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 30
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LORING E. CADY, general contractor and builder of Port Huron, Michigan, and one of that city's most substantial citizens, has been the architeet of his own fortune, and through his own industry and perse- verance has made himself a recognized force in the commercial life of his community. Born August 26, 1842, in Madison county, New York, Mr. Cady is a son of Jonathan E. and Jeanette (Lampman) Cady, the former a native of Vermont, near Montpelier, and the latter of Madi- son county, New York. Mr. Cady's father, who was for forty years engaged in the grocery business, died in 1899, in Detroit, and his wife passed away in 1846.
Loring E. Cady received a common school education in New York and at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to which latter place he was brought by his father in 1855, and remained at home until he was nineteen years of age. At this time he enlisted for service in the Union army, four days after the first call for troops, and for two years was a member of the Thirty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, later being transferred to the Thirty-eighth Regiment, and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. He served throughout the war as a brave and faithful soldier, and after his services to his country were completed he returned to his father's home at Lexington, Michigan, and for sixteen years was associated with him. He then removed to Superior City, Wisconsin, where for two years he was engaged in the grocery business, but sold out to come to Port Huron and engage in dealing in building material and lime. Later he sold out his lime kiln and engaged in the building and contracting business, in which he has been engaged ever since, his place of business being now located on South Quay street. He has erected 237 honses in Port Huron and the Beaches, including nearly all of the houses in the southern part of Port Huron, and two bloeks west of Twenty-fourth street in Port Huron township, as well as a number of farm houses on the Gravel Road. His own home, a
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large structure of fourteen rooms, was erected in 1897, and he has just completed a fine new double house on Griswold street, which he will rent. Mr. Cady is the landlord of twelve houses in Port Huron, but devotes the greater part of his attention to building and selling, in this way assisting materially in building and developing the city. His strict integrity in living up to the word of his contracts, the excellence of his work and the pleasing personality of the man himself have all combined to insure his success and make him many friends.
In March, 1869, Mr. Cady was married to Miss Emma Dillon, who was born in Port Huron, daughter of John and Minerva (Spalding) Dillon. Mrs. Dillon, who was born in Lockport, New York, now resides in Port Huron, from which city her first husband enlisted for service in the Civil war, during which struggle he received injuries which caused blindness and later death. Her second husband was also a Civil war soldier. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cady : Arthur Emery, of Battle Creek, Michigan, who married Miss Cora Smith and has one son, Raymond; and Loring Velencourt, connected with the Street Show Case Factory, of Cleveland, Ohio, who married Miss Hattie Doe, of Port Huron, and has three children, Charles Lor- ing, Minerva Catherine and Marion Lenore.
Mrs. Cady has belonged to the Congregation church ever since girl- hood, and has been actively engaged in church and charitable work for many years. Her husband is a popular comrade of the G. A. R., and joined the K. O. T. M. twenty years ago, when there were but twenty- three members in that order in Port Huron. Politically a Republican, he has served two terms as coroner, and takes an active interest in the success of his party.
