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 54
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
William H. Cook was born on the farm he now owns in St. Clair county, Michigan, the date of his nativity being the 15th of September, 1871. He is a son of Henry and Eliza (IIunter) Cook. both of whom
884
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
are now deceased. The father was born in England, in 1838, and he came to America at the age of nineteen years, locating first in Canada, whence he later came to St. Clair county, Michigan. He was a pioneer farmer in this county and lived an exemplary and industrious life. He was one of the organizers of the Zion Methodist Episcopal church at Atkins, in the various departments of which he was long an ardent and devout worker. He was always on the alert to give of his aid and influence in support of matters calculated to benefit the community in which he lived and he was a generous contributor to charities. In politics he was a stalwart Republican. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Hun- ter, was born and reared in the state of Ohio and she passed to the life eternal in 1873. Mr. Henry Cook long survived his cherished and de- voted wife and died March 30, 1908, at the venerable age of seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. Cook were the parents of four children, concern- ing whom the following brief data are here incorporated: Anna is the wife of Nelson Humphrey, of Yale, Michigan; Etta married Joseph McIntire and lives in the city of Los Angeles, California; Emma is Mrs. Horace Balmer, of Los Angeles, California; and William H. is the im- mediate subject of this review.
Under the invigorating discipline of the old homestead farm William H. Cook was rear to maturity and his early educational training consisted of such advantages as were offered in the public schools of Clyde township. At the age of seventeen years he began to assist his father in the work and management of the old home farm and when he had reached his legal majority he purchased an adjoining farm, operat- ing that until 1908, when he became the possessor of his father's estate. He now manages and owns both places, the aggregate number of acres of the two farms being two hundred. In addition to diversified agri- culture Mr. Cook is a breeder of registered Short-horn cattle, which he markets with most agreeable results.
September 28, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cook to Miss Anna Aitken, who was born near Princeton, in the province of Ontario, Canada, the date of her birth being February 23, 1868. She is a daughter of John L. and Sarah (Hartley) Aitken, who came to the States from Canada in June, 1880. Mr. Aitken was a prominent farmer in Grant township, St. Clair county, prior to his death, April 14, 1911. His wife died in 1885. Mrs. Cook was educated in the public schools of Canada and St. Clair county. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have one daughter, Alice S., born October 14, 1898, and now a pupil in the public schools at Atkins.
Mr. and Mrs. Cook are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Zion, to the forwarding of whose good work they are most liberal contributors. As a church worker Mr. Cook has practically taken his father's place, being active in connection with choir work and being the present popular and efficient incumbent of the office of superintend- ent of the Sunday-school. He was formerly assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, but for the past ten years has been superin- tendent. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican and in a fra- ternal way is a member of the Maccabees and the Gleaners. As a citi- zen he is loyal and public-spirited to an unusual degree and he is accorded the unalloyed confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
885
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
DAVID SIMS. It is always pleasing to the biographer or student of human nature to enter into an analysis of the character and career of a successful tiller of the soil. Of the many citizens gaining their own livelihood, he alone stands pre-eminent as a totally independent factor, in short, "monarch of all he surveys." His rugged honesty and stert- ing worth are the outcome of a close association with nature, and in all the relations of life he manifests that generous hospitality and kindly human sympathy which beget comradeship and which cement to him the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact. Successfully engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of cattle, David Sims is de- cidedly a prominent and popular citizen in Clyde township, Saint Clair county, Michigan, where he has lived since 1853.
David Sims was born at North Saybrook, Canada, on the 7th of April, 1833, and he is a son of Robert and Agnes ( Wiley) Sims. both of whom were born and reared in Scotland, whence they immigrated to America shortly after their marriage. They located in Canada, where Robert Sims was engaged in agricultural operations during the greater part of his life-time. Mrs. Sims was summed to the life eternal in 1835, and after her demise Robert Sims again married. By his first marriage he became the father of five children, of whom David, of this notice, is the only survivor, in 1912. Robert Sims passed away in 1869.
