History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 69

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 69

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In January, 1868, Mr. Knapp commenced the business of mann- facturing cigars in this city, employing at first from four to five men and boys, which number has increased to an average of 12 steady lands, and the business now aggregates $25,000 a year, sales being made chiefly within a range of a hundred miles of Saginaw, and the trade, at first mainly retail, is now mainly of a jobbing character. The current brands at this date are " Glorious Republic" and " U. C. M." They are all " upon honor," and because buyers know this they like to handle them, and hence the comparative

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increase of the business from year to year. This is peculiarly a Saginaw institution, and from this line of practical and unstrained individual efforts are coming the best results every where in the way of " small manufactures." His business has grown from 102,300 cigars manufactured in 1868 to 408,000 in 1877.

August F. W. Krause, restaurant; born near Berlin, Prussia, Jan. 18, 1824, and was reared and educated at Berlin. At an early age he entered business with his uncle, and continued with him up to the time he came to America. July 16, 1852, he landed in New York, and in the fall of the same year came to Saginaw county, settling on a farm in Tittabawassee tp., where he remained 13 years. For two years he kept a boarding house at the Wayne county salt blocks, and then came to Saginaw and opened a restaurant and saloon on Water street, opposite where the Macki- naw bridge stands, which he ran for two years, when he was burned out by fire, and removed to the corner of Hamilton and Mackinaw streets, operating there two years. In September, 1870, he fitted up his present place on the corner of Court and Hamilton streets, and is now doing a first-class business. He is the one who intro- duced oysters in the city as a regular trade, and keeps them in large varieties the year round. His rooms are kept up in a good and attractive manner, and he has on hand a fine assortment of all kinds of refreshments and cigars, etc.

Mr. Krause was married at Berlin in 1848 to Augusta Pohl, who came to this country four years after her husband did. They have a family of 6 children-Clara and Augusta, both married and residing at Berlin; Mary, married to Henry Croll, a resident of the city; Paul, August and Emma, residing at home, and one child, deceased. He is a member of the Teutonia and Knights of Honor, which societies he has been connected with for some time.

Peter H. Krogmann, born at Hollstein, near Hamburg, Ger- many, May 1, 1832, where he was brought up and received his education. July 9, 1855, he came to America, and landed in New York, where he remained for two months and a half, working at the shoemaker trade, which he learned in the old country. He then came to Michigan and settled at Birmingham, Oakland Co., where he remained until Sept. 13, 1856, when he came to Saginaw. In 1858 he opened a shop of his own and worked at his trade until 1867. In 1868 he started a liquor store, and keeps on hand a full supply of wine, beer and cigars. He first opened on Water street, and in 1873 moved to his present place on Hamilton street. Sept. 21, 1863, he was married to Matilda Wengntt, a native of Germany, and they have 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters, residing at home.

Lucius Lacy, farmer, sec. 21, was born at Logansport, Ind., Sept. 7, 1842. His parents, Ezra and Gertrude ( Bower ) Lacy, came to this county in 1850; the former built the old "Exchange Hotel," on the corner of Ames and Water streets, Saginaw City. Mr. Lacy is a mason by trade, and in 1864 enlisted in Co. C, 29th Regt.

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Mich. Vol. Inf., serving to the close of the war. He resides on a: part of the old homestead, and was married Oct. 10, 1862, to Emma,. daughter of Capt. A. R. and Hannah Swarthout, a native of this county. They have one child, Cora B., born Nov. 28, 1863, and now teaching her second term of school.

Peter Lane was born in Aurelius, N. Y., April 23, 1823. His parents removed to Geneva Co., Ohio, in 1837, and in 1844 · came to Flint, Mich. In 1846 he married Miss Charlotte- Perry, and removed to Saginaw. He worked at the cabinet-maker's trade one year, and then worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade until 1852. In 1850 he was elected Town Clerk, and in 1851 was made Town Treasurer. He went to California in 1852. leaving his wife and 2 children in Saginaw. He went all the way on horse- back, and on the same horse. He started with one other man, but they were afterward joined by four others. His partner died on the way, of cholera. They stopped at Salt Lake and Hot Springs ; at the latter place they recruited themselves and horses for one week, and then proceeded. He mined for some time while in Cali- fornia, and also worked at his trade. He became disabled from a fall in October, 1852, and in 1853 returned to Saginaw. Here he worked for three years as a millwright, when he became engineer for Miller, Paine & Wright. This situation he held for four years. In 1864 he was elected Supervisor for Saginaw, which office he filled for four years. He began lumbering in 1876 with William C. Busch, which business they still follow.

