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 28
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In November, 1894, Mr. Stockwell made arrangements with Hovey and Muir to study law in their office, and he spent all his spare time studying under the direction of Mr. Hovey. Mr. Stockwell was admitted to the bar of this state on the 13th day of April, 1900. He at once formed a partnership for the practice of law with his former instructor, and this partnership continued until Mr. Hovey removed to Detroit in 1904. since which time Mr. Stockwell has practiced alone. He was admitted to practice in the federal courts on May 20, 1901, a little more than a year after his admission to practice in the Michigan courts. .
In polities he is a Democrat. Although his father was a staunch and uncompromising Republican, Elmer early espoused the cause of the Democrats. It was on the tariff issue that he allied himself with the Democratic party, and he has always supported it consistently. In fra- ternal work he has taken an active part and belongs to many fraternal societies. He is a member of Port Huron Lodge, No. 58, F. & A. M., and is a past master of the lodge. He is also a member of the Order Eastern Star and is a past worthy patron of Port Huron Chapter, No. 170. Mr. Stockwell is a firm believer in the fraternal insurance system and holds membership in several of these soeieties. He helped to organize Wales Tent, No. 164, Knights of the Modern Maccabees ; served as reeord keeper of that Tent for eight years and was commander for one year. He also represented his Tent at the meeting of The Great Camp in Bay City at the time D. P. Markey was elected great commander. In 1896 Mr. Stock- well became a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and has taken an active part in the work of that organization. He was elected high counselor of the High Court of Michigan, I. O. F., in 1904; served in that capacity for about eighteen months, and was then elected high secretary of the High Court of Michigan, and is still holding that posi- tion, having attended to its duties for nearly seven years. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World, the Woodmen Circle and the Modern Brotherhood of America. In this last named society he was one of the representatives of the lodges in the Seventh congressional dis- triet of Michigan to the supreme convention held in Denver in August. 1911. At this convention Mr. Stockwell took an active part in the work. being a member of the committee on laws and aided in bringing about a readjustment of the rates to be paid by members of that society.
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Mr. Stockwell has two sons, both of whom were born in the township of Wales, Ray E. on July 11, 1887, and Justin Clare, on June 3, 1890. Both sons now reside in Detroit and are engaged in business there.
Mr. Stockwell has his office in the White Building, where he has been ever since he began the practice of law. In his personal manner he is retiring and unassuming; is a loyal friend; attentive to the inter- ests of his clients, advising against litigation whenever it is possible to secure their rights without resorting to the courts; and is devoted to his profession.
EDWARD C. RECOR. The diversified interests that have and do still occupy the time and attention of Mr. Edward C. Recor, the well known merchant of St. Clair and heavy real estate owner and operator in North- west Canadian properties, mark him unmistakably as one of the most influential factors in the upbuilding and progressive development of that part of the state of Michigan which has for so many generations been the home of his ancestors. For the Recor family, be it known, was one of the earliest in the history of the United States to settle in what is now the incomparable state of Michigan, the first member of that family to identify himself with that section having received the deed to his farm from James Madison, president of the United States at that period. This farm, which is located in East China township. St. Clair county. became the birthplace of Edward C. Recor. of whom we write, and has been continuously retained by the Recor family throughout the genera- tions until the present time. The original deed to this farm was made to Oliver Ricard, as the family name was then spelled, who was the father of Lambert Recor and the grandfather of Edward C. Recor, the last named gentleman being the present possessor of this precious his- torieal document, a paper of which he is justly proud.
The early education of Edward C. Recor, began in the little country schoolhouse of East China township, was continned at the high school of St. Clair, and finished at the Commercial School of Detroit. Having finished his educational preparation for the important commercial inter- ests it was his lot to be called upon to conduct, Edward returned to his parental home, and then began his initiation into the business which he made his life work. IJis father, in addition to condneting farming oper- ations on the old family homestead, was the owner of a general store which was located on the river bank, and there be carried a stock of gen- eral merchandise operating a wood and coal dock for the sale of the same to lake steamers, carrying on an exceedingly profitable business in that line of trade. He also extended his operations to the purchase and shipment of cattle and hay, his extensive dealings in these various and important lines making him one of the best known men in that section of the state. Upon his return from the Detroit school, Edward assisted his father in the conduet of his merchandising interests and upon the death of his parent in 1867 the son became owner of the business and continued to engage therein for many years.
