History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 123

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 123

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).

CAPT. W. II. MOTT. custodian of St. Clair Flats Canal, is a native of New York State, and was born in Orange County. December 25, 1821 His boyhood was spent in that State, and he learned the trade of millwright. In 1855, he went to Iowa, and engaged in building mills. Remained there until the panic of 1857, and then came to Detroit, and went in with the Detroit Bridge and Iron Works, and engaged in build ing bridges in the Western States, and was afterward for some years in harbor building on Lake Erie. In 1866, he was appointed Superintendent of construction of the St. Clair Flats Canal, and upon the completion of the work was appointed Custodian, and since then has held that position. Capt. Mott married Miss Nancy J. Laymen, of Catskill. N. Y. She died August 17, 1850, leaving five children-Henry, married and living in Detroit: Ella, married and living in JJackson: Josephine, married and living in Detroit: William. John.

CAPT. GEORGE A. PHELPS, Private Claim 190. P. O. Algonac, is a son of A. P. Phelps and Mary Phelps. They came to this county in IS40. Ile died in 1548: his wife is still living. Capt. Phelps is a native of this town, and was born November 13, 1846. He began sailing when fifteen years old, and since then. for the past twenty-one years, has been on the lakes. In 1822. he sailed master of the propeller Alle- ghany; then sailed the Selina and the S. D. Caldwell; was master of these three propellers for ten years, and the present year will sail master of new propeller at Bay City. He owns his farm of eighty acres, and has lived here since 1875. In 1867, he married Miss Rena Ainsworth, a native of this town. Her parents, Henry E. Ainsworth and Marietta Abel, were early settlers of this county. Captain and Mrs. Phelps have two children-Wilbert and Josephine.

CAPT. EUGENE RATHBUN, is a native of Oswego County. N. Y .. and was born June 5, 1840. Ilis parents. Orrin and Philinda Rathbun, came to this county in 1899. He began sailing as wheelsman on the little side- wheel boat Canada, when eighteen years old, and has sailed on the lakes twenty-five years. In 1861. sailed master of the tug Zonave. Also sailed the tugs Castle and Burlington, and sailed the Superior three years and a half, and for the past two years has been master of the steam barge Farewell. He has sailed for Robert Hacket & Co. fifteen years. He towed the first lumber barge out of Bay City. In 1862. he married Miss Annie Smith, a native of Algonac. She died in 18 2. leaving one son. Harvey D He was married Jan uary 1. 1853. to Miss Harriet Cadott. of this place.

716

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

CAPT. JOSEPH RANDALL. is a native of this State, and was born on Mackinac Island, June 5, 1826. His parents, Joseph and Margaret Darrah Randall, were early settlers of this State. His father was in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company, and his mother was there during the war. Capt. Randall's boyhood was spent on the island, and at the age of sixteen he began sailing on the steamboat General Scott. In 1850. he was Captain of the schooner Miranda. He has also sailed master of the Williams, the William Foster and the Pan Marble and others. He has been on the lakes over forty years, and is the oldest pilot on Lake Su- perior. Hlas been running there since 1846. In 1863, he married Miss Rachel Cook, of this county. They have four children-John, Normal. Winslow, Parnell.

JOHN M. ROBERTSON, Deputy Collector of Customs, attorney at law and collecting agent, is a son of llenry and Elizabeth Robertson. His mother was a native of Wyoming County, New York State. His father was born in the town of Cottrellville, in 1804, and settled in this county about the year 1790. Henry Robertson was a Captain on the lakes for some years, and sailed the Old Gratiot, one of the first steamers on the river, plying between Detroit and Port Huron. He died in 1820. His wife died in 1852. Three children survive. John M. Robertson was born in Algonac May 26, 1846, Ile attended school here. During the war, at the age of seventeen. he enlisted in Company 1, of the First Michigan Engineers, and served;throughout the war. and was through all of the Sherman campaign, and with him in his march to the sea, and through the Carolinas. After the war, he returned and followed sailing until 1870, and since then has been engaged in law practice. and has also held various offices. He held the office of Supervisor three terms, and is holding the office of Justice of the Peace during third term. In ISTS, he was appointed principal light-house keeper, at Upper Light, on St. Clair Flats Ship Canal, in place of Capt. W. II. Mott (resigned), which position he resigned in May, 1880, to receive the appointment of Deputy Collector of Umted States Customs at Algonac, Mich., which position he now holds He was married December 1, 1872. to Miss Ella Eliza Winters, of New Baltimore, this State. Has one daughter, aged six years.

