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 33
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The boyhood of William Thomas Mitchell was spent on his father's farm, which was situated in the center of the township of Bethany, and he received a good district school education. Later he attended an academy and took the classical course, preparing to enter college, which, however, was denied him, as his father at that time failed in busi- ness. When he was about eighteen years of age he commenced the study of law at Attica, and was subsequently admitted to the bar, his father signing his diploma. Later he was admitted to practice in the other courts of the state. On October 28, 1839, Judge Mitchell was married in Genesee county, New York, to Miss Adaline A. Peck, daughter of Ray- mond Peck, and the same day they left for Lapeer, Michigan. During the following month at Pontiac he was admitted to practice in the circuit courts, Oakland county, receiving his diploma from Judge Charles W. Whipple. A little later he went to Detroit and was admitted to prac- Vol. II-1G
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tice in the supreme court and court of chancery of Michigan. He at once began practice at Lapeer, where he remained until the summer of 1841, when, on account of an attack of malaria, he was compelled to leave, although during the previous year he had been elected register of deeds, and was acting as editor of the Plain Dealer, a newspaper advocating the election of President Martin Van Buren. He moved back to New York and located in Wyoming county, and after fully recovering his health returned to Michigan, locating at Romeo, Macomb county. In September, 1847, he came to Port Huron, having held the positions of circuit court commissioner and prosecuting attorney of Ma- comb county. Port Huron at that time had not yet been incorporated as a village, being then but a lumber center, but he served as a prosecut- ing attorney for some time, and was the first city attorney of Port Huron after its organization in 1857. In 1869 he was elected circuit judge, and served until 1873, at which time he resigned, owing to the salary being insufficient for his needs, as the circuit, which commanded an annual salary of $1,500, at that time comprised St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron and Macomb counties, the same district now paying $14,000. In 1851 Judge Mitchell's wife, Adeline, died, leaving one daughter, who now resides at Ludington, Michigan, Mrs. F. J. Dowland. In 1854 he was married to Miss Fannie French Hosmer, at Jackson, Michigan, daughter of Alonzo Hosmer, and to this union there were born five children, one of whom died in infancy, while the others were: Frances, who married Captain John Rice, of Buffalo, New York; Rose, the wife of Colonel John J. Crit- tenden, U. S. A., retired, of Port Huron; William H., a graduate of the classical and legal departments of the University of Michigan, and a well-known attorney of Port Huron and Los Angeles, California, in which latter city he died in 1893, leaving a widow and daughter, Frances ; and Emily M., who still resides with her parents in Port Huron.
After resigning his position as circuit judge, Judge Mitchell resumed his law practice, which he has followed ever since with the exception of one year, 1891-2, when St. Clair became a separate judicial circuit, and he was appointed by Governor Winans to the office of circuit judge. In 1886 he was appointed U. S. commercial agent (equivalent to counsel) at St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, and held that position until July, 1899. Judge Mitchell is one of the few remaining links between the past and the present. He is a gentleman of the old school, modest, dignified, kind and courteous, and a delightful social companion among his friends. He is full of reminiscence and anecdote, and a man of profound learning and broad general information. Upon political subjects and as a close student of times and conditions he is particularly well informed. His interest in political and economic questions is keen and to these subjects he has devoted much thought. He is an ideal citizen, broad, intelligent and patriotic, a noble example of upright, conscientious manhood. In 1853 Judge Mitchell became a member of Port Huron Lodge, No. 58. A. F. & A. M., and held various positions therein, serving as worshipful master for several terms, and as right worshipful deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, and as most worshipful grand master of the Grand Lodge in 1865 and 1866. He has also taken the Chapter and Knights Templar degree, and is senior past grand master of the state of Michigan.
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DR. THOMAS EDWARD DE GURSE. Among the men who make up the professional circles of a city's inhabitants it is but natural to expect to find the most prominent leaders of thought and progressive action that has for its aim and end the highest good and greatest advancement of the community in all respects, whether of a commercial, civie or social nature. A city that boasts a high class of professional men is absolutely certain to make rapid advancement, and it is to this possession, perhaps, that Marine City owes more than any other its achievement of so many desirable advantages and improvements. Well to the front in this class of citizens of Marine City must be placed the name of Dr. Thomas Ed- ward De Gurse, who, now in the prime of his life and at the period of his greatest energy and power, is one of the community's leading med- ical practitioners and most energetic and efficient public officials, he having for eight years served his fellow citizens in public life as city health officer.
