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 36
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In the same year of his marriage, Mr. Vogl be- came the proprietor of 140 acres of land by deed of gift from his father, of which 100 acres is still in his possession. Nearly the entire tract is under cultiva- tion. The place is enhanced in value and improved in appearance by several splendid barns and an elegant residence which has just been completed, at
Janus Ryan
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a cost of $2,000. Mr. Vogel is a practical and skillful farmer and stock-raiser, and is engaged, as a specialty, in raising Durham cattle.
Mr. Vogl is a Democrat in political views and connections. He has been Justice of the Peace eight years and a member of the Township Board nine years.
The family are Roman Catholics.
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ames Ryan, proprietor of the Port Austin Hotel, and also of the White Ash Grove breeding farm, was born May 1, 1835, in County Tipperary, Ireland, and is the son of John and Mary Ryan. He was seven years old when his parents emigrated from the Green Isle to Canada, where the father bought a farm, near the city of Ottawa. Not long after they removed to a farm in Huron County, Ont.
Mr. Ryan was thoroughly trained in agricultural knowledge, and when he was 17 years old became the proprietor of 100 acres of land, which was in a natural state and covered with heavy timber. On this he operated until he had cleared 66 acres and erected thereon good buildings, set out orchards and put the farm in a promising condition.
He left Canada in the fall of 1861 and came to Port Austin, where he purchased the piece of ground now constituting the site of the hotel. He erected a small building for the purpose of hotel-keeping, in which he transacted business until 1868, the year of the construction of the Port Austin House. The former structure is still in existence and is occupied by a tenant.
Mr. Ryan was the proprietor of a stage route be- tween Port Huron and Bay City 1 1 years, and from Port Austin to Bad Axe four years. His hotel is ample for the accommodation of his patrons, and is supplied with all the appurtenances requisite for the welfare of its guests. A good livery is attached, and a free carriage runs to all trains and boats. He owns a considerable amount of village property, in- cluding a barn and granary and two lots situated opposite his stables, and a lot west of the hotel, containing a dwelling and a blacksmith shop. He
owns, also, four lots in another direction, and a house and lot in Grindstone City, and he manages a meat market'at Port Austin.
The White Ash Grove breeding farm includes 340 acres of land, all enclosed and cultivated, and it constitutes in every sense a model farm. Besides this, Mr. Ryan owns 560 acres in Huron and Tus- cola Counties. His herds and flocks comprise thoroughbreds and grades of the finest kind. He owns an average of 75 head of Durham cattle, and Southdown and Cotswold sheep. His horses are Hambletonians, Clydesdales and Mambrinos, and his hogs are pure Berkshires.
Mr. Ryan was married in Biddulph, Huron Co., Ont., Feb. 10, 1857, to Elizabeth McCormack, and they are the parents of 10 children. Mary A. is the wife of Eli Fuller, jeweller at Port Austin; John, book-keeper for his father, is Supervisor of Port Aus- tin Township, and was elected Clerk of Huron County at the recent election (1884) on the Demo- cratic ticket ; was graduated at Goldsmith's Business College at Detroit, Sept. 14, 1883; Valentine, Jane, Julia, James W., Margaret, Susan, Ellen and Ger- trude.
The publishers of this work take pleasure in pre- senting a portrait of Mr. Ryan, accompanying this biographical sketch.
Henry C. Kennedy, farmer and breeder of stock, section 15, Hume Township, was born in July, 1837, in London, Ont. His * parents, Thomas and Ellen. (Clarry) Kennedy, were natives of Ireland, and soon after their marriage they came to London, where they engaged in farming until the death of the father in 1845. The mother married again and removed to Hume Township, where she is still living, aged 90 years.
Mr. Kennedy was educated in the public schools of Canada and instructed in practical farming until he attained the age of 21 years, when he set out in life as a common laborer. In 1863 he came to Michigan, locating at Port Austin, where he became an assistant in the saw-mill of Ayres & Co. He was
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in their employ four years and at the end of that time removed to Port Crescent, where he built the first public house in the place, named it the Port Crescent Hotel and was its owner 12 years.
In 187 1 he went to Roscommon County, where he was engaged in lumbering during the winter seasons, which interest he prosecuted with excellent success. In 1874 he purchased the farm on which he is now operating, containing 240 acres of land. Of this one-half is well improved and he is a skill- ful and practical farmer. He took possession of his farm in 1882, and has made a specialty of raising fine stock. He also owns 80 acres in Meade Town- ship, which are unimproved.
