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 130
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742
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
JOHN N. DAVIDSON, farmer, Section 12, P. O. Port Huron, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Janu- ary 11, 1810. He came to the United States in January, 1839, and came to St. Clair County in May, of the same year, settled on Black River and began clearing land and making a farm, and afterward engaged in lumbering, during the winter, for sixteen years. In 1856, he removed to Port Huron, and lived there for some years, and then came out on his farm, where he now resides. He has served as a member of the City Council and held school offices. In 1833, he married Miss Margaret Atkins, a native of Scotland. She died January 11, 1871, and left five children, only four of whom survive-John, James, Agnes and Wesley.
JAMES GARDNER, farmer, Section 3, P. O. Atkins, is a native of Scotland, and was born September 15, 1804 ; upon reaching manhood, he emigrated to Quebec, in 1835 ; remained there two years, and came to this county in 1837, and settled in the town of Clyde on the place where he now lives. When he reached here, he had one-half barrel of flour and eight pounds of pork ; he entered the land from the Government and cleared and made his farm of eighty acres, and afterward bought 160 acres ; he is one of the oldest settlers in this part of the county. He married Miss Barbara Young, a native of Scotland, January 2, 1835 ; they have five children-William ; John ; Barbara, now Mrs. Vibbart; Camelia, now Mrs. Parker, and Margaret, now. Mrs. Garner.
MARTIN GLYSHAW, farmer, Section 8, P. O. Ruby, is a native of Germany, and was born December 6, 1847 ; his parents emigrated to this country in 1852, and lived in Cleveland, Ohio, three years, and came to this county in 1855. After reaching manhood, Martin and his brother worked together in pulling stumps and farming. Martin owns 160 acres of good land-the result of his own earnings : he has held school offi - ces. He married Miss Frances E. Campfield March 17, 1868 ; she is a native of this county, and daughter of Andrew J. and Pamelia (Allen) Campfield, who were among the early settlers here. Mr. and Mrs. Glyshaw have four children-Alda L., John, Pearl E. and Grace.
JOHN HAKEN, farmer, Section 24, P. O. Fort Gratiot, is a native of England, and was born in 1813; he came to Canada during his early manhood. and lived there until 1852, when he came to this county, and be - gan working at his trade of carpenter and joiner. He bought this farm the same year, and since then has been engaged in farming ; he owns 160 acres of land. In 1862, he married Miss Keziah Welch, a native of Canada ; they have three children-George, Thomas and John R.
JOHN HERON, farmer, Section 15, P. O. Atkins, is a native of Canada, and was born October 7, 1836. After reaching manhood, he came to this county, in 1856, and went to work on a farm ; he afterward bought land and engaged in farming ; he owns 185 acres of land, and has lived on this place eleven years ; he has held school offices. He married Miss Jane Gibson, a native of Canada ; they have eight children-Margaret. Henry, Samuel, Martha, John, Charles, Janie and Adam.
WILLIAM HUDSON, farmer, Section 25, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of England, and was born in Sussex June 10, 1819 ; he came to New York in 1833, and when he got there only had one shilling. He learned his trade in the city of Auburn, in that State, and lived there some years ; was well acquainted with William H. Seward and his sons ; he came to Port Huron in 1864, and engaged in business with Mr. Mitts for one year ; then bought a hotel at Pine River, and was there three years ; he afterward bought the Six Mile House at Wadhams, and was there about four years ; then removed to Port Huron. In 1841, he married Miss Rhoda Chamberlain, of Pennsylvania ; she died 1874, leaving four children-William W., Ceorge H., Charles E. and Albert A. In October, 1875, he married Mrs. Mary Caroline Foster, of Cumberland, England ; she came to this State in 1854. In 1876, they came on this farm, and since then have lived here.
ALEXANDER JACOBS, farmer, Section 27, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Canada, and was born May 15, 1808. After reaching manhood, he came to this county, in 1831, and engaged in lumbering. He bought the land where he now lives, and has lived on this place forty years; he carried his groceries on his back from Port Huron when he first settled here ; he owns his farm of eighty acres, which he cleared himself. He married Miss Polly Parsons, a native of Canada ; she died December 21, 1880, and left eight children-Albert, Josephine, William, Chester, Agnes, Mary, Lucinda, Emma.
