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 120

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 120

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FRED. C. BLOOD, Deputy Collector of Customs, is a son of Hon. Calvin A. and Alice Wilkins Blood, and was born at Marine City March 16, 1856. After attending school here he entered his father's store, and since then has been with the firm of Blood & Hart. In 1879, upon the resignation of his father, he was ap- pointed Deputy Collector of Customs, and since then has held that position. In 1876, Mr. Blood married Miss Maggie McElroy, of this place. She died in 1877, leaving one daughter-Maggie. In January, 1882, he mar- ried Miss Frances Robertson, a native of this county. They have one son-Clarence.

AUGUSTUS BREUER, tanner, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Prussia, Ger- many, July 10, 1828. He emigrated to this country in 1853, and came to Detroit. Lived there one year, and then went to New Baltimore and remained there eleven years. In 1866, he came to Marine City. The fol- lowing year he engaged in the tanning business, and since then, for the past seventeen years, has success- fully carried on the business here. In 1862, he married Miss Johanna Brosius. She is also a native of Prus- sia, Germany. Francis Breuer, who is interested with his brother in business, was born in Prussia August 25, 1836. He came to this country in 1854, and came to this State and lived in New Baltimore until 1866; then came to Marine City, and since then has been engaged with his brother in the tanning business here. In 1864. he married Annie Felgenhauer, a native of Germany. They have two children-Augustus and Clara.

JOHN J. BRITZ, farmer, Section 16, P. O. Marine City, is a native of Germany, and was born in Prus- sia December 15, 1820. He emigrated to this country in 1847, and came to this county the same year, and settled on the river just below Marine City, bought land and lived there five years. He then bought eighty acres here and cleared it and made his farm, and since then has lived here engaged in farming. He owns 120 acres

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

of land. In 1846, he married Mary Christina Secken. She was born in Prussia. They have eight sons and one daughter-Jacob, Mathew, Louis, Joseph, Michael, August, Peter, John and Mary E.

CHARLES H. BROWN, farmer, Private Claim 308, P. O. Marine City, is a son of William and Martha (Thorn) Brown. He was born in Detroit June 22, 1784, and she was born in the town of. Cottrellville January 30, 1786. They were married in 1806, and soon after moved to Canada, bought land of the Indians, and settled in the town of Moore. When Proctor issued his proclamation that all living in Canada must take the oath of alle- giance, he and his brother came to Wayne County and helped build the stockade and fort; then went to Macomb County and worked the Clemens Farm, where Mt. Clemens is now located. Was there one year. He then came to this county, and bought a farm one mile below Marine City, and moved there in April, 1816. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county. Uncle Billy Brown was well known all along the river, and was noted for his hospitality. His wife died November 10, 1846, and he died December 26, 1874, at the age of ninety years, leaving four children. Charles H., the youngest of nine children, was born in this town on the farm where he now lives February 20, 1826. His boyhood was spent on the farm, and, except a few sea- sons sailing, he has been engaged in farming. He owns the homestead farm on the river, and has lived here fifty-seven years. He held the office of Deputy Sheriff three terms. He was married April 25, 1848, to Miss Eleanor McGregor. She is a native of Vermont. Her parents came to this county in 1840.

JAMES D. BROWN, a farmer near Marine, was born in Canada March 28. 1813. His parents were William and Martha Thorn Brown. His father was born in Detroit June 22, 1784, and his mother was a native of the town of Cottrellville, and was born one year later. They were married in 1806, and soon after moved across the river into Canada and bought land of the Indians, and settled in what is now the town of Moore. They remained there until Gen. Proctor issued his proclamation, requiring all settlers to take the oath of allegiance to the laws of Great Britain, when he and his two brothers-in-law moved away to Wayne County in this State, and he helped build the stockade fort. He then moved to Macomb County and worked the farm of Judge Clemens, where Mt. Clemens is now located, for one year. The following year he bought land one mile below Marine City, and removed there in April, 1816, and was about the first settler on the river in this county. His wife died in 1846, and he lived on the place where he first settled until his death, which occurred December 26, 1874. Four children survive them-Mrs. Nancy Brakeman, James D. Brown, Mrs. Martha J. Cole and Charles H. Brown, all living in this county, except Mrs. Cole, who lives in Wisconsin. James D., the eldest son, came with his parents to this county when only three years of age. During his early boyhood, his companions were mostly French and Indian boys. He used to carry his bow and arrows, and was as skillful in their use as his Indian comrades. He acquired the Indian and French lan- guages, and is still familiar with both. When only fifteen years of age, he went to the Au Sable as inter- preter; was there seven months, and while there, by acts of kindness, secured the favor of the wife of the In- dian chief. She offered and insisted that he should take her sister for a wife, He did not fully appreciate the kind offer and so declined it. In 1855, he bought the land where he now lives, cleared it and made it his home, and since then has resided here. He has seen 3,000 Indians pass his farm on the river in one day. He saw the first steamboat that passed up the river St. Clair-the Walk-in-the-Water. Mr. Brown was educated a Democrat; he has never missed an election or a town meeting. He held the office of Deputy Collector of Customs four years, under Polk's administration, and has held county and township offices. In 1835, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Emily Hutchins, a native of Ohio. She died in 1850. Four children survive- Harriet, now Mrs. Mitchell; William H. Brown, Captain on the lakes; Charles T. Brown, Captain on the lakes, living in Muskegon; Martin V., merchant in Marine City. Mr. Brown's present wife is Ellen McAuly, a native of Scotland. Mr. Brown never drank a glass of ardent spirits in his life, very seldom a glass of beer; nor does he drink tea or coffee, but cold water with his food.