Dr. De Gurse is an adopted citizen of the United States, his birth having occurred at Corunna, Canada, on July 18, 1873. His parents, who were residents of a rural community, tilling a well-kept farm, were Samuel and Margaret (Stanley) De Gurse. They gave their son Thomas the best educational advantages they could command, and after he had gained the rudiments of knowledge at the district school he was sent to higher places of learning. By the time he was in his eighteenth year he had by close and diligent application to his studies attained a stage where he was fitted to enter college and the year 1891 saw him a student at Assumption College, where he remained for one year. In 1892 the young student entered the Detroit College of Medicine bent upon secur- ing the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution of learning, and in three years that worthy ambition was realized, his graduation as a full-fledged physician taking place in May, 1895.
One month later, in June, 1895, Dr. De Gurse had located in Marme City and for three years subsequent to that date was a regular practicing physician of this city. In 1898 he was prompted to enter government service, enlisted in the United States regular service and received the appointment of acting steward at the hospital in Porto Rico, remain- ing at that post, faithfully discharging his duties, until the date of discharge in February, 1899.
The same year he returned to Marine City, re-engaged in practice here, and has so continued until the present time. For the past eight years the Doctor has held the appointment of surgeon for the Rapid Railway Company, this being one of many evidences of a practical nature of the enviable reputation he enjoys as a leading light in his profession. Dr. De Gurse keeps himself abreast of the times in all that has to do with the latest progress of science in its bearing upon the practice of medicine and surgery and holds membership in several medical societies, including the St. Clair Medical Society, of which he has been president. and the Michigan State Medical Society.
Dr. De Gurse is the happy possessor of one of the most pleasant and hospitable homes in the city. His wife, to whom he was married on June 11, 1901. was Miss Margaret E. Newell, the daughter of Patrick Newell, a well known business man of Port Huron, and Agnes (Brophy) Newell. Four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. De Gurse, namely, E. Newell, born in June. 1902: John Lewis, born in December.
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1903; Thomas Edward, Jr., born in 1909; and Margaret Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in March, 1911, her life being of but a short month's duration, she having died in April, 1911.
Social and civic matters occupy a share of the valuable time of Dr. De Gurse, as they should of all patriotic and generous minded citizens. He is a devout member of the Catholic church and is identified with the noble work of the men's organization of that faith, the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a believer in the principles of the Repub- lican party. In every progressive movement he is a foremost performer and he is universally admired for his many sterling qualities and the unimpeachable integrity of his character.
CAPTAIN DELOS PURDY. One of the most familiar figures of the fish- ing industry of Port Huron, Michigan, is Captain Delos Purdy, who was formerly a captain of vessels sailing the Great Lakes, but is now engaged in the fishing business. For the past thirty years Captain Purdy has resided in his own home at No. 608 Erie street, and during this time has won a reputation as a hard-working, industrious business man and conscientious, public-spirited citizen. He was born in St. Clair county, Michigan, January 7, 1853, a son of Richard and Margaret (De- long) Purdy. Richard Purdy, who was born in New York, came to St. Clair county when he was about thirty or thirty-five years old, and for the remainder of his life was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died on his farm and was buried on the Pine river. His widow, who survives him, now makes her home at Smith's Creek.
Captain Delos Purdy was but twelve years of age when his father died, and at that time he started to make his own way in the world. He had secured a fair common school education at Pine Creek, but from his earliest youth he had displayed a fondness for the water, and as soon as he could secure employment he shipped on a lake vessel run- ning from Duluth to Chicago. Starting at the bottom, Captain Purdy rose by degrees until he reached the top rank of his profession, and for many years he acted as captain on various large lake vessels. He is now engaged in fishing, disposing of his catches to the wholesalers, and has been very successful in his operations. He is now the owner of some small boats and a fishing tug, in addition to the comfortable little home on Erie street into which the family moved more than thirty years ago, when there were but few houses in the neighborhood. In fact, the Purdy home continued to be the largest in that part of the city for sev- eral years. Politically the Captain is a Republican, and his fraternal connections are with the Maccabees and the Foresters.
