USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan > Part 100
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
JOSHUA L. WELLMAN, carpenter and joiner, is a native of Oakland County, Mich., and was born May 28, 1826 ; he grew up there and in Canada, and learned his trade over there. Came to Port Huron in 1863, and since then has been engaged in building. His father and grandfather were both early settlers in this State. While living in Canada, he held the office of Deputy Sheriff, and Bailiff of the Division Courts, and was commissioned Lieutenant of the militia. In 1849, he married Miss Martha Tuck, a native of England ; they have four children-Clara, Eliza Jane, Mary and Fannie.
FREDERICK LUDLOW WELLS was born in Stamford, Dutchess Co., N. Y., March 24, 1833. He was the only son of John and Jane Wells, and came with his parents and two sisters to Port Huron when he was five years old, and it has been his home ever since. Being of a somewhat delicate constitution, he was never kept closely confined in schools or business while growing. Good tutors were employed, however, and he re- ceived more than a common school education. He had a taste for higher mathematics and the languages, and no pains or expense were spared to give him and his sisters that which could be obtained without sending them away from home. As he grew old enough, he assisted in his father's store, and at nineteen had charge of the books in Fish's store. When twenty-one, his father built a mill, and took him into business with him, and that has been Mr. Wells' legitimate occupation since, although he has always been more or less interest- ed in vessel matters, carrying that business on entirely on his own responsibility. By his indomitable ener- gy, rare business qualifications, and, above all, by his pure integrity, he early commanded the entire respect and confidence of the community, and won a reputation which neither time nor adverse circumstances have detracted from, one whit. In politics, he has always been a stanch and active Republican, and, for many years, in spite of dislike for notoriety, he was fairly forced to the front, and has filled a good many official positions. In 1855 and again in 1857, he was elected to the office of Village Recorder. In 1859 and the two following years, he held the office of City Clerk. He was Chief Engineer of the Fire Department. In 1862 and in 1863 was chosen Mayor of the city-a very trying and difficult position to fill, as it was during the heat of the war, and the time when it was necessary to draft soldiers. He also held the office of Alderman for three terms of two iyears each-so that he was city officer for thirteen years. In 1870, Mr. Wells was elected to represent the Second District of St. Clair County in the State Legislature. In 1872 and again in 1874, he was elected State Senator, which offices he filled with marked ability, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was a member of the Standing Committees of the Senate-Lumber Interests, Asylum for Deaf and Dumb and Blind, and State Capitol and Public Buildings, being chairman of the first-named during his first term in the Senate. In his second, he was Chairman of the Committee on Railroads, and of the Asylum for Deaf, Dumb and Blind, and a member of other important committees. He performed his duties there as elsewhere, carefully, judiciously and faithfully, without fear or favor. Mr. Wells has also, since old enough, taken great interest in Freemasonry, having there, also, held many important offices, and taken all the degrees to the S. P. R. S., thirty second degree of the A. & A. Scottish Rite. He was Wor- shipful Master of Port Huron Lodge, No. 58, for five years, High Priest of Huron Chapter Royal Arch Masons for two years, and Eminent Commander of the Port Huron Commandery of Knights Templar eight years. Positively declining to hold the position any longer, and receiving upon his retirement a most superb Emi- nent Commander's jewel, "As a token of the respect and affection of his brother Sir Knights, and a pledge of their appreciation of his fair and faithful discharge of the duties appertaining to the office he had held so long, and from which they were sorry to lose him." In 1877, he was appointed Deputy Collector of Customs of this district, which office he still holds. In 1878, he and a few of the enterprising townsmen conceived and proceeded to carry forward the scheme of building a narrow gange railroad up into the district lying be- tween Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, or what is called "the thumb of the mitten," the ultimate result of which scheme is the operating of that road from Port Huron to Sand Beach, and another from Port Huron to East Saginaw across the turn of the thumb, and still another branch in construction from a little below Sand Beach to Port Austin, the extreme end of the thumb, and yet another short road from Port Huron southwest to Almont, the Saginaw Division and the Sand Beach Division with the Port Austin Branch known as the Port Huron & Northwestern, and the Almont road as the Port Huron & Southwestern, all since