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 66

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 66

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The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lynn was organized May 15, 1858, when Rev. Morey Harrington, preacher in charge of Mill St. Circuit, appointed J. A. Cole, John Stonehouse, C. P. Stone, D. S. Evans and William Bettes, Trustees.

The German Presbyterian Congregation of Port Huron was organized October 10, 1859, with Izzard Freund, H. Schmidt, Peter Hill, P. Heinrich Hoffmann and Peter Atwater, Trustees.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Vicksburg was organized November 9, 1859, with Peter F. Brakman, Nelson Mills, Amsley M. Griffith, D. Carlisle and William Smith Trust- ees, and William Tuttle, pastor.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

The First Baptist Society of Port Huron was organized December 5, 1859, with John Lewis, John Howard, J. J. Scaritt, J. B. Hull and Calvin Ames, Trustees. The meeting to organize was presided over by Calvin Ames.

The Pilcher Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Church was the corporate title of trustees, appointed by Rev. George W. Owen, of the Columbus Circuit, February 8, 1860. The trustees were Charles Simmons, George Fuller, William O. Fuller, Josiah P. Merchant and Samuel Stephen.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Merrilville, in Brockway Township, was organized March 20, 1860, when Rev. Ira H. Chamblin appointed Levi McNeil, William Bettes, Nathan White, Peleg Soule and Jesse A. Cole, Trustees.

The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of St. Martin was organized at St. Clair, August 5, 1858, with Michael Nehmeyer, John Peldmeyer and Michael Scheierioker, Trustees.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Burtchville was established September 3, 1861, by Rev. William Tuttle, who appointed M. Strevel, W. Boomer, William Wardel, John Mitch- ell and John Holt, Trustees.

First Evangelical Protestant Church of Casco was organized July 6, 1861, when William Zentgreve, John Hirt and Andrew Moerschel were elected Trustees.

First Congregational Society of Columbus was formed November 19, 1860, with John S Parker, Henry Quick, Charles Hunt, Robert Ramsey, Michael Felts and Thomas Graham, Trustees.

The Methodist Protestant Church of Capac was organized under Rev. H. W. Hicks, Feb. ruary 15, 1862, when Hugh Morton, Garrison Smith, and P. C. Goodel were elected Trustees.

St. Mark's Church (Protestant Episcopal) of Newport was organized June 20, 1863, with B. S. Horton, A. B. Clough, Aloney Rust, L. B. Parker, T. W. Main, and John Bishop as original members.

German Lutheran Church, St. Martin's Congregation of Cottrellville, was organized Feb- ruary 16, 1864, with twenty-one members, under Conrad Ide, minister, and John Waug, Paul Vollnier, and Frederick Gunnurmer, Trustees.

St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church of Marine City, was organized in June, 1865, with A. B. Clough, B. L. Horton, Alexander Gilchrist, Aloney Rust, Joseph Luff and D. H. West- cott, members.

The German Lutheran St. Paul's Congregation and Church, Casco, were organized June 7, 1859, with Aug. Leich, Samuel Spaar and W. J. Schroeder, Trustees, and F. Backman and W. Schroeder, Elders.

Lutheran Evangelical St. Peter's Congregation of China was organized February 24, 1866, with Charles Hoffmeyer, Aug. Hoffmeyer and John C. Roeder, Trustees.

St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal Church of Algonac was organized March 7, 1867, with Thomas F. Perry, Fred. Parker, William Gunniss, Aura P. Stewart, John K. Harrow and John Hansford, original members.

Trinity Church (Protestant Episcopal) of St. Clair was organized April 2, 1867, with Wesley Truesdell, T. W. Bacon, A. L. Padfield, D. Sheldon, John E. Kitton, Uriah Hayden, original members.