He is a Democrat in political connection and opinion, and has served as Treasurer of his township and in other local capacities.
He was married at Port Austin, April 30, 1866, to Mary Grannell, and they have been the parents of seven children. Thomas, Edward, Frank, James, Willis and Eva are living (1884). William was drowned when he was six years old, in the Pinnebog River, at Port Crescent. He was at play on the river side and, falling in when alone, no rescue was possible.
Mrs. Kennedy is the daughter of Edward and Mary A. (Cunningham) Grannell. Her parents were natives of Ireland, where she was also born July 11, 1847, in County Wexford. They emigrated to Greenwich, Huron Co., Ont., in 1853. After the death of her father and mother, Mrs. Kennedy came to Port Austin, where she continued to live until her marriage. The family are Roman Catholics.
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G Charles E. Grant, farmer, section 7, Winsor Township, was born Oct. 18, 1838, in Osnabruck, Ont., and is the son of Robert and Mary (Papst) Grant. His father was born in 1787, and in the fall of 1863 came to Winsor Township, and died in November, 1865. The mother was born in 1799, and died in October, 1877. They had 12 children, of whom Charles E. is the IIth in order of birth.
He received a common-school education in the
Dominion, and in 1863 came with his parents to Winsor Township. He has been a resident on the farm where he now lives since coming to the county. He was married in March, 1860, in Aldborough Township, Elgin Co., Ont., to Mary Graves. Their ten children were born in the following order: The eldest born died unnamed, six weeks after birth; the second child died at birth; Robert was born Feb. 27, 1863; Ulysses S., Nov. 20, 1865; John D., Oct. 31, 1867 ; Catherine M., April 9, 1870 ; William W., April 14, 1869, and died Aug. 22, 1871 ; Julian, Jan. 10, 1871, and died Sept. 2, 1871 ; Edwin E., born Nov. 10, 1872 ; George M., Jan. 5, 1876. Mrs. Grant was born Aug. 2, 1844, in Canada. Her parents, John B. and Catherine (Harder) Graves, came to Winsor Township to reside, and in Septem- ber, 1866, her mother returned to Ontario for a visit, and died there. The father remained in Winsor Township until 1869, when he went to Ontario to live with his children, and died there.
Mr. Grant is a decided Republican, and has served his township as Highway Commissioner, as Treas- urer two terms, and also as a school officer.
L. Brennan, Sand Beach, Justice of the Peace, Village and Township Clerk, and dealer in musical instruments, sewing- machines, etc., and also insurance agent, Was born near Whitehall, N. Y., Dec. 11, 1855. His parents, Robert and Mary (Mara) Brennan, were both natives of Ireland. They removed to Massachusetts with their family when their son was in early youth. They soon after made another transfer, to Hampden Co., Can., where they remained one year, whence they came to White Rock, Huron Co., Mich., in 1867. Mr. B. bought a farm of 40 acres on section 30, in Sand Beach Township, where Mr. Brennan, of this sketch, grew to manhood. The first effort of the latter to conduct an independent business, was in 1875, when he opened a confection- ery store, which he conducted five years. He ob- tained a good and available knowledge of law by unaided application, which renders him an efficient officer in the position he holds as magistrate, to
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which he was first elected in 1880, and which he still holds by successive re-election. After the in- corporation of the village of Sand Beach, he was elected Clerk. In 1878 he was elected Township Clerk. He was nominated by the Democratic ele- ment in the fall of 1882 for County Clerk, and ran considerably ahead of his ticket, but was defeated. He began the prosecution of the business in which he is now engaged in 1881. Among the sewing- machines which he handles, are the White, Domestic, Eldridge and Royal St. John. He deals in Clough, Warren and Crown organs, and the varieties of mer- chandise common to similar establishments.
Mr. Brennan's father lives at Sand Beach ; his mother died there May 4, 1881.
illiam Maurer, farmer, section 8, Paris Township, is one of the leading agricultu- rists of Huron County, and has been one of its most valuable actors in its progress and advancement since he became a resident. He was born Dec. 11, 1818, in the province of Alsace, on the River Rhine. He received a good education in both the French and German languages, and at the age of 14 years learned the business of a lathe turner, which he followed until he was 21 years of age.
Meanwhile he had emigrated to America and located at Rochester, N. Y., going thence, later, to Lockport. After a short residence there he proceeded to Waterloo Co., Ont., where he engaged in agricul- ture. In 1861 he came to Michigan and secured 240 acres of wild land, on which he established his homestead. His farm now includes 320 acres of land, one-half of which is under very fine agricul- tural improvements. He has also given 228 acres of land to two of his sons, most of which is improved. He is one of the leading stock men in Huron County, and also is prominent in the development of the horticultural possibilities of the northern portion of the Huron peninsula, as he raises all the fruits adapted to the climate. In political belief Mr. Maurer is a Democrat, and has officiated as Super- visor of his township.
