USA > Michigan > St Clair County > St. Clair County, Michigan, its history and its people; a narrative account of its historical progress and its principal interests, Vol. I > Part 22
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For this timely warning, Mr. Smith became a favorite of the Ameri- can officers of the army, and the colonel commanding the place he had relieved from surprise induced him to join his regiment as forage master and licensed trader with the soldiers-what they called their sutler. The name or number of the regiment I have forgotten, but it appears
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that in the spring following Mr. Smith procured a stock of supplies and joined that regiment and remained with it until disbanded at the city of Detroit in 1816. Among the discharged men of that regiment there were two experienced potters who wished to remain in the territory, and they requested Mr. Smith to establish a pottery and give them employment.
Mr. Smith, on ascertaining that no brown earthenware had ever been manufactured in Michigan, and that the prospect for a ready sale was good, sought for a place to establish his pottery. He came up to the River St. Clair, found the old Laughton house on Stromness Island va- cant, and leased it from David Laughton, one of the heirs, and in May, 1817, had his pottery in full operation, continuing the business until late in the fall of that year. In the winter of 1818, he was induced by my father to teach school on Harsen's Island. At that time there were only three families on Harsen's Island, but there were several scholars from over the river, altogether making a school of twelve scholars. Mr. Smith taught school on Harsen's Island the next winter, and at the same time was carrying on trade with the Indians in company with Mr. David Laughton, occupying a house of Mr. Jacob Harsen's, a part of which was occupied as a schoolroom, the other half as an "Indian department." I remember there was a barrel of cider in the Indian department frozen so hard that no attempt had been made to use it. The boys got an iron rod, heated it red-hot, and thrust one end into the barrel, and by this means they drank up the teacher's cider; this was done in his absence, although we had good reason to believe he was acquainted with the operation.
I may be a year later than I ought in giving the time of Squire Smith's first appearance in St. Clair county ; he was, however, the first person that was commissioned justice of the peace, residing on the River St. Clair, by Governor Cass. Macomb county embraced all of the terri- tory of St. Clair county, and the governor's commission is dated the 17th day of March, A. D. 1818.
The next office bestowed on Esquire Smith, under our territorial gov- ernment, was his appointment to the office of postmaster at Plainfield, St. Clair county, in the territory of Michigan. He was the first post- master appointed in what is now the county of St. Clair ; his commission was dated Washington, August 26, 1826, and signed by John McLean and William Dening, clerk. I should have stated that J. K. Smith, Esq., was appointed special commissioner by Governor Cass for the county of St. Clair, in the territory of Michigan, which appointment is dated the 20th day of April, A. D. 1827.
Squire Smith was also made the first customs inspector on the Ameri- can shore of St. Clair river, commencing the discharge of his duties in this office May 1, 1832. This office and that of postmaster he held until after 1841, how much longer the records do not show.
Mr. Smith married, and in 1819 established his residence on what was then considered the most pleasant location in the neighborhood- now a part of the Kendall farm, just above the present site of Algonac; this he designated "Point Office." Some years thereafter, he removed and settled on a tract of land now embraced within the limits of Algo- nac. When this village was surveyed, he made a large reservation,
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retaining possession of a number of the choicest lots in the plat, and most of them are held by his heirs to the present day.
When the Squire settled at Point Office and at Algonac, litigants from all parts of the county came before him to have their causes ad- judicated, and his business exceeded that of the county court for many years. His popularity was very great, gained through his judicious judgments and straightforward, conscientious attention to duty and busi- ness. He held the office of justice of the peace from 1818 up to the day of his death, which occurred in April, 1855-thirty-seven years. It is a fact that up to his demise he could show a greater record of marriage services performed by him than any (if not all) justices in St. Clair county. He was the first probate judge elected by the people of this county. Well do I remember that election, for I then cast my first bal- lot, forty years ago! It was held at St. Clair (Palmer), and the whole number of electors assembled on that day did not exceed thirty. Squire Smith was opposed by an old Detroit lawyer named George MeDougal. The lawyer received the French vote, but was defeated.
