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 48

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 48

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James Beard died at his residence in Port Huron April 30, 1882. He had been suffering for two years from some internal disease. He was a native of Green, Chenango County, N. Y., but came to St. Clair County, Mich., in his nineteenth year. He lived in the town of Clyde from 1833 till 1845; from .then until 1853 he kept a lumber yard in Detroit. Since 1853, Port Huron had been his home. He was a popular man, a genial, whole-souled gentle- man at all times and everywhere. It was only the requirements of his business, which engaged nearly all his time, that prevented him from receiving elective offices as evidences of the confidence and respect of his neighbors.

John Baird, an old resident of China, passed to the great beyond, after a life of contented usefulness and industry, April 28, 1881. He was born at Rutherglen, Scotland, January 25,

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1802, and came to this country in March, 1829. He at first. settled on the Canada shore of Lake Huron, twelve miles north of Point Edward, where he stayed but a year, when he, with Henry and James Baird settled in the town of China, thus it will be seen that he lived on-one farm about fifty years. He leaves five children, his wife having been dead for some years.

Mrs. D. B. Harrington (Sarah E. Luce), one of the, earliest pioneers of the city, died at Port Huron, December 2, 1881. She was a daughter of Bartlett A. Luce, who came to Port Huron in 1833 from Pittsfield, Mass., to take charge of the steam saw mill located where Mr. John Jenkinson's coal and lumber yard now is, at the north end of Seventh street bridge. Mr. Luce's family, consisting of his wife and six children, came to Port Huron three years later. They first occupied a cottage located near the mill. Subsequently they resided in the Newell house, well known in the early days of Port Huron, which was located on the ground now occupied by J. B. Farrand's boot and shoe store. Here Mrs. Harrington was married. Subsequently Mr. Luce's family lived in the Howard house on Military street, and there Mr. Luce died in 1845.

For a few years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Harrington lived in the house now oc- cupied by H. C. Sanborn, on Military street. Subsequently they occupied the present Harring- ton homestead, which was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington during the remainder of their lives, except for the period of five years when they resided at Saratoga, N. Y.

Jonathan Burtch was born November 15, 1792, at Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and lived with his parents, receiving such schooling as the generality of boys of that day received, until eighteen years of age. He then, in company with another brother, went to Chenango County, N. Y., to start a farm for their father, and stayed there over a year, when he returned to Herkimer County and followed farming and lumbering, furnishing lumber for the markets of Washington and Alexandria. In 1828, he then having been in New York City about five months, started for the West, and went by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. At that place, he intended to take passage on the steamer William Penn, but failing to make a satisfactory bargain with the officers of that boat, he contracted with Capt. Zimri Belden, of the schooner Mariner, for his passage to Green Bay, and started the 13th of July, 1828, and made the trip without any incident of note happening to them, or seeing anything but wilderness and water, ex- cepting a few scattering settlements of whites and Indians. Upon looking the ground over at Green Bay, he concluded that he did not like it well enough to stay, and also that it was a little too far from home. Having arrived at this conclusion, he engaged passage on the same schooner for Desmond. In coming into the river, she ran her bow into the mud and they were some time in getting off. It being in the night and the Indians quite noisy and not knowing what accommodations there were at the place, he did not relish the idea of being set ashore, and concluded to go on down the river to " Billy Brown's," just below what is now Marine City, and did so, landing there about the 20th of September. Here he made the acquaintance of Dr. Harmon Chamberlin, well known to all the early settlers of St. Clair County. October 4, he procured the services of some Indians, who took him and his effects to Desmond in canoes. Here he began operations by purchasing an old hotel that had been used as a stable and cleaned it out, and purchased 2,000 feet of lumber of Mr. Wadhams, who was located a few miles up Black River, and inclosed his shed and commenced business as a store-keeper. This store was located on or very near the place now occupied by the First National Bank. Here he did business until the next season, when he put up a frame store (the first one in Desmond). This afterward did duty as a kitchen to the old "Central Hotel," and is still standing. In 1832, he built another store on a wharf about two rods above the bridge across Black River. Here he did business until October 4, 1834, when he moved up to what has ever since been called Burtchville, on Lake Huron, where he operated in lumber, carrying on a mill and farm- ing. The mill was purchased of T. S. Knapp, of Detroit. He continued in business at this place until 1857, when he sold the mill, but continued farming. He was married, in April, 1833, to Elizabeth Robertson, at Desmond. Their children are Louisa, born in Desmond, February 1, 1834, now the wife of Edward Potter; Jane, born at Burtchville, April 16, 1837, now the wife of Charles Potter, living in Jeddo. Phebe, born September 20, 1843, now the wife of Dr. Walter P. Brown; Ransom, born November 23, 1847; Oliver D., born July

