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 121

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 121

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ROBERT HOLLAND, merchant and ship-builder, is a native of England, and was born February 15, 1831 ; he emigrated to this country in 1855 and located in Buffalo, where he lived four years and came to Ma- rine City in 1859 for E. B. Ward. and worked at trade of engineer and machinist ; in 1870, he engaged in mer- cantile business ; the firm was Holland & Co., who succeeded to the business originally established by E. B. Ward. Mr. Holland afterward purchased the interest of his partner, and succeeded the firm of Holland & Co., and since then has carried on the business alone. In 1865, he engaged in the vessel business, and since then has been extensively engaged in that business and in ship-building. He resides on the old Sam Ward place, and owns all the property, ship yards and docks belonging to that estate ; this farm is within the village corporation. He owns two other good farms in this county, and also owns several farms in Huron County, and other lands and town property. In 1855, he married Miss Lovania Brake, a native of England; they have five children-Charles D., Mary, Henry R., Ettie and Roland R. Mr. Holland has held the office of President of the Village Board, and has served six years on the Board, and has held other town and school offices.

E. P. HUNTOON, mason, is a native of Clinton County, N. Y., and was born December 9, 1825; upon reaching manhood, he came with his parents to this State in October, 1846, and settled at this place, then called Newport, and began working in saw-mill and lumber business ; afterward began working at his trade, and since then has followed his trade most of the time. He has held the office of Township Clerk for many years. In 1847, he married Miss Cordelia M. Wilkins, a native of Fairfax, Vt .; she came here with her par- ents in 1833 ; they have seven children-Dell, Consular Agent at Wallaceburg, Ontario ; Mary, now Mrs. Packard, St. Ignace ; Allie, now Mrs. Morrell, Brockway Center ; Ada, now Mrs. Pearce, living here ; Anna, teaching school here ; Charlie, Nellie, both at home.

WILLIAM JONES, Superintendent of the Marine City stave-mill, is a native of New York State, and was born in Onondaga County, August 30, 1826 ; he was brought up and lived there until 1858, when he came to this State and lived in New Baltimore County four years, and then went to East Saginaw and lived there three years, and from there came to Marine City, and for the past fifteen years has been with Mr. McElroy, and has held the position of Superintendent at the mill eight years. He has had a large practical experience in stave manufacturing, having been connected with it over thirty years. Was Village Trustee in 1881. In 1846, he married Miss Louise Bump, of Onondaga County, N. Y .; they have three children-Ida, Fred and Elmer.

GEORGE KOENIG, ship-builder, is a native of Germany, and was born July 18, 1836 ; he emigrated with his parents to this country in 1854, and came the same year to this county, and learned the trade of ship- carpenter, and worked at his trade until 1868, when he engaged in business for himself, and built the steam barge D. F. Rose, then built the C. L. Young and steamer George King, and owns one-fifth interest in each. Built the steamer Germania and the tug Ella H. Smith, and the steamship Kate Butterens ; also the schooner Teutonia, in which he owns a one-half interest, and built schooner Jackson, and is now completing one of the largest and best built steam barges ever constructed here. He owns his mill and other property here. He is a self made man, and owes his success to his own efforts. He has held town and school offices. In 1863, he married Miss Babetta Hach, a native of Germany ; they have six children-Fredrika, Babetta, The- odore, Catharine, Frederick and Christina.

CAPT. L. C. LARNED, farmer, Private Claim 204, P. O. Marine City, is a native of Oswego County, N. Y., and was born December 6, 1821. His parents died before he was three years of age; his father left quite a large estate, two saw mills and hardware store. When only ten years old, Capt. Larned went and lived

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with his uncle several years, and then went to Thunder Bay Island, and worked for a fisherman, and the next year he bought out the business and ran it two years. In 1838, he began sailing, built the little schooner "Two Brothers." He was successful in this venture; he invested his earnings in vessel property, and trans- acted a large business; he has owned twenty-two vessels, and built seventeen of them, and sailed them all. After sailing forty years, he sold out his vessel property. Capt. Larned was engaged in business in Sandusky, Ohio, became involved and failed for $160,000, but paid it all, dollar for dollar, and has also lost large amount in lumber trade. He has taken care of himself since a small boy, and is a self-made man. He owns two good farms. Bought the land where he now lives, when he could not loan money at three per cent, and has lived here since 1844. He was married June 10, 1844, to Miss Mary Minnie, a native of this town, and daughter of Joseph Minnie, one of the earliest settlers here. They have two children-Mary, now Mrs. Willette, Duluth, Minn., and Elva, now Mrs. Tobitz, Marine City.