To the public sehools of his native place David Sims is indebted for his preliminary educational training. He remained at home with his father until he had reached his legal majority, at which time he began to work in a lumber eamp. In 1853 he came to Saint Clair county, Michigan, here obtaining employment in a lumber eamp and eventually becoming foreman of the camp. But after twenty years passed in the lumber woods he decided to become a farmer. Aceord- ingly he purchased eighty acres of land in Clyde township, where he has continued to reside during the long intervening years to the pres- ent time and where he is the owner of one of the best farms in the entire county. His attractive house and well constructed out-buildings are situated in the midst of finely eultivated fields and his estate is cer- tainly a credit to Clyde township.
In St. Clair county, in October, 1866, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sims to Miss Amelia Hitchins, who was born in New Brunswick. Canada, on the 16th of May, 1832. As a ehild Mrs. Sims came to the state of Maine, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Sims became the parents of two children, concerning whom the follow- ing brief data are here incorporated: Rohert, deceased, born in 1867. married Georgie Sigar and had two children; Mary, born in 1869, is the wife of Adolph Bensch, and they have one daughter. Amelia.
In politics Mr. Sims accords a stalwart allegianee to the principles and policies for which the Demoeratie party stands sponsor, and while he has never been desirous of publie office of any description he is a will- ing contributor to all matters projeeted for the good of the general wel- fare. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the time-honored Masonie order at Port Huron and his religious faith is in aeeordanee with the teachings of the Baptist church. Mrs. Sims is a devout member of the Congregational church and she is a woman of most gracious personality, being deeply beloved by all with whom she has come in contaet. Mr.
886
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
and Mrs. Sims have been man and wife for a period of forty-five years and it is truly to be hoped that they will live to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary. They are numbered among the best citizens of Clyde township, where they are honored and esteemed for their exem- plary lives. As pioneers in the Michigan forests they wrought out their own fortunes and built the ladder by which they have reached a com- petency. Although about eighty years of age, Mr. and Mrs. Sims are hale and hearty and still retain, in much of their pristine vigor, the splendid physical and mental qualities of their youth.
ELTON J. CAMPBELL. Especially deserving of mention in a work of this character is Eltou J. Campbell, an industrious and successful agri- culturist of Birchville township, who is actively engaged in his chosen calling in sections thirty-one and thirty-six. He was born in this town- ship, August 8, 1867, a son of Edward Campbell. His parental grand- parents, James and Hannah (Morrison) Campbell, natives of Ireland, immigrated to Massachusetts in early life and after a few years they moved to northern Canada. At the age of seventeen Edward Campbell came to Port Huron, and the remainder of the family soon followed. One of their sons, James Campbell, Jr., served throughout the Civil war, from 1861 until 1865, taking part in many important battles and was for six months confined in the Andersonville prison.
On September 28, 1864, Edward Campbell married Catharine Clark, who was born March 14, 1846, in Canada. Eleven children were born to them, of whom five are living, in 1912, as follows: Elton J .; Herbert E .; Anna L., wife of Reuben Grant, of Port Huron; Herman, who served in the Spanish-American war, enlisting as a private in Company K, Thirty-ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and being mustered out with the rank of corporal; and William.
Growing to manhood in Birchville township, Elton J. Campbell at- tended the district schools regularly until sixteen years old, when he be- gan the battle of life for himself, finding work in the lumber camps, and being thus employed until twenty-eight years of age. He has since devoted his energies to the care of his farm, which consists of eighty acres of good land, and as a general farmer and stock raiser has met with most satisfactory results.
Mr. Campbell was united in marriage, October 26, 1895, with Mar- garet Hudson, a native of Canada, and into their home four children have been born, namely : Lola G., Herman S., Sarah, Lucille and Mar- guerite. Politically Mr. Campbell is a steadfast Republican, and is now rendering acceptable service as township treasurer.
