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 32
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Stephen, Mary, James, Jane, Ellen, Charles, Lizzie, Anna, Margaret and Jessie. Two children died in infancy.
Two years subsequent to their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ross emigrated to Canada, settling at first in Hamilton, Ontario, where they were resident seven years. They went thence to Lancaster, Wentworth Co., Ont., and lived there 12 years, removing thence to Michigan in 1870, when they located where they have since resided. They became proprietors, by purchase, of 240 acres of land on section 17, 120 acres on section 8, and 120 acres on section 16 of Bingham Township. The entire acreage was in a wholly wild condition. There were no roads in the vicinity, settlers were more like angels visits,-few and far between,-and he encountered life in the bush in all its variety.
Mr. Ross is the most extensive land-holder in Bingham Township, and has one of the best loca- tions. Nearly all the land is now under cultivation.
He is a member of the Democratic element in politics. He has been Justice of the Peace six years, and is still the incumbent of the office. The family are Presbyterians.
A lexander S. Leszczynski, of the firm of Leszczynski Bros., Sand Beach, dealers in dry goods, notions, hats, caps, boots, shoes, groceries, crockery, glassware, etc., and manu- facturers of furniture, also wholesale dealers in butter, eggs and general farm produce, was born Jan. 12, 1859, in Springwells, Wayne Co., Mich. His parents, Anthony and Anna (Skriba) Leszczynski, were natives of Poland. The father was born there June 17, 1829. He was a stone mason by trade, and came to the United States in 1850. For 12 years preceding his death, he was a merchant in Wyan- dotte, Wayne County. He died from suffocation, Aug. 26, 1876, while asleep in the rooms above his store, which was broken into and fired by burglars about three o'clock in the morning .. The mother is still living. She was born July 28, 1830, and has been the mother of seven children, five of whom are living.
Mr. L., of this sketch, is the fourth child of his
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parents in order of birth. He began to learn the trade of a practical printer when he was 15 years of age, and devoted three years to his apprenticeship. He abandoned the project and became a clerk in a dry-goods store, which occupation engaged his atten- tion between two and three years. In 1880 he em- barked in the grocery and provision business in Detroit, his store being located on the corner of Hastings and Napoleon Streets. He sold the es- tablishment Sept. 1, 1881, coming the same month
to Sand Beach. He formed a partnership with George W. Carr, which ter.ninated Sept. 1, 1883, by the purchase of the interest of Mr. Carr by the brother of the senior member-John M. Leszczynski. The latter is engaged in the manufacture of up- holstered goods, and is preparing to place his prod- ucts upon sale. The brothers are both members of the Polish National Benevolent Society.
Mr. Leszczynski was married April 25, 1882, to Victoria, daughter of Paul Siuda. She was born at Parisville, Huron Co., Mich., Oct. 30, 1859. One son, Joseph F., was born of this union, April 1, 1883.
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ohn Hopson, farmer, section 35, Rubicon Township, was born Aug. 27, 1821, in County Westmeath, Ireland. He has been a. resident of Michigan since 1835, the year in which his parents emigrated to the United States, and also the date of their set- tlement at Detroit. His father was a gunsmith, a blacksmith and a machinist, and had been drilled in his several callings with all the thoroughness which characterizes the training of craftsmen in the old countries. His skill and the needs of the settlers brought him abundant patronage, and his business thrived beyond his most sanguine hopes.
The proclivities of Mr. Hopson of this sketch, in his first youth, inclined towards a professional career, and he entered the office of Dr. Thomas B. Clark, of Detroit, to read for the practice of medi- cine; but the plan was abandoned, and he went to Genesee County to manage a farm which his father had purchased. He remained there about 18
months. After his return to the City of the Straits, he engaged a short time as a carpenter, after which he became a salesman in his brother's store, in which employment he continued about nine years. Meanwhile he had become interested in the lake service, and was the proprietor of three vessels,- the "Matilda," " Woods," and the "Cadet." He was engaged in traffic with the settlers along the lake-side, of whom he bought shingles and shingle " bolts," a branch of business in which he was con- siderably interested about nine years, when he sold his vessels; but he has always retained an interest in vessel property.
He came to Huron County to make a location June 6, 1847. The impelling cause was the im- paired condition of his health, his physicians stren- uously urging the necessity of his pursuing an active life in the open air. Pursuant to this advice, he left Detroit on the steamer "Charter," and was landed in Huron County where Rock Falls is now located. The steamer brought his equipments, which includ- ed a wagon and a pair of steers. Mr. Hopson reached land in a yawl-boat; the steers were pushed overboard and swam ashore.