consolidated into one company, the Port Huron & Northwestern Railway Company, with 218 miles of track. Mr. Wells was made at the organization of these enterprises Secretary and Treasurer, which offices he still holds. In addition to all his other business, he has much real estate to look after for his mother and himself. Mr. Wells has always been a public spirited man, ready to do his full share to promote any enterprise which shall benefit the town, and the name of Wells is connected with every step in advance that has been made since Mr. John Wells arrived in the place. Mr. Wells has been since his youth an active and faithful member of Grace Episcopal Church, filling the office of Warden several years, and many years Secretary. He is here, as elsewhere, liberal and thoughtful. On September 20, 1859, Mr. Wells married Miss Hattie I. Hyde, a young lady whose social qualities and fine educational attainments and accomplishments eminently qualified for the position she was called upon to fill-that of wife to one who was so often in prominent places. He built soon after his marriage a fine residence near his father's, which he and his wife still occupy. No children came to bless their home, but they have been kind and helpful to many, and have one adopted daughter, a niece of Mrs. Wells. Their home, with its ample grounds well kept, is one of the most attractive in the city, and its reputation for cheerfulness and hospitality is not excelled anywhere.
JOHN WELLS was born in New Milford, Conn., June 19, 1799. He was the son of Phillip and Eliza- beth Tomlinson Wells, and the youngest of nine children. When John was twelve years old, the family moved to Litchfield, Conn. The father was a clothier, and sufficiently successful to enable him to bring up his family in all comfort, and to give his children such education as the schools of the village afforded. In Litchfield, John attended a school taught by the Rev. Truman Marsh, rector of St. Michael's parish; when still quite a lad John returned to New Milford and entered the store of Capt. Eli Todd, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one. He then went to Augusta, Ga., in company with Hosea Webster and his wife, Mr. Wells traveling on horseback and Mr. Webster in his carriage, the two gentlemen exchanging seats
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
occasionally for a rest. Southern life and ways did not suit Mr. Wells, however, and after a year he returned North and located in New York City, conducting the dry goods business on his own account. After a few years he moved from there to New Paltz, then to Stamford, Dutchess County. While in the latter place, February, 1830, he married Jane Vanderburgh, of Beekman, same county. She was the eldest daughter of a wealthy farmer, and had received all the advantages of a good education and refined society in New York City and Litchfield, which was then the center of learning. Mrs. Wells still has the notes she was required to take of the sermons she listened to of the Rev. Lyman Beecher, who was then in his prime. In 1837, Mr. Wells and a friend came West prospecting. Port Huron and Chicago, at that time, gave about equal promise of becoming important cities. The natural advantages of Port Huron being a little the best, apparently, and that, with the fact that it was not quite so far from the old home, induced him to decide in favor of Port Huron, to which place he removed in September, 1838, and where he continued to reside until his death, Sep- tember 25, 1867. Meantime, adverse influences threw Port Huron off the track of prosperity, and Chicago far more than realized all the brightest anticipations, and became a large and important city. Mr. Wells carried on the dry goods business until he was appointed Custom House Officer. He then gave up the store and sub- sequently built a mill and started in the lumber business, principally on account of his son, whom he wished to associate with himself in business, and whose health required a more active, out-door life, and this life seemed to suit himself as well. He was very greatly interested in the active lumbering operations of the pine woods and went up to his camp often, going even oftener than his son, during the years that they cut their own logs. He caused the opening of roads through dense forests, for his logging purposes, that have since become public highways with broad, thrifty fields and cozy homes on either side, and a railroad intersecting them at many points, though this last improvement he did not live to see. His lumbering enterprise was very successful, as his mercantile life had been prosperous, so that ease and plenty surrounded his family, and a competency was left for his widow and only surviving child, the only son he ever had. Of his character, much might be written; it was strong and positive, yet so well poised as to rarely come into conflict with any one; he believed in living and letting live; he interfered in no one's business, and brooked no interference in his own; he was always cheerful, never bringing his business perplexities or misfortunes into his home; his presence always