CAPT. HARRY LAWRENCE is a native of Germany, and was born September 26, 1846. When fourteen years of age, he went to sea on the ship Union, and followed sailing for thirteen years. He came to this country in 1874, and since then has been engaged in sailing on the lakes, and for the past two seasons has sailed master of the bark Teutonia.

CAPT. JAMES LEITCH, is a native of Scotland, and was born June 2, 1826. He learned the trade of wood turning; upon reaching manhood, he came to the United States in 1848, and the following year came to this county and began working at his trade, and was engaged in wood turning until 1868, and that year built the steam barge William Cowie, and sailed her as master from 1870 until 1874. He built the steam barge Abercorn, and since 1874 has sailed master of her. He and his brother Robert and James Morrison own the "Cowie," the " Abercorn " and schooner "Maize " and "Lyman Casey." Capt. Leitch has been married three times; his first wife, Miss Ann Bishop, a native of Scotland, he married June 12, 1854; she died January, 1871, leaving four children-James, William, John and Jessie. He was married June 12, 1874, to Miss Mary Ann Livingston, of Jefferson County, N. Y .; she died November, 1880. He married Miss Ada Pritchard, his present wife, February 15, 1882; she is from Ogdensburg, N. Y., a native of Vermont. Capt. Leitch is not an office seeker, or office holder, but in 1855 he was elected School Collector, when they collected rates on the scholars. When the assessment roll was placed in his hands, the amount to be collected was $17; he immedi- ately paid it out of his own pocket, and never aspired to office again.

CAPT. ROBERT LEITCH is a native of Scotland, and was born May 23, 1834. He came to the United States in 1850, and came the same year to this State, and engaged in wood turning, and lived here and in Detroit for ten years. In 1860, he went to New York City and remained there until 1867; then returned here and went on the lakes as second engineer. Afterward was engineer, and since 1875 has sailed as master of the steam barge William Cowie, and is part owner of her. In 1870, he married Miss Sarah Jane Fowler. They have three children-James Fowler, William Ingle, Robert John.

ISAAC C. LESTER, ship-carpenter and boat-builder, is a native of New York State, and was born April 12, 1829, and came with his parents, who were early settlers in this county. He was brought up here and fol- lowed sailing for some years, and worked at his trade of ship-carpenter and boat-builder. Is also engaged in the grocery trade; he has lived here forty-nine years. In 1869, he married Miss Louise Root, a native of New York State. They have four children-May, Emma, Alma Belle and Florence E.

PHILANDER LESTER, ship-carpenter and foreman Lester ship yard, is a native of New York State. and was born September 18, 1825. His parents, Isaac and Achsa Stimpson Lester, came to this county in 1833, and settled on Belle River, and were among the early settlers there; he died in 1847, and she died in 1854. Philander was brought up and learned the trade of ship-carpenter, and since then for the past thirty years has followed that business. He has held the position of foreman for the past eighteen years. He has served as member of the Village Board. In 1847, he married Miss Pamelia Williams, a native of Canada. They have seven children-Lucinda, Marshall P., Albert J., Charles D., Frank S., Leonard A. and Clara A.

CAPT. THOMAS S. LESTER is a native of New York State, and was born October 3, 1830. His parents, Isaac and Achsa Stimpson Lester, came to this State in 1833, and the following year came to this county. Capt. Lester began sailing when only fifteen years old; the following year went as mate of the schooner "Aurora Borealis," and the next year, when only eighteen years old, sailed master. In 1851, sailed the scow "Tioga," and afterward sailed master of the " William Kelly," "Saginaw," the "Carrier" and the steam barge "Estabrook " and the propeller "Birkhead." He continued sailing until 1872; during the navigation season, he has charge of the tug and vessel interests of the T. & S. T. Co., at Saginaw, and is a stockholder in the company. In 1851, he married Miss Emma Depew, of the State of Ohio. They have six children, three sons and three daughters-Henry. Hubert, Curtis, Edith, Eva and Carrie. Lost one son, Willie.

CAPT. J. B. LOZEN is a native of St. Clair County, and was born at Marine City December 17, 1839. He began sailing when only thirteen years of age on the schooner "Meridian," and sailed seven years to Buffalo, Cleveland and Chatham. Before he was twenty-one, he built the scow "Margaret Allis;" owned and sailed her. Then sailed Captain of the scow "Brandywine." Built and owned the scow "Champion" and sailed her; built the " Lucinda Lawzen," then the fastest of her kind on the lakes, and also owned the scow "Rosa " and the "Rosa Ann." He is master of the steamer "City of New Baltimore," and is half owner, and owns one-third interest in the tow barge "Nelson Bloom." His success is owing to his own efforts. He had nothing when he began life. In 1851, Capt. Lozen married Miss Lucinda Winter, of Toronto, Canada. They have eight children-John, Minnie, Eugene, Margaret, Edward, Alexander, Thomas and Burton.

