History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 131

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 131

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).

JAMES COON. farmer, Section 27. P. O. Blaine, is a native of Canada, and was born May 18, 1828. ITis parents, Amasa and Sarah Coon, were both born in New York State. lle lived in Canada until nineteen

751

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

years old, then came to this county and worked at lumbering on Black River for eight years, then went to Grand Rapids and remained there three years, then returned here and worked at trade, carpenter and joiner He came on the place where he now lives in 1864; since then engaged in farming, and worked some in build ing. He owns a good farm, well improved, with excellent buildings, Has held the office of Highway Com missioner. In 1855, he married Miss Sarah O'Lone, a native of Canada. They have five children Laura E .. Luella, Frederick, Matilda, Andy.

JACOB DAWSON, farmer, Section 1. P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Canada, and was born July 2. 1847 His parents, Thomas and Mary Dawson, came to this county during his early boyhood, and settled in this town (then Burtchville). He grew up and attended school here, and since reaching manhood has been on gaged in farming. Owns a farm of ninety acres. lu 1866, he married Miss Charlotte Streeter, daughter of Solomon Streeter, one of the carly settlers. She died in 1873, and left two children - William and Solomon. In 1874. he married Miss Sarah Bice, a native of Canada. They have three children-Mand, Ella and Mary.

THOMAS DEZELL. farmer, Section S. P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Canada, and was born March 6, 1544. When twelve years old, he removed to the county of Wellington, and grew up and lived there until 1822: then for two years worked in St. Thomas at the trade of carpenter and joiner. In 18th, he came to this conn ty, and settled in the town of Grant on the place where he now lives. The following year he bought the farm-owns 100 acres with good improvements-and since then has been engaged in farming. Ile was married July 24, 1573, to Mrs. Sarah Hodgins, a native of Canada. They have one daughter Gertrude May.

SMITH WALTER DOWNS, farmer, Section 20, P. O. Blaine, is a native of New York State, and was born in the city of Albany August 22. 1832. His parents, Walter Smith Downs and Amanda Follett, went to C'anada the following year, and he was brought up there, and is a mill wright by trade. He came to this county in 1858, and worked at his trade at Brockway and Berlin three years. He lived at Marysville three years. then removed to Port Huron, and remained there sixteen years, and worked at his trade : also engaged in building. In March, 1878, he came on the farm where he now lives, and engaged in farming. Owns a good farm of eighty acres. He has held school offices. In November, 1858, he married Miss Martha Ballentine. a native of New Brunswick. They have two children-Fred W. and Elizabeth M.

D. G. FINLAYSON, farmer and teacher. Section 27. P. O. Blaine, is a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and was born in the town of Warren July 28, 1839. His father. Dr. Alexander Finlayson, was a native of Scotland, and his mother, Sarah Green, was born in the city of London, England. They came to this State and settled in Sanilac County. During the boyhood of Mr. Finlayson, he attended school there and com pleted his education at Mt. Carroll, Ill .; then engaged in teaching. He has taught for twenty winters, and also during four summers. For three years he was Principal of the Union School at Ft. Gratiot. He has lived on his farm since 1867. Owns 120 acres of land finely improved. He has held the office of Supervisor three years: also served as Town Clerk, and has been School Inspector for twelve years. In I>61, Mr. Fin- layson was married to Miss Maria Orser, a native of Canada. They have two children-a son, Howard Indt son. attending commercial college in Detroit, and a daughter, Cora Ann. at home.

WILLIAM J. GARDNER, farmer, Section 20, P. O. Blaine, is a native of this county, and was born in the town of Burtchville, now Grant February 25, 1844. His parents, John b. and Jane E. Gardner. came to this county in 1832, and were among the carly settlers. llis father and grandfather bought a large tract of land and engaged in farming and lumbering. His father died in 1856, his mother is living in this town. Will iam grew up in this town until the war. then enlisted at the age of nineteen in Company D, Twenty second Michigan Infantry, and served two years and eight months; and since the war has been engaged in farming. In 1866, he married Miss Elsie N. Brown, of the town of Clyde. They have five children-Olive. Charles. John, Blake. Bertha.

JOSEPH GIBBONS, farmer, Section 16, P. O. Blaine, is a native of Ireland, and was born June 12. 1821 lle emigrated to the United States, and arrived in Mobile, Ala., in ISI9. The following year went to Nash ville, lived there several years, and worked on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. In 1 53, came to Port Huron; bought the land where he now lives, and settled in this town. It was all woods; he cleared the land and made his farm, and since then. for the past thirty years, has lived here and been engaged in farming. When he arrived in this country, he only had 18 pence, and now he owns 235 acres of land. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner three years, and has held school offices nine years. He was married May 2. 1855. to Miss Alice Casey, a native of Ireland. They have five children-Aon Eliza. Ellen. Edward Michael. Alice.