gave additional brightness to the cheerful fireside, and his children ever welcomed him with delight; he was also a great reader and passed most of his evenings by a bright wood fire, which he loved so well as to light it often in summer even, and with his stand drawn up in the chimney corner, and a light and a good book, he rarely failed to pass a part of every evening in the year. He was also very fond of a good story, and possessed a fund of them from which he drew often, and he told a good story inimitably; he was friendly and genial in his manner, charitable and generous to the needy. In physique he was of middle height with fair skin, blue eyes and dark hair; in his youth a handsome man, and always a man of fine pres- ence. In politics, he was a Whig. From the organization of the Republican party, took a decided position in its favor. He never cared for office nor ever occupied any but that of Village Trustee, and for quite a num- ber of years attended to the duties of Postmaster, and afterward was Custom House Officer for awhile. We feel that the pioneer ladies had about as hard a time as the men, and certainly Mrs. Wells deserves more than a passing mention. Born and reared in a luxurious home, and surrounded by the most generous and devoted affection, a favorite among a large circle of relatives and friends, it was no light thing for her to leave all this and go into the then far West, to put up with the privations and loneliness, the homesickness and longings that are inevitable to such characters; but she came with her husband and three little children, hardly daring to hope ever to return, for the journey occupied eleven days. Going to Fonda by rail, then by canal to Buf- falo, then up the great lake and rivers, and finding at last only a little hamlet with a few scattered houses. There were some pleasant people, however, and she determined to make the best of circumstances and help all she could to improve affairs generally. They rented a house on what is now Military street, near the bridge, for the first year, while Mr. Wells bought land up Black River and built what has ever since been the home. It was the first house built in that direction, and was directly upon an Indian trail which the natives were loath to give up, and many an encounter had both Mr. and Mrs. Wells with them, though generally they were disposed to be friendly, unless interfered with. The nearness of Fort Gratiot was a great help in society matters and many warm friends did the family make among the officers and their families, and they, with the few cultivated families in the village created a very pleasant society. After a few years the railroad was com- pleted through to New York, and Mrs. Wells returned many times during the life of her parents, to the dear old home; but, having become identified with the growth of Port Huron, helping in its religious and social and intellectual progress, she became so strongly attached to it as to never have any desire to permanently return East. They never had but three children-the youngest, Caroline, a bright, lovable girl of eight years, died December 19, 1846. This was such an affliction as nearly to unsettle Mrs. Wells' reason for a time, but she recovered and went bravely on. In 1857, May 21, the eldest child, Mary, married Lieut. W. A. Slaughter, and went, soon after, with him to Washington Territory, where he was ordered to defend the frontier from the Indians. Three years later, he was killed by an Indian while returning from a detour through the coun- try near Fort Steilacoom. Mrs. Slaughter then returned to her father's, where she lived five years. She died January 3, 1862. Mrs. Wells still occupies the old home alone, her son having married and built a home for himself, just across the street, previous to the death of his father.
B. H. WELTON, of the firm of Noble & Welton, fire, life and marine insurance agents, is a native of Geauga County, Ohio, and was born October 1, 1840; grew up and received his education in that State; came to Port Huron in 1863, and engaged in grocery trade. The firm was U. C. Welton & Co., then White & Wel- ton; this firm was succeeded by Bostwick & Welton. He was afterward engaged for some years in railroad ticket business. He associated with L. S. Noble and engaged in insurance business, and the firm of Noble & Welton have the leading insurance business here.
F. A. WEYERS, dealer in groceries and provisions, is a native of Germany, and was born October 2, 1830; emigrated to America in 1852; and the following year came to Port Huron; he established his present busi-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
ness in 1854, and has carried it on for the past twenty-eight years-a greater length of time than any one else in the same business except Mr. Saunders. Mr. Weyers carries a large stock of goods and has a large estab- lished trade, and for some years has done the leading business here. He married Miss Emily Stoddard, of New York State, July 22, 1855. They have seven children-Anna M., Juliette, Eleanor, Edith, Josephine, Franklin, Alice; have lost three children, two sons and one daughter.
