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 ©OI^TI^AITS AND BlOGl^APHIGAL Sl^ETGHES 
 pponjinent and F^epre^eiitatiVe ditizeii^ of tje dountij, 
 
 TDCETHEIi WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN 
 AND OF THE PRESIDENTS Of' THE CNITED STATES. 
 
 ALSO HONIAININt; A COMIM.KTE HISTORY OK TIIK tt>UNTY, FROM ITS KARLIEST SETTLEMENT 
 
 TO THE PRESENT TIME. 
 
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 CHICAGO: 
 
 CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 
 1884. 
 
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 HAVE completed our labors in writing and compiling the Portrait and Biograph- 
 ical Album of Huron County, and wish, in presenting it to its patrons, to speak 
 briefly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duty 
 of the present to commemorate the past, to perpetuate the names of the pioneers, 
 to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the story of their progress. 
 le civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and this solemn duty which 
 men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their jwsterity 
 demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In local history is found a power 
 to instruct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe 
 vessel in which the names anfi actions of the people who contributed to raise this region from its 
 primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the noble men who in their prime entered 
 the wild forests of and Huron claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to 
 their graves. The number remaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is 
 becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of his- 
 torical matter without delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only 
 is it of the greatest importance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is alsoessen" 
 tialthat the history of the county, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated through its various 
 phases, so that a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present tiie age 
 of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times; it is abrilliant 
 record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, their 
 lives, whether commercial or military, do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrary, grow brighter with age, 
 and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will be advanced and 
 observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten, and their very names hidden in obscurity. 
 
 In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were 
 taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was passed lightly over or treated 
 indifferently, and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published. 
 As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the jwrtraits of numerous representa- 
 tive citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented 
 in this department ; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the gentlemen whose 
 portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call- 
 ings and professions worthy to be represented. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with 
 those presented, but of course it was impossible for us to give portraits of all the leading men and iiioneers 
 of the county. We are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous peo]ile of Huron 
 County for kindly and material assistance in the preparation of this Album. 
 
 CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 
 Chicago, December, 1884. 
 
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 HE Father of our Country was 
 liorn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
 '• Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
 were Augustine and Mary 
 (Ball) Washington. Tlie family 
 to which he belonged has not 
 been satisfactorily traced in 
 England. His great-grand- 
 father, John Washington, em- 
 igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
 and became a prosperous 
 * planter. He had two sons, 
 Lawrence and John. The 
 former married Mildred Warner 
 and had three children, John, 
 Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
 tine, the father of Ceorge, first 
 married Jane Butler, who bore 
 him four children, two of whom, 
 Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
 
 f'(j^ maturity. Of six children by his 
 Pj second marriage, George was the 
 (ija eldest, the others beini; Betty, 
 : Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
 
 - and Mildred. 
 Augustine Washington, the father of Cleorge, died 
 in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
 eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
 the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
 and to Geofge he left the parental residence. George 
 received only such education as the neighborhood 
 schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
 school, when he received private instruction in 
 
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 mathematics. His spelling was rather defective 
 
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 Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
 strength and development at an early age. He was 
 an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
 was early noted for that nolileness of character, fair- 
 ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 
 
 When George was 14 years oldhehad a desire to go to 
 sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
 but through the opposition o£ his mother the idea was = 
 abandoned. Two years later he was appointed '•^ 
 surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In r=: 
 this business he spent three years in a rough frontier "C/ 
 life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very - 
 essential to him. In 1751, though only 19 years of ( 
 age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
 major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
 active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
 after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
 Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. Tiiey 
 soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
 died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
 who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
 estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 
 
 Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
 ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
 reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
 tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
 Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this (^ 
 a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- f 
 cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- J-; 
 ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
 western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
 was between 500 and 600 miles. AN'inter was at hand, 
 and the journey was to be made without military 
 escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 
 
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 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
 losing liis life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
 a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
 of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
 mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
 commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
 then begun against tlie French and Indians, in which 
 Washington took a most important part. In the 
 memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
 dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
 of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
 day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
 were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
 alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
 to his brother he says : "1 had four bullets through 
 my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
 unhurt, though death was levelin'.; my companions 
 on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
 not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
 direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
 him. 
 
 After having been five years in the military service, 
 and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
 took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
 expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
 to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
 Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
 active and im|)ortant part. January 17, 1759, he 
 married Mrs. Martha (l)andridge) Custis, the wealthy 
 widow of John Parke Custis. 
 
 When the British Parliament had closed the port 
 of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
 that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
 It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
 gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
 delphia, Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
 peaceably if possii)le. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
 ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
 Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
 England were i)lainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
 cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
 first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
 mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
 responsible office was conferred uix)n Washington, 
 who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
 it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
 receive no salary. He would kee]) an exact account 
 of expenses and expect Congress to pay them and 
 notliing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
 trace the military acts of Wasliington, to whom the 
 fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
 were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
 liim under ever)' jiossible disadvantage, and while his 
 forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
 obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
 and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
 nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
 a parting address of surj)assing beauty, resigned his 
 
 commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
 to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
 retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
 his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
 connection with public life. 
 
 In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously 
 elected President. In his presidential career he was 
 subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
 government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
 of other governments ; trials from want of harmony 
 between the different sections of our own country; 
 trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
 owmg to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
 beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
 clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
 while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
 sinl<ing at tlie very outset, it left him exposed to 
 attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
 very annoying. 
 
 At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
 mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
 were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
 refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
 1797, at the ex|)iraton of his second term as Presi- 
 dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
 his itiw remaining years free from the annoyances of 
 public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
 seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
 .'\t the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
 take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
 ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
 ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
 home. In accepting the command he made the 
 reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
 it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
 his life was suddenly cut off. December i 2, he took 
 a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
 in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
 fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
 teenth his body was borne with military honors to its 
 final resting ])lace, and interred in the family vault at 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
 speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
 miration. The more we see of the operations of 
 our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
 difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
 the more higlily we must estimate the force of his tal- 
 ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
 the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
 tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
 of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
 be as lasting as the existence of man. 
 
 The person of Washington was unusally tall, erect 
 and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
 great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry'. 
 He commanded respect without an\- appearance of 
 haughtiness, and everserious without being dull. 
 
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 SECOND PRESIDENT. 
 
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 OHN ADAMS, the second 
 President and tlic first Vice- 
 President of the United States, 
 was born in Braintree ( now 
 Quincy),Mass., and about ten 
 ^=-' miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
 1735. H's great-grandfather, Henry- 
 Adams, emigrated from England 
 about 1646, with a family of eight 
 3 sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
 parents of John were John and 
 Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
 father was a farmer of limited 
 means, to which he added the bus- 
 iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
 eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
 tion at Harvard College. John 
 graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
 school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
 "school of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
 gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
 study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
 under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
 had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
 but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
 termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
 cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
 of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
 his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
 profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
 (9* ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
 ^ live powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
 1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
 and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
 marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
 tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
 steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- 
 
 tions he offered on the subject became very popular 
 throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
 word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
 ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
 and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
 was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
 lislature) in 1770. 
 
 Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
 from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
 which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
 by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
 vocated the movement for inde\)endence against the 
 majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
 and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
 should assume the duties of self-government. He 
 was a prominent member of the committee of five 
 appointed June 11, to prejjare a declaration of inde- 
 pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
 on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
 Congress in a three days debate. 
 
 On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
 was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the 
 glow of e.xcited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, 
 which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
 by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says", "the 
 greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
 in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will 
 be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
 without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
 States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
 pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
 July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
 of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
 by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
 festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
 deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
 God. It ought to lie solemnized with pomp, shows, 
 
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 yt)//A^ ADAMS. 
 
 
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 games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
 from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
 time forward for ever. Vou will think me transixirted 
 with entiuisiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
 the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
 maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
 these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
 rays of light and glory. 1 can see that the end is 
 worth more than all the means; and that posterity 
 will lriumi)h, although you and I may rue, which I 
 hope we shall not." 
 
 In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
 delegate to F'rance. and to co-oi)erate with Bemjamin 
 Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
 the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
 from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
 to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
 com[)eiled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
 posed him to great peril of capture by tlie British cruis- 
 ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
 1779. In Sciitember of the same year he was again 
 cliosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
 ness to negotiate a treaty of i)eace and of commerce 
 with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
 might be found willing to listen to such pioposels. He 
 sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
 Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
 formed important commercial treaties. 
 
 Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
 Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
 toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
 threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
 tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
 was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
 Bath. While in England, still ilrooping and despond- 
 ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
 urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
 negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
 delicate, yet he inunediately set out, and through 
 storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. 
 
 February 24, 1785, Congress apjx)inted Mr. Adams 
 envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
 to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
 garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
 condescend to ap[K)int a minister to the United 
 States, and as Mr. .\dams felt that he was acconi- 
 jilishing but little, he sought jiermission to return to 
 his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 
 
 When Washington was first chosen President, John 
 Adams, rendered illustiipus by his signal services at 
 home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
 at the second election of Washington as President, 
 Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
 ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
 elected President, though not without much opposition. 
 Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by 
 Mr. Jefferson, his opptment in politics. 
 
 While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 
 
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 French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
 and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
 the majority of his countnmen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
 Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
 in tiieir struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
 [Xjwer of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
 classof atheist |)hiloso[)hers who he claimed caused it. 
 On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
 enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
 iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
 men, and two [wwerful parties were thus soon organ- 
 ized, .'\dams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
 were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
 sympathy with France. 
 
 The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
 moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
 old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
 had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
 ap[)reciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
 after death. No one could look upon his veneralile 
 form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
 and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
 of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
 emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his [leculiar 
 good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
 institution which he had been so active in creating and 
 supporting. In i8.'4, his cuj) of happiness was filled 
 to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
 station in the gift of the people. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
 century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
 signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
 earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
 well known, on that day two of these finished their 
 earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
 to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
 Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
 of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
 his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
 customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
 Di PKNnF.NCK. FOKF.VF.R." When the day was ushered 
 in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
 he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
 what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
 ious fo\irth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
 In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
 glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
 "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
 signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. 
 
 The jiersonal appearance and manners of Mr. 
 Adams were not particularly preixjssessing. His face, 
 as his jiortrait manifests.was intellectual ard ex^jres- 
 sive, but his figiire was low and ungraceful, and his 
 manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
 He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
 the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
 the manners and address of Jefferson. 
 
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 HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
 born April 2, 1743, at Sliad- 
 S'^well, Albermarle county, Va. 
 His i)arents were Peter and 
 Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
 the former a native of Wales, 
 and the latter born in Lon- 
 don. To tliem were born six 
 daughters and two sons, of 
 whom Thomas was the elder. 
 When 14 years of age his 
 father died. He received a 
 most liberal education, hav- 
 ing been kept diligently at school 
 from the time he was five years of 
 age. In 1760 he entered William 
 and Mavy College. . Williamsburg was then the seat 
 of the Colonial Court, and it was the obode of fashion 
 and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
 years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
 horses, and much caressed by gay society, yel he 
 was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irre])roacha- 
 able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
 such influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
 ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
 explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
 society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
 previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
 hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
 ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
 of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
 high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
 phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
 Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
 scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 
 
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 there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
 more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 
 
 Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
 study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
 practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
 guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
 lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
 The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
 resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
 views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
 him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
 a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
 ful, wealthy and liighly accomplished young widow. 
 
 Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Sliadwell, there 
 was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, wliich 
 commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
 beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
 home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet 
 elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, 
 became the most distinguished resort in our land. 
 
 In 1775 he was sent to the Cclonial Congress, 
 where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
 writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
 was placed ui»n a number of important committees, 
 and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
 ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
 mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
 Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
 Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
 to draw ui) the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
 a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
 gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
 in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
 4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 
 
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THOMAS JEFFERSON. 
 
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 man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
 who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
 laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
 America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
 soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
 markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
 of tlie mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
 sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 
 
 In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
 Patrick Henry, ;.s Governor of Virginia. At one time 
 the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
 Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
 minutes elapsed after tlie hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
 ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
 sion of the iJi'itish troops. His wife's health, never 
 very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
 in the summer of 1782 she died. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
 Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
 tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
 in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
 in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
 Jan. r, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
 dent, and four years later was elected President over 
 Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
 1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
 and George Clinton, Vice President. 
 
 The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
 tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
 tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
 spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
 to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
 ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
 military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
 southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
 a new rei)ul)lic. This has been generally supposed 
 was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
 generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
 doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
 character. 
 
 In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
 which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
 to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
 forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
 lic, and all that time had been em[)l()yed in offices of 
 the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
 voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
 country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
 declining years required, and w\yo\\ the organization of 
 the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
 well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hos[)itality. Whole 
 families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
 fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
 nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
 Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
 fasliionable watering-jjlace. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 
 
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 sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
 great preparations were made in every part of the 
 Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
 the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
 of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
 and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
 tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
 ness, whicli had been of several weeks duration, and 
 had been continually increasing, com[)elled him to 
 decline the invitation. 
 
 On the second of July, the disease under which 
 he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
 state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
 hope of his recovery. From lliis time he was perfectly 
 sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
 diiy, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
 him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
 the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that 
 he might be jiermitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth 
 anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose 
 dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
 burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
 ever. And what a noble consiunmation of a noble 
 life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
 the day which his own name and his own act had 
 rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
 festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
 as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
 was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 
 
 Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
 dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
 him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
 Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
 freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
 ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
 animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
 century they had labored together for the good of 
 the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
 In their lives they had been united in the same great 
 cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
 divided. 
 
 In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
 above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
 were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
 white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- 
 head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
 thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as 
 well as personal courage; and his command of tem- 
 per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
 never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
 His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
 affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
 all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
 sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
 his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
 was a finishetl classical scholar, and in his writings is 
 discernable the care with which he formed his style 
 ui)on the best models of antiquity. 
 
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 FOURTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 ^\J AMES MADISON, "Father 
 of the Constitution," and fourth 
 President of the United States, 
 was born March i6, 1757, and 
 - - died lit his home in Virginia, 
 ^Ij/"*^ June 28, 1836. The name of 
 James Madison is inseparably con- 
 nected with most of the important 
 events in that heroic period of our 
 \, country during which the founda- 
 tions of this great republic were 
 laid. He was the last of the founders 
 of the Constitution of the United 
 States to be called to his eternal 
 reward. 
 
 The Madison family were among 
 the early emigrants to the New World, 
 landing u|)on the shores of the Cliesa- 
 peake but 15 years after the settle- 
 ment of Jamestown. The father of 
 James Madison was an opulent 
 planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
 tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
 Va. Tlie mansion was situated in 
 the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
 esque and romantic, on the west side 
 of South-west Moimtain, at the foot of 
 Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
 Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
 political attachment existed between these illustrious 
 men, from their early youth until death. 
 
 The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
 mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
 18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
 Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 
 
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 prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, i)ut three 
 hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
 seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
 of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble 
 body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
 mind highly disciplined and richly stored witli learning 
 which embellislied and gave proficiency to his subse- 
 quent career. 
 
 Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
 law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
 This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
 which lie lived, and the society with wiiich he asso- 
 ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
 love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
 a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
 mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
 his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
 tion to theological studit^s. P^ndowed with a mmd 
 singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
 almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
 all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
 until his faith became so established as never to 
 be shaken. 
 
 In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
 was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
 frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
 (1777), he was a candidate for the General .Assembly. 
 He refused to treat the wiiisky-lovir.g voters, and • 
 consequendy lost his election ; but those who had 
 witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
 modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
 and he was appointed to the K.xeciilive Council. 
 
 Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
 Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
 member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 
 
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 intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
 a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
 1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
 Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
 our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
 the most conspicuous positions among them. 
 
 For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
 gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
 In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
 elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 
 
 No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
 utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
 tional government, with no power to form treaties 
 which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
 was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
 the declaration, that an efficient national government 
 must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
 carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
 Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
 sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
 this subject. Five States only were reiiresented. The 
 convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
 by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
 delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
 a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
 of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
 the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
 was represented. George Wasliington was chosen 
 president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
 tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
 There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
 tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
 and the pen of James Madison. 
 
 The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 7 9, was 
 to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
 But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
 we should be left Init a conglomeration of independent 
 States, with but little power at home and little respect 
 abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
 tion to draw up an address to the [)eople of the United 
 States, expounding the princi|)les of the Constitution, 
 and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
 to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
 went into effect in 1789. 
 
 Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
 sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
 avowed leader of the Rei)ul)lican party. While in 
 New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
 young widow of remarkable jxiwer of fascination, 
 * wliom he married. Slie was in person and character 
 queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
 so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
 which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
 Madison. 
 
 Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
 Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
 was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
 ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 
 
 British orders in council destroyed our commerce, and 
 
 our flag was e.xposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
 was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
 in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
 meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
 boil, even now, to think of an American sliip brought 
 to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
 A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
 crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
 ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
 designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
 ship's side into his boat ; and places them on the gun- 
 deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
 battles of England. This right of search and im- 
 pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
 the British cabinet to relinquish. 
 
 On the iSth of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
 his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
 against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
 hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
 in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th 
 of March, ig'S) was re-elected by a large majority, 
 and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
 not the place to describe the various adventures of 
 this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
 navy then laid tlie foundations of its renown in grap- 
 pling with the most formidable power which ever 
 swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
 by the appearance of a British fleet, early in February, 
 1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
 coast of the United States under blockade. 
 
 The PLmperor of Russia offered his services as me 
 ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
 ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
 of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
 peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
 burg, upon Washington. 
 
 The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
 into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
 at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
 metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
 The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White 
 House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to 
 await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
 in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
 and he could not go back without danger of being 
 captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
 Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
 Washington were in flames. 
 
 The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
 Feb. 13, iSi5,thetreatyof peace was signed at Ghent. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
 office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
 to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
 tiful home at Montiielier, and there passed the re- 
 mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
 age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
 son died July 12, 1849. 
 
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FIFTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 AMES MONROE, the fifth 
 ^LPresidentof The United States, 
 ^ was born in Westmoreland Co., 
 Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
 life was passed at the place of 
 nativity. His ancestors had for 
 many years resided in the prov- 
 ince in which he was born. When, 
 at 17 years of age, in the 'process 
 of completing his education at 
 William and Mary College, the Co- 
 lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
 delphia to deliberate upon the un- 
 just and manifold oppressions of 
 Great Britian, declared the separa- 
 tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
 gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
 dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
 probable that he would have been one of the signers 
 of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
 school and enlisted among the patriots. 
 
 He joined the army when everything looked hope- 
 less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
 from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
 in; and tlie tories not only favored the cause of the 
 mother country, but dislicartened the new recruits, 
 who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
 tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
 to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
 Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
 difficulty and danger, the United States owe then- 
 ' political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
 ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
 with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 
 
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 for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
 ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
 Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
 before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
 after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots ( i^ 
 had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
 Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
 ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
 shoulder. 
 
 As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
 moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered 
 from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
 receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
 officer in the staff of Lord Steriing. During the cam- 
 paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy- 
 wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
 aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his 
 position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
 regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
 owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
 this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
 that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
 ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
 entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
 but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
 teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 
 
 In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
 a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
 body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
 Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
 of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
 at this early period displayed some of that ability 
 and aptitude for legislation, which were aftenvards 
 employed with unremitting energy for the public good. 
 
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 JAMES MONROE. 
 
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 he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
 the Congress of the United' States. 
 
 Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
 Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
 thinking, with many others of the Republican party, 
 that it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
 and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
 tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
 supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
 secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
 of the United States Senate ; which office he held for 
 four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
 tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
 the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
 distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
 arated them were, th^it the Republican party was in 
 sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
 strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
 Central Government as little power, and the State 
 Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
 warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
 and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
 stitution, which would give as much power to the 
 Central Government as that document could possibly 
 authorize. 
 
 The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
 alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
 good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
 pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
 James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
 building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
 to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
 bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
 light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
 nounced as almost a demon. 
 
 Washington was then President. England had es- 
 poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
 ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
 into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
 Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
 tween these contending powers. France had helped 
 us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
 of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
 from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
 thar\ that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
 magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
 whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
 their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
 and noble nature. He violently opjjosed tlie Pres- 
 ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
 magnanimity. 
 
 Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
 developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
 by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
 nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
 of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
 Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
 in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 
 
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 Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
 roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
 office for three years. He was again sent to France to 
 co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
 the vast territory then known as the Province of 
 Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
 tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc- 
 cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
 millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
 district of Louisiana were added to the United States, 
 This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
 which was ever made in all the history of the world. 
 
 From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
 tain from that country some recognition of our 
 rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
 odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
 land was unrelenting. He agam returned to Eng- 
 land on the same mission, but could receive no 
 redress. He returned to his home and was again 
 chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
 to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
 Madison. While in this office war with England was 
 declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
 these tr)'iiig times, the duties of the War Department 
 were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
 bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
 business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
 peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
 tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
 piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- 
 tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
 been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
 upon March 4, 18 17, was inaugurated. Four years 
 later he was elected for a second term. 
 
 Among the important measures of his Presidency 
 were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
 Missouri Compromise, and the "Monroe doctrine.'' 
 
 This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
 doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
 time the United States had recognized the independ- 
 ence of the South American states, and did not wish ^ 
 to have European powers longer attempting to sub- \^, 
 due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine f 
 is as follows : " That we should consider any attempt 
 on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
 tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
 to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
 view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
 or controlling American governments or provinces in 
 any other light than as a manifestation by Eurojiean 
 powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
 States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
 of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
 sentiment of the United States. 
 
 At the end of his second tenn Mr. Monroe retired 
 to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
 when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
 law. In that city he died,on the 4th of July, 1831. 
 
 
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 SIXTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 OHN OUINCY ADAMS, the 
 ,.,, sixth President of the iTnited 
 J^States, was born in the rural 
 home of his honored father, 
 John Adams, in Qaincy, Mass., 
 on the I ith cf July, 1767. His 
 mother, a woman of exalted 
 worth, watched over his childhood 
 during the almost constant ab- 
 sence of his father. When but 
 eight ye;irs of age, he stood with 
 his mother on an eminence, listen- 
 ing to the booming of the great bat- 
 tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
 upon the smoke and flames billow- 
 ing up from the conflagration of 
 Charlestown. 
 
 When but eleven years old he 
 took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
 to sail with his father for Europe, 
 through a fleet of hostile Britisli cruisers. The bright, 
 animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
 his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
 minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence* attracted 
 the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
 from them flattering marks of attention. 
 
 Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
 country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
 John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
 ap[)lied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
 to study; then accompained his father to Holland, 
 where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then 
 the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
 time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
 years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
 ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 
 
 In this school of incessant labor .and of enobling 
 culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
 to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
 Bremen. 'I'his long journey he took alone, in the 
 winter, wlien in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
 his studies, under a priv.ite tutor, at Hague. Thence, 
 
 in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to 
 Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
 with the most distinguished men on the Continent; 
 examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
 and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
 became associated with the most illustrious men of 
 all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
 themes which can engross the human mind. After 
 a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
 consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
 when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
 man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
 and who was familiar with the eti(juette of courts, a 
 residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
 cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
 but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he jirc- 
 ferred to return to America to complete his education 
 in an American college. He wished then to study 
 law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
 able to obtain an independent support. 
 
 Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty, 
 he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
 ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
 pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
 Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
 London in October, where he was innnediately admit- 
 ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
 assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with 
 Great Bntian. After thus spending a fortnight in 
 London, he proceeded to the Hague. 
 
 In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
 minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
 upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
 directing him to the court of Berlin, but retjuesting 
 him to remain in London until he sliould receive his 
 instructions. ^\'hile waiting he was married to an 
 American lady to whom he had been jireviously en- 
 gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
 of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London ; 
 a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
 jilishnient which eminently fitted her to move in the 
 elevated sphere for which she was destined. 
 
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 JOB-JV QUINCY ADAM^. 
 
 He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
 where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
 filled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his 
 recall. 
 
 Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
 the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
 was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
 from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
 ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
 among the most prominent and influential members 
 of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
 ment '\n its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
 ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
 sulting our flag. Tliere was no man in America more 
 familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
 these points, and no one more resolved to present 
 a firm resistance. 
 
 In 1809, Madison siicceeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
 idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
 Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
 ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
 at Boston, in August, 1809. 
 
 While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
 dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
 history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
 European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
 the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
 kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
 Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
 more accom|ilished scholar could scarcely be found. 
 All through life the Bible constituted an important 
 part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
 chapters every day. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
 Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
 Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
 erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
 sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
 18th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
 home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
 roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
 of State. 
 
 Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
 term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
 for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
 forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
 Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
 sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
 ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy .\dams, eighty-four; 
 William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
 seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
 question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
 Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
 he was elected. 
 
 The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
 combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
 Mr. Adams. Tliere is nothing more disgraceful in 
 the past history of our country than the abuse which 
 
 was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
 high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
 an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
 scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
 try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
 haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
 lously and outrageously assailed. 
 
 Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
 stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
 early, and taking much exercise, ^\'hen at his home in 
 Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
 seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
 that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
 own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
 often long before dawn. 
 
 On the 4th of March, rSag, Mr. Adams rerired 
 from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew- 
 Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
 dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
 ixirtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
 Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
 abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
 main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
 elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
 years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
 sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
 do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
 "the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
 the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
 self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
 member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
 the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
 leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
 be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
 battle which Mr. .\dams fought, almost singly, against 
 the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
 in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
 presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
 was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
 with expulsion from the House, with assassination: 
 but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
 triumph was complete. 
 
 It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
 body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
 fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
 child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
 he slept, the prayer which his mother tauglit him in 
 his infant years. 
 
 On the 2 1 St of Februar)', 1848, he rose on the floor 
 of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
 speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by luitaly- 
 sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
 For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
 the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
 ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
 said " This is the end of earth .-"then after a moment's 
 pause he added, "■ I am content" These ^yere the 
 last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 
 
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 SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 NDREW JACKSON, the 
 
 -■venth President of the 
 'United States, was born in 
 Waxhaw settlement, N. C, 
 March 15, 1767, a few days 
 after his father's death. His 
 parents were poor eoiigrants 
 from Ireland, and took up 
 their abode in Waxhaw set- 
 tlement, where they lived in 
 deepest poverty. 
 Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
 universally called, grew up a very 
 rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
 features were coarse, his form un- 
 gainly; and there was but very 
 little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
 tractive. 
 
 Wiien only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
 teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
 1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
 imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
 ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
 a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
 the dauntless boy. 
 
 The brute drew his sword, and aimed a des])erate 
 blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
 Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
 ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the 
 head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
 with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
 ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
 diiabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
 his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
 were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
 mother was successful in obtaining their exchange, 
 
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 and took her sick boys home. After a long illness 
 Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
 left him entirely friendless. 
 
 Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as 
 working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
 clerking in a general store, until 17 84, when he 
 entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
 gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
 times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed 
 solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
 which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
 many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
 every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
 and tlie Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
 with the Sharp Knife. 
 
 In 1 791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
 supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
 (Ireat was the surprise of both [farties, two years later, 
 to find that the conditionsof the divorce had just been 
 definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
 ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
 rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
 Jackson into disfavor. 
 
 During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
 sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
 one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
 ially disgraceful. 
 
 In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
 containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
 people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
 stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
 counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
 The new State was entitled to but one member in 
 the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- 
 son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
 rode to PhiledeliAia, where Congress then held its 
 
 
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 ANDRE W JACKSON. 
 
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 sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. 
 
 Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
 cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
 Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
 Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
 second term of office was then e.xpiring, delivered his 
 last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
 complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
 did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
 twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
 say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
 " wise, firm and patriotic." 
 
 Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
 Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
 Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
 of his State, which position he held for si.x years. 
 
 When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
 menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
 Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
 an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
 would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
 ferred u|X)n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
 offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
 volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
 were assembled at Nashville. 
 
 As tlie British were hourly expected to make an at- 
 tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
 in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
 with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
 expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
 eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
 the men were ordered i)ack to their homes. But the 
 energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
 devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
 golden oiiinious; and he became the most popular 
 man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
 toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 
 
 Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
 Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
 made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
 which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
 he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
 lingering upon -a bed of suffering news came that the 
 Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
 Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
 tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
 cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
 his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
 a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
 tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
 army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 
 
 The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
 one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
 ter of Alabama, al)out fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
 With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
 traversed tlie ])athless wilderness in a march of eleven 
 days. He reached their fort, called Tohopcka or 
 Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend 
 
 of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
 tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
 neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
 work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
 with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 
 
 The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
 perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
 bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
 deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
 ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
 awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
 river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
 they swam. Nearly everj'one of the nine hundred war- 
 rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
 the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
 power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
 plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic slaughter, 
 so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
 of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 
 
 This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
 centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
 allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
 than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
 campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
 was appointed major-general. 
 
 Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
 men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
 Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
 a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
 and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
 assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
 one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 
 
 Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
 army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
 And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
 was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
 for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
 troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
 won a signal victory over the British army of about 
 nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
 loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 
 
 The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
 tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
 he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
 successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
 for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
 assumed tlie reins of the government, he met with 
 the most terrible afiliction of his life in the death of 
 his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion whiih has 
 perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
 her death he never recovered. 
 
 His administration was one of the most memorable 
 in the annals of our countr)'; applauded by one party, 
 condemned iiy the other. No man had more bitter 
 enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
 two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
 he died June 8, 1S45. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
 son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 
 
 
 
 
 
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 EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 
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 ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
 eighth President of the 
 United States, was born at 
 Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
 1782. He died at the same 
 place, July 24, 1862. His 
 body rests in the cemetery 
 at Kinderhook. Aliove it is 
 a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
 high, bearing a simple inscription 
 about half way up on one face. 
 The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
 or unbounded by slirub or flower. 
 
 There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
 of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
 in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
 political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
 signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
 incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
 cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
 and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
 to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
 residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
 also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of su[)erior intel- 
 ligence and e.xemplary piety. 
 
 He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
 usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
 age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
 in his native village, and commenced the study of 
 law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
 years of study in a law-office were required of him 
 before he could l)e admitted to the l)ar. Inspired with 
 a lofty ambition, and conscious of liis powers, he pur- 
 sued his studies witli indefatigable industry. After 
 spending six years in an office in his native village. 
 
 he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
 studies for the seventh year. 
 
 In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
 age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
 lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
 Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
 Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
 perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
 many discussions which had been carried on in his 
 father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
 Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
 cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed- 
 eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
 and State. 
 
 His success and increasing ruputation led him, 
 after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tlie 
 county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, 
 constantly gaining strength by contending in the 
 courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
 the bar of his State. 
 
 Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. 
 Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
 beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
 years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
 tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over 
 her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
 an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
 of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
 In 181 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
 the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
 Mr. Madison's adniinstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
 pointed Attorney-Oencral, and the next year moved 
 to Albany, the capital of tlie State. 
 
 While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
 prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 
 
 
 
•:J&^ evC:DD^DD>>TT7 
 
 MARTIN VAN BUREN. 
 
 
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 the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
 not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
 the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
 governing the State. In true consistency with his 
 democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
 path leading to the privilege of voting should be open 
 to every man without distinction, no one should be 
 invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
 in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
 and some property interests in the welfare of the 
 State. 
 
 rti 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
 States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
 in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
 native State. His course in this convention secured 
 the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
 doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
 interests of all classes in the community. In the 
 Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
 conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 
 
 In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
 Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
 the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
 termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
 "State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
 deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 
 
 Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
 the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
 seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
 States contributed so much towards ejecting John O., 
 Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
 Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
 entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
 garded throughout the United States as one of the 
 most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
 It was siqiposed that no one knew so well as he how 
 to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
 the wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
 organize a political army wliich would, secretly and 
 stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
 these powers it is said that he outv,i-itted Mr. Adams, 
 Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
 few tiiought then could be accomplished. 
 
 When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
 appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
 position lie resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
 appointed Minister to England, wliere he went the 
 same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
 refused to ratify the nomination, and lie returned 
 
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 home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
 President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
 of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
 frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
 Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
 as« ambassador. 
 
 His rejection by the Senate roused all 'the zeal of 
 President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
 ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
 secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- 
 tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
 ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
 Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
 elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
 retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
 canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
 Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
 Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
 upon him the power to appoint a successor." 
 
 His administration was filled with exciting events. 
 The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
 volve this country in war witli England, tlie agitation 
 of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
 cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
 trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
 tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
 and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
 failed of re-election. 
 
 With the exception of being nominated for the 
 Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
 Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
 his death. 
 
 He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
 and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
 competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
 character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
 patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
 had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
 cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
 the respect ot the wliole community. It was on the 
 4th of March, 184 1, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
 the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, 
 he still exerted a powerful influence ujxin the politics 
 of the country. From this time until his death, on 
 the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
 resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
 culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
 age, probably far more happiness tlian he had before (^ 
 experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 
 
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 NINTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
 SON, the ninth President of 
 the United States, was born 
 at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
 His father, Benjamin Harri- 
 son, was in comparatively op- 
 ulent circumstances, and was 
 one of the most distinguished 
 men of his day. He was an 
 intimate friend of George 
 Washington, \\ as early elected 
 a member of the Continental 
 Congress, and was conspicuous 
 among the patriots of Virginia in 
 resisting the encroachments of the 
 British crown. In the celebrated 
 Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
 rison and John Hancock were 
 both candidates for the office of 
 speaker. 
 
 Mr Harrison was subsequently 
 chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
 was twice re-elected. His son, 
 William Henry, of course enjoyed 
 in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
 intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
 ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
 entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
 with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
 then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
 the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
 Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
 signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
 withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
 abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
 having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 
 
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 dent Wasiiington. He was then but 19 years old. 
 From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
 until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
 death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
 pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
 Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
 Congress and Cai)t. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
 position. 
 
 In the spring of i8oo the North-western Territory 
 was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
 eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
 in the State of Ohio, was called '" The Territory 
 north-wesl of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
 included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
 \\'isconsin, was called the "Indiana Tcrritor)'." Wil- 
 liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- 
 pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
 Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
 Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
 extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
 was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in-' 
 vested with powers neady dictatorial over the now 
 rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
 fidelity with which he discharged these responsible f^ 
 duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four ''-'' 
 times apix)inted to tiiis office — first by John Adams, 
 twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
 dent Madison. 
 
 When he began his adminstration there were but 
 three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
 now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
 tumult of we.dth and traffic. Oneoftliese settlements 
 was on the Ohio, nearly opjwsite Louisville; one at 
 Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
 settlement. 
 
 The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
 reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About 
 
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 WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 
 
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 the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
 of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
 these was called Teciimseh, or " The Crouching 
 Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
 Tecuraseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
 of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
 able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
 engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
 anij had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
 the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
 grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
 anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
 Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
 they dwelt. 
 
 But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
 in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
 with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
 magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
 tlie Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
 from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
 by the Great Spirit. 
 
 Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
 the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
 canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
 October 28, 18 12, his army began its march. When 
 near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
 their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
 approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
 short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
 ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 
 
 But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
 the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
 tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
 campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
 His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
 upon their arms. 
 
 The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
 rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
 loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
 wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
 the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
 tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
 was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
 the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
 ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
 tlie desperation whicli superstition and passion most 
 highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
 little army. The savages had been amply provided 
 with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
 war-whoop was acconipained by a shower of bullets. 
 
 The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
 light aided the Indians in their Oiim. With hide- 
 ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
 speedy and an entire victor)'. But Gen. Harrison's 
 troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
 until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
 charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
 fore them, and completely routing the foe. 
 
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 Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
 to the utmost. The British descending from theCan- 
 adas, were of themselves a very formidable forte ; but 
 with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
 forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
 ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
 was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
 the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. 
 The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
 forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
 tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
 the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
 Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison 
 was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
 chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
 Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 
 
 It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
 demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
 General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
 and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
 sponsibilities. 
 
 He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
 with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
 ])ursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
 valise ; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
 lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
 his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
 The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
 before the fire, without bread or salt. 
 
 In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
 the National House of Representatives, to represent 
 the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
 active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
 force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
 the attention of all the members. 
 
 In 1 81 g, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
 Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
 of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
 same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 
 
 In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
 forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
 Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
 Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his 
 party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
 by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the \'ice Presidency. 
 The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave 
 all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
 his triumph was signal. 
 
 The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
 at its head as Secretary of State, ivas one of the most 
 brilliant with which any President had ever been 
 surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
 istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
 more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
 joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
 pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
 ness, died on the 4th of .\pril ; just one month after 
 his inauguration as President of the United States. 
 
 
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 OHN TYLER, the tenth 
 Presidentof the United States. 
 He was born in Charles-city 
 Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
 was the favored child of af- 
 fluence and high social po- 
 sition. At the early age of 
 twelve, John entered William 
 and Mary College and grad- 
 uated with much honor when 
 but seventeen years old. After 
 graduating, he devoted him- 
 self with great assiduity to the 
 study of law, partly with his 
 father and partly with Edmund 
 Randolph, one of the most distin- 
 guished lawyers of Virginia. 
 
 At nineteen years of age, lie 
 commenced the practice of law. 
 His success was rapid and aston- 
 ishing. It is said that three 
 months had not elapsed ere there 
 was scarcely a case on the dock- 
 et of the court in which he was 
 not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
 was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
 Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
 cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
 Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
 was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
 unanimous vote or his county. 
 
 When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
 a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
 
 *) ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
 ^ bank, internal improvements by the General Govern- 
 
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 ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con* 
 struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
 vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
 were so arduous that before the close of his second 
 term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
 estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
 however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
 State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
 in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
 reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
 by a very large majority of voteSj Governor of his 
 native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
 cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 
 
 John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
 man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
 United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
 was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
 and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, 
 considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
 popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
 Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 
 
 In. accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
 seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
 tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
 voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
 uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
 ing .all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
 eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
 Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
 Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
 .abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
 Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record 
 in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
 had always avowed. 
 
 Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
 his profession. There was a split in the Democratic 
 
 
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 party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
 fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
 ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
 forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
 sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
 vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was 
 not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
 of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
 tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
 for the better education of his children ; and he again 
 took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 
 
 By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
 convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
 1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
 rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
 the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
 ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
 convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
 ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
 thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
 President has but very little power in the Govern- 
 ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
 side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
 pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
 Democratic Vice President were chosen. 
 
 In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
 dent of the United States. In one short month from 
 that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
 thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
 the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
 chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
 institutions, as it was the first time in tTie history of our 
 country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
 was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
 unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
 son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
 April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
 office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
 delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
 opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
 brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
 sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
 Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
 he retain them, and thus suiround himself with coun- 
 sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
 on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
 which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
 mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
 views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
 lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
 vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
 selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
 day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
 bless us. 
 
 The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
 incorjxjration of a fiscal hank of the United States. 
 The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
 his veto. He suggested, however, that he would 
 
 approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
 proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
 privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
 It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
 with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
 Itis.said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
 ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
 Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
 touched the pride of the President. 
 
 The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
 dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
 denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
 cabinet, e.xcepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
 of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
 meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
 United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
 between the \Vhigs and President Tyler were at 
 an end. 
 
 Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
 appointed a new cabmet of distinguished Whigs and 
 Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
 men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
 forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
 the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
 tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
 land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
 and Democrats alike assailed him. Alore and more, 
 however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
 old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term, 
 he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
 Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 
 
 On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
 harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherparty, and 
 probably to his own unsjieakable lelief. His first wife. 
 Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
 and in June, r844, President Tyler was again married, 
 at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
 many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 
 
 The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
 in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
 est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
 his manners, richly furnished with mformation from 
 books and experience in the world, and possessing 
 brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
 the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
 moans for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
 might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
 friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
 storms of civil war which his own principles and 
 policy had helped to introduce. 
 
 When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
 rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
 houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
 allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
 erates. He was chos^i a member of their Congress; 
 and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
 force of arms, the Government over which he had 
 once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 
 
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 £IE VEMTIt PRESIDENT 
 
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 I AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
 ^=ij President of the United States, 
 ^ was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
 /i N. C, Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
 ents were Samuel and Jane 
 
 (K.no.\) Polk, the former a son 
 of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
 at the above place, as one of the 
 first [lioneers, in 1735. 
 
 In the year 1006, with his wife 
 and children, and soon after fol- 
 lowed by most of the members of 
 the Polk famly, Samuel Polk emi- 
 grated some two or three hundred 
 miles farther west, to the rich valley 
 of the Duck River. Here in the 
 midst of the wilderness, in a region 
 wliich was subsequently called Mau- 
 ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
 and established their homes. In the 
 hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
 derness, James K. Polk spent tlic 
 early years of his childliood and 
 youth. His father, adding tlie pur- 
 suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
 gradually increased in wealth until 
 he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
 mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
 sense and earnest piety. 
 
 Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
 reading and e.\pressed the strongest desire to obtain 
 a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
 him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
 uality and industry, and had inspired him with, lofty 
 principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
 father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 
 
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 sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
 
 counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 
 
 This was to James a bitter disajjpointnient. He 
 
 had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
 
 were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
 
 uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
 
 earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
 
 arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
 
 after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
 
 ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
 
 forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
 
 years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
 
 class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
 
 Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
 
 scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
 
 himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
 service. 
 
 He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- 
 ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
 mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
 three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
 time much impaired by the assiduity with whicli lie 
 had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
 rela.xation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
 office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
 renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
 resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
 miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
 slightly acquainted before. 
 
 Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
 and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same jjoliti- 
 cal faith. He was a popular jjublic speaker, and was 
 constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
 party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
 he was [xspularly called the Napoleon of the slump. 
 He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 
 
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JAMBS K. POLK. 
 
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 courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
 nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave 
 him troops of friends. In 1S23, Mr. Polk was elected 
 to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
 (^. strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
 Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 
 In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
 Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
 altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
 ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
 member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
 to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
 for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
 tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
 only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
 of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
 member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
 always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
 he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
 ambitious rhetorical display. 
 
 During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
 Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused, 
 = and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
 •^ formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
 == tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
 passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
 March, 1839. 
 
 In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
 candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
 elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
 ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
 his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
 didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 
 
 On the 4th of .March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
 ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
 the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
 its inlluence upon Congress; and the last act of the 
 administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
 nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
 3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
 the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
 as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
 Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
 left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
 to be an act hostile to Mexico. 
 
 In his first message. President Polk urged that 
 Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
 ceived into tlie Lhiion on the same footing with the 
 other States. In the meantime. Gen. Taylor was sent 
 
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 with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
 sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
 western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
 two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
 where he erected batteries which commanded the 
 Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
 the western banks. 
 
 The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
 was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
 war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
 with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
 called one of " observation," then of " occupation," 
 then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
 feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
 and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
 alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
 It v.'as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
 that the war was brought on. 
 
 'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
 prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
 We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
 Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
 all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
 ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
 Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. , This 
 was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
 size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
 majestic States to be added to the L^nion. There were 
 some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
 others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
 of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
 more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
 money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 
 
 On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
 office, having served one term. The next day was 
 Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
 as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
 same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
 ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
 Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
 He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
 and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
 a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
 of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
 of tranquility and hapjMness were before him. But the 
 cholera — that fearful scourge— was then sweeping up 
 the Valley of the Mississijipi. This he contraLtud, 
 and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifly-fourth 
 year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen. 
 
 
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 TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
 President of the United States, 
 |ij was born on the 24th of Nov., 
 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
 So father. Colonel Taylor, was 
 a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
 '"j tinguished patriot and soldier of 
 the Revolution. When Zachary 
 was an infant, his father with his 
 wife and two children, emigrated 
 to Kentucky, where he settled in 
 the pathless wilderness, a few 
 miles from Louisville. In this front- 
 ^iij ier home, away from civilization and 
 I all its refinements, young Zachary 
 could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
 tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
 school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
 rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
 acter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and 
 manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
 the Lidians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
 is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
 childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
 In x8o8, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
 the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
 army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
 at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. .Soon after 
 this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
 from one of the first families of Maryland. 
 
 Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
 land, in 1S12, Capt. Taylor (for he liad then been 
 promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
 Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
 Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
 ness by Gen. Harrison, on iiis march to Tippecanoe. 
 It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
 led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 
 
 company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
 whom were sick. 
 
 Early in the autumn of iSr:;, the Indians, stealthily, 
 and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
 approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
 soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
 made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
 pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
 forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
 waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
 in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
 with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
 to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
 Taylor, well versed in the wiles of tlie savages, kept 
 them at a distance. 
 
 The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the 
 garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
 midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
 in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
 musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
 and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
 defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cajv 
 ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
 ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
 conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
 ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
 Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
 continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, 
 and gnashing their teetli with rage, retired. Capt. 
 Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to tlie 
 rank of major l)y brevet. 
 
 Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
 in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
 service. He was sent far away into tlic depthsof the 
 wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
 empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
 to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
 best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 
 
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 tclloctii.il stimulus. Thus with hiu» the ui\cvcultul 
 yens n.>lk>l o\\ t'li.ulii.iUy Ik' lose to the rank ol 
 luluncl. In the Ul.ukllawk wai, whii'h ix'sultcil in 
 the capluro of that leuownevl ihiel'i.iin, (.\)1 r.iylot 
 tiKik ji suliDulinatc hut a hvave and etUcicnt i>iut. 
 
 I'lU t\vonty-li)ur yeais Col. Taylor was ei\i;iit;eil in 
 tl\e ilet'enee of the lionticrs, in scenes so remote, anil \\\ 
 en\ploynu'nts so ohsiure, that his name was unknown 
 l>e\ond the lii\iits of his own inn\u'iliate aenu.iint.uue. 
 In llie ye.iv iS_}(>, he w.is sent t» l''loriil.i to iomi>el 
 I lie Seminole hulians lo vacate th.it iei;ion ami ve- 
 liic lieyoiul the Mississii>|ii. as theirchiel.^ l>y treaty, 
 li.iil i>ioinisetl they shouUl (.lo. The services remleied 
 here secuieil lor I'ol, Taylor the high appreciation ol 
 the r<overnment; ami ,is a rewanl, he w.is clev.iteil 
 lo the rank otbrigaiher-j-ener.il by brevet; ami soon 
 at'lcr, in May, iS,?S, was apiHiintcU to the chici com- 
 m.iml 1)1 the Uniieil States troops in Florida. 
 
 .M'ler two ye.us ol such wearisome en^ploynient 
 amiilsl the evcrgl.iilcs ol' the peninsula, iJcn. Taylor 
 obi.iincil, .It his own request, a change of comm.iiul, 
 anil was sLitioncilover the llep.inment of the South- 
 west. This I'icKl embraieil l.ouisi.ma, Mississippi, 
 .\l.ibanta ami I'leorgia. l'',stablishing his heathpiaileis 
 .11 l''ort lessu\>, in l.ouisi.m.i, he reiiiovei.1 his l.iinily 
 lo ,1 plant. ition which he puich.iseil, ne.ir I'laton Rogue. 
 Here he rem. lined lor live ye.irs, buiied, as it were, 
 t'i\im the world, but laithlully ilischarging every duty 
 iin\K>sed uinm him. 
 
 In iS.|('>, tlen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
 between the Nueces ,ind Rio t'liande, the l.itler river 
 being the bound.uy of Texas, which was ihencl.iimed 
 bv the United States. Sv>on the war witli Mexico 
 w.is buHight on, auvl .it I'.ilo .\lto ami Resaca de la 
 I'.ilm.i, t'len. T.iylor won brilli.mt victories over the 
 Mexic.ms. The rank of mijor-general by brevet 
 W.IS then conferred iiivm lien. Taylor, .md his name 
 W.IS received with enthusi.ism almost eveiywhere in 
 the N.ilion. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
 Ituena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
 forces much larger than he lommandeil, 
 
 His careless habits of dress ami his unalTected 
 simplicity, secured for lien. 'T.iylor among his luxips, 
 the .f.'.Wi/Wf'/ of "Old Rough .md Ready.' 
 
 The tidings of the briUi.int victory of Huena Vista 
 spif.id the wildest enthusiasm over the country. 'The 
 name ollien. Taylor w.is on every one's lips. The 
 Whig i>arlv ilccidetl to take adv.intage of this wonder- 
 ful iHipularity in biinging fvuwanl the imix>lished,iin- 
 letteied, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
 Tresidency. lien. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
 nouncement, and for a time would not listen toil; de- 
 cl.uingth.it lie was not at all ipialilied for such an 
 otlii e. So little interest had he taken in |Hilitics that, 
 for forty veai-s, he h.id not lasi a vote. It was not 
 without eh.igrin that sever.il distiniiuished staiesmen 
 who had l>een long v ears in the public service found 
 their claims set asiUc in behalf pi" one whpsv name 
 
 
 
 had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
 Alto, Resac.i de l.i T.ilm.i, Monterey and Huena 
 N'ist.i. It is said tliat l>.iniel Webster, m his haste rc- 
 markeil, " It is a nomin.iiion mil lit to be ni.ide." 
 
 lien. Taylor w.is mn an eUupient spe.iker nor .i line 
 writer His friends look iKisscssioit of liim, and pre- 
 p^ireil such lew commumcalioiis as it was neeiltul 
 slrould be presented to the public. ■TheiK)pularity of 
 the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
 umiiltantly elected over two opiKising candidates, — 
 lien. Cass and K\-Tiesideni Martin Van Ituren. 
 'Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the gooil 
 old m.in louiul himself in a very nncongeni.il (Kisiiion, 
 •ind W.IS, at times, sorely perplexed and h.u.issed. 
 His menial sufl'erings were very severe, and piob.ibly 
 tended to hasten his de.ith. The pai-sl.ivery party 
 was intshmg its d.iims with tireless energy, ex\iedi- 
 tions were lilting out to capture Cub.i ; California was 
 ple.uling for .idmission to the Union, while shivery 
 stood at the door to bar her out. Cien. 'I'aylor found 
 the (Kilitii al conllicts in Washington to be far more 
 trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
 Indians. 
 
 In the midst of all these tixnibles, lien. 'Taylor, 
 after he had occupied the Tiesidenti.d chair but little 
 over a ye.ir, tiKik colil, and after a brief sickness ol 
 but little over live days, died on the 9ihof July, 1S50. 
 His l.ist woids were, " I am not .ifraid to die, 1 am 
 ready, 1 have endeavored todomyduty," He died 
 iinivei-sally respected and beloveii, .Vn honest, iin- 
 pivtending man, he had been ste.tdily givwing in the 
 alTections of the people; and the N.stion bitterly l.i- 
 mcnted his death. 
 
 lien. Si'ott, who w.is thoroughly acquainted with 
 lien. 'T.iylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
 description of his char.icter: — "With a gootl store ol 
 common sense, Cicn. T.iylor's miml h.id not been en- 
 l.irgctl and refreshed bv reading, or much convei-se 
 with the world. Rigidity of iile.is was the conse- 
 quence. 'The fivntiei^ and small militarv )K>sts had 
 been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
 rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His siin- 
 plicity was chiUl-like. and with innumerable preju- 
 dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
 teiuler age. Thus, if a man, however a'spectable. 
 chanced to wear a co.it of an unusual color, or hish.it 
 a little on one side of his head; or an otlicer to leave 
 a corner of his handkerchief dangling fivm an out- 
 side innket, — in any such case, this critic hi Id the 
 otTender to be a coxcomb (perha\)s something worse), 
 whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
 'touch with a i>air of tongs," 
 
 ".•\ny allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
 worth's spelling-Ux^k, on the part of one wearing a 
 sworvl, W.IS evidence, with the same jiulge, of utter 
 unfitness for heavy m.iichings and combats. In short, 
 few men h.ive ever had a more comfortable. hd>c>r- 
 saving contempt for learning of cvciy kind," 
 
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 THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 ■MILLftRn FILLMHRE.'^ 
 
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 ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
 teenth President of the United 
 States, was born at Summer 
 Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
 the 7 th of Januar)', 1800. His 
 father was a farmer, and ow- 
 ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
 cumstances. Of his mother, the 
 daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
 of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
 said that she [assessed an intellect 
 of very high order, united with much 
 personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
 position, graceful manners and ex- 
 quisite sensibilities. She died in 
 1S31 ; having lived to see her son a 
 young man of distinguished prom- 
 ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
 dignity which he finally attained. 
 
 In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
 means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
 vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
 mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
 very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
 and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
 acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
 was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
 intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
 influences of home had taught liim to revere the Bible, 
 and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
 When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
 some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
 Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
 Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 
 
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 enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
 village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
 to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
 ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
 books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate ; ( J^ 
 and the selections which he made were continually ^ '' 
 more elevating and instructive. He read history, /7S 
 biography, oratory ; and thus gradually there was en- = 
 kindled in his heart a desire to be something more ^ 
 than a mere worker with his hands; and he was 'be- e= 
 coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, •^• 
 educated man. > 
 
 The young clothier had now attained the age of r'\ 
 nineteen years, and was of fine [lersonal ap[)carance ^ 
 and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that 
 there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
 pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
 Wood, — who was struck with tlie prepossessing ap- 
 pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
 ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
 attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
 trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
 young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
 no friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
 tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
 so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
 take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
 money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
 offer was accepted. 
 
 There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
 a collegiate education. .\ young man is supposed to 
 be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
 lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls 
 and then enters a law office, w!io is by no means as 
 
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 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
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 well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
 Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
 mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
 which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
 tense mental culture. 
 
 In 1S23, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
 admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
 went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
 practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
 his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
 opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
 Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
 moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
 she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 
 
 His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
 his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
 gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
 enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
 circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
 Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
 he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
 State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
 County. Though he had never taken a very active 
 part in pohtics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
 the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
 and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
 Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
 that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
 unusual degree the respect of his associates. 
 
 In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
 the United States Congress. He entered that troubled 
 arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
 national history. The great conflict respecting the 
 national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
 then raging. 
 
 His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
 his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
 utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
 he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
 elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
 rience as a representative gave him strength and 
 confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
 any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
 He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
 gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
 measure received his impress. 
 
 Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
 his [xapularity fi)led tlie State, and in the year 1847, 
 he was elected Comptroller of the State- 
 
 Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
 years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
 Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
 siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
 find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
 dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
 waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
 soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
 with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
 proclaimed in trumpet-tones all over the land. But 
 it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
 ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 
 
 Under the influence of these considerations, the 
 nainesofZachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
 the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
 President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
 signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1S49, 
 Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
 Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 
 
 On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
 about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
 tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
 stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
 dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
 the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 
 
 Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend 
 with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
 Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
 the South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
 the inade<piacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. 
 The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
 creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
 evitable that the power of the Government should 
 soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
 famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
 Fillmore's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
 was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
 more, having served one term, retired. 
 
 In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
 idency by the " Know Notliing " party, but was beaten 
 by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
 retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
 he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
 his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
 deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
 Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
 cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
 He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
 old age, and died in Buffalo. N, Y., March 8, 1874. 
 
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 FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT, 
 
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 »te^- ^FRANKLIN PIERCE.-"^ .^i^lfeM!!^ 
 
 
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 IN PIERCl':, ihu 
 h President of the 
 Lhiited States, was bom in 
 Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
 23, 1804. His father was a 
 Revolutionary soldier, who, 
 with his own strong arm, 
 hewed out a home in the 
 wilderness. He was a man 
 of inflexible integrity; of 
 strong, though uncultivated 
 mind, and an uncompromis- 
 ing Democrat. The mother of 
 Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
 could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
 dent, affectionate. Christian wom- 
 an. Franklin was the si.xth of eight children. 
 
 Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
 erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike tlie 
 love of old and young. The boys on the play -ground 
 loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
 looked upon him with [)ride and affection. lie was 
 by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, 
 doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
 whi( h taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
 veloping any precocity of genius, or any uimatural 
 devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
 in mind, in adections, a finely-developed boy. 
 
 When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
 entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. He was 
 one of the most ])opular young men in the college. 
 The jnirity of his moral character, the unvarying 
 courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 
 
 genial nature, rendered him ,1 universal fivorite. 
 There was something very [leculiariy wimiing in his 
 aildress, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
 gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
 own magnanimous and loving nature. 
 
 Lr|)oii graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
 commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
 Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
 the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
 eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
 father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
 political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
 tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
 nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
 the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
 Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
 l)ractice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
 to rei)resciit the town in the State Legislature. Here 
 he servetl for four yeais. The last two years he wa^ 
 chosen s|)eaker of tiie house by a very large vote. 
 
 In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
 a member of Congress. Without t.iking an active 
 part in debates, he was faithful and laliorious induty, 
 and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
 he was associalad. 
 
 In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
 he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
 taking his seat just as Mr. Van Iluren commenced 
 his administration. He was the youngest member in 
 the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
 Means Apjjleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
 plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
 station with wliich her husband was honoied. Of the 
 
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 three sons who were bom to them, all now sleep with 
 their parents in the grave. 
 
 In the year 1S38, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
 and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
 residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
 President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
 Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States ; but 
 the olTcr was declined, in consequence of numerous 
 professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
 state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
 same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
 Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
 Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
 brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
 troops, at Newixirt, R. I., on the ;7th of May, 1S47. 
 He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
 self a brave and true soldier. 
 
 When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
 State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
 cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
 nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
 very tVeipiently taking an active part in (xjlitical ques- 
 tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
 wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
 measures met cordially with his approval; and he 
 strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
 mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
 sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
 guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles."' 
 The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
 quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
 safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 
 
 On the :2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
 tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
 Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
 and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
 two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
 for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
 brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
 more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
 gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
 received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
 other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
 the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
 great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
 sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
 electoral votes against hin> Gen. Franklin Pierce 
 was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
 States on the 4th of March, 1853. 
 
