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 30
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advanced cultivation and in a comparatively valu- able condition, 200 acres being improved and arable. Mr. Martin assisted his father in the management of the place until he was 20 years of age, when he assumed entire charge and continued its manage- ment on shares five years. In 1881 he became its proprietor by purchase. Its location and general ap- pearance is desirable, and it is supplied with good orchards, excellent farm buildings and fixtures gen- erally. He was born in Scott, Ontario Co., Can., Oct. 2, 1856.
Mr. Martin was married Nov. 13, 1877, in Tyre, Sanilac Co., Mich., to Anna Ried. Of this union three children have been born, on the farm, namely: Nellie R., Oct. 1, 1878; Herbert T., April, 1880; Wealthy, Dec. 24, 1881. Mrs. Martin was born Oct. 21, 1857, in Forestville, Sanilac Co., Mich., and is the daughter of Timothy and Wealthy (Lake) Ried.
Mr. Martin is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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Christian F. Schlegelmilch, known as the pioneer miller of Huron County, proprie- tor of the Port Crescent flouring mills, was born Feb. 20, 1824, in Prussia. His father and mother, John and Mary M. (Brown) Schlegelmilch, were also natives of Prussia, where his father pursued the career of a miller and died in 1836, aged 43 years. The mother died at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874, aged 72 years.
Mr. S. was the eldest of his parents' children, and, though but 12 years of age when his father died, was active manager of the mill, which remained in his mother's charge. It was afterwards sold. When he was 20 years of age he entered the regular army of Germany, the 12th Cav. Reg., where he served three years, receiving on his discharge the complimentary commendations of the officers of his command.
He came to America in 1849, landing at Quebec. He proceeded thence up the lakes to Buffalo and to Cleveland, Ohio, going later to Rochester, N. Y., where he found his brother. He was informed that he could obtain a position in a flouring-mill in the Province of Ontario, and accordingly he returned to the Dominion and resumed the occupation to which
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he had been bred, and in which he continued five years.
At the expiration of that time he came to Port Huron, Mich., where he engaged in ship-building, a branch of labor which he had before pursued with profit. He afterwards came to Lexington, Sanilac County, where he spent three years in the mills of Nicholas Wolfel, his son Albert, now deceased, operating as engineer.
He came to Port Crescent in 1866, then in its extreme infancy, there being but a few settlers in the vicinity, and the country being chiefly unbroken forest, with wild animals in abundance. He took a reflective view of the situation and prospects, and determined to build a grist-mill near the mouth of the Pinnebog River, which project he carried into execution, and is still operating a mill at the same place. It runs by steam power, and has a capacity of 100 barrels of flour daily. Three months after the first mill was erected it was burned to the ground, but he immediately rebuilt the structure. His mill is one of the best in the county of its kind. He owns four improved village lots, and 280 acres of farming land in Hume and Meade Townships. In 1883 he sustained a loss of $3,000 through the de- struction by fire of a barn and its contents; in 1881, he also suffered loss.
Mr. Schlegelmilch is a Democrat, and has held various official positions, In the spring of 1884, he was elected Justice of the Peace; has also served two years as Highway Commissioner.
His marriage to Elizabeth Dilling took place Feb. 27, 1850, in Bowmanville, Darlington Township, Durham Co., Ont. Four children were born to them, as follows : Albert, Jan. 7, 1851; Julius, Nov. 2, 1853; Mary M., Aug. 26, 1860; Frederick W., Oct. 26, 1862. The eldest daughter was married Aug. 5, 1881, to Joseph West, book-keeper for Bennett Has- kell, of Port Crescent. Frederick is a teacher of ability and reputation. Albert was married Jan. 19, 1873, to Nickolena Nelson, and died Nov. 6, 1881, in Meade Township, leaving five children.
Mrs. Schlegelmilch is the daughter of Andrew and Ann (Westlake) Dilling. Her parents were of Eng- lish origin and members of the agricultural class, who emigrated to Ontario in 1843. The father died in Bowmanville in 1880, aged 82 years. The mother died in September, 1862, aged 55 years. Mrs. S. is
the second of a family of eight children, and was born May 26, 1833, in Northlew, Devonshire, England. She was 12 years of age when the family removed to Ontario, and she received a good educa- tion. She is a woman of superior character, and has a broad influence in the community where she re- sides. The family attend the Lutheran Church, under whose influences Mr. S. was brought up. His wife was reared under the teachings of the English Church.
