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 8
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FREDERICK C. ADAMS. A printer of wide experience and marked ability, Frederick C. Adams, manager of the Riverside Printing Com- pany, at Port Huron, has devoted his thought and energy to the perfec- tion of his trade, and is thoroughly acquainted with its every branch, having served faithfully in every capacity from printer's devil upward. A son of Arthur Adams, he was born February 25, 1852, in Ingersoll, province of Ontario, Canada.
Arthur Adams was born in 1826, in Devonshire, England. Immi- grating to Ameriea, he lived in Canada until 1853, when he came with his family to Saint Clair county, Michigan. Locating at Port Huron, where he was one of the pioneers, he subsequently obtained work in Sanborn's mill, and continued here a resident until his death, fifty or more years later. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Honiss, was born in London, England, in 1825, and died in Port Huron at an ad- vanced age.
But a year old when brought by his parents to Port Huron, Freder- ick C. Adams was here bred and educated. In April, 1865, the very week prior to the assassination of President Lincoln, be began an ap- prentieeship at the printer's trade in the office of the Port Huron Press, under H. C. Buffington. Having made himself familiar with all the de- tails associated with typography, Mr. Adams has since been actively identified with the printing business, working in different positions. He has kept abreast with the times in regard to modern methods and im- provements in his trade, and has the distinction of having been the first printer in Port Huron to set up and run the first Gordon press, his first job of printing having been the printing of a medieine label for the late F. W. Huntington. Mr. Adams was likewise the first to make use of a Cottrell and Babeoek press, when, in 1869, he was in the employ of the Port Huron Times, where for a number of years he had charge of its office and job department. In 1893 the Riverside Printing Company was incorporated, and Mr. Adams was made its manager, an office which
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he has held continuously since, his long record of service in this capac- ity bespeaking his efficiency.
On August 10, 1872, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Maria S. Goodwin, who was born at Sand Beach, Michigan, April 16, 1856. Her father, Richard Goodwin, was born in New York, and died in Port Huron, Michigan, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years, while his wife, Melinda (Aitken) Goodwin, was born in Canada and died in Port Huron when eighty-eight years of age. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ad- ams has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Edith S., wife of P. C. Greiner, of Detroit; Ellsworth A., of Rock Island, Illinois, married Lillian Bodewig, of Port Huron; Wands F., of Rock Island, Illinois, married Edith Stewart, of this city ; Stella E., a graduate of the Port Huron high school; Frederick C., Jr., employed in the Riverside Printing Company ; and Lewis R., timekeeper in the same company.
Politically Mr. Adams is a straightforward Republican, and in ad- dition to having served as alderman for four years is now a member of the board of supervisors from the fourth precinct of the city. He stands high in the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of many other societies and orders. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Congregational church, towards the support of which Mr. Adams has been a liberal contributor.
A quiet, unassuming man, of a genial temperament, kind and thought- ful of others, and averse to public display, Mr. Adams is devoted to his business pursuits, and is held in high respect by all who know him. Identified for so many years with the art preservative, and having a re- tentive memory, his mind is a veritable storehouse of interesting events of the past as well as the present, rendering him a most pleasant and entertaining companion, and one whom it is a pleasure to meet.
CHRISTIAN ABRAHAM. Numbered among the active and thriving busi- ness men of Mussey township is Christian Abraham, a prosperous coal dealer, who is now serving as township clerk, and also as assessor of the village of Capac. Courteous, efficient, and painstaking, he is administer- ing the affairs of both publie positions wisely, conscientiously, and ac- ceptably to all concerned. A native of Michigan, he was born at Mount Clemens, Macomb county, September 22, 1875.
His father, Christian Abraham, Sr., was born in Brandenburg, Ger- many, and was there reared and married. Immigrating later to the United States, he came directly to Michigan, locating first at Mount Clemens, but later settling in Rochester, Oakland county, and now being a resident of Mussey township, St. Clair county. He married, in the Fatherland, Mary Wagner, a native of Brandenburg, and of the five children born of their union, four were living in 1912, as follows: Chris- tian ; Mary, wife of Frank Traczow; William, of Capac; and Frank, en- gaged in farming in Mussey township.
