History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 85

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 85

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).

The Port Huron Dry Dock Company was incorporated October 7, 1871, with a capital stock of $100,000. half of which sum was then paid in. The names of stockholders were: Archi bald Mnir. $32,000; Abijah W. Smith. $32,000; Alexander Stewart, $4,000; William Living- stono, Jr., of Detroit, $25,000; and William Livingstone, Detroit, $7,000.

The Detroit & St. Clair Steamboat Company was incorporated, under authority of Legis- lative Council. April 15, 1833; with Thomas Knapp, Barnabas Campan, Henry Howard, F. G. Wilcox and James Abbot. Direetors.

The Black River Steam Mill Company was incorporated December 5, 1834. It appears, from the preamble to the act. that Phineas Davis, Enoch Jones, Bartlett A. Luco. Frederick H. Stevens, E. Bingham, John Clark and Jonathan L. King were creditors of Francis P. Browning, who owned real estate on Black River with a steam saw mill and water mill there- on. They sought to purchase this property from the heirs of Browning, and, by continuing the business there, so save themselves from loss.

The Port Huron Transportation Company was incorporated May 12, 1881, with William Jenkinson, Eliza M. Jenkinson. Jennio Jenkinson. Willlam R. Soutar. H. C. Hope and Charles Clansen, original stockholders. The capital stock was $50,000.

The Port Huron Oil & Mining Company was formed November 1. ISSI, with John W. Twiss, Frank Whipple, Jacob P. Haynes, S. W Smith, D. A. Cameron, George P. Voor- heis, Charles 1. Ward. H. R. Mills, A. N. Moffat and L. E. Snively, stockholders. The eapi- tal stock was $50,000, of which sum $4,000 were paid in at date of organization.

The Mills Transportation Company was formed February 4, 1573, with a capital stock of $250,000, divided into 10,000 shares of $25 cach. Nelson Mills, of Marysville, held 2,812; Barney Mills, 938; Angust C. Gray, 1,250; Henry McMoran, Port Huron, 2,500; and Charles Neal, Bay City, 2,500 shares.

The Bottsford elevator, above the waterworks, was one of the first structures to mark the return of prosperity to this section of the country. It is an immense structure, well located to meet its uses, and one of the monuments to the business activity of our times.

The Banking establishments of the enty are the Commercial, the National, Boyce's private banking house and the Port Huron Savings Bank. These financial houses are ably managed, and enjoy the full confidence of the people.

The city boasts of largo business houses; notice of which is given in other pages.

In the pages devoted to personal history, references are made to the men who built up the manufacturing, shipping and commercial interests of the city.

The River Street Planing Mill is a two story frame building, 100x100 feet, and was built. in 1876 by Wallace Ames. In 1879. it passed into the hands of its present owner, E. B. Tay- lor. Doors, sash, blinds, moldings, and, in fact, all kinds of wooden building material aro manufactured there, giving employment to thirty men. The buildings and machinery cost $20,000. In ISS2, the business amounted to $30,000, and this year will increase ton or tiftoen per cent.

Henry Howard & Co.'s saw mill is located at the mouth of Black River, and is one of the largest manufactories in St. Clair County. The mill is Iwo stories high, 34x120 feet, and was built in 1876 by W. B. & J. Hibbard. In 1879, it passed into the hands of Henry Howard & Co .. the present proprietors. Mr. Howard is Mayor of the city, a leading Republican, and has been a member of the Legislature. He is also a prominent vessel-owner. The amount of lumber. lath. shingles, etc., sold by this firm in 1852 amounted to $120,000, and in ISS3 the business will. it is supposed, reach $150,000.

Brooks, Joslyn & Co.'s saw mill. on Black River, is also one of the most extensive institu- tions in this city. The mill is built of frame, two stories high, 30x120 feet, with brick engine house, and was erected in ISSO. The cost of the mill and machinery was $20,000. Thirty- five men are employed throughout the year. During the winter this firm engages in lum- bering, and employs 100 men.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Love & Schofield's boiler shop is one of the rapidly growing establishments of Port Huron. They commenced business in 1576. near Dunford & Alverson's dry dock. but in ISSO they erected a new shop. 60x100 feet. on St. Clair River. at a cost of $4.000. Love & Schofield do gezeral marine work. and their boilers are rated high by vessel men. Thirty men are steadily erar loved.

