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 123

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 123

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In the autumn of this year, his two boys, Aura P. and John H. Stewart, who had been left in New York State in care of their grandmother, were brought to their father's Western home. After a journey of about a month, full of novel incidents to inexperienced lads, they arrived at their father's house, at about 8 o'clock one evening in November of 1815.

The early impressions of Aura P. Stewart of this new and wonderful country as recorded by him in a series of memoirs contributed to the Marine City Gazette in 1876, are most natural and vivid, and almost transport one back to the scenes described. These memoirs can be found in the general history in this volume. We copy a paragraph here: " Com- ing as I did from an inland and thickly settled district, I had seen no flowing water save brooks and rivulets. I had seen no forests but in the distance, and though but a boy of twelve, I could not but feel impressed with the beauty of my new home. The

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY,

dense and almost impenetrable forests, the magnificent River St. Clair, the countless number of every variety of water fowls flying over my head or resting and sporting on the bosom of the beautiful waters, the howling of wolves at night, the constantly passing and repassing canoes of the strange looking Indians, their stealthy tread through the woods, and their unintelligible shouts as they passed each other, and last but not least, the merry songs of the French voya- geurs toiling at the oar and propelling their boats swiftly over the blue waters-these were new scenes to me, and called forth my wonder and delight. Nearly sixty years of my life having been spent in Michigan, I have witnessed the improvements made in the county of St. Clair; flourishing towns have sprung up, and a large portion of our older settlers have become wealthy; all have shared in the conveniences of modern improvements and comforts; but yet, for my own part, I could enjoy no greater pleasure than, for a short time, to see Michigan as I saw it in 1815, wild and romantic as it then was. Fancy ofttimes leads me back to the dear old primitive days, and then I am a boy again. Alas, the vision lingers not; I am an old man with increasing infirmities, and nothing is left me but the memory of the past."

I have given these items and this paragraph a place in my sketch for several reasons. First: Mr. Stewart being the oldest living immigrant in St. Clair County, we may be justly proud of his residence here.

Secondly: I am indebted to him for several valuable items of information, embodied herein.

Thirdly: As we have seen, the first Methodist sermon preached in St. Clair County, was in his father's house; who, though a Calvinistic Baptist, kindly opened his house for the early itinerants until they organized societies able to support their own ministers.

After awhile they began to have preaching at the house of Widow Stafford, at Point Aux Tremble and in the old Harrow House, and subsequently in the office of J. K. Smith They continued to be visited by ministers, occasionally, from that time forward, both from Canada and the Ohio Conference, until it became a regular appointment in 1823. Some of those who paid one or more visits to this section during this interval, were Williams, Jones, Huston, Demorest, Slater, Parker and Adams.

The earliest visitor of note that reached Algonac was the renowned William Case, who, under God, was the founder of Protestantism in Michigan, and who was familiarly called the " Father " of missionary work in the Northwest. I Father Case was appointed P. E. of the Up- per Canada District, which then embraced all the territory lying contiguous to the American shore, July 20, 1820; and some time during his quadrennial of service, in the oversight of his district, is said to have visited Algonac, then called Pointe Du Chesne.

The Genesee Conference of 1823, admitted William Griffes on trial, and he, with James Jackson as P. E., were appointed to the Thames Circuit, which must have included Algonac. It is probable that Mr. Griffes was given the principal oversight of the western portion, since Mr. Jackson is only remembered as having paid a few visits to this section. By authority of the General Conference which met at Baltimore May 1, 1825, the Canada Conference was created, and at its first session in the fall of that year, the western portion of what had been called the Thames Circuit was set off for a new circuit called St. Clair, and Mr. Griffes was ap- pointed preacher. And it was he without doubt who organized the first society here. For among the papers of John K. Smith may be found the original class paper dated December 23, 1824, which has upon one side, "Class paper for the 2nd Class upon the St. Clair River. John K. Smith, Leader; William Griffes, Jr., Preacher." And upon the other side the names of the class as follows:

" John K. Smith, Leader; Catharine Smith, Charles Phillips, Derutia Phillips, Catharine Harrow, George Harrow, Mary Grummond, Jacob G. Streit, Sarah Robeson, Rachael Ward," and then, near the bottom, separated from the rest, included in brackets, is this: "Colored, Harry Sanders." How long the society had existed prior to this date, is not exactly known; but it had existed; for on the paper it shows that a class-meeting was held on the 19th of December, and the attendance of the members is marked.