MARTIN V. BROWN, dealer in groceries, provisions, crockery, and glass ware, is a son of James D. Brown, one of the oldest living settlers in St. Clair County, and was born on his father's farm, adjoining this village, August 11, 1844. Was brought up and attended school here, and after reaching manhood en- gaged in sailing and farming for some years. In the spring of 1881, he established his present business, and has built up a good trade. In 1870, he married Miss Mary J. Hawthorne, of Oakland County, Mich. They have three children-Cora. Eddie and Arthur.

CAPTAIN WM. H. BROWN, is a son of James D. Brown, one of the oldest living settlers of the county. He was born only half a mile below town, February 12th, 1838. Upon reaching manhood, began sailing, in 1858, on the scow Forest. In 1864, sailed master of the steamer Susan Ward. He has sailed the steam barge Selina and the Michael Groh, propeller Evergreen City, the Lake Breeze, the Dunlap and the P. H. Birkhead, the Cleveland, Porter Chamberlain and C. H. Green. In 1861, he married Miss Celestia A. Bennett, a native of Marine City. They have five children-Florence M., Charles H., Hattie A., Bertha C. and William C.

TRUMAN E. BUTLER, farmer, Section 20, P. O. Starville, is a son of E. H. Butler and Lucy E. War- ner, and was born in the State of Vermont July 8, 1832. He came with his parents to this county in 1844. He worked in the mills until he was twenty-three years old, and since then engaged in farming and owns sixty-six acres of land. Has held the office of Deputy Sheriff, Commissioner of Highways, and has held various school offices for many years. Is now Justice of the Peace. In 1854, he married Miss Sarah Greene, a native of the town of China. They have six children-George A., Warren H., Arthur T., Merlin J., Annie, Ada.

MRS. LUCY WARNER BUTLER, Section 20, P. O. Starville, whose maiden name was Warner, is a native of Vermont. She was married July 8, 1832, to E. H. Butler, a native of that State. They came to Michigan in 1844, and settled in this county at Marine City, lived there three years; then bought the land where Mrs. Butler now lives, and came out here and cleared it and made his farm and engaged in farming. He was also engaged in selling trees, and was agent of insurance companies. Held the office of Justice of the Peace. He lived here until his death, April 14, 1877. He left six children-Truman E., living in this town; Reuben W., also living in this town; Lucy A., now Mrs. Marks; Edwin F., living in Detroit; Jed B., Carsonville; Harri- son H., at home.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

HENRY BUTTIRONI (deceased), was born in Germany November 25, 1834. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, came to Michigan and lived two years in Detroit and came to Marine City 1854, and be- gan working at his trade-tailor. In 1856 he married Miss Catharine Hager. She was born in Germany. Mr. Buttironi engaged in business of merchant tailor, and afterward added boots and shoes, and then a stock of general merchandise, and was successfully engaged in business here for many years. Was interested in boat building and vessel property until his death, which occurred December 10, 1880, leaving a large estate. Four children survive-Emma (now Mrs. H. C. Cottrell), Henry (merchant), Willie (at home), Katie (at home). Henry, the oldest son, carries on the business established by his father and has a large trade. He holds the office of Treasurer of the village. Was elected October 20, 1882.