Leaving school at the age of nineteen years, Christian Abraham soon after began his active career as a contractor in building, and was thus employed for ten years. Subsequently locating in Capac, he has here built up a substantial trade as a dealer in coal, being liberally patronized by the people of the village and of the surrounding country.
Identified in politics with the Republican party, Mr. Abraham has
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served wisely and well in various offices of responsibility, having been a member of the Village Council, and being now township clerk and village assessor. Fraternally he is a member of Capac Lodge, No. 31, Knights of Pythias, and for six years has served as Keeper of Records and Seal.
Mr. Abraham married, in 1902, Anna Rie, and they have one daugh- ter, Irene Abraham, born in April, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham are faithful members of the Lutheran ehureh.
ROBERT P. ANDERSON. For a quarter of a century a resident of Port Huron, Michigan, Robert P. Anderson has long been identified with the lumbering and milling interests of this part of St. Clair county, and now, as a member of the Home Manufacturing Company, is an important fac- tor in promoting its business prosperity and growth. Ife was born in Picton, Ontario, Canada, December 29, 1866, a son of George and Sarah (Mills) Anderson, both of whom were born and reared in Ireland. His father passed to the life beyond in 1900, and his mother died in October, 1911.
Mr. Anderson was educated in the public schools of Deseronto, On- tario, and before completing his sehool life, worked during his vacations in a local planing mill. Coming to Port Huron on September 1, 1887, he secured a position in the planing mill belonging to the firm of Cooley & Campbell, and subsequently continued working for Mr. Campbell, (who bought his partner's interest ), ten years. Embarking then in business on his own account, he became a member of the firm of Johnston, Ander- son & HIaller, which established a large business under the name of the Home Manufacturing Company, which he now owns jointly with Mr. Johnston, each owning equal shares in the business. The Home Manu- facturing Company has the largest planing mill in Port Huron, it being located at the corner of Tenth and Water streets. The proprietors are men of ability, possessing sound judgment and excellent business fore- sight and tact, and in the manufacturing of house, store and church fix- tures have built up an extensive and highly remunerative business, the productions of their plant finding a ready market in the state, and he- ing shipped to Canada and all parts of the Union.
On January 14. 1891, Mr. Anderson married Elizabeth Jackson, who was born in Sarnia, Ontario. July 22, 1867, a daughter of George and Mary Ann (Wilson) Jaekson, both of whom were born in England, and are now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two children, namely : Hazel MI., born June 24, 1896, is a pupil in the Port Huron high school; and Robert E., born March 9, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Grace Episcopal church, in which he is a vestryman.
Politically Mr. Anderson is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and for a number of terms was a member of the board of estimates, while for four years he served the city as an alder- man. He is an active member of the leading fraternal organizations of this part of Michigan, his popularity in each being made evident by the number of offices which he holds, or has held. in each. Among the orders to which he belongs are the following named: Free and Accepted Order of Masons; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows: the Knights of Pythias ; the Knights of the Maeeabees; the Modern Woodmen of Amer- iea ; the Independent Order of Foresters, of which he has been financial
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secretary for the past ten years; and to the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Anderson is a man of noble character and great business ability, who has won well-deserved success by his thorough mastery of his calling, fidelity to his trusts, and honest dealings with all with whom he is brought in contact ; and the respect and regard so cordially accorded him by all gives evidence of his upright and manly life. He has traveled extensively, and, having a retentive memory and a happy way of expressing his thoughts, he is a most pleasant and genial companion, and has a host of sincere friends and well-wishers.
GEORGE ELWOOD WOLVIN, assistant cashier of the Commercial aud Savings Bank of St. Clair, Michigan, has been a resident of this city all his life. He was born here on October 22, 1878, and is the son of John Francis Wolvin and Caroline (Ballamy ) Wolvin.
