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 89

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 89

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CAPT. W. H. BROWN, Port Huron, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born on Harson's Island February 14, 1844 ; he began sailing when only ten years of age, on the Wolverine ; in 1859, he was mate of the Belle City, and in 1867, sailed Captain of the William Barclay, and was master of the Forwarder for nine

JUDGE ZEPHANIAH WEBSTER BUNCE.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

years, and has also sailed Captain of the Henry Young, the Hyde and the Alpena ; he has been in the marine service thirty years. In 1867, he married Miss Mary A. Horton, a native of Canada. They have three chil- dren-Elmer, Ida S., Alva B.

CAPT. W. BROWNLEE is a native of Scotland, and was born May 26, 1825 ; he began sailing when twelve years of age ; he came to this country in 1849, and brought one of the first cargoes from Europe to San Francisco ; for the next four years sailed along the coast and to Peru and China, and in 1852 went from China to London, and the following year he came to the United States, and since then has been engaged in sailing on the lakes ; in 1855, he sailed Captain of the schooner Alice, and has sailed the Sir Charles Medcalf, the Gem, the British Lion, Yorkney Lass, America, Star of Hope, W. B. Ogden, and the Red, White and Blue. In 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth Shields, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland ; they have four children -Elizabeth A., Robert, Maude, Charles E.

HIEL B. BUCKRIDGE, of the firm of H. B. Buckridge & Co., wholesale dealers and shippers in fruits, vegetables, butter and eggs, is a native of Canada, and was born October 1, 1852. He came here in 1866 ; after reaching manhood, was engaged in buying grain for some years He established his present business January 1, 1882 ; it has rapidly increased, and the firm has built up a large local and shipping business. Mr. Buckridge married Miss Louise V. Phenix, of Port Huron, September 1, 1879. They have one son, Francis.

D. M. BUNCE, Port Huron, is a son of Judge L. W. Bunce, and was born in the town of Port Huron, February 4, 1829. After reaching manhood, he engaged in lumbering, milling and farming. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and other town offices. In 1854, he married Miss Mary Bagley, a native of this county, and daughter of Jesse and Johanna Bagley, early settlers of this county. They have three children-George M., Louise, Zephaniah W.

EDWARD BUNCE, Marysville, is a native of Windsor County, Vt., and was born June 23, 1822. His parents came to St. Clair County in 1825, and lived here five years-then removed to New York State, where Edward grew up to manhood. In 1846, he returned to this county, and engaged in lumbering on Mill Creek. He was interested in the business there for some years, and was also engaged in farming. He was appointed route agent in the Government Mail Service between Port Huron and Flint, on the Port Huron & Chicago Railroad, and held that position six years. He owns a good farm in the town of Kenokee. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Tenth Regiment Michigan Infantry, and was commissioned Lieut. Company E of that regiment. After being in the service over a year, was obliged to resign his commission on account of sickness. In 1840, Mr. Bunce married Miss Eliza Smith, of Jefferson County, N. Y .; they have one daugh- ter, Caroline F.

HORACE BUNCE, farmer, P. O. Marysville, is a native of Windsor County, Vt., and was born June 18, 1820. He is a son of Joseph and Sophia Earl Bunce. When five years of age, he came with his parents to this State. They came by stage to Albany, and from there by canal to Buffalo, and from there to Detroit on the old steamboat Pioneer, and came on a sail vessel to St. Clair, and then took row boat to Port Huron, and ar- rived here in 1825. They settled on the river, near by the home of Judge Bunce, and he engaged in lumber- ing with his brother, Judge Bunce. At that time, Gen. Cass was Territorial Governor of the State, and was a frequent visitor at the Bunce homestead. Joseph Bunce was appointed by him Territorial Judge. After being here five years, owing to continued sickness in his family, Judge Joseph Bunce removed with his fam- ily to Jefferson County, N. Y., and Horace grew up to manhood ; then, in 1840, he returned to St. Clair County and located in the town of Clyde, and engaged in lumbering and farming, and also had a grist-mill, and since then, over forty years, has been engaged in lumbering and farming. The farm where he lives is finely located on St. Clair River, and is valuable property, and he also owns other lands. Mr. Bunce was elected to the State Legislature, and was a member of the regular session of 1860-61, and also of the two called sessions. In 1858, he married Miss Martha J. Westbrook, a native of the town of Clyde, in this coun- ty. They have four children-Sophia J., Henrietta A., Harriet C., Horace C.