ABRAM SMITH, eldest son of John K. and Catharine MeDonald Smith, is a native of St. Clair County. and was born in this town September S, 1819. His boyhood was spent here. At the age of thirteen, he car- ried the mail between Algonac and St. Clair, on horse-back. At that time only three men between those points subscribed for papers. He attended school during the winter. He remained on his father's farm until he soll it, and then worked in a saw mill for four years. He afterward sailed a boat for Tucker & Daniels. between here and Sandusky, and had charge of their lumber-yard there a short time. In 1844, he engaged in the mercantile business and carried it on for many years. In 1856, he engaged in lumbering, bought a mill. and for over a quarter of a century was identified with the business, and also engaged in ship-building during that time. After the pine had given out, he and his son engaged in manufacturing staves and hoops, and also sawing onk timber for ship-building. He owns a large farm of several hundred acres, and a large tract of timber land. Mr. Smith, in 1861, represented the district in the State Legislature and also during the extra war session in 1862. He has held various town offices; was elected Supervisor and President of the Village Board, and school offices. He has served as Moderator of the School Board for the past twenty years. He has been actively identified with the interests of the county and State. Mr. Smith was married November 25. 1844, to Miss Fidelia Burt, a native of Madison County, N. Y. They have five children-James B. (merchant at L'Anse, Lake Superior), Cornelia D. (now Mrs. Seaman, of L'Anse), John A. (engaged in business here), Ella M. and Angus M., at home.

JOHN K. SMITHI (deceased), one of the earliest and most prominent settlers on the river, was born in Westchester County, N. Y., in 1786. His parents removed to Vermont when he was only three years of age, and he was raised there. Hle came to Detroit with the army of 1816, and he held the position of Quartermas- ter, and the following year came up on the river to Stromney's Island and started a pottery there. A dis- charged soldier who had followed the trade in Philadelphia did the mechanical part of the work, and they took the goods down the river to Canada, in ranoes and sold them. In 1818, Mr. Smith came up the river one mile above Algonac and started a store, and during the same year he married Miss Catharine McDonald. She was a native of Scotland, and was born in 1795. She came to Canada with the Belldoon Colony. brought over by Selkirk. Mr. Smith continued trading for some time. He bought land, cleared it, and made his farm. Ile held various important offices of trust; he was appointed Justice of the Peace of Macomb County by Gov. Cass, in 18]s ; was appointed Justice of the Peace of St. Clair County by Gov. Cass, in 1821; was appointed Associate Justice of this county by Gov. Cass, in 1826: was appointed Special Commissioner by Gov. Cass, in 1827: was appointed Probate Judge of the county by Gov. Cass, in 1828; was appointed Chief Justice for the county by Gov. Cass, in 1829; was appointed Deputy Collector of Customs in 1832, and held that office and the office of Postmaster until his death. The various commissions for each office, signed by Gov. Cass, are preserved in the family in the possession of his daughter, Miss Jane Smith. He was the first Postmaster, first Probate Judge and first Custom House officer in the county of Algonac. le did the writing for the whole country around. The Indians had great confidence in him, and called him the Big Captain, and would come from a long distance for him to settle their disputes, and his decisions were always accepted as final. Both le and his wife wore active supporters and consistent members of the Methodist Church, which was the first church except a small Catholic Church organized in this county. Miss Jane Smith has in her possession the original subseription list with the names of every one capable of giving anything, and what they gave. There was little cash, but all gave in any way they could. Mr. Smith lived here until his death, April 14, 1855. His wife survived him. She died Angust 22. 1881. Ten children survive-Abram (living here), Sarah C. (now Mrs. Russell, living here), Angus (a prominent business man in Milwaukee), Jane (living here), Anna (living here), Lydia (now Mrs. Ilinsdale, living in New York City), Catharine (now Mrs. Raney, Detroit), Francis Y. (living here), Samuel L. (at Lansing), and Mary (now Mrs. Johnson, of Detroit).

