History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 112

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 112

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PETER F. BRAKEMAN, deceased, was of German descent; his grandparents were from Hesse- Darmstadt, and at ten years of age he could speak no English; and was born in the town of Char Jotte. Otsego Co., N. Y .. April 20. 1803. His parents removed the same year to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and his boyhood was spent there on his father's farm. Upon reaching manhood at the age twenty-one, he came to the Territory of Michigan, and reached Detroit with only 75 cents in his pockets. In July. 1824, he went to work in the harvest field on the farm of Gen. Cass. In the fall of the same year, he came up the river to this county to Point du Chien, now Algonac, and spent the winter on Harson's Island. Mrs. Sammel Russel and Abrain Smith, old settlers and prominent citizens of this county, were pupils in his school. He went to Wadhams Mills the summer of 1826, and worked in the mills there for a short time, and then returned to Algonac, and engaged in teaching school in the winter of 1826 27; was clerk in the first store ever opened in that place: then sold goods for the firm on commission. He soon after became a partner in the business. and later bought bis partner's interest, and owned and carried on the Imsiness himself. The firm established it store across the river at Moretown .* While living at Point du Chien, he was married on the 29th of May. 1832, to Miss Nancy Brown, of Cottrellville: she was born in Canada at Moretown, January 17, 18IL, and was a daughter of William and Martha Thorn Brown. He was born in Detroit, 22d of June, 1781. and she was horn in Detroit January 30, 1786 ; they were married in 1406, and soon after moved across the river to Canada and bought land of the Indians. During the war of 1812. the Indians carried off his cattle; they were very troublesome, and he took his family to Detroit in 1813, helped build the stockade in Fort Wayne County.

"The Arm Mr. Brakeman eleri ed for was George 11, Jasperson, From Denmark, and Peter F. Verhoeff, from Gerioany. After Mr. Braki B.in herme i partner in the drm, the store at Maretuwn was established, Messrs Jisperson and Verhoeff removing to Sandwich, Canada, Mr. Brakeman taking charge of the store at Moretown. and overseeme the business at Point Du Chien, Mr Jacgh G. Streit cone of the early rush ents . Clerking in the Point Du Chien store. After this Mr Brakeman hought his partner's Interest and carried on the his hess himself, Carried on a large trade with the Indians on Walpole Island, learning their language so he could converse with them quite inently. He was a great favorite and friend of the Indbins, at that time and durme his hte At the time Mr Brakeman taught schoot ID Algonac, there was no school aws, na school directors, Mr. Ira Marks and John K. Smith, Esq. of resments and old-time friends of Mr Brakeman, long since passed away hired him and became responsible for the pay, which was Si for four months The school was taught in part of the house of Williany Case, his family living in the ather part. Mrs fase attending s' hon) part of the time, There are now living in the vicinity of Algonac. beides Mr. Abram Smith and Mrs. S. Russel, Mr William T. Marks, Mr. Ir Marks and Mr E. G. Marks, who were his popl 4, also Mr Angus smith. of Milwaukee: Capt. A. G. Peer, of Port Austin, Iron Co., Mich., all belonging to obl famihes of St. Clair County, Mr. Braken.in was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the - rrond Division, Fourth Brigade, Fifth Heziment Michigan Miht a. hy Stevens f. Mason, Governor of Michigan Territory. April 22, 1525. Was Justice of the Peace at Cobrelife. and Township tlerk at Algonac. While reskling at Port Huron. between the years ISHI, was Superintendent of the l'our, at the same time with af din K. Sintth, Fg. of Algunac, and Joseph I Mares, Esq., of st. Clair. He was very chergete, persevering and Industrions man, hot always foi nd time to study. was very we I posted in history. and well informed as to current events. His benevolence knew no bounds; many instances might be mentioned where he would deprive hit srif of necessaries, to assist others, thinking their necessies were greater than his, when i was well known that huis were equally As great as theirs He was very honest, his word bolig as good as his bond. He subscribed liberal y to getting up the first printing press in Port Huron He was true to his family, a lover of peace. his country, and his God. Had a host of friends all through this section of country. He planted an apple orchard in every place where he resided, except Cottrellvile. Mr. Brakeman had the contract of carrying the mail from Algonac to , the city seat now St. Clair, employed William T. Marks to carry it, then a young Ind. is now residing at Algone an ohl man, Mrs. Brakeman remembers very distinctly removing from Moretown In the time of war, and very many old time reminiscences and incidents that took place on the river St. clair in an early day. which are very Interesting to hear at this day. She is a granddaughter of the fate Cupt. Wil fam Thorn. who died at Port Huron in Is12, also a niece of May, John Thorn, an obl rest lent of Port Huron, who died there in 1871.

