History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 47

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 47

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).

314

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

with his present partner in this city. Simon J. Murphy, another poor, ambitious and hard- working young man, a small tract of pine land was bought with their joint savings, and then, with their stout arms and stouter hearts, the monarchs of the forest were felled and cut up into logs, and the product sold to the larger lumbermen. The work completed, the proceeds formed a capital for a larger investment, and thus the steady process of accumulation went on, and the two poor and friendless boys soon grew into a lumbering firm of acknowledged strength and success. A partnership was next formed with Col. Eddy, a well-known business man of Maine, and the new firm of Eddy, Avery & Co. was soon noted for its extended and fortunate transactions. The profits of their business were invested in large tracts of pine lands in Michigan at Government price, and as the forests melted away before their enterprise in the " down East" State, their acquisitions in this new Western commonwealth grew rapidly and apace. In 1851. Mr. Avery removed to this State, settling at Port Huron, and commenced the work of lumbering here, at first confining himself to the Black River in St. Clair County, but extending, as judicious man- agement dictated, until he had come to stand at the head of enterprises which had. in a single year, put into the rivers of Michigan nearly or quite one-tenth of the entire season's cut for the whole State. Large tracts of pine lands were located along all our great rivers except the Au Sable and the Manistee, his territory reaching as far north as the Cheboygan, and comprising many of the choicest portions of the Muskegon Valley on the west, the Saginaw region, of course, containing many thousands of acres of his property. In nothing was his practical wisdom more displayed than in his management of these vast interests. With rare sagacity. he would choose and associate with him men who could be relied upon to take the direction of active business operations in these different and widely separated localities, while he reserved to himself a gen- eral and supreme control-a control which no one of all his partners desired to lessen, so abso- lute was their confidence in his almost infallible business judgment, and his perfect justice and integrity. Thus it came to pass that he stood at the head of no less than thirteen large firms, embracing some twenty-six partners, located in Detroit, Port Huron, Bay City, East Saginaw, Alpena, Muskegon and Chicago. In 1867, Mr. Avery removed to Detroit, from which central point nearly all his large affairs have been since conducted.

David Mansfield died January 20, 1877, in his seventy-seventh year. He was among the first settlers of Memphis.

Henry Baird, whose death occurred January 20, 1877, was born in Rutherglen, Scotland. July 15, 1808. He came to this country with his father's family in the spring of IS29, accom- panied by others who located on the shore of Lake Huron, about twelve miles from Sarnia, and attempted to start a colony. The project proved a failure, however, and in the following year his father purchased a farm from Andrew Westbrook, on Belle River, in the township of East China, and made of it a permanent home. Henry was a blacksmith by trade, knowing nothing about farming, but to please his father, then well advanced in life, he resolved to give up his trade and devote his energies to cultivating the farm. His mother being dead, they kept bachelor's hall until February, 1835, when Henry married Elizabeth Schriner

Of the ten children, seven boys and three girls, born to them, only three survive. William, resident of St. Clair, and Charles F., of this city, both engaged in the practice of law; the younger, Robert B., is attending the Detroit Medical College. Of the others, three died in in- fancy; John, at the age of fourteen, fell from a wagon and broke his neck; Agnes died at the age of twenty-one; Henry was sacrificed on the altar of his country in the war for the Union; Theobald, who settled as a practicing physician and druggist at Marine City, died July 30, 1872, at the age of thirty.

Arch. P. Phillips died in East China April 1, 1878. He was born January 12, 1810, in the village of Fort Edward, Argyle Township. Washington Co., N. Y. When he was ten years of age, his parents moved to St. Clair and settled near the present village of Marine City. Mr. Phillips did not come with his parents, but followed them two years later. His father, Charles, and mother, Derutia, with eight other white persons and one colored man, were gath- ered into a class by a Methodist Episcopal clergyman who traveled in Canada and the leader- ship of the class was given to J. K. Smith, father of Abram Smith, of Algonac.