He was married Nov. 25, 1845, in Waterloo Co., Ont., to Catherine Greyerbiehl, and they are the par- ents of 12 children, all yet living. They are named Mary A., Joseph, Gertrude, Rosa, Catherine, Jacob, Odelia, William, John, Peter, Powell and Magdalena. Three daughters and two sons are married. The fainily are Roman Catholics, and Mr. Maurer is a Trustee in the Church. Mrs. Maurer was born June 4, 1826, on the River Rhine in Alsace, and came with her parents when she was seven years of age to the Dominion of Canada.
illiam W. Barber, farmer, sections 3, 17 and 5, Caseville Township, is the engineer in charge of the engine in the grist-mill of F. Crawford. He was born May 9, 1838, at Black Rock, Erie Co., N. Y., and is the son of Thomas and Lucy (Miner) Barber. His- father was the manager of a saw-mill at Black Rock, and died in Collinswood, Ont. His mother lives at Caseville, and is 73 years of age (1884).
When Mr. Barber was 16 years of age he went with a light wagon and span of horses to Winnebago Co., Ill., to effect the arrest of a man who had robbed a jewelry store in Dunkirk, N. Y. He was cap- tured with little trouble, which was contrary to ex- pectation, as he was supposed to be connected with a gang of thieves. He was in the act of exchanging a watch. His preliminary trial was held at Rescue. Mr. Barber remained at that place about eight months, and while there managed a hotel. He re- turned thence to the city of Buffalo, and began to learn the trade of ship-builder. He abandoned the project and came to Saginaw, where he was occupied four months in a saw-mill. In October, 1857, he made his way to Caseville, then Pigeon River, where he has resided since with the exception of two years. He engaged as a sawyer for F. Crawford, and during the last nine years he has operated as the engineer of the grist-mill of Mr. Crawford. His farm contains seven acres, and is situated on the limits of Case- ville. It has a house and barn, and is all devoted to fruit-raising of fine qualities.
He was married Jan. 24, 1861, on North Manitou Island, to Catherine D'roy, and they have three chil-
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dren, born as follows: William W., Nov. 24, 1868; May, June 6, 1881; Mabel, June 12, 1884. Mrs. Barber was born July 31, 1844, in the capital of France, Paris. Her parents, Peter and - D'roy, came to this county in 1854. Her mother died in Leland, Leelanaw Co., Mich., where her father is now living. Mr. Barber is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He has officiated five years as Constable.
oses C. Gregory, farmer, section 1, Case- ville Township, was born June 9, 1830, at Bangor, Maine, and is the son of Amos and Susan (Clark) Gregory. His paternal ancestors were interested in the ocean trade service, his grandfather being a ship- - owner. His father was a seaman on one of the vessels, and was lost with his command during an ocean trip. They were heard from at one of the West Indies, which was the last intelligence of the ship or crew, and it is supposed that they fell into the hands of pirates and were put to death.
Mr. Gregory was a lumberman in his native State, and pursued that business until his removal to Michigan, in the fall of 1853, when he came to Huron County. After a stay of two years he re- turned to Maine. In 1855 he again came to Case- ville, and engaged in lumbering for F. Crawford, in whose interests he operated during the winters of 16 consecutive years. During the summer seasons he was engaged in farming to some extent, and built the Gregory House, where he has kept hotel for several years. He also interested himself to a con- siderable extent in traffic in real estate. In 1880 he located upon the farm he now occupies. He is a Republican in political faith.
He was married Dec. 12, 1855, to Sarah Dodge, and they are the parents of the following children : Israel N., Martha W., Susan, Winfield S., Otis L., Elizabeth, Nellie M., Byron T., Jessie, Gertrude and Moses. The last named child and Israel N. are deceased. Mrs. Gregory was born May 3, 1836, at Port Huron. She is the daughter of Reuben and Lucie (Deynor) Dodge. Her mother died at the age
of 30 years, at Port Huron. Her father died when 74 years old, at Caseville.
