History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 95

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 95

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).

NELSON MILLS. Marysville, of the firm of N & B. Mills, Section 32, manufacturers of pine and other lumber. is a native of Nova Scotia and was born January 15. 1523. When three years of age his parents moved into Upper Canada in the township of Mosa: there he lived until manhood. Then he came into Mich- igan and located in this country at Newport now Marine City and became a citizen. Here he worked at ship-building. Then he and Myron Williams bought a tract of timber and sawmill on the Fort Gratiot turn- pike in 1550. ani engaged in lumbering. Their mill burned the next winter, and they rebuilt the mill and had it running in six weeks. They run the business there twelve years. In 1453. they formed a partnership with N. Reeves, of Detroit. and bought a tract of pine land in Sanilac County. and the Brook> and St. Clair mill at Algonac. N. Mill- took charge of the Williams and Mill- property. and MI William> that of the Reeves. Williams & Mills In 1-54. they bought the Vickery mill at Vicksburg and transferred their business to that place and built another mill. Soon after this the Vickery mill burned. The business was carried on in this way for three years, when Reeves failed: Williams & Mills took his interest and paid the debts. They carried on the business until 1562. Then N. Mills bought the Williams interest, and took B. Mills in as part- ner anl moved the mill from the turnpike to where the Vickery mill had been burned. They bought a tract of pine in Oz-maw County. They run the logs down the Rifle River, where they raft them and bring them i Vicksturz now Marysville . where they operate two mills and a shingle and planing mill. They cut from eight to ten million feet of lumber vearly. and have the largest retail trade on the river. Mr. Mills is the largest stockholder in the Mills Transportation Company, which consists of the large steam barge Nelson Mills an I four tow barges. They have also two other steam barges which are employed in freighting lumber to Clevela: 1. wh. re the firm have a lumber yard for the sale of their lumber. They also carry on mercantile bisin . The interests of this firm comprise the business interests of Marysville. Mr. Mills has been ac- tively identified with the interests of the town and county, and has held the office of Supervisor of the town of st. Clair. Justice of the Peace and School Inspector : and has held the office of Postmaster most of the time since h came here. He own- a large farm about two miles from Marysville. In 1563. Mr. Mills was unitel in marriage to Miss Mary Williams, a native of this county. and daughter of Myron Williams. Mr. and Mrs Milis have six children. three sons aud three daughters-John. Myron. Maggie, Hannah. Emeline and David.

JOHN MINER. farmer. Section 31. P. O Port Huron. is a native of Canada and was born at Masco, below Montreal. July 11. 1.25 ; he came to this State in 1-49 ; lived at Lexington two years; then came to St. Clair and lived there seven verre, and in 1-5- bought this farm and since then for the past twenty- four years has been

587

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY

e: 41: 1 in firminy. He owns i rood farm of one hundred arre. J. 1-5 h of Lower Canada. She died in 197 and left two children. - Fr ... . Jis Minnie, of Belle River Auzu-t 1. 155%. she lse da ichter of Lam ert M .!. T .- 1. St. Bernard. >56

was born in this courts Mr and Mr- Miner have -oven children-Lose Mirth Pour John W Corn . Jius G., Clarence B and Laura A. LOUIS N. MINNIE City Clerk. i. a son of Neph ( Ale nie M .... est antlers of Port Huron. H . w . born in this city Querer 4. 1-13 here. When fourteen years fare entered Iry good- store and rer. It li .. r Fhar -.

Then ....

