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 34
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David P. Ongles,
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there to the stockade at Florence, South Carolina. Ile was paroled from Florence. South Carolina, December 6, 1864. and joined his regi- ment on April 9, 1865, being mustered out of service at Nashville, Ten- nessee, Jime 26, 1865. Upon the termination of the great conflict he returned to St. Clair township to find his young wife dead and his house- hold disorganized. Ile resumed his carpenter trade and also took up farming, which he followed for a short time. In 1869 he removed from the country to St. Clair city and opened a barber shop, continuing in this business for a number of years, or until 1887. In the year men- tioned he opened a general notion store, which he still maintains in ad- dition to his other business.
In 1891 Mr. Ingles was elected chief of the fire department of St. Clair, and held the office for thirteen years, in that time bringing about many beneficial things. In fact it was through his efforts that the Game- well system of fire alarms was installed in St. Clair. He has been su- pervisor of his ward and the county board of supervisors and was ap- pointed to the committee on civie accounts. Ile is one of the most en- thusiastic adherents of the Republican party and is of influence in its councils. He was president of the Republican elub in 1888 at the time President Benjamin Harrison was elected. In 1908 he was elected jus- tice of the peace of the eity of St. Clair for four years, and in 1912 was elected to suceeed himself for another four years.
Mr. Ingles was married in 1862, shortly previous to his enlistment in the Federal army, to Miss Susie E. Coyle, of St. Clair. She was a daughter of Captain John M. Coyle, well remembered by the younger generation, and her demise occurred while her soldier husband was in prison at Danville, Virginia. In August, 1881, Mr. Ingles married Miss Mary Borntrager, of St. Clair, Michigan. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was brought to St. Clair, Michigan, in her infancy by her parents, where they have resided until the present. IIer parents were born in Germany and eame to the land of the stars and stripes in child- hood. Mr. and Mrs. Ingles are highly respected members of society and their circle of friends may be said to be coincident with that of their ac- quaintances. They attend the Congregational church.
JOSEPH BAKER. One of the prominent business enterprises of Port Huron, Michigan, is that of the O. K. Laundry, the proprietors of which have built up their present immense trade through fair dealing, honest methods and excellent work. It is a stock company, which was formed by several of the leading business men of Port Huron, one of whom is Joseph Baker, of No. 602 Fifteenth street. Mr. Baker is a product of Canada, and was born January 21, 1872, a son of Alfred and Sophia (Papinau) Baker, Canadians by birth, who now reside in Toledo, Ohio, although some twenty years ago Alfred Baker worked in Port Huron as a ship carpenter.
Joseph Baker received a good common school education in Port Huron, and his entire business career has been devoted to the line in which he is now engaged. At the age of twelve years he secured em- ployment as an errand boy for a laundry company, and he has grad- ually worked his way up the ladder of success, his ability seeuring rec- ognition, and his hard and faithful work being rewarded by promotion, until he now occupies a position that places him among the leading
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business men of his adopted city. The O. K. Laundry, which was es- tablished February 27, 1901, has one of the best-equipped establish- ments in the state, although it was started on a very small scale. Forty employes are now kept busy the year around, and a number of teams and an automobile are necessary to call for and deliver the great amount of work done. The business is not confined strictly to a city trade, but reaches out into the county, doing work in various towns within a radius of sixty or seventy miles. Much of the success of this company must be credited to the progressive ideas and enterprising spirit of Mr. Baker, who has installed machinery in this plant that guarantees excellent work, his many years of experience in the laundry business having proven to him that this is the one and only way in which to secure trade and hold it.
Mr. Baker was married to Miss Ethel Hildyard, who was born in India, the daughter of Elizabeth Hildyard.
FREDERICK H. PELTON. Electricity has been used to advantage in almost every line of business, and is today used in so many different ways that we no longer marvel at what would, a quarter of a century ago, have seemed wonderful. What would the country cobbler of that day, or even the city shoe repairer, have said if told that within a few short years shoes would be mended by electricity ? Yet that is exactly what is being done in Port Huron, the progressive and enterprising business man who has installed this innovation in his place of business being Frederick H. Pelton, of 610 Water street. Mr. Pelton was born January 15, 1860, at Enniskirk, near Woodstock, Canada, and is a son of Gibson and Elizabeth (Lyman) Pelton, natives of Canada, where both died.