The Port Huron Society of Spiritualists adopted a constitution April 24, 1868. The members whose signatures are on record were: D. B. Harrington, L. S. Nobles, S. W. Ham- ilton, James H. White, J. H. Haslett, H. Kubey, John Buzzard, James Talbot, T. L. Hubbard, C. L. Penney, E. R. Seeley, John L. Newell, W. B. Pace, R. W. Matthews, Megs Jordan, Henry Allen, Stephen V. Thornton, Thomas Dunford, Isaac Hamilton, S. D. Pace, Hiram Ham- ilton. The ladies who joined this religious body were, Sophia Hoagdon, Eliza A. Dale, Mary C. Reid, M. J. Brown, Mary E. Noble, Emma Young, H. N. Hamilton, L. G. Seeley, Electa Buzzard, Mariah Talbut, Mary Miller, Angel D. Penney, Miss Fannie Kubey, Mrs. M. Sayres, H. F. Allen, Lizzie Pace and Sarah Dunford. The Trustees were John L. Newell, James H. White, J. H. Haslett, James Talbot, L. S. Nobles, Thomas Dunford and C. L. Penney.

The German Evangelical Church of Port Huron adopted articles of association as the "German United Evangelical Congregation of Port Huron," May 10, 1868. The society elected

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

the following Trustees, July 5, 1868, viz .: Peter Hill, Philip Eichhorn, Peter Schweetzer, Aug. Ludwig, Ernst Ortenburger and Charles Eichhorn.

The Capac Society of Spiritualists organized, September 13, 1868, with the following Ex- ecutive Committee: Andrew Millspaugh, Charles Ross, Mrs. Charles Ross, Philander Caswell, Miss Harriet Caswell, Mrs. Millspaugh, Samuel J. Finchers, John T. Pomeroy, Hestor F. McKinzie.

The First United Presbyterian Congregation of Port Huron was organized May 10, 1869, with Robert Wilson, P. R. Wright, Edward Cowan, Daniel Robinson and Alexander Stewart, original members.

The First Regular Baptist Church and Society of Brockway adopted articles of association February 7, 1867, with William Ballentine, W. H. Ballentine, Ruth Ballentine, R. Turner, Catharine Turner, Nathan Russell, Waldron Ward, Louisa H. Boyer, first members.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Kenockee elected Samuel Ramsay, Aaron Hulin, Levi Cronk, Thomas Ramsay, and Daniel Dove, Trustees, January 1, 1870.

The Church of Christ, Brockway Center, adopted articles of association March 19, 1870. The members belonged to the Free Baptist Church for seven years previously. The subscribers to the constitution were: D. Brown, pastor; R. W. Murray and John Broadway, Deacons; A. H. Telfer, George Moffat, Sr., Alexander Lowe, Samuel Carson, George Carpenter, Jacob Mur- ray, H. Phillips, G. Menerey, M. Menerey, Agnes Turnbull, William Young, Doughtery Mid- dleton, Jannette Middleton, R. Scott, T. H. Collins, Ruth Scott, Constance Eastman, W. B. Johnson, Melveney Bartlett, J. Brown, Sarah A. Carson, Nancy A. Broadway, M. Packer, Mary H. Tehpen, Mary Brown, Eliza Menerey, Janet M. Brown, Anne Menerey, Margaret Adams, Susan Carpenter, Mary Phillips, Eliza Menerey, Mary J. Menerey, Anne K. Menercy, Mary G. Stevens, Mary Young. Mary A. Collins, Alexander Adams, Elizabeth Phillips, Eliza- beth Smeats and Isabella Brown.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Wales Township elected James P. Smith, D. Reisch, Bob. Baillie, James Dunning and Abraham Yarger Trustees March 5, 1870.

The Church of Christ of Algonac adopted articles of association in 1871, and elected Isaac Kliene, N. D. Smith and Vincent McCrea Trustees.

The First Baptist Society of Casco was organized March 7, 1872, with Charles Schmock, Fred Schoff and John Brockman Trustees.

The First Baptist Society of Wales Township adopted articles of association January 20, 1872. The Trustees elected were Galloway Freleigh, A. Dunning and D. Drake.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Grant was organized March 16, 1871, with Aaron Earnest, Charles P. Farr and George Comstock Trustees.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Kimball Circuit, in Wales Township, adopted articles of association in 1872, and on June 8 elected Charles S. King, Elihu Akerman and Levi Fair- banks Trustees.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of China, elected Peter Powrie, Thomas Low, Wonton Tripp, Philander Allen and Ambrose West, Trustees, October 29, 1870.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of West Berlin elected Trustees April 23, 1872. They were James S. Freligh, F. F. Barber, John Park, James Harrington, Schuyler Jones, T. Stanlake and William Huggett.

