History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 99

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 99

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).

JOHN WELLS was born in New Milford, Conn., June 19. 1799. He was the son of Phillip and Eliza- beth Tomlinson Wells, and the youngest of nine children. When John was twelve years old, the family moved to Litchfield, Conn. The father was a clothier, and sufficiently successful to enable him to bring up his family in all comfort, and to give his children such education as the schools of the village afforded In Litchfield, John attended a school taught by the Rev. Truman Marsh, rector of St. Michael's parish; when still quite a lad John returned to New Milford and entered the store of Capt. Eli Todd, with whom he remained until he was twenty one. He then went to Augusta, Ga., in company with Hosea Webster and his wife, Mr. Wells traveling on horseback and Mr. Webster in his carriage, the two gentlemen exchanging seats

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

occasionally for a rest. Southern life and ways did not suit Mr. Wells. however, and after a year he returned North and located in New York City, conducting the dry goods business on his own account. After a few years he moved from there to New Paltz. then to Stamford. Dutchess County. While in the latter place, February, 1:30. he married Jane Vanderburgh, of Beekmau. same county. She was the eldest daughter of a wealthy farmer, and had received all the advantages of a good education and refined society in New York City and Litchfield. which was then the center of learning. Mr -. Wells still has the notes she was required to take of the sermons she listened to of the Rev. Lyman Beecher, who was then in his prime. In 1837, Mr. Wells and a friend came West prospecting. Port Huron and Chicago, at that time. gave about equal promise of becoming important cities. The natural advantages of Port Huron being a little the best, apparently. and that, with the fact that it was not quite so far from the oll home, induced him to decide in favor of Port Huron. to which place he removed in September. 1935. and where he continued to reside until his death, Sep- tember 25. 1-67. Meantime. adverse influence- threw Port Huron off the track of prosperity. and Chicago far more than realized all the brightest anticipation-, and became a large and important city. Mr. Wells carried on the dry goods business until he was appointed Custom House Officer. He then gave up the store and sub- sequently built a mill and started in the Inmber business, principally on account of his son. whom he wished to associate with himself in business, and whose health required a more active, out-door life, and this life seemed to suit hims If as well. He was very greatly interested in the active lumbering operations of the pine wood, and went up to his camp often, going even oftener than his son, during the years that they cut their own logs. He caused the opening of roads through dense forests. for hi, logging purposes, that have since become public highway- with broad. thrifty field- and cozy home> on either side, and a railroad intersecting them at mauy points, though this last improvement he did not live to see. His lumbering enterprise was very successful, as his mercantile life had been prosperous, so that ease and plenty surrounded his family, and a competency was left for his widow and only surviving child, the only son he ever had. Of his character, much might be written: it was strong and positive, yet so well poised as to rarely come into conflict with any one; he believed in living and letting live: he interfered in no one's business, and brooked no interference in his own: he was always cheerful. never bringing his business perplexities or misfortunes into his home: his presener always gave additional brightness to the cheerful fireside. and his children ever welcomed him with delight: he was al-o a great reader and passed most of his evenings by a bright wood fire, which he loved so well as to light it often in summer even. and with his staud drawn up in the chimney corner, and a light and a good book, he rarely failed to pass a part of every evening in the year. He was also very fond of a good story, and possessed a fund of them from which he drew often, and he told a good story inimitably; he was friendly and genial in his manner, charitable and generous to the needy. In physique he was of middle height with fair skin, blue eyes and dark hair; in his youth a handsome man, and always a man of fine pres- ence. In politics, he was a Whig From the organization of the Republican party, took a decided position in its favor. Ile never cared for office nor ever occupied any but that of Village Trustee, and for quite a num- ber of year- attended to the duties of Postmaster. and afterward was Custom House Officer for awhile. We feel that the pioneer ladies had about as hard a time as the men. and certainly MIrs. Well- deserves more than a pas-ing mention. Born and reared in a luxurious home. and surrounded by the most generous and devoted affection, a favorite among a large circle of relatives and friends, it was no light thing for her to leave all this and go into the then far West. to put up with the privation- and loneliness, the homesickness and longings that are inevitable to such characters: but she came with her husband and three little children, hardly daring to hope ever to return, for the journey occupied eleven days. Going to Fonda by rail, then by canal to Buf- falo, then up the great lake and rivers. and finding at last only a little hamlet with a few scattered houses. There were some pleasant people. however, and -be determined to make the best of circumstances and help all she could to improve affairs generally. They rented a house on what is now Military street. near the bridge. for the first year. while Mr. Wells bought land up Black River and built what has ever since been the home. It wa- the first house built in that direction, and was directly upon an Indian trail which the natives were loath to give up. and many an encounter had both Mr. and Mrs. Wells with them, though generally they were di-posed to be friendly. unless interfered with. The nearness of Fort Gratiot was a great help in society matters and many warm friend- did the family make among the officers and their families. and they, with the few cultivated families in the village created a very pleasant society. After a few years the railroad was com- pleted through to New York. and Mrs. Wells returned many times during the life of her parents, to the dear old home: but. having become identified with the growth of Port Huron, helping in its religious and social and intellectual progress, she became so strongly attached to it as to never have any desire to permanently return East. They never had but three children-the youngest. Caroline. a bright. lovable girl of eight years, died December 19. 1846. This was such an affliction as nearly to unsettle Mr -. Wells' reason for a time, but she recovered and went bravely on In 1-57. May 21. the eldest child. Mary, married Lieut. W. A. Slaughter, and went, soon after, with him to Washington Territory, where he was ordered to defend the frontier from the Indians. Three years later, he was killed by an Indian while returning from a detour through the coun- try near Fort Steilacoom. Mrs. Slaughter then returned to her father's, where she lived five years. She died January 3, 1562. Mrs. Wells still occupies the old home alone, her son having married and built a home for himself, just across the street, previous to the death of his father.