670

IIISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

They came up the river to this county in 1816, and settled in the town of Cottrellville, about one mile below Marine City, on the land now occupied by Charles H. Brown. His wife died in 1846, and he lived until December 26, 1574: four children survive-Mrs. Brakeman, James B .. Martha J .. now Mrs. Cole, of Wisconsin, and Charles H. After they were married, Mr. Brakeman continued in the mercantile business at Algonac until 1535. then moved up the river to Cottrellville and opened a store there. and was there one year; then removed to Port Huron in 1836, and built and owned the dock and warehouse, where Moffatt & Co., are now located. It was the first dock and warehouse built on the river at Port Iluron. In the fall of 1837, he sold out and moved back to Cottrellville, and kept the hotel formerly kept by her father until April, 1840; then went to Port Huron on Military street, one mile south of bridge, and engaged in farming; bought stock and butchered; had the contract of supplying the soldiers at the fort, and remained there until November, 1847; then sold out to L. M. Mason, and removed to Willow Creek. Sanilac County, now Huron City, Huron Co .. Lake Huron, and engaged in lumbering. Dr. John S. Heath, was a partner with him at the time. He and Mr. W. H. B. Dowling. built and owned a steam mill, one of the first steam mills on the lake shore between Sag- inaw and Lexington, and the business was very successful. His family remained there until October 14, 1853. he sold his interest spring of 1854, and returned to Port Huron again. Purchased property there; in the spring of 1:55, he bought the farm on the river in the town of St. Clair where Mrs. Brakemau now lives. He held various offices; was Justice of the Peace in Willow Creek. Sanilae County, and was also Justice and Supervisor at Port Huron. He was an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From early manhood he gave liberally to all churches. He died November 13. 1874; he left an estate of over 200 acres of land; left valuable property on Huron avenue, Port Huron, which he had owned and rented for over twenty years: after having given farms to his sons. Five children survive, two sons and three daughters-John W. and Charles W., living in this town; Elizabeth J., now Mrs Rev. J. S. Sutton, of St. Clair City ; Anna and Hannah, residing at Pine Grove Place, Brakeman Homestead.

OLIVER BRANDT. farmer, Section 23, P. O. St., Clair, is a native of Albany County, N. Y., and was horn December 11, 1820. He grew up to manhood in that State, and in December, 1845, came to St. Clair and went to work in the saw mill. The following summer he went back to New York State, in the fall he returned here; for eight years he worked at lumbering here winters, and went back home to New York in the spring; then came here and settled permanently. In 1845, he bought the land, forty acres, where his house stands. and cleared it during the summer, and lumbered winters, and since then has lived here and been engaged in farming and lumbering: owns a farm of eighty acres. He married Miss Thurza Hughes, a native of Essex County, N. Y. They have one daughter-Lettie J., now Mrs. Belnapp, living iu the town of China.

JOHN BRIGGEMAN. farmer, Section 21, P. O. St. Clair, is a native of Germany, and was born July 25. 1-1%. He grew up to manhood there, and emigrated to the United States in 1847, and lived in Ohio five years. In 1851, he came to this county and bought the land where he now lives of William Barron, and the following year came and settled here; he built a log house and began clearing the land and made his farm, and since then for the past thirty years has resided here, and has been successfully engaged in farming. He owns a good farm of ninety-three acres, and also owns 100 acres elsewhere. In 1851, he married Miss Dora Mechlenberg: she died March 14, 1582. leaving six children-Mary, Jobn, Henry, William, Louise and Fred.