HON. HENRY GORDON McMORRAN. The life record of the Hon. Henry Gordon MeMorran, of Port Huron, Michigan, is that of a self- made man; a man who through his unflagging industry and undaunted perseverance has achieved for himself not only a comfortable compe- tence, but an enviable reputation for unswerving integrity and uncom- promising honor in positions of public trust. Born June 11, 1844, at Port Huron, where Sperry's store is now located, Huron avenue and Butler street, Mr. McMorran is a son of Robert William and Isabella (Kewley) MeMorran, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of the Isle of Man, who were among the earliest settlers of Port Huron,
887
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
whence they came during the early forties. Both are now deceased and are buried in Port Huron cemetery.
llenry Gordon MeMorran received a publie school education, and during his spare time assisted his father, who was engaged in the tailoring business. Ilis first employment was as a clerk in the general store of W. H. B. Dowling and Company. where J. W. Golden's "Ninety- Nine Cent Store" is now situated. and he then went to Marysville with Myron Williams. In 1865 Mr. MeMorran engaged in business for him- self on Commercial street, and he was the proprietor of a wholesale grocery establishment until 1878, when with several other business men of Port Huron he built the Port Huron Western Railroad. Subse- quently the firm of MeMorran & Company was established, which ereeted the large flouring mill here, and in 1877 the large grain elevator at the foot of Court street was built. In 1880 he erected his present handsome briek residence at No. 2409 Military street. Although quiet and unassuming, Mr. MeMorran is a man of strong personality, and commands the respeet not only of his business and political associates, but of the body of Port Huron's citizenship. He is a man who believes in the future of his native eity and he has proved that his belief is a sineere one by his investment in various business enterprises and con- siderable real estate. Such men are invaluable to any eity in which they exert their ability and influence. In the politieal field he is known as a leader of his party, and in Congress has been fearless in advocating and defending its principles. His fraternal connections are with the Masons, the Elks and the Maeeabees, in all of which he is prominent and popular.
In October, 1866, Mr. MeMorran was married to Miss Emma Will- iams, who was born in St. Clair county, Michigan, daughter of Myron and Mary (Galliger) Williams, both of whom are deceased, and to this union there have been born three children, all in Port IInron: David, who is engaged in the milling business with his father; Emma J., the wife of Andrew J. Murphy, who lives at home with her father: and Clara, the wife of Norman MaeKenzie, of Regina, Saskatchewan. Little is to be said of Mr. MeMorran's honorable eareer, which is now in its zenith. IIle has enjoyed, is enjoying and will continue to enjoy the con- fidenee and respect of the people of his city. The citizens of Port Huron have repeatedly shown their appreciation of his untiring industry and sterling integrity, and there is every reason to feel that there will be no departure from the confidence they have always shown. His execu- tive ability is of a high order. Both in his official and in his private life, Mr. MeMorran deseryes and has the highest esteem of his fellow men.
CHARLES WONCH. Clyde township, St. Clair county, Michigan. is one of the most prosperous rural communities in this rich state, and its citizens are without exception substantial and intelligent men and women of the best type. A well known farmer and stockraiser who is among the leading men of the community in which he has resided the greater part of his life is Mr. Charles Woneh. who lives on his finely cultivated and improved one hundred and sixty aere farm in section 14. Mr. Woneh is a Canadian by birth, his native eity being Blenheim. Canada, and the date upon which he first saw light. August 10, 1850. Ile is the son of Eli and Claressa (Kipp) Wonch, both born in Canada. Vol. II-26
888
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
in which country they lived until after their marriage. The Wonch family is of German extraction, Anthony, the father of Eli, having been born in Germany. Mrs. Wonch's parents were Isaac and Cather- ine Kipp. Eli Wonch brought his family to the United States about the year 1863, locating at once in Clyde township, where the remainder of their lives were spent. The demise of Mr. Wonch occurred here in 1895, but his wife lived many years longer, her death taking place in 1907. Of their family of four children three are now living: Isaac is a resident of Flint, Michigan; Judson died in 1896; Mary, who is the wife of James Densmore, lives in St. Clair county; and the remaining son, Charles, whose life this sketch outlines, was thirteen years old when the family removed to this section. He attended school in Canada, but was obliged to assist in his own support at an early age. Remain- ing at home until twenty years old, assisting his father, he started out on an independent business career as a young man, becoming a buyer and shipper of stock. His experience in this line of endeavor extended over thirty-five years' time, and his efforts throughout that period met with gratifying success.