B. II. WELTON, of the firm of Noble & Welton, fire, life and marine insurance agents. is a native of Geanga County, Ohio, and was born October 1, 1840; grew up and received his education in that State; came to Port lluron in 1-63, aud engaged in grocery trade. "The firm was U. C. Welton & Co .. then White & Wel- ton; thi- firm was succeeded by Bostwick & Welton. lle wa- afterward engaged for some years in railroad ticket business. He associated with I. S. Noble and engaged in insurance business, and the firm of Noble & Welton have the leading insurance business here.

F. A. WEYERS, dealer in groceries and provisions, is a native of Germany, and was born October 2, 1830; emigrated to America in 1952. anl the following year came to Port Huron: he established his present husi-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY

Des. in 1-54, and has carried it on for the past twenty eight years i frear Unth fime than any ne els in the same business exerpt Mr. Sam der -. Mr Wever- carries alarn . a of _ ods and has a larze esta lished trade, and for some years h. . done the leading business her H marrie ! Miss Emily Stoddar 1. New York state, July 22. 1-55. They have seven children-Anna M. J.liert E . Edich Jos phin Franklin, Alice: have lost three children. two sons and one danicht. r. . J. B. WHEELER, lumber and real estate dealer. is a native of Han h County. Me . nd was born ir the town of Greenfield, Ochber 23. 1-19. He grew up and attended helth. m. olan . to Michigan in October. 1 3, and located in Port Huron and engaged in Imbiring and sit plot for a p rid of a u thirty years has been connected with that blisin >> and real estate interess.

EDGAR WHITE. Postmaster, was born in Oneida County. X Y. of beri 1. when Only sixte years of age. in July. IS, he came to Port Huron to look after land- which balanparche lly hi- fi cher the year previous, on the south sil of the river. He rem, inet here al . sh r ting . then return } East. He visited the West several times during the next ten years. in lui, wert . And Art r. and thre ver- Hier. in 1 19, came here to reside permanently, giving his attention to the improving of his father's je perty. Il improved some fido or dare - of land and since then hash en i lentin . I with the real est & aring here. I IST. he was elected second Mayor of Port Huron. in 199, was elected Sgorvisor of the Second W rl. al for the last twenty years he - represented th t ward in the Board of Servir. He was President of the Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad from will, and after it- coredan with Prima Railroad. he was President of the Chicago & Lak( Huron Railroad. untilit wen in' il 6 11 fthe ( hi A Grand Trunk Railroad In the string of Is-2. he was appointed to his preemp fon alat .from :: ]r in March. 1 ~~ 3, he was ppoint I Postmaster at Port Huron. In 1974. Mr. Whit patrie I Vis AR . of Ann Arbor. She died in 1969, leaving three children: in 171. Mr. White married Mrs. George Miller formerly Miss Jane Jones, of Ann Arbor. They have one son-Fr: nk J

