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 136

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 136


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WILLIAM C. HUGGETT, farmer and broom manufacturer, Section 16, P. O. Capac, was born Decem- ber 31, 1828, in England. At the age of seven years he came with his parents to America, when they located in Schenectady, N. Y. In 1849, he came to Troy, Oakland Co., Mich., where he engaged in the manufacture of brooms, and also in connection carried on a farm up to 1854, when he came to the town of Berlin, where he settled on 160 acres of land, which he opened up, raising grain and stock up to 1879. He made while here a specialty of graded stock and Essex hogs. . Mr. Huggett's farm was the best cultivated in the county, and known as the "big fence farm." Mr. Huggett took possession of his present farm of eighty acres in 1879, which he carried on till February, 1883, when he moved to Capac, where he engaged in the broom business in connection with his farming operations. Mr. Huggett was School Director and Moderator, and Assessor of School District No. 6. Has also served as Constable several terms. In 1880, he took the United States census of Berlin ; was also one of the first builders of the M. P. Church of Berlin, in aid of which he donated $150 ; was Sabbath school Superintendent one year ; he was also an honored and active member of the M. P. Church. January 10, 1850, he was married to Miss Annie Green, of England : have had one child, which died in infancy. Mr. Huggett has adopted, reared and educated three children, all of whom are now settled and have families of their own. Mr. Huggett has always been a stanch Republican ; a Delegate to the Coun- ty and State nominating conventions, and has been a Delegate to nearly all of the nominating conventions. In 1864, he joined the army, entering Company H of the Fourth Infantry of Michigan. Mr. Huggett is a gentleman of varied attainments and versatile talents, and possessed of principles of the strictest honor and scrupulous integrity, one whose every act has for its foundation the principle of rectitude and equity, as well as love for the welfare of his fellow-man. Indeed, such men-entirely self-made- give tone and digni- ty to any community in which they may live, and set a bright example for the rising generation.


NELSON PRATT, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Capac, was born in Franklin County, Vt., in 1826. and lived in his native State fifteen years ; then moved to the State of New York and remained there four years ; then removed to Canada, and remained there six years ; he then came to St. Clair County, Mich., and has lived in the county thirty-two years. He has a fine farm of 180 acres of land well improved. He was mar- ried in Port Huron, to Miss Martha J. Nailor, a native of New York City, and has five children-Herbert H., Henry V., Edwin F .. Emerson B. and Hattie A.


SHERMAN SHARRARD, farmer, Section 3, P. O. Capac, was born in Canada in 1846, where he was raised on a farm and received a common school education. In 1857, he came to St. Clair County, Mich. At the age of twenty-two he commenced in the threshing business, which he carried on for a period of five years. At the end of this time, he went onto a farm in the township of Berlin, Section 4, for a short time. He then bought eighty acres in Section 3, which he has improved, and has thirty acres under cultivation, raising grain and stock. Is a member of the order of Odd Fellows and K. O. O. M. Was married to Miss Annetta Reebe, of the State of New York, in 1871. Mr. Sharrard is a worthy gentleman, and a good and valued citizen, and highly respected by all who know him.


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


MUSSEY TOWNSHIP.


T' THE early purchasers of United States lands in Mussey Township were Herman Humphrey, N. Dickinson, H. Imley, George Beach, Lucius Lyon, R. L. Clarke, Jere Allis, Lyman Bur- gess, Ellis Smith, Emmons Russell, David Mack (Dewitt C. Walker, 1853), Daniel Alverson, John Taylor, Ebenezer Youngman, Mark Faverly, Artemus Walker, Theodore Romeyn, 1836; Patrick Haggarty, 1854.


The first permanent settlers were Daniel Alverson, W. Burk, R. Shutt, S. I. Fancher and W. B. Preston.


The equalized value of the town is estimated at $290,785. The population has increased from 806 in 1864 to 1,746 in 1880; its area of 22,186 acres, gives place to many first-class farms. The number of children of school age in the town in 1881 was 583.


SUPERVISORS.


