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 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
JOHN M. ROBERTSON. There is probably no more distinctively pop- ular eitizen in St. Clair county than John M. Robertson, of Algonae. deputy collector of customs and a member of a family long identified with St. Clair county. The first of the name to locate in this section was William Robertson, a native of Scotland, who about the year 1790 settled in the wilderness near the site of what is now Marine City. In that year, which antedates the construction of the Erie Canal and was prior to the use of railroads, travel was very different from what it is at present, and New York was then farther from Algonac than China is at present. With this faet before us we are prepared to admire the heroie fortitude and firmness with which this lion-hearted pioneer plunged into the wilderness, the extent of which was unknown, and, faeing dangers that could not be foreseen, made his way through and established his home in the trackless forest. William Robertson was the father of six sons, viz .: John, who made his home near Belle river in China; James and Thomas, who served in the War of 1812, and were present at Hull's surrender ; David, who left a large family; William. who was named after his father and resided in Port Huron when it was a village; Henry; and one daughter, Sarah, who become Mrs. Pomeroy.
Henry Robertson was born November 4, 1804. in Cottrellville, and died August 25, 1870. He was born three years before the first steam- boat of the world made her celebrated trip up the Hudson. He was raised by the famous William Brown, who taught him the shoemaker's trade. At an early age he went sailing, and later he became master of the "Gratiot," which was the second steamboat plying the river be- tween Detroit and Port Huron, the first having been the "Argo." He was also on a number of other boats and followed the lakes a series of years. After he stopped sailing he engaged in the shoemaker's trade. He spoke the English, French and Indian languages fluently, and did a large amount of trading among the Indians. He was a staneh, old- fashioned Methodist and a class leader for many years. His sturdy uprightness and honesty commended him to his fellow eitizens and he was often honored with publie offiees, such as constable and town treas- urer. and was eustoms house officer during the war.
Henry Robertson was three times married. His first wife was a Miss Jane Martin, the second, Miss Elizabeth Stearns and the third, Miss Hannah Downs, the last from Vermont and the others from New York
803
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
state. By his first wife he was the father of seven children, three boys and four girls. of whom two are living: Angeline, who married William Sutton, of Pacific Grove. California ; and Helen, who married Joel T. Phillips, of Algonac. Five children, three boys and two girls, were born to the second mion, and of these three are living: John M .; George W .. a resident of St. Clair: and Mary. of Richmond. The third mar- riage was without issue.
As illustrative of the changes time has wrought in St. Clair county it may be mentioned that Mrs. Phillips remembers picking huekleberries on the place where her house now stands. She also recalls times when a dozen Indians were sleeping on the floor of her father's house and how when they came there drunk they were admitted, but her father took a paddle and batted them if they became disorderly. An incident related of his experience with the Indians is worth recording. During the War of 1812 a number of these from Mackinac eame down to aid the British. In the assault on Fort Sandusky they lost about half their number, and this embittered them and put them in an ugly mood. On arriving. on the way up, at the William Brown farm, at what is now Cherry Beach, they shot one of his steers. Henry Robertson, who lived with Brown after he was six years of age, witnessed the shooting and remonstrated with the savages, telling them how wrong it was thus to steal Captain Brown's property. At this a chief became en- raged. made a rush at the boy, jerked off his hat and stamped on it. and drew and raised a lance, as if to run him through. The boy looked steadily at him and the Indian dropped his arm and went back to his companions, who were engaged in dressing the steer. Henry ran to the house and told Captain Brown, who came out and talked to the Indians. telling them he was a poor man and could ill afford the loss of the animal. This had the desired effect and so wrought upon their better natures that they did not take the whole beef. but gave Captain Brown a quarter of his own steer.
