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 113

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

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 113

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JULIUS BELNAP, of the firm of Belnap & Phillips, brick manufacturers, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., November 20, 1836, and is a son of Jesse Belnap (deceased), a native of Oneida County, N. Y. Our subject came to.St. Clair in 1851, where he has since resided. He worked in the lumber woods, and at run- ning logs for twenty years. In 1871, he established a large brick yard in St. Clair, in company with Robert Scott and others, which has since become the property of himself and Edward Phillips. He was married in 1864 to Miss Adeline C. Scott, daughter of Robert Scott, of St. Clair ; they had three children, two of whom are living-Edna Marion and Nellie Maud.

FRED H. BLOOD, real estate and insurance agent, United States Inspector and Deputy Custom House officer, St. Clair City, was born in the beautiful little city of Burlington, Vt., March 10, 1825, and is a son of Nathan Blood, a native of New England, and a grandson of Nathaniel Blood, who came from England to America in an early day. Nathaniel Blood was a descendent of Col. Blood, who stole the King George's jew- elry. Our subject came with his father, his mother having died in 1832, to Medina, Ohio, in 1834, to live with his sister, Mrs. O. B. Reed, and to Newport, now Marine City, St. Clair Co., Mich., in 1836. He there worked at the house and ship joiner's trade during the summer seasons for several years, teaching school in the adjoining districts during the winters at $16 a month, and "boarded around." He then engaged in the mercantile business in Newport about six years. In the fall of 1854, he was elected to the office of Register of Deeds for St. Clair County, and the following December removed to St. Clair to take charge of the duties

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

of said office. This office he held until 1862. In 1866, he was again elected to the same office, and continued to hold it until 1871. He was Supervisor for six years, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for two years, and Mayor of St. Clair City for four years. Mr. Blood deals extensively in real estate, and is a Notary Public and conveyancer. He was married in 1848 to Miss Electa M. Hunton, by whom he had four children, viz., Helen C., now Mrs. Holland, of East Saginaw ; Olive, deceased ; Fred L., died in 1880, was a dentist in St. Clair ; and Jessie V., who disappeared suddenly one night in February, 1882. It is supposed that she was forcibly carried away, by a villainous party, to the far West. Mr. Blood is a Mason of the highest order, viz., a Sir Knight. Mrs. Blood is a consistent Christian, and a member of the M. E. Church.

CHARLES W. BLANCHARD, farmer, Section 23, P. O. St. Clair, is a son of Norman Blanchard and Hannah Hicks Blanchard. His mother was born in the city of Detroit. Charles was born in Wayne Coun- ty February 22, 1840, and came here with his parents during boyhood, and has lived here over a quarter of a century. Since reaching manhood has been engaged in farming, and owns a good farm of eighty acres. He has held the office of Town Clerk, and now is Justice of the Peace. In 1864, he married Miss Margaret Low, a native of this county : they have six children-Nina E., Francis J., Norman, Minnie, Alice and Gordon.

DR. ASA L. BLANCHARD, Medical Director at the St. Clair Mineral Springs, was born in Oakland County, Mich., October 14, 1847, and is a son of Worthy and Mary Blanchard, who were formerly citizens of New York State, and of French and English extraction respectively. At the age of sixteen the Doctor left his father's farm, and engaged in teaching district school and studying. He attended the normal school at Ypsilanti and the agricultural college at Lansing. He began reading medicine in 1874, while teaching in the Union School at Mackinaw. He graduated from the medical department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor in the class of 1878. The Doctor relied wholly upon his own resources during his entire course of study, and his leisure time was taken up in active work earning funds with which to defray his expenses. His first practice was in Midland City, Midland Co., Mich., where he remained for two years, when he sold out and came to visit friends in St. Clair. Soon after arriving here, business began to come to him, and he decided to locate in St. Clair. Hopkins Brothers, in 1881, proposed to engage him as Medical Director of the mineral springs, which he finally accepted in April, 1882, he retaining all his city practice as before, and ac- cordingly took up his quarters at the Oakland. The Doctor was married December 29, 1880, to Miss Julia Parsons, daughter of William Parsons, of China Township.

