History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 67

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

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

which place he now occupies. He was married in 1850 to Miss M. B. Smith, by whom he has had 5 children, + living-Devillow E., Ida M., Charles H. and Hattie G.

L. T. Durand, present Prosecuting Attorney of Saginaw county, was born in Hamilton Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1848, and is a son of George H. Durand, of Saginaw, Mich., who was a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y. The family removed to Michi- gan in 1856 and settled on a farm in Genesee county near the city of Flint, from which they removed to Flint in 1860, and from there in 1863 to Saginaw. The subject of this sketch obtained a liberal education in the schools of Flint and Saginaw by attending the winter terms. During the summer months le clerked in stores and tallied lumber along the Saginaw river until he commenced the study of law at the age of 17. He began in the office of J. Brousseau, then a lawyer of Saginaw, and after remaining with him about one year went into the office of Webber & Smith, who en- joyed a lucrative and busy practice in the city of East Saginaw. He continued there about three years, when he entered the law school at Ann Arbor, at which he graduated in the spring of 1870. He then went into the office of the Attorney General of the State, Hon. Dwight May, where he pursued his studies more than a year, when he began the practice of his chosen profession in East Sagi- naw. From that time forward his business steadily increased and to-day he enjoys a good practice. In 1878 he was elected Prose- cuting Attorney of Saginaw county by a handsome majority, and was re-elected in 1880. He was married in 1872 to Miss Flora C., daughter of Hon. John Moore, of Saginaw. They have 1 child, Carrie, and reside on Washington street in this city.

D. L. C. Eaton, an extensive lumber and salt manufacturer. of Saginaw, was born in Schenectady Co., New York, May 30, 1817, and is a son of Anson Eaton, who removed to Orleans Co., N. Y., when our subject was quite small. In 1848 Mr. Eaton came to Saginaw, which was then a mere village; and at that early day there was no East Saginaw, nor any Bay City. For the first eight years, Mr. Eaton engaged in the mercantile business in Saginaw, since which date he has been employed in lumbering until the pres- ent time. He is identified with the firms of Rust, Eaton & Co., in Saginaw, and Eaton, Potter & Co., in East Saginaw; and also owns large tracts of pine and other lands, among which is a fine farm of 160 acres in the corporate limits of East Saginaw. Mr. Eaton is one of the best financiers of Saginaw Valley, always successful in his undertakings.

Rev. Christopher L. Eberhardt, Pastor of St. Paul's ( Evangel- ical Lutheran) Church of Saginaw, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was born Jan. 3, 1831, and was educated at Basle Mission College, and ordained a minister of the gospel, of Germany, Aug. 5, 1860. He came to Hopkins, Mich., as a missionary in 1860, where he remained but one year, then came to Saginaw, and took charge of his present station. He has labored hard here, both at preaching and teaching, and has built up a large congre-

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gation. He was married April 16, 1863, to Miss Mary Reimold, of Washtenaw Co., Mich.

C. K. Eddy, of the firm of C. K. Eddy & Son, of East Sagi- naw, was born in Penobscot Co., Maine, in December, 1820. He received an academical education, and became an efficient sur- veyor and civil engineer. He was in the employ of the State of Maine on its public surveys for the period of 18 years. In 1858 he went to Ottawa, Canada, where he engaged in lumbering for seven years, and in 1865 he came to Michigan, and engaged in lumbering, which he followed until last year, when he purchased the Chicago Mill on the west side, which he and his son. Walter S., are now operating. He has 2 other sons-Arthur D. and Charles K.

William G. Elmer, farmer, sec. 15, was born at Marshfield, Vt., Feb. 19, 1812, and is a son of Aaron Elmer, who was one of the first settlers of Washington Co., Vt. William G. came to Saginaw county in 1834, and has experienced his share of the vicissitudes of pioneer life. He has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace of Saginaw tp., both offices of which he filled with credit to him- self and honor to the citizens. He was married March 10, 1846, to Catherine Sittering, who was born in Germany, June 1, 1810. They have 1 child-W. L. Phad.