On January 26, 1879, Captain Purdy was married to Miss Charlotte Churchill, who was born in the state of Illinois, daughter of Truman and Charlotte (Davis) Churchill, natives of Ohio. and both now de- ceased. Mrs. Churchill died when Mrs. Purdy was but twenty-four hours old, and she was taken by her grandparents to raise. Captain and Mrs. Purdy have had three children, namely: Delbert, born Novem- ber 9, 1879, a graduate of the Port Huron high school and the Inter- national Business College, now connected with the Aikman Bakery in Port Huron, married Miss Mabel Mann ; Loie Fay, who is a milliner in the employ of Mlle. Beauchamp, Port Huron; and Ezra D., born May 27, 1886, who inherits his father's love for the water, has his mate's
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papers, although now only twenty-five years of age, and is first mate of the large steel steamer "Sir William Fairbairn." The children of Captain and Mrs. Purdy have been the source of great comfort to them, as all have taken substantial positions in life. The daughter Loie Fay attended school for twelve consecutive years without missing a single day, and would undoubtedly have carried on this excellent record to the day of her graduation had not sickness in the family necessitated her leaving school. The family stands high in the esteem of the com- munity, and all of its members have many warm personal friends.
JOHN WESLEY LOSIE. The business interests of Port Huron, Mich- igan, are in the hands of reliable and energetic men, who have the city's welfare at heart and are always ready to support movements which will benefit the community in any way. One of the progressive business men of Port Huron, who through honorable business methods has built up an excellent trade, is John Wesley Losie, proprietor of the Losie Coal Yard. Ile was born in Canada. September 20, 1859, and is a son of Isaac and ('elinda (Messacar) Losie, natives of the Dominion, both of whom are now deceased.
John Wesley Losie attended the schools of Canada until he was four- teen years of age, at which time he accompanied his parents to Sanilac county, Michigan, and in that locality he continued to go to school until he was eighteen. Until he was twenty-seven years of age he was engaged in farming, and during part of this time he and his brother Joe con- ducted a first-class meat market at the corner of Thomas and Pine Grove avenues. Mr. Losie then entered the service of the Grand Trunk Lines as a fireman, but after seven years, making his headquarters in Port Huron, he left the employ of the railroad and began operating farm machinery, sawmills and threshing outfits. In the spring of 1911 he de- cided to enter the commercial field, and established himself in his pres- ent business, where he has been very successful. Mr. Losie well merits the success which has attended his efforts, as he has always been an in- dustrious, hard-working man, and has achieved his present position with- out any assistance or advantages of any kind. His education was mainly seeured in the school of hard work, but there, no doubt, he learned the best lesson of all, that clean living, honest dealing and persistent labor win success. Politically a stanch Democrat, while in Sanilac county he served in various township offices, being highway commissioner and school official, and later for some time was postmaster. During the time that he was engaged in farming he was greatly interested in the affairs of the Grange, and he still holds membership in that agriculturists' organization.
In 1883 Mr. Losie was married to Miss Mary Helen K. Napper, who was born in Sanilac county, Michigan, daughter of John and Alice (Bishop) Napper, the former born in Ireland and the latter a native of Michigan, of English descent, and both now living in Sanilac county. Mr. and Mrs. Losie have been the parents of eleven children, as fol- lows: Howard, who is engaged in the lumber mill business in Troy, Montana; Verna, who conducts a millinery store at Coswell, Michigan; Ray, a moulder, living in Ohio; Earl, a sailor on the Great Lakes, whose home is in Port Huron; Clement, who lives with his grandparents on the farm in Sanilac county ; Ada and Alvin, twins, at home, attending
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school; Alice, who lives at home; Nina, who died at the age of one year; and Court and Isaac, who live at home.
