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 98

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 98

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PETER SANBORN, retired, is a native of Falmouth, Me., and was born March 13, 1802. He grew up to manhood in that State, and lived in Portland. He came to Michigan previous to the year 1835, to look after his interests in pine lands; he remained here four years; then returned East and spent six years; then returned to Port Huron and engaged in general mercantile business, also in the lumber trade. He was actively engaged in business for many years. He has since retired from business, and although over eighty years of age, is as active and well preserved as many who are much younger.

P. B. SANBORN, proprietor of Sanborn's elevator, is a native of Falmouth, Me., and was born March 17, 1838. Mr. Sanborn came to Detroit in 1852, and in 1862 located in Port Huron. During the war he enlisted and served in the First Regiment of Berdan's sharpshooters, and was commissioned First Lieutenant, Com- pany K. After serving nine months, protracted illness compelled him to resign his commission. Subse- quently Mr. Sanborn engaged in the hardware business, and for thirteen years was a member of the firms of

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

William Stewart & Co. and Sanborn, Carleton & Co., and in 1881 he engaged in the grain and elevator busi- ness. Sanborn's Port Huron Elevator is one of the most complete, for its capacity, in the State. It has every improvement for handling grain by river and the three lines of railroad which terminate at Port Huron. The river frontage is 300 feet. Mr. Sanborn was one of the corporators of and is a stockholder in the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad Company, and has been for many years actively identified with the commer- cial interests of Port Huron. Mr. Sanborn was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Willeger, of this city, Sep- tember 13, 1864. They have two children-son and daughter, named Alvah and Clare.

WILLIAM SAXE, farmer, Section 18, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Lower Canada, and was born March 18, 1835. Upon reaching manhood. came to this State and lived in Sanilac County about seven years ; then came to Port Huron and worked in Wells' saw-mill, and also worked four seasons for Bachelor in his mill, and for the past two seasons has been foreman in Brooks & Joslyn's Mill. He owns a farm of eighty- six acres, and has lived here since 1876. In October, 1864, he married Miss Mary Bowes, a native of Canada ; they have six children-William C., Elizabeth, John G., Hattie, Allen, Ellen.

CHARLES SCHEFFLER, of the firm of Scheffler Bros., fresh and salted meats, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in Port Huron March 16, 1864. He grew up, attended school and learned his business here, and engaged in business for himself in 1878 ; has carried on the business since then, and has built up a good trade ; is a member of the Order of Maccabees. In 1880, he married Miss Minnie Cook, a native of Strathroy, Canada.

PETER SCHWEITZER, lumberman, Section 5, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Germany, and was born in Lorraine August 6, 1834 ; upon reaching manhood, he emigrated to America in 1854, and lived in Buf- falo six years, and then came to Port Huron, and since then, for the past twenty-two years, has been connect- ed with the lumber business here ; he has held the office of City Alderman. He owns a good farm with ex- cellent improvements near the city. He married Miss Mary Zimmer, a native of Germany, April 8, 1858 ; they have two sons-Peter and John.

ALBERT SCHOFIELD, of the firm of Love & Schofield, boiler manufacturers, is a native of Lanca- shire, England, and was born February 27, 1852 ; his parents came to Canada in 1854, and came to Detroit in 1861. He came to Port Huron and learned his trade, and engaged in their present business in 1876, and since then have carried on the business here, manufacturing marine and store work. In May, 1873, Mr. Schofield married Miss Lida Cook, a native of Toronto, Can .; they have two children-Libbie and Addie.

OTIS SCOTT, capitalist, is a native of Maine and was born at Calais April 30, 1827 ; when sixteen years of age began sailing, and followed the sea for nine years. In 1852, came West to Michigan, and settled in Port Huron, and engaged in lumbering, and successfully carried on the business for about a quarter of a cent- ury ; for the past few years he has been engaged in speculation, and interested in farming ; he is not an of- fice seeker, and has refused to allow his name to be used for any public position. In 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Hawkins, of London, Ontario, Canada ; they have four sons-Fred G., William A., Otis A., Alonzo J.

G. R. SHATTO, general merchant, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Medina County August 15, 1850 ; his parents came to Michigan during his early childhood ; he attended school in this State ; he came to Port Huron in 1877, and established his present business, dealing in dry goods, carpets, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries, etc., giving employment to about twenty people. Transacts a large business ; his sales for the year 1882 were nearly $150,000. Mr, Shatto was united in marriage, August 15, 1876, to Miss Clara R. Whitney, of Flint, Mich. They have lost one son-Walter O.