L. B. WHEELER, lumber and real estate dealer, is a native of Hancock County, Me., and was born in the town of Greenfield, October 23, 1819. He grew up and attended school there, and came to Michigan in October, 1853, and located in Port Huron and engaged in lumbering, and since then for a period of about thirty years has been connected with that business and real estate interests.
EDGAR WHITE, Postmaster, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., October 3, 1820, when only sixteen years of age, in July, 1836, he came to Port Huron to look after lands which had been purchased by his father the year previous, on the south side of the river. He remained here only a short time, then returned East. He visited the West several times during the next ten years; in 1846, went to Ann Arbor, and three years later, in 1849, came here to reside permanently, giving his attention to the improving of his father's property, and improved some 600 or 800 acres of land, and since then has been identified with the real estate business here. In 1858, he was elected second Mayor of Port Huron; in 1859, was elected Supervisor of the Second Ward, and for the last twenty years has represented that ward in the Board of Supervisors. He was President of the Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad from 1865-71, and after its consolidation with the Peninsula Railroad, he was President of the Chicago & Lake Huron Railroad, until it went into the control of the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad. In the spring of 1882, he was appointed to his present position-that of City Comptroller; in March, 1883, he was appointed Postmaster at Port Huron. In 1850, Mr. White married Miss Adelia Jones, of Ann Arbor. She died in 1869, leaving three children; in 1871, Mr. White married Mrs. George Millen, formerly Miss Jane Jones, of Ann Arbor. They have one son-Frank J.
JAEMS H. WHITE is a native of New York State, and was born in Whitesboro, Oneida County, April 28, 1822. Having received an academic education, he was engaged in business in Utica from 1842 until 1844, when he removed to Ann Arbor, where he carried on mercantile business two years. In 1847, he returned to New York and located at Yonkers, remaining there two years. In 1849, he came to this county, and since then has been a resident of Port Huron, where his business has been farming, real estate dealing, insurance and banking. In 1854, he was elected Sheriff of St. Clair County, and re-elected in 1856 ; served as Alder- man of the city four years ; in 1867, he was appointed Special Deputy Collector of Customs for the District of Huron, and resigned in the fall of 1876; in 1878, he was elected one of the Board of Estimates of the city. Mr. White was a member of the House in 1879, and was re-elected in 1881. Mr. White has been act- ively identified with the interests of the city and county and its material progress and growth for one-third of a century.
FRED WHITE, business manager of the estate of James W. Sanborn & Co., is a native of the State of Maine, and came to Port Huron in 1853, and for three years was book-keeper for Avery ; after a short time, he engaged in lumber business. He entered the employ of James W. Sanborn January 1, 1865, and remained with him as book-keeper until his death, and since then has had the active management of the business of the estate.
J. M. WHITE, artistic photographer, is a native of Genesee County, N. Y., and was born May 24, 1837; he grew up and learned his business in that State ; worked in Fredonia and Buffalo ; opened a gallery at Randolph, and put in the first skylight ever used in that section of the State. He came to Port Huron in 1869 and established his present business, giving special attention to fine work in crayon, water colors and India ink ; also does a great deal of viewing along the river and lakes. In 1864, Mr. White married Miss Mary Wheeler, of Randolph, N. Y .; they have two children-Clara and Nellie.
FRANK WHIPPLE, attorney at law, is a native of Grafton, Windham Co., Vt., and was born March 7, 1838. When eight years of age, his parents moved to Saratoga Springs, N. Y., where he received his edu- cation. He came West to Michigan in 1856. Upon the breaking-out of the rebellion he enlisted August 21, 1861, in Company C, Berdan's First Regiment United States Sharpshooters, and served with the regiment un- til February, 1863 ; was then transferred to the First Regiment Michigan Sharpshooters, and was commis- sioned Second Lieutenant, and promoted to First Lieutenant Company B, and served until the expiration of his term of service; was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania. After the war, came to Port Huron in 1866, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1871. Two years later, he engaged in the practice of law, and since then has successfully practiced his profession here. He has held the office of Supervisor of the Sixth Ward and Alderman of the Second Ward. Mr. Whipple was united in marriage to Miss Abbie J. Riddle, of Beloit, Wis., October 27, 1869 ; they have four children-Benjamin R., Frank B., Abigail and Mary.