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12, 1850; Julia, born September 11, 1853, now the wife of George Gerow; Franklin P., born St. Patrick's day, 1856. His death occurred at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. C. Potter, of Jeddo, September 22, 1881.

Asher King, an old settler of Wales, died in Custer, Sanilac County, the 7th of February, 1882, aged seventy-three years.

William Shea, aged eighty-eight years, died March 29, 1882. He had lived on his farm at Cottrellville for thirty years and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.

Teranna V. Carleton Smith, wife of William H. Smith, and daughter of Chester Carleton, of St. Clair, Mich., died in Kimball Township, June 1, 1882.

Sarah B. Carleton died in China Township May 29, 1882. Sarah Barron was born in Bath, N. H., September 28, 1799. She was reared and educated in a pleasant New England home. After her life had passed into womanhood, she chose to seek the new West with her friends. A half-century ago, she came to Michigan and began the work of a teacher. The first school organized in the city of St. Clair was opened in the old court house with Miss Barron in charge. She was one of the first teachers of Port Huron and also of Marine City. In 1834, she married Samuel Carleton, and aided in making a home near St. Clair.

Mrs. Clara St. Clair Wright, who died May 21, 1882, was a daughter of H. N. Monson, of St. Clair. She was born on the 25th of December, 1835. Her early life was spent in St. Clair, but some time after her marriage to P. M. Wright they moved to Red Wing, Minn., and resided there for six years, and there her remains were taken for interment. Mrs. Wright was a resident of Port Huron for eighteen years, and made many friends. She was an active mem- ber of the Episcopal Church and Ladies' Library Association, and also President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

Mrs. Christian Wesick died May 16, 1882, aged sixty-eight years.

Mrs. Albert Doty died on the 28th of May, 1882. . The deceased was an old lady, one of the early settlers in the county.

Mrs. Lydia Geel died April 12, 1882. She belonged to that little band of pioneers and their noble helpmates who saw the St. Clair sweep by a dense forest, with here and there a wreath of smoke, a fallen tree, a canoe in the distance, the only signs of human life. She was born in Colerain, Franklin Co., Mass., in 1810, and was married in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1832, to Mr. James Geel, whom she met while on a visit to Michigan. They cleared and settled a large farm near Marysville, which was their home till after Mr. Geel's death, ten years ago. In 1865, she accompanied her husband and family on an expedition to Central America, in a small sailing vessel called the Union, owned and managed by the party. No accidents were met with further than a severe storm on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and one off the Bermudas, but at Nicaragua the party suffered severely from fever. After arriving at New Orleans, the boat was sold, and Mr. and Mrs. Geel returned to their old home in Michigan. About this time, they became believers in Spiritualism. She leaves two sons, Cummings and Burton Geel, and a daughter, Mrs. Bates.

John Hibbard was born in North Hadley, Mass., in the year 1827. In the year 1837, he removed to Wisconsin with his family, the Territory having at that time but few inhabitants. He worked there at farming during his boyhood, and at the age of nineteen was married to a sister of Aaron Smith, of this city. Four years afterward his wife died, leaving one child, the late William B. Hibbard. Mr. Hibbard was married to the present Mrs. Hibbard in 1848, and in 1850 located at Port Huron. During all the time of his residence here, he was a prominent citizen and business man. At one time he did a large mercantile business, but was subsequent- ly engaged exclusively in lumbering, acquiring a handsome property, which was swept away in the years of business depression following the panic of 1873. Subsequently, he was ap- pointed commercial agent at Goderich, which position he held at the time of his death. Mr. Hibbard was elected mayor of Port Huron in 1869, and during his administration the present bridges crossing Black River were built. Subsequently, he served for several years on the Board of Public Works. He was an ardent and active Republican, and for several years was a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and its Treasurer. He was also for many years a trustee of the Congregational society of Port Huron, and one of its most liberal

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supporters, although never, we believe. a member of the church. Personally, he was a man of generous impulses, and had many warm friends. His death took place in October, 1882. Mr. Hibbard had two sons, Fred and John, the former now a resident of Chicago, and the latter of Fargo, Dak. Only one of his brothers and sisters survives him -- William B. Hibbard, of Chicago.

