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 41
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On October 5. 1864, Mr. Young was married to Miss Nora R. Hatch, of Clay, Michigan, daughter of Larkin and Rebecca (Ferrend) Hatch. Her parents were New England people, and her great-grandparents came to America in 1633 on the second trip of the Mayflower. Thir- teen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Young, as follows: Wil- liam T., Alexander T., Jr., John H., Frank B., Gracie D., Charles Fred- erick, Margaret L., Eva A., Martha J., Robert B., Mabel A., James Lin- coln, and Hazel Helen. The death of Mabel A .. which occurred in October, 1911, was the first death in the family, and was followed by the death of the oldest son, William T., November 28, 1911.
ANDREW J. MURPHY, secretary and treasurer of the Hawes Motor C'ar Company, of Port Huron, Michigan, and one of the most progres- sive of Port IInron's business men, has entered the automobile field after many years' experience in other enterprises. For years he has been prominently before the public, handling large contraets in a num- ber of the big cities, and his business reputation is that of a man whose word is as good as his bond. Mr. Murphy was born at Columbus. Ohio, February 20, 1872. and is a son of John and Eliza ( Whalen) Murphy.
Mr. Murphy grew to manhood in Columbus, where attendance at both public and private schools gave him excellent educational advan- tages, and as a youth he engaged with his father in the manufacture of Portland cement. When he was twenty-five years of age he became a paving contractor, and for some years he was engaged in that line of work in Columbus, Chicago and other large cities. He came to Port Huron in 1901. and secured the contracts for paving most of the streets here, but in October, 1910, seeing the possibilities of a company that could put before the publie a first-class, well-made six-cylinder automobile to sell from $1.500 to $1.600. he became a stockolder in the Hawes Motor Car Company. About 100 cars were built during the first year of the company's existence, and these were all sold within a month after the first announcement had been made. Plans for 1912 specified the build- ing of from 500 to 750 cars. This company is the pioneer in putting ont this kind of a car for its price. The luxuriousness of its appointments equal those of the much higer priced cars, while the physical comfort
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and mental security which are founded in the reliability and smoothness of its mechanism and its ease of control are valuable adjuncts. The large Hawes plant is situated at Twenty-eighth and Moak streets, Port Huron, where visitors will always be courteously treated.
On June 21, 1905, Mr. Murphy was united in marriage with Miss Emma MeMorren, daughter of the Hon. Henry and Emma ( Williams) McMorren. Mrs. Murphy is a consistent member of the Episcopal church, and is prominent in all religious and charitable movements. Mr. Murphy was reared in the Catholic faith. He is a Republican in political matters, but has never been an active politician, his business interests demanding his entire time and attention. Mr. Murphy has be- come one of the best known business men of this city. He is universally admired and respected by his business associates, and shrewdness has been a notable factor of his character. In all his dealings he has main- tained strictness, fairness and integrity, and his opinion has carried con- siderable weight in whatever ventures he has been engaged. He has been careful for the welfare of those in his employ, and as a consequence he has the friendship not only of his fellow officials but of the men who are employed in the business.
WALLACE CHUTE. A man of strong principles and devotion to those duties which go to make up the substantial citizenship of every pro- gressive community is found in the person of Mr. Wallace Chute, of St. Clair, whose pride in the city may be partly accounted for from the fact that it is the place of his nativity. Mr. Chute was born in St. Clair on September 25, 1873. His parents are William Henry and Alice (Bowman) Chute, both of whom are still living. Mr. Chute, senior, is of Canadian birth and was brought to Michigan by his parents when a child. In 1871 he purchased a farm which was at that time partially improved, but as the years passed he brought it to a high state of cultiva- tion and is at the present time residing upon the place, which is now one of the best improved in that section.
Wallace Chute received a rudimentary education in the country schools and later attended the St. Clair high school and, while he did not have the privileging of graduating from that institution, he is the possessor of an education that amply fits him for the discharge of his business and social duties in a highly creditable manner. After leav- ing his school days behind him he was employed on a sailing vessel for four years at boat watchman, after which he returned to the farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits.
It was in the year 1900 that Mr. Chute first entered the United States mail service, his position being that of a rural carrier, he being the second in that service to be appointed from St. Clair. He has dis- charged his duties as carrier faithfully and well and has acted contin- uously in his present capacity from the time of his first entry into the service until the present, without intermission other than the usual vaca- tions granted to government employes of this kind.
