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 45
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Times were pretty hard during this winter (1854), and many of the settlers had to subsist at times on middlings, and what suckers they could catch. The provisions of some were left below at Port Huron by the boats, and could not be got in until the roads were cut through.
The coves along this coast used to be a place of refuge in early times for fugitives from justice.
Thomas Winsor has the honor of being Post- master of this village. They now have three mails a day : one from Sebewaing, one from Sand Beach, and one by rail from the south.
The county seat was held at this place from 1865 to 1873, when it was moved to Bad Axe.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
Port Austin is well supplied with transportation facilities. It is the terminus of the western branch of the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad. There are also two good docks, where steamers and vessels, bound around the lakes and plying between Detroit and Bay City, land, discharge and receive freight.
Thomas Winsor & Co. have an extensive steam salt block, which was established in 1878. Their brand is the ." Port Austin Peerless Salt." These works, with their saw-mill, were burned in the spring of 1880, but were rebuilt again. The brine is sup- plied for the block from two wells, which extend to the depth of 1,180 feet, one but recently opened. The capacity of their block is 150 barrels per day. The engine is 200-horse-power, and, in addition to the salt block, furnishes the power for the saw-mill, barrel factory and machine shop. The firm are also
large dealers in general merchandise, and have an elevator and a lumber yard.
Ayres & Co., who located at Port Austin in 1859, carry on an extensive trade in general merchandise. They have also a salt block, started in 1864, which yields a yearly product of about 40,000 barrels. They have in connection with this a saw-mill, shingle-mill and barrel factory, and a flouring-mill.
The Huron Agricultural Works, established in 1870, is another industry which is of great benefit to the county. This includes the carriage and wagon manufactory, and is represented by. J. W. Campbell & Co.
The banking and insurance business is represented by James H. Hall, who is well patronized. He is also a lawyer. Richard Winsor has also a banking house, which he carries on with his large legal practice. He came to the Peninsula in the winter of 1857-8, and located at or near Huron City, then called Willow Creek. He located at Port Austin in 1867. He has recently moved into his new bank building, which is the best structure in the town, and not excelled in the county. It is a two-story brick building, with a solid stone foundation and blue stone trimmings. The rooms are finished with hard wood, tastefully orna- mented, and the building is heated by a furnace with modern appliances. The large vault rests upon a solid stone foundation; is constructed independent of the building, lined with steel rail, and has a time lock. The upper floor is divided into offices with a neat little hall in the rear.
From the healthful appearance of the village it would appear that there would be little use for drugs and medicines, yet Dr. Bennett Richards does a fine business in this line, and has also a good practice. He was lucky when he selected this place for his fu- ture home, which he did in 1865. When he located at this village, he says, he was the only physician within 40 miles.
. H. Adams supplies the people with dressed lumber. W. H. Cooper & Co. are extensive dealers in gen- eral merchandise. This firm has also a large steam salt block at New River, between Grindstone City and Huron City, which was established in 1874. Their annual production is 25,000 barrels.
John Butters has a good trade in general merchan- dise and millinery. He is one of the early settlers. James Ried has a furniture store, and C. J. Friers is
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well prepared to supply his customers with harness and saddlery. The hardware and stove business is represented by James Baldwin and John Brett; the jewelry by Eli Fuller. I. Razek & Co. and Stine & McIlhargey have dry goods and groceries; W. E. Clark, books and stationery. Mrs. George Hazen, by her skill in millinery, is prepared to make the ladies of the village look more beautiful. Taylor & Dunn have a boot and shoe store.
B. L. Tripp, A. Horn, and James Ryan have the monopoly of the meat markets. R. H. Wilcox has a bakery and a confectionery store.
James Ryan is one of the old hotel-keepers of the town, and his place is a popular resort for travelers. He has also a large stock farm about two miles east of the village, where he is breeding Mambrino, Wal- lace and Hambletonian horses, and the Berkshire breed of swine. This is a very important enterprise for the county. Landlord O. Williams, of the Winsor House, has his share of the public patronage and always makes his guests feel at home. This building was formerly occupied as a court-house.
There are also a tailor shop, boot and shoe shop and two blacksmith shops, and a restaurant.
Port Austin is not without a newspaper. This is the Huron County News, published by the Huron County News Co. It was started in 1862, the first paper in the county. A history of it is given else- where. It was established as a Republican paper, but during the recent campaign it advocated the Prohi- bition ticket.