Mrs. Losie is a member of the Mennonite church. Her two uncles, Thomas and Henry Bishop, served as members of the Union army dur- ing the Civil war, the latter losing an arm during the early stages of that struggle, while the former served throughout the war. The Losie family resides in a comfortable home at No. 1824 Poplar street, where the numerous friends of Mr. and Mrs. Losie are sure to meet with a hearty and sincere welcome.
J. C. O'BRIEN. The leading merchant of St. Clair county was born in Ireland, in 1871, his parents being John and Mary Cotter O'Brien, both also natives of Ireland. They spent their entire lives in Erin, and are now buried there. There were several brothers and sisters in the family, but J. C. was the only one to immigrate to America. He was educated in the schools of his native country, and there learned the dry goods business, working at it in the capacity of a clerk until he came to America at the age of twenty-one.
In the year of 1892 Mr. O'Brien became a resident of Chicago and a clerk in a dry goods store of that city. He desired to find a good opening in the business way, and so he spent a considerable time in traveling in the west, stopping at St. Louis and Kansas City. In 1894 he came to Michigan, settling in the city of Detroit. Here he entered the firm of Pardridge and Walsh, and remained with them until the name of the firm was changed to Pardridge and Blackwell in 1896, at which time they moved into the Majestic building. Seven years later a branch store was opened by this firm in Port Huron, and Mr. O'Brien came here as its manager. In 1909 he opened a large dry-goods store of his own on Huron avenue, and here he conducts one of the largest and one of the most up-to-date stores in the city. A line in which Mr. O'Brien specializes is that of ladies' suits and ready-to-wear garments. He not only knows the dry-goods business thoroughly, but also is an unusually discerning buyer and his stock is always one which commends itself to the best class of buyers. The success which has attended his undertaking is the logical consequence of his excellent taste and good judgment. He employs a force of about thirty-five clerks and his is the leading establishment of the sort in the county.
Mr. O'Brien is a Democrat and though he has the keen interest in political affairs which is characteristic of his race, he has not the least interest in public office. He is active in the Port Huron business associa- tion and holds membership in several lodges, including the Woodmen, the Maccabees, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hi- bernians and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.
While residing in Detroit Mr. O'Brien was married to Miss Nellie A. Culnan, whose parents are old settlers of the state. Her father, John Culnan was one of the loyal sons of Michigan who fought in the Civil war. He, like his wife, Mary Cahill Culnan, was born in Ireland. The marriage of their daughter to Mr. O'Brien took place in 1898, in De- troit, and in this same city, the birthplace of Mrs. O'Brien, the daughter, Mary Honorine, was born in 1899, on February 15th. She is now attending St. Stephen's convent, and is a member of St. Stephen's church, of whose parish her parents are also devout members.
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It would be hard to find a citizen of Port Huron who is more de- voted to her best interests or one who works harder to advance them than Mr. O'Brien. He is one of the most enterprising business men of the county. He has achieved a success which is one of which the entire community may be proud. The family reside at 717 Huron ave- muc, a dwelling which they lease from Mr. R. Walsh, who also owns the store building.
EDMUND S. BLACK. If one were to make a list of men who form the most brilliant galaxy of famous people, statesmen, diplomats, orators, there is no shadow of doubt that a large percentage of them would be followers of the legal profession, than which none is recognized as more honorable the world over. It is natural to expect that the lawyers of any given community shall constitute an important part of its most talented and substantial circles of leading personages, and this is con- spicuously demonstrated to be true in the case of Mr. Edmund S. Black, one of Marine City's prominent attorney's-at-law. Mr. Black from boyhood cherished a desire to make his mark in this profession, but because of the fact that it was necessary for him to be the architect of his own fortunes from an early age he did not begin to practice as early as he would have liked, he has, nevertheless, during the twelve years that he has been a full-fledged practicing attorney demonstrated his possession of a high order of natural talents especially fitting him for legal work.
Mr. Black is of Canadian birth, having been born at Walkerton, Ontario, on September 22, 1862. His parents were James and Ann (Cunningham) Black, the mother, who is still living, being a native of Ireland and the father of Canada. When the son Edmund was ten years of age Mr. Black, senior, moved with his family to Deanville, Michigan, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits and was also post- master at that point for a quarter of a century. His death occurred in Huron county, Michigan, in 1904.
