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 36
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It was in 1867 that Mr. Mclachlan came to Port Huron and began to work at the trade of ship carpenter by contract, continuing for a number of years. He had already been in the vessel business for some time, as he had taken his first interest in a ship in 1863. He did not assume the management until some years later. For the last quarter of a century he has had large ships all over the lakes.
In 1879 Mr. Mclachlan was married to Miss Anna Mckenzie, born in Ontario. Her parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth (Buchanan) Mckenzie, were both natives of Scotland. Her father died in Port Huron in 1909. at the age of ninety-two. The mother has been dead some twelve
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years. While living in Scotland Mr. Mckenzie was a government official, the excise officer who looked after the men who made illieit beer and whiskey.
All the MeLachlan family are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. MeLachlan has held all the offices of the church, and is now an elder and superintendent of the Sunday school, which latter office he has filled for a long term of years. Five of the seven children born to Mr. MeLachlan and his wife reside in Port Huron. These are: Colin John, who graduated from the Port Huron high school in 1911; Donald Duncan, still a student in high school: Annie, principal of Madison school and a graduate of Wilmington College of Pennsylvania, at which institution Catherine Isabella, the other daughter at home, studied musie ; Mary is now Mrs. Albert J. Armson and resides in Port Huron. She is a graduate of the same college which her two sisters at- tended. Kenneth, the oldest son, lives in New York, and Archibald is an electrical engineer and travels for a St. Louis honse, his territory being Ohio, Indiana and Missouri.
The beautiful residence at 817 Pine Grove avenue has been the resi- dence of the MeLachlan family for some eleven years. It is an ideal home. furnished with everything that can add to its comfort or beauty. Mr. MeLachlan owns several other houses which he rents. Ile has come to his position of affluence hy hard work and persistent effort. He has extensive interests in Ontario, ineluding two factories for beet sugar refining. a large farm which he rents and some bank stock.
In all his making Mr. MeLachlan has not failed to make friends and to keep their esteem and affection. The lad who began to make his way in the world with nothing has now all that makes life pleasant and has kept the heart to enjoy it.
ORVILLE M. QUICK. Since 1894 a contributor to the business interests of Marine City as a dealer in granite and marble monuments, Mr. Quick has gained prominence in this community and established himself se- curely in the community which he has called his home for many years. He has from a small beginning built up a flourishing trade, and as a man among men is regarded highly in his city.
Born in Essex county. Canada, on November 17, 1866, Orville M. Quick is the son of Thomas E. and Elizabeth (Ives) Quiek. The Quick family is descended from the early Hollanders of that name who settled in Canada several generations back, and has been identified with Cana- dian history in many prominent ways since an early date. as well as in the United States. The grandfather of Orville Quick, together with thirteen other families or representatives of families. while moving down the Ohio river were captured by a band of marauding Mohawk Indians and taken into Canada. Later they were liberated in some manner and sent down the Detroit river. suffering many privations during their period of captivity.
As a boy Orville Quiek lived upon his father's farm and attended the country schools when he might. and when he was sixteen years of age he was sent to Leamington. Canada. to learn the marble entter's trade. IIe served an apprenticeship of three years. following which he worked one year in Windsor at his trade in 1887. He then came to Marine City to work for one Mr. Thateher. by whom he was employed
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for three years. He was discontented, however, and decided to go west, and although he traveled far and saw many interesting places, he finally returned to St. Clair county, finding in his travels no spot which suited him better.