William B. Preston, 1855; O. J. Burgess, '1856; D. C. Walker, 1857; G. A. Funstan, .1858; Richard Shutt, 1859; G. A. Funstan, 1860-64; William Chapman, 1865; G. A. Fun- stan, 1866; W. D. Churchill, 1867; G. A. Funstan, 1868; Richard Shutt, 1869-70; G. Alder, 1871; G. W. Curtiss, 1872; Richard Shutt, 1873-77; Sidney S. Brooker, 1878; William Chap- man, 1879; Richard Shutt, 1880-82.


JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


Daniel Alverson, 1857; Jefferson J. Wilder, 1857; Mortimer C. Pomeroy, 1858; Daniel P. Denton, 1859; Dewitt C. Walker, 1859; W. B. Preston, 1859-61; W. Y. Mead, 1860; Jeffer- son J. Wilder, 1862 ; L. F. Partridge, 1862; John H. Downey, 1863-67; Perrin C. Goodell, 1864; Reuben Banfill, 1865; Nelson Churchill, 1867; M. C. Pomeroy, 1868-72; James Love, 1868; Robert English, 1869; W. B. Preston. 1870-74; George H. Curtis, 1871-75; Reuben Banfill, 1871; John Herritt, 1873; Andrew Milspaugh, 1876; Graham Alder, 1877; W. B. Preston, 1878; H. J. Downey, 1879; Alonzo Wright, 1879; John Edmonds, 1880; Andrew Mil- spaugh, 1880; T. H. Bottomley, 1881; C. Wendt, 1882; Alonzo Wright, 1882.


The following officers were elected to fill the township offices for the year 1882-83, all Republicans except Richard Shutt: Supervisor-Richard Shutt; Clerk-John Hewitt; Treas- urer-Sidney S. Brooker; Justice of the Peace-(full term) Christian Wendt; (fill vacancy) Alonzo Wright; Highway Commissioner-Albert G. Tosch; Drain Commissioner-Nelson Churchill; School Inspector-two years, Duncan Patterson; one year, Robert McGurk: Con- stables-William Roy, Benjamin Sidell, Hezekiah Allen, Archibald J. McNaught.


CAPAC SWAMPS.


Capac Swamps have been objects of ridicule, especially by residents of neighboring vil- lages, for years past, but the time is coming when Capac can laugh at its revilers, as the swamps are being rapidly developed from wet, disease-breeding lands into some of the best garden lots in the whole country. One person who seems to have foresight to this effect is Mr. Lester, who has bought up over 1,500 acres of the great eastern swamp, and is now hav- ing the slashings cleared up and numerous ditches dug, in order to properly drain the land. The labor in this direction is being performed by Germans, who came to this country last spring. Capac is not by any means entirely surrounded by swamps, but has within its terri- tory some of the best farming lands in the county.


But few persons have any idea of the commercial importance of the cranberry to the State, though the berry is acknowledged and appreciated by all as the last fruit of the season. In the year 1876, there were more than 4,600 acres of land used for the cultivation of this berry, and at present more than twice that area is under cultivation, and fully twice as much used as wild


49


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


marsh, where the berry grows to as high a state of perfection as in a cultivated marsh, although the yield cannot be as great on account of the inaccessibility. The cultivation of the berry consists simply in ditching, damming, draining and flooding the marshes at proper seasons of the year, the plants or vines being under water from November till May. To the cultivator, the berry is a paying investment, as it costs but little to raise, and yields in return about thirty per cent, net, annually, on the investment in lands, selling in market for from $2.50 to $4.50 per bushel. Michigan is said to be almost entirely free from the blight common in the New Jersey marshes, and from the worm to be found in the marshes of Connecticut, and the atten- tion of Eastern capitalists, who are becoming interested in the culture of the berry, is being drawn to the marshes of this State.


CAPAC VILLAGE.


In 1857-58, a band of pioneers from Romeo, under the leadership of Judge Walker and George A. Funstan, settled in the wilderness, which gave place to the village of Capac. Fun- stan chopped the first tree, where he built the National Hotel. This man conducted the estab- lishment until his removal to St. Clair, to take charge of the City Hotel there.


