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 97

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 97

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CAPT. E. W. PARSONS is a native of Berkshire County, Mass., and was born February 8, 1830. His parents came West to this State in 1833, and settled at Monroe and remained there until 1841, when they came o Wayne County and located at Gibralter, and he lived there until eighteen years old and then began sailing ton the steamer John Hollister in 1848; and since then for over one-third of a century has been engaged in the marine service most of the time; has sailed master of vessels, but for the past nine years has held the posi- tion of clerk of the steamer Milton D. Ward. He is also interested in steamboat and forwarding business. and is senior member of the firm of E. W. Parsons & Son, of this city. In 1873, he came to Port Huron and since then has resided here. He owns a good farm in Wayne County. Capt. Parsons was married December 31, 1852, to Miss Lucy N. Pruyn, a native of Canada, but came to this State in early childhood. They have three children-Frank W., engaged in wholesale and retail commission; George P., member of the firm of E. W. Parsons & Son, of this city; Fred C., also engaged in business in this city.

F. C. PARSONS, proprietor Troy Laundry, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Wayne County, at Gibralter, July 17, 1858. He came here during boyhood; after reaching manhood, established his present bus- iness in 1880. He employs from eight to fifteen persons in his laundry, and does the leading business here.

FRANK W. PARSONS, forwarding and commission agent, is a native of Wayne County, Mich., and was born September 7, 1854. He attended school there and completed his education in Detroit. In 1870, he engaged as clerk on the river and continued in that position four years. In 1874, came to Port Huron and entered the office of Henry McMoran, as bookkeeper, and remained with him until 1877; then engaged in the forwarding business and established steamboat agency. He was agent for the Anchor Line, the Lake Supe- rior Transit Company, the Union Steamboat Company, the Western Transportation Company, the Star Line, Detroit, Cleveland & St. Clair River Line, Port Huron & Algonac River Line, the Mackinac Transportation Company and the Saginaw Transportation Company. He has done a large leading steamboat forwarding business. He is a member of the Board of Aldermen, and has been elected twice to that office, and has served as Chairman of the Democratic Committee of St. Clair.

GEORGE P. PARSONS, of the firm of Parsons & Son, steamboat agents and forwarders, is a native of this State, and was born in the town of Gibralter, Wayne County, May 6, 1857. His parents came to Port Huron in 1871, and he grew up and attended school here, and after reaching manhood, engaged in his present business, and now has the active management of the business here.

R. S. PATTERSON, jeweler, dealer in pianos, organs, books and stationery, is a native of Montgomery County, N. Y., and was born April 8, 1838. His parents came to Michigan and settled in St. Clair County in 1848. He entered the store of M. Walker in Port Huron, and was with him for fifteen years; then bought out Mr. Walker and engaged in business on his own account, and has a large established trade in jewelry, pianos, organs, sewing machines, books and stationery, and is the oldest house in that business in Port Huron. In 1866, Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Evelina E. King, a native of this State. They have five children-Sarah Eugenia, Jesse D., Mary, Ida and Edith.

JOSHUA PENNEBAKER, contractor and builder, is a native of Canada, and was born March 18, 1842. He grew up there and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. Came to Port Huron in 1870 and engaged in building, and since then has carried on the business here. In 1864, he married Miss Jessie McDonald, a native of Scotland. They have six children-Francis, Robert, Lizzie, Charlie, Cecelia, Leo.

EDWARD PERCIVAL, manufacturer of brooms and dealer in brushes, wooden ware, is a native of England, and was born August 12, 1836. Emigrated to this country in 1856, and came to Port Huron in 1858. Began working at his trade, painting. Afterward was clerk for Mr. Saunders. In 1863, engaged in butcher- ing for three years, and was in the grocery trade three years. In 1875, he began manufacturing brooms with only one man. Now employs twenty hands, and his sales will reach $50,000 this year. Also deals in brushes and wooden ware. His early opportunities for obtaining an education were very limited. When he reached here he only had eleven shillings. His success is owing to his own efforts. His first wife was Frances Williams, of Kent, England. She died in 1867, leaving two children-John T. and Edward F. His present wife was Win- ifred Dougherty, of Dublin, Ireland. They have three children-Frances A., Fred A. and Winifred.