In 1894 Mr. Quick embarked in business for himself, first in granite and later in marble. He is now doing an extensive business, and his work may be seen in many of the largest and best kept cemeteries of the state. He has given careful attention to the details of his business, his aim being to establish himself on a solid basis in Marine City and in the adjacent country, and thus far he has realized a pleasurable degree of success as regards that ambition. Mr. Quick is a man who has kept from political entanglements at all times. He is a stanch Republican, and is active in the interests of the party to a certain extent, but has not permitted himself to become involved in politics in a way that would interfere with the success of his business. He has filled the office of alderman from his ward, giving valuable service to the city while in that position, but has declined emphatically all other city or county offices. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and he and his wife are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On October 25. 1893, Mr. Quick was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Arnold, of Marine City. She is the daughter of Samuel Alonzo and Lucy (Hart) Arnold, both New York state people. The family mi- grated to Michigan in early life, first locating in Romeo. Mr. Arnold was a natural mechanic, and from a position as local engineer with the Samuel Ward line of steamers upon the great lakes he became chief engineer of the line, and was well known for years in Marine City. Mr. and Mrs. Quick have two children: Lucy E., born in 1894, and Nellie V., born in 1898.
JOHN F. JOHNSON. Of the younger men of the township John F. Johnson has won a wide reputation for clear headed thinking and for his undoubted abilities as a farmer and as a business man. He has never taken an active part in what is commonly termed the business world, but he has shown that he possesses a fine business sense in the way he has managed his farm. He is energetic and enthusiastic, and has the power of winning people to his point of view simply through the force of his logical arguments and the power of his personality. He has many friends, who have been attracted to him not through his intel- lectual gifts or his ability to make money, but through that indescribable thing called charm. He is generous of both his time and money, and his friends and acquaintances predict a brilliant future for him.
John F. Johnson was born in Wales township, on the 15th of De- cember. 1881, the son of Henry and Catherine (Kelly) Johnson. His father was a native of the "Land of the Shamrock," and here he grew to manhood and received his education. The place of his birth was county Monaghan. He came to Canada at the age of twenty-seven, and there met and married his wife. She was born in Canada. When Mr. Johnson was thirty and had been married for several years he decided to come over into the United States. He came to St. Clair county, Mich- igan. and there settled upon a farm, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was an earnest worker in politics, being a member of the Republican party, and when he died. in 1898. the party lost one of
Sydney 6th Louth
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their strongest men and best workers in this section. Ilis wife survived him ten years, not dying until 1908. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living. These children are David, Richard, James, Michael, Henry, Edward, Catherine (who is the wife of Michael Carey), Elizabeth (who married James Sarchfield), and John F.
John F. Johnson was reared on the farm and received his education from the district schools. He went to school until he was seventeen, and then he felt that he had spent enough time over his books, so he stopped school and went to work on the farm. He was engaged in the walnut log business for some time in connection with his brothers, being lo- cated in different states.
Mr. Johnson was married on the 23rd of January, 1907, to Alice Hyde, who was born in Emmet township, St. Clair county, Michigan, February 19, 1884, a daughter of John and Mary (Cameron) Hyde. Her father, John IIyde, was born in Ireland, and her mother claimed Canada for her birthplace. They are both living now, their home being in Emmet township. Mrs. Johnson was reared on the farm and was educated in the district schools. She has a naturally fine mind and the education which she received being above the average she is a very charming and cultivated woman.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Mount Carmel Catholic church. He and Mrs. Johnson have no children, but find their hands full in the work that must be done to keep their farm of two hundred acres in running order. He is independent in his political views.
SYDNEY C. McLOUTH. The typical American business man, so en- vied and admired the world over because of what he is able to accomplish and the unrivalled manner in which he does it, is usually one who has hewn his way to the top, overcoming untoward and adverse circum- stances, and forcing his way with unerring precision and shrewdness to ultimate success. Such a person is found in this community in Mr. Syd- ney C. McLouth, the well and favorably known secretary and treasurer of the Michigan Salt Works of Marine City, Michigan.
Mr. MeLouth's life has been an interesting one throughout and the comprehensive range of experience which he acquired during the earlier years of his boyhood and young manhood, when he worked faithfully at whatever his hand found to do, has stood him in good stead in the later years when his business operations became so much larger and more im- portant, embracing enterprises of wide scope and extensive influence.