THOMAS WELLMAN. A representative of the legal fraternity of whom Port Huron is justly proud is Thomas Wellman, city attorney, who is a fine example of the best type of a Michigan attorney and rec- ognized over a wide territory as an able lawyer and good counselor. He is a native son of Port Huron, his life record having begun within the favored boundaries of the city February 15, 1859. He is the son of Joseph and Jane (Robinson) Wellman and received his earlier edu- cation in the local schools, bidding a temporary farewell to Minerva at the age of seventeen years to engage in work in the lumber yard. In the meantime he did no small amount of thinking and came to the con- clusion to adopt the legal profession as his own and accordingly at the age of nineteen years, he entered the law office of Judge William T. Mitchell. He was admitted to the bar December 24, 1880, and entered into partnership with his former patron, which continued in a most satisfactory manner for about fourteen years. He subsequently became associated with Atkinson & Wolcott, with whom he remained for four years and then opened an office independently. He has always been interested in politics and in public life and his political faith is that of the Democratic party, to whose cause he has ever given effective sup- port. He cast his first presidential ballot in 1880 and shortly after- ward was elected to the office of police justice of Port Huron, in which capacity he was engaged for four years. Ile was a member of the board of education for fifteen years, a period most fruitful in good result for the city, for in that time the greater part of the modern and improved
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school buildings were erected. Ile has ever been firm in his champion- ship of all measures likely to result in the added welfare of the city in which he is one of the leading citizens. As mentioned previously, he served as city assessor for three terms and on January 1, 1911, he as- sumed the duties of his office of city attorney. He has been sent as delegate to many conventions-congressional, state and national. In 1896 he was chosen as nominee for probate judge, one of his partners, Mr. Wolcott, being his opponent and the other partner. Mr. Atkinson. running for Congress. Those were stirring times and strenuous, one partner holding the fort in the law office, while the other two were out speechifying and otherwise campaigning, and then hurrying back to allow the other to have opportunity "to mend his fences," as the phrase goes. St. Clair county being strongly Republican. Mr. Wolcott secured the election. Subsequently he was twice his party's candidate for ('ir- cuit Judge. In 1910 the subject was nominated by the Democratic party for Congress, and the fact that the city was carried by him by three hundred and that the county lacked but forty of being a tie, is a strong personal compliment to his power and popularity.
Mr. Wellman finds great pleasure in his fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he is very prominent in its ranks. having filled all the chairs and also filled all the Eneampment. offices. Ile maintains his residence at 1214 Lineoln avenue.
HENRY BRENNER. The exercise of continuous industry and high order of business integrity have earned for Mr. Henry Brenner, the well-known manufacturer of boots and shoes, a high place in the annals of the history of the community of which he has been a member so many years. Mr. Brenner is one of those sturdy adopted citizens of the United States whose native Germany has contributed so many of our most energetic and ambitious men to its inhabitants in all seetions of the country.
That Mr. Brenner comes of more than usual progressive and cour- ageous stoek is proven by the fact that he was but sixteen years old when he came alone to the United States, landing in New York. ITis grandfather. M. Weng. and his uncle, John Weng. lived at Marine City, St. Clair county, Michigan, at that time and thither Henry made his way immediately after landing. Mr. Weng was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes at Marine City and his nephew assisted him in that business during the three and a half years that he made his home with him. Henry had learned his trade in his native town, Trochtelfingen. Wuertemberg. Germany, where he was born December 27. 1857. His father, Frederiek Brenner, was a prominent citizen of that place. holding the office of postmaster, and being by trade a shoe- maker.
Desiring to continue in the trade of his ancestors, Henry early began business independently, going from Marine City to Bay City when scareely twenty years of age and plying his trade there for a time. Later he located at Port IIuron, operating a shoe shop there, and in 1887 came to St. Clair, where he saw a better opportunity for his husi- ness, and in the latter city he has since remained continuously. enlarg- ing his plant from time to time as inereasing business warranted until
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now he has one of the best equipped shoe shops in this section of the state.
In 1896 Mr. Brenner formed a business partnership with Ira Jerome, enlarging the scope of his operations to include a complete stock of boots, shoes and rubber goods for the retail trade. For six years the store was maintained by the partners, when it was decided tc sell the store and dsisolve the firm. This accomplished Mr. Brenner continued the manufacture and repair of shoes, in which line he does a large business. He has always kept abreast of the times and in touch with modern machinery that would lighten tasks and inerease output and in 1902 added a Mckay stitcher to his equipment, while in 1910 he installed a complete line of the most modern machinery available for use in manufacturing and repairing shoes. These machines include a Fleming stitcher, cutter, edger, sander, brusher and finishers.