South and during the last to a year of the war served in the ordinance . gop rem K T . . The. retined here and opterei dy _ - frade arain On wcount of his 1. neil

the pondbby of the Grep W ... . a Ferry, > zinry. al remi'n .ltre for Ir. Apri

eld City Clerk. and in Apri. '>>. vy- elect .d. again in Apr . 1-9, 10 - offi . of Collector of the second Ward. Mr. Minnie w ss united in marsi y ., Mi -- H !-: M J , - of Ann Arbor. May 23, 1-71. They have Laar children -(1). L. Jar - E Kom .] Loni- T

JOSEPH P. MINNIE, deer -e ] w. - a native of Michigan. hla- b.h .. r

April 21. 1. He was Er The wind- county, and learning manhood he was milted in marri ze. May 10, 1-32. 1 . M -- AS in. L. D)

The' ( me to Port Huron ir. 1-34. od were am ny the "irj .- + - fli- here Th

bri lin and it is -. il -t ndiri in Whiter street. Mr. Minti Was for Dary frair- en

Seven children survive him, the daughter -- Mary Ann. now Mr. B kor: M .

Josephine. now Mr. PAL And . i . n-Joh. Nylon. Elw ri Ll Aires. r.

16 . -il . in the home place on Milliers Street, and i one with older w Ung

CAPT. FRED MINOR. SHAUN 3I. P. O. Marysville. Handica of NR. Yo.A

Clinton County July 25. 1-36. He came to this pinty din

1-51 on the schooner Leand.r. H. .. il before .h . mast, and aman 1 19

= 1.

-- in

as muster. and has had comment of the William K-liv. Otter barz. sin: ... . Pr !! ! .FrCI Hier - Arizona Annie Yomz. > D. CNlwed. HsHani and others. He ov 1 . 1 fr ...

well improved. and has Uveden ! -. 6 1-72 In 1 ;2. l m rriel Mi -- A! ! Ma're. They have three children-Arthur. Edith and Frank R WILLIAMT. MITCHELL An Fo law. Julze Mit .Lol :-

in Gryeste CoiD'y Mas et. PIC. IT was brough' up and re is 3 1.1-

law. inl wy- alnittolo th Ari: Omtoher. 1-39 his first -riit

Hot. William Mitchel Pre-id nr Ind

Laj er and was dmitt . I to pra tier .. P niac. in du ( ire :' and s. cory at 1 the Saprete Co ir's: after two your- be returned to Now Y rk or there one year. then came. , Rome Mente. uns. whereh rrr ~}] the office of Prosecuting Anorex and Masterin than or anla mazel in practice : I w. In 1-$ 50. he w . Mister i. C .. . .

Legislature, and was afterward ( 'reit ( un' Commissioner I!

Court. but resiznel the ; - ition i Jin ury. 1-73. He i- the

T- M .: Contr Julre Mitchell was ysis d in marriage Jan iry : 14 . M - F ... Ther have four children-Franc . E. R . F. William H. n.E. R: M Fr :

Rien of Buff lo wed R -a is i rr. t Lie. Jin J. ( rir . 1 ... Uni

worth

GEORGE MITT. w mn m uf Miner. i-

up.ni learned h - ir de ther .. ( .. Port Hirn in Ismi nl -:.

JI tab'i-hed his pris! : hisinh --- : 1) at i ha- arrivinona tha: T 3 is the Best in the big her II. " K- ! kind- : wynw rk T H. has , pa tien her of Te M ... . fr. rn's for miny : ar a. P. 4

AD rt. Ein ar i Irving. In tyg hemarri i Mis- Eler ClaMor :: n T -A'm Jl Geerzie

A N MOFFAT. f.h. fr : AN MI . &C in ... r :. 1!