CAPT. GEORGE W. BROWN, farmer, Section 17. P. O. Rattle Run. is a native of New York State, and was born in Herkimer County November 2, 1827. When fourteen years of age he began sailing on the schooner " Wave." In 1847, he took command of the schooner "Baltic," then the schooner "Missouri," and the 'S. Robinson," and afterward bad command of the barques "White Cloud" and the "W. G. Grant." He sailed master for thirteen years, and except one year was with one company in the Buffalo and Chicago trade until 1-60, when he quit sailing. He came to this county in 1857, and the following year bought the place where he now lives, and since then has resided here and engaged in farming; owns 200 acres of land. Capt. Brown married Miss Eleanor B. Spencer, of Jefferson County, N. Y .; she died in May. 1867. leaving two children- Althea J., now Mrs. Stone: Eba E., married and living in this town.

JEROME T. BROWN, deceased, was born in town of Bath, N. H., July 21, 1833. He came to St. Clair in 1-53, and was in the employ of William B. Barron, of this place for ten years: afterward he clerked in a drug store, and later engaged in this business for himself. He was married in October, 1870, to Miss Minnie L. Iluse. by whom he had one child. By his sterling, kindly qualities he won many friends in St. Clair. He was a Mason of the order Sir Knights. He died April 9, 1879, loved by all who knew him.

GEN. SIMEON B. BROWN, was born in Bridgewater, Grafton Co., N. H., March 1, 1812, and is a son of Lieut. Daniel Brown, officer in the war of 1812. He was educated in New Hampton Academy, New Hampshire, graduating from that institution in 1931. In 1933, he went to Burlington, Vt., where he clerked in Wood & Abbott's drug store for eight months, and then became a partner in the business. In 1835, lie came to Detroit and engaged in the auction and commission business, in which he was very successful; but lost by paying security. In 1837, he went to Three Rivers, St. Joseph Co., Mich., and established a general store which he conducted two years, when he went to Goshen, Ind., remaining there until 1843, and then came to St. Clair, which he has made his home until the present time. Ile purchased a considerable amount of property, built the Brown Hotel and ran it for six years. It was the largest hotel north of Detroit at that time, he sold it in 1855 for $10,000. In 1862, Mr. Brown joined the Sixth Michigan Cavalry as Major. In 1563, he was promoted to Colonel of the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, and in 1864 as Brigadier General for meritorious services in the battle of Marion, where Maj. Gen. Breckenridge was defeated and driven into Richmond. At the same time the General assisted in capturing Saltville, Va. He also participated in the battles of Boonsboro, Ilanover Court House, Hunterstown, Gettysburg, Wagerstown, Fallen Waters, Sales- hurg, Marion and others, seventy-two in all. The General was always of a military turn of mind. lle was Captain of a military company in Detroit in 1836. He was married in 1836. to Miss Ann Marie, daughter of Capt. Ben Woodworth. a brother of Samuel Woodworth, author of the "Old Oaken Bucket." Mrs. Brown

671

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

died in 1867, and in December. 169, he married Mrs. Harriet II. Dickey. daughter of Benjamin Sh. ; well They have one child-Gracie (., aged eleven years. Mrs. Brown had one danghier by her first hu-ban l Mary A. Dicker. now a prominent teacher in the St. Clair schools, and a -killful piani-t.