Frank Lawrence was born in the city of New Orleans, Dec. 27, 1847, and removed to the city of Detroit in 1857. He received a common-school education and when 13 years old entered the employ of Frederick Stevens, druggist, of Detroit, and served an apprenticeship of four years in the drug business; then contin- ued in the drug business until the fall of 1868, when he located in East Saginaw and entered the employ of Webber & Smith, who were then preparing an abstract of title to Saginaw county. He was in their employ two years, and he thien engaged in the lumber business in the employ of W. R. Burt & Co., with whom he re- mained six years, until he was elected to the office of Register of Deeds for Saginaw county, which office he held four years. Since leaving the Register office, Mr. Lawrence has engaged quite exten- sively in the abstract and real-estate business, having complete abstracts of title to Saginaw and Huron counties, and has an office in Saginaw City, over Jay Smith's drug store, and also in East Sagi- naw, over Wheat's music store. He was married Jan. 12, 1872, to Mary E. Lathrop, of Saginaw City, and has 2 children, named Grace E. and Cora A. His residence is in East Saginaw.

Chas. A. Lee was born at Hull, Ottawa Co., Province of Quebec, Aug. 18, 1840; his father, Alonzo Lee, was a native of Ver- mont, his ancestors having emigrated there at a very early day. At the age of 16 Mr. Lee entered the office of E. B. Eddy, match- manufacturer, where he remained until 1861. He then went to.

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Winchendon, Mass., and was in the employ of Murdock & Co., wooden-ware manufacturers, until 1864; he then came to Grand Rapids, in this State, and worked for Berkcy Bros. & Co. until 1867. He then engaged in business for himself, manufacturing Faucet's curtain rolls; and disposing of his business there he. came to Saginaw in 1873, and took charge of the Saginaw Barrel Com- pany's works, which position he held until January last. He is at present a stockholder, and is superintending the box department. Mr. Lee was married March 7, 1863, at Fitz William, N. H., to Miss Maggie J. Borland, of Ottawa, Ont., by whom he had 5 children, of whom there are 4 living-3 boys and 1 daughter. His wife died March 21, 1874, and he married May 19, 1875, Fannie C. Braley, daughter of R. D. Braley, of Saginaw, by whom he has 3 sons.

Newton D. Lee, physician and surgeon, Saginaw City, was born at Peru, Morrow Co., O., Sept. 20, 1823. His parents were Asa and Sarah (Meacham) Lee, both of English ancestry; the former died at Central College, Franklin Co., O., Aug. 10, 1833, and the latter at Peru, O., July 15, 1872. Dr. Lee's early life was passed at Peru, Columbus and Central College, O., and at the age of 20. years he began the study of medicine, and four years later grad- nated from the medical college at Willoughby, O. He first came to Michigan in 1847, but located in Saginaw county in July, 1850, where he has since practiced his profession. He was united in marriage, Nov. 2, 1853, to Mary, daughter of Eleazer and Azu- balı L. (Miller) Jewett, early pioneers of this county; the former passed away from earth in 1875, but the latter survives, at the ad- vanced age of 75 years, and is the oldest living settler of Saginaw county. Mrs. Lee was the first white child born within the borders of this county, the date of her birth being Feb. 11, 1834. Of their 5 children, 3 are living-Gertrude, Edgar J. and Jessie. The two daughters are teachers in the public schools of Saginaw City, and the son is engaged in the lumber business. One son, Wal- lace, and an infant, are deceased. Dr. Lee has an adopte daughter, Catherine Green, who is teaching school at Ionia, Ionia Co., Mich. In early life Dr. Lee possessed more than ordinary physical vigor and strength, but the wearisome and never-ceasing duties of a physician have somewhat impaired his health, and that dreaded disease, rheumatism, has fastened itself upon his once healthy frame; yet his mental faculties are as bright as in days of yore. He was Director of the Poor, County Physician, a member of the City Council, the second Recorder of Saginaw City, and is now serving the citizens as City Physician and County Coroner. He was largely instrumental in preparing the charter of Saginaw City, and has always lent a willing hand and heart to all matters pertaining to the social, religious and educational advancement of Saginaw county.