The German Aid Society of the city of Port Huron was organized February 9, 1873, with eight members.

The German Evangelist Lutheran Society of Port Huron adopted articles of association February 10, 1873, which adoption was signed by William Ernst, J. F. Ruff, A. Wienert, A. Henz and A. Schulz.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fort Gratiot appointed Raymond J. Wright, Richard Eades, Robert E. French, Don. C. Curtis, Joseph Davis and Felix Towsley, Trustees, March 18, 1873.

The Advent Christian Church Society of Columbus Township adopted articles of associa- tion February 27, 1875, which were signed by Ira P. Burke, Norman Young, George C. Ste- phenson, John S. Parker and O. M. Stephenson.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Salem Church of the Evangelist Association of North America, in St. Clair County, was incorporated December 15, 1874, with W. H. Hunsperger, President, and J. G. Guenther, Treasurer.

German Evangelist Lutheran Church of Emanuel of Greenwood Township elected Nich- olas Vogelei, C. Gruel, John Lepien, Charles Lepien and Fred. Prueness, Trustees, March 1, 1875.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Riley Township was organized February 9, 1875, when William Burt, W. B. Dayton, Martin Ellenwood, J. Warren, S. Van Valkenburg, were elected Trustees. The members who signed the articles of association were, together with the Trustees, James McMett, Thomas Davis, D. McMett, Hiram L. Dutton, J. L. Vincent, Manuel Ralph, William Dayton, Mary Burt, Jane E. Davis, Eliza Dutton, Julia Valkenburgh, Mary A. Vincent and Eliza A. Ralph.

The Free Methodist Church of Riley, was formed October 4, 1875, when Hezekiah Knight, John Bishop, Albert Henderson, T. Tevill and A. Sunrekee were elected Trustees.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Capac appointed Miles Hagle, Marvin M. Hol- comb, Thomas Lynch, James B. Cavenagh, and Richard Shutt, Trustees, November, 22, 1875.

The First Methodist Episcopal Society of Marine City, appointed Isaac Wilkins, Aaron G. Westbrook, Phineas H. Clarke, Hiram Chambers, Leonard B. Parker, Calvin A. Blood, D. H. Wescott, Thomas Pringle and James Leitch, Trustees, January 18, 1876.

The Church of the United Brethren in Christ of Fort Gratiot, elected Abram B. Flew- elling, Merrill S. Jones, Charles Cole, Trustees, December 25, 1875.

The Free-Will Baptist Society of Brockway, recorded its revival January 4, 1876, by the adoption of articles of association. Many of those who formed the Church of Christ, previously referred to, returning to its folds.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Grant elected Cyrus Potter, Paschal Lamb, William Austin, Milton Newbury and Moses Locke, Trustees, February 26, 1876.

The German Evangelist Lutheran Society of St. Clair City, adopted articles of association in March, 1876.

The German United Evangelist St. Paul's Congregation of Clyde Township adopted arti- cles of association, August 31, 1875, and elected F. Ulrich, Adam Stein and Fred. Brolomski, Trustees.

The Methodist Protestant Church, Michigan District, with property in Berlin Township, adopted articles of association and elected Trustees, January 7, 1878. Henry Hulbert, George Egerton and William Warner were chosen Trustees.

German Lutheran Congregation of Marine City, adopted a constitution in December, 1878.

The Free-Will Baptist Church and Society of Lynn, adopted articles of association, and on July 2, 1879, elected Fred Dohrman, George Locke and John Drennan, Trustees.

The Free-Will Baptist Church of Riley Centre adopted a series of rules for government, and elected Jacob Warren, James McMitt, William Dayton, Jonas Jones and James Forshee, Sr., Trustees, December 8, 1877.

The Christian Church of Grant Centre was organized March 19, 1877, with John McGill, Martin Monroe, Hiram Hayword, James Carey, James Coon, Daniel Mckay and Herman Elliott, Trustees.

The Baptist Church of Grant Township was organized November 7, 1879, with Rev. W. S. Barber, Smith W. Downs, Henry Hewitt, Alexander Youngs, and Nathan B. Elliott, a Com- mittee of Trustees.