WILLIAM GRAHAM, farmer, Section 11, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of England, and was born December 31. 1819. His parents emigrated to this country in 1833, and he grew up in Canada and in York State. Upon reaching manhood, came to this State in 1810, and worked for Amos Wexon two years: then went to ('anada, and after being there a year and a half. came to Sanilac County, and settled on the Wild Cat. in the town of Worth: cleared the land and made his farm; lived there twenty-five years, and then removed to the town of Grant, and settled where he now lives. Owns 240 acres of land. In 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth Wexon. a native of Canada. They have seven children-Ruth Ann (now Mrs. Elmer Spaulding. of this town), Amos. Eva. Levi. William, Charles, Leonora.

ROBERT HARRIS, foundry, wagon manufacturer. Section 21. P. O. Blaine, is a native of England, and was born May 1. 1851. He was brought up there, and served his time in foundry, and learned trade of mokler. Ile emigrated to this country in 1570, and came to this! county the same year. Worked at his trade in Port Huron eleven years. He came here in 1880, and established his present business: has a foundry. black- smith and wagon shop, and has already built up a good trade, and it is constantly increasing. He is a mom ber of the Golden Tent Lodge of Maccabees. He was married January 22, 1874. to Miss Margaret E. Fitz- gerald. of Port Huron. They have three children-George W., Joseph R. and Lila M. Lost one son-John Avery.

752

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

PASCHAL LAMB. farmer, Section 3, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Lower Canada, and was born February 25, 1837; his parents came to this county in 1846, when he was only nine years of age, and settled in this town; it was all a dense wood; they cleared their land and made a farm. Mr. Lamb's boyhood was spent here on the farm, and since then he has been engaged in farming and lumbering; he owns a good farm; he is inter- ested in the grain business and is one of the organizers of the grange; he has held school offices. Mr. Lamb was married February 22. 1862, to Miss Sarah Locke, a native of Canada. They have seven children-Will- iam. Eva, Edith, Ira, Caroline, Martha and Grace.

MOSES LOCKE, farmer, Section 4, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Canada and was born August 5, 1823; his boyhood was spent there. After reaching manhood he came to this county in 1845, and he worked at lumber- ing on Black River until the spring of 1847, then bought land and settled opposite where he now lives. It was all a wilderness, nothing was opened; he built a log house and began clearing his land, making his farm during the summer and lombering winters, and since then, over one third of a century, has resided here; he owns his farm; is engaged in manufacturing molasses, and can also make sugar, and was the first to engage in the business here: he has held school offices many years; is now Justice of the Peace and member of the Town Board. In 1846. he married Miss D. Van Camp, a native of Canada. They have one son-George.

WILLIAM H. LYNN, farmer, Section 23, P. O. Blaine, is a son of Robert Lynn and Mary Randall, they came to this State forty years ago. They settled in the town of Worth, and lived there ten years, then came to this town and since then have resided here: he owns his farm of 100 acres; his wife died January 7, 1869, leaving eight children -- Albert, Laura, Priscilla, Lewis, William, John, Mary and Rosa.

A. McDONALD, farmer, Section 11, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Scotland, and was born April 29, 1835; his parents, James McDonald and Agnes Ferguson. natives of Scotland, were married December, 1829. They emigrated to Canada and lived there a few years, and came to this county in 1850, and settled in the town of Bnrtchville, now " Grant," on the place where they now live, then dense woods. They took 400 acres of land; they cleared the land and made a farm, and since then have resided here, and are now living with their son; they celebrated their golden wedding three years ago; they have six children; there never has been a death in the family among the children or grandchildren. Mr. McDonald, the subject of this sketch, came here with his parents in 1850; helped clear the farm and then engaged in lumbering; upon the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in Saginaw in the first call for troops in 1861. in the First Michigan Infantry, three months' service: went to Washington Army of the Potomac; he re-enlisted in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, Company C; was taken prisoner at Orange Court House, but escaped by stratagem the same day; was taken prisoner at Winchester; he served under Gens. MeLellan, Burnside, Hooker, Meade and Grant: was in the seven days' fight and in the battles of the wilderness; he remained in the service until the surrender of Lee and close of the war. After his return he built two mills, a grist mill and saw mill at Lakeport, and one in Sani- lac County. In 1873, he came on his farm and since then has been engaged in farming. owns farm of 100 acres; he was married April 19, 1866, to Miss Thalia Curren, of Jackson County, Mich. They have two chil- dren-Imogene and Donald Ross.

