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. II > Part 14
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JOHN H. MERRILL. One of the foremost citizens of Yale, Saint Clair county, John H. Merrill has for many years been prominently identified with the development and advancement of the agricultural prosperity of this section of the state and with its business interests. A son of Mathew H. Merrill, he was born June 1, 1853, in Picton, Ontario, Canada, where he was bred and educated.
Mathew H. Merrill, born in Canada, March 20, 1825 was trained to agricultural pursuits, and spent a large part of his life in his native country, being engaged in tilling the soil. In 1856 he invested a part of his money in a tract of wild timber land in Saint Clair county, Mich- igan, but did not assume its possession for fifteen years. Selling his Canadian land in 1871, he came with his family to Michigan, and on his land in Brockway township cleared an opening and erected a set of buildings, intending to improve a homestead. Very soon after coming here, however, he was taken ill, and never recovered his health, his death occurring March 7, 1877, on the home farm. He married Harriet R. Wright, who was born in Canada, December 25, 1822, and is now living in Brockway township with her son John, a woman of venerable years. She has but two children, John H. and Eurella A., the latter the wife of Thomas G. Holden, of Yale, Michigan.
Eighteen years of age when he came with his parents to Brockway township, John H. Merrill continued his studies in this state, eventually entering the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. His father's death occuring while he was there, he left college in order to take charge of the home farm, which he now owns and oper- ates, although he resides at Yale, where he has a very attractive and pleasant home. Mr. Merrill has for several years been prosperously en- gaged in the fire insurance business, and now represents many of the old line companies. He is a Republican in politics, and is now serving as
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justice of the peace in Yale. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, the only secret society with which he is identified.
On January 4, 1882. Mr. Merrill married Janet M. Brown, who was born in Perth, Canada, a daughter of David and Mary ( Matherson) Brown, who came from Canada to Michigan when Mrs. Merrill was a child, settling in Saint Clair county, where Mr. Brown became widely known as an elder and a preacher in the Church of Christ. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have three children living, namely: Charles Eugene, Hat- tie R. and J. E. Maurice, all of whom are at home.
HARRY S. ELLIOTT. One of the most capable and intelligent men that ever graced the mercantile circles of St. Clair county, Harry S. Elliott, manager of the Port Huron banch of the National Grocer Com- pany, possesses an unlimited amount of business energy and ability, and, being thoroughly public-spirited and progressive, he is ever found among the leaders of any movement with which he becomes associated. He was born March 27, 1869. in New Castle, Indiana, which was the birthplace of his parents, Jehu T. and Caroline (Shroyer) Elliott. William Il. Elliott, an unele of Mr. Elliott, served throughout the Civil war in an Indiana regiment, enlisting as a soldier in New Castle.
Jehu T. Elliott. president of the Elliott Grocer Company, at Logans- port, Indiana. is one of the more prominent and influential citizens. of Cass county. that state. For a quarter of a century he has been officially identified with the leading fraternal organizations of his community. IIe is now president of the Masonic Association at Logansport, and was president of the boards that erected the Masonic Temple of that city. the Elks' Home, the Carnegie Library and the Washington, Lincoln. Daniel Webster. Longfellow and Sixteenth Street schools. He is like- wise a trustee of the Broadway Methodist church, and gave generous financial aid as well as personal work towards the building of the Broad- way Methodist church of Logansport, which was erected in 1908, at a cost of $60,000. He married Caroline Shroyer, who is now a member of the board of managers of the Cass County, Indiana, Orphans' Home, and keeps in close touch with all philanthropie movements tending towards the betterment of humanity. Three children have been born to them. as follows: Esther, wife of Harry Uhl, of Logansport, Indiana: Arethusa. wife of Edward B. Bliss, of Logansport ; and Harry S.
After his graduation from the Logansport high school Harry S. El- liott formed a partnership with his father, and was there for many years engaged in the wholesale grocery business, being junior member of the firm of J. T. Elliott & Son. Since January 1, 1910 Mr. Elliott has or- cupied his present responsible position as manager of the National Groeer Company of Port IInron, it being a branch of the National Grocer Com- pany of Detroit, Michigan, and has here built up an extensive and very substantial business, conducting his operations to the eminent satisfar- tion of his employers.