S. T. PERCY, agent of the American and Canada Express Companies, is a native of Ontario, Canada, and was born February 15, 1844. On attaining his majority, he engaged with Freeman P. White, the then Warden of the county of Ontario, who was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, and also did a large flouring business. He bought wool and grain, and sold cloth for him, taking charge of the whole bus- iness when Mr. White was away from home. On Mr. White's retiring from business, Mr. Percy, with his brother, bought a mill and some fine land in the north part of the county, and went into the lumber business.

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After one season, disposed of his interest to his brother, and engaged with the Canadian Express Company, as messenger. After running about eighteen months, he engaged in drug business at Exeter, Ontario, for two years. then sold out and returned to the express company again. He came to Port Huron on September 26, 1876, and was appointed their agent the February following, and since then has held that position. He is agent of the American Express Company, the Canadian Express Company, and the Port Huron & North- western Express Company. July 5, 1870, he married Miss Sophia Browning, of York County, Ontario, Canada. They have four children-Clara, Lizzie, Louie and Charlie.

FRANK P. PHENIX, fresh and salted meats, is a native of the city of Detroit, and was born January 23, 1837. His parents came to this county during his early childhood. He was engaged in farming for some years, and also in buying stock. Since 1872, he has been engaged in business with his brothers at Fort Gra- tiot and. Port Huron. He held the office of Treasurer at Fort Gratiot for three years. He married Miss Eliz- abeth Catherman, of Sandusky, Ky., November 16, 1866. They have one'daughter, Olive. He has two children by a former wife-Duett and Bertha.

LIONEL PHENIX, of the firm of L. & N. Phenix, dealers in agricultural implements, organs and pianos, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born December 6, 1849. When only sixteen years of age, he engaged in business with his father, and since then has been actively engaged in business. Their present business was established in 1876, and they have built up a large trade, their sales amounting to $100,000 yearly. In 1878, they built a large brick block containing five stores, on Butler street. In 1867, Mr. Phenix married Miss Helen Graves, a native of this county. They have three children-Elsie, Asa, Flora.

NAPOLEON PHENIX, of the firm of L. & N. Phenix, dealers in agricultural implements, pianos and organs, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born January 24, 1851. He grew up and attended school in this county. When seventeen years of age, he engaged in grocery business with his brothers at Smith Creek. In 1871, came to Port Huron and went into the livery business for two years, then engaged in butchering and grocery trade, and afterward engaged in their present business, and they have built up a large trade. In 1878, he and his brother Lionel built Phenix Block, containing five stores. In 1873, Mr. Phenix married Miss Jen- nie Purdy, a native of Canada. They have one son, DeLos.

P. H. PHILLIPS, attorney at law, is a native of the city of New York, and was born October 11, 1853. His parents came to Port Huron during his early childhood,. and received his education in this State. He studied law in the office of Atkinson & Stevenson, and was admitted to the bar in 1878, and since then has successfully practiced his profession here. Mr. Phillips was united in marriage, June 14, 1882, to Miss Kate B. Atkins, of this city.

GEORGE POOLE, corner Willow and Bard streets, is a son of William and Mary Poole, and is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in Port Huron in 1858. He grew up to manhood here. When sixteen years of age he went to work in a saw mill, and since then, for the past eight years, has worked at that business, and runs lathe mill in Wells' mill. He has just completed nice house on his lots, corner Willow and Bard streets, and owns other property.

J. W. PORTER, Cashier Commercial Bank, is a native of Michigan, and was born in St. Clair County March 6, 1847. He received his education in this State. After reaching manhood, was appointed to a posi- tion in the post office by Gen. Hartsuff, and remained there six years. In 1877, he established a savings' bank at Mt. Clemens, and was successfully identified with the banking business. He was there for six years, when he resigned and came to Port Huron. Upon the organization of the Commercial Bank, February 1, 1882, he was elected cashier, and has the active management of the bank. In 1875, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Skinner, daughter of T. S. Skinner, Esq., of this place. They have one daughter-Rhoda E. They have lost one daughter, Addie, and an infant son.

ELBRIDGE S. POST, book-keeper, is a native of Summit County, Ohio, and was born July 20, 1843. He grew up and attended school in his native place until the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted in the Forty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; served in that regiment and also in the Twenty-first Ohio, and the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry ; remained in the service three years. His father and three brothers were all in the army, though none of them was subject to draft, and all returned. Mr. Post came to Port Huron in 1870; entered a hardware store as clerk ; in 1873, he engaged in cigar trade, and carried on the business five years, and since then has been engaged as book-keeper and accountant. He helped organize Company F, Third Regiment of the Michigan State Militia, gradually rising from private to Captain, and commanded the company two years. He was united in marriage February 21, 1871, to Miss Josephine A. Min- nie, daughter of J. P. Minnie, one of the earliest settlers of this county. They have one daughter-Minnie A.