 His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
 country had ever e.xperienced. The controversy be- 
 tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
 culminating [xjint. It became evident that there was 
 an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
 this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
 free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
 ministration, did everj- thing he could to conciliate 
 the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict ever)' 
 year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
 of the Union were borne to the North on ever)' South- 
 ern breeze. 
 
 Such was the condition of affairs when President 
 Pierce approached the close of his four-years' tenn 
 of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
 ated from him. The anti-slaver)' sentiment, goaded 
 by great outrages, h.id been rapidly increasing; all 
 the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
 Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
 ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
 unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
 cated those measures of Government which they aiv 
 proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
 rendered himself so unix)pular as no longer to be 
 able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
 him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 
 
 On the 4th of Ma'rch, 1S57, President Pierce re- 
 tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
 had died, and his only surviving child had been 
 killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
 wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
 ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
 hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
 alone in the world, without wife or child. 
 
 U'hen the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
 vided our countr)' into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
 Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
 had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
 that pro-slaver)' party with which he had ever been 
 allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
 or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
 ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
 the time of his death, which occuned in October, 
 1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
 men, an honored communicant of the Flpiscopal 
 Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
 erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
 leviation of sufl'ering .ind want, and many of his towns- 
 people were often gladened by his material bounty. 
 
 
 
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 I'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 VS 
 
 AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
 teenth President of the United 
 States, was born in a small 
 frontier town, at the foot of the 
 eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
 nies, in Franklin Co., Penn.,on 
 the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
 where the humble cabin of his 
 father stood was called Stony 
 Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
 mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
 tains, with towering summits rising 
 grandly all around. His father 
 was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
 a poor man, who had emigrated in 
 with little property save his 
 own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
 Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
 and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
 ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
 clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
 form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
 cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
 for eight years, enjoying but few social or ititellectual 
 advantagis. When James was eight years of age, his 
 father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
 his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
 course of study in English, Latin and. Greek. His 
 progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, lie 
 entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
 veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
 the first scholars in the institution. His aiiplication 
 to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 
 
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 abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
 facility. 
 
 In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest 
 honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of ^|^^ 
 age; tall and graceful, vigorous in healtli, fond of ^ y 
 athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with N^ 
 an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately a?. 
 commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
 and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
 but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
 in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
 with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
 twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
 cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the 
 judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
 impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
 admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
 there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
 crative practice. f 
 
 In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
 candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
 ten years he remained a member of the Lower House, 
 During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
 tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
 altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
 quired an ample fortune. 
 
 Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the I'resi'Jency, 
 appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
 duties of his mission he performed with ability, wliich 
 gave satisfaction to all parties. L^pon his return, in 
 1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
 Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
 Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
 ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- 
 
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 JAMES BUCHANAN. 
 
 
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 sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
 claims against that country ; and defended the course 
 of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
 removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
 porters of his adiiiinistration. Upon this question he 
 was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
 He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
 from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
 against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
 Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
 District of Columbia, and urged the |)rohibition of the 
 circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
 States mails. 
 
 As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
 cated that they should be respectfully received; and 
 that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
 no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
 said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
 slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
 States where it now exists." 
 
 Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
 Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
 took liis share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
 the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
 the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
 territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
 the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
 of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
 account of the course our Government pursued in that 
 movement. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
 the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
 of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
 to i)ear against the VVilmot Proviso. He gave his 
 cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, 
 which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
 upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
 Buchanan with the mission to England. 
 
 In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
 tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
 political conllict was one of the most severe in which 
 our country lias ever engaged. All the friends of 
 slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
 striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
 mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
 ceived 1 14 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
 174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
 1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
 March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
 years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
 ten. His own friends, those witli wliom lie had been 
 allied in political princijiles and action for years, were 
 seeking the destruction of the (Government, that they 
 might rear u[)on the ruins of our free institutions a 
 nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
 In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
 wildered. He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 
 
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 ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
 their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
 bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
 he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
 unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
 lic. He therefore did nothing. 
 
 The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
 nominaied Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
 in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
 party declared, that if he were elected, and ihe con- 
 trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
 hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
 with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
 Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
 the United States. 
 
 Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
 party was such, that he had been willing to offer them 
 far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
 South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
 intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
 chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
 operation of the Ciovernment to defend and extend 
 the institution. 
 
 As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
 claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
 ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
 the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
 becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
 declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
 laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
 was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
 was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, wlien, with 
 his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed, "The 
 Union must and shall be preserved!" 
 
 South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly 
 three months before the inauguration of President 
 Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
 The rebel flag was raised in Charleston ; Fort Sumpter 
 was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
 were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
 dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
 appropriated by tlie rebels. 
 
 The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
 Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
 on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
 and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
 ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
 ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
 scepter. 
 
 The administration of President Buchanan was 
 certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
 perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
 pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for liis fame, 
 that in that dreadful conflict wliic h rolled its billows 
 of flame and blood over our wht)le land, no word came 
 from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
 banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion. 
 He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 
 
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 SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
 
 sixteenth President of the 
 
 H^i^United States, was bom in 
 
 f Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
 1S09. About the yeariySo, a 
 man by the name of Abraham 
 Lincohi left Virginia with his 
 family and moved into the then 
 wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
 after this emigration, still a young 
 man, while working one day in a 
 field, was stealthily approached by 
 an Lidian andshot dead. His widow 
 was left in extreme poverty with five 
 little children, three boys and two 
 girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
 boys, was four years of age at his 
 father's death. This Thomas was 
 the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
 President of the United States 
 whose name must henceforth forever be .enrolled 
 with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
 Of course no record has been kept of the life 
 of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
 the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
 log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
 Education he had none; he could never either read 
 or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
 himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
 starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
 less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
 self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
 laborer in the fields of others. 
 
 When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
 cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
 daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
 grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
 second child was Abraham I,incoln, the subject of 
 this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
 woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
 a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
 "All that I am, or hope to be," e.\claims the grate- 
 ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. " 
 When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 
 
 cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where 
 two years later his mother died. 
 
 Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
 community around him. He could not have had a 
 better school than this to teacli him to jnit thoughts 
 into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
 books he could obtain were few ; but these he read 
 and re-read until they were almost committed to 
 memory. 
 
 As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
 was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
 griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
 Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
 ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, ahd 
 soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
 Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, 
 and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
 With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
 another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
 until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
 small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
 he announced to his father his intention to leave 
 home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
 tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
 liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
 education, and was intensely earnest to improve his 
 mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
 which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
 strictly temjierate; refusing to allow a droj) of intoxi- 
 cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
 (jod's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the 
 Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he 
 was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
 morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
 single vice. 
 
 Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer 
 among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
 where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
 In this he took a herd of swine, floated them dowi^ 
 the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
 sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham I,it)- 
 coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
 great satisfaction to his employers, In this adven- 
 
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 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 
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 ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
 his return they placed a store and mill under his care. 
 
 In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
 enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
 returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
 years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
 was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
 Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
 His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
 received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
 he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
 made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
 candidate for the Legislature, and was elected, Mr. 
 Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
 walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
 Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
 began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
 sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
 one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
 1S36 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
 was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
 moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
 His success with the jury was so great that he was 
 soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 
 
 In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
 Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
 In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
 in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
 one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
 speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
 test in 1858 for a scat in the Senate, form a most 
 notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
 slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
 the Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
 created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
 test, but won a far higher prize. 
 
 The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
 on the i6th of June, i860. The delegates and 
 strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
 five thousand. An immense building called "The 
 Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
 tion. There were eleven candidates .for whom votes 
 were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
 as a statesman had long filled the land, was tlie most 
 prominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
 the nominee, Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
 the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
 dream of tlie weary years of toil and care, and the 
 bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
 and aslitlle did lie dream that he was to render services 
 to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
 the whole civili/.ed world, and which would give him 
 a place in tlie affections of his countrymen, second 
 only, if second, to that of Washington. 
 
 Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
 electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
 constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
 The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 
 
 and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
 greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
 high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
 for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
 way making speeches. The wiiole journey was frought 
 with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
 already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
 were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
 more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," 
 and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
 revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
 the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
 take him from Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an 
 unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
 half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
 cation on the part ot tlie Secessionists with their Con- 
 federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
 started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
 reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
 although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 
 
 In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
 to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other 
 prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
 imix)rtant positions. 
 
 During no other administration have the duties 
 devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
 the responsibihties so great, as those which fell to 
 the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
 feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
 his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
 learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidatice in 
 determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
 trials, both personal and national. Contrary to his 
 own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
 most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
 rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
 with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
 had left Springfield, in i86r, however, plans had been 
 made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
 to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. (irant, 
 was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
 was announced that they would Le present. Cicn. 
 Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
 ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
 it would be a disappointment if he sliould fail them, 
 very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
 the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes l?ooth 
 entered the box where the President and family were 
 seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
 next morning at seven o'clock. 
 
 Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
 plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
 Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
 anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
 in tears. His was a life which will filly become a 
 model. His name as the savior of his country will 
 live with that of Washington's, its father; his country- 
 men being unable to decide which is the greater. 
 
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 SEVENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
 ^ teenth President of the United 
 *' Slates. The early life of 
 Andrew Johnson contains but 
 ji^, ,_,^y__,_, the record of poverty, destitu- 
 
 *^:^'V-. '^'-fy tion and friendlessness. He 
 ^(SiJiii,-!. / was horn December 29, i8oS, 
 in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, 
 belonging to the class of the 
 "poor whites " of the South, were 
 & \ in such circumstances, that tliey 
 could not confer even the slight- 
 est advantages of education upon 
 their child. When Andrew was five 
 years of age, his father accidentally 
 lost his life while heiorically endeavoring to save a 
 friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
 was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
 labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
 her own hands. 
 
 He then, having never attended a school one day, 
 and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
 prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
 was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
 ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
 read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
 men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
 than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
 in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
 was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 
 
 He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
 with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
 learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
 man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 
 
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 pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, 
 but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
 into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
 ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
 at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest ( 
 and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
 reading. 
 
 He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
 Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- 
 sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
 learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
 in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
 the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
 ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
 alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
 fwsition he held three years. 
 
 He now began to take a lively interest in political 
 affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
 to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
 member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- ^ 
 see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. '^^ 
 He became a very active member of the legislature, 
 gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
 1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
 Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
 of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
 readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
 his reputation. 
 
 In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
 was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
 elections, held that imix)rtant post for ten years. In 
 1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
 was re-elected in 1855. In all these responsible [XJsi- 
 tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abil- 
 
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 ANDREW JOHNSON. 
 
 ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
 ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
 United States Senator. 
 
 Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
 the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
 reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
 ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
 sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
 and become merged in a population congenial to 
 themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
 promise measures, the two essential features of which 
 were, that the white people of the Territories should 
 be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
 would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
 the free States of the North should return to the 
 South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 
 
 Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
 on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
 he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," 
 said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
 that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
 was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
 ior was the son of a carpenter." 
 
 In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i860, he 
 was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
 Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the Soutli- 
 ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
 stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
 must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
 cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
 imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
 Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
 Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
 pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
 established the most stringent military rule. His 
 numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 
 1S64, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
 States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 
 1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
 he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
 they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
 must be punished ; that the Government will not 
 always bear with its enemies; that it is strong not 
 only to protect, but to punish. * * Tlie people 
 must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
 crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
 administration, the history of which is so well known, 
 was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent 
 
 opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 
 
 In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
 amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- 
 acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
 defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
 the beginnirig of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
 and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
 removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
 ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
 ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 
 
 It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
 months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
 length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
 certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
 would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
 the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
 sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
 quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
 him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
 side would have sustained the impeachment. 
 
 The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
 but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
 his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
 think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
 dency. Tlie Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
 alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
 of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
 The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
 President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
 there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
 mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
 nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
 in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
 politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
 struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
 nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
 gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
 session convened by President Grant, on the 5 th of 
 March. On the 27th of July, 1S75, the ex-President 
 made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
 Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
 apparently in his usu.al vigoroxis health, but on reach- 
 ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
 stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
 He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
 2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
 eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
 with every demonstration of respect. 
 
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 EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
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 LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
 eighteenth President of the 
 t|» United States, was born on 
 the 29th of April, 1822, of 
 Christian parents, in a humble 
 home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
 banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
 his father moved to George- 
 town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
 mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
 received a common-school edu- 
 cation. At the age of seven- 
 teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
 the Military Academy at West 
 Point. Here he was regarded as a 
 solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
 sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
 as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
 middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
 fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
 souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
 solitudes, watching the vagabond and e.xasperating 
 Indians. 
 
 The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
 sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
 battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
 for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
 Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
 of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
 he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
 horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
 munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
 a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
 Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
 grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
 side of the animal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 
 
 From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
 to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
 preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
 was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
 battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
 first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
 pultepec. 
 
 At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
 turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
 sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. 'I"he 
 discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
 tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
 Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
 Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
 migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds, ('apt. 
 Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
 States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
 tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
 little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
 munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
 the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
 lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
 of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
 of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
 "Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
 I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
 I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
 my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
 and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 
 
 He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
 unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
 the capital of the State, where their services were 
 offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
 the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
 Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
 volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
 State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of 
 
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 t/LVSSES S. GRANT. 
 
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 Sjf June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
 '■jj Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
 
 
 unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
 had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
 that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
 General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
 rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
 of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
 peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
 rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
 stripes were unfurled in its stead. 
 
 He entered the service with great determination 
 and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
 ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
 he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
 effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
 prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
 won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
 , ,. at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
 \ victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
 JC immediately made a Mnjor-General, and the military 
 ■j^ district of Tennessee was assigned to him. 
 
 Like all great captains, Gen. Qjant knew well how 
 to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
 pushed on to the enemies' linesA Then came the 
 terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
 siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
 unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
 thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
 non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
 severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
 and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 
 Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
 Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
 ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
 his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
 was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
 of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
 by a wonderful series of strategic and tactical meas- 
 ures put the Union army in fighting condition. Then 
 followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, I.xxDkout 
 Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
 were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
 bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
 ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
 'ji? general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
 ^ He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
 ^ and enter upon the duties of his new office. 
 
 
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 Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
 the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
 troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
 capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
 stroy the rebel armies which would be promj)tly as- 
 sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
 continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
 majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
 Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
 were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
 plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
 campaigns, which were executed wth remarkable en- 
 ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
 render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 
 
 The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
 almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
 Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
 vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
 the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
 Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 
 
 At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
 May 21, 1S6S, he was unanimously nominated for the 
 Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
 majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
 electoral votes. 
 
 The National Convention of the Republican party 
 which met at Philadelphia on the 5 th of June, 1872, 
 placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
 by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
 cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
 electoral votes being cast for him. 
 
 Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant 
 started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
 visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
 and was everywhere received with such ovations 
 and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
 as well as public and ofliicial, as were never before 
 bestowed ujxjn any citizen of the United States. It 
 is not too much to say that his modest, courteous, and 
 dignified demeanor in the presence of tlie most dis- 
 tinguished men in the difierent nations in the world, 
 refiected honor upon the Republic which he so long 
 and so faithfully served. The country felt a great 
 pride in his reception. Upon his arrival in San Fran- 
 cisco, Sept. 20, 1879, the city authorities gave him a 
 fine reception. After lingering in the Golden State 
 for a while, he began his tour through the States, 
 which extended North and South, everj'where mark- 
 ed by great acclamation and splendid ovations. 
 
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 V 
 
 NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 
 
 RUTHERI'ORD B. HA.YES. 
 
 vJl i l ' "^^^ UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
 'tS^fe K(©)lrvilil the nineteenth President of 
 'the United States, was born in 
 Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
 most three months after the 
 '^ death of his father, Rutherford 
 Hayes. His ancestry on both 
 the paternal and maternal sides, 
 was of the most honorable char- 
 :, acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
 as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
 Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
 tains, fighting side by side with 
 Baliol. William Wallace and Robert 
 Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
 nobility, owned extensive estates, 
 and had a large following. Misfor- 
 tiine overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
 land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
 George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
 during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
 ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
 riage until his death in Sinisbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
 son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
 turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
 son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
 born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
 blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
 Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
 where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
 erford Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was 
 
 born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
 Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
 grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
 among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
 Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
 
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 of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
 in the Revolutionary War. 
 
 The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
 frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
 chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- 
 ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
 undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
 in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
 ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
 the close of the war of 1812, for reasons inexplicable 
 to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 
 
 The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
 when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
 was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
 first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
 mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
 in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
 fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
 son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
 reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
 her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
 household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
 mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
 some time before as an act of charity. 
 
 Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 
 
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 •i ;• 
 
 RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 
 
 subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
 was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
 most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
 weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
 quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
 last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
 familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
 boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
 him, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
 him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
 wonder if he would really come to something yet." 
 
 " You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
 wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
 President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
 in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
 death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
 drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
 mother. 
 
 The boy was seven years old before he went to 
 school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
 He probably learned as much from -his mother and 
 sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
 were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
 his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
 tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
 sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
 of others, which are marked traits of his character. 
 
 His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
 in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
 proved, and he was making good progress in his 
 studies, he proixjsed to send him to college. His pre- 
 paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
 was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
 Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
 tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
 and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 
 
 Immediately after his graduation he began the 
 study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
 in Columbus. Finding his op|X)rtunlties for study in 
 Columbus somewhat limited, he detemiined to enter 
 the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
 mained two years. 
 
 In I S45 , after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
 admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
 afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
 with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
 mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
 and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
 fession. 
 
 In I S49 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
 tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
 ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
 this period, had a powerful influence ujwn his subse- 
 quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
 Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
 Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
 cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
 members such men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 
 
 Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many- 
 others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
 marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
 everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
 Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
 and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
 more than she to reflect honor ujion American woman- 
 hood. The Literary Club brought Mr. Hayes into 
 constant association witli young men of high char- 
 acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the 
 qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
 modesty. 
 
 In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
 the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
 cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
 city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
 elected him for the unexpired term. 
 
 In 1S61, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
 the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the 
 bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
 attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
 arms for the defense of his conntr)-. 
 
 His military record was bright and illustrious. In 
 October, 186 r, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
 in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio 
 regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
 and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
 was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
 of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
 faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
 that won admiration from all. 
 
 Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
 his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
 in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
 and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
 of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
 promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
 Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished f ervices 
 during the campaigns of 1864, in West Yirginia." In 
 the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
 shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 
 
 In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
 the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
 ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
 and after his election was iniix)rtuned to resign his 
 commission in the army; but he finally declared, " I 
 shall never come to Washington until I can come bv 
 the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 
 
 In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
 over Hon. .\llen G. Thurman, a jxapular Democrat. 
 In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
 He was elected Governor for the third tenn in 1875. 
 
 In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
 lican P.arty in the Presidential contest, and after a 
 hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
 augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
 full term, not, however, with satisfaction to his party, 
 but his administration was an average one. 
 
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 TWENTIETH PRESIDENT. 
 
 
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 AMES A. GARFIELD, twen- 
 tieth President of the United 
 States, was born Nov. ig, 
 I S3 1, in the woods of Orange, 
 Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
 ents were Abram and Eliza 
 
 p \^ ,''4- \[^ (Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
 England ancestry and from fami- 
 lies well known in the early his- 
 \, tory of that section of our coun- 
 try, but had moved to the Western 
 Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
 ment. 
 
 The house in which James A. was 
 born was not unlike the houses of 
 poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
 was about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
 tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
 hard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
 cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
 The household comprised the father and mother and 
 their four children — Mehetabel, Tliomas, Mary and 
 James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
 tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
 this time James was about eighteen months old, and 
 Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
 tell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
 toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
 ceeding his father's death, but undoulitedly very 
 much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
 ters live in .Solon, O., near their birthplace. 
 
 The early educational advantages young Garfield 
 enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
 them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
 penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
 would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
 mother in her struggles to keep the little family to- 
 
 gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
 origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
 glmg childhood, youtli and manhood, neither did they 
 ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
 the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
 greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
 sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
 of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
 sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, [jlain, 
 modest gentleman. 
 
 The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
 was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
 a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
 a vessel, which his mother strongly ojiposed. She 
 finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
 understanding, however, that he sliould try to obtain 
 some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
 way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
 After making many applications for work, and trying 
 to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
 success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
 Letcher, on the Oliio iS: Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
 mained at this work but a short time when he went 
 home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
 about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
 Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
 tlie meantime, and doing other work. This school 
 was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
 which church he was then a member. He became 
 janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
 He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
 " e.xliausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
 fall of 1854, he entered Williams Ccjllege, from which 
 he graduated in 1856, taking one of the higjiest lien- 
 ors of his class. He after\vards returned to Hiram 
 College as its Presic'ent. As above stated, he early 
 united with the Christian or Dici])les Church at 
 Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
 ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
 he happened to ^)e. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
 Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : 
 
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 JAMES A. GARFIELD. 
 
 " President Garfield was more than a man of 
 strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
 history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
 man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
 faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
 of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
 my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
 his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
 Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
 sym[)athy which he ever showed in their Christian 
 communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
 and noble who are called ' show a similar loyalty to 
 the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
 in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
 that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
 nificance they step upward from one degree to 
 another in some of the many types of fashionable 
 Ciiristianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
 cluirch of his mother, the church in which he was 
 trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
 evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
 larian charity for all ' wiio loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 
 
 Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
 Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself 
 worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
 mourned. To them were born seven cliildren, live of 
 whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 
 
 Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1S56, 
 in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
 years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
 ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
 was. During tliis year he was elected to the Ohio 
 Senate. He also began to study law at C'leveland, 
 and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
 Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
 and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
 talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
 ceived his commission. as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
 second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
 14, 1861. He was immediately ]nit into active ser- 
 vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
 was placed in command of four regiments of infantrj' 
 and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
 work of driving out of his native State the officer 
 (Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
 those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
 to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and S])eed- 
 ily accomplislied, although against great odds. Pres- 
 ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
 Hrigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
 been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
 before, so now he was tiie youngest General in the 
 army." He was with Gen. Jiuell's army at Shiloh, 
 in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
 Alabama. He was then detailed as a memberof the 
 General Couit-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
 Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
 crans, and was assigned to the " Chi^f of Staff." 
 
 The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with I 
 
 where he won 
 
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 his brilliant services at Chickamauga 
 the stars of the Major-General. 
 
 Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
 elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
 Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
 had been represented in Congress for si.xty years 
 mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua 
 R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
 resigned his place in the army. At tiie time he en- 
 tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
 body. There he remained by successive re- 
 elections until he was elected President in iSSo. 
 Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
 the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
 has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
 tribunel of the American peojile, in regard to which 
 you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- 
 ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
 better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
 the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
 Mr. Garfield." 
 
 Upon Jan. 14, 18S0, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
 liie U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of tiie 
 same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
 party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
 He was elected in the following November, and on 
 March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
 ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
 auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
 day it grew in favor with tiie people, and by the first 
 of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
 liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
 ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
 College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
 pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped liehind 
 him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
 The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
 assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
 left coat sleeve of his victim, but infiicting no farther 
 injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
 " tlie shot that was heard round the world " Never 
 before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
 curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
 for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
 ten on tiie brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
 was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
 days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
 lie lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
 master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
 bearing was teaching the country' and the world the 
 noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
 very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
 ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
 19, 1S83, at Elberon, N. J., on the veiy bank of the 
 ocean, where he had been taken shortly ])revious. The 
 world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
 death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
 The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
 cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. _ 
 
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 TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 
 
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 HESTER A. ARTHUR, 
 
 twenty-first President of the 
 
 United States, was born in 
 
 Franklin County, Vermont, on 
 
 thefifthof October, I S30, andis 
 
 the oldest of a family of two 
 
 sons and five daughters. His 
 
 father was the Rev. Dr. William 
 
 Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who 
 
 emigrated to this countrj' from 
 
 the county Antrim, Ireland, in 
 
 his iSth year, and died in 1875, in 
 
 Newtonville, near Albany, after a 
 
 long and successful ministry. 
 
 Young Arthur was educated at 
 Union College, Schenectady, where 
 he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
 ter his graduation he taught school 
 in Vermont for two years, and at 
 the e.xpiration of that time came to 
 New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
 and entered the office of e.x- Judge 
 ^ E. D. Culver as student. After 
 I being admitted to the bar he formed 
 a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
 Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
 in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
 in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
 but in the end returned to New York, where they 
 hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
 ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
 soon afterward married the daughter of Lieutenant 
 
 Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
 sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
 recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
 sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's ( 
 nommation to the Vice Presidency, leaving two •v 
 children. <^ 
 
 Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity J=i 
 in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, vf 
 brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had = 
 been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior -.^ 
 
 
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 Court of New York City. It was in r852 that Jon. 
 athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
 his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
 they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
 that they could not be held by the owner under the 
 Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
 the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
 .A.ttorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
 Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed ^^ 
 to represent the People, and they won their case, %.^ 
 which then went to the Supreme Court of the United ^ 
 States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
 of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. 
 Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
 the emancipation of the black race. 
 
 Another great service was rendered by General 
 Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
 a respectal)le colored woman, was put off a F'ourth 
 Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
 General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
 verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
 ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride (*)] 
 on their cars, and the other car companies quickly ^ 
 
 m 
 
 
7^ 
 
 CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 
 
 1 
 
 followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
 nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
 sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 
 
 General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
 at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
 Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
 Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
 ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed hmi Engineer- 
 in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
 tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
 ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
 great service to the Government during the war. At 
 the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
 practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
 Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
 of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
 tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
 tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
 lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
 not indeed one of national extent. 
 
 He always took a leading part in State and city 
 politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
 New York by President Grant, Nov. 21, 1872, to suc- 
 ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
 20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 
 
 Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
 ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
 National Republican Convention held at Chicai^o in 
 June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest pohtical 
 convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
 was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- 
 publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
 fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
 respective candidates that were before the conven- 
 tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
 ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
 for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
 was one of the most animated known in the history of 
 our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-hearer of 
 the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
 party made a valiant fight for his election. 
 
 Finally the election came and the country's choice 
 was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
 March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
 A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
 President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
 came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
 anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 
 
 tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
 covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
 able patience that he manifested during those hours 
 and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
 fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
 seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
 like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
 Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
 credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
 desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
 serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
 ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
 in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
 honored position in the world was at any moment 
 likely to fall to him. 
 
 At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
 field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
 before in its history over the death of any other 
 man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
 the Vice President to assume the resix)nsibilities of 
 the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
 Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing 
 one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
 eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
 what ix>licy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
 lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
 greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
 and many important measures were to be immediately 
 decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
 did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
 became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
 this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
 Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
 hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
 affairs, he has happily surprised the Nation, acting so 
 justly, so wisely, so well, that but few have criticised 
 his administration. Should he continue during the 
 remainder of his term to pursue the wise policy he 
 has followed thus far, we believe President Arthur's 
 administration will go down in history as one of the 
 wisest and most satisfactory our country has ever 
 enjoyed. His highest ambition seems to be to do his 
 duty to the whole Nation, even to the sacrifice of his 
 warmest personal friends. With the good of tlie 
 people at heart, and guided by the wisdom already 
 displayed, he will surprise his opponents, gratify his 
 friends, and bless the American Republic, during 
 the years he occupies the Presidential chair. 
 
 
 
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 GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 TEPHEN T. MASON, the 
 first Governorof Michigan, was 
 "a son of Gen. John T. Mason, 
 of Kentucky, but was born in 
 -^ Virginia, in 1812. At the age 
 \\/'<^ of 19 he was appointed Secre- 
 tary of Michigan Territory, and 
 served in that capacity during the 
 administration of Gov. George B. 
 Porter. Upon the death of Gov. 
 Porter, which occurred on the 6th of 
 July, 1834, Mr. Mason became Act- 
 ing Governor. In October, 1835, he 
 was elected Governor under the State 
 organization, and immediately en- 
 tered upon the performance of the 
 duties of the office, although the 
 State was not yet admitted into the Union. After 
 the State was admitted into the Union, Governor 
 Mason was re-elected to the position, and served with 
 credit to himself and to the advantage of the State. 
 He died Jan. 4, 1843. The principal event during 
 Governor Mason's official career, was that arising from 
 the disputed southern boundary of the State. 
 
 Michigan claimed for her southern boundary aline 
 running east across the peninsula from the extreme 
 southern jwint of Lake Michigan, extending through 
 Lake Erie, to the Pennsylvania line. This she 
 claimed as a vested right — a right accruing to her by 
 compact. This compact was the ordinance of 1787, 
 the parties to which were the original 13 States, and 
 the territory northwest of the Ohio; and, by the suc- 
 cession of parties under statutory amendments to the 
 ordinance and laws of Congress — the United States on 
 the one part, and each Territory northwest of the 
 Ohio, as far as affected by their provisions, on the 
 
 other. Michigan, therefore, claimed it under the prior 
 grant, or assignation of boundary. 
 
 Ohio, on the other hand, claimed that the ordinance 
 had been superseded by the Constitution of the 
 United States, and that Congress had a right to regu- 
 late the boundary. It was also claimed that the 
 Constitution of the State of Ohio having described a 
 different line, and Congress having admitted the State 
 under that Constitution, without mentioning the sub- 
 ject of the line in dispute. Congress had thereby given 
 its consent to the line as laid down by the Constitu- 
 tion of Ohio. This claim was urged by Ohio at 
 some periods of the controversy, but at others she ap- 
 peared to regard the question unsettled, by the 'fact 
 that she insisted upon Congress taking action in re- 
 gard to the boundary. Accordingly, we find that, in 
 i8r2. Congress authorized the Surveyor-General to 
 survey a line, agreeably to the act, to enable the people 
 of Ohio to form a Constitution and State government. 
 Owing to Indian hostilities, however, the line was not 
 run till i8i8. In 1820, the question in dispute 
 \inderwent a rigid examination by the Committee on 
 Public Lands. The claim of Ohio was strenuously 
 urged by her delegation, and as ably opposed by Mr. 
 Woodbridge, the then delegate from Michigan. Th^ 
 result was that the committee decided unanimously 
 in favor of Michigan ; but, in the hurry of business, 
 no action was taken by Congress, and the question 
 remained open till Michigan organized her State gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 The Territory in dispute is about five miles in 
 width at the west end, and about eight miles in width 
 at the east end, and extends along the whole north- 
 ern line of Ohio, west of Lake Erie. The line claimed 
 by Michigan was known as the " Fulton line," and 
 tliat claimed by Ohio was known as the" Harris line," 
 
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 STEPIJEN T. MASON. 
 
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 from the names of the surveyors. The territor)' was 
 vahiable for its rich agricultural lands; but the chief 
 value consisted in the fact that the harbor- on the 
 ISIaumee River, where now stands the nourishing city 
 of Toledo, was included within its limits The town 
 originally bore the name of Swan Creek, afterwards 
 Port Lawrence, then Vestula, and then Toledo. 
 
 In February, 1835, the Legislature of Ohio passed 
 an act extending the jurisdiction of the Slate over 
 the territory in ([uestion; erected townships and 
 directed them to hold election* in April following. It 
 also directed Governor Lucus to apjxjint three com- 
 missioners to survey and re-mark the Harris line ; and 
 named the first of April as the day to commence the 
 su^cy. Acting Governor Mason, however, anticipated 
 thft action on the part of the Ohio Legislature, sent 
 a special message to the Legislative Council, appris- 
 ing it of Ciovernor Lucas' message, and advised imme- 
 diate action by that body to anticipate and counteract 
 the proceedings of Ohio. Accordingly, on the 1 2th 
 of February, the council passed an act making it a 
 crimmal offence, punishable by a heavy fine, or im- 
 prisonment, for any one to attempt to exercise any 
 official functions, or accept any office within the juris- 
 diction of Michigan, imder or by virture of any au- 
 thovity not derived from the Territory, or the United 
 States. On the 9th of March, Governor Mason wrote 
 General Brown, then in command of the Michigan 
 militia, directing him to hold himself in readiness to 
 meet the enemy in the field in case any attcmi>t was 
 made on the part of Ohio to carry out the provisions 
 of that act of the Legislature. On the 31st of March, 
 Governor Lucus, with his commissioners, arrived at 
 Tcrrysburgli, on their way to commence re-surveying 
 the Harris line. He was accompanied by General 
 Bell and staff, of the Ohio Militia, who proceeded to 
 fluster a volunteer force of about 600 men. This 
 was soon accomplished, and the force fully amied and 
 eiiuii)ped. The force then went into camp at Fort 
 Miami, to await the Governor's orders. 
 
 In the meantime, Governor Mason, with General 
 Brown and staff, had raised a force 800 to 1200 
 strong, and were in ix)ssession of Toledo. General 
 Brown's Staff consisted of Captain Henry Smith, of 
 Monroe, Inspector; Major J. J. UUnian, of Con- 
 stantine. Quartermaster; William E. Broadman, of 
 Detroit, and .Mpheus Felch.of Monroe, Aids-de- 
 camp. When Governor Lucas observed the deter- 
 mined bearing of the Michigan braves, and took note 
 
 of their number, he found it convenient to content 
 himself for a time with " watching over the border." 
 Several days were passed in this exhilarating employ- 
 ment, and just as Governor Lucas had made up his 
 mind to do something rash, two commissioners ar- 
 rived from Washington on a mission of peace. They 
 remonstrated with Gov. Lucus, and reminded him of 
 the consequences to himself and his State if he per- 
 sisted in his attempt to gain possession of the disputed 
 territory by force. After several conferences with 
 both governors, the commissioners submitted projxasi- 
 tions for their consideration. 
 
 Governor Lucas at once accepted the projX)sitions, 
 and disbanded his forces. Governor Mason, on the 
 t)thcr hand, refused to accede to the arrangement, and 
 declined to compromise the rights of his people by a 
 surrender of i>ossession and jurisdiction. When Gov- 
 ernor Lucus disbanded his forces, however. Governor 
 Mason partially followed suit, but still held himself 
 in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. 
 
 Governor Lucus now supixjsed that his way was 
 clear, and that he could re-mark the Harris line with- 
 out being molested, and ordered the commissioners 
 to jiroceed with their work. 
 
 In the meantime, Governor .Mason kept a watch- 
 ful eye \\\K)\\ the proceedings. General Brown sent 
 scouts through the woods to watch their movements, 
 and reix)rt when operations were commenced. When 
 the surveying party got within the county of Lena- 
 wee, the under-sheriff of that county, armed with a 
 warrant, and accompanied by a jKisse, suddenly made 
 his appearance, and succeeded in arresting a jwrtion 
 of the party. The rest, including the commissioners, 
 took to their heels, and were soon beyond the dis- 
 puted territory. They reached Perrysburgh the fol- 
 lowing day in a highly demoralized condition, and 
 rejwrted they had been attacked by an overwhelm- 
 ing force of Michigan malitia, under command of 
 General Brown. 
 
 This summary breaking up of the surveying party 
 pi-oduced the most tremendous e.xcitement throughout 
 Ohio. Governor Lucas called an extra session of the 
 Legislature. But little remains to be said in reference 
 to the " war." The question continued for some time 
 to agitate the minds of the opjiosing parties ; and the 
 action of Congress was impatiently awaited. Michigan 
 was admitted into the Union on the condition that 
 she give to Ohio the disinited territor^^ and accept 
 in return the Northern Peninsula, which she did, 
 
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 SECOND GO VERNOR OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 ILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, 
 
 Jksecond Governor of Michigan, 
 »^ was born at Norwich, Conn., 
 Aug. 20, 1780, and died at 
 Detroit Oct. 20, 1861. He 
 ,A was of a family of three brothers 
 "' and two sisters. His father, 
 Dudley Woodbridge, removed to 
 Marietta, Ohio, about 1790. The 
 life of Wm. Woodbridge, by Chas. 
 Lauman, from which this sketch 
 islargelycompiled, mentions noth- 
 ing concerning his early education 
 beyond the fact that it was such as 
 was afforded by the average school 
 of the time, except a year with the 
 French colonists at Gallijx)lis, 
 where he acquired a knowledge of 
 the French language. It should 
 be borne in mind, however, that 
 home education at that time was 
 an indispensable feature in the 
 training of the young. To this and 
 and to U few studies well mastered, 
 is due that strong mental discipline which has served 
 as a basis for many of the grand intellects that have 
 adorned and helped to make our National history. 
 Mr. Woodbridge studied law at Marietta, having 
 as a fellow student an intimate personal friend, a 
 young man subsequently distinguished, but known 
 at that time simply as Lewis Cass. He graduated at 
 the law school in Connecticut, after a course there of 
 nearly three years, and began to practice at Marietta 
 in 1806. In June, 1806, he married, at Hartford, Con- 
 necticut, Juleanna, daughter of John Trumbell, a 
 distinguished author and judge ; and author of the 
 
 peom McFingal, which, during a dark period of the 
 Revolution, wrought such a magic change upon the 
 spirits of the colonists. He was happy in his domes- 
 ticrelations until the death of Mrs. W., Feb. 2, 19, i860. 
 
 Our written biographies necessarily speak 'more 
 fully of men, because of their active participation in 
 public affairs, but human actions are stamped upon 
 the page of time and when the scroll shall be unrolled 
 the influence of good women upon the history of the 
 world will be read side by side with the deeds of men. 
 How much success and renown *n life many men owe 
 to their wives is probably little known. Mrs. W. en- 
 joyed the best means of early education that the 
 country afforded, and her intellectual genius enabled 
 her to improve her advantages. During her life, side 
 by side with the highest type of domestic and social 
 graces, she manifested a keen intellectuality that 
 formed the crown of a faultless character. She was 
 a natural poet, and wrote quite a large number of fine 
 verses, some of which are preserved in a i)rinted 
 memorial essay written upon the occasion of her 
 death. In this essay, it is said of her "to contribute 
 even in matters of minor importance, to elevate the 
 reputation and add to the well being of her husband 
 in the various stations he was called upon to fill, gave 
 her the highest satisfaction." She was an invalid 
 during the latter jxirtion of her life, but was jiatient 
 and cheerful to the end. 
 
 In 1807, Mr. W. was chosen a representative to the 
 General Assembly of Ohio, and in 1809 was elected to 
 the Senate, continuing a member by re-election until 
 his removal from the State. He also held, by ai> 
 pointment, during the time the office of Prosecuting 
 Attorney for his county. He took a leading part in 
 the Legislature, and in i Si 2 drew up a declaration and 
 resolutions, which passed the two houses unaminously 
 
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■^^V^IlII^IlDy>-: 
 
 WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE. 
 
 
 
 and attracted great attention, endorsing, in strongest 
 and most emphatic terms, the war measures of Presi- 
 dent Madison. During the period from 1804 to 1814 
 the two law students, Woodbridge and Cass, had be- 
 come widely separated. The latter was Governor of 
 the Territory of Michigan under the historic "Governor 
 and Judges" plan, with the indispensable requisite of a 
 Secretary of the Territorry. This latter position was, 
 in 18 14, without solicitation on his part, tendered to 
 Mr. W. He accepted the position with some hesita- 
 tion, and entered upon its duties as soon as he could 
 make the necessary arrangements for leaving Ohio. 
 The office of Secretary involved also the duties of 
 collectorof customsat the port of Detroit, and during 
 the frequent absences of the Governor, the dischargeof 
 of his duties, also including those of Superintendent 
 of Indian Affairs. Mr. W. officiated as Governor for 
 about two years out of the eight years that he held the 
 office of Secretary. Under the administration of "Gov- 
 ernor and Judges," which the people of the Territory 
 preferred for economical reasons, to continue some time 
 after their numbers entitled them to a more popular 
 representative system, they were allowed no delegate 
 in Congress. Mr. W., as a sort of informal agent of 
 the people, by correspondence and also by a visit to 
 the National capital, so clearly set forth the demand 
 for representation by a delegate, that an act was 
 passedin Congressin iSigauthorizingone tobe chosen. 
 Under this act Mr. W. was elected by the concurrence 
 of all parties. His first action inCongress was to secure 
 the passage of a bill recognizing and confirming the 
 old French land titles in the Territory according to 
 the terms of the treaty of peace with Great Britain 
 at the close of the Revolution ; and another for the 
 construction of a Government road through the "black 
 swamps" from the Miami River to Detroit, thus open- 
 ing a means of land transit between Ohio and Mich- 
 igan. He was influential in securing the passage of 
 bills for the construction of Government roads from 
 Detroit to Chicago, and Detroit to Fort Gratiot, and 
 for the improvement of La Plaisance Bay. The ex- 
 pedition for the exploration of the country around 
 Lake Superior and in the valley of the Upper Mis- 
 sissippi, projected by Governor Cass, was set on foot 
 by means of representations made to the head of the 
 department by Mr. W. While in Congress he stren- 
 uously maintained the right of Michigan to the strip 
 of territory now forming the northern boundary of 
 Ohio, which formed the subject of such grave dispute 
 between Ohio and Michigan at the time of the ad- 
 mission of the latter into the Union. He served 
 but one term as delegate to Congress, de- 
 clining further service on account of personal and 
 family considerations. Mr. \V. continued to discharge 
 the duties of Secretary of the Territory up to the time 
 its Government passed into the "second grade." 
 
 In 1824, he was appointed one of a board of 
 commissioners for adjusting private land claims in 
 
 the Territory, and was engaged also in the practice of 
 his profession, having the best law library in the Ter- 
 ritory. In 1828, upon the recommendation of the 
 Governor, Judges and others, he was appointed by the 
 President, J. Q. Adams, to succeed Hon. James With- 
 erell, who had resigned as a Judge of what is conven- 
 tionally called the "Supreme Court" of the Territory. 
 This court was apparently a continuation of the Terri- 
 torial Court, under the "first grade" or "Governor and 
 Judges" system. .Although it was supreme in its ju- 
 dicial functions within the Territor)', its powers and 
 duties were of a very general character. 
 
 In 1832, the term of his appointment as Judge ex- 
 piring. President Jackson appointed a successor, it is 
 supposed on political grounds, much to the disappoint- 
 ment of the public and the bar of the Territory. The 
 partisan feeling of the time extended into the Terri- 
 tory, and its people began to think of assuming the 
 dignity of a State government. Party lines becom- 
 ing very sharply drawn, he identified himself with 
 the Whigs and was elected a member of the Conven- 
 tion of 1835, which formed the first State Constitution. 
 In 1837 he was elected amember of the State Senate. 
 
 This sketch has purposely dealt somewhat in detail 
 with what may be called Judge W's. earlier career, 
 because it is closely identified with the early his- 
 tory of the State, and the development of its politi- 
 cal system. Since the organization of the State Gov- 
 ernment the history of Michigan is more familiar, and 
 hence no review of Judge W's career as Governor 
 and Senator will be attempted. He was elected Gov- 
 ernor in 1839, under a popular impression that the 
 affairs of the State had not been prudently adminis- 
 tered by the Democrats. He ser\'ed as Governor but 
 little more than a year, when he was elected to the 
 Senate of the United States. 
 
 His term in the Senate practically closed his polit- 
 ical life, although he was strongly urged by many 
 prominent men for the Whig nomination for Vice 
 President in 1848. 
 
 Soon after his appointment as Judge in 1828, Gov- 
 ernor W. took up ins residence on a tract of land 
 which he owned in the township of Spring Wells, a 
 short distance below what was then the corporate lim- 
 its of Detroit, where he resided during the remainder 
 of his life. Both in his public papers and private 
 communications. Governor W. shows himself a mas- 
 ter of language; he is fruitful in simile and illustra- 
 tion, logical in arrangement, hap])y in the choice and 
 treatment of topics, and terse and vigorous in expres- 
 sion. Judge W. was a('ongregationalist. His opinions 
 on all sulijects were decided ; he was earnest and 
 energetic, courteous and dignified, and at times ex- 
 hibited a vein of fine humor that was the more at- 
 tractive because not too often allowed to come to the 
 surface. His letters and addresses show a deep and 
 earnest affection not only for his ancestral home, but 
 the home of his adoption and for friends and family. 
 
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 (70 VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 xJOHN B. BARRY 
 
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 OHN STEWARD BARRY, 
 Governor of Michigan from 
 Jan. 3, 1842, to Jan. 5, 1846, 
 and from Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 
 I, 1 85 2, was born at Amherst, 
 N. H., Jan. 29, 1802. His par- 
 ents, John and Ellen (Steward) 
 Barry, early removed to Rocking- 
 ham, Vt., where he remained until 
 he became of age, working on his 
 father's farm, and pursuing his 
 studies at the same time. He mar- 
 ried Mary Kidder, of Grafton, Vt., 
 and in 1824 went to Georgia, Vt,, 
 where he had charge of an academy 
 for two years, meanwhile studying 
 law. He afterward practiced law in 
 that State. While he was in Georgia he was for some 
 time a member of the Governor's staff, with the title 
 of Governor's Aid, and at a somewhat earlier period 
 was Captain of a company of State militia. In 183 1 
 he removed to Michigan, and settled at White Pigeon, 
 where he engaged in mercantile business with I. W. 
 WiUard. 
 
 Four years after, 1 834, Mr. Barry removed to Con- 
 
 stantine and continued his mercantile pursuits. He 
 became Justice of the Peace at White Pigeon, Mich.) 
 in 1831, and held the office until the year 1835. 
 Mr. Barry's first public office was that of a member 
 of the first constitutional convention, which assembled 
 and framed the constitution upon which Michigan 
 was admitted into the Union. He took an important 
 and prominent part in the proceedings of that body, 
 and showed himself to be a man of far more than 
 ordinary ability. 
 
 Upon Michigan being admitted into the Union, 
 Mr. Barry was chosen State Senator, and so favorably 
 were his associates impressed with his abilities at the 
 first session of the Legislature that they looked to him 
 as a party leader, and that he should head the State 
 ticket at the following election. Accordingly he re- 
 ceived the nomination for Governor at the hands 
 of his party assembled in convention. He was 
 elected, and so poi)ular was his administration that, in 
 1842, he was again elected. During these years 
 Michigan was embarrassed by great financial diffi- 
 culties, and it was through his wisdom and sound judg- 
 ment that the State was finally placed ujxjn a solid 
 financial basis. 
 
 During the first year of Gov. Barr)''s first term, the 
 University at Ann Arbor was opened for the reception 
 
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 JOHN STEWARD BARRY. 
 
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 of students. The Michigan Central and Michigan 
 Southern railroads were being rapidly constructed, and 
 general progress was ^verj'where noticeable. In 1842, 
 the number of pupils reported as attending the public 
 schools was nearly fifty-eight thousand. In 1843, a 
 State land office was established at Marshall, which 
 was invested with the charge and disposition of all 
 the lands belonging to the State. In 1844, the tax- 
 able property of the State was found to be over 
 twenty-eight millions of dollars, the tax being at the 
 rate of two mills on the dollar. The expenses of the 
 State were only seventy thousand dollars, wliile the 
 income from the railroads was nearly three hundred 
 thousand dollars. At this time the University of 
 Michigan had become so prosperous that its income 
 was ample to pay the interest on the University debt ; 
 and the amount of money which the State was able 
 to loan the several progressing railroads was one 
 hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Efforts were 
 made to increase the efficiency of the common schools 
 with good results In 1845, when Gov. Barrj-'s sec- 
 ond terur expired, the poinilation of the State was 
 more than three hundred thousand. 
 
 The constitution of the State forbade more than two 
 consecutive terms, but he was called upon to fill the 
 position again in 1850 — the only instance of the kind 
 in the history of the State. He was a member of the 
 Territorial Legislature, of the Constitutional Conven- 
 tion, and afterward of the State House of Represent- 
 atives. 
 
 During Mr. Barry's third term as Governor the Nor- 
 mal School was established at Ypsilanti, which was 
 endowed with lands and placed in charge of a board 
 of education consisting of six persons. A new con- 
 stitution for the government of the State was also 
 adopted and the "Great Railway Conspiracy Case " 
 was tried. This grew out of a series of lawless acts 
 which had been committed upon the property of the 
 Michigan Central Railroad Company, along the line 
 of their road, and finally the burning of the depot 
 at Detroit, in 1850. 
 
 At a setting of the grand jurj- of Wayne County, 
 April 24, 185 I, 37 men of the 50 under arrest for this 
 crime were indicted. May 20, following, the accused 
 parties appeared at the Circuit Court of Wayne, of 
 which M'arner Wing was resident judge. The Rail- 
 road Company employed ten eminent lawyers, in- 
 cluding David Stuart, John Van .\rman, James A. 
 Van Dyke, Jacob M. Howard, Alex. D. Fraser, Dan- 
 iel Goodwin and William Gray. The defendants were 
 represented by six members of the State bar, led by 
 William H. Seward, of New York. The trial occupied 
 four months, during which time the plaintiffs exam- 
 ined 246 witnesses in 27 days, and the defendants 
 249 in 40 days. Mr. Van Dyke addressed the jury 
 for the prosecution ; William H. Seward for the 
 defense. 
 
 The great lawyer was convinced of the innocence 
 
 of his clients, nor did the verdict of that jury and the 
 sentence of that judge remove his firm belief that his 
 clients were the victims of purchased treachery, 
 rather than so many sacrifices to justice. 
 
 The verdict of " guilty " was rendered at 9 o'clock 
 p. M., Sept. 25, 185 r. On the 26th the prisoners were 
 put forward to receive sentence, when many of them 
 protested their entire innocence, after which the pre- 
 siding judge condemned 12 of the number to the fol- 
 lowing terms of imprisonment, with hard labor, within 
 the State's prison, situate in their county : Ammi 
 Filley, ten years; Orlando L. Williams, ten years; 
 .•\aron Mount, eight years ; .\ndrew J. Freeland, eight 
 years; Eben Farnham, eight years; William Corvin, 
 eight years; Richard Price, eight years; Evan Price, 
 eight years; Lyman Champlin, five years; Willard 
 W. Champlin, five years; Erastus Champlin, five 
 years; Erastus Smith, five years. 
 
 In T840, Gov. Barry became deeply interested in 
 the cultivation of the sugar beet, and visited Europe 
 to obtain information in reference to its culture. 
 
 He was twice Presidential Elector, and his last 
 public service was that of a delegate to the National 
 Democratic Convention held in Chicago in 1864. 
 
 He was a man who, throughout life, maintained a 
 high character for integrity and fidelity to the trusts 
 bestowed upon him, whether of a public or a private 
 nature, and he is acknowledged by all to have been 
 one of the most efficient and jwpular Governors the 
 Slate has ever had. 
 
 Gov. Barry was a man of incorruptible integrity. 
 His opinions, which he reached by the most thorough 
 investigation, he held tenaciously. His strong con- 
 victions and outspoken honesty made it impossible for 
 him to take an undefined jwsition when a princi[)le 
 was involved. His attachments and prejudices were 
 strong, yet he was never accused of favoritism in his 
 administration of public affairs. As a speaker he was 
 not remarkable. Solidity, rather than brilliancy, char- 
 acterized his oratory, which is described as argument- 
 ative and instructive, but cold, hard, and entirely 
 wanting in rhetorical ornament. He was never elo- 
 ([uent, seldom humorous or sarcastic, and in manner 
 rather awkward. 
 
 .\lthough Mr. Barry's educational advantages were 
 so limited, he was a life-long student. He mastered 
 botli-ancient and modern languages, and acquired a 
 thorough knowledge of histoiy. No man owed less 
 to [X)litical intrigue as a means of gaining ix)si- 
 tion. He was a true statesman, and gained pui)lic es- 
 teem by his solid worth. His political connections 
 were always with the Democratic party, and his opin- 
 ions were usually extreme. 
 
 Mr. Barry retired to private life after the beginning 
 of the ascendency of the Republican party, and car- 
 ried on his mercantile business at Constantine. He 
 died Jan. 14, 1870, his wife's death having occurred a 
 year previous, March 30, 1869. They left no children. 
 
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 LPHEUS FELCH, the third 
 
 Governor of Michigan, was 
 i ... . 
 
 born ni Limerick, Maine, Sep- 
 tember 28, 1806. His grand- 
 father, Abijah Felch, was a sol- 
 dier in the Revolution ; and 
 when a young man, having with 
 others obtained a grant of land be- 
 tween the Great and Little Ossipee 
 Rivers, in Maine, moved to that re- 
 gion when it was yet a wilderness. 
 The fatlier of Mr. Felch embarked in 
 mercantile life at Limerick. He was 
 the first to engage in that business in 
 that section, and continued it until 
 his death. The death of the father, 
 followed within a year by the death of 
 the mother, left the subject of this sketch, then three 
 years old, to the care of relatives, and he found a 
 home with his paternal grandfather, where he re- 
 mained until his death. Mr Felch received his early 
 education in the district school and a neighboring 
 academy. In 1821 he became a student at Phillips 
 Exter Academy, and, subsequently, entered Bowdoin 
 College, graduated with the class of 1827. He at 
 once began the study of law and was admitted to 
 practice at Bangor, Me., in 1830. 
 
 He began the practice of his profession at Houlton, 
 Me., where he remained until 1833. The severity 
 of the climate impaired his health, never very good, 
 and he found it necessary to seek a change of climate. 
 He disposed of his library and started to seek 
 a new home. His intention was to join his friend, 
 
 Sargent S. Prentiss, at Vicksburg, Miss., but on his 
 arrival at Cincinnati, Mr. Felch was attacked by 
 cholera, and when he had recovered sufficiently to 
 permit of his traveling, found that the danger of the 
 disease was too great to permit a journey down the 
 river. He therefore determined to come to Michi- 
 gan. He first began to practice in this State at Mon- 
 roe, where he continued until 1S43, when he removed 
 to Ann Arbor. He was elected to the State Legisla- 
 ture in 1835, and continued a member of that body 
 during the years 1836 and 1837. While he held this 
 office, the general banking law of the Stale was enact- 
 ed, and went into operation. After mature delibera- 
 tion, he became convinced that the proposed system 
 of banking could not prove beneficial to the public 
 interests ; and that, instead of relieving the people 
 from the pecuniary difficulties under which they were 
 laboring, it would result in still further embarrass- 
 ment. He, therefore, opposed the bill, and pointed 
 out to the House the disasters which, in his opinion, 
 were sure to follow its passage. The public mind, 
 however, was so favorably impressed by the measure 
 that no other member, in either branch of tlie Legisla- 
 ture, raised a dissenting voice, and but two voted with 
 him in opposition to the bill. Early in 1838, he was 
 appointed one of the Bank Commissioners of the 
 St Ue, and held that office for more than a year. I )ur- 
 ing this time, the new banking law had given birth to 
 that numerous progeny known as "wild-cat" banks. 
 Almost every village had its bank. The country was 
 flooded witli depressed "wild-cat" money. The ex- 
 aminations of the Bank Commissioners brought to 
 light frauds at every point, which were fearlessly re- 
 
 
 
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 ALPHEUS FELCH. 
 
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 ported to the Legislature, and were followed by crim- 
 inal prosecutions of the guilty parties, and the closing 
 of many of their institutions. The duties of the of- 
 fice were most laborious, and in 1839 Mr. Felch re- 
 signed. The chartered right of almost every bank 
 had, in the meantime, been declared forfeited and 
 the law repealed. It was subsequently decided to 
 be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. 
 In the year 1842 Governor Felch was appointed 
 to the office of Auditor General of the State; but 
 after holding the office only a few weeks, was com- 
 missioned by the Governor as one of the Judges of the 
 Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- 
 nation of Judge Fletcher. In January, 1843, he was 
 elected to the United States Senate for an unexpired 
 term. In 1845 he was elected Governor of Michigan, 
 and entered upon his duties at the commencement of 
 the next year. In 1847 he was elected a Senator 
 in Congress for six years ; and at once retired from 
 the office of Governor, by resignation, which took 
 effect March 4, 1847, when his Senatorial term com- 
 menced. While a member of the Senate he acted on 
 the Committee on Public Lands, and for four years 
 was its Chairman. He filled the honorable position 
 of Senator with becoming dignity, and with great 
 credit to the State of Michigan. 
 
 During Governor Felch's administration the two 
 railroads belonging to the State were sold to private 
 corporations, — the Central for $2,000,000, and the 
 Southern for $500,000. The exports of the State 
 amounted in 1846 to $4,647,608. The total capacity 
 of vessels enrolled in the collection district at Detroit 
 was 26,928 tons, the steam vessels having 8,400 and 
 the sailing vessels 18,528 tons, the whole giving em- 
 ployment to 18,000 seamen. In 1847, there were 39 
 counties in the State, containing 435 townships ; and 
 275 of these townships were supplied with good libra- 
 ries, containing an aggregate of 37,000 volumes. 
 
 At the close of his Senatorial term, in March, 1853, 
 Mr. Felch was appointed, by President Pierce, one of 
 the Commissioners to adjust and settle the Spanish 
 
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 and Mexican land claims in California, under the 
 treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, and an act of Congress 
 passed for that purpose. He went to California in 
 May, 1853, and was made President of the Commis- 
 sion. The duties of this office were of the most im- 
 portant and delicate character. The interest of the 
 new State, and the fortunes of many of its citizens, 
 both the native Me.xican jxipulation and the recent 
 American immigration ; the right of the Pueblos to 
 their common lands, and of the Catholic Church to 
 the lands of the Missions, — the most valuable of the 
 State, — wereinvolved in the adjudications of this Com- 
 mission. In March, 1856, their labors were brought 
 to a close by the final disposition of all the claims 
 which were presented. The record of their proceed- 
 ings, — the testimony which was given in each case, 
 and the decision of the Commissioners thereon, — 
 consisting of some forty large volumes, was deposited 
 in the Department of the Interior at Washington. 
 
