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 25
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Finding that his health was being undermined by too close attention to business and the extremely cold climate, he disposed of his interest at Northfield and bid a farewell to his many friends, among whom was a Mr. Haywood, afterward cashier of the North- field Bank, and murdered by the Youngers and James brothers. Mr. Pike went thence to Knoxville, East Tennessee, for his health, when he became in- terested in speculations and continued his operations there until the secession of the South, when he re- turned to Chatham, Ont., where he embarked in a mercantile enterprise, which he managed until 1872. His health again failed, and he disposed of his mer- cantile house to Sterline Bros., and remained idle some time.
In 1873, his health having partially recovered, he again embarked in business. Owning a small steam barge, he bought lumber and cord-wood, and carried the same to Detroit, and disposed of his cargoes there. The business not proving a paying one, he disposed of it, and in 1874 came back to the land of the free and settled in Detroit, and engaged again
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in business in a small way, his capital having been reduced by sickness and misfortune. Courage never lacking, he managed his business in Detroit until 1878, when he went to Algonac, St. Clair Co., Mich., where he established mercantile relations, and oper- ated successfully until July, 1882, the date of the removal of his commercial interests to Ubly. He has since continued to transact business at that point, with satisfactory results. He owns a store 22 x 50 feet in dimensions, with an addition of 18 x 22 feet, and carries a stock which averages $7,000 or $8,000. in value, and his yearly trade about $18,000 ; and he also has a small elevator, and buys grain and prod- uce. His goods include all articles requisite to the demands of a country patronage.
Mr. Pike is a Republican in politics, and a Univer- salist in religious belief. He was married Nov. 23, 1870, in Chatham, Ont., to Miss Emily M. Peck, and they have been the parents of three children, born to them in the following order: Albert N., Laurence Carl and Maud F. The third child is deceased. Mrs. Pike was born in Raleigh, Kent Co., Ont., Sept. 10, 1848. She is the daughter of R. N. and Philliss (Dauphen) Peck, natives of Ontario and respectively of English and French nationality. They are farm- ers, and reside in Raleigh, aged 74 and 63 years, and had II children. Mrs. Pike was educated at the Ursuline Convent, called " the Pines," at Chatham, Ont., and is a strict Catholic in religious sentiment and belief. She possesses in a remarkable degree good sense and quick wit.
On a preceding page will be found an excellent lithographic likeness of Mr. Pike, which the pub- lishers are proud to add to the collection of portraits in this ALBUM.
illiam Rees, farmer, section 10, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Thomas and Mary Rees, who were natives of Wales, and was born in the same county, June 5, 1836, where he lived until 1877 ; he then came to Canada, and a short time afterward, in 1878, came to this county and purchased 120 acres of land in Sand Beach Township, which he has
since occupied, and where he has 50 acres in good arable condition.
Mr. Rees was married in Wales, to Miss Mary Lewis, a native also of that country, and was born Jan. 24, 1840. Their seven children were born as follows : Edward, March 15, 1862 ; Mary, March 6, 1864; Thomas, June 13, 1867 ; Lewis, April 4, 1871 ; Sarah, June 2, 1875 ; Annie, Sept. 3, 1880.
ajor Cowper, proprietor of the " Half- Way House," and Postmaster at Sigel, 1000 section 19, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Holton) Cowper. His parents were of English nativity, and in 1858 emigrated to America, settling in Sherman Township, this county .. April 29, 1865, his mother died, and Dec. 23, 1872, his father also passed from earth.
Their only child, the subject of this record, was born in England, Aug. 15, 1845, came to America in 1859, and lived at home until February, 1864, when he enlisted for the cause of the American Govern- ment, in the 16th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. At Hatcher's Run, Va., he was disabled, and he now receives a pension.
After the war he remained at his father's house until the fall of 1879, engaged in farm work. He then came to Sand Beach, purchased ten acres of land where he now lives, on section 19, and erected the hotel of which he is now proprietor and manager. it is located on the State road, six miles southwest of Sand Beach village. In connection with his hotel he has also a grocery, in which line he has a satis- factory trade; and ever since 1877 he has also been engaged in fire insurance. The latter business he first entered mainly on account of his physical dis- ability for attending thoroughly to the heavy duties of the farm. He was appointed Postmaster in the spring of 1881.