EDWARD CANAN. Justice of the Peace. general collecting agent and attorney, offire over Currier's drug store, was born in St. Clair December 24. 1-45. and is a son of John C'anan, a native of Detroit, an I now resides in St. Clair. Our subject was reared and educated in St. Clair, he engaged in lumbering for several rears. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in I>>1. to fill a va aney caused by the death of D. D. O'Dell. and re elected in the spring of 1-52. for four years. Mr. Canan has dealt extensively in real estate, and is now doing a large business in that line. Ile was married November 27. 1-90, to Miss Ellen MI Smith, a daughter of Truman Smith of Marysville this county. They have four children-Clarence E .. Lulu A .. Arthur G and Eddie B.

JOHN CANAN, father of Ju-ti .. Canan, of St. Clair, was born near Dublin, Ireland, May 10. 1-22 H came with his parents to New York ('ity. when an infant. in the fall of 1-22. The family removed to Detroit. where, at the age of five year-, he was left without father or mother, -i-ter or brother. He was then bound to John F. Bassett of St. Clair. Bassett was a sailor and was drowned when Mr. Canan was but twelve years old: he then went to work for $4 a month. In 1-39. he went int , a saw mill at $15 a month. After following this three years, he engaged in lumbering; he has been a very extensive lumber dealer. he was mar- ried May 12. 144. to sarah Ostrander. They had too children, of whom four boys and three girl- are living

EDMUND E. CARLETON, retired farmer, was born in Bath, Grafton Co .. N. I April 9. 1~ ~. and i- a son of Peter Carleton. also a native of New Hampshire. Mr. Carleton came to Western New York. in 1-29; at the age of fourteen year- he was apprenticed to a tanner and currier. serving his apprenti ship for seven years with his uncle. Edmund Carleton: he worked at his trade for a few years before coming W -t. and also after ward; he came to st. Clair County in 1-30, and has since made it his home: he settled in China Township, on United States Government land. and made shingles to pay for same. In those day, the Indians and wild wni mals were num rou -. Mr. Carleton began in life with a capital of two hands and a willing mind, anlh: - accumulated a competency; he and another man did the first currying in the first currying shop in St Clair He also worked in the tanyard of Carly le in Port Huron for some time Being natura ly of an ingenious turn of mind, he became a millwright without instructions, and built -ome mill -. He was married De ember 25, 1-39, to Miss Elizabeth Baird, daughter of James Baird. deceased. she was born near Glasrow, Scotland. Mr. Carleton moved into St. Clair ( 'ity in 1 ;3, and has retired from active life: he was Supervisor one year in China Township. and was .Justice for that township for four year -. besides other offices of trust. Was su pervisor of First Ward in St. Clair one year.

GEORGE A. CARLETON:was born in Herkimer County. N. Y .. S 'ember 9. 1\fl. he came to this county with his parents in 1-42. ani settled in China Town-hip. In 1854 they canie to st. Clair, where our subject ha- since resided He was married september s. 1-53, to Mis- K-siah House, a nativeof Canada. and a daughter of Haar B. Hol- They had one con. William Wallace, who died Of ober 30. 1-17. at the age of twelve years. Mr. Carleton was Under Sheriff of St. Clair County for two years. City Treasurer tw . years, and was the first City Marshal elected under the new St. Clair city charter, which office he bell for iw) years. He has been engaged in the Iraviny business for the past seven years. He is a memt-roof the Mason ic fraternity. Mr. Carleton's father, Moses R. Carleton, was born in New Hampshire September 20. 1-09. re- moved to this county in 1812. Hle married Lydia Angel, by whom he had seven boys and three girls .: whom six boys and three girls tre living. He died in St. Clair, August 9 1-54.

