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 133

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 133

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DOUGALD THOMPSON, farmer and miller, Section 6, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Scotland, and was born August 8, 1804. His parents came to Canada when he was only one year old. When eight years old his mother died, and his father sent him to Scotland, where he remained four years, and came back to Can- ada during Napoleon's wars, and he remembers the Convoy. He came to Kingston, where his father was in the navy dock-yard, and was there many years; he then went to Perth, and was there at the time of the rebellion. From there he went to Woodstock, and was engaged in farming eight years. He came to this county in 1852, and went to work in Chase's Mills; had charge of the lumber and grist mills. Worked in these mills for Chase, for Sanborn & Sweetzer, and Sweetzer & Reynolds, and for Farewell until 1873, when the mills were burned; since then on his farm, where he has lived thirty years. Has served as School Director and Moderator. In 1842, he married Miss Jane Cousins, a native of England. They have ten children-Jes- sie G., now Mrs. Moore; Emma M., now Mrs. Young; Margaret, now Mrs. Newberry; Ella, now Mrs. Pres- ton; Lizzie, now Mrs. Macklim; Edith, now Mrs. Loup; Bertha, Effie, Nora, and one son, Arthur D.

GEORGE TODD, physician and surgeon, Jeddo, is a native of Ontario, Canada, and was born in Elgin County May 25, 1838. He attended school and received his literary education there; then engaged in teach- ing about ten years. Studied medicine and graduated at the University of Michigan in 1865. After gradu- ating he came to this county, and settled in the town of Grant, where he now lives, and engaged in the prac- tice of medicine here, and since then, for the past eighteen years, has successfully practiced his profession here. He owns a large farm of 200 acres, and is extensively engaged in farming, and is also engaged in the mercantile business at Jeddo. He has held the office of Town Clerk and school offices. In 1860, Dr. Todd married Miss Sarah Haney, a native of Elgin County, Ontario, Canada. They have eight children-Francis J., attending lectures in the medical department of the State University, Mary Ida, Susan, Edith, Catharine, Elizabeth, Isaac Milton and Nellie.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

BROCKWAY TOWNSHIP.

T THE first permanent settlement of this district was made by Lewis Brockway, John Grin- nell and James Haines, who purchased lands there in 1836, twelve years before its organi- zation as a township.

The agricultural and manufacturing wealth of the township in 1882 is estimated by the County Board of Equalization at $411,748. The population has increased, from 252, in 1850, to 792 in 1864, to 1,330 in 1870; to 1,570 in 1874; and to 1,839 in 1880. The township con- tains 22,248 acres, many of which are still covered with rich forest trees. The villages and hamlets of Brockway, Brockway Center and Merrillsville. Mill Creek and other streams water the township.

The first land buyers in Brockway Township are named as follows: T. G. Macy, C. W. Whipple, James Byrne, A. Coburn, C. C. Trowbridge, N. Dickenson, Sylvester Sibley, Elon Farnsworth, George Beach, David Mack, H. Inley, C. Brown, Lyman Burgess, Josiah Allis, Lewis Brockway, W. Lumby, R. Roberts, Rodolphus Sanderson, Nathan H. White, Abail Wood, George Moore, in 1836-37; Aaron K. Farrand, M. S. Gillett, and others in 1844-45. Among the buyers previous to 1855, were the Sanborns, Howards, L. M. Mason, Chester Carl- ton and W. L. Bancrofts.

SUPERVISORS.