G. Estabrook & Co., clothiers, Saginaw City. This new and popular house was opened Sept. 1. 1880, in Court street, and now occupies a room in the Taylor House block. Mr. Estabrook has had 11 years' experience in the business, traveling for large wholesale houses in Boston. He was engaged five years in gents' furnishing goods, and six years in hats and caps. This experience enables him to buy goods at the very lowest prices, thus giving the benefit of this to the people. They do business on the one-price system, having all goods marked in plain figures. Mr. Estabrook is a native of New Brunswick. He was reared there and in Boston, where he first learned his present business.

Alexander Ferguson, County Treasurer, was born in New York, Aug. 20, 1829, a son of James and Ann (Hall) Ferguson, of Irish descent. His mother died at Portland, Mich .. March 23, 1881, and his father at Flint, about 12 years ago. They came to Michigan in 1840 and settled at Flint. Mr. Ferguson received his early train- ing and education in New York and Michigan, and came to Sagi- naw March 29, 1849, and has remained here since. He opened a jewelry, books and stationery store May 20, 1852, and continued the same business at East Saginaw until 1860, the stock being bought by F. E. Doughty. In 1861 he was appointed General Manager of the Western Union Telegraph office at East Saginaw, which he held for 16 years. He has been Collector of Customs for the last 12 years. The fall of 1880 he was elected County Treasurer, and took possession Jan. 1, 1881. He was married in June, 1851; to Miss Harriet P. Stimpson, a native of Oswego, N. Y. They have 1 child, Frank A., who is engaged with his

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

father in the insurance business in Bliss block, Genesee street. Mr. Ferguson is perfectly familiar with the business, having been engaged in it for eight years. He was also Clerk for Buena Vista township from 1852 to 1853, and has been Alderman of the Fourthi ward for six years. He lives on Thompson street, East Saginaw, where he owns a fine residence.

Andrew Fisher, farmer on sec. 15, where he owns 40 acres of land, was born in Germany, Sept. 4, 1820. IIe emigrated to this county in 1849, and for 20 years was proprietor of a cabinet shop, which ranked among the first in Saginaw City. He was married at New York city, in 1851, to Mary Loefler, who was born in Ger- niany in 1830. Eight children were given to them. Mrs. Fisher departed this life, and in 1877 Mr. F. married Mary Cosoe, who was also born in Germany, in 1850. They have 2 children-Lena and Christian.

John Fisher, farmer and gardener, sec. 16, was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, May 15, 1823; parents were Michael and Josepha Fisher. Subject of sketch came to America in the autumn of 1849. He landed at the port of New York, and the Michigan Emigration Agent, Mr. Thompson, of Flint, forwarded him to Genesee county, Mich., where he worked for 13 months, and then located in Sag- inaw county. He was married Aug. 21, 1851, to Theresa Buckel, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 18, 1818, and died June 5, 1876. He was then married Oct. 4, 1876, to her sister, Maria Buckel, who departed this life March 22, 1877. On May 19, 1879, Mr. F. married Walburga Schlicht, who was born in Bavaria, July 5, 1854. They have 1 child, Maria, born in 1879. Mr. Fisher was Tp. Treasurer three years, and Drain Commissioner for the same period of time. He is a Liberal in religion.

Frank B. Florentine, M. D., born at Chicago, Ill., in 1849; son of Joseph S. and Celia (Bergeron) Florentine, residing at Pleasant Grove, Ill. He was brought up at Chicago, and received his edu- cation at Eureka and Bourbonais Colleges and the Northwestern Uni- versity, all educational institutions of Illinois, and his medical education at the "Rush Medical College" of Chicago (medical department of the Northwestern University), where lie graduated Feb. 15, 1876. He came to Saginaw April 4, 1876, and opened his office, where he has been having an increasing practice every year, doing a cash business entirely. Has been a member of the Alumni Association of Rush Medical College, of Chicago, Ill., since 1876. On Jan. 20, 1877, he was married to Miss Mary Andre, a native of this city, and they have 1 child. Dr. Florentine owns a nice residence, corner Fayette and Ames streets.