H. SHOEBOTHAM, physician and surgeon, is a native of Canada, and was born September 4, 1831. He grew up and received his education there, then studied medicine and graduated in Montreal, at McGill's Uni- versity, in 1857. The following year located in Sarnia, and was engaged in the practice of medicine there twelve years. In 1870, came to Port Huron, and since then has successfully practiced his profession here. He has held the office of City Physician, and served as County Physician while living in Canada. In 1863, Dr. Shoebotham married Miss Susan Stevenson, a native of Canada. They have two children-Thomas B. and Harry. Mrs. Shoebotham died October 16, 1882, aged forty-one years one month and one day.

CAPT. ALEXANDER R. SINCLAIR, master propeller Oscoda, is a son of Capt. John and Agnes Sin- clair, and was born in Canada June 17, 1844. He began sailing during his early boyhood. The first money he earned in sailing was on the sloop Emma, and he held the position of Captain before he was twenty years of age. He has sailed as master of the propellers Porter, Chamberlin, Prairie State, Evergreen City; also schooners Cortland and John S. Miner, and is now master of the propeller Oscoda. He has had a large prac- tical experience in the marine service for a young man. Capt. Sinclair was united in marriage January 11, 1871, to Miss Ellen McCoig, a native of Canada. They have two children-Charlie A. and Eva E.

CAPT. L. SINCLAIR, is a native of the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland, and was born November 4, 1834. He came to the United States in 1847. He began sailing in 1857, on the scow Canada. In 1870, he was Cap- tain of the scow Lizzie, and sailed her three years, and sailed the Fannie Neal two years, and also sailed the Dreadnaught, and since then has sailed as mate and master. In 1862, he married Miss Henrietta O'Marow, a native of Ireland. They have had five children-Agnes and Daniel, deceased, and John, Laura E. and George B., living.

CAPT. JOHN SINCLAIR, SR., is a native of the Shetland Islands, North of Scotland, and was born May 29, 1803 ; he began sailing during his early boyhood, and sailed along the coast and to the West Indies. He came to this country in 1840, and began sailing on the lakes from Buffalo to Cleveland, Detroit and Chi- cago. He continued sailing over twenty-five years. In 1867, he was appointed light-house keeper at Fort Gratiot, and held that position eleven years and a half. Capt. Sinclair was united in marriage October 5, 1826. His wife was a native of the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland, and died December 4, 1880, leaving seven sons-Thomas, living at Port Creston ; John, light-house keeper at Thunder Bay Island ; Lawrence, living here and sailing on the lakes; James, living in Florida ; Daniel N., Captain on Lake Michigan ; Alex-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

ander R., master of propeller ; Cyrus H., living in Chicago, sailing on lakes ; and one daughter, Elizabeth, married, now Mrs. Blane ; they lost one son, Peter. He was sailing on the lakes and was lost overboard from schooner Laz Chandler and drowned, October 6, 1876.

ANDREW SMITH, of the firm of George Crackel & Co., painters and dealers in all kinds of painters' and artists' materials, is a native of Scotland, and was born August 10, 1851. His parents came to Canada in 1853, and he grew up and learned his trade, carpenter and joiner, of his father. He came to Port Huron in 1867, and began working at his trade, and afterward engaged in contracting and building, and did a large business. He built the Huron House and many other buildings here. In 1880, he associated with Mr. Crackel, and they carry on the largest business in their line in this section of the State. Mr. Smith married Miss Mary Quinn, from Montreal, Canada, November 11, 1876 ; they have two children-Maynard D. and Herbert W.