Reuben Dodge was the first settler in the western part of Huron County. Charles R. Smith was the second in order, and Mr. Gregory was the third. The latter landed on the Huron peninsula at Stock- man's fisheries, two miles from Port Austin. He proceeded thence by an Indian trail to Pigeon River, now Caseville. On arrival there he found himself preceded by the persons named. The place was inhabited by Indians who were engaged in sugar- making, hunting and fishing. A tribe lived at a place called Chebeong, near the site of the village of Sebewaing. A few were in the neighborhood of Caseville. The nearest postoffice was at Bay City, 50 miles distant. Mr. Gregory brought money with him to make a land purchase for a Mr. Worth, of Cleveland, Ohio, in whose interests he performed his first duties at Caseville, hiring men to get out shingle belts, which he shipped to Cleveland.
At the time of the fire in 1871 he lost his camp and had a narrow escape with his life. He was absent at the time of the near approach of the fire, and the men had made a trench to protect the camp. In less than an hour after his arrival the wind changed and blew a whirlwind. The change was so sudden and the danger so imminent that there was barely time to get the horses from the stable ; and they tried to save a small quantity of bedding by putting it in the wagon, but it took fire in spite of them, and to escape they had to run the horses to their utmost speed. The camp was in the township of Grant, and they rode the entire distance with trees crashing all around save in front of them. They reached Pigeon River, where they remained two days.
ohn Getty, farmer, section 8, Bloomfield Township, was born Aug. 21, 1840, in Caradoc Township, Middlesex Co., Ont. His parents, James and Ann (Ingraham) Getty, were also natives of the Dominion of Canada. The latter has been dead since the son was 12 years of age ; she died in Sanilac Co., Mich. The father is living with a brother in . Ontario.
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Mr. Getty was raised on a farm, and after his mother's death he labored as a farm assistant. When he was 19 years of age he came to Michigan to work in the lumber woods. His first employer was W. R. Stafford, in whose lumbering interests he worked by the month, and he operated for him as foreman in a lumber camp.
In January, 1882, he bought his present farm, hav- ing previously owned several others. It contains 120 acres and comprises 55 acres cleared and other- wise improved. He lost about $3,600 in jobbing in the lumber woods. He erected a saw-mill in 1882.
Mr. Getty is a Republican in political views and action, and has held several local township offices.
His marriage to Mary J. McNellis, took place May 29, 1864. Seven children have been born to them : Mary A., March 24, 1865 ; the second child died soon after birth ; Heman, May, 7, 1869; Addie B., July 14, 1871; Olive L., Oct. 13, 1873; Eva May, May, 18, 1875; John B., July 2, 1878.
Mrs. Getty was born in Kingston, Ont. She is the daughter of David and Mary (Mulligan) Mc- Nellis. Her father died in Canada, and her mother in the township of Gore, this County.
Mr. and Mrs. Getty and their daughter Mary are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Getty has been a member for 22 years.
obert W. Irwin, merchant and Postmaster, White Rock, is a son of Stephen and Eliz- abeth (Dundass) Irwin, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada in their youth. Mrs. I. died in the summer of 1881. Mr. Irwin is still living.
In their family were ten children, the eldest of whom is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Oxford Co., Ont., Oct. 17, 1831, attended the com- mon schools until 18 years of age, learned the car- penter's trade, and when 21 years of age came to St. Clair Co., Mich. There he worked at his trade until 1855, then followed photographing at different points for two years; in September, 1857, he came to Huron County, and was employedby R. B. Hubbard
& Co., of Huron City, and for about three years had charge of their building and mill repairing. In the fall of 1860 he was elected to the office of County Clerk, being the first Clerk of the county. In the autumn of 1862 he was re-elected, and at the same time elected Register of Deeds. These offices he held four years; and during his official term, namely, in 1864, the county buildings were burned at Sand Beach, and he lost all his individual property ; but he succeeded in securing all the records, papers and documents belonging to the county, except some circuit court files, and one record of mortgages.
In the fall of 1865, while the county offices were being rebuilt, Mr. Irwin engaged in mercantile busi- ness at Sand Beach, and enjoyed a large and successful trade until the memorable fall of 1871, when his store and contents, as well as residence, were all consumed by the flaming element. His family barely escaped with their lives, in their night clothes! His loss was estimated at upward of $25,000.
Going to Port Austin, he engaged in law and in- surance, in partnership with Hon. Richard Winsor, under the firm name of Winsor & Irwin. At the end of five years Mr. I. sold out his interest in the law business to H. G. Snover and again engaged in merchandising, at Sand Beach, carrying on a success- ful and prosperous trade until September, 1883, when he sold out and purchased the salt block, brick, stone, dock, dwelling-house, and bought also the entire interest of Thompson Bros. at White Rock, at which place he was appointed Postmaster, Oct. I, 1883. In the fall of 1868 he was elected Judge of Probate, and re-elected until he had had the office 12 consecutive years.