The Port Huron Dry Dock Iron Works were established in 1576 by James H. Fitzgerald and Henry Burton. but the latter retired in 1575. These works are located on St. Clair River. the buildings being of frame. and two stories high. The machinery and buildings cost about $3.000. and twenty men are employed Most of the machinery in the large vessels are cverhauled at these works. The proprietor. James H. Fitzgerald. for several years sailed on the lakes. and is a thorough engineer. In 15$2. about $20.000 worth of work was sent out. and this year the amount will increase to $30.000.

LUMBER YARD>

The largest lumber yard- are owned by Peter Hill. John Hill and John Jenkinson. all being located on Black River. The lumber. lath and shingles handled by these dealers comes principally from up-shore ports.

L. L. Wells' saw mill. on Black River. west of Seventh street, is a thriving industry. fur- wishing employment to thirty or forty men.

LIME KILNS.

S. T. Probett is the largest manufacturer of lime in this section. and he ships several thousand barrels each week. Jedediah Spalding has the next largest lime kilns. Both are situated on Black River.

WAGON AND CARRIAGE FACTORIES.

George Mitts. whose factory is located on Water street, manufactures heavy and light wagons and carriages.

The carriage factory owned by Asa H. Wright, also located on Water street, is another growing industry. A superior carriage is manufactured there. and although the establishment is Lot very large. the proprietor competes with the largest institutions in the country.

DRY DOCKS AND SHIPYARDS.

The Wolverine Dry Dock was built in 1575, by Carleton. Stewart & Co .. and is conven- iently located near the upper end of St Clair River. The total length is 205 feet, breadth 45 feet and depth of water over miter sill 143 feet. Total cost. $24,000. After its completion. several large vessels were built. In 1SS1. it became the property of the Wolverine Dry Dock Company. and is now owned by that company. During the past two years, the work has been almost exclusively confined to rebuilding large craft. but the company intend to build vessels. One hundred men are constantly employed.

Dunford & Alverson's dry dock is one of the oldest in Michigan. It is situated on St. Clair River, adjacent to all the docks. It was built in 1566. by Archibald Muir & Co .. and cost $50.000. Some of the largest vessels on the lakes were built at this dock. In 1850. it was sold to Dunford & Alverson, the present proprietors. Between eighty and ninety men are employed. The frame of a large craft is now on the stocks. No ship-builders in Michigan have a better reputation than Dunford & Alverson.

THE PHOENIX IRON WORKS.

The largest foundry in the city is situated adjacent to the Chicago & Grand Trunk and Port Huron & Northwestern Railways, and facing St. Clair River. The business was first car- ried or by W. S. & N. Jenks. in a frame building built in 1557. when ten men were em- ployed. In 1861. this building was destroyed by fire. In the same year large brick buildings were erected. and named the Phoenix Iron Works In 1552. the business amounted to $125.000. and this year will. it is said. increase to $175.000. The new works and machinery cost $65,- ()). and seventy-five men are on the pay rolls. Special attention is given to machinery

HISTORY OF ST CLARK COUNTY

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

The day succeeding may be characterized by extremes of heat and cold. The weather is very treacherous; but throughout the year, the resident knows, should the visitor fail to realize the fact. that under no other sun can a more agreeable clime be found than here where the vanished pines give place to a prosperous city.