Albert Doty, a pioneer of this township, died the 18th November, 1882. For many years he was widely known as a frontier settler, and land hunters from Macomb County were enter- tained by him and located land with his assistance. The country for miles in those days used to be spoken of as " up at Doty's." He was kind and hospitable beyond measure. He settled on the homestead where he died forty-five years ago, and no neighbor lived within sight of bis house for twenty years. He was Supervisor for many years, and leaves a large family of boys, who live in various parts of the State.

Peter Carleton, Jeremiah Carleton, Edmond Carleton and Israel Carleton, among the early settlers of St. Clair County, were the sons of Edmond Carleton of Landaff, N. H. Their mother's maiden name was Abigail Hutchins, daughter of Jeremiah Hutchins, of Bath, N. H. Edmond, was the eldest son of Peter Carleton, who was the youngest of four sons of Edward Carleton, Jr., all of whom were born, lived and died on "Carleton Place," West Parish, Haver. hill, Mass. Edward, Jr., was called " Cornet " to distinguish him from the other " Edwards." Deeds of land, running to him, are found of as early date as 1705. He held a commission as Cornet of the First Company of Horse, the regiment being commanded by Col. Richard Salter- stall. His commission bears date the sixth year of the reign of George I. He was the second son of Edward, Jr., (also) who lived in Haverhill, Mass., and died in 1668, who planted an orchard, the last tree of which, it is said, disappeared in 1864. He was the son of Edward Carleton who settled in Rowley, Mass., in 1638. It is said that he was one of the eight proprie- tors of that township. He was a member of the General Court from 1643 to 1647, when he was appointed a Public Magistrate.

Peter, the oldest of the brothers, was born in Bath, N. H., March 3, 1781. His father died when Peter was twelve years old, and he then made his home with his uncle Samuel Hutchins; was married to Susannah Reading, January 10, 1807. Came to Michigan and landed at St. Clair, October 20, 1830, lived the first winter in a house that belonged to Louis St. Barnard, that stood near the bank of St. Clair River in " Yankee Street," supporting himself and family by his labor. The next year he moved on to the " Fergo Place" in China on Belle River, some distance below the " Gallagher Mills." He next moved on to the southwest quarter of the, northeast quarter, Section 11, same town, where he lived until 1848, when the old couple moved into rooms prepared for them on the farm of their son William H. Carleton, where they both died. He held several town offices, and was generally known as " Uncle Peter."

Jeremiah Carleton, the second brother, was born at Bath, N. H., July 29, 1783, was mar- ried to Susannah Emmerson, May 2, 1810, and came to Michigan in 1831, also landing at St. Clair, and settled upon the land that he converted into a farm in what is called " Yankee Street," where his wife died February 1, 1856, and he November 10, 1872.

Edmond Carleton was twin brother of Jeremiah, and of course was born at the same time and place. His wife was Olive M. Barron, to whom he was married February 1, 1808. He also landed at St. Clair in 1831, and settled on the place where he lived nearly all the rest of his life, a few years being spent in St. Clair City, and finally dying in Troy, Ohio, December 19, 1872. He held several offices, at one time that of Associate Judge.

