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 93

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 93

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CAPT. JAMES T. HOWARD is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in Port Huron March 8, 1843 ; his parents, John and Nancy Hubbard Howard, now living here, are among the oldest and most honored set- tlers of the State now living. Capt. Howard grew up and attended school here ; upon reaching manhood, he was engaged in the grocery trade four years, and in the furniture business three years ; since 1872, he has been engaged in the marine service, and has sailed as master of the Stanley L. Noble, the Hattie Howard, the L. L. Lamb, the Frank C. Leighton, and the frigate W. B. Castle. Capt. Howard married Miss Juliette Pettee, April 7, 1865. She is a native of Port Huron, and daughterof Simon Pettee, who was also born here. Capt. and Mrs. Howard have six children-Belle, Walter S., Nellie J., Mary Libbie, Herbert and Florence R.

JOHN HOWARD, retired, is a native of Fayette County, Penn., and was born March 3, 1799 ; at a very early age, his parents came to Ohio and settled at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., and he grew up in that county. After reaching manhood, he came to Michigan Territory, in 1821 ; he came in a small schooner to Detroit; at that time Walk-in-the-Water was the only steamer on all the lakes. Mr. Howard located in Detroit and en- gaged in the grocery trade ; after being there a few years, he was united in marriage, June 2, 1825, to Miss Nancy Hubbard, a daughter of Jonathan Hubbard, of Hartford, Conn., who was of English descent. He came to Detroit in 1811, when his daughter, Mrs. Howard, was only six years of age. She was in Detroit during the war of 1812, and has a distinct recollection of many of its horrors and atrocities. She remembers Gens. Proctor and Hull-the headquarters of Hull were near where they lived. Mrs. Howard remembers when a party of Indians came to their house to massacre the family, but through the courage and presence of mind of her older sister, who spoke French, they escaped. She has witnessed the war dance of the Indians

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over the scalps they had taken from the Americans. She used to carry things to hospital for the sick and wounded soldiers. Her mother used to save all the money she could to buy white prisoners from the Indians to save their lives. Mrs. Howard is, perhaps, the oldest resident of the State now living. In 1834, on ac- count of the breaking-out of the cholera, Mr. and Mrs. Howard left Detroit and came up Black River, where he had a small mill four miles above Port Huron, and remained there until 1839, when they moved here, into what was then a very small village. He opened a hotel in what is now known as the Thompson House. Some five years later, he and Mr. Cumming Sanborn built a saw-mill where the depot now stands. After a few years, Mr. Howard and his son built a mill, and they continued in the lumber business for twenty-six years, until four years ago, when Mr. Howard retired, after an active business life of sixty years-an honored citizen, and one of the oldest residents of the State.

C. B. HUBBARD, dental surgeon, is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y .. and was born November 20, 1830. He attended school there; came to Michigan in 1849, and completed his education in this State. After reaching manhood he engaged in saw milling. and was for twenty years connected with that business. He came to Port Huron in 1853, and since then has resided here. He then studied dentistry, and has practiced his profession here for the past twelve years. He served five years as member of the School Board. He was united in marriage to Miss Rachel A. Fuller, from Chautauqua County, N. Y., December 19, 1858. Dr. Hub. bard is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the order of Maccabees, and is a charter member of Huron Tent, the first Tent organized in the State.

I. T. HUBBARD, farmer, Section 31, P. O. Marysville, is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y., and was born June 12, 1827. His parents moved to Ohio when he was twelve years of age, and lived there until 1841, when they removed to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1847, when he came to St. Clair County, and for some years worked at his trade of ship carpenter. He then bought land and engaged in farming, and since then has done both. He has lived on this farm since 1861. He has held the office of Highway Commis- sioner and School Commissioner, and has held school offices for many years, and also Justice of the Peace. In 1852, he married Miss Mary Vickery, a native of this State. She died in 1873, leaving eight children, seven girls and one boy. He married Mrs. Ada Peters March 4, 1877. She is a native of East Canada.

