USA > Michigan > Huron County > Portrait and biographical album of Huron county Michigan, Containing biographical sketches of citizens also a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 23
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also interested for a period of five years in farming and lumbering at West Troy, where he owned lum- ber yards; he also controlled a saw-mill in Rens- selaer Co., N. Y.
His first knowledge of the pine tracts of the Huron peninsula was obtained in 1857, during a trip to Port Austin to buy lumber of Smith & Dwight, of Detroit, who were conducting their manufactures at this point. The outlook impressed him as promising, and in company with his brother-in-law, Frederick S. Ayres, of West Troy, he purchased several thou- sand acres of pine land. Later, he sold a fourth interest to Ebenezer Wiswall. A mill had already been erected on the tract purchased, and they entered largely into the manufacture of lumber, with yards for wholesale and retail traffic at Sandusky, Ohio. As the county developed, the firm extended their business relations, sunk the first salt well in this county and engaged in mercantile enterprises.
In 1871 Mr. Learned sold his interest in the affairs of the concern to E. R. Ayres. He is still the proprietor of a large acreage. His farming lands are of a fine quality, and he has about 2,000 acres in tillage, on which he raises the usual variety of crops. He employs three general managers on his farms and about 20 men. His dairy herd includes 30 cows of established merit, including Jerseys, Short-horns, Holsteins and Ayrshires. He has a thoroughbred Jersey bull, registered "Exquisite," which he purchased in Pittsfield, Mass. A fine grade of butter from his dairy is shipped to Detroit and Philadelphia.
The village property of Mr. Learned at Port Aus- tin includes an elegant residence with grounds at- tached, containing three acres and worth $12,000. The barns adjacent are of a fine type, and are situ- ated on an additional three acres. Six tenant houses and a number of lots also belong to Mr. Learned. He is the owner of 2,000 acres of land in Tuscola County, located in the neighborhood of the Half- Way House, between Sebewaing and Bay City, where they keep a quantity of cattle.
The marriage of Mr. Learned occurred in Lewis- boro, Westchester Co., N. Y., Sept. 23, 1838, to Maria Raymond. Only one of their four children survive. (See sketch of J. R. Learned) Following are the names of three younger children, who are deceased: Sarah, Asa and Mary Jane.
Mr. Learned has had a business career of great
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extent, making his name prominent in several loca- tions, and he belongs to one of the most substantial families of Eastern New York. While engaged in the lumbering business at West Troy, he resided at Poestenkill, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. At the same time President James A. Garfield was a student at Williams College, and taught writing at Poestenkill. He was an inmate of the family of Mr. Learned during the term of his teaching and made his home with them in the interims of the college terms. His wife, Maria Learned, who during her life had by her prominent and consistent Christian character, ex- ample and deeds of charity, endeared herself to the people in this community, died Jan 10, 1881.
IOn a preceding page a fine lithograph portrait adorns the collection selected for this ALBUM.
ohn B. Thomas, farmer, section 18, San'd Beach Township, is a son of Moses and Clarissa (Winecup) Thomas, natives of Macomb County, this State, where they still reside. John B. is the eldest of a family of 15 children, and was born in that county, Sept. 22, 1844. The thunders of war in April, 1861, aroused his patriotic spirit, and he immediately en- listed in the 22d Mich. Vol. Inf .; but after about six months he was discharged on account of dis- ability, at Lexington, Ky. On recovery, however, in 1863, he re-enlisted in Battery M, First Regt. Light Artillery, and served till the close of the war.
In 1866 he went to Bay City, Mich., where he kept a boarding-house about seven years, when he returned to Mt. Clemens and engaged in the manu- facture of root beer for two years; but, not meeting with satisfactory success, he discontinued the busi- ness. In the fall of 1877 he came to Huron County and purchased 16 acres of wild land where he now resides. To this tract he has since added 40 acres, and he has 40 acres cleared and in a state of productive cultivation.
In regard to national issues, Mr. T. counts him- self among the Republicans.
In Mt. Clemens, Mich., Nov. 27, 1866, Mr. Thomas married Miss Theresa Revor, a native of
Macomb County. She is the daughter of John B. and Addie (Pelkier) Revor, and was born July 15, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. T. are the parents of the fol- lowing children : Joseph G., born April 16, 1868; Rosanna, Feb. 20, 1870; David, April 8, 1871; Martha, Feb. 23, 1873: Laura, Nov. 19, 1877 ; Nel- bert, March 8, 1878; Bartholomew, Feb. 8, 1880. One child, Joseph G., died in infancy.