Mr. Wolvin received his education in the schools of his native city, and after completing his studies, entered the service of the Commercial and Savings Bank of St. Clair, in which he has continued until the pres- ent time. A Republican in his political convictions, Mr. Wolvin has served his city twice in the office of treasurer, from April, 1910, to April, 1912. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, that being the church of his parents and the faith in which he was reared. He is a member of Evergreen Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., and of St. Clair Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M.
On December 12, 1901, Mr. Wolvin was united in marriage at Caro, Michigan, to Miss Mabel Clair Calbeck. Two children have been born to them : Dorothy Calbeck, born February 15, 1903; and Frances Aileen, born January 1, 1905.
EUGENE F. LAW, judge of the circuit court, was born on a farm in Portage township, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, June 23, 1859. His parents were William and Mary (Johnson) Law, both of whom were born in Rutland county, Vermont, where they were reared and married. Each of them were descended from Puritan stock, their ancestors hav- ing come to this country in the early colonial days. The names Law and Johnson are of English origin, and both families had representa- tives in the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812, while an uncle (Harrison Law) of Judge Law served in the Civil war, and was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor. The parents of Judge Law were pioneer settlers of Michigan. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in Kalamazoo county in 1884. The mother subsequently came to St. Clair county, and is now residing at Yale, this county. There were two sons and two daughters born to them. A son died when five years of age, and a daughter died at the age of nineteen years. Jennie, who never married, and Eugene F., the subject of this personal sketch, are the surviving children.
Eugene F. Law was reared on the farm, and there learned the val- uable lessons of industry and perseverence which have characterized his career and largely lead him on to success in life. He obtained a com- mon school education, and then became a school teacher, and a success- ful one, too. A common school education was supplemented by a full course in the Michigan State Agricultural College, from which institu-
Eugane & Lace
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tion he was graduated in 1883. He taught school in St. Clair for two winters, and in the summers of the same years followed surveying. For the next four years he taught the village school at Yale, St. Clair county, and also became a member of the county board of school examiners, and from 1890 for two years he was secretary of that board, and under the old school law his duties as secretary required him to visit the schools of the county, in fact to virtually do the work now done by the county commissioner of schools. As an educator he won an enviable reputa- tion, and he is as well known as an educator as a lawyer and jurist. For years he was prominently identified with the school interests of St. Clair county. He was a prime mover in the matter of seenring the graded school system for the country schools, and inaugurated the graded school system in such schools in St. Clair county.
In 1892 Judge Law graduated from the law department of the Mich- igan State University, receiving the degree of LL. B., and in that same year he was admitted to the bar at Ann Arbor. In December of 1892 he began the practice of law at Port Huron in association with A. E. Chadwick, with whom he remained two years. He then became a mem- ber of the law firm of Sparling. Law & Moore. Later Mr. Sparling with- drew from the firm, which then became Law & Moore. As a Republican in politics Mr. Law became active in political affairs, and in the fall of 1900 he was elected prosecuting attorney for St. Clair county, in which office he served with exceptionable ability for nearly eight months, or until he was appointed by Governor Bliss, Angust 21, 1901, to the office of circuit court judge, to fill a vacancy created by the death of Judge Whipple, until the election of the people in the fall of 1902, when he was elected by the people to fill out the nnexpired term. In the spring of 1905 he was re-elected to succeed himself, and again, in 1911, he was re-elected for a term of six years, expiring December 31, 1917. With exceptionable ability he has presided on the circuit court bench, and won the admiration not only of the bar but also the public. With dig- nity and fairness has he administered the affairs of his office. As a jurist he has not only a profound knowledge of the law, but also a quick conception of principles involved, and his decisions place him in the front rank of ablest circuit court judges of Michigan.
Fraternally. Judge Law is a Master Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of both branches of the Maccabees.
In 1889 he married Clara Boice, a native of Grant township, St. Clair county, and a daughter of Wellington and Eliza ( Waterman) Boice. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living. But one child was born unto Judge and Mrs. Law, Ida May by name, who died in 1893, when two and a half years old.