One of the new industries of this place, which ought to be noticed, is the dairy. The Learneds, with commendable enterprise, are leading off in this direction. They have a very neat little creamery, and through the past season milked 35 cows. This they first started for their own use and as an experi- ment. They propose now to go into this business much more extensively.
There are many fine residences in this village, and the people are of a better class. Port Austin is very favorably located. With her extensive industries, and the splendid agricultural country around, there is no reason why she should not be one of the foremost and best built up towns in the country.
The historian, before closing this sketch, is con- strained to express a regret at seeing this beautiful village marred by so many old dilapidated shanties, broken down fences and rickety sidewalks.
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
This village can take pride in having one of the best schools in the county. The school-house is a large two-story building, with three apartments, and with a seating capacity in all of 200 pupils. Cost, $4,500. The school is graded. D. H. Powers is principal; George A. Frazier has charge of the inter- mediate, and Miss S. H. Clark the primary, depart- ment. There is in attendance about 150 scholars.
RELIGIOUS.
The Presbyterians of Port Austin gathered together and organized their society in 1871, with ten mem- bers, namely, Mr. and Mrs. John Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. George Kene, Mrs. C. H. Gallup, Mrs. Caroline Chapman, Mrs. Brebnor and Mrs. Marrow. John Kerr and W. F. Clark were chosen Ruling Elders. Rev. E. P. Clark was the first Pastor, remaining until 1877. The second Pas- tor was the Rev. John Kay, who remained two years. Rev. T. Dwight next served the society one year. Rev. S. W. McKee was the fourth Pastor, serving two and a half years. At the present they are with- out a pastor. Present membership, sixty. The first meetings were held in an old school-house, which they fitted up for a place of worship. A Sunday- school has been connected with this Church from its first organization. They have a very neat little church edifice, costing, with other property, $3,000.
Catholic Church .- When, some twenty years ago, a few members of this great religious organization set- tled in Huron County, this Church, true to her his- torical character, sent them a missionary to look after their spiritual welfare. A mission was established at Port Austin, which was the first in the county. By their indomitable zeal they soon had a church build- ing up, which was the first at Port Austin. Their membership rapidly increasing, and the building becoming old, it was decided to erect a larger edifice, to meet the wants of the congregation. This was begun in 1883, and at present it is so far in the course of completion that they are able to worship beneath its roof. It is a large, plain edifice, 110 feet in length by 46 feet in width, with a seating capacity of about 650 persons, and will cost when completed $4,500. It is called the "Saint Michael's Catholic Church," and is in charge of Father N. L. Maschino.
This congregation has a membership of about 175 families, from Port Austin and adjacent settlements. 1
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HURON COUNTY.
It is in the diocese of Bishop Borgess, of Detroit. Services are held only every other Sunday, as the priest has to attend three other missions and two stations. Most of the Catholic societies in the coun- ty are attended by the priest from Port Austin. There are also with the Church four Sisters of the Domini- can Order, who have charge of the education of her children. It is a large, flourishing school, of about a hundred scholars.
St. John's Episcopal Church held its first services in Port Austin Feb. 4, 1881, in the Presbyterian church, with two communicants,-Mr. W. H. Cooper and Mrs. James Ayres, since deceased. Rev. W. H. Smythe presided as missionary. The services of this Church have since been held in a hall. The society has nearly completed a rectory, for the construction of which it has received outside aid. They hope in 1885 to complete a church building. Present num- ber of communicants, 35; congregation, about 200. There is a Sunday-school attached, with a library of 100 volumes. Mr. Smythe holds missionary service at Port Crescent. The first meeting was held March 6, 1881, with no communicants. Messrs. Haskell, Eakins and Soule gave the land and built a neat little church at this place, costing $1,000. Mr. Smythe holds services here every two weeks. Besides this, he visits Meade and outlying missions.
Baptist Church was organized Feb. 12, 1875, at the house of Frederick S. Ayres. Present-Mr. and Mrs. Ayres, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Learned, Thomas Neil and wife, Mrs. E. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Kimball. Rev. H. C. Beals officiated as Pastor, who remained with the Church for awhile, and then it was left for several years without a minister. The new church, which is a fine Gothic structure, was com- pleted and dedicated in June, 1884. It cost $3,000, including lot. The society has at present forty mem- bers, who are presided over by Rev. William A. Atchinson.