STEPHEN T. PROBETT, manufacturer of lime, is a native of England, and was born September 6, 1830 ; came to Detroit when only five years of age. Came to Port Huron in 1848, and engaged in mercantile business ; continued in business for ten years. Then engaged in contracting and building, and carried on that business for many years. For the past four years has been engaged in manufacturing lime and. brick, and has a large established trade. He has been in the City Council for the past seven years, and is the oldest member of the Board of Aldermen. He has served twice as President of the Council, and now holds that position ; has been urged to become candidate for Mayor, but has refused. Mr. Probett married Miss Amelia S. Pettee, of Port Huron, October 21, 1850 ; they have three sons-Charles H. D., William G., Herbert; and four daughters-Minnie L., Ida, Carrie, Edith.

PETER W. REED, eclectic physician and surgeon, was born in Hastings County, Province of Ontario, Canada, September 21, 1827 ; his early advantages for obtaining an education were limited, but he made the most of them. He bought a medical book at auction and became interested in it, and determined to study medicine ; in doing so he had many obstacles to overcome. Went to Indiana and settled near Terre Haute, when he formed a medical copartnership and continued two years, and then returned to Canada. He pre- pared and circulated a petition to Parliament for the passage of a bill recognizing the eclectic practice, and the bill became a law, and an Eclectic Board was established at Toronto which granted licenses to practition-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

ers of that school. In the spring of 1861, he came to Port Huron, and since then has practiced his profession here. In 1865, Dr. Reed obtained the degree of the Eclectic Medical College of Ohio. He was instrumental in the passage of an act by the Legislature of Michigan, under which the State Eclectic Medical and Surgi- cal Association was organized, and was elected President of the association for two years.

ANDREW RICHARDSON, of the firm of Rudge & Richardson, is a native of England, and was born January 9, 1847 ; he grew up and learned his trade there ; came to Canada in 1869, and lived there ten years. He came to Port Huron in the spring of 1882, and engaged in business with his present partner. He married Miss Emily West, a native of England, July 1, 1874. They have had three children, none of whom survive.

DANIEL ROBERTS, farmer, Section 31, P. O. Marysville, is a native of Genesee County, N. Y., and was born June 22, 1811. Upon reaching manhood, came West to Michigan in 1833 ; he came from Buffalo to Detroit on the steamer Daniel Webster; he came to Port Huron, and reached here November 1, 1834. He stayed with the Greenfield family, and he and Mr. Greenfield built a tannery. After three years, he went to Macomb County, and lived there eight years ; then returned here and was in the tannery at St. Clair sixteen years ; then bought this farm, and since then has been engaged in farming ; owns 100 acres of land. In 1837, he married Miss Matilda Byron, of Port Huron. They have one daughter-Frances. now Mrs. King.

NAPOLEON ROBERTS, wood dealer, is a son of Nelson and Rose Roberts, who came to Port Huron in 1852. He is a native of Oswego, N. Y., and was born April 20, 1844. He grew up and attended school here, and then engaged in lumbering with his father. Since 1872, he has been engaged in the wood business, and has a large trade. He holds the office of Supervisor of the Third Ward. He was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Tracy, of Sandusky, Ohio, February 13, 1872. They have three children-Mary E., Nora and Rose.

D. ROBESON, ship chandler and dealer in vessel supplies, is a native of England, and was born Novem- ber 17, 1825. He was brought up in the city of Quebec and learned his business of his father, who was a ship chandler. Mr. Robeson came to Port Huron in 1868, and established his present business. His house is the only one of the kind here, and he has a large trade in sail-making and the general outfit of vessels. In 1875, he was elected a member of the Board of Education. and since then has held that position. Mr. Robe- son married Miss Eliza C. Gregory, from St. Catharines. Canada. They have five children-Henry J., Will- iam B., David M., Laura and Ethel.