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lexander Snowden, farmer, section 19, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Stewart and Mary A. (Taylor) Snowden, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada in 1841, where Mr. S. died; his widow survives. The subject of this record was born in Ireland, March 28, 1838; was three years old when he came with his parents to Canada; remained a citizen of the Dominion until the spring of 1879, when he sold his farm there and came to Huron County, purchas- ing 185 acres of land in Sand Beach and Sherman Townships. Of this tract he now has 115 acres in good cultivation, and his farm is a specially valuable one.
In political matters Mr. S. counts himself in the Republican party, and both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Snowden was married in Canada, Dec. 21, 1869, to Adaline Hodgson, whose father was a native of England, and mother, of the State of New York. She was born in Canada, July 22, 1850. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Snowden are Gertrude L. M., Sarah M. A., Albert A. and G. Addison.
ewis A. Gayeau, farmer, section 34, Lake Township, was born Dec. 27, 1838, in Kent Co., Ont. His father, Lewis Gayeau, a farmer by occupation, born in Windsor, Ont., was of French descent, his ancestors being among the earliest settlers of Ontario. The senior Lewis died in Kent County, in January, 1863,
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at the age of 92 years. The mother, Mary E. (Stone) Gayeau, was also a native of Windsor, Kent Co., Ont., and died on the family homestead about 1859, aged 85 years.
Mr. Gayeau of this sketch became the master of his own fortunes when he was 14 years of age, and came from Ontario to Bangor, Bay Co., Mich., where he obtained employment in the lumber woods and saw-mills, and he spent some time in those avenues of labor. He went thence to East Saginaw, where he was similarly employed for a time, and afterwards was occupied during three years in digging salt- wells for Willis & Co.
In 1864 he went to the oil-regions of Pennsylvania and passed 18 months at Oil Creek. He came back to Michigan and with brief delay went to Chippewa Falls, Wis., where he spent a few months, returning to Saginaw, and thence to Huron County, where he engaged with Mr. Crawford as a saw-mill assistant at Caseville.
In 1869 he purchased 160 acres of land in Lake Townsip under the provisions of the Graduation Act. He afterwards sold 80 acres, and of the balance has cleared and otherwise improved 50 acres.
Mr. Gayeau is a Republican in political connec- tion.
His marriage to Julia Campau took place at Sagi- naw City, Oct. 19, 1844. Their children were born as follows : Llano, June 3, 1867 ; Alexander, April 23, 1875. Two children died in early infancy. Dennis and Joseph are adopted children. The fam- ily are Roman Catholics.
ames Kearns, farmer, section 18, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Alexander and Jane (Bennett) Kearns, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada where they spent the remainder of their lives. The sub- ject of this sketch was also born in the Emerald Isle, and was eight years of age when the family came to America.
In 1868 he came to this county and has since lived here. He owns 120 acres of wild land in Sand Beach Township, and since 1873 he has also
had charge of the farm of Clark Haywood. In poli- tics Mr. Kearns is a Republican.
He was married in Canada, to Margaret McMas- ter, a native of that country. They now have six children, named Margaret J., Alexander, William, Edward, Annie and Archibald.
Mrs. Kearns is a daughter of William and Jane (McMaster) McMaster, natives of Ireland, who emi- grated to Canada, and located in Northwest Toronto, where the father died. The mother is now living in Sand Beach Township.
illiam Carter, owner and manager of the Crescent Hotel at Port Crescent, was born March 12, 1830, in Genesee Co., N. Y. His father, Joseph Carter, was a native of New England and of English descent, a carpenter by trade and died in 1860, in Gene- see Co., N. Y. His mother, Olive (Fuller) Carter, was born in New England, and died in the Empire State.
He was the oldest of a family of seven children, and when he was five years old was placed in the care of strangers, living at various points until he was 20 years of age, when he began to work as a carpenter and joiner in the Province of Ontario, and pursued that calling until he was 35 years of age in the Dominion of Canada.
In 1864 he located at Port Austin, where he worked as a saw-mill assistant for Ayres & Co., in whose employ he remained two years. In 1866 he purchased 80 acres of unimproved land in Dwight Township. The affairs of the township were in pioneer condition, he owning the second horse-team within its limits. He remained on the place four years, making many improvements.
