History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 72

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

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In July, 1867, he was married to Miss Kate Daniels, daughter of W. J. Daniels, of Lockport, N. Y., and has had 4 children- Willard D., Mary F. W., Charles G. and Ella H. Willard D., the eldest, and Ella H., the youngest, are not living

Anthony R. Swarthout, retired farmer, sec. 20, was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept 28,1796. His parents were Ralph and Lois Swarthout, both natives of New York. Mr. S. came to Sagi- naw in 1845, and formed one of that noble band of pioneers who started this county on the high road to prosperity, and assisted in lay- ing the foundation of the magnificent educational and official facili- ties which Saginaw county so fully enjoys at the present time. Mr. Swarthout faithfully discharged the duties of Highway Commission- er for 16 years, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, and Township Clerk for 18 years in succession. He came to this State in 1827, when it was yet a wilderness, and located near Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co .; but a few years later settled here. He was Captain of a rifle battal- ion in an early day, but through life has been a hard-working, earn- est and efficient " tiller of the soil." Of late years Capt. Swarthout has retired from the active and laborious service of farm life, and is now resting in quiet and comfort, awaiting the summons to " come up higher," where pioneer hardships and privations are un- known. He was married in Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1816, to Han- nah Rose, who was born in New York in 1798. Seven children

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living were sent to bless this union-Sarah, wife of William Stewart; Sophia, wife of James McCarter; Emma, wife of Lucius Lacy; Lewis, Norman, James and Edward.

Edward Swarthout, farmer sec. 20; P. O., Saginaw City; was born in Saginaw county in 1841, and is a son of Capt. A. R. and Hannah Swarthout, honored pioneers of the Saginaw Valley. Mr. S. was reared on a farm and chose that calling for his life work. He was married in October, 1867, to Sarah Godkins, who departed for a " brighter shore" in December, 1868. Mr. S. was then married to Mrs. Angeline Nolan in 1871, a native of Washtenaw Co., Mich. They have 5 children -- Lois, James, Millie, Benjamin and Lottie. Mrs. Swarthont had 1 child by a former union, Eliza- beth Allen. Mr. S. is connected with the I. O. O. F. and is one of our prominent farmers.

James N. Swarthout, proprietor farm and vineyard, on sec. 21, was born in Washtenaw county, Mich., March 6, 1831, and is a son of A. R. and Hannalı (Rose) Swarthout, early pioneers of this county. James resides on a portion of the old homestead, and is engaged in farming, raising grapes, vegetables and berrics. He was married in this county June 12, 1856, to Jane M., daughter of John M. and Eleanor Hiesrodt, who was born Jan. 31, 1840. Four children have been given them-William J., born July 6, 1857; Arthur H., a lawyer of Crawford Co., Mich., born June 9, 1859; Cora E., born Jan. 22, 1862, and Mary R., born April 7, 1869. William J. now owns the old homestead of his grandfather; is recognized as one of the leading young men of his community.

Lewis Swarthout, farmer, sec. 16, was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., Nov. 29, 1831, and is a son of Capt. A. R. Swarthout, of this county. Lewis was brought by his parents to this county when quite young, and has since made this his residence. Mr. Swarthout deals in agricultural implements and windmills, and takes an active interest in raising blooded stock, especially horses. He was married Nov. 29, 1850, to Mary E. Jenks, who was born in New York in September, 1831. Ten children have been sent to seal this alliance -- Alice, wife of Lemuel Honeywell; Charles, George, Nelson, Ida, Fanny, Frank, Bert, Anthony and Daniel. Mr. S. is a member of the M. E. Church.

Norman Swarthout, farmer, sec. 20; P. O., Saginaw City; is a life resident of this county, and was born Nov. 15, 1837. His father is Capt. A. R. Swarthout, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Norman was married in 1861 to Elizabeth Clayton, who was born in New York in 1842. Two children were given to them-Fletcher and Elizabeth. Mrs. S. died in 1866, and two years later, Mr. Swarthout married Mrs. Harriet Davis, who has borne him 2 children-Gertrude and Clara. Mr. S. and fam- ily are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. S. owns 60 acres of land, and is comfortably situated in life.

F. B. Sweet, County Clerk, was born in New York in 1847, and came to Saginaw in 1850. He is a son of Wm. H. Swect, a prominent lawyer of East Saginaw. In the fall of 1870 he was

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elected County Clerk, and served three terms; re-elected again in 1880. Fortwo years he was Deputy Clerk under Edward Bloe- don, before lie filled his present position. He was married Sept. 7, 1871, to Cora Jerome, a daughter of Timothy Jerome, of this city.