JAENS H. WHITE is a native of New York State, and was born in Whis n. Oneill ( un'v. April 2. 120 Having received an & ademic education. he was engaged in business in Utic in m 12 un'il 1-44 when he removed to Ann Arbor where he carries on mercantil- bi-in - . Wo Vears In Isec. h re' irn 1 . New York and located at Yonkers, remainin_ there two Years In INie. he can ty mil sin e then has been a resident of Port Hur in. where his business has been farming realesste dealing. : n-ar. 0 and banking. In 1-54. he was elected I Sheriff of St. Clair County, and re dette I in A. Served as Alar- man of the city four ve. rs : in 1867. he w. - appointe I special Deputy ( lector of Catssoms for th . Distric. of Huron, and resigned in the fall of 176; in 17. he was elected one of the Board Estimates of the city. Mr. White was a member of the House in 1-29, and was re-electe i in Isst. Mr. Whin his been att- ively identified with the interests of th . city and county and if- mas ri. ] progress and _rowch for one- third of a century.

FRED WHITE, business manar of the state of James W Sanborn & Co.i. native of the Statedi Maine, and came to Port Huron in 199, and for three wars was bokk par tir Ar ry. after. short time herog ged in Inmber business. Heenter ] the employ of the. W. Sanbort January 1. ING andre min with him as book keeper until his death, and since then has had the active management of the business the estate.

J \ WHITE, artistic photographer. is a native of Gender County. N. Y. and was born Met he grew up and learne I his huisiness in that State : worked in Fredonia and Bufalo, opene in gallery at Randolph, and put in the first skylight ever used in that section of the State He came to Port llurimo il. 19 ami established his presne business giving special attention to the work in may 1. wer fer and India ink : also does a gren leal of vi win_ along the river and lake. In 1964 Mr. Whin, marri d Miss Mary Wheeler, of Rando ph. \ Y , they have two children-Clara and Nellie.

FRANK WHIPPLE, attorn y a law. is a tative of Graften. Windham C . V ... at : we- 1 i Mari 7. 12. When eight years of age. His parents m welt isar: tiga Sprit rs. N. Y. wher h refvei his iz- cation Ile came West to Michigan 'n 1 6. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion he enliste i Augus 21 1-il. in Company C. Berdan's First Rezim it United States >harish>> ters. and served with ih resin .? ' :. n til February. 1963 . was hen transferr. i to the First Regim -nt Mich'_at sharp -looiers ani Was sioned second Lieutenant and prom ted to First Lieutenant Company B. and are all the cure his term of service, was woun last the battle of Sport-vivani. AAfter the War lan . P rt HFin nin 1-60

studie law and was admitted to the far in 191. Twoyears later he enein the price of Law, and since then has successfully pre fixed his profession here He has held the DE Kamer- Fifth with Ward and Alderman of the Scand Ward. Mr. Whipple was unit of in m mie V. A. J. REIN Beloit Wis. Ombres. 169. they have our children-Ben nn R. Frank BAUM

JOSEPH Đ WHITNEY. owner :n) propri for Pacific Hous Orier Mi Her i vri ani But r street is a native of the State of Maint and was born at Lis: Falls M. r .1.6. 1-1: County and settled at Port Huron April 23. 14 After i ming her. he mery it -hinge mill an I engaged in lumbering for several years. In Isis. he built a hotelo' correr opp sin Pa de Has. aririn that house four years; in 1-09, bought the Huron House, an I remain I proprietor of the har anti It when he retired from business foor . noy ars In ist. he fought the I thur pry erner Hur : avinu and Butler street. and enlarge lit. : 1 since then h. s mn proprietor fh P ir IF Ist. Mr. Whitey

has hall a large practical experien - a landlord. and gives er ry far if h . husets fees. na sig rvisi n In January. 1-59. he marrit ! Mrs Margaret Masters ? a native . : Mir Mi h they have no Har. Charles J. Fred A. and Jessie. Mr Whitney hason . daicher va forn wi

F. M. WILCOX cooper, is a native of Michigan, and was arn a Ralmy ? V.

1-55. He learned his trade in Port Huron. ind on the 1st if May the pr se Ver himself. and is building up a nie tr le. atol makes :I} kaoh f work Hl m rri ! M DriRari August 1. 1 ~~ 1. she is a nativ of Canada

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

DAVID G. WILLIAMS, proprietor flour and grist-mill, is a native of Michigan, and was born in St. Clair County November 8. 1850, and grew up here ; engaged in lumbering and sailing on the lakes. He engaged in the milling business in 1877, grinding flour and feed, and also has carding machinery for carding wool, the only one in Port Huron. He intends increasing this branch of his business. He is also engaged in the wood business, and saws his wood by machinery. In 1878, he married Miss Catharine Richardson, of Brockway Center : they have three children-Polly, Sallie and Myron.