On September 11, 1907, Mr. Chute was united in matrimony with Miss Clara Zimmer, who was born in St. Clair township. She is of German descent her parents being Joseph and Anna ( Bloom) Zimmer, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to Michigan with their parents, who settled in St. Clair county, which place was the point
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of residence of Mr. Zimmer until the time of his death, on December 22. 1910. Mrs. Zimmer still survives.
While Mr. Chute never fails in the proper discharge of the duties that naturally fall to the lot of every loyal citizen and is interested in civic affairs that have for their objeet the further advancement of his home community, he has always consistently refused to take part ac- tively in political life or accept public office of any kind. His political affiliations are with the Republiean party.
WILLIAM H. SMITH, M. D. One of the most conspicuous and highly honored citizens of St. Clair city is Dr. William 11. Smith, physician, scholar and writer, who has resided here since 1880 and in that time has contributed in very definite manner to the progress and prosperity of the community which has been fortunate enough to enjoy his citizen- ship. He has many reasons for distinction, among them having con- tributed many valable articles to geologieal and medical journals, hav- ing been of the faculty of several world-famous collegiate institutions and belonging to the gallant company which in the dread days of the '60s assisted in preserving the integrity of the Union. He is a constant student of his profession and has done his share to lift the ideals of the fraternity in this part of the state.
Dr. Smith is a native of the state of Michigan, his birth having oc- curred at Three Rivers, May 9, 1846. Ilis parents were Benjamin and Mary Ann (Tomlinson ) Smith, agricultural people. As a boy he at- tended the district school of his loeality and subsequently was a student in the publie schools of Three Rivers. He was left alone in the world as a youth in his 'teens, his mother passing away in 1860, and his father in 1863. It was early incumbent upon him to earn his own living, and his first experiences as a wage-earner were as an assistant to farmers and in the paper mill of the home place. On February 10, 1864, he answered the call of Father Abraham and enlisted in Company B, of the Twenty-sixth Infantry. In his service of over a year he saw much hard fighting and was in Grant's campaign from the battle of the Wilderness to the surrender at Appomattox Court Ilouse. He was mus- tered out of service on June 4. 1865. at Alexandria, Virginia.
I'pon the termination of the war he returned to Michigan and began planning a deeper drink of the "Pierian spring." lle entered a school at Three Rivers, taking a course preparatory to college and also was for a time a student in the preparatory department of Kalamazoo Col- lege, this being in 1866. Ile entered college proper at Kalamazoo in 1867 and graduated in 1871, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Hle subsequently entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as a student in the literary department and was graduated with the degree of Master of Arts in 1873. thereafter continuing his studies and in 1876 receiving the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He had in the mean- time come to the conclusion to adopt as his own the medical profession. for which he was by natural prochivity fitted, and in 1879 he had be- stowed upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He became noted for his scholarly attainments and his degree of Doctor of Philosophy was the first ever given by the University of Michigan to students for profieieney in studies. Victor C. Vanghan, a class-mate, was the only
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other student to receive a like honor at the same time. Mr. Vaughan now holds the office of dean of the medical faculty of the University of Michigan, and president of the Michigan State Board of Health.
While pursuing his educational endeavors Dr. Smith engaged in teaching at different times, holding many important position as an edu- cator. Among these may be mentioned that of professor of natural history at Vassar College in New York. After severing his connection with that celebrated institution for the education of young women he became connected with the geological survey of the state of Ohio and while so engaged prepared a scholarly report on the herpetology of the Buckeye state, which was published and circulated and which is today regarded as one of the most authoritative documents on that subject. His reputation as a writer is sustained by his published works, which are entitled as follows: "The Tailed Amphibians," "Catalogue of the Reptilia and Amphibia of Michigan," "Practical Mode of Studying the Heart," "Consumption and Frailties of Humanity" and in addition he is the author of numerous fugitive papers. He is also a student of social, economie and political questions and in 1896 wrote a valued work on "The Effects of the Gold Standard." He is health officer of St. Clair City and as such he is widely famed for the stand he has taken in regard to the conditions of the city and articles he has written on this subject have been copied throughout the entire world by medical journals. One of his most valued papers is entitled "Polution of Our Great Water Ways."