Mr. Irwin was married Nov. 9, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Long- worth) Winsor, her father a native of England and her mother of Ireland. Her parents were married and settled in Canada, and removed to Huron City, Mich., in 1859, where he lived until his death, which occurred by drowning. (See Richard Winsor's Re- port.)
Mrs. Irwin was born in Canada July 4, 1840. The children of Mr. and Mrs. I. are: Eber W., born in Huron Township, Sept. 3, 1863; Nana E., in Sand Beach, May 20, 1865 ; an infant, March 7, 1867, died ro days subsequently; Robert W., Jr., in Sand
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Beach, April 7, 1869, and Earl S., in Port Huron, Dec. 8, 1883.
Mr. Irwin has been a Freemason since 1857, when he joined the mystic order at Lexington ; he now belongs to Huron Lodge, at Sand Beach, and also to the Royal Arch Chapter, and to Refugee Lodge, K. of H., of Sand Beach. Mrs. I. is a member of the Baptist Church.
We take great pleasure in presenting the portrait of Judge Irwin in this work, as of a gentlemen who has demonstrated that after suffering the most complete losses of his property, one can yet honestly and hon- orably rise to competency and a high station in society.
illiam E. Spohn, M. D., physician, surgeon and druggist, resident at l'innebog, Hume Township. His parents, Asbury and RE Mary A. (Terryberry) Spohn, removed from the Dominion of Canada to Hume Township when he was nine years of age, and he has "grown up with the country."
Dr. Spohn was born Feb. 4, 1851, in Ontario. His early education was obtained in the public schools, and when he was 19 years of age he became a stu- dent in the graded school at Port Austin, which he attended two years. After teaching six months, he again attended the same school three months. He passed two years in teaching, and in 1876 began the study of medicine with Bennett Richard, M. D., of Port Austin, and continued to read for his profession under his instructions about three years. He matric- ulated at the Detroit Medical College, where he attended two terms and completed the prescribed course, graduating and receiving his credentials from that institution in 1881. He at once established his business at Pinnebog, where he has thus far met with unqualified success. His business as a druggist is also in a satisfactory and promising condition.
In political opinion, Dr. Spohn adopts the views of the Republican party. He owns 50 acres of land in Hume Township, most of which is in an unimproved state.
He was married Dec. 5, 1882, at Royal Oak, Oak-
land Co., Mich., to Sarah E., daughter of Peter and Sarah (Hart) McDowell. She was born May 16, 1860, at Royal Oak.
The parents of Dr. Spohn were natives of Canada. In 1860 they removed thence to Hume Township, where the father died, Sept. 1, 1882. The mother is living.
Joshua B. Madill, proprietor and manager of the Ubly grist-mills, was born Nov. 24, 1850, in Ontario Co., Can., and is the son of Henry W. and Phebe (Sharnard) Madill. His parents are members of the agricultural class, and were born in Toronto. They reside in Ontario County and are aged respectively 63 and 55 years.
Mr. Madill acquired a fair education in his youth, and when he was 23 years of age was married to Henrietta Tool. The event occurred in Ontario County, Jan. 7, 1874. Mrs. Madill is the daughter of John and Harriet (Woodruff) Tool. Her parents are natives of Ontario, of Canadian origin, and are farmers by occupation. Her mother died when she was 25 years old, in 1875. Her father resides in Ontario. Mrs. Madill was born Dec. 19, 1854, in Ontario Co., Can. Four children have been born to her husband, in the following order: Lottie, Phebe, Hattie and Ross.
After marriage they removed to the village of Brougham in Ontario County, where they pursued the vocation of farming two years, at the expiration of which time they left the Dominion of Canada and located at Lexington, Sanilac County, where Mr. Madill became interested. in a carriage factory, and was also in charge of the affairs of the aged grand- father of his wife. He went thence to the township of Marion in the same county and settled on 160 acres of land which he had previously purchased. On this he pursued agricultural operations until the fall of 1881. At that date he set out with a portable saw-mill, which he operated in various parts of San- ilac and Huron counties until 1883, when he came to Ubly and erected a grist-mill. The estab- lishment is devoted chiefly to local work, and is fitted with the machinery constructed by J. T. Noah,
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of Buffalo, N. Y., and has a producing capacity of 75 barrels daily.
Mr. Madill is a Republican, and has held the local offices of his township and school district. He is present School Director. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Madill is Clerk of the society.
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