GEORGE MONARY, farmer, Section 8, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of this county and was born in this town August 29. 1857; his parents, Joseph and Roth MeNary, came to this county in 1854, and settled on this place: took up land from the Government, cleared and made the farm, and lived here until his death in 1879; he left five children-Jackson, George, Betsey .J., now Mrs. Bennett, of Jackson County; Julia Ann, now Mrs. Langrell, of Ridgeway; Arvilla, now Mrs. Smith, of Sand Beach; Phebe, now Mrs. Walker, of Almont; George grew up here and lives on the farm with his mother, and farms the home place.

DONALD MATHERSON, farmer, Section 14, P. O. Blaine, is a native of Nova Scotia, and was born October 1, 1820; he grew up there, and upon reaching manhood went to Maine and lived there until 1852, and then came to this county and settled in the town of Burtehville, now Grant; bought the land where he now lives, all covered with heavy pine timber; he cleared it and made his farm, and since then has been engaged in farming: he owns his farm of eighty acres. In 1855, he married Miss Fanny Brown, a native of Canada: she died in 1876, leaving four children-Elmer, Lottie, Wallace and Willard.

DENNIS D. MERCHANT, farmer, Section 26. P. O. Blaine, is a native of the State of Maine, and was born September 16, 1824; his parents, James S. and Olive Davis, Merchant, were natives of Massachusetts; they came to this county in 1840, and settled in the town of Lexington now the town of Grant-then a wild- derness. Bought land, cleared and made a farm: his wife died in 1855, and he died in 1866. Mr. Merchant came here with his parents; after reaching manhood he engaged in farming, and since then has carried on that business, he has lived on this place thirty-six years, and is one of the oldest settlers in this town, and has lived in the town of Lexington, Burtchville and Grant during that time: he owns 240 acres of land: he has held school offices many years; he was married September 14, 1848, to Miss Martha A. Peckham, of Monroe County, N. Y .; her parents, Stephen and Ruth Peckham, were natives of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Merchant have six children-Newton P., living in this county; Judson N., living in Ingham County; Frank D., living Van Buren County: Charles H., Ida M. and Fred W.

MICHAEL MYRON, farmer, Section 28, P. O. Blaine, is a native of Canada, and was born in the town of Hallowell November 1, 1841 ; his parents, Michael Myron and Julia Doyle Myron, came to this county in 1852, and settled in the town of Burtehville, now the town of Grant ; cleared the land and made his farm, and lived here until his death September 6, 1870; his wife survives him and lives here. Mr. Myron's boyhood was spent on his father's farm : during the war, he was two years in the South in Government service : after his return. he engaged in farming, and since then has resided here, and owns a good farm of 169 acres, finely located. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for the past ten years, has been Town Treasurer for the past three years, and has held school offices ; is now Director in the schools. Mr. Myron was married March 17, 1867, to Miss Harriet Annes, a native of Whitby, Canada, and daughter of Charles Annes and Nancy Nichols ; they came to this county in 1849. Mrs. Myron was engaged in teaching for some years ; her mother was teacher of the first school taught in the town of Bartchville. Mr. and Mrs. Myron have two children-Arthur and Charles: they have lost five children-Clara, Carleton, Ermina, George and Ehner.

Nelson Potter

753

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

WILLIAM NEWBERRY, farmer, Section 8, P. O. Blaine, is a native of England, and was born No- vember 5. 1812. He emigrated to Canada in 1830, and lived there until 1850, when he came to this county. and settled in this town, where he now lives ; it was all woods ; he began clearing his land and made his farm. Lumbered some winters ; owned 300 acres of land ; only has eighty acres left. In 1829, he married Hester Bristol, a native of England : she died October 20, 1882, leaving seven children-John, living in Wisconsin ; Richard, in this county: Sarah J., now Mrs. Carl: Benjamin. in Greenwood; Robert, in this town: William, farms the home place; Frances, now Mrs. Bragg; William, the youngest son, was born in Canada, came here with his parents, and since manhood has been engaged in farming the home place. In IS78, he married Miss Emma Sehurrer, a native of Ohio ; they have two children-Lawrence C. and Bertha R.