For many years before his death, the Squire was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and did much in his lifetime to spread the gospel, and for the elevation and moral training of the community in which he lived. He never encouraged litigation. He died in 1855 in the Christian faith, surrounded by his family, loved and lamented by his children and personal friends, and respected by the public.
DR. HARMON CHAMBERLIN
The next one of the old pioneers of prominence was Dr. Harmon Chamberlin, who settled in St. Clair. I first saw him at Justice Smith's office in 1819; he was then a youthful looking man just from his studies. He lived with the Squire a short time, but soon moved to St. Clair, where he lived and died.
The doctor was a great favorite with the old pioneers on the river. I make the record of his first arrival only ; his memory is too fresh in the minds of the people for me to do more. His aged wife still lives in St. Clair.
JUDGE BUNCE AND CAPTAIN AINSWORTH
Another old pioneer of our county is Judge Bunce. IIe is yet living, and ean best give his own record. I think he eame to the river in 1819, and the little vessel that was carrying his effects up to his present resi- denee above Vieksburg or Marysville, came to anchor opposite my father's, on Harsen's Island. I was then a boy of fourteen years, and was sent to bring him ashore, and also took him back to his vessel; on reaching deek, he gave me a finished two-bladed knife, an instrument rarely seen in those days. I seized the treasure and hurried ashore to examine it; then I leaped and shouted in delight and was the happiest boy in the neighborhood that and for many days thereafter.
Captain Henry Ainsworth settled in the township of Clay in 1820, and purchased the Basney farm at Point aux Trembles. He was a well
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informed, energetic man, and had he lived he would have been a valuable acquisition to our community. He died after a two years' residence, and his son, Henry, occupies the old farm.
JACOB PEER
Among the most active, industrious and prominent men in the early settlement of our town (now Clay) was Jacob Peer. He came to Michi- gan in 1821 with the intention of settling at or near Pontiac, but he fell in with Captain Andrew Wesbrook and was induced by him to come up to the River St. Clair. Peer purchased Wesbrook's land (that had been given the latter by act of congress to indemnify him for his Cana- dian losses during the war of 1812), selecting some 300 acres lying west of Point aux Trembles, bounded south and west by Lake St. Clair. It was almost wholly prairie land, and Mr. Peer in four years' time placed sixty acres under cultivation. Prospectively he had one of the best stock farms in the country, but, unfortunately, the waters in our lakes had risen so high that in 1827 his farm was completely submerged, when strong westerly winds blew, the water was forced up to his door. Mr. Peer had to leave, a poor man again. He next selected lands lying north, adjoining the village of Algonac, and went to work with his usual vim to clear up another farm. When he died (in 1855) he left to his son, Jacob Peer (Jr.), what is now considered one of the very best farms in our township, and one having the largest orchard in the county. Mr. Peer has an apple orchard of thirty-five acres, each tree, in all the hun- dreds he owns, being thrifty and bearing fruit. The orchard alone is a source of considerable revenue to its proprietor.
Weaver Stewart came to our little village about the year 1828, and a few years after purchased lands of Mason and Luce, occupying them until his death. He was a quiet, easy sort of man; a kind and obliging neighbor, industrious, thrifty, and much respected by all who knew him ; his wife and children are still residents of our town, and his son, Charles Stewart, is one of the prominent business men of Algonac.
JACOB KENDALL
Another of the early settlers at St. Clair county was Jacob Kendall, now deceased. He purchased a tract of land lying about a mile north of Algonac, in 1825. He was a well informed man; had read a great deal and up to the day of his death had held almost every office in his town except constable. Mr. Kendall was considered one of our best citi- zens, and was respected by all who knew him; his farm and residence, so pleasantly situated on the bank of the River St. Clair, is now owned by his son, John B. Kendall, sheriff of the county. The next and last one of the old pioneers that I shall attempt to mention is John Swartout, now past the ninetieth year of his age. He came to Michigan about the year 1835, and made purchase of lands lying on the north line of the township of Clay. Mr. Swartout was a very energetic and industrious man, and to this day, notwithstanding his years, he is very useful about the farm; with the assistance of his sons, Martin and Abram, he soon
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cleared up a large farm and placed it in a good state of cultivation, which is now divided and owned by the sons mentioned. Mr. Swartout had two other sons, Dennis (who chose the profession of sailor) and Benja- min, who today is one of the successful business men of Algonac.