Dr. Smith exemplifies in his own living the ideals of moral and so- cial justice and brotherly love for which his fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, stands, and he renews associations with the comrades of other days as a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has never become a recruit to the ranks of the Benedicts.
MISS ALICE O'LEARY. One of the venerable and much beloved ladies of Port Huron, Michigan, is Miss Alice O'Leary, the last surviving member of an old and honored Michigan family, which contributed greatly to the development of this part of the country, and members of which were found prominently identified with business, public and religious activities for many years. Miss O'Leary, who is now spend- ing her declining years in peace and comfort in her beautiful home at No. 715 Park street, was born in Prince Edward county, Canada, April 17, 1829, a daughter of Miles and Margaret (Boden) O'Leary, both born in Ireland. They came to Canada in 1818, where Miles O'Leary was engaged in farming, and later moved to Greenfield, Michigan, where he continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until his death at the age of eighty-two years. He was a stanch Democrat in political matters, and he and his wife were devoted members of the Catholic church, in the faith of which they died. Of their thirteen children, Miss O'Leary is the only survivor. Her sister, Miss Eliza O'Leary, lived with her until her death, in 1908. and she was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. Charles O'Leary, a brother, lived in Port Huron some years ago, after he had retired from agricultural pursuits, and his widow still makes her home in this city.
In 1891 Miss O'Leary came to Port Huron to live, purchasing the elegant home at 715 Park street, and she has become one of the best
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known ladies in the city. Although Miss O'Leary is advanced in years and somewhat of an invalid, she is of a bright, cheerful disposition, and bears all of her afffictions with uncomplaining fortitude, responding to the faithful and tender ministrations of her beloved companion with loving gratitude, while her thoughts are of others rather than of herself. She has always been of a liberal and generous nature, and the numerous works of charity done by her have endeared her to those who have felt the pinch of want.
Miss O'Leary is fortunate in having as a companion so estimable a lady as Miss Mary Ellen Cleary, who has been her constant companion and valued friend for the past thirteen years. Miss Cleary was born in Michigan, October 16, 1869, a daughter of Dennis and Margaret J. (Flanagan ) Cleary, the latter born December 13. 1847. in New York City, and now deceased, and the former born March 25. 1829, in Ire- land and now living on the old family homestead in Sanilac county. Michigan. IIer parents had the following children: Mary Ellen : Michael E., living in Sanilac county : Beatrice and Mary : James, living in the Upper Peninsula, has three sons. Franeis, James and Dennis : Rose A .. housekeeper for her aged father; Bernard, living in Duluth. has one child, Margaret ; and Mathew, living in Mohawk. Upper Penin- sula, has one child, Dennis. a railroad man of Moss City. Mr. Cleary is a veteran of the Civil war. having served during nearly all of that struggle and is a popular comrade of the G. A. R. He is a Republi- can in his political views, but has never cared for public office. Miss O'leary was edneated in the public schools of Sanilac county. and for two years was engaged in school teaching there. She believes in the value of life insurance and holds a poliey in the Metropolitan In- surance Company. The Misses O'Leary and Cleary are prominently known in church circles, attending the Catholic church, and have been active in the work and liberal in the support of this denomination.
DR. CHARLES W. ASH. A man of distinctive influence in the city of St. Clair, Michigan, is found in Dr. Charles W. Ash, a prominent figure in the professional life of the community, whose citizens he has well served for many years both in the capacity of private medical practi- tioner and as a public official in the office of city physician.
Dr. Ash was born November 1. 1877, at Lenox. Michigan, his parents being William and Mary ( Antrican) Ash. The mother was a native of the state of Michigan. but the elder Ash was of Canadian birth. He, however, demonstrated his affection for his adopted country and his patriotie character by taking up arms for the country when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted in Company B. Thirty-fourth Ohio Cavalry, in 1861, and remained in active service until 1865.
The father of Dr. Ash became a resident of St. Clair in 1884. and it was here that the son Charles began to acquire his education. He pur- sued his studies in the public schools faithfully through every grade up to the high school and then began his career as a wage earner. His first position he obtained in a grocery store. where he proved himself an industrions and ambitions worker. Subsequently he secured a position in a drug store and it was while employed in that line of duties that he took up the study of medicine. In 1899 he entered the Detroit Medieal College and at the end of his four years' course in 1903 took his degree and gradnated.