 In June of that year. Governor Felch returned to 
 Ann Arbor, where he has since been engaged piinci- 
 pally in legal business. Since his return he has 
 been nominated for Governor and also for U. S. Sen- 
 ator, and twice for Judge of the Supreme Court. But 
 the Democratic party, to which he has always been 
 attached, being in the minority, he failed of an elec- 
 tion. In 1873 he withdrew from the active practice 
 of law, and, with the exception of a tour in Europe, 
 in 1875 has since led a life of retirement at his home 
 in Ann Arbor. In 1877 the University of Michigan 
 conferred ujwn him the degree of LL. D. For 
 many years he was one of the Regents of Michigan 
 University, and in the spring of 1879 was ap[)ointed 
 Tappan Professor of Law in the same. Mr. Felch is 
 the oldest surviving member of the Legislature from 
 Monroe Co., the oldest andonly surviving Bank Com- 
 missioner of the State, the oldest surviving Auditor 
 General of the State, the oldest surviving Governor of 
 the State, the oldest surviving Judge of the Supreme 
 Court of Michigan, and the oldest surviving United 
 States Senator from the State of Michigan. 
 
 
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 k ILLIAM L. GREENLY 
 '^(rovernor of Michigan for the 
 / year 1847, was born at Hamil- 
 , ton, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 
 ^f, ::;:' '::0 1 8, 1 8 1 3. He graduated at Un- 
 ^^i^M-'-/ ion College, Schenectady, in 
 N '^'' ' 1831, studied law and was ad- 
 '^ a*r^1 mitted to the bar in 1834. In 
 '-''\'[ri] ': 1836, having removed to Michi- 
 '' gan, he settled in Adrian, where 
 he has since resided. The year 
 following his arrival in Michigan 
 lie was elected State Senator and 
 y served in that capacity until 1839. 
 ■5 In 1845 he was elected Lieut. Gov- 
 jhi ernor and became acting Governor 
 by the resignation of Gov. Felch, 
 who was elected to the United 
 States Senate. 
 I The war with Mexico was brought 
 
 to a successful termination during Gov. Greenly 's 
 administration. We regret to say that there are only 
 few records extant of the action of Michigan troops 
 in the Mexican war. That many went there and 
 fought well are points conceded ; but their names and 
 nativity are hidden away in United States archives 
 
 and where it is almost impossible to find them. 
 
 The soldiers of this State deserve much of the 
 credit of the memorable achievements of Co. K, 3d 
 Dragoons, and Cos. A, E, and G of the U. S. Inf 
 The two former of these companies, recruited in this 
 State, were reduced to one-third their original num- 
 ber. 
 
 In May, 1846, the Governor of Michigan was noti- 
 fied by the War Department of the United States to 
 enroll a regiment of volunteers, to be held in readi- 
 ness for service whenever demanded. At his sum- 
 mons 13 independent volunteer companies, 1 1 of 
 infantry and two of cavalry, at once fell into line. Of 
 the infantry four companies were from Detroit, bear- 
 ing the honored names of Montgomery, Lafayette, 
 Scott and Brady upon their banners. Of the re- 
 mainder Monroe tendered two, Lenawee County three, 
 St. Clair, Berrien and Hillsdale each one, and Wayne 
 County an additional company. Of these alone the 
 veteran Bradys were accepted and ordered into ser- 
 vice. In addition to them ten companies, making the 
 First Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, springing 
 from various parts of the State, but embodying to a 
 great degree the material of which the first volunteers 
 was formed, were not called for until October follow- 
 ing. This regiment was soon in readiness and pro- 
 ceeded by orders from Government to the seat of war. 
 
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 HE HON. EPAPHRODI- 
 
 TUS RANSOM, the Seventh 
 Governor of Michigan, was a 
 native of Massachusetts. In 
 that State he received a col- 
 legiate education, studied law, 
 and was admitted to the bar. 
 Removing to Michigan about 
 the time of its admission to the 
 Union, he took up his residence 
 at Kalamazoo. 
 
 Mr. Ransom served with marked 
 I ability for a number of years in the 
 State Legislature, and in 1837 he was appointed As- 
 sociate Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1843 he 
 was promoted to Chief Justice, which office he re- 
 tained until 1845, when he resigned. 
 
 Shortly afterwards he became deeply interested in 
 the building of plank roads in the western portion of 
 the State, and in this business lost the greater portion 
 of the property which he had accumulated by years 
 of toil and industry. 
 
 Mr. Ransom became Governor of the State of 
 Michigan in the fall of 1847, and served during one 
 term, performing the duties of the office in a truly 
 statesmanlike manner. He subsequently became 
 President of the Michigan Agricultural Society, in 
 which ixjsition he displayed the same ability that 
 
 
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 shone forth so prominently in his acts as Governor. 
 He held the office of Regent of the Michigan Univer- ( 
 sity several times, and ever advocated a liberal policy v 
 in its management. /N 
 
 Subsequently he was appointed receiver of the ^^ 
 land office in one of the districts in Kansas, by Pres- ,*^ 
 ident Buchanan, to which State he had removed, and = 
 where he died before the exjnration of his term of 
 office. 
 
 We sum up the events and affairs of the State un- 
 der Gov. Ransom's administration as follows: The ^ 
 Asylum for the Insane was establised, as also the 
 Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind. Both of 
 these institutes were liberally endowed with lands, 
 and each of them placed in charge of a board of five 
 trustees. The appropriation in 1849 for the deaf and 
 dumb and blind amounted to $81,500. On the first 
 of March, 1848, the first telegraph line was com- 
 pleted from New York to Detroit, and the first dis- 
 patch transmitted on that day. The following figures 
 show the progress in agriculture : The land reported 
 as under cultivation in 1848 was 1,437,460 acres; of 
 wheat there were produced 4,749,300 bushels; other 
 grains, 8,197,767 bushels; wool, 1,645,756 pounds; 
 maple sugar, 1,774,369 pounds; horses, 52,305; cat- 
 tle, 210,268; swine, 152,541; sheep, 610,534; while 
 the flour mills numbered 228, and the lumber mills 
 amounted to 730. 1847, an act was passed removing 
 the Legislature from Detroit to Lansing, and tempo- 
 rary buildings for the use of the Legislature were im- 
 mediately erected, at a cost of $12,450. 
 
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 OBERT McClelland, 
 
 Governor of Michigan from 
 Jan. 1, 185 2, to March 8,1853, 
 was born at Greencastle, Frank- 
 ^<@> lin Co., Penn., Aug. i, 1807. 
 Among his ancestors were several 
 officers of rank in tlie Revolution- 
 ary war, and some of his family con- 
 \ nections were distinguished in the 
 war of 1812, and that with Mexico. 
 His father was an eminent physician 
 and surgeon who studied under Dr. 
 Benj. Rush, of Philadelphia, and 
 practiced his profession successfully 
 until six months before his death, at 
 the age of 84 years. Although Mr. 
 McClelland's family had been in good circum- 
 stances, when he was 17 years old he was thrown 
 upon his own resources. After taking the usual pre- 
 liminary studies, and teaching school to obtain the 
 means, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle, 
 Penn., from which he graduated among the first in 
 his class, in 1829. He then resumed teaching, and 
 having completed the course of study for the legal 
 profession, was admitted to the bar at Chambersburg, 
 Penn., in 1831. Soon afterward he removed to the 
 city of Pittsburgh, where he practiced for almost a 
 year. 
 
 In 1833, Mr. McClelland removed to Monroe, in 
 
 I 
 
 the Territory of Michigan, where, after a severe ex- 
 amination, he became a member of the bar of Michi- 
 gan, and engaged in practice with bright prospect of 
 success. In 1835, a convention was called to frame 
 a constitution for the projxised State of Michigan, of 
 which Mr. McClelland was elected a member. He 
 took a prominent part in its deliberations and ranked 
 among its ablest debaters. He was appointed the 
 first Bank Commissioner of the State, by Gov. Mason, 
 and received an offer of the Attorney Generalship, but 
 declined both of these offices in order to attend to his 
 professional duties. 
 
 In 1838, Mr. McClelland was elected to the State 
 Legislature, in which he soon became distinguished 
 as the head of several important committees. Speaker 
 pro tempore, and as an active, zealous and efficient 
 member. In 1840, Gen. Harrison, as a candidate for 
 the Presidency, swept the country with an overwhelm- 
 ing majority, and at the same time the State of Michi- 
 gan was carried by the Whigs under the popular cry 
 of " Woodbridge and reform " against the Democratic 
 party. At this time Mr. McClelland stood among the 
 acknowledged leaders of the latter organization ; was 
 elected a member of the State House of Representa- 
 tives, and witii others adopted a plan to regain a lost 
 authority and prestige. 
 
 This party soon came again into jwwer in the State, 
 and having been returned to the State Legislature Mr. 
 McClelland's leadership was acknowledged by his 
 election as Speaker of the House of Representatives 
 
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 ROBERT McClelland. 
 
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 in 1843. Down to this time Michigan had consti- 
 tuted one congressional district. The late Hon. Jacob 
 M. Howard had been elected against Hon. Alpheus 
 'f" Fclch by a strong majority ; but, in 1 843, so thoroughly 
 * had the Democratic party recovered from its defeat 
 of 1840 that Mr. McClelland, as a candidate for Con- 
 gress, carried Detroit district by a majority of about 
 2,500. Mr. McClelland soon took a prominent posi- 
 tion in Congress among the veterans of that body. 
 During his first term he was placed on Committee on 
 Commerce, and organized and carried through what 
 were known as the "Harbor bills." The continued 
 confidence of his constituency was manifested in his 
 election to the 29th Congress. At the opening of this 
 session he 1?ad acquired a National reputation, and so 
 favorably was he known as a parlimentarian that his 
 name was mentioned for Speaker of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives. He declined the offer in favor of J. W. 
 Davis, of Indiana, who was elected. During this term 
 he became Chairman of Committee on Commerce, in 
 which position his reports and advocacy of important 
 measures at once attracted public attention. The 
 members of this committee, as an evidence of the es- 
 teem in which they held his services and of their 
 personal regard for him, presented him with a cane 
 which he retains as a souvenir of the donors, and of 
 his labors in Congress. 
 
 In 1847, Mr. McClelland was re-elected to Con- 
 gress, and at the opening of the 30th Congress be- 
 came a member of the Committee on Foreign Rela- 
 ys tions. While acting in this capacity, what was known 
 as the " French Spoliation Bill" came under his spe- 
 cial charge, and his management of the same was such 
 as to command universal approbation. While in 
 Congress, Mr. McClelland was an advocate of the 
 right of petition as maintained by John Q. Adams, 
 when the petition, was clothed in decorous language 
 and presented in the ])roper manner. This he re- 
 garded as the citizens'constitutional right which should 
 not be imjiaired by any doctrines of temporary e.xpe- 
 diency. He also voted for the adoption of Mr. Gid- 
 dings s bill for the abolishing of slavery in the District 
 of Columbia. Mr. McClelland was one of the few 
 Democrats associated with David Wilmot, of Penn- 
 sylvania, in bringing forward tlie celebrated "Wilmot 
 Proviso,'' with a view to prevent further extension of 
 slavery in new territory which might be acquired by 
 the United States. He and Mr. Wilmot were to- 
 gether at the time in Washington, and on intimate 
 and confidential terms. Mr McC:ielland was in sev 
 eral National conventions and in the Baltimore con- 
 vention, which nominated Gen. Cass for President, 
 in 1848, doing valiant service that year for the elec- 
 tion of that distinguished statesman. On leaving 
 Congress, in 1848, Mr. McClelland returned to the 
 practice of his profession at Monroe. In 1850 a 
 i -o' convention of the State of Michigan was called to 
 ^ revise the State constitution. He was elected a 
 
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 member and was regarded therein as among the ablest 
 and most experienced leaders. His clear judgment 
 and wise moderation were conspicuous, both in the 
 committee room and on the floor, in debate. In 1850, 
 he was President of the Democratic State convention 
 which adopted resolutions in supjx)rt of Henry Clay's 
 famous compromise measures, of which Mr. McClel- 
 land was a strong advocate. He was a member of 
 the Democratic National convention in 1852, and in 
 that yearj in company with Gen. Cass and Governor 
 Felch, he made a thorough canvass of the State. 
 He continued earnestly to advocate the Clay com- 
 promise measures, and took an active part in the 
 canvass which resulted in the election of Gen. Pierce 
 to the Presidency. 
 
 In 185 T, the new State constitution took effect and 
 it was necessary that a Governor should be elected 
 for one year in order to prevent an interregnum, and 
 to bring the State Government into operation under 
 the new constitution. Mr McClelland was elected 
 Governor, and in the fall of 1852 was re-elected fof 
 a term of two years, from Jan. i, 1853. His admin- 
 istration was regarded as wise, prudent and concilia- 
 tory, and was as popular as could be expected at a 
 time when party spirit ran high. There was really 
 no opix)sition, and when he resigned, in March, 1853, 
 the State Treasury was well filled, and the State 
 otherwise prosperous, So widely and favorably had 
 Mr. McClelland become known as a statesman that on 
 the organization of thecabinet by President Pierce, in 
 March, 1S53, he was made Secretary of the Interior, in 
 which capacity he served most creditably during four 
 years of the Pierce administration. He thoroughly 
 re-organized his department and reduced the expend- 
 itures. He adopted a course with the Indians which 
 relieved them from the impositions and annoyances 
 of the traders, and produced harmony and civilization 
 among them. During his administration there was 
 neither complaint from the tribes nor corruption among 
 agents, and he left the department in perfect order 
 and system In 1867, Michigan again called a con- 
 vention to revise the State constitution. Mr. McClel- 
 land was a member and here again his long experi- 
 ence made him conspicuous as a prudent adviser, a 
 sagacious parliamentary leader. As a lawyer he was 
 terse and pointed in argument, clear, candid and im- 
 pressive in his addresses to the jury. His sincerity 
 and earnestness, with which was occasionally mingled 
 a ])leasant humor, made him an able and effective 
 advocate. In speaking before the peojile on political 
 subjects he was especially forcible and happy. In 
 1870 he made the tour of Europe, which, through his 
 extensive personal acquaintance with European dip- 
 lomates, he was enabled to enjoy much more than 
 most travelers. 
 
 Mr. McClelland married, in 1837, Miss Sarah 
 E. Sabin, of Williamstown, Mass. They have had 
 six children, two of whom now survive. 
 
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 GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 I 
 
 NDREW PARSONS, Gover- 
 nor of Michigan from March 
 8, 1853 to Jan. 3, 185s, was 
 born in the town of Hoosick, 
 ^^ County of Rensselaer, and 
 =^ State of New York, on the 2 2d 
 2 day of July, 1817, and died June 
 6, 1855, ^i' ''is early age of 38 
 years. He was the son of John 
 Parsons, born at Newburyport, 
 Mass., Oct. 2, 1782, and who was the 
 sonof Andrew Parsons, a Revolutionary 
 soldier, who was the son of Phineas 
 Parsons, the son of Samuel Parsons, 
 Jig/ a descendant of Walter Parsons, born 
 i in Ireland in 1290. 
 Of this' name and family, some one hundred and 
 thirty years ago, Bishop Gilson remarked in his edi- 
 tion of Camden's Britannia: "The honorable family 
 of Parsons have been advanced to the dignity of 
 Viscounts and more lately Earls of Ross." 
 
 Tile following are descendants of these families : 
 Sir John Parsons, born i48i,was Mayor of Hereford; 
 Robert Parsons, born in 1546, lived near Bridgewater, 
 England. He was educated at Ballial College, Ox- 
 ford, and was a noted writer and defender of the 
 Romish faith. He established an English ("ollege at 
 Rome and another at Valladolia. Frances Parsons, 
 born in 1556, was Vicar of Rothwell, in Notingham; 
 Bartholomew Parsons, born in 1618, was another 
 noted member of the family. In 1634, Thomas Parsons 
 was knighted by Charles i. Joseph and Benjamin, 
 brothers, were born in (ireat Torrington, England, 
 
 and accompanied their father and others to New 
 England about 1630. Samuel Parsons, born at Salis- 
 bury, Mass., in 1707, graduated at Harvard College in 
 1730, ordained at Rye, N. H.,Nov. 3, 1736, married 
 Mary Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Boston, 
 Oct. 9, 1739, died Jan. 4, 1789, at the age of 82, in 
 the 5 3rd year of his ministry. The grandfather of Mary 
 Jones was Capt. John Adams, of Boston, grandson 
 of Henry, of Braintree, who was among the first set- 
 tlers of Massachusetts, and from whom a numerous 
 race of the name are descended, including two Presi- 
 dents of the United States. The Parsons have be- 
 come very numerous and are found throughout New 
 England, and many of the descedants are scattered 
 in all parts of the United States, and especially in 
 the Middle and ^Vest.ern States. Governor Andrew 
 Parsons came to Michigan in 1835, at the age of 17 
 years, and spent the first summer at Lower Ann 
 Arbor, where for a few months he taught school which 
 lie was compelled to abandon from ill health. 
 
 He was one of the large number of men of sterling 
 worth, who came from the East to Michigan when it 
 was an infant State, or, even prior to its assuming 
 the dignity of a Stale, and wlio, by their wisdom, 
 enterprise and energy, have developed its wonderful 
 natural resources, until to-day it ranks with the proud- 
 est States of the Ihiion. These brave men came to 
 Michigan with nothing to aid thcni in the conquest 
 of the wilderness save courageous hearts and strong 
 and willing hands. They gloriously coneiuercd, how- 
 ever, and. to them is due all Jionor for the labors 
 so nobly performed, for the solid and sure foundation 
 which they laid of a great Commonwealth. 
 
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134 
 
 ANDREW PARSONS. 
 
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 In the fall of 1835, he explored the Grand River 
 Valley in a frail canoe, the whole length of the river, 
 from Jackson to Lake Michigan, and spent the following 
 winter as clerk in a store at Prairie Creek, in Ionia, 
 County, and in the spring went to Marshall, where he 
 resided with his brother, the Hon. Luke H. Parsons, 
 also now deceased, until fall, when he went to Shia- 
 wasseCounty,then with Clinton County, and an almost 
 unbroken wilderness and constituting one organized 
 township. In 1837 this territory was organized into 
 a county and, at the age of only 19 years, he (An- 
 drew) was elected County Clerk. In 1840, he was 
 elected Register of Deeds, re-elected in 1842, and 
 also in 1844. In 1846, he was elected to the State 
 Senate, was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 1848, 
 and elected Regent of the University in 1851, and 
 Lieutenant Governor, and became acting Governor, 
 in 1853, elected again to the Legislature in 1854, and, 
 overcome by debilitated health, hard labor and the 
 responsibilities of his office and cares of his business, 
 retired to his farm, where he died soon after. 
 
 He was a fluent and persuasive speaker and well 
 calculated to make friends of his acquantances. He 
 was always true to his trust, and the whole world 
 could not persuade nor drive him to do what he con- 
 ceived to be wrong. When Governor, a most power- 
 ful railroad influence was brought to bear upon him, 
 to induce him to call an extra session of the Legisla- 
 ture. Meetings were held in all parts of the State 
 for that purpose. In some sections the resolutions 
 were of a laudatory nature, intending to make him do 
 their bidding by resort to friendly and flattering words. 
 In other places the resolutions were of a demanding 
 nature, while in others they were threatening beyond 
 measure. Fearing that all these influences might 
 fail to induce him to call the extra session, a large 
 sum of money was sent him, and liberal offers ten- 
 dered him if he would gratify the railroad interest of 
 the State and call the extra session, but, immovable, 
 he returned the money and refused to receive 
 any favors, whether from any party who would at- 
 tempt to corrupt him by laudations, liberal offers, or 
 
 by threats, and in a short letter to the people, after 
 giving overwhelming reasons that no sensible man 
 could dispute, showing the circumstances were not 
 "extraordinary," he refused to call the extra session. 
 This brought down the wrath of various parties upon 
 his head, but they were soon forced to acknowledge 
 the wisdom and the justice of his course. One of 
 his greatest enemies said, after a long acquaintance : 
 "though not always coinciding with his views I never 
 doubted his honesty of purpose. He at all times 
 sought to perform his duties in strict accordance, 
 with the dictates of his conscience, and the behests 
 of his oath." The following eulogium from a politcal op- 
 ponent is just in its conception and creditable to its 
 author: "Gov. Parsons was a politician of the Dem- 
 ocratic school, a man of pure moral character, fixed 
 and exemplary habits, and entirely blameless in every ^ 
 public and private relation of life. As a politician he ^ 
 was candid, frank and free from bitterness, as an ex- 
 ecutive officer firm, constant and reliable." The 
 highest commendations we can pay the deceased is 
 to give his just record, — that of being an honest man. [^ 
 
 In the spring of 1854, during the administration of •! 
 Governor Parsons, the Republican party, at least 
 as a State organization, was first formed in the United 
 States " under the oaks " at Jackson, by anti-slavery 
 men of both the old parties. Great excitement pre- 
 vailed at this time, occasioned by the settling of 
 Kansas, and the issue thereby brought up, whether 
 slavery should exist there. For the purpose of permit- 
 ting slavery there, the " Missouri compromise " (which 
 limited slavery to the south of 36° Tfi') was re- 
 repealed, under the leadership of Stephen A, Douglas. 
 This was repealed by a bill admitting Kansas and 
 Nebraska into the Union, as Territories, and those who 
 were opposed to this repeal measure were in short (^ 
 called "anti-Nebraska" men. The epithets, "Ne- 
 braska" and "anti-Nebraska," were temporally em- 
 ployed to designate the slavery and anti-slavery 
 parties, pending the desolution of the old Democratic 
 and Whig parties and the organization of the new 
 Democratic and Republican parties of the present. 
 
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GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 INSLKY S. BINGHAM, 
 .''' (Governor of Michigan from 
 1855 to 1859, and United 
 States Senator, was born in 
 (^amillus, Onondaga County, 
 N. Y., Dec. 16, 1808. His 
 father was a farmer, and his own 
 early Hfe was conseciiiently de- 
 voted to agricultural pursuits, but 
 notwithstanding the disadvan- 
 tages related to the ac<iuisition 
 of knowledge in the life of a farmer 
 he managed to secure a good aca- 
 demic education in his native State 
 and studied law in the office of 
 Gen. James R. Lawrence, now of 
 Syracuse, N. Y. In the spring of 
 1833, he married an estimable lady 
 who had recently arrived from Scot- 
 land, and obeying the impulse of a 
 naturally enterprising disposition, 
 he emigrated to Michigan and 
 purchased a new farm in company 
 ' with his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert 
 Worden, in Green Oak, Livingston ("ounty. Here, on 
 the border of civilization, buried in the primeval for- 
 est, our late student commenced the arduous task of 
 preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, put- 
 ting up buildings, etc., at such a rale that the land 
 
 chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. 
 
 Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. liingliani was 
 elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and Post- 
 master under the Territorial government, and was the 
 first Probate Judge in the counky. In the year 1S36, 
 when Miciiigan Lecame a State, he was elected to the 
 first Legislature. He was four times re-elected, and 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. 
 In 1 846 he was elected on the Democratic ticket, Rep- 
 resentative to C'ongress, and was the only practical 
 farmer in that body. He was never forgetful of the 
 interest of agriculture, and was in particular opposed 
 to the introdu( tion of " Wood's Patent (!ast Iron 
 Plow " wiiich he completely prevented. He was re- 
 elected to ('ongress in 1S48, during which time lie 
 strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the 
 territory of the United States and was committed to 
 and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. 
 
 In 185.), at the first organization of llie KepubHcan 
 party, in conseiiuence of his record in ("ongress as a 
 P'ree Soil Democrat, Mr. 15ingham was nominated 
 and elected Governor of the State, and re-elected in 
 1S56. Still faithful to the memory of his own former 
 occupation, he did not forget the farmers during his 
 administration, and among other profits of his /eal in 
 their behalf, he became mainly instrumental in the 
 establishment of the Agricultural College at Lansing. 
 
 In 1859, Governor Bingham was elected Senator in 
 Congress and took an active part in the stormy cam- 
 paign in the election of Abraham Lincoln. He wit- 
 
 
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 KINSLEY S. BINGHAM. 
 
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 nessed the coininenceinent of the civil war while a 
 member of the United States Senate. After a com- 
 paratively short life of remarkable promise and pub- 
 lic activity he was attacked with appoplexy and died 
 suddenly at his residence, in (Irecn Oak, Oct. 5, i86i. 
 
 The most nolicahle event in Oovernor Bingham's 
 first term was the comi)letion of the ship canal, at tlie 
 Falls of Si. Mary. In 1.S52, August 2O, an act of 
 Congress was a[)i)roved, granting lo tlie Slate of Mich- 
 igan seven iuindred anil fifty thousand acres of land 
 for tile pur|)ose of constructing a siiip canal between 
 Lakes Huron and Superior. In 1853, the Legislature 
 accei)ted the grant, and provided for ihe apiiointment 
 of commissioners to select the donated lands, and to 
 arrange for building the canal. A company of enter- 
 prising men was formed, and a contract was entered 
 into by whicii it was arranged that the canal sliould 
 be finished in two years, and the work was puslicd 
 rapidly forward, livery article of consumption, ma- 
 chinery, working implements and materials, timber 
 for the gates, stones for the locks, as well as men and 
 supplies, had to be trans[)ortecl to the site of the canal 
 from Detroit, (Cleveland, and other lake i)orts. The 
 rapids which had to be surmounted have a fill of 
 seventeen feet and are about one mile long. The 
 length of the canal is less than one mile, its width one 
 hundred feel, depth twelve feet and it has two locks 
 of solid masonary. hi May, 1S55, the work was com- 
 pleted, acceplcil by the commissioners, and formally 
 delivereil to the State authorities. 
 
 'I'lie disbursements on account of the construction 
 of the canal and selecting the lands amounted to one 
 million of dollars ; while the laiuls whicli were as- 
 signed to the company, and selected through the 
 agency at the Sault, as well as certain lands in the 
 Upper and Lower I'eninsulas, filled to an acre the 
 Government grant. The opening oT the canal was 
 an important event in the history of the improvement 
 of the State. It was a valuable link in the chain of 
 lake commerce, and particularly imixjrtant to the 
 interests of the Upper Peninsula. 
 
 'I'liere were several eilucational, charitable and re- 
 formatory institutions inaugur.ited anil openeil iluring 
 Gov. Uingham's administrations. I'he Michigan .Ag- 
 ricultural College owes its establishment to a provision 
 of the State Constitution of 1850. Article 13 says, 
 " The Legislature shall, as soon as practicable, pro- 
 vide for the establishment of an agricultural school." 
 For the iJiirjiose of carying into practice this i)rovision, 
 legislatit)n was commenced in 1855, and the act re- 
 ipiired that the school should lie within ten miles of 
 Lansing, and that not more than $15 an. acre should 
 be jiaid for the farm and college grounds. The col- 
 lege was opened to students in May, 1857, the first of 
 existing argricultural i oUeges in the United States 
 Until the spring of 1861, it was under the control 
 of the State Hoard of P-ducation; since that time it 
 has been muki the management of the State Board 
 
 of Agriculture, which was created for that purjx)se. 
 
 In its essential features, of combining study and 
 labor, and of uniting general and professional studies 
 in its course, the college has remained virtually un- 
 changed from the first. It has a steady growth in 
 number of students, in means of illustration and 
 efficiency of instruction. 
 
 The Agricultural College is three miles east of 
 Lansing, comprising several fine buildings; and there 
 are also very beautiful, substantial residences for the 
 professors. There are also an extensive, well-filled 
 green-house, a very large and well-equiiiped chemical 
 laboratory, one of the most scientific apiaries in the 
 United States, a general museum, a meseum of me- 
 chanical inventions, another of vegetable products, 
 extensive barns, piggeries, etc., etc., in fine trim for 
 the purjxjses designed. The farm consists of 676 
 acres, of whicli about 300 are under cultivation in a 
 systematic rotation of crops. 
 
 Adrian College was established by the Wesleyan 
 Methodists in 1859, now imder the control of the 
 Methodist Church. The grounds contain about 20 
 acres. There are four buildings, capable of accom- 
 modating about 225 students. Attendance in 1875 
 was 179; total number of graduates for previous year, 
 121 ; ten professors and teachers are employed. Ex- 
 clusive of the endowment fund ($80,000), the assets 
 of the institution, including grounds, buildings, furni- 
 ture, apparatus, musical instruments, outlying lands, 
 etc., amount to more than $137,000. 
 
 Hillsdale College was established in 1S55 by the 
 Free Baptists. The Michigan Central College, at 
 Spring .\rbor, was incorporated in 1845 Itwaskejit 
 in operation until it was merged into the present 
 Hillsdale College. The site comprises 25 acres, 
 beautifully situated on an eminence in the western 
 part of the city of Hillsdale. The large and imiios- 
 ing building first erected was nearly destroyed by fire 
 in 187.), and in its place five buildings of a more 
 modern style have been erected. They are of brick, 
 three stories with basement, arrangeil on three sides 
 of a ipiadrangle. The size is, respectively, 80 by 80, 
 .^8 by 72, 48 liy 72, 80 by 60, 52 by 72, and they con- 
 tain one-half more room than the original buildmg. 
 The State Reform School. This was established 
 at Lansing in 1855, in the northeastern jwriionof the 
 city, as the House of Correction for Juvenile Of- 
 fenders, having about it many of the features of a 
 prison. In 1859 the name was changed to the State 
 Reform School. The government and dicipline, have 
 undergone many and radical changes, until all the 
 prison features have been removed except those that 
 remain in the walls of the original structure, and 
 which remain only as monuments of instructive his- 
 tory. No bolts, bars or guards are employed. The 
 inmates are necessarily kept under the surveillance of 
 otlicers, but the attempts at escape are much fewer 
 than under the more rigid regime of former days. 
 
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 C<9 VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 OSES WISNER. Governor of 
 '^Michigan from 185910 1861, 
 '^^"was born in Springport, Cayu- 
 ga Co., N Y., June 3, 1815. 
 His early education was only 
 what could be obtained at a 
 :{=)conimon school. Agricultural labor 
 and frugality of his parents gave 
 him a pliysical constitution of unus- 
 1^ ual strength and endurance, which 
 jj|was ever preserved by temperate hab- 
 its. In 1837 he emigrated to Michi- 
 \r- gan and inirchased a farm in Lapeer 
 }™ County It was new land and he at 
 once set to work to clear it and plant 
 crops. He labored diligently at his 
 task for two years, when he gave up 
 the idea of being a farmer, and removed to Pontiac, 
 Oakland Co. Here he commenced the study of law 
 in the office of his brother, George W. Wisner, and 
 Rufus Hosmcr. In 1841 he was admitted to the bar 
 and established himself in his new vocation at the 
 village of Lapeer. While there he was apppointed 
 by Gov. Woodbridge Prosecuting Attorney for that 
 county, in which capacity he acquitted himself well 
 and gave i)romise of that eminence he afterward at- 
 tained in the [jrofession. He remained at Lapeerbut 
 a short time, removing to Pontiac, where he became 
 a member of a firm and entered fully upon the 
 practice. 
 
 In politics he was like his talented brother, a Whig 
 of the Henry Clay stamp, but with a decided anti- 
 slavery bias. His practice becoming extensive, he 
 
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 took little ijarl in politics until after the election of 
 Mr. Pierce to the Presidency in 1852, when he took an 
 active part against slavery. As a lawyer he was a 
 man of great ability, but relied less upon mere book 
 learning tlKin upon his native good sense. Liberal 
 and courteous, was he yet devoted to the interest of 
 his client, and no facts escaped his attention or his 
 memory which bore upon the case. He was no friend 
 of trickery or artifuein conducting a case As an ad- 
 vocate lie had few equals. When fully aroused by the 
 merits of his subject his eloquence was at once grace- 
 ful and [xjwerful. His fancies supplied the most 
 original, the most i)ointed illustrations, and his logic 
 became a battling giant under whose heavy blows the 
 adversary shrank and withered. Nature had be- 
 stowed upon him rare qualities, and his powers as a 
 popular orator were of a high order. 
 
 On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 
 1854, repealing the Missouri compromise and opening 
 the Territories to slavery, he was among the foremost 
 in Michigan to denounce the shamful scheme. He 
 actively participated in organizing and consolidating 
 the elements opposed to it in that State, and was a 
 member of the popular gathering at Jackson, in July, 
 1854, which was the first formal Republican Conven- 
 tion held in the United States. At this meeting the 
 name " Republican " was adopted as a designation of 
 the new party consisting of Anti-slavery, Whigs, 
 Liberty men, I'ree Soil Democrats and all others op- 
 |)osed to tlie extension of slavery and favorable to its 
 expulsion from the Territories and the District of 
 Columbia. At this convention Mr. W. was urged to 
 accept the nomination for Attorney General of the 
 
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 142 
 
 MOSES WISNER. 
 
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 State, but declined. An entire State ticket was nom- 
 inated and at the annual election in November was 
 elected by an average majority of nearly 10,000. 
 Mr. W. was enthusiastic in the cause and brought to 
 its support all his personal influence and talents. In 
 his views he was bold and radical. He believed from 
 the beginning that the poHtical power of the slave- 
 holders would have to be overthrown before quiet 
 could be secured to the country. In the Presidential 
 canvass of 1856 he supported the Fremont, or Re- 
 publican, ticket. At the session of the Legislature of 
 1857 he was a candidate for United States Senator, 
 and as such received a very handsome support. 
 
 In 1858, he was nominated for Governor of the 
 State by the Republican convention that met at De- 
 troit, and at the subsequent November election was 
 chosen by a very large majority. Before the day of 
 the election he had addressed the people of almost 
 every county and his majority was greater even than 
 that of his popular predecessor, Hon. K. S. Bingham. 
 He served as Governor two years, from Jan. i, 1859, 
 to Jan. I, 1861. His first message to the Legislature 
 was an able and statesman-like production, and was 
 read with usual favor. It showed that he was awake 
 to all the interests of the State and set forth an en- 
 lightened State policy, that had its view of the rapid 
 settlement of our uncultivated lands and the devel- 
 opment of our immense agricultural and mineral re- 
 sources. It was a document that reflected the highest 
 credit upon the author. 
 
 His term having expired Jan. i, 1861, he returned 
 to his home in Pontiac, and to the practice of his 
 profession. There were those in the State who 
 counselled the sending of delegates to the peace con- 
 ference at Washington, but Mr. W. was opposed to all 
 such temiwrizing expedients. His counsel was to 
 send no delegate, but to prepare to fight. 
 
 After Congress had met and passed the necessary 
 legislation he resohed to take part in the war. In 
 the spring and summer of 1862 he set to work to 
 raise a regiment of infantry, chiefly in Oakland 
 County, where he resided. His regiment, the 2 2d 
 Michigan, was armed and equipped and ready to 
 march in September, a regiment whose solid quali- 
 ties were afterwards proven on many a bloody field. 
 Col. W's. commission bore the date of Sept. 8, 1862. 
 Before parting with his family he made his will. His 
 regiment was sent to Kentucky and quartered at 
 
 Camp Wallace. He had at the breaking out of the 
 war turned his attention to military studies and be- 
 came proficient in the ordinary rules and discipline. 
 His entire attention was now devoted to his duties. 
 His treatment of his men was kind, though his disci- 
 pline was rigid. He possessed in an eminent degree 
 the spirit of command, and had he lived he would 
 no doubt have distinguished himself as a good 
 officer. He was impatient of delay and chafed at 
 being kept in Kentucky where there was so little 
 prospect of getting at the enemy. But life in camp, 
 so different from the one he had been leading, and 
 his incessant labors, coupled with that impatience 
 which was so natural and so general among the vol- 
 unteers in the early part of the war, soon made their 
 influence felt upon his health. He was seized with 
 typhoid fever and removed to a private house near 
 Lexington. Every care which medical skill or the 
 hand of friendship could bestow was rendered him. 
 In the delirious wanderings of his mind he was dis- 
 ciplining his men and urging them to be prepared for 
 an encounter with the enemy, enlarging upon the jus- 
 tice of their cause and the necessity of their crush- 
 ing the Rebellion. But the source of his most poig- 
 nant griet was the prospect of not being able to come 
 to a hand-to-hand encounter with the "chivalry." 
 He was proud of his regiment, and felt that if it could 
 find the enemy it would cover itself with glory, — a 
 distinction it after\vard obtained, but not until Col. W. 
 was no more. The malady baffled all medical treat- 
 ment, and on the 5th day of Jan., 1863, he breathed 
 his last. His remains were removed to Michigan and 
 interred in the cemetery at Pontiac, where they rest 
 by the side of the brave Gen. Richardson, who re- 
 ceived his mortal wound at the battle of Antietam. 
 Col. W. was no adventurer, although he was doubtless 
 ambitious of military renown and would have striven 
 for it with characteristic energy. He went to the war 
 to defend and uphold the principles he had so much 
 at heart. Few men were more familiar than he with 
 the causes and the underlying principles that led to 
 the contest. He left a wife, who was a daughter of 
 Gen. C. C. Hascall, of Flint, and four children to 
 mourn his loss. Toward them he ever showed the 
 tenderest regard. Next to his duty their love and 
 welfare engrossed his thoughts. He was kind, gen- 
 erous and brave, and like thousands of others he 
 I sleeps the sleep of the martyr for his country. 
 
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 GO VERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 
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 USTIN BLAIR, Governor 
 % of Michigan from Jan. 2, 
 1 86 1, to Jan, 4, 1865, and 
 kown as the War Governor, is 
 and illustration of the benifi- 
 '! -'/ cent influence of republican in- 
 / stitutions, having inherited neith- 
 er fortune nor fame. He was born 
 in a log cabin at Caroline, Tomp- 
 kins Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1818. 
 His ancestors came from Scot- 
 land in the time of George I, and 
 for many generations followed the 
 pursuit of agriculture. His father, 
 • I George Blair, settled in Tompkins 
 County in 1S09, and felled the trees and erected the 
 first cabin in the county. The last 60 of the four- 
 score years of his life were spent on that spot. He 
 married Rhoda Beackman, who now sleeps with him 
 in the soil of the old homestead. The first 17 years 
 of Mr. Blair's life were spent there, rendering his 
 father what aid he could upon the farm. He then 
 spent a year and a half in Cazenovia Seminary pre- 
 paring for college; entered Hamilton College, in 
 Clinton, prosecuted his studies until the middle of 
 the junior year, when, attracted by the fame of Dr. 
 Nott, he changed to Union College, from which he 
 graduated in the class of 1839. Upon leaving col- 
 lege Mr. Blair read law two years in the office of Sweet 
 & Davis, Oswego, N. Y., and was admitted to practice 
 in 1 84 1, and the same year moved to Michigan, locat- 
 
 ing in Jackson. During a temporary residence in 
 Eaton Rapids, in 1842, he was elected Clerk of Eaton 
 County. At the close of the official term he returned to 
 Jackson, and as a Whig, zealously espoused the cause 
 of Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844. He was chosen 
 Representative to the Legislature in 1845, at which 
 session, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he 
 rendered valuable service in the revision of the gen- 
 eral statutes ; also made an able support in favor of 
 abolishing tlie color distinction in relation to the elec- 
 tive franchise, and at the same session was active in 
 securing the abolition of capital punishment. Li 1848 
 Mr. Blair refused longer to affiliate with the Whig 
 party, because of its refusial to endorse in convention 
 any anti-slavery sentiment. He joined the Free-soil 
 movement, and was a delegate to their convention 
 which nominated Van Buren for President that year. 
 Upon the birth of the Republican party at Jackson, 
 in 1S54, by the coalition of the Whig and Free-soil 
 elements, Mr. Blair was in full sympathy with the 
 movement, and acted as a member of the Committee 
 on Platform. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
 of Jackson County in 1852 ; was chosen State Senator 
 two years later, taking his seat with the incoming Re- 
 publican administration of 1855, and holding the 
 lX)sition of parliamentary leader in the Senate. He 
 was a delegate to the National Convention which 
 nominated Abraham Lincoln in i860. Mr. Blair 
 was elected Governor of Michigan in i860, and re- 
 elected in 1862, faithfully and honorably discharging 
 the arduous duties of the office during that most mo- 
 
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 AUSTIN BLAIR. 
 
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 mentous and stormy period of the Nation's life. Gov. 
 (jg; Blair possessed a clear comprehension of the perilous 
 "*• situation from the inception of the Rebellion, and his 
 ' inaugural address foreshadowed the prompt executive 
 ^ policy and the administrative ability which charac- 
 terized his gubernatorial career. 
 
 Never perhaps in the history of a nation has a 
 brighter example been laid down, or a greater sacri- 
 fice been made, than that which distinguished Mich- 
 igan during the civil war. All, from the " War Gov- 
 ernor," down to the poorest citizen of the State, were 
 animated with a patriotic ardor at once magnificiently 
 sublime and wisely directed. 
 
 Very early in i86i tiie coming struggle cast its 
 shadow over the Nation. Governor Blair, in his mes- 
 sage to the Legislature in January of that year, dwelt 
 very forcibly upon the sad prospects of civil war; and 
 as forcibly pledged the State to support the principles 
 ^*- of the Republic. After a review of the conditions 
 of the State, he passed on to a consideration of the 
 relations between the free and slave Stales of the 
 '^\' Republic, saying: " While we are citizens of the State 
 S of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her in- 
 ) terests and honor, we have a still prouder title. We 
 are also citizeas of the United States of America. By 
 this title we are known among the nations of the earth. 
 In remote quarters of the globe, where the names of 
 the Stales are unkno\m, the flag of the great Republic, 
 the banner of the stars and stripes, honor and protect 
 her citizens. In whatever concerns the honor, the 
 prosperity and the perpetuity of this great Govern- 
 ment, we are deeply interested. The people of Mich- 
 igan are loyal to that Government — faithful to its con- 
 stitution and its laws. Under it they have had peace 
 and prosperity ; and under it they mean to abide to 
 -^ the end. Feeling a just pride in the glorious history 
 of the past, they will not renounce the equally glo- 
 rious hopes of the future. But they will rally around 
 the standards of the Nation and defend its integrity 
 and its constitution, with fidelity." The final para- 
 graph being : 
 " I recommend you at an early day to make niani- 
 
 
 Js»- 
 
 -^^^^^^^ 
 
 fest to the gentlemen who represent this State in the 
 two Houses of Congress, and to the country, that 
 Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution, and 
 the laws and will defend them to the uttermost; and 
 to proffer to the President of the United States, the 
 whole military ^wwer of the State for that purpose. 
 Oh, for the firm, steady hand of a Washington, or a 
 Jackson, to guide the ship of State in this perilous 
 storm ! Let us hope that we will find him on the 4th 
 of March. Meantime, let us abide in the faith of our 
 fathers — 'Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, 
 now and forever. 
 
 How this stirring appeal was responded to by the 
 people of Michigan will be seen by the statement 
 that the State furnished 88, i ii men during the war. 
 Money, men, clothing and food were freely and abun- 
 dantly supplied by this State during all these years of 
 darkness and blood shed. No Stale won a brighter 
 record for her devotion to our country than the Pen- 
 insula State, and to Gov. Blair, more than to any 
 other individual is due the credit for its untiring zeal 
 and labors in the Nation's behalf, and for the heroism 
 manifested in its defense. 
 
 Gov. Blair was elected Representative to the 
 Fortieth Congress, and twice re-elected, to the Forty- 
 first and Forty-second Congress, from the Third Dis- 
 trict of Michigan. . While a member of that body he 
 was a strong supporter of reconstruction measures, 
 and sternly opposed every form of repudiation. His 
 speech upon the national finances, delivered on the 
 floor of the House March 21, 1868, was a clear and 
 convincing argument. Since his retirement from Cori- 
 gress, Mr. Hlair has been busily occupied with his e.\- 
 tensive law practice. Mr. Blair married Sarah L. 
 Ford, of Seneca County N. Y., in February, 1849. 
 Their family consists of 4 sons — George H., a law 
 partner of A. J. Gould ; Charles A., a law partner with 
 hir father, and Fred. J. and Austin T. Blair, at home. 
 Governor Blair's religion is of the broad type, and 
 centers in the "Golden Rule." In 1883, Gov. Blair 
 was nominated for Justice of the Su]irenie Court 
 of the State by the Republican party, but was defeated. 
 
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CO VERNORS OP MICHIQAM. 
 
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 HENRY^ H. CRAF0 
 
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 ^ ENRY ROWLAND CRAPO, 
 P (Governor of Michigan from 
 ^.j 1S65 to 1S69, was born May 
 ){ 24, 1804, at Dartmouth, Bris- 
 , tol Co., Mass., and died at 
 "^ Flint, Mich., July 22, 1S69. 
 He was the eldest son of Jesse 
 and Phoebe (Howland) Crapo. 
 His father was of French descent 
 and was very poor, sustaining his 
 family by the cultivation of a farm in 
 Dartmouth township, which yielded 
 nothing beyond a mere livelihood. 
 His early life was consequently one 
 of toil and devoid of advantages for 
 intellectual culture, but his desire for 
 an education seemed to know no bounds. The in- 
 cessant toil for a mere subsistence upon a compara- 
 tively sterile farm, had no charm for him ; and, longing 
 for greater usefulness and better things, he looked for 
 them in an education. His struggles to secure this 
 end necessitated sacrifices and hardships that would 
 have discouraged any but the most courageous and 
 persevering. He became an ardent student and 
 worker from his boyhood, though the means of carry- 
 ing on his studies were exceedingly limited. Me 
 sorely felt the need of a dictionary; and, neither having 
 1^ money wherewith to purchase it, nor being able to 
 procure one in his neighborhood, he set out to compile 
 one for himself In order to acquire a knowledge of 
 the English language, he copied into a book every 
 word whose meaning he did not comprehend, and 
 upon meeting the same word again in the newspapers 
 and books, which came into his hands, from the 
 
 context, would then record the definition. Whenever 
 unable otherwise to obtain the signification of a word 
 in which he had become interested he would walk 
 from Dartmouth to New Bedford for that purpose 
 alone, and after referring to the books at the library 
 and satisfynig himself thoroughly as to its definition, 
 would walk back, a distance of about seven miles, 
 the same night. This was no unusual circumstance. 
 Under such difficulties and in this manner he com- 
 piled (juite an extensive dictionary in manuscript 
 which is believed to be still in existence. 
 
 Ever in pursuit of knowledge, he obtained posses- 
 sion of a book upon surveying, and applying himself 
 diligently to its study became- familiar with this art, 
 which he soon had an opportunity to practice. The 
 services of a land surveyor were wanted, and he was 
 called upon, but had no compass and no money with 
 which to purchase one. A compass, however, he 
 must and would have, and going to a blacksmith shop 
 near at hand, upon the forge, with such tools as he 
 could find in the shop, while the smith was at dinner, 
 he constructed the compass and commenced life as a 
 surveyor. Still continuing his studies, he fitted him- 
 self for teaching, and took charge of the village school 
 at Dartmoutli. When, in the course of time and un- 
 der the pressure of law, a high school was to be 
 opened, he passed a successful examination for its 
 principalship and received the appointment. To do 
 this was no small task. The law reipiired a rigid 
 examination in various subjects, which necessitated 
 days and nights of study. One evening, after con- 
 cluding his day's labor of teaching, he traveled on foot 
 to New Bedford, some seven or eight miles, called 
 upon the preceptor of Friend's Academy and passed 
 
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g8»- 
 
 HENRY ROWLAND CRAPO. 
 
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 a severe examination. Receiving a certificate that 
 he was qualified, he walked back to his home the 
 same night, highly elated in being possessed of the 
 acquirements and requirements of a master of the 
 high school. 
 
 In 1832, at the age of 28 years, he left his native 
 town and went to reside at New Bedford, where he 
 followed the occupation of land survejor, and oc- 
 casionally acted as an auctioneer. Soon after becom- 
 ing a citizen of this place, he was elected Town Clerk, 
 Treasurer, and Collector of ta.xes, which office he held 
 until the municipal government was changed, — about 
 fifteen years, — when, upon the inauguration of the city 
 government, he was elected Treasurer and Collector 
 of taxes, a position which he held two or three years. 
 He was also Justice of the Peace for many years. 
 He was elected Alderman of New Bedford ; was 
 Chairman of Council Committee on Education, and 
 as such prepared a report upon which was based the 
 order for the establishment of the free Public Library 
 of New Bedford. On its organization, Mr. Crapo was 
 chosen a member of the Board of Trustees. This 
 was the first free public library in Massachusetts, if 
 not in the world. The Boston Free Library was es- 
 tablislied, however, soon afterwards. While a resident 
 in New Bedford, he was much interested in horticul- 
 ture, and to obtain the land necessary for carrying out 
 his ideas he drained and reclaimed several acres of 
 rocky and swampy land adjoining his garden. Here 
 he started a nursery, which he filled with almost every 
 description of fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, 
 flowers, etc. In this he was very successful and took 
 great pride. He was a regular contributorto the New 
 England Horticultural Journal, a position he filled 
 as long as he lived in Massachusetts. As an indica- 
 tion of the wide rejjutation he actiuired in that field 
 of labor, it may be mentioned that after his death an 
 affecting eulogy to his memory was pronounced by the 
 President of the National Horticultural Society at its 
 meeting in Philadelphia, in 1869. During his resi- 
 dence in New Bedford, Mr. Crapo was also engaged 
 in the whaling i)usiness. A fine barque built at Dart- 
 mouth, of which he was part owner, was named the 
 "H. H. Crapo" in compliment to him. 
 
 Mr. C. also took part in the State Militia, and for 
 several years held a commission as Colonel of one of 
 the regiments. He was President of the Bristol 
 County Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and Secretary' of 
 the Bedford Commercial Insurance Company in New 
 Bedford; and while an officer of the municipal gov- 
 ernment hecompiled and published, between the years 
 1836 and 1845, five numbers of the New Bedford 
 Directory, the first work of the kind ever ])ublished 
 there. 
 
 Mr. C. removed to Michigan in 1856, having been 
 induced to do so by investments made principally in 
 pine lands, first in 1837 and subsequently in 1856. 
 He took up his residence in the city of Flint, and en- 
 
 gaged largely in the manufacture and sale of lumber 
 at Flint, Fentonville, Holly and Detroit, becoming 
 one of the largest and most successful business men 
 of the State. He was mainly instrumental in the 
 construction of the Flint & Holly R. R., and was 
 President of that corporation iiniil its consolidation 
 with the Flint & Pere Marquette R. R. Company. 
 He was elected Mayor of that city after he had been 
 a resident of the place only five cr six years. In 
 1862 he was elected State Senator. In the fall of 
 1864 he received the nomination on the Republican 
 ticket for Governor of the State, and was elected by a 
 large majority. He was re-elected in 1866, holding 
 the office two terms, and retiring in January, i86g, 
 having given the greatest satisfaction to all parties. 
 
 While serving his last term he was attacked with a 
 disease which terminated his life within one year 
 afterwards. During much of this time he was an in- 
 tense sufferer, yet often while in great pain gave his 
 attention to public matters. A few weeks previous 
 to his death a successful surgical operation was per- 
 formed which seemed rapidly to restore him, but he 
 overestimated his strength, and by too much exertion 
 in business matters and State affairs suflfered a relajjse 
 from wliich there was no rebound, and he died July 
 33, 1869. 
 
 In the early part of his life. Gov. Crapo affiliated 
 with the Whig party in politics, but became an active 
 member of the Republican party after its organization. 
 He was a member of the Christian (sometimes called 
 the Disciples') Church, and took great interest in its 
 welfare and prosperity. 
 
 Mr. C. married, June 9, 1825, Mary A. Slocum, 
 of Dartmouth. His marriage took place soon after 
 he had attained his majority, and before his struggles 
 with fortune had been rewarded with any great meas- 
 ure of success. But his wife was a woman of great 
 strength of character and possessed of courage, hope- 
 fulness and devotion, qualities which sustained and 
 encouraged her husband in the various pursuits of 
 his early years. For several years after his marriage 
 he was engaged in teaching school, his wife living 
 with her jjarents at the time, at whose home his two 
 older children were born. While thus situated he 
 was accustomed to walk home on Saturday to see 
 his family, returning on Sunday in order to be ready 
 for school Monday morning. As the walk for a good 
 part of the time was 20 miles each way, it is evident 
 that at that period of his life no common obstacles 
 deterred him from performing what he regarded 
 as a duty. His wife was none the less consci- 
 entious in her spliere, and with added responsibilities 
 and increasing reciuiremenis she labored faithfully 
 in the jierfo'-mance of all her duties. They had 
 ten children, one son and nine daughters. His son, 
 Hon, A\'m. W. Crapo, of New Bedford, is now an 
 honored Representative to Congress from the First 
 Congressional District of Massachusetts. 
 
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 GO VRRNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 ENRY P. BALDWIN, Gov- 
 ernor of Michigan froni Jan. 
 4, 1869, to Jan. I, 1873, is a 
 lineal descendant of Nathan- 
 » iel Baldwin, a Puritan, of Buck- 
 inghamshire, England, who set- 
 tled at Milford, Conn., in 1639. 
 His father was John Baldwin, 
 a graduate of Dartmouth Col- 
 lege. He died at North Provi- 
 dence, R. I., in 1826. His 
 paternal grandfather was Rev. 
 Moses Baldwin, a graduate of 
 Princeton College, in 1757, and the 
 first who received collegiate hon- 
 ors at that ancient and honored institution. He died 
 ^) at Parma, Mass., in 1813, where for more than 50 
 years he had been pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 
 On his mother's side Governor B. is descended from 
 Robert Williams, also a Puritan, who settled in Rox- 
 bury, Mass., about 1638. His mother was a daughter 
 of Rev. Nehemiah Williams, a graduate of Harvard 
 College, who died at Brimfield, Mass., in 1796, where 
 for 21 years he was pastor of the Congregationalist 
 Church. The subject of this sketch was born at 
 Coventry, R. I., Feb. 22, 1814. He received a New 
 England common-school education until the age of 
 12 years, when, both his parents having died, he be- 
 came a clerk in a mercantile establishment. He re- 
 mained there, employing his leisure hours in study, 
 ^\ until 20 years of age. 
 ' At this early period Mr. B. engaged in business on 
 
 his own account. He made a visit to the West, in 
 1837, which resulted in his removal to Detroit in the 
 spring of 1838. Here he established a mercantile 
 house which has been successfully conducted until 
 the present time. Although he successfully conducted 
 
 «!* 
 
 ii 
 
 a large business, he has ever taken a deep interest in 
 all things affecting the prosperity of the city and 
 State of his adoption. He was for several years a 
 Director and President of the Detroit Young Men's 
 Society, an institution with a large library designed 
 for the benefit of young men and citizens generally. 
 An Episcopalian in religious belief, he has been 
 prominent in home matters connected with that de- 
 nomination. The large and flourishing parish of St. 
 John, Detroit, originated with Governor Baldwin, who 
 gave the lot on which the parish edifice stands, and 
 also contributed the larger share of the cost of their 
 erection. Governor B. was one of the foremost in 
 the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, and has 
 always been a liberal contributor to moral and relig- 
 ious enterprises whether connected with his own 
 Church or not. There have been, in fact, but few 
 public and social improvements of Detroit during the 
 past 40 years with which Governor B.'s name is not 
 in sonTe way connected. He was a director in the 
 Michigan State Bank until the expiration of its char- 
 ter, and has been President of the Second National 
 Bank since its organization. 
 
 In i860, Mr. Baldwin was elected to the State 
 Senate, of Michigan ; during the years of i86i-'2 he 
 was made Chairman of the Finance Committee, a 
 member of Committee on Banks and Incorporations, 
 Chairman of the Select Joint Committee of the two 
 Houses for the investigation of the Treasury Depart- 
 ment and the official acts of the Treasurer, and of 
 the letting of the contract for the improvement of 
 Sault St. Marie Ship Canal. He was first elected 
 Governor in 1868 and was re-elected in 1870, serving 
 from i86g to 1872, inclusive. It is no undeserved 
 eulogy to say that Governor B.'s happy faculty of es- 
 timating the necessary means loan end — the knowing 
 of how much effort or attention to bestow upon the 
 thing in hand, has been the secret of tlie uniform 
 
 
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HENRY P. BALDWIN. 
 