There were many other persons that came and settled in the southern portion of the county, at a very early date, who, after remaining a few years, sold out and removed to other parts; I could also mention the names of a number of early settlers in the northern part of our county, but as they have made their record better than I can describe it, I shall not make the attempt. The remaining part of my memoirs will treat of men and matters that came within my own knowledge, dating back to a very early day, with such incidents and anecdotes as I think will be of interest to the people of this county.
THE HARSENS
At the death of Mr. Harsen (the first), the old homestead on the island fell to his son, Francis, who, during the War of 1812, and for many years thereafter, held an appointment in the Indian department at Detroit. At the close of the war, in 1815, he leased his farm to one Robert Little, a Canadian, and a most lawful British subject. By the lease, Harsen was to receive rent from the products of the farm, a part of which would be apples and cider. In the succeeding fall, Harsen came up and collected rent without difficulty ; but in the fall of 1816 Little refused to pay rent to Harsen, who was astonished at such refusal and wished to know the reason. Little stated to Harsen that the island was in his Britannic majesty's dominion, and that no American citizen could, under present laws, hold lands under the British government ; that he had rendered important services to his government and was en- titled to lands; that he was now in possession of the farm and should claim and hold it under British laws; he then drove Harsen from the premises. Harsen returned to Detroit and engaged a lawyer by the name of Whitney, and in the year 1817 commenced suit in the county court of Macomb county, then embracing all that portion of the terri- tory lying north and cast of the present boundary of that county. Judge Clemens was the first judge, and Robert Fulton, the first purchaser of the land upon which St. Clair city now stands, was sheriff. There was some delay in the prosecution of this suit, it seems, for it was late in the fall of 1817 before the writ of cjectment was placed in the hands of Sheriff Fulton. On its receipt this officer proceeded to execute it; he called on Little and demanded the surrender of the premises. On this Little forcibly put the officer out of doors, and told him that he should procure arms and shoot any person attempting to oust him; he claimed that he was a subject of Great Britain and under the protection of that power; that no American court could interfere with or molest him. Fulton told the usurper that he would execute the writ if it took all the militia in the territory. Accordingly he called on Lieutenant William Brown for assistance; Brown made a selection of six men, two of whom had been discharged from our army, and the next day crossed over to the island, landing at my father's residence ; after procuring a small jug
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of whisky for his men, the party proceeded up to Harsen's farm, the owner joining them on the way. It appears that Little was on the look- out, and informed of the sheriff's coming, and had prepared for the fight. He loaded the four guns in his house with coarse shot, and had a large five pail kettle over the fire filled with boiling water, and thus prepared he waited the assault. The assaulting party, on their arrival. took possession of an outhouse, where they agreed upon a plan of attack, and fortified their courage by several nips from the contents of the little jug. It was agreed in council that Sheriff Fulton should first go to the outer door and in the name of the sovereign people of the United States demand a surrender of the premises, and, if refused, signal Lieutenant Brown, who was to take the place by storm. Accordingly Sheriff Fulton proceeded to make the formal demand, followed, at a short distance, by Mr. Harsen, when Little fired on Harsen from a window, wounding him in the fleshy part of the leg. At the report of Little's gun, Brown or- dered his men to surround the house and return the fire, which was done; the first shots shivered the door behind which Little stood, one bullet going past him and entering the bed on which his daughter was sitting. Little did not wait for another volley, but cried for quarter, and sur- rendered himself into the hands of the Yankees he so much hated.
Little had taken possession of the Harsen farm some months before my father arrived. He seemed to be annoyed at the presence of the hated Yankee, and sent his son down one morning to ask father what right he had to settle in British territory; father answered that he claimed none but lawful rights, and such as he could maintain.