MORTIMER WILLSON. physician and surgeon, is a native of Canada, and was born August 2. 1847. Ile received his education in this State at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, then studied medicine at Ann Arbor and De- troit, and graduated in 1874 at the Detroit Medical College. After graduating, engaged in practice at Sonth Bay City. He came to Port Huron in 1881, and associated with Dr. Mills in the practice of his profession. In 1880, Dr. Willson was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie C. Chase, of Carthage. Mo .; they have one daughter.

L. D. WILSON, attorney at law, is a native of Stark County. Ohio, and was born in Massillon Septem- ber 26. 1852. Ile received his education in that State, and spent two years in Western Reserve College and two years at Alliance College and entered Mount Union College, and graduated in 1872. After graduating, lie accepted the position of Principal and Superintendent of Schools at Lexington, Sanilac County, and re- mained there three years. He studied law and graduated at the Columbia Law School in 1877. He came to Port Huron the same year, and was associated with Judge Mitchell in the practice of law until 1880. Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Emarette Waterbury, of Lexington, Sanilac Co., Mich., November 14, 1873. They have one son-John D.

OSCAR A. WILSON, of the firm of Iluner & Wilson, dealers in fresh and salted meats, is a native of Oswego County, N. Y .. and war born October 10, 1834. He grew up and attended school there and came to Port Huron in 1853. He worked at the harness trade three years, and was clerk in a grocery store three years. In 1862, he associated with Martin Huner and established their present business, and since then, for the past twenty years, they have successfully carried on the business here, and are the oldest and leading house in their line of business here. He has held the office of Collector, and was a member of the Board of the Board of Estimates two years. In 1857, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Fidelia Hogan. a native of Port Huron They have one daughter-Florence.

FRANK WOLFSTYN, dealer in groceries and provisions, is a native of Belgium, and was born October 29, 1848. lle grew up and received his education there. He came to the United States with Rev. Father Van Lauwe, his uncle, in 1872, and came to Port Huron the same year. In 1880, he established his present busi- ness and has a good trade. He also sells articles of Catholic devotion for church purposes. He holds the position of leader of the choir of the Catholic Church here. lle was united in marriage to Miss Katie Glea- son in this city October 13, 1879. They have one son-Edward W.

ABEL M. WOOD, carpenter and builder. Section 21, P. O. Port Huron, is a native of Canada, and was born in Norfolk County March 28, 1827. He grew up and learned his trade there. He came to Michigan in 1860, and lived in Lapeer four years. IIe came here in 1864, and since then, for the past eighteen years. has been engaged in building here. Ile married Miss Nancy Ililliker, of Oxford County, Canada, May 9, 1846. They have one daughter-Emma.

A. II. WRIGHT. manufacturer of carriages and buggies, is a native of Orange County, N. Y., and was born April 7, 1831. Hle grew up and learned his trade there.' He came to Port Huron in July, 1864, and es- tablished his present business, and for the past eighteen years has been successfully engaged in manufactur- ing carriages and buggies, and has a large established trade. Ile is the oldest in the business here who ex- clusively manufactures light work. He is Ward Collector, and has held that office for the past three years. Has been Treasurer of the Baptist Church for the past eighteen years. Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Harriet B. Hammond, from Dover Plains, N. Y., June 17, 1858. They have two children-Harry How- ard and Bertha Hammond.

P. M. WRIGIIT, of the firm of A. N. Moffat & Co., steamboat and vessel agents, is a native of England, and was horn May 6, 1831. Ilis parents came to Michigan during his infancy, and located on the St. Clair River. Upon reaching manhood, he engaged in the milling business in Canada, and came to Port Huron in 1864 and entered the bank of John Miller and kept books there for abont five years, and afterward with the First National Bank two years. In 1877, he came with A. N. Moffat & Co., and in 1879 was admitted men- ber of the firm. Ile is also a member of the firm of Wright & Eldridge, dealers in coal. He has held the office of City Treasurer and a member of the School Board. In 1854, he married Miss Clara St. Clair Mon- son. a native of St. Clair. She died May 21, 1882, leaving three children-Mary E., John M. and William K. T.