Pittsford, Hillsdale county, Michigan, was the place of the nativity of Mr. McLouth, who was born at that point in 1862, the son of Cyrus and Mary (Cook) MeLouth, both of whom were early New Yorkers. The MeLouth family has shared actively in making history in this country since its early settlement, our subject's grandfather having fought bravely in the Revolutionary war, helping to carry the patriotic cause to triumphant victory. Sydney C. MeLouth's mother died when he was a small boy and he was accordingly sent to New York to make his home with an annt there. Conditions surrounding him were not just to his liking, however, and when the lad was twelve years old he ran away from his home and hired out to a farmer to work eight months for forty dollars. During the summer he worked hard from day to day, but was
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allowed to attend school in the winter months, when doing so the work that he did being counted as only paying for his board. He continued to spend his time in this way until sixteen years old, when he struck out again, this time making his way to the oil fields of West Virginia, in which he worked at intervals, between which he tramped around the country seeing and learning much. In 1879 he found himself in Michi- gan and for several years divided his time between the lumber camps in winter and employment on lake boats during the summer seasons. He had succeeded in working himself up to great proficiency as an en- gineer and for thirteen years, between 1881 and 1894, held the position of chief engineer on a lake boat. Believing that he could still further better his condition by turning his talents to other use Mr. McLouth went to Marine City and established himself in the salt business.
Mr. McLouth was the original organizer of the Michigan Salt Works, in which he at present holds a large interest, and it was under his able planning and direction that the works now in operation were erected. The first salt well in this vicinity was drilled in 1886 by the National Salt Company, which later was acquired by the Michigan Salt Works by purchase from the National & Germania Salt Company, the owners in 1894 when Mr. MeLouth's company bought the interest. The output of the plant has been increased and improved under the management of Mr. MeLouth until now the works are considered one of the best and most valuable of the kind in this section of the country.
In 1887 Mr. MeLouth was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wonsey in Marine City, of which place she is a native. She is the daughter of John and Mellicia (Wilson) Wonsey, her father being a prominent busi- ness man of Marine City, his operations embracing the lumber and salt interests. Mr. and Mrs. McLouth have two children, Verne, a graduate of the Michigan Normal School, who was born in 1891, and Pierce, born in 1899, and who is at home with his parents.
Although the duties in connection with his business operations are at all times exacting and demand the major portion of his time, Mr. Mc- Louth has, nevertheless, devoted a great deal of energy to active par- ticipation in matters of public import and has occupied a number of offices during the past several years. He has been mayor of Marine City for four years, served on the board of aldermen for a period of the same length and held a seat on the school board for six years, during four years of which time he was a director. He was also a member of the county jury commission, and his influence in the Republican party was recognized by according him membership in the Republican county com- mittee. But private commercial interests and the performance of mani- fold public duties have not prevented Mr. McLouth from filling a com- mensurate position in social circles and exercising a leadership therein to which his natural abilities and powers entitle him. Of his member- ship in the organization known as the American Sons of the Revolution he is pardonably proud. The name of his grandfather who served in the Revolutionary war, as was previously mentioned, was Peter Mc- Louth. The St. Clair Pioneer Society counts him as among its most valuable members, as do also both the Chapter and the Council of the Masonic Blue Lodge and the I. O. O. F. Mrs. McLouth is a member of the Order of Eastern Star.
Mr. MeLouth is widely known as a gentlemen of broad gauge, who is
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liberal and progressive in his ideas and methods, and is held in high es- teem by all who have the honor of his acquaintance.
DR. R. C. KEENE is a leading chiropractor of the city, and although he is only a young man he has won a place in his profession which might well be an achievement for the work of one twice his years. It was in Lapeer, Michigan, on March 23, 1886, that Roy C. Keene was born. IIe is the only son of G. W. and Anna Chisler Keene, of Bay City, Mich- igan. Mrs. Keene was born in Canada and her husband in Michigan. G. W. Keene, too, is a chiropractor at Bay City, and graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropracties at Davenport, Iowa.