John Beard, whose death occurred at his residence in Clyde, June 1, 1879, was born in the

315

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY

State of New York in the year 1811. His father was Ji Beard, who emigrated from Chenango County, N. Y., in the year 1830, and located at or near the present village of Ruby. His son John came with him, and James Board, late a resident of Port Huron, came three years later. The present township of Clyde was at that time included in the township of Desmond. Ai Beard built the Board Mill, which is still in operation, very soon after his arrival in Michigan. In 1839. his two sons, John and James, commenced Inmbering on their own account, under the firm name of J. & J. Beard. John had really been a lumberman from the day of his arrival in the Territory, and continued in the business up to the day o" his death, at which time he was. probably, the oldest lumberman in the State When they first commenced business, the capital of the firm of J. & J. Beard consisted of a yoke of oxen, an old sled, a tea kettle, a frying pan, and an iron pot. They had no money, and did not own an acre of land. Their first venture was a contract to get ont logs for a Mr. Cameron, of Canada.

In 1841, this energetie young business firm bought their father's half interest in the mill and lands adjoining for $10,000 on twenty years time. Their operations rapidly extended thereafter, and they bought thousands of aeres of land in the townships of Clyde. Grant, Burtch- ville, Kenocker and Greenwood, as well as in other sections of the State.

Ai Beard died at Port Huron in IS51, and was buried in the city cemetery. In 1556, the firm of J. & J. Beard was dissolved. John taking the Clyde Mill and lands, and dames taking the Port Huron Mitt and lands in other sections of the State From 1817 to 1553, James Beard resided in Detroit and managed a lumber yard for the firm. In the latter year, he removed to Port Huron, and ran the mill here, which, in the final division of the property, became his.

Since 1856. John Beard continued to reside at the old homestead in Clyde. He was on graged to some extent in farming operations, but never ceased to be a lumberman. He had soll thousands of acres of farming lands, but at the time of his death owned between three and four thousand acres of land, the value of his property being fully a quarter of a million of dollars.

Mr. Beard was married, in the year 1839, to Miss Hannah Fick, of Long Point, Ont. There was a bit of romance about his sojourn at that place and his marriage. It was during the Patriot war, and he had commoneed the construction of a mill thore, when his connection with the patriots " made it so warm for him " that he was obliged to leave, abandoning his work and property.

In politics. Mr. Board, like his father, was always a Democrat. During the war, he was extreme in his views, and became somewhat obnoxious to his more patriotic neighbors. But in every other way ho was an excellent citizen. a kind neighbor and friend, and a man of liberal views. On the temperance question, he stood as firm as a rock. He never drank liquor or used tobacco, and would not sell lots in the village of Ruby except with a proviso that no liquor should be sold on them; and although a strong Democrat, he was never a politician, and never held any elective office except Street Commissioner, or something of the sort He was Post master for a time during Buchanan's administration. He was not a member of any church and never belonged to any secret society, always refusing when solicited to join.

In the matter of local public improvements, Mr. Beard was always liberal and enterprising. He was the chief projector of the plank road from Port Huron to Brockway, and also the new road on the north side of Black River. now called the Stone road. Port Huron is indebted to these roads, and to Mr. Beard, for the large share of the trade and consequent prosperity they have brought it.

James Beard died at his residonce in Port Huron April 30. 1582. He had been suffering for two years from some internal disease. He was a native of Green. Chenango County, N. Y .. but came to St. Clair County, Mich., in his nineteenth year. He lived in the town of ('lyde from 1833 till 1815: from then mutil 1853 he kept a lumber yard in Detroit. Since IS53. Port Huron had been his home. He was a popular man. a genial. whole-souled gentle- man at all times and everywhere. It was only the requirements of his business, which engaged nearly all his time, that prevented him from receiving elective offices as evidences of the confidence and respect of his neighbors.

John Baird, an old resident of China, passed to the great beyond. after a life of contented usefulness and industry. April 25, 1551. He was born at Rutherglen. Scotland, January 25.

316

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

1802, and came to this country in March, 1829. He at first settled on the Canada shore of Lake Huron, twelve miles north of Point Edward, where he stayed but a year, when he, with Henry and James Baird settled in the town of China, thus it will be seen that he lived on one farm about fifty years. He leaves five children, his wife having been dead for some years.

Mrs. D. B. Harrington (Sarah E. Luce), one of the carliest pioneers of the city, died at Port Huron, December 2, 1881. She was a daughter of Bartlett A. Luce, who came to Port Huron in 1833 from Pittsfield, Mass., to take charge of the steam saw mill located where Mr. John Jenkinson's coal and lumber yard now is, at the north end of Seventh street bridge. Mr. Luce's family, consisting of his wife and six children, came to Port Huron three years later. They first occupied a cottage located near the mill. Subsequently they resided in the Newell house, well known in the early days of Port Huron, which was located on the ground now occupied by J. B. Farrand's boot and shoe store. Here Mrs. Harrington was married. Subsequently Mr. Luce's family lived in the Howard house on Military street. and there Mr. Luce died in 1845.