It was in 1880 that Mr. Recor became interested in boats and boating traffic on the Great Lakes, his ownership extending to a part interest in several vessels and full control of others which he operated on his indi- vidnal capital. The business of general freighting proved to be a profit- able venture and resulted in much gain to Mr. Recor.
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In 1892 Mr. Recor built the large store which he at present occupies and further augmented his lines of goods carried to include all kinds of farmers' supplies, machinery, tools and general hardware.
A few years ago, in 1906, Mr. Recor became interested in real estate in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Northwest Canada, and he has secured some very large holdings in those sections, his highly developed business acumen and business instinct enabling him to under- stand the great future in store for these lands and the inevitable profit that must accrue to the owner of well selected acreages such as are Mr. Recor's.
In 1867 Miss Nancy Parsons, of China township, the daughter of prosperous farming people originally from the eastern states, became the wife of Mr. Recor. She died in 1885. This union proved a happy one, and Mr. and Mrs. Recor became the parents of two children. The daughter, Mary R., is now the wife of Mr. Frank H. Macpherson, a pro- fessional auditor, the residence of the couple being in Detroit. The son, Edward H., is now lending able assistance to his father in the manage- ment of his large business interests. He is married and has three chil- dren-Edward P., born in 1898; Harry Sherwood, born in 1902, and Mary Etta, born May 6, 1911. His wife was Miss Etta McElroy of St. Clair. Mr. E. C. Recor was again married in 1888, to Mrs. Saruna S. Holbert, danghter of Judge G. S. Smith, now deceased, whose home was in Elmira, New York.
In spite of the fact that so much of his time has necessarily been devoted to personal attention to his manifold business interests, Mr. Recor always finds opportunity to creditably discharge his duties as a citizen, whose prominence lends more than usual influence. to whatever stand he may take on debated questions, and he has also given a portion of his valuable time and talent to the people of his community as a public official. He was treasurer of St. Clair county a term in the early eighties, and has been an alderman in St. Clair for three terms. He is a Republican in his political adherence. In social, commercial and official circles Mr. Recor and his family have at all times occupied positions of prominence where fine character and sterling worth are recognized as the best attributes.
MISS ELINOR FRANCES DEAN. The business men of Port Huron whose interests necessitate the use of the telegraph in swinging large deals or in the daily routine of business, as well as the public at large, appreciate the excellent service that is being given them by the Western Union Tele- graph Company and the American District Messenger Company, and the greater part of the credit for the efficiency of this service may be given to Miss Elinor Frances Dean, who during the past eight years has capably discharged the duties incident to the position of manager of the com- panies' interests in this city. Miss Dean is a product of Canada, having been born in Sarnia, Ontario, November 6, 1874, and is a daughter of John D. and Mary (Comerford) Dean.
John D. Dean was born in Ireland, in 1820, and came to the United States as a young man, settling in Sarnia, Canada, where for many years he had charge of city employes engaged in municipal work. He became a well-known and highly respected citizen, and at the time of his death, in 1895, left his children the legacy of an unblemished name. His widow. who survives him, has reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years.
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and now lives in her own home in Sarnia. Three children were born to them, these besides Elinor Frances being : Mary, a trained nurse located at Toronto, and Catherine, the wife of Andrew Bradley, an employe of the Sarnia Stove Company, in charge of the nickel plating department, who has four children-Dean, Frances Ruth, Grace and Paul.
Miss Dean received her education in the Sarnia Convent, from which she was graduated in 1883, and at once began work for the Great North- western telegraph office, as a student. She remained there for about eleven months, at which time she came to Port lluron, and entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company, at a branch office at the foot of Butler street. She was soon promoted to a position in the main office, and six months later was sent to Fort Wayne, Indiana, but not being satisfied there resigned, being immediately employed by the same company at Detroit, Michigan, where she acted as relief press operator. Later she went to Grand Rapids and Jackson, Michigan, and then became day operator at Port Huron, where six years later she was appointed to her present position. Three operators are located at this office, in addition to a delivery clerk and messenger boy, and throughout her incumbeney of the office the service has been entirely satisfactory in every respect.