ASAHEL KINGSLEY, farmer, Section 10, P. O. Atkins, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in the town of Clyde May 22. 1840. His parents, Salmon and Parnell Beard Kingsley, were among the earli- est settlers of this county. IIe grew up and attended school here, and since reaching manhood has been en- gaged in farming ; owns a good farm of eighty acres. Mr. Kingsley married Miss Sarah Kinney January 1, 1872 ; she is a native of New York State, and daughter of Edward and Mary Kinney. They have two chil- dren-Edward Salmon and Emma.
HENRY KINGSLEY, farmer, Section 3, P. O. Atkins, is a native of the town of Clyde, St. Clair, and was born at Beard's Mills March 2, 1836. He is the oldest son of Salmon and Parnell Beard Kingsley ; he grew up and attended school in Clyde and in Port Huron. Among his schoolmates were Henry McMorran, Col. Atkinson and O'Brien Atkinson, of Port Huron, Watson Beech, of Lexington, and others. Upon reach- ing manhood, he engaged in farming and lumbering. During the war, he enlisted in Company K, Second Michigan Cavalry. Was discharged on account of disability. Since then has been engaged in farming. Owns a fine farm, well improved, and other property. He has held the offices of Deputy Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, Drain Commissioner, and other town and school offices, and has always been actively identified with the interests of his town and county. Mr. Kingsley was united in marriage October 11, 1864, to Miss Mary A. Saville, a native of Portland, Me .; they have three children-Carrie, Hattie, Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley have been actively identified with musical interests of the town and county for many years. Some ten years ago, he organized a singing class among the children of the neighborhood, as there was no Sunday school, and they met one hour every Sunday afternoon. The class increased, and the children and the par- ents became greatly interested. A Sunday school was organized, and it has grown and flourished. Several concerts have been given to crowded houses. In this way, they raised money and bought a fine organ for the school, and paid for it with a part of the funds thus raised.
SALMON KINGSLEY (deceased) was born in the town of Orwell, Addison Co., Vt., March 10, 1807. During his boyhood he was bound out, and served his time in his native State until twenty-one years of age.
743
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
After reaching manhood, he came West to Detroit in 1830. He started to go to Chicago, but returned to De- troit, where he met Judge Bunce, who was engaged in lumbering on Mill Creek in this town, and he entered his employ, and remained with him about one year ; then went to work for Ai Beard. He remained with him until 1838, when he located the land where his son now lives, and entered it from the Government. The deed now in possession of his son Henry was signed by Martin Van Buren, then President, and is dated Au- gust 21, 1837. While in the employ of Mr. Beard, Mr. Kingsley married his daughter, Miss Parnel Beard, July 9, 1833. He built a shanty on his land and they moved into it. They were so poor they used an old red chest for a table. He cleared up and made his farm, and engaged in lumbering during the winter season, and carried on his farm. He was a man of strict integrity and irreproachable character, and in his life and dealing with men followed the golden rule. He held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Road Commis- sioner, and other town offices. He died March 2, 1880, leaving property valued at $16,000. His wife's death occurred June 25, 1879. Of five children, four survive them-Henry, Asahel, Mary and Emeline, now Mrs. John Gardner ; Caroline, the oldest daughter, died in 1866.
FRANK KINNEY, farmer, Section 35, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in the house where he now lives May 19, 1844. His parents, Arnold Kinney and Laura Babcock Kinney, were among the earliest settlers of this county. Frank grew up and attended school here, and since reaching manhood has been engaged in farming. He owns over 300 acres of land. His father cleared the land and made the farm, and it is one of the oldest and best known farms in this section of the county. Mr. Kinney was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors two terms, and held the office of Town Treasurer three years. He married Miss Jessie Hamilton, a native of Canada May 23, 1870. They have two children, one daughter-Maud, and one son-Chester Frank.
