History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 89

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 89

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).

E. C. CHAMBERLIN, cashier and accountant of the P. H. & N. W. R. R., is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and was born March 22, 1840. He grew up and attended school there, and came West in the fall of 1867. After being here a short time, he returned to New York, and remained until 1870, when he came to Port Huron, and wasiconnected with the lumber business until January 1, 1879, when he was appointed to his present position. In 1861, Mr. Chamberlin married Miss Mary K. Thompson, of Dutchess County, N. Y. She died in 1875, leaving one danghter, Maggie T. In 1877, he married Miss Louise M. Gillingham, a native of New York State.

HENRY CLINE, engineer Custom House, is a native of New York, and was born at Whitehall, Wash- ington County, in 1839. When thirteen years of age, went to Massachusetts, and in 1856 came to Port Huron, and was sailing on the lakes until the war broke out; then went in the United States Navy and served in the South Atlantic Squadron, under Admirals Dupont and Dahlgren. Was at the bombardment of Fort Sumter. After his return, went on the lakes for ten years. In 1877, was appointed to his present position. In 1864, he married Miss Roxy Aun Adams, of Ogdensburg. N. Y. They have two children-Willard A. and Harry. WILLIAM M. CLINE, attorney and counselor at law, was born in Canada, on the 31st day of July, 1851; his ancestors on his father's side were from Pennsylvania, and his mother's from Scotland. His parents moved to Michigan and settled in Sanilac County in 1859, where he attended school and became a teacher in the public schools of that and St. Clair Counties. He also attended the State Normal School and Agricult- ural College. Hle commenced the study of law in October, 1874. and attended the Law Department of the Michigan University in the winter of 1874 and 1875. Was admitted to the bar in October, 1875; continued the study of law, and in 1877 located in Port Huron; since then has been engaged in the practice of his pro. fession here, and since 1880 has been a member of the firm of Chadwick & Cline. Hle was married on the

19th day of December, 1882, to Miss Laura Snively, of Philadelphia, Penn.

S. D. CLARK, superintendent construction Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad, is a native of Chester- field, N. Il., and was born January 28, 1820; grew up and learned his trade in that State. Came to Sarnia in

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

1856, and was on both sides of the river and built all the buildings on the Sarnia Branch; also had charge of building all the buildings for the Grand Trunk Railroad on both sides of the river; then returned to his native State and engaged in farming for ten years. In 1871, he went to St. Louis, and had charge of erecting the buikdlings of the American Plate Glass Works for Capt. Ward, and afterward was engaged in the drug busi- ness for several years, and is now superintendent of construction for the Port Huron & Northwestern Rail- road Company. fle held the office of Superintendent of the Board of Public Works for three years. In 1815, Mr. Clark married Miss Sarah Emerson, a native of Hillsboro County, N. Il. They have five children- William E., Susie E., Frank P., Amy A .. Laura M. They have lost two children-Charles .1 .. died August 18, 1881; Clara A., died September 25, 1881. There are few parents called upon to mourn the loss of children of greater promise. The death of the former was caused by a railroad accident. Miss Clara . Clark was a graduate of the Port Huron High School in the class of 1876, afterward engaged in teaching until her last illness. The news of her death was received with keen regret in all parts of the city, where she was a gen eral favorite. Among her more intimate friends. it caused inexpressible grief. Her associates in school life, the Lotus Club and the Literary Club, in both of which she was a loved and honored member, met in special gatherings to express their genuine respect, love and sympathy.

ASA R. COLE, United States Inspector of Boilers, is a native of Troy, N. Y., and was born December 12, 1842. Ile learned the trade of machinist, and at the age of twenty came to Michigan; was engaged as an engineer on steam vessels and in charge of engine and machine shops until 187, when he was appointed United States Inspector of Boilers of Steam Vessels for the District of Huron, Mich., which position he now holds. Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Colton, of Milan, Ohio. September 17. 1568. They have three children-Mary R., Giles F. and Lina Louise.

JOHN COLE is a native of London, Canada, and was born March 12. 1825. Upon reaching manhood. he came to Michigan in 1847, and located in Port Huron, engaged in building, and continued in that business fourteen years, and during that time built fourteen saw mills. In 1861, he engaged in lumbering. He cut and put in the first logs in Thunder Bay River, and built the first mill in Alpena, and also built the first steam till at the mouth of the Muskegon River. He has been engaged in lumbering over twenty years, lle has cleared over two thousand acres of land, mostly in this county, and owns a laige farm of six hundred acres. and has the largest barn building in this county, and also owns a grist mill. When he came here he only had 50 cents ; his success in life is owing to his own efforts. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor. In 1852, Mr. Cole married Miss Martha E. Mooney, of Birmingham, Oakland Co., Mich. They have six children- Francis J., Norman D., Sylvia, Herbert I., Mason J., Myra E.