PALMER S. CARLETON. farmer. Private Claim 30 ;. P O. St. Clair. is anvive of New York State. and was born November 29, 1-30. in Rensselaer County, then town of Hous: . near where .le battle of Ben- nington wa- fought . his parents. Sanford and Phebe Barker Carlet n. were natives of that State They re. moved to Washington County when he was seven years old. and he grew up ar la tendel scho I there. and then engared in teaching Hlv las five brothers and sisters. and all of them have been teachers. One sis- ter has taught over twenty years. Mr. Carleton came to this county in 1-66, an I located where he now lives and engaged in farming. He own- : 31 acres of land, and his f. rm adjoins the city limits of st Clair. He has been actively identified with the interests of the town and county. In 1-69, was elected Supervisor. and since then, with the exception of one year. when he was County A- wer has held the office for the pa- thirteen years, and was three time- chosen Chairman of the Board. In 1st> was app ist i Del Late from this county on the State Board of Emmalization Ile was elvett IR .pres ntative t the Sore Legislature, and served the ~ sion- of 1-79 and 1\\0. Mr. Carleton was married January 5. 1-34. to Miss Carrie M_ > forl. a native of Vermont. Her father's farm was situated in two States, three counties, and in for towichips and the land was all together, and is now occupied by the fourth generation

GEORGE W CARLTON. farmer. Private Claim 955. P. O St Clair, is : nativeof Ren-clark County. V Y .. and was born March 23. 1-27. he grow up and after led school in Washington County. After reachir _ manhood. in 1-1. he came to this county and settled at St. Clair and engage l in lumbering. anh continue ] in that business until 1;0, when he bought the farm where he now lives, which contains 300 acres ir ring on the St. Clair River, one of the finest locations in the county. and since then has been eurazed in formning Mr. Carlton has been actively identified with the interests of the town and coun'y for many years. He was President of the village of St. Clair when it was incorporated, and als . serve las Village Treasurer and Al derman : he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and served as superintendent and Insp. mmer of Schools. In 1-5 ;. he married Miss Emeline P. smith. a native of Massach iser .. and sister . i Euren Smith. of St. Clair : Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have four children-Charles H . Jennic F . Eun ne M and Helen O EDWARD CHAFFEE, farmer. Section 10. P. O St. Clair. i- a native of Mich'ran . h wa- born Febru. ary 7. 1~[1, in Oakland County. His parents. Alpha and Apha Kt ch Chaffer. came to St Clair about .hr vear 1×41. and soon afterward settled on this land. which was then a willerne -- Alpha Chaffer cleare 1 th land, made the farm, and was engiged in farming and lumbering till his death, November 21. 1;3. Hr Was

672

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

the father of eleven children as follows, nine of whom survived him : Alpha Rinaldo, born April 6, 1824 ; Philip A., born February 22, 1826 ; Naney M., born April 2. 1928 ; Wilder S., born May 15, 1830: Mary N., born March 20, 1832. died April 21, 1866 ; James M., born February 18, 1834; John A .. born December 20, 1835 ; Amasa M., born July 21, 1837 ; Edward N., born February 7, 1841 ; Sarah, born April 4, 1843 ; and Em- ily 1., born March 31, 1846, and died January 3, 1873 : Edward, who now owns and lives on the old home- stead, grew up in this county, and since reaching manhood has been engaged in lumbering and farming. During the war of 1861-65, he served in the army in the Construction Corps until the elose of the war. Ilis grandfather, Alpha Chaffee, fought in the war of 1812 against the British, and lived to see the victory and triumph of the American cause. His father, Alpha Chaffee, was born August 2, 1800, in the State of New York ; and his mother, who is still living with him on the old homestead, was born November 22, 1804. When Mr. Chaffee's father moved to St. Clair County, the first house the family lived in was a log one, the brick for the chimney and oven having been rowed up Pine River in a canoe. Game was very abundant. To see from fifteen to twenty deer was not uncommon. But now they, like the red man, have gone, and cultivated fields have taken place of the forests, and neat frame farmhouses the place of the rude log hut or the wigwam of the Indian.

CAPT. C. H. CHAMBERLAIN is a native of St. Clair County, and was born in Marine City December 29, 1841. He began sailing in 1860. on the Forest. In 1865. he sailed master of the St. Joe, then Belle of Osh- kosh: then sailed master of propeller Evergreen City, Concord. the Alpena, Alcona, Brunswick: then sailed master steamboat Kewenaw, and in 1882 was master of the Iron Chief: has been in the marine service twenty- two years. In 1867, Capt. Chamberlain married Miss Elizabeth St. Barnard, of this city, and daughter of Capt. St. Barnard, one of the oldest settlers on the river. They have four children-Calvin, Elizabeth, William and Jarvis.

