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 25
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Mr. Lamb was born on a farm in Grant township, October 9, 1862, the son of Paschal Lamb, one of the well-known citizens of this locality. He is the oldest son in a family of nine children and received his edu- cation in the common schools. He remained upon his father's farm until he was about twenty-two years of age, when he went into busi- ness. He began in a small way and conducted only a small business until 1895, when he began to branch out and has added continually ever since the year mentioned, building up a trade which extends far into the surrounding country. He has a general store and carries an excellent and modern stock. Nothing has contributed more to his suc- cess than his honest and square business methods, which have given him favorable standing everywhere and gained for him the confidence of the community to whose prosperity he is a definite contributing factor. In addition to his other interests he owns the Jeddo Telephone Exchange, being sole proprietor of the same.
Mr. Lamb has been twice married, his first wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Tool, being summoned to the Great Beyond on April 2, 1900, and of the four children born to their union one sur- vives, Irwin Vern, this young man having charge of the Jeddo Telephone Exchange. In May, 1902, the subject was united in the bonds of matri- mony to Emma Ewing, and they have a little daughter, Bessie, four years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the former being chairman of the official board and being interested greatly in Sunday school work. He is one of the leading members and has contributed in many ways, financially and other- wise, to its strength. He is a member of that order combining fra- ternity and insurance, namely, the Woodmen of the World, and is very popular in its ranks. In the matter of politics he has Republican
convictions, but is by no means an office seeker, giving to public af- fairs only the consideration and study of the intelligent voter. His business interests are so many and so important that he has little time for other channels of activity, although he has ever taken much interest in the affairs of the county, state and nation. He belongs to one of the pioneer familis of Grant township, who paved the way for its present day civilization, the name of Lamb having been long and favor- ably identified with affairs in this section of the state.
REVEREND FATHER JOSEPH PATRICK McMANUS, who assumed charge of Saint Stephen's Catholic church a score of years ago, is one of Port Huron's most active and respected ministers of the gospel. A tireless and earnest worker in the cause of the church, he puts his whole heart in his labors and his unaffected zeal has won for him a warm place in the affections of his parishioners. Outside of the sanctuary he is a polished and pleasant gentleman, very popular with the community in general, and one whom it is a pleasure at any time to meet.
A native of Michigan, he was born in March, 1851. in Osceola, Livingston county. His parents, Thomas and Hannah (Beggan) Mc- Manus, were born in Ireland, and coming to the United States to live located in Michigan, where they spent their remaining days. One of their sons, Bernard McManus, enlisted in the Second Michigan Cavalry during the Civil war, and later enlisted for service in the United States
MODERN MACCABEE TEMPLE-HOME OF THE LADIES OF THE MODERN MACCABEES
OFFICERS, LADIES OF THE MODERN MACCABEES
FRANCES E. BURNS GREAT COMMANDER
SUSIE S. GRAVES GREAT FINANCE KEEPER
EMMA E. BOWER GREAT RECORD KEEPER
ISABELLA HOLDOM, M. D. GREAT MEDICAL EXAMINER
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navy, while Thomas MeManus, cousin to Father McManus, served as quartermaster of a regiment.
Obtaining his advanced education at Notre Dame, Indiana, and at Sandwich, Ontario, Father McManus began his religious work as assist- ant priest in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He subsequently held pastorates in Dexter, Michigan, and at Battle Creek, from the latter place coming in 1891, to Port Huron, where he has since had charge of Saint Steph- en's church, at the present time having as his assistant Father D. J. Ryan, a faithful and capable parish worker and a sincere Christian.
When Father McManus came to Port Huron his church numbered about four hundred families, but under his wise and kindly ministra- tions it has had a normal and healthy growth, and now contains four hundred and fifty families, or about two thousand five hundred souls. He is a good speaker, his sermons having a wholesome ring that moves his hearers to right action, and he is deservedly popular both in and out of the church, his influence as a man and a citizen being evident throughout the community. Ile is a valued member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and of the Knights of Columbus, both of which are insurance societies. He resides at No. 417 Erie street, in close proximity to his church.