Mr. Brenner is man of family and has a comfortable home in St. Clair. It was in 1881 that he was married to Miss Henrietta Holtz, of Port Huron, who was born in Germany and came with her parents to America when she was five years of age. Her father, Frederick Holtz, is one of the prosperous farmers of Port Huron township. Mrs. Bren- ner was called to her eternal reward June 28, 1906, leaving her husband . and eight children to mourn her loss. Of these Emma married Carl Schmude, of Port Huron, Michigan, a member of the firm of Schmude Brothers, meat dealers; Bertha married Gustav Schultz, a boilermaker of Owosso, Michigan; Mary, who was for a time engaged in clerking but who became housekeeper for her father when Mrs. Brenner was removed by death; Frederick resides in Detroit, where he is employed by the Detroit United Railways Company as an electrician; Carl lives at home and assists his father in the conduct of his business; George, Margrette and Henry all are still attending the public schools and live at home with their father.
Mr. Brenner performs his duties as a citizen in exemplary manner and maintains a prominent place in social and religious circles of the community. He is deacon and secretary of Immanuel Lutheran church and is a man who is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
HENRY WHITING. Of the leading families which have long been identified with the history of St. Clair none stand out in more prominent. and praiseworthy fashion than the Whitings, of whom the subject of this review is an honored representative. Henry Whiting, president of the Diamond Crystal Salt Works, is one of those who constitute the bone and sinew of this section of the great commonwealth of Michigan and from every viewpoint he typifies the citizen of whose possession the eity is proudest. He takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the public welfare and finds a pardonable pride in promoting the prosperity of St. Clair. The Diamond Crystal Salt Company is one of the industries which contributed most effectively to its prestige and growth and the subject has been identified with it since its incipiency, his sound judg- ment, energy and optimism constituting some of its most valued assets . and acting as the motive power which sent it over the highway of pros- perity. If report sayeth true, he has acted in many capacities in its af- fairs and he was with it when the entire office force. from president to office boy, could be numbered on the fingers of one hand. and when the
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official staff, aside from their higher duties, worked as packers, shippers and general workers. In those days the company pointed with pride to an output of from 60 to 75 barrels per day. and through various ups and downs he has seen its product advance to 2,800 barrels daily. seven- teen hundred of these high grade salt.
Mr. Whiting is a native son of St. Clair, his life record having begun here on August 19, 1860, and about his cradle echoed the guns of the ('ivil war. His father was Colonel Henry Whiting and the maiden name of his mother was Mary Throop. Both were natives of the Empire state. Colonel Whiting was a graduate of West Point, who after finishing his military education was stationed at different points in the United States, among these being Fort Ducharm, Mackinaw Island, and a fort in Texas. l'pon the outbreak of the great conflict between the states he was ordered into active service and as colonel commanding the Second Vermont In- fantry he served until the affair at Appomattox brought peace to a deso- late nation. At the close of the war Colonel Whiting returned to St. Clair and engaged in the lumbering and hardware business and for more than twenty years he was one of the most active and useful of cit- izens. In 1887 this admirable gentleman
"Gave his honors to the world again Ilis blessed part to heaven and slept in peace."
St. Clair is dear with all the pleasantest associations to Henry Whit- ing, for here he passed his boyhood and young manhood and in St. Clair's excellent schools he received the educational discipline which served as so sound a foundation for his business career. He was grad- uated from the high school with the class of 1879 and almost immediately afterward he went to Port Huron, where for three years he was em- ployed in the Port Iluron Savings Bank. At the end of that time he returned to St. Clair and, as previously mentioned, secured employment with the new salt company whose subsequent important place in the com- mercial world had by no means been forecasted. After remaining in this association for a time, the young man concluded to take the advice of Horace Greeley and went west "to grow up with the country," locating at Omaha. There he engaged in business temporarily, but the charms of his native place remained vividly with him and he decided to come home. lle found a place awaiting him with the salt company and in 1902. his ability being fully apparent, he was made general manager, in which capacity he served until January 1. 1911, when he was elected president of the Diamond Crystal Salt Company.
In 1890 Mr. Whiting established an independent household by his union with Miss Jessie Fish, one of St. Clair's native daughters. Her parents are Captain Ilenry and Elizabeth Fish, and the former has for years been identified with the shipping interests of the Great Lakes. He is now retired from active business, and in the enjoyment of a well- earned leisure, makes his residence in St. Clair, his "home port." His cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1904.