CHARLES POTTER, manufacturer of pine and hardwood himber, Jeddo, is a native of Franklin Coun- ty, N. Y., and was born Jannary It, 1939 ; he grew up and attended school there : upon reaching manhood. he came to this county in 1853 and engaged in lumbering, and afterward engaged in farming for six years ; then engaged in wagon making and carried on the business for twenty years, and still owns the property. In 1880, hr engaged in manufacturing lumber, and ents all kinds of pine and hard wood : he owns a farm of eighty neres, a part of the old Jonathan Burtch farm. He has held school offices. In 1859, he married Miss Jane Burtch, a native of this county, daughter of Jonathan Burtch, one of the earliest settlers of this part of the State ; they have three children Edith, Ethland and Francis.

NELSON POTTER, general merchant, Section 10, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Franklin County, N. Y., and was born in the town of Bangor. February. 1812. and is a son of Sylvester Potter, a nativeof New York, and Polly Stratton, a native of York State. His boyhood was spent in his native State. After reach ing manhood, at the age of twenty-two, he left there May 4, 1834, with only $10 in his pocket. He came to Michigan and reached Desmond, now Port Huron, May 23. He has $1 6s in money left. Ho loaned the sov- creign and it was never paid him. He came up the shore to the town of Desmond, which then inchuled San- ilar and Huron Counties, and extended north to Saginaw Bay. Ile went to work in the mumber woods for Ira Potter, and the same fall worked in the mill. He continued working in the mill and in the woods until 1837. He located the land where he now lives in 1836. Got his title from the Governor, and the deed is signed by Martin Van Buren, then President. The following spring he came on his land, chopped seven acres, and sowed two and a half acres of winter wheat among the stumps ; then thought he ought to get mar- ried : so in November. 153%, he married Miss Lurena Streeter, a native of Chatham Lowe, Canada. She came here in 1835, with her mother and brother. In March, 1838, they moved in a little house on this place. and worked on his land summers, and humbered vinters until he had sixty acres cleared. He continued farm- ing until 1857, and then had to give it up on account of his health. He built a blacksmith shop. put in a stock of material and had it run ; then built the store he now occupies, and the following year he put in a stock of goods. He went to Freemont, and built a large store and dwelling, and put in a stock of goods and began buying staves. He bought staves for a New York company. He was elected Supervisor and Highway Commissioner. After living there for four years, his store and stock was destroyed by fire, and he lost heavi- ly. He remained there nine years ; then came here, and since then has been engaged in business here. He has been prominently identified with the interests of the town and county ; has held the offices of Supervisor. Commissioner of Highways, Justice of the Peace and School Inspector for a number of years, and resigned them all the same day, and would not serve any longer. Has also held office of Town Clerk and Collector. and has held the office of Postmaster most of the time for the past thirty years. He belonged to the State militia, was commissioned Captain by Gov. Barry. He has lived in the town of Desmond, the town of Clyde. then Lexington, Burtchville, and the town of Grant-five different towns and has never moved. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have five children -George S., living in Huron County ; Maria, now Mrs. Bramingan, Huron County : William, living here ; Emma, now Mrs. Stephen Avery, Port Huron ; Caroline, now Mrs. Joseph AAvery, Port Huron.

DANIEL I. PRAY, of the firm of Pray & Carry, general merchants, Section 21. Blaine, is a nause of Canada, and was born April 5, 1840. His parents. Daniel and Margaret Pray, came to this county in 1550. and settled in the town of China; was there one year, then came to the town of Burtehville and bought land here, and began clearing it. Daniel had charge of clearing the land as his father was a carpenter and joiner. and was away much of the time. He was engaged in farming until 1867, and since then has been engaged in business. Carried on mercantile business and hotel at Grant Center, and was burned out there. Ile associ- ated with Mr. Carey, and engaged in business here in 1582. He holds the office of Town Clerk. In 1966. Mr. Pray married Miss Melinda Elliott, a native of Canada.

PATRICK QUINN, farmer, Section 32. P. O. Atkins, is a native of Canada, and was born in 1826. Hle grew up and lived there until 1859, and then came to this county and went to work at lumbering on Elk Creek for A. K. Ash. Two years later, in 1854, he came on this place; it was all woods; he eut two large maple trees to build house, and began clearing his land, and lumbered winters for some years. Game of all kind- was very plentiful when they came here, and deer used to come around the house. Ile made his farm. and owns 160 acres of land with excellent improvements. When he began life he had nothing and has taken care of himself since he was thirteen years old: his success is owing to the efforts and industry of himself and wife. They have lived in this place thirty years. In 1850, while living in Canada. he married Miss Annie Callaly. They have one son-Wilber Henry. Mary Burns, their nicer, has lived with them since childhood. They have lost one son. James. Mr. Quinn has heldl the office of Highway Commissioner. Held the office of Town Treasurer three years: has held school offices many years: served as Moderator fourteen Years.