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 success that has attended his efforts in all relations 
 of life. The same industry and accuracy that dis- 
 tinguished him prior to this term as Clovcrnor was 
 manifest in liis career as the chief magistrate of the 
 State, and while his inllnence appears in all tilings 
 with which he has had to do, it is more noticeable in 
 the most prominent position to which he was called. 
 With rare exce[)tions the important comnicnilations 
 of (Governor li. receiveil the sanction of the Legislat- 
 ure. During his administration marked improve- 
 ments were made in thecharital)le, jienal and reforma- 
 tory institutions of the State. The State I'uhlic .Sclu)ol 
 for dependent children was founded and a permanent 
 connnission for the supervision of the several Slate 
 institutions. 'I"he initiatory steps toward building the 
 Eastern Asylum for the Insane, the State House of 
 Correction, and the establishment of the State Board 
 of Health were recommendcil by Ciovernor \\. in his 
 message of 1873. The new State C'apitol also owes 
 its origen to him. The appropriation for its erection 
 was made upon his recommendation, and the contract 
 for, the entire work let under this administration. 
 CiOvernor 15. also appointed the commissioners under 
 whose faithful supervision the building was erected in 
 a manner most satisfactory to the people of the State. 
 He advised and earnestly \irged at difTerent times 
 such amendments of the constitution as would i>er- 
 mit a more equitable compensation \o .State oftieers 
 anil judges. 'I'helaw of 1 86g, and prior also, [icrmitting 
 munici[)alities to vote aid toward the construc- 
 tion of r.iilroatls was, in 1870, declared unconstitu- 
 tional by the Su|)reme Court. . Many of the munici- 
 ])alities having in the meantime issued and sold their 
 bomls in good faith, Ciovernor B. felt that tlie honor 
 and credit uf the State were in jeopardy. His sense 
 of justice impelled him to call an extra session of the 
 Legislature to propose the submission to the peoiile a 
 constitutional amendment, authorizing the payment 
 of such bonds as were already in the hands of hona- 
 fide holders. In his special message he says : "The 
 credit of no State stands higher than that of Michigan, 
 and the people can not afford, and I trust will not 
 consent, to have her good name tarnished by the repu- 
 diation of either legal or moral obligations." A spe- 
 cial session was called in March, 1S72, principally for 
 the division of the State into congressional districts. 
 A number of other important suggestions were made, 
 however, ard as an evidence of the Governors la- 
 borious and thoughtful care for the financial condition 
 
 
 of the State, a series of tables was prepared and sub- 
 mitted by him showing, in detail, estimates of receipts, 
 exiienditures and appropriations for the years 1872 to 
 1 878, inclusive. Memorable of Governor B.'s admin- 
 istration were the devastating fires which swept over 
 many portions of the Northwest in the fall of 1871. 
 \ large part of the city of Chicago having been re- 
 duced to ashes. Governor B. promptly issued a jiroc- 
 lamation calling upon the people of Michigan for 
 liberal aid in behalf of the afflicted city. Scarcely had 
 this been issued when several counties in his State 
 were laid waste by the same destroying element. 
 .\ second call was made asking assistance for the suf- 
 fering people of Michigan. The contributions for 
 these objects were prompt and most liberal, more than 
 $700,000 having been received in money and supplies 
 for the relief of Michigan alone. So ample were 
 these contributions during the short period of about 
 ,5 months, that the Governor issued a proclamation 
 expressing in behalf of the people of the State grate- 
 ful acknowldgment, and announcing that further 
 aid was unnecessary. 
 
 Governor B. has traveled extensively in his own «=" 
 country and has also made several visits to Europe v^» 
 and other [wrtions of the Old World. He was a ])as- ^ 
 senger on the Steamer Arill, which was captured and \/ 
 bonded in the Carribean Sea, in December, 1862, by *■ 
 Ca|it. Semnies, and wrote a full and interesting ac- ( 
 count of the transaction. The following estimate of 
 Governor B. on his retirement from office, by a leading 
 newspaper, is not overdrawn: "The retiring message 
 of Governor B., will be read with interest. It is 
 a characteristic document and possesses the lucid 
 statement, strong, and clear practical sense, which 
 have been marked features of all preceding documents 
 Iroin the same source. Governor B. retired to private 
 lite after four years of unusually successful adminis- 
 tration amid plaudits that are universal thiougho\it the 
 State. For many years eminent and capable men 
 have filled the executive chair of this State, but in 
 painstaking vigilance, in stern good sense, in genuine 
 public spirit, in thorough integrity and in practical 
 capacity, Henry 1'. Baldwin has shown himself to be 
 the peer of any or all of them. The State has been un- 
 usually prosperous during his two terms, and the -State 
 administration has fully kept pace with the needs of 
 the times. The retiring Ciovemor has fully earned 
 the public gratitude and confidence which he to-day 
 [xissesses to such reinarkal>le degree." 
 
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GO vb:rnors of Michigan. 
 
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 OHN JUDSON BAGLEY, 
 Governor of Michigan from 
 1 87 3 to 1877, was born in 
 Medina, Orleans Co., N. Y., 
 July 24, 1832. His father, John 
 Bagley, was a native of New 
 Hampshire, his mother, Mary M. 
 Bagley, of Connecticut. He at- 
 tended the district school of Lock- 
 « port, N. Y., until he was eight years 
 old, at which time his father moved 
 to Constantine, Mich., and he at- 
 tended the common schools of that 
 village. His early experience was 
 like that of many country boys whose 
 parents removed from Eastern States 
 to the newer portion of the West. 
 His father being in very poor circuni- 
 1 stances, Mr. B. was obliged to work 
 as soon as he was able to do so. 
 Leaving school when 13 years of age 
 he entered a country store in Constan- 
 sij^ tine as clerk. His father then re- 
 VjS moved toOwosso, Mich.,andhe again 
 j engaged as clerk in a store. From 
 early youth Mr. B. was extravagantly fond of reading 
 and devoted every leisure moment to the perusal of 
 such books, papers and periodicals as came within 
 his reach. In 1847, he removed to Detroit, where he 
 secured employment in a tobacco manufactory and 
 remained in this position for about five years. 
 
 In 1853, he began business for himself in the man- 
 ufacturing of tobacco. His establishment has become 
 
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 one of the largest of the kind in the West. Mr. B. 
 has also been greatly interested in other manufactur- 
 ing enterprises, as well as in mining, banking and in- 
 surance corporations. He was President of the 
 Detroit Safe Company for several years. He was one 
 of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insur- ^ 
 ance Company of Detroit, and was its President from .^'S. 
 1867 to 1872. He was a director of the Amer- 1= 
 ican National Bank for many years, and a stock- ^^>, 
 holder and director in various other corporations. == 
 Mr. B. was a member of the Board of Education two ^ 
 years, and of the Detroit Common Council the same ^ 
 length of time. In 1S65 he was appointed by Gover- ( y 
 nor Crapo one of the first commissioners of the 
 Metropolitian police force of the city of Detroit, serv- 
 ing six years. In November, 1872, he was elected 
 Governor of Michigan, and two years later was re- 
 elected to the same office, retiring in January, 1877. 
 He was an active worker in the Republican party, and 
 for many years was Chairman of the Republican 
 State Central committee. , 
 
 Governor Bagley was quite liberal in his religious 
 views and was an attendant of the Unitarian Church. 
 He aimed to be able to hear and consider any new 
 thought, from whatever sourceitmay come, but was not 
 l)ound by any religious creed or formula. He held 
 in respect all religious opinions, believing that noone 
 can be injured by a firm adherence to a faith or de- 
 nomination. He was married at Dubuque, Iowa, Jan. 
 16, 1855, to Frances E. Newberry, daughter of Rev. ^^ 
 Samuel Newberry, a pioneer missionary of Michigan, ^ 
 who took an active part in the early educational mat- ^ 
 ters of the State and in the establishment of its ex- "/ 
 cellent system of education. It was principally^j^i-|. 
 
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JOHN J. BAGLEY. 
 
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 through his exertions that the State University was 
 founded. Mr. B.'s family consists of seven children. 
 
 As Governor his administration was charac- 
 terized by several important features, chief among 
 which were his efforts to improve and make popular 
 the educational agencies of the State by increasing 
 the faculty of the University for more thorough in- 
 struction in technical studies,by strengthening the hold 
 of the Agricultural College upon the public good will 
 and making the general change which has manifested 
 itself in many scattered primary districts. Among 
 others were an almost complete revolution in the 
 management of the penal and charitable institutions 
 of the State; the passage of the liquor-tax law, taking 
 the place of the dead letter of prohibition; the estab- 
 lishing of the system of dealing with juvenile offend- 
 ers through county agents, which has proved of great 
 good in turning the young back from crime and plac- 
 ing the State in the attitude of a moral agent ; in se- 
 curing for the militia the first time in the history of 
 Michigan a systematized organization upon a service- 
 able footing. It was upon the suggestion of Gov. B. 
 in the earlier part of his administration that the law 
 creating the State Board of Health, and also the law 
 creating a fish commission in the inland waters of the 
 State, were passed, both of which have proved of great 
 benefit to the State. The successful representation 
 of Michigan at the Centennial Exhibition is also an 
 honorable part of the record of Gov. B.'s adminis- 
 tration. 
 
 As Governor, he felt that he represented the State 
 — not in a narrow, egotistical way, but in the same 
 sense that a faithful, trusted, confidential agent rep- 
 resents his employer, and as the Executive of the 
 State he was her " attorney in fact." And his intelli- 
 gent, thoughtful care will long continue the pride of 
 the people he so much loved. He was ambitious — 
 ambitious for place and power, as every noble mind 
 is amljitious, because these give opportunity. How- 
 ever strong the mind and powerful the will, if there 
 be no ambition, life is a failure. He was not blind to 
 the fact that the more we have the more is required 
 of us. He accepted it in its fullest meaning. He 
 had great hopes for his State and his country. He had 
 his ideas of what they should be. With a heart as 
 broad as humanity itself; with an intelligent, able and 
 cultured brain, the will and the power to do, he 
 asked his fellow citizen to give him the opportunity to 
 labor for them. Self entered not into the calculation. 
 
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 His whole life was a battle for others ; and he entered 
 the conflict eagerly and hopefully. 
 
 His State papers were models of compact, busi- 
 ness-like statements, bold, original, and brimful of 
 practical suggestions, and his administrations will long 
 be considered as among the ablest in this or any 
 other State. 
 
 His noble, generous nature made his innumerable 
 benefactions a source of continuous pleasure. Liter- 
 ally, to him it was " more blessed to give than to 
 receive." 
 
 His greatest enjoyment was in witnessing the com- 
 fort and happiness of others. Not a tithe of his char- 
 ities were known to his most intimate friends, or even 
 to his family. Many 9, needy one has been the recipi- 
 ent of aid at an opportune moment, who never knew 
 the hand that gave. 
 
 At one time a friend had witnessed his ready re- 
 sponse to some charitable request, and said to him : 
 "Governor, you give away a large sum of money ; about 
 how much does your charities amount to in a year?" 
 He turned at once and said: "I do not know, sir; I 
 do not allow myself to know. I hope I gave more 
 this year than I did last, and hope I shall give more 
 next year than I have this." This expressed his idea 
 of charity, that the giving should at all times be free 
 and spontaneous. 
 
 During his Icasure hours from early life, and espe- 
 cially during the last few years, he devoted much time 
 to Ijecoming acquainted with the best authors. Biog- 
 raphy was his delight; the last he read was the "Life 
 and Work of John Adams," in ten volumes. 
 
 In all questions of business or public affairs he 
 seemed to have the power of getting at the kernel of 
 the nut in the least possible time. In reading he 
 would spend scarcely more time with a volume than 
 most persons would devote to a chapter. After what 
 seemed a cursory glance, he would have all of value 
 the book contained. Rarely do we see a business 
 man so familiar with the best English authors. He 
 was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and 
 liis elegant home was a study and a pleasure 
 to his many friends, who always found there a 
 hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend 
 days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Christmas 
 eve he gathered h\6 children about him and, taking 
 the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story, 
 closing the entertainment with "The Night Before 
 Chrisimas," or Dickens's " Christmas Carol." 
 
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 GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 ^a CH-ARLES" M. 
 
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 HARLES M. CROSWELL, 
 Governor of Michigan from 
 Jan. 3, 1877 to Jan. i, 1881, 
 was bom at Newburg, Orange 
 County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1825. 
 He is the only son of John and 
 Sallie (Hicks) Croswell. His 
 father, who was of Scotch-Irish 
 extraction, was a paper-maker, 
 and carried on business in New 
 York City. His ancestors on 
 his mother's side were of Knicker- 
 bocker descent. The Croswell 
 family may be found connected 
 with prominent events, in New York 
 and Connecticut, in the early exis- 
 tence of the Republic. Harry Cros- 
 well, during the administration of 
 ] President Jefferson, published a pa- 
 per called the Balance, and was 
 prosecuted for libeling the President 
 under the obnoxious Sedition Law. 
 He was defended by the celebrated 
 Alexander Hamilton, and the decis- 
 ion of the case establised the important ruling that 
 the truth might be shown in cases of libel. Another 
 member of the family was Edwin Croswell, the fam- 
 ous editor of the Albany Argus ; also, Rev. William 
 Croswell, noted as a divine and poet. 
 
 When Charles M. Croswell was seven years of age, 
 his father was accidentally drowned in the Hudson 
 River, at Newburg ; and, within three months preced- 
 ing that event, his mother and only sister had died, — 
 thus leaving him the sole surviving member of the 
 family, without fortune or means. Upon the death 
 
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 of his father he went to live with an uncle, who, in 
 1837; emigrated with him to Adrain, Michigan. At 
 sixteen years of age, he commenced to learn the car- 
 penter's trade, and worked at it very diligently for 
 four years, maintaining himself, and devoting his spare 
 time to reading and the acquirement of knowledge. 
 In 1846, he began the study of law, and was ap- 
 pointed Deputy Clerk of Lenawee County. The du- 
 ties of this office he performed four years, when he 
 was elected Register of Deeds, and was re-elected 
 in 1S52. In 1854, hetook part in the first movements 
 for the formation of the Republican party, and was a 
 member and Secretary of the convetion held at Jack- 
 son in that year, which put in the field the first Re- 
 publican State ticket in Michigan. In 1855, he 
 fomied a law partnership with the present Chief- Jus- 
 tice Cooley, which continued until the removal of 
 Judge Cooley to Ann Arbor. 
 
 In 1862, Mr. Croswell was appointed City Attorney 
 of Adrian. He was also elected Mayor of the city 
 in the spring of the same year; and in the fall was 
 chosen to represent Lenawee County in the State 
 Senate. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1864, 
 and again in 1866, during each term filling the jx)si- 
 tions above mentioned. Among various rejxjrts made 
 by him, one adverse to the re-establishment of the 
 death penalty, and another against a proposition to 
 pay the salaries of State officers and judges in coin, 
 which then commanded a very large ])remium, may 
 be mentioned. He also drafted the act ratifying the 
 Thirteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution, 
 for the abolishment of slavery, it being the first 
 amendment to the instrument ratified by Michigan. 
 In 1863, from his seat in the State Senate, he de- 
 livered an elaborate speech in favor of the Proclama- 
 
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 62 
 
 CHARLES M. CRO SWELL. 
 
 mi. 
 
 J 
 
 (O 
 
 '^ 
 
 \) tion of Emancipation issued by President Lincoln, 
 
 ^["^ and of his general policy in the prosecution of the 
 
 .'il war. This, at the request of his Republican associ- 
 
 '( ates, was afterwards published. In 1867, he was 
 
 elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
 
 and chosen its presiding officer. This convention 
 
 was composed of an able body of men ; and though, 
 
 in the general distrust of constitutional changes 
 
 which for some years had been taking possession of 
 
 /the people, their labors were not accepted by the pop- 
 
 ^ular vote, it was always conceded that the constitu- 
 
 i^tion they proposed had been prepared with great care 
 
 and skill. 
 
 In 1868, Mr. Croswell was chosen an Elector on 
 the Republican Presidential ticket; in 1872, was 
 elected a Representative to the State Legislature 
 from Lenawee County, and was chosen Speaker of 
 the House of Representatives. At the close of the 
 /5s session of that body his abilities as a parliamentarian, 
 '^ and the fairness of his rulings were freely and form- 
 '• >; ally acknowledged by his associates ; and he was pre- 
 ila sented with a superb collection of their portraits 
 Sy handsomely framed. He was, also, for several years. 
 Secretary of the State Board for the general supervis- 
 ion of the charitable and penal institutions of Michi- 
 gan ; in which position, his propositions for the amel- 
 ioration of the condition of the unfortunate, and the 
 reformation of the criminal classes, signalize the be- 
 nevolence of his nature, and the practical character 
 of his mind. 
 ^ In 1876, the general voice of the Republicans of 
 p the State indicted Mr. Croswell as their choice for 
 ] Governor; and, at the State Convention of the party 
 in August of the same year, he was put in nomination 
 by acclamation, without the formality of a ballot. At 
 the election in November following, he was chosen to 
 ^ the high position for wliich he had been nominated, 
 ^ by a very large majority over all opposing candidates. 
 't' His inaugural message was received with general 
 4j favor; and his career as Governor was marked with 
 '>■ the same qualities of head and heart that have ever 
 l^ distinguished him, both as a citizen and statesman. 
 
 Governor Groswell has always prepared his ad- 
 dresses with care ; and, as his diction is terse, clear, 
 and strong, without excess of ornament, and his de- 
 livery impressive, he is a popular speaker; and many 
 of his speeches have attracted favorable comment in 
 the public prints, and have a permanent value. He 
 has always manifested a deep interest in educational 
 matters, and was for years a member and Secretary of 
 tlie Board of Education of Adrain. At the formal 
 opening of the Central School building in that city, 
 on the 24th day of April, i86g, he gave, in a public 
 address, an " Historical Sketch of the Adrian Public 
 Schools." 
 
 In his private life. Governor Croswell has been as 
 exemplary as in his public career he has been suc- 
 cessful and useful. In February, 1852, he was mar- 
 ried to a daughter of Morton Eddy, Lucy M. Eddy, 
 a lady of many amiable and sunny qualities. She 
 suddenly died, March 19, 1868, leaving two daugh- 
 ters and a son. Governor Croswell is not a member 
 of any religious body, but generally attends the Pres- 
 byterian Church. He pursues the profession of law, 
 but of late has been occupied mainly in the care of his 
 own interests, and the quiet duties of advice in 
 business difficulties, for which lus unfailing pru- 
 dence and sound judgment eminently fit him. Gov- 
 ernor Croswell is truly popular, not only with those of 
 like political faith with himself, but with those who 
 differ from him in this regard. 
 
 During Gov. Croswell's administration the public 
 debt was greatly reduced ; a policy adopted requiring 
 the State institutions to keep within the limit of ap- 
 propriations; laws enacted to provide more effectually 
 for the punishment of corruption and bribrery in elec- 
 tions; the State House of Correction at Ionia and the 
 Eastern Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac were opened, 
 and the new capital at Lansing was completed and 
 occupied. The first act of his second term was to pre- 
 side at the dedication of this building The great riot 
 at Jackson occured during his administration, and it 
 was only bv his promptness that great distruction of 
 l)oth life and property was prevented at that time. 
 
 
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GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN. 
 
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 DAVID H. JEROME, Gover- 
 Kaiior of from Jan. i, i88i, to 
 Jan. I, 1883, was born at De- 
 troit, Mich., Nov. 17, 1829. 
 His parents emigrated to 
 Michigan . from Trumansburg, 
 Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1S28, 
 locating at Detroit. His father 
 died March 30, 183 r, leaving 
 nine children. He had been 
 twice married, and four of the 
 children living at the time of his 
 death were grown up sons, the off- 
 spring of his first union. Of the 
 five children by his second marriage, David H. was 
 the youngest. Shortly after Mr. Jerome's death, his 
 widow moved back to New York and settled in 
 Onondaga County near Syracuse, where they remained 
 'until the fall of 1834, the four sons by the first wife 
 continuing their residence in Michigan. In the fall 
 ^of 1834, Mrs. Jerome came once more to Michigan, 
 locating on a farm in St. Clair County. Here the 
 Governor formed those habits of industry and ster- 
 ling integrity that have been so characteristic of the 
 man in the active duties of life. He was sent to the 
 district school, and in the acquisition of the funda- 
 (oVnental branches of learning he displayed a precocity 
 and an application which won for him the admiration 
 ti (*)f his teachers, and always placed him at the head 
 fl>of his classes. In the meantime he did chores on 
 
 the farm, and was always ready with a cheerful heart 
 nd willing hand to assist his widowed mother. The 
 eavy labor of the farm was carried on by his two 
 
 older brothers, Timothy and George, and when 13 
 years of age David received his mother's permission to 
 attend school at the St. Clair Academy. While attend- 
 ing there he lived with Marcus H. Miles, now de- 
 ceased, doing chores for his board, and the following 
 winter performed the same service for James Ogden, 
 also deceased. The next summer Mrs. Jerome 
 moved into the village of St. Clair, for the purpose of 
 continuing her son in school. While attending said 
 academy, one of his associate students was Sena- 
 tor Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, a rival candidate 
 before the gubernatorial convention in 1880. He 
 completed his education in the fall of his i6th year, 
 and the following winter assisted his brother Timothy 
 m hauling logs in the pine woods. The next summer 
 he rafted logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac. 
 
 In iS47,M. H. Miles being Clerk in St. Clair Coun- 
 ty, and Volney A. Ripley Register of Deeds, David 
 H. Jerome was appointed Deputy to each, remaining 
 as such during i848-'4g, and receiving much praise 
 from his employers and the people in general for the 
 ability displayed in the discharge of his duties. He 
 spent his summer vacation at clerical work on board 
 the lake vessels. 
 
 In 1 849- '50, he abandoned office work, and for the 
 proper development of his physical system spent 
 several months hauling logs. In the spring of 1850, 
 his brother "Tiff" and himself chartered the steamer 
 "Chautauqua," and "Young Dave" became her mas- 
 ter. A portion of the season the boat was engaged 
 in the passenger and freight traffic between Port 
 Huron and Detroit, but during the latter part was 
 used as a tow boat. At that time there was a serious 
 obstruction to navigation, known as the "St. Clair 
 Flats," between Lakes Huron and Erie, over which 
 
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 DA VI D H. JEROME. 
 
 \i vessels could carry onlyabout 10,000 bushels of grain. 
 Mr. Jerome conceived the idea of towing vessels 
 from one lake to the other, and put his plan into 
 operation. Through the influence of practical men, — 
 (2; among them the subject of this sketch, — Congress 
 removed the obstruction above referred to, and now 
 vessels can pass them laden with 60,000 or 80,000 
 bushels of grain. 
 
 During the season, the two brothers succeeded 
 in making a neat little sum of money by the sum- 
 mer's work, but subsequently lost it all on a contract 
 to raise the "Gen. Scott," a vessel that had sunk in 
 Lake St. Clair. David H. came out free from debt, 
 but possessed of hardly a dollar of capital. In the 
 spring of 185 i, he was clerk and acting master of the 
 steamers "Franklin Moore" and "Ruby," plying be- 
 tween Detroit and Port Huron and Goderich. The 
 following year lie was clerk of the propeller "Prince- 
 ) ton," running between Detroit and Buffalo. 
 
 In January, 1853, Mr. Jerome went to California, 
 <^ by way of the Isthmus, and enjoyed e.xtraordinary 
 ° success in selling goods in a new place of his selec- 
 ^<JA tion, among the mountains near Marysville He re- 
 = mained there during the summer, and located the 
 ■■^J Live Yankee Tunnel Mine, which has since yielded 
 
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 millions to its owners, and is still a paying investment 
 He planned and put a tunnel 600 feet into the mine, 
 but when the water supply began to fail with the dry 
 season, sold out his interest. He left in the fall of 
 1853, and in December sailed from San Francisco for 
 New York, arriving at his home in St. Clair County, 
 about a year after his departure. During his absence 
 his brother "Tiff" had located at Saginaw, and in 
 1854 Mr, Jerome joined him in his lumber operations 
 in the valley. In 1855 the brothers bought Hlack- 
 mer & Eaton's hardware and general supply stores, 
 at Saginaw, and David H. assumed the management 
 of the business. From 1855 to 1873 he was also ex- 
 tensively engaged in lumbering operations. 
 
 Soon after locating at Saginaw he was nominated 
 for Alderman against Stewart B. Williams, a rising 
 young man, of strong Democratic principles. The 
 ward was largely Democratic, but Mr. Jerome was 
 elected by a handsome majority. When the Repub- 
 lican party was born at Jackson, Mich., David H. 
 Jerome was, though not a delegate to the convention, 
 one of its "charter members.'' In 1862, he was com- 
 missioned by Gov. Austin Blair to raise one of the 
 
 six regiments apportioned to the State of Michigan. 
 Mr. Jerome immediately went to work and held 
 meetings at various points. The zeal and enthusiasm 
 displayed by this advocate of the Union awakened a 
 feeling of patriotic interest in the breasts of many 
 brave men, and in a short space of time the 23d 
 Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Infantry was placed 
 in tlic field, and subsequently gained for itself a bril- 
 liant record. 
 
 In the fall of 1862, Mr. Jerome was nominated by 
 the Republican party for State Senator from the 26th 
 district, Ai)pleton Stevens, of Bay City, being his op- 
 ponent. The contest was very exciting, and resulted 
 in the triumphant election of Mr. Jerome. He was 
 twice renominated and elected both times by in- 
 creased majorities, defeating George Lord, of Bay 
 City, and Dr. Cheseman, of Gratiot County. On tak- 
 ing his seat in the Senate, he was appointed Chair- 
 man of the Committee on State Affairs, and was ac- 
 tive in raising means and troops to carry on the war. 
 He held the same position during his three tenns of 
 service, and introduced the bill creating the Soldiers' 
 Home at Harper Hospital, Detroit. 
 
 He was selected by Gov. Crapo as a military aid, 
 and in 1865 was appointed a member of the State 
 Military Board, and served as its President for eight 
 consecutive years. In 1873, he was appointed by 
 (^lov. Bagley a member of the convention to prepare 
 a new State Constitution, and was Chairman of the 
 Committee on Finance. 
 
 In 1875, Mr. Jerome was appointed a member of 
 the Board of Indian Commissioners. In 1 87 6 he was 
 Chairman of a commission to visit Chief Joseph, the 
 Nez Perce Indian, to arrange an amicable settlement 
 of all existing difficulties. The commission went to 
 Portland, Oregon, thence to the Blue Hills, in Idaho, 
 a distance of 600 miles up the Columbia River. 
 
 At the Republican State Convention, convened at 
 Jackson in August, 1880, Mr. Jerome was placed in 
 the field for nomination, and on the 5th day of the 
 month received the highest honor the convention 
 could confer on any one. His opponent was Freder- 
 ick M. Holloway, of Hillsdale County, who was sup- 
 ported by the Democratic and Greenback parties. 
 The State was thoroughly canvassed by both parties, 
 and when the polls were closed on the evening of 
 election day, it was found that David H. Jerome had 
 been selected by the voters of the Wolverine State to 
 occupy the highest position within their gift. 
 
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 ^ Bolles, of that State, was an offi- 
 cer in the American army during 
 the war of the Revolution. About 
 the beginning of the present cent- 
 ury both his grandparents, having 
 become dissatisfied with the insti- 
 tution of slavery, although slave- 
 holders themselves, emigrated to 
 Livingston County, N. Y., then 
 a new country, taking with them a 
 number of their former slaves, who 
 volunteered to accompany them. 
 His father was an officer in the 
 American army, and served during 
 the war of iSiz. 
 Mr. B. received his early education in a log school- 
 house, and subseipiently attended the Temple Hill 
 Academy, at Geneseo, N. Y. Being the eldest of a 
 family of ten children, whose parents were in moder- 
 ate though comfortable circumstances, he was early 
 taught habits of industry, and when 21 years of age, 
 being ambitious to better his condition in life, he re- 
 solved to seek his fortune in the far West, as it was 
 
 then called. In August, 1836, he left the parental 
 roof to seek a home in the Territorv of Michigan 
 then an almost unbroken wilderness. He settled in 
 Genesee County, and aided with his own hands in 
 building some of the early residences in what is now 
 known as the city of Flint. There were but four or 
 five houses where this flourishing city now stands 
 when he selected it as his home. 
 
 In the spring of 1839 he married Miss Harriet A. 
 Miles. The marriage proved a most fortunate one, 
 and to the faithful wife of his youth, who lives to en- 
 joy with him the comforts of an honestly earned com- 
 petence, Mr. Begole ascribes largely his success in 
 life. Immediately after his marriage he commenced 
 work on an unimproved farm, where, by his perse- 
 verance and energy, he soon established a good home, 
 and at the end of eighteen years was the owner of a 
 well improved farm of five hundred acres. 
 
 Mr. Begole being an anti-slaverj' man, became a 
 member of the Republican party at its organizafion. 
 He served his townsmen in various offices, and was 
 in 1856, elected County Treasurer, which office he 
 held for eight years. 
 
 At the breaking out of the Rebellion he did not 
 carry a musket to the front, but his many friends will 
 bear witness that he took an active part in recruiting 
 and furnishing supplies for the army, and in looking 
 after the interests of soldiers' families at home. The 
 death of his eldest son near Atlanta, Ga., by a Confed- 
 rate bullet, in 1864, was the greatest sorrow of his life. 
 When a few years later he was a member in Congress 
 
 
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 JOSIAH W. BEGOLE. 
 
 Gov. Begole voted and worked for the soldiers' 
 bounty equalization bill, an act doing justice to the 
 soldier who bore the burden and heat of the day, and 
 who should fare equally with him who came in at the 
 eleventh hour. That bill was defeated in the House 
 on account of the large appropriation that would be 
 required to pay the same. 
 
 In 1870, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclama- 
 tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a 
 large majority. In that body he served on the Com- 
 mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman 
 of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and 
 Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- 
 spirited view of the importance of a new capitol 
 building worthy of the State, and was an active mem- 
 ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the 
 same. He was a delegate to the National Republi- 
 can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and 
 was the chosen member of" that delegation to go to 
 Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator 
 Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that 
 convention that, by the express wish of his many 
 friends, he was induced to offer himself a can- 
 didate for the nomination of member to tlie 43d Con- 
 gress, in which he was successful, afterconipetingfor 
 the nomination with several of the most worthy, able 
 and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- 
 trict, and was elected by a very large majority. In 
 Congress, he was a member of the Committee on 
 Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of 
 the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active 
 part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was ap- 
 pointed by that committee to draft the most impor- 
 tant report made by that committee, and upon the 
 only subject recommended by the President in his 
 message, which he did and the report was printed in 
 records of Congress ; he took an efficient though an 
 unobtrusive part in all its proceedings. 
 
 He voted for the currency bill, remonetization of 
 silver, and other financial measures, many of which, 
 though defeated then, have since become the settled 
 policy of the country. Owing to the position which 
 Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a 
 "Greenbacker." 
 
 In the Gubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole 
 was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- 
 ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269, 
 the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome, 
 
 receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering 
 upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit 
 that has already won him many friends, and bids fair 
 to make his administration both successful and pop- 
 ular. 
 
 The very best indications of what a man is, is what 
 his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- 
 lowing extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Re- 
 publican paper m Gov. Begole 's own county, and it, 
 too, written during the heat of a political campaign, 
 which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- 
 ling worth : 
 
 " So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the 
 ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to 
 his character that can be alleged against him. He 
 has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for 
 sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his pur- 
 pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He 
 is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit- 
 terest political enemies. He has a warm, generous 
 nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in 
 the bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much 
 given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif- 
 icant of a man's character than words. There are 
 many scores of men in all parts of the State where 
 Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical 
 demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to 
 step outside of party lines to show that they do not 
 forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he 
 was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a 
 forlorn hope. But the Republican party in T^Iichigan 
 is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- 
 crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so 
 good a man as Mr. Begole." 
 
 This sketch would be imperfect without referring 
 to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity 
 that in i88r overtook the people of Northeastern 
 Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties 
 by fire and destroying the results and accumulations 
 of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. 
 While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were 
 quarrehng over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole 
 wrote to an agent in the "[burnt district" a letter, from 
 which we make an extract of but a single sentence : 
 " Until the differences between the two committees 
 are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies 
 from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while I 
 have money." This displays his true character. 
 
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 HE value of history lies, in a 
 great degree, in the biogra- 
 phy of the personages con- 
 cerned therein. The annals 
 of the settlers delineate the 
 pioneer period, while those 
 of the later residents exhibit 
 the progress of the coiintiy and the 
 status of the present generation, 
 Huron County gives a vivid illus- 
 tration of these statements; but its 
 wonderful pioneer era laps upon 
 its present period in a manner so 
 gradual that there is really no dis- 
 tinctive line of demarcation. Many 
 of those whose efforts gave the 
 country its earliest impetus may 
 still be seen upon its thoroughfares; many of the 
 characters in the day of its first things are still on 
 the stage, and watch with keen-eyed alertness the 
 manipulations, successes and reverses of the present 
 day, still jealous for the reputation of the county and 
 eagerly solicitous for her substantial and permanent 
 progress. 
 
 The compilers of these records strive to establish 
 their claim for biographical integrity, preparing the 
 matter from the stand-point of no man's prejudice. 
 The full scope of the personal record here is to 
 \s« demonstrate the exact relation of every individual 
 
 represented to the generations of the past and of the 
 present. 
 
 Succeeding ages sweep away the debris of human 
 errors and perpetuate the real greatness of a com- 
 munity. Character stands out statues([ue, and events 
 cluster about individuals, forming the grandest and 
 truest historical structure of which any age is capable. 
 Only biography can fitly represent the foundation, 
 progress and ultimatum of local history, and portray 
 with perfect justice the precise attitude and relation 
 of men to events and conditions. 
 
 Huron County is justly proud of her pioneer record, 
 and, so far as possible, the publishers have endeav- 
 ored to honor the representatives of that period as 
 well as tliose of to-day. Labor and suffering, under- 
 gone in the light of hope and the earnestness of 
 honest effort and toil, established this county in per- 
 manent prosperity, and is rounding up a period of 
 glorious completeness. Her villages are creditable, 
 her agricultural community is composed of the best 
 classes, and her professional men are of marked in- 
 tegrity. 
 
 In collecting the following sketches the purpose 
 has been to collect the main points of personal 
 record, through which the enterprise of decades to 
 follow may complete a perfect and continuous his- 
 torical outline from the earliest settlement of the 
 county to the present time. 
 
 
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 EREMIAH JENKS is one 
 
 j^ ul the pioneer settlers on the 
 " Htiron coast lying along the 
 eastern side of the " thinub of 
 - . v-r , ' vs the mitten," and his name is 
 f----- *5 ,{■/ synonymous with all the biisi- 
 A^^SD»»^,-y ne>s resources of the portion of 
 ^ Michigan where lie has been a 
 
 resident since 1854. He is, in 
 |l the fullest sense, one of the most 
 \ l)rominent among the several in- 
 dividuals who have been inter- 
 ested in the developments of the 
 resources of Sanilac and Huron 
 Counties, and is the .founder of 
 several of the most exteiisive busi- 
 ness interests of this part of the 
 Peninsular State. He is a man 
 who recognizes an opportunity, and 
 possesses the requisite acumen 
 and shrewdness, both in degree 
 and quality, to mold it to either 
 general or individual advantage. 
 He is a leader in the business his- 
 tory of Michigan, and his name is inseparably con- 
 nected with the develoi)ment of the lumber, salt, 
 milling, commercial and agricultural interests of this 
 section of the State, and he is also a prominent 
 factor in the transportation service of the lakes. 
 
 The present business connection of Mr. Jenks is 
 
 styled "J. Jenks & Co.," of which he is the senior 
 member. The firm is distinctively engaged in the 
 manufacture of salt and flour at Sand Beach, and in 
 gener.il mercantile operations. 
 
 Mr. Jenks was i)orn Dec. 13, i8io, at Newport, 
 Sulhvan Co., N, H. His parents, Jeremiah W. and 
 Hester (Lane) Jenks, were also natives ot the "Old 
 Oraiiiie State," and were born in the same town — 
 Newport— wheie they readied mature life, married, 
 and where their children were born. They belonged 
 to 'he sturdy, substantial stock of Mew Kngland, and 
 decendcd from ancestors prominent i.i lliiilt, energy 
 and integrity, which traits have n ade possible the 
 splendid development of the West. 
 
 The father ol .\li. Jenk^ was born Ju ic r 1, 17.S0; 
 the mother, Jan. 2, i7;'4 Tlie is^ue of their nMiii..ge 
 was ri cliiidreii, of uhoju seven are dece.ised. The 
 family removed in 1814 to liridpoit, .Vddisoii Co., 
 Vt., a town on the east shore of Lake Cham|)lain, 
 whence, after a short residence, they went to Crown 
 Point, Essex Co., N. Y., a point almost directly 
 opposite across the lake. The father died there Aug. 
 12, 1852; the demise of the mother occurred at the 
 same place Oct. 24, 1850. 
 
 Mr. Jenks is the eldest of the four surviving chil- 
 dren, and is the fifth in order of birth. Two brothers 
 and a sister reside in St. Clair Co., Mich. Lucy A. 
 (Jenks) is the widow of Simon Beckwith ; Bela W. 
 (see sketch of B. W. Jenks) and Robert H. are farmers 
 and lumbermen. 
 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 In 1854, two years subsequent to the death of his 
 father, Mr. Jenks came to St. Clair, Mich., where he 
 remained eight months, removing thence to Lexing- 
 ton, Sanilac County. He assumed the proprietor- 
 ship and management of the hotel then known as 
 the " Lexington Exchange," which he conducted 
 five years. Subsequently, he was interested in the 
 construction of the " Cadillac House," of which he 
 was the manager five years. During that period 
 he invested heavily in lumbering, in which he fore- 
 saw large developments. He purchased a saw-mill 
 and 500 acres of timber land, five miles north of 
 Lexington, and entered vigorously into the manu- 
 facture of lumber products. 
 
 In 1864, associated with J. L. Woods and George 
 W. Pack, under the style of Pack, Jenks & Co., 
 he purchased a saw- mill located at Allen's Creek, 
 two and a half miles south of the present village 
 of Sand Beach. The structure was built on the 
 site of the first saw-mill thai was erected on the 
 eastern shore of "the thumb" on Lake Huron. It 
 was operated by water. Its successor was of en- 
 larged size and was run by steam power. The 
 new management gave the mill a thorough remodel- 
 ing and refitting, putting in all modern appliances 
 and improvements. The firm became the owners of 
 15,000 acres of valuable pine lands, adjacent to 
 the mill in Huron County, from which, during the 1 1 
 years that followed, they produced 50,000,000 feet 
 of pine lumber. They owned also a steam barge 
 and scow, which they operated to their full capacity 
 in the transportation of their lumber to Cleveland, 
 Ohio. Their business required also the employment 
 of other vessels on the lakes, their own facilities 
 being inadequate. 
 
 Tne firm was dissolved Jan. i, 1876. Mr. Jenks 
 continued to press his own local business interests, 
 and became the proprietor by purchase of a third 
 interest in the lands owned by Carrington, Pack 
 & Co., of Sand Beach, and within the same year 
 — 1876 became tlie owner of the entire interest. 
 It included 18,000 acres of land and the Dow 
 House (then the Sand Beach House) at Sand Beach, 
 besides an old store building, erected by the former 
 proprietors in 1864. The hotel property has been 
 greatly improved and is now under the management 
 of Samuel East. 
 
 On the dissolution of the firm witli wliich he was 
 
 originally connected Jan. i, 1876, Mr. Jenks di- 
 vided his estate and business equally with his son, 
 George W. Jenks, and formed a new company, 
 which included two nephews — James M. and Bela 
 W. Jenks (see sketches) — ^and put in active opera- 
 tion an extensive business at Sand Beach. They 
 built a large flouring mill, initiated extensive salt 
 works, and established mercantile relations on a 
 large scale. In 1880 the flouring mill was destroyed 
 by fire with a loss of $7,000 above insurance. The 
 establishment was rebuilt without delay, and is one 
 of the finest mills in the State, having also a large 
 elevator. The producing capacity of the mill is 
 230 barrels of flour daily. It contains ti sets of 
 rollers, and is equipped with patent purifiers of the 
 best manufacture, smutters and other modern im- 
 provements of the most aporoved character. The 
 brands of flour manufactured by Messrs. Jenks & 
 Co. are well and widely known and deservedly 
 popular, including the "Lilly," "Silver Sheaf," 
 "Jenks' Fancy Patent," "Hungarian Process," and 
 others. 
 
 Their salt works were originally constructed with 
 immense pans, in which the work of evaporation was 
 carried on by means of fire; but in 1883 the entire 
 salt block was reconstructed and extensive improve- 
 ments made. The evaporating is now done by 
 steam, and the rate of production averages 150 
 barrels of salt each day. 
 
 In the winter of 1883-4 the firm erected a large 
 building for the purpose of manufacturing the finer 
 grades of dairy salt, which they prepare for market in 
 packages of all sizes to meet the demands of the 
 trade, — in sacks containing two, three, five, ten, 
 twenty-eight, fifty-six and two hundred and forty 
 pounds. 
 
 The general mercantile operations of Messrs. 
 Jenks & Co. were transacted in the building where 
 originally established until 1882, inwhicli year they 
 erected a large brick block, 50x102 feet in dimen- 
 sions, two stories in height with a fine basement. 
 Tlie first story is divided into two departments, in 
 order to carry on the business with system, one 
 division being devoted to the sale of dry goods, 
 clothing, boots, shoes, notions, etc., and the second 
 department stocked with fancy and staple groceries, 
 crockery, and other lines of merchandise suited to 
 the local trade and common to such establishments. 
 
 
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 The old store building is used as a hardware store, 
 where an assortment of hardware is constantly on 
 hand, including iron, steel, shelf-ware, stoves, build- 
 ing materials and farming implements, besides com- 
 prising all the merchandise indispensable to a regular 
 ship-chandlers' business. 
 
 The pier of Jenks & Co. in the " Harbor of 
 Refuge " at Sind Beach, is one of the finest docks 
 un the lake, and was begun in 1873. At the onset 
 of its construction, the Government contractor sup- 
 plied some assistance, and the owners have added to 
 it yearly until it is in its present very complete con- 
 dition. 
 
 The real-estate operations of the rinn include the 
 sale of 13,000 acres to actual settlers, and in the 
 transaction of this branch of their business they have 
 conducted it with reference to the permanent im- 
 provement of the county, and have divested them- 
 selves wholly of the odium of the speculative 
 fraternity, that has materially retarded the progress of 
 tills jwrtion of Michigan. They still own several 
 thousand acres of land, and are the proprietors of one 
 of the finest sample farms in Michigan. It is located 
 south of the village of Sand Beach on Allen's Creek, 
 and contains 400 acres. The agricultural operations, 
 as carried on, demonstrate the adaptation of the soil 
 and climate to the profitable prosecution of farming 
 as a business pursuit. The live-stock operations of 
 the owners are of a stamp which promise great 
 future advantage to that interest in Huron County. 
 Short-horned cattle are a specialty, the herds con- 
 taining about 15 registered tiioroughlireds, and a 
 large number of fine grades. Abiiut 100 head of 
 cattle are kept in stock. 
 
 The gentlemen composing tlie firm of J. Jenks & 
 Co. are men of persistent energy, and are thoroughly 
 alive to the fact that only in the principle of "living 
 and letting live " can any business enterprise have a 
 permanent basis, and they have won a general feeling 
 ol" confidence by their public spirit and disinterested 
 furtherance of the general interests of the community 
 of whicli they are members. Their investments have 
 been of immense advantage to the citizens of Huron 
 County in developing its resources in every direction, 
 and in affording avenues of employment to large 
 numbers of the class whose efforts are the bulwarks 
 of all national and sectional prosperity. 
 
 Mr. Jenks, of this sketch, has been married twice. 
 
 The first marriage occurred in 1S37, at Crown Point, 
 N. Y., when Miss Relief Huestis became his wife. 
 She was born Sept. 4, 181 1, in Coventry. Vermont, and 
 was the daughter of Daniel Huestis. She died Jan. 
 18, 1873, at Sand Beach, and left a son and a daugh- 
 ter, both of whom still survive her. Ceorge W., in 
 business with his father, was born May 9, 1838, at 
 Crown Point, N. Y. Mary E., wife of Charles S. 
 Nims, was born at Crown Point, Sept. 25, 1846. Mr. 
 Nims is also interested in the business of the firm. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Jenks to Mrs. Amanda Jenks, 
 widow of his brother, Benjamin L. Jenks, occurred at 
 St. Clair, in 1S74. The issue of the first marriage of 
 Mrs. Jenks comprised five cliildren, born as follows : 
 James M , July 14, 1850; Robert H., July 26, 1854; 
 Jeremiah VV., Sept. 2, 1856; Hester P., Dec. 12, 
 1858; and Martin L., July 15, i86i. The eldest 
 was i)orn at Crown Point, is a resident of Sand Beach, 
 and is a member of the firm of J. Jenks & Co. Robert 
 H. was born at Crown Point, N. Y., and is in the 
 lumber business at Cleveland, Ohio. Jeremiah VV. 
 and Hester P. were born in St. C'lair. Mich., and are 
 both at present in Germany completing their educa- 
 tion. The youngest, Martin L.,is in the employment 
 of the firm as shipping clerk, at Sand Beach. 
 
 The residence of Mr. Jenks is situated on the 
 northwest corner of Huron and State Streets, and is 
 a fine brick structure erected on an acre of ground 
 purchased by the proprietor in 1877, and which has 
 been converted into an imposing lawn. 
 
 Mr. Jenks has been active in the social, political 
 and religious affairs of tiie place where he resides 
 since the commencement of his career as a business 
 man and citizen of the county. He became an ad- 
 herent of the ]irinciples of Christianity in early life 
 and connected himself with the Baptist Church at 
 Crown Point, N. Y. He established similar relations 
 with that denomination at Sand Beach, and has been 
 active in its interests. 
 
 In the fall of 1874 he was nominated liy the Re- 
 publicans of the 22d district at the Senatorial Con- 
 vention, and elected Senator by a large majority. He 
 served his constituency in a manner that reflecied 
 the utmost credit upon his character and prored the 
 wisdom of their choice. He was Chairman of the 
 Committee on the State Public School, and was a 
 member of the Committe on Banks. In 1876 he was 
 alternate Presidential Elector. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 It is with pleasure we present the portrait of Mr. 
 Jenks in this work. In his hkeness many will recog- 
 nize one of the pioneers of the county, and one whose 
 interest has been in common with her citizens. They 
 will also recognize in his genial, open and frank 
 countenance the personification of pluck and deter- 
 mination, and of a man whose accomplishments have 
 been the outcome of honest, straight-forward, energetic 
 action. 
 
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 sharles Gilbert, farmer, resident on section 
 ^^^ 8, Meade Township, has lived in the State 
 
 of Michigan from boyhood, and in Huron 
 County since he settled in the township of 
 Meade, in the fall of 1859. He was born in 
 Norway, Oct. 11, 1837. His parents, William and 
 Catherine (Anderson) Gilbert, were also natives of 
 Norway, where they married and settled and lived 
 until the death of Mr. G., the father. After that 
 event the mother came with her children to the 
 United States and settled at Pontiac, Oakland Co., 
 Mich., in 1853, where she died in November, 1854. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert was 15 years old when the family lo- 
 cated at Pontiac. He is the sixth of seven children 
 born to his parents, and secured a fair education in 
 his native country. He remained in Pontiac about 
 18 months and proceeded thence to Port Huron. He 
 resided there until the date of his coming to Meade 
 Township. He bought 80 acres of Government land, 
 for which he paid $40. The tract was in a wholly 
 wild state and he settled in the "brush," built a log 
 house and began the work of clearing and improving 
 his place. He has prospered in his efforts and has 
 exhibited his inherited traits of energy and thrift to 
 good purpose. He is now the owner of i 20 acres of 
 land and has i)laced the major portion under excel- 
 lent cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert is a Re[niblican of the efficient type. 
 He has held the office of Supervisor of Meade Town- 
 ship four consecutive years, and has officiated as 
 Justice of the Peace the same length of time. He 
 was Treasurer from 1871 to 1877 and has discharged 
 the duties of the different school offices. 
 
 The spirit in which Mr. Gilbert adopted this coun- 
 
 try as his own, with all that citizenship involved, was 
 conclusively proven by his enrollment in the service 
 of the Union during the civil war. He enlisted 
 Aug. 15, 1862, in the 23d Mich. Inf., and was in 
 active service until the close of the conflict. He ob- 
 tained an honorable discharge June 28, 1865, at 
 Detroit. Among the engagements in which he was 
 an active participant were Perryville, Ky., London, 
 Campbell Station, and at the siege of Knoxville, 
 Tenn., and he went with Sherman toward the sea as 
 far as Atlanta. He was also involved in numerous 
 minor skirmishes. On receiving his discharge he re- 
 turned to his farm in Huron County. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Gilbert to Anne C. Petersen 
 occurred in Meade Townshii), Oct. 24, 1861. Nine 
 children have been born to them, — Charles A., 
 George J., Mary R., Emma M., Anne M., Bertie .\., 
 Emma A., Henry C. and William. Emma M. died 
 July 22, 1877. 
 
 Mrs. Gilbert was born March 1 1, 1833, in Norway. 
 She is the daughter of Christopher and Caroline 
 Petersen and accompanied her parents to .\merica in 
 the fall of 1855. 
 
 ohn M. Gary, Clerk of Huron County, and 
 
 '';" a resident of Bad Axo, was born Aug. 28, 
 
 ' 1842, on Mt. Desert Island, Maine. His 
 
 father, Rev. Calvin L. Cary, was a minister of 
 
 the Baptist Church aiul was in active labor in 
 
 the interests of that denomination about 50 
 
 years. He died in Bradford, Penobscot Co., Me., in 
 
 1883, at the age of 87 years. The mother, Ursula 
 
 (Forbes) Cary, died in Bradford, in 1873. 
 
 Mr. Cary went to Bangor, Me., when he was about 
 1 8 years old, and learned the drug business, which 
 was his chief interest for 15 years. In the fall 
 of 1874 he came to Saginaw, Mich., and engaged 
 with the lumber firm of Whitney, Rennick & Gulli- 
 ver. In the spring of 1875, he came to Bad Axe to 
 assume the management of their saw-mill, which he 
 conducted 18 months. .4t the expiration of that 
 time he opened a drug store at Bad Axe, which 
 he continued to operate until the spring of 1S81, 
 when he sold out in order to be at liberty to devote 
 
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 himself to tlie duties of his official charge. In the 
 fall of 1880, he was nominated and elected on the 
 Republican ticket, by a majority of about 600 votes. 
 He received a re-election in the fall of 1882, secur- 
 ing the position by a majority of 153 votes. 
 
 Mr. Gary is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
 and is the owner of a residence and three-fourths of 
 an acre of land, besides a store building occupied 
 by John Balientine. His first residence at Bad Axe 
 was one of the finest abodes in that village, but it 
 was destroyed by the fire of 1881, with all its con- 
 tents. The loss was about $3,500 above insurance. 
 
 He was married in Bradford, Me., May ir, 1872, 
 to Alvina Scribner, wlio was born May 16, 1844, in 
 Charleston, Me., and is the daughter of Mark and 
 Dolly .Scrilu-.er. The 1 iiildren of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Cary are three in number. Lulu was liorn in~ 
 Charleston, Me., Oct. 11, 1873. Charles C.'was 
 born in Bad Axe Feb. 29, 1876. An infant yet 
 unnamed was born in the latter place March 11, 
 1884. 
 
 • illiana T. Bope, attorney, member of the 
 
 j^,.^ .aw firm o! Chipman & Bope, at Bad Axe, 
 
 J^^^ was born Jan. 8, 1853, in Lapeer City, 
 3> Mich. He is the son of Philemon and 
 
 Ellen (Sloss) Bope. His mother died in 
 March, 1862, when he was but nine years old, 
 and in April, 1865, he was fully orphaned by the de- 
 mise of his father. When he was three years old 
 he went to Orland, Steuben Co., Ind., with his 
 maternal uncle, Thomas B. Sloss, with whom he re- 
 mained four years. He returned to his parents in 
 i860, continued in their care until the period of his 
 orphanage, when he again liecame the charge of his 
 uncle, wjio discharged the duty of a parent toward 
 him. He attended the graded school at Orland, 
 finislied the complete course of study and was grad- 
 uated. In 1873, he became a student of law in the 
 office af McBride & Morland, attorneys at Waterloo, 
 Ind., and read for his profession under their guid- 
 ance two years. In the fall of 1875, he entered the 
 Law Department of the University of Michigan at 
 Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1876. He 
 
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 initiated his practice by establishing an office at But- 
 ler, Ind., in partnership with John W. Baxter, a re- 
 lation which existed two years. On its termination 
 Mr. Bope went to North Manchester, Ind., where he 
 practiced one year. He came to Bad Axe in Jan- 
 uary, 1879, and established his business in company 
 with George W. Carpenter, with whom he was asso- 
 ciated one year, after which he conducted his affairs 
 alone until the formation of the present business con- 
 nection, which occurred in the spring of 1883. The 
 firm are deservedly prosperous and popular, from 
 qualifications, integrity and devotion to the interests 
 of their clients. They have been connected with 
 some of the most prominent cases in this portion o 
 Michigan, both civil and criminal. They conducte 
 the defense in the case of tire People vs. Buckley 
 assault and battery, with intent to kill, — securing 
 acquittal of Buckley. Another noted case which they 
 argued was the suit in chancery of McGaw vs. 
 McGaw, for the jjurpose of setting aside a U. S. 
 patent. Messrs. Bope & Chipman defended the 
 case successfully. Mr. Bope is a member of the 
 Odd Fellows Order, and also belongs to the Knights 
 of Maccabees. He owns his office and residence 
 and two 40-acre lots in the southern portion of the 
 village, which is platted and some lots sold. He also 
 owns about 400 acres of land in different parts of the 
 county. The business firm of which he is a member 
 are also engaged to a considerable extent in traffic in 
 real estate. 
 
 Mr. Bope was married June 15, 1882, in Butler, 
 Ind., to Binnie Plowe, daughter of John and Eliza- 
 beth Plowe. She was born in February, 1857, in 
 Wolcottville, Lagrange Co., Ind. Her parents reside 
 in Buder, DeKalli Co., Ind. 
 
 
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 f homas Scott, farmer, resident on section 23^ 
 J Verona Township, was born in Scotland, 
 * June 9, 1833. He is the son of John and 
 '^^ Jane (Dalglish) Scott, and he remained in his 
 tw native land until tlie spring of 1857, when he 
 I emigrated to the Dominion of Canada. He 
 had learned the business of a stone mason in Scot- 
 land, and during the building of the Grand Trunk 
 
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 HURON COUNTY, 
 
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 Railroad he worked on it one year. In September, 
 1859, lie came to Verona and bought 280 acres of 
 land. In the spring following, he went to Tennessee 
 and engaged in the construction of the Nashville & 
 Northwestern Railroad. The same fall he came 
 back to Verona. He at once entered upon the im- 
 provement of his farm and now has too acres under 
 cultivation. 
 
 He has suffered the experience common to the 
 citizens of this portion of Michigan in both the fires of 
 187 I and i88i,in each of which he lost all com- 
 bustible property on his place. In that of 187 1 lie 
 lost his house and barn full of farm products, together 
 with farm implements, fences, etc. The same loss, 
 but of increased value, resulted from the last fire, 
 when nearly $6,000 in property vanished in the 
 flames. He has rebuilt his house and barn, and is 
 gradually recovering his former status. He has been 
 Supervisor of Verona about 12 years. 
 
 Mr. Scott was married in Canada in r867 to Agnes, 
 daughter of Robert and Helen (Beattie) Shannon. 
 She was born in Westminster, Canada, and has be- 
 come the mother of si.x children, born in Verona 
 Township, as follows : John, Robert, William, Thomas, 
 Rlla and Walter. 
 
 -TSSo— 
 
 eorge R. Allen, farmer, section 5, Meade 
 Township, was born Dec. 27, 1841, in 
 Middlesex Co., Ont. His parents, John 
 and I.ucinda (Russell) Allen, were born re- 
 spectively in Canada and Vermont. After 
 their marriage tliey settled in Quebec, after- 
 wards removing to Middlesex County, where Mr. A. 
 died. Mrs. Allen lives in Huron County, whither 
 she removed in 1881. Their family included two 
 sons and six daughters. 
 
 Mr. George R. Allen is the second son and sixth 
 child in the aljove family. He acquired such educa- 
 tion as the Dominion offered and remained at home, 
 assisting on the home farm until he was 25 years of 
 age. He was variously engaged in his native prov- 
 ince until the summer of 1882, when he came to 
 Huron County and bought 80 acres of land in 
 Chandler Townshii). He afterwards exchanged this 
 
 property for 80 acres of land under partial improve- 
 ments in Meade Township. This has been his 
 homestead since he became its proprietor, and 60 
 acres are under the best improvements. 
 
 He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. While 
 a resident of Ontario he belonged to the class known 
 as "Reformers." 
 
 He was married Aug. ri, 1866, in Canada, to 
 Mary A., daughter of Richard and Ann (Quest) 
 Dibb. Five children have been born of this union, 
 as follows: Wallace E., Feb. 15, 1867; Minnie L., 
 May 30, 1869; Horace L., Feb. 28, 1874 (died Sept. 
 30, following); Bertram R., June 26, 1876 (died 
 March 31, 1881); Herry L., July i, 1880. Mrs. 
 Allen was born Nov. 18, 1846, in Ontario, and died 
 in Middlesex Co., Ont., July 1 i, i88o. 
 
 homas Cole, farmer, section 8, Huron Town- 
 ship, was born Jan. i, 1848, on the Isle of 
 ^?^ Man, Eng. He is the son of Charles and 
 Margaret (Gale) Cole, and the latter is living 
 in Huron Township, Erie Co., Ohio, with one 
 of ]ier twin sons. She is also a native of the 
 Isle of Man, and was born Nov. 18, 1814. The 
 fatlier was born April 12, 1815, and died Dec. 18, 
 187 I, in Huron, Erie Co., Ohio. He was a hatter by 
 trade, but passed the later years of his life in 
 farming. 
 