The city was a base of supplies for lumbermen and raftsmen during the great lumber era. It is now the depot for the neighboring farmers. Every class of goods required in the pineries, or anywhere in the vicinity, can be found in the stores and warehouses, which are being constantly added to as business increases. The legal, medical and clerical professions are well represented. In the biographical sketches, the personnel of many of the most prom. inent of these may be found. The history of the county is inseparable from that of the city. Some points, however, of special interest to the residents of the city. will be presented in this connection. The building of a city at the point was not the result of a deliberate plan or scheme, no one contemplated such a thing: but being at the end of a road by the rapids, and at the foot of a long stretch of smooth water. it naturally became a depot and an entrepot for supplies, and so the town grew. The panic of 1857, it is believed, worked material injury to

the progress of the village, as also to that of the county. Few came in, from this year until after the close of the war. Financial stringency produced a practical of the lumber interests, and consequent stagnation of business. There was comparatively no farming of consequence, and less trade. The value of farm products depreciated, and prices of commodities increased correspondingly. The effect of these anomalous conditions were perceptibly visible, not alone at Port Huron and St. Clair, but also throughout this portion of the lumber district. Impov- erishment, if not ruin, stared many in the face, and escape therefrom was only accomplished after trials no pen can adequately describe. To the close of the war, both increase in popula- tion and the number of improvements were nominal. As one who is familiar with the fact asserts, there was not to exceed forty heads of families who came into the county during the period between 1557 and 1865, who remained permanently. Others visited the vicinity, but, having canvassed the probabilities of the future. decided against remaining, and went else- where. Improvements continued to be made, and brick blocks were substituted for the in- convenient and contracted quarters erected before Port Huron became a city. They were on a scale of finish and capacity almost equal to any east of the lakes, and were eminently adapt- ed to the displays of stock made therein. The dwellings were also of a more modern type than any of moment previously erected, and added to the appearance of the city in their neatness and finish. A musical association was organized and gave concerts occasionally, by particular request, at Harder Hall, and the praiseworthy efforts of the society evoked a murmur of sur-

prise at the " quantity and quality of musical talent " that was wasting in the city.

Another

success scored during the spring was the organization of a fire company, the first in this city. This grew out of the constant alarms of fire raised, it is said, almost daily within the city lim- its. Its repetition produced an effect upon the public mind, and those who owned property began to fear that the streets of Port Huron would some day be made desolate. In February, three buildings caught fire, and were only saved by the greatest exertions. Later in the month, an alarm from opposite portions of the city was sounded, and both houses were destroyed. The bucket brigade, with axes. comprised the department at that day, and their labors were consid- ered as feeble in opposition to elements against which only almost inexhaustible resources can combat. The loss that would some day accrue, if measures were not taken without delay to prevent it, would be in the nature of a calamity, the reparation of which would be difficult, if not impossible. There was material in the city out of which to organize hook and ladder and engine companies, and before it was too late the citizens decided to do this. Tho membership was made up of young men, and for once in the history of the human family, to be youthful was a condition of felicity superterrestrial.

L In closing this sketch of a city, which contains within itself all the qualities to render it populous and prosperous, it is but just to point out the great requisites of our time. Owing to its central location, with reference to the important producing and shipping interests, it has become the point from which the major part of these are managed. Hence, it continues to grow in wealth, population and business, despite the neglect of its people in the matter of or-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

ganized effort to promote its advancement. Its growth without such effort but indicates what its progress might have been, if the stimulus of systematic work on the part of leading prop- erty owners and business men to promote its welfare were applied to the development of its natural advantages. The compiler is no chronic fault-finder, but sces so clearly what is lost by remissness in this respect, that he cannot help deploring the want of united action to send the town rapidly forward. He knows that nothing but such action is needed to place Port Huron in the front rank of Michigan cities, as the manufacturing and commercial center of a rich region, and in point of population. The business men are the peers of any to be found in the country in enterprise, liberality, business sagacity and pluck, but the trouble appears to be that they are so absorbed in large undertakings, not dependent upon the prosperity of the municipality, that its material prosperity is but a secondary consideration with them. The city needs more manufacturing establishments of various kinds to insure permanent prosper. ity, by bringing us skilled artisans, whose labor would increase the wealth of the place; but there is no encouragement offered those to locate here, save what is held ont by our natural advantages, while there is nothing done to advertise these to the world. Hundreds of cheap, comfortable homes, to accommodate men of small means who are obliged to rent are needed. There are being tens put up where hundreds are wanted, and these by persons who intend oc- enpying the buildings themselves, thus but indirectly relieving the pressure that has crowded a large portion of tenements in the city to an extent destructive alike to the health and com- fort of their occupants. We might lengthien out this list of " needs" indefinitely, all of which tend to retard the advancement of the town, and many of which exist only because of the las- situde of the people where the welfare of the city is concerned.