Dan P. Foote was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 18, 1831. In 1838 his father removed with the fam- ily to the town of Freedom, Cattaraugus Co., in the same State, where he established himself as a farmer and drover. From that time to July, 1847, Dan P. attended the district school like other boys of the neighborhood, and after school hours labored upon the farm. In the spring of 1847 Lieutenant McGee, of the N. Y. Vol-

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unteers, of Bath, N. Y., passed through the village with a part of a company of recruits, on the way to Buffalo, en route to join Gen- eral Scott's army in Mexico. Mr. Foote, who had already acquired a slight knowledge of the Spanish language from "Ollen- dorff's Spanish, in Six Easy Lessons," and a good many romantic ideas from other sources, needed only this opportunity to start on the way to test by experience his boyish notions of adventure. In July, 1847, though not yet 16 years old, we went to Buffalo and enlisted in the regular army to serve during the Mexican cam- paign. He continued in the service until late in 1848. As he never attained to any higher rank in the army than that of " Lance Sergeant," it is to be inferred that the result of that Democratic war was not much affected by his services. His love of advent- ure was rather stimulated by it, as we find him the next summer, sailing from New Bedford in the barque "Persia," a whaler, bound on a cruise, first in the Atlantic and then around Cape Horn. The ship went to Azores (Western Islands), Madeira, Porto Praya, and finally round the Horn to the Island of Juan Fernandez, Society Islands and Callao. At Callao he took French leave of the old barque and tried life for awhile in and about Lima. In less than a year he was again at sea, where he continued, with the exception of a- little time devoted to mining and stage-driving in California in 1852, until the fall of 1854. He served in the meantime for one cruise on the "Jamestown," a sloop of war, on the coast of Africa and on the Brazilian station; and afterward visited Hong-kong, Wampoa, Canton, and the islands in the Chinese seas, doubling Cape Horn in all three times, and the Cape of Good Hope once. He was in Cuba, in the brig "Halcyon," during the Lopez expedition.

He came to East Saginaw in November, 1854, and falling in with Mr. George Judson, of Mundy, Genesee Co., he hired out to teach the winter school in his district, and succeeded well as a teacher. He had, however, had some experience as a school-teacher, for some months in the navy, while in the receiving ship "North Carolina." He was married to Miss Elizabeth Grattan, at Fox Lake, Wis., in November, 1854, and in April, 1855, came to the tp. of Tittabawassee, and camped on 80 acres of land on the west side of the river in the woods, over a mile from any clearing or road. He gave himself industriously to the work of clearing up a farm; though just a little awkward in handling an ax, he made: up in courage and qualities of endurance what he wanted in skill, and in three years had 40 acres cleared and fit for cultivation, the sole work of his own hands. For the next four years he taught school during the winters and studied law during the long winter nights under the instruction and encouragement of the Hon. J. G. Sutherland. When he first went to sea he carried with him all the books he had used in school, including Davies' algebra and similar books, and subsequent results showed they were carried for use, as the only schooling he ever had was in the district

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

school, and this before he reached the age of 16 years. In Sep- tember, 1863, he was admitted to the bar, and in April, 1866, moved to the city and entered upon the active practice of law, in which he has succeeded, establishing himself among the lawyers of recognized inerit, and accumulating a fair compe- tency. Mr. Foote is yet a young man. He has held the office of School Inspector, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, City Attorney of the City of Saginaw, Prosecuting Attorney of Saginaw county, and State Senator of the 23d Senatorial district.