Professor Cyrus B. Thomas, Superintendent Saginaw City Schools, was born in Groton, Tompkins county, N. Y., Nov. 7, 1837. He graduated from the Michigan University in 1860, and in the fall of 1861 took charge of the schools of Dexter, Mich., remaining there for two years. In 1863 he went to Tecumseh, remaining in charge of the schools of that place until 1868, when he went to Niles. He remained there two years and then went to Battle Creek, Mich., and there, as in Niles, took charge of the city schools. He re- turned to the Niles schools in 1873, where he remained until 1879, when lie accepted the position tendered him in Saginaw. He was Chairman of the Board of visitors appointed to visit the Ypsilanti Normal School in 1880.

Albert Trask, a prominent attorney of Saginaw, is a native of Newark, N. Y., and was born Feb. 7, 1839. His parents removed with their family to Massachusetts in 1841, and to Iowa in 1855, where they resided on a farm. In 1862 Mr. Trask enlisted in the service of the United States, in Co. C, 32d Iowa Inf. While in the war he participated in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Cane River, Bayou Roberts, Marksville, Yellow Bayou, Lake Chico, Tupelo, Old Town Creek, Nashville, capture of Fort Blakely and others. He came to Saginaw in 1867, and in 1868 married Miss Mary L. Eaton. They have 1 child, Bertha M. Mr. Trask is a graduate of the Michigan Law School.

Andrew Ure was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland, in October, 1778; brought up on a farm until early manhood, then served some time as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Glasgow; went several voyages as supercargo in the wine trade; invested all he had in "running ventures," was finally overhanled by the American gun brig " Argus," who destroyed their cargo just previous to her own destruction by the 'British brig " Pelican." He then came to America, stayed a while at Halifax, N. S., then came to Boston, Mass., where he was employed by the city in making public im- provements, notably the "Common " and the " Frogpond." About this time he was married to Miss Agnes Gardner, a native of Dumfrieshire, Scotland. For the next 10 years he was Assistant Master of the House of Correction, which position he resigned on account of ill health. He started in the spring of 1833, with his family, consisting of wife and 4 children-Robert, Agnes, Mar- garet and Mary-for Ohio, expecting to purchase a farm that had been recommended to him, but did not like that part of the country ; he finally took up a place in sec. 11, town 12 north, range 3 east, where he made a home; he then bought two other farms, one in Tecumseli and the other in Nankin, a few miles from Detroit, both of which he afterward sold. In 1834 the county of Saginaw was organized for judicial purposes. and his name was presented

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by the people as their candidate for Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, also for Justice of the Peace, and he was dnly appointed to said offices by Stevens T. Mason, Governor of the Territory. He filled many of the important offices of the township during the remainder of his life, which closed in 1857, in the 70th year of his age. Mrs. Ure survived her husband nearly 23 years. Another son, born on the old homestead, named Jolin, owns and lives on part of the old place; while Robert and Agnes, the eldest brother and sister, have the remainder. All the children which survived infancy, 2 sons and 3 daughters, after nearly 50 years of life in Saginaw, are looked upon as old settlers of Michigan.

Robert Ure, farmer, sec. 11, was born at Boston, Mass., Feb. 7, 1823. His parents were Andrew and Agnes Ure, both natives of Scotland. He owns 200 acres of land, and has served his fellow citizens as Supervisor of Saginaw tp. Mr. Ure is classed among the solid and influential citizens of Saginaw tp. Mr. Ure's P. O. address is Saginaw City.

Rev. Reinerus Van der Heyden, Pastor of St. Andrew's Catholic Church, was born in North Brabant, Holland, Oct. 17, 1828. He studied in the Seminary of Bois le Duc, in Belginm, and was in the ministry of the Catholic Church for two years in Holland, after which he crossed the ocean, and entering the city of St. Lonis, Missouri, engaged in hard study for two years, when he came to Michigan and was appointed Pastor of St. Andrew's Church on the 16th of August, 1862. His mission was for Saginaw City, East Saginaw and Tuscola county. In 1863 he built St. Mary's Church in East Saginaw, and in 1865 he removed the old St. Andrew's Church in Saginaw, and replaced it with the present one. The same year he established St. Mary's School in East Saginaw, and in 1872 erected St. Andrew's Academy in Saginaw, in which the in- struction was generally given by lay teachers, until 1875, when a dwelling was erected contignous to the school, which was soon oc- cupied by the Sisters of Providence, from Vigo Co., Indiana, and are now teaching the youth with great success. Mr. Van der Heyden has also established and built several other churches in adjoining counties.

