USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 58
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C. V. Moross, architect and builder, Sonth Park street, East Sag inaw, was born in Detroit, Mich., Dec. 25, 1827, and is a son of Victor Moross. In 1849 he went to New Orleans, where he super- intended the Lake Pontchartrain car works for three years. He went to Galveston, Texas, and thence to Florida in 1852. In 1853 he returned to Detroit, where, in 1854, he married Miss Kate ()'Con- nor, a cousin of Hon. John O'Connor, present Postmaster General of Canada. In 1855 Mr. Moross removed to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in architecture and building until 1858, when he re- moved to East Saginaw, and resumed his profession. Among the specimens of his work here, are the Everett House block, a portion of the Bancroft House block, Simoneau block, St. Mary's church and others. He has carried business very extensively, having worked from 150 to 200 men on his force at one time. For the past three years he has built cars for the F. & P. M. R. R. company. Mr. Moross is the father of 5 children, viz .: Mary T. V .. Kittie
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(deceased), V. Blanche H., Charlotte E. and Walter H. R. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
A. W. Morse, lumber inspector, office No. 4, Buena Vista block, East Saginaw. Although yonng in years, Mr. Morse has gained an enviable reputation in his professed calling, and enjoys the con- fidence and good will of the various lumber firms throughont the entire Valley. His long business experience enables him to inspect lumber in a rapid, but careful manner, and he thereby secures a generons proportion of the inspectors' business along the Saginaw river.
M. C. Mower, the pioneer ice dealer of "the Saginaws," is a native of Maine, where he remained until his 25th year. He then removed to East Saginaw, where, in 1865, he built an ice house at a cost of $2,000. His present business, however, began in 1860, since which time his facilities for putting up the frozen fluid and his aunnal sales have made him the most popular ice dealer in the city. During the summer season Mr. Mower delivers ice to his numerous customers in large, roomy wagons, having a capacity of nearly four tons each.
Henry Naegely, second son of Rudolph and Margaret (Hinter- meister) Naegely, was born in Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 21, 1840. He was a dry-goods clerk for some time, and subsequently served three years in the Italian army. He came to the United States in Jnne, 1860, and settled in Wisconsin, where he "farmed it" one year. On Oct. 28, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 2nd Reg. Wis. Vol. Inf .. as Sergeant, and after successive promotions, up to Cap- tain, was honorably discharged July 14, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., as
Captain Assistant Adjutant General on Brevet Brig .- Gen. Morrows' staff. He fought in 28 engagements. He was then porter of the Biddle House, at Detroit, Mich., three years, and at the Bancroft House, in this city, for five years. He purchased the Gilbert House, on Potter street, which he kept for four years, and then kept the house at the Tittabawassee State bridge for one year. He returned to East Saginaw, and after three years in the Blair House, built the Naegely block, in 1879. He was married to Maggie Brien, and 2 children have been sent them-Henry E. and Lottie. Mr. Naegely has been a member of the Working- men's Aid Society for 13 years.
Rev. Theodore Nelson .- Prominent among the leading men of Saginaw county is the Rev. Theodore Nelson, who was born in this State, near Adrian. Feb. 11, 1841. His father was a native of, and resided for many years in, Genesee county. N. Y., whence he moved to Michigan. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a woman of extremely delicate, sensitive and highly nervous organi- zation, which inclined her to shun the active scenes of society . She was possessed of a strong religious nature, and her Christian character was marked with great earnestness and strong faith, yet in an equal degree by the Christian virtue of modesty and humility. Mr. Nelson was educated at Kalamazoo College, in this State, and
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at the Michigan State University, graduating at the former place. At an early period in the war of the Rebellion, and at an early age, ' he entered the military service of the United States in Co. D, 26th Reg. Mich. Inf. Vol. He was soon promoted, and served till the close of the war, and was mnstered out as Captain of Co. E of the same regiment.
Mr. N. was ordained to the Christian ministry in the Bap- tist denomination Feb. 18, 1868, and became the settled pastor of the Baptist Church in Ithaca in 1871, remaining with that Church two years, when, in 1873, he received and accepted a call as pastor of the First Baptist Church of East Saginaw, with which Church he still remains, On the 25th of May, 1867, he was married to Miss Lanra A. Cheeseman, daughter of Dr. Cheeseman, of St. Lonis, Mich.