Israel Carleton, the youngest brother, was born in March, 1788. His wife was Nancy Dem- ing. He landed at St. Clair in 1830, and settled on the place where he died, March 3, 1857. After his marriage and previous to his coming to St. Clair he was Sheriff of Grafton County, N. H. In 1824 he moved to Stillwater, N. Y. In coming to Michigan he, as well as the others, came by the way of the Erie Canal and across Lake Erie, at that day a long journey compared to the same now. He built a tannery, the first on the River St. Clair; was Justice of the Peace several years. While all the brothers were called "Uncle " he was also called " Deacon." The brothers were brothers in truth, always agreeing and always friendly. They resembled each other very much in character, all being very regular in their habits, proverbially honest, chari-

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table in all ways, asking nothing for themselves that they were unwilling to accord to others, always commanding the respect of all who knew them. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are a very numerous race, much too large to be all noticed here, but nearly a complete list with places and dates of births, marriages and deaths, with a short sketch of the life of each, whenever it could be obtained, has been collected together by M. F. Carleton, one of the grandchildren of Peter, which as an heir-loom is of inestimable value, being quite a volume, when fully completed, of itself.

The incidents connected with the early settlement of St. Clair County are the old stories of hardships and privations, not unmixed with pleasure. Then, each man regarded his neigh- bor as a brother, and was willing to share with him the comforts and luxuries of a pioneer life. If a deer was killed, or other luxury obtained, to pass it around was generally the first thought. and act. All were actuated by a common interest-that of building up homes-and to this lay the foundation of future prosperity. When we remember that where is now the thriving village, or the fields of the husbandmen, but a few years previous was the home of the Red Man, covered with sturdy oaks of an hundred years, we are led to inquire, by what process has this wonderful change been wrought? It will be seen, however, that most of the pioneer settle- ments of this county were made less than sixty years ago, and from so small a beginning has grown this prosperous community. In that time the Indian has disappeared. The land which he had inherited from a long line of savage ancestors, has passed from his possession. Civil and savage life could not exist together. The Darwinian theory of the survival of the fittest pre- vailed. His game was fast disappearing before the unerring rifle of the pioneer, and he was destined once again to turn his face toward the setting sun, and seek a new hunting ground, amid the wilds of the West, beyond the great chain of lakes, where the foot of the roving pale face had never trod. The tide of immigration had set this way, and on every hand were the crusaders of a new civilization. On every side, on bluff and in valley, could be heard the sturdy blows of the pioneer, as he felled the oaks for his rude cabin, or cleared the fields for the golden harvest, and there laid with honest hand the foundation of success. The list of deceased old settlers shows them to be fast passing away; very few remain.

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ORGANIC HISTORY.

P REVIOUS to the formation of the Northwestern Territory, the country within its bounds was claimed by several of the Eastern States, on the ground that it was within the limits indicated by their charters from the English Crown. In answer to the wishes of the Government and people, these States in a patriotic spirit surrendered their claims to this extensive territory, that it might constitute a common fund to aid in the payment of the National debt. To prepare the way for this cession, a law had been passed in October, 1780, that the territory so to be ceded should be disposed of for the common benefit of the whole Union; that the States erected therein should be of suitable extent, not less than one hundred nor more than one hundred and fifty miles square; and that any expenses that might be incurred in recovering the posts then in the hands of the British should be reimbursed. New York released her claims to Congress March 1, 1781; Virginia, March 1, 1784; Massachusetts, April 19, 1785, and Connecticut, September 4, 1786. Under the French and British dominion, the points occupied on the eastern boundary of what is now the State of Michigan were considered a part of New France, or Canada. Detroit was known to the French as Fort Pontchar- train. The military commandant, under both Governments, exercised a civil jurisdiction over the settlements surrounding their posts. In 1796, when the British garrisons at Detroit and Mackinac were replaced by detachments by Gen. Wayne, Michigan became a part of the Northwestern Terri- tory and was organized as the county of Wayne, entitled to one Representative in the General As- sembly, held at Chillicothe. In 1800, Indiana was made a separate Territory, embracing all the country west of the present State of Ohio, and of an extension of the western line of that State due north to the territorial limits of the United States. In 1802, the Peninsula was annexed to the Territory of Indiana, and, in 1805, Michigan began a separate existence. That part of the Terri- tory that lies east of a north and south line through the middle of Lake Michigan was formed into a distinct government, and the provisions of the ordinance of 1787 continued to regulate it. Under this constitution, the executive power was vested in a Governor, the judicial in three Judges, and the legislative in both united; the officers were appointed by the General Government, and their legislative authority was restricted to the adoption of laws from the codes of the several States. This form of government was to continue until the Territory should contain 5,000 free white males of full age. It then became optional with the people to choose a legislative body, to be supported by them; but subsequent legislation by Congress more liberally provided a Legisla- ture at the expense of the General Government, and also added to privileges in the elective fran- chise and eligibility to office; as, for example, under the ordinance a freehold qualification was re- quired, both on the part of the elector and the elected.