R rt Huron Augu- 3. 1-49 H

then Pagared in the ti ki bis - ar ! . xil . bgin. C.r . n M. M

Fre ... . bring of the firm. Fr n . net inni sit h: - - i

hy.alrr established merchan- ri: ari hejte --. mler

pary rol War f- Lak Auf rr Liz - Mr M Satis in ..... 1. : IT

ri :: 0 -ober 31. 1-72 t . M -- Eils tikwrit1 r

Fl price. Lester. Ann. Endi azd .r.h ( APT. JAMES MOFFAT

. ferry

born May 4. 1-24. lli- parent. (', :. la l'irin_ :. riv

front. Sarnia, when it was a wili rLes. with sur + lv

row [ fir passagers. ani sp ) . w trin; + 15 -

Af. r

588

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

was in the employ of Mr. Davenport for six years. About the year 1851, Capt. Moffat started a ferry of his own, consisting of a skiff and sail boat, and afterward started a horse boat and run that several years. He then built a little boat called the Union. About the year 1859, he, with one or two others, built the ferry boat Sarina, well known to every one here. Several years later, engaged in the tug business, and built the Kate Moffat, and afterward built the Brockway and the Frank Moffat and the Mocking Bird. Later, he bought and re-built the Grace Dormer. In 1877, he and Mr. Runnels bought the Beckwith, and during the present year they built the Omar D. Conger, one of the finest boats on the river. For forty years past Capt. Moffat has been connected with the ferry, and for most of the time has had control of the business, and has been actively identified with the steamboat, tug and vessel property. When he began he had nothing, and his success in life is owing to his own industry and energy. lle is a member of the Board of Aldermen, the only Republi- can Allerman ever elected in the First Ward. In 1848. Capt. Moffat married Elizabeth Gray, a native of Canada. She died in 1865, leaving four children-Alonzo N .. John, Frank, now Mrs. Stewart, and Katie. now Mrs. MeVenn. In 1866, Capt. Moffat married Mrs. Frances M. Smiley, of Syracuse, N. Y. They have two sons-Fred S. and James.

REV. T. W. MONTEITHI, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Allegan County December 3, 1843. He received his preparatory education at Kalamazoo College. In 1866, he entered Monmouth College, and pursued his literary studies there and in Michigan State University, and graduated at Monmouth, June, 1869, and at the seminary in Newburg, N. Y., in 1872. After preaching in Ohio a short time, he accepted a call to his present pastorate, and was installed July 8, 1873. Mr. Mon- teith was united in marriage to Miss S. J. Turner, of Crown Point, Ind., June 24. 1875. They have three children-Carrie V., William T. and David T.

DAVID MOORE, farmer, Section 21. P. O. Port Huron, is a native of New York State, and was born in St. Lawrence County October 5, 1826. He lived in that State until reaching manhood, then came West to this State in 1846, and settled in this county, in the town of St. Clair, and worked in lumber woods, on farm, and afterward bought timber land, cleared it and made farm, and afterward cleared another farm and has been engaged in lumbering and farming. He only had $150 when he began, and he now owns two good farms, of 120 acres each, and fifty acres in town of Kimball, all the result of his own industry and good man- agement. Ile has held school and road offices. He married Miss Sophia Raymond, of the city of Detroit. They have three children-Louise, now Mrs. John Gracy; Eber W., on farm town St. Clair; Elvira, now Mrs. Joseph Jackson.

WILLIAM .I. MULFORD, of the firm of Mulford & Son, manufacturers and dealers in furniture, is a son of William R. Mulford and was born in Elizabeth, N. J, December 5, 1845. Ilis parents came here in 1847, and he grew up and attended school here. Before reaching manhood he enlisted during the war and served in Company If and Company K. Third Regiment Michigan Infantry. AAfter his return from the serv- ice he became a partner in his father's store in 1867, and since then has been actively connected with it. He has held the position of chief engineer of the Fire Department, and also a member of the Board of Estimates. Ile had command of the Military Company two years, and is now superintendent of cemetery. In 1867. he married Miss Margaret Sleeper, a native of New York State. They have five children-Martha, Mable. Kate, Margaret, Helen.

W. R. MULFORD, dealer in furniture, is a native of New Jersey, and was born at Springfield. Essex County, March 20. 1823. He grew up to manhood in that State, and served apprenticeship in furniture busi- ness, at Elizabethtown, in that State. In 1846, he came West to Michigan, and was six weeks on the way, and in May arrived in Port Huron, which at that time was a very small village. Soon after locating here, he estab- lished his present business on the lot now occupied by Mr. Saunders, and since then, for over thirty-six years, he has been engaged in business here, and is the oldest furniture dealer in this section of the State. In 1844, Mr. Mulford married Miss Martha Smith, a native of New Jersey. She died in 1847, leaving one son, William J. In 1870, Mr. Mulford was united in marriage to Miss Emily Stephens, daughter of II. L. Stephens, Esq. She died December 24, 1881. Mr. Mulford's father, Jacob Mulford, now eighty-nine years of age, is living with him. He is a native of New Jersey.