E. G. SPALDING, Cashier United States Customs, also member of the insurance agency of E. G. Spalding & Co., is a native of Macomb County, Mich., and was born at Mt. Clemens December 28, 1843. At the age of seven years, he removed to Port Huron, where he has since resided for thirty-two years. After attending school there for several years, he spent two years at school at Albion, Mich., and one year in New York State. In the second year of the war, he enlisted at the age of eighteen, as private in the Twenty-sec- ond Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and, after passing through the successive grades, was promoted to Lieutenant in January, 1863, and served in all the campaigns of the Army of the Cumberland. At the bat- tle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, he was taken prisoner while in command of his company, and was held for seventeen months until March 1, 1865, from the effects of which confinement he has never recovered. After the war, in the fall of 1865, he was appointed Inspector of Customs. In April, 1867, he was promoted Cashier of United States Customs, and since then, for the past fifteen years, has held that position. He was married May 12, 1875, to Miss Leonora D. Buell, of Lexington, this State ; they have one daughter-Nina Es- telle. Mr. Spalding is also engaged in the insurance business. The insurance agency of E. G. Spalding & Co. was established in 1857 by I. H. White, and has been continued with the same companies, with the addi- tion of others, for a quarter of a century. This agency represents the largest companies in this country and Europe, and transacts the leading business here. Following are the names of the principal companies with which this agency is connected, with amount of assets : Home, of New York, Fire, $6,995,509 ; Insurance Company of North America, Penn., Fire, $8,818,805; Hartford, of Connecticut, Fire, $4,072,575 ; Ætna, of Hartford, Fire, $8,902,272 ; New York Underwriters, Fire, $5,036,202 ; Liverpool, London and Globe, Fire, $31,662,194; North British and Mercantile, Fire, $9,264,569 ; German American, New York. Fire, $3,452,572 ; Pennsylvania, Penn., Fire, $2,227,615 ; Niagara, N. Y., Fire, $1,735,250; Phoenix Assurance, London, Fire, $5,- 364,504 ; Amazon, Cincinnati, Fire, $550,732 ; Mutual, New York, Life, $94, 702,957 ; Travelers, Hartford, Life and Accident, $6,114,502 ; Marine Companies, Marine, $4,043,055. These companies represent an aggre- gate capital of $192,946,313.

JEDEDIAH SPALDING was born in Canada May 19, 1826 ; his parents were from Vermont ; they moved to New York the same year. In his twelfth year, the family embarked at Buffalo for Michigan on the new and then considered fast-sailing steamer Constellation. They arrived at the mouth of Detroit River the third day, and at Port Huron the morning of the fifth day (17th of May), and are classed among the early settlers here. Under the instructions of his father, an industrious and skillful stone cutter, mason and build- er, he became an expert at the same business, and at the age of seventeen went into business for himself. In thirty years' experience as contractor and builder, he built not only the larger portion of public, private and business buildings in his own city, but spent eighteen years of the thirty in other portions of Michigan and other states, operating as far north as Marquette, L. S., and west to Omaha, Neb. He has also been engaged in the manufacturing of lime for many years ; burnt lime forty years ago on the same yard he now occupies, where the Monitor Lime Kiln now stands. He has also had five years' experience in lumbering, manufacturing lumber, and delivering on the rail of vessels, also twelve years' experience in the ownership and shore man- agement of vessel property. He never sought office, but when office sought and elected him, he discharged the duties faithfully and satisfactorily, and, like others engaged in industrial pursuits, he paid but little at- tention to politics until within the past few years, in which he has taken an active part in the Greenback movement, and is well known as the Adjutant of the Greenback forces in the Seventh Congressional District. Mr. Spalding was married March 10, 1846, to Sallie Ann, daughter of Jeremiah Harrington, a pioneer of the Daniel Boone stamp, who was one of the first white men to come among the hostile Indians of this section sixty-five years ago. Mrs. Jeremiah Harrington is now eighty-eight years of age, and lives with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Spalding, and is yet hale and hearty. Six children have been intrusted to the parental care of Mr. and Mrs. Spalding, under whose care and guidance they grew up to vigorous woman- hood and manhood : Lyman A. Spalding, inventor of Spalding's system of ventilation (adopted and to be used in the Chicago Board of Trade building), now a resident of that city ; Angelina, now Mrs. E. R. Wheel- er, of Port Huron ; Jennie, now Mrs. Dr. Freund, of Lake Superior ; Annie, wife of George Bent, a civil en- gineer of Boston, Mass .; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Palmer, Jr., civil and copper mining engineer, operating in the Upper Peninsula, L. S .; and Jeddie J., an expert perspective draughtsman, now engaged in the office of E. E. Myers, a leading architect of Detroit, Mich.

FRED E. STARKWEATHER, of the firm of F. E. Starkweather & Co., dealers in hardware and house furnishing goods, is a native of Michigan, and was born in the town of Charlotte, Eaton County, February 3, 1859. He attended school there and finished his education at Olivet College. In 1875, he came to Port Huron, and was in the office of A. N. Moffat two years. In 1877, he went to Chicago, and was there two years in a wholesale hardware house. He then returned to Port Huron, and entered the hardware store of Samuel Boyce, and remained there between three and four years-until the present year-when he established his present business on the corner of Huron avenue and Butler street. Mr. Starkweather was married March 25, 1880, to Miss Minnie E. Curtis, a native of this city. They have one daughter-Edith May.