 Both parencs were of Danish descent, and arrived 
 on tile shores of tlie United States June 5, 1S52. 
 They proceeded to Concord Township, Lake Co., 
 Ohio, and later to Oxford, Erie Co., Ohio, where the 
 son who is the subject of this sketch grew to man- 
 hood. He was about four years of age when his 
 l)arents came to .Vmerica. He remained on his 
 father's farm until a little less than three years 
 previous to his removal to Michigan. At that time 
 he went to Margaretta Townshi}) in Erie County, 
 and rented a farm on which he resided until the fall 
 of 1879. He took |)ossession of a farm of 60 acres 
 in Huron Township on the i8th of November, on 
 whicli he now resides. In the spring of 1S83, 
 he bought 40 acres more. At the time of the fire of 
 1 88 1 lie had cleared ten acres, and had a good 
 
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 house and barn, botli of which were burned with all 
 their contents and wearing apparel, save one trunk, 
 containing business papers and valualiles. 
 
 Mr. Cole is a Republican in political faith. He 
 has been School Assessor five years, and in 1881 
 was School Superintendent. 
 
 He was married May 26, 1870, to Laura B. 
 Strong. All the children, seven in number, that 
 have been born of this union, are living. Jessie L. 
 was born April 21, 1871; Belle M., July 10, 1872; 
 Archie A., Oct. 10, 1874; Cedelia M., Feb. 24, 1S75 ; 
 John E., Oct. II, 1877; Elva R., June 25, 1879; 
 Edna G., May 24, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Cole, 
 Andrew and Cedelia (Parrish) Strong, are deceased. 
 The mother was Lorn in 1829 and died in Placer- 
 ville, Cal., in 1856. The father was born in 1824, 
 and his death occurred Dec. 4, 1870,111 Lenawee 
 Co., Mich. Mrs. Cole was born vVpril 22, 1848, 
 in Wisconsin, She and her husband belong to the 
 Methodist Episcoi)al Church. 
 
 ohn Ballentine, merchant at Bad Axe, was 
 born Aug. 8, 1841, in New Brunswick. 
 His parents, William and Ruth (McAllen) 
 
 Ballentine, were members of the agricultural 
 ]L class in that province until the son was 15 
 
 years old, when they removed to Dereham 
 Township, Oxford Co., Ont., after which he discon- 
 tinued his operations as a farm assistant, to which 
 occupation he had been reared. He spent four 
 years in the saw-mill business in Oxford County, and 
 in i860 came to Port Huron. He was similarly 
 occupied tliere until 1863, and went to Forester, 
 Sanilac County. He passed two years in a saw-mill 
 there, going thence to Rock Falls in Huron County, 
 where he engaged as a sawyer. He remained there 
 18 months, and at the end of that time he opened a 
 general store at Verona Mills, which he conducted 
 with success until the fire of 187 i, in which he lost 
 his stote, — building and contents, — suffering a loss 
 of $6,000, about one-half of which was covered by 
 insurance. 
 
 His next business venture was-in lumbering, and 
 he built a saw-mill at Verona, which he continued to 
 manage about seven years, when he added a flour- 
 ing mill. His affairs continued prosperous until the 
 
 fire of 1881, when the insatiate demon of flame 
 swept away all his accumulations and entailed a 
 loss of about $50,000 above all insurance. The fire 
 of 187 1 destroyed his [)roiierty and involved his 
 affairs to such a degree tliat, on making his settle- 
 ments and placing himself scpiare with the world, 
 he had just 50 cents in money and what he wore 
 u]ion his person when the disaster overtook liim ! 
 House and furniture were gone, and his wife had 
 only the clothing she wore. 
 
 He managed to keep afloat, and in January, 1883, 
 he came to Bad Axe and established his present 
 mercantile business, in whicli he has met with satis- 
 factory success. He has built the finest house at 
 Bad Axe, on one of the most desirable locations 
 having adjacent grounds containing two acres. He 
 owns a lot near his present place of business, where 
 he proposes to build a business block of brick during 
 the coming year, for which project his preparations 
 are considerably advanced. He owns also two 
 business lots on a prominent street and 248 acres of 
 fine farming land in the vicinity of Bad Axe. He 
 belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 His marriage to Mary M. Grice took place at 
 Rock Falls, Huron County, April 6, 1865. She 
 is the daughter of James G. and Jane (Mason) 
 Grice, and was born June 19, 1843, in Manchester, 
 England. (See sketch of J. C;. Grice.) James K. 
 and Benjamin I., the only cliildren born to Mr. and 
 Mis. Ballentine, are deceased. 
 
 We take i)leasure in presenting tiie portrait of Mr. 
 Ballentine in tliis work as a type of the representa- 
 tive and progressive citizens of the county, and of a 
 man who has exhibited singular courage and busi- 
 ness talent in rising to competency after suffering so 
 great misfortune by fire. 
 
 i^lfH ^i obert Wallace, member of the business firm 
 ■ ICT? known as the "Lake Huron Stone Com- 
 
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 C- 
 
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 ', -(^^^' pany," and resident at Grindstone City, 
 ",>^ which takes its name from the enterprise 
 e? designated, was born Feb. 22, 1S36, m Coun- 
 ty Armagii, Ireland. He came to the .Vmeri- 
 can continent when he was 15 years old, and engaged 
 in farming in Lanark Co., Ont. hi 1854 he came to 
 Huron Co., Midi., and became an assistant in the 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 business of wliich he is now one-fourth owner. He 
 operated as a laborer until 1864, wlien he succeeded 
 to the position of manager of the cpuirries, and in 
 i86<S he acceded to his proprietary interest. The 
 company own 400 acres of kind on the shore of Lake 
 Huron in Tort Austin Townshii), where tlieir quar- 
 ries are situated, and their business re(|iiires an 
 average working force of about 70 men. The 
 stone is manufactured chiefly into grindstones, a 
 considerable proportion being converted into scythe- 
 stones and building stone, for all of which purposes it 
 is of fine quality. Buildings of suitable character for 
 the manufacture of their products are located in the 
 immediate vicinity of the quarries, and they ship 
 to all portions of the United States and Canada, and 
 a considerable trade with foreign countries has been 
 established. The firm employ several traveling sales- 
 men. Mr. W. also owns a quarter interest in a quarry 
 in Marietta, Ohio, where stone is obtained for both 
 wet and dry grinding, — also large quantities of build- 
 ing and dimension stone. Besides, Mr. Wallace 
 owns 400 acres of farming land, with 80 acres under 
 cultivation. 
 
 He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and also to 
 the Protestant Association. During four years of the 
 administration of President (irant, he officiated as 
 Postmaster of Grindstone City. 
 
 He was married June 30, 1859, at Port Austin, to 
 Margaret, daughter of Patrick and Margaret Deegan. 
 She was born Nov. 14, 1844, at 'I'oronto, Canada. 
 Of their union ten children have been horn, as fol- 
 lows : William H., John E., Leonidas R., Margaret 
 J., Ann I., Samuel J., Eliza M,, EUinor E. and Frank. 
 One died in infancy. 
 
 '^pharles Clark, farmer, section 8, Rubicon 
 Township, was born March 2, 1824, in 
 dp the city of London, Eng. His parents, Charles 
 pL and Mary .Ann (Hadfield) Clark, passed their 
 entire lives in England. The former was 
 born in 1800 and died in 1854; the mother 
 was born in 1810, and died also in 1854. 
 
 Mr. Clark is their only child, and grew to man- 
 hood in his native country. Three years after the 
 
 deaths of his parents, he emigrated to this continent, 
 landing at the port of New York. He proceeded to 
 Toronto, Ont., and settled at Scarborough, 16 miles 
 from that city, where he rented a farm and was 
 a resident eight years. In the fall of 1877 he 
 came to Michigan and bought an unimproved piece 
 of land in Rubicon Township. It contained 80 
 acres, and had been "lumbered over" by its former 
 owners, Messrs. Stafford, Haywood & Jeness. The 
 entire tract is in a fine condition for the purpose of 
 agriculture, and is siqjplied with a good t"rame house 
 and barn. 
 
 Mr. Clark is a Republican in political views, and 
 has served eight years as Justice of the Peace and 
 four years as Notary Public. He is a Presbyterian 
 in religious connection. 
 
 He was married in the autumn of 1840 to Ann ^L 
 Simmons. Following is the record of the children 
 born of their union: Mary Ann, May 3, 1841; 
 Rosina Elizabeth was born March 27, 1842, and 
 died June 15, 1842 ; Charles William was born Sept. 
 24, 1844, and died March 12, 1882, his death result- 
 ing from a fall in Stafford's salt works, at Port Hope; 
 Rosina E. (second) was born April 17, 1846; Jane 
 was born April 4, 1848, and died April 2, 185 1; 
 Arthur was born April 30, 1850; Esther Jane, May 
 TO, 1852; Robert, Sept. 3, 1854; John Crossley, 
 June I, 1857, in Toronto, Ont.; James A., April 23, 
 1859; Alfred was born March 7, 1861, and died 
 May 10, following; Alice A. was born May 29, 1862, 
 in Bosanquet, Ont. The first eight children were 
 born in London, Eng., and two died there. The two 
 ne.xt named were born in Scariiorough, Ont., and 
 one died at that place. Mrs. Clark is the daughter 
 of James and Mary Ann (.Mien) Simmons, and was 
 born Nov. 2, 1825, in London, Eng. She is the 
 youngest of five children. Her parents both died in 
 that city, in 1862. She is a Baptist in religious 
 belief. 
 
 The fire of 1871 was a terrible experience to the 
 parents and four of the children who were at home. 
 From their house they watched the progress of the 
 hurrying monster as long as they daree^., but when a 
 longer delay would cut them off from a place of 
 safety, they left their dwelling and went to a field 
 filled with burning stunqis, where they found a place 
 of possible refuge, and encamped. .Ml through the 
 long hours of the most dreadful night of their lives 
 they stood constantly alert to keep the fire from 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 their garments, and expecting death from the suffo- 
 cating smoke which blinded and choked them ; and 
 in this instance, the tire running in the turf ceased 
 its encroachments within a few feet of the place 
 where the family were stationed. The smoke 
 caused dreadful suffering in their eyes. In the 
 morning they went to Port Hope, the journey thither 
 being full of a new danger, from the trees falling on 
 all sides, uprooted by the wind, which in every 
 section of the territory devastated by the fire raged 
 with relentless fury in its track. At Port Hope the 
 sufferers received the aid of which they were so 
 sorely in need. 
 
 In the fire of iS8i, Mr. Clark lost all his crops 
 that were not gathered, including corn, peas, etc., 
 besides fences, four valuable sheep, etc. 
 
 
 n*i4illiam G. Cleary. farmer and mechanic, 
 
 ^'jaaJatW^ section 34, Gore Township, was born Jan. 
 
 ^^^(-^ ' I, 1816, at Eastport, Maine. His parents, 
 
 1' John and Ann E. (Turner) Cleary, are both 
 
 deceased. The former was qo years old at 
 
 the time of his death ; the age of the latter at 
 
 the date of her decease was 72 years. 
 
 Mr. Cleary went to Brooklyn when he was 16 years 
 of age and was apprenticed for seven years to learn 
 the business of ship carpenter. He served five years. 
 His master was (Captain John Perry, better known as 
 " Commodore Perry," who afterward commanded the 
 United States squadron in the expedition to Japan. 
 As his apprenticeship was far advanced he was re- 
 lieved in order to join the marine service, which he 
 did and sailed on board the frigate "Grampus," on 
 which he was first carpenter. The cruise extended 
 through the waters of the South Atlantic, the Indian 
 Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and along the 
 coasts bordering on tiiose bodies of water. 
 
 Mr. Cleary was in the marine service eight years, 
 his draft being for seven years, and a year longer 
 being re(iuired to reach home. He landed at Boston, 
 and went thence to New York. He came with little 
 delay to Port Huron, where he found employment as 
 
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 a carpenter on the Huron House. He remained in 
 that city three years, going thence to New Orleans. 
 He spent three winters in the Crescent City, working 
 at his trade, returning to Port Huron for the inter- 
 vening summer seasons. In 1842 he went to Buffalo, 
 whence, after he had labored there some time, he 
 went to Canada and worked at Sarnia. He went 
 thence to Cherry Creek, Sanilac County, where he 
 built a steam saw-mill for Messrs. Crovvel & Gilbert. 
 He spent a winter there, and in the spring following 
 went to Elm Creek, where he took a job to convert a 
 saw-mill, which was operated by water, into a steam 
 saw-mill, in the interests of a man named Nathan 
 Chase. The work occupied about si.\ months, and 
 he went from there to Port Sanilac to build a steam 
 saw-mill for Anthony Oldfield. He engaged after- 
 wards in constructing scows and sail boats for the 
 coast service, and also in building a lumber vessel for 
 Charles Benton. He operated at that point about 
 six years, then went to Forester to engage as foreman 
 in the saw-mill of Smith it Kelley, and passed four 
 years in their saw and grist mills and work-shop. 
 
 Leaving their service he established himself 
 in building fishing boats at Big Creek, in which 
 he continued several years. He worked a year at his 
 trade at Cheboygan, on the Straits of Mackinac, 
 whence in August, 1869, he came to Port Hope and 
 entered a claim of 120 acres of unimproved land, on 
 which he settled. He entered vigorously into the 
 work of clearing and otherwise improving his i)roperty, 
 meanwhile building a shop for the construction of 
 boats. He was in pros|)erous circumstances when 
 the fire of 1871 occurred. In that terrible conflagra- 
 tion he lost his house, barns, fences, shops and tools, 
 the value of the latter alone being $1,000. The 
 aggregate loss was estimated at $2,500. In the fire 
 of 1 88 1 he lost fences and hay-stacks, but no build- 
 ings. 
 
 Mr. Cleary was married March 29, 1845, to Jane 
 Hunter, and of their union 11 children have been 
 born, three of whom are deceased. Four sons and 
 four daughters are living: Mary A., Martha J. and 
 Elizabeth are deceased. William .S., James, Margaret, 
 Sarah J., George, Henry, Ellen M. and Ann Eliza 
 are the names of those living. Mrs. Cleary was born (t 
 Jan. I r, 1825, in Beckwith, Carlton Township, Perth 
 Co., Ont. She is the daughter of James and Mary 
 (Willis) Hunter. Her father is about 80 years of age 
 
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 and is living in Gore Township. Her mother died 
 in August, 1879, at Port Sanilac, and was 74 years of 
 
 I" age. 
 Mr. Cleary is a Democrat, and has lield the several 
 school offices. He and his wife are communicants 
 in the Ei)iscopal Church. 
 
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 ■^llPili ddison Broomhower, farmer, section 34, 
 *§^J[ Sheridan Township, was born Dec. 16, 
 ll^F^ 1844, in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. His par- 
 ??|!}a' ents, Andrew and Mary (Bayley) Broomhower, 
 IiT^ were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, 
 j respectively. Mr. Broomhower remained in 
 his native State until the summer of 1S69, when he 
 ! ) came to Michigan. He at once bought 160 acres of 
 ;» wild land in Sheridan Township, where lie has since 
 ''^ resided with the e.xception of 18 months immediately 
 ° following the fire of 1S71, which he passed in Ohio. 
 ^^ His farm comprises about 60 acres cleared, improved 
 '=' and cultivated land. He belongs to the Democratic 
 ■.?]J element in iwlitics, and has held nearly every local 
 office in his township. 
 
 He was married in Ohio Dec. 20, 1864, to Alma 
 A. Stewart. They have had seven children, — Charlie, 
 Mary, Alma, Xenoplion, Alfred A., Jolm and Jane. 
 John died when he was between two and three years 
 of age. Mrs. Broomhower was born April 14, 1846, 
 in Ohio, and is the daughter of Alfred and Alma 
 Stewart. 
 
 -5 vv^^^-i^S'vw- -i- 
 
 ngus O. Henley, farmer, section 6, Sheri- 
 dan Township, was born June 13, 1849, in 
 sj>i o,- Scotland, and was in extreme infancy when 
 his parents emigrated to Canada from Scotland, 
 as they came to the .Vmerican continent within 
 the first year of his life. He is the son of 
 Don.ild and Cliristena Henley. They came to Huron 
 County in the springof 1876. 
 
 Mr. Henley is the eldest son and one of ten 
 
 children born to his parents. When he was ig years 
 of age he became a sailor, and lie spent 1 1 seasons 
 on the lakes in various capacities. He was first and 
 second mate on several of the largest and best pro- 
 jiellers on the lakes. He came to Huron (,'ounty in 
 the fall of 1875, where he bought 320 acres of land in 
 Sheridan Town ship. He still retains the townershj) 
 of 200 acres, and this tract embraces 60 acres of 
 cleared and cultivated land with good and suitable 
 farm buildings. 
 
 He is a Democrat in political principle and has 
 been Treasurer of the township two terms. 
 
 Mr. Henley was married June 29, 1880, in (Can- 
 ada, to Mary McDonald. They have three children 
 — Catherine, Alexander and Margaret. Mrs. Henley 
 was born in Canada, Oct. 8, 1858, of Scotch par- 
 entage. 
 
 
 Sitenry Getty, general superintendent of the 
 salt works of the New River Salt I'.lock 
 Company, was born in the State of New 
 York, March 20, 1835, and is the son of Robert 
 and Harriet Getty. His father was a native of 
 I the Empire State, but lived most of his life in 
 the Dominion. He was residing temporarily in New 
 York when the birth of his son Henry occurred, and, 
 the mother dying soon afterward, the family returned 
 to Canada, where the father died in 1853. 
 
 Mr. Getty was " bound out" to a cousin when he 
 was six years old, to be brouglit up a farmer. But he 
 baffled the original intention of everybody concerned, 
 by running away. He came to Lexington, Mich., and 
 engaged as a lumberman and spent a winter in that 
 emitloy. He returned to Canada in the spring, where 
 lie remained until he was 23 years old. In 1858, he 
 came back to the Huron coast, and from that date 
 until 1872 he was occupied as a lumberman winters 
 and as a saw-mill assistant summers. 
 
 On the establishment of the salt block in 1S72, he 
 assumed his present position, in which he has since 
 continued. Its capacity is a "three-pan" block, 
 only one being in operative order. It has two wells, 
 one 1,040 feet in depth, the other 1,003 feet, neither 
 of which is pumped to its full capacity, both being 
 
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 i^'rwTiff^r f';i-'-rT--v<-MV 
 

 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 capable of yielding 200 barrels daily. The owners 
 are awaiting a greater degree of activity in the salt 
 business to run their works to their full extent. The 
 proprietors are W. H. Cooper and W. Crcevy,of Port 
 Austin, and Orange Nobles, of Erie, Pa. 
 
 Mr. Getty was married Sept. 28, 1856, to Elizabeth 
 Pulling. Following is tlie record of tlieir children: 
 Hattie F., Lorn July 24, 1S58, was married (an. 6, 
 1881, to Eugene Everingham. Hertha M., born July 
 16, 1861, was married July 25, 1878, to Milo Kelley. 
 Jennie, born Sept. 12, 1S62, married .Alexander Mc 
 Fadden, Feb. 28, i88r. William H. was born .\pril 
 29. 1864; George, born ."Vug. 26, 1865, died Oct. 24, 
 
 1872; Frankie was born June 
 
 1870; Alice was 
 
 
 born Sept. 23, 1872. Mrs. (letty was born June 22, 
 1836, in Patworth. Sussex Co., Eiig., and is the 
 daughter of Richard and Fanny Gertrude (Holden) 
 Pulling. Her father was born Jan. 11, 1791, in 
 Brighton, Eng., and died .April 19, 1874. Her mother 
 was born Aug. 23, i8o6, and died May 14, 1850. 
 
 Mr. Getty owns a farm of 40 acres, which he pur- 
 chased in 1872, in a wholly wild and unimproved 
 slate. It is nearly all fitted for tillage. It is situated 
 in Dwight Township. 
 
 He is a Republican and has discharged tiie duties 
 of several school offices. 
 
 ~\ <>^£ 
 
 eremiah Ludington, Jr., a pioneer settler 
 of Huron County, resident at Verona Mills, 
 was born May 5, 1828, in Middiebury, .Ad- 
 dison Co., Vt. His parents, Jeremiah and 
 Laura (Corbit) Ludington, were natives respect- 
 ively of Vermonf^nd Connecticut. His father 
 was born June 7, iSoo, his mother in 1804. They 
 were married in Vermont and became the parents of 
 four children, three of whom are living, — William, a 
 farmer in Kent County, Mich , Philo B. a sailor and 
 farmer, living at Presqua Isle, and Mr. Ludington, 
 who is the second in order of birth. The family 
 removed to Cleveland Township, Cuyahoga Co., 
 Ohio, in 1 83 1, wliere the father engaged in farming. 
 Mr. Ludington was bred to the vocation of farmer 
 and followed that calling in the Buckeye State until 
 1850. He was married June 5, 1849, in Euclid 
 
 Township, ('uyahoga Co , Ohio, to Maria A. Tres- 
 cott. She was born in Ohio, and is the daughter of 
 Hunting Trescott. The family of Mr. Ludington 
 comprises four children — Almond -A., .Albert L., 
 Daniel H. and Willie T. 
 
 Mr. Ludington and his wife reached Sand Beach 
 May 13, 1850. The location was in its primeval, 
 natural condition, heavy timber standing as nature 
 had arranged it. He immediately entered upon the 
 manufacture of shingles, employing a considerable 
 torce ot assistants. He carried on a successful and 
 extensive business, shipping his shingles to Cleve- 
 land, Ohio. In addition to his lumbering operations 
 he conducted a general store. In 1857 he built a 
 sawmill at Center Harbor, designated by the name 
 of the i)lace, which he retained and managed until 
 Oct. 4, 1864, the date of its sale. The property 
 included 1,100 acres of fine pine lands, and three 
 miles of railroad track, laid to the pine woods from 
 the saw-mill. In December, 1864, he came to 
 Verona Mills and built a saw-mill. His first work 
 was to get out the lumber for his own house and 
 that of his brother-in-law, John Kneal. They were 
 the first frame buildings in the township. In the 
 spring following he removed his family hither, mak- 
 ing the transfer on sleighs and arriving March 24th. 
 He owned about 1,200 acres of pine land, and em- 
 ployed about 60 men and 10 teams, in the manufac- 
 ture of lumber and shingles, drawing his products 
 in winter to Sand Beach for shipment to market. 
 He has manufactured some of the best lumber in 
 Michigan, in the course of his experience as a lum- 
 ber producer. In 1869 he cut 400,000 feet of lum- 
 ber, and 100 planks averaging from 36 to 49 inches 
 in width. 'I' wo of these are yet on exhibition at the 
 lumber-yard of Woods, Perry & Co., No. 5 Carter 
 Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Each is 16 feet long, one 
 being 46 inches in width, and the other four feet and 
 one inch wide. But on the day of this writing, full 
 accounts of the terrible fire at Cleveland, in which 
 Messrs. Woods, Perry & Co. suffered to the extent 
 of $450,000, reach the public. '!'he dispatches give 
 details of the destruction of the office of the firm on 
 Carter Street, where these planks have been objects 
 of curiosity for 15 years. 
 
 Mr. Ludington |)assed his first ordeal of flame and 
 disaster June 24 and 25, 1864, at Sand Beach, when 
 his loss, in railroad track, logs, telegraph jwles and 
 farm buildings, was $10,000. His next was on Feb. 
 
 
 
 
 
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 194 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 22, 1868, when he lost $20,000. The property 
 burned included a steam saw and grist mill, grain, 
 fiot'ir, Inmber and other miscellaneous properly, 
 wlioUy uninsured. He rebuilt the saw-mill, at a cost 
 of $12,000, which he operated successfully until the 
 general conflagration of 187 i, when the loss of prop- 
 erty in this one instance was appalling. On tiie 
 night of Oct. 9, the saw-mill, lumber valued at 
 $7,000, an inestimable quantity of standing pine 
 timber, 26 valuable buildings (including six resi- 
 dences) and other property vanished in flame and 
 smoke. The value of property that could be esti- 
 mated reached a figure of about $35,000, all without 
 insurance. He sold soon afterward a considerable 
 amount of property to Ballentine & Puddick, includ- 
 ing two and a half million feet of pine lumber. 
 
 He then devoted his energies to agriculture and 
 commercial affairs. He erected a store for the pur- 
 pose of founding a mercantile enterprise, continuing 
 its management from 1875 to 1879, when he gave it 
 to his son Daniel. In the year last named he built 
 a large hotel, 32 x 52 feet in extent, with addition 32 
 X 42 feet in dimensions, and having a large hall on 
 the second floor. The wing is two stories in height, 
 the main building being a half story higher. He 
 rented the hotel until May 4, 1SS2, when he took 
 personal charge of its affairs. In the Cire of 18S1 
 Mr. Ludington was again a heavy loser, saving no 
 personal effects excepting one trunk with its con- 
 tents, a sewing-machine, and the hotel property. 
 He lost two fine barns, valued at $4,000. He owns 
 65 acres of land connected with the hotel in Verona, 
 and also about 600 acres, variously located in the 
 county. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 Mr. Ludington is insei)arably associated with the 
 municipal history of the part of Huron County 
 where he has lived for more than 34 years, and 
 w'hich he has been largely instrumental in opening 
 to business and progress. I Ic has been active in 
 local ofificial life, having served several years as 
 Treasurer of his township, besides in most other 
 offices in town and county. 
 
 In the fall of 1874 he was nominated on the Re- 
 publican ticket to re|)resent his district in the Legis- 
 lature of Michigan, scoring a triumph of 239 votes 
 majority. He served an additional term, to vvhicli 
 he w.Ts elected in the fall of 1879, his majority being 
 about the same as at his first election. He served 
 
 three years as State Swamp Land Road Commis- 
 sioner, during which time the Huron City & Bad 
 Axe State road was built, under his supervision. 
 He gave his taxes to the enterprise, consisting of 75 
 days' labor. He built his grist-mill in 1S66, and 
 within that year contributed $2,000 to the road 
 building. His aggregate of highway contribution 
 reaches $6,000, and the county is indebted to him 
 principally for the fine roads in this vicinity. In 
 1866 he employed a gang of men with teams, con- 
 structing roads, p''.ying the enlire ex|)ense.' 
 
 The career of Mr. Ludington in Huron County 
 has been deeply marked by the terrible vicissitudes 
 through which it has passed. He has been a very 
 successful business man, and has risen from his 
 several severe misfoi tunes with courage and energy 
 unabated; and the record of his br;ive struggles will 
 form one of the most prominent and striking chap- 
 ters in the eventful history of Huron County. 
 
 In presenting the portrait of Mr. Ludington in this 
 work, the publishers are pleased to know they not 
 only give the likeness of one of the county's pioneer 
 settlers, but a man who has identified himself with 
 the interest of the county and her citizens since 
 1850. The early settlers and a large majority of the 
 present population of the county will recognize in 
 the likeness of Mr. Ludington those features that 
 indicate success, and that accomplish purposes only 
 through the channels of honest, energetic endeavor. 
 
 I 
 
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 ^f^ ^ C^,(S <^:;p g ^0-: nn; >Ar9 
 
 fames Hall, resident at Grindstone C'ity, has 
 ^^|| i.- operated since 1870 as. a turner in the 
 ^'^'^ grindstone mills. He w.is \mx\\ Feb. 24, 
 1852, in Northumberland Co., Out., and is the 
 ji son of .Alexander and Catherine (McCauley) 
 \ Hall. The family removed in 1862 to Maho- 
 ning Co., Ohio, where Mr. Hall became a miner at 
 the age of i 1 years, working in the coal mines. He 
 was ein|)loyed in that capacity until he was 16 years 
 old, when he came to Sanilac County and spent two 
 winters in the lumber woods of Austin Township. In 
 the summer of 1868 he was em|)loyed in the saw-mill 
 of Charles Durand, located one mile south of Sand 
 Beach. Through the following summer he fished at 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
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 Forestville, and came first to Grindstone City in the 
 summer of 1870. He entered the employ of the 
 Huron Stone Company and spent two months strip- 
 ping stone, after which he became a turner, and has 
 pursued tliat vocation since. 
 
 In 187S he l)ought 160 acres of hind on section 27, 
 in Port Austin Township. It was covered with the 
 forest, and he iias cleared and improved one half the 
 tract. He is preparing to devote his attention e.x- 
 clusively to breeding fine grades of cattle, and has 
 now a herd which contains some excellent specimens 
 of the Short-horn and Holstein breeds. He also owns 
 i6o acres of land, with 30 acres improved, in Austin 
 Township, Sanilac County. 
 
 Mr. Hall was married Nov. 28, 187 8, to Bridget, 
 daughter of Thomas and (i^atherine McCoy. They 
 have two children — Catherine and Mary A. Mrs. 
 Hall was born Feb. 25, 1852, in Ottawa Co., Ont. 
 
 Mr. Hall has held the office of Road Commissioner, 
 of Port Austin Townshi[), in which capacity he ex- 
 celled. 
 
 '-:>^ ' v' .-11 •. 't-,Vi., 
 
 fliver Haley, farmer, section 14, Colfa.x 
 Township, came to Huron County in the 
 cjaspc' spring of 1866. He lived about si.\ months 
 at Sand Beach, and in the spring of 1867 "took 
 n[) " a claim of 160 acres of land on sections 
 14 and 23, in Colfa.v Township. He has made 
 a later purchase of 40 acres, increasing his estate to 
 200 acres in the aggregate, which embraces 60 acres 
 under good cultivation. Mr. Haley has held various 
 official positions in school and township affairs. He 
 is a Republican in his |)olitical sentiments. 
 
 Mr. Haley was born April 29, 1818, in Ireland, 
 where he married and settled. About 1854 he emi- 
 grated to ("anada, whence he came to Michigan. 
 His parents, Luke and Phebe Haley, were also na- 
 tiveb of Ireland, and passed their entire lives in the 
 land of their birth. 
 
 Oliver Haley was married in Kings County, Ire- 
 land, lo Mary Culbert. Their seven surviving chil- 
 dren were born in the following order: Margaret, 
 Oliver, James, Ellen, Henry, George and William. I 
 
 The three last were born in Canada. Phebe died 
 when she was about si.x months old. Mr. and Mrs. /€' 
 Haley are communicants in the Church of FLngland. t'V- 
 
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 1®^,; aphael Labelle, farmer, residing on section 
 
 1^^' 25, Meade Township, was born July 31, 
 fr':(^\'"' 1S49, in Canada. He is the son of Mar- 
 M<v\ cellin and Theresa (Filion) Labelle. His 
 
 'v parents were both natives of Montreal, were 
 
 I married and settled in Canada, whence they 
 came in 1871 to Htmie Township, Huron County, 
 where the mother died. The father is yet a resident 
 of Huron County. They had ten children. 
 
 Mr. Labelle is the eldest child of his parents. He 
 lived in Canada until 1870, the year in which he 
 came to Huron County. He entered a claim of 160 
 acres of land in Meade Township, of which he held 
 possession for three years. At the expiration of that 
 time he sold his claim to his brother. As he was a 
 single man he was not compelled to remain a resi- 
 dent on his land, and he was employed., daring his 
 spare time for five years, in a saw-mill. In 1872 he 
 bought 80 acres of land on section 25, in Meade 
 Township, where he established his homestead. He 
 has improved 50 acres. 
 
 Mr. Labelle is a Repuljlican in political sentiment 
 and action, and he has held various township offices 
 of im[X)rtance and trust. 
 
 He was married Dec. 25, 1874, at Port .Austin, to 
 Agatha (leoffroy. She was born Oct. 25, 1856, at 
 Bayfield, Ontario, Can. Her parents were natives of 
 the Province of Quebec, and of French origin. 
 
 5.«HJH*^ 
 
 illiam Thompson, farmer, section 20, Ver- 'C;' 
 ona Township, was born June 4, 1835, in i 
 ^^^. Ontario Co., Can. He is the son of WiU ^'f 
 liam and Ann (St. John) Thompson. The 0*^ 
 demise of his father occurred in Canada Oct. ^ 
 26, 1862; his mother is still living in the Ho- (• ' 
 minion. His father was an experienced and skillful ^ 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 agriculturist and gave his son a thorough training in 
 the vocation to which liis life had thus far been de- 
 voted. When he attained his majority, he received 
 20 acres of land from his father, on which he lived 
 ;ind labored until his removal to Michigan. He came 
 to Verona Township in March, 1864, and secured a 
 claim of 160 acres under the Homestead Law. He 
 now owns 320 acres, which comprises 90 acres under 
 cuhivation. In the fire of 1881 he lost his house, 
 fences and several tons of hay. He is holding the 
 office of Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Mr. Thompson was married in Brock Township, 
 Ontario Co., Can., Feb. 14, 1856, to Margaret Bryen, 
 daughter of William and Margaret (Low) Bryen, a 
 native of Ireland. They have had 13 children, nine 
 of whom are living. They are named John, Michael, 
 Margaret, William, Sarah, Ceorgiana, George, Emma 
 and Cecelia. Tlieir mother died Jan. 11, i88i,and 
 Mr. Thompson was again married Dec. 2, 1883, to 
 Mrs. Mary Scott, widow of Thomas Scott, and a 
 native of Canada. By her first husband her children 
 were, William H., born Nov. 6, 1869; Benjamin B., 
 May 19, 1872; and George A., Sept. i, 1874. 
 
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 .atthew C. McDonnell, M. D., physician 
 ■^&2 , and surtieon at Bad Axe, was born June 
 Ot-^ M^ 12, 1850, in Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y. 
 tVW\X jjg ig (i,g gg,., q{ Kirvan and Mary (Guinnon) 
 McDonnell. His fatlier is a farmer liy calling, 
 and in 1856 removed to De.xter, Wasiiienaw 
 Co., Mich. 
 
 The son was bred to the same vocation, and l.iefore 
 the age of 16 had obtained a good conniion-school 
 education. He then began teaching, continuing in 
 that vocation four winters. In 1876 he went to 
 Toledo, to operate as a salesman for Newhansel 
 Bros., dry-goods merchants, where he was employed 
 three and a half years. His next service was in the 
 dry-goods house of Fred Eaton in the same city, with 
 whom he was in business eight months. He ter- 
 minated his mercantile career to enter upon his 
 preparations for his profession, and in September 
 commenced a course of study in the Medical Depart- 
 ment of the University of Michigan, at Ann .Arbor, 
 
 where he completed the prescribed curriculum of 
 medical study, and was graduated with the centen- V4 
 nial class of 1876. He first established himself in *>> 
 business at Carleton, Monroe Co., Mich., where he j 
 pursued his profession six months, going thence to y^ 
 Weston, Lenawee County. He continued in business 
 there until Aug. i, 1883, when lie came to Bad Axe 
 and has succeeded in establishing what promises to 
 be a substantial and popular practice. In addition 
 to his regular business, he owns a half interest in a 
 drug store, in company with L. C. Carpenter, his 
 brother-in-law. 
 
 Dr. McDonnell was married Aug. 23, 1881, in 
 ."Adrian, Mich., to Mary K. Carpenter. She was born 
 in F'airfield, Lenawee Co., .April 2, 1862, and is the 
 daughter of Reuben T. and Rosanna (Upton) Car- 
 penter. Dr. and Mrs. McDonnell rejoice in the pos- 
 session of a son and a daughter, twins, born May 13, 
 1883. They are named Mattliew Leslie, and Mary 
 Edessa. 
 
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 illiam J. Williamson, farmer, section 29, 
 Grant Township, was born Aug. 5, 1840, 
 in Hancock Co., Ohio. He is the son of 
 V Levi and Mary (Biblar) Williamson. His 
 father was born in Virginia and is ot mixed 
 English and Scotch descent. His mother was 
 born in Ohio, of Dutcii parentage. .M'ter marriage, 
 the parents settled in Hancock Co., Ohio, wliere tiie 
 mother died about the year 1849. His fatlier after- 
 wards married .\gnes Cellars, a native of Ohio, and 
 the family subseipiently removed to -A.llen Co., Ind. 
 In the fall of 1863 they came to Huron County, 
 where the father located on 80 acres of land on which 
 he had made a claim in the spring of the same year. 
 It is situated on section 29, Grant Township, and he 
 has since resided on the same place. Eight children 
 were born of the two marriages. (See sketch of Dr. 
 Levi Williamson.) 
 
 Mr. Williamson is the second son by the first mar- i 
 riage. . He passed his life in the manner common to ^^^ 
 farmers' sons until he reached manhood. When that ^ 
 period arrived, the country was in the throes of civil 
 war, and as the conflict grew more and more intense 
 and its momentous nature became more and more 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
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 apparent, Mr, Williamson became interested in its 
 issue, and the first event of his life of conspicuous 
 importance was his enlistment in the Union service, 
 Aug. 13, 1862. He enrolled in the looth Ind. Inf., 
 and was in the military service of the United States 
 until Jan. 6, 1863, when he was discharged at Mem- 
 phis, Tenn., on account of disability. He returned 
 to Allen Co., Ind., with health niucli impaired, and 
 in the spring of 1863 he came to Huron County, and 
 entered a claim of 160 acres of land in (irant Town- 
 ship. He remained in Huron County during the 
 summer, returning to Indiana in the fall, where he 
 again enlisted, in the i42d Ind. Vol. Inf., and re- 
 mained in the service until the termination of the 
 war. On receiving his discharge, he returned to 
 Huron County and entered upon the work of improv- 
 ing his farm, which was in a wholly wild state. His 
 place now includes 100 acres, with 90 acres under 
 good improvement. He sold 60 acres of his original 
 acreage. 
 
 Mr. Williamson is a Democrat in political senti- 
 ment. He has officiated as Township Clerk, School 
 Assessor and in other positions, and in the spring of 
 1884 (current year) was elected Treasurer of Grant 
 Township. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Ann (Harrison) Williamson was 
 born June 25, 1854, in Canada. Her parents, Ed- 
 ward and Elizabeth (Petch) Harrison, were natives 
 of England. They emigrated from that country to 
 the Dominion of Canada in 1845, where they resided 
 until their removal to Huron County, in May, 1867, 
 since which date they have resided with their daugh- 
 ter. Mrs. Williamson has one sister, Mrs. Jane 
 (Harrison) Gage. Four children have been born to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, namely: Charles E., Ger- 
 trude M., George (). and Lydia M. George died in 
 infancy. Mr. Williamson is the resident owner of 
 160 acres of land in (irant Townshi]), 45 acres of 
 which are under cultivation. 
 
 ames Reed, farmer and salt contractor at 
 vi^^Bjtj GrindslOPie City, was born Nov. 14, 1840, 
 
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 in the township of Narsagawaya, Halton 
 %^ Co., Ont. He is the son of William and Mary 
 
 jC E. (Green) Reed, and was reared on a farm. 
 
 \ He was engaged in that business in Ontario 
 until October, 1S65, when he came to Huron City. 
 
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 After a stay there of several days he went to Port 
 .\ustin and operated one season as a lumberman. 
 In 1866 he came to Grindstone City and engaged as 
 a (luarryman in the quarry now owned by Worthing- 
 ton & Sons. From that date he continued in the 
 same occujjation until 1882, with the e.xception of 
 two seasons, when he was engaged in fanning and 
 threshing. 
 
 In 1882 he took possession of his farm, which he 
 bought in 1869. It then contained 40 acres, but he 
 has sold a portion and now owns 26 acres, nearly 
 all of which is now under cultivation. In 1882 he 
 made a contract with Worthington & .Sons to manu- 
 facture salt in their mills. He employs a force of 1 1 
 men, and the works have a capacity of producing 
 120 barrels a day. The salt is delivered on the 
 dock. 
 
 Mr. Reed owns a fine residence and surroundings, 
 and a business building at Port Austin, where his 
 son-in-law, John E. King, is engaged in mercantile 
 affairs. 
 
 He was married Feb. 4, 1863, in Guelph, Halton 
 Co., Ont., to Mary, daughter of William and Eliza 
 Hyde. She was born July 18, 1844, in Canada. 
 Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Reed: Eliza J., James A., Thomas E. and .'\nnie M. 
 
 Mr. Reed is a memlier of the Knights of Mac- 
 cabees. 
 
 -t9e« — 
 
 ^enry Neal, proprietor ol the Lake View 
 House at Huron C'ity, was born in the 
 town of Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Eng., Dec. 
 13, 1828, and is the son of Thomas and Mary 
 J E. (Stowc) Neal. They were natives of England 
 I and einigratetl to America with four children, 
 — three sons and one daughter, — in 1837. They 
 lived in the city of Detroit until 1S42, the father 
 being employed as a gardener. Eventually he 
 removed to Moore Townshi|), Ontario, and there ^ 
 bought a farm of 100 acres, which he cleared and ' 
 improved. He was born in October, 1801, and : 
 died on his farm in 1875. The mother still resides ~?< 
 there. 
 
 Mr. Neal entered the lake sailing service in 1842, 
 and from 1844 to 1880, with the exception of two ^ 
 summers which he spent in limibering, operated in > 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 that capacity. He began as a cabin boy and iield 
 every intermediate position until he became master 
 of a vessel. He made a success of his business 
 until i860, when his vessel was lost. He owned 
 the schooner Harwich, which was in the transporta- 
 tion service as a lumber, coal and stone vessel. In 
 July, i860, she was driven in a heavy gale upon a 
 reef of rocks on Middle Island, in Lake Erie, becom- 
 ing a total wreck with no insurance. From 1867 to 
 the date of his changing his vocation in life, he 
 sailed as steward of the "Huron City," a steamer 
 plying principally between Huron City and San- 
 dusky. She was owned partly by Langdon Hub- 
 bard. Between the years i860 and 1867 he was 
 the proprietor of two tugs, operating on the St. Clair 
 and Detroit Rivers. 
 
 In 1878 he became the owner of a farm, which he 
 sold to build the hotel he is now managing. He 
 purchased the hotel lot at Huron City in 1880, re- 
 built and refurnished the house. It was put in 
 complete repair, the painters finishing their labors 
 Saturday, Jan. 22, 1881. Five days later it burned 
 to the ground. It was insured for $1,600 in the 
 County Mutual Insurance Company. Mr. Neal 
 immediately proceeded to replace the structure on 
 the same site, and took possession Saturday, Sept. 
 3, iSSr. On the following Monday, Sept. 5, 1881, 
 the day of the great forest fires, the second house 
 was totally destroyed. It was insured in the same 
 company which was made bankrupt by the fire, liut 
 its affairs are now in the hands of a receiver, and the 
 matter of lialjility is in process of litigation. 
 
 After the second fire Mr. Neal removed to Detroit, 
 where he rented a residence for his family and went 
 to Minnesota to look for an opening; but, after 
 spending six months to no [nirpose, he concluded to 
 return to Huron City and make another test of fate 
 on the site where his property had twice disap- 
 |)eared in the flames. It is a two-story structure, with 
 16 rooms, is creditably finished and furnished, and 
 affords comfortable entertainment. Mr. Neal is a 
 well-informed man, social and genial, and his house 
 is well adapted to the amount and character of the 
 patronage he receives. 
 
 Mr. Neal is a Repulilican. He was elected to 
 serve a term of four yeais as Justice of the I'eace, 
 but after serving two years, lesigned. After the fne 
 he was appointed Township Clerk to fill the unex- 
 pired term of the regularly elected official whom the 
 
 fire had compelled to leave the place. He was 
 appointed Postmaster in 1879, and resigned the 
 position in 1883. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Neal to Mary k. Proctor took 
 place Jan. 9, 1849. Their children were born as 
 follows: Emily, Sept. 3, 1850, died April 5, 1856; 
 Elizabeth, Aug. 21, 1852; Henry A., Oct. 27, 1854; 
 Mary M., Nov. 10, 1856; Thomas, Sept. 27, 1858; 
 Emma C, July 5, i860; Minnie, Sept. 18, 1826 
 (died in May, 1863); Lilly C, Oct. 28, 1865; Min- 
 nie (2d), Feb. 19, 1867; William C, June 27, 1869; 
 Alvin Frank, Nov. 30, 1872. Mrs. Neal's parents, 
 William and Elizabeth (Simpson) Proctor, are de- 
 ceased. Her father was born in Lincolnshire, Eng.. 
 in 1784, and died in January, 1847, in Moore Town- 
 ship, Out. The mother was born Dec. 4, 1796, and 
 died June 4, 1876, in Detroit. Mrs. Neal was born 
 P"eb. 27, 1833, in Lincolnshire, Eng. 
 
 During the fire of 1881, a small shanty 20 feet 
 from the burning buildings, containing a barrel of 
 kerosene oil, was unharmed. The entire contents of 
 the hotel, with most of the wearing apparel of the 
 family, were c'estibyed. They were obliged to take 
 refuge at the lake, as the wind was blowing a tornado 
 and the air seemingly filled with fire. 
 
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 illiam Thompson, farmer, section 5, Hu- 
 ron Township, was born Feb. 4, 1834, at 
 Wintertown, England. In May, 1850, he 
 '' emigrated to Darlington, Out., with his par- 
 ents, John and Mary (Hogg) Thompson. 
 They died in the Djminion, each aged 66 years, 
 a period of several years intervening between their 
 deaths. 
 
 The p.irents belonged to the agricultural class in 
 P^ngland, and the son was bred to the calling pur- 
 sued by his progenitors for a long period of years. 
 He was 16 years old when he came to America, and 
 remained at home until his majority. After passing 
 that period he was occupied in farm labor two years, 
 and in 1856 rented a farm. He managed his domes- 
 tic affairs himself, in connection with his agricultural 
 jiursuits, about a year, and concluded that the con- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 S^ dition of things generally would he improved l)y a 
 '■' division of labors. 
 
 His marriage to Elizabeth 'I'hompson occurred 
 April 26, 1857. Their children were born in the fol- 
 lowing order: Anna, March 18,1858; Alfred, July 
 29, i860; John S., Jane 22, 1862; Rebecca, July 3, 
 1864; Minnie, Aug. 20, 1866; William, June 30, 
 1868; Dora J., Nov. 1, 1870; Elizabeth, Feb. 22, 
 1873; Cora I., Sept. 25, 1875; Charles VV., Feb. 11, 
 1878; Richard D., Dec. 7, i88o; Arthur. Feb 4, 
 1884. Mrs. Thompson is the daughter of Joseph 
 and Rebecca (Scovill) Thompson. Her mother died 
 when she was in childhood; the death of her father 
 occurred in 1859. 
 
 Mr. Thompson removed his family and interests 
 to Huron City, two years after marriage, where he 
 entered the employ of Langdon Hubbard as a lum- 
 berman, and operated in his interests ten years. In 
 1867 he bought the farm on which he now lives, 
 erected a dwelling and occupied the place between 
 two and three years. He removed thence to Bloom- 
 field Township and passed six years in clearing a 
 =3 farm for Langdon Hubbard. That labor accom- 
 ^ plished, he again took possession of his farm. 
 c3 He is a Republican in political affiliation, and has 
 S^ been School Director eight years, Supervisor three 
 ^ years, and Treasurer two terms, besides officiating in 
 ) several other local positions. The family attend the 
 Methodist Church. 
 
 
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 . feurin H.T.Williams, farmer, section 21, 
 
 'i 'mdll], Colfax Township, lias been all his life a 
 •'VojV ^ resident of Michigan, having been born 
 'rjfii Feb. 2, iS3i,in Wayne County. His parents, 
 ^ Benjamin and Mary (Tuttle) Williams, were 
 ' natives respectively of Ohio and New York. 
 They married and settled in Michigan, where they 
 passed all the years of their married life The latter 
 died April 22, 1868, and the former July 15, 1871, 
 in Shiawassee County. 
 
 Mr. Williams of this sketch is the youngest of their 
 four children. He jiassed the first 20 years o his lite 
 at harr<e. obtaining his education at the common 
 schools ii.d in work'iig on the family homestead. In 
 
 V 
 
 1852 he went to California and remained in the 
 Golden State until 1856, when he returned to Shia- 
 .wassee County, without having made a marked suc- 
 cess of his trip. In September, 1861, he enlisted in 
 the Eighth Mich. \'ol. Inf. He was in the service 
 until October, 1S62, when he received his discharge 
 on account of disability. 
 
 In September, 1873, he came to Huron t'ounty 
 and made a claim of 160 acres in Colfax Township, 
 under the regulations of the Homestead Law, on 
 which he has since resided and placed 40 acres under 
 cultivation. Mr. Williams is a Kepulilican in politi- 
 cal belief, and has held the office of Justi< e of the 
 Peace. 
 
 His marriage to Rachel Wolfen occurred Dec. 29, 
 1S49. They have h.ad seven children — Family ]., 
 Martin P., Durin J., Sarah A., Dan. S. and Dornian 
 R. Eva M. died when 18 months old. Mrs. Wil- 
 liams was born in the State of New York. She and 
 her husband are members of the Methodist Church. 
 
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 ^'''^^Ig^dwin G. Johnson, farmer, section 29, dore 
 
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 Towiiship, was born Nov. 1 1, 1835, in Ver- 
 non, N. Y. His father, (iardner S. John- 
 
 °^^ son, was born Sept. 12, 1802, in the State of 
 New York. The latter was a farmer and a 
 
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 manufacturer of brick until about the year 
 1847. He came to Michigan and kept a hotel at 
 Detroit three years. In 1836 the family came to St. 
 Clair County and went thence to Royal Oak, Oakland 
 County, where he died, Nov. 28, 1853. His wife, 
 Fanny (Cook) Johnson, was born April 25, 1807, in 
 the Empire State. She died in Denver, Col., March 
 12, 1883. 
 
 Mr. Johnson was aliout iS years old when his 
 father died, and he remained at home maintaining 
 the family eight years after that event. His first 
 Inisiness venture was tanning and dealing in stock. 
 He came to Gore Township for the purpose of mak- 
 ing a permanent location May 23, 1864. He bought 
 a farm containing 52 acres, to which he afterward wy 
 added 80 acres, and has since sold 40 acres. The ^^ 
 original purchase of 
 who desired to establi: 
 
 52 acres was for another man, vS)j 
 lish a s.ilt block, but f.iiled afte. "^ 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
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 expending $500, and Mr. Johnson was obliged to 
 take the farm. Il had a lot; house, which was luiilt 
 to accommodate fishermen. 
 
 Mr. Johnson is a Democrat in political views and 
 connection. He has been Supervisor five terms, and 
 has been elected Justice of the Peace twice, liut has 
 only qualified but once. 
 
 His first marriage took place Nov. 13, 1861, to 
 Kvelyn A. Davis. Fannie E., born Feb. 23, 1864, 
 and Gardner E., born May 24, i868, are the names 
 of the two children by this marriage. Mrs. J. was 
 born Aug. 25, 1846, at Royal Oak, Oakland Co., 
 Mich., and died March 14, 1878. She was the 
 daughter of Alexander and Mary (Stone) Davis. Her 
 mother died Feb. 7, 1868, in Gore Township. Her 
 father is living in the township of Bloouifield. Mr. 
 Johnson was a second time married Dec. 31, 1878, to 
 Elizabeth Richardson. Three childre.i have been 
 born of this union: Caroline M., Sept. 30, 1879; 
 Charlotte E., May 2, 1881; George Byron, Jan. 19, 
 1883. Mrs. Johnson is the daughter of George H. 
 and Harriet (Carey) Richardson. She was born June 
 S, 1859, at St. Mary's, Canada. Her father was born 
 July 15, i8r8, and died July 10, 1883. Her mother 
 is living in Gore Township. 
 
 "ohn H. Provorsa, farmer, section 18, Lin- 
 fe- coin Township, has been a resident of 
 7(1'^'* Huron County since he was 12 years old. 
 wS ^'^ parents, John A. and Melinda (McDonald) 
 Provorsa, were natives respectively ol New 
 York State and Canada, and in 1855 they 
 removed with their family to Huron (\>unty. They 
 had eight children. 
 
 Mr. Provorsa, who is the eldest son living, was 
 born Aug. 6, 1843, in Canada. He was educated in 
 the public schools of the Dominion and in the 
 common schools of Michigan, and when he was 15 
 years old he engaged in boat buildini;, in which he 
 was occupied si.\ years. He has engaged since that 
 time chiefly in lumbering and farming, He has 
 been the proprietor of three several farms within the 
 township of Lincoln. In the fall of 1S83 he bought 
 the property where he is now operating, including 
 
 120 acres of partly im|)roved land, the latter por- 
 tion now embracing about 87 acres. He is in 
 sympathy with the Reimblican element in [lolitics, 
 and has held various local official positions. 
 
 His marriage to Rebecca Kirkpatrick occurred 
 Oct. 20, 1 866, at Huron (Jity, Huron County. Four 
 children have been born to them, namely : Alonzo, 
 Clara A., Emma and Deljbie. The eldest child died 
 when four years old. 
 
 -viacate-^^ 
 
 
 ^^'wr'oseph Jeroux, farmer, section 17, Meade 
 l^^jj- rownshi|), was born Oct. 25, 1821, in the 
 ?!v?'''^"' Dominion of Canada, and is of French par- 
 r/\f entage He grew to manhood in Canada, and 
 ^F in the spring of 1859 he came to Huron C!oun- 
 \ ty to better his fortunes and give his children 
 better opportunities than he was able tu do in On- 
 tario. 
 
 He bought 80 acres of land on which he has since 
 resided, and has improved about 65 acres. 
 
 He was married in Canada to Zooy Delchou, a 
 native of the Dominion. Following are the names of 
 their children: Benjamin, Sarah, Julia, George, 
 James, Mary, Josephine, Nora and Rosanna. All 
 are living except Julia. She died when she was 
 about 22 years old. 
 
 
 ewis Cass Carpenter, druggist and giocer, 
 senior member of the firm of L. C. Carpen- 
 ter & Co., was born May 9, 1848, in I.en- 
 S(y" awee Co., Mich. His parents, Reuben T. anil 
 r*/ Rosanna (U|)ton) Carpenter, belonged to the 
 agricultural element of Lenawee C'ounty, where 
 they reside still on their homesteail of 100 acres. 
 
 Mr. Carpenter is the eldest of tiiree children Ixnn 
 to his parents. He remained on the home farm 
 until he was 25 years old, when he went to Hicks- 
 ville. Defiance C-c, Ohio, and established himself in 
 
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 the livery business. He was engaged there eight 
 years, and in iSSi lie went to Toinlistone, Arizona, 
 and spent six months in the silver mines, retaining 
 thence to Lenawee County, where he spent a year in 
 clerking in a general store. In 1883 he came to 
 Had .\xe and embarked in his present business 
 enterprise, with his brotlier-in-law, Dr. M. C Mc- 
 Donnell, whith they are prosecuting with energy 
 and success. 
 
 Mr. Carpenter has been married three times. His 
 first wife was Miss Eldora .\. Hubbard, who died in 
 Lenawee, her native county. His second wife was 
 Lucinda Emery, of Henry Co., Ohio, the marriage 
 occurring in Lenawee County. Two cliildren vvere 
 born of this union — Eldora, Jan. 2, 1873, in Henry 
 C"o., Ohio, and Emery L., April 9, 1878, in Lenawee 
 Co., Mich. The third marriage of Mr. Carpenter 
 occurred Nov. 19, 1882, to Esther F., daughter of 
 Samuel Clark. She was born July 9, 185 8, in Hope 
 Valley, Rhode Island. Ethel, only child of this 
 marriage, was born at Bad Axe, Feb 14, 18S4. 
 
 '-^^|^^S'> 
 
 vt^fi: evi Williamson, practicing physician and 
 -1. L&l ii farmer, resident on section 29, tirant Town- 
 
 ''i<^^T ship, was the earliest |)ermanent settler of 
 j(y the township, whither he removed in the sirring 
 of 1863. He made a homestead claim of 80 
 acres of land in a primitive condition, on which 
 he erected the first structure for a residence in the 
 township. He entered at once upon the practice of 
 his profession, and for a score of years he has been 
 well and widely known in his jjrofessional capacity, 
 in which he holds a substantial re|)Utation. He owns 
 160 acres of land, including 75 acres cleared and in 
 tillage, with excellent orchards, good buildings and 
 creditable farm fixtures. 
 
 Dr. Williamson was born Oct. 16, 1815, in Hamp- 
 shire Co., Va., and is the eldest of 19 children born 
 to his parents. He is the son of William and Mary 
 (Stearns) Williamson, who were natives of the same 
 county in Virginia, where they were married and set- 
 tled. They reriioved later to Pickaway, Co., O., where 
 the mother died. The father went to Hancock C'o., 
 Ohio, and thence, after the close of the war, to Mis- 
 souri, where he died. Their family consisted of 15 
 sons and 4 daughters. Five of the former became 
 
 soldiers in the Union army, and three of them yielded 
 tlieir lives in the service of their country. Their 
 graves are remote from tiic liomes of then' friends and 
 the place where they were born. 
 
 Dr. Williamson obtained a good common-school 
 education and studied for his profession two terms at 
 the Physio-Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 He was 28 years of age when he entered upon his 
 preparations for a medical career. He first estab- 
 lished himself as a practitioner in Wood Co., Ohio, 
 removing his business three years later to Ashland 
 County in the same State. K year later, he went to 
 Williams County, in the Buckeye State. Three years 
 afterward lie went to .\llen Co., Ind., where he prac- 
 ticed medicine three years. At the end of that lime, 
 in 1863, he came to Huron County. 
 
 He is a Democrat in political principle, and has 
 served in most of the local offices. He has been 
 Supervisor of (iraiit Township two terms and Justice 
 of the Peace 1 2 years. 
 