HENRY J. BRADBEER, proprietor of the City Hotel, was born in Cobourg, Ontario, August 2, 1834. Came to this county in 1865, and resided in Port Huron for fourteen years, where he was foreman in the paint shops of the Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1879, he went to Brockway, this county, and kept the Brock- way House until May, 1882, when he came to St. Clair and took charge of the City Hotel. This hotel con- tains thirty-six rooms, and first-class accommodations given; business is good and on the increase. Mr. Brad- beer was married November 5, 1862, to Miss Nellie Church, by whom he has five children-William, Duncan, Maud, Eava and Dollie.

PETER F. BRAKEMAN, deceased, was of German descent; his grandparents were from Hesse- Darmstadt, and at ten years of age he could speak no English; and was born in the town of Char- lotte. Otsego Co., N. Y., April 20, 1803. His parents removed the same year to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and his boyhood was spent there on his father's farm. Upon reaching manhood at the age twenty-one, he came to the Territory of Michigan, and reached Detroit with only 75 cents in his pockets. In July. 1824, he went to work in the harvest field on the farm of Gen. Cass. In the fall of the same year, he came up the river to this county to Point du Chien, now Algonac, and spent the winter on Harson's Island. Mrs. Samuel Russel and Abram Smith, old settlers and prominent citizens of this county, were pupils in his school. He went to Wadhams Mills the summer of 1826, and worked in the mills there for a short time, and then returned to Algonac, and engaged in teaching school in the winter of 1826-27; was clerk in the first store ever opened in that place; then sold goods for the firm on commission. He soon after became a partner in the business, and later bought his partner's interest, and owned and carried on the business himself. The firm established a store across the river at Moretown .* While living at Point du Chien, he was married on the 29th of May, 1832, to Miss Nancy Brown, of Cottrellville; she was born in Canada at Moretown, January 17, 1811, and was a daughter of William and Martha Thorn Brown. He was born in Detroit, 22d of June, 1784, and she was born in Detroit January 30, 1786 ; they were married in 1806, and soon after moved across the river to Canada and bought land of the Indians. During the war of 1812, the Indians carried off his cattle; they were very troublesome, and he took his family to Detroit in 1813, helped build the stockade in Fort Wayne County.