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ames G. Grice, of the firm of Grice & Sons, proprietors of the flouring-mill known as the "Verona Grist-mill," was born Sept. 23, 1821, in Lancashire, Eng. He is the son of William and Mary S. (Ormandy) Grice, who were also natives of England.
At the age of 13 years, Mr. Grice was apprenticed to learn the business of an engineer and mechanic, at which he served three years. By 1828 he fulfilled his term of indenture, and he was then employed as a blacksmith by the Liverpool & Manchester Rail- road Company, in whose service he continued several years. His next business was as engineer in an iron mine for a short time, when he resumed his former occupation.
He was married in Ulverstone, Lancashire, Eng., Dec. 25, 1839, to Jane, daughter of William and Jane Mason. She was born Feb. 20, 1818, in Wigton, Cumberland, Eng. Seven of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Grice are living : William M. is a resident of Lexington, Sanilac County ; Mary is the wife of John Ballentine, of Bad Axe; Joseph is the foreman of the Government Works at Sand Beach; Jane is the wife of J. G. Puddock, foreman of the Huron Dairy Salt Company; Benjamin is a member of the firm of Grice & Sons, as is the next son, James P. (see sketch); Richard is engaged as a clerk with J. Ballentine at Bad Axe. Charles, the youngest child, was killed near the present site of Weckersville, Montana, on the night of Dec. 3, 1881. He was in the employ of a lumber firm at that point, and, during a terrific rain-storm, sought shelter, with seven others, in a cabin roofed with sods, which,
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becoming weighted with the descending water, fell and crushed him. He was the only one killed in the party.
Mr. Grice came to the United States in 1850 and went to Windsor, Conn., Aug. 8. He worked at his trade there five years, and came thence to Forester, Sanilac Co., Mich., to take a position as engineer in a saw-mill. He built a shingle-mill at Sand Beach, which he managed about five years. After residing there 13 years, he moved to Verona, in 1882, and built the flour mill which they are at present run- ning. Mr. G. also owns a quarter section of land a third of a mile northwest of Sand Beach; and also a fine residence, with 12 acres, in connection with his mill at Verona. For two years he was interested, in company with his son, J. P., in a salt block at Port Hope.
A lithographic portrait of Mr. Grice adorns the pages of this ALBUM, being given near the beginning of this sketch.
S. Johnson, foreman in the lumber yard of F. Crawford at Caseville, was born Dec. 30, 1847, in Lorain Co., Ohio, and is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Lang) Johnson. The parents are still residents in that county. At the age of 15 years Mr. Johnson enlisted in the Union service of the United States. He enrolled in Company H, 43d Ohio Volunteer Veterans. The regiment was assigned to the command of Gen. H. A. Hubert, 16th Army Corps, and Fourth Division, under Gen. Dodge. In the spring of 1864 he was transferred to the First Division, 17th Army Corps, under Gen. F. P. Blair ; Gen. Morrow, Division Com- mander. The Second Brigade was commanded by Gen. John W. Sprague, of Huron Co., Ohio.
Mr. Johnson served in the ranks until the fall of Atlanta, when he was detailed as an Orderly on the staff of Gen. Sprague, and continued to perform the duties of the position until he received his discharge. He did not miss an engagement while he was in the service, and was in the hospital but about four hours, while suffering from the effects of heat. May 1, 1864, his regiment joined Sherman's army at Chattanooga.
The first battle in which he was under fire was at Decatur, Ala. At the fight at Resaca he sustained a slight wound in the flesh above the left knee joint. The blood filled his shoe, but he did not fall out. He participated in the succeeding battles of Dallas, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach-Tree Creek, where he aided in removing E. F. Noyes, then Colonel of the 39th Ohio, from the field. Col. Noyes lost his life as a result of his wound, but he gained the stars of a General. Mr. Johnson was also in action at Atlanta when Gen. Hood was in command of the rebel troops.
On receiving, his discharge he returned to Lorain Co., Ohio. He was married Feb. 18, 1867, to Clara Case, and they are the parents of six children: Nel- lie, born Aug. 15, 1869; Ellen A., Jan. 2, 1872; Thomas, Feb. 21, 1875 ; Leonard, June 24, 1877; Nancy, Jan. 1, 1880; Frank, June 17, 1884. Mrs. Johnson was born Sept. 24, 1847, in Racine Co., Wis., and is the daughter of Seymour and Roxana (Moon) Case. Her parents reside in Crawford Co., Mich., where her father is in the lumber business.