Emil Vogt, proprietor of the leading meat market in Saginaw, corner of Harrison and Mackinaw streets, is an old settler in this county, yet a comparatively young man, for his life has been spent here. He deals in all kinds of fresli and salt meats. His refriger- ators are superior to any in the city. These rooms are surrounded by a 12-inchi brick wall, and between this wall and the inner lining of zinc lie lias placed four inches of charcoal, which prevents the zinc from drawing dampness, and keeps the meat dry and tender. Just over the refrigerators he keeps 30 tons of ice; and still above that yet is a covering of eight inches of charcoal. His cellar is 20x30 feet, and is used for packing in the winter, and storing away his salt meats. Mr. Vogt has another superior advantage; that is, he gets all his cattle direct from the Chicago market, and therefore

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has the very best meats constantly that the country East or West can afford. He was married in 1875 to Miss Minnie Greise, by whom he has 2 children-Julius and Emil.

C. Watson, M. D., born near Toronto, Can., May 28, 1845, son of Thomas N. and Clarissa (White) Watson. He was brought up in Ontario, and received his education in the Province, and subse- quently attended a course of lectures and received his degree at St. Lonis Medical College, Mo. His first practice was at Napanee, Ontario Province, Can .; was there one year, when in 1870 he came to Saginaw, and, with the exception of four years in Wisconsin and Missouri at intervals, has been located here since. He is a member of the State Medical Association, and has a firmly established prac- tice, which he has creditably attained. He was married at Grand Rapids, Wis., in December, 1870, to Miss Julia Seeley, of that State, who was born at Bridgeport, Conn. They have had 2 chil- dren, 1 of whom is deceased, Roy Watson, died March 10, 1881.

Herman G. Watz. dealer in drugs and medicines, Saginaw City, was born at Detroit, Mich, Oct. 25, 1859, and is a son of Constantine and Caroline (Walters) Watz, natives of Germany. Father is Prin- cipal of the German department of the public schools. Mr. Watz began the drug business in East Saginaw with Henry Melchers, remaining with him four years, and has since been engaged in Evansville, Ind., at Detroit with Park, Davis & Co., and on April 13, 1881, he bought his present store of William Jacobs. His place of business is neat and attractive, and he enjoys a successful trade.

Roswell E. Wendell, grocer and provision dealer on Hamilton between Madison and Monroe sts., was born in Rose, Oakland Co., Mich., Feb. 2, 1850. He is a son of Ahasnerns Wendell and a grandson of John A. Wendell, who was the second settler in Rose tp., Oakland Co. Mr. Wendell's father came to Saginaw in 1851, and in 1855 brought his family and lived where the store of Wells, Stone & Co. now stands. He followed lumbering the winter of 1855-'6, and returned to Saginaw in the spring. In July he removed to South Saginaw, crossing the river on a rope ferry. Roswell, the subject of this sketch, opened a grocery store in April, 1877, in Carrollton, and the following December came to Saginaw and engaged in the same business. He carries a stock of $1,100; annual sales, $9,500.

November, 1876, he was married to Miss Mary L. Knox, daughter of D. M. Knox. Mr. W. is a member of the Masonic order.

John Weston, son of Henry C. and Ruth (Gates) Weston, na- tives of Vermont, was born in Genesee Co., Mich., Nov. 19, 1840. His parents were early settlers in this State, and his father erected the first board honse at Saginaw City, the columns of the Saginaw county court-house, and built the first bridge over the Cass river. John learned the tinner's trade when young, but has been a farmer for many years. He was married in this county, April 30, 1861,

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

to Eliza Vance, who was born in New York, Nov. 14, 1840. They have 5 children-Hattie, Kate L., James, Thomas and LeRoy.

Charles Wider, born in Germany, June 14, 1825, where he was raised and educated. May 1, 1849, he came to America and located in New York. After his arrival he began work at his trade as a tanner, which he learned in the old country. For three years he applied himself to his industrial pursuits, when, receiving an idea that the Western country was a more favorable locality to apply himself, he emigrated to Michigan in 1852 and settled at Detroit, where he remained until 1856. July 7 of the same year he came to Saginaw. He was married, Nov. 3, 1854, at Detroit, to Christine Kronenwith, youngest daughter of the third oldest settler of De- troit. They have had 12 children, of whom 6, 4 sons and 2 daugh- ters, are now living. Five children died of malaria in the climate. His family are residing at home. Mr. Wider is connected with the oldest tannery in the Valley, a history of which is given in another part of this work, and is one of the old pioneers of Saginaw county.