This village shows her musical taste in the organ- ization of a brass band. It has thirteen members, and W. H. Brown is the leader.
MASONIC.
Cass Lodge, No. 219, was organized in 1866. The charter members were James McDonald, Nathan Stoddard, Benjamin W. Merrick, D. Hill, John Butters, A. R. Cole, William Adamson, O. B. Wil- liams, Jonas R. Learned and G. H. Van Woert.
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Grindstone City.
HIS enterprising and stirring little town is located on the shore of Lake Huron, and is in the township of Port Austin. The first settler here was Capt. A. G. Peer, who located in 1845. He started the first grindstone mill, which he ran by water power, utilizing a creek that puts in at this place. This was not only the first mill here, but also in the territory now embraced by Huron county. The Captain is still living in the town, and is hale and hearty.
The first postoffice established here was in the fall of 1874; James Green was appointed Postmaster, and he holds the position yet. They have mails each way daily, and have also telegraphic connec- tions.
The principal business carried on in Grindstone City is the manufacturing of grindstones and salt. Worthington & Sons started their grindstone factory in 1871. A year before this they opened a general merchandise business. In 1880, this firm started their salt block, and have an annual production of about 30,000 barrels of salt. They manufacture annually about 3,000 tons of grindstones,-some weighing as high as 7,500 pounds,-and a large quantity of scythe-stones and ax-bits. They employ on an average seventy-five men. They handle about $50,000 of merchandise annually.
The Lake Huron Stave Company is another large factor in the business of this city. The members of this firm are Robert Wallace, who lives at Grind- Stone, Frank B. Wallace and E. L. Wallace, of De- troit, and James J. Wallace, of Chicago. This firm are also dealers in general merchandise, handling about $30,000 annually. They manufacture 3,000. tons of grindstones, and about 3,000 gross of scythe- stones and ax-bits yearly. James Wallace bought the business from Capt. Peer. The others came into the firm and it was changed to the Lake Huron Stone Company in 1865. They ship a large quantity of stone from this place to different markets, for build- ing purposes.
The fire of 1871 burned part of the town. In
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1881 the fire was kept back by vigorous fighting.
There are two docks running out into the lake nearly 3,000 feet. They are constructed with cribs filled with stone, which make a very good harborage for lake vessels. Upon these docks tramways are constructed for the conveyance of salt and stone from the factories. It might be mentioned that these factories have, in addition, blacksmith and machine shops and a barrel factory .. They all find employ- ment for about 450 men.
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The population of this thriving village is estimated at 600. The stone quarries seem inexhaustible, which will warrant the assumption that this town is now only in its infancy of growth and prosperity. It has established a good school for the education of its youth.
There is a Presbyterian society in the village, but no church. A church building was put up by the Presbyterian Relief Synod after the fire of 1881, which was afterwards blown down by a cyclone, and it has not since been re-built.
RUBICON GOWNSHIP.
UBICON Township is one of the oldest settled townships in the county, and was for many years before its organization a lumbering camp. Forest Bay was, during this period, quite a town. The first meeting was held at this place, April 4, 1859, to perfect the organization of the township. Forty-eight votes were cast, resulting in the election of W. D. Lud- ington for Supervisor, J. E. Raymond, Clerk, and John Hopson, Treasurer; A. L. Kimball, W. D. Ludington, Wm. Gleason and J. B. Jennings were elected Justices of the Peace, and W. R. Stafford, John Hopson and Charles Murray, Highway Com- missioners. Rubicon Township is bounded on the north by Gore, on the east by Lake Huron, the south by Sand Beach, and on the west by Bloomfield Town- ship. It is numbered 17 north, of range 15 east. To Wm. Ludington this township is indebted for its name.
It is hard to tell who the first settler or settlers
were. Hunters and fishermen from Sanilac and St. Clair Counties used to make it their headquarters. Later on, or about the year 1850, some " shingle- weavers," with fishermen, came in and rendezvoused here. It was not long before the wealth which lay dormant in the magnificent forests of pine, hemlock, cedar, bass-wood, beech, maple, birch and ash began to attract attention. Transportation was easy and cheap by water. The land was bought from the Government by John Hopson, W. R. Stafford, Wm. Ludington, Haywood & Jenness, saw-mills were per- chased and set up, and the great lumber industry commenced in earnest. This was about the time of the organization of the township. The felling of these giant trees, the perpetual buzz of the saw, and the sailing to and fro of the white-winged transport- ers of commerce, soon brought in the agriculturist. Of these first settlers a few yet survive.