E. M. CLARK, book-keeper, Marine City Stave Company, is a native of Middletown, Conn., and was born November 29th, 1831. After attending school there he went to Hartford, and while living there was an intimate friend and room-mate of United States Senator Hawley. After reaching manhood he came West to Detroit, in 1853, and was a resident of that city twenty-four years, and while living there he was among those who signed the call and organized the Republican party in this State. In 1877, he went to Marine City and entered the employ of the Marine City Stave Company, and since then has held the position of book-keeper. He has held the office of Township Superintendent and is now Chairman of the Board of School Inspectors, and Treasurer of the village of Marine City. In 1857, Mr. Clark married Miss Mary Barnard, daughter of Deacon S. S. Barnard, a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., and one of the early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children-Jennie H., George B., Willis S. and Hattie W.

CHARLES D. COTTRELL, farmer, Private Claim No. 86, P. O. Marine City, is a son of David and Catherine (Lozen) Cottrell. He was born on this farm April 13, 1797, and she was born in Detroit. He was a prominent man of this county and was appointed Treasurer of the county by Gov. Cass in 1821. He was also Associate Judge and held other important offices. He died in 1869, and his wife died March 22, 1871. Charles David, the oldest of the four children living, was born on this farm, December 6, 1821. His boy- hood was spent here. Upon reaching manhood he began sailing with Capt E. B. Ward on the Huron, and the next year on the schooner Vermont, He was master of the propeller Detroit, tug, James E. Eagle, sail- ing master of the propeller Princeton, and others. He was on the lakes for twenty-five years and sailed as mate, pilot and master. He owns good farms on the river where he resides, a short distance from Marine City. He was married January 7, 1851 to Miss Eliza Lablanc, a native of Canada. They have six children- Frank (on the lakes), George (sailing). Catharine, Florence, Annie and Clement.

DANIEL COTTRELL, farmer, Private Claim 86, P. O. Marine City, is a son of David and Catharine (Lozen) Cottrell. He was born in this town on this farm April 13, 1797. She was born in Detroit; they were married February 14, 1820. He was prominently identified with the interests of the county. He was ap- pointed Treasurer of the county by Gov. Cass May 12, 1821; was appointed Ensign Militia of the Territory May 23, 1819, and was appointed Lieutenant of Militia, May 3d, 1822. He was Supervisor for many years and Justice of the Peace, and was also Associate Judge. He died in 1869, and his wife died March 22, 1871. There are four children living-Charles D., Daniel D., John F., Mary E. (now Mrs. Stanley). Daniel D., the second oldest son living, was born August 4, 1826. He was brought up and has always lived here except two years spent in Bay City. Since manhood, he has been engaged in farming. He owns a good farm of 106 acres on the river. In 1872, he married Miss Eliza Ann Borroughs, a native of Canada. Has five children- David D .. J. Bernard, Francis D., Nellie E. and Mabel.

CAPTAIN GEORGE H. COTTRELL, farmer, Section 1, P. O. Marine City, is a native of this county, and was born two miles below this town, November 25, 1816. He is the oldest son of George and Archangel Cottrell, who were among the earliest white settlers here on the river. His father was born in Detroit and came to this county about the year 1810 and located about two miles below here; built a store and engaged in trading. He built a fort around his store and hired some Frenchmen to help him guard it from the Indians. He died in 1847. His widow still survives him and is now living here; eighty-nine years of age. Capt. Cot- trell was the oldest son of his parents. He began sailing in 1836 on the old schooner St. Clair; a few years later he sailed master of the steamer Huron. Afterward sailed master of propellers "Montgomery," Sam Ward," "Forest Queen" and many others. Sailed master twenty-nine years and remained in the marine ser- vice until 1870, and since then has lived on his farm adjoining the village corporation. He was elected and served as member of the Board of Supervisors. In 1839, Captain Cottrell married Miss Submit Ward, a na- tive of New York State. They have four children-Eber W. (living in Detroit), Josephine (now Mrs. Robi- son), Maryette (now Mrs. Bell). Joseph (master propeller).

CAPT. JOSEPH P. COTTRELL, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born here April 12, 1852. His father, Capt. George Cottrell, was also born here. His mother, Submit Ward Cottrell, is a native of New York State: they are now living here and are old and honored settlers of this county. Capt. Joseph Cottrell began sailing when fifteen years of age on the steamer Marine City and has for the past fifteen years been in the marine service. In 1877, he sailed master of the steam barge D. W. Powers; has also sailed master of the steamer "Morely" and the "Russell Sage," and the past year sailed master of the propeller "John M. Osborne." Capt. Cottrell was married January 25, 1832, to Miss Janet Paton, of Almont, Mich. They have one son- Colton A.