THE WARDS
I am not in possession of the date when the county of St. Clair was first organized; but I remember that the township of Cottrellville once embraced all the territory of the township of Clay; the division was made in the month of May. 1828. The township of Cottrellville held two township meetings for the election of officers, previous to the divi- sion in 1828. The people of the township of Clay, looking forward to the time when a division would be made by common consent, called this township by the name of Plainfield, and the circumstances which caused the division are as follows: Captain Samuel Ward, one of the early settlers in St. Clair county, was a prominent business man, a good and obliging neighbor, but a rabid politician. There was no compromising matters with the captain when his resolutions were once formed. Pre- vious to the election in 1828, the captain made his selection of township officers, and on learning that the people of the south part of the township were opposed to his nominations, and would, if allowed to vote, defeat him, he opposed our vote, alleging that we belonged to the township of Plainfield and were not residents of Cottreville. The people of Clay called a meeting at the office of J. K. Smith, Esq., for the purpose of taking into consideration the threats of Captain Ward, and to deter- mine how to act. At this meeting it was determined that, as we legally belonged to the township of Cottrellville, we would all go up and offer our votes, and if rejected, we would return to Mr. Smith's office and
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hold an election of our own. Accordingly we were at an early hour at the polls and tendered our votes, which were rejected, upon which we returned and held our election, and before separating a petition was drawn up and signed by the electors, asking our legislative council to legalize our proceedings, and fix the boundary of our township. At this time Judge Z. W. Bunce was our representative in the territorial legis- lature, and he caused immediate action to be taken on our petition ; the aet was passed and approved May 28, 1828. Captain Ward did not rel- ish the division of his township, for at that day there were more voters in Clay than there were in Cottrellville, and in respect to numbers we were a small township before the division.
Judge Bunce was elected to represent us by searcely a dissenting voice ; but the prompt manner in which he took our petition in hand was offensive to Captain Ward, who afterward became his most bitter op- ponent.
LAWYER O'KEEFE
At a very early date, about the year 1820, there came to the city of Detroit a lawyer by the name of Alexander O'Keefe, who was liberally educated and a thoroughbred lawyer, but was extremely intemperate in his habits. His drinking sprees were frequent, sometimes lasting for weeks. He became acquainted with Judge Bunee, visiting him often, sometimes prolonging his visits for weeks, and through the judge's in- fluence he became proseenting attorney for the county of St. Clair. O'Keefe, on one of his visits to Judge Bunce, expressed a wish to repre- sent St. Clair in our legislative council at its next sitting, and he stated that the judge favored his election, which was doubted by the leading men of the county. In the following year, O'Keefe came up from De- troit to eanvass the county, and made his first call on my father. He introduced his subject by stating that he had quit the use of intoxicating liquors; that he had determined on a thorough reformation, and was about to take up his abode permanently in St. Clair county. Relying on his reformation and ability, he had come to offer himself as a candi- date to represent our county in the territorial legislature. In reply my father said: "Counselor, I am glad to hear of your proposed reforma- tion, and as to your abilities, no one doubts them. Come and make your home among us for one year, and give us proof of your reformation, and there is not the least doubt that you will become a favorite among the people, who will certainly give you their hearty support; but to be can- did, counsellor, I must insist on one year's reformation before I ean give you my support." At this O'Keefe became angry and said: "Sir, I wish you to know that I was educated at two of the best seminaries in England, and I was bred at the Irish bar; and, sir, I can write your governor down." After this outburst of passion there was a pause. Mr. James Wolverton, who was present, remarked: "Counsellor, you re- mind me of the story of the calf that sneked two cows." "Indeed," said O'Keefe, "and what of that, sir?" "Nothing in particular," said Wol- verton, "only it is said the more he sucked the larger he grew." At this remark, O'Keefe smiled and became apparently good natured, when the
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three went into a calm discussion of the matter. My father and Wol- verton tried to convince him that Bunce did not intend to support him, but on the other hand was seeking his own election. O'Keefe said: "It may be so, but if I thought there was such deception in professed friends, I would throw myself on the mercy of the Lord." From the first or- ganization of our county up to the year 1830, O'Keefe practiced in our county court, most of the time as prosecuting attorney. A soldier at Fort Gratiot had murdered a comrade, and was delivered over to the authorities for trial ; at the time, Judge Sibley, of Detroit, was our cir- cuit judge, and O'Keefe, prosecuting attorney. This was the first time I sat on a grand jury. The jury in this case found a true bill of indict- ment. The bill was drawn up by O'Keefe while visiting Judge Bunce. In order to dress in the backwoods style of that day, O'Keefe procured a pair of bueksin pants, which he wore on visiting my father. I thought if he had had a little of my experience, he would not be so proud of his buckskin pants, for I had worn several pairs. When new and kept dry, they are rather pleasant things to wear; but when frequently wet they become stiff and rattle like a brass kettle. If wet on going to bed, my plan was to hang them up and make the legs as round as I could get them. After several wettings they become almost unmanageable. In instances of this kind I used to bring them to the barn and run them through the flax break, which would soften them and make them quite dry again, but in spite of me they would retain the sound of the brass kettle.