The village contains three general stores, four grocery stores, two hardware stores, two millinery stores, three hotels, drug store, jewelry store, post office and stationery store, agri- cultural implement depot, two furniture stores, brick yard, two meat markets, saw and flouring mills, foundry, planing mill, marble works, wagon shop, two elevators, shoe shops, harness shop, blacksmith shops, livery stable, besides four doctors, a barber, a tailor, two lawyers, a dentist, dress-makers and others in the business line. In religious and educational matters, the town stands well up, having Baptist and Methodist Episcopal Churches and a Methodist Protest- ant (brick) just building, within the village limits, and the German Methodist and Lutheran churches one half mile north of the village, while one of the finest brick school buildings in the land graces the northwestern part of the village proper. This latter building was erected some three years ago, at a cost of nearly $8,000 -a beautiful building on the outside, and fur- nished on the inside to correspond with its outward appearance. The village pastors are Rev. E. J. Doyle, Rev. F. F. Pearce and Rev. H. D. Miller, of the Baptist, Methodist Episcopal and Protestant Methodist respectively. The Principal of the school is Prof. E. M. Fisher, who has been ably assisted during the past year by Miss Lottie Cooley, of Dryden, as First Assis- tant, and Miss Jennie Warren, of Capac, as Second Assistant. Mr. Fisher has been retained another year, at an increased salary.


In the northern portion of the village is situated the Capac Agricultural Society's grounds, where the society holds its annual meetings.


In the way of distinguished men, Capac has her quota, as here lives D. C. Walker, who has represented his county both in the Senate and the House, and for four years filled the office of Judge of Probate, besides having borne a prominent part in the early history of the State and county. The present honored Senator has his residence here. Thomas H. Bottomley, at one time a Representative from this district, and for some years presiding officer in the Grand Lodge of the I. O. G. T., has a pleasant home on Main street.


The village has lodges of F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of P., I. O. G. T., and K. O. T. M., although organized Jast of all, is undoubtedly the strongest of all.


In manufactories the village has never made a great mark, but its future begins to look brighter. Mr. Gurley Lester has recently purchased the Cohoe planing mills, and will at once put in a force of men, who will turn out large quantities of sash, doors, blinds and moldings,. and also wagons and smaller agricultural implements. Locke & Warn are turning out large quantities of work from their foundry this season, while James Banfill, the miller, has found his mill inadequate for the demands upon it, and is, therefore, now engaged in putting up an additional story, and will also put in considerable new machinery, which will be ready for fall business. Herbert Seigel has, within the past three or four years, turned out a large number of nobby spring wagons, but his too close attention to business now necessitates a change, which he will soon make by accepting a position with Mr. Lester in his new industry.


John Edmunds is the proprietor of the Capac Marble Works, and has long since acquired a reputation for first-class work. He has a pretty little shop on West Mill street, where he is


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


turning out his quota of work. On account of last winter being so unfavorable, very few logs were hauled into the mill-yard, resulting in the big saw being laid away to rest. The brick. yard is owned and controlled by D. Walker. He is now engaged in getting out the brick for the new Protestant Methodist Church.


Capac is an incorporated village, being governed by a President and six Councilmen. The village has nice streets and good sidewalks.


It was named after Manco Capac, one of the first Peruvian Emperors, the title being given by Judge Dewitt C. Walker, the founder of the village.


The first Methodist Episcopal church building was erected in 1875. This was blown down a short time afterward. A new building was commenced, and this was swept away by the tornado of June 11, 1879. The present church was built and dedicated without further injury from the storm fiend.


The Capac Agricultural Society was organized October 21, 1878, with D. C. Walker, Presi- dent; H. J. Downey, Vice President; D. Patterson, Secretary, and Dewitt Walker, Treasurer. The Directors were Richard Shutt, William Chapman, John Burt, William Bealey, A. Mils- paugh, H. Allen, A. C. Downey, William York, Charles Hebden, S. A. Calley, Adolph Cohoe and N. B. Eldredge.