RICHARD COTTRELL, farmer, Private Claim 187. P. O. Marine City, is a son of George Cottrell and Archangel Minnie Cottrell. She was born on the river; he was born in Detroit. His father came up on the river to this county about the year 1786. The Cottrell family were the earliest settlers on the river and their descendants are the oldest settlers now living here. Richard Cottrell was born in this town, on the farm where he now lives, July 23, 1827. He was brought up here, and since reaching manhood, except a few sea- sons on the lakes, he has been engaged in farming. He has a good farm on the river near town. He has held school offices for many years. Mr. Cottrell was married November 11, 1850, to Miss Lydia Newstead, a native of England. They have seven children-Richard A. (captain on the lakes), Mary (now Mrs. McDon- ald), Sarah (now Mrs. Van Renselaer), Walter, Sherman C., James, Jennie.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

WILLIAM A. COTTRELL, farmer. Private Claim 86, P. O. Marine City, is a son of Henry and Mary (Campau) Cottrell. She was born in Detroit and he was born here on the river. William is a native of this county, and was born on the farm where he now lives, July 6, 1823, was brought up here; sailed on the lakes for some years, and for several years was engaged in trading on Mackinac Island. Since 1854, has lived on this farm and engaged in farming. He has held the office of Town Treasurer, Justice of the Peace and has served on School Board. In 1854, he married Miss Betsey Turk, a native of Oswego County, N. Y. They have eight children-Mary L., Della (now Mrs. Charles Kuhn), Willie E., Virginia, Frederick, Lillian, Robert H., Susan.

GIBBONS S. DONOHUE, general merchant, is a native of Virginia, and was born February 22, 1822. His parents came to this State in 1836, and settled in this county in the town of China. He grew up on the farm and after reaching manhood engaged in farming, and followed that occupation until 1869, when he came to town and engaged in mercantile business, and since then has been established here. He has held the office of Village Trustee two terms. In 1851, he married Mary Foote, of Grand Rapids, Mich. She died in 1859 and left two children-Emma and John. In 1869, he married Mary A. Love, of this county ; she died 1874. He married his present wife, Mary Mayhue, in July, 1880. She is a native of Silver Creek, New York State.

JOHN J. DRAWE, merchant tailor, is a native of Michigan, and was born in the city of Detroit on June 21, 1856. His father, William Drawe. was born in Westphalia, Germany, and emigrated to this country and came to Detroit and then to Marine City in 1856, and began working at his trade-tailoring. He soon after started business for himself and carried on the business of merchant tailor until 1880. John J., who succeeded to his father's business, learned his trade in the city of Chicago in 1875; then returned here, and since 1880, has successfully carried on the business here and has a good trade. In 1878, he married Miss Augustina Kuhn, a native of this place. They have three children-Abbie, Georgie and May.

ROBERT P. DURLING was born in Sussex County, N. J., on the 11th day of November, 1813, and is now over sixty-eight years of age. By trade he is a miller and master of his trade. He served as Constable and Deputy Sheriff in his native county from 1840 to 1848, and was considered a very efficient officer. In the year 1850, he came to Michigan, stopping at Detroit one year. He then went to Romeo and was engaged in buying wheat for Stevenson & Groover, and at the same time he served as Town Constable. . In 1854, he moved to his present home, Marine City (then called Newport), and has lived here ever since. Hardly a year has passed since he took up his residence in this place but that we find him holding either the office of Constable, Vil- lage Marshal or Deputy Sheriff, being elected or appointed without regard to his political affiliation. He has always been a Democrat. While holding the offices of Constable and Village Marshal in the year of 1877, he captured a gang of river pirates which infested the shore from Port Huron to Detroit, stealing from ware- houses, boats and dwellings. They were a desperate gang, shrewd and daring. The amount of their thefts ran up into the thousands. Officers and citizens were afraid to hunt them out, but Mr. Durling, with that determination that always characterized him in the performance of his duties as peace officer, followed them to their lair on the St. Clair Flats, surrounded them, bagged his game and broke up a gang of thieves that had become a terror to the people of the river. Mr. Durling served as Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Hayes and Dunphy, during their terms of office, and won the golden opinions of his superiors as well as of the citizens. While in the milling business he rented the Wallhouse mill, west of Port Huron, but was burned out and lost over fifteen hundred dollars.

CAPT. R. J. GORDON is a native of England, and was born December 4, 1834. His parents came to this country during his infancy and settled on the Canada border on the shore of Lake Erie. Capt. Gordon began sailing when fourteen years old on the schooner "Susan Ann." In 1861, sailed master of the steamer "Sea Gull.""He built and owned her and established a ferry, the first steam ferry and the only one from Marine City across the river to Canada, and was the first boat on the route from Algonac to Port Huron. He then built the River Queen, and owned interest in steamer Carrie H. Blood, and sailed master of her ten years, and is now part owner and master of the steamer R. J. Gordon. He has been in the marine service over thirty years. In 1853, Capt. Gordon married Miss Elizabeth Quinn, a native of Ireland. They have two daughters-Celia and Celestia. Celia is married and is now Mrs. Beach. They have lost one son -James H.