For a few years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Harrington lived in the house now oc- cupied by H. C. Sanborn, on Military street. Subsequently they occupied the present Harring- ton homestead, which was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington during the remainder of their lives, except for the period of five years when they resided at Saratoga, N. Y.

Jonathan Burteh was born November 15, 1792, at Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and lived with his parents. receiving such schooling as the generality of boys of that day received, until eighteen years of age. He then, in company with another brother, went to Chenango County, N. Y., to start a farm for their father, and stayed there over a year, when he returned to Herkimer County and followed farming and lumbering, furnishing lumber for the markets of Washington and Alexandria. In 1828, he then having been in New York City about five montlis, started for the West, and went by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. At that place, he intended to take passage on the steamer William Penn, but failing to make a satisfactory bargain with the officers of that boat, he contracted with Capt. Zimri Belden, of the schooner Mariner, for his passage to Green Bay, and started the 13th of July. 1828, and made the trip without any incident of note happening to them, or seeing anything but wilderness and water, ex- cepting a few scattering settlements of whites and Indians. Upon looking the ground over at Green Bay, he concluded that he did not like it well enough to stay, and also that it was a little too far from home. Having arrived at this conclusion, he engaged passage on the same schooner for Desmond. In coming into the river, she ran her bow into the inud and they were some time in getting off. It being in the night and the Indians quite noisy and not knowing what accommodations there were at the place, he did not relish the idea of being set ashore, and concluded to go on down the river to " Billy Brown's," just below what is now Marine City, and did so, landing there about the 20th of September. Here he made the acquaintance of Dr. Harmon Chamberlin, well known to all the early settlers of St. Clair County. October 4. he procured the services of some Indians, who took him and his effects to Desmond in canoes. Here he began operations by purchasing an old hotel that had been used as a stable and cleaned it out. and purchased 2,000 feet of lumber of Mr. Wadhams, who was located a few miles up Black River, and inclosed his shed and commenced business as a store- keeper. This store was located on or very near the place now occupied by the First National Bank. Here he did business until the next season, when he put up a frame store (the first one in Desmond). This afterward did duty as a kitchen to the old "Central Hotel," and is still standing. In 1832, he built another store on a wharf abont two rods above the bridge across Black River. Here he did business until October 4, 1834, when he moved up to what has ever since been called Burtchville, on Lake Huron, where he operated in lumber, carrying on a mill and farm- ing. The mill was purchased of T. S. Knapp, of Detroit. He continued in business at this place until 1857, when he sold the mill, but continued farming. He was married, in April, 1833, to Elizabeth Robertson, at Desmond. Their children are Louisa, born in Desmond, February 1, 1834, now the wife of Edward Potter; Jane, born at Burtchville, April 16, 1837. now the wife of Charles Potter, living in Jeddo. Phebe, born September 20, 1843, now the wife of Dr. Walter P. Brown; Ransom, born November 23, 1847; Oliver D., born July

317

IHISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

12. 1850: Julia, born September 11, 1853, now the wife of George Gierow: Franklin P., born St. Patrick's day, 1856. His death occurred at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. C. Potter, of Jeddo, September 22, 1581.

Asher King, an old settler of Wales, died in Custer, Sanilac County, the 7th of February, 1882, aged seventy-three years.

William Shea, aged eighty-eight years. died March 29, 1SS2. He had lived on his farm at Cottrellville for thirty years and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.

Teranna V. Carleton Smith, wife of William H. Smith, and daughter of Chester Carleton, of St. Clair, Mich .. died in Kimball Township, June 1, ISS2.

Sarah B. Carleton died in China Township May 29, 1SS2. Sarah Barron was born in Bath. N. H., September 28. 1799. She was reared and educated in a pleasant New England home. After her life had passed into womanhood, she chose to seek the new West with her friends. A half-century ago, she came to Michigan and began the work of a teacher. The first school organized in the city of St. Clair was opened in the old court house with Miss Barron in charge. She was one of the first teachers of Port Huron and also of Marine City. In 183-4, she married Samnel Carleton, and aided in making a home near St. Clair.