D. A. Brockway, 1848; John Grinnell, 1849-57; C. Washburne, 1858; John Whitman, 1859; Samuel Welsh, 1860-63; John Grinnell, 1864; David D. Brown, 1865-70; J. D. Jones, 1871-73; Jesse A. Morrell, 1874; J. D. Jones, 1875; R. Newkirk, 1876-77; John S. Duffie, 1878-79; W. J. Morgan, 1880; John D. Jones, 1881-82.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

James Haynes, 1848; Waldron Ward, 1848; Samuel L. Boyer, 1851; John Grinnell, 1851 -54; Lincoln Small, 1854; A. D. Welsh, 1854; John D. Jones, 1857; Clark Washburne, 1857; Jesse A. Cole, 1857; John Grinnell, 1857; Jesse A. Cole, 1859; M. C. Benjamin, :860; J. D. Jones, 1861; William D. Wear, 1862; John Grinnell, 1862; Jesse A. Cole, 1863; D. Brown, 1864; J. D. Jones, 1865; Clark Washburne, 1866; John Grinnell, 1867; John D. Jones, 1870; Jobn S. Duffie, 1871; John Grinnell, 1871; Clark Washburne, 1872; Joseph Effrick, 1873; John Saunders, 1873; William Beadle, 1874; James Harris, 1875; Benjamin Evans, 1875; J. H. Moore, 1876; W. J. Morgan, 1876; Charles Lovelock, 1877; R. B. Currie, 1877; S. Lutz, 1878; M. Mincary, 1878; J. W. Gustin, 1879; John Grinnell, 1880; John S. Duffie, 1881; John D. Jones, 1882; William Ballentine, 1882.

The Republican ticket was elected in 1882 by majorities from 131 down, with the excep- tion of A. Gunsolus, for Treasurer, who was beaten by James Harris, also a Republican, but who was on the people's ticket. John D. Jones was elected Supervisor.

Brockway, in the township of that name, is another village dating back to pioneer times. It is twenty miles distant from Port Huron, six north of Emmett, and sixty miles north of Detroit.

Brockway Center was settled in 1859. It was the center of the lumber trade of that district. in times past, and was an important place during the lumbering era. Mill Creek, a tributary of Black River, afforded water power for its mills and other manufacturing industries.

Canova was settled in 1866. It is a village of Brockway Township, twenty-four miles northwest of Port Huron and sixty-nine miles north of Detroit. Like Brockway, it was at one time an important center of the lumber trade. Merrillsville, or the Hay's Corners, is another old settled village of Brockway Township, two miles north of Brockway Center.

Brockway District Agricultural Society was organized in May, 1876, with S. O. Welsh, President; W. H. York, Vice President; James H. Moon, Secretary; Daniel Foley, Treasurer;

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR . COUNTY.

J. M. Haviland, Director-at-Large; J. C. Mckinney, James Cogley, William Gowan, Thomas Martin, William Grant, Charles Fletcher, J. H. Beckett, Frank Dunsmore, Robert Bailey, Alexander Felger, Directors.

The Brockway Center District Agricultural Society was organized in January, 1882, with William Block, John Mitchell, Joseph Gibbens, Charles Fletcher, John Becket, James Ster- ling, David Bryce, and Duncan Mckenzie, Directors. Among the original members were the following: George W. Bell, M. Minery, John Lavelle, J, D. McKeith, Samuel White, John D. Zavitz, Willis Parker, Ed. Young, Jeremiah Johnson, W. B. Johnson, A. Hoevy, William Moore, G. W. Bell, George Minery and Joseph Rose.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HIRAM ALLEN, general merchant, is a native of Canada, and was born October 3, 1827. He came to Port Huron in 1842, when only fourteen years of age. The following year he came to this town and worked in the old Brockway mill. In 1854, he came here, and bought pine lands and engaged in lumbering, and also cleared land and made a farm. He continued in the lumber and stave business until 1868, then engaged in farming for many years, and since 1877 has been engaged in the mercantile business. In 1848, he married Miss M. Polly Austin, of Genesee County, Mich. They have seven children-Melissa, Sarah, Laney, Almira, Eliza, Joseph E. and George W. They have lost three children. Mr. Allen's ancestors were natives of Ver- mont, and Gen. Ethan Allen was his great-great-grandfather. Jonathan Allen, his grandfather, was a soldier under Gen. Winfield Scott, and was in the battle of Lundy Lane.