Miss Dean is a devout member of St. Stephen's Catholic church, and has been a leader in religious and charitable work. She is well known in social circles of Port Huron, and numbers her warm, personal friends by the hundreds. As a business woman she has proven herself amply capable of handling the affairs of the office under her charge, and the company is to be congratulated in having so efficient and courteous a manager.
LAWRENCE C. NEWBERRY. Prominent among the younger generation of Saint Clair county's prosperous agriculturists is Lawrence C. New- berry, who is actively engaged in general farming in Grant township, and is also serving as township elerk. A fine representative of the native citizens of his community. he was born in this township August 28, 1880. His father. William Newberry, a resident of Grant township, was born and reared in Canada. IIe married Emeline Shore, a native of Iowa, and they became the parents of two children, as follows : Lawrence ( .: and Josephine, wife of Clifford Burley.
Brought up on his father's farm, Lawrence C. Newberry attended the rural schools of his native districts throughont the days of his boy- hood and youth, and in 1904 was graduated from Miles Commercial Col- lege. in Detroit. The ensuing year he remained in that city, being in the employ of the J. L. Minor Iee Company. Returning then to the parental roof-tree, Mr. Newberry assisted in the care of the home farm for awhile. after which he traveled on the road, buying hay for the "Gleaners" of Detroit for two years, and was subsequently in the employ of Congress- man MeMorran for a year, when the business with which he was identi- fied was sold to the Grain Elevator at Blaine. Mr. Newberry is now prosperously devoting his energies to the eare and improvement of his farm of one hundred and forty acres, and in his work is meeting with most satisfactory results.
Mr. Newberry has always been the encourager of everything calcu- lated to advance the welfare of the community, intellectually, socially
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and morally, and his popularity as a man and a citizen was shown at the polls when, in 1911, in a Democratic stronghold, he a Republican, was elected township clerk by a majority of twenty-three of the votes cast. Mr. Newberry is a member of the American Nobles Insurance Com- pany, in which he carries an insurance of one thousand dollars.
Mr. Newberry married in October, 1907, Margaret Dowd, who was born in Kenockee township, Saint Clair county, Michigan, in April, 1886. and was there brought up and educated. Lucille, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Newberry, was born February 28, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. New- berry are active and valued members of the Catholic church at Jeddo.
DAVID A. FITZGIBBON. On New Years day of the year 1873 was born in Point Edward, Canada, to David and Mary Rogers Fitzgibbon, a son. David A. He attended the Sarnia high school and then spent two years in the University of Toronto and in the year 1893 came to Port Huron. Here he entered the office of Bryan and Atkinson to read law and a year or so later was admitted to the bar. He quickly won recognition as a talented young attorney and under Cyrus A. Hovey served as assist- ant prosecuting attorney.
Like so many of the better class of young Americans, Mr. Fitzgibbon entered the ranks of the army as a private at the time of the Cuban war. becoming a member of Company S of the Thirty-third Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry. This regiment was the first to reach Cuba and the last to leave the Island, and Mr. Fitzgibbons saw much active service and was in all the fighting about Santiago. He had been made regimental clerk and was called home by Governor Pingree to look after the welfare of the Michigan soldiers. In September, 1898, Mr. Fitzgibbon was mus- tered out of service and took up his civilian's career again.
Upon returning to Port Huron, he took up the practice of law, and fulfilled the brilliant promise he had made earlier. He soon became a power in the Republican party, which quickly availed itself of his talents as a leader as well as a lawyer. In 1911 he was elected to the legislature without opposition.
Mrs. Fitzgibbon is Mary, the danghter of Daniel and Elizabeth O'Hagan, of Port Huron. She was educated at St. Stephen's school, and was for some years a teacher in the Port Huron schools. Her marriage to Mr. Fitzgibbon took place at Oelwein, Iowa, in 1910. Like her hus- band, she enjoys a wide popularity in the city and she is well fitted to share in any success he may attain.
IRVING S. FLEMING, D. C., was born on a farm near Lansing, Michi- gan. and is a son of Edgar A. and Jane (Sheets) Fleming, both natives of Ohio. He was reared on the farm and received his early education in the public schools and commercial institute of Lansing. For a short time he was assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at Lansing.