Vol. 11-20
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Dr. Ash decided to return to his native home to begin his active practical professional career and soon formed a partnership with Dr. Burtless. After four years this partnership was dissolved and Dr. Ash continued his medical practice independently. He was very successful in his work from the beginning, having early carned the confidence of the people in his ability. That he has continuously retained this confi- dence and respect is evideneed in the fact that three years ago Dr. Ash was elected to the office of city physician of St. Clair, which position he still occupies.
On June 1, 1904, Dr. Ash was united in marriage to Miss Mary Marsh, of Bay City, Michigan, daughter of W. D. and Francis (Lloyd) Marsh, her father at the present time being a well known banker of Midland, Michigan. Dr. and Mrs. Ash are the parents of two children : Francis, born December 1, 1905, and James Dean, born March 13, 1909. The family is active and prominent in religious and social circles of St. Clair, and hold membership in the Baptist church.
Dr. Ash is identified with the professional life of his county and state, holding membership in the St. Clair County Medical Association, of which he has held the office of vice president. He is also a member of the State Medical Association and of the American Medical Associa- tion. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonie, Woodmen and Forest- ers orders.
JAMES T. WATERS. The enormous amount of business being done on the Great Lakes has brought to public prominence men of industry, en- terprise and great business ability. The management of the transporta- tion interests of the various steamship companies has been efficient and satisfactory, and has helped to develop facilities to such an extent as to make the lake steamers a necessary medium in the development of the commercial interests of all this section. One of the best informed men in regard to transportation to be found in St. Clair county is James T. Waters, who in addition to being agent for several of the large steamship lines is the proprietor of a coal, coke, hay, straw and feed business, at No. 1 Butler street. Mr. Waters is a product of Canada and was born July 1, 1866, a son of Michael and Annie Marie (Kane) Waters, natives of county Wexford, Ireland, and both now deceased.
James T. Waters received his education in the public schools of his native country, and after completing his schooling learned the business of telegrapher, being for two years connected with the Grand Trunk Railway System. He followed the same line in Ohio for two years, and then came to Michigan, being employed as a telegrapher until 1906. when he embarked in the coal, wood, coke, hay, straw and feed busi- ness at No. 1 Butler street. He has built up an excellent trade, and his standing is high among the business men of Port Huron. His wife, who is an excellent business woman, attends to the steamship business, being well versed in transportation matters, and the agency for the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company, the White Star Line steamers and Parker Brothers (Ltd.), is located in Mr. Waters' place of business. Some of the finest boats plying the lakes are under the control of this agency, among them being the "Toshmov" and the "City of Toledo." The varied interests with which Mr. Waters has been connected have brought him into contact with many of the leading business men of this part of the state, and his friendships are numbered by his acquain-
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tances. Ile is a Democrat in politics, but is broad-minded and liberal in his views, and has nover cared for public office for himself. Fra- ternally he is popular as a member of the Knights of Pythias. the Mac- cabees, the Royal Arcanum and the Brotherhood of America. Mr. Waters' handsome residence, which was located at No. 206 Beers street, was destroyed by fire in 1911.
In 1890 Mr. Waters was married to Miss Augusta J. Brown, who was born in Ohio, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Godfrey ) Brown, the former born in England and the latter in Germany. Mr. Brown is now deceased, but his widow survives him and makes her home in Findlay. Ohio. Arthur II. Brown, Mrs. Waters' brother, a soldier living at Post Benjamin Harrison, is a veteran of the Spanish-American war. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Waters, namely : Frances E., who was born in Livingstone county ; Michael, also born in that county : and Clarence K., who was born in St. Clair county. The family is connected with the Roman Catholic church.
JOHN CLARKE, or Captain Clarke, as he was very generally ealled, was one of the most prominent of the county pioneers. He was born in Bath. Maine. July 29. 1797, and three years later his parents moved to Waterville, Maine, where he lived until he was fifteen. when he became a clerk in a store in AAngusta. His health failing, he left the store and in 1815 made a trip to Europe. On his return his ship foundered, but he was rescued and returned to Ameriea in safety.