THE OLD COUNTY SEAT
I learn that St. Clair county was organized May 8, 1821. James Ful- ton was the first purchaser of the site on which the city of St. Clair now stands, which in process of time became the property of Thomas Palmer, of Detroit. Mr. Fulton made the purchase with the view of making it the county seat of St. Clair county, and Mr. Palmer labored hard to accomplish the same end. Fulton and Palmer were opposed by Captain Samuel Ward, who wished the county seat established at or near his tract of land, which now embraces Marine City. In the county seat war, my father favored St. Clair. Charles Noble, of the city of Monroe, one of the commissioners appointed to decide on the proper place for the county seat, called on my father on his way up to examine the two pro- posed places. My father gave his reasons for favoring the town of St. Clair ; our first county seat war ended by the location of the county gov- , ernment at the latter point.
Captain Eber Brock Ward, late of Detroit, was but a mere child at this time, and had no connection with the business of his uncle, Captain Samuel Ward, until the fall of 1832, when he took my place as clerk for his uncle.
The first jail in the county was erected by James Fulton, at the county seat. It is stated that the building was so constructed as to answer the double purpose of jail, and in the absence of prisoners, was used by Mr. Fulton as a root house. I could name the first criminal lodged in the institution, but for the sake of friends forbear. I could
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relate many interesting anecdotes of the county seat war, but time will not permit.
PIONEER STEAMBOATS
For the entertainment of our eommereial men, I will give the names of the first steamboats that plied between Detroit and Port Huron. The first boat making her appearance on this route was the "Argo," in 1830. She was constructed from two large whitewood trees converted into canoes or "dug-outs," joined together so as to make a sharp bow and square stern. She was owned and commanded by Captain Burtis, of Detroit. On her arrival at Stromness Island, the captain would take on board a quantity of fenee rails, as it appears she could not carry suf- ficient fuel for the trip.
About the year 1831, the "General Gratiot" was placed on the St. Clair route. She was owned by Dr. Rice & Co., of Detroit, and com- manded by Captain John Clark, of East China. The length of time the Gratiot kept the St. Clair route I have forgotten. Captain Clark was well liked and the "Gratiot" became a great favorite with the traveling public. About the year 1833, Captain Burtis placed the "General Brady" on the same route, but she did not remain over two years. The "Lady of the Lake," commanded by Captain Sylvester Atwood, was a small boat fitted for carrying freight; she did not remain long on the route. In the year 1836, the "Erie" made her appearance on St. Clair river, and was the fastest boat of her size on the lakes. She was prin- cipally owned by James Abbott, of Detroit, and continued on the St. Clair route until 1842, when she was lost in the ice of Lake St. Clair. Captain Samuel Ward placed the "Huron" on the same route in 1840. The "Huron" was the largest and best boat on the route, and was com- manded by Captain E. B. Ward. At this time, Newport, St. Clair and Port Huron were rapidly increasing in population, and the county was filling up with active and industrious farmers; the same spirit of enter- prise was manifested on the Canada side of the river. Lake Huron shore and river ports gave this steamer full freights ; her handsome and commo- dious cabins were always crowded with passengers. She continued on the route until worn out, each year of her service netting the Wards thousands of dollars; she was the first great paying investment, and her earnings formed the foundation for their colossal fortunes. There were other boats that ran in opposition to the "Huron," but they were either run (or bought) off the route by the Wards. All opposition lines to them have incontinently failed, and when Eber B. Ward sold the route its purchasers followed in his steps and maintained their claims against all opposition.
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