*The firm Mr. Brakeman clerked for was George H. Jasperson, from Denmark, and Peter F. Verhoeff, from Germany. After Mr. Brake- man became a partner in the firin. the store at Moretown was established. Messrs Jasperson and Verhoeff removing to Sandwich, Canada, Mr. Brakeman taking charge of the store at Moretown, and overseeing the business at Point Du Chien, Mr. Jacob G. Streit (one of the early residents ), clerking in the Point Du Chien store. After this Mr. Brakeman bought his partner's interest and carried on the business himself, Carried on a large trade with the Indians on Walpole Island, learning their language so he could converse with them quite fluently. He was a great favorite and friend of the Indians, at that time and during his life. At the time Mr. Brakeman taught school in Algonac, there was no school laws. no school directors. Mr. Ira Marks and John K. Smith, Esq. (old residents and old-time friends of Mr. Brakeman, long since passed away ) hired him and became responsible for the pay, which was $50 for four months. The school was taught in part of the house of William Case, his family living in the other part, Mrs. Case attending school part of the time, There are now living in the vicinity of Algonac, besides Mr. Abram Smith and Mrs. S. Russel, Mr. William T. Marks, Mr. Ira Marks and Mr. E. G. Marks. who were his pupils, also Mr. Angus Smith, of Milwaukee; Capt. A. G. Peer, of Port Austin, Huron Co., Mich., all belonging to old families of St. Clair County. Mr. Brakeman was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the -econd Division, Fourth Brigade, Fifth Regiment Michigan Militia, by Stevens T. Mason, Governor of Michigan Territory, April 22, 1835. Was Justice of the Peace at Cottrellville, and Township Clerk at Algonac. While residing at Port Huron, between the years 1840-47, was Superintendent of the Poor, at the same time with John K. Smith, Esq., of Algonac, and Joseph H. Marsh, Esq., of St. Clair. He was very energetic, persevering and industrious man, but always found time to study, was very well posted in history, and well informed as to current events. His benevolence knew no bounds; many instances might be mentioned where he would deprive him- self of necessaries, to assist others, thinking their necessities were greater than his, when it was well known that his were equally as great as theirs. He was very honest, his word being as good as his bond. He subscribed liberally to getting up the first printing press in Port Huron. He was true to his family, a lover of peace, his country, and his God. Had a host of friends all through this section of country. He planted an apple orchard in every place where he resided, except Cottrellville. Mr. Brakeman had the contract of carrying the mail from Algonac to (the county seat ) now St. Clair, employed William T. Marks to carry it, then a young lad, is now residing at Algonac an old man. Mrs. Brakeman remembers very distinctly removing from Moretown in the time of war, and very many old time reminiscences and incidents that took place on the river St. Clair in an early day. which are very interesting to hear at this day. She is a grand-daughter of the late Capt. William Thorn, who died at Port Huron in 1842, also a niece of Maj. John Thorn, an old resident of Port Huron, who died there in 1851.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

They came up the river to this county in 1816, and settled in the town of Cottrellville, about one mile below Marine City, on the land now occupied by Charles H. Brown. His wife died in 1846, and he lived until December 26, 1874; four children survive-Mrs. Brakeman, James B., Martha J., now Mrs. Cole, of Wisconsin, and Charles H. After they were married, Mr. Brakeman continued in the mercantile business at Algonac until 1835, then moved up the river to Cottrellville and opened a store there, and was there one year; then removed to Port Huron in 1836, and built and owned the dock and warehouse, where Moffatt & Co., are now located. It was the first dock and warehouse built on the river at Port Huron. In the fall of 1837, he sold out and moved back to Cottrellville, and kept the hotel formerly kept by her father until April, 1840; then went to Port Huron on Military street, one mile south of bridge, and engaged in farming; bought stock and butchered; had the contract of supplying the soldiers at the fort, and remained there until November, 1847; then sold out to L. M. Mason, and removed to Willow Creek, Sanilac County, now Huron City, Huron Co., Lake Huron, and engaged in lumbering. Dr. John S. Heath, was a partner with him at the time. He and Mr. W. H. B. Dowling, built and owned a steam mill, one of the first steam mills on the lake shore between Sag- inaw and Lexington, and the business was very successful. His family remained there until October 14, 1853, he sold his interest spring of 1854, and returned to Port Huron again. Purchased property there; in the spring of 1855, he bought the farm on the river in the town of St. Clair where Mrs. Brakeman now lives. He held various offices; was Justice of the Peace in Willow Creek, Sanilac County, and was also Justice and Supervisor at Port Huron. He was an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From early manhood he gave liberally to all churches. He died November 13, 1874; he left an estate of over 200 acres of land; left valuable property on Huron avenue, Port Huron, which he had owned and rented for over twenty years; after having given farms to his sons. Five children survive, two sons and three daughters-John W. and Charles W., living in this town; Elizabeth J., now Mrs. Rev. J. S. Sutton, of St. Clair City ; Anna and Hannah, residing at Pine Grove Place, Brakeman Homestead.