Mr. Johnson removed his family in 1869 from Lo- rain Co., Ohio, to Saginaw City, where he operated five years as an engineer, in the employ of G. F. Williams & Bros. He was engaged in a blast fur- nace in Ohio. In March, 1874, he removed from Saginaw to Caseville, and entered the employ where he has since been engaged, and is now opera- ting as a scaler and shipper of lumber and salt. He is a Democrat, and has served two years as Deputy- Sheriff. He is now (1884) filling his fourth term as Township Clerk.
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ames Curran, foreman of the salt blocks of F. Crawford, at Caseville, was born Dec. I, 1845, at Kingston, Can., and is the son of John and Matilda Curran. His father was born in 1806, and was a sailor and pilot on the St. Lawrence River. His mother was born about the same year and is the second wife. Both parents are yet living, in Oswego, N. Y.
Mr. Curran is the oldest child of the second family of his father. He engaged in the service of
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the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River when he was 13 years of age, and followed that calling until manhood. After leaving the life of a waterman, he engaged in a brewery at Kingston, Canada, with G. W. Creighton, and acted as foreman of the establish- ment about four years. He came thence to Sagi- naw, Mich., where he learned the salt business, and two years later came to Caseville, reaching that place in July, 1871, and immediately entered upon the discharge of the duties of his present position. He is the manager of three salt blocks belonging to Mr. Crawford. The daily product is 300 barrels every 24 hours, and two sets of hands are employed. Five wells are connected with the works, three of which are at present in operation. The wells are 1,765 feet in depth. All the barrels utilized in the salt busi- ness at Caseville are manufactured in connection with other branches of the business. Mr. Curran owns 200 acres of land on section 7, and has im- proved 80 acres. The place is supplied with an excellent residence, and three good barns.
Mr. Curran was married in April, 1870, to Agnes Morrison, and they have been the parents of seven children, born as follows : Agnes M., July 29, 1871 ; Sylvester, Feb. 17, 1873; Birt, Oct. 5, 1875 ; Rubena, March 22, 1877 (died 15th of April, 1879); James W., May 17, 1879; Jeannette, March 22, 1881 ; Arthur, June 11, 1883. Mrs. Curran is the daughter of Robert and Harriet Morrison, both of Caseville. Mr. Curran is a member of the Republican element in politics.
harles McMillan, farmer, section 29, Paris Township, was born in June, 1827, in Kentyre, Scotland. His father, Alexander McMillan, was a farmer in his native land, and held the office of Poormaster many years. He died in Scotland in 1848, aged about 65 years. Ann (Shaw) McMillan, the mother, was of unmixed Scottish origin, and died in Ontario in 1863. She was 73 years of age at the time of her decease. Mr. McMillan received a good education in his native country. His father designed that he should
enter the ministry, and his early education was planned accordingly. But he felt little inclination for the vocation, and ceased his studies after he had accomplished a considerable portion of the prepara- tory education. When he was 24 years of age, ac- companied by his eldest brother, he emigrated to Canada and made a location in Elgin Co., Ont., where he purchased 200 acres of land, and devoted his time and abilities to dealing in stock. After five years of effort in that avenue of business, he sold the place with the purpose of returning to Scotland, but before his plans were perfected, he entered a matrimonial scheme which nullified all other proj- ects. The friends of the lady being located in Michigan, he turned his thoughts in the direction of the Peninsular State, whither he came in 1859. He located where he has since resided and operated as an agriculturist, securing a claim of 120 acres of land. He set forth to make his way thither from Forestville, Sanilac County, by a route indicated only by "blazed " trees, and 12 miles in extent. He was the first permanent settler in this part of the township, a fact which demonstrates the character of his resolute energy to fulfill a purpose, as many others had made previous attempts only to return altogether to their old homes, or to make another attempt to locate in a region that promised less of privation and hardship.
Mr. McMillan is now the proprietor of 480 acres of land, including more than 300 acres under excel- lent cultivation. The improvements have all been made under his personal supervision, and are of the best type. He has given much attention to raising stock, and has made a specialty of Durham cattle. He is a Republican in political connection, and has always been active in local and general politics. He has held the office of Supervisor about 20 years, be- ginning with the third term after the organization of the township, and holding the position until he de- clined a further re-election.
He was married April 4, 1859, in Elgin Co., Ont., to Mary Shaw, and they have had nine children- Archibald, Alexander, Charles, Campbell, John, Daniel, Dugald, Ann and Catherine. The last born is deceased.