JOHN A. SMITH, general merchant and manufacturer of hoops and staves, is a son of Abram and Fi- clelia Burt Smith, and was born in Algonac, .Inly 26, 1851. He attended school here and entered the State University at Ann Arbor. He did not complete his course but preferred to go in his father's mill, where he

717

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

remained some years. In 1878, he went to New Baltimore and engaged in the lumber trade. He carried on the business there five years, then returned here and established their present business of manufacturing staves and hoops. He also has a hoop and lumber interest in Canada. He is engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, and is interested in vessel property. Ile was married November 30, 1880, to Miss Alvena Sebnoor, a native of New Baltimore, and a daughter of HI. C. Schnoor. They have one daughter, Fidelia Burt.

AURA P. STEWART was born May 20, 1804, at the town of Canandaigua, New York State. His father, Harvey Stewart, was a native of Massachusetts, but became a resident of Ontario County. Ile married Roda Putnam, by whom he had two sons-Aura P. Stewart and John II. Stewart. His wife dying in 1810, he deter- mined to seek a home in the Territory of Michigan, and accompanied by a brother, he reached Buffalo late in November of 1810. Finding no vessel bound to Detroit, he determined to travel through Canada. Reaching Moravian Town, on the River Thames, he contracted to fill a bill of ship-timber, and delivered the same at Malden, Ontario, in 1811. He leased a farm on the River Thames and put in a crop of wheat and rye. In 1812, he, with six men, began to harvest the grain, when they were driven off by a band of Indians. He then went to Detroit, and was there when Gen. Brock took the town. After Commodore Perry's victory on Lake Erie, the British troops prepared to evacuate Detroit, and the citizens fearing trouble with the Indians after the British troops left, selected eight men to go and inform Commodore Perry of the situation of the town, who, arriving at a late hour at night, was kept until morning. They were questioned by the Commodore, and finding that they were well nequainted with the country through which Gen. Harrison would have to march, sent them with a letter from the Commodore, who engaged them as his guides up the Thames, Harvey Stew- art witnessed the battle of the Thames and was the first to recognize Tecumseh dead on the field of battle. Harvey Stewart's children by his first wife were A. P. Stewart and John H. Stewart, the former having held the office of Supervisor and also Justice of the Peace for thirty years, and has been a resident of St. Clair

County since November, 1815. John 11. Stewart became Master (Captain) of some of the best vessels and boats navigating the lakes, and died in 1865. Ilarvey Stewart, during the war with England, married Mary Graveraet, a native of Albany. N. Y., by whom he had three sons and three daughters, all living but two- Garret G. Stewart, Esq. (now a resident of Harsen's Island), Capt. Albert Stewart (now Master of the steamer City of (leveland), Jane (wife of Capt. Daniel McQueen), Sarah (unmarried).

MARTIN SWARTOUT, farmer, Section 28, P. O. Algonac, is a native of Tompkins County, N. Y., and was born September 13, 1824. His parents, John and Catharine Winne Swartout, came to this county and arrived in Algonac September 28, 1836. He bought the land where his son Martin lives ; it was a wil- derness, and bears, wolves and deer were plenty. He put up a log house and began clearing his land. The next spring they moved on the river and was there one season; then returned to this place and began in car- nest clearing his land, making his farm, and during his life lived here. Martin came here with his parents during his early boyhood and was familiar with the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, and took an active part in them. Ile has started with two yoke of oxen to take grist to the mill and it would take from two to three days. Since reaching manhood he has been engaged in farming, and has lived on the old home- stead farm since 1836. He owns 240 acres of land. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner and has held school offices for the past thirty years. Mr. Swartout was married November 7. 1849. to Miss Lydia Webster, a native of this county. Her parents, James and Jane Schreeve Webster. came to this county in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Swartont have four children-John M., Alice (now Mrs. Chamberlin), Horace and Nettie.