WILLIAM RATTRAY. farmer, Section 6. P. O Jeddo, is a native of New Brunswick, and was born November 9. 1553. His parents, John and Margaret Rattray, went to Canada when he was very young; he grew up in Canada: lived in Oshawa twenty years with Hon. Abram Farewell, M. P .: he attended school there, and studied two years with Prof. Coleman, who is now revising the books of natural history in the em- ploy of the Dominion Government. Mr. Rattray came to this county in 1580, and bought the farm where he now lives, and since then has been engaged in farming.

754

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

JOHN A. ROSS. farmer, Section 27, P. O. Blaine. is a native of Lower Canada, and was born Novem- ber 23, 1845 His parents, Robert and Marion Ross, came to this county in 1859, and settled in this town. Bought land, cleared it and made a farm. He died in 1868; his wife survives him. John A. grew up on the farm, and worked in lumber woods during the winters; has lived on this farm since 1871; owns 100 acres. lle has held office of School Treasurer for past five years. In 1873, he married Catharine Conlan, a native of New York State. They have two children-Charles and Cora Isabell.

WILLIAM SAGE, farmer, Section 10. P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Canada. ]Ie grew up to manhood and lived there until 1873, when he came to this county. He was married April 8. 1876, to Mrs. Alice Comer. She is a native of the county of Norfolk, England. Her parents were William and Mary Tebbel. In 1839, she married James Comer, a native of England. They came to Canada in 1845. and came to this county the same year and were among the early settlers here. They bought land where Mrs. Sage now lives. It was all dense woods. They cleared the land and made a farm. Ile lumbered some during the winters, and lived here until his death April 6, 1859, leaving farm of eighty acres. Except Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell Mrs. Sage is the oldest settler on this road.

ELMER SPALDING, farmer, Section 9, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Seneca Coun - ty, December 19, 1850, and is a son of Samuel D. and Mary A. Spalding. He attended school there until sixteen years of age, then came to Lexington in 1866; engaged in lumbering one winter; then was in the Cad- illac Ilouse three years. In 1870, he went in business with Cole Brothers, and remained there four years. In 1874, he came to this town and engaged in farming. He owns 200 acres of good land well improved. Hle. has held school offices. Mr. Graham was married October 14, 1874, to Miss Ruth A. Graham, a native of San- ilac County. Her parents, William and Elizabeth Wexon Graham, were early settlers there. Mr. and Mrs. Spalding have two children-Arthur D. and Amos F.

NORMAN STREVEL, farmer, Section 15, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Canada, and was born November 28, 1843. His parents, Matthias and Sarah Strevel, were natives of the State of New York. They moved to Canada in 1826, and to St. Clair County, Mich., in 1850, and settled in this town; it was all woods ; they cleared the land and made a farm. Norman spent his boyhood on the farm. After the war broke out, before he was twenty years old. he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Regiment Michigan Cavalry, and served two years and eight months. After the war he returned here and engaged in farming. In 1870, he moved to Port Huron and engaged in the agricultural implement business; established the firm of Strevel & Grieb, and was connected with the business for twelve years, and then gave it up on account of his health, and came on his farm; owns 160 acres. In 1867, he married Miss Evelina E. Mitchell, a native of this county. They have three children-Paul, Nellie, Mabel.

WESLEY STREVEL, farmer, Section 16, P. O. Jeddo, is a native of Canada and was born March 7. 1832. His parents, Matthias and Sarah Strevel, came to this county when he was eighteen years of age. and settled in the town of Grant, then the town of Burtchville, where they bought land, cleared it and made a farm. Mr. Strevel since reaching manhood has been engaged in farming and has lived on this place twenty- eight years. He was engaged in agricultural implement business at Crosswell, two years; he owns 220 acres of land. In 1855, he married Miss Sarah Ann Beal, a native of Maine. She died 1878, leaving four sons and five daughters-Simon, in Imlay City; Orrin, in Dakota; Charles W., Fred, Paulina, now Mrs. Shearer, of Ar- mada: Rose, now Mrs. Monroe, of this town; Ella, Mirandi, Ella. In 1880, Mr. Strevel married Miss Paulina Ellen Beal, a native of the State of Maine.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 131

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