OLIVER BRANDT, farmer, Section 23, P. O. St. Clair, is a native of Albany County, N. Y., and was born December 11, 1820. He grew up to manhood in that State, and in December, 1845, came to St. Clair and went to work in the saw mill. The following summer he went back to New York State, in the fall he returned here; for eight years he worked at lumbering here winters, and went back home to New York in the spring; then came here and settled permanently. In 1845, he bought the land, forty acres, where his house stands, and cleared it during the summer, and lumbered winters, and since then has lived here and been engaged in farming and lumbering; owns a farm of eighty acres. He married Miss Thurza Hughes, a native of Essex County, N. Y. They have one daughter-Lettie J., now Mrs. Belnapp, living in the town of China.

JOHN BRIGGEMAN, farmer, Section 21, P. O. St. Clair, is a native of Germany, and was born July 25, 1818. He grew up to manhood there, and emigrated to the United States in 1847, and lived in Ohio five years. In 1851, he came to this county and bought the land where he now lives of William Barron, and the following year came and settled here; he built a log house and began clearing the land and made his farm, and since then for the past thirty years has resided here, and has been successfully engaged in farming. He owns a good farm of ninety-three acres, and also owns 100 acres elsewhere. In 1851, he married Miss Dora Mechlenberg; she died March 14, 1882, leaving six children -- Mary, John, Henry, William, Louise and Fred.

CAPT. GEORGE W. BROWN, farmer, Section 17, P. O. Rattle Run, is a native of New York State, and was born in Herkimer County November 2, 1827. When fourteen years of age he began sailing on the schooner " Wave." In 1847, he took command of the schooner "Baltic," then the schooner "Missouri," and the "S. Robinson," and afterward had command of the barques "White Cloud" and the "W.G. Grant." He sailed master for thirteen years, and except one year was with one company in the Buffalo and Chicago trade until 1860, when he quit sailing. He came to this county in 1857, and the following year bought the place where he now lives, and since then has resided here and engaged in farming; owns 200 acres of land. Capt. Brown married Miss Eleanor B. Spencer, of Jefferson County, N. Y .; she died in May, 1867, leaving two children- Althea J., now Mrs. Stone; Eba E., married and living in this town.

JEROME T. BROWN, deceased, was born in town of Bath, N. H., July 21, 1833. He.came to St. Clair in 1853, and was in the employ of William B. Barron, of this place for ten years; afterward he clerked in a drug store, and later engaged in this business for himself. He was married in October, 1870, to Miss Minnie L. Huse, by whom he had one child. By his sterling, kindly qualities he won many friends in St. Clair. He was a Mason of the order Sir Knights. He died April 9, 1879, loved by all who knew him.

GEN. SIMEON B. BROWN, was born in Bridgewater, Grafton Co., N. H., March 1, 1812, and is a son of Lieut. Daniel Brown, officer in the war of 1812. He was educated in New Hampton Academy, New Hampshire, graduating from that institution in 1831. In 1833, he went to Burlington, Vt., where he clerked in Wood & Abbott's drug store for eight months, and then became a partner in the business. In 1835, he came to Detroit and engaged in the auction and commission business, in which he was very successful; but lost by paying security. In 1837, he went to Three Rivers, St. Joseph Co., Mich., and established a general store which he conducted two years, when he went to Goshen, Ind., remaining there until 1843, and then came to St. Clair, which he has made his home until the present time. He purchased a considerable amount of property, built the Brown Hotel and ran it for six years. It was the largest hotel north of Detroit at that time, he sold it in 1855 for $10,000. In 1862, Mr. Brown joined the Sixth Michigan Cavalry as Major. In 1863, he was promoted to Colonel of the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, and in 1864 as Brigadier General for meritorious services in the battle of Marion, where Maj. Gen. Breckenridge was defeated and driven into Richmond. At the same time the General assisted in capturing Saltville, Va. He also participated in the battles of Boonsboro, Hanover Court House, Hunterstown, Gettysburg, Wagerstown, Fallen Waters, Sales- burg, Marion and others, seventy-two in all. The General was always of a military turn of mind. He was Captain of a military company in Detroit in 1836. He was married in 1836, to Miss Ann Marie, daughter of Capt. Ben Woodworth, a brother of Samuel Woodworth, author of the "Old Oaken Bucket." Mrs. Brown

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

died in 1867, and in December, 1869, he married Mrs. Harriet H. Dickey, daughter of Benjamin Shotwell. They have one child-Gracie C., aged eleven years. Mrs. Brown had one daughter by her first husband; Mary A. Dickey, now a prominent teacher in the St. Clair schools, and a skillful pianist.