FRANK MCELROY, Secretary of the Marine City Stave Company, is a son of Hon. C. McElroy, and a native of St. Clair County, and was born November 13, 1854. He was brought up and attended school here and in Macomb County. After taking a business course at a commercial college, he entered his father's of- fice. In January, 1877, he was appointed Secretary of the Marine City Stave Company, and since then has. held that position. He has held the office of Township Treasurer two terms; also Village Treasurer; and at the recent election was elected a member of the Board of Trustees, and has held school offices.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

REV. JAMES MEDER, pastor Church of the Holy Cross, is a native of Alsace, near Strasbourg, France, and was born December.9, 1850. He received his literary education there, and came to this country in 1872; went to Cincinnati, where he pursued his theological studies for three years, and was ordained August 15, 1875, in Detroit. His first pastorate was at Port Austin, where he remained six years, and came to Marine City in December, 1881, and since then has presided here.

CAPT. ALFRED MITCHELL is a native of Lower Canada, and was born December 20, 1852. He be- gan sailing when only thirteen years of age, on the scow Norman. He was engineer of the Mary Pringle and was mate of her four years, and in 1880 went as master, and sailed her two years. In 1882, was mate of the W. H. Gratwick. In 1883, he will command the new steam barge Edward Smith, one of the largest and best ever built here. He owns an interest in her. In 1871, Capt. Mitchell married Miss Zoe Furtan, of Fair Haven, Lake St. Clair, daughter of Capt. Frank Furtan. They have six children-Alfred W., John D., Law- rence R., Ida May, Mary Gertrude and Sarah C.

CAPT. JOHN MITCHELL is a native of Clinton County, N. Y., and was born October 8, 1850. He be- gan sailing when only twelve years of age, on the steamer J. B. Smith. In 1869, he sailed master of the Evergreen; had command of her three years. Then for seven years he sailed as master of the Mary Pringle, and owned an interest in all of them. He then superintended the building of the William H. Gratwick, and for the past three years has sailed as master of her, and owns an interest in her. He owns one-quarter in- terest in a large and new steam barge just being completed-one of the best ever built on the river. Capt. Mitchell has been in the marine service twenty years. He married Miss Mary Rouvel, a native of this State, December 24, 1873. They have three children-Herbert W., Ralph D. and Mabel M.

CAPT. WILLIAM B. MORLEY, capitalist, is a native of New York State, and was born in Poultney- ville, Wayne County, January 18, 1832. He began sailing when only fourteen years of age, on schooner Eclipse, and three years later, when only nineteen years of age, was master of the Free Trader. He also sailed as master of several other sail and steam vessels. He continued in the marine service until 1868. Dur- ing that time, he was engaged in ship-building and fitting out new vessels. In 1869, he came to Marine City, and since then has resided there, and has been engaged in ship-building and investing in vessel interests. Capt. Morley has been identified with marine interests for one-third of a century. He has in his library a fine model of a ship, constructed by himself during his boyhood. He has a set of Scott Russel's Naval Archi- tecture, a rare work, there being besides only two other sets in the State. In his vessel interests, he has been connected with his brother, John J. Morley, of Rochester, N. Y., C. T. Morley, of Cleveland, Ohio, and M. H. Morley, of Sodus Point, during the past twenty-seven years. Capt. Morley has served as President of the village, and has held other town and school offices. He married Miss Abbie Payne, of Wayne County, N. Y., in January, 1855. She died in 1873, leaving three sons-H. Throop, William H. and Lawrence M. In 1877, he married Miss Elizabeth Preston, of Sodus Point, Wayne Co., N. Y. They have two children-Florence M. and Mary P.