Nov. 10, 1868, in Sand Beach, is the date of Mr. Cowper's marriage to Miss Rachel, daughter of Ira and Diadema (Mann) Gager, who was born in Canada, Oct. 19, 1851. To them have been born the fol-
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lowing nine children: Elizabeth D., Oct. 11, 1869; Ira A., Jan. 16, 1871 ; Charles E., Nov. 25, 1872; Amanda A., April 28, 1875; George F., March 4, 1877 ; Major W., March 16, 1879; Albert M., Jan. 28, 1881; Richard, Feb. 13, 1883 (died Feb. 26, 1883); Bertha M., July 8, 1884.
Mr. Cowper is a Republican in his political views, and has held the offices of Highway Commissioner two terms, School Director two terms, Township Superintendent of the Poor, School Inspector and Constable.
onas R. Learned, residing at Port Austin, was born Sept. 16, 1839, at Watervliet, N. Y. He is the son of Charles G. and Maria (Raymond) Learned. (See sketch of C. G. Learned.)
He received a good elementary education in his native State, and was a student about two and a half years at Hiram College, under James A. Garfield, entering upon his studies there in 1857. His parents had removed to West Troy, N. Y., whither he went on leaving Hiram, and there he formed an association with John I. Winnie, for the purpose of prosecuting the lumber business, which relation continued to exist four years.
In 1864 Mr. Learned came to Huron County, in company with Eben R. Ayres (see sketch of F. S. Ayres). They had purchased a saw-mill and a con- siderable acreage of pine lands of D. Whitney, Jr., of Detroit, situated at what is now Port Crescent. The location was named Port Crescent by Mr. Learned, on account of the shape of the bay shore at that point, which was that of the young moon. He was the first Postmaster appointed there.
Messrs. Learned & Ayres established extensive business connections at Port Crescent, where they manufactured lumber of all varieties, shingles and lath, and conducted a mercantile enterprise on a large scale.
In 1870 they disposed of their interests to Carring- ton, Pack & Co., and removed to Port Austin, where they became factors in the firm of F. S. & J. S. Ayres, under the style of Ayres, Learned & Co., and
prosecuted a lumber business, the manufacture of salt, and engaged in general merchandise.
In October, 1874, Mr. Learned sold his claim to E. R. Ayres, and has since been vigorously engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, associated with his father. Their stock is of the best character, and their herds include generally about 150 head of fine grades and throughbreds. The butter produced in their dairy is of a superior quality, and is in de- mand in the markets where known. They own 7,000 acres of land in Huron, Tuscola and Bay Counties, and cultivate 2,000 acres, whereon they raise large crops of the cereals common to Michigan. They ship their wheat product, and feed most of the re- mainder of their farm produce. They also own land in Dakota.
Mr. Learned is a prominent member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and is one of the seven founders of Cass Lodge, No. 219, at Port Austin.
His marriage to Louise M. Letcher occurred Oct. 18, 1864, at West Unity, Ohio. Their three chil- dren were born as follows: William L., July 16, 1866, in Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio; Edward R., Nov. 19, 1868 ; Harry M., April 29, 1878. The two younger were born at Port Austin. Mrs. Lear- ned was born at West Unity, Ohio, and is the daughter of Hon. William and Matilda Letcher. She graduated at Oberlin College, class of 1862.
harles L. Hall, attorney and insurance agent at Sand Beach, was born Oct. 8, 1850, in Paterson, N. J. He is the son of Philetus D. and Mary (Wannamaker) Hall. When he was six years of age his parents re- moved to Rome, Lenawee Co., Mich., where his father bought a farm, his health having failed from close application to office work. Both parents were natives of Warwick Township, Orange Co., N. Y. They had eight children, seven of whom are now liv- ing. After a brief residence in Rome, the family removed to Adrian, where the father died Dec. 11, 1864. They went after that event to Orange Co., N. Y.
Mr. Hall is the second of the children born to
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his parents and was 15 years old when his mother returned to New York. He was a student at school until he was 18 years old, when he became a teacher in the Seward Institute and in a district school in Florida, N. Y. He continued his labors in that avenue about two years and pursued his studies pre- paratory to entering college. He changed his plans and read law for some time, when he came to Adrian, Mich., and was admitted to the Bar of Michigan in that city in April, 1872. He began practice on the first of May following, at Morenci, Lenawee County, where he continued to transact the business of his profession until Jan. 1, 1875.