Mr. Robertson helped build the first sidewalk ever constructed in Algonac. working on this at fifty cents a day. It was one board wide, and there was a path along the main road and along the rail fence at its side. Of this pioneer's children who still reside in Algonac, Mrs. Phillips is the wife of a Civil war veteran with a very creditable mili- tary record. She is an enthusiastic worker in the Woman's Relief Corps and a few years ago went to California as a delegate to the na- tional gathering of the Christian Endeavor Societies. She has three children, two girls and one boy, the latter being an engineer on the lakes and living in Marine City. Of her daughters. Eva. now Mrs. Martin Lester. also resides in Marine City. while Mattie, who married Winfield Randall, lives in Algonac. Mrs. Phillips herself is a woman with a large circle of friends. both in the village and outside, to whom she has endeared herself during her long life here.
John M. Robertson was born May 26. 1846, in Algonac, and his education was seenred in the public schools. As a private in Company I. First Michigan Engineers, he served under General Sherman in the Civil war and participated in the famous march to the sea, and on com- pleting his service was for some time engaged in sailing. In Novem- ber, 1868. he was shipwrecked off Pointe Aux Barques, and for eighteen hours was lashed to a mast in a freezing gale before being rescued. Mr.
804
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Robertson was for fourteen years engaged in the real estate and in- surance business and was also the promoter of a rapid railway, but he is best known in the capacity of public official. A stanch and active Republican, he has served as justiee of the peace for thirty-eight years. supervisor thirty years, deputy customs collector twenty-three years, school director twenty-two years, village president two years, and state legislator two years. He is a great friend of the children, a faet which is well known to the latter. Speaking of this trait, an article in the Al- gonac Courier said of Mr. Robertson: "They will stop him on the street and ask him for a pair of shoes. He will look down at their teet and see that they need them and say, 'Come on, I'll get you some.' From Loeust Point to Pointe de Chene, he is so well known that it is said the babies and chickens crow when they see him coming." The same journal, continuing, says: "As village president he got the water works and electric lighting plant. Algonac owns them and has reason to be proud of the fact. This is better than being held up and fleeeed to make profits for private owners. We also get better service and can improve the plant when desired without being dictated to by outsiders. With all his honors, he is 'John' everywhere both by big guns and little guns and no guns at all. One characteristic must not be overlooked. He has the reputation of being loyal to Algonae and as far as he ean looking after the interests of his home town. This the people appre- ciate, and it is this reputation of being loyal to what he believes is for the best interests of Algonac that has made him an almost invineible candidate for any office. He rarely mends his political fences, as they are kept in such good condition as to need no repairs. When he wants something from the pie counter, he says so frankly and the people answer with, 'Here it is,' by voting him into the position requested." In 1876 Mr. Robertson identified himself with Masonry, and he has continued a member of that order to the present time, being also affil- iated with Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 405, I. O. O. F., and the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic.
On December 1, 1872, Mr. Robertson was married to Miss Ella Eliza Winters, of New Baltimore. They have had no children, but adopted a daughter, Maud, who married Captain Harvey M. Stewart. A sturdy type of independent Americanism. Mr. Robertson, progressive in all things and identified with every good enterprise for the advancement of the community. is well spoken of in all circles for his integrity of character, business capacity, fair dealing with everybody. publie spirit and social qualities.
JAMES ABERNETHY. Prominent among the progressive and enterpris- ing business men of the younger generation in Port Huron may be men- tioned James Abernethy, proprietor of a plumbing and heating store at No. 725 Chestnut street, in whose life is presented an instance of what a man may accomplish if he is persistent and does not permit him- self to weary in his work of advancement. Mr. Abernethy was born in Flint, Michigan, April 25. 1884. and is a son of Thomas and Annie (Randall) Abernethy. the former of whom was drowned in 1899, when the "L. R. Doty," a freight steamer, was lost, while the latter still sur- vives and makes her home in Port Huron. Thomas Abernethy, who was born in England, was a marine engineer by occupation, and worked
805
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
at his trade both in Canada and the United States, and while in Canada was married. his wife being a native of that country. They were carly settlers of Port Huron, Michigan, and had a family of six sons and four daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter now survive.