In 1870 he removed to Hume Township, where he conducted the affairs of a farm in the interests of Jonas R. Learned, of Port Austin, for five years. He afterwards purchased a farm situated on the same section, where he pursued agricultural operations six years, and in 1882 he purchased the hotel property which he is still conducting in behalf of the traveling public.
Mr. Carter is a Republican in political affinity.
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He has served one year as Supervisor, and two years as Clerk of Dwight Township, and has been Clerk four years, Justice of the Peace eight years, four years School Superintendent and five years School Director in Hume Township. He is present (1884) Superintendent of the Poor.
His marriage to Margaret Renney occurred March 20, 1855, in Grimsby, Ont. She was born Nov. 17, 1831, in Toronto. Her parents died when she was in childhood and she was reared among and by strangers. Two of her eight children are deceased. George, Alice, Fannie, Evaline, Isabella and John are living. The family are communicants in the Episcopal Church.
illiam H. Holmes, farmer, section 36, Winsor Township, was born Nov. 1, 1812, in New Jersey. He was reared on a farm, as was his father and grandfather before him. His father, Edward Holmes, was killed in the war of 1812, when the subject of this sketch was a baby. In 1824 the family of his mother removed to Niagara Co., N. Y., and set- tled at Royalton Center.
Since he was 12 years old Mr. Holmes has man- aged his own affairs, as his mother died soon after her removal to Royalton Center. He went, after the event of her death, to Lockport in that county, where he obtained employment on the canal. The now populous city had but two houses when he first made the acquaintance of the site where it now stands. In 1830 he bought a residence and lived there until 1868. He operated on the Erie Canal nearly 40 years, and became the owner of two boats, one of which was practically in charge of his daughter, Mercy, and she was skilled in the matter of manage- ment, and was accustomed, in the absence of a steersman, to put on a coat and perform the duty herself. He owred several farms in Niagara County at one time.
In 1868 he came to Winsor Township and bought 1,000 acres of timbered land, on which he has devo- ted much time to lumbering. He has cleared a considerable proportion of his land, and has several
hundred acres for sale. He made the transit from Lockport here by means of sleighs, coming with three teams. They traversed lumber routes and found their way to their final destination by means of blazed trees. At that time Mr. Holmes was in cir- cumstances of ease, but he has found himself con- siderably hampered by the heavy taxation to which he has been subjected. He is the owner of a steam saw-mill.
His marriage to Anna Snadiker took place in De- cember, 1834, and they have had eight children : Leander A., born Aug. 19, 1836, died Dec. 24, 1878, at Sebewaing, and is there buried; John was born May 30, 1838, and died before he was four years of age. Mercy Anna was born April 25, 1842; Mary Ann was born Oct. 9, 1844, and died in December, 1852 ; William H., Feb. 14, 1846; Jasper N., April 22, 1848; M. V. was born Nov. 15, 1850, and died in March, 1851; Wesley W. was born Aug. 30, 1852. The children were all born in Niagara County. Their mother was born April 1, 1816, in New Jersey, and is of German descent. She is the child of Abram and Thankful (Lindsay) Snadiker. Her father died in Niagara County, in 1840. Her mother died in September, 1882, in Winsor Township, and was 88 years of age at the time of her death.
In addition to his land in Winsor, Mr. Holmes has 160 acres in Brookfield Township, section I, with 60 acres cleared.
acob Layer, farmer, section 25, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Frederick and Margaret Layer, natives of Germany; was born in that country, Jan. 1, 1834; at the age of 20 emigrated to America, soon locating in Sanilac Co., Mich., and four years afterward he sold his land there and came to this county, purchasing 80 acres of land where he now resides.
In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the Sixth Michi- gan Cavalry, and served three years without being sick and without missing a day's duty. Thus he has demonstrated the purity of his patriotism. After the war he returned to this county, and the next summer went to Cleveland, Ohio, and was overseer in a lumber yard about two years. He then went to
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Alpena, Mich., and assisted in building a saw-mill. A year and a half afterward he returned to Sand Beach Township, where he has since remained, now having about 50 acres of his land in good tillable condition.
Politically, Mr. Layer takes Republican views of national issues, and in religion he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. L. was married in Cleveland, Ohio, May 10, 1866, to Barbara Kaufman, a native of Germany. Their five children are: Mary, Frederick, Catharine, Barbara and Annie.