The first Trustees of the Clyde and Grant Methodist Episcopal Church were Stephen Tib- bert, M. Myron, Henry Cook, Henry Kingsley and Dexter Hubbell, known as Trustees of Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, May 31, 1879.

The Trustees for Brockway Centre Methodist Episcopal Church, appointed by I. N. Elwood, Presiding Elder, February 14, 1880, were John Mitchell, John Stonehouse, George Ard, Joseph Redhouse, W. H. York, William Bettes, Archibald Mitchell, John Holden and John Wedge. In November, 1879, Mr. Elwood appointed George Ard, James Keys, J. F. Brown, C. W.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Stratton and Henry A. Cope, Trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Brockway. The Church of Christ of Algonac adopted articles of association February 23, 1880. The first officers were: T. B. Scovil, Overseer; Arthur Walderkine, Treasurer; R. Robertson, Deacon and Clerk; David Finkle, Frank Brabaw and Charles Sharp, Trustees.

Methodist Protestant Church of Kimball Circuit, Michigan, with property in Wales Town- ship, adopted articles of association, April 2, 1880, and elected Horace C. Mudge, William Hunter, Adrian Tigchon, Peter Galerno and Ebenezer Card, Trustees.

The Methodist Protestant Church Society of Grant Circuit adopted articles of association June 15, 1880. The first Trustees were Thomas Myron, Louis O'Dell and Thomas Burns.

The German Evangelist Lutheran, St. Martin's Congregational U. A. C., adopted a series of rules for government, September 15, 1880. The officers elected were J. R. Lauritzen, Chair- man; Z. M. Netmeyer, Secretary; M. Netmeyer, George . Kruger and Z. M. Netmeyer, Trustees.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of China elected Thomas Law, William Allington and W. A. Tripp, Trustees, May 7, 1881.

The Free-Will Baptist Church of Capac elected H. P. Stoughton, Nicholas Smith, Richard Scott, T. H. Bottomley and William Roy, Trustees, December 29, 1881.

The German Evangelist Lutheran St. Petri Congregation of Ira Township, adopted articles of incorporation in December, 1881. Henry Meyer, John Rassow and Louis Cohis were elected Trustees.

Among the local ministers of early times the name of Elder Warren is prominent. He resided on a farm in the southwestern part of Washington Township, Macomb County. He was not a man of classical education; but of fine natural abilities and tender sympathies, and a very happy manner of expressing them. In the first years of the settlement his services were in requistion far and near as the man most desired to officiate on funeral occasions. His efforts at such times were especially happy, and he became endeared to almost every family by reason of his timely service and kind counsel. The quarterly meetings for many years were greatly indebted to his presence. He was a good singer, and led the musical part of religious service with fine effect. As the years rolled on, men of culture came to supply the pulpits, and gradually, with his declining years, Elder Warren withdrew from the extended and voluntary labors of his earlier years. Elder Warren was the pioneer of Methodism.

Brother Ruggles, of Pontiac, was a man of like heart and labors, though different in manner and expression from Elder Warren. He was accustomed to visit this section of the State once every four weeks, walking from Pontiac. He lived to an advanced age, and died while attending a session of the General Congregational Society of Michigan. He was the pioneer of Congregationalism north of Detroit. He preached at Romeo in 1828-29, and organized the First Congregational Church there and preached in St. Clair.

Rev. John Taylor was one of the most able, learned and venerable men who settled here in early dass. He resided with his son in Bruce, was well educated, refined, genial, and a thorough type of the old school gentleman. He held Sabbath services at his house for many years. After the establishment of the Scotch settlement, there was a union of religious elements. He often supplied the pulpit in St. Clair County, sometimes for months together, when it was destitute of a minister. After a life of good deeds and words, he died suddenly at his home.

In the fall of 1829 or the spring of 1830, Luther Shaw, a graduate from Andover, settled at Romeo. He was the first permanent minister-preaching in the Congregational Church from 1830 to 1834 or 1835. He married Miss Julia Chamberlin in 1831. This lady died at the parsonage in 1835. Under Mr. Shaw's administration, not only did the church at Romeo assume great importance, but also that other one which he attended at Rochester grew in num- bers and influence, as well as other societies in St. Clair.

Rev. John B. Shaw, brother of Luther Shaw, came from Utica, N. Y., in 1835, and was appointed pastor of the church here.