JOHN CLARKE. deceased, son of Capt. George Clarke, and Mary, his wife, whose name before mar- riage was McDonald, was born at Bath, Maine, July 29, 1797. His father was of English, and his mother of Scotch descent. In 1800, his parents moved to Waterville, where he attended school until 1812, when he went as clerk in a store at Augusta, Maine. While there his health failed, and he was obliged to return to his home. In 1815, by the advice of his physicians, he went to Europe, making a tour of the continent, and was in Germany on the day of the battle of Waterloo. After a short stay in England, he started on his return to the United States. The vessel in which he was a passenger foundered in mid-ocean, and he, with the officers and crew, spent three days in the small boats, when they were picked up by some passing vessel Captain, and after severe hardships succeeded in reaching Philadelphia, where he found friends from whom he obtained money to defray his expenses to Hallowell, Maine, at which place he received a clerkship in a store. Here he united with the Baptist Church, and was always an active member in some church of that denomination until his death. In 1818, he went into business on his own account at Belfast, and in 1819 was married to Miss Mary Sherburn, of Hallowell. After several years' residence at the former place, he removed to Hallowell, which place he left in October, 1830, for Michigan, which was then a Territory. Having letters to Gov. Cass and IIon. John Biddle, he was advised by them to commence business in Detroit; he concluded to do so, and for this purpose rented a store on Woodward avenue, and went to New York for a stock of goods. This done, he proceeded to Hallowell for his family, consisting of his wife, three daughters and one son. On arriving at Buffalo, he found all the steambonts had gone into winter quarters, and he, with his family, was obliged to take passage on a small schooner, which arrived at Detroit December 6. Mr. Clarke procured rooms and board for himself and family at the Mansion House, kept by Andrew Mack. Mr. Clarke was engaged in business in Detroit three years. In 1833, he purchased land three miles south of St. Clair, on the St. Clair River. and in the spring moved to Desmond (now Port Huron), to take charge of a mill on Black River, and was Cap- tain of the steamboat General Gratiot for two seasons, running from Detroit to Port Huron. There were only three frame buildings in Port Huron at the time Mr. Clarke moved there, one of which he occupied. In 1835, he removed to China, St. Clair County, where he lived until his death. Mr. Clarke carly manifested a great interest in politics, and as soon as he became a voter numbered himself with the Jeffersonian Republicans. lle was an ardent supporter of Gen. Jackson, and among his personal friends. In 1835, he was elected to the Territorial convention, which framed the first constitution of the State. In the fall of the same year, Mr. Clarke received the unanimous nomination of the Whig and Democratic parties in the Senatorial District, at that time embracing one sixth of the State, and was elected without opposition. In the same year he was appointed Postmaster at China, which offiec he held for twenty-two years. lle built a store and wharf, and did a general trading business, buying furs, etc. In '1836, was re-elected to the Senate. In 1837, was ap- pointed Indian Commissioner by Gen. Jackson, and in that capacity transacted a large amount of important business. Mr. Clarke was appointed by President Van Buren Receiver of the Land Office at Ionia, but de- clined the position. The next year he served on Committees on Internal Improvement. Militia and Expendi- tures, holding the chairmanship of the last named. In 1850, was a member of the convention which framed the State Constitution. In 1856, severed his connection with the Democratic party. In 1856, was elected to the Legislature of the State of Michigan as a Representative, and served as Chairman of the Committee on Internal Improvement. lle was a zealons friend of Mr. Chandler, who was by that Legislature first elected to the United States Senate. Mr. Clarke was for fifty-six years a member of the Masonic order, occupying many positions of high rank therein. He died at his home in East China February 4. 1876, in his seventy- eighth year.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 112

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814