Mr. Nelson combines, in rare degree, vigor, versatility and com- prehensiveness of mind, possessing a mental ability and high, broad culture which command the admiration of all who know or hear him-a man of broad, comprehensive views and advanced thonght in the fields of science, literature and religion, while his social qualities, with his frank and cordial manner, endear him to all who are fortunate enough to form his acquaintance. Though his profession is one that is generally thought to largely debar a man from the secular duties of life, yet Mr. N. is a gentleman who believes that his duties as a citizen-and, we believe, correctly -- are as sacred and obligatory as any that rest upon him in any capacity, and he feels that he ought to be as tenacious of his civil and political rights as any other of our citizens.
William Neumann, dealer in groceries, provisions, flour and feed, etc., corner of Park and Lapeer streets, was born in Ger- many in the year 1845. He came to East Saginaw in 1866. For the first two years he worked at the Ainerican Honse, and the two following years he clerked in the store of N. Schmelzer. He also clerked two years for H. & E. Goeschel. In 1872 he established a store of his own on the corner of Webster and Lapeer, where he carried on the grocery business successfully until 1878, when he removed into his new and commodious brick block, where he is doing a business of $20,000 annually on a capital stock of $5,000. The main building is 74x24 feet, and the addition, which he built in 1880, is 36x20 feet. Mr. Nenmann was married in 1869 to Miss Caroline Bruegel, by whom he has 3 children -- Mary, William and Henry.
John E. Nolan, attorney at law, and Circuit Court Commis- sioner of Saginaw county, was born at East Saginaw, May 6, 1854. He is a son of Thomas and Johanna F. (Doyle) Nolan, natives of Ireland, the former of whom settled in this county Jan. 11, 1850. Mr. Nolan obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of this city, and in 1874 entered the University of Michigan, grad- uating from the law department March 29, 1876. He returned to East Saginaw, and for one year was a student in the law office of
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Camp & Brooks. He opened an office for himself in November, 1877, and has succeeded in building up a very fair practice. He is Democratic in politics, and in November, 1878, was elected on that ticket as Circuit Court Commissioner, being re-elected in 1880. He was married May 6, 1879, to Mary J. Redmond, who was born at Utica, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1856. Mr. Nolan and wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
John O' Brien, of O'Brien & Millard, wholesale and retail dealers in wines and liquors, was born in Canada, Nov. 1, 1832, and is a son of Morgan and Catherine (Reardon) O'Brien, natives of Ireland. Mr. O'Brien was reared on a farm, and when 18 years of age, came to Saginaw county, intending to purchase a farm. He looked over a goodly portion of the land, bnt was not suited, and then went to Genesee county, where he purchased a farm, and remained until 1858. In that year he returned to East Saginaw, and was proprietor of a public tavern on Water street, until 1865. He thien erected a frame building on Genesee ave., which he stocked with groceries, bnt was burned out two years later, sustaining a heavy loss, as nothing was insured. He subsequently opened a wholesale and retail liquor house on Genesee ave., and a few years later erected a two-story brick on Franklin street, which the firm now occupies. In 1863, C. C. Millard was admitted into full partnership, and the firm has since been known as O'Brien & Millard. Mr. O'Brien was married in June, 1856, to Sarah Cashin, a native of Ireland. Two children are living-Jolin J. and Fred W. Seven children are de- ceased. Mrs. O'Brien is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
John O' Donnell, a leading merchant of Sonth Saginaw, was born in Stranorler, county of Donegal, Ireland, in the year 1836. He came to near Tiffin, Ohio, in 1848, where he clerked in a store for seven dollars a month, and in six years from that time he owned a half- interest in the store. He came to South Saginaw in 1865, and estab- lislied a general store on Washington avenue near Mackinaw street. He afterward erected one of the finest frame blocks in Saginaw Valley, 65x40 feet, and in 1880 built an addition to it 40 feet in the rear. This is on Washington avenue above Mackinaw street, where he keeps a full line of groceries, provisions, grain and feed, dry-goods, clothing and boots and slioes. The annual sales of this firm amount to $45,000, and this is largely from the country. Mr. O'Donnell was married in 1866 to Miss Martha O'Donnell, by whoni he had 8 children, 5 living-James, John, Francis, Rose M. and Mattie. Mrs. O'Donnell died Jan. 9, 1881. Mr. O'Donnell's portrait appears on page 513.
Patrick A. O' Donnell, lumberman and dealer in real estate, East Saginaw, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1840. He came to Roch- ester, New York, in 1854, and to East Saginaw in 1855, arriving liere on the 15th of November. In those days tamarack poles were used for sidewalks in East Saginaw, and the greater portion of the present city was a wilderness. Where the Everett House now stands was a dense forest. Mr. O'Donnell immediately engaged in the Inmber business, in which he has been employed ever since. He
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was Treasurer of Spalding tp. at the time it was annexed to East Saginaw. Mr. O'Donnell was married in 1873 to Miss Kittie M. Laughlan, in Toledo, Ohio. They have had 3 children, 2 living -- John P. and Mary E.