D. J. STEPHENSON, manager of the Huron House, is a native of Canada, and was born July 16, 1859. During his early boyhood he came to Detroit, and entered the Michigan Exchange Hotel in 1871, and was

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

connected with that house nine years, and for eighteen months was engaged in the cigar business. In June, 1882, when the Huron House was opened, after being refitted and refurnished, he accepted the position of manager, and under his management the house has become one of the leading hotels of the State. Mr. Ste- phenson was united in marriage July 28, 1881, to Miss Evelyn V. Mason, of the city of Detroit. They have one daughter-Zada M.

ELLIOTT G. STEVENSON, attorney at law, is a native of Canada, and was born in the county of Mid- dlesex May 18, 1856. He received his literary education there; came to Port Huron in 1869, and entered the law office of Atkinson Brothers, where he studied his profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. After his admission, he was associated with Atkinson Brothers until the fall of 1876, when O'Brien J. Atkinson re- tired from the firm on account of ill health, and Mr. Stevenson was associated with William F. Atkinson until May, 1877. They then dissolved, and Mr. Stevenson again formed a copartnership with O'Brien J. Atkinson, and since then they have been associated together in the practice of law, and this firm is one of the most prominent in the profession in this section of the State. In 1878, Mr. Stevenson was elected Prose- cuting Attorney, overcoming a large opposition majority, and held that office two years. He now holds the office of City Attorney. He was united in marriage to Miss Emma Mitts, of Port Huron, December 29, 1879. They have two children-George Elliott and Rae.

HARMON L. STEVENS, is a native of New York State, and was born in Genesee County. He came to Michigan in 1843, and settled at Romeo, where he engaged in the general mercantile business with Mr. Mallory, the firm being Stevens & Mallory, and afterward H. L. Stevens. Three years later he came to Port Huron. and arrived here November 30, 1846, and engaged in the grocery and provision trade. He carried on the business about fifteen years. In April, 1849, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and since then, for a period of one-third of a century, he has held that office. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors con- tinuously for about twenty years, and also a member of the School Board for many years. There are few citizens of Port Huron who have been more actively identified with its interests in an official way than Mr. Stevens. He is emphatically a self-made man, and after he was ten years of age, never had but 25 cents but what he earned himself. His mother died during his infancy, and his father broke up when he was only eleven years of age. He learned a trade and received $25 the first year, $30 the second year and $35 the third year. His success in life is the result of his own efforts. Mr. Stevens married Miss Maria L. Mitchell, of Genesee County, N. Y., May 4, 1841. They have one son, Herman W., now Judge of the Circuit Court, and two daughters. Mary E. died December 23. 1881; Rose M. died September 9, 1854.

HERMAN W. STEVENS, Judge of the Circuit Court, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Romeo, Macomb County, November 4, 1844. His parents came to Port Huron in 1846, and he grew up and attended school here, and then entered the State University at Ann Arbor, and graduated in the class of 1866. He studied law and graduated from the law department of the State University in 1868. He engaged in the prac- tice of his profession here and continued until April, 1881, when he was elected Judge of the Circuit for six years. IIe held the office of City Attorney, and for four years served as Circuit Court Commissioner. Judge Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Bishop, a native of Flint, Mich. They have four children- Mary, Rose, Leroy, Walter.

CAPT. HUGH STEVENSON, is a native of London, Canada, and was born September 23, 1852. He began sailing when only fourteen years of age on the schooner Moselle, and since then, for the past sixteen years, has been in the marine service, and has sailed Captain of the Kate Moffatt, and now has command of the Sweepstakes. Capt. Stevenson married Miss Mary B. McArron, of this city, November 4, 1879. They have one daughter, Julia Adelia.

ALEXANDER STEWART, of the Wolverine Dry Dock, is a native of Greenock, Scotland, and was born Sep- tember 21, 1837. His parents came to the United States in 1846. He learned his trade in Ogdensburg, N. Y., and came here in 1857, and was foreman Grand Trunk Ferry. In 1860, they established their present busi- ness, and built the ferry boat Larina, and since then has carried on the business here, and have built at their dock thirty-seven propellers, vessels, tugs and ferry boats, and have done a leading business in ship-building here. Mr. Stewart was united in marriage, November 21, 1862, to Miss Lucy Payne, a native of Scotland. They have two children, one son, James, one daughter, Mary.