Mrs. Clara St. Clair Wright, who died May 21. 1SS2, was a daughter of H. N. Monson, of St. Clair. She was born on the 25th of December, 1835. Her early life was spent in St. Clair, but some time after her marriage to P. M. Wright they moved to Red Wing, Minn., and resided there for six years, and there her remains were taken for interment. Mrs. Wright was a resident of Port Huron for eighteen years, and made many friends. She was an active mom- ber of the Episcopal Church and Ladies' Library Association, and also President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

Mrs. Christian Wesick died May 16, 1852, aged sixty-eight years.

Mrs. Albert Doty died on the 28th of May, ISS2. The deceased was an old lady, one of the early settlers in the county.

Mrs. Lydia Geel died April 12, 1SS2. She belonged to that little band of pioneers and their noble helpmates who saw the St. Clair sweep by a dense forest, with here and there a wreath of smoke, a fallen tree, a canoe in the distance, the only signs of human life. She was born in Colerain, Franklin Co., Mass., in 1810, and was married in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1532. to Mr. James Geel, whom sho met while on a visit to Michigan. They cleared and settled a large farm near Marysville, which was their home till after Mr. Geel's death, ten years ago. In 1865, she accompanied her husband and family on an expedition to Central America, in a small sailing vessel called the Union, owned and managed by the party. No accidents were met with further than a severe storm ou the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and one off the Bermudas, but at Nicaragua the party suffered severely from fever. After arriving at New Orleans, the boat was sold, and Mr. and Mrs. Geel returned to their old home in Michigan. AAbout this time. they became believers in Spiritnalism. She leaves two sons, Cummings and Burton Geel, and a daughter, Mrs. Bates.

Jolin Hibbard was born in North Hadley, Mass .. in the year 1827. In the year 1537, he removed to Wisconsin with his family, the Territory having at that time bat few inhabitants. fle worked there at farming during his boyhood, and at the age of nineteen was married to a sister of Aaron Smith, of this city. Four years afterward his wife died, leaving one child, the late William B. Hibbard. Mr. Hibbard was married to the present Mrs. Hibbard in 1548, and in 1550 located at Port Huron. During all the time of Ins residence here, he was a prominent citizen and business man. At one time he did a large mercantile business, but was subsequent- ly engaged exclusively in Imbering, acquiring a handsome property, which was swept away in the years of business depression following the panic of 1973. Subsequently, he was ap pointed commercial agent at Goderich, which position he held at the time of his death. Mr. Hibbard was elected mayor of Port Huron in 1969, and during his administration the present bridges crossing Black River were built. Subsequently, he served for several years on the Board of Public Works. He was an ardent and active Republican, and for several years was a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and its Treasurer. He was also for many years a trustee of the Congregational society of Port Huron, and one of its most liberal

318

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

supporters, although never, we believe. a member of the church. Personally, he was a man of generous impulses, and had many warm friends. His death took place in October. 1882. Mr. Hibbard had two sons. Fred and John. the former now a resident of Chicago, and the latter of Fargo, Dak. Only one of his brothers and sisters survives him -- William B. Hibbard, of Chicago.

Albert Doty, a pioneer of this township, died the 18th November, 1882. For many years he was widely known as a frontier settler, and land hunters from Macomb County were enter- tained by him and located land with his assistance. The country for miles in those days used to be spoken of as " up at Doty's." He was kind and hospitable beyond measure. He settled on the homestead where he died forty-five years ago, and no neighbor lived within sight of his house for twenty years. He was Supervisor for many years, and leaves a large family of boys. who live in various parts of the State.

Peter Carleton, Jeremiah Carleton, Edmond Carleton and Israel Carleton, among the early settlers of St. Clair County, were the sons of Edmond Carleton of Landaff, N. H. Their mother's maiden name was Abigail Hutchins, daughter of Jeremiah Hutchins, of Bath, N. H. Edmond, was the eldest son of Peter Carleton, who was the youngest of four sons of Edward Carleton, Jr., all of whom were born, lived and died on "Carleton Place," West Parish, Haver. hill, Mass. Edward, Jr., was called " Cornet " to distinguish him from the other " Edwards." Deeds of land, running to him, are found of as early date as 1705. He held a commission as Cornet of the First Company of Horse, the regiment being commanded by Col. Richard Salter- stall. His commission bears date the sixth year of the reign of George I. He was the second son of Edward, Jr., (also) who lived in Haverhill, Mass., and died in 1668, who planted an orchard, the last tree of which, it is said, disappeared in 1864. He was the son of Edward Carleton who settled in Rowley, Mass., in 1638. It is said that he was one of the eight proprie- tors of that township. He was a member of the General Court from 1643 to 1647, when he was appointed a Public Magistrate.