Robert Wiley, Chief of Saginaw City Fire Department, was born in Niagara Co., Canada, Nov. 17, 1833. At the age of 14 years he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has followed ever since. He is a fine workman, and has full command over all its branches. After he left Canada he came to Michigan, and settled in this city in the fall of 1864, opening a shop at the same time. During that year he became a member of the Fire Department, and has been connected with this organization since. In 1879 he was appointed Chief of the Department, and has filled the position to the entire satisfaction of all. He was united in marriage, Nov. 17, 1857, at Aylmer, Elgin Co., Canada, to Louisa A. Hayward, a native of that place. They have 1 child. Mr. Wiley's shop is situated on Ham- ilton street.

Hon. Gardner D. Williams ( deceased ), was a descendant of a Welsh family. His ancestor, Robert Williams, settled in Roxbury, Mass., in 1638, only 18 years after the arrival of the Mayflower. The branch of the family from which Judge Williams descended re- mained in Roxbury for five generations. His father, Oliver Williams, removed to Concord, Mass., about the year 1794, where the subject of this sketch was born, Sept. 7, 1804. Oliver Williams came to Detroit in 1807, leaving his family in Concord. He en- gaged in business there as a merchant, and was one of the largest dealers in Detroit. He brought from Boston at one time, for liis trade, $64,000 in goods. About the year 1811, he built the sloop " Friend's Good Will," on board of which he visited Mackinaw in 1812. At that place liis vessel was chartered by the Government to go to Chicago for furs. He proceeded to that place under the charter, and took on board 99 packs of furs belonging to the Govern- ment, besides a quantity of his own. On his return voyage, his vessel was captured by the British at Mackinaw, that post having capitulated in his absence. The capture was effected by a rise of

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the enemy. On approaching the enemy Mr. Williams saw the American flag flying, and a sentry in American uniform on guard, and had no suspicion that the post had changed hands. He was undeceived only when too late to escape. He lost his vessel and cargo; and it is little to the credit of the Government that it never made up to him the loss. The British changed the name of the vessel to " The Little Belt." It was one of the vessels captured by Commodore Perry, in the battle of Lake Erie. The family of Oliver Williams, including Gardner D., arrived at Detroit, Nov. 5, 1815, where they continued to reside until 1819. At that time they went to Silver Lake, in Oakland Co., being among the first to settle in that now populons and thriving county. In 1827 Jndge Williams, accompanying his brother, Ephraim L., went to Saginaw and engaged for the American Fnr Company in the fur trade. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Dec. 10, 1858. During his eventful life, he held several important offices. He was a member of the first convention to form a constitution for the State of Michigan. He was successively a member of eachı branch of the State Legistature, Commissioner of Internal Improvements, County Judge, and Treasurer of Saginaw county. He was the first Mayor of the city of Saginaw, and held that office at the time of his decease. He was no ordinary man. Though deprived in youth of opportunities for education, yet by native force of character he was equal to the requirements of all the positions he was called upon to occupy. He had broad views of public affairs, and enjoyed the full confidence of his fellow citi- zens. He was eminently honest, kind and genial. He was married in 1829, and left 3 sons surviving him, who, continuing the lumber- ing business established by their father, and in which he was a pio- neer, have massed liberal fortunes. They are respected socially, and classed among the best citizens of the Saginaw Valley. Their names are George F., William A. and Stewart B.

Geo. F. Williams was born in Pontiac, Mich., Nov. 24, 1831, and is a son of Gardner D. Williams, above mentioned. Mr. Williams was reared and educated in Saginaw, and is connected with his brother in the manufacture of lumber and salt in this place. He was Alderman of Saginaw 10 years, and filled the office of Supervisor for two terms, and was Mayor of the city in 1871. He was married in 1857 to Miss Cora Sabine, who died in 1859. Being one of the oldest pioneers of the county, and also one of the oldest lumbermen of the Valley, Mr. Williams is well and favorably known throughout the entire county and the Sagi- naw Valley.

S. B. Williams, of the firm of Geo. F. Williams & Bros., was born in Saginaw, Aug. 21, 1836. He was educated in Saginaw, and in the Commercial College at Detroit. He was married Nov. 5, 1863, to Miss Juliet R. Ripley, by whom he has 1 child, Gard- ner S., born Oct. 22, 1866. "Mr. Williams was Alderman of Sagi- naw for three terms, and was Mayor of the city in 1865.

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William A. Williams, also of the firm of Geo. F. Williams & Bros., was born March 12, 1833, in Saginaw. He, too, early en- gaged in lumbering, at which he still continues. He also owns a farm, which requires some of his attention. He was married in January, 1855, to Miss Jane Purmort. They have had 7 children, 5 of whom are living, viz .: Laura H., Cora, Fannie, Albert B. and Kate.