JOSEPH D. WHITNEY, owner and proprietor Pacific House, corner Mt. Huron avenue and Butler street, is a native of the State of Maine, and was born at Lisbon Falls March 16, 1817. He came to St. Clair County and settled at Port Huron April 23, 1854. After coming here, he put machinery in a shingle mill, and engaged in lumbering for several years. In 1858, he built a hotel on corner opposite Pacific House, and run that house four years ; in 1862, bought the Huron House, and remained proprietor of that house until 1870, when he retired from business for some years. In 1880, he bought the hotel property corner Huron avenue and Butler street, and enlarged it, and since then has been proprietor of the Pacific House. Mr. Whitney has had a large practical experience as a landlord, and gives every part of his house his personal supervision. In January, 1859, he married Mrs. Margaret Masterson, a native of Monroe, Mich .; they have three children, Charles J., Fred A. and Jessie. Mr. Whitney has one daughter by a former wife.
F. M. WILCOX. cooper, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Richmond, Macomb County, May 22, 1855. He learned his trade in Port Huron, and on the 1st of May the present year engaged in business for himself, and is building up a nice trade, and makes all kinds of work. He married Miss Dora R. Leonard August 1, 1881 ; she is a native of Canada.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
DAVID G. WILLIAMS, proprietor flour and grist-mill, is a native of Michigan, and was born in St. Clair County November 8, 1850, and grew up here ; engaged in lumbering and sailing on the lakes. He engaged in the milling business in 1877, grinding flour and feed, and also has carding machinery for carding wool, the only one in Port Huron. He intends increasing this branch of his business. He is also engaged in the wood business, and saws his wood by machinery. In 1878, he married Miss Catharine Richardson, of Brockway Center ; they have three children-Polly, Sallie and Myron.
MORTIMER WILLSON. physician and surgeon, is a native of Canada, and was born August 2, 1847. He received his education in this State at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, then studied medicine at Ann Arbor and De- troit, and graduated in 1874 at the Detroit Medical College. After graduating, engaged in practice at South Bay City. He came to Port Huron in 1881, and associated with Dr. Mills in the practice of his profession. In 1880, Dr. Willson was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie C. Chase, of Carthage, Mo .; they have one daughter.
L. D. WILSON, attorney at law, is a native of Stark County, Ohio, and was born in Massillon Septem- ber 26, 1852. He received his education in that State, and spent two years in Western Reserve College and two years at Alliance College and entered Mount Union College, and graduated in 1872. After graduating, he accepted the position of Principal and Superintendent of Schools at Lexington, Sanilac County, and re- mained there three years. He studied law and graduated at the Columbia Law School in 1877. He came to Port Huron the same year, and was associated with Judge Mitchell in the practice of law until 1880. Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Emarette Waterbury, of Lexington, Sanilac Co., Mich., November 14, 1873. They have one son-John D.
OSCAR A. WILSON, of the firm of Huner & Wilson, dealers in fresh and salted meats, is a native of Oswego County, N. Y., and war born October 10, 1834. He grew up and attended school there and came to Port Huron in 1853. He worked at the harness trade three years, and was clerk in a grocery store three years. In 1862, he associated with Martin Huner and established their present business, and since then, for the past twenty years, they have successfully carried on the business here, and are the oldest and leading house in their line of business here. He has held the office of Collector, and was a member of the Board of the Board of Estimates two years. In 1857, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Fidelia Hogan, a native of Port Huron They have one daughter-Florence.
FRANK WOLFSTYN, dealer in groceries and provisions, is a native of Belgium, and was born October 29, 1848. He grew up and received his education there. He came to the United States with Rev. Father Van Lauwe, his uncle, in 1872, and came to Port Huron the same year. In 1880, he established his present busi- ness and has a good trade. He also sells articles of Catholic devotion for church purposes. He holds the position of leader of the choir of the Catholic Church here. He was united in marriage to Miss Katie Glea- son in this city October 13, 1879. They have one son-Edward W.
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