Wm. D. Lewis, carriage and wagon manufacturer; born at Utica, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1830, where he was raised and educated. He learned his trade, that of a wheelwright, at his native. place,

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

and May 1, 1854, went to Detroit, where he remained five years. While there, he built the steamer " Starr," which ran between East Saginaw and Saginaw. He came to Saginaw in 1865, and organized the ferry line, and built two other boats, the "S. R. Kirby" and "Starr No. 2,"which were in operation between these two points for six years. In 1869 he organized his present business, and built his shops at corner Bond and Monroe sts. Since its first construc- tion he has made several additions to it and greatly increased the working capacity of his business. He was married Jan. 15, 1856, to Miss Elizabetli Edick, of Oswego Co., N. Y., and they have 2 children living, a son and daughter. In 1868 he was elected Street Commissioner and held the office for one year.

Thomas Madill, druggist, Saginaw City, was born at Exeter, Huron Co., Province of Ontario, May 30, 1859. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (McCann) Madill, natives of Ireland. They came to Saginaw City in 1866, but subsequently removed to Mid- land, Mich., where they reside at present. Thomas was reared to manhood at Midland, receiving a common-school education at Saginaw City, and the former place. In 1871 he entered the drug house of N. J. Andrews & Co., of Midland, with whom he re- mained one year. He then entered the employ of Anderson Bros., and four years later came to Saginaw City. He was prescription clerk for J. Smith for one year, and filled the same position for William Moll for a like period. In 1880 lic took full charge of the newly established drug house of C. Kinney & Co., and April 22, 1881, purchased the stock of his employers. Mr. Madill is an enterprising young man, and well deserves the success that has crowned his manly efforts. He is the orignator of two or three excellent remedies for diseases, and his trade in these compounds is increasing with wonderful rapidity.

Solomon Malt, farmer and brick manufacturer, on sec. 18, was born in England, Aug. 14, 1835. IIis parents are Christopher and Mary Malt, of English birth. Mr. Malt came to America in 1854, and for many years was delivery agent of the American Union Express Company at Buffalo, N. Y. In 1865 he settled in this connty and at present manufactures about 500,000 brick per year, employing some 14 persons. He owns a good farm and has been elected Township Treasurer. He was married at Buffalo, N. Y., June 13, 1861, to Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Fannie Parker. There have been 6 children born to them, 4 of whom arc living-Fanny L., Sarah E., Thomas and Solomon C. The deceased are Ellen and Maggie. Mr. Malt raised an adopted daughter, who is now married, and resides in Canada.

J. S Martin, proprietor livery. sale and boarding stable. This livery was purchased from J. J. Harvey in 1871, and was located on the corner of Water and Cass streets, where it remained six months and was then removed to Adams street, where for nine years it was located. In July, 1881, Mr. Martin changed the stock to his present quarters on corner of Hamilton and Ames streets, having everything in fine order and keeping a first-class livery.

SAGINAW CITY. 679

He has on hand from eight to twelve single and four double rigs. On May 16, 1881, he opened a coupe line for the convenience of the public, which forms a fine feature of the livery. The value of the entire stock is about $7,500. Mr. Martin was born in Oxford Co., Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1848, and came to Saginaw City May 23, 1868. He is a son of W. H. and Ann Elizabeth Martin; father a native of New York, and living in Oxford connty, Canada, and mother, native of Nova Scotia, and died on the homestead in 1850. Mr. Martin is the youngest of 7 children. He was united in marriage, March 5, 1874, to Emma J., daughter of William H. Sweet, an old resident of Saginaw City. Of their 2 children, 1 is living.

George R. Mason was born in Toronto, Ontario, May 4, 1845. He is a son of Samuel Mason, a native of Canada. Mr. Mason learned the carriage-making trade with one Mr. William Dixson. In 1870 Mr. M. came to Saginaw and followed his trade with Mr. J. H. Benjamin until 1878, when he established a carriage factory. This he ran till 1880, then sold to Mr. Benjamin, for whom he is now superintendent. Mr. Mason married Miss Nellie E. Perry, daughter of Seymour Perry, resident of Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Mich., and a pioneer of that place. Mr. Perry is a son of Edmond Perry, the first settler of Genesee county.

