History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 71

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 71

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Rev. Isaac H. Riddick, Pastor of the Washington Avenue M. E. Church of Saginaw, was born in West Elkton, Ohio, June 15, 1846, and is a son of Samuel T. and Mary Riddick. His parents died when lie was but a boy, and he was left to battle with the world alone. He went to Richmond, Indiana, where he attended the public schools. He graduated from Albion College, Mich., in June, 1870, and the same year went to Minnesota and entered upon the work of the ministry in the M. E. Conference in that State, where he remained until September, 1877, when he was transferred to the Detroit Conference and stationed at Oscoda. In September, 1879, he was stationed at Saginaw, where he still remains. His child- ren 'are 3-Carlos, Florence and Mary.

E. J. Ring is a native of Hampden Co., Mass., and was born Sept. 20, 1824. He removed to Sandusky, Ohio, in 1857, and established a lumber yard at that place. He soon afterward pur- chased pine timber lands in the valley of the Tittabawasse. He brings his logs down the streams and saws them, and ships the lumber to his yards in Sandusky. He brought his family to Sagi- naw in 1865. His wife was a Miss Ann E. Clark, who bore him 4 children. Of these 3 are living-William L., Annie S. and Clark L. Mr. Ring is also engaged in the manufacture of salt, and lias a fishery in Lake Superior.

Eugene Ringler, druggist, Saginaw City, was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, May 5, 1824. He received his education in his native land, and in 1847 came to America. He graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1852, after which he went to Ohio, and practiced medicine at Fostoria until 1857. He made a visit to Germany during a few months of that year, and on his return located at Tiffin, O., where he continned to practice until the breaking out of the war in 1861. He enlisted as Assistant Surgeon, and was afterward promoted to Surgeon, serving till the close of the war in 1865. He returned to Tiffin, remained there two years, and then he came to Saginaw City. After being here one year, he went into partnership with E. Epting, which relation lasted one year, when he removed into his present store on Hamilton st. His business has increased yearly, and he is one of

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

the substantial druggists of this city. In 1857 he married Mary Kapff, a native of Germany. They have 3 children, viz .: Lydia, Eugene and Annie. Eugene was engaged in the drug business at New York, but at present is in Paris, France.

Eliakim C. Ripley was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1815, and is a son of Abner Ripley, a native of Plymouth Co., Mass. He received a common-school education, and in his early years was engaged in farming, and teaching school occasionally in the winters. He was married to Phebe F., daughter of George Birch, April 16, 1840, by whom he had 6 children; of these, 4 are living-3 daughters and a son. After his marriage he engaged for a time in the manufacture of gloves and mittens in Gloversville, N. Y., and afterward returned to his agricultural pursuits. In 1854 he sold his farm near Amsterdam, N. Y., and invested the money in pine lands; and in 1854 removed with his family to St. Clair, Mich. In 1855 he came to Saginaw. At that time there were but few houses at East Saginaw, and not a bridge nor brick building between Bay City and Midland. Mr. Ripley engaged successfully in lumbering until disabled by rheumatism, and has since rested from his labors, only looking after his real estate and attending to other business matters.

W. R. Robinson, proprietor livery, feed, and sale stable, began business in 1873 on the corner Van Buren and Hamilton sts., and in 1875 came to his present location on Van Buren st. He has a stock of eight single buggies, one double-seated carriage, seven horses, and also owns the barn which he occupies. The amount of capital invested is $4,500. Mr. Robinson has a fine livery, and is a gentleman who oversees his business, giving the most of his time to the interest of it. He was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1850, and came to this city when three years old, and has been here since, with the exception of six years spent at Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich. He was engaged nine years with the Tittabawassee Boom Co., about 16 months in the Franklin House, and afterward in the livery, which business he has followed since. He is a son of J. H. Robinson, who keeps the Union House at St. Charles, this county, and formerly engaged in the livery business in Saginaw City.

Otto Roeser, Probate Judge, was born in Prussia, in November, 1823. He was brought up there and received his education at the University, at first making theology, afterward jurisprudence, his study.

In 1850 he came to America, and located in Saginaw Co., Mich., on the Tittabawassee river, where he followed farming for 10 years. He came to the city in 1861, and was appointed Deputy Register of Deeds, which position lie filled for two years. In 1861 he was also elected Superintendent of the Poor, and in 1862 to the office of Justice of the Peace, holding each one respectively for eight years. In November, 1864, he was elected Probate Judge, and has filled this office successfully ever since. He was also

Barter

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elected in 1870 to the Board of Education and re-elected in June, 1881.