WILLIAM H. BALLENTINE, general merchant, Brockway, is a native of St. Andrews, New Bruns- wick, and was born July 11, 1831. His early boyhood was spent there. When sixteen years of age, he went to Calais, Me., and remained there eight years, and removed to Canada in 1855. Two years later, in 1857, he came to this county, and settled in the town of Brockway. Worked in saw-mill for several years and bought a farm. In 1864, he opened a store, and since then, for the past eighteen years, has been successfully en- gaged in the general mercantile business. He was elected to the State Legislature, and served in the regular session of 1881 and in the special session of 1882. Has held the office of Postmaster eight years, and has served as Justice of the Peace. Has held school offices many years. In 1852, Mr. Ballentine was married to Miss Jane F. Barclay, of Calais, Me. They have seven children-Henry S., William F., Mary, now Mrs. Minnie; Alice, Wallace, Jennie and Glen.

STEPHEN BALMER, farmer, Section 35, P. O. Brockway, is a native of Scotland, and was born Octo- ber 8, 1831. Upon reaching early manhood, he emigrated to this country in 1850, and came to this county the same year and settled at Brockway. Began working at the blacksmith's trade, and continued at it for sixteen years; then was in the mill with Charles Brockway about five years; then moved on his farm, and : since then has been engaged in farming. Owns a good farm of 120 acres. Has held school offices, and is now serving as Moderator. Has been elected to town offices, but declined to serve. In 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Middleton, of Canada. She is a native of England. They have two children-Elizabeth and Ida. both married. Mr. Balmer's parents are natives of Scotland, and are both living in the town of Grant.

ROGER BARRETT, farmer, Section 13, P. O. Brockway Center, is a native of Washington County, N. Y., and was born June 11, 1829. He lived in that State until 1862, then came to this county, and settled in town of Brockway, and went to work in the lumber woods for seventeen winters, and worked on farm during summer. He came on his farm in 1877; bought the land in 1873. In 1873, he married Miss Marion Depeel, a native of Canada; her parents came here during her early childhood.

WILLIAM G. BROWN, foreman, in charge of Palmer's grist-mill, is a native of Canada, and was born February 12, 1857. His parents came to this county in 1866, and settled in this town; he grew up here and learned the milling business. He has been in the mills here for the past seven years, and since 1881 has held the position of foreman, in charge of Palmer's mill. In 1881, he married Miss Ella Fitzpatrick, a native of Canada. They have one daughter-Isabella Russell.

THOMAS DARCY, manufacturer of wagons, is a native of Canada, and was born December 23, 1842. When ten years of age he removed to the county of Perth and lived there until he reached manhood. He came to this county and settled at Brockway in December, 1863, and began working at his trade of black- smith. Afterward learned wagon-making and was engaged in the business there ten years. The Messrs. Harris Brothers, extensive carriage manufacturers, learned their trade of him. In 1872, Mr. Darcy came to Brockway Centre and since then has successfully carried on the business here. He built his shops and house and has a good trade; has held the office of School Treasurer. In 1872, he married Miss Mary J. Fraser, a native of New Brunswick. They have four children-Lizzie A., Maggie E., Leah and an infant son.

J. S. DUFFIE, agent and dealer in real estate, is a native of Ireland, and was born February 8, 1840. He came in 1848 to Canada, and was brought up in Ontario County and attended school there; completed his education at Oshawa Central School, and graduated in 1858. After graduating, was engaged in teaching five years, having obtained first grade certificates; then went to Wisconsin and taught one year; and also taught one year in New York State, at Brockport; then came to this State in 1864, and located in this county, and engaged in teaching, and pursued that profession seven years. In 1871 he engaged in mercantile business and carried on the business nine years, and since then has been engaged in dealing in real estate. When ten years of age, Mr. Duffie was thrown upon his own resources; earned the money to give himself a good educa- tion, and his success is owing to his own efforts. He has been actively identified with the interests of the town. He was twice elected member of the Board of Supervisors, twice elected Township Superintendent of

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Schools; four times elected Justice of the Peace, and has served on the School Board almost continuously; is also Treasurer of Church Extension Society and Preachers Aid Society of the Methodist Protestant Church and identified with all temperance reforms. Mr. Duffie was married December 25, 1859, to Miss A. Z. Currie, a native of Canada. They have seven children-Edna (now Mrs. G. H. Mustard, of this town), Aggie, Bert (now attending Adrian College), Gertie, Ada, Merton and Lulu.