In the fall of 1874 he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner and removed to Adrian. He was re- elected in 1878 and continued in the discharge of the duties of the position until December 31, 1880. In February, 1881, he came to Huron County, as a mem- ber of the law firm of Hall, Welch & Hall, establish- ing triune offices at Bad Axe, Port Austin and Sand Beach, with himself in charge of the latter. The association existed until October, 1882, since which date Mr. Hall has managed the business of his office singly, and is engaged in a prosperous and satisfactory legal practice, and secures a large degree of patron- age as an insurance agent. He represents the Con- tinental of New York, the Pennsylvania Fire of Pennsylvania, and the Germania and Underwriters of New York. Mr. Hall is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is the Senior Warden of Huron Lodge, No. 36.
His marriage to Ella S. Greeley occurred Oct. 24, 1872, at Morenci, and of the union three children have been born as follows : Carrie L., May 31, 1875 ; Nellie H., Feb. 5, 1878; Charles G., Dec. 8, 1880. Mrs. Hall was born in the township of Seneca, Len- awee County, June 6, 1850, and is the daughter of Noah and Maria (Gould) Greeley.
atthew Spoutz, farmer, section 36, Paris Township, was born Feb. 21, 1828, in France. His father, Otto Spoutz, was a native of France and was a commissioned officer under Napoleon, with whom he served 15 years. At Moscow he was captured by the Russians and was in prison seven years, his incar-
ceration being caused by his refusal to take the oath of allegiance to a foreign power. After securing his release he returned to France, where he married and where his son was born. Soon after his birth the family removed to Luxemburg, where the father lived on a pension paid him by the French government until the death of Napoleon, and at the same time worked at the hatter's trade. He died March 5, 1879, aged 96 years and retaining his physical powers to a remarkable degree. His teeth were perfectly sound and firm at the time of his death. The mother, Catherine (Scheltor) Spoutz, was a native of France and is deceased.
Mr. Spoutz obtained an excellent education in the schools of Germany. He was married in the city of Luxemburg to Mary Hahn. She was born Feb. I, 1828, of French parents. Her father was a well-to- do merchant and his daughter was carefully educated in both French and German. Mr. and Mrs. Spoutz have been the parents of eight children, two of whom -Matthew and Nicolas-are deceased. Conrad, Clementon, Charles, Otto, Mary and Phebe are living.
After his marriage Mr. Spoutz was a merchant in his native country three years, and at the end of that time he emigrated with his family to America, locat- ing in Buffalo, N. Y., where he carried on the hat and cap business. He then went to Detroit and became salesman in the hat store of Buhl & Co. While in that city it was visited by the scourge of cholera, and both Mr. Spoutz and his wife suffered from an attack of the disease. On recovery they proceeded to London, Ont., where Mr. Spoutz engaged in the hat, cap and fur trade, which he conducted two years. In 1858, he went to Detroit and purchased at the land office in that city 120 acres of land, of which he at once took possession, and where he and his family endured all the hardships common to the early history of this portion of Huron County. He had to carry on his back all supplies from Forestville, 18 miles away. The high price of all provisions added greatly to the privation of his circumstances. He has 80 acres of finely improved farming land, with ex- cellent buildings, The character of his pluck and energy is plainly evident from the fact that in the fire of 1881-three years ago-he lost his barns, with 900 bushels of grain, and his residence with all its con- tents. His affairs are once more in prosperous con- dition and his supply of farm fixtures creditable.
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He has been true to the obligations of his citizen- ship and espoused the cause of the Union when in danger of disintegration from rebel foes. He enlisted March 5, 1864, in the 22d Mich. Vol. Inf., in Co. K, Mech. and Eng. His command was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Spoutz was in the battle at Nashville, and in the ascent of Lookout Mountain his horse fell, crushing his knee. He received honorable discharge July 5, 1865, at the close of the war. He has been Highway Commis- sioner nine years and held other minor official posi- tions. In political tendency he is in sympathy with the Democratic party.
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ames H. Hall, attorney and banker at Port Austin, was born March 7, 1846, in Orange Co., N. Y., and is the eldest son of Philetus D. and Mary (Wannamaker) Hall. His father was born Feb. 22, 1824, in Orange County, was a blacksmith by trade, officiated some years as superintendent of the freight depot of the Erie Rail- road Company at Paterson, N. J., and died Dec. 11, 1864, in Adrian, Mich. His mother was a native of Orange Co., N. Y., and died June 30, 1877, in Florida, in that county.
Mr. Hall is of mixed Holland and English descent, his mother's progenitors being natives of Holland and those of his father from England. His paternal great-grandfather was a musician on the American side in the war of the Revolution.