Frederick H. Pelton was educated in the public schools of his native country, and worked on his father's farm until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he went to learn the trade of shoemaker with a Mr. Trobridge, with whom he continued for two years. He then entered the harness business at Lisle, but after one year returned to the shoe business and went to Brussels, where he opened a shop. He continued there for six years, and in 1884 came to Port Huron and engaged in a general produce and domestic and foreign fruit business on Water street, with Rush and Son, but six years later sold his interests and became manager of the saw department of the Fiber Works. Five years thereafter he again entered the shoe business, opening an estab- lishment at 1008 Lapeer avenue, but on March 1, 1910, he settled in his present store, needing larger quarters, and is now at the head of one of the best business interests in the city. Mr. Pelton carries a complete line of men's, women's and children's boots, shoes and slip- pers, and for fit and style his goods cannot be surpassed. In his repair department all shoes are mended by the use of electrical apparatus, re- pairs being made while the customer waits. Mr. Pelton has always been progressive in his ideas, and the success which has attended his latest venture has thoroughly justified its trial. He has been a Dem- ocrat in politics all of his life, but has never found time to engage actively in matters of a public nature, his private interests demanding all of his time and attention. Fraternally he is associated with the Maccabees.
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At the age of eighteen years Mr. Pelton was married to Miss Lorinda Pierson, who was born in Brussels, Canada, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Grandon ) Pierson, natives of Canada, who are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pelton have one son, who is the owner of a cigar factory at South Bend, Indiana. Hle married Emily Buhler, and they have three children,-Lorinda, Frederick and the baby. Mrs. Pelton is a devout member of the Methodist church. The comfortable residence. situated at No. 825 Lapeer avenue, was purchased from Mr. John F. Ruff, of Port Huron, and Mr. Pelton owns considerable other property in the city.
EUGENE J. SCHOOLCRAFT. A splendid representative of the native- born citizens of Port Huron, and the descendant of one of the early set- tlers of Michigan, Eugene J. Schoolcraft is eminently deserving of spe- cial mention in a work of this character. He was born April 8, 1815, a son of James and Sarah (Ruddick) Schoolcraft, who settled here in pioneer days. Ilis father, who still lives in this city, was born at Sault Sainte Marie, where his father, Henry R. Schoolcraft, was famed as an Indian trader. His mother was born in the North of Ireland, and died at Port Huron.
Henry R. Schoolcraft traded with the Indians for the Hudson Bay Company for years. Going out one morning to oversee the Indians that were working in the cornfield, he was shot from ambush, presum- ably by a bad Indian. Henry R. Schoolcraft, Mr. Schoolcraft's great- grandfather, is frequently mentioned in that part of this volume de- voted to the very early history of Michigan, with which he was promi- nently identified.
Acquiring a thorough knowledge of the three "r's" in the common schools of Port Huron, Eugene J. Schoolcraft began learning the prin- ter's trade, starting as a printer's devil. His energy and ability brought him promotion from time to time, so that eventually he became half owner of the Port Huron Commercial, which was later merged into the Sunday Commercial. Disposing of his interests in the paper in 1886, Mr. Schoolcraft embarked in the real estate and fire insurance business, with which he is still associated. He is also identified with other enter- prises of importance, being president of the G. B. Stock Xylite Grease and Oil Company, and of the Michigan Developing Company, which has twenty-two wells lying west of the city. He is now secretary of the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce, of which he was president for a year, and is a trustee of the Port Huron Hospital. Under the old political regime Mr. Schoolcraft was city assessor for nine years, and in 1911, under the new commission form of government, he was ap- pointed city assessor for a term of three years. He has his offices in the Jenks building, on Huron avenue, where he has an elegant suite of three rooms, which are finely furnished. Ile has there an interesting collection of relies which are of historical value, some of them being quite rare.