Peter, the oldest of the brothers, was born in Bath, N. H., March 3, 1781. His father died wlien Peter was twelve years old, and he then made his home with his uncle Samuel Hutchins; was married to Susannah Reading, January 10, 1807. Came to Michigan and landed at St. Clair, October 20, 1830, lived the first winter in a house that belonged to Louis St. Barnard, that stood near the bank of St. Clair River in " Yankee Street," supporting himself and family by his labor. The next year he moved on to the " Fergo Place" in China on Belle River, some distance below the " Gallagher Mills." He next moved on to the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter, Section 11. same town, where he lived until 1848, when the old couple moved into rooms prepared for them on the farm of their son William H. Carleton, where they both died. He held several town offices, and was generally known as " Uncle Peter."

Jeremiah Carleton, the second brother, was born at Bath, N. H., July 29, 1783, was mar- ried to Susannah Emmerson, May 2, 1810, and came to Michigan in 1831, also landing at St. Clair, and settled upon the land that he converted into a farm in what is called " Yankee Street," where his wife died February 1, 1856, and he November 10, 1872.

Edmond Carleton was twin brother of Jeremiah, and of course was born at the same time and piace. His wife was Olive M. Barron, to whom he was married February 1, 1808. He also landed at St. Clair in 1831, and settled on the place where he lived nearly all the rest of his life, a few years being spent in St. Clair City, and finally dying in Troy, Ohio, December 19, 1872. He held several offices, at one time that of Associate Judge.

Israel Carleton, the youngest brother, was born in March, 1788. His wife was Nancy Dem- ing. He landed at St. Clair in 1830, and settled on the place where he died, March 3, 1857. After his marriage and previous to his coming to St. Clair he was Sheriff of Grafton County, N. H. In 1824 he moved to Stillwater, N. Y. In coming to Michigan he. as well as the others, came by the way of the Erie Canal and across Lake Erie, at that day a long journey compared to the same now. He built a tannery, the first on the River St. Clair; was Justice of the Peace several years. While all the brothers were called "Uncle " he was also called " Deacon." The brothers were brothers in truth, always agreeing and always friendly. They resembled each other very much in character, all being very regular in their habits, proverbially honest, chari-

319

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

table in all ways, asking nothing for themselves that they were unwilling to accord to others, always commanding the respect of all who know them. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are a very numerous race, inneh too large to be all noticed here, but nearly a complete list with places and dates of births, marriages and deaths, with a short sketch of the life of each, whenever it could be obtained, has been collected together by M. F. Carleton, one of the grandchildren of Peter, which as an heir loom is of inestimable value, being quite a volume, when fully completed, of itself.

The incidents connected with the early settlement of St. Clair County are the oldl stories of hardships and privations, not unmixed with pleasure. Then, each man regarded his neigh- bor as a brother, and was willing to share with him the comforts and luxuries of a pioneer life. If a deer was killed, or other Ixury obtained, to pass it around was generally the first thought and act. All were actuated by a common interest -that of building up homes-and to this lay the foundation of future prosperity. When we remember that where is now the thriving village, or the fields of the husbandmen, but a few years previous was the home of the Red Man, covered with sturdy oaks of an hundred years, we are led to inquire, by what process has this wonderful change been wrought? It will be seen, however, that most of the pioneer settle- ments of this county were made less than sixty years ago, and from so small a beginning has grown this prosperous community. In that time the Indian has disappeared. The land which he had inherited from a long line of savage ancestors, has passed from his possession. Civil and savage life could not exist together. The Darwinian theory of the survival of the fittest pro- vailed. His game was fast disappearing before the unerring rifle of the pioneer, and he was destined once again to turn his face toward the setting sun, and seek a new hunting ground. amid the wilds of the West, beyond the great chain of lakes, where the foot of the roving pale face had never trod. The tide of immigration had set this way, and on every hand wore the crusaders of a new civilization. On every side, on bluff and in valley, could be heard the sturdy blows of the pioneer, as he felled the oaks for his rude cabin, or cleared the fields for the goklen harvest, and there laid with honest hand the foundation of success. The list of deceased old settlers shows them to be Fast passing away: very few remain.

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 47

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