WILLIAM WARNER, farmer, Section 33, P. O. Algonac, is a native of New York State, and was born in Jefferson County April 12, 1827. When only ten years of age he began sailing on the Henry Crevo- lin, and since then has sailed on the lakes every season, a period of forty-four years, until 1882. He was steward on the Manhattan before the caval was built in the Detour Passage at Sault Ste. Marie. He was steward on the Vandalia, the first propeller built at Oswego, N. Y., also on the Cavisteo, New York, Buffalo, Bradbury, and is one of the oldest stewards in continuous service on the lakes. Ile has lived on this place seventeen years and owns his farm. He was married, January 1, 1863, to Miss Emma Wood, of Cleveland. Ohio. They have four children-Charles, Eva (now Mrs. Jackson), Charles and Ernest.

CHINA TOWNSHIP.

THIS was among the first townships of St. Clair to be peopled by the whites. Previous to 1796, several squatters had possession of lands here, and when, in 1808-12, the United States Government sought to establish such squatters in their possessions, evidence was ten- dered to show that, for years previous to 1796, improvements were effected by the original white settlers, as named in the chapter on French Pioneers.

The township is rich in its agricultural wealth. Its proximity to railroad and river travel renders every acre valuable. The equalized valuation in 1882 was $440,670; the number of acres of land, 20,955; and the population 1,628, being an increase of 75S since 1845. The St. Clair Railroad passes through the northern sections. Belle River flows southeast through the township, enters East China in its course to the St. Clair.

718

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

THE PIONEERS OF CHINA.

At a meeting of the County Pioneer Society, held at St. Clair, November 25, a paper. written by Samuel Carleton, on the Pioneers of China was read. The following is Mr. Carle- ton's aeeount of the settlement of this township:

On the 21st day of October, 1830, I landed near the month of Pine River, from the old schooner Forester, after a two days' trip from Detroit. I was one of a band of sixteen from old New England. Even in those early days the West offered great attractions for the rising generation, and in February, 1828, at the age of twenty-nine years, I left my native town- Bath, New Hampshire-and started westward. After a stay of nearly three years in the town of Stillwater, N. Y., I pushed still further West, and, with the band before mentioned, arrived at St. Clair, when the prosperous eity was yet in its infancy.

What now constitutes the beautiful town of China, was at that time part of the town of St. Clair, and, to the best of my recollection. contained the following settlements: At Belle River Mills, William Gallagher had built a saw mill, grist mill and dwelling house; James R. Wolverton lived on the place known as the Rankin farm. and Michael Duchene on the Balfour farm. I know of no other settlement west from there this side of Romeo, then called the " Hocksie Settlement." Below the mills. John Robertson was clearing a farm. On the south side of Belle River, Daniel McQueen and Mr. Fargo owned farms.

In 1832. at man by the name of Amos Wheeler purchased a tract of land on Pine River, and built a house near the month of Cook Creek. The following year it was purchased by Henry Cook. The house is still standing, and I think I can safely say it is the oldest dwell- ing house in the town. It is now owned and occupied by a man who bears the same name, although not a relative of its original owner. About the same time. John M. Oakes and his father bought the adjoining tract, of land up the river, and erected a house. David K. Oakes, a son of John Oakes, owns and resides on the place at the present time. The same year. Peter Carleton, and his son Edmund, settled on the farm now occupied by Edmund Stewart, and a little later William H. Carleton located on the place where William Parsons now resides. James Weeks settled on the farm now in the hands of Mr. Griffith, and Thomas Dart near Belle River, on what is now known as the Barger place.