Mr. Schoolcraft is a self-made man in the best sense of the term. What advancement has come to him has been honestly earned by hard work and unflagging devotion to his duties. Through industry, honesty and integrity he has steadily risen from a state of comparative poverty to one of affluence and influence. Politically he is an ardent supporter
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of the principles promulgated by the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; of the Modern Woodmen of America; of the Knights of the Maccabees; of the Independent Order of Foresters; and of the Tribe of Ben Hur.
On August 1, 1876, Mr. Schoolcraft married Emma Harder, who was born in Chatham, Ontario, a daughter of Christian and Bertha (Kaesemeyer) Harder, neither of whom are now living. Blanche Schoolcraft, the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Schoolcraft, was grad- uated from the Port Huron high school, and is now living with her par- ents at their attractive home, 1131 Erie street. Mr. Schoolcraft erected this residence in 1895, the former home, which he and his family occu- pied for forty years, having been on the same street, not far distant. He was born, however, on Butler street. Mrs. Schoolcraft is a mem- ber of the Congregational church, and Mr. Schoolcraft belongs to Grace Episcopal church.
HENRIETTA DOROTHY COTTRELL. The oldest business establishment in St. Clair county, Michigan, is that which was founded by the late Lewis Cass Cottrell, at Marine City, May 1, 1850, and which has been under the management of members of the family ever since. Today its affairs are in the capable hands of a daughter of the founder, Miss Henrietta Dorothy Cottrell, whose progressive and enterprising admin- istration of its interests have made it one of the leading industries of its kind in this section, and have placed her in the front rank of St. Clair county's business women.
The Cottrell family is one of the oldest in this part of the state, and the name has been well known here for many years, the town of Cot- trell having been named in honor of the great-grandfather of Miss Cottrell, George Cottrell, who was the first white man to settle on the St. Clair river. His son, Henry Cottrell, was also a prominent citizen, and was a captain during the Mexican war, under General Winfield Scott. Lewis Cass Cottrell was born in the town of Cottrell, and was first married to Julia Jennette Dickinson, by whom he had the follow- ing children: Edmund D., who died in Marine City; Henry Campau, who married Emma Butronia, deceased, by whom he had one son; Al- bert Holmes, who married Mary Holland and had four children, Don M., Holmes, Ashley and Lavonia; and Robert, who died at the age of ten years. Mrs. Julia J. Cottrell died in 1859, and in 1861 Lewis C. Cottrell was married to Hendria Elspass, and there were the following children born to this union : Marie Louise, Henrietta Dorothy, Louis F., Adolph L. and Arthur D. The last named, who is associated in business with his sister, married Ida Recore, and they have two children : Henrietta Dorothy and Lewis Cass. Mrs. Hendria Cottrell died August 23, 1906, and her husband followed her to the grave in the following February.
Ever since she has been fifteen years of age Miss Cottrell has been interested in the business founded by her father, and during his lifetime was his chief adviser on all matters of a business nature. Pos- sessed of rare business and executive ability, she has proven in her own person that the American woman may exert a powerful influence
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in the enlargement of woman's sphere without loss to any of the attri- butes of true womanhood.
AVERY W. SELKIRK. The fishing industry has been one of the lead- ing business mediums of Michigan for many years, and has developed men of industry, perseverance and excellent ability, whose operations have assisted materially in developing the interests of the state. Many of these men are self-made, and a notable example of this class is found in the person of Avery W. Selkirk, one of the proprietors of the firm of the Selkirk Fish Company, whose market is located at the foot of Bard street, Port Huron. Mr. Selkirk was born at Cooper, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, March 27, 1861, and is a son of William Henry and Amanda P. (Ware) Selkirk.
William Henry Selkirk was born in Connectieut, in 1830, and as a young man seeured an excellent edueation, becoming a commercial teacher at Kalamazoo, Michigan. While there he met and married Amanda P. Ware, who for some time was a teacher of grammar in Mrs. Stone's college at Kalamazoo. She is now deceased, and Mr. Selkirk died December 28, 1911, at the home of his son Avery W. Ile became widely known through his aetivities in connection with ehureh work. Ile was a devoted and active member of the Congregational church.