WILLIAM GOWAN, physician and surgeon, is a native of Ireland, and was born January 22, 1832. He attended school there until sixteen years of age and then came to this country and settled in the South, where. he completed his literary education and studied medicine, and graduated at Louisville Medical College in 1851; two years later came to this county and located in Brockway and engaged in the practice of medicine, and since then, for the past thirty years, has successfully practiced his profession here. During the winter of 1877-78, he matriculated at the Detroit Medical College. He is one of the oldest medical practitioners in this section of the State, and recites many interesting incidents of his early practice here. In 1854, Dr. Gowan married Miss Hannah E. Leonard, a native of Canada. They have four children-William H. (physician, practicing medicine here), Isabella (married, now Mrs. Moore), Ella (married, now Mrs. Herbert) and Alice.

WILLIAM H. GOWAN, physician and surgeon, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born May 21, 1854, and is a son of Dr. William Gowan, an early settler, and one of the oldest physicians in active practice in this county. William H. grew up and attended school here and afterward studied medicine in the office. of his father and graduated at the Detroit Medical College in March, 1875, and since then has practiced his. profession here. In 1875, he married Miss Mary L. Allen, a native of New York. They have three children -Herbert W., Lulu M., Norman E.

JOHN GRINNELL, retired farmer and mill owner, Brockway Centre, is a native of Connecticut, and was born August 2, 1809. When nine years old . went to New York; was brought up and lived there until 1837, when he came to Michigan and settled in this county, in the town of Riley, and was one of the earliest settlers in the county. There was then only two families living in the town of Brockway. He began lum- bering and followed that business seven or eight years, then bought land and cleared it and engaged in farm- ing for many years. In 1856, in company with others, he built a saw and grist mill-the first mill built here .. In 1871, he, in company with others, built a woolen factory, and run it several years; still owns his farm of 200 acres. He was elected Representative to the State Legislature, and served during the war sessions of 1862 -63. He was the first Postmaster appointed in this township; Justice of the Peace twenty years; and was. elected the Second' Supervisor from this town, and held that office sixteen years in all; has served as Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Highway Commissioner, and was Superintendent of the Poor nine years. In. 1833, Mr. Grinnell married Miss Julia Ann Welch, a native of New York State. She died November 22, 1882, leaving three children-John (lives here), Martha (now Mrs. Van Slyke), William (agent P. H. & N. W. R. R.).

JOHN W. GUSTIN, born 1829 in London, Canada, came to Port Huron; went from there to Detroit on the steamer McComb and back to Port Huron on the Red Jacket; from there removed back to Killworth, in Canada. At the age of twelve years, went to London and served four years in the printing business in the London Inquirer office; left there for St. Thomas and helped start the first newspaper printed in St. Thomas, Canada; worked there one year; was ordered by the doctor to quit the printing business on account of bad health; went from there to Port Huron, Mich., where he learned the blacksmith trade; went back to Inger- soll, Canada, where he got married. and went back to Port Huron; worked there for Tom Hatton until July, 1854; moved from there to township of Emmett, as the township was then called, comprising two townships; in 1855, the township was divided into two towns, he being in the township named Kenockee; was elected. the first Township Clerk of the township of Kenockee; held that position for four years, working while in Kenockee at his trade and farming; in 1860, moved back to Port Huron Township; was there elected, in the spring of 1861, to Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace, and held said offices until June, 1864, when he raised a company in the new Third Regiment Michigan Volunteers, and mustered in Pontiac as First Lieuten- ant of Company K, as commander, and went to the front at Decatur, Ala., at the time Gen. Hood made his. move on Nashville; was in battle at Decatur in command of Company; after Hood flanked them his regi- ment moved back to Murfreesburo, Tenn., there they had an engagement with Gen. Forest on his retreat from. Nashville, taking about 800 prisoners and capturing five, brass, twenty-four pound cannon, and all his bag- gage train. In June, 1865, was mustered out and came back to Port Huron; in 1866, removed back to Ken- ockee on his farm and store keeping. Was elected in 1868 Supervisor of Kenockee; in 1870 moved to Brock- way, buying the Brockway Hotel and grist mill and saw mill; keeping the hotel four years himself, then. renting it; then sold the mills and hotel. In spring of 1879 was elected Justice of the Peace; in fall of 1880, run on the Democratie Ticket for County Register of Deeds, got beat; in politics, always a Democrat; in relig- ion, a Free Thinker.