There were no roads in Huron County. An In- dian trail lay along the lake side, and the woods were traversed in divers directions by the same va- riety of roads. Mr. Hopson drove his steers and wagon over one of these to Sand Beach, where he established himself in gill-net fishing, in company with William Underhill. This was the first expedi- tion with a wagon between the two points named. Mr. Hopson invested $1,900 in the venture, which proved profitable, notwithstanding the fact that fish were very low in price. He pursued the business of fishing three years, at Sand Beach.
In 1850 he decided to engage in other avenues of business in Huron County, and he located at Sharp's Bay, below Rock Falls, where he built a steam saw- mill, now believed to be the first of that character in Huron County. It was destroyed in 1851 by an incendiary fire. Soon after the erection of the mill, he built a frame house at Allen's Creek, where he fixed his residence. Eight months later he returned to Detroit. In 1852 he came to Rubicon Township, where he has since continued to reside. His home- stead contains 400 acres of land, and he owns, be- sides, scattered tracts at other points in the county.
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He is the owner of furnaces at Sand Beach, with a small frame house, which is rented.
Mr. Hopson is one of the most prominent charac- ters in the history of Huron County. When his feet first trod its soil, primeval nature reigned in- tact. No step of the progress of the county has been taken without his observation and interest. He has passed through his ordeals of trial, two epochs which have made this portion of the Penin- sular State historic; and in what he has suffered in the fiery baptisms of 1871 and 1881, his fealty to the home of his early manhood, his life's prime and the advanced period upon which he is entering, has strengthened and been made permanent.
His connection with the local government has ex- isted since he came to the county, which at the date of his settlement was attached to Sanilac County. Before the separation and organization of Huron County, business was transacted at Lexington, and during the existence of that state of things he served one term as Supervisor of Sand Beach. He has been Justice of the Peace for 34 years, includ- ing every year since 1849 save one. He served 18 years as School Director and is now School Assessor.
On his settlement in the county in 1849, he gave his attention to traffic in real estate, traded in shin- gles, and, to further his operations in the latter branch of business, he built shingle-mills at various points. He has always possessed decided temperance principles, which were an offence to the prevalent opinions of that period. They were chiefly in favor of free whisky, and the devotees of that stamp wrought their revenge on him by burning his mills.
Richard Hopson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Aug. 7, 1777, in Ireland. He mar- ried Catherine Anderson, a native of Scotland. Seven of their children were living at the time the family emigrated to the United States in 1835. Five are still living. At the family re-union, Aug. 9, 1884, all were present save one brother. A remarkable fact concerning the family is that Aug. 7 is the birthday of the father and also of two sons. The former died in Detroit, Dec. 26, 1841. The decease of the mother occurred at the same place, in Septem- ber, 1842.
Mr. Hopson was married July 7, 1851, in the city of New York, to Susan Journeaux. Four children have been born of this marriage, as follows: Mary
Jane was born May 18, 1852, and died March 12, 1858, at her father's home in Rubicon Township Albert J. was born Oct. 19, 1853, in Detroit ; Thomas Edgar was born Feb. 3, 1860, and died Aug. 4, 1881 ; Ella Jane was born Sept. 29, 1861. The two last- named children were born in Rubicon Township. Mrs. Hopson was born Aug. 3, 1827, in the city of New York, and is the daughter of Phillip and Mary (Lockwood) Journeaux. Their family included two daughters and a son. The latter is deceased. The sister of Mrs. Hopson is a resident of Jersey City.
The experiences of Mr. Hopson und family in the fire of 1881 deserve the distinction of a para- graph. On the fifth day of September the hungry fiend pressed close to their home, and nightfall found the entire household stationed at various points on the premises, equipped for active service, as the exi- gency demanded. The same convulsion of the wind which followed the march of the flames with terrific fierceness, and which filled the people of the burnt districts, already worn out with the long continued nervous strain, with a terror two dreadful for words, came suddenly upon the scene. The midday hour had just passed, when a storm-cloud came from the northwest, unroofed the barn, and in its circular sweep caught Mrs. Hopson, who held in her arms a bundle of clothing she was endeavoring to save, off her feet, whirled her about in the air, and she fell unconscious to the ground. Her side was severely bruised, and she was injured internally, but has since recovered. The family succeeded in protecting their house.