Mr. Elliott is a staunch Republican in politics, and while living in Logansport, Indiana, was at one time clerk of the Cass county circuit court, being the only Republican that ever held that office. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Elliott married. April 19, 1900, Mande Castle, of Logansport.
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Indiana, a daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Herd) Castle, na- tives of Cass county, Indiana, where her widowed mother is still living, her home being in Logansport. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are the parents of five children, four boys, all of whom were born in Logansport, and a daughter, who was born in Port Huron, namely: J. T., aged ten years ; Raymond, two years younger; Richard, a boy of six years; Robert, five years old, and Elizabeth, born in 1910. Mr. Elliott and his family have a charming home at No. 518 Union street, where they entertain their friends with a sincere and generous hospitality. Genial, liberal and enterprising, Mr. Elliott is in every way well qualified for the position he holds in the business world, and is a man whom any community might well be proud to claim as a citizen.
HON. SILAS L. BALLENTINE. (By Mrs. Ballentine.) The life of a business man though full of stress and incident usually presents few salient points. This will be readily appreciated by all who tread the busy thoroughfares of trade. For thirty-six years and more Silas L. Ballentine was a part of the business life of Port Huron as the head of one of its leading mercantile houses, and was also identified with its banking interests and with various other useful activities. Every ef- fort for the promotion of the material or moral advancement of his city and county found in him an ardent and constant friend. Although deeply interested in political matters at home and in the county at large, and always to be depended upon for gifts of time, means and influence during the campaigns, he never sought for himself political advancement.
In the summer of 1900 Mr. Ballentine was chosen by the Republicans of the First district of St. Clair county as their condidate for state rep- resentative, and was elected by a flattering majority, though opposed by an unusual party combination. His conduct and services during this session of the state legislature-1901-met with the cordial approval of his constituents, and at the same time won the confidence and friendship of his political associates. Upon learning of his death, Hon. John J. Carton, speaker of the house, said of him: "Mr. Ballentine was one of those genial. pleasant men who made friends of all right thinking men whom he met. Trained in business, he quickly saw the merit of any meas- ure which came up in the house, and always acted in its disposition as his judgment told him was for the best interests of the state. He was one of the most highly esteemed men in the house. During the months he served there, I never saw an act on his part but which I could com- mend. He was a man of whom I became very fond, not only on account of his business ability and integrity, but on account of his genial. pleas- ant nature. The news of his death was a great shock to me."
Among Mr. Ballentine's most valuable services to the city may be mentioned his devotion on behalf of the public schools. We quote from the "In Memoriam" issued by the school board of Port Huron: "For more than thirty years, Mr. Ballentine was one of the most active and valuable members of this board, always foremost in advocating and car- rying out measures tending to the advancement and interests of our Public Schools, and under his fostering care and guidance all that we may claim as superior excellence has been accomplished. Of the pains- taking care, fidelity and unbending integrity with which he guarded the interests of our Common Schools, we, his associates, are best acquainted,
SILAS L. BALLENTINE
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and knowing and recognizing his sterling qualities, we feel that his loss is irreparable. By his unfailing courtesy he endeared himself to us all, and the memory of his unswerving loyality and devotion to the cause of education will ever linger with us, as one of the most beautiful traits of his sterling character."
Former associates on the board of directors of the Commercial Bank gave expression to their esteem and regard in the following resolutions : "Whereas : This board has been shocked to learn of the sudden sum- mons of the Almighty, calling our friend, Silas L. Ballentine, to his re- ward: and, Whereas: Mr. Ballentine was one of the original incorpora- tors of this Bank, and a valued member of its Board of Directors.
** Resolved : That in the death of Silas L. Ballentine, we join with his family and friends in mourning the loss of a good, kind man and eiti- zen : one who has always been held in the highest esteem in the commu- nity where he has spent all his business life, and the loss of whose valu- able services to the city will be deeply felt."