JUDGE ZEPHANIAH WEBSTER BUNCE, Section 29, of the town of Port Huron, is the oldest settler now living in the State of Michigan. He is a native of Connecticut, and was born in the city of Hartford November 14, 1787. When five years of age he went to Windsor, Vt., and lived there some years, then re- moved to Albany, N. Y. From there he started West on a one-horse wagon, and came to Rochester and Buffalo, and from there he came on a sail vessel to Detroit, and reached that place May 15, 1817, and was there a short time, and in the fall of the same year came to Port Huron, and selected the land where he now lives, and located three miles fronting on the river by half mile wide. There was not a house where the city of Port Huron now stands. Until two years after he came, his nearest neighbor south of him was an old French- man near St. Clair, and none nearer than Fort Gratiot on the north. He built saw mills near where he now lives, and afterward built mills at Abbottsford, and carried on the business there for fourteen years, and also at Burtsville, on the lake. After coming here he lived a bachelor for some nine years, and only had one man with him. There were plenty of Indians here at that time; they were always friendly. He gained their confidence to such an extent that they had a wholesome fear of him, and would listen to his advice, With the aid of Col. McNeal, who was in command at Fort Gratiot, he built the first wagon road at Fort Gratiot .. Then Judge Bunce built the road twenty miles below his place. Ten years after coming here, in 1827, he married Miss Louisa Ann Duryea, of New York. She died January 27, 1861. They had three children-two sons, Mum- ford L. and Lefferts, and one daughter, Louise Ann, now Mrs. Slusser, living in Alpena. Judge Bunce has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and was Colonel of the Third Michigan Militia. He was Associate Judge at Mt. Clemens before the county was divided, and after this county was set off he was Chief Justice of the courts here, and was afterward Judge of Probate. Judge Bunce was engaged in manufacturing lumber, and connected with that business over fifty years. He has lived on the land he first located over sixty-five years. Was in the Legislature as long as Michigan was a Territory, and is the last surviving member of that body. He has passed his ninety-fifth birthday, and there are very few twenty years younger who are as well preserved, and as active mentally and physically.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

WILLIAM BURD, ship carpenter, is a native of Michigan, and was born in the city of Detroit Novem- ber 23, 1840. He had good educational advantages, and attended both the Boston and Bishop union schools, and speaks three languages. He learned the trade of ship carpenter, and served three years in Jones' ship- yard, and afterward clerked in store five years. He came to Port Huron in 1868, and since then has been en- gaged in ship building, and for the past seven years with the Wolverine dry dock ; for two years was boss calker. Mr. Burd's first wife was Miss Victoria Grefford. a native of St. Clair. She died August 28, 1880. She left two children, Angeline aud Florence ; he married his present wife, Miss Viola Normandum, from South Dover, Ontario, Canada. They have one son, Joseph Edmond.

HENRY BURTON, draughtsman for Phoenix Iron Works, is a native of the North of Ireland, and was born in 1844. His parents came to Michigan in 1853. He attended school and learned his trade in this State and New York City. He came to Port Huron in 1868, and since then has been engaged in his present busi- ness, and for the past three years has held the position of draughtsman for the Phoenix Iron Works. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has served as Master of his lodge four years, and is now Secretary. In 1870, he married Miss Jane Telfer, of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

CAPT. GEORGE W. BUZZARD, schooner Snowdrop, is a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and was born December 3, 1834. He began sailing when thirteen years of age, with his father, Capt. Philip Buz- zard, on the sloop Morning Star, four years. Then was with his father on the schooner Avenger and The Stranger. His father afterward bought the schooner H. H. Day, and was master of her for three years, during which time subject sailed with him. The H. H. Day was then sold, and subject went to farming, and pursued that calling eight years and again engaged in sailing, as mate of the W. A. Chisholm for a year and a half, then on the Mary Stockton for four years, and af- terward sailed on the Meisel, the Skinner, the steam barge W. B. Jenness, and the Adelaide Hor- ton. Then bought the St. Andrew, and sailed as Captain of her for three years, and sailed the Skinner one and a half years ; and since 1880 has been master and owner of the schooner Snowdrop. Capt. Buzzard was united in marriage December 3, 1854, to Miss Persis L. Leonard, a native of Parma, N. Y. They have two children, one son, Irvin G., and one daughter, Edna, now Mrs. H. W. Lindsay, living in this city.