The fire of Oct. 9, 1871, destroyed everything but his dwelling, the loss including mills, barns, fences, and valuable timber, also cattle, sheep and hogs. It is a remarkable occurrence that at the same time his brother, who was doing business in Chicago, was burned out in that great fire, losing about $150,000 !
The first meeting of Mr. Hopson with W. R. Stafford, was an event which has been the source of much amusement for years. They encountered each other in one of the unfrequented paths on the shore of the lake, a sharp turn making their meeting abrupt. There was a lawless condition of affairs prevalent, the trails being infested by a set of desper- adoes who accosted travelers with demands for money. Mr. Stafford and Mr. Hopson glared at each other a few minutes, and the former drew an old
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horse pistol. As Mr. Hopson exhibited no belliger- ent manifestations, and it being evident that each individual cherished only the intent to preserve him- self from injury, without inflicting harm or loss on the other, a conversation followed which resulted in the establishment of a friendship which has since been without shadow, save in difference of opinion on political events, Mr. Hopson being a Republican of a radical kind, while Mr. Stafford is a Democrat.
A portrait of Mr. Hopson is given in connection with this sketch, which gives it a completeness not otherwise attainable, and which doubtless will be welcomed by all readers in the collection of this ALBUM.
homas B. Woodworth, Prosecuting Attor- ney of Huron County, residing at Caseville, was born Oct. 2, 1841, in Rose Township, Wayne Co., N. Y., and is the son of Stephen E. and Rachel (Bell) Woodworth. His father is of English descent, and was born in 1815, and is now a resident of Champagne Co., Ill. He has been a merchant all his life. The mother was born in 1822, and died July 20, 1845. She was of Irish parentage. Both parents were born in New York.
Mr. Woodworth was but four years of age when his mother died, and he went to live with his grand- father Bell, in Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he remained until he attained his majority. He obtained his early education at the common schools of New York, and later was sent to the seminary at Cazenovia, where he was graduated in 1861. He then became a farmer on his own responsibility, and continued in that line of business until 1867, the year of his re- moval to Caseville. He interested himself in lum- bering, in which he passed three years, and in 1870 was elected County Surveyor, in which position he officiated several years. He also served as Super- visor from 1868 to 1875 inclusive. In 1876 he was elected on the Republican ticket to represent his district in the Legislature of Michigan, and in the same year was admitted to the Bar of Michigan. He was elected to his present official position in 1882.
Mr. Woodworth was married Oct. 6, 1864, to Ger- trude M. Smith, and they have five children : Philip B. was born Oct. 19, 1865 ; Paul, Sept. 3, 1869; Robert S., May 9, 1872 ; Frederick L., Jan. 8, 1877 ; Gertrude E., Nov. . 12, 1878. The mother is the daughter of Philip M. and Harriet (Nichols) Smith. She was graduated at Cazenovia Seminary in 1862, and, with her husband, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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clinton D. Gage, farmer, section 9, Bloom- field Township, was born March 6, 1857, in Orleans Co., N. Y. His parents, James W. and Cordelia F. (Merrick) Gage, reside with him in Bloomfield Township. His father was born Feb. 27, 1823, in Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y., and, although he is a practical farmer, he is a music teacher by profession, and still pursues it as a vocation. His mother was born Sept. 10, 1825, at Portage, Allegany Co., N. Y.
The parents were married in the Empire State, and in 1867 removed to Canada, where the father pursued his profession three years, removing thence to Detroit, Mich. A year later the family removed to Huron County. They took possession of their farm May 10, 1875. The place contained 80 acres, and was wholly unimproved. About 50 acres have been placed in a tillable condition.
Both father and son are of Republican principles. The former has served five years as Justice of the Peace, and as School Inspector; the latter has also held local offices.
Mr. Gage was married May 10, 1876, to Nellie Sayre. Four children have been born to them : Ella M., Jan. 19, 1878; William D., Sept. 26, 1879; James Garfield, March 4, 1881 ; Carroll E., Jan. 23, 1883. Mrs. Gage is the daughter of William Ira and Rachel (Laidlaw) Sayre.
The family of Mr. Gage, Senior, comprised two children, the subject of this sketch and a daughter, Ella. She died Oct. 18, 1871, at Grand Haven, Mich., and was 22 years of age.