Mr. Fleming began the study of the science of Chiropractie by enter- ing the Grand Rapids College of Chiropractic, from which he was gradu- ated June 10, 1910. On the 8th of August following his graduation he opened offices in Port Huron, where his snecess was immediate. He has gained an extensive and lucrative practice and now has a branch office in St. Clair. Michigan, where he spends Tuesday and Friday evenings of each week. The treatment, which is connected with neither medicine.
Charles Falloirce
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surgery, osteopathy or massage, uses neither knife nor drugs, and deals entirely with the spine, being painless and in no way conflicting with the ordinary duties or vocation in life. He is a man of very kind and pleasant address and although he has been in the city but a compara- tively short time. his congenial manner has made him very popular with all who know him.
Dr. Fleming was married June 15, 1910, to Miss Bessie Watson, who was born in Lansing. Miehigan.
CHARLES FREEMAN MOORE. The industrial situation in St. Clair is one of great interest and import to all the citizens, for on nothing does the general prosperity more surely depend. Among those who con- tributed to the industrial and commercial prestige in which the little city rejoiees the late Charles Freeman Moore, chairman of the board of di- rectors of the Diamond Crystal Salt Company, stood pre-eminent. IFe had been identified with this concern since it first came into existence in 1886, and shared in the vicissitudes of the quarter century ensuing, by sheer persistence and intellectual force bringing it through difficulties and discouragements to its present place as one of the most important salt manufactories in the nation, the quality of its product being ab- solutely umsurpassed. Mr. Moore must be counted the guiding genins of this large industry, which based upon right lines and certain of further growth, has stood the test of time and given wealth and employ- ment to the community. Probably no man in St. Clair county was better known than Mr. Moore, whose loyalty as a native son was unswerving and whose desire to see St. Clair prosper was a thing of "deeds, not words." and no one was more worthy of the success which became his or the honors which were conferred upon him. He efficiently represented the county in the state legislature, was for two years mayor of St. Clair and held other publie offiees.
Mr. Moore was born in St. Clair, August 30, 1842, the son of Reuben and Margaret ( Riddle) Moore. Both father and mother were natives of New Hampshire, and eame to Michigan in 1832, a deeade before Mr. Moore's birth, the father engaging in the Iumber business. The early education of the young Charles Freeman was obtained in St. Clair. When he was about fifteen years of age his father died and he succeeded to trusts which were indeed heavy for his young shoulders. His father had left a lumber business, a leather business and a saw mill, and he as- sumed their management. He was the head of the family, with a mother and younger brother and sister dependent upon him and then, as ever. he was not one to shirk responsibility. At a time when most youths are bent upon pleasure, he was busy figuring out ways and means. Ife con- tinned in the lumber business until he was about twenty-five, and was led to abandon this field on account of the scareity of timber. He bought a large farm, in which he was interested for some twenty-seven years, but his talents lay more in the direction of business than in agriculture. For a few years in the late sixties he and his young wife resided in Sag- inaw, where he directed his operations in lumber and bought and sold land.
In April. 1886, Mr. Moore entered upon his most important work and one in which he encountered distinguished success. That date was the one upon which the Diamond Crystal Salt Company came into ex- Vol. II-14
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istence, and he and Mark Hopkins were the two gentlemen most heavily interested, Mr. Hopkins being president and Mr. Moore the leading di- rector. In 1887 Messrs. Charles F. and Franklin Moore and Justin R. Whiting purchased Mr. Hopkins' interest and the concern received its present name. The subject was made president and held that offiee until January 1, 1911, when, as before stated, he became chairman of the board of directors, the object of placing him in this office being to have his valued advice in all affairs. The addition of this office was not a new idea in the business world, although new to this company. It is only a further division of duties and facilitates the administration of busi- ness through each part of it being provided with a head. The other officers elected at that time were as follows: President, Henry Whiting; vice president, R. R. Moore ; secretary and treasurer, Franklin Moore, Sr.