L. B. PARKER, physician and surgeon, was born in Morse, Clinton Co., N. Y., July 19, 1818. When six years of age, his parents removed to Fairfax, Vt., where he attended the common schools until he was fif- teen years old; after which he engaged in teaching school, realizing enough to defray his expenses while at- tending the academy at St. Albans. In 1839, he began the study of medicine with Drs. Hall & Ballou, of St. Albans, and graduated at Castleton College in June, 1842. After practicing two and one-half years at Cam- bridge, Vt., Dr. Parker came West and located at Newport, now Marine City, where he still resides. Besides attending to quite an extensive practice, he has given considerable attention to politics. During the rebell- ion, Dr. Parker was known as a War Democrat. He was elected to the State Senate in the fall of 1862, and served during the sessions of 1863-64. He has also been engaged in lumbering, and is now the owner of some valuable vessel property. Dr. Parker was married July 6, 1852, to Miss Jane Sparrow, a lady of Eng- lish parentage, from Percy, Ontario. They have six children living-DeLos L., graduated at Ann Arbor Mich- igan University in 1881, and is now a member of the senior class of the medical department of that institu- tion; Frank S., now teaching school in California; Walter R., a cadet at Michigan Military Academy, Orchard Lake; Whitbeck G., attending High School at Marine City; Mary H .. now Mrs. Gen. L. W. Heath, of Grand Rapids; Jennie C., at home; Sophia E., died at eleven years of age, October 5, 1864.

MICHAEL REITER, salesman for Robert Holland, is a native of Germany, and was born in Bavaria August 31, 1832. He emigrated to the United States in 1857, and came to this county the same year. He worked in a saw-mill two years; then worked at Gallager's five years, and worked in ship yard four years. In 1870, he entered the store of Mr. Holland, and since then. for the past thirteen years, has remained with him, in practical charge of the business. In 1882, he opened a grocery and notion store on Water street. In 1864, he married Miss Hannah Daily, a native of Canada. They have five children-Jennie, Josephine, John, Andrew and Mary.

BENJAMIN ROBBINS, farmer, Private Claim 206, P. O. Marine City, is a native of England, and was born July 5, 1837. He emigrated to this country in 1855, and came to Detroit; lived there two years, and went to Huron County; lived there six years, and then came to this county. Worked in ship yard at Marine City, and engaged in the grocery trade there. In 1870, he bought the farm where he now lives, and since then has lived here and in Marine City. Owns 103 acres of land. He was married in July, 1873, to Miss Emma Lumby, a native of this town, and daughter of John and Helen Lumby. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have two children- Sophia and Bessie.

WILLIAM C. ROBERTS, of the firm of W. C. & W. S. Roberts, handle factory, Private Claim 318, Roberts' Landing, is a native of Connecticut, and was born October 8, 1840. His parents, Samuel Roberts and Mary A. Moore, removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1841, and the following year came to this county and settled in this town, at Roberts' Landing. He was clerk on Ward's boats, and sailed for six or eight years. He then engaged in the tug business, and was connected with that until 1868, when he and his sons established their present handle business. He died in 1883, and she died in 1880. William C. spent his early boyhood in

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

the town. At the age of sixteen he began sailing with his father, and afterward sailed as master of different vessels until 1867, when they established their manufacturing business, and since then has given his attention to the interests of the business here. They also have a store here. In 1878, they bought a flouring mill at Marine City, and carried on the business there until 1882, when the mill was destroyed by fire. They own 200 acres of land. He has held school offices. Mr. Roberts was united in marriage February 10, 1874, to Miss. Cassie Harrow, a native of Algonac, and daughter of George Harrow and Lucretia Peer. Mr. and Mrs. Rob- erts have five children-William M., George S., Annie A., Walter J. and Harry C.

W. S. ROBERTS, of the firm of W. C. & W. S. Roberts, P. O. Roberts' Landing, Roberts Handle Fac- tory, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in the town of Cottrellville April 24, 1846. His parents. Samuel Roberts and Mary Ann Moore, came to this county in 1842. He attended school here. Went on the lakes and sailed about six years; then with his brother established their present business, and gave his atten- tion to it until 1878, when they bought the flouring mill at Marine City, and he ran the mill of Roberts Bros. until June, 1882, when it was destroyed by fire. Has also been interested in vessel property. He has held the office of Town Treasurer and Village Trustee. Mr. Roberts was married June 1, 1882, to Miss Laura A. Lester, a native of this place, and daughter of David Lester, Esq., one of the early settlers.