Mr. Whiting is, and for years has been, identified with the school board and is one of the staunchest advocates of the best educational ad- vantages possible to procure. He has no taste for politics and refuses to be drawn into the mazes of political matters. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church and the subject belongs to the Royal Ar- eanum and the Sons of the American Revolution, his family being an
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old one in this country and his forebears patriotic. He is possessed of a broad and comprehensive public spirit and takes a commendable pride in the progress and high standing of the eity in which his interests are centered.
CHARLES HODDER. As an example of what may be accomplished by the man who has the determination to succeed and the ability to carry out his plans, the career of Charles Hodder, a successful general con- tractor and builder of No. 727 Water street, Port Huron, forms an in- teresting study. Mr. Hodder is one of those men who have won their own position in the world, starting in life handicapped with but meagre educations and no financial assistance, and overcoming all obstacles that lie in their path. He was born in county Kent, England, September 6. 1854, a son of W. H. and Salina (Skinner) Hodder, who spent their lives in the mother eountry.
When he was twelve years of age Charles Hodder came to America, and settled down to live at the home of his uncle in Canada, there com- pleting his edueation. After he had left school he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed in Canada until 1879, and in that year eame to Port Huron, where he continued to work at his trade. Twenty- five years ago he started contracting on his own account, and this has been his business to the present time, his operations having proved very successful. He built the Telephone Exchange, the R. R. Y. M. C. A. building, numerous factories, the pavilion in Pine Grove Park, and numerous fine residences both in Port Huron and throughout the eounty. He can always be relied upon to do the best of work, as he employs none but skilled mechanics, and he lives up to the letter of every contract that he aceepts. A Democrat in his political affiliations, he served as eity assessor for four and one-half years, showing his abil- ity as a public official in the discharge of his duties. He is a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Maccabees, in all of which he is very popular.
In 1879 Mr. Hodder was married to Miss Sarah J. Weir, who was born in Canada, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Stanzil) Weir, natives of the Dominion of Canada. Mr. Weir died when Mrs. Hodder was but seven years of age, but his widow still survives him, at the age of seventy-three years, and resides next door to Mr. and Mrs. Hodder. Mr. Hodder may well be proud of his family, as his children have grown to be men and women of responsibility and have taken substantial posi- tions in the world. Millie, who is twenty-eight years of age, is the wife of Loren Tremain, of Detroit, a teacher in the Detroit Business University ; George H., aged twenty-four years, who has been a sailor on the Great Lakes for some years, is now mate of "The Favorite;" Harry, aged twenty-two, is a graduate of Port Huron Business College, and is now working at the machinist's trade in this city ; Frank C., aged twen- ty years, has been for some time time-keeper for the Smith Construc- tion Company. a large contracting company of Detroit, and is a grad- uate of Port Huron Business College; and Lena, aged twelve years, lives at home with her parents and is attending school. They also have an adopted daughter, Sadie, a niece, whom they adopted when she was two years old. Mr. and Mrs. Hodder are members of the Congrega- tional church, and she is fraternally a member of the Eastern Star and
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the Foresters. The comfortable home of the family, at No. 1211 Lapeer avenue, was erected by Mr. Hodder in 1903, and in addition thereto he owns a number of tenant properties. Enterprising and progressive in all business matters, patriotic and public-spirited as a citizen, and lib- eral in his support of all matters, whether of a civic, religious or social nature, Mr. Hodder is an ideal citizen, and as such well merits the esteem and respect in which he is held by his fellow townsmen.
ROSCOE C. CARLETON. The life of Roscoe C. Carleton has been spent chiefly in St. Clair, Michigan, where he was born, educated and has identified himself with its principal business interests in his mature years. Mr. Carleton's birth occurred on July 19, 1881, of mixed par- entage as to nationality, his father, William F. Carleton, being a native of New York City, and his mother, Mary (Labuhue) Carleton, having her birthplace in Germany. Mr. Carleton's father was a man of varied talents and was engaged at various times as an auctioneer and a city billposter. During the Civil war he served his country as a brave sol- dier in the conflict and at all times performed his duty as a citizen in patriotic manner.