CAPT. L. W. YOUNG is a native of Michigan, and was born on Mackinac Island May 5, 184 ;. He be- gan sailing as cabin boy on the brig Black Hawk when only twelve years of age, and sailed as Captain of the Kentucky when only nineteen years old. Hle sailed the schooner Evaline Bates, and was Captain of the Ios- co five years. He also sailed the Kentucky and the tug Mary, and since 1877 has been master of the steam harge Burlington. He has been in the marine service over twenty-three years. Capt. Young married Miss Lona Flemings, a native of Sanilac County, May 11, 1872. They have three children-Lizzie, Kittie and Lulu.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

FORT GRATIOT TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.

The country is one of beauty. The Creator fashioned it in His smiling moments. As it came from His hands, before man had furrowed it with the plow, and scratched it with the har- row, and divided it off with fences, and dotted it with barns and houses, it was one of nature's most perfect landscapes. There is just as much scenery left in it as is consistent with a high degree of usefulness; if there were more scenery some of the land must be wasto: if there were less, tameness would begin to mar the perfectness of the scene. There are oak openings and timber, water and stone, hill and valo, bluff and ravine; and none of them in excess. But what makes the township of Fort Gratiot ? There was nothing, or at least not much, in the vicin- ity, or in the surrounding country, to determine the fact that there shoukl grow up one of the handsomest and most vigorous railroad villages in the Northwest. Du Luth established a mil- itary post there: later a mission was established, and in after years a United States fort was built there. Its settlement by American pioneers was an accident, or a series of accidents. It was that of those early settlers who tirst looked upon this beautiful spot, and said to them- selves, This is good: I will plant myself and my family here, and help to make a town, and grow up with the country. A large number were men of strongly-marked characteristics. They were clear-headed, liberal, brave and persistent men: and this was the secret of the early suc- cess of the village. Such men were not going to stick themselves down here, or anywhere, and grow up like so many transplanted Eastern basswoods: it was not in their nature to do any- thing of the kind. They had to contend with the older American settlements on the Black and Pine Rivers-no easy task. In later years, the Grand Trunk Railroad Company selected the southeast corner of the township as the head of their railroad system in the United States. In 1859, the beginnings of the true progress of the township were made. The financial crisis of 1873-78 retarded, if it did not effectually check, advancement; but in 1879 returning prosper- ity began to show its existence throughout the county, and nowhere were its signs more man- ifest than in this township. The old settlers, together with those who came during the last few years, co-operated heartily in the work of improvement, so that. at the close of 1SS2. the town takes a most important place among the civil divisions of the county.

In the geological descriptions of Port Huron Township, Fort Gratiot is described

The bluffs are well stocked with timber of various kinds, oak of several species being in the preponderance. Poplar, birch and hickory are found in small quantities. The valleys all furnish more or less wild grass; while on many small streams are excellent water-powers. Soft woods of many kinds grow on the bottom-lands of the creeks and rivers. The banks of the smaller streams put forth rank growths of alder and willow bushes. The town is productive of all the cereals, grasses and vegetables common to the latitude; wheat, oats, corn, barley and rye. which return a good yield. On the lake shore north of Huronia Beach, large crops of the finest potatoes were raised.

From the above description it will be noticed that the district is peculiarly adapted to, and possesses all the requisites for a fine stock-growing, grazing and dairying district. The number of small streams, with their adjoining marshy lands, and many springs oozing from the bases of the bluffs, form excellent facilities for butter and cheese making; while the bluffs, with their heavy timber, are a natural shefter for cattle from the winter winds and storms. On the same farm may be seen the spring of pure water, the valley for cultivation. the hills for graz- ing and the timber for shelter. In later years, farmers are turning their attention more to stock, and their results justify their investments.

ORGANIC.

Fort Gratiot Township was . rganized in 1866, with Henry Stephens, Supervisor. The name is derived from the post, erected under Capt. Gratiot in ISHI, to which the title was

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

given in honor of that engineer officer. The population of the township, including the village, was 1.902 in 1SSO. Since that time, the summer retreats of Huronia Beach and Ros were established, the village attained an important commercial position, so that it is not too much to state that the population of town and village in June. 1882, approached 3,000. The area of the township is 13,067 acres; the equalized valuation, $366,140, and the number of children of school age, 668.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 99

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