Its location on the G. T. & C. R. R., as well as the enterprise of its citizens, has given to the place an air of importance sadly wanting in other old settlements of the coun y. It boasts of churches, schools, a newspaper, a local government, well-kept stores, a few industries, and is undoubtedly destined to take a leading place among the settlements of the interior.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


The following personal history of the township constitutes a very essential part of the his- tory of the county. It is the record of industry, of enterprise and of duty done.


JAMES H. BANFILL, miller and mill owner, was born in the State of New York in 1837. He came to Michigan with his parents at the age of seven years. At the age of twenty, went to work at the carpenter's trade, and continued five years, at the end of which time he entered a woolen mill, where he worked three years. Was then in the shingle business eighteen months. In 1867, he came to Capac and built a saw and grist mill in company with Millspaugh. In 1877, he took full charge of the mill property, and has since run them on his own account. Owns a residence and twenty acres of land in the town of Capac. Was elected Councilman of the village, and was School Moderator and Director for three years. Is an Odd Fellow, Good Templar and T. O. M. K., and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Was married to Miss Mary Denton, of Michigan, in 1858. They have nine children-Viola, Reuben, James, Lizzie, Nellie, Hattie, Benjamin, Franklin and Daniel. His wife is a member of the Good Templars.


ANDREW J. BICKFORD, dealer in hardware and manufacturer of tin, sheet iron and copper ware, was born in the State of New York in 1836, and reared in the agricultural profession. Received a business educa- tion, and at the age of twenty-six, engaged in the tin business as salesman, at which he continued until 1858. He then went on a farm, where he stayed until 1861, at which time he joined the army and served till 1863. He then began the manufacture and selling of tin ware at Richmond, Mich., where he remained till 1870, when he came to Capac and opened his present place of business. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Good Templars, Freemasons and Knights of Pythias. He is Treasurer of the Good Templars, class leader and steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Was married to Miss Hannah Clark, of Canada. in 1857. Have two children living-Sarah A., Howard A., Alia E., deceased.


CHRISTOPHER BRAKER, farmer, Section 28, P. O. Capac, was born in Russia August 9, 1831, where he lived with his parents until he was twelve years of age. In 1843, his parents emigrated to America, locat- ing in the State of New York, where he remained with his parents until 1851. At this time, he came west to Michigan, stopping for awhile near Romeo, Macomb County. In 1852, he bought 160 acres of wild land in Section 28, in the Township of Mussey, St. Clair Co., Mich., on which he has since lived. Mr. Braker is a general farmer, raising a variety of grains, and stock sufficient for his own use. Is a member of the Free- masons, having advanced to the degree of Master Mason. In 1879, Mr. Braker was married to Miss Mary Hollister. No children. Mrs. Hollister was at one time a member of the order of Good Templars, and held the office of Right Hand Supporter. Mr. Braker assisted in organizing a school that originally belonged to Capac, and one of the first in the township. Mr. Braker has, by his own manly efforts, won an honorable position amongst his fellow-men; having converted his lands, once a " howling wilderness," into a veritable garden, where he can run the " down grade" of life in ease and comfort.


HON. THOMAS H. BOTTOMLEY. Among the representative men of St. Clair County, is the Hon. Thomas H. Bottomley. He was born in the town of Southouram, Yorkshire, England, on the 5th day of Oc- tober, 1837, where his early life was spent. Mr. Bottomley was educated at the Saltrabble Academy, York- shire, England, receiving a liberal education. He came to the United States in the year 1854, and took up his residence in the city of Buffalo, N. Y. Here he resided until 1856, when he emigrated to New Baltimore, Macomb County, where, by his great energy and business tact, he placed himself in comfortable circumstances