PROF. HENRY J. ROBESON, Superintendent of Schools, Port Huron, is a native of Canada, and was born in the city of Quebec April 20, 1853. He attended school in Upper Canada, and prepared to enter McGill's College, Montreal. In 1868, he came with his parents to Port Huron, and for three years was with his father learning the business of sail-making. In 1871, he entered the State University al Ann Arbor, tak- ing a four years' course, and graduated in 1875. After graduating, he was engaged as Principal of the High School, and the following year was employed as Superintendent of the schools, and since then, for the past seven years, has held that position. Prof. Robeson was united in marriage, June 27, 1877, to Miss Agnes G. Moore, of Ann Arbor, this State. Mr. Robeson has but recently produced a popular work, entitled "Dia- grams and Salient Points of Parliamentary Rules." The first edition was exhausted within a fortnight after its appearance. The book is characterized by the press and by the best authorities in the land as "a very concise, useful, convenient and valuable work." The charts decide instantaneously any question, according to both Cushing and Robert. Mr. Robeson is also the inventor of a series of eight graded and scientifically arranged primary number charts, which begin with counting and conclude with fractions. These have been acknowledged by competent judges to be possessed of decided merit. Mr. Robeson has now in press a large volume, entitled "The Science, History and Philosophy of Value and Money." His large and extensive private library will enable him to do unprejudiced justice to this important and much neglected subject.

DELL ROBINSON, Captain of the ferry-boat Grace Dormer, is a native of Livingston County, N. Y., and was born July 29, 1848. His parents came here in 1859, and three years later he began sailing, and since then, for the past twenty years, has been on the lakes. He was on the "Sarnia " eight years, and sailed the W. D. Morton several years, and for the past six years has been Captain of the "Grace Dormer." In 1872, Capt. Robinson married Miss Ella Bragg, of Buffalo, N. Y. They have one son-Frank.

REV. A. HASTINGS ROSS, pastor of the First Congregational Church, is a native of Worcester Coun- ty, Mass., and was born in the town of Winchendon April 28, 1831. His early life was spent on a farm. He attended the common schools there and entered the academy. He afterward went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he entered Oberlin College, and graduated in 1857. After graduating, he entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass., where he pursued his theological studies for three years. His first pastorate was at Boyles- ton, Mass., where he remained five years. He then accepted a call and was pastor of the Congregational Church of Springfield, Ohio, for seven years, and was afterward pastor of a church in Columbus, Ohio, for two years. He then accepted a call from the Congregational Church at Port Huron, the largest church in the city, and he came here June 1, 1876. Mr. Ross has been lecturer on church polity in the Oberlin Theo- logical Seminary since 1871, and has recently been elected "Southworth lecturer on Congregationalism " at "Andover Theological Seminary " for three years. Mr. Ross was united in marriage, October 15, 1861, to Miss Mary M. Gilman, of Churchville, Genesee Co .. N. Y. She is a graduate of Oberlin College.

JOHN RUDGE, of the firm of Rudge & Richardson, foundry, is a native of England, and was born Sep- tember 24, 1842. He grew up and learned his trade there, and came to America in 1869. He came to Detroit and lived there until 1873, when he came to Port Huron, and two years later engaged in the foundry business for himself. They manufacture iron store fronts, agricultural implement work, and all kinds of iron and brass castings. Mr. Rudge married Miss Alice Hickin, a native of England, June 9, 1865. They have three children-Annie, Amelia and John Herbert.

D. N. RUNNELS, steamboat and ferry owner, is a native of Somerset County, Me., and was born Decem- ber 18, 1835. Upon reaching manhood he came West in 1856 and located in St. Clair County, and engaged in lumbering, and was connected with the lumber business for twenty-three years. In 1875, he engaged in the

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steamboat and ferry business with Capt. Moffat. They built the "Omar D. Conger," one of the finest pas- senger boats on the lakes. They also built the steam barge W. W. Stewart and others. Mr. Runnels holds the office of City Treasurer. He has been twice elected Mayor of the city, and served three terms in the City Council. He was united in marriage September 14, 1858, to Miss Mary F. Goodwin, of New York. They have two children-Charles N. and Ida B.

ALFRED RUSH, of the firm of Rush & Sons, wholesale dealers and shippers of fruit and vegetables, is a native of England. and was born in the city of London September 23, 1831. He came to Michigan and lo- cated at Port Huron in 1866, and engaged in the boot and shoe trade, and continued in that business eleven years. In 1877, he established their present business. The firm of Rush & Sons are the pioneers in this trade in this city. They handle and ship a large amount of fruit and vegetables, both on their own account and on commission. In 1854, Mr. Rush married Miss Mary Ann Elizabeth Fisk, a native of the city of London. They have had six children-only two sons survive-Alfred H. and Edward F., both engaged in business with their father.