After engaging in business until 1830 he decided that the west offered a greater opportunity and, although in the meantime he had acquired a wife and five children, he eame to Detroit in October. 1830. with a stock of goods. returning at onee for his family. and in Deeember of the same year became an actual resident of the territory and a mer- chant in Detroit, opening a dry goods store on Woodward avenue, three doors from Jefferson avenue. Competition may have been severe, or a life more free and independent may have appealed. at any rate in 1832. without so far as known any previous experience, he took charge of the General Gratiot, a side wheel steamer of forty-five tons, which had been built the previous year by his friend and competitor in business. Franeis P. Browning. and which ran from Toledo to Black River. The same year he bought. in connection with Shelometh S. Hall, a tract of land upon St. Clair river. about three miles below St. Clair, and the following vear they added to their traet. In 1833 he moved his family to Port Huron and became interested in the Browning saw mill, which was then building. In the spring of 1834 Mr. Browning died and Mr. Clarke was appointed his administrator. The timber and saw mill enterprise was not yet established. and Mr. Browning had left a member of credi- tors and the unusual plan was adopted of turning the creditors into an incorporated company called the Black River Steam Mill Company. which took over all the mill assets and timber lands. Mr. Clark was one of the directors, but in 1835 he decided to move down to his land upon the river, where he passed the remainder of his life.
Ile was elected in 1835 a member of the first constitutional conven- tion, and in the same year a member of the first state senate and re- elected to the latter position in 1836. Upon the organization of the Bank of St. Clair in 1836 he became a director and its first president. occupy- ing that position until the bank was moved to Detroit. about 1840.
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Upon his moving to his new home he built a store and wharf and did a general trading business, and the postoffice of China was established and he was appointed the pastmaster, which position he filled for twenty- two years. In 1837 President Andrew Jackson, who was a personal friend, appointed him one of the commissioners under the treaty of 1836 with the Michigan Indians, to appraise their improvements.
Captain Clarke remained one of the prominent men of the county during his life. His hospitality was famous and his comfortable home upon the St. Clair river was the frequent scene of meetings of young and old. He was long a member of the Baptist church, and the annual picnic which he gave to the St. Clair Baptist Sunday School was an event anxiously looked for by the children. In Masonic circles Captain Clarke held a high position and for many years he was regarded as the fore- most Mason in the state, and the Commandery of Knights Templar insti- tuted at St. Clair was named John Clarke Commandery in his honor.
After a long, varied and honored life, he died February 3, 1876.
SAMUEL DEWITT PEPPER. In considering the active, energetic and capable citizens of Port Huron, one whose interests are centered here is found in Samuel D. Pepper, a member of the Port Huron bar, whose whole period of professional life has been passed in this city. He was born in Canada, near London, Ontario, of American parents, his father, Alexander Pepper, being a native born citizen of Rockford, Illinois, and his mother, Catherine MeArthur, of Middlesex county, Ontario. His paternal forefathers were of Virginian birth, while on his mother's side he inherits Highland Scotch blood from one of the oldest clans in Argylshire.
Samuel D. Pepper received his common school education in Forest. Ontario, being an honor graduate of the high school in that place. He was later a graduate of the London Normal School and an under grad- nate of Toronto University, after which he followed teaching for a few years. In 1903 Mr. Pepper entered the law offices of Moore & Wilson and also of Cady & Crandall in Port Huron, and later studied with Phillips & Jenks of this city. In 1905 he took a special course in law at the University of Michigan, and in April, 1906, passed the Mich- igan state bar examination at Lansing. After his admission to the bar Mr. Pepper continued in the office of Phillips & Jenks, making rapid progress as a lawyer and finding practice in all the courts. In 1908 he formed a partnership with Hugh H. Hart, of St. Clair, and the firm opened its offices on December 1st in the National Bank Building at Port Huron. Both being well known as lawyers, they have enjoyed a fine law practice. In February, 1912, the ability of Mr. Pepper as a lawyer came to the attention of Hon. Franz C. Kuhn, attorney general for Michigan, and he was offered the position of assistant attorney general. Mr. Pepper, feeling that the position would prove a distinct advancement in his profession. finally accepted, and is now occupying that responsible position in Lansing, Michigan.
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