W. A. O' Donnell, proprietor salt well and block, East Saginaw, is a native of Ireland. When nine years of age his parents settled in New York, where Mr. O'Donnell received a liberal education. In 1860 he removed to Saginaw City, and for some years was engaged in farming and various occupations. In 1871 he opened a grocery on Hamilton street, where lie erected two buildings at a cost of $5,- 000. Mr. O'Donnell is also the owner of valnable farm property, and 36 building lots in Sonth Saginaw. A description of his salt well and block will be found in the chapter on salt.
John G. Owen, dealer in real estate, and proprietor of salt and lumber works, East Saginaw, is one of the most popular and well- known citizens of the Saginaw Valley. Mr. Owen was formerly a resident of Oakland county, where he had been engaged in business in the capacity of miller, merchant and farmer. In 1865 he came to this county, and became identified with the grocery, lumber and supply trade of East Saginaw. In 1873 he established his present business, an account of which will be found among the salt and lumber interests of the county. Mr. Owen has served as Mayor, Alderman and Water Commissioner of East Saginaw, and in 1860 was elected as Representative to the Michigan Legislature, serv- ing three sessions with marked ability. In 1861 he was made a member of the State Senate. Mr. Owen is an honest, faithful and efficient citizen, and an honor to East Saginaw and the Valley.
T. J. Passmore, of Ramsey & Passmore, carriage and wagon manufactures, East Saginaw, was born in Canada, and came to East Saginaw in 1867, and learned his trade with Houghton & Co. He subsequently worked for Baker & Mason, and in November, 1880, the present business was established. Both members of the firm are practical workmen, and have built up a splendid trade since. starting. Mr. Passmore entered the Fire Department, as pipeman, in February, 1880, and is now hydrantman.
Aaron R. Penny, insurance agent, East Saginaw, i's a native of Orange county, N. Y., where he was engaged in the mercantile trade for several years. He came West in 1848, and arrived at Saginaw City May 4, with $1,000 capital. He first located at Salina, (now South Saginaw), where he bought 71 acres of land. In 1851 he removed to East Saginaw, and built a saw-mill, on what is now Genesee ave. In 1863 he sold the saw-mill to Warner & Eastman, and engaged with Mr. Gardner, in the manufacture of salt. In 1865 he went to Canada and engaged in the oil trade. After some . time he returned to East Saginaw, and in 1867, built the " Penny block," costing about $12,000. In 1869 he opened out as a hat and fnr dealer, at which he continued until 1878, when he engaged in his present business.
James W. Perrin, mannfacturer of and dealer in lumber, salt and shingles. The planing mill was built in 1871 by Edwards and
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Sanborn, and at the time of its erection Mr. Perrin was acting as foreman. In March, 1873, he bought out the interest of Mr. San- born and became a partner of Mr. Edwards. During the same year a shingle mill was added, and in 1879 a salt-block was erected, thus forming the foundation for the large business done there at present. In February, 1879, the firm dissolved partnership and Mr. . Perrin became the sole proprietor of the works. The cost of the machinery is $14,000, and the mill turns out annnally 14,000,000 shingles. The saltwell is 720 feet deep, and turns out 24,000 bbls. salt annually. There are two engines, one 50-horse power, in the mill, and one 12-horse power in the drill house, and the entire works give employment to 35 men.
Mr. Perrin was born at Fairport, Monroe Co., N. Y. He was raised and brought up there until he was 13 years of age, when he began life for himself. During the war he enlisted in Company E, 13th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 26, 1862. He joined the regi- ment the day the battle of Antietam took place, on the 17th of September. In December, 1862, he was detailed Adjutant Clerk, which position he filled until April, 1863. He was with the army in seven important battles: Fredericksburg, Mine Run, Gettysburg, Chancellorville, Wilderness and other engagements. At the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, he was taken prisoner and confined 10 months at Gordonsville, Danville and Andersonville. He was discharged June 26, 1865, and returned to Fairport. May 14. 1868, he was married to Mary Leonard, a native of New York. At the time of his marriage he was cashier and bookkeeper for Hill, Hamilton & Co., general merchants, of Fairport, for seven years. In 1872 he came to Saginaw, where he became engaged in his present business. Mr. Perrin, since he has been a resident of the county, has filled an active place in the business and political interests of the city. He has served as Alderman in the 1st ward since 1879 and is the author of a book entitled " Wages and Interest Table,"published in 1877 and indorsed by the leading business men in the Valley.