LADIES OF THE MODERN MACCABEES. (Original Order)-The pioneer order to give protection to women was organized March 24, 1886, by Mrs. Adelphia Grace Ward and nine other women at Muskegon, Mich- igan. The first subordinate Ilive organized in St. Clair county was Unity Hive No. 2, at Port IIuron, Michigan, on August 15, 1890. The order today has a membership of eighty thousand with one thousand and forty-six subordinate Hives and is doing business in twenty-four states, the largest membership in any one state being in Michigan, with forty thousand and fifty-nine members in good standing.
This magnificent order, reaching from ocean to ocean, with its army of officers, its fully equipped modern offices and scores of clerks, its beauti- ful ritualistic work, its symmetrical laws, its rates scientifically computed and guaranteeing the future of millions of outstanding protection, its funds safeguarded in every possible way in secure depositories, selected with the greatest care, and in high class municipal and government bonds, cause the hearts of the membership to glow with pride when they pause to look back over a quarter of a century of what has been achieved as the outgrowth of the early work and struggles. The order has disbursed in death claims over eight millions of dollars, which has gone into the homes of the deceased members. The social and fraternal features have not been lacking; how could they in a woman's order? They have en- dowed free beds in Grace Hospital in Detroit, Butterworth, Grand Rapids and St. Joseph's in Hancock, Michigan, also one in the children's free hospital in Detroit, where the sick and disabled members and their children may go and take advantage of the best medical and surgical aid free of charge. Hundreds of members have availed themselves of this opportunity and by so doing have been given a new lease of life.
The good deeds of the Ladies of the Modern Maccabees would fill pages were they written, but the record has been made on the hearts and lives of those who are united in the cause. The symbolical words of the order are "Industry, Fraternity and Protection," but the greatest of
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these is protection. And so may the order go forward with greater courage and inspired vision to the possibilities lying before it until no home in the land is without care and protection afforded by this vast fraternal system.
The headquarters of this magnificent woman's order is the beautiful Modern Maccabee Temple, Port Huron, St. Clair county, Michigan.
In 1892 the Supreme Hive Ladies of the Maccabees of the World came into existence, a branch of the parent order Ladies of the Modern Maccabees, but with separate and distinct organization.
LEON V. JARVIS. One of the well known business firms of Port Huron, Michigan, which has been developed from a small start into an enterprise whose operations cover the city and surrounding country, is that of Jarvis Brothers, dealers in builders' supplies, fire brick, build- ing cement, plaster, sewer pipe and tiling, at No. 102 Butler street, the head of which, Mr. Leon V. Jarvis, is one of Port Huron's successful self-made men. Mr. Jarvis was born on a farm near London, Ontario, Canada, January 11, 1858, and is a son of Frank and Catherine (Hull) Jarvis.
After leaving the country schools, where he received his primary education, Mr. Jarvis entered the college at London, graduating there- from when about eighteen or nineteen years of age, and then returned to the farm. He was married January 2, 1878, near London, to Miss Alice Griffith, a former schoolmate, and shortly thereafter his father moved to Port Huron and bought what was then known as the Kendrick farm, on Lapeer avenue, paying $6,500 for the property and selling it ten years later for $12,600. He then purchased six hundred forty acres at Lakeport, where he remained during the rest of his life. Leon V. Jarvis stayed on the home farm for one year, when his father, as an inducement for him to come to Michigan, gave him the home farm in Canada with the condition that he should sell it, and eventually Mr. Jarvis came to Kimball township and bought what was known as the Wadham farm, on which he lived five years. He then rented this land for five years and bought the Lapeer and Port Huron plank road, which then extended to Wadham, but about five years later disposed of it and settled down on a farm for one year. Coming to Port Huron at that time, Mr. Jarvis bought the Nelson House, a hotel on Quay street, east of Huron, which he conducted successfully for about eight years, when he was appointed to the office of police clerk, and served as such very acceptably for five years and six months. Mr. Jarvis then spent about one year as manager of the building material department of the business of H. B. Buckridge, at the end of which time he entered the business with which he is now connected, in partnership with his brother, H. A. Jarvis, whose interests he purchased in March, 1910. The building where his business was carried on was erected for Mr. Jarvis, and is now a part of the Hartsuff estate. Mr. Jarvis has engaged in dealing in real estate to some extent, and now owns a store building at No. 908 Military avenue, a residence at No. 1020 Miller street, and his own home at No. 1218 Lincoln avenue. He is a popular member of the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, and is prominently connected with the Modern Maccabees, of which he was elected commander after
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he had been a member for six months, representing them at the head tent at the time of the review in Port Huron.