Mr. Wonch has accumulated considerable property and besides the home farm owns eighty acres of land at another point in the county. He has been thrifty and industrious all his life and is known as a care- ful, conservative man, whose judgment is exact, and whose word can be relied upon. His interest in school affairs is conspicuous and he has served efficiently on the school board of the township. The family is prominent in church work, being members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr. Wonch is one of the official board of that institu- tion and also is a trustee. He contributes liberally to the support of the church and its various charities and benevolences and is. one of the most influential factors in religions life of the community. Fraternally he holds membership in the Maccabee lodge, in which he as well as his wife and both sons carry insurance. Politically he is an advocate of Republican party principles.
The marriage of Mr. Wonch to Miss Lydia M. Bean was solemnized April 29, 1877. She is a native of Clyde township, born here July 17, 1854, the daughter of Richard and Farozina (Fenton) Bean. Two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wonch. Clarence C. was born March 15, 1878, and received a commercial education. He married Miss Catharine Wonch, who is, however, no relation to her husband's family, though the names are the same. They have four children, Charles R., Shuble C., Kenneth C. and Clifford F. Carlton R., the second son, was born November 2, 1884, and married Iris M. Hulburt, December 5, 1906. They have one daughter, Lydia, born November 17, 1908.
Mr. Wonch is a man of many fine personal qualities and is held in the highest respect and esteem by his friends and neighbors through- out this section his life having been uniformly honest and upright throughout.
PASCHAL P. LAMB. Theodore Roosevelt has said: "Our civiliza- tion rests at bottom on the wholesomeness, the attractiveness and the completeness, as well as the prosperity, of life in the country. The men and women on the farms stand for what is fundamentally best
889
HISTORY OF ST CLAIR COUNTY
and most needed in our American life." This fact is rapidly being recognized and farming is assuming its rightful position among the leading commercial and professional occupations. Among the most prominent and highly respected of the exponents of the great basie industry in Grant township, St. Clair county, is Paschal P. Lamb, one of the pioneers in this section, whose farm of two hundred acres is one of the most admirable properties hereabout.
By the circumstance of birth Paschal P. Lamb is a Canadian, his birth having occurred in the township of Barfield, Canada, February 25, 1837. He is the son of Levi and Harriet (Young) Lamb, the former of whom was a son of John Lamb and his wife, whose maiden name was Baldwin. The first Lamb to be born in America was John Lamb's father, who was a native of Connecticut. The Young family, the ma- ternal line, traces its lineage to a soldier of the War of 1812, whose name was Nathan Young and who at the close of the war with Great Britain removed to the state of Iowa, where he resided until his de- mise. John Lamb lived and died in the Dominion of Canada. having attained to the great age of ninety-seven years when summoned to his eternal rest. Levi Lamb eame to St. Clair county, Michigan, with his family in 1845, his son, the subject, being a lad at the time. IIe re- sided within the boundaries of the county until 1891, in which year he went to Iowa, where he was summoned to the Great Beyond. Ilis wife died while they were yet living in this county. They were the parents of six children. HIosea was born in 1836 and is now living in Grant township; Pasehal P. is the next in order of birth; Alvira is the widow of Abram Packer and lives in the state of Iowa: Jason is a citizen of St. Clair county : Charles is in Iowa ; and David is in Oklahoma.
The early boyhood of Paschal P. Lamb was passed on a farm in Canada and there he began the acquirement of those habits of industry and thrift which have insured his success in life. When he was nine years of age his parents came to St. Clair county. and here he resumed the public school education begun in the Dominion. The family were pioneers in Grant township and the first years were filled with the hardships encountered by the representative pioneer. The Lamb farm was all in the woods and when his years were few indeed young Paschal learned to swing an axe in the elearing of the aeres for cultivation. He subsequently learned the carpenter's trade and assisted in the build- ing of many of the edifices in this part of Grant township. At the age of twenty-one he found the desire to be independent to be uppermost in his breast and he accordingly purchased forty acres of land from his father. This was still uncleared and with fine, unflagging industry he began the great task of bringing his little farm to tillable condition. He is today living on this farm. the original forty acres being the nucleus of his present estate of two hundred acres.