Mr. Griffes is described as being at the time a small, young, light-haired, rosy-cheeked, energetic man, and as having a very handsome wife, whatever extra advantage that may be to

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

a preacher. He died in Wisconsin a few years ago. And here let us turn aside a little, while we consider the past history, present relation, and future fortunes of some of the members of this little company of frontier Methodists. John K. Smith was born in New York, and at the breaking-out of the war of 1812 was serving his county as Sheriff. Early in the war, he con- nected himself with a regiment, and remained with it until it disbanded at Detroit in 1816. Among the discharged men of that regiment were two experienced potters, who being indebted to Mr. Smith, consented to remain in the Territory and enter his employ if he would establish a pottery. Mr. Smith, on ascertaining that no brown earthen ware had ever been manufactured in Michigan, and that the prospect for a ready sale was good, sought for a place to establish his pottery. He came up the River St. Clair, found an old vacant house on Stromness' Island, leased it, and in May, 1817, had his pottery in full operation, continuing the business until late in the fall of that year. In the winter of 1818, he was inducd by Harvey Stewart to teach school on Harsen's Island. At this time there were only four families on Harsen's Island, viz., William, Jacob and Francis Harsen and Harvey Stewart, but there were several scholars from Point Aux Tremble, where there were also four families-Chortie (Shirkey), Minne, Basney and William Hill, residing, making in all a school of twenty-five or thirty scholars. Here he met, and the next year married, Miss Catharine McDonald, whose parents had in 1805 come over with Lord Selkirk's colony and settled at Beldoon, but at the close of the war re- moved to Stromness' Island. He established his residence on what was then considered the most pleasant location in the neighborhood-on the exact site of young Cuthbertson's new house-this he designated "Point Office." A few years after he removed -- house and all-to the spot still occupied by the "Smith Mansion," being the first settler on the site of the present village.

Shortly after, however, Ira Marks, Ebenezer Westbrook and Silas Miller, bought and set- tled upon the land in the order named, stretching southward from his to the point. Mr. Smith was commissioned by Gen. Cass as Justice of the Peace, the first on St. Clair River, March 17, 1818, which office he held to the day of his death.

When he settled at Point Office, and at Algonac, litigants from all parts of the country came before him to have their causes adjudicated, and his business exceeded that of the Coun- ty Court for many years. But it may, and ought to be said in this connection, that he never encouraged, but rather discouraged litigation, and the peacemaker's blessing is truly his. His popularity was very great, as the single fact that up to the time of his demise he could show a greater record of marriages than any, if not all the Justices in St. Clair County, would clearly show; and was gained through his judicious judgments and straightforward, conscientious attention to duty and business. August 26, 1826, he was appointed first Postmaster at Algo- nac, and in the county, then called Plainfield, and afterward, Clay, until the village which was laid out in 1836, and called Manchester, but soon changed to Algonac, since which time the post office has been known by that name. He was appointed Special Commissioner for the coun- ty of St. Clair, by Gov. Cass, April 20, 1827. He was also made the first Custom Inspector on this part of the American shore, commencing the discharge of this office May 1, 1832. In 1836, he was elected the first Probate Judge of St. Clair County, over his opponent, George McDonald, an old Detroit lawyer. Dr. Pilcher says of him, " We found him to be a man of ability and piety, and a decided Methodist. He was a very worthy Christian gentleman."

He united with the church under Elder Adams and was appointed the first class leader by William Griffes, which position, together with that of Trustee and Circuit Steward, he filled with great acceptability for many years. His home was always a refuge for the weary itiner- ant, who shared his hospitality and left his blessing. He died in great peace, April 14, 1855, aged sixty-nine years. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. A. Jameison, in the Method- ist Church, from 2 Samuel, iii, 38, and his body was laid to rest in the cemetery, while his spirit returned to God who gave it: appropriately enough, a plain, substantial monument with his name, date of death, and age inscribed upon it, marks his last resting place. No epitaph is there, for he needs none. His life speaks volumes in testimony of the good he did and is an unerring prophecy of the reward upon which he has entered.

Of the eleven original members, only three survive the pale sheeted nations of the dead;

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

these are Catharine Dunlap, George Harrow and Catharine Smith. Mrs. Dunlap was a prompt and faithful member of the society up to the time of her removal from Algonac, and now, in failing old age, resides at Mount Clemens.