In the fire of Sept. 5, 1881, the experiences of the Gage family were of a type comparatively less terri-
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ble than those of many others, and their losses com- paratively slight. They lost no cattle, but two hogs perished in the flames. They were enveloped in smoke so dense as to mislead them in relation to the extent and ravages of the fire; and, supposing their own house to be burning, they left it, and, wetting a heavy woolen carpet, they saved their lives by get- ting under it. As the smoke lifted, they discovered that the house of Mr. McGregor was not burned, and, being seen in turn, Mr. McG.'s family also took refuge under the carpet.
illiam H. Perrin, a land-holder in the Huron Peninsula, resides at Clinton, Huron Co., Ont. He is heavily interested in Canadian lands, and on personal exami- nation, became satisfied of the feasibility and practicability of agricultural investments in Michigan, as land of equal quality with that of Canada could be bought much cheaper. He pur- chased 500 acres in Elmer Township, Sanilac County, of which he continues to hold 200 acres, 120 acres of which is improved, is under cultivation and rented on shares. He has sold 300 acres to men in his em- ployment, whom he has assisted in locating. He owns 320 acres of land in Oliver Township, Huron County, to the management of which he gives his personal attention. Of this tract 200 acres are in tillage.
The Canadian land interests of Mr. Perrin include 40 acres in Clinton, where he resides, a fine farm of 100 acres in Huron County, and 640 acres in Beadle County. Of the latter, 200 acres are improved. All the tillable lands are rented on shares.
Mr. Perrin was brought up on a farm. At the age of 18 years he began to buy grain. He owned a grist-mill and a saw-mill in Stratford, Perth Co., Ont., which he managed four years, and afterward gave his attention exclusively to buying grain. He continued that branch of traffic 10 years, in the in- terests of August Girard, of Montreal, and after that operated in his own behalf, in the same direction, until 1883, when he determined to prosecute his agricultural interests. He was, for many years, the
most extensive exporter of grain in the Dominion, loading sometimes 400 cars daily for transportation on the Grand Trunk & Canada Railroad. His points of foreign shipment were Liverpool, London and Edinburg.
Mr. Perrin was born in Brantford, Ontario, Aug. 15, 1832. His father, David Perrin, was a native of Connecticut, and the son of Thomas Perrin, one of the most prominent settlers of Brant Co., Ont. The latter erected the first mill built in Western Canada, in the closing years of the 18th century. He built two mills for the celebrated Indian Chief, Joseph Brant, for which he received a tract of 2,000 acres of land, under a lease of 99 years, from Brant himself, and which was made perpetual by the Government. The mother and a brother of Mr. Perrin reside on a part of the original acreage, holding respectively 200 and 100 acres, situated in and near Mount Pleasant, Brant County. One of the mills constructed for Brant (Thayendanaga), near Brantford, comprised a saw-mill, grist-mill and distillery, and was burned in the war of 1812. Thomas Perrin was a Colonel in the British army, and took a prominent part in the second struggle between Great Britain and the Amer- ican Colonies. Brant was one of the most powerful coadjutors of the English government in the war of the Revolution, but his splendid traits of character were manifested in the influence he exerted after the close of the war in the restoration and maintenance of peace. He possessed fine intellectual accom- plishments, was the secretary of Gen. Johnson, and assisted in the compilation of text books of the Mo- hawk language. David Perrin married Charlotte McMullen, a native of Nova Scotia, and a descend- ant from a Pennsylvania family. He died in 1855, at Mt. Pleasant. The mother is still living there, as stated.
Mr. Perrin maintains his residence at Clinton, in Brant County, where he has erected a fine business building, of brick, two stories in height, containing a bank and four stores. He also owns three dwellings besides his own handsome residence in the town. He is a communicant in the established Church of England.
His marriage to Matilda M. Lincoln took place at Clinton, Ont., Aug. 14, 1859. She was born in London, Eng., and died at Clinton, leaving two children : William G., a clerk in the employment of
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the Grand Trunk Railroad Company, and Matilda M., an accomplished young lady, and a graduate of the Literary Department of Helmouth College, at London, Ont. She is at the head of the domestic department of her father's household.
Although Mr. Perrin is a Canadian by birth and training, he entertains a favorable opinion of the States, especially of the localities where he has busi- ness interests.
June 29, 1881, while traveling between Duluth and St. Paul, the train was derailed, and Mr. Perrin sustained injuries from which he was confined two months at the Merchants' Hotel, St. Paul.
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eorge Brown, farmer and surveyor, resi- dent on section 8, Dwight Township, was born Oct. 16, 1829, in Niagara Co., N. Y. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Shaw) Brown, natives and life-long residents of the State of New York.