A andrew Shaw, farmer, sections 2 and 3, Huron Township, and light-house keeper at Point aux Barques, was born Aug. 18, 1824, in the capital city of Ireland, Dublin. He is the son of John and Ann D. (Erasmison) Shaw, and both parents died in Ireland. The death of his mother occurred before he came to the United States. His father died at the age of 80 years.
Mr. Shaw left his native country to come to the United States when he was 24 years of age, in 1848. He first engaged as a farm assistant, in Orange Co., N. Y. Four months later he went to Paterson, N. J., where he was occupied about one year in the boiler shops of that city. His next employment was on the depot of the New York & Erie Railroad at the foot of Duane Street. The following year he went to Canada with the expectation of buying cheap land, on the representation of a friend who informed him of the possibility of the thing, but the plan proved a mistake; no such lands were obtainable; work was scarce, and that year he considers as totally lost, as he made no progress. He started to try his chances in Illinois, and reaching Chicago found the daily tide of emigration through that city 300 strong; and, disheartened by the cheap-labor outlook, he re- turned to Detroit. On arriving at that city he went to the Land Office and purchased 40 acres of land situated in St. Clair County, Emmet Township. Coming to Port Huron, he encountered P. F. Brake- man, who was looking for laborers; and, making an
engagement with him, he came to Huron County to make himself useful in the lumber woods. He arrived at Huron City June 19, 1851, and remained in the service of Mr. Brakeman two years, when his employer sold his property to Messrs. Dowling & Forbes, and he continued in his former capacity in their interests more than a year. In 1853 he had bought 109 acres of the Government, and in 1855 he bought the farm he now owns containing 240 acres of land. It was in its original state, covered with forest, and Mr. Shaw removed the lumber in his own interest.
Mr. S. received his appointment as keeper of the light-house in 1861, during the administration of Abraham Lincoln, and has since continued the in- cumbent of the position. (A full account of the establishment, construction and management of the light-house may be found in the historical part of this volume.)
Mr. Shaw was first married May 22, 1854, to Mary Meadon, who died June 7, 1866, leaving four chil- dren : Mary J., born Feb. 1, 1859; Emma, April 13, 1861; George A., March 6, 1864; and Ann, June 6, 1866. The last child was born the day before the death of her mother. Two children had preceded her in their flight from earth : John A., born Feb. 20, 1855, and died Feb. 7, 1859; and Jane, born March 5, 1858, died March 2Ist of the same year. Mr. Shaw was a second time married Oct. 28, 1870, to Rachel Clark. Five children have been born of this union, as follows : Andrew B., Feb. 14, 1872; Maggie M., Dec. 16, 1874; Carrie M., Dec. 1, 1876; Eliza- beth, May 5, 1879; Arthur E., Feb. 1, 1881. Mrs. S. was born May 13, 1842, in Caledon, Peel Co., Ont.
The subject of this sketch is a Republican in political views and sentiments. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk many years, also the positions of School Officer and Highway Commissioner, and has been the incumbent of the four at the same time.
He is the oldest living settler in Huron Township. No roads had been built at any point in the county, and the harbors on the lake side were in the condi- tion over which the stars of heaven had shone and the breezes of summer and the wild winds of winter had played in mildness or howled in fury for ages. When settlers began to come in and human
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wants and needs became the grand concern, human device developed and in the same way the solution of the problem of ways and means was reached. Emigration and transportation hither were accom- plished by the water route, and as there were no docks or harbor conveniences of any description, debarkation was consummated as it could be done most effectively and speedily. Ox teams were brought on boats and the animals pushed overboard to swim ashore, which they would do instinctively. The boilers, engines and other paraphernalia for building and equipping saw-mills were conveyed hither by vessels, the boilers floated ashore and the other fixtures landed by means of lighters.
One incident in his life will give a complete repro- duction of the tout ensemble of affairs. On the Fourth of July, 1856, he was sowing turnip seed on his farm, which was about one mile from his resi- dence at that time. A heavy thunder shower came up, and as he had been having the ague, his wife, fearing the consequences of his receiving a wetting, set out to carry a coat to him. It was nearly dark, and the route was traceable only by the "blazed " trees along the line. Mrs. Shaw had traversed a part of the distance when she made a mistake in the direction and lost her way. Soon after she left home, Mr. Shaw returned there and found that she had set out to meet him. As he had not seen her, there was but one conclusion. Supper was ready, but appetite had fled, and a picture of a forlorn woman wandering in the trackless woods was con- stantly before his mental vision, and continually in- tensified to his understanding by the thought that the solitary figure, vainly struggling to restore herself to her friends, was that of his wife, and his children's mother. He retraced his steps, while word went quickly through the settlement that Mrs. Shaw was lost in the woods. On reaching a certain point Mr. Shaw became impressed with the belief that it was there she had wandered from the path, and he plunged into the forest, shouting with all his might. In half an hour she answered him, and in a few min- utes she was in his arms. But the only improve- ment in her condition was that she was no longer alone; her husband was lost with her. They took what they believed to be the route to the water's edge, and they estimated correctly. On reaching the beach they turned their steps toward the wharf,
and regained their home. The whole settlement had turned out to join in the search, and parties had gone in every direction. The fires in the mill were rekindled to blow the whistle and recall the searchers.