HON. OMAR D. CONGER, United States Senator, was born in ISOS at Cooperstown, N. Y. He removed with his father, Rev. E. Conger, to Huron County, Ohio, in 1821. He received the instruction given in the common schools; pursued his academic studies at Huron Institute. Milan, Ohio, and graduated from the Western Reserve College in 1812. From 1815 to 1848, he was engaged in the geological survey and min- eral explorations of the Lake Superior copper and iron regions. In ISAS, he removed to Port Huron, Mich., and engaged in the practice of law. In 1850, Mr. Conger was elected Judge of St. Clair County Court. He was elected State Senator for the biennial terms of 1855. 1857 and 1859, and during the last term was made President pro tempore of the Senate. In 1-60, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention of Michigan, and in 1861. was a Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket. . He represented his district in the Forty-first, Forty-second. Forty third. Forty-fourth and Forty fifth Congresses. In the last election he received fifteen thousand eight hundred and eighteen votes, against thirteen thousand one hundred and sev- enty-seven, given the Democratic candidate. Anson E. Chadwick. In the winter of ISS0, he was elected to the United States Senate, to succeed the late Senator Chandler.

CAPT. ARTHUR CONKEY is a native of Michigan, and was born at Port Sanilac February 5, 1551 ; he began sailing in 1862, when only eleven years of age, as cabin boy on the steamer Dubuque, and next went with C'apt. Frank Downer on schooner Idaho. He sailed as mate four years, and in 1SGB was Captain of the Island Queen, and sailed her three years, and then sailed the barge Scotia ; in 17, bought an interest in the J. IT. Magruder, and since then, for the past five years, has sailed master of her, and is also owner. Capt. Conkey married Miss Minnie Krousie, of Buffalo, N. Y. They have three sons- Charles. Arthur, Fred An- thony.

TI. W. COOLEY, of the firm of Casler & Co., contractors and builders, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and was born June 5, 1846. He came to Port Huron in 1861, and in November of the same year en- listed in Company A, Nineteenth Regiment U. S. Infantry, and served three years, and was mustered out as First Sergeant of his company ; then returned to Port Huron and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. and worked at his trade for some years : in 1875, he associated with his present partner, and since then they carried on the business together, and have a large trade. He served six years in the State militia, and when discharged held commission of First Lieutenant. He also holds office of Allerman. Mr. Cooley married Miss Eva Morris, a native of this county. February 28, 1871. They have two children- Myrtle May. Floyd Garfield.

GAGE M. COOPER, owner and proprietor of Cooper Hotel. P. O Port Huron, is a native of Broome County. N. Y .. and was born in Binghampton March 21, IST. When seventeen years of age he started West. and went by Susquehanna River and Juniatta Canal and Portage Railroad over the mountains. At Pitts- burgh. went on the first steamboat he ever saw to Wellsville, Ohio, and from there he took his worklly goods on his back, and walked through the western reserve to Kalamazoo, and reached there in 1835 : he helped dig the grubs out of the streets of that city, and worked on the Territorial road ; in 1838, he began railroading on the Pontiac Railroad, and afterward was on the Central Railroad, and from there went to Cincinnati, and went on the Lexington & Louisville Railroad, and was master mechanic of that line ; while there, he decor- ated the ear that carried the remains of Henry Clay to Lexington. He returned to this State, and was under foreman of the shops in Detroit. of the Detroit & Manistee Railroad. During the war, he ran an engine on the

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IHISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Great Western Railroad, and after that came to Fort Gratiot, and was locomotive foreman on the Grand Trunk Railroad. He was actively engaged in railroading from 1838 until 1872, and with one exception is the oldest railroad engineer in the State. In 1875, he built the Cooper Hotel, at Grand Trunk Junction, and since then has kept this honse. In 1842, he was appointed Postmaster at Royal Oak, Mich., and held that office three years, and held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms. Mr. Cooper has been twice married ; his first wife was Miss Eliza Johnson, of Haddam. Conn. She died in 1860, and left three children-Thomas J., James F. and Ella. Mr. Cooper has files of the New York Tribune of 1842-43, and also has an original copy of the New England Weekly Journal, dated April 8. 1728, over one hundred and fifty-four years old.