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


and gained the respect of his fellow-citizens. From here he removed to Romeo, where an extensive busi- ness was perfected in hoop-skirts, etc., in 1865, and remained until the spring of 1872, from which place he removed to the village of Capac, St. Clair County, where his good qualities were soon ascertained by the people, and rewarded by his nomination and election as representative of the Third District of that county in the State Legislature, in November, 1872. He served in that body during its session of 1873-74. Mr. Bot- tomley has held several offices of trust in the different places where he has resided, which invariably were administered with credit to himself and fellow-citizens. At present, he is one of the largest merchants in the village where he resides, and is doing a profitable business, not only in the mercantile line, but also as the contractor of the Lynn and Maple Valley State Ditch. In the spring of 1873, he was elected to the Village Council for the term of two years. In 1875, he was elected President of the village for one year. In 1874, was elected a member of the School Board to fill a vacancy of one year, and elected to two terms of three years each to the same position. Was chairman of the Building Committee who erected the present magnifi- cent school building, which was one of the best business affairs financially, ever known throughout the entire State. In this connection it is but proper to state that Mr. Bottomley, as chairman of such commmittee, in the faithful discharge of the duties imposed upon him acquitted himself in a manner most creditable to him- self, as well as to the great satisfaction of his constituents. He was also chairman of the Building Commit tee for building the Baptist Church in 1873, and has been a Trustee of the same, and has been since its organiz- ation. Has built thirty miles of ditches and six miles of road in this county, and twenty miles of ditches and twenty-five miles of road in other counties, and has now on hand five miles of road to complete some time within the present year. Is a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars and K. P.'s. Has been at the head of the order of the Good Templars, and was Presiding Officer two years and Vice Chancellor of the K. P.'s. Has been a representative of the Right Grand Lodge to New York, Topeka, Kas., and Charles- ton, S. C., and is now elected to go to Chicago in 1883, at which time and place the Right Grand Lodge of the World will assemble, and has been on the Board of Council of the Good Templars for ten years; has met regularly once every three months. Was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1880, for four years; and is also a member of the County Republican Committee. Was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones, of New Baltimore, in 1859. They have three children-David E., Henry T. and Ida May. Arthur, deceased. Is Presi- dent and Director of the Good Templars Mutual Life Association, of the State of Michigan. He owns 4,000 acres of cedar and pine lands in the State, three farms in Macomb County, 200 acres in the county seat of Sanilac County. Owns 400 acres cranberry marsh in this county, also several stores and three residence properties in Capac.


JOHN T. BRINK, dealer in horses, cattle, pumps and livery keeper, was born in the State of New York July 30, 1849, and reared as an agriculturist, receiving a business education. At the age of five years, his parents came West'to Michigan, and settled in St. Clair County, where he remained three years in Lynn Township. After this, he went to reside with his uncle in Wayne County, Mich., where he remained four years, after which he returned to Lynn, and going to the lumber woods two years, then in the same business at Saginaw for one year. He next engaged in the hardware business in Cleveland for one year; then again to the lumber woods for one year in Muskegan; then returning to Lynn, where he remained till the fall of 1863, at which time he entered the volunteer force, enlisting in Company K, of the regiment of mechanics and engineers, it being the First Michigan, from which he was mustered out in the fall of 1864. On being mustered out, he returned to Lynn, St. Clair County, and after remaining a short time went to Saginaw, where he worked for six years in the lumber business. In 1871, he again returned to Lynn, where he worked on a farm till 1881, at which time he came to Capac and established his present business. Has held the office of Deputy Sheriff two years and that of Constable several years. Is a member of the order of K. O. O. M. He owns a residence in the village of Capac. In 1873, Mr. Brink was married to Miss Annie Allen, of Michi- gan, by whom he has one child. Allen Andrew. He is a member of the Swedenborgian Church.


WARREN D. CHURCHILL, farmer, Sections 8 and 9, P. O. Capac, was born in Canada, in the town of Zora, in 1831, and reared in the agricultural business. In 1840, he came to the town of Berlin, in St. Clair County, Mich. For a time he worked as a day laborer, and in 1857 he settled on his present place, which contains 160 acres, 140 of which are improved, which he cultivates, raising chiefly grain and stock. His stock list comprises about 200 head of stock, including cattle, sheep and swine. During one winter he officiated as a landlord, having taken a hotel in the city of St. Clair for a short period, where he made hosts of friends. Has been School Director for sixteen years; was elected Township Treasurer three terms, and was Supervisor one term. Mr. Churchill was married to Miss Emma Palmer, of England, in 1856, by whom he has three children-Alfred B., Nettie B. and George W. Mr. Churchill is a gentleman of rare qualities, being firm and sincere in his convictions, unobtrusive in manner, as gentle and kindly disposed as a child; yet possessed of that firm determination and progressive spirit which has built up our country and its institutions; in short and in fact, a self-made man.