CAPT. JOHN BUZZARD, now master of schooner William Young, is a native of York State ; was born January 23, 1833, in Cattaraugus County, began sailing in 1842, when only nine years old with his father, Capt. Phillip Buzzard, on board the schooner Morning Star, his father was drowned, together with a crew of seven men on Lake Huron, October 22, 1866. Capt. J. Buzzard began sailing as master of vessels when only seventeen years of age, and has been engaged as captain ever since. Below are vessels he has sailed : Schooners John Richards, Avenger, H. H .. Day, Stranger ; propellers, Odd Fellow, O. Q. Melzar, Emory Fletcher, Grand Turk, Helen Kent, New Haven, L. M. Mason, W. A. Chisholm ; barks, North Star, Mary Stockton, Mont Eagle, Evergreen, E. M. Carrington, T. S. Skinner, A. B. Norris, L. L. Lamb, F. C. Leigh- ton, and this year, schooner William Young. He was married to E. P. Arnold November 28, 1854, and has three sons-E. J. Buzzard, sailed schooner William Young last year ; his second son, Henry Buzzard, sailed schooner L. L. Lamb; Corey H. B., his third son, is a machinist and works in railroad shops here, and he is also a musician.

JAMES W. CAMPBELL. farmer, Section 5, P. O. Port Huron, was born in Lower Canada July 12, 1818. He came to Michigan in 1845, and settled in Port Huron. He bought the land where he now lives in 1849, and since then, for the past thirty-three years, has resided here and engaged in farming, and owns a farm of eighty acres, and is the oldest settler on the plank road. He has held school offices. He married Miss Mary J. Schegal, a native of Canada, September 7, 1845. They have seven children-James, Archibald, John, William, Louise, Fred, Herbert.

JOHN H. CAMPBELL, Port Huron & Chicago & Grand Trunk Junction, Section 17, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of this county, and was born in the town of Port Huron November 8, 1853. His parents, James W. and Mary Jane Campbell, are old settlers of this town, and are living on Lapeer avenue. John grew up and attended school here, and after reaching manhood was in Fitzgerald & Barnet's machine shops, and afterward was on the Michigan Central Railroad for a time, and then bought and run a portable saw mill, and also bought and run a steam thresher. He owns thirty-five acres of land. He married Miss Annie J. Mc- Cormick, November 3, 1881. She is a native of the city of Port Huron.

JOHN W. CAMPFIELD, was born in Morris County, N, J, April 2, 1810. He was raised in that State, and served an apprenticeship in the boot and shoe making in Newark, in that State; upon reaching manhood he decided to locate in Michigan, and arrived in Detroit July 5, 1832; went to Ann Arbor the same year, and in 1833 located in Port Huron. At that time there were only a few frame buildings besides the Indian huts. He went to work at his trade, and has been connected with the boot and shoe business most of the time for the past fifty years. He is the oldest settler now living in Port Huron. He has been successful in business, though he has lost considerable money by going security for others. During the early history of the town, he was elected Town Trustee, School Director and Collector. A few years after coming here, in 1835, Mr. Campfield married Miss Mary Ann Robertson, a native of this State; she died in 1852. They had eight children, four of whom survive-William W., Mariette, Louise E. and Ella. In 1853, Mr. Campfield married Maria E. Johnson, of Schenectady, N. Y. They had one daughter, Eva, who died at the age of thirteen.

W. W. CAMPFIELD, of the firm of W. W. Campfield & Co., is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in Port Huron November 1, 1841. He grew up and attended school here. Upon the breaking-out of the rebellion, when only nineteen years of age, he enlisted in the First United States Artillery, and was in active service in the Army of the Potomac, when this department was in command of Mcclellan. He was in eleven engagements, and was promoted from private to Sergeant in the regular army, and was offered a com- mission but declined it; served three years after his return from the service. He entered the employ of Henry McMoran, and was with him until January, 1878, when he and Mr. Jones succeeded him in their present bus-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

iness. They have a large wholesale trade in flour and feed. They have the exclusive sale of flour of Mc- Moran's mills; also have a large coal trade. Mr. Campfield has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Anna Vance, of this county. She left one son, Frank. His present wife was Miss Lucy Whitcomb, a native of New Hampshire. They have one daughter-Ida.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, physician and surgeon, is a native of Scotland, and was born June 30, 1814. His father, William Campbell, was an officer in the British Army. He ended an active and honorable service at the battle of Waterloo; was then retired and pensioned during life. Dr. Campbell grew up in Scotland, and received his medical education there, and also studied for the ministry. He came to Canada in 1842, and engaged in preaching. After laboring in mission work and establishing several churches, he retired from the work upon the union of the two branches of the church, and devoted his time to the practice of his profes- sion. He came to Port Huron in March, 1881, and since then has practiced his profession here, and is also interested in church work, and preaches when called upon to do so. In 1850, Dr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Cooper, of Canada. They have three children-David W., physician; Robert A., studying medicine, and Thomas W., attending school.