Mr. Brown remained under the instructions and guidance of his parents until the period of his majority. On attaining to the · independence of manhood he interested himself in the calling of a carpenter, in which vocation he was engaged several years at various places.
In 1864 he enlisted in the 169th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and remained in the Union service about six months.
In July; 1865, he came to Huron County, and bought the place where he has since resided, includ- ing 120 acres of timbered land, situated in Dwight Township. He has since disposed of 40 acres, and of the remaining 80 acres has cleared and cultivated 70 acres. He cleared the first piece of land and built the first shanty in Bad Axe.
Mr. Brown is a member of the National Greenback party. He has been County Surveyor two years, Treasurer six years, and Justice of the Peace about two terms.
His marriage to Henrietta Wharrman occurred in November, 1856. Of this union ten children have been born, six of whom survive. Their names are Addison A., Frank, Charles, Herbert, Alfred, Henri-
etta and Minnie. Two children died unnamed in infancy. Mrs. Brown was born June 13, 1838, in Ontario.
lin Pengra, attorney at Sebewaing, was born Oct. 19, 1847, in Seneca Co., N. Y. His father, Eleazer Pengra, is a native of Ver- mont, and married Elizabeth Riggs, who was born in England. After their marriage they settled in the State of New York, where the mother died. The father removed to Pennsylvania, where he has since resided. Six of their children attained adult age,-Charles W., Lydia J., Moses M., Mary, Olin and Emma.
Mr. Pengra was an attendant at the common schools until he was 15 years of age. In the closing year of the war he enlisted in the 98th Pa. Vol. Inf., and served four months. In 1865 he became a stu- dent at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. After pursuing a course of study for two years, he was compelled by failing health to abandon the life of a student for the time being. He spent a year on his father's farm, and in 1867, in company with Salvadore Slocum, he came to Goodrichville, Gene- see Co., Mich., where they established a trade in drugs and groceries. In 1868 Mr. Pengra sold his interest and bought 80 acres of land in Almer, Tus- cola County. He carried on his agricultural project four years, but found it unprofitable and sold out. He engaged in teaching in Caseville, Huron County, where he continued to operate in that avenue of busi- ness three and a half years. In the fall of 1875 he came to Sebewaing and taught the village school five years. In 1874 he began the study of law, and he continued to read for that profession during the period of his teaching. In January, 1878, he was admitted to the Bar of Michigan, and in the summer of 1880 opened his practice at Sebewaing. He has since prosecuted the business of an attorney, with success. In the fall of 1882 he was elected Repre- sentative of Huron County, defeating the opposition candidate by 556 majority. He has officiated three years as a member of the School Board, and as In- spector and Superintendent. He has been Attorney
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of the village since its organization. He is a Repub- lican in political principle.
Mr. Pengra was married Dec. 15, 1868, to Frances L. Davis. Their four surviving children were born as follows: Orville O., Dec. 19, 1869; James O., Aug. 16, 1873; Irene, Aug. 28, 1878; Emma E., Aug. 7, 1882. Glen, Clare, Frank and an unnamed infant are deceased. Mrs. Pengra was born June 24, 1850, in the State of New York, and is the daugh- ter of Philip and Olive (Harrington) Davis. Her parents are natives of the Empire State.
On a preceding page is given a lithographic portrait of Mr. Pengra.
ohn Greyerbiehl, farmer and stockman, section 6, Paris Township, was born Jan. 20, 1832, in the territory of Alsace, on the River Rhine, then belonging to France. He was less than two years of age when his parents came to Ontario (in 1833), where his father and mother. both died. He became a mason by trade, which was the calling of his father, and which he pursued for 16 years, in Waterloo Co., Ont.
He came to Huron Co., Mich., in the spring of 1861, and made a purchase of 160 acres of land, to which he added 80 acres by later purchase. He has placed 180 acres of his farm under excellent im- provement, and has a valuable and attractive home, and two frame barns. He is independent in political connection.
His marriage to Mary A. Bish occurred in Febru- ary, 1861, in Waterloo Co., Ont. She was born Jan. 19, 1843, in the same county, and died in Paris Township, Sept. 26, 1882. She possessed a lovely and amiable character, and is remembered for her many estimable qualities by those among whom she lived in the days of the early settlement, enduring with them the privations of the pioneer period, and to whom she became endeared through mutual sym- pathy. She was the mother of 12 children, two of whom, Peter and Ottilia, are deceased. Those living are named Mary, Catherine, Henry, Joseph, Rosa,
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