Marysville, or Vicksburg, as it was formerly called, is situated on the St. Clair River, six miles below Port Huron, and the same distance above St. Clair. It contains a population of about 300. It has three steam saw mills, one hotel and a Methodist Church. Some ship- building is carried on here, Marysville being the headquarters of the Mills Transportation Company, which has a capital of $250,000-$70,000 paid up. The Lake Shore line of boats stop at Marysville daily, and it has a daily mail the year around and also telegraphic facil- ities.

PERSONAL HISTORY.

History is a relation of facts, while biography is actually a history of the lives and char- acters of the men who caused such facts to have an existence. One should be inseparable from the other; and so apparent is this, so apparent has it been. that for some years we made it a practice to deal fully with the people who have made subject for the histories of our counties; and particularly with those whose intelligence now guides them to place confidence in our work-to realize its value, to take an especial pride in its success. In the following sketches it will be evident to the reader that an effort has been made to deal fairly with the people of this city. We owe them a bona fide history, for the special support they have given the work; we owe them our thanks for the hearty co-operation extended to ourselves and to our employes.

EDWARD PETIT .*

Edward Petit was born February 7, 1813, in a log house built by his father, near the foot of the present Court street, Port Huron.

He was the oldest and now only living son of Anselm Petit. Ilis mother was Angelique Campan, daughter of Simon Campan and Angelique Bourdon, from Quebec. Mrs. Campan, the grandmother, was one of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. She died at the house of Lebby Campan, in Detroit, aged ninety-six years.

A daughter married one MeDougal, who kept slaves-two of them, named Jo and Callette- may be remembered by persons now living in Detroit. Callette, after the death of her mis- tress, went to live with Lebby Campan, at whose house she died. When Mr. Petit was but a few months old, the family was obliged to flee for safety to Detroit, where they remained till the close of the war (1812), when they returned home, and his father assisted in building Fort Gratiot.

About the year 1821, Mr. John S. Hudson and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Hart and Miss Osmer *This biography is taken from Mrs. B. C. Farrand's historical paper.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

opened a missionary school at the fort, for the benefit of the Indians and any that chose to at- tend. The first year they met with poor success, the Indians wholly refusing to receive in- struction, believing or fearing that the missionaries wished to enslave them. But after get- ting an interpreter, named Javerodd, the school numbered some fifty or sixty, and was contin- ued three years, until the missionaries were removed to Mackinaw. Thirty of the Indians followed them thither, thus proving their attachment to these self-denying, good people.

At this school Mr. Petit took his first and only lessons, which were learned in a box of sand. Each pupil was provided with a sharpened stick, and formed letters in the sand after a copy placed upon the wall. After the inspection of the teacher, the work was rubbed out and another trial made.

What a change have these fifty years witnessed!

The chief amusements of Mr. Petit's boyhood were those of the Indian-hunting and fishing.

The Indians were very numerous, and from them he learned their language-French being the language of his parents, and English settlers coming in, he learned simultaneously tho French, Indian and English languages, all three of which he now speaks with fluency-and on this account, as well as his enterprising spirit, he was well calculated to trade for the fur com- panies, and in that trade he was employed alinost from boyhood.

He well remembers the visits of old Father Badin at his father's house, and in 1828, at St. Ann's Church, in Detroit, he received the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church from the hands of Pere Richard.

During that year, and at only fifteen years of age, he engaged in the Indian trade and spent the winter on the Canadian side, near the Sauble. He took supplies of shot, powder, calicoes and blue broadcloth, one and three-fourth yards of which was called a blanket. The Indians gave for them maple sugar and furs-otter, beaver, mink, marten and bear skins. Of the early visits of the steamer Superior, he has a distinct recollection. About four times a year she was accustomed to visit this place for wood, dry pine being deemed the only wood suitable for steamboats. A Mr. Hatch had a contract to supply the wood.