HON. EZRA C. CARLETON, Port Huron. A short distance northward from the city of St. Clair, where the river bank rises suddenly to a height of about thirty feet, is a region of rich, well-cultivated farms, with large, comfortable houses and capacious outbuildings, indicating thrift and plenty. For several miles this district was settled by emigrants, chiefly from New England, and it affords abundant evidence of the industry and judgment which pilgrims from the Eastern slopes bear wherever they go. The high and shady banks, the pellucid waters of the St. Clair flowing swiftly by, a picturesque island at just a sufficient distance to awaken interest in it, the bolder line of the Canadian shores and the rural comfort on every hand, form a picture of tranquil and enduring beauty. The name "Yankee Street" was early given to all this portion of the river road, and here have lived and died many of the most honored pioneers of St. Clair County.

Among these pioneers, none were better known than the CARLETONS, several families of whom came to St. Clair from New Hampshire more than fifty years ago. They were of English descent, and one of them, Israel Carleton, was born at Llandaff, N. H., in 1788; marrying Mary Deming, of Cornish, in the same State, they came to Michigan in 1831, and settled at St. Clair, where they passed the rest of their lives, and where their youngest son, Ezra C., the subject of this sketch, was born September 6, 1838. The boyhood of Mr. Carleton was uneventful, beyond the usual routine of farm life and attendance at the district school; there was nothing to vary it. In 1856, feeling the importance of better educational advantages, he came to Port Huron; where he graduated at the high school in 1859, and immediately entered, as a clerk, upon his chosen pursuit of mercantile life. In 1863, he went into the employ of William Stewart, one of the largest hard- ware dealers in Michigan. The year 1867, saw him a partner in the business, and in the fall of 1881, Mr. Stewart, being succeeded by hisson, Mr. Carleton became head of the present firm of Carleton, Stewart & Co.

Though clear and firm in his political convictions, and always a decided Democrat, Mr. Carleton never was a politician. His advent into politics dates from the spring of 1881. The finances of the city had sunk into a deplorable condition, and the Democrats nominated him as an earnest of reform. His efforts to fulfill public expectations were measurably successful, but he met the usual fate of honest reformers on the canvass for his re-election. The memorable forest fires which devastated the "Little Peninsula," lying between Lake Huron and the southern shores of Saginaw Bay, awakened the liveliest practical sympathy among the citizens of Port Huron, and, as Mayor, Mr. Carleton promptly headed the movement for relief of the ten thousand sufferers. The policy he adopted was justified by its results, and met the warm approval of those for whose benefit it was undertaken. It also developed traits of character which turned the attention of his friends to him as a fit candidate for Congress. At the election of 1882, he was unanimously nominated, and after holding the proposed honor under advisement for several days, finally accepted it in a manly letter, notable for its probity and frankness. A spirited campaign resulted in his election by a large majority in a district which, at the preceding election, had given his opponent a decided majority.

As a legislator, it is expected that his attention will be given principally to all economic topics, which his long experience in mercantile life and business abilities especially fit him to treat. Progressive without radicalism, and the unflinching foe of centralization, jobbing and every form of monopoly, Mr. Carleton's representation will reflect honor upon the district. Industrious, resolute and temperate, he brings to his im- portant duties the leading essentials of success; vigorous in person, clear in mind, fortunate in his private, as in his public life, he has deserved, and will continue to merit such civic honors as his fellow citizens can be- stow. Mr. Carleton was married, July 8, 1862, to Miss Ellen S. Smith, daughter of Aaron Smith. They have one daughter-Jennie Edith.

M. F. CARLETON, attorney at law, was born in Grafton County, N. H., Jan. 27, 1831. His parents came West to Michigan the same year, and located in this county, in the Town of China. He was raised here, and received a common school education. He began teaching school when only sixteen years of age, and for nineteen years he taught every winter except two. He held the office of Drain Commissioner one term; was elected County Clerk in 1872, and held that office six years; was also elected Township School Inspector, Town Clerk several terms, and Supervisor one term. He studied law while acting as Clerk, and was admitted to the bar in 1878, and since then has practiced his profession here. He was appointed Deputy County Treasurer in January, 1881, and since then has held that position. Mr. Carleton was married September 27, 1852, to Miss Mary Latham, daughter of Thomas Latham, one of the oldest settlers of this county. He came here in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Carleton have three children-Will H. and Lura, both now in Dakota, and Cora A.