Amasa Rust is a native of Wells, Rutland Co., Vt., and was born May 27, 1823. In June, 1837, he emigrated with his parents to the village of Newport ( now Marine City), St. Clair Co., Mich., where. from 1841 to 1848, he engaged in ship building and sail- ing on the lakes. In 1850 he engaged in the lumbering business, which he has followed ever since, and he is now a member of the firins of Butman & Rust, D. W. Rust & Co., A. Rust & Bros. and Rust, Eaton & Co .; also dealing largely in pine lands. He came to Saginaw in 1855. Mr. Rust was married in August, 1849, to Miss Marietta A. Grout, by whom he has had 5 children; of these, 3 are living-Charles A., Ezra G. and Ida G.

Ezra Rust, of the firm of Rust, Eaton & Co., was born in the town of Wells, Rutland Co., Vt., Sept. 23, 1832, and is a son of Amasa Rust (dec.), who came with his family to Marine (then Newport) City, Mich., in 1837. Mr. R. resided on his father's farm until 13 years old; he then worked for his brothers, A. and D. W. Rust, in their saw mill, for three years. At the age of 16 he became second engineer of the steamer "Pacific," and such was his skill and ability, that in his 17th year he was promoted to the position of first engineer of the same steamer, which plied on the waters of the great lakes. During the three following years he held the same position on the steamer " Aretie." In 1854 he was transferred to the "E. K. Collins," and was first engineer of that ill-fated steamer when she was burned near Malden, in the same year. For the three following years he engaged in manufacturing lumber for his brothers, at their mill in Newport. In the summer of 1858, his health failing, he went to Cuba, where he remained nearly a year, employed as engineer upon Aldama's sugar estate, " Santa Rosa." Upon his return, in 1859, he went into partner- ship with James Hay, under the firm name of Rust & Hay, in the business of lumbering upon the tributaries of the Saginaw river, and since that time has resided in Saginaw. In 1862, he, in com- pany with others, sunk a salt-well and constructed works for the manufacture of salt, which business he carried on successfully for the two years following. In 1865 the firm of Rust, Eaton & Co. was formed, with Mr. Rust at its head, and he has until the pres- ent time continued to manage the extensive business of that firm, as well as that of Rust & Hay, with unvarying success. He was married Nov. 25, 1857, to Miss Emma B. Mather, a native of St. Clair, Mich. They had 2 children, both deceased. Mr. Rust's mill is at Zilwaukee, on the Saginaw river. It was erected about the year 1848, by Daniel Johnson and others. It passed through several hands, and finally into the hands of the present company in 1865, who rebuilt and remodeled it, putting in new machinery throughout. The first salt well at this mill site was bored in 1862. They now have two wells. In the mill are five large boilers which supply the machinery with the motive power. The main saws con- sist of a 38-inch gang and a large circular saw. Capacity of the

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

mill, 14,000,000 feet annually, and of the salt works, 25,000 bar- rels. They employ 75 men in all.

George Rust, of the firm of J. F. & D. W. Rust & Co., was born in St. Clair Co., Mich., April 19, 1851, and is a son of David W. Rust (dec.), of whom we shall make further mention else- where in this work. He came to East Saginaw in 1864, and to Saginaw in 1876. In 1873 he became a member of the firm named above. He was married Nov. 8, 1876, to Miss Jessie Edsall, by whom he has 1 child, Edsall.

George L. Salfner, who resides on sec. 29, was born in Germany, in 1825. Thinking to better his condition, in 1845 he emigrated to the United States, and subsequently to this county; where he has worked earnestly and faithfully to secure the fertile farm he now possesses. He was married (in 1845) shortly after arrival in this county, to Margaret Heilm, who was born in the " faderland," in 1815. Four children have been sent to gladden the hearts of this couple-Jolin, Kate. Leon and Anna.

John A. Sanborn was born in North Haverhill, N. Y., July 11, 1825. Here he spent his early years, and came to St. Clair, St. Clair Co., Mich., about 1843. On the breaking out of the Mexican war he enlisted in one of the first volunteer regiments. At the close of the war he returned to St. Clair and engaged in mercan- tile business. In 1853 he married Isabella D. Munson. In 1859 hc came to Saginaw and has been a resident here ever since. He was a lumber inspector and among the most highly esteemed in that busi- ness. He has engaged largely in buying and selling lumber, and was a man whose strict integrity and good judgment won him a high place in business circles. He was an unusually reserved man and leaves a wife, son and daughter to mourn his loss. He was insured in two or three beneficent organizations and in a life insurance company. He died Aug. 14, 1880; was a member of the Knights of Honor, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Knights Imperial and Masonic lodges. The cause of his death is known to all his friends, and were it not for the sad accident he might be living to-day as a father to his family and a man amomg men.