JEFFERSON G. BROWN. The highly respected and well-known gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch is a native son of St. Clair county and is of the type of which this section of the commonwealth is appro- priately prond. Ile holds the important office of county clerk and stands as one of St. Clair county's most capable and popular public officials. By profession Mr. Brown is aligned with the honored repre-
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sentatives of the great basic industry, his fine farm of seven hundred acres being exceedingly valuable and highly improved.
Mr. Brown was born January 4, 1872, within the pleasant bound- aries of the county, the son of Delemere and Henrietta (Westbrook) Brown. He grew to manhood on the home farm, enjoying the whole- some experiences of the country lad and early becoming familiar with the many secrets of seed-time and harvest. He received his first in- troduction to Minerva behind a desk in the district school room and entered the Flint high school at the age of sixteen years. He was graduated at the age of nineteen-in the class of 1891-with the hon- ors of student achievement and being president of the class.
When he was ready to become an actual factor in the great world of affairs he entered the lumber business with which his father had been identified for some time, carrying on his operations in the vicinity of State Road, Bay county, Michigan. He remained associated with the elder gentleman for some seven years and proved very successful in this line of endeavor. At the end of the period mentioned his father presented him with one hundred and sixty acres of land and he re- moved to the same and engaged successfully in its operation, the agri- cultural methods used by him being of the most scientific character and naturally resulting successfully. In 1902 the death of his father occurred and the subject fell heir to the remainder of the farm, now owning, as previously mentioned, seven hundred acres. His achieve- ments have made him a model representative of the great basic in- dustry. In 1911 he built a flouring mill in the village of Avoca, which he is operating and which has a fifty-pound capacity.
Mr. Brown was born and reared a Republican and no one could be more loyal to the policies and principles for which the "Grand Old Party" stands. He is one of the most publie spirited of citizens and any measure which he deems likely to result in benefit to the commu- nity, whose fortunes are dear to him, is sure of his sympathy and sup- port. He cast his first presidential vote in 1896. In 1902 his standing in the county was indicated in unmistakable terms by his election as supervisor of Kenockee township, in which capacity he served until 1909, and in 1909 by his election to the county clerkship, to which he was re-elected in 1911. In 1907, while still supervisor, he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention, in which he became a force- ful factor. He became a member of the Grange at Brockway and was elevated to the office of master of the same. He has made a fine record in his present office, having an eye single to the good of the people.
On March 7, 1893, Mr. Brown became a recruit to the ranks of the Benedicts, his chosen lady being Miss Edna Green, of Flint, near which place she was born and where she united hand and fortune with the subject. Mrs. Brown is the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Green. Three children have been born to bless the union of the subject and his wife, namely : Delemere, born at State Road, Bay county, Michigan; Martha, born on the farm in Kenockee township, June 22, 1899; and Helen H., born on the homestead farm February 5, 1904.
REVEREND THOMAS COOKE. Prominent among the better known and more highly respected citizens of Port Huron is Rev. Thomas Cooke, pastor of the Sturges Memorial church of this city, and pro-
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prietor of an art emporium. A deep thinker, as broad and liberal in his spirit as he is sincerely devout in his convictions, he is a strong and effective interpreter of the gospel, while his natural artistic tastes and temperament and his unquestioned business ability have won him an assured position among the successful merchants of his community. A native of England, he was born October 8, 1852, in Yorkshire. His parents, Christopher and Rachel ( Farthing) Cooke, were born in Eng- land, and there died, the death of his father having occurred in 1880 and that of his mother in 1910.
Receiving his rudimentary education in his native land, Thomas Cooke completed his early studies in Canada, and there learned the trade of a carriage maker, which he subsequently followed for a time in the States. Locating at Port Huron, Michigan, in 1879, he has since been actively identified with its highest interests. Embarking first in mercantile pursuits, he established an art store on Water street, and for the past twenty-eight years has dealt exclusively in works of art and artists supplies and materials, carrying an unusually fine line of pictures, some of them being imported, picture frames, moldings and supplies of all kinds needed by the modern artist. As a business man he has always lived up to his motto, which is to keep in stock the best grade of goods in his line, and serve the people to the best of his ability.