Like the majority of honestly established concerns, its first years were not wondrously rich in profit; in fact the officers admit with a humor, which at the time was more difficult to employ, that for six years the company did not make a dollar and that for ten years it did not pay a dividend. The part Mr. Moore played in finally bringing it to sue- cess has been graphically described by another biographer :
"He encouraged those who were working for him; he bought in the stock of those who wanted to get out ; he improved the methods of man- ufacture; he made banking and marketing connections; he rebuilt the plant after a disastrous fire-slowly he built up a selling organization- for all those ten heart-breaking years he stood between the company and utter loss. And in the end he triumphed. Through the raging waters of doubt and disbelief he came, swimming with strong strokes. He planted his enterprise on the base of quality; and though it took longer to plant it, that enterprise today is like the house founded on a rock. There is many a man in Michigan who would doubt his own eyes sooner than doubt the judgment or the integrity of Charles Freeman Moore.
"The first dividend was declared in 1896. Since then the history of the company has been one of continual progress. The need of pure salt is fast becoming recognized by all users; for the table, for cooking, for making butter, for canning vegetables, for packing meats, wherever salt enters into food to be consumed by man. And so today the company that was built up chiefly through Mr. Moore's instinct to keep on drilling manufactures and sells more high grade salt than any other coneern in the United States."
Mr. Moore was married on August 20, 1867, his chosen lady being Miss Harriet Rice, of St. Clair. Mrs. Moore was born in Detroit and her parents were Justin and Mary (Troup) Rice, natives of the Empire state. To their union have been born the following sons and daughters : Reuben R: Mary, born February 14, 1873, now at honre; Frederick, born April 17, 1878, general superintendent of the salt works, married June 24, 1902, Miss Ida Moore, of St. Clair, and is the father of two sons, Charles F., Jr., and Jonathan ; and Harriet, born June 17, 1882, and now at home. Their beautiful home is one of the popular gathering places of St. Clair, and the various members of the family are active in the many-sided life of the place and contribute in no small degree to its social and philanthropie prestige.
From the attainment of his majority Mr. Moore subseribed to the pol- icies and principles of the Republican party and his word was of weight
1
allow
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in its councils. Ile was elected to the state assembly in 1876 and served for two years in that legislative body, making his influence felt and working with an eye single to the good of his constituency. While in the legislature he was a member of the committee on lumber and salt. lle was for two years mayor of St. Clair and gave to the city a clean ad- ministration and he served for some time on the school board. He was always a truly public-spirited citizen, ready with his means to advance and with his practical experience to suggest necessary improvements in public affairs. Ile was one of the most active members of the Congrega- tional church and one of its most generous supporters, and without ex- ception his hand was given to all good measures. Mr. Moore passed from this life March 13, 1912. dying suddenly at the Battle Creek sanitarium.
REUBEN R. MOORE. It is with pleasure that the biographer takes up the life record of one of St. Clair county's most progressive and enter- prising eitizens, Reuben R. Moore, vice president of the Diamond Crystal Salt Company. This company, which is one of the most successful en- terprises in this part of the state, may easily trace no small part of its progress to the gentleman whose name inaugurates this review. for to be founded on right lines, and then to be directed by men who combine the eleverest business methods with the highest principles. indicates the most lasting and satisfactory success for any corporation.
Mr. Moore is one of the native sons of St. Clair county who have paid this section the highest compliment within their power by electing to remain permanently within its borders. The date of his birth was May 30. 1868. and he is the son of Charles Freeman Moore. Young Reuben received his early education in the St. Clair schools, graduating from their higher department and in 1887 entered the literary department of the University of Michigan, thus taking advantage of the best eduea- tional opportunities offered by the west. He finished his course in 1891 and received the degree of A. B. I'pon finishing his edneation Mr. Moore returned to this city and at onee entered the offices of the Dia- mond Crystal Salt Company. Ile is still associated with the company, his entire business career of twenty years having been as part and pareel of it. Ilis progress has been steady and well-deserved, and his positions were, chronologically, bookkeeper, salesman, sales manager and now vice president. After serving as bookkeeper for some time, Mr. Moore went upon the road as a salesman, and for six years enjoyed the experience of a commercial traveler. He was then made vice president and sales manager, and had under his control twenty-eight salesmen, whose move- ments he directed with all the sagacity of a clever general. In addition to his duties as vice president. Mr. Moore as manager of the sales de- partment has full supervision of the advertising department and he had shown positive genius in drawing the attention of the public to the mer- its of Diamond Crystal Salt. An excellent idea of his enthusiasm and resourcefulness is given in the following appreciation, which appeared in a commercial publication under the caption "Men who have made good":
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