JOHN CORNWALL is a native of St. Clair County and was born March 10, 1836 ; he began sailing in 1860, in the schooner Albatross, and two years later sailed as Captain of the tug Dart, and since then has sailed Captain of the B. B. Jones, the Wilcox, the Grant, the Bob Anderson, the Frank Moffatt, the Castle, and the steam barge Tecumseh, and during the twenty years he has been in the marine service, has only sailed for three firms. Capt. Cornwall was united in marriage March 5, 1863, to Miss Eliza Yokom, a native of Canada; they have six children- Lettie, Lulu, Alta, Susie, Lalia, Ray.

CAPT. THOMAS COW AN. master steam barge Ira B. Chaffee, is a native of Canada, and was born at Port Rowan, Ontario, March 18, 1840 ; he began sailing on the scow Royal Oak when only sixteen years of age, and afterward sailed as mate for some years ; in 1870, was master of the barge Norway, and sailed her for seven years, and the Susan Ward two seasons, and since 1880 has sailed as master of the steam barge Ira B. Chatfee. Capt. Cowan has been in the marine service twenty-five years. He married Miss Eleanor Ellis, a native of Port Rowan, Canada, February 25, 1863; they have two children, Minnie M. and Perley.

P. C. COY, of the firm of Charles AA. Jex & Co., wholesale confectioners, is a native of Huron, Ohio, and was born May 10, 1845. His parents came to St. Clair in 1849, and he lived here until 1859, then went to Port Austin. Two years later, upon the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted in the naval service, and served under Admirals Foote and Porter. He was wounded while they were conveying the troops across the Missis- sippi River, on their retreat from the Red River expedition. He was in the service over three years, and was a non-commissioned officer. He had three brothers in the war, and all returned. After the war, he returned to this State, and came to Port Huron in 1874, and engaged in business. He associated with Charles A. Iex. and established their present business January 16, 1882, and are building up a good trade. In 1863, he married Miss Alma Jane Hayes, from East Saginaw. They have three children-John A., Ollo J., Barton W.

CAPT. JAMES COX, of the barge Susan Ward, is a son of Capt. James Cox and Emily Cox, who were among the carly settlers of Port Huron; his father died November 17, 1864, and his mother died June 21. 1882. Capt. Cox was born in Port Huron September 22, 1849; he began sailing when ouly eleven years old, with his father, on the scow "Sca Foam." When only seventeen years of age he sailed as Captain of the " Unele Sam," and sinee then has sailed the "Adain," the "Wyoming," the "Morgan," the "Vision," the steam . barge "Mary Mills" and the "City of Port Huron," sailed the " Alpena" five years, and for the past two years has sailed the barge "Susan Ward" for the Oscoda Salt & Lumber Co. Capt. Cox married Miss Josephine Palmer, a native of New York State, December 25, 1870; they have two children-Jennie and James, and have lost four children.

GEORGE CRACKEL, of the firm of George Crackel & Co., painters and dealers in all kinds of painters' and artists'materials, is a native of Wabash County, Ill., and was born September 5, 1852. When ten years of age his parents removed to Canada, and he began learning his trade in Chatham. In 1868, he went to Chicago and entered the employ of Heath & Milligan, the largest and best house in that line in the city. Ile came to Port Huron in 1872, and in 1875 engaged in his present business: the firm was Thorn & Crackel; they were in business together two years, when Mr. Crackel bought out his interest. In 1880, his present partner became associated with him; they have a large trade, and employ from twenty to forty men at different seasons of the year, as their trade demands; they have a large trade. Mr. Crackel married Miss Henriette Pace, of Niagara, June 3, 1876; they have three children-Walter E., George Godfrey, John G.

ALEXANDER CRAWFORD. deceased, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, October 3, 1822. His parents came to the United States and settled in Michigan in 1832. Ile grew up and received his education in this State. Ile came to Port Huron in 1841, to take charge of the schools. He taught in the first two schools erected here; first in the old building that stood on the present site of the high school edifice, and after that in the old Brown School. Mr. Crawford was united in marriage April 15, 1852, to Miss Mary Palmerlee, of Granville, N. Y. Her parents came West to Michigan, and settled in Macomb County in 1830. Mr. Craw- ford was engaged in teaching for fourteen years, and many of the active business men of this city are indebted to him for the results which his teaching and example as an instructor had in forming life habits and mold- ing their character. For over eight years he was an officer of the Government in the custom department, and he performed the delicate and arduous duties of his office with the same fidelity that characterized everything in which he was employed. He held that position until his death, which occurred July 29, 1869. He left four children, all daughters-Eva N., now Mrs. II. C. Knill, Hattie M., Frankie A., now Mrs. Frank Sharp and Anna E.