JAMES HARRIS, of the firm of W. & J. Harris, manufacturers, Brockway, is a native of Canada, and was born in Brant County, Ontario, September 14, 1847. He lived there during boyhood, and came to this State in 1864, and learned his trade in this county. He came to Brockway in 1867, and worked at his trade for several years, and in 1870, he and his brother established their present business. They began on a small scale, and the first year only built five wagons; the next year they built fifteen, and since then their business has increased every year. They have enlarged their capacity and the past year manufactured 140 wagons; they now make mostly top carriages and covered work, and are the largest manufacturers of wagons and carriages and buggies in this part of the State. Mr. Harris holds the office of Township Treasurer, and has held school offices. He was married, November 17, 1875, to Miss Sarah Plaisted, a native of this county. Her parents, Porter and Eliza Plaisted, were early settlers in the- town of Kenockee. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have one son-Porter Henry-and have lost one son-Elmer J.

WILLIAM H. HARRIS, senior member of the firm of W. & J. Harris, manufacturers of wagons and car- riages, is a native of Ontario, Canada, and was born September 1, 1845. He grew up and learned his trade

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there. Upon reaching manhood he came to this county in 1867; located at Brockway and began working at his trade. In May, 1870, he and his brother established their present business and from a small beginning, making only several wagons the first year, their business has increased from year to year, until now they turn out 150 wagons and carriages, mostly covered work. They give particular attention to the selection of material, which is second growth timber. They employ from ten to twenty men. The superiority of their work is clearly established, and they have a large trade in the counties of St. Clair, Sanilac, Lapeer and Tus- cola; they also ran a saw-mill in connection with their business. Mr. Harris was married in 1868, to Miss Elizabeth McArthur, a native of Canada. They have five children-Minnie B., Blanche E., William H., Ida May and Alta.

WILLIAM HODGINS, farmer and stock-raiser, Section 25, P. O. Brockway, is a native of Ontario, Can- ada, and was born March 10, 1846, and grew up to manhood there. He came to this county, and settled in the town of Brockway, in August, 1870. He owns an excellent farm of 240 acres, finely located and well improved, and is giving his attention to stock-raising. He has held school offices. Mr. Hodgins was married January 12, 1876, to Miss Kate Lewis, a native of Ireland. They have four children-John S., Hugh, William, Isaac.

JOHN D. JONES, retired, Brockway Centre, is a native of Canada, and was born in London January 17, 1825. He came to Port Huron in 1837, when only twelve years of age, and afterward went to De Kalb County, Ill., and remained there six years, and returned to this county in 1843, and settled in this town and engaged in lumbering. He made the road from old Brockway to this place, through a wild country all cov- ered with timber. He ran the first raft of pine logs from Port Huron to Toledo, and took about four million feet of logs before others engaged in it. He bought land, cleared it of timber, and made his farm, and was ·engaged in lumbering for thirty years, and owned several farms. Has sold his land, except one farm of 133 acres, which he still owns, and lived there until the past year, when he built a good house and came in town to live. He was in mercantile business six years, and is the oldest settler now living in this town. In 1876, he was elected representative to the State Legislature. Held the office of Postmaster twenty-three years; has held the office of Justice of the Peace twenty-nine years; holds the office of Supervisor, and has served nine terms. Has served as School Director thirty-one years. In 1846, Mr. Jones married Miss Martha Vanderburg, a native of New York State. She died November 30. 1875, and left four children-Mary Jane, now living in Illinois; George H., in Sanilac County; Sarah I., in Illinois; and Martha L., at home. He was married De- cember 31, 1876, to Hannah M. Stonehouse, a native of Toronto, Canada.