Edmund S. Black attended the common schools during his early boyhod days, but before he had progressed far in his studies was obliged to utilize his time as a wage earner and he worked at farm labor and in the sawmills until he was twenty-one years old. He then went to Fenton, Michigan, where he entered the Fenton Normal School, he having prepared himself to matriculate there by study during his spare time while working for others. He pursued his studies there two years, teaching school, however, during the winter months, but to such good purpose did he study when he had the opportunity that he graduated from the Normal in 1894. After securing his diploma from that insti- tution of learning he taught at various points, including Brown City, Valley Centre, Port Sanilac and at Yale, Michigan, holding for four years the position of principal of the schools at the last named place. All this time he had not ceased to study and further add to his already large store of knowledge, and while at Port Sauilac he underwent ex- amination for a life state certificate, which resulted in his receiving the coveted paper.
It was in the fall of 1896 that Mr. Black entered the law school of the University of Michigan, where he diligently studied the necessary branches to enable him to secure admission to the bar. Governor Pin-
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gree, who at that time so ably filled the chief executive office of the state, recognized Mr. Black's superior talents and honored him with the appointment of salt inspector, his duties beginning in the spring of 1897. Again Mr. Black used his spare time to good purpose, and con- tinued his study of law while filling the office of inspector. On Oc- tober 13, 1899, he realized his long cherished ambition and was ad- mitted to the bar. He immediately opened an office at Marine City and has been engaged in active practice here to the present time. Mr. Black, who believes the country's best interests will be served by ad- herence to the principles of the Republican party, is now city attorney of Marine City and has at various times filled different offices within the gift of the people. He is a member of the board of education, of the board of auditors and of the city council.
The marriage of Mr. Black and Miss Etta McKernan, the last named at that time a resident of Deanville, Michigan, her native city, occurred on August 17, 1887. Mrs. Black's parents were Francis and Anna (Jackson) McKernan, both of whom were born in Ireland. Mr. .McKernan was a prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the happy parents of three children, Lois M., born in March, 1895; Susie E., born in February, 1898, and Eugene F., born in January, 1901.
The leading social circles of Marine City count Mr. and Mrs. Black as among their most valued and respected associates. Fraternally Mr. Black is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge and the Masonic order. Mrs. Black is a member of the Eastern Star.
DAVID P. INGLES. One of the bravest soldiers who ever carried a musket during the fearful struggle to perpetuate the nation and save it from disruption in the dread days of the '60s of the century just past is David P. Ingles, of St. Clair, now holding the office of collector of United States customs of St. Clair port in Huron district. He has for many years been regarded as of the proper material to which to entrust public responsibilities of importance and has held a number of offices, of which more will be given later. He was appointed to his present po- sition in 1902, under Lincoln Avery, chief inspector.
Mr. Ingles was born in Wardsville, Canada, September 24, 1843. His father, Orlando Ingles, was a native of Vermont and his mother, Mary Jane Mills, of Nova Scotia. They were married in the Dominion and there resided for some years, removing in 1856 to Port Huron, when the subject was a lad in his teens. He secured his early education in Canada and Port Huron and when of sufficient years learned the car- penter's trade. In 1859 he carried the mail on horseback from Mt. Clem- ens to Port Huron. Just before the outbreak of the Civil war he was living with Captain John M. Coyle on the turnpike near Battle Run (or Guide Board, as it was then called), St. Clair township. On August 12, 1862, he showed his patriotism by enlisting in Company E of the Twenty- second Michigan Infantry, and thereupon entered upon an eventful mil- itary career. In September the regiment was sent South and on Septem- ber 20, 1863, at the battle of Chickamaugua, Georgia, he was taken pris- oner and confined at Richmond from September 30, 1863, to December 9, 1863, then taken to Danville, Virginia, and subsequently to Ander- sonville, Georgia, April 19, 1864, where he was confined till September 9, 1864, when he was taken to Charleston, South Carolina, and from
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