J. B. HULL, Paymaster P. H. & N. W. Railroad, is a native of New York State, and was born in Rens- selaer County March 26, 1826. Upon reaching manhood, he came West to Michigan in 1847 and located at Coldwater. He remained there three years; then went to California in 1850 and returned in 1853, and the following year came to Port Huron. He was agent of a steamboat company one year and then engaged in the hardware trade. He carried on that business over twenty-two years. In 1879, he was appointed Pay- master of the P. H. & N. W. Railroad, and since then has occupied that position. He held the office of City Treasurer two years and City Comptroller one year, and served as member of the Board of Education. In 1848, Mr. Hull married Miss Emily M. Curtis, a native of New York State. They have two children-Fred B., in Auditor's office of the Lake Shore Railroad at Toledo, and S. Jay, conductor on P. H. & N. W. Railroad.

HENRY HUNER, dealer in fresh and salt meats, is a native of Germany, and was born June 17, 1835. He emigrated to the United States in 1854, and came to Port Huron the following year. He was in the em- ploy of Mr. Avery for seven years, and afterward cleared up and improved a farm, which he still owns. He established his present business in 1871, and since then, for the past eleven years. has successfully carried on the business here. He was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen four terms, and resigned before his last term of office expired. In 1852, he married Miss Mary Ann Brennegan, of this county. They have four children-George H., Ida, Effie and Hattie.

MARTIN HUNER, of the firm of Huner & Wilson, dealers in fresh and salt meats, is a native of Ger- many, and was born September 5, 1839. He emigrated to the United States in 1858, and came to Port Huron the same year. In 1862, he associated with O. A. Wilson, and established their present business on Military street. They bought the lot and erected the building they now occupy in 1871. They are the oldest firm in the business here, and have a large established trade. Mr. Huner was elected City Treasurer, and held that office two years, and was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen. In 1866, he married Anna Umlauf. She died March 26, 1875, leaving three children-George, Anna and James. He married Miss Louise P. Unger, a native of Port Huron, February 23, 1876. They have two children, Julia and Osnald.

P. A. HURD, attorney at law, is a native of Vermont, and was born November 21, 1831. He grew up and received his education in Canada, studied law with Hon. Adam Crooks, of Toronto, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He engaged in the practice of law there, and practiced his profession in Canada over twenty- two years. He came to Port Huron in 1879, and since then has practiced his profession here. He is also in- terested in the oil business in and near Petrolia, Canada. In 1852, Mr. Hurd married Miss Priscilla Herndon, a native of Canada. They have three children -Ralph, Josephine and Luther H.

P. F. HUSHIN, engineer Sanborn's elevator, was born in Wales March 14, 1846. His parents came to Canada in 1853, and he entered the employ of the railroad company in 1858, and was engaged in railroading in different capacities for eighteen years. He was both engineer and conductor on the Grand Trunk Railroad. He came to Port Huron in 1875, and had charge at night of the shops of the Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad. In 1877, he came to Sanborn's elevator and set up the engine, and since then has held the position of engineer. In 1867, he married Miss Elizabeth Strange, of Berlin, Ontario, Canada. They have four chil- dren-Maggie, Fannie, Frank and Robert.

THOMAS J. HUTCHINSON, of the firm of Hutchinson & Armstrong, house and sign painting, grain- ing and decorating, is a native of Canada, and was born in Toronto December 14, 1850. His parents came to Port Huron in 1859. He went to the army during the war, when only fourteen years old, as musician, and served three years. After the war he went to Canada and began learning his trade. In 1872, he went to Chi- cago and worked at his trade. Was employed on the custom house and afterward had charge of painting on the marine hospital there. He came to Port Huron in 1878, and engaged in business for himself, and has built up a good trade. He is connected with the State militia and holds commission of First Lieutenant in

denManson

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Company F, Third Regiment Michigan State Troops. In 1873, he married Miss Anna Nye, of Forestville, Mich. They have one daughter-Edna Mabel.