Louis Quinnin was born in Sandusky, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph Quinnin, who removed with his family to Detroit in 1845. Mr. Quinnin served in the regular army during the late war, in the Horse Battery M, of the 2d U. S. Artillery, and participated in the first battle of Bull Run, Yorktown, both battles of Malvern Hill, Williamsburg, South Mountain, Antietam, Williamsport, Martins- burg, Stoneman's Raid, Gettysburg, Boonesboro, Hagerstown, Bat- tle Mountain, Buckland Mills, Sheridan's Raid, Waynesborough, Petersburg, Richmond, Deep Creek, Sailor Creek, Five Forks, Appomattox Station, Appomattox Court-House, and others,-about 50 in all. He was present at the time of Lee's surrender. He was wounded three times. After the close of the war, his regi- ment was sent to California, where, March 13, 1867, at Presidio barracks, San Francisco, he was discharged. Mr. Quinnin still has a portion of their flag that was shot to pieces at Gettysburg.
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He was guide-on-bearer at that time, and barely escaped being torn to pieces; for as soon as he planted the flag between two call- mon, and stepped to one side, the balls and shells from the enemy completely tore the flag to pieces. He was married Jan. 9, 1868, to Miss Louise Hartlep, by whom he has had 3 children; but one of these is now living, viz .: Louis C.
Andrew Ramsay was born in Canada, July 19, 1840, son of George and Isabella Ramsey. His mother died at East Saginaw in April, 1873, while his father is now living at White Rock, Huron Co., this State. He was brought up and educated in Canada, and lived there until he was 24 years old. At the age of 14 he learned liis trade, that of a blacksmith, and worked at it until 1864, when lie came to Michigan. He first located in Huron county, where he remained for a year and a half, and then came to East Saginaw, where he has made his home, with the exception of four years passed on a farm in Bay county. April 19, 1880, he opened his shop on Cass st., doing all kinds of carriage and heavier work. In November, 1880, he took in Thomas J. Passmore as a partner. who has been with him since. He was inarried in 1865 in Hnron county, to Maggie Gibson, and they have only 1 child living out of 4. His wife died in October, 1876, and in July, 1878, he was married again to Rosanna Loomis. They have 1 child. Mr. Ramsey has been a member of the Odd Fellows, in good standing, since 1878.
Wm. Rapp was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, in 1843. In 1866 lie emigated to America, locating in Saginaw county. By occupation lie is a butcher. His shop and residence are located near the corner of Lee and Wardsworth streets. In 1868 he was married to Miss Mary Gordan, a native of Frankenmuth tp., this county, where her parents, at this writing, are residing. By this marriage he has 5 children, viz .: William, Herman, Charlie, Lizzie and Charlie. Mr. R. is one of the live, go-ahead men of this place.
Wm. Rebec was born in Austria in 1846; came to America in 1865, first to Chicago, thience to Detroit, then to East Saginaw. His school days were spent at or near his home in the old country, five years being spent at one of the leading seminaries in his canton. He was Wood Inspector before the free bridge was built, since which time he has had charge of that. He is a member of the Bohemian Aid Society. He was married in Chicago, in 1866, to Miss Leopoldina Herbeck, a native of Bohemia, her parents both deceased. They have 1 child, George.
M. J. Rogers, superintendent of Mason & Corning's boat-yard, East Saginaw, was born in Maine, Dec. 1. 1830, and followed the ocean for several years and became an officer of a vessel. At the age of 21 years he learned a trade at Belfast Bay, and during the war was employed by the Government in building transports, He came west in 1852, and first located at Marine City, and for nine seasons was master of the " D. K. Clint," "John F. Rust " and the " Buckeye
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State," owned by David Rust. He has been in charge of ship. yards in the winter, and sailed the lakes in the summer, for the past eight years.
D. F. Rose, dealer in lumber, East Saginaw, was born near Detroit, Mich., and in his yonthi received a liberal education. In 1860 he became established in the commission business at East Saginaw, and has risen in the ranks of the lumber profession with that rapidity which East Saginaw has risen to her eminent position among thie- cities of the " Wolverine State." In 1866 Mr. Rose was elected Alderman of East Saginaw, and for six years was an efficient mem- ber of the School Board. In 1877 he was appointed Treasurer of the- East Saginaw Board of Trade, a position which he has since filled with signal ability.