M. C. CRONK, manufacturer of Dr. Cronk's Sarsaparilla Beer, is a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was born December 25, 1827; grew up in that State and studied medieine. In 1867, came to Detroit and since then has lived in this State. Came to Port Huron in 1877, and established his present business, and since then has been engaged in the manufacture of Dr. Cronk's Sarsaparilla Beer, and has built up a large trade which is constantly increasing. During the past season he has filled single orders for 1,000 bottles. He supplies the local trade, and ships large amounts of his goods.

WILLIAM CURTIS, Captain of the "James Beard," is a native of Canada, and was born on the St. Lawrence River, February 1, 1830; be grow up in Canada, and worked for Davenport on the ferry between here and Sarnia, and was afterward for ten years in the employ of Capt. Moffat. He came to Port Huron in 1857, and since then has resided here; for the past fifteen years has had command of vessels and ings on the

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

river and lakes. Capt Curtis was united in marriage June 11, 1854, to Miss Lucy A. Coy, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. daughter of Ansel B. Coy, one of the earliest Indian traders in St. Paul, Minn .; they have one daughter, Mrs. Fred Starkweather.

JAMES A. DART, manufacturer and jobber of tinware, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Macomb County, March 1, 1839; he lived in that county until sixteen years of age; came to Port Huron in 1855, and entered the employ of William Stewart; finished learning his trade, then worked journey work, and was with him as long as he continued in the business, and since then with Sanborn, Carleton & Co., and Carleton, Stewart & Co. He has lived here since 1855, and during all that time, a period of twenty-eight years, in the employ of the house established by William Stewart, and since 1859 has been foreman of this department; during the present year he engaged in business for himself. In 1867, he married Miss Susan Bowman, a native of Canada; they have six children-William, George, Charles, Arthur, Jennie and Chester.

J. A. DAVIDSON, dealer in carpets, oil cloth and wall paper, is a native of Scotland, and was born September 29, 1837. His parents emigrated to this country when he was very young, and came to Michigan and settled in this county; upon reaching early manhood he came to Port Huron in 1856, entered a store as clerk. In 1864, he engaged in the dry goods trade, and carried on that business for eight years. He established his present business in 1873, and is the only exclusive dealer in carpets, oil cloth and wall paper in Port Huron, and he has built up a large trade. Mr. Davidson was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Loomis, from Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., September 29, 1864; they have one daughter, Eusibia N.

THOMAS DAVIS, dealer in groceries, corner Division and Seventh streets, is a native of England, and was born December 29, 1854. He came to Canada during his early childhood, and came to Port Huron in 1866. lle entered Mr. Hope's store as clerk, and remained with him eleven years. In IS?7. he started a little store, and since then has carried on the business here. In 1876, he married Miss Addie N. Carey, a native of New York. They have two children-Walter H. and Thomas A.

GEORGE DENLER, of the firm of Denler Bros., ice dealers, is a native of Switzerland, and was born January 3, 1847. His parents came to America in 1854. They lived in Cleveland three years and came to Michigan in 1857. Upon reaching manhood he engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1881, he and his brother engaged in the ice business. He married Miss Alice Slingerland, a native of St. Clair County, Orto- ber 16, 1870. They have two children-Helen M. and Laura A.

DAVID DENNIS, farmer, Section 17, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., and was born December 15. 1844. lle remained in his native State until eighteen years of age; then came to this State, to Van Buren County. In 1868, he came to this county, and since then has been engaged in farming. He owns 120 aeres in the town of Columbus; for the past seven years has had the management of this farm for John P. Sanborn. Mr. Dennis was united in marriage July 9, 1869, to Miss Mary Hunt, a native of this county. Her parents, Hiram and Mary Hunt, were among the carly settlers of this county.

ALBERT DIXON, of the firm of Saunders & Co., wholesale grocers, is a native of England, and was born December 24, 1840. His parents came to the United States in 1849, and located in Illinois. He came to Port Huron July 21, 1853, when only thirteen years of age, and entered the employ of his uncle, Judge Sann- ders, his present partner, who established their present business in December, 1852, Ile remained with him until 1871, when he became a partner in the business, and since then has had the active management of their large established trade. This house is the oldest in mercantile and commercial trade in Port Huron, or this section of the State, and is well-known throughout the State. Mr. Dixon was united in marriage April 3, 1861, to Miss Sarah A. Wilson, a native of the North of Ireland. They have three children-Fred J., Eva N., Harvey A.