JOHN KINNEY, farmer, lumbering and real estate, Section 4, P. O. Atkins, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in the town of Clyde October 14, 1837 ; his parents, Arnold Kinney and Laura Babcock Kinney, were among the early settlers here ; the boyhood of Mr. Kinney was spent on his father's farm, and, after he was large enough, went in the lumber woods during the winter season. After reaching manhood, he engaged in farming and lumbering, and since then has been successfully engaged in that business, and deal- ing in real estate. He owns 450 acres in the town of Clyde, and owns over 1,200 acres elsewhere. He has held the office of Town Treasurer, and school offices. Mr. Kinney was married July 31, 1859, to Miss Marga- ret W. Atkins, a native of Scotland, and daughter of William Atkins, Sr .; they have five children-Arnold W., Nettie, Maggie L., Bertie L. and Marion E.
CHARLES LEWIS, farmer, Section 1, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Canada, and was born October 28, 1845, and is a son of Edward and Barbara Lewis ; he grew up there until nineteen years of age ; then went to California and remained there five years ; then came to this State and bought a farm on the Wild Cat, near Lexington, and lived there until 1877 ; then came in the town of Clyde and bought the farm where he now lives ; owns 180 acres with excellent improvements ; he has been engaged in lumbering, and has had a mill up the lake for some years. He had nothing when he began life. In 1867, he married Miss Sarah Bur- see, a native of Canada ; they have four children-Mary, Alvira, Aurilla, Charles.
GEORGE LOCKWOOD, farmer, Section 12, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born at Fort Gratiot November 6, 1828. His parents, David and Mary Ann Lockwood, were among the earli- est settlers of this county, and were here when the military fort was built. George has always lived in this county, and is one of the oldest settlers now living here ; since reaching manhood, he has been engaged in farming, and has lived on his present farm for the past twenty-four years ; it contains 160 acres. He has held school offices. In June, 1858, he married Miss Maria Miller, a native of New York State ; they have four children-Dwight E., Anna M., Rosa I., Ada.
ALEXANDER McNAUGHTON, farmer, Section 13, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Scotland, and was born in Perthshire. After reaching manhood came to Canada in 1852, and the following year came to St. Clair County and settled in the town of Clyde. In 1854, he came on the farm where he now lives. and since then has been engaged in farming. Since 1870, Mr. McNaughton has given attention to raising fine cattle, short-horns. He has 240 acres, well improved. He has represented the town of Clyde in the Board of Super- visors and has served as Road Commissioner.
DANIEL C. MERRITT, farmer, Section 26, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Canada, and was born Jan- uary 28, 1831. He came to this county in 1850, and worked for Richard Bean, who is the oldest settler here, and he afterward engaged in lumbering and farming. He owns a good farm of 100 acres; he has held office of Commissioner of Highways and was Constable for eleven years and held other town offices. He married Miss Lorinda McNutt, a native of Whitby, Canada, December 10, 1853. They have ten children-Hamilton, Zettella, Lois, Norman, James, Daniel C., Charles, Elinor, Carrie and Sylvester.
GEORGE D. MORDEN, farmer, Section 2, P. O. Atkins, is a native of Canada, and was born January 8, 1853. His parents came to this county in 1856, and settled in this town. He grew up and attended school here and upon reaching manhood engaged in farming and also taught school. He owns a good farm of eighty acres well improved. Mr. Morden married Miss Zetella Merritt, a native of this county, October 4, 1877, and daughter of Daniel C.'and Lorinda (McNutt) Merritt, of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Morden have three children -Bertha E., Leigh E. and George H. Mr. Morden's parents were Jonathan and Mary (Hall) Morden. They came to this county in 1856. He bought the land where his son now lives and made the farm. They removed to Richmond in 1880. They have four children-George D., Walter C., Linna E. and Mary E.