EDWARD CANAN, Justice of the Peace, general collecting agent and attorney, office over Currier's drug store, was born in St. Clair December 24, 1845, and is a son of John Canan, a native of Detroit, and now resides in St. Clair. Our subject was reared and educated in St. Clair, he engaged in lumbering for several years. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1881, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of D. D. O'Dell, and re-elected in the spring of 1882, for four years. Mr. Canan has dealt extensively in real estate, and is now doing a large business in that line. He was married November 27, 1870, to Miss Ellen M. Smith, a daughter of Truman Smith, of Marysville, this county. They have four children-Clarence E., Lulu A., Arthur G. and Eddie B.

JOHN CANAN, father of Justice Canan, of St. Clair, was born near Dublin, Ireland, May 10, 1822. He came with his parents to New York City, when an infant, in the fall of 1822. The family removed to Detroit, where, at the age of five years, he was left without father or mother, sister or brother. He was then bound to John F. Bassett of St. Clair. Bassett was a sailor and was drowned when Mr. Canan was but twelve years old; he then went to work for $4 a month. In 1839, he went into a saw mill at $15 a month. After following this three years, he engaged in lumbering; he has been a very extensive lumber dealer; he was mar- ried May 12. 1844, to Sarah Ostrander. They had ten children, of whom four boys and three girls are living.

EDMUND E. CARLETON, retired farmer, was born in Bath, Grafton Co., N. H .. April 9, 1808, and is a son of Peter Carleton, also a native of New Hampshire. Mr. Carleton came to Western New York, in 1829; at the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to a tanner and currier, serving his apprenticeship for seven years, with his uncle, Edmund Carleton; he worked at his trade for a few years before coming West, and also after- ward; he came to St. Clair County in 1830, and has since made it his home; he settled in China Township, on United States Government land, and made shingles to pay for same. In those days the Indians and wild ani- mals were numerous. Mr. Carleton began in life with a capital of two hands and a willing mind, and has accumulated a competency; he and another man did the first currying in the first currying shop in St. Clair. He also worked in the tanyard of Carlysle in Port Huron for some time. Being naturally of an ingenious. turn of mind, he became a millwright without instructions, and built some mills. He was married December 25, 1839, to Miss Elizabeth Baird, daughter of James Baird, deceased. She was born near Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Carleton moved into St. Clair City in 1873, and has retired from active life; he was Supervisor one year in China Township, and was Justice for that township for four years, besides other offices of trust. Was Su- pervisor of First Ward in St. Clair one year.

GEORGE A. CARLETON- was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., September 9, 1841 ; he came to this county with his parents in 1842, and settled in China Township. In 1854, they came to St. Clair, where our subject has since resided. He was married September 8, 1853, to Miss Kesiah House, a native of Canada, and a daughter of Isaac B. House. They had one son, William Wallace, who died October 30, 1877, at the age of twelve years. Mr. Carleton was Under Sheriff of St. Clair County for two years, City Treasurer two years, and was the first City Marshal elected under the new St. Clair city charter, which office he held for two years. He has been engaged in the draying business for the past seven years. He is a member of the Mason- ic fraternity. Mr. Carleton's father, Moses R. Carleton, was born in New Hampshire September 20, 1809 ; re- moved to this county in 1842. He married Lydia Angel, by whom he had seven boys and three girls, of whom six boys and three girls are living. He died in St. Clair, August 9, 1854.