CAPT. ARCHIBALD MUIR. is a native of Scotland, and was born March 16, 1833. His parents came to the United States when he was only two years of age, and settled in Canada East, and west of Montreal, near the boundary line. His early life was spent on a farm. When fifteen years of age he began sailing on the schooner Hannah Counter; three years later, when only eighteen years of age, he sailed Captain of the brig St. Louis, of Buffalo, and continued sailing as master until 1867. In the fall of 1861, he went across the Atlantic; upon his return, when thirty days out from Scotland with a load of pig iron, his vessel was dis- masted 300 miles from the coast of Newfoundland. The vessel was carried back to the Irish coast, aud dur- ing the winter repairs were made, and the following spring sailed upon his return, and arrived in Quebee, May 5, 1862. Between the years 1862 and 1867, before coming to Port ITuron, he was Superintendent of the Marine Oil Company of Canada. In 1867, he came to Port Huron, and engaged in ship-building. The first vessel he built was the Groton. Ile built the Brown. James Coneh, Fanny Neal, and the propellers Vanderbilt aud Montana. He organized the Port Huron Dry Dock Company, and built the wharfs and the dry dock, and car- ried on an extensive business for about ten years, and built sixteen vessels and propellers. He was afterward Superintendent of the Marine Oil Company of Canada. For the past few years has sailed master of vessels. Capt. Muir married Miss Elizabeth A. Gregory, a native of Niagara District, township of Louth, Canada, March 22, 1860. They have seven children-William, Fred, Johnson G, James A., Florence E .. Jessie A., Aggie M. and Archibald 1.

GEORGE K. NAIRN, Deputy Collector, is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was born June 22, 1836. Ilis parents came to Canada in 1841, and he was brought up and received his education there, and came to Michigan in 1859. Upon the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted June 10. 1861, in the Third Michigan Infantry, and served five years, and held commission of First Lientenant when mustered ont July 9, 1866.

589

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

After his return the following year, was appointed Deputy Collector, and since then has held that position in the enstom service. Mr. Nairn was united in marriage, June 22, 1876. to Miss Mary E. Miller, of Port Huron. She died February 22, 1880, leaving one danghter, Ethel Clare.

L. S. NOBLE, of the firm of Noble & Welton, fire, life and marine insurance agents, is a native of Onon- daga Connty, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1837, and was at Ann Arbor and Battle Creek. He then re- turned to Ohio and New York. He came to Port Huron June 27. 1847. In 1850. he engaged in the whip business in Detroit for two years. He then engaged in the grocery business at Port Huron until 1856. Hle engaged in the insurance business in 1854. Has had the agency of the Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford since 1860. The first risk he wrote for this company was for Hull & Osborne. May 4, 1860. He had two certifi- cates from the company, testifying to his long and favorable service in representing its interests here. Ile has been actively interested in the fire department since it was first organized. Mr. Noble married Miss Mary A. Fowler, of Westfield. Mass., May 21 1844. They have had three children-M. Angusta, now Mrs. Aus- tin: Louise M., married Maj. E. S. Petit; and Alonzo Frank, living here.

M. NORTHUP. physician and surgeon, is a native of Schuyler County, N. Y., and was born January 29, 1836. He received his education in that State, studied medicine and graduated at the Geneva Medical Col lege in 1859. He afterward practiced medicine in Steuben County and also in Canada. During the war he entered the army as Acting Assistant Surgeon. After the close of the war he located at Lexington, this State. and practiced medicine there about seven years. In the fall of 1871. he came to Port Huron, and since then has practiced his profession here. Ile has served as President of the Board of Health for six years, and as Alderman of the Fifth Ward, and is chairman of the building committee for the new hospital. Dr. Northup married Miss Annie A. Herson in 1864, from Florence, Ontario, Canada. They have two children-Lizzie H. and Charles S.