Mr. Harrow. for reasons unknown to us, soon withdrew from the church. He still lives in his beautiful home, surrounded by an honored and happy family, about two miles above the village, in a very;active old age, and never fails to give us a most cordial welcome when we call. The " Mother of Algonac Methodism " still lives to tell the story of Jesus and his love, and to proclaim her devotion to the church she loves so well. She was converted at home, at the age of ten, and like John Wesley, knows the time and place when her "heart was so strangely warmed." As the wife of Brother Smith, she ministered to the comfort of many a weary minister of Jesus. In her active life, she was fervent and devoted and always in her place. The last time she was at church was on the occasion of the first quarterly meeting, in November, 1879. She remembered the dying Lord in the simple emblems of the sacrament, and left, as usual, a bright, clear testimony that even yet lingers as a precious perfume. But, perhaps we can do no better than to insert here the letter addressed to the pastor and church on the occasion of our Semi-Centennial Jubilee, at the Jackson House, on Friday evening, Feb- ruary 27, 1880:

ALGONAC, February 27, 1880.

BELOVED BRETHREN: I deem it a privilege to send my offering on this, to us, great and happy occasion. Although absent in body, I am present in spirit. The pains of earth nor the prospect of the joys of heaven can make me forget my beloved church. I have enjoyed her blessings for fifty-six years; and I pray for her prosperity and God's blessing on all her interests. Your sister in the Lord,

CATHARINE SMITH.

Sister Smith, now quite feeble, is nearly eighty-four years of age. Her large liberality, her deep, sweet, constant experience, and her unexampled devotion to the church of her choice, all prominent traits of hers, and well remembered by those who have known her, will be recog- nized in the above communication. She has lived to see her family grow up to maturity, use - fulness and honor, and now, in her pleasant home, overlooking the pure, placid waters of the St. Clair, beautiful emblems of her own life, in the care of two faithful daughters, waits in her ripe old age, like a full shock of corn, only for the Master to gather her up from the fields of earth into the garner of heaven.

All of Grandma Smith's children who are members of any church are communicants of the Episcopal. Her son, Abran, though never yet having formally united with the Methodist Church, has always, together with his excellent family, given it his presence and sympathy, and been one of its most liberal supporters.

In the minutes of the Canada Conference for the fall of 1825, St. Clair was left to be sup- plied; whether a supply was found and ordered to come, we know not, but if so, he never came; for no report was made from this work at the next Conference. And here we bid adieu to Canadian Methodism, and make our respectful salutation to Ohio, under whose jurisdiction we shall hereafter be found.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Algonac, was organized in 1867, by Rev. Joseph B. Prich- ard, who was preacher at that point from 1862. He was succeeded by Rev. Andrew Jamie- son, of Canada, who is the present pastor. Rev. Mr. Flower, of Marine City, served the church in 1879-80. The value of the church property is about $3,000; the number of com- municants, twenty-one; and the congregation, about fifty. The following report, tendered to the Convention of 1882, shows the condition of the parish:

Baptised- Infants, 5. Communicants -- Removed from the parish, 1; present number, 21. Marriages, 4. Burials, 6. Public services- Sundays, 44; holy days, 2; other days, 6; total, 52; Holy communion-Sundays, 3. Congregation-Families, 26; individuals not included in families, 1; total of souls, 88 Sunday School -- Teachers and officers, 7; scholars, 55; aver- age attendance, 40. Bible Class-Teacher, 1; scholars, 7. Rector's salary, $141; music, $26; other current expenses, $29.03; church building or improvement, $22.70. Total for parochial purposes, $218.73; diocesan missions, $4.12; foreign missions, $5; by the Sunday school, for its own purposes, $33.95; total of contributions and offerings, 231.80. Salary pledged to the rector, $156. Number of sittings in the church, 175-free.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Rev. Mr. Jamieson completed his thirty-first year of labor among the Indians of Walpole Island in 1876. When Mr. Jamieson first came among the Indians, they were little better than savages, and it was with considerable difficulty that he taught them the truths of the Bible, and prevailed upon them to renounce paganism and adopt the teachings of Christianity; but he has lived to see the fruit of his labors. Mr. J. speaks the Indian language fluently, and preaches to them in their own tongue every Sabbath morning. He has resided in Algonac for a number of years, and in addition to his Indian work, he has had charge of the Episcopal Church here, and is much esteemed by the congregation. His uniform kindness and Christain courtesy have won for him universal respect.