Schemm & Schoenheit, brewers.

John G. Schemm was born Jan. 7, 1834, at Gollhoffen, Bavaria. He is a son of Christopher and Kate (Seiferlein) Schemm. His father died in Michigan, and his mother is living in Macomb Co., this State. Mr. Schemm was brought up in the old country, and at the age of 18 years came to America and settled at Warren, Macomb Co., Mich., in 1852, and followed the occupation of a farmer until 1864, when he came to Saginaw. He was in the em- ploy of Geo. Williams & Bro., working in their saw-mill for two seasons. In 1865 he opened a brewery at East Saginaw witlı Christian Gruhler, and after the expiration of three months was burned out by fire. Their loss, outside of insurance, was about $1,500. On the 3d of July, 1866, the same company began busi- ness again in Saginaw City, and was the first brewery to manu- facture ale. The firm dissolved partnership in 1869, when Mr.

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Schoenheit bought out the interest of the retiring member. These gentlemen manufacture large quantities of beer, their sales extend- ing well over this vicinity, and furnish thic larger part of the beer in Saginaw City, turning out ycarly over 4,000 barrels. They employ seven men in the brewery, while both the proprietors give the business their personal attention. The building was built by themselves, and since its crection they have expended over $10,000 in improvements. Mr. Schemm was married in 1856, at Warren, to Miss Emily Hauzer, a native of Prussia, and they have 6 children living-Emily, who married Chas. Riedel, and residing here; Augusta, George, Dorothy, Margaret and Ferdinand, who are living at home.

Charles Schoenheit was born in Saxe-Coburg, Germany, in 1835, and came to America in 1837, and to Saginaw in 1857. At first he worked in a saw-mill until he went into business witlı Mr. Schemm in January, 1869. In 1861 he was married to Augusta Haenser, who died in 1873, leaving 3 children-Charles, born in 1862; Emily, in 1864; and Mary in 1870. Mr. Schoen- heit was married again in 1874, to Cora Neuner, and they have 2 children-John, born in 1875, and Ida, in 1879.

William Seidel, farmer, sec. 29, was born in Germany, Oct. 19, 1824. In 1852, thinking to better his fortunes, he resolved to em- igrate to " the land of the free," and accordingly came that year. He subsequently located in Saginaw county. He had but little property at first, but by years of hard toil and good management has secured a neat little farm of 100 acres. He was married in 1874 to Anna -- -, who was born in Germany, March 30, 1827. They have 7 children-Catherinc, Conrad, Barbara, Margaret, Caroline, William and Christian. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Samuel Shattuck, retired farmer, sec. 12, was born in Canada, and is a son of Samuel and Prudence Shattuck, natives of Ver- mont. Mr. S. learned the carpenter's trade at the age of 18 years, and July 9, 1836, came to Saginaw county, where he has since re- sided. In 1842 he built what is known as the Shattuck Mills ( grist and saw ), which were among the first in the county, and are now operated by his son. Mr. Shattuck owns 200 acres of land, but of late years has not taken a very laborious part in agricultural matters. He was married in 1842 to Catherine Beach, who was born in New York, March 23, 1816. Of their 5 children born to them, 2 survive, Willard and Samuel N. The deceased are 3 infants. Mrs. Shattuck departed this life in May, 1881.

Mr. S.'s grandfather, Samuel, was in the French war, and also in that of the Colonies and in the war of 1812, and many are the deeds of his personal daring. His father settled in Sheldon, Frank- lin Co., Vt., removed to Stukley, Canada East, in 1809, and to Tittabawassee Aug. 9, 1847. While in Canada he had to give 100 weight of black oats for a bushel of corn, then carry that 45 miles to mill upon his back. Of his father's family were 4 daughters and 3 sons. Mr. Shattuck's portrait appears on page 203.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Hon. Willard Shattuck was born in Saginaw, Sept. 21, 1845, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine Shattuck, the former a native of Lower Canada, and the latter of New York. His early education was obtained in the schools of Saginaw. In May, 1869, he graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Detroit, and was employed as a professor in the same institution for two years. Since that time he has engaged for the most part in farming. He was Superintendent of the Poor for five years, which situation lie resigned in 1878, to fill his place in the Legislature, to which he was elected that year. He was Superintendent of Schools for Sagi- naw tp. in 1880, and also Justice of the Peace. He was married in 1872 to Mrs. Nellie Locke, who had 2 children by her first hus- band, viz .: Blanche and Lillie.