CHARLES K. DODGE attorney at law, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Jackson County April 26, 1844. He received his education in this State, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1875. After being admitted he came to Port Huron and engaged in practice of law, and since then has practiced his profession here. He was elected City Attorney and held that office one term.

CAAPT. FRANK N. DOWNER is a native of Michigan, and was born in the town of Washington, Ma- comb County, July 17, 1835. The following year his parents came here. From early boyhood his life has been spent on the water, his earliest recollections of it was sailing on a slab on the river. When eleven years old, in 1817, he went on the Grace Amelia. Capt. John Dillion, and in 1852, when only seventeen years old, he was Captain of the Hawk, and next sailed the Esculapins and the Lady Jane. In 1855. 1856 and 1557. he was master of the Euphemia, then the llenry Young, the Curlew, E. M. Carrington, Lilly May and the Skinner. In 1872, he built the Dunford, and since then has sailed as master and part owner of her. Capt. Downer has been in the marine service for thirty-six years, and for more than thirty years has sailed as master, and has had a large practical experience. He has held the office of Tax Collector. Capt. Downer was united in marriage July 18, 1860, to Miss Britannia Jex, a native of London, Canada. They have had eight children, only two of whom survive-Charlie Jex and Frank Nelson.

LIEUT. GEORGE DUFF, is a native of Scotland, and was born October 6, 1537. He came to the United States in 1852, and lived in Pittsburgh until the breaking-out of the rebellion, when he enlisted August 16. 1861, in the One Hundred and Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, better known as the Old Thirteenth Regiment, Company D. Was mustered out of that regiment September 23, 1864, and accepted an appointment in the Veteran Reserve Corps, September 24. 1864, and was mustered out November 23, 1866. Ile was appointed. July 28. 1566, Second Lieutenant in the United States service, and accepted the appoint- ment November 24, 1866, and was transferred April 5, 1869, to the First Regiment United States Infantry; was promoted to First Lieutenant February 13, 1873; retired from active service June 28. 1878, on account of wounds received in line of active duty. Lieut. Dutt is prominently identified with the Masonie fraternity- is High Priest of Huron Chapter, No. 27. and is Eminent Commander of Port Huron Commandery, No. .. Knights Templar.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

THOMAS DUNFORD, of the firm of Dunford & Alverson, ship builders, is a native of England, and was born in 1834. Emigrated to America in 1849; learned his trade in Canada on the Welland Canal, of Abbe Bros .; went to Chicago in 1850, when there was only one dry doek in that city: remained there twelve years. Came to Port Huron in 1862, and established their present business; and since then for the past twenty years, have successfully carried on the business here. For the past five years the firm has been Dunford & Alver- son. During the past three winters they have employed from one hundred and fifty to two hundred men. Mr. Dunford has held the office of Supervisor. He married Miss Sarah E. Pace, of Port Huron, August 27, 1863. They have one son, Fred J.

I. E. DUVAL, Agent Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad, Section 18, at Port Huron and Grand Trunk Junction, is a native of Canada, and was born March 29, 1859. His parents came to this county during his early boyhood. He entered the employ of this line in 1873, and since then, for the past nine years, has been connected with it, and it is a remarkable fact that he has not lost one day during that time. In 1880, he was appointed agent in charge of the business of the company, at this station, and since then has held that posi- tion.

W. P. EDISON, Superintendent Port Huron Street Railroad, is a native of Ontario, Canada, and was born November 5, 1831, In 1837, his parents removed to Milan, Ohio, and he grew up there, and after reach- ing manhood, he came to Michigan in 1854, and located in Port Huron. He has been actively identified with the Street Railroad Company since its organization, and since its completion in 1866 has held the position of Superintendent, and had the active management of operating the road, and is the largest stockholder in the company. He has also been interested in vessel and steamboat property. Mr. Edison is the eldest brother of Thomas A. Edison, the noted electrician, whose reputation has become world-wide. Mr. Edison was united in marriage to Miss Ellen J. Houlihan, of Oxwego, N. Y., September 26, 1856. They have one daughter, Nel- lie M., now Mrs. W. A. Poyer, of Norwalk, Ohio. They lost one son, Charles P., who died in Paris, France, at the age of nineteen years. He had been studying with his uncle, Thomas A. Edison, for a number of years, and was a young man of promise.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 89

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