The father of Mr. Hall removed his family to Pat- erson, N. J., soon after the birth of his son, and at the age of nine again removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., and engaged in farming, that his boys might be brought up on a farm. The subject of this sketch enjoyed the advantage of the best private public schools of Paterson, N. J., and enjoyed the benefits of the excellent school system of Michigan after com- ing to the State, working on the farm of his father when not at school. Soon after the death of his father his mother removed her family to Florida, N. Y., where he obtained a position in a large grocery store at Newburg on the Hudson, that he might live with his mother. In the fall he obtained a position
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as clerk in a country store with that well known mer- chant grown gray in the business, W. L. Vail, of Florida, N. Y., with whom he remained until he sold out, and with his successors for several years; and while thus engaged devoted his leisure moments and evenings to study.
In 1870, by the aid of friendly capital, he com- menced business for himself in the shape of a first- class grocery and provision store, which was con- tinued until the winter of 1872, when he had an opportunity to sell out to good advantage, did so and in 1872 came to Michigan and engaged in the study of law at Morenci, Lenawee Co., Mich., being mean- while engaged in insurance business. In the fall of 1872 he entered the Law Department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, where he completed a full course of legal study, together with some other studies; and was graduated in March, 1874. He came to Port Austin in April of the same year and formed a part- nership with George S. Engle, which relation existed about two years. He afterwards conducted the affairs of his office singly until March, 1881, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Charles L. Hall, and John F. Welch, triple branch offices being established at Bad Axe and Sand Beach, the latter under the personal supervision respectively of C. L. Hall and Mr. Welch. This arrangement continued one year.
Mr. Hall instituted his banking business, Jan. I, 1883, under the style of "The Port Austin Bank." Its relations are those common to similar establish- ments, and he also transacts business in real estate, and represents the North American Insurance Com- pany, the Hartford & Phoenix, of Hartford, Conn., the New York Underwriters, Germania, Traders' of Chicago, Sun Fire of London, and the Michigan Fire & Marine of Detroit. He is also agent for all prin- cipal lines of foreign steamers.
Mr. Hall was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Huron County in 1874 and discharged the duties of the office two years. He has been also Circuit Court Commissioner.
His marriage to Jessie Emery took place at Port Austin, Aug. 27, 1879. Three children have been born of this union, as follows: Ernest G., May 23, 1880; Harry Leroy, Jan. 24, 1882; Clarence Jay, Nov. 23, 1883. Mrs. Hall was born Dec. 10, 1857, in Oxford, Lapeer Co., Mich., and is the daughter of
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Andrew and Lucy A. (McClellan) Emery. Her father is a native of Vermont, has pursued the career of a farmer, and is now living in retirement at Case- ville, Huron Co., Mich. Her mother was born in Michigan, and died March 16, 1864, in the 28th year of her life.
The lithographic likeness of Mr. Hall, on a pre- ceding page, is given in this volume as that of a representative and prominent business man of Huron County. All who know him will recognize in his features an indication of his high character.
S amuel D. Grumney, proprietor and man- ager of the Soule saw, shingle and grist- mill, at Soule village, was born Oct. 15, 1850, at Madison, Conn. His parents, Sam- uel H. and Elizabeth P. (Doud) Grumney, were natives of Guilford, Conn., and were of established Yankee descent, having had ancestors of early New England origin. The father died at Gill- ford, Tuscola Co., Mich., where the mother still re- sides.
Mr. Grumney is the seventh in order of birth of a family of 13 children. He was very young when his parents transferred their family and interests to Ches- ter in his native State. He had a natural predilec- tion for a seafaring life, inherited from his father; and when he was 15 years old, in company with a comrade, he took the route the boy literature of the period points out as the certain thoroughfare to dis- tinction, in trying parents' hearts without winning anything to compensate for all it involves, and ran away to sea. He went to New London, where he shipped on a fishing schooner, the "Telegraph," bound for Newfoundland, and made a cruise in the capacity of cook. One year of this sufficed, and he sought the home nest, as a safe refuge from tempta- tion and a place where forgiveness was certain and fame as sure as possible, and was received back to the fold of the household. Within the same year, the family came to Watrousville, Tuscola Co., Mich. The next year Mr. Grumney became a cook on the brig " Isabella," and served for some time in that capacity, and finally returned to the lumber woods
on the banks of the Cass River, where he was en- gaged several winters. In the winter of 1870, he shipped on the " Illinois," a barge running on Lakes Huron and Erie, which was wrecked on Lake Huron the same year, and the winter following the disaster he passed in Chicago with his uncle.