In 1833. I built a house on the farm where I now reside, and moved there the following year. A little later, Peter Chamberlain located on the place where he now lives, and Mr. Hex- tell, Henry Hammond, Mr. Latham. F. S. Douglass and Clark Worden in the vicinity of Belle River. Myron Williams lived in the Gallagher place several years in the early days, and owned a carding machine.

The Hart brothers, David and Silas, located in the northwestern part of the town. David is living on his farm. At the deeease of his brother, his farm passed into the hands of his sons. John Conwell settled on the place now owned by John MeMichael, John St. Clair on the place where his widow now lives, and James Low where his son Thomas lives. John Stewart lived several years in this vicinity, and Jacob McQueen located permanently in the same neighborhood. Richard Arlington settled further up the river. Near this period, Adol- plus Smith moved to the place where he still lives, and Squire Gillam on to the farm now owned by Mr. Hewitt. Later, Parker Webster went on to his farm, and Samuel Webster pur- chased his place of Mr. Morris. Francis Duchene and one of the Minnes had settled previous- ly near the center of the town.

In 1836, or 1837. China became an organized township. The town meetings were held in different places, sometimes in one part of the town and sometimes in another, till the erec- tion of a red schoolhouse, near Belle River Mills, when the town furnished $50 building funds for the privilege of holding elections there. The meetings were held there till the ereetion of the town hall a few years ago.

It would be impossible for me to give a personal sketch of each of these first settlers, there- fore I have given merely their names and where they located. I think a majority of them were from the Eastern and Middle States.

719

IHISTORY OF ST CLAIR COUNTY.

EARLY LAND BUYERS.

Among the patentees of United States lands in this township, previous to Jannary, 1837, were James Fulton, Section 1; William G. Hathaway, L. J. C. Chatterton, George Smith, T. D. Babcock, Samuel Gardner. Richard Nelson, Thomas Palmer. D. F. Kimball. Lot Clark, S. Warren. J. M. Soverhill, M. Healy, B. B. Kercheval, Stephen Cornwall, David Hart, Richard Allington. Mary Hart, Silas S. Hart, Henry Baird, Androw Westbrook, M. H. Sibley, J. W. Throop, Daniel Lockwood, James McClenan, Jacob Sims. Barzilla Wheeler, John Beach, Dan- iel MeQueen, Jr., Joseph Piteairn, Bowen Whiting, John Stewart, Chester Baxter, William Steele, William Sweat, Henry Hammond, Franklin Moore, Zachariah Chandler. T. L. Latham, Asahel Northway, Reuben Moore, Samuel Carleton, Edward C. Carleton, W. H. Carleton, Ebenezer Cole, Amos Wheeler, Clark Worden, P. Merrill, George Palmer, Matthias Rikert, Moore R. Barron, William Kingsbery, Mary M. Wheeler, Squire Gillam, Richard Gordon Morris, Henry B. Turner, Trumbul Granger, John Clark, Henry Agens, Joseph Boynton, Sam- nel Leonard. Miles V. Rood, Almeria Tuttle, Charles Hawkins, Porter Chamberlain, Cornelius Sullivan, Thomas Green, David Robertson, William Gallagher. Samuel Ward, Edward Axtoll, Michel Delhene, Charles Cauchois, James H. Woods, W. Willson, Thomas Fargo, William Gallagher, Abram Bush, James Rooney, Charles Bovert. John Franz, Joseph Engert, F. G. Frank, Alexander Cummings, Nathan Clark, J. L. Atkins. C. H. Atkins, Joseph Wakerman, W. Franz. George Kraft, Godfroy Dien, Otto Dien, Joseph Noblet, B. W. Sharp, W. B. Wells, Perrine. Helm. John C. Wheeler, Jacob Warner, James Edwards, J. P. Dolentash, Peter M. Dox. Adolph Coburn, Hugh Robinson, Josiah Snow. Benjamin Hager, L. Goddard, A. G. Poir, Jonas C. Brigham, Marcus H. Milos, Valen Sauer, Jonathan Kearsley. The private claims patented were Nos. 302. 303, 304, 306, 310, 358, and 248. - See general history for early sketch of these claims.