CAPT. W. H. HUTCHINSON is a native of Canada, and was born at Presque Isle, Lake Ontario, Novem- ber 10, 1844. He began sailing when only twelve years of age, on the Isabella. with his father; she was rebuilt and called the Caspian, and he was with her several seasons, and afterward for some years sailed mate of schooners and tugs. In 1876, he sailed Captain of the Kate Williams, and since then has had command of the tugs Gladiator and the Balize. The Captain was united in marriage December 20, 1870, to Miss Helen Fick, of the city of Port Huron.

H. E. HYDE, freight and passenger auditor of the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad, is a native of Michigan, and was born in the city of Detroit July 15, 1860. He attended school there, and afterward entered the office of the Michigan Central Railroad, and was afterward with the Chicago & Iowa Railroad. In 1880, he was appointed auditor of the freight and passenger department of the Port Huron & Northwestern Rail- road, and since then has held that position.

CAPT. BYRON E. INMAN is a native of Michigan, and was born in Macomb County May 3, 1850. He came here with parents in 1857; he began sailing when only thirteen years of age, on propeller Belle; he sailed several years before the mast and several years mate, and in 1869 he and his partner built a scow, Hannah Moore, and he sailed her two years and sold her. In 1871, went wheelsman on tug Brockway; and after five months went mate on same tug; was mate two years on tug Clematis; in 1874, was mate of tug Sweepstakes, part of the season; then sailed Captain of tug Zouave; and the next two years sailed Captain of the tugs Stranger and Satellite; was master of the large tug Champion, one year, and the Sweepstakes two years. In 1882, he sailed master of the steam barge Hiawatha, the largest craft sailed by any Captain from this port. Capt. Inman was married June 24, 1870, to Miss Amelia Dempster, of Whitby, Ontario, Canada. They have two children-Grace A. and Walton B.

JEROME B. INMAN, custom house, is a native of Monroe County, N. Y., and was born August 5, 1826. His parents came to Michigan in 1832, and settled in Macomb County, and were among the earliest settlers there. IIe was brought up and learned trade of a blacksmith there. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Company K, Second Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Lieut. Gen. Phil. Sheridan; he served over four years, and participated in many fights and shirmishes. After his return, in 1869, he was appointed in the custom house, and since then has held that position. Mr. Inman married Miss Cordelia C. Smith, a native of Monroe County, N. Y., July 24, 1851. She came to this State in early childhood, in year 1832. They have three children-Byron, Captain steamer Hiawatha, of the Buffalo & Duluth line; Ursula V., at home; Hiram G., sailing on lakes.

EDWARD J. INSLEE, dealer in wool, is a native of New York State, and was born in Seneca County June 24, 1833. His parents came to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1839, and he lived in that county and Livingston County until 1850; then went to Detroit, and two years later came to , Port Huron; for eight years was clerk in the Thompson House. In 1860, engaged in general mercantile business; after a few years, engaged in buy- ing and selling on the market; has bought wool over twenty years, and is the oldest dealer here, and does the largest business. He has held the office of Street Commissioner. Mr. Inslee married Miss Lodemia Walker, a native of Canada, September 18, 1856. They have three children-Edwin W., Wilber D., Edith M. Lost two -Anna M. and Dwight S.

GAGE INSLEE, deputy collector of customs, in charge of office at Fort Gratiot, is a native of New York State, and was born in Ontario County August 8, 1818. He came West with his parents, to Michigan, in 1835, when it was a Territory. After reaching manhood he engaged in milling, until 1856, when he came to Port Huron. and engaged in mercantile business until 1860. The following year, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal, and also served as Deputy Provost Marshal. In 1862, was appointed Inspector of Customs, and held that office twelve years, and since then has held the position of Deputy Collector of Customs, in charge of the office at Fort Gratiot. Mr. Inslee has lived in this State forty-eight years. In 1841, he married Miss Elsie Ann Montague, of Cayuga County, N. Y. They have two children-one daughter, Eunice Ann, now Mrs. A. B. McCollom, of this city, and one son, Charles Gage Inslee, living in Montre al.