He brought with him to Michigan a wide knowledge of the world, a strong heart and a mind free from the prejudices of the untraveled man. These high qualities were not long hidden in the old-time wilderness of the Tittabawassee; they asserted themselves within a few years, and added to thic legal circle of the county, already well represented, an honorable, public-spirited and judicious law- yer. Amid all the phases of legal and political life he lias not forgotten the beautiful farm which his own hands made in the northwestern tp. This fact is one of the snrest evidences of his adherence to true democracy.

There is in this biographical sketch much to instruct and interest the reader. By what chain of circumstances this gentleman, in his youth, was led, as it were, round the world, over every sea and ocean, into barbarons as well as civilized lands, and ultimately to Saginaw, is one of the mysteries of life. It appears as if that destiny so evident in the wanderings of other men pertained to him also, and prepared him gradually but surely for a teacher by precedent of all that is practically Christian. Whether in the Mexican cam- paign, U. S. Navy, on the farm or at the bar of his adopted county, he has always displayed a rare spirit of toleration, and won by kindness where others failed to succeed by opposite qualities.

Murdock Fraser, farmer on sec. 19, is a native of Scotland, and a son of Jolin and Elizabeth Fraser, who came to Saginaw county in 1838; the former died some years ago, and the latter resides on the old homestead with her son, James J. Mr. Fraser owns 153 acres of land. He was married in 1836 to Isabella Goulding, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. Ten children have been born to this nnion-Alexander, Thomas, James, Charles, Murray, John, Kittie, wife of Fred T. Recd, Lizzie, and Della, wife of Clarence Irton. Robertis deccased.

H. J. Friedlein, jeweler, Saginaw City, was born at Evansville, Ind., Sept. 24, 1852, son of John and Henrietta (Geissler) Fried- lein. His mother died in November, 1878; his father is keeping a hotel in the city. Mr. Fricdlein learned his trade with John C. Ziegler, of this city, remaining with him one year. Hc then went to Evansville, Ind., where he was employed by Philip Geissler

for three years and with whom he finished his trade. He then returned to this city, and after two years more with Mr. Ziegler, opened out for himself in 1876. He is doing a very fair business.

Frank R. Ganshaw, of the Saginawian, was born in Stettin, Prussia, May 5, 1841. His father, Frederick, came with his family

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to Saginaw in 1850, where, he still resides. Mr. Ganshaw is the second of 4 children, viz .: Augustus C., Frank R., Wilhelmine and Emelie. In 1859.Mr. G. went to Cincinnati, O., where he learned the printer's trade. He remained there four years, and in Hamilton, O., for two years. In 1865 he returned and worked in the Enterprise office, in East Saginaw, where he remained for nine years; he then became foreman of the Saginawian, holding this position until 1879, when he became a partner in the business. He was married July 5, 1866, to Miss Augusta Wurtzel, by whom he has had 7 children; of these, 5 are living-Charles, Frank, Augusta, Arthur and Nora.

Madam J. A. Gilbert, millinery and fancy goods, Taylor House block, Court street. This is the first-class millinery establishment of the city, and carries nothing but the best class of goods. She pays strict attention to the fashions, making two trips annually to New York and Boston, where she buys her goods. The house was established in April, 1879, and has met with the best of success in business. She has the best and wealthiest people among her patrons, and for that purpose employs from four to five of the best milliners for this class of trade. Mrs. Gilbert is a native of Ver- mont and learned her trade in New Hampshire. She was formerly engaged in business at Fitchburg, Mass., for 19 consecutive years, and came from there to Saginaw. Her store here is located in the principal part of the city, and has a neat and attractive appearance.