T. J. PECK, farmer, Section 36, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Canada and was born at Toronto, Ont- tario, June 6, 1836. Upon reaching manhood he came to this State and engaged in lumbering, and followed that business until 1876, then bought land and engaged in farming; he owns a farm of fifty-two acres, well improved, and has a fine orchard of well selected fruit. He married Miss Mary Ann Williams, a native of Warwick, Canada, December 30, 1860. They have two children-Harriet A. and Thomas H.
744
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
MICHAEL PLANT is a native of Canada, and was born at Fort Erie, near the Niagara Falls, January 16, 1818. He is a son of Edward and Elizabeth Plant; his father was a native of New Jersey, his mother of New York State. His father enlisted in the American Army in the war of 1812; was engaged in the battles of Chippewa, Little York (now Toronto), Fort Erie and Stony Creek, where he was taken prisoner, taken to Halifax, and kept in prison until the next spring, when he was exchanged. He again joined his regiment and served till the end of the war. Mr. Plant grew up and worked on his father's farm and attended school until he was nineteen years old. He being educated by his father in Democratic principles, and trained in the ranks of the Radical party, had said some imprudent things against the Tory party and was known to be a strong Radical. The McKinzie rebellion had already broken out. A friend notified him that he would be arrested the next day. Not liking the idea of being incarcerated in a Canada prison, that night he started for Michigan. On the night of the 12th of December he was taken prisoner at a place called Warrick Village; next day taken back to Adelaide Village and had an examination before the civil and military au- thorities. Nothing being proved against him, he was released, and started again for Michigan. Considering it dangerous to travel the main road, he struck through the woods; slept in an old shanty the first night. The next day he struck the shore of Lake Huron about ten miles above Port Sarnia; followed the shore down near Sarnia; saw a man with a small skiff; hired the man to take him to Port Huron. He says when landed on the dock in Port Huron, December 14, 1837, he was the happiest boy in Michignn. He engaged in lumbering for a few years; then engaged in farming, and has lived on his present location for a third of a century; his home farm contains 345 acres. Mr. Plant has been actively identified with the interest of his town and county for forty-five years. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace since 1841, with the exception of four years; held the office of Supervisor two years, and also served as Commissioner of Highways ten years, and School Director nine years, and in other town offices. He has been a director of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Macomb and St. Clair counties for the past sixteen years. In 1839, he married Miss Mary Ann McCallum, a daughter of the late Capt. Hugh McCallum of Wallaceburg, and a native of Argyleshire, Scotland. Her mother was Lydia Ward, of Whitehall, N. Y. Mr. Plant was born in 1820, on the River Thames, Lewisville, Ontario. They have three daughters-Jane, Emma and Ellen.
DANIEL ROBINS, farmer, Section 2, P. O. Atkins, is a native of Canada, and grew up and lived there until 1857, when he came to this county and located in the town of Clyde. When he bought the land where he now lives it was all woods. He cleared it off and made his farm, and since then has been engaged in farm- ing. During the war, he enlisted in Company H, Third Michigan Infantry, and served one year and nine months. In May, 1854, he married Miss Angeline Letunno, a native of this county. They have nine children, seven daughters and two sons-Rachel, Martha, Sarah M., Abbie, Ellen, Grace A., Mary Jane, Alexander and Edward.
WILLIAM ROSS, farmer, Section 10, P. O. Atkins, is a native of Scotland, and was born in 1830. He emigrated to the United States in 1840, and came to this county in 1850, and was here only a short time; then went to Sanilac County, and afterward removed to Canada, where he lived for some years. He returned to this county and bought the farm where he now lives, and since then has resided here. While living in Canada he held the office of Postmaster. In 1870, he married Miss Lizzie Powell, a native of London, Ont. They have five children-Lizzie, Maggie, Mary, Ida and Willie.
A. J. SHOCKLEY, Abbotsford, Section 17, physician and surgeon, is a native of Ripley County, Ind., and was born June 22, 1850. He received his literary education in that State, and pursued his medical studies in Cincinnati, and graduated at the Ohio Medical College in 1874. After graduating, he practiced medicine in Indiana until 1877, when he came to this town, and since then has practiced his profession here. He owns a fruit farm of eighty acres; he has served as Town Superintendent of Schools, and has been Health Officer for the past five years. In 1878, he married Miss Ada Saville, a native of Prince Edward Island. They have two children-Grace and Nora.