PALMER S. CARLETON, farmer, Private Claim 307, P. O. St. Clair, is a native of New York State, and was born November 29, 1830, in Rensselaer County, then town of Hoosic, near where the battle of Ben- nington was fought ; his parents, Sanford and Phebe Barker Carleton, were natives of that State. They re- moved to Washington County when he was seven years old, and he grew up and attended school there, and then engaged in teaching. He has five brothers and sisters, and all of them have been teachers. One sis- ter has taught over twenty years. Mr. Carleton came to this county in 1866, and located where he now lives and engaged in farming. He owns 231 acres of land, and his farm adjoins the city limits of St. Clair. He has been actively identified with the interests of the town and county. In 1869, was elected Supervisor, and since then, with the exception of one year, when he was County Assessor, has held the office for the past thirteen years, and was three times chosen Chairman of the Board. In 1878, was appointed Delegate from this county on the State Board of Equalization. He was elected Representative to the State Legislature, and served the sessions of 1879 and 1880. Mr. Carleton was married January 5, 1864, to Miss Carrie M. Safford, a native of Vermont. Her father's farm was situated in two States, three counties, and in four townships, and the land was all together, and is now occupied by the fourth generation.

GEORGE W. CARLTON, farmer, Private Claim 255, P. O. St. Clair, is a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was born March 23, 1827 ; he grew up and attended school in Washington County. After reaching manhood, in 1851, he came to this county and settled at St. Clair and engaged in lumbering, and continued in that business until 1870, when he bought the farm where he now lives, which contains 300 acres fronting on the St. Clair River, one of the finest locations in the county, and since then has been engaged in farming. Mr. Carlton has been actively identified with the interests of the town and county for many years. He was President of the village of St. Clair when it was incorporated, and also served as Village Treasurer and Al- derman ; he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and served as Superintendent and Inspector of Schools. In 1857, he married Miss Emeline P. Smith, a native of Massachusetts, and sister of Eugene Smith, of St. Clair ; Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have four children-Charles H., Jennie F., Eugene M. and Helen O.

EDWARD CHAFFEE, farmer, Section 10, P. O. St. Clair, is a native of Michigan ; he was born Febru- ary 7, 1841, in Oakland County. His parents, Alpha and Apha Kelch Chaffee, came to St. Clair about the year 1841, and soon afterward settled on this land, which was then a wilderness. Alpha Chaffee cleared the land, made the farm, and was engaged in farming and lumbering till his death, November 21, 1873. He was

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

the father of eleven children as follows, nine of whom survived him : Alpha Rinaldo, born April 6, 1824 ; Philip A., born February 22, 1826 ; Nancy M., born April 2, 1828 ; Wilder S., born May 15, 1830; Mary N., born March 20, 1832, died April 21, 1866 ; James M., born February 18, 1834; John A .. born December 20, 1835 ; Amasa M., born July 21, 1837 ; Edward N., born February 7, 1841 ; Sarah, born April 4, 1843 ; and Em- ily I., born March 31, 1846, and died January 3, 1873 ; Edward, who now owns and lives on the old home- stead, grew up in this county, and since reaching manhood has been engaged in lumbering and farming. During the war of 1861-65, he served in the army in the Construction Corps until the close of the war. His grandfather, Alpha Chaffee, fought in the war of 1812 against the British, and lived to see the victory and triumph of the American cause. His father, Alpha Chaffee, was born August 2, 1800, in the State of New York ; and his mother, who is still living with him on the old homestead, was born November 22, 1804. When Mr. Chaffee's father moved to St. Clair County, the first house the family lived in was a log one, the brick for the chimney and oven having been rowed up Pine River in a canoe. Game was very abundant. To see from fifteen to twenty deer was not uncommon. But now they, like the red man, have gone, and cultivated fields have taken place of the forests, and neat frame farmhouses the place of the rude log hut or the wigwam of the Indian.

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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 113

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818