G. K. Grout, a prominent lawyer of Saginaw, was born in the village of Fairfax, Franklin Co., Vermont, September 30, 1837, and is a son of Rev. Elijah K. Grout, a Baptist minister, who removed to Leslie, Michigan, in 1838, and labored as a minister in the churches at Leslie and Marine City (then Newport) many years. Our subject was educated at Newport Academy and Kala- mazoo College. He came to Saginaw in 1858. In 1861 he enlisted in the U. S. service, in company K, 2d Reg. Mich. Inf. Vols. He was therefore in the army of the Potomac, and participated in the battles of first Bull Run, Williams- burg, Yorktown, Fair Oaks, McClellan's retreat from Rich- mond, Harrison's Landing, and others. He was discharged in October, 1862, when he returned to Saginaw, and in March, 1863, began reading law with Sutherland & Miller. In 1867 Mr. Grout was admitted to the bar; since that time he has built up a good practice, and is also extensively engaged in the real-estate business. He was Assistant U. S. Assessor of Internal Revenue for nearly seven years, and held the office of City Attorney one term. He was married in September, 1867, to Miss Mary Harrison, by whom he has 3 children-Harriet E., Louise E. and Gerald.

Ferdinand Haben, present City Marshal of Saginaw, was born in New York, and is a son of John Haben, who removed with his family to Oakland Co., Mich., in 1854, and to East Saginaw in 1862. The subject of this notice has resided in the Saginaws since

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

that time, and for two years filled the office of Constable. He now has six deputy marshals, who are diligent in seeking ont the evil- doers; and who, with Mr. Haben as chief, let no mischief-makers go unnoticed. Mr. Haben was a member of the noted Wa-wa-sum Boat Club, which did credit for itself and Saginaw at the contests: Watkins, New York, Saratoga, Detroit, Toledo, and New York city. At Detroit, in 1878, the Wa-wa-sums took the first prize. Mr. Haben was also foreman of the fire department in the Fourth ward for four years, during which time that department made the best records on review days ever made in the city. For four years Mr. Haben acted as driller for the salt-boring companies in Sagi- naw and vicinity.

Thomas Hackett ( deceased ) was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Feb. 29, 1831. His parents were Bernard and Bridget Hackett, early pioneers of this county. Mr. H. was married May 29, 1865, to Jessie, daughter of John and Jessie McGregor, who emigrated to Saginaw tp. when but three families resided here. Mrs. Hackett was born June 24, 1841. One child was given to this marriage, Mary, born Feb. 5, 1868. Mr. Hackett departed this life in February, 1873. His widow resides on the old homestead, comprising 120 acres.

Fred Haenbein, farmer, sec. 16; P. O., Saginaw City; was born in Germany, April 15, 1842, and is a son of John G. Haenbein. Mr. H. came to this country with his parents in 1850, and they lo cated in Saginaw county. He owns 120 acres of land, the fruit of- his individual labor and perseverance. He was married in 1861 to Kate C. -, who was born in Germany in 1841. They had 6 children born to them, but only 5 are living-Willie, Minnie, Freddie, Lizzie and Johnnie. Rachel is deceased.

G. H. Hale, D. D. S., was born in Licking county, near New- ark, Ohio, in 1846. Although not an old citizen of Saginaw county, he has come with the best of recommendations, -that of a thorough business man, and one well versed in his profession. Mr. Hale has had 16 years experience in the practice of dentistry, to- gether with serving three years as a pupil. In Chicago lie had an office and was professionally engaged there for 10 years; he also has two brothers, who are practicing physicians of that city. His father is a noted physician, under whom Mr. Hale studied medi- cine, thus being a scientific as well as a practical operator. Jan. 15, 1881, he came to Saginaw and opened an office on Court street, having everything necessary for the comfort of his patients. He is a man who attends strictly to his business, and makes inany friends by his frank, social manner. As regards workmanship, he can not be surpassed in the Valley, and in many fine points of execution he excels.

Allen A. Hall, son of John and Polly Hall, was born in Penn- sylvania, July 2, 1825. His parents came to this county in 1835, locating at Saginaw City, where the former died in 1837. Allen was a sailor on the lakes for several years, and has had many

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narrow escapes from a watery grave. He was married in this county, in 1852, to Margaret Allison, a native of Glasgow, Scot- land. They have 6 children-John, James A., Walter, Mary A., wife of Harlin Cribbins, Minnie W. and George W. Jessie is deceased. Mr. Hall resides on sec. 3.