In the fire of 1871, Mr. Shaw's loss was small, his fences only being burned. In that of 1881, he lost three good frame barns, a great quantity of sheds, fences and other farm belongings, 75 tons of hay, about 400 bushels of grain, all his agricultural im- plements, including mowing-machine, wagons, and all of the best and most improved kind. His insur- ance was taken in the " Home," of New York, and the adjustment and payment were made without delay. He received $1,600, which afforded material aid in replacing his barns, etc. His house escaped the flames.
The first light-house was built at Point aux Bar- ques, about 1847. It was constructed under a con- tract, and was built of stone collected on the beach of Lake Huron. The walls cracked, and the evident insecurity of the structure alarmed the keeper of the light, and he notified the Department at Washington of his apprehension. Mr. Shaw was then a Magis- trate, and on being solicited, gave the Government authorities formal notice of the condition of the building, and an inspector was sent on, who at once condemned the structure.
The present light-house was begun and completed in 1857. It is built of Milwaukee brick chiefly, much of the material in the former building being utilized in the construction ; and the stone trimmings are from the quarry near Grindstone City. The old light was kept burning most of the time with the ex- ception of a few months, when a temporary scaffold was erected to support the light while the finishing strokes were being added to the new structure. The lens used at present was made in Paris, and cost about $10,000.
The first keeper of the light at Point aux Barques was drowned, and his wife kept the light for some time after. A man named Sweet succeeded her, who was in turn followed by Chauncey Sheldon. He served through the administration of President Pierce, and on the accession of James Buchanan, Mr. Dodge was appointed. Jacob M. Groat was his successor, and on his vacating the position its duties were taken in charge by the present incumbent, who has kept the light since.
The publishers of the HURON COUNTY ALBUM
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take pleasure in presenting, on a preceding page, a fine lithographic portrait of Mr. Shaw, whose features as there delineated will doubtless be of interest to all the citizens of the vicinity.
Rcharles A. Schmidt, harness-maker at Sebewaing, was born March 5, 1843, in Germany, and is the son of Gotleib and Charlotte Schmidt. In 1868 he emigrated to the United States and first made his way to the city of Albany. Six months later he pro- ceeded to Newark, N. J., where he was a laborer two years. He went thence to Chicago, and in 187 1 came to Sebewaing. He established his business of harness-making in a building which he erected for the purpose, and where he has since pursued his vocation. He is a member of the Arbeiters' Asso- ciation.
Mr. Schmidt was married Nov. 14, 1875, at Seb- ewaing, to Gertrude Greenbeck, and they have been the parents of five children-Emma, Gustav, Fred, Carl, and another child who died in infancy. Mrs. Schmidt was born Sept. 7, 1852, at Sebewaing, where her father, John Greenbeck, was among the first of the pioneer settlers in Sebewaing. They are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. Schmidt is a Democrat in political views.
homas Richards, farmer, section 31, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Charles and Amy (Parker) Richards, the former a na- tive of Maine and the latter of Canada. They were married in the Dominion, and resided there until the fall of 1865, when they came to this county and settled in Sand Beach Township. During the memorable fires of 1871 they lost all their buildings and crops ; but saddest of all, while returning from a visit to a sick neighbor, Mrs. R. was caught in a fire and burned to death! When found in the road her clothes had been burned en-
tirely from her body. In 1880 Mr. R. removed to Grindstone City, where he now resides. He had 16 children.
The eldest of these, the subject of this sketch, was born in Canada, Sept. 12, 1846; in 1865 he came to this county, where he has a fine farm of 35 acres in cultivation, of the 40 acres which he owns. During the fires of 1871 he lost all his buildings and crops, the loss aggregating about $500. In respect to general political issues Mr. R. is a Republican.
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