CAPT. JOHN ROBERTSON is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in this town January 3, 1828. His parents were David and Madeline Robertson, his father being of Scotch descent, and his mother was born down the river at Grosse Point. He helped build the block of houses at Detroit and at Port Huron. They were among the earliest settlers on the river. Capt. Robertson began sailing when fourteen years of age on the schooner Freedom. He sailed before the mast and as mate until 1852, and that year was master of the steamer Detroit and the London. In 1853, was master of the Pacific; in 1854, the Cleveland; in 1855 and 1856, the Forrester; in 1857, the Clifton; in 1858, the Forrester; in 1859 and 1860, the Forest Queen; in 1861, the pro- peller Antelope; 1862, the Detroit; 1863 and 1864, the steamer Illinois; 1865 and 1866, the Forrester; 1867, the Alpena; 1868 to 1871, the Marine City; 1872, the Milton D. Ward; 1873, the Meteor; 1874 and 1875, the City of Duluth; 1876, the Riverside; 1877, the John Sherman; 1878, 1879 and 1880, the steamer Dove; 1881, the steamer Metropolis, and in 1882, the Dove. Sailed for E. B. Ward twelve years. Capt. Robertson has been in the marine service forty years, and for thirty years has sailed master, and is one of the oldest in active serv - ice on the lakes. Capt. Robertson was married November 28, 1852, to Miss Susan Burnham, a native of Mt. Clemens, Mich. They have five children-George G., John L., Carrie, Susie and Nellie.

CAPT. STEPHEN ROSE, Section 10, P. O. Marine City, is a son of Stephen Rose and Julia Laponcey, of Lower Canada. They came to this county in 1829. HIe sailed and also worked at his trade, ship-carpen- ter. He was in the employ of Sam Ward over twenty years, and is now living in Marine City. They have had twelve children, all living except one. Capt. Rose was born in the town of Ira, at Anchorville, April 18, 1840. He began sailing when fifteen years old on scow Annie, and three years later sailed Captain of her. Then sailed the St. Stephen, schooner Cortland, steam barge Scotia, steam barge Mary, and was Captain of the steam barge Mills eight years, and last year was master of the John M. Dickenson. During the war, Capt. Rose enlisted, August 22, 1862, in Company G, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry. He served three years. He was wounded at battle of Chickamauga, and also at Chattahoochie River. He owns the farm where he lives. He was married May 27, 1880, to Miss Ellen Smith, a native of this county.

CAPT. WILLIAM ROUVEL is a native of Germany, and was born in Prussia October 24, 1848. His parents immigrated to this country in 1852. He began sailing when fourteen years of age on the Presque Isle, and since then, for over twenty years, has been connected with the marine service. In 1875, he sailed master of the Reindeer; then was master of the Robert L. Fryer, and afterward master of the St. Clair, and owned an interest in all of them. He owns one-quarter interest in the large new steam barge just being com- pleted, and which is conceded to be one of the stanchest steam vessels ever built here. In 1874, Capt. Rou- vel married Miss Cecelia Stiger, of New Baltimore. They have six children-George, Walter, Hattie and Ida (twins), Geraldine and Philip.

V. A. SAPH, attorney at law, was born near Salisbury in the South of England June 21, 1830, and is the eldest of twelve children. His father is a cabinet-maker, learning his trade at Southampton. In the year 1831, he came to this country with his parents, who located at Montreal, Canada, where they resided two years. From Montreal they moved to Prescott, and from there to Niagara. In the fall of 1837, he emigrated with his parents to Indiana, taking passage from Buffalo in the steamer Constitution, commanded by Capt. Applebee, landing at Michigan City. His father bought eighty acres of prairie land twelve miles south of La Porte, where they lived five years. Here Mr. Saph secured a part of his education in the log schoolhouse. In 1843, his father sold his farm and moved to St. Joseph, Mich. In 1845, the family moved to Chatham, Ont., where they lived until 1847, when they moved to Sarnia, opposite Port Huron, residing there until 1849. During that year they moved across the St. Clair River to Port Huron, Mich., where they have resided ever since. The subject of this sketch having decided to learn the ship-building business, left home and went to Marine City (then called Newport) in July, 1849, where he has resided ever since. In 1851, he married Mary L. Drulliard. Politically, Mr. Saph was a Whig and a decided Abolitionist, casting his first vote for Gen. Scott. He joined the Republican party at its organization. In 1863, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected in 1867, doing most of the justice business in this locality until he resigned in 1869. He was at the head of the labor movement, organizing the ship carpenters into unions, which proved a success in raising and maintaining the price of wages. In March, 1866, he was elected President of the village on the working- man's ticket, and re-elected in 1867. In April, 1866, he was elected Supervisor on the same ticket. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Saph was elected County Treasurer of St. Clair County on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected in 1868. In 1869, he was admitted to practice in the Circuit Court of St. Clair County and after- ward in the Superior Court and United States Courts. In 1872, he joined the Liberal Republican party, and was a member of the Committee on Credentials at the State Convention that nominated Austin Blair for Gov- ernor. He ran for Judge of Probate in the fall of that year, but was defeated by Judge Thomas. In 1872, he

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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 121

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