 He was married in Hancock Co., Ohio, to Mary 
 Biblar, a native of Fairfield C'o., Ohio. Abraham, 
 William J. (see sketch), Henjiunin F., Mary E. and 
 Sarah A. are the names of their children. Mrs. W. 
 died May 20, 1848, in Hancock County. Dr. Wil- 
 liamson was a second time married Sept. 10, 1850, in 
 Wood Co., Ohio, to Agnes E. Cellar, who was born 
 July 18, 1834, in Richland Co., Ohio. Three chil- 
 dren have been born lo them,— .Alva C, John M. 
 and Josephine .\. Dr. Williamson is an .\dventist 
 in his religious views. 
 
 The portrait of Dr. Williamson, on the preceding 
 Ijage, is very appropriately given in tliis volume, as 
 of a gentleman who is well known for moral integrity 
 and professional skill ; and it is therefore witli pleas- 
 ure that we welcome the likeness among the collec- 
 tion in this volume. 
 
 > mos Parent, farmer, section 30, IJncoln 
 
 ,-e=i»sM.g Township, was born in Shefford Co., Prov- 
 
 JjiftS? ince of Quebec, May 5, 1839. His parents 
 
 (laT Telesphore and Julia (Fluet) Parent, were na- 
 
 '1'' fives of Quebec, of French nationality. The 
 
 mother died in Canada. The father came 
 
 afterwards to Huron County and after a stay of two 
 
 years returned to his former home, to transact some 
 
 
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 204 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 business, was taken ill and died there, May 8, 1880. 
 ^ Their family numbered nine children, namely: Dor- 
 ^ cas (deceased), Abigail, Amos, Delphine, Joseph, 
 T Hannah, John D., Robert (deceased), and Eliza. 
 (§. Mr. Parent is the oldest of the sons in the above 
 family. When he was about seven years old they 
 went to Vermont, returning three years later to Can- 
 ada. When he was 20 years of age he began to learn 
 the business of a carpenter and joiner, and he pur- 
 sued that business, in connection with farming in his 
 native province, until his removal to Huron County 
 in the spring of 1880. He had purchased 80 acres 
 of land in Lincoln Township in 1879, on which he 
 has already cleared and improved 27 acres. 
 
 In political connection and views Mr. Parent is in 
 sympathy with the Prohibition party. 
 
 His marriage to Marietta, adopted daughter of 
 Robert and Emma Phippen, took place March 16. 
 ,|^^ 1870, in Middlesex Co., Ont. They have four chil- 
 \ dren,— Edith A., Albert E., Minnie R. and Ida M. 
 '* Mrs. Parent was born in London, Ont., Feb. 21, 1852. 
 Mr. Parent is a member of the American Protestant 
 Association. 
 
 jl obert Philp, general merchant and real- 
 estate broker, at Bad Axe, has been a resi- 
 dent of Huron County since 1858, and is 
 f V^ identified with its eventful history and prog- 
 ress from its pioneer days, in which he has 
 been an actor of more than ordinary influence, 
 from the interest he has taken in developing the 
 county and furthering its business interests. 
 
 Mr. Philp was born in Port Hope, Ont., March 4, 
 1847. He is the son of Thomas and Ann (Moon) 
 I'hilp, and his father pursued the vocation of a 
 farmer in the Dominion, as well as after the removal 
 of tl>e family to Huron County in 1858. They were 
 the first settlers in what is now Verona Township. 
 The senior Philp purchased the entire acreage of 
 section 36, exce;n tlie southeast (|uarler, besides 80 
 acres in the township of Bingham. The homestead 
 was located on the southwest quarter. The son, who 
 is the subject of this sketch, passed six years after 
 his removal to Huron Countv in the manner of life 
 
 common to pioneers' sons, receiving but limited edu- 
 cation from books or schools, but acquiring a hardy, 
 common-sense and practical understanding of the 
 duties involved in living. He became the controller 
 of his own time and choice of effort at the age of 17 
 years, when he left homo and engaged as a farm 
 laljorer by the month. He operated in this metliod 
 about two years, when he enlarged his scope some- 
 what, and transacted business as a contractor in 
 clearing land and in other avenues incident to the 
 improvement of territory in its original state, which 
 includes the several departments of lumbering. He 
 became a land-holder at 19 years of age, by the pur- 
 chase, from his father, of 80 acres lying on the 
 southern half of the northeast (piarter of section 36, 
 in Verona Townshi|). Later he became the proprie- 
 tor by purchase of the entire half of the section. He 
 continued to operate as stated, until he was 23 years 
 old, when lie took possession of his farm and applied 
 his time and efforts to its improvement, which he 
 pursued until he had placed 50 acres under cultiva- 
 tion. The work of clearing has been followed until 
 the present time; the place, now including 90 acres, is 
 in first-class condition, and wholly available for agri- 
 cultural purposes. 
 
 In May, 1875, Mr. Philp rented his farm and 
 opened an establishment for tlie transaction of a 
 general mercantile business at Bad -Axe. The enter- 
 prise prospered and promised indefinite success and 
 continuance, until the disastrous fall of 1881, when 
 the visitation of flame for a second time paralyzed 
 the energies of the citizens of Huron County, and 
 involved its business in almost utter ruin. The his- 
 toric Sept. 5th saw the almost entire extinction of 
 his commercial affairs, his building and stock being 
 consumed, at a loss of about $10,000, and with prac- 
 tically no insurance. His active energies and in- 
 dustrious habits suffered no diminution, and he was 
 one of the leaders in the work of restoration of the 
 business resources of Huron County located at Bad 
 Axe. He was the first to begin to build, which he 
 did on the 6tli day of September, and in 60 days his 
 business was in running order, — building completed 
 and stocked, and trade in full o|)eration. He has 
 been rewarded with the results of unremitting indus- 
 try, judicious management and thrifty habits. His 
 business has increased and its scope extended until 
 he now carries a stock representing a value of from 
 five to seven thousand dollars, and including lines of 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 merchandise suited to the local trade. He managed 
 his mercantile affairs alone until Nov. i. 1882, when 
 he admitted Tlioinas Foster to a half interest in the 
 business. Mr. Foster had been with him as a sales- 
 man and assistant about 10 years. 
 
 Mr. Philp instituted his real-estate interests in 
 1878, and has continued their management since 
 that date. He built and owns his residence, and 
 owns 150 lots in the eastern portion of the town 
 known as " Robert Philp's First Addition to Bad 
 Axe." He is also tiie proprietorof a number of busi- 
 ness lots and residences in other portions of the vil- 
 lage. His real-estate claims throughout the county 
 comprise about 2,000 acres. In political views, Mr. 
 Philp favors the sentiments of the Republican party, 
 though he is not, and has never been, an aggressive 
 politician. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 His marriage to Catherine Foster occurred at 
 Verona Mills, Huron County. She is the daughter 
 of Edward and Mary Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Philp 
 have had six children. 
 
 — <-s-s 
 
 |Kfames Haley, farmer, section 28, Colfax 
 r Township, has been a resident of Huron 
 County since December, 1865. Two years 
 afterward he became owner of 1 60 acres of 
 It land in the township where he has since 
 resided and expended the best energies of his 
 life in the improvement of his property. His real 
 estate now includes 120 acres, witii 65 acres under 
 cultivation. In political sentiment he is a Republi- 
 can, and he has been active and efficient in the 
 local government of his township. He has served 
 four years as Constable, one year as Treasurer, and 
 four years as Supervisor. 
 
 Mr. Haley was i)orn in 1846, in Ireland, and is 
 liie son of Oliver and Mary (Culbert) Haley. The 
 parents are natives of Ireland and emigrated to 
 Canada in 1853, coming tiience in 1865 to Huron 
 County, where they now reside. Seven of their eight 
 children are living. 
 
 Mr. Haley is the fifth child of his parents and 
 the second son. He was married May 8, 1873, 
 
 to Angeline Sherman. She was born Aug. 27, 1853, 
 in Illinois. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Haley 
 were born as tbllows: Mary R., Roscoe, Margaret, 
 Burt, Mabel M. and Martha J. 
 
 The parents are memliers of the Metliodist 
 Church. 
 
 1 
 
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 eon Filion, farmer, section 31, Lincoln 
 Township, was born near Montreal, Prov- 
 ince of Quebec, .Xpril 2, 1844. His parents, 
 Moses and Angeline (Desjardines) Filion, were 
 also born in Canada, of French parentage. Mr. 
 Filion grew to the age of 17 years in his native 
 province, and in 1861 located in Hume Township, 
 Huron County, where he was a resident several 
 years. In 1872 he bought 80 acres of land on 
 section 31 of the township where he now resides, 
 .and of which he took possession in March, 1883. ^ 
 He has increased his possessions until he is now the (*<>' 
 owner of 240 acres, which comprises 55 acres under ^ 
 improvement. 
 
 Mr. Filion belongs to and acts with the Republican 
 element in political affairs. 
 
 He was married Dec. 10, 1878, in Canada, to 
 Sarah Todd. Their four children were born as 
 follows: Moses, James L., Sarah .A. and James M. 
 The last named child died .Aug. 2, 1883. Mrs. 
 Filion is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 
 
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 'ohn Melligan, Supervisor of Rubicon 
 Township, and resident in the village of 
 Port Hope, was born in Dereham Town- 
 ship, Oxford Co., Ont., .Vpril 29, 1848. His 
 j^ jjarents, John and Mary (Fortune) Melligan, 
 \ were natives of Ireland. They removed to 
 Worth Township, Sanilac County, when the son was 
 in his childhood. They belonged to the farmi 
 class and reared their sons to that calling, 
 father died in 1S67, in \\'<irtli Township. '1 
 
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 206 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 mother is of Irish parentage and lives in Sanilac 
 County. 
 
 Mr. Melligan became his own master at the age of 
 16 years, and wrought out his own fortune. He 
 also inherited a part of the care of his parents, and 
 discharged that duty creditably. When he was 26 
 years old he became by purchase the proprietor of 
 100 acres of land in the township of Rubicon. The 
 place was in a wholly wild state, and he has 
 pushed his energies and efforts until he now owns 
 225 acres, of which 100 acres is in a finely improved 
 and cultivated condition. Since 1871, Mr. Melligan 
 has been in the employment of W. R. Stafford, in 
 the management of his farm. 
 
 He is a Democrat in his political views, and is 
 serving his second term as Supervisor of Rubicon 
 Township. 
 
 He was married July 3, 1873, to Martha Fry. 
 They have two cliildren, — J. Willie, born Oct. 10, 
 1876, and Clarence M., Ijorn July 25, 1880. Both 
 children were born at Port Hope. Mrs. Melligan is 
 the daughter of William and Catherine (McKaigar) 
 Fry. Her mother died in 1S56, and was 30 years 
 old at the time of her death. Her father has married 
 again, and resides at East Saginaw. 
 
 
 Charles Geltz, farmer, section 30, tlore 
 aW^^^^ Township, was born Dec. 13, 1850, in 
 Berlin, Waterloo Co., Oni., and is the son of 
 Cliristian and Christine Herman. His par- 
 ents were born in Cerniany and emigrated to 
 Ontario in 1844. The father was a mason by trade 
 and came, Oct. 2, 1863, from Berlin to Huion Coun- 
 ty. He bought 80 acres of land in Gore Township. 
 He was l)orn Oct. 16, 1815, and died in December, 
 1882, at Port Hope. The motlier resides on a farm 
 in Huron Township. The family included four sons 
 and four daughters. 
 
 Mr. (ielt/. bought a piece of impioved land in 
 Gore Township, which lie has labored upon until lie 
 has placed 50 acres in good tillable condition, with 
 a good log house and new frame barn, of modern 
 construction. 
 
 Mr. Geltz is a Democrat, and has served four 
 
 terms as Supervisor. 
 
 He was married Sept. 14, 1873, to Henrietta 
 Schultz. Six children have been born to them, — 
 Minnie, Peter, Ida, Emma. Charles and Otto. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Geltz are members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 CL construction. 
 
 I^harles Sehubel, farmer, section 7, Huron 
 I fej ^ Township, was born July 19, 1835, in 
 Mi Prussia. His parents, Josepli and Lucinda 
 J^ Sehubel, aie botii deceased. The mother 
 'j\ died in Prussia, in 185 1, after an illness of 
 three years. Her death occurred in the same 
 year in which her two sons — Charles and Fred — emi- 
 grated to the United States. The father and a sister 
 followed to the States the next year, and tiie family 
 settled in Lexington, Mich. 
 
 Meanwhile, the son, who is tlie subject of this 
 sketcli, had settled in Huron County, and ihe father 
 resided with him. The latter was residing here dur- 
 ing the fire of 187 i, and suffered so much t'rom the 
 heat and smoke that he went to Lansing to remain 
 for a time with his son Fred, who had settled in that 
 city, and he died very suddenly a few weeks after 
 effecting the change. 
 
 Mr. Sehubel was bred to the calling of a farmer. 
 His father's family came to Lexington, where the 
 male members found ready employment as woods- 
 men. Mr. Sehubel worked for Langdon Hubbard at 
 that point for three years in the saw-mill and lumber 
 woods, and went to Huron City to continue to operate 
 in the interests of Mr. Hubbard from that point. He 
 worked as foreman in a saw-mill for liim until 1871. 
 Meanwhile he hail bought his farm and was clear- 
 ing it during his service for Mr. Hubbard, by the aid 
 of hired assistants. The family took possession of 
 the [ilace several years previous to the (i(ca])ancy of 
 the present [iroprietor. 
 
 Mr. Sehubel is a Republican in political views and 
 connections. He has been Supervisor several terms, 
 and is now (1884) filling that position. lie has 
 officiated four years as Justice of the Peace. 
 
 He was married Aug. 17, 1861, to Mrs. Lucinda 
 Bopj), whose first husband was drowned in a mill- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 pond at Huron City. He left four children — John 
 
 fFred, George and Rosa. 
 Mr. Schubel is a meniher 
 ( His wife is a CathoHc. 
 
 of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 \\\ oger Patersou, fanner, section i, drant 
 il^i Township, was born in Fei)ruary, 1826, in 
 i^i-'vC'' Scotland, and he is the son of .Mexander 
 '<]\^ and Mary Faterson, both of whom were na- 
 ly tives of Scotland. They lived in that country 
 I until the death of the f;ither, in 1827 ; in 1842 
 the mother came to Canada with her children. She 
 resided there during tlie remainder of her life, her 
 death occurring Oct. 1 1, 1865. 
 
 Mr. Paterson has been a farmer all !iis life, with 
 the e.\ception of seven seasons, which he passed as a 
 sailor on the lakes, and " lumbered " in the woods in 
 winter. Mr. Paterson put in about 30 years of lum- 
 bering after lie left the lakes. He was 14 years of 
 age when he accompanied his mother to Canada. 
 He resided there until the spring of 1879, when he 
 came to Tuscola Co., Mich, and during the following 
 summer he came to Huron County. He bought 160 
 acres of land, whicli is still in his jx)ssession. About 
 70 acres of his estate are under improvement. 
 Politically he is a Democrat. 
 
 Mr. Paterson was married in Ontario, March 10, 
 1857, to Isabella Leitch. They have eight children: 
 .•Mexander, Mary A., Neil, Isabella, John, Catherine, 
 Betsey and Peter. Mrs. Paterson was born Aug. 14, 
 1834, in Scotland. She and her husband belong to 
 the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 ;s!i--i 
 
 lfo,lark Kaywood, one of the inominent and 
 M leading lumber producers of Huron Coun- 
 ty, resident at Port Hope, has been iden- 
 l|fe titled wiiji the development of the business 
 M interests of tliis section of Michigan since 
 1857. He is engaged in the [>roduction of 
 luml)er and shingles at Haywood Vale, in tlie town- 
 
 ship of Sand Beacii. He owns and manages a saw- 
 mill at Sand Beach, is a member of a firm at 
 Cleveland, Ohio, which was established in 18S1, and 
 includes, besides himself, lii» sons R. C. and C. D. 
 Haywood, and a nephew, N. J. Haywood. He is 
 one of the representative farmers of Huron County, 
 and is the owner of several thousand acres of pine 
 lands at different points therein. His residence at 
 Cleveland is at 594 East Madison .\venue. 
 
 Mr. Haywood was lired to the vocation of farming. 
 In July, 1845, he went to Bath, in Grafton Co., N. 
 H., where he embarked in a mercantile enterprise, 
 continuing its successful management about 10 
 years. He enlarged his business connection later, 
 by engaging in the manufacture and sale of lumber, 
 and still later became interested in a local enter- 
 prise for the manufacture of potatoe starch. In 
 1854 he formed a partnership with \V. R. Stafford 
 and opened an extensive mercantile establishment 
 at Lexington, Sanilac Co., Mich., in connection with 
 heavy lumbering operations. Demaline Leuty, now 
 a banker at Cleveland, Ohio, became a clerk with 
 theai, and in 1857 was admitted to a partnership. 
 The Hon. B. W. Jenness, U. S. Senator from New 
 Hampshire (now deceased), was also a factor in the 
 firm. Senator Jenness closed his connection with 
 the business in 1875. In October of the same year, 
 Mr. Haywood removed to Lexington and the firm 
 Iniilt a saw-mill at Port Hope, where they produced 
 lumber, shingles and lath. The Lexington enterprise 
 was closed in 1877 by a division of the i)ioperty, and 
 the partnership was wholly severed in 1878, having 
 been continued after the adjustment referred to 
 through the connection with the lumber yard at 
 Sand Beach, of which enterprise Mr. Haywood 
 became the owner by purchase in the year named. 
 He is a fourth owner in the Bay City and Cleveland 
 Transportation Company, whose facilities for con- 
 veying luml)er (in which it is chiefly engaged) in- 
 cludes two barges and a steam tug. 
 
 The agricultural interests of Mr. Haywood are of 
 a type which make them important. His farm of 
 360 acres, situated half a mile sovith of Saml Beach 
 Harbor, is under fine cultivation, anil is justly rated 
 as one of the most valuable in Huron County. It is 
 under the management of James Kearnes. Mr. 
 Haywood also owns a farm of 200 acres located 
 near the village of Port Hoi)e, which includes 150 
 acres under a high order of cultivation. He is the pro- 
 
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 COUNTY. 
 
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 prietor of a tract of 1,200 acres in the western part 
 of Sand Beach Township, of which 100 acres is im- 
 ^ proved and cultivated, and is a piece of real estate 
 in no sense less valuable Ihan those before men- 
 tioned. He employs a working force of ten men 
 throughout the year, a number which is materially 
 increased during the agricultural season. 
 
 Mr. Haywood has been for many years connected 
 with the Masonic fraternity. While in business at 
 Le.xington, he served several years as Postmaster 
 during the administration of James Buchanan. 
 
 Mr. Haywood was born Nov. 20, 1815, in .Spring- 
 field, Vt. He is the son of Nathaniel and Mary 
 (Durant) Haywood, and in 1822 removed with his 
 parents to Haverhill Township, Grafton Co., N. H., 
 where his fatlier bought a farm. Mr. Haywood's 
 marriage to Ellen M. Clark occurred in February, 
 1845, at Landaff, N. H. She was born Sept. 20, 
 1820, at Landaff, and is the daughter of Daniel 
 and Mary (Merrill) Clark. Following is the record 
 of seven children, of whom Mr. and Mrs. Haywood 
 became the parents. Their names are Arthur H., 
 deceased; Mary C, deceased; -Alice M., widow of 
 F. J. Haines, an attorney of Cleveland, Ohio, and 
 she resides with her father; Eben C, Mattie, Ella 
 M. and Charles D. The last named was born in 
 'Michigan, and all the others in Hath, N. H. 
 
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 S^^harles Odell, of the mercantile firm of 
 iiU^Sft^ Odell & Co. at Bad Axe, was born Feb. 
 
 23, 1822, near the United States boundary in 
 ■ar the Province of Quebec, and is the son of 
 
 Joseph and Elizabeth (Van Vliet) Odell. He 
 
 learned the trade of shoe-making, and in 
 1839 he went to London, Out. After pursuing his 
 trade there a short time he bout^ht 25 acres of land, 
 and conducted farming in connection with the busi- 
 ness of his sliop about 10 years He went thence to 
 West Williams, Out., and became the proprietor and 
 manager of a farm of 50 acres, on which he resided 
 until 1862; he then sold out his agricultural interests 
 and opened a store for the sale of general merchan- 
 dise in West Williams. He continued to conduct his 
 mercantile aftairs there until November, 1 88 1, coming 
 
 
 then to Bad Axe. He at once proceeded to the 
 establishment of his commercial interests, and he 
 built the structure in which ho has since transacted 
 business. On opening his trade he associated with 
 liiniself his son Hiram H. Odell, and son-in-law, C. 
 T. Collins. The firm has since been engaged in the 
 prosecution of a profitable and increasing business. 
 Their stock includes dry goods, groceries, boots, 
 shoes, crockery, glassware, flour, feed and Yankee 
 notions. 
 
 Mr. Odell was married in London, Ont., July 25, 
 1863, to Lydia A. Woodman. Mrs. Odell was born in 
 Buckston, Maine. Four of eight children horn of 
 her marriage are living. Hiram H. was born near 
 London, Middlesex Co., Ont., March 9, 1854. Wil- 
 liam R. was born .\ug. 21, 1856, and is a farmer in 
 Canada. Abigail was born .\ug. 26, 1847, and is the 
 wife of Charles T. Collins. Aphia E. was born Aug. 
 28, 185 I, and is Mrs. James Sadler, of West Williams, 
 Ont. Mrs. Odell died at West Williams, March 31, 
 1874. 
 
 ~'ames P. Grioe, of the firm of Grice & Sons, 
 proprietors of the Verona Mills, and re- 
 siding at Verona Mills, was born' July 
 2, 1852, near Hartford, Conn., and is the 
 son of James G. and Jane (Mason) Grice. 
 (See sketch of J. G. Grice). His parents re- 
 moved to Forester, Sanilac Co., Mich., in 1856. His 
 father is an engineer and machinist, and was in 
 charge of the steam mill of .\dams, Ketley & Co. at 
 Forester about eight years. In 1864 he came to 
 Rock Falls, Huron Co., Mich., where he operated as 
 engineer for Pack, Jenks & Co. The senior Grice, in 
 1870, leased a site for a shingle mill at Sand Beach 
 and erected a structure for the purpose named. 
 
 Mr. Grice, of this sketch, had become a practical 
 engineer, and took charge of the engine in the mill 
 retaining its management until the fire of i87i,and 
 then came to Verona Mills and put in order a mill 
 for the use of Messrs. Ballentine, Puddock & Co., 
 which Mr. Grice and son purchased in 1883. 
 
 In 1877 Mr. Grice was appointed an .assistant at 
 the Government works at Sand Beach, where he 
 
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 2 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 209 
 
 was in charge of the diving outfit. He remained 
 in the position five years. At the end of that 
 time he fornned an association with his brother, \V. 
 M. Grice, at Lexington, and estabHshed a general 
 repair shop, whicii they conducted one year. In 
 January, 18S4, he bought the quarter interest of his 
 brother, Joseph O. (jrice, in the flouring mill with 
 which he is now connected. The mill has been 
 recently built, and operations were commenced 
 thereon in the fall of 1883. The mill is completely 
 equipped with all modern fi.xtures, has two run of 
 stones and a producing capacity of 300 bushels in 24 
 hours. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Grice to Jennie Moore occur- 
 red Sept. 27, 1882, in Sand Beach. She was born 
 Oct. 19, 1864, in Pickering Co., Can., and is the 
 daughter of Edwin and Lois (Sparks) Moore. Jennie 
 M., born in Lexington, June 20, 1S83, is the only 
 child of Mr. and Mrs. Grice. 
 
 fohn C. Pangborn, farmer, section 20, Ver- 
 ier- ona Township, was born Nov. 10, 185 i, at 
 ^^ ■ ^ a place in Canada situated northeast of 
 ^M, Toronto. His parents, John and Barbara 
 (Shier) Pangborn, came to Verona Township in 
 1862 and bought 160 acres of land on section 
 On this they resided until they had cleared and 
 otherwise improved So acres, when they sold the 
 place. They are both living at the home of their 
 son. 
 
 Mr. Pangborn bought a farm in 1879, which in- 
 cluded 40 acres of land. The home farm now con- 
 tains 120 acres, with 70 acres under cultivation. Mr. 
 Pangborn cleared 68 acres himself He also built 
 his barn and a part of his residence. In 1881 he lost 
 his barn, all the year's crop of grain and hay, together 
 with his fences and much miscellaneous property, 
 such as the progress of years accumulates in the 
 [xjssession of every farmer. He rebuilt his barn, and 
 in the fall of 1883 repeated privately the experience 
 of two years before, losing his barn, grain, hay, im- 
 plements and all his farm fixtures, except a wagon 
 and a set of harness. The loss in both fires was 
 about $3,000, with no insurance. 
 
 Mr. Pangborn was married Jan. 12, 1880, at Sand 
 Beach, to Ellen, daughter of William and Susannah >; 
 (Conboy) Taylor, a native of Canada. Two children ^ 
 have been born of this union, — Alton ("., Jan. 8, 
 1883, and Morton ("., Dec. 29, 1883. Mr. Pangborn 
 was Treasurer of his townsliip in 188 1-2. 
 
 V^ 
 
 Tsm- 
 
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 /: ]1 pN^'taniel Sinclair, farmer, section i, Grant 
 'S'jiij'., Township, was born July 22, 1843, in 
 • Ji> ■ (Jntario. His |)arents, Donald and Rachel 
 
 f[ft (Lyman) Sinclair, were natives respectively 
 ^ of Scotland and Canada. They were married 
 I in the Dominion, settled there in 1S41, and 
 are still the residents of that country. 
 
 Mr. Sinclair has spent seven years of his life as a 
 sailor on the lakes. In 186S he first came to Huron 
 County. He bought 80 acres of land in Grant 
 Township in 1878, and made a homestead claim 
 of 80 acres additional. Of this about 88 acres are 
 now under cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Sinclair began his business life wholly empty- 
 handed. His energy and industry has placed him 
 in fair rank with the agriculturists of Huron County. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Sinclair, to Ellen 
 Kanard, took place at Carson City. Ellen was the 
 name of the single child born to them. The mother 
 was a native of Canada, and died May 29, 1878. 
 Mr. Sinclair was a second time married Dec. 15, 
 1880, to Rosanna Keeler. Their only child Daniel 
 was born June 27, T884. Mrs. Sinclair is a native 
 of Canada, and is a member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 h 
 
 ^ 
 
 (^ 
 
 Vl^(f{ifl|l4 illiam H. McDowell, farmer, section 22, 
 '- ^'™'., Colfax Township, was born June 22, 1S32, ' 
 ,^'^' at West Point, N. Y. His parents, John 
 and Ann (Simonton) McDowell, were natives 
 of Belfast, Ireland, and came to the Domin- 
 ion of Canada at an early date in their lives. 
 .\fter their marriage they settled in the State of New (<o) 
 York, and later on went to Ohio. They finally re- 
 
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 T<i>\irMh> 
 
 i 
 
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 o 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 turned to Canada, whence they made another transfer 
 in 1862 to Bay City, Mich., where the senior Mc 
 Dowell put in operation the first foundry established 
 in that city. The parents both died there. 
 
 Mr. McDowell is the eldest of si.'c children. He 
 acquired a good education and was under the pa- 
 rental roof until he was 23 years of age. He was 
 instructed in the luisiness of a foundryman by his 
 father, and at 14 l)cganto work at molding, which lie 
 followed nearly 1 i years. He came from Canada to 
 Bay City in 1867, where he passed two years operat- 
 ing as a molder. In 1869, he returned to Canada 
 and engaged in farming, in wliich he was occupied 
 until 1878. In that year he came to Huron County 
 and bought 720 acres of land in llie township of 
 Colfax. He still retains the ownership of 520 acres 
 of land, which comprises 145 acres improved and 
 cultivated. He is a Democrat in political connec- 
 tion and has served in several official positions in 
 Colfax. 
 
 His marriage to Barbara McNaughton occurred 
 May 27, 1856. She was born in Chippewa, Ont., and 
 is of Scotch descent. Nine children have been born of 
 this marrage, seven of whom survive. Their births oc- 
 curred in the following order : John VV., Anna, Mary, 
 William H., Samuel, Bella M., George N. Emu. a is 
 deceased, and another child died in infancy. The 
 mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 '^astasifS^r 
 
 f?J— M^i^-SJ/ZTOTsv 
 
 tenry E. Facer, farmer on sections 8, 2 1 and 
 15, Rubicon Township, was born Jure 15, 
 1830, in Port Huron, Mich. His parents, 
 Lewis and Susan B (Baker) Facer, were among 
 the earliest settlers in the State. His paternal 
 gr.mdfatlier was a well-known fur trader among 
 the Indians, as agent for the Hudson's Bay Company. 
 His father was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in its earliest 
 ))ioneer days, and was employed by the United States 
 (■jovernmcnt to carry the mail between the place of 
 his birth and Chillicothe, Ohio, when the portion of 
 the Buckeye State where they were located was 
 frontier ground and the Indians troublesome. I'he 
 mail carrier was often captured, but, on being recog- 
 nized as tiie son of an Indian trader, was released. 
 
 He afterwards became a baker, and while following 
 that business he sui)plied the gariison stationed at 
 Port Huron. He also engaged in mercantile busi- 
 ness and lumbering, and later in hotel-keei)ing. He 
 was the founder of Lake Port in St. Clair County, 
 and at the date of his starting the settlement there 
 was engaged in lumbering for Major Hanna, of Port 
 Huron. He sold his interests there at time of the 
 oil excitement of that region, taking advantage of the 
 boom created. Mr. Facer of this sketch sold 15 acres 
 of land for $1,500, for which he had paid but $120. 
 The father died at a point in St. Clair County three 
 miles below Port Huron, in the fall of 1863, and was 
 84 years old. The mother died at Birchville (Lake- 
 jjort) in St. Clair County, in the fall of 1865, aged 73 
 years. 
 
 On reaching the period of his legal freedom, Mr. 
 Facer obtained the appointment of light-house keeper 
 on Presciue Isle, in Lake Erie, and discharged the 
 duties of the position three years. He next engaged 
 as a ship and house carpenter at Detroit and luilay 
 City, in company with Joseph P. Arnold, a skilled 
 mechanic, and after working with him two seasons 
 he devoted his time exclusively to building, whiili 
 he pursued for 16 years. 
 
 In the fall of 1861 he came to Sand Beath. He 
 o|)erated as a builder through two sunnners and 
 engaged in lumbering winters, for Pack iV Carriiigton. 
 In 1863 he came to Port Hope and entered the 
 employ of W. R. Stafford, where he was occui)ied two 
 years. At the end of that time, he engaged in lum- 
 bering for Howe & Clark, of New River. He spent 
 three years in their service, after which he went to 
 Huron City and i)assed nearly three years in the 
 employ of L. Hubbard, working as a builder sum- 
 mers and in lumbering winters, engaging during tlie 
 seasons of spring in driving logs on the river. 
 
 He afterward came to Port Hope, where he iias 
 since resided. The outlook for tiie future of that 
 place seemed promising, and he invested $4,000 in 
 property there, buying nearly one entire block, with 
 the expectation that the Harbor of Refuge would be 
 established there; buL like other bright outlooks of 
 modern times, that failed lo " materialize," and 
 property depreciated accordingly. 
 
 In 1870 he bought 80 acres of land, of Stafford, 
 Hayward & Jeness,and has improved about one-half 
 of the property. 
 
 Mr. Facer was first married .April 19, 1853, to 
 
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 im 
 
 HIJRON COUNTY. 
 
 213 
 
 
 (^ 
 
 Marietta Bryce, who was born July 11, 1833, and 
 was the daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Hodg- 
 man) Bryce. Her father died about the year 1847, 
 and her mother's death occurred in 1883, when she 
 was 74 years of age. Mrs. F. died in March, 1863, 
 and Mr. Facer was again married in 1865, to Ann 
 Jane, daughter of David and Susanna (Taylor) A^- 
 Clure. Her parents are natives of Scothmd, and are 
 now Uving, in Worth Townsliip, Sanilac Co., Mich. 
 Mr. Facer has had six children by each wife: nine 
 are living, named Thomas B., Omar D., Winfield S., 
 Nettie, Eva, Eber B., Frederick, Carrie and Harry. 
 In his views of national cjuestions Mr. F. adopts 
 Republican principles. Both himself and wife are 
 members of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
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 atson Robinson, farmer, section 18, Sigel 
 
 illli^^ffll Township, is a leading citizen of Huron 
 '"'^y^ County. He was born Jan. 27, 1813, 
 1> in Yorkshire, Eng., and is the eldest son 
 of ten children born to his parents, Thomas 
 and Mary (Willin) Robinson. They were na- 
 tives of England and emigrated in 1819 to Canada, 
 settling in the county of Peterboro, wliere they 
 lived during tlie remainder of their lives. Their 
 children were named Isabella, Watson, Tliomas, 
 John, Margaret, Mary and George W. 
 
 Mr. Robinson was six years of age when his 
 parents emigrated to Canada, and he remained with 
 his father, aiding in the farm labors, until he reached 
 his majority His father gave hiui 100 acres of 
 unimproved land in the Dominion, and he took 
 possession of the place and was occupied in its 
 improvement until 1849, when he bought a farm 
 in Oxford Co., Ont., on which he lived 12 ye^rs. 
 
 He came to Michigan in the winter of 186 1 and 
 became the proprietor of 80 acres of land in Sigel 
 Township, Huron County, under the provisions of 
 the Homestead Law. He is now the owner of 370 
 acres of land, in the townships of Sigel and Verona, 
 and has improved 40 acres, in the fire of 1881, 
 all his Ijuildings and crops, besides a considerable 
 cjuantity of other property, were destroyed. His 
 loss was about $5,000. He foi-.nd himself, on tlie 
 morning following the destruction of his accumula- 
 
 tions, without a hat, without covering for his feet, and 
 practically destitute of clothing of any character. 
 But he was enabled to replace his house the following 
 fall, and is in a fair way to retrieve all his losses. 
 
 He was married in November, 1833, in Peterboro 
 Co., Ont., to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary 
 Livick. Ten children have been born to them in 
 the following order: Mary, Thomas, John, Jane, 
 Margaret, Willin, James, Elizabeth, Jane (second) 
 and James (second). Mary is deceased, also Jane 
 (first), Willin, James (first) and Elizabeth. The four 
 last named died within tlie same month, of malig- 
 nant sore throat. The mother died in Gratiot Co., 
 Mich. 
 
 Mr. Robinson was a second time married in the 
 winter of 1866, in Sigel Township, to Charlotte 
 Harper. They have had four children, — Watson, 
 Jr., George W., Josephine and Maria. The third 
 child died in infancy. Mrs. Robinson was born 
 in Oxford Co., Ont., Sept. 13, 1844, and is the 
 daughter of Robert and Ann (Tribe) Harper, who 
 were natives of Norfolkshire, Eng. 
 
 Mr. Robinson is independent in political belief 
 and action. In August, 1878, he received the nomi- 
 nation for the Legislature from Huron County on 
 the Democratic ticket, but withdrew his name 
 previous to the election on account of his views 
 on financial ipiestions. He has served three terms as 
 Supervisor, three terms as Township Treasurer and 
 has been twice elected Justice of the Peace. 
 
 As the subject of the foregoing sketch is a promi- 
 nent and representative citizen of Huron County, on 
 account of his intellectual abilities and integrity of 
 character, the publishers take great pleasure in plac- 
 ing his portrait in the collection given in this 
 At.p.um. 
 
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 rKohn R. Bodey, farmer, section 29, Grant fo) 
 
 ?JJ: - pownship, is one of its earliest settlers. He 1 
 
 i'*^*^' came here in the fall of 1863 and entered ^» 
 
 ^g. a claim of 80 acres, of which he took posses- W 
 
 iT sion. He erected a shanty and set about clear- ^ 
 
 \ ing his land, meanwhile working as a farm @\ 
 
 aborer until October, 1864, when he entered the ^ 
 
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 ■^#f^ 
 
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 ®7 
 
 214 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 f 
 
 
 
 army of the Union, and served about nine months. 
 The war having come to an end, he returned to 
 Huron County to his farm, where his family had re- 
 mained during his absence. He has continued the 
 work of improvement on his farm and has extended 
 his acreage until he is the owner of 120 acres with 
 about 60 acres under improvement. Mr. Bodey is a 
 Democrat in political opinion. 
 
 He was born April 26, 1831, in Putnam Co., Ohio, 
 and is the son of Henry and Susan (Comer) Bodey, 
 both of whom were born in Virginia. They settled 
 in the Buckeye State after their marriage, where the 
 mother died. The father removed after that event 
 to Randolph Co., Ind., where his life terminated some 
 years after. Their family numbered 1 1 children. 
 
 Mr. Bodey is the fourth son and fifth child. He 
 lived in his native State until he was ig years of age, 
 when he went to Allen Co., Ind., and resided there 
 until his settlement in Huron County. 
 
 He was married Dec. 2, 1855, in Allen County, to 
 Lydia A. Baxter. Six children have been born of 
 this union — Samuel F., Mary L., Lydia J., Sybil O., 
 Joseph D. and Oliver A. Sybil was the first white 
 child born in Grant Township. Her birth occurred 
 Jan. 24, 1864. Mary died when she was two years 
 of age. Mrs. Bodey is a member of the Advent 
 Church. She was born on Long Island, N. Y., May 
 I, 1836. Her parents, Thomas and Lavinia (Young- 
 love) Baxter, were natives of the State of New York. 
 
 -^ 
 
 Toseph Hubbard, farmer and butcher, resi- 
 dent on section 33, Gore township, was 
 born Dec. 20, 1843, in Lincolnshire, Eng. 
 His parents, Joseph and Susanna Hubbard, 
 Tl were both of English birth, his father having 
 been born in England about 1817, and died 
 when his son was a child. The mother was born 
 in April, 1823, and is still living, in Lincolnshire. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard left Liverpool for the United States 
 Feb. 28, 1866, landed at the port of New York, and 
 reached Port Hope March 17th. He engaged in 
 farming and lumbering and passed two winters in 
 the vocation last named, in which he lost $1,700. 
 Mr. Hubbard endorses the views of the National 
 
 Greenback party, and has discharged the duties of V^ 
 
 the position of Town Clerk several terms. 
 
 He was first married in October, 1866, to Susanna 
 Huijbard. One child was born ot this marriage, 
 which lived about a month. The mother died in 
 December, 1873, in Ontario. She was the daughter 
 of John and Mary Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard" was a 
 second time married April 12, 1875, to Hannah, 
 daughter of Robert and Mary (Gambel) Campbell. 
 Her mother died in Scotland. The demise of her 
 father took place in Gore Township. Five children 
 have been born of the last marriage: Harry, Joseph, 
 Robert J., William and Mary. 
 
 V^ 
 
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 A 
 
 
 V. 
 
 'ohn A. Morgan, merchant at Bad Axe, was 
 born Feb. 23, 1819, in Wales. He is the 
 son of William and Mary (Lewis) Morgan, 
 and was country bred until he was about 15 i=i 
 years of age, when he went to the town of ^ 
 Merthyr Tydvil, and obtained employment as = 
 a tailor, to which profession he had been trained 
 before leaving the country. He was married in his 
 native land, Dec. 4, 1843, to Rachel Griffith, a 
 native of Wales. Mrs. Morgan was born June 27, 
 181 1. She became the mother of a daughter, — 
 Sarah A., — now the wife of John Williams, and 
 living in New Swindon, Wiltshire, England. The 
 mother died in Wales, Nov. 26, 1S44. 
 
 Mr. Morgan came to the United Stales in 1848. 
 He settled in Pittsburg, Pa., where he followed his 
 trade until 185 1, coming thence to Detroit. He 
 remained in the City of the Straits until 1864, 
 earning a wide and well deserved celebrity as a 
 superior maker of coats. Many of the prominent 
 men of Michigan were among his patrons. In 
 1864, he opened a tailoring and clothing establish- 
 ment at Wyandotte, Wayne Co., Mich., where he 
 operated until 1877, the year of his removal to Bad 
 Axe. He at once erected the building in which 
 he now transacts his business, and established his 
 trade. He is operating with satisfactory results. 
 
 Mr. Morgan was a second time married in Pitts- 
 burg, Pa., Jan. 18, 1849, lo Sarah Davis. She was 
 born March 26, 1823, in Wales, and is the daughter 
 
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 -seS 
 
 1*^^ 
 
 f 
 
 i 
 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 of Thomas and Rachel Davis. Her mother died in 
 Wales, in 1827, and she came with her father to 
 America in 1830. They settled in Ebensburg, 
 Cambria Co., Pa. Only three of eight children 
 born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are 
 living, namely: Mary, Ruth and William T. The 
 latter is the Deputy Register of Deeds of Huron 
 County. The family are members of the Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 
 I: tto W. Storbeck, farmer, section 6, Lincoln 
 Township, was born in New York, Dec. 7. 
 1855. His parents, William and Teny 
 (Witniire) Storbeck, are natives of Germany. 
 About the year 1854 they came to America 
 and resided a few years in the State of New 
 York, afterwards removing to this county, and are 
 still living in Huron Township. 
 
 Mr. Storbeck is the eldest of a family of six cliil- 
 dren. He was under the parental roof until he 
 reached the age of 24 years, when he set out in the 
 world on his own responsibility. In the summer of 
 1876 he bought 120 acres of land in Lincoln Town- 
 shij). He has disposed of one-half of his original 
 purchase, and of the remainder, one-third is already 
 under cultivation. 
 
 In the fire of 1881, he lost all he had accumulated 
 except the bare acres of his farm. His house, barn, 
 the wheat just cut from 10 acres, and still in the 
 shock, four acres of peas and all incidental crops and 
 belongings were destroyed. But he is slowly retriev- 
 ing his loss, and will soon be in possession again of 
 something like his former property. 
 He is a Republican in political faith. 
 
 t4 4^# 
 
 W. Haywood, Deputy Treasurer of 
 
 Huron County, was born at Haverhill, 
 
 Grafton Co., N. H., Nov. 22, 1855. His 
 
 father, Alvah Haywood, was a farmer in the 
 
 Granite State and also a railroad contractor. 
 
 He was one of the builders of the Boston, 
 
 Concord & Montreal Railroad, and died in Haver- 
 
 hill, when his son was about five years of age. 'i'he 
 mother's name jjrevious to her marriage was Lucretia 
 Jeffers. In 1869, tlie family came to Port Hope, 
 Huron Co., where Mr. Haywood was employed a 
 short time in a saw mill. He went thence to Lex- 
 ington, where he operated 18 months as a clerk in 
 the postofifice, after whicli he engaged as a sales- 
 man with Messrs. Johnson & Brown, merchants. 
 He next entered the employment of R. B. Hubbard 
 & Co. at Huron City, where he remained four years. 
 His next employ was with Thompson & Hulibard. 
 In the fall of 1879, he engaged with Langdon Hub- 
 bard as book-keeper and officiated in tiiat capacity 
 two years. He came to Bad Axe Jan. i, 1882, as 
 Deputy Treasurer under James Adams, and is still 
 serving in the same appointment. He is a member 
 of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to Stafford 
 Chapter at Port Hope, No. 66, and to Lodge No. 
 138. He has officiated several years as Justice of 
 the Peace, two years as Clerk of Huron Township, 
 and m 1878-9 was Postmaster of Huron City. 
 
 ■ liJjSenjamin McKillen, blacksmith, resident 
 'SJIs at Verona Mills, was born May 18, 185 i, 
 in the Province of Quebec, Can. He is 
 the son of David and Elizabeth (Abbott) 
 McKillen, and was born and reared on a 
 farm. He obtained a very thorough business 
 education at the Canadian Business College located 
 at Hamilton, Ont., where he was graduated. 
 
 He left home to make his own way in the world 
 when he was 19 years old, and was variously em- 
 ployed until 1876, when he commenced to ac<|uire 
 the knowledge necessary to the prosecution of the 
 business he has since pursued. He passed three 
 years in the village of Bobcaygeon, Ont., learning 
 his trade. Before his apprenticeship was ended he 
 became a partner in the business with his brother, 
 and at the expiration of the time they sold out. Mr. 
 McKillen came to Verona, April i, 1880, and estab- 
 lished his residence and business. He is conducting 
 the most important blacksmith shop in Verona, and 
 combines all the varieties of business common to 
 profession. 
 
 He was married at Fenelon Falls, Can., Oct. 
 
 
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 K-flgr^aOv) ^^ ^ ^gs^ 
 
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 -4^^^f®\l« 
 
 
 
 5) 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 1876, to Mary E., daughter of John and Jane 
 (Thomas) Metcalfe. She was born June 24, 1858, 
 in Mariposa Township, Victoria Co., Can. They 
 have had four children; Lillian M., who was born 
 Feb. II, 1878; Elizabeth J., June 22, 1879; James 
 E., Aug. 14, 1881; Violet E., April 11, 1883. 
 
 Mr. McKillen owns his shop and residence; and 
 employs an assistant in his business. 
 
 ichard Smith, real-estate broker and dealer 
 in books and stationery, also abstractor, 
 located at Bad Axe, was born Aug, 23, 
 1840, in Roxburghshire, Scotland. He is the 
 son of Peter and Margaret (Rutherford) 
 Smith, and obtained a good education in his 
 native country. He taught school there a short time, 
 and when he was 17 years old he came to Peter- 
 borough, Ont. In 1858 he decided to become a 
 maker of carriages and wagons, and he served three 
 years in acquiring a knowledge of the trade. He 
 made it his business in the Dominion for three and a 
 half years after serving his time, when he proceeded 
 to Auburn, N. Y. The war was in progress, and 
 soon after reaching that city Mr. Smith enrolled him- 
 self among the nation's defenders, enlisting Feb. 26, 
 1865, in Co. H, 169th N. Y. Inf His command was 
 sent to Raleigh, N. C, where it was stationed at the 
 time of Johnston's surrender. He was discharged 
 from the military service of the United States in 
 August, 1865. 
 
 In the autumn of the same year, in company with 
 a comrade in the war, he came to Port Austin, Huron 
 County, with whom he purchased 120 acres of land, 
 on which they siient the winter. In the spring of 
 1866 Mr. Smith went to the village of Port Austni, 
 and worked two months as a carpenter. He entered 
 the employment of Charles B. Cottrell, County Sur- 
 veyor and De|)uty Register of Deeds, and engaged 
 in the duties of both positions, assisting both in sur- 
 veying and in the registration duties. In the fall of 
 1866 he was elected County Surveyor, and was the 
 incumbent of the office two years. In January, 1867, 
 he was appointed Deputy County Register and 
 County Clerk, by the recently elected official, and 
 
 assisted in the duties of the offices two years. In 
 the fall election of 186S, he was elected to the offices 
 of which he had been deputy, and continued to dis- 
 charge the obligations of the positions eight years, 
 being three times re-elected. In 1873 he came to 
 Bad .\xe and removed his family hither in 1874. He 
 went thence in 1877 to Port Austin, where he opened 
 an abstract office. He had previously opened a set 
 of those important papers, and he devoted himself 
 with energy to their completion. With the duties 
 belonging to the office he combined the sale of books 
 and stationery. In December, 1883, he established 
 a permanent business at Bad Axe. 
 
 From the spring of 188 1 to that of 1882 Mr. Smith 
 was a partner in the Huron County News, in connec- 
 tion with which he conducted a stationery business. 
 He disposed of both by sale in the year last named, 
 and devoted his attention to his real-estate and ab- 
 stract business. He has been Supervisor of Port 
 Austin Township two years, and Clerk of the same 
 several years. He owns his place of business and 
 several town lots in Bad Axe, and also 400 acres of 
 farming land in Huron County. 
 
 Mr. Smith was married in Port Austin Township, 
 May 19, 1870, to Abbie, daughter of Robert Merrick. 
 She was born Oct. 23, 1851, in Huron Co., Ont. 
 Nettie M., born Nov. 18, 1871 ; William R., May 12, 
 1875; and Richard Scott, Dec. 11, 1876; — are the 
 names of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. 
 
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 ames Armstrong, farmer, section i, Colfax 
 Township, is a native born citizen of Mich- 
 ' - igan. He is the son of James B. and 
 Harriet M. (Hartshorn) Armstrong, and was 
 born April 17, 1849, in Port Huron. The 
 parents were born respectively in Vermont and JL 
 New York. Soon after their marriage they settled 
 in Michigan. The father died April 23, 1874, in 
 Huron County. The mother survives. Their family 
 consisted of four sons and two daughters. 
 
 Mr. Armstrong is the second of the sons. He 
 obtained a common-school education, and at 18 T 
 years of age he became a lumberman and spent the 
 
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 4 
 
 HUROlSr COUNTY. 
 
 winter months of six years in that occupation. In 
 1868, he bought 80 acres of land in Colfax Town- 
 ship, for which he paid at the rate of $1.25 per acre. 
 In the fall of 1871 he settled on the place whicli has 
 since been his home. His farm contains 55 acres of 
 cleared and cultivated land. He is a Republican in 
 political views,and has served his township as Treas- 
 urer and in other school and local offices. 
 
 He was married in Huron Co., Mich., May 21, 
 1 87 I, to Roxana C. Spencer. Her parents, William 
 and Betsey (Wilson) Spencer, were natives of Can- 
 ada. They were pioneer settlers of Sanilac County, 
 and the mother died there. The father removed 
 later to Huron County and went thence to Dakota. 
 Mrs. Armstrong was born Dec. 23, 1846, in Sanilac 
 Co., Mich. The children which constitute the issue 
 of her marriage to Mr. Armstrong were born as 
 follows: George W., William I., Hubert R. and 
 Cora M. 
 
 3-V> — 5- 
 
 eorge Pangman, farmer, resident on sec- 
 tion 24, Verona Township, is the son of 
 '^ Sterling and Jane (Mills) Pangman, and 
 was born Nov. 2, 1844, in Ontario Co., Can. 
 He began to apply himself to the carpenter's 
 trade when he was 16 years old, and followed 
 it for several years. In 1866 lie came to the town- 
 ship of Verona and bought 80 acres of land. He 
 increased his estate by the purchase of 20 acres 
 additional in 187 1, and has cleared and improved 
 about 60 acres. 
 
 Mr. Pangman was married March 27, 1870, at 
 Verona Mills, to Ellen Pangburn. She was born in 
 York Co., Can., May 10, 1846, and is the daughter 
 of John and Barbara (Shier) Pangburn. Three chil- 
 dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pangman on the 
 homestead farm. Lena May was born July 14, 
 1872, and died Sept. 5, 1874; Carrie L. was born 
 Aug. 15, 1875; and Silas E. was born Jan. 22, 1877. 
 Since coming to Huron County, Mr. Pangman has 
 worked at his trade to the extent of erecting his farm 
 buildings, and in the summer of 1883 he assisted in 
 constructing the Verona grist-mills. He passed 
 through and suffered loss in both the fires that have 
 
 swept over Huron County. The family resided at 
 Verona Mills in 1871, in a rented house, which was 
 burned and their furniture with it, at a loss of about *^* 
 
 $500. The loss in 1881 was about $2,000, the fire 
 destroying a fine house, barn, farming implements, 
 fences, and the accumulations of years, besides the 
 crop of that year, including 200 bushels of wheat, 
 oats, peas, etc., much of which had been placed in 
 the barn a week previous. He had an insurance of 
 $1,300, but never recovered it. 
 
 
 illiam E. Small, jeweler and dealer in 
 stationery and musical instruments at Bad 
 Axe, was born March 8, 1857, in Mt. Ver- 
 
 1 
 
 ^? 
 
 c^: 
 
 ^ 
 
 •1 
 
 ^^^ non, N. Y. He is the son of Edward J. and 
 
 Sarah L. (Bloomer) Small. His father died *(N 
 when he was four years old; his mother is a ' 
 resident of the city of New York. 
 
 Mr. Small was adopted when he was eight years 
 old, by Josiah W. Begole, of Flint, present Governor 
 of the State of Michigan, by whom he was brought 
 up, and with whom he resided until he was of age. ( ^ 
 He entered a printing office in Flint when he was 16 
 years old, where he was occupied 18 months, and 
 from that time until 1877 he operated as assistant 
 inspector in the lumber yard of Begole, Fox & Co. at 
 Flint. He then decided on fitting himself for the 
 business which he is now prosecuting, and entered 
 the jewelry house of W. W. True, of Flint, where he 
 acquired the desired knowledge and training and 
 remained until i8Si. In that year lie established his 
 business at Bad Axe, opening a jewelr) stjre in June 
 at a stand ojiposite the Court-House. Tiiat was the 
 year of disaster to Huron County, and his business 
 shared the common fate of extinction by fire. His 
 store and contents were destroyed, entailing a loss of 
 $200 above insurance, his furniture and domestic 
 fixtures being also burned. He immediately opened 
 his business where he is at present located, and 
 where he is winning success in his transactions. He 
 owns his store and residence and tiie grounds there- 
 with. 
 
 Mr. Small was married Sept. 3, 1879, in Flint, 
 
 &'» 
 
 ®\ 
 
 pvv®»«§i# 
 
 '^:llll>:!]llr.>^ 
 
 ^S3(<^'hf^ 
 
7<^DD^IiD^1>v 
 
 -5S!^^^ 
 
 
 Vi, 
 
 i 
 
 > 
 ) 
 
 218 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Mich., to Jennie R. True. She was born Jan. 1, 
 i860, in Flint, and is the daughter of William W. and 
 Rowena (Blair) True. Two children have been born 
 of this union: Rowena H., in Flint, April 21, 1882, 
 and Gertrude L., at Bad Axe, Dec. 3, 1883. 
 
 "r^ 
 
 K\ 
 
 rman W. Dickinson, farmer, section 11, 
 (Tii Huron Township, was born Oct. 4, 185 1, at 
 
 ^{^ Memphis, Macomb Co., Mich. He is the son 
 K of Dr. Herman W. and Permelia (Wilcox) 
 ] Dickinson. (See sketch of Dr. H. W. Dick- 
 inson.) 
 
 Mr. Dickinson has resided on the farm of which 
 he is now the manager since he was two years 
 of age. He received such education as the schools 
 of the township afforded, and was trained to agricul- 
 tural duties. 
 
 He was married Dec. 29, 1875, to Nancy Mercer. 
 Their children were born in the following order: 
 Herman W., Dec. 21, r876; Freddie, Aug. 13, 1878; 
 Harry A., July 9, 1882. Mrs. Dickinson is the 
 daughter of Henry and Margaret Ann Carroll, and 
 was born March 6, 1855, in St. Mary's, Ont. Her 
 mother was born May 15, 1835, and died May 8, 
 1873, in Forester, Sanilac Co., Mich. She is one of 
 a family of six children — four sons and two daugh- 
 ters — of whom she is the eldest. All are living. 
 
 Mr. Dickinson had four sisters, two of whom are 
 living. One resides in Kansas and another, Sarah 
 A., has been engaged six years in teaching, chiefly 
 at Huron City. 
 
 esire Filion, Postmaster, merchant, and 
 
 farmer on section 24, Meade Township, 
 
 residing at Filion, was born in St. Therese, 
 
 Province of Quebec, Sept. 15, 1844. His 
 
 parents, Moses and Angeline (Desjardines) 
 
 Filion, were born in Canada, of French ancestry. 
 
 Mr. Filion obtained a good education at the public 
 
 schools of Canada, and remained in the Dominion 
 until 1 86 1, when he located in Hume Township, 
 Huron County. He resided there about 10 years. 
 In 1S69 he homesteaded 160 acres in Meade Town- 
 ship, which has since been his place of residence. 
 He has added to his acreage by later purchases, 
 until he owns 160 acres in Meade Township, 80 
 acres in Hume Township and 80 acres in the town- 
 ship of Lincoln. He has placed about 40 acres 
 under improvement. 
 
 In political belief and action Mr. Filion is a de- 
 cided Prohibitionist. In 1876 he was appointed 
 Postmaster at Filion, and in 1878 established a mer- 
 cantile business, in which he has met with reasonable 
 success. He is the |)resent Treasurer of Lincoln 
 Township. (Filion is situated on the boundary line 
 between Meade and Lincoln Townships.) He has 
 been Clerk of the last named several years, and is a 
 member of the order known as the A. B. A. He 
 belongs to the Protestant Methodist Church. 
 
 •ntass/ts^r 
 
 >^^i0inn^ 
 
 "^fMit eorge H. Walker, member of the banking 
 i^^ house of Walker & Seeley, at Bad Axe, 
 Wr ^ was born May 30, 1852, in Ontario, Do- 
 ''^ ' minion of Canada. He is the son of William 
 and Janett (Ramage) Walker, both natives of 
 Scotland. His father was a woolen manufac- 
 turer in Canada, and has now retired from business. 
 Mr. \\'alker attended Rockwood Academy for a num- 
 ber of years, after which he learned the trade of a 
 harness-maker. He came to Caro, Tuscola Co., in 
 1873, where he established himself and continued 
 the management of his business at that place about 
 eight years. He bought real estate, and platted and 
 sold it while there. He also handled wagons and 
 carriages in connection with his business. In the 
 fall of 1 88 1 he sold his business and entered the 
 banking office of John F. Seeley, for the purpose of 
 obtaining a practical knowledge of the business. Jan. 
 4, 1883, he opened a banking house under the firm 
 name of Walker & Seeley, of which he is now in 
 charge. The firm has erected a fine brick building, 
 trimmed with Ohio stone, two stories in height above 
 basement, with two vaults, one in basement and one 
 
 % 
 
 
 (5 
 1 
 
m^r^^^^^ 
 
 -rr^ 
 
 <>iii]>^Dn.>T 
 
 ) 
 
 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 on first floor : size of building, 60 x 25 feet. They 
 have the latest improved Detroit burglar-proof safe, 
 with time lock. The house transacts a general real- 
 estate and loaning business. Mr. Walker owns wild 
 and improved land in different parts of the county. 
 He was married July 7, 1880, in Caro, to Ada L., 
 daughter of Augustus and Mary E. Howell. She 
 was born May 7, 1S58, in Plymouth, Wayne Co., 
 Mich. Mr. Walker is a member of the fraternity of 
 Odd Fellows. 
 