JACOB SHUFELT, farmer, Section 14, P. O. Atkins, is a native of New York State, and was born De- cember 26, 1803. He grew up to manhood in that State and removed to Canada, and lived there until 1853, when he came to this county and bought land and cleared it, and made his farm, and since then, for the past thirty years, has lived in this town. His farm contains eighty acres. In 1831, he married Miss Polly Castor. She is a native of Canada, near Toronto. She died October 19, 1873, and left nine children-Alice, Susan, Elmira, Ruth, Melinda, Mary, William, Peter, Uriah, Philip.
DAVID SIMS, farmer, Section 10, P. O. Atkins, is a native of Canada, and was born April 7, 1832. Upon reaching manhood, he came to this county and engaged in lumbering, and was connected with that business for twenty years. He then engaged in farming; he owns a farm of eighty acres. In 1866, he married Miss Amelia Hitchings, a native of New Brunswick. They have two children-Robert H. and Mary Agnes.
WALTER J. SLINGERLAND, farmer, Section 25, P. O. Port Huron, was born in Niagara, Canada, January 26, 1818. He grew up and lived there until 1850, and during that time cleared up and made two farms. Then came to this county and settled on the place where he now lives, and cleared up and made his farm, and since then, for the past thirty-three years, one-third of a century, has lived here. He has held school offices. His first wife was Miss Fidelia Simmons, of Norwich, Canada. She died December 9, 1859, leaving three children-John, Alice and Wallace. In 1870, he married Mrs. A. J. Putnam, of Norwich, Canada. She has one daughter-Olivia.
BENJAMIN SMITH, farmer, Section 14, P. O. Atkins, is a native of Warren County, N. Y., and was born December 22, 1814. He lived there until sixteen years of age, then removed to Canada, where he lived until 1852, when he came to St. Clair County and engaged in building railroad for John Baird and Elijah Haynes. He afterward bought the land where he now lives, and cleared it of timber and made his farm, and since then has resided here, and is one of the early settlers. During the war, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Regiment Volunteer Infantry, and served about three years. After the war, returned and since then has resided here.
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745
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
JAMES SYMONGTON, owner and proprietor Montross Hotel, Section 28, P. O. Ruby, is a native of Scotland, and was born July 8, 1820. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1834, and he came to St. Clair County the same year. The following year he went over in Canada and engaged in lumbering there and here, but sold most of his lumber on this side, and since 1867 has resided here permanently. He held the office of Deputy Sheriff six years, and has held several general agencies, and has a good general knowl- edge of law, and has done considerable practice in Justice courts. He is a ready writer and has been a con- tributor to newspapers over thirty years. Has recently bought the Montross Hotel property. In 1849, he married Miss Hannah McNutt, a native of Canada. They have six children-Thomas, Grace, Eliza, Chris- tina, Hannah, Isabel.
EDWARD VINCENT, farmer, Section 7, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Lower Canada, and was born October 31, 1825. His parents came to Michigan in 1836, when he was eleven years of age, and were among the early settlers. When he reached the age of twenty-one, his father died, and the care of the family devolved upon him. After reaching manhood, he engaged in farming and lumbering and carried on the busi- ness largely for a great many years, and is still interested in it, though for the past ten years he has not given his active attention to it as he did previous to that time. He lives on the same farm cleared by his father, containing 480 acres, and also owns other lands, and property in the city, and is one of the owners of the flouring mill in the city on Black River. In May, 1877, Mr. Vincent was appointed County Treasurer to fill the unexpired term of John Johnson, and at the following election was elected to the same office. He has held the office of Supervisor for twenty-two years, and is one of the oldest members of the board, and has held town and school offices. In the fall of 1882, he was elected Representative to the State Legislature, and is now a member of that body. Mr. Vincent married Miss Agnes G. Atkins, a native of Canada, March 21, 1853. They have six sons and three daughters-James I., Edward L., Charles S., Leonard M., Wesley R., Fred A., Marcia E., Nellie M. and Blanche E.