Roscoe Carleton attended the public schools of St. Clair, pursuing his studies faithfully until he had secured all the learning to be acquired there, his course taking him through the high school, from which he graduated with creditable standings in his studies. After the comple- tion of his education in the general branches he decided to take up the study of electricity, in which there is so much opportunity for the ex- ercise of skill and mental ability, as well as mechanical aptitude. He was for four years a valued employe of the electrical department of the Great Lakes Engineering Company, and finally left that position to engage in independent business efforts.
In 1907 he purchased the Surprise Theatre, of St. Clair, a moving picture and vaudeville house, and has since conducted the enterprise with most satisfactory financial success for himself and to the highest satisfaction of the public which seeks its entertainment in this line at his theatre. Mr. Carleton's Surprise Theatre was the first theatre to be opened in St. Clair, and so well has it fulfilled its mission and satis- fied its many patrons that no other enterprise of the kind has been at- tempted in a field so ably filled, the futility of endeavoring to compete with Mr. Carleton's attractions being well recognized.
The marriage of Mr. Carleton and Miss Celenia Ameel, of St. Clair, was solemnized on June 30, 1910. Mrs. Carleton was born in Belgium and came with her parents to the United States when a child, her father, Charles Ameel, being now engaged in agriculture on a farm in Port Huron township. One child has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Carleton, Ella Louise, whose birth occurred May 22, 1911. The re- ligions affiliations of the family is with the Episcopal church.
In civic matters and all affairs that promote the best development of his home community Mr. Carleton takes an intelligent interest, and while he has never filled official position he has taken an interest in political matters and has represented the Republican party at numerous county and state conventions. He is a man of staunch character and the possessor of many sterling qualities that have gained for him the Vol. II-15
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universal admiration and respect of the entire community in which he resides.
DR. MORGAN J. SMEAD. The veterinary doctor and surgeon of today recognizes the benefit of science as applied to his profession, and it is a noteworthy fact that within the last decade the course in this line has become as strict as that of a regular doctor of medicine, while, the scope of practice being larger, many of the young men of today are taking up the veterinary line in preference. One of the young veteri- nary surgeons of St. Clair county, Michigan, who is meeting with grati- fying success in his chosen line is Morgan J. Smead, whose field of prac- tice is the city of Port Huron, where he has offices located at No. 603 Lapeer Court. Dr. Smead was born at Pavilion, Genesee county, New York, August 12, 1882, and is a son of William C. and Elizabeth (Gay- ton) Smead.
Dr. Smead was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Genesee connty, New York. At the age of six years he began attending a pri- vate school in Toledo, Ohio, where he remained eleven years, receiving a good academie training, spending his vacations on the home place. He then spent six years with his father in agricultural pursuits, and in the fall of 1907 entered the Ontario Veterinary College, of Toronto, from which he received his diploma in 1910. He subsequently took a special course in the University of Toronto, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science, after which he came to Michigan and began the practice of his profession at Yale, at which place he had been associated with Dr. Stevens and had gained quite a reputation and a large practice during his vacations. In the spring of 1911 he located in Port Huron, and here he has already built up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Michigan State Veterinary Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. He uses the latest scientific methods, and keeps abreast of the latest inven- tions and discoveries in his profession by subscription to leading veteri- nary journals, and his success has won for him the confidence of the community.
On December 21, 1909, Dr. Smead was married in Port Huron, to Miss Alice E. Stevens, who was born at Barrie, Ontario, daughter of Dr. J. B. and Angeline E. (Stoughtenburg) Stevens, with whom she came to Michigan as a child. Dr. Smead is a Republican in politics. The standard of his profession is being raised by just such men as Dr. Smead, a fact that is recognized by the government, which employs many such young men to care for the health of the valuable stock be- longing to it, as well as to pass upon that which is to be slaughtered.
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