The first officers of the Territory of Michigan were William Hull, Governor; Augustus B. Woodward, Chief Judge; Frederick Bates, Sr., Assistant Judge and Treasurer; John Griffin, As- sistant Judge; Col. James May, Marshal; Abijah Hull, Surveyor; Peter Audrain, Clerk of the Leg- islative Board. May 5, 1807, Joseph Watson was appointed Legislative Secretary; in November, 1806, Elijah Brush was appointed Treasurer, to succeed Mr. Bates, and the books of the office were delivered over on the 26th of that month; and William McDowell Scott was appointed Marshal in November, 1806, to succeed Col. May. The latter never held the office of Judge of the Territory, but about 1800 to 1803, he was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. Augustus Brevoort Woodward was a native of Virginia; was appointed a Judge of the Territory in 1805, his term of office expiring February 1, 1824. He was soon afterward appointed Judge of the Territory of Florida, and three years after that he died. The grand scheme of "Catholepistemiad," or State University of Michigan, with its numerous departments described under sesquipedalian names from the Greek, owed its origin to Judge Woodward. John Griffin was appointed Assistant Judge in 1807; his term of office expiring February 1, 1824, when he was re-appointed for four years, and, February 1, 1828, he was appointed Territorial Secretary.

When, in 1818, Illinois was admitted into the Union, all the territory lying north of that State and of Indiana was annexed to Michigan. In 1819, the Territory was authorized to elect a dele-

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gate to Congress, according to the present usage with reference to Territories; previous to this time, according to the ordinance of 1787, a Territory was not entitled to a delegate until it entered . upon the "second grade of government," and the delegate was then to be chosen by the General Assembly.

In 1823, Congress abolished the legislative power of the Governor and Judges, and granted more enlarged ones to a council, to be composed of nine persons selected by the President of the United States from eighteen chosen by the electors of the Territory; and by this law, also, eligibili- ty to office was made co-existent with the right of suffrage as established by the act of 1819; also the judicial term of office was limited to four years. In 1825, all county offices, except those of a judicial nature, were made elective, and the appointments which remained in the hands of the ex- ecutive were made subject to the approval of the legislative council. In 1827, the electors were authorized to choose a number of persons for the legislative council, which was empowered to en- act all laws not inconsistent with the ordinance of 1787. Their acts, however, were subject to abol- ishment by Congress, and to veto by the Territorial executives. When Gen. William Hull arrived at Detroit to assume his official duties as Governor, he found the town in ruins, it having been de- stroyed by fire. Whether it had been burned by design or accident was not known. The inhabit- ants were without food and shelter, camping in the open fields; still they were not discouraged, and soon commenced rebuilding their houses on the same site. Congress, also, kindly granted the sufferers the site of the old town of Detroit and 10,000 acres of land adjoining. A Territorial militia was organized, and a code of laws was adopted similar to those of the original State. This code was signed by Gov. Hull, Augustus B. Woodward and Frederick Bates, Judges of the Territory, and was called the "Woodward Code."

At this time, the bounds of the Territory embraced all the country on the American side of the Detroit River, east of the north and south line through the center of Lake Michigan. The Indian land claims had been partially extinguished previous to this period. By the treaty of Fort McIntosh, in 1785, and that of Fort Harmar in 1787, extensive cessions had been either made or confirmed, and, in 1807, the Indian titles to several tracts became entirely extinct. Settlements having been made under the French and English Governments, with irregularity or absence of definite surveys and records, some confusion sprang up in regard to the titles of valuable tracts. Accordingly, Congress established a Board of Commissioners to examine and settle these conflict- ing claims, and, in 1807, another act was passed, confirming, to a certain extent, the titles of all such as had been in possession of the lands then occupied by them from the year 1796, the year of the final evacuations by the British garrisons. Other acts were subsequently passed, extending the same conditions to settlements on the upper lakes.

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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 48

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