 S*-^H*^ 
 
 'ohn Hunt, Supervisor of Verona Town- 
 ship and farmer on section 24, was born 
 Jan. 27, 1852, near St. Paul, Minn. His 
 parents, William and Fannie (Stewart) Huiit, 
 removed with their family to Oakwood, Oak- 
 land Co., Mich., when he was in early infancy. 
 His father was a blacksmith and opened a shop there 
 for the prosecution of his business. His mother died 
 there Jan. 27, 1854, her death occurring on her son's 
 second birthday. Soon after that event he was placed 
 in the care of the family of a man named Ralph 
 Hunt, where he was cared for one year. His next 
 guardian was a man named Hasner. After a stay 
 with him of two years Mr. Hasner died and he was 
 adopted, not long after, by J. W. Phillips, a promi- 
 nent farmer of Oxford, Oakland County, witii whom 
 he remained until he was 14 years old. The father 
 of Mr. Hunt died at Hunter's Creek Station, Lapeer 
 Co., Mich. 
 
 He obtained a good common-school education and 
 followed farming until he was 21 years old. He then 
 began to operate as a carpenter, and he alternated 
 that occupation with teaching district schools, win- 
 ters. In 1879-80 he engaged in teaching at Bad 
 Axe. He became a land owner in Sigel Township, 
 Huron County, in 1878, by [jurchasing 160 acres on 
 sections 5 and 6, in company with Ezra Gardner, of 
 Oxford, Oakland County. Their fiirming operations 
 were considerably advanced when the fire of 1881 
 destroyed their new house, the ijarn, containing 250 
 bushels of wheat, quantities of oats, peas and hay ; 
 also their fences and cattle. Mr. Hunt's loss was 
 swelled to about $1,000 by the loss of his furniture. 
 
 He then purchased his partner's interest, and a year 
 later became the owner of 100 acres in Verona 
 Township, where he has since resided. He has 90 
 acres cleared, with good dwelling and barns, orchard 
 and a creditable sujiply of farm fixtures generally. 
 He owns one thoroughbred Durham and several 
 graded cattle, and is breeding Poland-China swine. 
 Mr. Hunt was elected to his first term as Supervisor 
 of Verona To.msliii> in 1883, and was re-elected the 
 following spring. 
 
 Mr. Hunt was married in Oxford, Oakland C"o., 
 Mich., Sept. 24, 1879, to Laura, daughter of Lud- 
 wick S. and Hannah (Gibson) Noble. She was born 
 in Oxford, June 24, 1857. In the winter of 1883-4, 
 Mr. Hunt taught school at Verona Mills. 
 
 iiaae^E^^ 
 
 M^4— «^^^j^zraTOv» 
 
 ■^-l^fcit 
 
 
 (lohn W. Chappel, farmer, section 6, 
 mk_ Meade Township, was i)orn Nov. 20, 1S42, 
 K? in Cornwell Co., England. His parents, 
 
 J? John and Ann (Penberthy) Chappel, were also 
 natives of England and emigrated to the Uni- 
 ted States, locating in the State of Wisconsin 
 when it was in its pioneer days. The father's health 
 failed about nine years after they had made a settle- 
 ment, and they returned to England, wiiere they re- 
 sided a few years, and the father went to Brazil, 
 where he died three years afterward. 
 
 Mr. Chappel accompanied his parents on their re- 
 turn to their native country. He came back to 
 America in i860, and at once proceeded to the cop- 
 per regions of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, 
 wiiere he was interested in the develo[)ment of the 
 C'liff Mine. Li 1S63 he went to Virginia City, Nev., 
 where he remained three years, working in the silver 
 mines. In 1866, he went to California and spent 
 seven months in tlie Golden Stale, returning thence 
 to Virginia City, and six months later went to Mon- 
 tana He went thence to England, where he re- 
 mained II montlis, and meanwhile was married. He 
 returned with his wife to the United States and went 
 to Pennsylvania, where his family had their resi- 
 dence a few years. He went again to California and 
 stayed a year, returning thence to Pennsylvania. Soon 
 after he returned to his " first love," the copper mines 
 
 
 
 
 ^.•\«))«^€^- 
 
 Jssi^^^sa^ 
 
 JL 
 
 <^D!l^ni]i1>A- 
 
 .iv-T^N'^ 
 
 
$«^f 
 
 ^^nnsntii^T^^ — >«fer 
 
 ■^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -8SS 
 
 1^^^ 
 
 
 of the Upper Peninsula. It proved a disastrous 
 venture, as in May, 1881, be was seriously injured by 
 the premature discharge of a blast, losing his right 
 eye and being severely burned and mangled. On re- 
 covery he came to Meade Township and bought 80 
 acres of land, under partial improvements. His farm 
 now includes 72 acres of land in an advanced state 
 of cultivation. 
 
 In political faith, Mr. Chappel coincides with the 
 principles uf the Republican party. 
 
 His marriage to Nancy Cogar took place June 2, 
 1868. They have had nine children, three of whom 
 died in infancy. Those who survive are named 
 John, William C, Edward, Annie, Viola and James 
 H. Mrs. Chappel was born in England, Feb. 5, 
 1847. 
 
 Mr. Chappel is a member of the Order of Red 
 Men, and belongs to the Knights of the Mystic 
 Chain. 
 
 ■^"-^y^^^^-^^m'^ H 
 
 G\ 
 
 ^ eorge Martin, Jr., farmer on section 25, 
 Verona Township, resident at Verona 
 Mills, was born June 27, 1831, in York- 
 shire, Eng., which was also the native country 
 of his parents, George and Mary (Sliepherd) 
 Martin. They emigrated to the Dominion of 
 Canada in the spring of 1832, the father buying a 
 farm lying northeast of the present location of the 
 city of Toronto. He now resides with his son in Ver- 
 ona Mills, and is 85 years old. The mother died Dec. 
 24, 18S3, in Verona Township, aged 81 years and 
 one month. 
 
 Mr. Martin passed tlie years of his minority on 
 his father's farm, and was taught the details of the 
 business which has been the occupation of his life. 
 He was married in Ontario, Aug. 24, 1853, to Re- 
 becca Pangnian, daughter of Sterling and Jane (Mills) 
 I'angman, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Martin 
 was born Sept. 27, 1834, in Canada. Of this union 
 1 1 children have been born, as follows : Jane, May 
 31, 1851 ; Harriet, April 9, 1853; George, Nov. 4, 
 1854; William, Oct. 2, 1856; John, Nov. 3, 1858; 
 Sarie, Jan. 2, 1861 ; Henry, Feb. 22. 1862; Rebecca, 
 Aug. 28, 1867; Lizzie, Se|)t 24, 1869; Thomas, 
 
 Sept. 8, 187 I ; Freddie, May 30, 1S75, 
 
 In the spring of 1858 Mr. Martin removed his 
 family and interests to Huron County, and on the 
 seventh of May he took possession ol a claim of 80 
 acres of land under the provisions of the Graduation 
 Act. The tract was located on the south half of the 
 southwest quarter of section 25. Tliis was and is 
 the homestead, and is now included in a fine farm of 
 320 acres, 220 of which are under the best of im- 
 provements. The place is now managed by his son 
 William. George is a farmer on section 3, Bingham 
 Township. John resides on the same section. Jane 
 is the wife of John Burk, of Sigel Township. Harriet 
 married Michael Brethor. These children have le- 
 ceived 80 acres of land each from their father. Sarah 
 is the wife _f Archie McKichan, a farmer of Dakota, 
 where Henry Martin is also a farmer. Rebecca mar- 
 ried Rudolph Redmond, a farmer in Sigel Township. 
 In June, 1882, Mr. Martin removed to Verona Mills 
 and bought 27 acres of land, 25 acres of which are 
 within the village limits. He has the place in fine 
 order, and has erected a nice house. He belongs to 
 the fraternity of Masons. 
 
 Mr. Martin is the second settler in Verona Town- 
 ship, and his son John is the first white person born 
 there. The township was unorganized, and Mr. 
 Martin has been the incumbent of most of the local 
 offices. In the early days, each individual held sev- 
 eral positions at ilie same time, the situation being 
 exactly the reverse of the State at large, as stated by 
 a prominent official — that there are not offices enough 
 to go around. There were not enough settlers to dis- 
 tribute among the offices. 
 
 
 -%Xj|^ 
 
 \-J 
 
 oseph Newcomb, farmer, section 34, Meade 
 I'ownship, is the son of Joseph and Mary 
 (Gordon) Newcomb. The former was a 
 '^jw native of New Brunswick; the latter of La 
 Y Prairie Co., Province of Quebec. They set- 
 i tied after marriage in Ontario, and the senior 
 Newcomb enlisted in November, 1864, in the 15th 
 Mich. Inf. He died in the hospital at Louisville, 
 Ky., July 15, 1^65. His widow remained in Canada 
 until 1875, when she removed to Ottawa Co., Ohio, 
 
 
 
 §^m^^ 
 
 .^x 
 
 j<m'^M<y^^ 
 
 '^^^^^^^m 
 
nyj-^^.cL^'-^^ V/£ L-tJif-a^i-^- 
 
!^|gs/^®))^#* :^^^^^ 
 
 <mmwy^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -»!®& 
 
 wlience, after a residence of five years, in the fall 
 of i8So, she came to Meade Township, in Huron 
 County, to make her permanent liome. She is the 
 mother of ten children, namely : Sarali, Samuel, 
 Joscpli, Annie, Mary, Hannah, George, Nathaniel, 
 Albert and Elizabeth. 
 
 Mr. Newcomb, second son and third child, was 
 born Jan. i6, 1S54, in Canadi*. His early occupa- 
 tion was farming, and in the fall of 1875 he came 
 to Huron County, where he was employed alter- 
 nately in the lumber woods and in farming si.K years. 
 In the summer of 1S79 he bought 320 acres of land, 
 of which he has cleared and imi)roved 40 acres. 
 
 In political adherence Mr. Newcomb is a Repub- 
 lican, and is present School Assessor. 
 
 He was married April 2, 1884, at Port Huron, to 
 Maggie King, who is a native of Canada. 
 
 A) 
 
 >5 
 
 ^' n^'^ angdon Hubbard, resident at Huron City, 
 ';' fjsji and one of the most prominent lurnbermen 
 / -[^ and dealers in real estate in Huron County, 
 has been a resident of Michigan since 1839. In 
 that year he identified himself with the business 
 interests of this ix)rtion of the Peninsular State, 
 locating at Lexington, in Sanilac County, where he 
 engaged in lumbering and in commercial affairs. 
 There were no piers at that point to facilitate sliip- 
 ping, and he caused the construction of the upper 
 pier at Lexington, the first structure of the kind of 
 any importance between Port Huron and Saginaw. 
 He was materially aided by the good will of Capt. 
 E. B. Ward, of Detroit, the well-known proprietor of 
 a line of boats on the lake, who presented him with 
 $500 and a free pass on any of his boats for live 
 years. On commencing his business he was associa- 
 ted with Watson Hubbard, a brother, and R. B. 
 Hubbard, a cousin, the united interests of the trio 
 continuing about 30 years. They carried on their 
 operations at Le.xington about eight years, owning at 
 the same time an extensive lumber yard at Sandusky, 
 Ohio. About 1870 he and his brother sold their 
 associated interests to R. B. Hubbard, since which 
 date Mr Hubbard of this sketch has conducted his 
 affairs alone. He is the sole proprietor of about 
 
 30,000 acres of land, which ire in the market. He 
 owns a lumber yard at Bad Axe, and a considerable 
 acreage in the vicinity of that village. On his fine 
 farm at Huron City, which includes 350 acres of im- 
 proved land, he is extensively engaged in breeding 
 fine cattle and horses, and in the prosecution of agri- 
 culture of a first-class type. He has a herd of 450 
 head, whicli includes thoroughbreds and graded 
 cattle, and he rears aliout 100 head yearly. His 
 blooded stock in Durham and his dairy herd includes 
 40 cows, whose milk is devoted chiefly to cheese- 
 making. He owns 90 head of horses, some of which 
 are of well known and established pedigree, both on 
 the track and for draught purposes, — Black Hawks, 
 Long Manes and Norman-Percherons. His yearly 
 wheat product ranges from five to seven thousand 
 bushels, and he grows heavy crops of other farm 
 produce. He has made a signal success of potatoes, 
 and has raised crops of peach-blows averaging 430 
 bushels to the acre. He keeps a flock of 200 sheep. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard has experienced, in all their fullness, 
 the vicissitudes which have made the lives of the set- 
 tlers of Huron and Sanilac Counties eventful. He 
 and his business associates lost heavily in the fires of 
 1871 and 1881, the aggregate covering about $250,- 
 000, including two saw-mills, eacli having a produc- 
 ing capacity of 40,000 feet of lumber daily; two 
 stores, with stocks of goods ; two large barns, with 
 grain and other contents; farming implements and 
 an inestimable amount of limber in the woods ; a 
 residence which cost $S, 000; and a dock at Huron 
 City, half a mile in lengtli, valued at ^'OiOOOi which 
 burned to the water's edge. This latter, Mr. Hub- 
 bard has rebuilt. 
 
 At the time of his coming to Sanilac County every- 
 thing was in its most primitive condition. He hired 
 a man to bring him from Port Huron to Lexington, 
 a distance of 22 miles, paying him 50 cents for the 
 service. He obtained his business interests with the 
 Hubbards by purchasing the claim of G. S. Lester, 
 then associated with them. Among other general 
 projects in which he has been interested for the 
 benefit of the public was the construction of i6 miles 
 of the State road from Huron City to Verona. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard was born in Bloomfield Township, 
 Hartford Co., Conn., Sept. 2, 181 6, and is the son of 
 Joab and Ruth (Brown) Hubbard. He grew to 
 manhood and was educated in his native State. 
 
 He was married in April, 1862, to Amanda J., 
 
 vS 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 •ffi-i^- 
 
 ^?<sa>- 
 
 ■'^M>n'^w<>^ — ^«^^ 
 
 -4)^9(^ 
 
•^ 
 
 
 ('? 
 
 
 > 
 
 i'S> 
 
 224 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -:^^k: 
 
 daughter of George S. Lester. The children of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hubbard are: Frank W., born April 16, 
 1863; Annabel M., Nov. 23, 1864; and Richard 
 Langdon, Jan. 25, 1865. 
 
 To meet the evident e.xpectations of the citizens of 
 Huron County and the business public elsewhere, 
 the publishers take pleasure in placing Mr. Hubbard's 
 portrait in this Album, in proximity to this biograph- 
 ical outline. 
 
 igugust Holstein, operative miller in the 
 ^ a| employment of W. R. Stafford at Port 
 W^ Hope, was born Aug. 22, 1847, in Danzig, 
 '^iaA Prussia. His parents, Ferdinand John and 
 '» Maria (Dombrowska) Holstein, were also na- 
 tives of Prussia. Their family included two 
 sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. The 
 parents came to the United States in 1864 and set- 
 tled oil a farm in Rubicon Township, where they are 
 still residents. 
 
 Mr. Holstein was reared to manhood in the prov- 
 ince of his birth, and came to America in 1864. He 
 was married in August, 1879, to Agnes Moor, daugh- 
 ter of W. J. and Elizabeth (Smith) Moor. Her 
 mother died in 1876, in Port Hope, where her father 
 is still living. Two children have been born, as fol- 
 lows, at Port Hope: Ida May, Feb. 22, 1882, and 
 Irene Florence, July 20, 1884. 
 
 In ix)litical preference, Mr. Holstein is an Anti- 
 Monopolist. 
 
 \)f?^' %.\ illiam Proudfoot, fanner, section 20, Grant 
 '^[ it^gkl i-, Township, was born Feb. 19, 1837, in 
 JlteSri New York. He is the son of James and 
 X' Margaret (Wessel) Proudfoot, who were born 
 t"" respectively in Scotland and New York. 
 They were residents of the latter State after 
 their marriage, as long as Ihey lived. 
 
 Mr. Proudfoot was a coo[)er by trade, which he 
 
 learned in early life and followed until 1861, when 
 he enlisted in the 33d N. Y. Vol. Inf , and served as 
 a soldier two years. He was in the Army of the 
 Potomac and participated in the second fight at Bull 
 Run. He passed through the entire Peninsular 
 campaign, and was with McClellan in the famous 
 seven-days' retreat. He was wounded at the battle 
 of Fredericksburg, MAy 4, 1863, a minie ball passing 
 through his thigh. He was captured by the rebels, 
 but was paroled, as his time of enlistment had ex- 
 pired. He was in captivity ten days. 
 
 After obtaining his discharge he returned to the 
 State of New York, and in June, 1871, he came to 
 Huron County to establish a permanent home. He 
 entered a claim of 80 acres, and bought 80 acres ad- 
 ditional. Of this tract he retains 135 acres, and has 
 about 40 acres under cultivation. 
 
 He is independent in his political views, but in- 
 clines to Democratic principles. He has held the 
 position of Justice of the Peace and other local 
 offices. 
 
 He was married May 18, 1864, in Seneca Co., N. 
 Y., to Teressa E. Randolph. James E. and Eliza- 
 beth M. are the names of their children. Mrs. 
 Proudfoot was born Sept. 9, 1844. in Seneca Co., N. 
 Y. Her parents, Edward S. and Elizabeth (Bach- 
 man) Randoli)h, are natives of tlie Empire State and 
 reside in the city of New York. 
 
 .-)'■. ^' .' 11'. '•;■• ' ■,-' .' n'7^' .''isy_ 
 
 Ki| #^ : enjamin L. Scott, manufacturer of and 
 -dE^JiC dealer in all varieties of rough and dressed 
 m^!^ ''^ lumber, lath, shingles, etc., as' well as mer- 
 &^^ chant and miller, at Bad A.xe, was born Dec. 
 8, 1853, in Erie Co., N. Y., near the city of 
 Buffalo. He is the son of Francis B. and 
 Martha (Bun.iell) Scott. He was born on a farm, 
 but liis education was considered and he received a 
 good business training at Bryant & Stratton's Busi- 
 ness College at Buffalo, whither his family removed 
 when he was 18 years of age. His father was a 
 painter by vocation, having an extensive business 
 in sign-painting, shading and decorating. Mr. Scott 
 entered the shoi) with his father and remained there 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 ^DDr>^ 
 
 ^»t?' 
 
:-Af4'v 
 
 ^):x/^^^«^# 
 
 z^^ — 6v<^0|]^iillv.> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 225 
 
 fm. 
 
 A 
 
 • * 
 
 V 
 
 6 
 
 until Aug., 1878, wlien he came to Ossineke, Alpena 
 Co., Mich. He was employed one year by the I-. R. 
 Sanborne Lumber Company as scaler on the dock. 
 Aug. 6, 1879, he came to Bad Axe, where he entered 
 the service of Robert Philp as foreman in liis lumber 
 yard, and he continued to act in that cai)acity until 
 May, 1881. At that date he engaged as clerk with 
 Langdon Hubbard in his store, located at Huron City, 
 where he remained until September of the same year. 
 He returned to Bad Axe and built the saw-mill he 
 has since conducted. A year later he established 
 his mercantile interests. About one-half of the prod- 
 ucts of the saw-mill are custom and merchant work. 
 In October, 1883, he rented the Bad Axe gvist-niill, 
 which he is still running. He owns his saw-mill 
 and 18 acres of land, which is partially platted, and 
 also 120 acres of land in the vicinity of Bad Axe. 
 
 Mr. Scott was married Dec. 20, 1876, to Agnes 
 Pratt, in West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y. She 
 was born in Bloomfield, and is the daughter of David 
 and Angeline (Mattison) Pratt. Three children have 
 been born of this union, as follows: Francis D.,Nov. 
 i3i 1^77' '" t'i6 city of Buffalo. Charles B. and 
 Helen were born in Bad Axe, July 26, i88o, and May 
 19, 1883, respectively. The parents are members of 
 the Baptist Cluirch. 
 
 —5 '? a « ca » J— 
 
 iffugh M. Gale, M. D. C. M., practicing 
 
 "u jihysician and surgeon at Bad Axe, was 
 
 born Nov. i, 1855, in Wellington Co., Ont., 
 
 and is the son of John and Miami (Bradt) 
 
 dale. He obtained an excellent elementary 
 
 education in the public schools in his native 
 
 province, where he attended until he was 12 years 
 
 old, at which age he was sent to the Collegiate 
 
 Institute at Elora, and completed five years of study 
 
 there. He engaged in teaching three years. During 
 
 the time he was at the Collegiate Institute and 
 
 teaching, he was studying medicine at intervals with 
 
 Dr. James Wallace, of Alma, Ont., and in 1878 he 
 
 matriculated in the Medical Department of McGill 
 
 University, at Montreal, Quebec, where he was 
 
 graduated in 1882, with the degree of M. D. C. M. 
 
 He came to Bad Axe May 1 1, of the same year, and 
 
 opened his office. He has succeeded in rendering 
 his practice popular, and is already engaged in a 
 prosperous and substantial business. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Blue 
 Lodge, No. 365, located at Bad Axe. 
 
 Dr. Gale was married May 3r, 1883, in Colfax 
 Township, Huron County, to Anna, daughter of 
 William H. and Barbara (McNaughton) McDowell. 
 She was born July 15, i860, in Kent Co., Ont. 
 
 -^-•K'^-##>^>" 
 
 / 
 
 ^'ifvSi'' inion Filion, farmer, section 30, Lincoln 
 \\^r^i Township, is the son of Moses and Ange- 
 
 .■" line (Desjardines) Filion. The parents 
 
 \\_, were born in Canada and were of French de- 
 scent. Their children were 14 in number, 
 eight of whom are still living. 
 
 Mr. Filion is the ninth child and the seventh son. 
 He was born near tlie city of Montreal, May 28, 
 185 I. He was nine years of age when his parents 
 transferred their family and interests to Huron 
 County. He now owns 120 acres of land in the 
 townships of Lincoln and Meade, and has 25 acres 
 under improvement. Mr. Filion is a decided Re- 
 publican and has held various local official positions 
 in township offices. 
 
 He was married Jan. 27, 1877, at Grindstone City, 
 Huron County, to Marceline Labelle. Two children 
 — Rosanna A. and Arthur T. — have been born to 
 them. Mrs. Filion was born in Canada, A[)ril 30, 
 1859. She is of French extraction. 
 
 ^ 
 
 9 
 
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 ohn S. Deady, druggist at Bad Axe, was 
 born May 31, 1850, in Hamilton, Ont. He 
 y, v is the son of William and Hannah (Secord) /p) 
 
 %% Deady, who removed from Ontario with their 
 iL family to Rochester, N. Y.,in 1855. His father 
 \ is a member of the flouring firm of Wilson & 
 ("o., of that city. Mr. Deady grew to manhood in 
 the beautiful city of the Genesee Valley, and wiien 
 20 years of age he went to Hamilton, Out., to fill a 
 
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 A. 
 
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 <^I31I^I1I1^> 
 
 ■7 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
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 position as assistant book-keeper in a boot and shoe 
 establishment. Two years later he became a sales- 
 man in the grocery of William H. Deady, his 
 brother, who is located in the same city, where he 
 operated between three and four years. At the end 
 of that time he went to Goderich and engaged as ac- 
 countant with Secord, Cousins & Co., lumbermen, 
 remaining with them about five years. On leaving 
 their service he went into a drug store in the same 
 place, for the purpose of learning the business. A 
 year later he returned to Rochester. In the spring 
 of 1882 he came to Bad Axe, where his brother was 
 engaged in the drug business, and engaged in his 
 employment. May 1,1883, he became proprietor of 
 the business by purchase, and in June following 
 he removed to his present location on Sand Beach 
 Street. He carries a well-assorted line of druggists' 
 sundries, consisting of drugs, paints, oils, varnishes, 
 patent medicines, liquors, etc., and is engaged in the 
 transaction of a prosperous business. 
 
 -WV^e^J^S-Wx— 
 
 Alexander L. Esler, farmer, sections 12 and 
 13, Huron Township and assistant keeper 
 of the light-house at Point aux Barques, has 
 operated in that capacity six years, his service 
 beginning in September, 1878. His watch is 
 from midnight until sunrise. He is also en- 
 gaged in farming, and is the proprietor of 333 acres 
 of land, 50 acres of which are improved. The |)lace 
 has a good dwelling and other suitable farm buildings. 
 Mr. Esler was born Feb. 14, 1842, in county An- 
 trim, Ireland, and is the son of Alexander and Ellen 
 (Lang) Esler. His father was born on the "Green 
 Isle" in 1798, and died March 28, 1882. The 
 mother was born in 1807, and is still living, in county 
 Antrim. Mr. Esler came from his native land to 
 Canada in 1867, and was employed as a carjjenterin 
 the Dominion four years. In i<S7 i he came to North 
 Branch, Lapeer Co., Mich., and spent eight months 
 in the capaci'.y of a "scaler" of lumber. In the 
 month of June, 1872, he came to Huron City and 
 worked for Langdon Hubbard as a carpenter until 
 January following. He passed the remainder of the 
 winter as a lumberman, and during the succeeding 
 
 summer worked as a builder at Port Austin, on the 
 construction of a house for William Clark, editor of 
 the Huron Nfws. His next employment was nith 
 Messrs. Dale, Stead & Co , contractors for the Harbor 
 of Refuge, and he managed a lumber camp at White 
 Rock, in theij: interest, sujierintending the prepara- 
 tion of the lumber. He was thus occu|)ied two years 
 at White Rock and Sand Beach. He framed the first 
 piece of timber used in the construction of the break- 
 water,and aided in sinking the first crib, on the 25th 
 of June, 1874. 
 
 He bought his farm the previous year, and on the 
 completion of his engagement above referred to he 
 took possession of his property, on which he has since 
 resided. He is a Republican, and is present School 
 Director (1884). 
 
 Mr. Esler was married March 30, 1876, to Sarah 
 Johnson. No cliildren have been born to them, but 
 they have an adopted son, William, who was born Feb. 
 15, 1878. The child is legally adopted. Mrs. Esler is 
 the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Robinson) 
 Johnson. The fathers of Mr. and Mrs. Esler died 
 on the same day. Her mother is living in the town- 
 ship of Stanly, Huron Co., Ont. 
 
 Mr. Esler suffered heavily in the fire of 1881. He 
 lost his stable, 30,000 feet of lumber, and the 
 shingles designed for his barn. All the fences on the 
 place were burned, and his house with entire con- 
 tents, beds, bedding and clothing, the family saving 
 only such apparel as they were wearing. Five hogs 
 were also burned. The loss was estimated at $2,000. 
 
 -!<m 
 
 Il^aniel H. Ludington, merchant at Verona 
 Mills, was born Sejit. 29, 1856, in the 
 jifr^^"' township of Sand Beach, Huron County. 
 ' ^^ He is the son of Jeremiah and Maria A. 
 ^ (Trescott) Ludington. His father has been 
 \ an extensive lumberman and business man 
 
 of this part of Huron County for the past 34 years. 
 (See sketch of Jeremiah Ludington.) In 1S75 he 
 took charge of the mercantile interests of his father, 
 also acting as book-keei)er. In the fait of 1877 he 
 ope.ied business in the same branch at his present 
 location, where he operated successfully until the 
 
 Stl||;>i^_ 
 
 ^5 
 
 A 
 
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^}^r^^^^ :2^^^ — r^ve^nii^iiiiv> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 year of general ruin — 1881 — when he experienced 
 the common fate. His business suffered ahnost ut- 
 ter loss, $5,000 being swept awyy with little relief 
 from insurance. In the year following he rebuilt his 
 /§. store, erecting a structure 24 .\ 40 feet, one and a half 
 stories in height, his residence being placed beside 
 the building in whicli he has since transacted busi- 
 ness. He carries a general stock of merchandise 
 suited to the local demand. In addition to his com- 
 mercial interests he traffics to some extent in real es- 
 tate. He is serving his third term as Township 
 Clerk. In 1872 he was appointed Postmaster and 
 is still the incumbent of the position. Mr. Luding- 
 ton is a- member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 He was married in Sigel Township, Huron County, 
 Sept. 16, 1877, to Abertle Redmon, a native of Ger- 
 many, daughter of John and Philipena Redmon. 
 Three children have been born of their marriage — 
 ,. Milton J., Ina E., and Ruby May. 
 
 ohn W. Murphy, farmer, section 35, Grant 
 Townsliip, was born in Cumberland Co., 
 Eng., July 28, 1832. His parents, James 
 and Hannah (Walker) Murphy, were natives 
 respectively of Ireland and England. After 
 their marriage they settled in tlie latter coun- 
 try, whence they emigrated to Canada, in 1854, and 
 settled in Middlesex County. The f;tther died there, 
 Nov. 13, 1864. The mother removed thence to 
 Tuscola County, where she died, July 31, 1S73. 
 The senior Murphy was a school-teacher by pro- 
 fession, and followed that business 25 years in ICng- 
 land and five years after his removal to Canada. 
 Their children were Mary A., Ruth, John W., Wil- 
 liam, Christopher, Francis and PZdward. Two died 
 in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Murphy obtained a fair education in his na- 
 tive county, where he was also engaged in farming 
 until he reached manhood. He was 21 years of age 
 when he came to Canada in 1853, and had a cash 
 capital of 25 cents when he reached London, Ont. 
 He found employment without delay, and hired ont 
 as a farm laborer at $10 a month. He contributed 
 the first $25 which he earned to the iienefit of his 
 
 parents. After laboring about 20 months, he rented 
 a farm of 100 acres, which he managed several 
 years. After this he rented anotlier farm of similar 
 dimensions. He continued in the management of 
 these two farms 13 years. In the winter of 1869 he 
 located in Sanilac Co., Mich., buying 280 acres of 
 land in the township of Greenleaf. He entered 
 vigorously into the work of clearing and improving, 
 and in the nine years of his proprietorship of the 
 place cleared 95 acres, and erected two good barns, 
 with other suitable and necessary farm buildings. 
 He remained in Greenleaf Township until the fall of 
 1S77. In the spring following he came to Grant 
 Township and settled on 160 acres of land which 
 he had purchased during the year previous. He has 
 added to it by later purchase until his estate includes 
 360 acres, with 150 acres in a fine state of cultiva- 
 tion, three excellent barns, a substantial dwelling, a 
 fine herd of cattle containing 50 head, eight horses 
 and other stock. He is a leading agriculturist of the 
 county and a prominent citizen in his township. 
 
 His political views are with the Republican ele- 
 ment. In the spring of 1879 he was elected Super- 
 visor of his townshi[) and held the position four 
 years. 
 
 Mr. Murphy was married Jan. 28, 1856, in Lon- 
 don, Ont., to Elizabeth Hedley. Their children are 
 William, Mary A., .James, Thomas and David. 
 James died before he was two years old. Mrs. 
 Murphy was born in England and is the daughter 
 of William and Mary (Boyd) Hedley. Her parents 
 were natives of England, where they died. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Murphy were brought up in the Church of 
 England, and are suiiporters of the same at present. 
 
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 oseph Broomfield, farmer, section 19, 
 
 ^ Sigel Township, was born Sept. 3, 1838, 
 
 in England. He is tlie son of Charles and ^ 
 
 ^,>, Hannah (Kent) Broomfield, natives of Eng- f 
 
 ^r land, who spent their entire lives in that J>,_, 
 
 k country. Their family included the following 
 
 children : Charles, John, .Ann, Joseph, William and 
 
 Tohn (2d). Four of them reached mature life. 
 
 I'he father of Mr. liroomfield was a baker and 
 grocer, and he was his shop assistant until the age 
 
^V<^IlIISDI|i^ 
 
 ri^ 
 
 -^^^^\M 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 \t of 13 years. He then left home and was employed 
 
 ^)) in tiie business of a bakery about six years. 
 
 In the spring of 1857 he emigrated from his native 
 land to Canada, and passed the first six montlis of 
 
 (^ his residence upon the American continent as a farm 
 assistant. He then proceeded to a point near Lon- 
 don, Ont., and went to work in a grist-mill in the 
 employment of an uncle, where he was occupied 
 nearly two years. At the end of that time he again 
 engaged in farming, which he continued until his 
 removal to Huron County, which took place in the 
 fall of 1865. He took possession of 80 acres of land 
 in SigelTownshii), which he had pre-empted in 1859. 
 He built a log house and entered vigorously upon 
 the work of placing his farm in the best possible 
 condition. He was making rapid strides towards 
 prosperity and the accomplishment of his purpose, 
 and in the spring of 1870 he erected a good barn 30 
 
 /, ■) X50 feet in dimensions, and his affairs were moving 
 forward with satisfactory results, when the fire of 
 
 /^ the following year swept away the accumulation of 
 his years of effort. His loss was estimated at $1,600. 
 As soon as possible he built a log house, and in the 
 spring of 1872 he rebuilt his barn, which is 34x50, 
 a larger and more valuable structure than the first. 
 He redoubled his energetic efforts to place himself 
 in comfort, and had about 50 acres cleared and 
 improved and in a promising state, when the second 
 great fire swept over this part of Michigan and again 
 destroyed the accumulated results of his unremitting 
 toil. Again his buildings were all destroyed, his 
 barn and contents being worth at least $1,700. His 
 aggregate loss was about $3,000. He is slowly 
 retrieving his losses and replacing his buildings with 
 others of a still better grade than those burned. His 
 new barn is 40 x 60 feet in dimensions. 
 
 In poliucal connection Mr. Broomfield is a Repub- 
 lican. He has officiated six years as Township 
 Clerk, as Supervisor four years, and he has been 
 Justice of the Peace most of the time since he has 
 resided in the township. He has discharged the 
 duties of all tiie school offices, and is acting Notary 
 Public. 
 
 Ho is one of liie leading and [irominent citizens of 
 Huion County, well and widely known as a man of 
 honor and integrity, and as a firm friend of the sub- 
 stantial development of the county, an'd as a pro- 
 moter of the general prosperity. The town of 
 
 ^^ 
 
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 fQ^ 
 
 Hloomfield in Huron County was named in his 
 honor, a clerical error causing the change in orthog- 
 raphy. 
 
 Mr. Broomfield was married July 12, 1859, in 
 Canada, to Catherine, daughter of Porter and Ann 
 (Dove) McKichan. Her parents were natives of 
 Scotland and removed to Canada from that country 
 in 1847. Tlieir children were ten in number, and 
 were named Catherine, Jane, Mary, Sarah, Duncan, 
 Alexander, Archibald, Peter, John and Hugh. Mrs. 
 Broomfield was born in Scotland, June 15, 1842. 
 Seven children have been born of her marriage, 
 recorded as follows: Sarah A., born June 24, i860, is 
 the wife of George Whilliain ; Charles A. was born 
 March i, 1863; May J., March 9, 1865; Archibald, 
 March 15, 1867: Hannah, May 10, 1869; Fanny, 
 May 4, 1 871; Alice, Feb. 6, 1874. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Broomfield are members of the 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 -wijacfins^-^— ^^ 
 
 ./^-aj^azTOv 
 
 5 orman J. Scott, general merchant and 
 
 ):__ dealer in farm produce at Verona Mills, 
 
 "* was born Dec. 24, 1854, in London, Ont. 
 
 His parents, Alexander and Annie (Grant) 
 
 /'^ Scott, removed in 1856 from the Dominion of 
 
 Canada to Bingham Township, Huron County. 
 
 His father piirciiased 320 acres of land on sections 
 
 II, 12, 13 and 14. He has sold all the tract except 
 
 40 acres, situated on the northeast corner of section 
 
 14. He was a heavy loser by the fire of 1881, in 
 which he suffered the destruction of property 
 amounting to $6,000. 
 
 Mr. Scott received 40 acres of land from his father, 
 on attaining his majority, to wliich he added 160 
 acres more, and still retains the ownership of the 
 entire tract, which includes 40 acres under improve- 
 ments and cultivation. 
 
 In Ai)ril, 1883, Mr. Scott engaged in his present 
 mercanlile enterprise at Verona Mills. He built 
 the store he now occupies and took possession June 
 
 15, 1883. Tiie building is 32x40 feet in dimen- 
 sions, is stocked with lines of merchandise suited to 
 the local demand, and the proprietor is engaged in a 
 satisfactory business. He handles dry goods, cloth- 
 ing, boots, shoes, stoves, plows, castings and extras 
 
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 ^nilr->^^9 ^''C^^ 
 
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 <^llll^lin>>r 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 for agricultural machinery, and he buys and ships 
 all varieties of farm produce. 
 
 He was a heavy loser in the fire of iSSi.whicli 
 consumed his dwelliui!, farm implements, grain, and 
 all his farm produce, — amounting to about $2,000. 
 
 Mr. Scott was married A[iril 23, 1S79, to Ann J. 
 Sageman. She was born June 2, i860, at Maiden, 
 Can., and is the daughter of Charles and Harriet 
 (Fhilp) Sageman. Alexander C, born Feb. 16. 1880, 
 and James, born June 4, iSSi, the two eldest chil- 
 dren of Mr. and Mrs. Scott, were born in Bingham 
 Township. Elizabeth A., youngest child, was born 
 .\ug. 10, 1883, at Verona Mills. The parents are 
 members of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 ^3£MCI 'liCv^ 
 
 :"t'iS?l-.; iram L. Chipman, attorney, doing business 
 r^ilyi]: and residing at Bad Axe, was born March 
 
 ■,|'^-"'' 5, 1842, in Owosso, Shiawassee Co., Mich. 
 (h He is the oldest living cliild born in that city, 
 i His fatlier, Isaac M. Chipman, is a builderand 
 I architect, and was born June 16, 181 8, in 
 Bologne, N. Y. He is still prosecuring his business 
 at Owosso. The mother, Permelia (NVhitlock) Chip- 
 man, was born May 23, i8ig, in Vergennes, Vt. 
 Three of their five children are living. 
 
 Mr. Chipman is the eldest child, and was a stu- 
 dent in the schools of his native city until he was 19 
 years of age. A few weeks after his birthday, the 
 culmination of Southern folly and madness took 
 practical shape in the assault on Fort Sumter, which 
 was promptly followed by President Lincoln's calls 
 for loyal support from the nation. To Mr. Chipman 
 belongs the honor of first enrolling from Shiawassee 
 County, his name being placed on the muster roll 
 May 2, r86i. He enlisted in Co. H, Fifth Mich. 
 Vol. Inf., Capt. Quackenboss. The regiment was 
 assigned to the Department of thq Peninsula, in the 
 corps of Geo. B. McClellan, General commanding. 
 The command was engaged in some of the severest 
 of the battles of the Peninsula, among which were 
 Fair Oaks, where Captain Quackenboss was killed, 
 Charles City Cross Roads, Yorktown and various 
 skirmishes. Mr. Chipman was discharged in Sep- 
 tember, 1862, as First Sergeant. 
 
 lie returned lo Owosso, and entered the law office 
 
 of .Amos Gould, with whom he remained about six 
 years, Ijeing admitted to tlie Shiawassee County Bar 
 in 1865. In 1 868, lie opened an inde|)endent office, 
 and in 1869 he was elected Justice of the Peace, 
 which position he filled four years. During that 
 time he was associated with L. H. Smith, firm style. 
 '' Chipman & Smith." He was also elected Circuit 
 Court Commissioner of Shiawassee County and 
 served one term. 
 
 He came to Bad .\xe Aug. 2, 1S75, and estab- 
 lished himself as an attorney. Jan. i, 1883, he 
 formed an association with William T. Bope, the 
 firm adopting the style of " Chipman & Bope," and 
 they are engaged in the prosecution of a successful 
 practice. Mr. Chipman was elected Prosecuting 
 Attorney of the County and served during the years 
 1881-2. He belongs to the Order of Masonry and 
 to the Grand .Army of the Republic, Post No. 70. 
 He owns a considerable amount of village property, 
 including his residence and six lots, 80 acres of land 
 on section 25, Colfax Township, and about 160 acres 
 of land at various points in the county. 
 
 Mr. Chipman was married June 26, 1868, in 
 Owosso, to Henrietta E. Gale. She was born May 
 12, 1850, in Elbridge, N. Y., and is the daughter of 
 Piatt and Eliza Gale. Following is. the record of 
 the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Chipman : 
 Winnifred was born Dec. 16, 1869, in Owosso. 
 Irma was born in the same place Nov. 3, 1872, and 
 died Dec. 24, following her birth. Gale was born in 
 Byron village, Shiawassee County, Sept. 28, 1S74. 
 Miner was born in Bad Axe, Dec 28, 18S2. 
 
 ]i ichard Parr, fanner, section 23, Grant 
 
 Township, was born in Ireland in Deceui- 
 
 ,. (:(S('^" ber, 1832. His parents, Jacob and \\\\\ E. 
 
 "^^^ Parr, were natives of Ireland and emigrated 
 
 thence to the Dominion of Canada about the 
 year 1832. The mother died there, and later 
 
 the father came to Huron County to reside with his 
 
 son, where he died March 10, 1883. 
 
 Mr. Parr was an infant of three months when his 
 
 parents removed to Canada, and he grew up in the 
 
 Dominion. At the age of 16 years he was appren- 
 
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 -s^C^^*^ — :^-2^;ilfl*^:ilti.>A- 
 
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 m. 
 
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 T^.\imur> 
 
 230 
 
 HURON COUNTY 
 
 ticcd to learn the coopers trade and followed that as 
 a business 12 years. 
 
 In the spring of 18S0 he l)OLi<;ht 160 acres of land 
 in Grant Township. Of this, 70 acres are under im- 
 provement. Mr. Parr is a Republican in political 
 sentiment. 
 
 He was married Jan. 27, 1858, to Ann Wilson. 
 Their surviving children are Ann E., Johnathan, 
 Richard, Jr., Jacob C, I^acinda, George A., Emma 
 and Hattie H. A pair of twins died in infancy. Mrs. 
 Parr was born iu Ireland, and was brought in her 
 infancy by her parents to Canada, in 1841. The 
 family attend tlie Methodist Episcopal Churcli. 
 
 
 IJl'^Stustin E. Case, book-keeper and stock-keeper 
 }i^^^^ in the store of Langdon Hubbard at Huron 
 
 •^ City, Mich., was born Oct. 5, 1857, in Warren 
 Township, Macomb Co., Mich. He is the son 
 of E. and Chloe (Barton) Case, and his father 
 resides in Warren Township, Macomb County, on 
 tlie old homestead. Mrs. C. died Jan. i, 1881, and 
 was 60 years of age at the time of her death. Mr. 
 E. Case was born April 1, i8ii, in liatavia, N. Y., 
 and Mrs. E's birth occurred Jan. i, 1821, in the 
 State of Vermont. A brother and a sister of Mr. 
 Case are living in Macomb County, and another sister 
 resides iu Tuscola Co., Mich. 
 
 Mr. Case was educated in the common schools of 
 his native county and in the union scliool at Utica, 
 where he was graduated when he was 17 years of 
 age. He taught school at Huron City four years 
 and at Grindstone City neady five years. He came 
 from the latter place to the position he now holds, in 
 which he has operated two years. He achieved suc- 
 cess in his teaching, and is now Director of the 
 Schools of Huron City. He is a Democrat in politi- 
 cal sentiment. 
 
 His farm on section 9, liioomfield Township, con- 
 tains 80 acres, with 25 acres improved. The place 
 has a good log house and barn, is well fenced, and 
 valued at $1,300. In SterUng Township, Macomb 
 County, he owns a garden containing ten acres, and 
 
 valued at ^200 per acre. It has good frame build- 
 ings, hot-house and other necessary buildings, be- 
 sides four acres of well assorted fruit-trees. 
 
 J r v'.r. Kerman W. Dickinson, physician and 
 
 1 C' i , 
 
 
 surgeon at Port Hope, was born Dec. 2, 
 " 1813, at Sackett's Harbor, Jefferson Co., 
 
 iC N. Y. He is the son of Herman W. and 
 and Eunice (Gates) Dickinson, both of whom 
 died when he was in childhood, the former 
 in 1 818, the latter in 1822. He was bound to a man 
 named Roswell Lane when he was seven years old, 
 to be brought up on a farm in Oswegoville, Oswego 
 Co., N. Y. When he was 15 years of age he ran 
 away. He obtained em])loyment as a raftsman on 
 Oneida Lake and worked four weeks, rafting logs on 
 Oneida Lake to Syracuse, for which he received $60. 
 He went next to Oneida village and engaged as a 
 farm laborer with a man named Nathan B. Ney, with 
 whom he remained two years. In 1835 he came to 
 Ypsilanti, Mich., where he again engaged as a farm 
 assistant. He made his first acquaintance with 
 Michigan Nov. 15, 1835. He remained seven years 
 in Ypsilanti, and came thence to Tecumseh, Mich., 
 where he worked about three years in a tannery. 
 His next removal was to Memphis, Macoml) Co., 
 Mich., where he worked for a time on a farm and 
 afterward spent three summers running an engine at 
 St. Clair. He came thence to Forester, in Sanilac 
 County, where he operated two years as engineer, 
 after which he came to Huron City, and worked as a 
 lumberman for Peter F. Brakeman two winters. He 
 next entered the employment of Smith, Dwight & Co., 
 of Detroit, operating as a lumbern.an in their interest 
 at Port Austin, where he r.:maincd two years. Going 
 thence to Port Hope, he lumbered two winters for 
 W. R. Stafford, and on the termination of that en- 
 gagement took possession of the farm where his son 
 resides. 
 
 Dr. Dickinson enlisted Oct. g, 1862, in the 23d 
 Mich. Vol. Inf, Co. F, Capt. H. S. Raymond. He 
 was in active service about 18 months subsequent to 
 being "mustered in," participaring in the siege of 
 Knoxville and the battle at Caini>bell Station. In 
 
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HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 233 
 
 1 
 
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 the spring of 1864 he was detailed as Hospital Stew- 
 ard at Knoxville, and acted as Assistant Surgeon, in 
 wliich capacity he was serving at the time of his dis- 
 charge in November, 1865. He had acquired some 
 knowledge of medicine previous to his coming to the 
 coast of the Huron Peninsula; and as he often had 
 occasion to witness the necessity for medical advice, 
 which frequently arose from the condition of tilings, 
 he fell into the habit of giving counsel and making 
 simple prescriptions, and he continued the practice 
 until his enlistment in the asmy. On receiving his 
 discharge, he returned to Huron County, and not 
 long after entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1866, 
 and has since continued to practice his profession. 
 
 He was married the first time to Permelia Wilcox, 
 at Ypsilanti, in 1837. She died June 14, 1866, after 
 having become the mother of the following children : 
 Ellen, Herman W., Eunice (deceased), Emma L. 
 (died when she was eiglit years old), Sarah and an 
 infant that died three days after birth. Dr. Dickinson 
 was again married April 14, 1878, to Ella B. Dixon. 
 She was born in 1832. 
 
 Dr. Dickinson came to Huron City (then Willow 
 Creek) in 185 1. At that date no improvements had 
 been made in that portion of Huron County. The 
 only thoroughfare was tlie beach of tlie lake, and 
 even the routes outlined liy " blazed " trees were 
 wanting, the degree of progress being too small for 
 even that primitive method of indicating routes of 
 travel. At the time he came to Forester in Sanilac 
 County, no improvements had been made north of 
 that point. 
 
 He is a Prohibitionist, and has held the jwsitions 
 of Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and County Clerk. 
 
 -'n~-^^^-s^^mH^ 4 : — ->- 
 
 illiam E. Stafford, of Port Hope, is one of 
 the leading salt manufactures of Michigan, 
 and is extensively engaged in milling, 
 merchandise and agriculture. He was born 
 ^ Nov. 19, 1828, in Bath, Grafton Co, N. H., 
 the son of Thomas and Mary Stafford, was 
 brought up on a farm, and at the age of 14 years was 
 apprenticed to his brother to learn tlie trades of 
 cal)inet-making and painting. He served five years 
 and released his earnings for that time to secure ex- 
 emption from the two remaining years of service, 
 
 — e^K-nii: 
 
 ^ 
 
 <3»- 
 
 which time he spent in school. He then obtained a 
 situation as salesman in a store, where he remained, 
 about 18 months. 
 
 In 1S49, being tlien 21 years of age, Mr. Stafford 
 came to Michigan. His first marriage, to Sarah 
 Ann Leuty, occurred at Lexington, Mich., Dec. 19, 
 1852. Four children were born of this union, viz.: 
 William Arthur, at Lexington, Mich., Aug. 6, 1S55; 
 he died June 26, 1859, at the same place; Edwin 
 Haywood, at Port Hope, Mich., March 13, 1859, who 
 died Sept. 28, 1865, at Lexington; Mary Ellen, at 
 Lexington, July 26, 1861 ; and Sarah Elizabeth, at 
 Lexington, July 30, 1864. Mrs. Stafford died Sept. 
 
 29, 1864, at Bath, N. H. She was born at Mayfield, 
 Ohio, Oct. 4, 1834, and was the daughter of Isaac 
 and Mary Leuty, both of whom are now living at Port 
 Hope, aged resijectively 70 and 72 years. Mr. Staf- 
 ford was united in marriage to Mary Demaline Leuty, 
 the sister of his first wife, July 10, 1865, at Port 
 Hope, Mich. She was born at Mayfield, Ohio, Oct. 
 
 30, 1842. Frances Alice, only child of this tnarriage, 
 was born Jan. 30, 1867, at Lexington, Mich. 
 
 When, in 1849, Mr. Stafford first came to Michigan 
 he settled in Lexington, Sanilac County, and entered 
 tlie employ of Woods & Sanburn, general merchants. 
 Three years later he established himself in mercantile 
 business in the same place. Meanwhile the lumjier 
 resources of this part of Michigan attracted his atten- 
 tion, and from the advance in the pine lands of New 
 Ham|)shire he argued correctly that the same result 
 would follow in Michigan. He succeeded in inter- 
 esting Josiah F. Wilson and William Southard, East- 
 ern captalists, in tlie enterprise, and secured several 
 thousand dollars, which he invested in [liue lands in 
 Huron County. 
 
 In 1852 Mr. Stafford formed a [larlnership witli g 
 Smith, Dwight & Co., of Detroit, doing a successful 
 mercantile business for two years, when the interest 
 of Smith & Dwight passed into the hands of Staf- 
 ford's former emi)loye, Clark Haywood, of New 
 Hampshire. .After four years Mr. D. Leuty was 
 added to the firm, which now took the name of 
 Stafford, Haywood & Co. T-welve years later the 
 business was sold to Potter & Wixon, and shortly 
 after this the property was destroyed by fire. In 
 1858 the old firm of Stafford & Haywood, which 
 owned large tracts of land in Huron County, formed 
 a partnership with the Hon. R. W. Jenness, former 
 United States Senator from New Hampshire, for tlie 
 
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 V 
 
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 ^' 
 
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 ■24^?«s: S'v^M'M Dri>v 
 
 4^^5f 
 
 234 
 
 :Of 
 
 i 
 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 manufacture and sale of lumber, which continued for 
 12 years. This firm established extensive lumber 
 yards in Cleveland, which were in charge of Mr. 
 Jenness, while Mr. Stafford took charge of the mills 
 at Port Hope. The entire property located at Port 
 Hope — mills and dock, together with a large amount 
 of lumber — was destroyed by the forest fires of 1871, 
 the loss being more than $100,000. 
 
 In 1872 the mill and dock were rebuilt by Stafford 
 & Haywood, the property eventually passing into the 
 hands of Mr. Stafford. The first mill and dock cost 
 $30,000. The second were built at an expense of 
 $25,000. In the fire of of 1881 this property was 
 again destroyed, also a large amount of lumber, the 
 aggregate loss being $40,000. Mr. Stafford was the 
 sole loser. However, the dock has been again re- 
 built, and is acknowledged to be the best on the 
 coast, of Lake Huron. It is also worthy of notice 
 that the Government surveyors in 1870-1 pronounced 
 this site to be the more desirable than any other 
 place along the shore for a harbor of refuge, — this on 
 account of better anchorage, easy approach and free- 
 dom from dangerous shoals. Anotlier mill of smaller 
 dimensions has been built to replace the one burned 
 in 1S81, and has been run chiefly to supjily lumber 
 to rebuild the property destroyed on the burnt dis- 
 trict. Mr. Stafford has also put into operation a 
 planing-mill and sash and door factory, thus being 
 able to convert the products of his mill into building 
 material sufficient in variety as well as quantity to 
 su[)ply the surrounding country. Since the estab- 
 lishment of the mills at Port Hope they have manu- 
 factured about 100,000,000 feet of choice pine 
 lumber, most of which has been marketed in Ohio. 
 Their land at one time comprised about 27,000 acres. 
 The pine was "lumbered," but the hard wood, of 
 which there was an immense amount, was nearly all 
 destroyed in the forest fires. 
 
 Tlie Port Hope Salt Works, owned principally by 
 Mr. Stafford, are rated among the best in the State. 
 The well was sunk in 1874. It is 800 feet deep and 
 45^ inches in dia^jeter. The brine produces the 
 best grade of salt manufactured in Michigan. The 
 capacity of the block is 6,000 barrels per month. 
 The evaporation is carried on by means of five im- 
 mense pans placed over furnaces. No less than 
 10,000 cords of wood is in this way annually con- 
 sumed. The salt is extensively used for dairy pur- 
 
 poses, and requires no extra purification or grinding. 
 A large amount of this salt is at present being sacked 
 and sent to the mining regions of Montana, which 
 will be transported long distances on the backs of 
 mules after reaching the terminus of water and rail- 
 road transportation. All barrel material is manu- 
 factured on the premises except hoops. The works 
 require a force. of 50 men. 
 
 The flouring mill of W. R. Stafford, driven by a 
 40-horse-power engine, is furnished with the best 
 modern machiner)\ The mill is adapted to all 
 varieties of custom work, and has a capacity of about 
 50 barrels of flour daily. Mr. Stafford's mercantile 
 business amounts to nearly $roo,ooo yearly, and is 
 extended in its relations. It supplies the wants and 
 needs of the families of 150 men in the employ of 
 Mr. Stafford, in addition to the trade of the sur- 
 rounding country. The land formerly owned by 
 the company, from which the timber has been re- 
 moved, has a most excellent soil. A large propor- 
 tion of the original acreage has been sold to settlers. 
 Mr. Stafford still holds about 7,000 acres. His 
 agricultural operations include the cultivation of 
 1,000 acres in first-class farming condition, being 
 stumped and fenced and all in tillage. The garnered 
 harvest of the current year includes the yield of 
 1,000 acres. In addition to this there are 400 acres 
 seeded and fenced and used for pasturing. During 
 the liaying season from five to eight mowing-ma- 
 chines are employed. The grain harvest employs 
 two self-binders and one reaper. The threshing is 
 done by steam power, and the hay is baled and 
 shipped. No less than ten large barns are required 
 to shelter the stock and for hay aijd grain storage ; 
 also many tenement houses for the workmen. 
 
 The great magnitude of Mr. Stafford's business 
 enterprise bespeaks the rarest type of energy, indus- 
 try and judgment so necessary to the successful 
 development of his various projects. He did not 
 begin life with a fortune. Seventy-five dollars was 
 the extent of his possessions, and his present large 
 and flourishing business is the result of untiring 
 effort, strict economy and indomitable perseverance, 
 to wliich he has always added unswerving fidelity to 
 lionesly and integrity. The young man eager for 
 success may here learn how the goal is to be reached. 
 
 In common with the first settlers of Huron County, 
 Mr. Stafford shared in the hardships of pioneer life. 
 He drove the first double team over the Lake Shore 
 
 
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 7<c-iiing|]nr> 
 
 
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 V 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 4^^^C(®vS 
 
 23s 
 
 road and took the first buggy north of Lexington ; 
 also was the first to ride in a cutter from Lexington 
 to Port Austin. He was appointed tlie first Post- 
 master in Port Hope, which position he held for 22 
 years. In political principle, Mr. Stafford is a Dem- 
 ocrat. He has for years been prominent in his party, 
 and although never seeking office has often been 
 urged to accept a. candidacy for important trusts. 
 Twice when those devastating forest fires swept over 
 the country, laying waste everything in their track 
 and 'reducing hundreds of families to destitution, 
 Mr. Stafford has been a most efficient agent in dis- 
 tributing goods and provisions to the fire sufferers, — 
 not only dealing out those things sent by others, but 
 also giving generously of his own substance and 
 accommodating whole families in his own house. 
 
 In 1866 Mr. Stafford built and occupied his [iresent 
 residence, which, without being extravagant, is one 
 of the most elegant and home-like of all on tliis 
 shore. The grounds are beautified with shade and 
 ornamental trees, and being located on a slight ele- 
 vation they command an extended and magnificeiTt 
 view of the lake, thus securing to the whole situation 
 an air of completeness. Several hundred shade-trees 
 lining either side of the main streets of Port Hope 
 also indicate that he has had a care for the comfort 
 of other houses. The interior of the Stafford home 
 is no less attractive than the exterior, made so by his 
 own genial nature, a cultured and estimable Christian 
 wife and three accomplished daughters, who have 
 had the advantages of the best schools. 
 