OLIVER WESTBROOK, farmer and attorney, Section 18, P. O. Ruby, is a son of Andrew and Sallie Hull Westbrook. His father was a native of New York, and his mother was born in New Jersey. Some years previous to the war of 1812, they moved to Canada, in which war Andrew Westbrook served. Being obliged to leave Canada, he lost 9,000 acres of land, on a portion of which the city of Toronto has since been built. In the year 1814, he came to Detroit, and the following year, up to the St. Clair River. In 1815, Mrs. Westbrook died, leaving her husband with six children. Oliver was born in Delaware County, Canada, No- vember 22, 1808. When a little over seven years old, he was carried off by the Indians and was held by them three years, being well cared for during that time. When the Indians came to Malden for their annuities, his father saw him and bought him of the chief. His education was limited to three months' attendance at a district school. He lived in the town of China until he was eighteen years old, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged in lumbering there and in the vicinity. In May, 1828, he went to Rochester, N. Y., work- ing on a farm until fall, threshing in the mean time 100 bushels of wheat with a flail, when he went to Gene- seo and entered into the employ of Gen. Wadsworth, with whom he remained seven years. While with Gen. Wadsworth, he was married to Miss Eliza Crossett, of Geneseo, May 14, 1834. During the day there was a severe snow-storm, the snow falling to the depth of one foot and the ice freezing to the thickness of one inch. During this year he returned to St. Clair County and settled on land given him by his father, adjoining Port Huron, on the river. His father died during the year, and Oliver sold this place and bought land on Belle River, where he lived three years, when he came to Clyde, near which town he still resides. From the time of his arrival here, himself and brother were engaged in farming and lumbering for a period of about thirty years, though for the most of this time Oliver was engaged in lumbering and in hauling shingles and staves to Port Huron and selling them for the manufacturers. In 1867, he was elected magistrate, holding the office twelve years. He also held the office of Supervisor of this town. Since then he has been engaged in the practice of law in this and adjoining counties, and has also held school offices. He was appointed by the Governor, Paymaster of the State Militia. He owns the farm upon which he now resides and upon which he has lived since 1853. He is probably the oldest resident of the county and has a vivid recollection of the early days of Michigan Territory. At the time of his father's removal there, the territory was literally full of almost all kinds of game. His brother and himself, with their dog, named Patto, caught thirty raccoons in half of one night, and in one winter season they caught 150 foxes. Wolves, otter, mink, muskrats and sable abounded. The river was very full of white and other fish; it was no uncommon thing in the month of No- vember to catch four or five barrels of white fish at a single haul. Blackbirds and pigeons flew over the country in innumerable myriads. Mr. Westbrook's father shot at one time ninety-nine pigeons as they rose from the wheat stubble. At this early time, most of the people living within the county were Frenchmen and Chippewa Indians. A few of their names are as follows: Charles Boumm, Peter Brandemore, Samuel Petit, Sambernor Duchane, Joseph Minney, Trombley Sharkey, Capt. William Thorn, Cottrell Harrow, Will- iam Brown. Robinson Hewson, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Little, the latter five living on Harsen's Island. In those days Gov. Lewis Cass was accustomed to pass up the river each summer for a number of years, in a birch bark canoe, with about ten Frenchmen to paddle his canoe. Gov. Cass was usually dressed when on these expeditions in full Indian chief costume, and had along old James Conner for interpreter. Mr. Conner could speak seven languages fluently. Gov. Cass was in the habit of stopping at Mr. Westbrook's father's house when on these expeditions. For three or four years after moving to this county, Mr. Westbrook's family pounded corn in an Indian mortar for bread and samp. The first wheat they raised they boiled. There were no roads, no mills, mo stores, no schools. The first milling was done at a windmill fifty miles distant down the river, opposite Detroit, and reached with a canoe. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Westbrook have five children.
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