J. JACOBI, dealer in ready-made clothing, is a native of Germany, and was born December 7, 1822. After reaching early manhood, he emigrated to the United States in 1846; came to Detroit and lived there six years and in 1855 came to Port Huron and engaged in the grocery trade until 1859; then went to Lexington and carried on the same business there until 1864, when he returned to Port Huron and established his present business; and since then for the past eighteen years has successfully carried on the business here. He has served as member of the Board of Estimates. Mr. Jacobi married Miss Fannie Bendit, of Bavaria, Germany, April 18, 1852; held position of Mayor of the city of Port Huron in 1880. They have one son-Alexander. They have lost two-Hannah and Harry.

WILLIAM JENKINSON, manufacturer and dealer in pine lumber, is a native of the North of Ireland, and was born in 1834. Upon reaching manhood, emigrated to the United States in 1853, and four years later came to Port Huron and engaged in buying white oak staves, and continued in that business for twenty years. In 1874, he engaged in manufacturing pine lumber. He owns seven thousand acres of pine land, and cuts from five to ten million feet annually; ships his lumber to Chicago, Buffalo, Rochester and other Eastern points. He controls steamers and barges for freighting his lumber from the mills; he is a director and the largest stockholder in the First National Bank, and is largely interested in real estate and city property. In 1856, Mr. Jenkinson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza M. Stettler, a native of Canada. They have one daughter-Jennie.

W. L. JENKS, attorney at law, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in the city of St. Clair December 27, 1856. After attending school there, entered the university at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in the literary department in 1878; then studied law in Port Huron and was admitted to the bar-October 1, 1879, and since then has practiced his profession here. Mr. Jenks was united in marriage August 10, 1881, to Miss Margaret Willson, of Logan County, Ohio. 37

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

DAVID HOWELL JEROME, ex-Governor of Michigan, residence Saginaw, was born at Detroit, Mich., November 17, 1829. His parents emigrated to Michigan from Trumansburg, Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1828, locating at Detroit. His father died March 30, 1831, leaving nine children. He had been twice married, and four of the children living at the time of his death were grown up sons, the offspring of his first union. Of the five children by his second marriage, David H. was the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his widow moved back to New York, and settled in Onondaga County, near Syracuse, where they remained until the fall of 1834, the four sons by the first wife continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall of 1834, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan, locating on a farm in St. Clair County. Here the Governor formed those habits of industry and sterling integrity that have been so characteristic of the man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the district school, and in the acquisition of the fundamental branches of learning he displayed a precocity and an application which won for him the admiration of his teachers, and always placed him at the head of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful heart and willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The heavy labor of the farm was carried on by his two older brothers, Timothy and George, and when thirteen years of age David received his mother's permission to attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attending there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now deceased, doing chores for his board, and the following winter performed the same service for James Ogden, also deceased. The next summer, Mrs. Jerome moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purpose of continuing her son in school. While attending said academy, one of his associate students was ex-Senator Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate before the gubernatorial convention in 1880. He completed his education in the fall of his sixteenth year, and the following winter assisted his brother Timothy in haul- ing logs in the pine woods. The next summer he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac. In 1847, M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. Clair County, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining as such during 1848-49, and receiving much praise from his employers and the people in general for the ability displayed in the discharge of his duties. He spent his summer vaca- tion in clerical work on board the lake vessels.

In 1849-50, he abandoned office work, and for the proper development of his physical system spent several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850, his brother "Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer " Chautauqua," and " Young Dave" became her master. A portion of the season the boat was engaged in the passenger and freight traffic between Port Huron and Detroit, but during the latter part was used as a tow boat. At that time, there was a serious obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which vessels could carry only about 10,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Jerome con- ceived the idea of towing vessels from one lake to the other, and put his plan into operation. Through the influence of practical men-among them the subject of this sketch-Congress, under a Republican adminis- tration, removed the obstruction above referred to, and now vessels can pass them laden with 60,000 or 80,000 bushels of grain.