As a young man Mr. Cooke's broad sympathy for humanity and his unfaltering interest in the young people led him into the work of the Sunday-school. In the molding of the opinions and characters of his pupils he met with such gratifying results that he was urged to enter the ministerial field, and is a licentiate of the Congregational church of Michigan, a member of the Eastern Association, and member of the Ad- visory Board of the association. He is one of the most successful, able and efficient pastors in Saint Clair county, and has supplied for more than two years the Congregational church at New Baltimore, Michigan. Mr. Cooke for five years has been pastor of the Sturges Memorial church. He has a very flourishing Sunday-school in connection with the Sturges Memorial Congregational church, the average attendance of its pupils exceeding that of any other Sunday-school in the district association.
Mr. Cooke married, May 1. 1873, Mary Frances Griffin, who was born in Bayham township, Elgin county, Canada, January 25, 1855, a daughter of Jonas A. and Ellen (MeShane) Griffin, natives of Canada. Her mother died several years ago, but her father is residing in Port Huron, Michigan, and is a member of William Sanborn Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Cooke's paternal grandfather, Rev. David Griffin was one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of Canada. Four children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, namely : Ella May. born in Canada, is wife of John J. Bell, now mayor of Port Huron, and has one child, James Irving Bell; Lillian Mande, born in Canada, is the widow of George R. Dillon, and, with her only child, Thomas Cooke Dillon, resides in Port Huron with her parents; J. S. Christopher, who was born in Almont, Michigan, is now a resident of Toledo, Ohio: and Rachel S., whose birth occurred in Port Huron, is a stenographer in the Supreme Temple, Ladies of the Maccabees of the World.
Mr. Cooke and his family reside at 822 Eighth street. in the pleasant
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home which he erected sometime ago, and where he gladly welcomes his many friends. In politics Mr. Cooke is Independent, voting for the best men and measures regardless of party restrictions. Fraternally he has been a member of the Knights of the Maccabees for over twenty- eight years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cooke belong to the Port Huron Pio- neer Society. Mr. Cooke has one sister, Mrs. S. J. Eggleston, who re- sides in Bridlington, Yorkshire, England.
ROYAL KELLEY. Among those whose enterprise and well directed efforts have lent to the industrial and agricultural prestige and sub- stantial progress of St. Clair county, is Royal Kelley, of section 33, Mussey township, the owner of a farm of 200 acres and a man who has so conducted his affairs as to win the universal respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen. Mr. Kelley is a native of the Dominion of Can- ada, having been born October 10, 1848, near "The Chute," a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Hill) Kelley.
Peter Kelley was born in Ireland in June, 1824, and was nine years of age when his parents emigrated to Canada. He was there married to Elizabeth Hill, who was born in Canada, daughter of Joshua Hill, and in 1850 they came to St. Clair county and settled in Berlin town- ship, where they resided for about a year. Subsequently they removed to Mussey township, but Mr. Kelley's later years were spent in Muske- gon, Michigan, where he died May 4, 1904. He and his wife had & fam- ily of four children, of whom three are now living: Royal; John, who married Anna Deener and lives in Brockway township; and Imogene, the wife of Emery Bull, of Muskegon.
Royal Kelley was born on a farm and reared to agricultural pur- suits, and until he was eighteen years of age attended the district schools in the vicinity of the homestead. He remained with his father, assist- mg him in his operations, until his marriage, at which time he com- menced farming on his own account. His operations have proved uni- formly successful, and he is now the owner of 200 acres of land, which have been cultivated to the fullest extent and are yielding him good returns for the years of faithful labor expended upon them. Mr. Kelley is thoroughly progressive, and always avails himself of the best ma- chinery and other accessories which facilitate and advance the work of his farm. The buildings are of substantial and attractive order, and include a large cement dwelling. built in 1905, which has a basement underneath and is supplied with all modern conveniences, including furnace heat. Mr. Kelley is honorable and straightforward in all his dealings, and retains the respect and confidence of the community.
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