HENRY H. COLLINS, farmer, Section 12, P. O. Capac, was born in the State of New York in 1838. In 1846, his parents came to Detroit, Mich., where they remained six years, at the end of which time he left the paternal roof and went to Madison, Ind., where he was employed as teamster for one year. After this he joined Yankee Robinsons & Eldridge's show, traveling with it for one season. After this, he worked on a farm in Ohio for a period of nine months, then returning to Madison, where he remained three years, work- ing on a farm, and in the winter running on flat-boats, coasting down the Mississippi, returning in the spring. He ran as mate one season on the steamer Argo, from Vicksburg to Yazoo City, Miss. Here he engaged in building cotton gins for one year, after which he accepted the responsible position of overseer on a plantation until the year 1859. He then returned to Detroit, where he remained until the spring of 1860, when he again engaged as a farm hand until November 23, 1862. At this time he entered the volunteer force, joining the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, Company C, serving three years. Was promoted to Orderly, and in the spring of 1865 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, Company A. On the 9th of August, 1865, was discharged, and


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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.


was then promoted to the First Lieutenancy. which was honorary, for meritorious services. Was shot through the right hand while on Sherman's march to the sea, at Cyprus Swamp, Ga., while in charge of the rear guard of K. Patrick's Cavalry. At the end of his military career he returned again to Detroit, where he en- tered into the grocery business, in which he continued two years. Closing out his business in Detroit, he next went to Thunder Bay, Mich., where he found employment as a hand in the lumber woods one winter. Returning to Detroit, he opened an intelligence office, continuing six months. After this, he went to the lumber woods in Mecosta County, where he remained seven years, spending the winters in the lumber busi- ness and the balance of each season at the carpenter business, except six months, which were devoted to the grocery business. After this time, he embarked in the grocery business in Big Rapids, where he continued four months, and then sold out to his partner. He then set out for the Golden State, but having gone as far as Ogden, Utah, he remained there four months in building a flouring mill, and while there had the honor of acting as one of the Grand Lodge officers, dedicating a new lodge for Masonic uses. His next stop was at Salt Lake City for a short time, and while there visited the great Mormon Temple, saw their great chief, Brigham Young, and heard Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt and others preach, and then on to Alta, where he worked at the carpenter's trade in the North Star Mine for two months; then back to Ogden and on to Vir- ginia City, Nevada, where he pursued the carpenter business eight months. From here he proceeded to San Francisco, where he remained a short time. From here we find him retracing his steps back to St. Clair County, where he settled on his present home of 120 acres, forty acres of which he has improved, and runs as a grain and stock farm. In 1879, he rented his farm for three years, for the purpose of erecting a large flouring mill in Capac, having previously made arrangements with a gentleman of means, who was to fur- nish the capital, but for some reason he failed to comply with his part of the contract, and consequently the mill was never completed. In 1880, he regained possession of his farm, where he has since remained. Was School Inspector, is now School Treasurer, and has been for three years. Mr. Collins is a member of the order of Freemasons and also of the Knight Templars. On the 7th day of December, 1864, he was wounded in the right hand by a Confederate officer, while in charge of the rear guard of Kilpatrick's Cavalry, by hav- ing the stock of a pistol driven through his hand. Mr. Collins has traveled extensively, and being a close observer of men and things, has accumulated a fund of practical knowledge such as few men attain. Start- ing out in life without any means or resources, save his own indomitable will, coupled with tact and great executive ability, he has fought his way to an honorable position among his fellow-men, and secured ample means, which will provide for all contingencies.




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