By his first marriage Mr. Jarvis had one son, Frank O., born in Canada, who received a common school education and is now in busi- ness with his father. His wife died at the time he left Canada, and her parents came to Michigan, he making his home with them for twenty years. On August 14. 1900, Mr. Jarvis was married to Mrs. Sadie (Davidson) Stewart. They have had no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter. Alice V. Jarvis. During his entire busi- ness career Mr. Jarvis has displayed honesty of purpose and those traits of upright living and public spirit which make for good citizenship. He is considered one of the safe, substantial men of his community and as such is esteemed and respected by his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM R. KEMP. Today among the prominent citizens and suc- cessful business men of St. Clair city is William R. Kemp, dealer in coal, wood, produce and builders' supplies. He has resided in this city since the fall of 1889, when he purchased his present business of J. M. Sanborn, who conducted a grain commission business where the subject now has his office and warehouse.
Mr. Kemp is a native of St. Clair county and is one of those native sons who have paid this section of the commonwealth the supremest compliment within their power by electing to remain permanently here. He first saw the light of day October 18. 1854. his birthplace being a farm in St. Clair township. His parents were John N. and Susan (Bryant) Kemp, natives of Norfolk, England. These estimable people were married in their native country and came to America in a sailing- vessel, which took six weeks to cross the Atlantic. Upon their arrival they made their way to the newly opening west and on May 13, 1850, first saw St. Clair county. The father found little he could do in the new settlement, but managed to eke out a livelihood with various small work, cheerfully accepting whatever came to his hand. He lived with Mr. Thomas Sargeant for a time and by dint of the most diligent industry and thrift he eventually found himself in the position to purchase land of his own. This he improved and developed and engaged in its culti- vation until summoned to the Great Beyond in August, 1891. His wife survived him for several years, her demise occurring in 1894.
William R. Kemp received his early education in the Carleton dis- triet school and in the schools at St. Clair. He remained upon his father's farm until his purchase of his present business, as mentioned previously. His commercial tastes, however, influenced him to take up business and he has never regretted the change.
In 1881 Mr. Kemp laid one of the most important stones in the foundation of his success by his marriage to Mary E. Gearing. of Toronto. Canada, who was born in Wales. Great Britain, and came to Toronto with her parents in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp are the parents of three sons and two daughters. Gertrude E. is a teacher in the public schools at Detroit, Michigan; John Vernon is married and resides in Detroit ; M. Hazel is a teacher of music at St. Clair : Edward is a student in the University of Michigan (the law department) and will graduate in 1914; and the youngest son, William Lloyd, is in attendance in the St. Clair schools.
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Mr. Kemp is a stanch Democrat and has been active in public affairs, being a director of the school district, township drain commissioner and school inspector. Since residing in St. Clair city he has held the offices of alderman and city assessor. He and his wife are earnest and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church and hold high place in general esteem.
WILLIAM D. SMITH. The proprietor of the fine grocery store at 316 Huron avenue, Mr. William Smith, was born in Mount Horeb, Canada, in 1865. His parents were William D. and Jane Reynolds Smith. The mother was a Canadian by birth and the father a native of the Isle of Wight. Both are now dead. Mrs. Smith passed away in 1874 and her husband in 1910. She is buried in Canada, but William D. lies at rest in the town where he was for twenty-eight years a prominent citizen, both in business and in the political life of the city. He was a shoemaker by trade but in Port Huron he conducted a grocery store in the north end of the town. During his more than a quarter of a century's residence in Fort Gratiot William Smith, senior, held many city offices, serving as city clerk, treasurer and for three terms as alderman. He was a loyal adherent of the Democratic party, and had the confidence and esteem of all his fellow citizens. He left to his son that most precious heritage, a stainless name and the memory of a life of beneficent industry.