The lake cuts off some of the area of the town- ship, and it has only about twenty-three square miles. About seven square miles of this still re- main uncultivated. The remaining portion is oc- cupied by splendid farms, the owners of which are becoming independent. The land is undulating in the northern and western portion of the township. Approaching the lake it becomes more even, and, sloping as it does, gives a natural drainage. There are a few small creeks which also assist in the drainage as.well as to supply water for stock. The soil is varying ; in some parts it is a clay loam, and others a sand loam.
The people of this township suffered severely from the fires of 1871 and 1881, which swept over nearly the entire territory. That of 1881 left a little striparound Port Hope, in the extreme northern por- tion, and about the same in the southeast corner of the township.
Rubicon is regarded as being especially adapted to the cultivation of the larger and smaller fruits, and this belief is warranted by those who have had practical experience in this direction.
There are four school districts in this township, with good school buildings and good teachers. Dis- trict No. I is on section 26, No. 2 on section 4, No. 3 on section 18, and No. 4 on section 29. The cost of school-house in No. 1 is $800. There are forty- five scholars in attendance. School building in Dis- trict No. 3 cost $950. The attendance at this school
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is fifty-two scholars. The school building in No. 4 cost $500, and the attendance here is twenty-seven scholars. No. 2 will be mentioned in the history of Port Hope.
This township may be ranked as among the fore- most townships of the county.
SUPERVISORS.
The names of those who have served as Supervi- sors are here appended :
W. D. Ludington, 1859-61
James E. Haywood, 1862
James Miller, 1863
W. D. Ludington, 1864-5
James Miller, 1866-70
William Seeley, 187 1
James E. Haywood, 1872
John Hopson,
1873
James Miller,
1874
Edwin Hicks, 1875
W. J. Ludington, 1876-7
R. C. Ogilvie,
1878-80
Robert Winterbottom, 1881-2
John Melligan,
1883-4
Huron City.
HIS pleasant village is located on an ele- vated plateau overlooking Lake Huron, and at the mouth of Willow Creek. It is the highest bluff in the county, and from it, looking down the gradual sloping fields to the lake, a most beautiful and commanding view can be taken. A long time before any permanent settlement began, the present site was occupied by transient fishermen. Some time in the year 1845, Mr. Lewis built a saw-mill, which he operated awhile and sold out to Mr. Brakeman. This man sold to Dowling & Forbes, of Port Huron, . who afterwards sold out to R. B. Hubbard & Co. This was really the beginning of this town. Extensive business operations were carried on by this firm until the fire of 1871, which destroyed their mills, docks, store and the entire village. This was a great loss, not only to them but also to the township. Their flouring mill, saw-mill, grain, lumber, shingles, cedar posts, dock, and warehouses, filled with grain, were en- tirely consumed by the fire. They re-built again ; but soon after Mr. Watson retired from the firm and
Mr. Hubbard became sole proprietor of this exten- sive business.
Prior to the fire of 1871, the township of Huron a little way from the lake was almost an unbroken forest, containing as fine a body of timber as ever grew,-fine beech, maple, ash, elm and basswood. The manufacturing of this timber into lumber gave employment to many families, and was a source of great benefit to the village and the adjacent country. The fires of 1881 again destroyed it, leaving but one small house standing. The business was again built up by Mr. Hubbard, and the town once more is in a prosperous condition. The losses of Mr. Hubbard by the fire of 1881 alone is estimated at $250,000. About 100 head of fine cattle were burned. Mr. Hubbard handles about 30,000 in merchandise annually. In addition to this, he man- ufactures lumber, shingles, lath and flour. He is also an extensive farmer, cultivating some 3,000 acres of land. With this, he is breeding the Short- horn, Durham and other blooded stock.
Frank W. Hubbard is Postmaster. Daily mails each way, and telegraph communications.
F. W. Hubbard is building a cheese-factory, which will be ready for next season.
The village has a good hotel for the accommoda- tion of its guests.
Number of scholars in the organized districts is 243. There is a good school in the town. The Maccabees have a lodge here.
There is a very neat Methodist Church building at this place, which has been built since the fire ; cost, $1,300. Rev. H. G. Pearsons, from Port Hope, officiates.