During the season, the two brothers had succeeded in making a neat little sum of money by the summer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract to raise the "Gen. Scott," a vessel that had sunk in Lake St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt, but possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the spring of 1851, he was clerk and acting master of the steamers " Franklin Moore " and " Ruby," plying between Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The following year was clerk of the propeller "Princeton," running between Detroit and Buffalo.

In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, by way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed extraordinary suc- cess in selling goods in a new place of his selection, among the mountains near Marysville. He remained there during the summer, and located the Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment. He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into the mine, but when the water supply began to fail with the dry season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of 1853, and in De- cember sailed from San Francisco for New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County about a year after his departure. During his absence his brother " Tiff" had located at Saginaw, and in 1854 Mr. Jerome joined him in his lumber operation in the valley, spending considerable time in the northern part of the State locat- ing and purchasing pine lands. In 1855, the brothers bought Blackmer & Eaton's hardware and general sup- ply stores at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was extensively engaged in lumbering operations.

Mr. Jerome's ancestors were always opposed to slavery in every form, and he imbibed the love of liberty and independence. Soon after locating at Saginaw, he was nominated for Alderman against Stewart B. Will- iams, a rising young man, of strong Democratic principles. The ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Je- rome was elected by a handsome majority. When the Republican party was born at Jackson, Mich., David H. Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention, one of its charter members. In 1862, he was com- missioned by Gov. Austin Blair to raise one of the six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan. Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many brave men, and in a short space of time the Twenty-third Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed in the field, and subsequently gained for itself a brilliant record.

In the fall of 1862, Mr. Jerome was nominated by the Republican party for State Senator from the Twenty- sixth District, Appleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his opponent. The contest was very exciting, and re- sulted in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was twice renominated by acclamation and elected both times by increased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On taking his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs, and was ac- tive in raising means and troops to carry on the war. He held the same position during his three terms of service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldier's Home at Harper's Hospital, Detroit. He was opposed to the bill authorizing municipal aid to railroad corporations, and sustained Gov. Crapo in his veto. He was ac-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

tively interested in preserving swamp lands for use in local improvements, and was chairman of the commit- tee on salt, 'which commission succeeded in passing the bill creating the Salt Association of Michigan.

He was selected by Gov. Crapo as a military aid, and in 1865 was appointed a member of the State Mili- tary Board, and served as its President for eight consecutive years. In 1873, he was appointed by Gov. Bag- ley a member of the convention to prepare a new State Constitution, and was Chairman of the Committee on Finance. Although having previously but little experience in such matters, and none of the diplomatic skill which had characterized the other members of the commission in their various official duties for several years, yet he brought into view great force of character and an unlimited amount of common sense and earnest- ness, and was recognized as one of the leading members of that body.

In 1875, Mr. Jerome was appointed a member of the Board of Indian Commissioners. In 1876, he was chairman of a commission to visit Chief Joseph, the Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement of all existing difficulties. The commission went to Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho, a dis- tance of 600 miles up the Columbia River. From his many interviews with the Indians, Mr. Jerome became satisfied that the true policy was to enact such measures as would result in the Indians selecting land in sev- eralty on their various reservations for their own use, and have the remainder sold for their benefit, thus opening up the country for settlement by the whites. This would soon civilize the red man, and also make him self-supporting.

At the Republican State Convention convened at Jackson, in August, 1880, Mr. Jerome was placed in the field for nomination, and on the 5th day of the month received the highest honor the convention could con- fer on any one. His opponent was Frederick M. Holloway, of Hillsdale County, who was supported by the Democratic and Greenback parties. The State was thoroughly canvassed by both parties, and when the polls were closed on the evening of election day, it was found that David H. Jerome had been selected by the voters of the Wolverine State to occupy the highest seat within their gift.

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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 93

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