Mrs. McMillan was born in August, 1837, in Scot- land. She is the daughter of Charles and Douglass (Bruce) Shaw, and in 1855 accompanied her parents to Ontario, where her father died, in 1859. Her
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mother was an inmate of her home in Paris Town- ship until the terrible period of flame and fire in 1871, when the house and all its contents were de- stroyed. Mr. McMillan was absent, and his family, consisting of his mother-in-law, five little children, and his wife with an infant ten hours old, passed alive through that terrible period. No pen can ade- quately describe the situation. Mrs. Shaw was so badly burned that she died in consequence. Mrs. McMillan, with her baby and five other children, crept into a root house, where they passed the most desolate hours of their lives, the night of the 9th of October, 1871, all being nearly exhausted from the heat and smoke. The heroic endurance of the young mother shows how strong and lasting is the element of true courage in her line of ancestral descent on her mother's side, where the name of Douglass Bruce perpetuated those of the royal champion of Scotland, and of his friend to whom the illustrious Robert com- mitted his heart, and whom he enjoined to carry it for burial to the Holy Land. The legend relates that the faithful Douglass, true to his commission, fought his way toward Palestine, flinging before him into the midst of the Saracens, the heart of Bruce, and fighting up to it until he accomplished his pur- pose.
rederick Schmitt, farmer, section 17, Seb- ewaing Township, was born Aug. 30, 1847, in Germany. Leonhard and Margaret (Herbert) Schmitt, his parents, were natives of Germany, and emigrated in 1850 to the United States. They settled at Bay City, where the father died. The mother died at Sebewaing. John, Margaret, George, Frederick and Katherina are the names of their children.
Mr. Schmitt came to this country with his parents, and has been a resident of Sebewaing since 1851. After the death of his father, his mother married John Gruenbeck, and on the death of the latter he became the possessor of 80 acres of land, situated on section 17, to which he has added by purchase until he owns 154 acres. Of this he has II0 acres under improvement. He is a Republican in politi- cal sentiment.
His marriage to Louisa Beck, widow of Gotlieb Auch, occurred Nov. 9, 1874; at Sebewaing, and they have four children,-William F., John J., Ferdinand H. and Martha M. S. Mrs. Schmitt is the daughter of Gotfried and Mary Beck. Her first husband died at Sebewaing. She had one child, Theodore T., by her first marriage. She was born March 14, 1849, in Washtenaw Co., Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitt are members of the Lutheran Church.
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ichael Hauselmann, farmer, section 32, Sherman Township, was born in Wurtem- burg, June 9, 1836. His father, Geo. M. Hauselmann, was a native of Germany, of German parentage, where he was a farmer. The family came to this country in 1852 and settled in Norfolk Co., Ont., where the father died, July 24, 1852, aged 61 years. The mother, Barbara Hauselmann, was also a native of Wurtemburg, the residence of the family until their removal to On- tario, Can., and after her husband's death removed with her son to Huron County, and is still an inmate of his home. She is 82 years of age. Their family included five children, three of whom are living.
Mr. Hauselmann was 16 years of age when his parents left their native country, and he remained in Canada after the death of his father seven years. He obtained a good education in Germany, and the care of his mother and a younger brother devolved upon him when the natural protector of the family had been removed.
Mr. Hauselmann is one of the earliest settlers of Sherman Township, where he located before its organization. He became the proprietor of 60 acres of land in Sherman Township, in 1859, of which he took possession immediately after his marriage. He was a member of the town board of organization, and the privilege of naming the township was ac- corded to him. He had a high regard and opinion of General Sherman and his character, and selected his name to be perpetuated on the Huron peninsula, more especially in honor of Sherman's achievements in that year,-1862. Mr. Hauselmann served as the
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first Supervisor of the township, and held the posi- tion 13 consecutive years. He has been Township Clerk six years, and has held the incumbency of Justice of the Peace 23 years. He is also County Superintendent of the Poor, and is serving his ninth term in that office. He is a Democrat, and is con- sidered a straightforward and reliable citizen.
He now owns 140 acres of valuable land, a large proportion of which is improved and fitted with creditable farm fixtures.