We quote briefly from the loeal press of February 10, 1902. "In the death of Silas L. Ballentine, Port Huron loses one of its most liberal, most enterprising and most highly esteemed citizens. Mr. Ballentine has been a resident of Port Huron for nearly forty-two years, and for nearly forty years has been actively engaged in mereantile business. He has also. at various times, taken prominent part in the promotion of pub- lie enterprises : and his aid was seldom or never refused to any such en- terprise which commended itself to his judgment. He was for years an active and useful member of the board of education, and in 1900 he was elected representative in the legislature and served during the session of 1901 with ability and credit. In his family relations Mr. Ballentine was an affectionate and liberal husband and father. Ilis death will be uni- versally mourned in this community. and his place in the business life of the city will not be easily filled.
"The death of S. L. Ballentine eame to his friends and the family even, almost as a bolt from the blue, so entirely unexpected was it. A line in the newspapers had said he was ill. but no one thought for a moment but that he would be back at his place in the store in a few days. Mr. Ballentine was in the prime of a vigorous manhood and his death adds another to the long array of strong men whom Port Huron has lost in the past two or three years. In his death Port Huron loses a good eitizen. He was an active, energetic business man, and in his official eapacity as a member of the board of education for a quarter of a een- tury he exereised the same diligenee, thought and eare as to his personal affairs. Ile also ereditably represented this distriet in the legislature during the past session, and leaves a record as a zealous and faithful publie servant. When the word was passed yesterday that Silas L. Ballentine was dead. it was evident that his fellow citizens appreciated their loss. and the eulogies passed upon him were eloquent of sincere regard and deep feeling, and were evoked largely by the knowledge that Port Huron possessed no kinder-hearted or more generous citizen, or one who would go farther or do more to help a friend in need."
Mr. Ballentine was one of the original incorporators of the Narrow Gange Railroad, between Port Huron and Saginaw, and a member of its board of directors. The main branch of this road is now a part of the broad gange system of the Pere Marquette. while the narrow gauge equipment is still used for the convenience and profit of the settlements
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and towns lying in that portion of lower Michigan known as "the Thumb." Later he was one of the projectors and most enthusiastic pro- moters of the Port Huron City Electric Railway, the first permanent line in the United States to use electricity as a motive power. This road is now under the Rapid Railway management.
Port Huron had become endeared to Mr. Ballentine by unnumbered associations, and he was ever intensely loyal to its interests. He early secured vantage ground in the business world, to maintain which de- manded ceaseless vigilance and industry. If dangers surrounded him; if, sometimes, he doubted if friends would stand true to him, he did not quail, but, falling back upon his own brainy, resourceful self, sooner or later emerged into the light and comfort of restored security. From the beginning to the end of his business career industry, economy, strict punctuality and a determination to succeed enabled him to conquer dif- ficulties and to secure the confidence and respect of the community in which he lived. His never flagging attention to business was remarkable, and any indication of indolence in others was always an unforgiven fault with him. Faithfulness, industry and tact he greatly appreciated in his employes. He, personally, was always quick, active, always on hand, and in all his business course when an engagement had been made it was kept, no regard for his own ease of convenience being allowed to prevent.
Mr. Ballentine was easy and informal in manner, simple and unos- tentatious in his taste and habits; warm, consistent and firm in his friendships. Once a friend he was always a friend, never abandoning an acquaintance unless he found a loss of merit, and often adhering to such long after others had forsaken the unworthy one. By nature he was generous to a fault, quick to act upon kindly impulses; possessed of a ready sympathy which opened his heart promptly and freely to every needy, sorrow-laden creature. His religion was of the "Abou Ben Adhem" type, and old and young, on learning of his death hastened to bear witness to personal admiration and appreciation of his practical interpretation of the Golden Rule. It was his belief that the better so- cial order will never be realized in a mechanical way; that not more law, but more love; not force, but brotherhood will change the inequalities in the human condition which are now so painfully apparent. Natur- ally, therefore, the principle and teaching of Masonry appealed strongly to him, and upon reaching his majority he entered the order, and in due time became a Knight Templar. Although neither officially nor indi- vidually engaged in its routine activities, he always treasured the priv- ileges of membership and gave to the organization his loyal devotion. In accordance with a wish expressed many years before his death, the Commandery acted as an escort at the funeral services. Mr. Ballentine readily recognized the nobility and value of the aims and results of the more recently founded fraternal societies, and expressed his apprecia- tion by becoming a member of several, including the Maccabees, Royal Arcanum and the Woodmen of the World.