William A. Rose, a leading meat merchant of South Saginaw, was born in Lincolnshire, England, Aug. 26. 1840. He came with his parents to Pontiac. Mich., in 1849. and to Flint about the year 1855. In 1862 he came to South Saginaw and established a meat inarket, in company with Ferd Leassia. He has been engaged in this business here ever since, except about seven years, which time- he spent in Flint, Mich. Mr. Rose uses the improved ice box, or- refrigerator, for keeping his fresh meats in warm weather, and is doing a good business, which is constantly on the increase. He was married in 1865 to Miss Sarah E. Francis, by whom he has 4 children, Albert L., William L., Philo E. and Glen Ernest.
Dr. J. S. Rouse, physician and surgeon, South Saginaw, was born near Toronto, Canada, Feb. 11, 1830, and is a son of Benajah Ronse. He received his literary education at Alamont, Mich., and attended the medical department of the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, for one and two-thirds terms. He then, in 1862, went into the war, as hospital steward of the 10th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf. In 1863 he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 14thi Mich. Reg., and in 1865 was appointed Surgeon of the 10th Mich. Reg. After the war he resumed his college course, graduating from the Bellevue Hospital College, of New York city, in 1866. The same year he came to South Saginaw, where he still resides, and has built up a good practice. The Doctor's extensive knowl- edge of surgery renders him more efficient in that branch of his profession than had he obtained but a mere collegiate course. He was married in February, 1868, to Miss Sarah E. Hemingway, by whom he has 5 children-Kittie, Jay A., Hattie M., Jessie and Helen E.
Fred Rump was born in Germany, March 30, 1825. In 1856 le came to East Saginaw, which was then mostly woods and water. During the first two years he worked at Dorr's mill, and one sum- mer at the Blue Mills. He then worked at coopering for two years for the Mayflower Mills. He then became foreman of Ten Eyck's cooper shop, which position he held one year, when he took charge of Sears' cooper shop, and ran it for seven years. In18 66 he built a shop for himself on Second street, between Fitzhugh and Johnson ,
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where he still holds forth and is doing a good business. Mr. Rump was married in 1856 to Miss Sophia Hahn, by whom he has had 7 children, 4 living -- Willy. Albert, Henry and Louise.
Aloney Rust was born Dec. S, 1818, in the town of Wells, Rut- land Co., Vermont. His advantages for education were those of the common schools of that date, and in them he mastered the rudiments of an education. His father was a farmer in moderate circumstances. In 1837 the family removed to this State and set- tled at Newport (now Marine City), on the St. Clair river, where Mr. Rust remained until of age on a farm with his parents. About the time he obtained his majority he commenced sailing "before the mast " on the lakes, and obtained considerable skill as a navi- gator. About the year 1843 Mr. Rust, in company with his brother, David W. Rust, built a vessel which was known as the schooner "Ver- mont." Aloney, having the most experience, was selected as Captain, and after a few years of success they sold the vessel. In 1846 Mr. Rust, with his brother, David W., built a steam saw-mill at New- port, which they operated until 1859, and during that time they acquired an experience in the lumber business, which resulted in their having rightly obtained the reputation of being honest and successful business men. In 1851 Mr. Rust commenced the selec- tion of pine lands on the tributaries of the Saginaw and many other rivers in this State, which contributed largely to the success of himself and associates. In 1857, with his brothers, he commenced active Inmber business in the Saginaw Valley by building a steam saw-mill at the upper end of Saginaw river, now within the cor- porate limits of East Saginaw, and from that time until his death, which occurred Sept. 18, 1874, he was largely engaged in the man- ufacture of lumber and salt, and was part owner in barge lines, steam and other vessel property on the lakes. He was interested in a. large lumber yard in Cleveland and in extensive tracts of pine land in this State and Wisconsin, as well as iron mines and farm prop- erty. During the last 10 years of his life his time was principally employed in the management of extensive lumber operations on the west side of the State, in company with his brother, David W., James Sanborn and others. The business was principally done at Muskegon, and the result of his operations was remunerative and satisfactory. He amassed a large fortune by his industry, energy and economy. He was a true friend and good neighbor. His life was devoted largely to the aggrandizement of his family, which con- sisted, at his death, of a wife, 4 sons and 2 daughters. His early death was regretted by his family and a very large circle of friends whom he had assisted in very many ways, and often to his great pecuniary loss. Mr. Rust's energy and success in his early busi- ness life did much to inspire the younger members of his father's family with a proper ambition, which proved of great value to them in after life.
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