Rev. O. C. Thompson was for some time the stated supply between the going of Rev. L. Shaw and the coming of his brother, John B. Shaw.

The memorable revival of 1836-37 began in the church at Romeo, and was conducted by

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Rev. O. Parker and Rev. P. Barber. All denominations shared in this revival, and the influ - ence was felt throughout the adjacent county of St. Clair.

Reuben R. Smith was one of the early local preachers. He first set himself to work in putting his own house in order, and then he labored with and for others.

John Holland was often called upon as an exhorter to supply the pulpit, when ministers unexpectedly failed to meet appointments. He rendered a religious service which the old Con- gregationalists of Macomb and St. Clair Counties will never forget.

Stephen Theodore Badin was born at Orleans, France, July 17, 1768,' came to the United States in 1792, was ordained by Bishop Carroll in 1793, and accepted the Kentucky mission in 1794. It is said he was the first priest ordained in the United States. His mission at the beginning of the nineteenth century embraced as it were the entire Western and Northwestern Territories.

Other ministers mentioned in the foregoing pages and again in the city histories must be considered as pioneers in the work of establishing the Christian Churches in St. Clair and adjoining counties.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

THE MARINE OF THE LAKES.

The first boat, other than Indian canoes, which appeared on the River St. Clair, was the Griffin, the history of which is given in other pages. Following in the track of the Griffin came the boats of the couriers, but not until the Fair American and Friendship appeared here about the year 1816, has any account of large boats been given. One of these vessels was known as the Revenue Cutter, under Capt. William Keith. These boats passed up the river in 1822, en route to Saginaw, and returned to Ft. Gratiot, in 1823, with the garrison of that post, then commanded by Maj. Baker. Dr. Zina Pitcher was on board the Friendship, then com- manded by Capt Keith; while the Fair American was under Capt. Walker. The Tiger and the Porcupine Cutters were on the river and lake after this time, one under Capt. William Keith and the other under John O' Flaherty.

Between the years 1820-22, Angus McIntosh built on the spot where Walker's distillery now stands in Canada a three-masted, square-rigged, barque-shaped vessel called the Duke of Wellington, of 132 tons, which was at that time the wonder and admiration of the lakes. In fact, previous to 1830, the sailing vessels belonging to Michigan were small sloops and schoon- ers rarely reaching 100 tons, and generally under sixty. These were mostly built at Huron, Ohio, and in Buffalo, the late Oliver Newberry especially patronizing the former place. In nothing is the rapid growth of our commerce and wealth of the State more clearly exhibited than in the increase in the number and capacity of the vessels owned at her ports. The Salem packet of 1818, 27 tons burden, the St. Clair of 28 tons, built in 1824, the Albatross, 20 tons, and Marshal Ney 93 tons, built in 1830, the Elizabeth Ward, 65 tons, and Gen. Harrison, 115 tons, built in 1833, all the property of Samuel Ward, of St. Clair, have given place to the splen- did line of steamers that we all remember, owned by Samuel and E. B. Ward, during 1850- 60. Every one who knows anything of the history of our lake marine has heard of the famous "fleet" of Oliver Newberry, who was known as the "Admiral of the lakes." For the benefit of the present generation, we append the following list of vessels composing this fleet, with their tonnage: The Pilot, 54 tons, built at St. Clair, in 1825; LaGrange, 101 tons, at Mt. Clemens, in 1826; Napoleon, 107 tons, at Detroit, in 1828; Savage, 30 tons, at St. Clair, in 1828; Ma- rengo, 104 tons, built at Huron, Ohio, in 1831; Prince Eugene, 104 tons, at Huron, Ohio, in 1832; Austerlitz, 134 tons, at Huron, Ohio, in 1832; Lodi, 64 tons, at Huron, Ohio, in 1834; Jena, 55 tons, at Detroit, in 1834; all these were schooners. These were commanded by such veteran sailors as Chesley Blake, Mason Dingly, John Stewart, Harry Whittaker, Gus. McKins- try, Amos B. Hinckley, Levi Allen, and Ben. Miller.