Avery W. Selkirk received his edneation in the common schools of Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties, and later took a course in a eom- mereial college. Ilis first employment was as a hand on lake steam- ers and sail-boats, and he then went to Toledo, Ohio, and engaged in the fish business. After five years there, in 1888, Mr. Selkirk came to Port Huron, which eity has been his field of operations to the present time, and year by year he has built up his trade until he is now at the head of one of the leading establishments of its kind in Michigan. All kinds of salt and fresh fish are shipped all over the United States east of the Mississippi river, and the firm's name appearing on any case of goods is an absolute guaranty of excellence of quality. Mr. Selkirk is interested in other business enterprises in Port Huron, being a stock- holder and seeretary of the O. K. Laundry Company, and in every line he has characterized his work by honest dealing and honorable busi- ness methods. IFe is a Republican in polities, and his earnestness in supporting movements of an educational nature caused his election to the board of education. Fraternally he is associated with the Elks, the Foresters, the Modern Maceabees and Modern Woodmen. Broad and liberal minded, always ready to assist those less fortunate than he, Mr. Selkirk numbers his friends by the hundreds and has won the reputa- tion of being a most desirable citizen.
In the spring of 1888 he was united in marriage with Miss Edith Hildyard, who was born in Seokuk, on the Bay of Bengal, India, in 1870. Her father was a native of England, a very highly edueated man, and for a number of years head sehoolmaster of a distriet in India, and died in 1895, being buried at Lakeside. Her mother, who was born in India, of English parents, still survives, and makes her home with Mrs. Baker, of Port Huron, a sister of Mrs. Selkirk. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Selkirk, both in Port Huron: Mrs. Jessie Dewey Markey, born in November, 1888. a graduate of the Port Huron high school, and now the wife of Lewis K. Markey, of Morrison, Illinois;
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
and Elva Ethel, born in November, 1890, also a graduate of the Port Huron high school, living at home with her parents. Mrs. Selkirk and her daughters are devoted members of the Episcopal church.
WILLIAM E. BURTLESS, M. D. Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but in what are known as the learned professions advancement is gained through painstaking and long continued effort. Prestige in the healing art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery of its great under- lying principles and the ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attri- butes essential to success, have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands today among the scholarly and enter- prising physicians in a county noted for the high order of its medical talent.
Dr. Burtless is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred at Liberty, Michigan, June 22, 1841, his parents being James B. and Susan (Carus) Burtless. They were native New Yorkers and came to Michi- gan in an early day. When William was a baby the family returned to the Empire state and there resided until his sixth year, when they returned to Branch county, Michigan. His mother died when he was nine years old and the sad and lonely little boy ran away from home, never to return to the paternal abode. The Civil war, so long threatened, broke in all its fury and young William enlisted in Company M. of the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry. At the battle of Saltsville, West Virginia, he was wounded and made a prisoner, being incarcerated in the hospital of dread Libby Prison for three months. Upon his release he returned to his regiment at Louisville, Kentucky, and was made corporal. He re- mained with the regiment until July, 1865, when, the great conflict hav- ing ended, he was mustered out.
Upon returning to the life of a civilian Dr. Burtless went back to Michigan and, realizing the deficiencies of his education, he began at- tending school at Tecumseh, Michigan, finishing in its higher depart- ment. He subsequently became a student in the Baptist College at Kala- mazoo, where he studied for a year, and in the following year, 1871, he matriculated in the University of Michigan. Upon finishing his sopho- more year in college his health failed and he was obliged to discontinue his studies. Accordingly he went to Auburn, Michigan, and, opening a store, engaged for two years in mercantile and lumbering business. At the end of that time he returned to the University of Michigan and en- tered again the medical department, in 1878 receiving a well-earned degree.