William D. Smith, junior, received his education in Grant township of this county and later at Fort Gratiot. He has always been in the grocery business since he was old enough to be an errand boy. From this post he was advanced to that of clerk and later became a partner. He was in partnership for four years, beginning in 1890. Since he opened the grocery of Smith Brothers he has had a fine trade and an ever increasing one. The branch store at the terminal station in the south part of the town is an indication of the growth of his business. His establishment is strictly up-to-date in all respects and his large force is constantly kept busy meeting the demands of the trade. It is a pleasure to step into the stirring atmosphere of his city store and see the workings of the flourishing concern. The proprietor is eminently fitted to be at the head of such a store, as he is not only a man who knows the business from beginning to end, but a person of broad and progressive ideas, whose upright dealings have made him one of the most respected as he is one of the successful business men of the town.
Mr. Smith's politics are those of the Democratic party, as his father's were. He is well known in the fraternal orders of Port Huron, holding membership in the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Maccabees, the Rathbone Sisters of the Knights of Pythias. He has held office in most of these orders.
Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Charles and Laura Wellman (nee Merritt), of St. Clair county, her given name being the same as her mother's. The marriage of Laura Wellman and William Smith took place September 30, 1891. Mrs. Smith's parents are living in Port Huron at the present time, residing at 1215 Lincoln avenue. Mr. Wellman was born in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a family of six children. Eileen has just graduated from the Port Huron high school and is now at home. She is eighteen years of age. Her brother Charles is a year younger and still in school, as are also Russell G., aged fifteen ;
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Eva J., aged eleven, and Wellman M., nine years old. Laura Etheljean is four and a half.
Mrs. Smith is a devoted member of the First Methodist church, where she is counted among the most valued workers. The home at 808 Pine street is owned by Mr. Smith and also some vacant lots on another street. The store on Military street under the name of Parker and Company also belongs to him. He is a director in the St. Clair County Savings Bank and is counted one of the substantial business men of the county.
SQUIRE LANGS. As money, or any other medium of exchange, is the life-blood of business and commerce, it is evident that bankers, who manage and control the circulating medium, stand related to the public as the physician who has his finger on the pulse of the patient and has the power of controlling his constitution for better or worse. No member of the business community has a greater responsibility than the banker, and any community or city is much to be congratulated which has at the head of its finances men of thorough training, staunch ability and moral dependability. A young man who ably realizes and meets the requirements of his responsible position is Squire Langs, cashier of the Jeddo Bank.
By the circumstance of birth Mr. Langs is a Canadian, his eyes having first opened to the light of day in Brentford, Ontario, November 3, 1877. He is the son of John Langs and his wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Muir, who are of Scotch descent. Mr. Langs received his education in the schools of Canada, receiving his preliminary education in the public institutions and then matriculating in Woodstock Baptist College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896. At the age of twenty-one years he took the step which was to make him a resident of the United States and settled in St. Clair county, Michigan, where he has ever since resided. For a number of years he engaged in farming, his land being located in Grant township, St. Clair county, but in 1909 he abandoned the great basic industry and embarked in the lumber business, in which he remained engaged until the organiza- tion of the Bank of Jeddo. This substantial monetary institution came into being on November 15, 1911, and Mr. Langs was appointed its first cashier. He is a young man of fine judgment and unusual executive ability, and his marked efficiency has contributed in very definite measure to the standing of the bank.
In 1901 Mr. Lang joined the ranks of the Benedicts, the young woman to become his wife being Minnie Bothwell. Mrs. Langs is a Canadian and was educated in the public schools of Sarnia, Ontario, and in a convent in that city. They share their attractive and hospitable home with one son, William E., who is a little lad three years of age.