CHARLES F. STEWART, of the Wolverine Dry Dock, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in Port Huron July 15, 1854. He is a son of the late William Stewart, one of the early settlers, and a promi- nent business man. He grew up and attended school here, and spent two years in school in Detroit, taking a commercial course. He entered his father's hardware store, and remained there seven years. Since 1880, has been connected with the Wolverine Dry Dock, engaged in ship-building. He was united in marriage, November 2, 1875, to Miss Frank M. Moffat, a native of this city, and daughter of Capt. James Moffat. They have two children-William James and Cecil Fay.

WILLIAM STEWART, deceased, was born in Ernestown, County of Frontenac, Canada, April 30, 1827. He received a common school education, and learned the trade of tinsmith, in Kingston. After completing his trade he came to Port Huron, arriving here in 1847 with a $2.50 gold piece and an indomitable will as his sole capital, and commenced business. He entered into partnership with David McCall; this only lasted one year. He afterward formed a partnership with John Miller, which only lasted one year. In 1863, he built the store now occupied by Carleton, Stewart & Co., which was then the finest and largest hardware store in Michigan, into which he removed his stock. January 1, 1867, he associated with himself as partners, Peter B. Sanborn and Ezra C. Carleton, and for ten years the firm was known as William Stewart & Co. He then re- tired from active participation in business, but remained a special partner in the firm of Sanborn, Carleton & Co. During his active business life he was an efficient member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was known as an active, aggressive, successful business man. He was a generous-hearted man, who never turned the poor or hungry away from his door, and seldom refused to contribute of his wealth to any char table object. He was emphatically a self-made man, and possessed a wonderful sagacity in business mat-

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ters. At the time of his death he was largely interested in the Port Huron Railroad Company, and also a member of the Wolverine Dry Dock Company. Starting as a young man with limited capital, he soon built up a profitable and successful trade, and through all the vicissitudes of business life since that time has passed unscathed, always paying dollar for dollar without borrowing or extension. During the panic of 1857, which ruined thousands of business men throughout the country, he was able to meet every obligation promptly at maturity. Having such an enviable record, he was well and favorably known throughout this section of the State. In public enterprises he was always at the front, advocating all expenditures necessary to build up and improve the city. The only public office that he accepted was a member of the Board of Estimates. Mr. Stewart was united in marriage August 25, 1853, to Miss Mary J. Follensbee, only living child of Joseph F. and Lucy D. Follensbee, who came to St. Clair County in 1831, and were among the early settlers here. Mr. Stewart's death occurred February 3, 1881. His wife and three children survive him -Charles F., William E., Mrs. Geo. H. Crane, Mt. Clemens.

WILLIAM E. STEWART, of the firm of Carleton, Stewart & Co., hardware dealers, is a son of the late William Stewart, Esq., an old settler, and founder of the present business house of Carleton, Stewart & Co. He is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in Port Huron February 7, 1859. He attended school here, completing his education at Racine, Wis., and then entered his father's store. He became a partner in the business and member of the firm of Carleton, Stewart & Co. September 13, 1881. Mr. Stewart was united in marriage January 26, 1882, to Miss Annie M. Golda, of this city.

CAPT. W. W. STEWART, master of the W. W. Stewart, is a native of St. Clair County, and was born on " Harsen's Island," Clay Township, July 20, 1847. He is a son of John II. and Maria Harsen Stewart. Francis Harsen, the grandfather of Capt. Stewart, was the interpreter for the French and Indians during the war, and Harsen's Island was given him and has always had his name. Capt. Stewart began sailing when sixteen years of age, on the schooner Emma. He sailed on the barque Board of Trade, the H. C. Winslow, the City of the Straits, the R. C. Crawford, and sailed mate of the Sweepstakes. IIe then sailed as Captain of the Kate Moffatt three years and the John Martin. Was with the Grand Trunk Ferry Line, and for two years was with the ferry line of Runnels & Moffatt, and since then has sailed as master and is part owner of the barge W. W. Stewart. He has been in the marine service over twenty years. Capt. Stewart married Miss Kittie Chouls September 16, 1873. She is a native of the city of Detroit.

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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 98

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