Meanwhile he acquired a knowledge of engineer- ing, and obtained employment in that occupation at various places. Among other engagements which he filled, he passed five years in the service of Mr. Crawford, of Caseville.
In 1877, he purchased 40 acres of land in Oliver Township, Huron County, on which he at once settled, and improved 30 acres. In the spring of 1884, he exchanged the place for 77 1/2 acres of land on section 24, Chandler Township, where he estab- lished himself in the various operations in milling before mentioned ; and he has since continued the management of the three with their varied and ex- tending connections.
Mr. Grumney is a decided Republican, and while a citizen of Oliver Township, served in the capaci- ties of Supervisor and Treasurer, discharging the duties of each position two years. He was School Director during the entire period of his residence there, and held other official positions.
He was married Jan. 1, 1871, in Tuscola Co., Mich., to Lillian R. Shaver. They have been the parents of eight children, two of whom are deceased, Samuel H. and William L. The living are Francis C., George N., Edwin A., Samuel L., Frederick S. and Myrtle E. Mrs. Grumney was born in Madi- son, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1855. She was six years of age when her mother died, and her father removed to Tuscola County, Mich., in 1865.
eorge R. Wright, farmer, section 25, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Tichnor) Wright, father a na- tive of New Jersey, and mother of New York State. They were married in that State, and Mr. W. still lives there. Mrs. W. died April 20, 1878.
The subject of this sketch was born in Schuyler
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Co., N. Y., May 28, 1854, remained at home until of age, receiving a common- school education and laboring upon his father's farm, and for the several years following he was engaged in the sale of agri- cultural implements, in the State of New York. In the spring of 1882, he came to Michigan and bought 80 acres of partly improved land in Sand Beach Township, where he has since resided. Sixty acres of his land is cleared, and in good arable condition. As to politics, Mr. Wright is identified with the Democratic party.
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He was married in St. Clair, St. Clair Co., Mich., Sept. 28, 1882, to Miss Agnes, daughter of John and Rachel (Jackson) Buchanan. She was born in Ash- land Co., Ohio, April 20, 1856. They have one child, Herbert C., born Aug. 7, 1883.
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lbridge F. Bacon, attorney and insurance agent at Sand Beach, was born May 3, 1850, in Superior Township, Washtenaw Co., Mich., and he is the son of James and Caroline E. (Farrand) Bacon. He attended the common schools until he was 13 years old, when he entered the State Normal School at Ypsi- lanti, and was graduated there in June, 1872. The year following his withdrawal from school, he oper- ated as civil engineer in Wisconsin, in the employ of the Green Bay & Winona Railroad Company. He went thence to Petersburg, Monroe Co., Mich., where he taught school one year. In April, 1874, he came to Port Austin, Huron County, and entered upon the study of law in the office of Richard Winsor, mean- while continuing to operate as Surveyor of Huron County. He discharged the duties of the position two terms in succession,-from 1874 to 1878.
In July 1876, he was admitted to practice in the State Courts of Michigan at Bad Axe, Judge Harris, of Port Huron, presiding. He opened an office at Caseville, Huron County, where he transacted busi- ness one year, coming thence to Port Austin, where he operated one year in company with George S. Engle.
In 1878 he went to Detroit, and passed a year in the law office of John Atkinson. In June, 1879, he
opened his office at Sand Beach, where he has since been vigorously engaged in the prosecution of his business, and has steadily advanced in popularity and position as a lawyer and advocate. Among other prominent cases in which he has won reputa- tion, was that of William Baker, whom he success- fully defended in a charge of murder, securing acquittal on the second trial. (The first resulted in conviction and sentence for life.)
Mr. Bacon is acting for the Hartford (Conn.) In- surance Company, the Michigan Fire & Marine Company, etc.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Bacon has been Village Attorney two years, and is now officiating as Circuit Court Commissioner, and as Justice of the Peace. He erected his resi- dence in 1881, and owns two lots connected there- with, besides one lot in the south part of the village.
His marriage to Clarence Bailey occurred at St. Clair City, May 3, 1881. One daughter, Ruth, was born May 30, 1882, in St. Clair. Mrs. Bacon was born Aug. 15, 1860, in St. Clair, and is the daughter of Charles F. and Lucy (Williams) Bailey.
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