The captain of the boat charged all who went on board to visit her one shilling each. " Our whole family," says Mr. Petit, "visited the boat, and going on board. stood in mute ad- miration of the most beautiful thing we had ever seen. We thought we were in heaven."

When in the Indian trade, in the employ of Gurden and Ephraim Williams, then of the fur company, Mr. Petit had a post on the Cass River. at a place called Skop ti-qua-nou, mak- ing a very short bend in the river, shaped like a horseshoe. The Indians on that river were numerous and unusually intelligent. The traders had plenty to eat, and plenty to do looking them up and bartering with them

Special interest had been awakened by the failure of all the traders to find an encamp ment of five or six families of Indians who had been gone all winter, and must necessarily have great quantities of furs, or skins as they were called. Party after party went out and returned, not having found them. The head of this camp was Tawas, a cunning old fellow, one of whose sons had blue eyes.

Young Petit resolved to secure this prize, if perseverance would accomplish it, and started out with provisions on his back for a week, together with artieles for barter. He took with him as guide an Indian with one arm. The other arm had been sacrificed to the revenge of the Indians, who had shot him because he had murdered his own wife at la Riviere Delude.

The two started off and passed over to Sebewaing, then following round the lake came down to the place now known as White Rock. where they encamped. after making for themselves a lodge of bark. Before morning, a drenching rain set in, and with nothing to cheer, and only one loaf of bread remaining. they set forth renewing their search, which was rewarded after a tramp of five miles. Tawas and his families were found preparing to make sugar. They had brass kettles of all sizes, which had been given them by the British Government. They had selected this spot on account of its facilities for fishing. When found they were almost in a starving condition, having no food at all except moose tallow scraps. Petit divided with them his only loaf, and in return shared their hospitality in the shape of scraps of moose tallow for

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IHISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

several days. He purchased, during this time, 500 marten skins at $1 each, which were readily sold at $2. Only the finest of the furs could they take away. The coarse ones were left for later traders; and, returning to camp rejoicing, his wages were quadrupled by his em- ployers.

Another winter, while in the Indian trade, he was three months with only one man for company. on the Canada side of the lake. Getting short of provisions, he sent the man forty miles, to Goderich, for food. The snow fell during his absence, and was so deep that return was impossible. The bread and crackers gave ont, and he had nothing left but whole corn, without any salt. After some days, an old Indian came in from the hunting-grounds on the Thames, bringing on his back a basket he had made from elm bark, filled with honey. found on his way in a tree. After that, to use his own expression. they " lived first-rate on corn and honey." As soon as the sun came out so as to melt the snow and form a crust, the man who had been sent for food returned on snow-shoes, and soon four Frenchmen came out, bringing relief to the starving trader.

It was in this vicinity, on the Sauble, about forty miles from Sarnia. that he observed the ruins of an ancient house.

Pacing the size, he found it to have been forty by twenty-four feet on the ground. On the middle of the sonth or gable end, was a chimney eighteen feet high, in excellent preserva- tion, built of stone with an open fire-place. The fire-place had sunk below the surface. This ruin had a garden surrounding it, ten or twelve rods wide by twenty long, marked by ditches and alleys. And most remarkable of all, even wonderful, inside the walls of the house a splendid oak had grown to be three feet in diameter and sixty feet high, without a limb and perfectly straight. It seemed to be of a second growth, and must have been 150 years in reaching the proportions observed. On inquiry of an aged Saguenay chief,* eighty-four years old, ho stated that a white man built the honse at the time his great-great great-great-graud- father lived, and that white people lived then in all the country round; that they were not Frenchinen, and that everything, no matter of how great or small value, was sold for a peminick, meaning dollar.

Who could these generous white mon of the north have been ?

After so varied an experience in border and Indian life, Mr. Petit, scarcely past middle age, resides in the place of his birth, blessed with ample means, the fruit of his own industry and well-directed enterprise.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 85

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