David K. Halsey, head sawyer for Eaton, Potter & Co., a native of Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co., Mich., was born July 15, 1842. He was reared a farmer boy and received a common-school education. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted as Corporal in Company B, 5th Mich. Vol. Inf., and the spring of 1862 he was made Sergeant, and in June, 1864, he was promoted to 2d Lieut. and served in that capacity till the war closed. He partici- pated in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Gettysburg, 2d battle of Bull Run, Fred- ericksburg, and others, numbering 32 engagements in all. He was taken prisoner at Petersburg and was confined in Libby prison four months. In 1865 he came to Detroit, and in 1866 to Saginaw. Since 1871 he has followed sawing.

He was married in 1865 to Hannah A. Kelley, and they have 1 son-Frank P.

Daniel Hardin, of the firm of D. Hardin & Co., was born in Otsego Co., New York, in May, 1820, and is a brother of Hon. A. C. Hardin, of Monmouth, Ill. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. He located in Saginaw tempora- rily in 1865, and engaged in lumbering with W. S. Green, and still holds an interest in the Green lumber manufactory (now known as the inill of Hardin, Plummer & Co.); at the same time was in business in New York.

He is now interested in the planing mill spoken of above. While in New York State Mr. Hardin was engaged in the mercan- tile business. He was married in 1840, to Miss Lucy Brown, by whom he had 4 children, 2 living-A. C. and Emily P. . Mr. Hardin is also President of the Citizens, National Bank in Saginaw. He is a brother to Dennis Hardin (deceased), once a member of State Legislature of New York. Had 5 brothers-Joseph, Hon. A. C., Dennis, Nathan and Amos. Had also 6 sisters. His brother Joseph was a prominent business man of New York. He has always engaged in farming in New York State quite exten- sively.

Gustavus Harris, Superintendent of the Saginaw County Poor Farm, was born in Warren Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1834; is a son of George and Amanda (Ireland) Harris, who settled in this connty in 1844, father a soldier in the war of 1812, and died April 14, 1852; mother still living, aged 87 years. Subject of sketch enlisted in the Union army during the civil war, but failed to pass examination ; was Constable and School Director of tp., and at present has charge of county farm; was married Feb. 16, 1861, to Mary, danghter of John and Nancy McLean, natives of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. They have 3 children-Julia A., Mary A. and William H.

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Moses M. Harris, fariner, sec. 13; was born in Clarkson, N. Y., Dec. 26, 1826, a son of George and Amanda Harris, who were honored and respected pioneers of this county; father was born April 29, 1789, and died April 14, 1852; mother still lives, and was born June 16, 1794. He owns 108 acres of land, the product of his own thrift and industry; was married Dec. 2, 1857, to Jane McLean, who was born April 5, 1824. Four children-Hattie E., born Sept. 23, 1858; John J., July 27, 1860; Moses, Dec. 20, 1862, and died Jan. 13, 1874; Frank was born Nov. 12, 1865, and died July 20, 1872.

James Hay, President of the Tittabawassee Boom Company, was born in Scotland, May 10, 1828, and is a son of Daniel Hay who emigrated with his family to Nova Scotia while James was an infant, and to Northern New York when he was a small boy. They went to Canada in 1838, where he remained until 1849, when he came to Port Huron, Michigan. He there worked as a common laborer for $13 a month. In 1857 he came to Saginaw Valley and became foreman for David Ward in the lumbering business. He, however, had been foreman for David Rust in the same business for three years previous. During the winter of 1858 and '59 he lumbered for A. & D. W. Rust, and in 1859 he became a partner of Ezra Rust, with whom he is still associated. Mr. Hay owns large tracts of valuable pine lands. He was married, Dec 13, 1864, to Miss Mattie Hawkins, by whom he has had 8 children, 6 living-Mamie, Willy. Jennie, Mattie, Ethiel and Blanche.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 67

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