JOHN G. O'NEILL, Mayor of the city of Port Huron, was elected in April, 1883, by a handsome major- ity upon the Democratie ticket, against the combined strength of three vigorous political organizations. The campaign was exceedingly spirited, and the city having gone heavily Republican one year ago, made Mr. ('Neill's triumph a very flattering indorsement. He is thirty-four years old. a native of Toronto, Canada. where he was educated in Saint Michael's College, and where he is now well known on account of former residence, as well as the great prominence he has attained as the senior partner in the mercantile establish- ment of ('Neill Brothers & Co., organized in 1876, and now doing the largest general trade of any house in Eastern Michigan outside of Detroit. Mr. O'Neill was one of the organizers of the Commercial Bank of Port Huron, and has always occupied a commanding position on its Board of Trustees. He is also general manager and principal owner of the Up River Ice Company, one of the largest industries of the city, besides which he is actively engaged in operations in pine lands, farming lands and city real estate. He is called ".John " amongst the people, and although unmarried has always been too busy to pay much attention to the young ladies. He manages all the large business enterprises in which he is engaged with the most perfect skill, and being a young man of irreproachable habits and character, all his investments have been crowned with singular success. He has served in the City Council and upon some local boards, which renders him perfectly familiar with his duties as Chief Executive of the pushing and enterprising city of Port Huron. We look upon Mr. O'Neill's future as very promising indeed.

PETER J. O'NEILL is a native of Dublin, where he lived from his birth, in 1811, until 1833, and where he received an exceptionally good education for young men in that ill-fated country. At the age of twenty- two he removed to Montreal, where he engaged in the mercantile business until the rebellion under William Lyn MeKinzie in 1836-37. This was the last attempt of the Canadas to dissolve British connection, during which Mr. O'Neill was engaged in important contracts supplying the troops while the war lasted. The opera- tions of that little rebellion brought him into Western Canada, and he settled in Toronto in the wholesale dry goods trade, remaining there until 1861, during which time he embarked heavily in manufacturing, and was one of the Directors in the Toronto Savings Bank and the Toronto Mutual Insurance Company. Mr. O'Neill's business connections extended largely into the United States. He made frequent trips to New York, where. in 1845, he married Miss Clara Corrigan, the daughter of Mr. P. Corrigan, of that city, and niece of Sir Domine Corrigan, of Dublin, one of the most renowned doctors of the British Empire. Mrs. ('Neill is also a relative of Jamies O'Connell, an honored name in the city of New York. Since 1861. Mr. O'Neill has lived in Port Iluron, where he has laid the foundation of the large firm known as (' Neill Brothers & Co., the most exten sive business establishment in general trade in St. Clair County. This firm is also operating largely in timber lands and city property. He has frequently visited Europe on business, keeping fully abreast with public men and measures in England and Ireland. having made an extended tour of those countries and Continental Europe in 1878. Ile has never taken much interest in American public affairs, always shrinking from public oflice, and only for a single term consenting to serve in the City Council. Mr O'Neill's life has been most active. Ile is vet in the business world, as pushing, enterprising and energetic as most men at the age of forty. He now loves business for its own sake and because he is a complete master of its details. He has six daugh- ters and two sons living, amongst whom are John G. O'Neill, the present Mayor of the city of Port Huron.