James Abernethy received his education in the schools of Port Huron, to which city he had come when a child, and his first employ- ment was as a clerk in a hardware store. He was then engaged by a carriage manufacturer, but eventually entered the service of the Port Huron Plumbing Company, with which concern he learned his trade. Abont eight years ago he engaged in business on his own account, and his excellent workmanship, fair and honorable dealing, and strict in- tegrity in living up to the word of his contraets have all assisted in building up a trade that is second to none in the city. He puts in all kinds of plumbing, heating and water fixtures, and performed one of the largest jobs in the city when he did all the plumbing and heating work in the Meisel Block, although most of his work has been done in private houses. IFis establishment is fitted with a large, well-lighted show room, and in the rear the shop is equipped with every modern fixture and appurtenance that is known to the trade, insuring correct and speedy work. He is respected and esteemed by those with whom he has been connected in matters of a business nature, and has made a place for himself among the substantial men of his community. In po- litical matters he is a staneli Republican, but his private interests have kept him so occupied that he has not had time to engage actively as a candidate for publie preferment. Fraternally he is a member of the Maceabees, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Moose.
On February 11. 1907. Mr. Abernethy was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Wells, who was born in Canada, daughter of Thomas Wells, a native of Canada, who now lives in Chicago. Two children have blessed this union : James, who was born in 1909. and Nelson, born in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Abernethy attend the Congregational church, in the activities of which they are well known. as they are also in the social circles in the vicinity of their pleasant home, which is situated at No. 740 Chestnut street.
HUGH BONNER. Many of the leading men of St. Clair county. Mich- igan, started out in life as poor boys, but through their own efforts have become wealthy and prominent. The most successful men in this country are seldom those who are born to wealth and influence: there appears to be something in the necessity for exertion that develops a man's best qualities and demonstrates what he is capable of accomplish- ing. Hugh Bonner, the leading plumber and gas fitter of Port Huron, is an excellent example of this fact, and is proud that he has earned all that he now owns. Mr. Bonner, whose place of business is located at No. 720 and his residence at No. 718 Minnie street, is a native of Dundas. Canada, and was born June 8, 1875, a son of George and Anna (Wright) Bonner, who came to Port Huron when Hugh was but two years old.
IIugh Bonner received only fair opportunities for a training in an educational way. as at the age of nine years he became an agent for the Detroit Journal and when thirteen he began to work, at a salary of two dollars per week, in the office of the Port Huron Herald, as a type-
806
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
setter. When fifteen years old he began to drive mules in the tunnel, and for eight months received two dollars per day. His father having died, all of Mr. Bonner's wages went to his mother, to whom he was greatly devoted, and after the completion of the tunnel he secured a position in a harness shop at six dollars a week, this money also being brought home. The work in the harness shop not proving congenial. Mr. Bonner entered the employ of Joe Stephenson, driving a team and working in the shop, but gave up that position to work in a livery stable. but after two weeks he resigned his position and, at the age of nineteen years, began to learn the trade of plumber. After three years the shop closed. and Mr. Bonner went to Jaekson, Michigan, where he received journeymen's wages for over a year, being with George North for two years. after which he purchased his partner's interest in the coneern. In 1904 Mr. Bonner decided that there was a better field for his abilities in Port Huron. and subsequently established himself in business at his present location, where he has built a shop twenty by fifty feet, fitted out with the most modern plumbing equipment. He takes large con- tracts and has built up a reputation for living up to the letter of them that has brought his way most of the large jobs done here in the plumb- ing, gas fitting and steam heating line during the past few years. His advance has been steady and sure, and may be traced to his honest methods, his sterling integrity in the matter of contracts and the ex- cellence of the work done by his mechanies.
On July 19, 1900, Mr. Bonner was married in Port Huron, to Miss Mary Louise Abernethy, who was born in Sarnia. Canada, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Randall) Abernethy. and two children have been born to this union: Marjorie Anna Louise and Hugh. In his political belief Mr. Bonner is a Republican, and he has been a candidate for alderman of the Eighth ward, but owing to the politieal conditions met with defeat. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife is a Congregationalist. Mr. Bonner is well known in fraternal circles of Port Huron, being affiliated with Pine Grove Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., Port Huron Chapter, No. 27; Frederick Wells Council; Port Huron Commandery, No. 7; and Moslem Shrine, Detroit ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge and Encampment; the Independent Order of Foresters, the Modern Maccabees, and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America.