Frederick Simon, born in Bavaria, Germany, March 17, 1832. At the age of 13 he went to France, where he remained until he was 22, when he came to America. He first settled at Chicago. arriv- ing there Jan. 10, 1854, and came to Saginaw Sept. 16, same year, where he has been connected with the city up to the present time. Aug. 16, 1858, he began his business, opened a restaurant and saloon. In 1861 he built the building which he now occupies, and has made himself well known by keeping a quiet and respectable saloon. He is the oldest saloon-keeper in the Valley, and has a record as good as any in the business, which he conducts upon first- class principles. In 1866 he erected a three-story brick building adjoining, and also owns a house and four lots on Mackinaw st., where he resides. He was married March 4, 1862, to Wilhelmine Fiting, a daughter of Frederick Fiting, an old settler in Richland tp. They have had 3 children; 2 of them are now living-Wilhel- mine and Frederick, who are residing at home. Mr. Simon is a member of the Knights of Honor, Arbeiter Aid Society and Teu- tonia Society, and one of the original founders of the latter.

S. I. Small, M. D., physician and surgeon, Saginaw City, is a native of Carmel, Maine, and was born April 24, 1842. He is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Blaisdell) Small, old settlers of Carmel. His father died in 1866, and his mother in 1873. He was reared at Carmel, and received his education in the public schools and Hampden Academy. He began the study of medicine with John Benson, M. D., of Newport. continued with John B. Benjamin, M. D., of Carmel, and graduated from the Maine Medical College, in 1872, and College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, in 1873. Dr. Small began his practice in Kendnskeag, Maine, remaining there one year. He came to Sagi- naw City in April, 1874. He has been a member of the Saginaw Co. Medical Society for several years, and Physician to the St. Mary's Hospital for three years. In 1878, he was united in mar- riage to Meriba Ruggles, daughter of Paul Ruggles, M. D., of Carmel, Maine. Dr. Small has gained his present position in life by his own industry and perseverance. He is now one of the lead- ing physicians of the Saginaw Valley. His practice is extensive,

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and the promptness and ability which he brings to the discharge of his duty, is fully acknowledged and appreciated.

Dan W. Smith, photographer, Saginaw City, was born at Canton, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1843, and is a son of Frederick and Barbara (Zantner) Smith; father a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, and died at Anbnrn, Ind .; and mother of Berlin, Germany, and is still living. In 1859, Mr. Smith learned the carriage trade at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and worked at it in Indiana and Michigan. He also learned to do ornamental painting, and the machinist's trade; worked in the manufacture of sewing-machines. In 1871 he began his first lessons in photography at Chicago, and has been in busi- ness for himself at Elkhart, Ind., Jackson, Mich., and in this city, where he came in 1878, remaining but a short time. In May, 1879 he opened his gallery in the "Nathan block," on Hamilton street. Mr. Sinith is undoubtedly one of the finest artists in the State, having received ideas from such men as Anderson, of New York; Ryder, of Cleveland; and Roche, of Chicago, affording him the ex- perience which enables him to produce the finest work, from a tin- type to water colors and crayon work. His gallery presents a very neat appearance, and is filled with the choicest specimens of artistic skill.

Jay Smith, druggist, Saginaw City, was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1823. He is a son of Elisha and Sophia (Harding) Smith. His father died in Wisconsin and his mother on the home- stead in N. Y. He lived on a farm until 18 years of age, and received his ducation, after which he taught school for 11 years in the same county. In 1851 he came to Michigan, and stopped at Flint for a short time, then he came to Saginaw City, and in 1852 bought the store of D. Wesson, at that time the only drug store in the Saginaw Valley. It was located on the corner of Hamilton and Ames streets. In 1874 Mr. Smith erected the Smith block, in which his store is now located, containing three store-rooms, at a cost of $25,000, and also owns a house and lot in the city, where lie re- sides. He was married in New York in October. 1852, to Snsan W. . Cochrane, and they have 7 children living. One child, Jessie, married A. L. Marshall, a member of the firm of Morely Bros., hardware merchants, East Saginaw.