DAVID LOUIS OSBORNE, of the firm of F. A. Weyers & Co., dealers in groceries and provisions, is a native of Salem, Mass., and was born December 8, 1813. After reaching manhood, came to Detroit in 1-36 and was one of the carly settlers of that city, and for many years was engaged in the baking business and also in the nursery business there. He built the greenhouses at the corner of 24th and Fort streets, and was engaged in the lumber trade for some years previous to coming here, and still has a planing mill on Michigan avenue. He came here in 1880, and since then has been engaged in his present business, and the firm of F. 1. Weyers & Co. have a large and leading trade. In 1837. he married Mary G. Robie, of Salem, Mass. She died in 1850, leaving three sons John 11., Charles F. and Lewis. In 1853, he married Miss Peace P. Buxton. of New Hampshire. They have two children-Frank W. and Mabel.

590

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

DR. SAMUEL D. PACE, United States Consul, Sarnia, is a native of Canada, and was born in the Province of Ontario April 29, 1835; his father was a native of New Jersey, and his mother was descended from a New England family. He received his literary education in Canada and in the State of Wisconsin. In early boyhood he determined to be a physician; after completing his medical studies, he came to Port Huron in 1860, and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1869, Dr. Pace was appointed by President Grant United States Consul to Port Sarnia, and since then bas occupied that position. Dr. Pace was nnited in marriage April 19, 1855, to Miss Lizzie Freeman, a native of England. They have three daughters-Mattie, the eldest, is the wife of the Consular Agent at London; Cora, now Mrs. Frank Mallory, of Detroit; Clara, now Mrs. George L. Bracket. of the city of Detroit.

DR. G. J. PARKER, physician and druggist, is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born April 23. 1823; he received his education in that State and in Detroit, and studied medicine and graduated at the Cleveland medical college. In the fall of 1849, came to Michigan and engaged in practice of medicine at Lex- ington, Sanilac County. In May, 1861, came to Port Huron and continued in the practice of his profession for ten years; then retired from active practice, and has since given his attention to the demands of his busi- ness. In 1855, Dr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Celestia G. Simons, a native of Vermont. They have one daughter -- Birdie Grace.

CAPT. E. W. PARSONS is a native of Berkshire County, Mass., and was born February 8. 1830. ITis parents came West to this State in 1833, and settled at Monroe and remained there until 1841, when they came o Wayne County and located at Gibralter, and he lived there until eighteen years old and then began sailing Ton the steamer John fhollister in 1848; and since then for over one-third of a century has been engaged in the marine service most of the time; has sailed master of vessels, but for the past nine years has held the posi- tion of clerk of the steamer Milton D. Ward. He is also interested in steamboat and forwarding business. and is senior member of the firm of E. W. Parsons & Son, of this city. In 1873, he came to Port Huron and since then has resided here. Ile owns a good farm in Wayne County. Capt. Parsons was married December 31, 1852, to Miss Lucy N. Pruyn, a native of Canada, but came to this State in early childhood. They have three children-Frank W., engaged in wholesale and retail commission; George P., member of the firm of E. W. Parsons & Son, of this city: Fred C., also engaged in business in this city.

F. C. PARSONS, proprietor Troy Laundry, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Wayne County, at Gibralter, July 17, 1858. He came here during boyhood; after reaching manhood, established his present bus- iness in 1880. He employs from eight to fifteen persons in his laundry, and does the leading business here.

FRANK W. PARSONS, forwarding and commission agent, is a native of Wayne County, Mich., and was born September 7, 1854. He attended school there and completed his education in Detroit. In 1870, he engaged as clerk on the river and continued in that position four years. In 1874, came to Port Huron and entered the office of Henry McMoran. as bookkeeper, and remained with him until 1877: then engaged in the forwarding business and established steamboat agency. Ile was agent for the Anchor Line. the Lake Supe- rior Transit Company, the Union Steamboat Company, the Western Transportation Company, the Star Line, Detroit, Cleveland & St. Clair River Line, Port Huron & Algonac River Line, the Mackinac Transportation Company and the Saginaw Transportation Company. He has done a large leading steamboat forwarding business. He is a member of the Board of Aldermen, and has been elected twice to.that office, and has served as Chairman of the Democratic Committee of St. Clair.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 95

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