Dr. Burtless began his professional services at Midland, and at that place remained in the practice of medicine for five years. In January, 1883, he came to St. Clair. He came to the city in the interest of the Oakland House Sanitarium as house physician, and remained as such until it was closed. He had, however, made for himself such secure place in professional circles that he remained and has ever since remained. He is a member of the County District Medical Society, the State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
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While residing at Midland, Dr. Burtless was married to Miss Emily Blodgett, who passed away in 1899. In 1901 Miss Helen Potter Whit- ing, daughter of Congressman Justin P. Whiting, of St. Clair. became his wife. Dr. and Mrs. Burtless are prominent in the best social life of the city and share their delightful home with one daughter, Susan Carus Burtless. They attend the Congregational church.
WILLIAM THOMAS LARAMA. The progressive business contingent of St. Clair, Michigan, includes in its personnel none more active and ambi- tions than Mr. William Thomas Larama, the wellknown owner and man- ager of the St. Clair steam laundry. Mr. Larama is a member of a family that has long been identified with the business and social interests of the state of Michigan. He is a native son, having been born at White Rock, Michigan, May 13, 1878, his parents, Michael and Mary (Bond) Larama, being likewise natives of this state. Mr. Larama, senior, was a cooperage and stave manufacturer at Hart, Michigan, for several years, but later removed with his family to Sand Beach, now Harbor Beach, and it was at the latter place that the family lived when William's school days began. He continued to live the life of a healthy, normal lad, attending school and performing such tasks as fell to his lot around the home, until fourteen years of age, when his father moved to Vassar, Michigan. there continuing his business as cooper and stave maker, and also operat- ing a store in connection with the manufacturing works. The son was allowed to continue his schooling for a period at Vassar, then became the assistant of his father in his business. remaining with him in that capacity until he had attained the age of twenty-one years.
His start on an independent career was made at Saginaw Bay, where he purchased a half interest in a sailing vessel in that water, but two years of sailing convinced him that the life of a sailor would not per- manently satisfy his ambition and he accordingly disposed of his in- terest in the boat and took a western trip, but saw nothing that induced him to remain there. Returning to Vassar, he secured a position as fire- man on an engine and continued at that employment for three years. His next move was to St. Clair, where he was engaged for a year and a half as night foreman of the packing department of the Diamond Salt Works.
Mr. Larama had no intention of remaining an employe indefinitely, but wished to enter business for himself. and with his brother and a Mr. Rinehart he undertook the establishment of a new enterprise in St. Clair. namely, a steam laundry. This venture proved most suc- cessful and it is now the only plant of its kind in St. Clair. Mr. Larama subsequently purchased the interests of his two partners and beeame sole owner of the laundry and has ever since continued to conduct the busi- ness. His plant is a model of its kind, equipped with the latest im- proved machinery for doing steam laundry work, and it has no superior in the county.
On December 25. 1907. Mr. Larama was married to Miss Loraine Rinehart, of Flint, Michigan, in which city she was born. Her parents, also natives of Michigan, were Fred and Leora ( Kimball) Rinehart. Mr. Rinehart resides upon and cultivates a farm, and supplements his agricultural pursuit by engaging in contracting and building opera- tions. Mrs. Larama is a woman of culture and artistie attainments
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
and after her marriage continued her studies in art and vocal music and will soon attain a graduate's diploma in these accomplishments. While continuing her studies in these lines she has not neglected her home duties and is the mother of one child, Audrey Beth, born Novem- ber 24, 1909.
Mr. Larama possesses a character of sterling worth and he and his wife are both held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. He is actively interested in all matters proposed for the best interests of his city, whether of a civic or social character. He is a Republican in political faith.
BINA MAY WEST, one of the most prominent and popular women in Port Huron, and identified with educational and philanthropie work all her life thus far, is a native of St. Clair county and the daughter of Alfred J. and Elizabeth J. (Conant) West. She was educated in the public schools of her home village, which was followed by a thorough course of normal training. Her schooling concluded, Miss West im- mediately became engaged in the teaching profession, and enjoyed a liberal success in that field of work. She held the position of assistant principal in the local high school and was later elected school examiner in St. Clair county, being one of the first women to hold such a position in the state of Michigan. Her work along educational lines has ever been of a high order, progressive ideas and general efficiency marking her every service in whatever positions she has been called upon to fill.
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