The Catholic Church of Algonac is referred to in the histories of Marine City and Port Huron. The affairs of the parish are administered by Rev. Mr. Medor, of Marine City.

Algonac, one of the oldest settlements in Michigan, is situated at the head of the St. Clair Flats, in Clay Township, about fifteen miles south of St. Clair City. Its location is pleasant, but with the exception of Smith's saw mills and factory, it must be considered to be sleeping out this century. The Episcopal, Methodist and Catholic Churches are well repre- sented. This village, as well as the entire district, is very fully treated in the Stewart Memoirs.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

COME ALLEN, dealer in groceries and provisions, is a native of Lower Canada, and was born in the Montreal District September 25, 1833. He attended school there. In May, 1849, he left home and went to the State of New York. He had never been accustomed to work, and could not talk English. He stopped at Albion to learn trade ; was there three months and gave it up. Went to Buffalo and worked there for awhile, then went to Detroit. Found very little to do, and had a hard time there. The following spring, he walked up the lake shore to Sanilac County ; had no money ; when he reached Lexington, he worked all day with- out breakfast or dinner in building scow and loading lumber ; was wrecked on the scow coming to Port Hu- ron. He came here in July, 1850; worked on farm and in brickyard, and soon after went to work for Mr. Poole and remained with him about five years; then traded his horse for a little old building and started a store. In 1862, he bought the corner he now occupies, and since then has carried on the business here. He is building a barge and is interested in other vessel property ; also owns houses and land here. In 1857, he married Se- mantha Tuthill, of this place. She died 1876. Seven children survive-George, Annie, Martha, James, Willie, Winnie, Ettie. In 1881, he married Mary Alore, of Marine City. They have one daughter-Carrie.

SAMUEL BAILEY, farmer, Section 2, P. O. Algonac, is a native of England and was born February 10, 1824. His parents emigrated to the United States and settled in New Jersey ; lived there three years, then removed to Canada. Mr. Bailey lived there until 1862, and then came to this county and settled in the town of Clyde, and engaged in farming and working at his trade. He remained there eighteen years. In 1880, he came down on the river to his present location. He owns a good farm of 160 acres finely located. He has held town and school offices. In 1847, Mr. Bailey married Miss H. R. Chrysler, a native of Canada. They have four children-Mary J., now Mrs. Hunter, of Chicago ; Alphreda, now Mrs. Clark, of this State ; Wes- ley E. and Chapman R., merchants at Caseville, Mich.

WILLIAM BAIRD, Section 2, P. O. Algonac, is a native of Scotland, and was born July 22, 1818. His parents, James and Janet Baird, emigrated to this country in 1830. Came to the county and settled in the town of China. William attended day school at Fort Gratiot; a soldier was the teacher, and he also attended Sunday school at the Fort. Mrs. Mayor Thompson was the teacher and Superintendent. He has a reward of merit card, dated September 19, 1830, given him by Mrs. Thompson for being the best scholar in the school for the quarter ending at that date. He engaged in sawing in the mill and followed that for twenty-five years, and came to Algonac in 1842, and since then for over forty years has resided here. In 1867, he was appointed Deputy Collector of customs, and held that office thirteen years. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, and School offices. He owns sixty-seven acres of land. In 1856, he married Miss Jane Poole, a native of England. She died in 1881. They had one son-Charles, who died in 1861.

CHARLES J. DOWSWELL, of the firm of C. J. Dowswell & Company, general merchants, is a native of England and was born November 22, 1839; upon reaching manhood, he emigrated to the United States and came to Detroit the same year, and remained there four years. In 1865, he came to this county and estab- lished a general store, and since then for the past eighteen years has been successfully engaged in the mer- cantile business here, and the firm of C. J. Dowswell & Company have the leading trade, carrying a large stock, and have the only drug store in the village. They also have the only lumber yard here. Mr. Dows- well has been Acting Postmaster here for the past seventeen years. He has held school offices for some years, and is now School Inspector. In 1865, he married Miss Valina Folkerts, a native of this place. They have three children-Charles Clayton, Lillian Theresa and Grace Marion.