REV. JOHN GRAENING, pastor of the German Lutheran Church. is a native of Germany, and was born June 7, 1846. He came with his parents to this country when only eight years old and the following year went to the State of Iowa and attended school there and received his theological education in that State and was ordained June 22, 1868. He came here the same year and assumed charge of his present pastorate, and since then, for the past fifteen years, has labored acceptably and successfully here. He was married Septem- ber 23, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Bitter, a native of Amsterdam, Holland. They have four children-Henry, Sophia, Elizabeth and Emma.

CAPT. JAMES P. HARROW, Private Claim 200, P. O. Algonac, is a son of George Harrow and Lucretia Peer. He was born in this town, and she is a native of Canada, and came with her parents to this county in childhood. Capt. Harrow is a native of this county, and was born in the town January 23, 1839. His boyhood was spent here. He began sailing in 1857 ; he sailed as Captain of the United, and afterward sailed and built the Young America ; built the barge Jennie and sailed as master of her. Rebuilt the schooner R. G. Gibbs and sailed her. He is now master of the large schooner Nelson Bloom, and owns a controlling interest in her. He has sailed the most of the time for the past twenty-five years. He owns the farm where he lives on the river. He has held the office of Supervisor and Commissioner of Highways. He was married March 20, 1867, to Miss Marcia J. Lyons, a native of Canada. They have three children-Herbert Stephen, William A. and Grace Maud.

FRANK HART, of the firm of Blood & Hart, general merchants, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in this town December 4, 1843. His father, Daniel F. Hart, was a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and came to this county in 1832, and was among the early settlers here. In 1837, he married Miss Betsy Pres-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

ton, who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y. He took up land when this was a wilderness, cleared it and made his farm, and lived there until 1878. His wife died August 15, 1867, and he died February 13, 1881, leaving three children-Edwin H., Frank and De Witt C. Frank grew up on the farm and sailed some until near his majority. In 1864, he went in the army, and served on the Construction Corps ; was discharged on account of sickness, and soon after entered the store of C. A. Blood. Two years later he became a partner in the business, and since then has had the management of the business of the firm, and Blood & Hart have always done a large trade. Mr. Hart served as Village Treasurer, and held other village and township offices. He married Miss Mary C. Blood September, 1872 ; she is a native of this town and daughter of Hon. C A. Blood ; Mr. and Mrs. Hart have one daughter-Carrie E.

CAPT. J. C. HAZEN is a native of Canada, and was born December 3, 1841. He began sailing when thirteen years of age. In 1863, he sailed master of the schooner Otter, then sailed the schooner Burchard and the Rust ; sailed master of the brig St. Joe two years, and the Driver three years; was master of the Charles Spademan and the Robert L. Fryer, and last year sailed the Selden Marvin ; he has been in the ma- rine service twenty-eight years. In 1864, he married Miss Helen McCann, a native of this place ; they have two children-Jesse and Mary R .; they have lost two children-Edward and Frankie.

JOHN J. HILL, of the firm of Morley & Hill, ship-builders, is a native of Wayne County, N. Y., and was born at Sodus Point March 11, 1843. During his early boyhood he attended school, and at the age of fifteen went in the ship yard and served three years' time. The first vessel he built was the John J. Hill, at Pultneyville, N. Y. Together with Capt. Morley, he rebuilt the Grace Sherwood. During the war, he was in the ship yards in Cleveland, Toledo and Chicago, and came from Chicago to Marine City in 1869 ; asso- ciated with Capt. Morley, and engaged in ship-building. They have constructed, under Mr. Hill's supervision, the schooner C. N. Johnson, steam barges D. W. Powers, Robert Holland, steamer Planet, the Garvis Lord, the double decker steamer Minneapolis, steam barge Abercorn, double deck steamer N. K. Fairbank, river steamer New Baltimore, the steamer Northerner and the Morley, double deck steamer A. G. Hopkins, steam barges J. Macy and the J. M. Osborne, and the river steamer Mary. Mr. Hill has had a large practical expe- rience in his profession, and the firm of Morley & Hill transact a large business. Mr. Hill married Miss Francis C. Durling, of Marine City ; she is a native of Romeo, this State; they have one daughter-Mabel Maud.

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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 120

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