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Port Hope.
HIS clean, attractive, well built village rests on a plateau extending back from the shores of Lake Huron. With its com- manding view of the lake on the east, and the large cultivated fields to the westward, it possesses a location that the traveler would go far to find excelled.
The settlement of this place grew out of the lum- ber-manufacturing interests. It is laid out regularly into lots, which are ornamented by elegant dwellings,
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school-houses, churches, and shady trees. The lake- shore road, for several miles each way from the vil- age, is unsurpassed by any in the county. Port Hope is located near the northern line of Rubicon Township, and is one of the oldest towns in the county.
The principal industry here now is the manu- facture of salt. Wm. R. Stafford has a pan block, which he started in 1874, and made 16,000 barrels the first year. The well extends to the depth of 800 feet. The strength of brine is 84. To meet the capacity of the well, Mr. Stafford has largely in- creased his salt block, which gives him now a capac- ity of 60,000 barrels annually. He consumes 10,000 cords of wood annually, for which he pays one dol- lar per cord. In addition to this, Mr. S. has a barrel factory, flouring-mill and saw-mill. The flouring- mill has six run of stone, French buhr, with a capac- ity of 60 barrels daily. His saw-mill was first built in 1858. At this time the shore was lined with a heavy growth of timber, and there were no roads. For some years he cut out annually about 7,000,000 feet. His mill, dock, and a large amount of lumber was burned in 1871. Loss about $100,000. Re- built in 1872, and was burned again in 1881, with dock, and a million feet of lumber. The firm name at first was Stafford & Jenness. In 1868 it was changed to Stafford & Haywood, and Haywood retired in 1882. The salt block is carried on by an incorporated company, which is called the " Port Hope Salt Com- pany." With this, Mr. Stafford is a large dealer in general merchandise, handling from $75,000 to $100,- ooo annually.
There is also another salt block, owned by Dr. R. C. Ogilvie. With this there is a saw-mill and barrel factory. In addition, Dr. Ogilvie has a drug-store, and is a dealer in general merchandise. He is also Postmaster of Port Hope. The salt block of Dr. Ogilvie was started during the early part of 1883. It has a capacity of 150 barrels daily. The well is a remarkably good one.
W. Leuty is a dealer in general merchandise. Dr. S. Bell has established himself in the village. Mrs. J. Gettz keeps millinery and fancy goods. There is a blacksmith and wagon shop by S. E. Carr, and a boot and shoe shop, by Felix Beckwith.
The town has good facilities for transportation. Two docks extend from the shore out into deep
water for the accommodation of large vessels. Four regular lines of steamers stop here, connecting with Detroit and the upper lakes.
For the entertainment of people visiting Port Hope, Robert Winterbottom has a commodious hotel, which is located on Main Street.
SCHOOLS.
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Port Hope has an excellent graded school, in charge of J. J. Daily, Principal, and Mrs. M. G. Carr, assistant. There are 130 scholars in attendance. The school building is very creditable to the town. It cost $2,500. There is also a German school of from fifty to sixty pupils.
SOCIETIES.
This village is well represented by societies. They have a Masonic lodge, with a chapter,-Port Hope Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., and Stafford Chapter, No. 27, of R. A. M. They have a good building for the holding of their meetings, the upper part of which is used by them, and the lower part as a pub- lic hall. Two literary societies have also been estab- lished in the village,-the " Mutual Improvement Society," and the "Chautauqua Literary and Scien- tific Circle." These are in the third year of organi- zation.
CHURCHES.
Of these there are four. The Methodists were the first to hold services in this town, which was in 1858, Rev. J. Tuttle presiding : meetings were then held in a boarding-house. A fine church edifice has been built, costing $4,500, and a parsonage which cost $1,500. Present membership is about seventy. Rev. H. G. Piersons is the Pastor.
The German Lutheran-Synod of Missouri-first organized in 1870. They have a large, fine church building, which was completed in 1872. Rev. W. Schwartz was the first Pastor. The present Pastor is Rev. Thomas Schoech. The Church has a par- sonage. Rev. E. Delarme has charge of the Ger- man Reformed Church, which has some thirty members. They are to have a church building soon. Presbyterians .- Their first service was held at this village in 1875, by Rev. John Kay. They organized in 1881, with fifteen members. This society is erecting a fine church edifice, which, when com- pleted, for architectural beauty, will be unsurpassed
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