CAPTAIN A. P. KENYON. Prominent among the list of representative business men of Marine City belongs the name of Captain A. P. Kenyon, whose extensive operations as a shipbuilder engrosses his time. The con- struction and launching of all kinds of water craft both for commerce and pleasure comprises one of the most important lines of industrial ae- tivity earried on at this point, and Captain Kenyon has to his credit the completion at his boat works of a large number of fine vessels of all sizes and classes.
It was in 1901 that Captain Kenyon first became identified with the ship building business, he having in that year purchased from Curtis & Brainerd the construction works originally owned by Saul Gardner. Steam barges and naphtha launches have been made a specialty at the Kenyon plant, and he has filled a great many contracts for that elass of vessels, producing results that were eminently satisfactory to his clients.
a. P. Kenyon
807
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Ilis facilities for doing the work are of the best and his workmen can not be excelled for skill and careful attention to detail. The place pre- sents at all times an exceedingly busy appearance and is a most interest- ing one to visit. A great deal of repair work is done and during the past ten years Captain Kenyon has turned out ten lighters, four yachts, four steam barges and also twelve life boats, which were placed on steamers that plough the waters of the Great Lakes.
Mr. Kenyon is a native of this section of the state, having been born in China township on July 17, 1849. It was but natural that he should elect to pursue the business of ship building, for his father before him was similarly employed. The father, Martin Kenyon, came to Michigan from Massachusetts, where he was born at an early date and was the builder of some of the first vessels that were constructed in this section. He built two schooners on the banks of the St. Clair river, although at that time the usual ways for launching the vessels were lacking. Mr. Kenyon, senior, was also engaged in lumbering for several years, and removed with his family to Marine City, becoming identified with busi- ness interests there when the son was twelve years of age.
Captain Kenyon was united in marriage to Miss Julia Marshall, of Detroit, who was of English descent. This union was blest in the birth of two daughters, Grace and Marcia. The latter is unmarried and Grace is the wife of Frank Christian, of Marine City, a well known locomotive engineer who holds the distinction of having run the first steam engine that came over the rails into Marine City. Mr. and Mrs. Christian have two children, William and Annie.
Marine City citizens have enjoyed the benefit of Captain Kenyon's business talents in a public way through his membership on the water board of the city and also on the board of estimates. While the Captain. who is a believer in Republican principles, avoids active participation in political matters so far as it is possible for him to do so, he dis- charges his duties as an official with zeal and enthusiasm. He is a prominent member of leading social as well as commercial circles, and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonie order.
JOSEPH P. TAGGART. There are some lines of business and in fact some of the professions that offer a living with a very superficial training, but the accredited handling of drugs is not one of these. The pharmacist. must combine with his knowledge of chemistry information that covers fields that physicians in the old days had never investigated, and even must be prepared in a measure in case of emergency, to assume the duties of a doctor of medicine. The thoroughly educated pharmacist not only has a knowledge of drugs and their effects and proper com- binations, but his training prepares him for many kinds of laboratory work and some of the most startling discoveries of science in the great investigating departments of the modern universities have come through the scientific experimentation of trained pharmacists. The profession is one of grave responsibility and it may be noticed that in a eom- munity the leading druggist and registered pharmacist is a responsible and representative man. Since 1903 Joseph P. Taggart has conducted his drug store at Algonac, Michigan, and is one of the leading citizens of Clay township, of which he is elerk.
Joseph P. Taggart was born in the Dominion of Canada, September Vol. II-21
808
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
2, 1877, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Porter) Taggart. The father was born in Ireland and immigrated to Canada in early man- hood. He married Sarah Porter, who was born at Utica, New York. They reside near London, Canada, and are the parents of eight chil- dren, Joseph P. being the fifth in order of birth. He was afforded excellent educational opportunities and after completing the common school course entered the Collegiate Institute at Strathroy, Ontario, from which institution he was graduated, and subsequently was gradu- ated from the Warner School of Pharmacy, at Marlette, Michigan, with his degree of Ph. D. Prior to 1903 he was prescription clerk in drug stores at Evart, Cadillac and Grayling, and after this experience, which covered some years, established himself at Algonac and purchased the store he has conducted ever since. In addition to a complete line of fresh drugs, Mr. Taggart carries the other articles usually found in a modern drug store and his business is large and his enterprise con- tributes to the general prosperity.