H. F. LEONARD, dealer in hardware and house-furnishing goods, is a native of Plymouth County, Mass., and was born May 26, 1848. He attended school there, and came to this State in 1867, and lived in Lapeer County, at New Baltimore six years. In 1873, he went back to his native State. After a few years, he returned to this State and lived in St. Clair and Alpena for a few years. In March, 1881, he came to Brockway Centre and engaged in hardware business, and is building up a good trade. Mr. Leonard was mar- ried June 7. 1870, to Miss Flora M. Gray, a native of New York State. They have one son-Fred Gray.

JOHN McFARLANE, farmer, Section 13, P. O. Brockway, is a native of Scotland, and was born Febru- ary 2, 1814. He emigrated to this country in 1850, and came to Detroit the same year and lived there several years, and came to this county in 1856, and settled in the town of Brockway, on the place where he now lives. It was covered with timber; he cleared the land and made his farm. and since then has lived here engaged in farming. His first wife was Jane Paisley, a native of Scotland. She died in 1866, leaving one daughter- Margaret, now Mrs. Manning. She left three children. In 1867, he married Mary Castor, a native of Ham- ilton, Canada. She has three children-Timothy, Mary, Sarah.

O. N. MILLS, grain dealer, is a native of Canada, and was born August 28, 1850. His early boyhood was spent there until fourteen years of age, then came with his parents to this county. After reaching man- hood, he engaged in mercantile business at Brockway Centre, and was connected with the business here and elsewhere until 1880, and since then has been engaged in buying and shipping grain. He has held the office of Town Clerk. In 1875, he married Miss Leah Fraser, of this county. They have two children-Claude and Harry.

A. MITCHELL, M. D., physician and surgeon, Brockway Centre, is a native of Montgomery County, N. Y., and was born May 14, 1842. His parents removed to Canada during his early childhood, where he re- ceived his literary education. He then studied medicine and graduated from the medical department of the State University, at Ann Arbor, in 1872. Practiced medicine for two years in Pennsylvania, then took course in Toronto School of Medicine, after which he practiced for one year in Palmerston, Canada, and in 1876 came to Brockway Centre, and since then has successfully practiced his profession here. He is and has been Health Officer for several years, and is reporter for six townships to the State Board of Health, and is town- ship Superintendent of Schools. In 1876, Dr. Mitchell married Miss Mary Jamison, of Palmerston, Canada. They have two children-Lulu May and Elmer Herbert.

JESSE A. MORRILL, farmer and lumberman, is a son of Levi and Huldah (Knapp) Morrill, and was born in Oakland County, Mich., May 22, 1845. He came to this county with his parents during his early childhood, and was brought up here and engaged in lumbering with his father. In 1869, he bought the Jonas Jones Mill property and 180 acres of land. The firm of L. & J. A. Morrill owned a large tract of timber at the Sable, and have cut lumber there for many years. They also own a large tract on Cheboygan waters, and are now operating that property. They are also interested with Hon. Henry Howard in timber lands. Mr. Morrill has represented this township in the Board of Supervisors. He owns a good farm of 100 acres, with fine im- provements, adjoining the village. He was married September 7, 1868, to Miss Ella M. Bettis, a native of Canada. They have five children-Olive A., Howard E., Ortney C., Euphemia N. and Herbert Eugene.

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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 133

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