David E. Williamson was born in England, May 14, 1850, and is a son of Edward Williamson, who emigrated to Canada in 1852. In 1864 our subject came to Saginaw, where he has since residcd. He now has charge of tlie Mackinaw street bridge. He was married, Jan. 1, 1876, to Miss Charlotte J. Fradd, by whom he has 1 daugh- ter, Berenice Maud.

Edwin Winter, fariner, sec. 21; P. O., Saginaw City; was born in Germany in 1826. His parents were George and Martha Win- ter. Mr. W. was married in this county in 1859, to Mrs. Barbara Sabalt, who has 2 children by a former marriage-Derker, and Anna, wife of William Brower. Mr. W. also has 1 child by a previous nnion-Herman D. Mr. W. and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a staunch supporter of the principles of Democracy, and possesses 120 acres of good land.

F . P. Woodruff, proprietor Union Marble Works. These works were opened by Mr. Woodruff in June, 1878, on the corner of Washington and Adams streets, where he is doing a good business. He employs four men, with Mr. Orson Crizbee as foreman, and handles all kinds of marble-Vermont, Southern Falls, Italian, etc. The best workmen are employed, and they turn out the finest work. Mr. Woodruff was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, and caine to Michigan the same year with his parents, who were the first settlers near Ypsilanti, at a place called " Woodruff's Grove," named by his father. He is a son of Benjamin J. and Elizabetlı (Barstow) Woodruff, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1842 lie went to Mexico for his health, and was there during the Mexican war. He remained there until 1848, when he returned to Ypsilanti. He came to Saginaw City in 1850, and has since resided here. He clerked for David Jerome in the dry-goods store, and was Deputy Sheriff of Saginaw county from 1863 to 1871. He is the only one living of his father's family, which at one time consisted of 8 children. In 1848 he married Mrs. Harriet Kipp, who had 1 child, who by an act of the Legislature now bears the name of Woodruff.

A. W. Wright, one of the most prosperous and wealthy lumber merchants of Michigan, was born in Grafton, Vt., July 1, 1822, and is a son of Nathan Wright, also a native of Vermont. Here- ceived lis education in Rockingham. He was married in 1848 to Miss Harriet Borton, by whom he lias one son and a daughter, viz .; George and Sarah. Mr. Wright resided in Saginaw from 1850 to 1879, but now his family resides at Saratoga Springs, while lic is back and forth attending to his extensive lumbering interests in Saginaw.

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Thomas A. Wright was born in England, Aug. 10, 1824. He was brought up and educated in London, Greenwich and South- ampton. He came to Quebec, Can., in 1844, where he remained one year. He went from there to Kingston, where he remained six years. In September, 1853, he married Miss Jane Cunning- ham. In 1855 he removed to Trenton, Can., and in 1856 to Frank- fort. Mr. Wright was foreman of the bridge-builders on the Grand Trunk (Canada) R. R., and also worked on the Atlantic & Pacific railroad. He came to Saginaw in 1865, and ran a cabinet shop for some time. He has also been engaged in the manufact- ure of broom-handles and shingles. He is the father of 7 children, 6 of whom are living-Thomas A., Carrie, Nathaniel, Willy, Wal- ter and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the M. E. Church.

Jas. M. Wylie, of the firm of Wylie Brothers, lumber manufact- urers, was born in Kingston, Province of Ontario, June 22, 1841. He came to Houghton, on Lake Superior, and there worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade for some time, and in 1863 came to Saginaw. He was married Sept. 4, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Will- iams, by whom he has had 6 children; of these, but 2 are living- Jennie B. and Katie E.

Robert Wylic, the senior member of the firm, was born in Essex Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1836. He came to Saginaw in 1862, and in 1864 engaged in the lumbering business with his three brothers and Jas. Williams. He was married April 7, 1866, to Miss Mary J. Mitts, by whom he has had 3 children, 2 living, both boys.

Kasper Zeigin, merchant tailor, began business in 1866, in the city of East Saginaw, remaining there 12 years. In 1878 he came to Saginaw City, and located on Court st., in the Bauer block. He is one of the oldest merchant tailors in the Valley. He was born in Switzerland, in 1842. He learned his trade there, when 13 years of age, and worked at it until 1860, when he came to America. He first settled at Detroit, Mich., and came to Saginaw City in 1862. In 1865 he enlisted in the Union army; engaged mostly as a scout in the 8th Mich. Cav. until its close. He was married at East Saginaw in 1868 to Mary Weber, a native of Germany. They have 5 children, residing at home. Between the years 1867 and 1875 Mr. Z. was dealing heavily in real estate at East Saginaw, where he now owns property.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 72

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