William M. Smith, a prominent fariner of Saginaw tp., was born on his present farm (sec. 20), Dec. 8, 1840. His parents were Jolin and Margaret (Swarthont) Smith, the father a native of Cam- bridgeshire, England, the mother, of the State of New York. They came to this county in 1856. Mr. Smith spent five years in building bridges and water-tanks for railroads in the Western States, but has been engaged in farming the greater portion of his life, and now owns a good farm. He was married in 1871 to Julia, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Palmer, a native of New York. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he is a Royal Arcli Mason.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

John C. Spaeth, farmer, sec. 16; postoffice, Saginaw City; was born in Germany, Feb. 5. 1824. His parents were John and Anna (Barber) Spaeth. Mr. S. came to the United States in 1848, locat- ing at New York city, where he remained eight months ; thence to Buffalo, and in 1851 to Saginaw Co., Mich. He is a butcher by trade, but at present is engaged in agricultural pursuits, and owns a farm of 120 acres. He was Highway Commissioner for three years and Supervisor of Township seven years. He was married at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1850, to Anna B. Flerer, who was born in Germany, Oct. 28, 1821. Of their 5 children, 3 survive-Barbara, wife of Philip Spinsterspach; Maria and Eliza. Mr. Spaeth's portrait is given on page 221.

Josiah Squires, farmer, sec. 4, where he owns 90 acres of land; was born in England, Dec. 10, 1835, and is a son of John and Mary Squires. He came to this county in 1859, where he lias since resided. He had no property at first, but an inexhaustible supply of pluck, energy and economy, and has succeeded in accu- muluating a nice little farm. He is well respected by all with whom he is acquainted. Mr. Squires was married in Canada in 1857, to Anna, daughter of Richard and Mary Richards. They have 6 children-Allie R, Anna E., Bailey R., Fred L., Alfred J. and Carrie. Mr. S. and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Henry Stelteredd, farmer, residing on sec. 21, is a life resident of this county, and was born April 25, 1840. His parents are Henry and Catherine Stelteredd, natives of Germany, mother is living with the subject of this sketchi, at the age of 73 years. Mr. Stelteredd is Democratic in politics, and owns 160 acres of land. He was married in this county to Catherine, daughter of Will- iam and Anna Seidel, who was born in Germany, Sept. 30, 1847. They have 6 children -Caroline, Mary, Eliza, Willie, Anna and Emma. Mr. S. and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Jerome K. Stevens was born in Oneida Co., New York, March 4, 1836, and is a son of Menzo C. Stevens, of this county. He was educated in the village of Northford, at the academy of Prof. Cochrane, father of Hon. Lyman Cochrane, Judge of the Superior Court for a time at Detroit. Mr. Stevens came to Saginaw in 1847, and in 1855 he went to Chicago, where he remained until 1861, and returned, engaging in the dry-goods business in East Saginaw, in which he continued for 10 years. It was the largest wholesale and retail store in the Valley at that time, and the firm name was Stevens, Poole & Co. He then came to Saginaw, and filled the office of Register of Deeds for six years. Since that time he has been extensively engaged in the real estate business. He has a complete abstract of all the lands in the county. He was married in 1862 to Miss Mary E. Coy, by whom he has 4 children-Charles, Bessie, George and Clara.

Rev. Lawrence S. Stevens, Rector of St. John's (Protestant Epis- copal) Church, Saginaw City, was born in Naugatuck, New Haven Co., Conn., May 25, 1823. His parents were Linus and Fanny

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(Smitlı) Stevens, both Connecticut people, and holding the tradi- tional religious faith of the Puritan settlers of New England, and in this Congregational faith the son received his early training. When he was about 12 years of age the family removed to Cam- den, Oneida Co., N. Y., where they resided for 30 years. At the age of about 17, while a student in a law office in the village of Camden, the claims of the Episcopal Church were pressed upon his attention, and having given them a careful examination he felt compelled to admit theni, and soon after resolved to study for the ministry, and became a candidate for orders in that Church. He entered Geneva College, Geneva, N. Y. in 1844, and graduated in 1848. From thence, the same year, he went to the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York city, where he graduated in 1851, and was ordained Deacon in June of that year. For nearly a year he acted as Chaplain for Bp. De Lancey, of Western New York, and was there appointed by him to his first charge in Lewis Co., N. Y., where he remained four years, and then became Rector of St. James' Church, Buffalo, for 10 years, during one year of which time he acted as Vice Pres- ident of De Veaux College, Suspension Bridge, teaching a part of each day. In 1865 he became Rector of Grace Church at Lockport, N. Y., where he remained nearly five years, and then of the "Memorial Church of the Holy Trinity," at Westport, Conn., where he remained about the same time; then for a short time was Rector of Grace Church in Toledo, O., and in November, 1876, became Rector of St. John's Church in Saginaw City.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 71

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