The story of the upbuilding of this life would, if related in detail, parallel many others of absorbing interest, its outline giving a recital of the successive steps in the career of one who struck out bravely and bore up with fortitude and honor in the contest of life; one who all through the years was a busy and efficient worker; a man of his times who, when called forth, showed the possession of a stout heart, a sturdy patience. an active hand and a steady purpose.
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Silas L. Ballentine came of a Scotch-trish ancestry, people ever noted for ability and reliability. Ile was born at St. Andrews, New Bruns- wiek, November 3. 1815, came into Michigan with his parents when twelve years old, and entered upon the life of a farm boy in the then uncultivated country lying near Old Brockway. St. Clair county. The work incident to clearing up a tract of wild land for agricultural pur- poses did not suit the boy's tastes nor satisfy his ambitions, and he grew restive under the tedious monotony of the process. Not meeting with the slightest encouragement from his father relative to seeking other employment, he resolved to cut the Gordian Knot of his difficulties and dissatisfactions by leaving his home without the knowledge or consent of his parents. Soon, however, an elder brother traced the fugitive, in- terceded and obtained forgiveness for him, and gained the consent of the home people that this youngest son among their seven should begin, at once, the carving out of his own fortunes. Shortly after this change in his career he found employment near Almont, Michigan, and later, in the village of that name, where he was enabled to attend school and made rapid progress, because of eagerness for knowledge and advancement. At the age of fifteen years the youth came to Port Huron and here en- tered the dry goods house of Wallace and Gibson, and remained with this firm until the sale of the business to Charles P. Noyes, of New York, who retained Mr. Ballentine with several other of the employes of his predecessors. It was about 1866 that Mr. Ballentine became the junior partner in the firm of C. P. Noyes and Company. Two years later, upon the retirement of Mr. Noyes, the business was purchased by Silas L. and David Ballentine, and the brothers were more than usually successful in wholesale and retail lines of merchandising and seemingly laid the foundation for strong business careers for both partners. The death of David Ballentine in 1874 was a heavy blow to the younger brother, who, nevertheless, took upon himself the unexpected burdens and went bravely on alone for several years. In 1881 Albert R. Ballentine, a nephew, was admitted to partnership and the business went forward under the firm name of S. L. Ballentine & Company until 1896, when the Ballentine Company was organized and under that name the business was continued until August. 1902.
Mr. Ballentine's success in building up a large business from small beginnings can, in no wise, be attributed to what is usually termed luck, but rather to his great energy and untiring perseverance. To will, with him, was to do. llis kind and marked attention to customers attracted notice at once and held their favor. Like all successful business men, he was keen observer and was able to read, at first glance, the probable wants, tastes and idiosyneracies of a would-be customer, consequently he rarely failed to please. As noted before in this memoir, he was a man of such activity of body and mind that he would not be idle, believing that idleness is fatal to progress in everything honorable or worth while. He was never unmindful of little facts and circumstances, little interests and dangers, which, as in the case of every business man, continually sur- rounded him. To these he was wakeful and attentive. Useful knowledge, such as might be turned to practical account. he was continually reach- ing after, and, in these ways, undoubtedly helpful. he succeeded where others would have failed. There is seeming loss in the sudden closing of a useful career in life's meridian, with vigor of mind and body ap- parently unimpaired, but we know that what a man does or may do
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in recordable service is not a just or final measure of his inoral and citizen power. It is in his influenee, in his character, more than in his individual achievements, and his mind and energy can only be esti- mated in the life they stand for in the circle over which they radiated.
Mr. Balletine was married November 7, 1868, to Laura Caroline, eldest daughter of the late Bethuel C. Farrand. a well known attorney of Port Huron. Michigan. Five children came into their home, four of whom reached maturity : Emma McAllen, now Mrs. Theodore H. Hinch- man, Jr., of Detroit; Fanny Farrand, who died in infancy; Caroline Whitman, who died in 1900, was the wife of Walter R. Knuepfer, of Chicago, Illinois ; and Katherine Forrest and Edward Farrand Ballen- tine, both of whom reside with their mother in the family home.