Mr. Langs belongs to the ancient and august Masonie order, his membership being with Lexington Lodge, No. 61, and he exemplifies in his own conduct its excellent teachings. In politics he is a loyal Republican and has served as township elerk.
JOHN B. ALLEN. Among the citizens of Marysville who, having spent their lives within its pleasant limits, have gained the love and respect of their fellow-citizens and have made for themselves and their
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children a name for absolute honesty and sturdy industry is John B. Allen. He has been associated with the fortunes of St. Clair county since his eighteenth year, a period of over fifty years. He was born in Windsor, the Dominion of Canada, on February 28, 1839. His father, John Allen, was born at Amesburg, Canada, in 1790, and his mother was born at the same place in the year 1808. The marriage of John Allen and Angeline (Burke) Allen was blessed with eight children: John B., William, Oliver, James, Margaret, Angeline, Harriett, and Victoria. Victoria is married and makes her home in the state of Iowa, and John and James both reside in Marysville, Michigan.
When John B. Allen was a child of three months his parents left Canada and came to Monroe, Michigan, later coming to St. Clair connty and finally settling in Marysville when their son was in his eighteenth year. The father was a carpenter, and engaged in that trade during his residence in Marysville. John B. began industrial life while he was yet at the parental home by working in the nearby lumber yards in the summer months and attending the district schools during the long winter months. At twenty he became foreman in the timber woods of N. B. Mills, an occupation which he followed for over forty years, a splendid record of service for any man. Since leaving that employment Mr. Allen has since become the light-keeper and watchman for Marysville and the shore for three miles below for the United States government.
On March 12, 1863, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Rhadigan. Their wedding occurred at Marysville, and they have made their home in this place ever since, the while making firm and loyal friends and becoming well-known for their kindly interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community at large. To their union have since been born four children. John J., now engaged by the N. B. Mills Lumber Company, is the eldest son. Mary Agnes became the wife of Frank P. Brogan, the superintendent of the Port Huron Salt Works, on October 12, 1908. Doretta Rose, a graduate of the Port Huron high school, began to teach at the age of seventeen and has been in school work for several years. William W. is now engaged under his brother as a foreman in the lumber yard in St. Clair. He married Charlotte Sturdevan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sturdevan, and they have two daughters, Charlotte and Catherine.
Politically Mr. Allen has for the most part been a consistent Republican. The first member of that party to receive his support was President Buchanan, for whom, as a young man, he cast his first vote. For four years Mr. Allen served the community as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Catholic church, having been confirmed in that faith when a child.
FRANK G. COWAN, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Wilson Saw and Manufacturing Company, of Port Huron, Michigan, is one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of this city, whose rise in the industrial world has been almost phenomenal. He was born at old Fort Gratiot, now Port Huron, Michigan, November 2, 1882, and is a son of Frank and Mary (French) Cowan. Frank Cowan, who is now an employe of the Grand Trunk Railway Company,
n
Frank alegraw
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IHISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
was born in Canada, and came to Michigan when about four years of age with his parents, and he was here married to Mary French, a native of Fort Gratiot, and daughter of Robert E. and Henrietta (Nottingham) French, early settlers of this point. whence they came from England, via Canada, along in the fifties. Mrs. Cowan died when Frank G. Cowan was only two and one-half years old, and after her death her husband was again married, and the son lived with his grandparents during his boyhood.
Robert E. French, the grandfather of Frank G. Cowan, learned the trade of shoemaker in his youth, and on coming to Port Huron opened a shoe store, later adding a line of clothing to his stock. Eventually he purchased a tract of land west of Gratiot and north of Garfield, and there was engaged in market gardening. For some years he was a prom- inent figure in Republican politics, serving in various township offices and acting as postmaster and mayor of Fort Gratiot. In 1890 he served as census supervisor, and in 1893 and 1895 was sent to the upper house of the state legislature. He took an active part in politics throughout his life, and in this way lost the greater part of a fairly large fortune.
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