Colin McBratnie, merchant, Saginaw City, was born in Scot- land, May 13, 1828. There were 12 children in the family, 8 sons and 4 daughters. Three died in infancy, and the remainder grew to mature years. Of the sons, Charles gave up his life at the battle of Gettysburg; William is a merchant of Hemlock City ; George is a member of the firm of Parker & McBratnie; Andrew owns a farm in Richmond tp .; one daughter is the wife of Capt. C. H. Jewell, of Reed City, Mich., and the other one married Mr. Parker, a resi- dent of this county. Colin accompanied his brother William to America in the spring of 1851, locating at Saginaw City, and worked by the month on a farm until the arrival of his mother and the remainder of the family, in the fall of 1852. They then bought a farm near Tittabawassee river, which is now owned by the youngest son, George. Colin was married Feb. 26, 1856, to Agnes McCulloch, daughter of Hugh McCulloch, who came from Scot- land and located on the Tittabawassee river, in 1834. Mr. McBratnie and wife liave 5 children-John A. and Hugh, both assist- ing their father in his business, and Elizabeth, Mary and William, attending the public schools. Mr. McBratnie purchased his fa- ther-in-law's homestead, after the latter's deatlı, where heresided until 1876, but subsequently sold the larger part of it and now resides within the city limits.

James McCarty (deceased), born at Roxbury, Mass., Nov. 8.,1815, a son of Edward and Mary McCarty, natives of Ireland. They came to Saginaw county in 1830, followed four years later by James, in 1834. His early days were spent on a farm, as was the most of his life. A farm was bought near the Tittabawassee river

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

by his parents, the same one now owned by Edward McCarty. In 1844 he was married to Sophia Swarthout, a daughter of Captain Swarthout, a late resident of Saginaw tp .; entering upon a new life, he settled on a farm of his own, situated five miles west on the Midland road, where he resided and became one of the most promi- nent men of the tp. For over 10 years he held the office of Treasurer and was Justice of the Peace for several years. He was the father of 8 children -- Edward R., Anthonie, William, Nelson, Clara, Mary, Anna and Maggie. On the 14th day of February, 1879, he died, and was buried on the farm. His widow still lives on the homestead.

Thomas McCarty (deceased), one of the pioneers of Northern Michigan and first settlers of Saginaw connty, died at the residence of his brother Edward McCarty in the tp. of Tittabawassee. Mr. Mc Carty had enjoyed but indifferent health for the past two years, but until within a few days of his death his situation was not con- sidered at all critical, and his physicians indulged strong hopes of his entire recovery. Mr. McCarty had been a resident of Saginaw county just 25 years on the day of his death. In company with his father he emigrated from Boston, Mass., of which place he was a native, to Michigan, and with ax and pack on his shoulder trod an almost unbroken forest from Detroit to this sec- tion. After surveying the country he settled down in the tp. of Tittabawassee, and commenced his career as a farmer, which he pursued until his decease. He had seen much public life and had been repeatedly chosen by his fellow townsmen to represent their interests in the County Board, and in 1850 he was the nominee of the Democracy of the county for Representative to the State Leg- islature, to which office he was triumphantly elected, and served his constituency in a manner very acceptable to them and creditable to himself. His memory will long be cherished by the people of Saginaw county.

Robert McLean, assistant engineer of water works, was born in New York, June 3, 1833, a son of John and Nancy (Fleming) McLean, formerly from Scotland, and came to New York about 1829, and to Saginaw in April, 1846. His mother dicd in 1858, and his father in 1862. Mr. McLean was brought up on a farm until he was 20 years old, and then for 20 years worked at car- pentering and millwrighting. He was Strect Commissioner and Superintendent of the Water Works for six years, and in Novem- ber, 1878, he entered the water works as engincer, and has filled this position from that time. In 1850 he was married to Caroline Tance, a native of Rochester, N. Y., and an early settler in Sag- inaw county. They have 6 children residing in the city.

Benjamin Mclellan, a prominent farmer of Saginaw tp., was born in Grafton Co., N. H., Oct. 18, 1813, and is a son of John and Dorothy (Varnum) McLellan, of Scotch descent. Mr. McL. came to this county Nov. 17, 1834, and now owns 224 acres of land on sec. 19. He was married Feb. 12, 1845. to Emelinc,

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daughter of Zachariah and Elizabeth (Whitney) Palmer, natives of New York. Of the 9 children sent to them, 6 survive-Charles, Frank, Clara, Ella, wife of James Slocum (they have 1 child, Mabel E.), Willie and John B. The deceased are Amanda, Nel- son and Jennie E.

David McLeod was born in North Scotland, Feb. 14, 1833. He came by way of Quebec in 1852. He took a tour through Canada and New York, and then settled in Toronto, where he remained until 1855. He then accepted a situation as steward on a vessel for five years. He then went to Ottawa river and ran a saw and grist mill, and shingle mill for some years. In 1865 he came to Saginaw, and worked at the different mills until 1876, when he established a shingle-mill of his own, which is described elsewhere in this work. He was married in 1853, to Miss Annie Knill. They have had 8 children, of whom 6 are living, viz .: David J., Edward A., Jennett E., Mollie, Allie, and Reuben.