CHRISTOPHER MCCUE, M. D. Numbered among the able and success- ful physicians and surgeons of Saint Clair county is Christopher McCue, M. D., of Goodells, who through merit has attained high rank in his pro- fession, and is eminently deserving of the high esteem and respeet in which he is held, not only by the medical fraternity but throughout the community. A son of Edward McCue, he was horn January 23, 1869, in Dereham township, Oxford county, Ontario, Canada. His grandfather, Charles MeCue, immigrated from Ireland to America with his family, locating, in 1833. in Canada. where he became an extensive land owner and an influential citizen. He lived to the remarkable age of one hun- dred and fourteen years. At the age of eighteen years, in Ireland, he joined the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, of which he was a faithful member for ninety-six years, for several years of the time serving as grand master of Ingersoll Lodge. He reared five children, as follows: Robert, William, Edward, Catherine, who married Thomas Hudson, and Ann, who became the wife of James Mitchell.
Born in county Armagh, Ireland, Edward McCue was but a child when he came with his parents to America. Brought up on a farm, he continued in agricultural pursuits during his entire life, being one of the most prosperous farmers of Oxford county. He married Margaret A. Lindsay, a native of Canada, and of their union three children were born, namely: William, a general merchant and ranchman of Alberta: Bessie, wife of H. B. Beeker. of Alberta ; and Christopher.
Growing to manhood on the home farm, Christopher McCue attended the schools of his native distriet until fourteen years old, afterwards continuing his studies in Woodstock, attending first the high school and later completing the literary course at the Baptist College, each year winning the first prize in his examinations. Turning his attention then to the study of medicine, he entered Trinity Medical College, in Toronto, where he was honored with a fellowship, and at his graduation from the medical department of the university had the distinction of having two degrees conferred upon him, those of M. D. and C. M .. having gradu- ated with first class honors. Dr. MeCue subsequently took a post grad- nate course in medieine and surgery at McGill University. in Montreal, and in 1890 began the practice of his profession in Kansas City, Missouri. Coming from there to Saint Clair county, Michigan, in 1891, he has since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at Goodells, where he has built up an extensive and remunerative patronage. He is a member of the Saint Clair County Medical Society, of the State Medical Society and of the American Medical Association.
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Dr. Mel'ue married, June 4, 1891, Joanna Lewis, who was born at Richmond Hill, Ontario, but at the time of her marriage was living in Toronto. Five children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. MeCue, namely : William L., nineteen years of age, is a student in the Port Huron high school ; Donald II., deceased : Chrystal (., fifteen years old, attending the publie schools: Jean Ellen, twelve years of age; and Lucille E., three months old.
Politically the Doctor uniformly easts his vote in favor of the Re- publiean party. Fraternally he is a member of Memphis Lodge, No. 141, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of the Independent Order of Foresters, of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Yeomen of America. He is medieal examiner for each of these organizations, and likewise for various old line insurance companies. The Doetor has been very successful finaneially as well as professionally since coming to Goodells, his means having then been ex- ceedingly limited. In 1893 he ereeted his beautiful residence, which is made of eohble stones and is supplied with all modern conveniences and is heated with hot water, in its furnishings and equipments being equal to any of the residenees in Port Huron.
PALMER S. CARLETON. Theodore Roosevelt said recently : "Our civ- ilization rests at bottom on the wholesomeness, the attraetiveness and the completeness, as well as the prosperity, of life in the country. The men and women on the farms stand for what is fundamentally best and most needed in our American life." This fact is rapidly being recognized and scientific farming is assuming its rightful position among the lead- ing commercial and professional occupations. One of the leading repre- sentatives of the great basie industry in this part of the state of Michi- gan is Palmer S. Carleton, who for the past several years has been re- tired and living at his home in St. Clair, crowned with years and ven- eration. This gentleman is now over eighty years of age and it may be said of him that "his strength is as the measure of his days." He was a man of much prominence in the days of his activity, having held a num- ber of offices acceptably, among them that of state representative.
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