What was there in this isolated region to justify such toil and sacrifice? Why have men come from pleasant homes in the States from gay circles which they enlivened and adorned- to contribute, perhaps, like the coral insect to its jeweled reef, their very lives in the splendid new civilization slowly building here? Ah, there was incentive! The stories of the woods had reached the cars of the restless and ambitions. The souls tormented with the perplexing prob- lem of daily bread. and anxious to get on faster in the world, had heard of the rich forests. Poor, selfish human nature bowed to the god that all worship, and came to find his throne. The love of venture and the hope of gain- the okl debated problem among the schoolboys, enjoyment of possession and pursuit -started the tide of emigration. Following the vanguard of prospectors to the new paradise, where, after all, fortunes are to be made only by toil, there is found a Columbus in civilization. tracking the wilderness, as the great discoverer did the sea to discover a new world. He finds, and tells the public; others come in and possess the land. They who bought the pineries and manipulated their properties, have grown rich, and gained seats in the Senate chamber. while the discoverer died poor, alono and friendless. Yet, such lives have not been a failure, seeing their results, and reflecting that history is impartial. And who knows but in that land where every deed and thought is weighed, and all that each has stiven to do considered, a tardy recognition may not come to the patient prospector, and his bo rich dividends, without assessment. through an unending ferm?

SUPERVISORS.

Peter Carleton. 1535-36; Thomas Dart, 1837: Commissioners' Board, 1538-41; David Hart. 1842: Samuel Carleton, 1513: Alfred Weeks, 1844; Lemuel Palmerlee, IS15; John M. Oakes, 1846: John Clark, 1847-18; David Hart. 1819-50; John Clark, 1551: David Hart. 1852: C. Lindsay, 1853; T. C. Owen, 1851: C. Lindsay, IS55; Richard Kirk, 1856; William Butlin, 1857: C. Lindsay, 1858-60; E. E. Carleton, 1861: J. A. Hoffmire, 1862; J. O. Robin- son, 1863 64: J. A. Hoffmire, 1865; Chester Rankin, 1866-67; Frederick Lindon, IS6S; Ches ter Rankin, 1869-71; M. F. Carleton. 1872; M. Hanlpin, 1873: Chester Rankin, ISTI: James Ponrie, 1875-76; Jolin Chamberlin, 1877: Frederick Lindow, 1878-82.

720

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

James B. Wolverton, 1838; Silas S. Hart, 1838; Samuel F. Hopkins, 1839; Edmund E. Carleton, 1840; Seldom Freeman, 1841; I. B. Wolverton, 1842; Lemuel Palmerlee, 1843; William Fenton, 1843: C. Lindsay, 1844; Moses R. Carleton, 1844; William Fenton, 1845; C. Lindsay, 1846; Samuel F. Hopkins. 1847: William Cook, 1849: John Baird. 1849; George Clarke, ISSO: Lambert Record, 1550; James T. Clark, 1850; Dolphus Smith, 1851; James S. Clark, 1851-53: Tubal C. Owen. 1853: George Clarke. 1854; Cortland Lindsay. 1856-57; Jonathan Whitcomb, 1857; Silas S. Hart, 1858; James O. Roberson, 1859; Porter Chamberlin. 1860; C. Lindsay, 1861; Dolphus Smith, 1861; J. O. Roberson, 1862; John Byrne, 1862; Peter Wood, 1863; John Byrne, 1864; Chester Rankin, 1865; J. O. Roberson, 1866; Thomas Trevis, 1867: David K. Oakes, 1868; Thomas Trevis, 1869; J. O. Roberson, 1870; A. W. Griffith, 1572-76; C. Chamberlin. 1873: J. M. Richards, 1874-77: Peter Wood, 1874; J. Riley Worden, 1874; N. Westrick, 1875; M. Schriner, 1875; L. R. Robbins, 1879; A. W. Griffith, ISSO; F. Osborn, 1SS0; L. Chamberlin. 1881: Peter Wood. 1SS2; Jacob Westrick. 1882.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 123

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