SAMUEL B. CARLL is a native of Hancock County, Me., and was born March 14, 1811. His mother died when he was eight years old, and he went with his father to New York State in 1825, and four years later, in 1829, they came to Michigan and settled at Rochester, and lived there and at Rome four years, and learned the trade of blacksmith of his father. He came to Port Huron in March, 1834, and worked at his

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trade. The following year he went to St. Clair and built a shop, and engaged in business for himself. While living there he married Miss Ann Whicher, a native of New Hampshire, March 27, 1837. Three years later, in 1840, they came to Port Huron and he engaged in blacksmithing, and carried on the business here for twenty- five years, and then engaged in lumber business until 1859. His wife died the same year, leaving one daugh- ter, Mary Lucretia, wife of Jacob A. Vrooman, attorney at law, of St. Louis, Mo. When the war broke out, Mr. Carll enlisted in the Second Regiment Michigan Cavalry, and served two years in the regiment, and was then promoted and commissioned Second Lieutenant Company H, Seventh Regiment Michigan Cavalry. He was wounded and taken prisoner during Kilpatrick's raid, March 1, 1864, and was in Libby Prison three months. Served until the close of the war, and returned to Port Huron. He built a vessel, and afterward operated a shingle mill. Is not now engaged in active business, but owns a farm a short distance out of town. He married Miss Josephine Brown, a native of Canada, March 5, 1867. They have two children-Ada May and Joy Butman.

CAPT. PETER CARTRIGHT is a native of St. Clair County, and was born at Algonac November 15, 1835. He began sailing in 1853 on the old schooner "Leander." He has been in the marine service for thirty years, and for the past twenty years has sailed Captain most of the time. In 1862, he was Captain of schooner "Elida," and has sailed the "Crevola," "Seminole," and schooner "David Todd," "St. Andrew " and the "Charlie Crawford," in 1857. He married Miss Julia Merdrum, a native of this county. They have seven children -Julia, Mary, Sarah, Lovina, Peter, Mary, Hattie.

RICHARD CASLER, contractor and builder, is a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and was born in 1824. His parents removed to Canada when he was very small, and he was brought up there and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. He came to Port Huron in] May, 1852, and commenced working at his trade and continued until 1864, when he went in business for himself, and since then for the past eighteen years has been engaged in contracting and building, and is one of the oldest in the business here. Has held the office of Supervisor in 1845. Mr. Casler married Miss Nancy Hagerman, a native of Canada ; they have two children- Coursair C. and La Fayette.

ANDREW CAUSLEY is a native of St. Clair County. His parents, Gabriel and Harriet Causley, were among the early settlers here ; he was raised here, and since boyhood has been engaged in lumbering and rafting. He and his partner are engaged in rafting on contract, and have most of that business here. He married Miss Eliza McDonald, a native of Canada, November 19, 1866. They have three children-Mary, Andrew, William.

PROF. N. CAWTHORNE, teacher of music and dealer in pianos and organs, is a native of England, and was born April 12, 1844. He received his literary education, and also pursued his musical studies there, and came to Canada in 1862. Two years later he went to Chicago, where he was engaged in teaching music until 1871. Then came to Port Huron, and since then, for the past eleven years, has been engaged in teaching here, and also in dealing in pianos and organs, and during all this time has held the position of organist in the Con- gregational Church. Prof. Cawthorne married Miss Jane A. Sanderson, also a native of England, August 20, 1868. They have six children-Catherine F., Willie W., Charles B., Fred. W., Hastings Ross, Robert S.

A. E. CHADWICK, attorney at law, is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., and was born April 10, 1834. He received his education in that State, and began reading law. Came to Michigan in 1854, and studied law with John Devine, of Lexington, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. Practiced law there until 1862, when he came to Port Huron, and since then, for the past twenty years, has successfully practiced his pro- fession here. He was elected Alderman, also School Inspector, but resigned both positions. He was promi- nently identified with the paving of Military street, the River Side Turnpike. He gave the work his personal supervision, and became responsible for it, and made an almost impassable road into one of the finest thoroughfares in this section of the State. In 1857, Mr. Chadwick was united in marriage to Miss Almira J. Raymond, a native of Jefferson County, N. Y. They have one son, William R.

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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 89

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