Roy Keene received his elementary education in the schools of Bay City and his professional training at the school where his father had graduated. This is the recognized institution for the study of chiro- practice. Dr. Roy Keene graduated from this school in June, 1910, and for the next two months worked with his father in Bay City. On August 8th of the same year he came to Port Huron, and in the short space of a year has built up a large practice. His patients are from both city and country and come from a radius of half a hundred miles. Dr. Keene boards at the Union Hotel and rooms at 1004 Pine street. His offices are in the Meisel Block, where he has rooms 612-613. This suite of rooms is furnished in the best of taste and with simple elegance. The immaculate orderliness and serupulous cleanliness add to the attractive- ness of the pleasant location and handsome fittings.
Dr. Keene's genuine ability has received quick recognition and his large number of patients are witnesses of his skill in his chosen work. His father was one of the earliest graduates of Palmer College, and the interest of Roy Keene in chiropractic grew out of his association with his father, as he was the only child.
Dr. Keene's fraternal connections include the fraternities of the Masons, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
ROWLAND G. BAKER. One of the most profitable and satisfactory business connections is that which exists between husband and wife when they are associated together in important ventures, each bringing to the transactions something that the other lacks, and thus building up an establishment that might not have succeeded in another way. The firm of R. G. & H. H. Baker, jewelers and general merchandise dealers of Marine City, Michigan, is composed of Rowland G. Baker and his wife. Hattie H. (Sullivan) Baker, and is now conducting a large and lucrative business. Rowland G. Baker was born at Lovett's Grove, Wood county. Ohio, and is a son of Simon M. and Beulah Baker. He was born March 12, 1857, and as a youth accompanied his parents to Michigan, his early education being secured at Marine City, where he learned the wheelwright trade with his father. At the age of ten years he was able to make a wheel, and was engaged in that business until 1877, at which time he began working as a cook in hotels for two years, and on the lake steamers for a year. His next venture was in the carpenter and joiner's trade, but in 1882 he established himself in a bakery business at St. Clair, but gave this up to open a photographic establishment at Marine City. He then went to Lenox and carried on photography in connection with the jewelry business, but in 1898 went
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to Detroit to take a course in the Detroit Optical College, from which he was eventually graduated. Mr. Baker returned to Marine City in May, 1905, and in November of that year his entire stock was destroyed by fire, none of it being covered by insurance. Nothing daunted, in March, 1906, he again established himself in the jewelry business, and soon thereafter added groceries and subsequently dry goods. He pur- chased the land on which he is now located in 1909, and in 1911 the building was erected and occupied. As the business has grown addi- tions have been made to the building, and a large stock of first-class goods, suitable to the wants of all customers, is kept.
Mr. Baker was married October 3, 1880, at Marine City, to Miss Hattie H. Sullivan, who was born at Royal Oak, Michigan, a daughter of Michael and Johannah (McCavey) Sullivan, farming people. Michael Sullivan was born in Ireland, and died in Royal Oak in 1874, after which his widow, who was a native of Michigan, removed to Detroit, in which city she died in 1880. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker: Gertie Irene, who died when two months old; and Eileen, born in Detroit and educated in the high school at Marine City. Mr. Baker is a Mason, and has been connected with the Odd Fellows for twenty-eight years, having passed all the chairs. He is very much in- terested in the progress of Marine City, and is always ready to con- tribute time and money towards the support of any measure which he believes will work for the ultimate good of the community. He has gained an enviable position in the business world, being ably assisted by his talented wife, who is a business woman of much more than ordinary ability. Both are well and favorably known in social circles of this city, where they have many warm, personal friends.
PATRICK GRACE, the well known farmer of Kenockee township, is a fine example of that nation whom we are so glad to welcome to our shores. He has all the proverbial good qualities, and his failings are those which have only endeared the Irish to us all the more. He is keen and quick to know the psychological moment when it arrives, and unlike many men he is neither doubting nor afraid, but seizes upon it and makes the most of his opportunity. This quality has aided him to suc- ceed, for a farmer must not only know how to make things grow, but he also must be a good business man, with a knowledge of the markets. Mr. Grace has always been of an optimistic nature, and he has often been called upon to smile when there was good cause for tears, for the life of a farmer is more conducive to pessimism than is any other, since the success or failure of the farmer is so largely dependent upon condi- tions over which he has no control. Mr. Grace is enough of a fatalist not to permit this to worry him, consequently his popularity is increased ten-fold. He has always been a hard worker, but his work never seems to burden him and with his cheery disposition he is a most delightful personage to have about.
