dis- trict schools in the winter, until he arrived at early manhood. Feeling the need of a good education, le resolved to secure one, although his widowed mother's financial condition was such as would not admit of any outlay for her son's advancement. He entered Oberlin College, where he spent two years in the prepar- atory course and two years in that college, and at the expiration of this time entered Antioch College, one of the noblest educa- tional institutions of the Buckeye State. He fought his own way through college, paying for his tuition and books by money earned during odd hours and vacations. He had for his instructor Horace Mann, and graduated with high honors in the first class of 1857. The fall after his graduation he was elected Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of Lorain Co., Ohio, and re-elected in 1860. During this time, he was engaged in studying law, and at the close of his six years' clerkship, was admitted to the bar. He immcdi- ately opened an office for practice at Elyria, Lorain Co., in conncc- tion with John C. Hale, now Judge of Common Pleas Court, of Lorain county, where he remained two years. In the spring of 1860 lic removed to Southeastern Missouri, where he was engaged in lead mining, near Potosi, for six years." In the spring of 1872, le removed to East Saginaw, and was formerly engaged in bank- ing, and the manufacture of lumber. He was nominated for Con- gress in 1878, by the Republican party, and the following November received 11,993 votes against 9,571 votes for B. M. Thompson, Democrat, and 8,500 votes for H. H. Hoyt, Green-

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backer. While he was a member of the 46th Congress, he served on the Committee on Manufacturers, also on that on Claims. In the fall of 1880, he was re-nominated for the same position, and again triumphantly re-elected the following November. Mr. Horr's election was contested by very active and bitter opposition each time. It is generally conceded that he secured both elections by his personal effort and power as an organizer and public speaker. . During his services in Congress, he has made several speeches, some of which attracted wide attention, and were circulated very extensively as campaign documents. Since 1878 he has been ac- tively engaged in " stump speaking" in several States of the Union, but principally in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachu- setts and Ohio. During the exciting contest in the fall of 1880, he opened the Michigan campaign at Detroit, to one of the largest political audiences ever convened in that city. Roswell G. Horr is an able advocate of the principles of the Republican party; as a public speaker, he ranks second to none in Michigan; as a sup- porter of the best interests of his constituents and the country at large, his fame has been sounded throughout the Union. He is thorough and methodical in his business; kind and generous to the rich and poor alike, and a man well respected by the whole com- munity and the citizens of this State. Ile was married April 14, 1858, to Carrie M. Pinney, a native of Ohio. Four children have been given to bless this happy union, all of whom reside at home --- Frank H., Flora M., Carrie B. and Rollin A.

John Howard, of the firm of J. W. Cook & Co., was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1845, and is a son of Alfonzo Howard, a native of Massachusetts. At the tender age of nine years Mr. Howard became a boatman on the Erie canal. He ran on the Erie and Welland canals for about four years, when he ventured out on the Atlantic ocean, and remained a sailor on the ocean and lakes until 1862, when he came to East Saginaw. A part of the first two summers he also spent on the lakes. He remained in the employ of the Tittabawassee Boom Company for 13 years, and then spent two more seasons upon the lakes. IIe was married in 1866 to Miss Lydia M. Sawtell, by whom he has three children -- Min- nie, Alice and Lizzie. Mr. IToward is now serving his second term as Alderman of the 7th ward, East Saginaw.

Dr. Theron T. Hubbard, of South Saginaw, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Mar. 12, 1834. He graduated from the Mexico Col- lege of New York in 1851, and from the Medical College at Syra- cuse in 1855. He came to South Saginaw in 1862, and engaged in the practice of medicine. From 1863 to 1865 he was Surgeon of the 23d Michigan Infantry U. S. A. In 1878 he went to the Black Hills, where he operatedin mining and practiced medicine until 1881, when he returned to South Saginaw and established a drug store with his old partner, Mr. Nicholas A. Randall.

Seth G. Huckins, attorney-at-law, was born at Calais, Me., July 24, 1841, and is a son of Daniel N. and Esther S. (Low) Huckins. Seth was reared at Calais, and received his education in the Washı-

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CITY OF EAST SAGINAW.

ington Academy, at East Machias, Me. He read law one year in his native State, and in 1867 located in this city. He was a law student with D. W. C. Gage and H. H. Hoyt, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1870. He taught school in Maine for several years, but since his residence here has been engaged in his profes- sion. In April, 1880, he was elected Justice of the Peace for four years. Mr. Huckins was married March 3, 1870, to Alice N. Kings- bury of Ohio. They have one child, Seth G., Jr., born Oct. 9, 1877. Mr. Huckins is a Mason, and his wife is a member of the Congre- gational Church. Mr. H. suffered a severe stroke of paralysis in the fall of 1877, which has almost deprived him of the use of his lower limbs.

T. J. Hatswell, master mechanic F. & P. M. R. R., East Sagi- naw, is a native of England. At the age of 10 years he became a resident of Northern Michigan and later of Ohio, where he was employed as an engineer and machinist on the M. S. R. R. for 20 years. He was also employed on the Chicago & West Michigan R. R., as master mechanic. He was foreman of the F. & P. M. shops until promoted to his present position.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 56

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 962

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962