The first steamer enrolled as belonging to Detroit was the Argo, and she was called a steam sloop. She was built in 1830 in Detroit, and was owned and commanded by John Bur- tis. She was 42 feet long, 9 broad, and 23 deep. Her capacity was nine tons. She was used as a ferry, and occasionally ran up the River Rouge to Dearborn.

The next steamer was the Gen. Gratiot, built at Black River, Ohio, in 1831. She was 45 tons burden and was licensed here in June of that year, owned by Francis F. Browning, and commanded by Arthur Edwards. Then came the Gen. Brady, 65 tons, built at Detroit in 1832, owned by a number of the then principal business men; and the Andrew Jackson, 49 tons, built at Mount Clemens in 1832, by Gray & Gallagher. During the years 1833 and 1834, a number of steamers were built, of which the following are the names and tonnage: Lady of the Lake, 26 tons, built at Mount Clemens; Major Jack Downing, 54 tons, also built at Mount Clemens; Oliver Newberry, 170 tons, built at St. Clair; Uncle Sam, 220 tons, built at Grosse Isle; Michigan, 470 tons, built at Detroit; Detroit, 137 tons, also built at Detroit; Del- aware, 178 tons, built at Huron, Ohio; Monroe, 349 tons, built at Monroe. Those enrolled

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

after this gradually increased in size, and the date of their building becomes so recent that their history "doth not outstrip the memory" of this generation.

The first steamboat between Detroit and Port Huron was the Argo, referred to above. She was constructed from two large whitewood trees, converted into dug-outs, joined so as to make a sharp bow and square stern. She was the property of her Captain, Burtiss, of Detroit. On her arrival at Stromness Island, she would take on board a quantity of fence rails, as it ap- pears she could not load sufficient fuel for her trip at either Port Huron or Detroit.

The Gen. Gratiot, referred to, was purchased by Dr. Rice & Co., of Detroit, and placed on the St. Clair route about 1831, under Capt. John Clarke, of East China. This boat and her Captain became great favorites. In 1833-34, the Gen. Brady, under Capt. Burtiss, plied on the lake and river. The Lady of the Lake, with Capt. Sylvester Atwood, was a small boat, which plied on the river for a short time.

The Erie was placed on the route in 1836 by James Abbot, and was known as the Fast Boat until her wreck on Lake St. Clair in 1842. Capt. Samuel Ward placed the Huron on the St. Clair route in 1840, with E. B. Ward as Captain. This was the great boat of the period. In the Stewart memoirs, it is said that at this time Newport, St. Clair and Port Huron were rapidly increasing in population, and the county was filling up with industrious farmers. The same evidences of progress were shown on the Canadian side of the river. Lake Huron shore and the river ports gave this boat full freights, her commodious cabins were always crowded with passengers. She continued on the route, until worn out with service she was withdrawn, having proved herself the foundation on which the colossal fortune of the Wards was built up.

The first boat built in the county was the St. Clair, in 1820, owned and operated by Sam- uel Ward. After the opening of the Erie Canal, Ward took on freight for New York, and tak- ing two horses with him to tow the boat through the canal, started on his Eastern trip. On his arrival at Erie, he stowed away the masts and sails, pushed through the canal to Hudson, where he replaced masts and sails, and proceeded to the city of New York. Having procured a full freight list, he entered upon the return home. He expected to receive a premium from the canal authorities for his enterprise in running the first lake boat through; but the canal men failed to appreciate the deed, and instead of receiving a premium he was called upon to pay toll. The St. Clair was the first boat built at Marine City.

The Grand Turk was the first boat built at St. Clair, or Palmer Village. She was com- pleted shortly after the St. Clair. Capt. Alexander St. Bernard was in charge of this ungainly looking product of Barber's naval architectural knowledge. The Savage of Detroit was built in Clay Township in 1824, by Capt. Amos Henkley and R. Newhall. The Savage was a trader on the Mackinac, Green Bay and West Michigan route, and was the first vessel that entered and wintered in the St. Joseph River. Capt. Henkley, on returning to Detroit, gave a glowing ac- count of the shore at St. Joseph, and succeeded in urging its adoption as the location of a vil- lage. He built the first house there, and claimed an interest in the village plat. This lake sailor died on board his boat in 1834, and was buried on the Canada shore. In the winter of 1835, William Brown caused the body to be exhumed, and interred on United States soil.

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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 66

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