Patrick Grace was born in Portage county, Ohio, on the 27th of Jan- uary, 1849, the son of Peter and Mary (Maher) Grace. Peter Grace was born in Ireland, and his wife was also born there, both of them claiming the same county for their birth place. They both grew up in their native country and were children and young people together. Finally they decided that they had made such a success of playing to-
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gether that they might make an equal success of working together, so they were married. They came to the United States in 1850 and located in Portage county, Ohio. With the help of his wife, who proved to be the finest kind of a comrade, Peter Grace presently found that he had saved enough money to purchase a farm, so he came to Michigan to look the country over and decide upon a location. Ile quickly saw the advantages of St. Clair county, and settled on the farm upon which his son now lives. He bought this land in 1852, and in 1854 he moved his family here and proceeded to put the land into shape for farming. There they lived during the remainder of their lives. They were both members of the Roman Catholic church, and were the parents of six chil- dren. Bridget became the wife of John Kennedy ; Mary married Thomas Dempsey; Catherine became the wife of Peter Butler; John married Mary Calhane ; Patrick; and Peter, who married Mary Quane. The father died in 1893, on the 28th of November, having lost his wife a few years before, her death having occurred on the 16th of November, 1889.
Patrick Grace was only two years old when his parents moved to St. Clair county, and his youth was spent amid the wholesome atmosphere of country life. He went to school until he was fourteen years of age, attending the public school nearest his home. After his school work was over he worked on his father's farm, and received a thorough knowledge of the principles of this great industry. He grew up in this healthful way, and spent the first years of his manhood in this fashion. He was married on the 12th of February, 1890, to Mary A. Haley. She was a native of Kenockee township, the date of her birth being the 17th of September, 1859, a daughter of James and Mary (Reedy) Haley. Like her husband, she is of pure Irish descent, for both of her parents were born in Ireland. They came to this country as children, and lived in Portage county, Ohio, where they grew up and were married. Her family came to St. Clair county the same year that her husband's family arrived, and in fact the two families had always been warm friends. Her parents lived on their farm in this county until the death of her father. Her mother is still living, though she has gone to live in Detroit. Mrs. Grace is a member of a large family. Margaret is the wife of Ed Gearns; Ellen married James Haley ; John married May Purtall; Mary A .; William married Maggie J. Mackey, who later died and after a time he married again, this time taking for a bride Elizabeth Cunningham; James mar- ried Kate Ritter; Delia became the wife of George Burns; Lizzie is Mrs. John Murphy ; Dennis married Sada Cox; Thomas married Nellie Fitz- gerald, and Edward is unmarried. Mrs. Grace was educated in the common schools and having always been of an independent nature she left home when she was abont twenty-two and went to live with an uncle. While living here she clerked in a store, and this was her occupation when she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Grace are the parents of two fine sons: Frank, who was born on the 6th of August, 1891, a graduate of the common schools, and his younger brother, Peter J., who was born on the 3rd of December. 1896. The latter having graduated from the com- mon schools, was eager to go on with his school work and he is now a student in his second term at the Yale high school. All of the family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church at Emmett, Michigan. In addition to their own two children, Mr. and Mrs. Grace are showing
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their kindness and generosity by raising Anna Haley, who is now sixteen years of age. She is Mrs. Grace's niece.
Mr. Grace is a Republican in his political affiliations, and althoughi not active in the party is deeply interested in its success. The farm upon which he lives contains two hundred and eighty acres of land, and the buildings are modern and up-to-date. The life of his household is just as comfortable as though they were living in the city. They have a furnace in the house and other modern conveniences, and this atmosphere of modernity is felt throughout the farm. All the buildings owe their existence to Mr. Grace, for when he came here twenty-one years ago none of them had been built.
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