Mr. Lamb laid one of the most important stones in the foundation of . his success by his union in 1862 to Sarah Loek, who bore him seven children, five of whom are living in 1912. William J .. the eldest son. married a Miss Tool and is engaged in mercantile business at Jeddo. Eva is the wife of John Tool. Edith, the wife of Alonzo Fair. passed away in 1911. Ira married Cora Moore. Martha is the wife of Lester Cole and Grace is at home with her father. The worthy wife and
890
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
mother passed away in 1907, much lamented by those to whom she was nearest and dearest.
Mr. Lamb takes great interest in the affairs of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which he is a faithful and generous member, his church home being at Jeddo, Michigan. He is, indeed, one of the pillars of the church and no one was more helpful than he in the erection of the present church. He has served as class leader for the past twenty years. In politics he is a Republican and takes in all public affairs the interest of the intelligent voter. He served at one time as constable and proved most faithful to the duties of the office. He is not a lodge man, but at one time belonged to the Grange. Mr. Lamb is one of the most highly respected citizens of Grant township, where he holds prestige as a pioneer and within whose boundaries he has spent virtually his entire life. He is essentially a self-made man and owes the success he has attained wholly to his own efforts. He lives in accordance with the Golden Rule and his energies and influence are ever exerted towards good ends. His children have taken their places as estimable members of society and he counts as his principal wealth and honor his twenty- five grandchildren.
HERBERT HOWARD. Keen-sighted, practical and progressive, Her- bert Howard, a dealer in house furnishing goods of every description, holds a place of prominence among the leading business men of Port Huron, being a member of the Howard Furniture Company, which is advantageously located at No. 501 Huron avenue, the large, four-story brick building which it owns and occupies being a credit to any city, county or state. He was born in March, 1876, in Port Huron, which was likewise the birthplace of his parents, James and Juliette (Petit) Howard.
John Howard, his paternal grandfather, came from Detroit to Saint Clair county when a young man, journeying a large part of the way through the trackless woods by means of blazed trees. He settled in the wilderness when deer, wolves, bears and Indians were plentiful, the wild beasts of the forests oftentimes terrorizing the few inhabitants to be found scattered about in this part of the state. He purchased large tracts of timbered land, at one time having title to nearly all of the south side of Port Huron, and owning and operating a large saw mill, being one of the pioneer lumbermen of the county. He subsequently lived here until his death, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife, Nancy Howard, attained the venerable age of ninety-seven years.
James Howard was bred and educated in Port Huron, and began life for himself as a sailor. He gradually worked his way upwards from a very humble position to that of captain of one of the Great Lake vessels, and for eighteen years sailed the lakes as captain of his boat. On retiring from nautical pursuits, he began the manufacture and sale of furniture, a business which he followed successfully for twenty years in Port Huron. In the meantime he founded the Howard Fur- niture Company, in which he is still financially interested, although he is now living retired from active business cares in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, where he and his wife are enjoying not only the comforts, but many of the luxuries of modern life.
After his graduation from the Port Huron high school, Herbert
891
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Howard completed the course of study in a commercial college, and at the age of twenty-one years, in partnership with his father, embarked in the furniture business under the firm name of the Howard Furniture Company, of which he is now the president and general manager. This firm carries a full supply of house furnishing goods and furniture, util- izing the entire floor space of the large and well-equipped building which it owns and occupies, and under the efficient and wise management of Mr. Howard has established an immense and very satisfactory business, having a large city and country trade.
Mr. Howard married, at the age of twenty-one years, Marie C. Cor- lett, who was born in Wayne, Wayne county, Michigan, a daughter of W. R. and Harriet Corlett, neither of whom are now living. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Iloward, namely : Mar- jorie, aged thirteen year's; Juliette, aged four years; and Mary Jane, now, in 1911, two years old. Mr. Howard and family occupy a very pretty home which he built some time ago at the corner of Michigan street and Lincoln avenue, and there they entertain their large circle of friends and acquaintances with a gracious hospitality. Mr. Howard is very pleasant, affable and courteous, and one whom it is a pleasure to meet. His large business interests are all conducted along the channels of honesty and square dealing, his aim being in every case to give value for the money received. He is popular with his employes, and has the respect and regard of the entire community. Mr. Howard had two uncles that served in the Civil war, Colonel William P. Sand- born and E. S. Petit, both having been brave and courageous soldiers.
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.