HON. JAMES W. SANBORN, merchant, was born at Falmouth, near Portland, Me., in April, 1813. He was the son of a physician, the third of a family of eleven children. In early youth, he gave evidence of great energy of character and keen powers of observation. He chose, for his first venture, a seafaring life, and made frequent voyages to the West Indies; he also crossed the Atlantic ocean repeatedly. He abandoned the sea after reaching the age of twenty-one, and went to Port Huron in 1835, in company with Abner Coburn, since Governor of Maine, Charles Merrill, late of Detroit, and Joseph L. Kelsey. Together they located 25,000 acres of land in St. Clair and Sanilac counties; and Mr. Sanborn, then but twenty-two years of age, was left in charge of the purchases. The following year, 1836, he established himself at Metamora, Lapeer County. In 1838, and again in 1846, he was elected to the Legislature from Lapeer district. His thorough knowledge of the State lands made him an efficient Representative. As a legislator he evinced the same habits of indus- try and faithfulness which so eminently characterized him in private life. In 1847, he was engaged in the dry goods and lumber business at Port Huron, with his brother-in-law, Alvah Sweetser; the death of the latter, in 1864, caused a dissolution of the firm. Mr. Sanborn had a large lumber interest on the Saginaw, the Mus- kegon and its tributaries, the Au Sable, Thunder Bay River, Pine River, in the Upper Peninsula, and on the Cheboygan. His business career was a successful one for himself and those associated with him. Besides his lumber possessions, he owned considerable real estate and personal property in Port Huron and Fort Gratiot. In business matters he had a quick perception and was far-seeing, always combining promptness with caution. While keeping pace with the times in legitimate enterprises, he never allowed sound judgment to be overruled by speculative excitement. Just in his dealings with all. he expected and exacted the same from others; strong in his likes and dislikes, he never failed in proving the sincerity of his feelings to those whom he once recognized as friends. He numbered among his intimate associates many young men who were indebted to him for friendly counsel, as well as for substantial aid in their business undertakings. Earnest in politics as in other matters, and originally a Whig, Mr. Sanborn stood among the foremost organizers of the Republican party. He represented his district as a delegate to that convention whose proceedings "under the oaks at Jackson" have been accorded a page not only in the annals of State, but also of national history. In 1853, he was elected to the House of Representatives, after a spirited contest, his opponent being the Hon. W. T. Mitchell. In 1858, he was chosen Commissioner of the State Land Office During his term he exposed the Mckinney defalcation and strenuously opposed all efforts to cover up the fraud under the plea of party policy. Being an active worker in political campaigns, no man in his region was more liberal with his money for proper political purposes. Mr. Sanborn married three times, and at his death, which occurred April 13, 1870, left a wife and three children. Although not a member of any religious denomination, he was for many years actively connected with the Congregational Church. He was greatly attached to his family and home, and those who knew him most intimately knew best the kindness of his nature and the depth of his affection. His influence, as affecting the growth and prosperity of the section of the State in which he lived and labored, will continue to be felt for years to come.

JOHN P. SANBORN, Collector of Customs, was born in Belgrade, Me., July 12, 1833. His father was Benjamin Sanborn, M. D., a graduate of Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me. His mother's maiden name was Emily J. Pitts. Mr. Sanborn's early education was only such as was afforded by the common schools of New England. Like so many other of the substantial men of the country, he was educated chiefly in prac- tical business, Upon leaving school, he entered a general store as clerk and apprentice, acquiring therein the systematic habits which have distinguished his later life. He came to Michigan and settled at Port Huron in 1847, and subsequently engaged extensively in mercantile and lumbering operations. Mr. Sanborn was Deputy Collector of Customs at Port Huron from 1862 to 1866. In March, 1867, he was appointed to the Col- lectorship, which office he still holds. In his administration Mr. Sanborn has proved himself one of the first officers of his grade in the revenue service. Politically, he has always been a Republican. He married, Octo- ber 17, 1855, Miss Mary A. Wastell, daughter of Rev. W. P. Wastell, of Clinton, Mich.

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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 97

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