His marriage occurred Oct. 25, 1859, to Margaret Kaufman. No children have been born to them, but they have adopted a son and a daughter- Henry and Anna. Mrs. Hauselmann is the daugh- ter of Michael and Barbara (Etzel) Kaufman, natives of Germany. They emigrated to Ontario in 1855, and six years later came thence to Michigan, where they died, aged 58 and 56 years respectively. The daughter was born Aug. 12, 1841, in Wurtemburg, and was educated in the public schools of her native country. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.
redrick Schilling, one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers of the township of Sebewaing, was born Feb. 7, 1808, in Germany. His parents, Peter and Julia A. Schilling, came to the United States in 1817, and located at Baltimore, Md. They were wholly ignorant of the English language and of the ways and customs, and the entire family, consisting of the parents and two children, Frederick and Catherine, were sold into slavery in Maryland, where they were held for a time and were finally transferred to Williamsport, Pa. Their bondage continued about 18 months, and they escaped from Pennsylvania to Livingston Co., N. Y., making their way thither by stealth, begging their food and pass- ing three days of the time without anything to eat. They remained in the Empire State about II years, when they came to Washtenaw County, Mich., where the parents passed the remainder of their lives.
Mr. Schilling came to Huron County in 1857, and located 400 acres of land in Sebewaing Township.
His residence has been there ever since, and his present home is with his daughter Helena. He was married in 1832, in Washtenaw County, to Catherine Miller, and they had 10 children,-Catherine, Mary, John, Christine, Lydia, Louisa, Gottfried, Ernst, Caroline and Helena.
Mr. Schilling is a Democrat. He was the first Supervisor of Sebewaing Township, and held the position altogether 14 years. He has also officiated several years as Notary Public, and a short time as Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Lu- theran Church.
F. Leipprandt, farmer, section 13, Case- ville Township, is also a merchant, and the Postmaster of Hayes postoffice, which is located on his farm. He was born May 5, 1835, in Wurtemburg, Germany, and is the son of John F. and Dora (Hennes) Leipprandt. His father was born about the year 1800, and died in his native land, in 1878. His mother is still living on the homestead in the " Fader- land," with another son. She was born Jan. 16, 1810.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native country, and came to the United States when he was 17 years of age. He proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he obtained employment in a furniture factory, and continued in that situation three years. He went thence to New Bremen, Ohio, where he was engaged as a millwright, his trades of wheelwright and cabinet-maker, which he had learned of his father, rendering it easy for him to secure employment. He afterwards bought a flour- ing mill at La Crescent, Houston Co., Minn., which he managed two years. While there he was con- verted to Christianity, and after two years he sold his mill and became a circuit-rider of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the fall of 1870 he came to Caseville and bought the farm on which he has since resided.
He was married Aug. 6, 1856, to Engel M. D. Hoffschmidt, and they are the parents of six chil- dren, born as follows : J. William, Sept. 11, 1857 ;
or
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Edwin C., Sept 14, 1859; Charles W., Nov. 1, 1861 ; Lydia C. F., April 2, 1864; Violet D., Feb. 3, 1879. Their mother was born Dec. 25, 1837, in Hanover, Germany. Her father, Henry Hoffschmidt, died in Wisconsin ; her mother is living in Plymouth, Wis.
Mr. Leipprandt is a Republican in political affilia- tion. He has served as Justice of the Peace ever since he has been a resident of Caseville ; has been Clerk two terms and filled a vacancy one term as Su- pervisor.
He is one of the substantial and reliable citizens of Huron County. His farm includes 140 acres of land under cultivation, and his residence is one of the finest in the Huron peninsula. It is fitted with steam-heating apparatus, bath-room, with hot and cold water, and various other modern appliances. The farm has four excellent frame barns. On the place is a valuable brick yard, with all necessary fix- tures, the machine run by steam. The producing capacity is 10,000 brick daily. One foot below the stratum of clay he is working, lies a bed of material equal to that used in the celebrated Milwaukee brick. The proprietor has been engaged in a mer- cantile enterprise on his farm since 1874, transacting his business in that avenue in a store in front of his house. He keeps the assortment of articles suited to his patronage, and expects in the immediate fu- ture to transfer his mercantile affairs to Berne, three and a half miles distant, and located on the railroad at a point south of Caseville. He was educated at the College of Leichtenstern, Wurtemburg, Germany.
The publishers are happy to place in this volume a portrait of the above-mentioned worthy gentleman. It is given on a preceding page near this sketch.
ames Harvey, deceased, a former resident on section 23, Chandler Township, was born Dec. 6, 1829, in Kings County, Ire- land. His parents, Joseph and Catherine (Fisher) Harvey, were of Irish origin. The father dying when the son was but six years old, left the latter wholly in the charge of his mother until the age of 14 years, when he was ap- prenticed to a blacksmith. He found it a distaste-
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