Mr. Taggart was married in 1901 to Miss Catherine Donald, who was born at Marlette, Michigan, and was graduated from the public schools there. Her father, John Donald, served as postmaster of Mar- lette for a number of years and was a leading citizen there. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart have two children, Erma and Francis, aged respectively ten and six years. In his political affiliation Mr. Taggart is a Repub- lican and on that ticket was elected clerk of Clay township and is giv- ing efficient service in that office at the present time. He is identified with the leading fraternal organizations, belonging to Everett Lodge, No. 320, A. F. & A. M.,; Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 405, Odd Fellows; and Everett Lodge, No. 120, Knights of Pythias.
RUSSELL N. WADE. One of the most progressive and enterprising business men of Port Huron, Michigan, is found in the person of Russell N. Wade, junior member of the concrete construction firm of the Jenks- Wade Company, 615 River street, and a man who has prospered in busi- ness and has earned success by his enterprise, natural sagacity and well- established reputation for integrity. Mr. Wade was born in Mussey township, St. Clair county, Michigan, January 25, 1870, a son of Barton J. and Henrietta (Yeaw) Wade, natives of Rhode Island. Barton J. Wade, who served in the Union army for three years during the Civil war, as a member of a Rhode Island regiment of volunteers ,is now living retired in Mussey township, his wife having died in 1875.
Russell N. Wade was educated in the Capac public and high schools, and his first work after leaving home was in the office of county clerk, where he was employed for six years. In 1898 he began working in the concrete business, and in 1903 he entered into partnership with Mr. Frank D. Jenks. This association has proved a profitable one and the Jenks-Wade Company enjoys a large and prosperous trade throughout Port Huron. Mr. Wade is enterprising and energetic, and his modern ideas and methods have done much toward building up the company's business. In political matters he is a Democrat, and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Elks.
In 1899 Mr. Wade was married to Miss Maude Cady, who was born in Port Huron, daughter of Elwin M. and Mehitable (Kimball) Cady.
809
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
ROY T. GILBERT. One of the younger generation of business men of St. Clair county, a man who has been the architect of his own fortune. is Roy T. Gilbert, of Algonac, who in addition to having made a success of his business operations has also attained a prominent position in public life and fraternal eireles. Mr. Gilbert is well known to the people of Algonac, his whole life having been spent here and his activities being such as to bring him before the people on numerous occasions, and the reputation that he maintains as a citizen of the strictest in- tegrity testifies to the high esteem in which he is held. Ile was born at Algonac, March 5, 1879.
The early education of Mr. Gilbert was secured in the public schools, and he was graduated from the high school in 1894. He at onee be- came self-supporting, and for the next four or five years was identified with a livery business. He was a clerk in a drug store and subsequently was appointed to take charge of rural free delivery route No. 1, of Algonac, a position which he has held to the present time. Disposing of his drug business, Mr. Gilbert established himself in the furniture and undertaking line, which he has followed ever since. He carries a full line of the best quality of furniture, and his undertaking estab- lishment is equipped with the latest and most highly improved ap- pliances and appurtenances of that profession. furnishing every con- venience for the use of the bereaved. He has given the greater part of his attention to his business, but he has also found time to gain a fore- most position in fraternal circles. He belongs to Sam Ward Lodge, No. 62, A. F. & A. M .; Sam Ward Chapter, R. A. M .; Detroit Consistory, S. R .; and Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. : and also holds member- ship in Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 405. I. O. O. F .. in which he is a past noble grand. A staneh Republican in politics, Mr. Gilbert is considered one of the influential representatives of his party in Algonae, where he has served as city clerk for seven years. He has been a member of the school board for the past six years, and for ten years acted as town- ship clerk of Clay township. In his official capacities he has shown marked ability, and no doubt further and higher honors await him in the future.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.