Francis Mc Mann, farmer and gardener, on sec. 17, was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 3, 1839, and is a son of John and Nancy (Owens) McMann, natives of Scotland. In 1862 Mr. M. enlisted in Co. F, 140th Reg. N. Y. Zonaves, and served till the close of the war. He came to this county in 1865, and now owns a good farnı. He was Commissioner of Highways, and is at present Over- seer of the Poor. He was married at Detroit, Mich., in 1866, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Abigail (McGregor) Hart, who was born in New York in 1836. They have 1 child, Mary F., born April 20, 1872.

William H. McPhee, merchant tailor, on Washington st., was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1846. He began his trade there, and finished it in this city. During the war, he enlisted in Co. C, 179th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., in 1863, and served till 1865. In 1865 he came to Saginaw City, entered the employ of W. A. Carpenter, then the leading merchant tailor, and was with him four years. In 1870, he went into business for himself, and has been successfully engaged since. He moved to his present location in the fall of 1878. He was united in marriage, in 1868, to Mary Connelly, a native of Cleveland, O. They have 8 children living, all residing at home.

Henry Miller, County Sheriff, was born in Germany, July 5, 1831, a son of Frederick and Catharine Miller, who died there. He came to America in 1849, and located at Princeton, N. J., where he remained until 1851. He then came to Saginaw and followed carpentering and joining until the breaking out of the war, in 1861. Mr. Miller raised a company, which was entered as Co. K, 5th Mich. Inf., and had charge of it for two years and three months, when he was wounded and returned home. He was in the battles of Will- iamsburg, Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg, Seven Days, and at Harper's Ferry. After he came home he was promoted to Major, but was not able to return. He took contracts for building up to 1867, when he was elected Sheriff. Served for four years. From 1872 to 1875

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he was City Supervisor; re-elected again in 1879, and resigned to fill the office of Sheriff again, elected in 1880. He was married May 6, 1854, to Matilda Low, a native of Ireland. They have 5 children; the oldest, James, was married to Sarah Ogelby, and re- sides in the city.

Hon. John Moore was born in the city of London, England, · July 7, 1826. At the age of four years his parents removed with him to the State of New York. In 1834 he came to Michigan and resided npon a farm near Milford, Oakland Co., until the spring of 1846, when he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. Augustus C. Baldwin, then of Milford. In the spring of 1848 he entered the law office of Lathrop & Duffield, of Detroit, and in October of that year was admitted an attorney of the Supreme Court at a session of that body held in Pontiac. Mr. Moore com- menced the practice of his profession soon afterward in Fentonville, Genesee Co., and remained there until the spring of 1851, when he removed to Saginaw, where he has ever since resided, engaged in professional business. The Judge was Prosecuting Attorney for Saginaw county from 1855 to 1858 inclusive; he was also Mayor of Saginaw City from 1861 to 1863 inclusive, and a member of the Board of Education for about 15 years prior to 1870, when he de- clined to serve longer, his time being too mnuch occupied witl: busi- ness of his profession. In 1868 Mr. Moore was the Democratic candidate for Governor of the State, in opposition to Governor Baldwin, and received 30.000 more votes than any Democratic can- didate for that office had ever received prior to that date. A va- cancy occurred in the office of Judge of the 10th Circuit, by the resignation of Judge Sutherland, Jan. 1, 1871, and a meeting of the bar of that circuit was hield shortly afterward, and Mr. Moore was requested by a unanimons vote to accept the office, a deserved compliment to his legal ability and standing in the profession. The members of the bar and the leading men of the circuit united, irrespective of party distinctions, in requesting Governor Baldwin to appoint Mr. Moore to the office, on the ground of his eminent ability and fitness for the position. He was accordingly appointed, on the 1st of February, 1871. The following year a special elec- tion was hield, at which the Republican and Democratic parties united in Judge Moore's nomination, and he was elected without opposition. He continued to faithfully discharge the duties of the office until 1874, when, on the 1st day of February, he resigned, and has retired to private life. The business of liis cirenit, measured by the magnitude and variety of the interests involved, was second to none in the State, and was administered by liim, it is believed, with entire satisfaction to the profession and the public. When called to the bench he stood at the head of his profession in the circuit, and was in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice. In the surrender of his handsome income from this source for the pitiful salary of his office, Mr. Moore displayed a public spirit as commendable as it is rare. As a Judge he was distinguished for his quick and clear

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 69

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