CHARLES M. FOLKERTS, farmer, Section 29, P. O. Algonac, is a native of Germany, and was born in Hanover, July 22, 1826. Emigrated to this country in 1852, and came to this county ; landed in Algonac on the 17th of May. ' He bought the land where he now lives ; it was covered with timber. He cleared the land and made his farm and has lived here on this place thirty-one years, successfully engaged in farming. Owns 160 acres here and 150 acres elsewhere. He had nothing when he began and his success is owing to his own efforts. He was married July 23, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Cohrs. She was born in Hanover, Germany. They have three children-Robert C., Almina H., Charles F. They have lost one daughter-Mary H.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

THOMAS H. FOLKERTS, farmer, Section 29, P. O. Algonac, is a native of Germany, and was born in Hanover, February 20, 1828. He emigrated to America in 1852, and came to this county the same year. He sailed for four or five years and worked in saw mill for several years. Bought his land and came to this place in 1862 ; improved his farm and since then has been engaged in farming. Owns 100 acres of land. He has held school offices for the past twelve years. Mr. Folkerts was married December 30, 1862, to Miss Cecilia M. Fisher, a native of this county. Her parents, James and Hester Fisher, are natives of Canada, and are living at Wallaceburg. Mr. and Mrs. Folkerts have six children-James T., Herman H., Annie M., Clinton C., George G. and Arthur F.

CAPT. W. G. HARROW, is a son of George Harrow and Lucretia Peer. His father is the oldest set- tler now living in St. Clair County. Capt. Harrow was born in the town of Cottrellville, on his father's farm December 28, 1850. His early boyhood was spent there. At the age of thirteen he began sailing on the Old United. He and his brother built the steamboat "Young America," and run on her for seventeen years, serv- ing as engineer three years, and mate six years, and sailed master of her eight years. He is now Captain of the steam yacht Spright, and is half owner, and also owns one-half interest in the barge William H. Pringle.

ALBERT L. HATCH, is a native of this county, and was born in Marine City, December 16, 1842. He is a son of Larkin and Rebecca Hatch, natives of Vermont, and came to this county in 1842, settled in the town of Cottrellville and engaged in farming, and lived there until his death in 1873 ; his wife and nine chil- dren survive him. Albert L. grew up on a farm, and after the war broke out enlisted in the first Michigan Engineers, Company I ; served under Sherman in all of his campaigns, and was with him in his march to the sea, and through the Carolinas ; served until the close of the war, then returned here. In 1870, he was ap- pointed Keeper of the lower light on the St. Clair Canal, and since then has held that position. He is also interested in vessel property. In 1871, he married Miss Addie Moore, a native of this county. They have three children-Maud, Mabel, Ralph.

JOHN C. HICKEY is a native of Michigan, and was born in the town of Southfield, Oakland County, July 22, 1857. He was brought up and attended school there. Upon reaching manhood, he came to this county in 1877, and entered store and post office at Algonac, and remained there six years. On account of his health he went on the lakes as rate of the schooner Star of Hope, and owns one-third interest. He was mar- ried, December 24, 1879, to Miss Clara C. Talbot, a native of Port Huron. They have one child, Harry Talbot.

D. G. JONES, planing mill and lumber, is a native of New York State, and was born in Rensselaer County, August 11, 1822. He came to this county in 1851, and settled at Marine City and remained there five years; then came to Algonac. Was engaged in teaching a number of years before coming West; was mostly engaged in book-keeping since. In 1873, he engaged in his present business, and since then has been con- nected with the lumber trade and planing mill here. He was elected Supervisor in 1880, and re-elected in 1882 and again in 1883. Has held the office of Township Clerk, Village Clerk and Township Superintendent of Schools, and also Master of Masonic Lodge. In 1847, he married Miss Maria Shearer, a native of Massachu- setts. They have three children-Fannie, married Mr. Phillips, Superintendent of Schools, La Porte, Ind .; James, living in Lake Superior; Frank lives in Detroit.

CAPT. F. G. MARSDEN is a native of New York State, and was born in Oswego County, February 3, 1844. His parents came to this county when he was eleven years of age. He began sailing in 1862, on the tug Lion, with Capt. William Dana, and has been on the lakes most of the time since then. Was Captain of the tug Ontario, and sailed the tug Home for the Government. He has the Range Lights on Clarke's Island, opposite Algonac. In 1871, he married Miss Mary Smith, a native of this place. They have three children -Ida M., James, Fred.

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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 123

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