 Mr. Stafford, as well as his wife, is a member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an elegant 
 church edifice of this denomination, which he has 
 been foremost in erecting in Port Hope, bears wit- 
 ness to his fidelity to the cause of God. 
 
 A portrait of Mr. Stafford is of course given in this 
 Ai.MUM, on a page immediately preceding the com- 
 mencement of the foregoing biographical sketch. 
 
 ewis C. Truax, hardware merchant at Bad 
 i Axe, was l)orn Feb. 20, 1S53, in Brandon 
 ^./t'Vv/ I Township, Oakland Co., Mich., and is the 
 W^ son of Isaac and Anne (Hummer) Truax. He 
 r'; spent the years of his minority on his father's 
 farm, and, on reaching the period of his legal 
 freedom, he went to Ortonville, a village within the 
 
 limits of his native townshp, where he learned the 
 trade of harness-making. After obtaining the neces- 
 sary knowledge, he established a shop at Ortonville, 
 which he continued to manage until 1880. In that 
 year he came to Bad Axe, and embarked in the busi- 
 ness enterprise in which he has since been engaged. ^ 
 His lines of merchandise include shelf and heavy 
 hardware, tinware and building materials, together 
 with all varieties of agricultural implements, among 
 which are the Perry Royce reapers and mowers, Tiger 
 rakes, Oliver chilled plows, the Huntington, Wilkin- 
 son and Curtis plows, Studebaker wagons, spring- 
 tooth harrows, etc., etc. A general repair shop is 
 also connected with the establishment. Mr. Truax 
 owns his place of business, his house and lot, and a 
 farm of So acres two miles north of the village 
 where he resides.- He is a member of the Order of 
 Knights of Maccabees. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Truax to Ella Bingham 
 occurred July 4, 1874, at Ortonville, Oakland County. ( >; 
 Mrs. Truax was born in Brandon Township, and is s ' 
 the daughter of William F. and Lany Bingham. She ^S 
 is the mother of two children, both born in Orton- ^ 
 ville, as follows: Lany B., July 22, 1876, and ^ 
 
 Annie, July 22, 1879. = 
 
 •^ • 
 
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 -tS{»— < 
 
 „ iii^'aeob E. Hartsell, farmer, section 21,, Grant 
 .(7fli^- I'ownship, was born Dec. 17, 1S44, ni Ox- 
 
 'AW ^' ^'^''^ ^°' ^"'' ^^^ parents, William and 
 ^ Ruth (Cunningham) Hartsell, were natives re- 
 spectively of Canada and New York. In 1855, 
 they removed from tlie Dominion of Canada to 
 Lapeer County. 
 
 Mr. Hartsell was 11 years old wlien his parents 
 came to Micliigan. Wliile living there the civil war 
 broke out, and at the age of 19 years he became a 
 soldier for the Union. He enlisted in i86r in the 
 Fourth Mich. Vol. Cav., but was seized witli illness 
 before the regiment left the State, and was dis- 
 charged. Ten months later he re-enlisted in the 
 Fourth Mich. Vol. Inf., and remained in the military 
 service of tiie United States until the close of the 
 war. 
 
 In the fall of 186S, Mr. Hartsell came to Huron \( 
 County, and entered a claim of 160 acres of land in (S\ 
 Grant Township, where he settled, and hr^s since -/ 
 
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 <^M ^ Dl]i>^ — s^T?:^^ 
 
r4iIlIl^Das> 
 
 V 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 resided. He now owns 1 20 acres of land, and is 
 cultivating 70 acres. 
 
 He is a Republican in political belief, and has held 
 the office of Constable. He has served nine years as 
 School District Treasurer. 
 
 The first marriage of Mr. Hartsell, to Mary Teller, 
 occurred in July, 1862, in Lapeer Co., Mich. One of 
 their children died in infancy; two survive — Charles 
 E. and Melissa C. The mother was the daughter of 
 William and Martha Teller, and died May 12, 1872. 
 Mr. Hartsell was again married Oct. 5, 1879, to 
 Louisa Woolhouse. Eva J. and William, two of 
 their children, are living. Ethel M. died at the age 
 of five months. Mrs. Hartsell was born in Canada, 
 and is the daughter of William and Mary A. Wool- 
 house. 
 
 ^ 3f SjjSrazil R. Church, blacksmith and farmer, 
 /\ ^EMJI- resident on section 20, Lincoln Township, 
 '^ was born in Canada, May 5, 1845, and is 
 
 >: 
 
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 S 
 
 ) 
 
 *lf> the son of Oliver and Rhoda (Smith) Church. 
 His parents were natives of the State of Ver- 
 mont, and after their marriage they became 
 residents of^Canada, where they lived during the 
 remainder of their lives. Their family included 13 
 children. 
 
 Mr. Church is the eighth son and the youngest of 
 the children of his father's household. He acquired 
 a common-school education, and at the age of 19 
 years he was apprenticed to learn his trade. He 
 served three years, and followed the business of 
 blacksraithing three years in succession, when he 
 became interested in the manufacture of brick, in 
 which he operated for a similar length of time. He 
 next engaged in farming, and spent three years in 
 the management of his father's farm. 
 
 After that he was variously engaged, until his re- 
 moval to Huron County in May, 1879, when he 
 bought 80 acres of wild land in the township where 
 he has since resided. He has improved and culti- 
 vated about 35 acres. 
 
 Mr. Church is a Republican in political connection, 
 and has held various township offices. In the spring 
 of 1884 (current year), he was elected Supervisor of 
 Lincoln Township. 
 
 His marriage to Amelia Wright occurred Nov. 4, 
 
 1869, at Morristown, N. Y. They have five children 
 — Arthur, Samuel, Mary, Bertha and Viola. Mrs. 
 Church was born in the State of New York, April 2, 
 1847, and is the daughter of Lowell Wright. Mr. 
 Church is a member of the Protestant Association ; 
 he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 oseph Parr, farmer, section 28, Meade 
 ^^ Township, was born in York County, Ont., 
 Nov. 17, 1832. He is of English descent, 
 his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Dawson) 
 ]r Farr, having been' born in England, and emi- 
 grated thence to Canada, where they passed 
 the remainder of their lives. 
 
 After he had passed the period of early youth, Mr. 
 Farr became a carpenter, and continued the pursuit 
 of that as a calling for 15 years. In the spring of 
 1876 he came to Huron County and bought 120 
 acres of land in Meade Township. To this he 
 added 40 acres by later purchase, and now has about 
 75 acres which are cleared and cultivated. 
 
 Mr. Farr adopts the principles of the Republican 
 party, and has been Township Clerk three years. 
 
 His marriage to Mary Conet occurred in Canada, 
 Feb. 3, 1857. Ot nine children born of their union, 
 but three survive — William J., John H. and Bertha 
 |. The others died in infancy. 
 
 'homas Martin, merchant at Verona Mills, 
 and farmer on section 25, Verona Town- 
 ship, was born March 27, 1841, in Canada. 
 'fiP' He is the son of George and Mary (Shepherd) 
 Y Martin. Previous to his removal to Verona 
 I Township in 1866, he was variously employed 
 in the Dominion. Among his occupations were lum- 
 bering, and at one time he had the management of 
 several threshing-machines. 
 
 On coming to Michigan, he bought 80 acres of 
 land, and now owns 320 acres, with 260 acres under 
 cultivation, all of which he cleared himself, with tlie 
 
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 -•4^ 
 
 
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 <^inii:giin>> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 i 
 
 exception of about 60 acres. He owns also 160 
 acres in Hand Co., Dak. He owned a store and 
 hotel at Verona Mills, which were Burned in the 
 ruinous fire of 1S71, involving a loss of $5,000, with 
 an insurance of $400. The fire of 1881 destroyed 
 his fences and some other property, but no buildings. 
 
 Mr. Martin is an agriculturist of more than ordi- 
 nary standing. His farming operations are con- 
 ducted with skillful and careful judgment, and he is 
 of inestimable worth to the county in his efforts to 
 raise the standard of stock. He owns one Durham 
 thoroughbred, and a number of fine grades. He 
 owns liis residence and half an acre of land at Verona 
 Mills, and is engaged in a prosperous trade in mer- 
 chandise ajnd farm produce. 
 
 He was married in the township of U.xbridge, 
 Ontario Co., Can., May 23, 1864, to Elizalieth 
 Brethour. Of this union six children have been 
 born, four of whom are living, Phebe A., John T., 
 Ceorge D. and Burtle A. Mrs. Martin was born 
 Jan. iS, 1842, in Ontario County, Can., and is the 
 daughter of lames and Phebe A. Brethour. 
 
 illiam H. Parker, farmer, section 7, Lin- 
 coln Townshii), was born Aug. 24, 1851, 
 jM^'f^ in Le.\ington, Mich., and has lived all his 
 *> life, with the e.xception of one summer in 
 ■* Oakland County, in the two counties which 
 ! ' constitute the bulk of the " little peninsula " of 
 Michigan. 
 
 His i^arents, Thomas and Rosanna (Surbroox) 
 Parker, were born respectively in England and Ger- 
 many. On coming to Michigan they first settled in 
 Macomb County, removing later to Lexington, Sani- 
 lac County, where the mother died. The father is 
 living in Sanilac County. Their family numbered 
 seven children. 
 
 At the age of 15 years Mr. Parker entered the 
 employment of Woods & Co , lumbermen in Huron 
 County, for whom he worked seven years. In 1873 
 he bought 80 acres of land where he has since oper- 
 ated as a farmer. He cleared and otlierwise im- 
 proved about 25 acres. 
 
 His marriage to Mrs. Sarah (Persons) Jewell oc- 
 
 curred Aug. 29, 1875, in Lake Township, Huron 
 County. Her first husband, William Jewell, died by 
 drowning at Huron City, in 187 i. She is the daugh- 
 ter of Simon and Ca 
 Almira — was born 
 Parker. He is a Republican in political sentiment 
 and action. 
 
 City, in 187 I. She is the daugh- •«• 
 Catharine Persons. One child — T 
 July 12, 1877, to Mr. and Mrs. V© 
 
 ■y<K<' 
 
 ;> 
 i,^ 
 
 ark Carrington, whose name is inseiiar- 
 , - _-.?ii-a^. able from the history of the development 
 I'a'Rfe-'' of the eadiest lumber interests of tlie 
 
 7154 "^-X Huron peninsula, is a member of the busi- 
 %' ness house of T. Winsor & Co., merchants, and 
 I salt producers at Port Austin. He lias been a 
 resident of this section of Michigan since 1830, wiien 
 his father, Joel Carrington, removed from St. C'lair to 
 Sanilac County. 
 
 The latter was of English parentage and a native 
 of Connecticut. He settled later in the State of 
 New York, whence he removed to Ohio in the win- 
 ter of 1816-7. They passed through Rochester, N. 
 Y , at a period when the buildings of the now peer- 
 less city of the Genesee Valley cojisisted only of two 
 log structures of the humblest kind, one of them 
 being utilized as a hotel. The transit was made 
 with an ox team and sled ; the mother, being over- 
 come by fatigue from the long journey, died on the 
 way. The family located 16 miles south of Cleve- 
 land, on a farm in the township of Hinckley, remov- 
 ing thence in May, 183c, by the steamer "Superior" 
 or "Lake Superior " to St. Clair Co., Mich., landing 
 there June i, where they resided l)ut a short time. 
 The elder Carrington leased a water-power saw-mill 
 on Black River, belonging to Thomas H. Knap[), of 
 Detroit, and conducted it two years. He then came 
 to Birchville and leased a saw-mill, which he con- 
 tinued to manage the same length of time, removing 
 thence to Lexington, where he bought 200 acres of 
 Government land, opened a farm and made shingles 
 and fished until 1840. In that year he went to one 
 of the Fox islands, belonging to the Manitou group, 
 I where he spent a year fishing. He went next to 
 1 Bailey's Harbor, where he was occupied some time 
 
 i 
 
 0: 
 
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 .^^x 
 
 4^lll]:i§llP<t>-?^^ — :^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 <L 
 
 ) 
 
 1 
 
 in farming and getting out cedar posts and timber, 
 which he shipped to Chicago. In 1863 he moved to 
 Sand Beach, where he died, in 1865. He was 
 three times married, Mr. Carrington of this sketch 
 being the only cliild of the first marriage. 
 
 The latter was born July 11, 1815, in the village 
 of Geneseo, Genesee Co., N. Y., and accompanied 
 his parents in tlieir various removals until his mar- 
 riage, which took place in 1S38, being a resident of 
 Lexington, where he was engaged in the business of 
 coopering. In 1850 he commenced locating pine 
 lands in the interest of non- residents, which branch 
 of business he continued until 1854, when he began 
 to operate in the same direction in his own behalf, 
 and selected 1,200 acres of valuable territory. As- 
 sociated with T. K. Adams and Geo. S. Lester, he 
 built a steam saw-mill at Bay City, disposing of his 
 claims there in the same fall. In 1855, in company 
 with J. L. Woods, he built a mill in the townsliip of 
 Sanilac in the county of the same name ; here they 
 held about 1,600 acres of i)ine land, on which they 
 cut timber until i860. In that year they removed 
 the mill to Sand Beach, and lumbered until 1S70, 
 having more than 5,000 acres in that portion of 
 Huron County. In rS6oGeo. W. Pack was admit- 
 ted to membership in the firm at Sand Beach, which 
 was called "Carrington, Pack & Co." They estab- 
 lished an e.xtensive mercantile enterprise, wliich they 
 conducted in connection witli their operations in 
 other avenues, and tliey built a dock, which was 
 burned in the fire of 1871. Their loss in that con- 
 flagration was about |i 60,000, includiiig mill, timber, 
 shingles, pier, etc. In the previous year, 1870, the 
 firm bought a saw-mill and pine lands of Learned & 
 Ayres, of Port Crescent, Huron County, the consid- 
 eration being $55,000. Previous to this they bought 
 25,000 acres of pine land situated on the Pinnebog 
 River, as a field of operation. 
 
 Feb. ro, 1874, Mr. Carrington sold his claim to 
 the remaining members of the firm and removed to 
 Port Austin the following year, where he opened a 
 store for traffic in general merchandise. He asso- 
 ciated his son-in-law, Thos. Winsor, with himself, 
 and has since continued the prosecution of the enter- 
 prise with satisfactory results. In 1879-80 they 
 erected steam salt works on an extensive scale, at an 
 expenditure of $14,000. It was in a state of com- 
 pletion and ready for operations, when it was burned 
 
 to the ground. The structure was immediately re- 
 built. They have two wells, and manufacture 150 
 barrels per day, employing about 20 men. They 
 also own a saw-mill and manufacture lumber, shin- 
 gles and staves, and construct their own barrels. 
 Mr. Carrington oTns about 1,000 acres of land in 
 Huron County. He was Postmaster at Lexington 
 two years and at Sand Beach 12 years. 
 
 He was married Oct. 15, 1838, in Burchville, to 
 Rhoda A. Butler, who was born in South Rutland, 
 Jefferson Co., N. Y., Aug. 30, 1822, and is the 
 daughter of Abijah and Clara Butler. Their eight 
 children were born at Lexington. Erwin E. lives at 
 Port Austin; Julius M. is the secretary and treasurer 
 of the People's Gas Company at C'leveland, Ohio; 
 Mariam A. is the wife of John T. Bostwick, a drug- 
 gist of Alpena; Nettie is the wife of W. V. Penoyar, 
 who is extensively engaged in lumbering at Au 
 Sable ; Evlyn A. was married to P. H. Kctcham, 
 of Saginaw City, in 1872, and died tlie following 
 year, Oct. 20; Ida A. is the wife of Thomas Winsor; 
 Gertrude A. lives at home, and Roscoe is a member 
 of the firm. 
 
 The portrait of Mr. Carrington is given on a pre- 
 ceding page in this volume as that of a representa- 
 tive citizen of Huron County, and as such will 
 doubtless be regarded by the people generally, and 
 tlie likeness welcomed in the collection selected for 
 this Album. 
 
 V&) 
 
 I 
 
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 ■".T.!) !■ xl/ 
 
 
 r ^ fj ohn Maywood, editor and proprietor of the 
 2i-rJ Huron Tribune, published at Bad Axe, was 
 " born Dec. 13, 1846, in Perth, Canada. He 
 
 is the son of Cliarles and Jane (Pinkborn) 
 Maywood, and was brought up on a farm. 
 \ When he was 19 years old he came to Tawas, 
 Mich., where he found employment in a saw-mill. 
 Dining the winter following, taught school. He had 1 
 become well-known through liis efficiency and zealous 
 labors in religious matters, and in the summer of < 
 1870 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Meth. 
 odist Episcopal Church at Alpena, and performed the 
 labors of the position several months. He then 
 joined tlie Methodist Conference, and remained in , 
 
 m<^ 
 
^ 
 
 i 
 
 5) 
 
 <9^ 
 
 ■e-T4-inii:t:iili^>r^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ■:2*feM;' 
 
 tlie ministry four years. In 1872 he located at 
 Albion, Mich., and entered the college in that city, 
 continuing to study there until he completed tlie 
 junior year. He then resumed his ministerial con- 
 nections, and in September, 1879, was assigned to 
 Port Austin, where he officiated two years. In June, 
 1881, in company with his brother, (ieorge A. May- 
 wood, he came to Bad A.^e and purchased the Trib- 
 une. It was founded in 1876 by Bell Irwin, under 
 the style of the Bad Axe Back- Woodstnatt. After- 
 ward the present style was substituted. In Decem- 
 ber, 1883, he purchased the interest of his brother, 
 and has since conducted the journal alone.- The 
 paper is printed on tlie only steam-power press in the 
 county. The entire establishment, with its fixtures, 
 was destroyed Sept. 4, 1881, by fire, but the patrons 
 of the paper did not lose an issue, as in three weeks 
 the office was in complete running order. 
 
 In 1882, the Huron County Gazette was purchased 
 by the brothers Maywood, and the two journals were 
 consolidated. A jirosperous jobbing department is 
 connected with the office. Mr. Maywood is a mem- 
 ber of the Masonic fraternity, and is Justice of the 
 I'eace. He owns tlie premises where he conducts 
 his business. 
 
 -^ 
 
 "c=ii.=3,' 
 
 I euben Rapson, wagon and carriage maker 
 and general blacksmith at Bad A.xe, was 
 born March 11, 1850, in Blenheim Town- 
 ^ ship, Oxford Co., Ont. His parents, Thomas 
 and Charlotte (Tribe)Rapson, were natives of 
 England, whence they emigrated to the Do- 
 minion of Canada and later in life settled in Oxford 
 County. Mr. Rapson was reared on a farm to the 
 age of 18 years, and then was apprenticed to aci[uire 
 a knowledge of the business which he has followed 
 all his life. He operated some years as a journey- 
 man in his native province, and in the fall of 1874 
 he came to Bad A.xe. (His father had removed to 
 Huron County and was tlien located on a farm two 
 miles and a half north of the village.) Immediately 
 on his arrival, Mr. Rapson established his business, 
 which he has conducted with success from the be- 
 ginning. He has a good place of business and em- 
 
 ploys several assistants. Besides the manufacture 
 of wagons and carriages, he does a large amount of 
 repairing. He owns his shop and one-fourth of an 
 acre with it, al the corner of Heisterman and Wood- 
 worth Streets, together with a nice residence on a 
 half acre of ground, and eight acres of land in the 
 northwest part of the village. 
 
 Mr. Rapson was married in Brant Co., Ont. Jan. 
 2, 1872, to Martha N. Griggs, who was born in Can- 
 ada, Feb. 6, 1852, and is the daughter of Charles 
 and Martha N. Griggs. Six children have been born 
 to them, two of whom are deceased. Charles Rich- 
 ard, eldest son, is the second child, born Feb. 6, 
 1875, at Bad Axe, and the eldest living child who 
 was born there. Lucy T., eldest child of the family, 
 was born in Oxford Co., Ont., March 26, 1873; 
 Arthur R., Oct. 17, 1876, at Bad Axe; Russell A., 
 July 16, 1878, at Bad Axe; Ellen and Clara, both 
 deceased, were the youngest. 
 
 ^•'^ fS?!' arry D. Ferris is the keeper of the United 
 '■■V'-'A'. -"States Life-Saving Station at Point aux 
 Vi' "^ Barques. Tlie post was established in 
 
 (h 1876, and is situated on the point of tlie Huron 
 i peninsula. The first keeper, Capt. William 
 I Crouch, remained in charge from its founding 
 until the sjiring of 1877, and was succeeded by Capt. 
 Charles McDonald. In the fall of 1878 Capt. J. G. 
 Kiah assumed control and continued to manage the 
 affairs of the station until June, 1880. On the 23d 
 of April, during iiis administration, a crew of six 
 men lost their lives while attempting the rescue of 
 the "J. H. McGruder." Their boat capsized in the 
 breakers and the crew perished from cold, Captain 
 Kiah being the only one saved. Under his manage- 
 ment it is claimed that 40 persons were rescued from 
 the propeller " Bertschey." Captain Gill succeeded 
 to the position and remained 15 months, vacating the 
 post in the month of October. Captain Morgan 
 succeeded Captain Gill, and he was succeeded, after 
 conducting the affairs of the station two years, by the 
 present keeper. 
 
 The conductors of the life-saving stations are sub- 
 jected to careful examination and must be qualified 
 
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 Mmmm 
 
T^^nD^^CDi-i^r 
 
 ry- 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 I 
 
 in common educational branches. The duties of the 
 patrohiien of the various districts are uniform and 
 identical. Two men are always on the patrol from 
 each station, one moving to the right and one to the 
 left, proceeding to . the extremity of their routes. 
 Each man carries a lime detector on his shoulder 
 like a soldier's haversack. The instrument has a 
 dial of paper similar to that of a watch, wliich is 
 pierced by a key at the end of his beat, and also a 
 signal light to show that aid is at hand. The sta- 
 tion is equipped with a life and surf boat, and a 
 mortar and cannon. The latter are for the purpose 
 of firing ropes over the wrecks when needed, or in 
 saving life. The life-boat is so constructed that it 
 will bail and adjust itself, if capsized and filled with 
 water. The force includes eight men. The most 
 perilous time of the year is in the month of Novem- 
 ber, because of the cold, the gales not being the 
 chief danger. 
 
 Mr. Ferris was born Aug. i, 1855, at Lock port, N. 
 v., and is tlie son of Rensselaer and Maria C. 
 (Wheeler) Ferris, both of whom are living at Lock- 
 port. He began life as a sailor in 18 — , in whicli he 
 continued until 1874, when he went to Alpena and 
 engaged in fishing. He went thence in 187S to 
 disuict No. 9, on Thunder Bay Island, and entered 
 the life-saving service. His next transfer was to 
 Sand Beach, and spent nearly two seasons, coming 
 thence in September, 1883, to district No. 10, Life- 
 Saving Service, at Point aux Barques. 
 
 Mr. Ferris was married Dec. 18, 1883, to Mary 
 Frank, daughter of William and Catherine (Doerr) 
 Frank. The parents reside in Ubley, Huron County. 
 
 '^.harles McAvoy, blacksmith at Bad .A.xe, 
 
 (]■ was born in April, 1848, in C.lengarry, 
 
 j. ..^'^ ■ C)nt. He is the son of John and F,li/.al)etli 
 
 pjp (Ryan) McAvoy. He was reared on a farm, 
 
 ^v and when he was 14 years of age lie entered 
 
 I upon his apprenticeship to prepare for his 
 
 
 business. He served three years, and on completing 
 his term of indenture he went to Keeseville, Essex 
 Co., N. Y., where he vvas variously employed three 
 years. He tlien established himself independently, 
 
 and continued the prosecution of his business two 
 years. He ne.xt became an employee in a nail factor)' 
 there, where he operated 10 years. 
 
 While he resided at Keeseville, he was married to 
 Mary McAuliffe, a native of New York. The wed- 
 ding occurred June 20, 1867. Hattie E., born Sept. 
 20, 1868, and Catherine, born Aug. 16, 1874, are the 
 names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. McAvoy. 
 
 They removed to Tawas City, Mich., in August, 
 1879, coming thence to Bad Axe, in June, 1880. Mr. 
 McAvoy 0]3ened his shop where he has since been 
 successfully engaged in all the avenues common to 
 his trade. Tiie family are members of the Roman 
 Catholic Church. 
 
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 i f':t\' elix niion, farmer on section 25, Meade 
 aiiiiih' Township, was born Nov. 20, 1841, in 
 
 (SS'^^'"^^ Canada. His parents, Moses and Ange- 
 ^j^ line (Desjardines) Filion, were also natives of 
 
 '^C^ the Dominion. In 1859, Mr. Filion came to 
 i Huron County on a prospecting tour, accom- 
 panied by his father. They purchased land i]i the 
 township of Caseville, but were [jrevented from locat- 
 ing on account of the ague, and in the fall he returned 
 to Canada. In the spring of 18C0, he again came to 
 Huron County and settled in Hume Township. In 
 1862, he enlisted in tlie 23d Mich. Vol. Inf , and 
 served until the. end of the war. 
 
 On receiving his discharge he returnetl to the 
 township of Hume. He continued to remain there 
 until the fall of 1869, when he again returned to 
 Canada, residing there until 1875. In the fall of that 
 year he came to Huron County once more, resiiling a 
 year at Port Austin. In the year 1876, he came to 
 Meade Township and purchased the estate where lie 
 has since lived. It contains 80 acres of land ant! 
 was in a wliolly uninqiroved condition. He lias 
 cleared about 20 acres. 
 
 In politics Mr. Filion is identified with the Prohi- 
 bition party. He was Superintendent of Schools in 
 tlie township of Lincoln five successive years, and 
 Supervisor for five years. In the spring of 1884 he 
 was elected Supervisor of Meade Township. He is 
 also Health Officer, and has officiated seven years as 
 School Director. 
 
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:2J^^Jiasr 
 
 
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 tH'A 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 r^a^^^ 
 
 -^^r^^ 
 
 245 
 
 His marriage to Aurora Parent occurred Oct. 21, 
 1869, in Canada. Four children have been born of 
 their union — Ahua A., Homer A. Charles A. and 
 Ella R. Mrs. Filion was born April 3, 1846, in 
 Canada. The parents are members of Protestant 
 Methodist Church. 
 
 C. Ogilvie, M. D., one of the prominent 
 business men of Huron County, is a resi- 
 dent at Port Hope, in Rubicon Township. 
 '■I\Q^ He is the oldest medical practitioner &t Port 
 Hope, and in his professional relations with 
 the inhabitants 01 Huron County has a wide 
 and substantial popularity. He is engaged in a gen- 
 eral mercantile business, which includes the sale of 
 drugs, and is the only dealer in that variety of mer- 
 chandise from Sand Beach to Port Austin. His busi- 
 ness operations embrace an extensive manufacture 
 of salt, in which traffic he has about $15,000 in- 
 vested. He is also engaged in lumbering and has a 
 saw-mill. He owns about 800 acres of land, with 
 100 acres in good agricultural condition. 
 
 Dr. Ogilvie was born at Campbellford, Northum- 
 berland Co., Ont., Canada, Oct. i, 1849. He is the 
 son of William and Martha (Heansy) Ogilvie, both 
 of whom are deceased. They were each about 55 
 years of age at the time of their demise, and in their 
 deaths were divided but ten days. The father was 
 an energetic, enterprising business man, and reared 
 his son in the methods which controlled his own act- 
 ive career. 
 
 The latter received his elementary education at 
 the public schools of the Dominion, and afterwards 
 pursued a more extended course of study, first at 
 the University of Victoria College and afterwards at 
 Upper Canada College. 
 
 He matriculated in 1866, in the Medical Depart- 
 ment of the University of Toronto, and after four 
 years' attendance on lectures graduated with honors 
 in 1870. He came to Port Hope in the fall of the 
 same year, and at once established himself as a med- 
 ical practitioner and heads his profession, being the 
 oldest physician by priority of location at Port Hope. 
 
 In 1880 he became interested in the other branches 
 
 of business which he is prosecuting. He built a 
 dock for the convenience and furtherance of his bus- 
 iness plans, which was destroyed in the fire of 1881, 
 together with a large quantity of logs, lumber and 
 wood, representing a loss in the aggregate of $8,000. 
 He was seriously affected by the loss and the inter- 
 ruption of his business plans, but as his latent "grit" 
 equalized his lack of means, he pushed the work of 
 reconstruction and soon replaced the dock and com- 
 pleted the erection of his salt-block. 
 
 Dr. Ogilvie has made a success of all his business 
 enterprises, and from the small beginning of $200, 
 which was his entire capital on coming to Port Hu- 
 ron, he has acquired the substantial reward of well- 
 directed, persistent effort. 
 
 In political views Dr. Ogilvie is a Republican, and 
 exhibits the same energy in the advocacy of those 
 principles as he does in his business and professional 
 pursuits, and has been Supervisor of Rubicon Town- 
 ship during the last three years, during two of which 
 he officiated as Chairman of the Board. He is a 
 Presbyterian in religious sentiment and connection. 
 
 On the preceding page is presented a lithographic 
 portrait of Dr. Ogilvie, which doubtless will be wel- 
 comed by all his acquaintances. 
 
 homas Morrow, proprietor and manager of 
 the Central House at Bad Axe, has been a 
 ^, .^ resident of Huron County since 1854, a pe- 
 
 ^S ■'■'^'i when there was probably not 50 acres of 
 ('} cleared land in the county. His fatlier was a 
 I lumberman, and the family located at Port 
 Austin in May of the year named. The settlement 
 was designated Bird's Creek, and comprised a small 
 saw-mill, operated by water power, and a few shan- 
 ties of limited dimensions. At that time no wheat 
 had been grown in Huron County. His father en- 
 gaged in lumbering for Smith & Dwight, and two 
 years after coming hither he bought 40 acres of land 
 near Port Austin. With his sons he turned his at- 
 tention vigorously to the work of clearing, and later 
 increased his acreage by additional purchase, which 
 they also placed in finely improved and cultivated 
 condition. The senior Morrow died on the homestead, 
 in August, 1874. 
 
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 246 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -^Sji^^^ 
 
 Mr. Morrow began business life on his own ac- 
 count when he was 16 years of age. Later he became 
 foreman in the woods, and in 1875 he took charge of 
 the county poor-farm, which he continued to manage 
 seven years. 
 
 In the spring of 1883 he entered upon the con- 
 struction of the Central Hotel, pushing the work to 
 such good purpose that in September following it 
 was in operation. The building is three stories high, 
 36 X 62 feet in dimensions, with a wing 20 x 30 feet. It 
 affords accommodations for 50 guests, has good sam- 
 ple rooms, a good livery and free conveyance to and 
 from trains. 
 
 Mr. Morrow was born Dec. 22, 1844, near Chat- 
 ham, Ont., and is the son of Thomas and Mary A. 
 (Doak) Morrow. He was married Nov. 23, 1870, in 
 Huron City, to Eliza J., daughter of John and Cath- 
 erine Kerr, a native of Canada. Their five children 
 were born in this county, namely: John, Nov. 10, 
 187 1 ; Charles J., March 11, 1874; William, Aug. 
 10, 1876 ; Mary C, Feb. 7, 1879; Thomas, May 27, 
 1881. 
 
 Mr. Morrow owns, besides his hotel property, 280 
 acres of land, with 80 acres cleared. 
 
 -5— KG 
 
 enry Vahle, blacksmith and carriage-maker, 
 
 _ Sebewaing, was born July 7, 1836, in Prus- 
 
 fc'Jl® '" sia, of which country his parents, Franz and 
 
 Annie Vahle, were natives and where they 
 l)assed their entire lives. They died in i86o. 
 Of their family of 16 children, five attained to 
 adult age, — Getta, Elizabeth, Frederick, Henry and 
 Caspar. 
 
 At the age of 15 years .Mr. Vahle was ai)prenticed 
 to acquire a knowledge of the business in which he 
 has since been engaged, and in which he served three 
 years. He came to the United States in 1856 and 
 passed seven years working as a blacksmith in the 
 State of New York. He came to Vassar, Mich., in 
 1863, and in February, 1866, he opened his present 
 business relations at Sebewaing. He is prosecuting 
 his affairs with success, has a fine carriage repository 
 and also manages a trade in coal. In political 
 affinity he is a Republican and has been one of the 
 
 Councilman of Sebewaing village since its incorpora- 
 tion. 
 
 He was married May 20, 1858, at Lockport, N. Y., 
 to Catherine Staeker, and they have had five chil- 
 dren — Charles, Henry, Herman, Emma and Louisa, 
 Henry died eight months old. Mrs. Vahle was t 
 born March 10, 1836, in Germany, and came to 
 America in 1853. 
 
 ■•<-^#'i#'-»-^ 
 
 tV^jIftilliam Dufty, farmer, section 32, Lake 
 ^g^ Township and present Supervisor (1884), 
 j|^?/t!^ * was born July 2, 1847, in London, Ont. 
 V In 1848 his parents came to Michigan and 
 first located in St. Clair County, afterwards 
 removing to what is now Grindstone City, where 
 the father quarried and made the first grindstone. 
 Later they removed to Caseville, where the family 
 still reside. 
 
 Mr. Dufty commenced to earn his own livelihood 
 when he was 13 years of age, working some years as 
 he could find employ. When he was 18 years old, 
 he became head sawyer for Crawford & Co. at Case- 
 ville, continuing in their employ some years, alter- 
 nating the seasons in superintendence of the lumber 
 camps. 
 
 He came to Lake Township in 1865, and pur- 
 chased 160 acres of timbered land on section 32. 
 Some years later he bought 80 acres situated on sec- 
 tion T,T,, which was the original purchase of his father 
 in the earliest history of the township. He made 
 some indispensable improvements on the place and 
 in 1868 took possession with his family and estab- 
 lished a permanent home. The farm now includes 
 65 acres of cleared and improved land, which is 
 ami)ly fitted with creditable farm fixtures. 
 
 Mr. Dufty is a Republican in political opinion. He 
 has held the position of Supervisor two years and is 
 serving his third term in that capacity (1884). He 
 has also officip.ted as Justice of the Peace and Treas- 
 urer of the township and has held tlie minor local 
 offices. 
 
 His marriage to Mary A. Smith took place at Bay- 
 port, Aug. 8, 1867, and they are the parents of four 
 children — Matie, William, Thomas and Maud. Mrs. 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Dufty was born Dec. 9, 185 1, in England, and is the 
 daughter of Thomas and Dorothy (Elliott) Smith. 
 The family emigrated to the United States in 1857, 
 settling first in Pennsylvania, whence they came to 
 Huron County, and now reside in Caseville Town- 
 ship. 
 
 ^} #.# 5^ 
 
 .orace G. Snover, of the firm of Winsor & 
 
 T'pik^j Snover, attorneys, bankers and real-estate 
 ^ brokers at Port Austni, was born Sept. 21, 
 1847, at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich. His 
 parents, Edward S. and Ann (Cook) Snover, 
 are natives of New Jersey. They were mar- 
 ried in Hope, Warren Co., N. J., and became the 
 parents of eight children, seven of whom are yet 
 living. Charlotte E. is the wife of Franklin Scott 
 and resides near Romeo; Josephine C. married J. 
 E. Selden, one of the proprietors of the woolen mills 
 at Vassar, Mich,; Cassias C. is a survej'or and civil 
 engineer, and resides in Dakota ; Mr. Snover of this 
 sketch is the next (fourth) in order of birth ; Alice 
 M. (deceased) was the wife of George Parmelee, a 
 farmer of Macomb County; Harriet S. married 
 Hartman Cornell, a farmer near Romeo; Edward J. 
 is a civil engineer and resides at Romeo; Emma E. 
 is the wife of Charles Tackles, Assistant Cashier in 
 the First National Bank at Romeo. The parents 
 still reside there and the senior Snorer is a capitalist 
 of that place. 
 
 Mr. Snover was reared to manhood in his native 
 town. He obtained a solid elementary education in 
 the common schools and at 17 matriculated at the 
 University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he 
 pursued a classical course of study, covering a period 
 of four years, and was graduated there in 1869 
 with the degree of B. A. ' In the fall of the same 
 year he entered the Law Department of the Univer- 
 sity, where he was graduated in 1871. He set out 
 for the West to select a location for establishing him- 
 self in the prosecution of his business, and after 
 prosjjecting a short time he opened an office at 
 Wichita, Kan. He remained there a year, returned 
 to Romeo and taught school there in the winter of 
 
 '873-4- 
 
 In the fall of 1874 Mr. Snover came to Port Aus- 
 
 tin to engage in the management of the High School 
 as Principal, in which position he officiated two 
 years. In August, 1876, he purchased the interest 
 of Robert W. Irwin in the law and real-estate busi- 
 ness of Winsor & Irwin, the new firm taking its 
 present style. It is one of the leading law associa- 
 tions in this part of Michigan, and, besides its 
 extensive legal relations, it is engaged in the transac- 
 tion of a real-estate business of large dimensions. 
 They own 20,000 acres of land, and besides the pros- 
 ecution of their own affairs in real estate they act as 
 agents for other parties. They represent the insur- 
 ance companies known as the Fire, London & Liver- 
 pool and Globe, the Home of New York and the 
 Union of San Francisco. 
 
 Mr. Snover is a Republican. In the fall of r88o 
 he was the candidate of that ticket for Judge of 
 Probate, and was elected to the position by a ma- 
 jority of over 600 votes. He is a member of the 
 Masonic fraternity. 
 
 His marriage to Nellie E. Williams took place at 
 Port Austin, Aug. 27, 1879. Edward S., only child, 
 was born at Port Austin, May 25, 1880. Mrs. 
 Snover was born at Port Austin and is the daughter 
 of Ortice B. and Maria A. (Hanford) Williams. (See 
 sketch of O. B. Williams.) 
 
 -13 
 
 J A 
 
 T~r 
 
 J, A. 
 
 "T"-?" 
 
 €1- 
 
 l^^onrad C. Brack, merchant at Sebewamg, 
 ^ll^Sia ^^^^ \>ox\\ Dec. 17, 1854, in Germany, 
 gljis/* "*■ which is yet the home of his parents, John 
 i>'\k> and Augusta Brack. He received the educa- 
 M tion for which the laws of his country provide, 
 ( and attended school until he was 14 years of 
 age. For a time succeeding his abandonment of 
 study he followed agricultural pursuits, remaining at 
 home until 1872, the year in which he emigrated to 
 America. On landing in the United States, he came 
 at once to Sebewaing, where he remained for a time 
 with relatives. Eventually he entered the employ of 
 John MuUerweiss as salesman in a mercantile estab- 
 lishment. He officiated in that capacity three years, 
 when he transferred his services to the interest of 
 John C. Liken & Co., where he was occupied about i8 
 months. At the end of that time he re-engaged with 
 
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 (^ 
 
 :^^^ :^A<^Il!l^DDf>^^r^^- — ^N^^^ 
 
z^^&ss- 
 
 Tr-r4^DIl^IlDs>r- 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Tasks' ^~v 
 
 ^^5^ 
 
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 his former employer and remained with him one and 
 a half years. After this he became a farm assistant, 
 in which line he operated five months, when he 
 opened a store in his own interest at Kilmanagh. 
 He conducted his affairs there nearly four years and 
 removed his stock of general merchandise in 1883 to 
 Sebewaing, where he is doing a fairly successful busi- 
 ness. He is a Republican in political faith and 
 connections. 
 
 Mr. Brack was married Oct. 21, 1879, at Sebe- 
 waing, to Amelia Luckhard. She was born Aug. i, 
 1856, at Sebewaing, and is the daughter of Frederick 
 and Catherine Luckhard, natives of Germany. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Brack are Lutherans in religious faith. 
 
 — -^vv^^i-i^S-^/^^ 
 
 phn H. Flint, farmer, residing on section 
 21, Verona Township, was born April 10, 
 1831, in Yorkshire, Eng., and is the son of 
 Edward and Isabella (Hewson) Flint. When 
 he was four years old, the family emigrated to 
 Canada, the father buying a farm near Ottawa, 
 on which the family resided until 1843, when they 
 removed to a farm in Orford Township, Kent 
 County. 
 
 Mr. Flint left home when he was 14 years old and 
 spent some time in a distillery. He also learned the 
 business of millwright and has devoted many years 
 of his life to its prosecution. In February, 1866, 
 he came to Forestville, Sanilac County, where he 
 spent 14 months, coming thence to Verona Town- 
 ship, where he joined the pioneer settlers and bought 
 160 acres of land. He still retains 80 acres, having 
 given 40 acres to each of his two sons. He has 40 
 acres under cultivation. Among the buildings which 
 he has assisted in erecting are the Star Flouring 
 Mills at Sand Beach, a saw-mill at Ft. Crescent, and 
 the old " Irwin House " at Bad Axe, the first hotel 
 in the town, besides other buildings, including the 
 first dwelling house for James M. Skinner, and a 
 residence for Edmund Cole, the first Treasurer at 
 Bad Axe. 
 
 Mr. Flint has served 16 years as Justice of the^ 
 Peace in Verona Township. He has witnessed the 
 virtual total destruction of his property in Huron 
 County twice, — in 187 i and again in 1881. In the 
 
 first fire he lost his house and barn and their con- 
 tents, fences, etc. At the last his experience was 
 repeated in the loss of an elegant house, a good 
 barn, with orchards, fences, grain and implements, 
 besides sheep, hogs and poultry, — all aggregating 
 $3,000 in value. He had nothing left save horses 
 and cattle. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Flint to Susan Pangborn oc- 
 curred April 10, 1855, in Toronto, Can. Mrs. Flint 
 was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Pangborn, 
 and was born at Toronto, Little York Tp., Can., 
 Jan 31, 1837. William H. Flint, the elder son, was 
 born in Orford Township, Sept. 23, 1858. He was 
 educated for the ministry at Detroit, was ordained at 
 tlie Methodist Protestant Conference at Cokimbia- 
 ville, Lapeer Co., Mich., and is officiating at Attica 
 Lapeer Co., Mich. He was inarried near Caro, Tus- 
 cola County, to Cecilia England. They have two 
 children — Katie M., born May 24, 1881, and Susan 
 Peari, April 18, 1884. Thomas E., younger son of 
 Mr. Flint, was born Jan. 16, 1861, and is a carpenter 
 and farmer, residing with his father. The mother 
 died in Verona, June 21, 1884. 
 
 eorge Kerr, a prominent farmer and busi. 
 ness man of Meade Township, resident on 
 section 6, was born Sept. 10, 1839, in 
 Haldimand Co., Ont. He is the son of Alex- 
 ander and Elizabeth (Readie) Kerr, both of 
 whom were natives of Ireland. They emi- 
 grated from their native country to Ontario, in 1836. 
 The father died March 24, 1857 ; the mother is still 
 living, in the Dominion. 
 
 Mr. Kerr is the second son and the third of a 
 family of ten children born to his parents. He re- 
 ceived a common-school education and remained at 
 home until he was_25 years of age, and was engaged 
 in farming. He came to Huron County in the fall of 
 1864, and he spent four years as a farm assistant, 
 and as a clerk in a store at Port Crescent. In 1868 
 he became a land-holder by the purchase of 80 acres 
 of land in Meade Township, where he has since 
 resided with the (.'xception of the winter of 1874-5, 
 which lie spent at East Saginaw. About three- 
 
 V. 
 
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r ffn r ^4 ' . vff^jo* 
 
 a/iM<} ,^ . ^ 
 
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l»/®))«^^ 
 
 -t2^^K — 6V4JI1 n s n nf^ v'o ' j ^^ 
 
 4^^f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 fourths of his acreage are cleared and under cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Kerr is also interested to a considerable ex- 
 tent in the fire-insurance business and deals in real 
 estate. 
 
 He is a Republican in political views, and is 
 present Chairman of the Republican Board of Meade 
 Township. He has held the office of Clerk of his 
 township ten years, and has officiated as Justice of 
 the Peace, School Superintendent and in other posi- 
 tions. 
 
 Mr. Kerr was married at South Saginaw, Mich., 
 June lo, iS68, to Julia (Maynard) Lang, widow of 
 John Lang. She was born in the city of Watertown, 
 Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1849, and is of French 
 parentage. Seven children have been born to her- 
 self and husband, as follows: Nellie E., April 13, 
 i86g; Emma J., April 29, 187J ; George E., Sept. 
 27, 1874; Hattie J., Dec. 15, 1876; James Abram 
 Garfield, Oct. 31, 1881. George A., born Feb. i, 
 1873, died July 15 of the same year; Annie B., 
 born Oct. 7, 1878, died Feb. 28, 1884. 
 
 The first husband of Mrs. Kerr lost his life by 
 drowning in the Pinnebog River, April 14, 1867. 
 One child was born of the first marriage, — John A., 
 March 29, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 J. Jjudington, farmer, section 22, Rubi- 
 con Township, was born April 5, 1847, in 
 Geauga Co., Ohio. His parents, William 
 ,y^_-x and Betsey (Temple) Ludington, reside in 
 "* Huron County. The former was born in 
 Vermont, the latter in Ohio. They came to 
 Michigan in 1855, and have lived in the township of 
 Rubicon since their removal to the State. 
 
 Mr. Ludington has been engaged chiefly in lum- 
 bering until about 1880, when he turned his atten- 
 tion exclusively to the development of his agricul- 
 tural interests. He owns 230 acres of land, and has 
 100 cleared and improved. He has been successful 
 in all his business ventures, but has suffered heavy 
 losses in both the fires that have devastated the 
 "little peninsula" of Michigan. In that of 1871 
 his saw-mill, buildings and lumber were consumed. 
 
 inflicting a loss of $5,000. The mill was situated at 
 Forest Bay. His loss in the second fire was $1,400. 
 
 He is a Republican in political affiliation and has 
 served his township two years as Supervisor, and as 
 School Director six years. 
 
 The first school in the township was taught by 
 Thomas Nichol (afterward a minister of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church), and Mr. Ludington was a 
 pupil therein. 
 
 Mrs. Ludington was born Oct. i, 1852, in Canada, 
 and is the daughter of John Atkinson. Her father 
 is living in Lexington Township, Sanilac County. 
 Her mother died when the daughter was a young 
 girl. She was married in October, 1869, to Mr. Lud- 
 ington, and they have had four children, as follows : 
 VV. Bertie, April 11, 1871; John P., July 15, 1873; 
 Lottie, March 17, 1875; Arthur, March 27, 1883. 
 They were born in Rubicon Township. 
 
 -<-4-###<-V>-- 
 
 ■Jharles E. Thompson, Register of Deeds 
 ^^p of Huron County, resident at Bad Axe, 
 
 n 
 
 15-f was born July 9, 1845, in Port Huion, Mich. 
 21^ His parents, John D. and Mary A. (Lock- 
 wood) Thompson, removed in 1854 to Huron 
 City. Mr. Thompson remained in Huron 
 County from the age of nine years until the attain- 
 ment of his majority, obtaining meanwhile a fair 
 elementary education. In 1866 he went to Detroit 
 and became a student in Bryant, Stratton & Gold- 
 smith's C'ommercial College, and completed the en- 
 tire curriculum of study. He obtained a position as 
 book-keeper in the business establishment of Thomas 
 S. Donahue at New River, Huron County. After a 
 year of service in that capacity, he went to Port Hope 
 and passed two seasons in a saw-mill and in lumber- 
 ing. His next employment was for Robert W. Irwin, 
 of Sand Heach, as clerk and book-keeper. In the 
 winter of 187 1-2 he entered the telegraph office at 
 Port Hope. In the spring following, he went to 
 Huron City as accountant in the service of R. B. 
 Hubbard & Co., where he was employed until his 
 name was brought before the [leople for the position 
 of County Clerk. In the fall of 1876, he was placed 
 in nomination by tlie Republicans of the county for 
 
 Ki2) 
 
 9 
 
 i 
 
(!) 
 
 (qN 
 
 •) 'M 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 > 
 
 the position, and scored a triumphant success over 
 the opposition candidate. He was re-elecled in 
 1878. He was elected in 1880 to the position of 
 County Treasurer, and discharged the duties of the 
 office during one term. He received his election to 
 his present incumbency in the fall of 1S82, being re- 
 elected in the fall of 1884. He is a member of the 
 Order of Masonry and is a Knight Templar. His 
 pleasant residence has 15 acres attached, and he 
 owns also 59;/^ acres near Port Hope. 
 
 Mr. Thompson was married May 13, 1872, to 
 Elizabeth McDonald. She was born near Brucefield, 
 Ont. The children which have since been added to 
 the household of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born 
 as follows. Charles A., Feb. 21, 1S73; Anna Grace, 
 Sept. 20, 1880; and Florence E., Feb. 28, 18S3. 
 
 In presenting the likeness of Mr. Thompson in 
 this work, we do so with a firm belief that all who 
 see it will recognize one of the representative and 
 energetic citizens of the county. 
 
 -|-~^'V^,^^S~^^S-V^/^— 5- 
 
 !f 
 
 l^dward Heaton, farmer and stockman, res- 
 ^ilt' ident on section 26, Chandler Township, 
 where he was one of the pioneer settlers, 
 ^1^ was born Jan. 10, 1833, in Lincolnshire, Eng. 
 He came to Michigan in the fall of i860, and 
 located 320 acres of land on sections 26 and 
 27, in Chandler Township, under the provisions of 
 the Graduation Act. His land vvas located at a more 
 remote point of the " bush " than any other at the 
 date of his settlement. He was occupied in lumber- 
 ing for some time after he located, and at the same 
 time made improvements on his farm. He raised 
 the first grain in the township of Chandler, and 
 owned the first team of horses, and the first wagon. 
 He brought his first farming im[)lcments from Detroit 
 and Lexington, and at the latter place he purchased 
 a fanning-mill, the first and only one in tliat section 
 of Huron County for many years. 
 
 His farm of 200 acres, in an unbroken body, is 
 all fenced, and 30 acres is devoted to pastures. The 
 major portion is worked for crops. The place con- 
 tains llirce good stock and grain barns, and a fine 
 residence, erected at an expense of $2,000. He 
 makes specialties of Durham cattle and Cotswold 
 sheep, and is rearing a good breed of horses. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Heaton, Isaac and Sarah 
 (Tock) Heaton, were born in Lincolnshire, Eng. 
 The father died in his native shire in 1835, near the 
 place of his birth. The mother came to the United 
 States in 1882, and resides with her son. She made 
 the ocean passage vi^hen she was 80 years old, and is 
 still in possession of her mental and physical facul- 
 ties to a surprising degree, being apparently in per- 
 fectly firm health. 
 
 Mr. Heaton was two years old when his father 
 died, and he lived with his mother until he was 15 
 years of age. He was an only child, and early 
 awakened to the fact that the maintenance of liis 
 mother devolved upon him. He obtained a good 
 situation, which he held until his majority, and soon 
 after was married in Lincolnshire, Eng., to Harriet 
 Thomas. One of their two children died. Isaac, 
 born Dec. 30, 1853, was married June 26, 1876, to 
 Rose Ligthall. The family came to Oxford Co., Ont., 
 in 1853, where the mother died, Nov. 15, 1855. 
 
 In December, 1865, Mr. Heaton was married, at 
 Detroit, to Catherine Irwin, and they are the parents 
 of six children, born as follows: Sarah, July 31, i866; 
 Joseph, Nov. 9, 1867 ; Mary, March 3, 1870; Edward, 
 Dec. 5, 1874; Elizabeth, Sept. 3, 1S76; Irwin, May 
 17, 1879. 
 
 Mrs. Heaton was born Aug. 22, 1842, in North- 
 umberland, Eng. Her father, Robert Irwin, was 
 a native of the some county, was a blacksmith, and 
 died near where he was born, in 1881. Her mother, 
 Mary (Thompson) Irwin, is living in Northumber- 
 land, Eng., and is 70 years of age (1SS4). Mrs. 
 Heaton came to Ontario, Can., in the spring of 1865. 
 The family are communicants in the Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 Mr. Heaton is a Republican of tolerant principles, 
 and has been Supervisor of his township two years. 
 
 ohn Kinsh, farmer, section 4, Bloomfield 
 ''t Townshij), was born Oct. 31, 1826, near 
 Brockville, Ont. His parents, John and 
 Ann (Crainpton) Kinsh, were respectively of 
 Irish and Welsh descent, and are both de- 
 ceased. The father was 76 years of age at the 
 time of his decease; the mother died when she was 
 78 years old. 
 
 9 
 
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 •ry 
 
 '7<>Mmh>r 
 
 -:J^^^' 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 > 
 
 At the age of 23 years, Mr. Kinsh commenced a 
 long course of journeying in the Western States and 
 Territories, California, Washington Territory, and in 
 British Coliuiibia. After traveling through 19 States 
 and Territories, he returned to the Dominion, where 
 he was associated with a business firm in a mercan- 
 tile enterprise 10 years, located at Carlefon, 28 miles 
 west of Ottawa. He acted as salesman in the estab- 
 lishment five years, and after the loss of about $14,- 
 000 through his partner, he left Canada. He came 
 to Huron County, bought 85 acres of land in Bloom- 
 field Township, and has lived here ever since. He 
 paid cash for his farm with the remnant of his for- 
 tune which he saved from the wreck of his mercan- 
 tile business in Canada. It was the last of $10,000 
 he had made in California in mining. In the fire of 
 1 88 1 his accumulations on the farm all vanished 
 save a cradle and a rake which he had left in the 
 harvest fields. 
 
 Mr. Kinsh is a Repulilican in political persuasion, 
 and in religious opinion is an Episcopalian. He 
 has been School Assessor nine terms. He was mar- 
 ried Nov. 13, 1 87 2, in CAleton Place, Quebec, to 
 Margaret Burke. Six cliildren have been born of 
 this marriage: Edmond, May 4, 1874; Theresa, 
 Nov. 14, 1876; Otis, June 30, 1877 ; Samuel, Jan. 
 31, 1879; Wallace, Sept. 27, r88i; Ellen, Feb. 4, 
 1884. Mrs. Kinsh was born Nov. 8, 1851, and is 
 the daughter of Edmond and Mary (McCarthy) 
 Burke. Her parents are deceased. She is a Roman 
 Catholic. 
 
 i=H- 
 
 'ohn Geiger, farmer, section 25, Sand Beach 
 
 J ^^l f Township, is a son of George and Barbara 
 
 1^^^ Geiger, who passed their entire lives in 
 
 dg^ their native land, Germany, iu which country 
 
 "^r John also was born, Jan. 30, 1834, In the 
 
 \ spring of 1854 he emigrated to Canada and 
 
 purchased a farm, in company with his brother, but 
 
 in two years they were obliged to give it up. In 
 
 1 86 1 he came to this county and " took up " 40 acres 
 
 of land in Sherman Township, to which he afterward 
 
 added 40 acres more. This tract he occu})ied six 
 
 years and then exchanged it for an 80-acre tract in 
 
 Sand Beach Township, which he has since retained, 
 having it nearly all in a good state of cultivation. 
 
 Oct. 29, 1863, is the date of Mr. Geiger's enlist- 
 ment as a soldier for the Union, in the Second Mich. 
 Cav.; and after serving 22 months he was honorably 
 discharged, without having received any injuries. He 
 had a sun-stroke, and has since been troubled with 
 the rheumatism. In politics he is a Republican, and 
 in religion both himself and wife are members of the 
 Lutheran Church. 
 
 He was married to Christina Barfitt, in Canada, 
 March 14, 1858. She is a lady of French nativity. 
 The four children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Geiger are named Mary, George, Maggie and Lena. 
 Mrs. Geiger is the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth 
 (Hauter) Barfitt. 
 
 obert Gotts, farmer, section 24, Lake Town- 
 i'- ship, was born May 12, 1839, in Norfolk 
 
 '^.^^' County, England. His parents were born 
 iX^ in the same country, of German ancestry. He 
 left his native land to become a resident of 
 Ontario when he was iS years old. He came 
 thence, two years later, to Michigan, and remained 
 three years in Wayne County, operating as a laborer. 
 In 1864, he came to Huron County, where lie en- 
 tered a homestead claim of 160 acres of land. He 
 does an extensive business in market gardening, and 
 was State Enumerator for Lake Township in 1884. 
 
 On coming to take possession of the proi)erty of 
 which he had become the proprietor without personal 
 examination of its location, etc., he found it situated 
 remote from the limits of civilization, and no roads 
 of any character in its vicinity. He "barked out " a 
 road for a distance of three miles. He opened a 
 clearing, built a log shanty, and lived solitary and 
 alone for two years. 
 
 In 1866, he was married, in his own cabin, to Hin- 
 nah Davison. Their nine children are all living and 
 are named^ Charlotte M., Morton M., Horatio W., 
 Horace S., Wesley J., Susan A., Robert E., Sarah A. 
 and Jeannette L. The parents of Mrs. Gotts were 
 natives of the States and Ontario, respectively. Her 
 father died in the State of New York in'1878. Her 
 
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 0) 
 
 (e- 
 
 ^^^^e 
 
 ^^^ — ^y^iwm^ 
 
HURON COUNTY 
 
 -^af^^J^ 
 
 -^^tmk 
 
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 mother is yet living. She was born near Georgian 
 Bay, Ont., April 23, 1848, and came to Huron 
 County about three months previous to her marriage. 
 Mr. Gotts is one of the earliest settlers in what is 
 now Lake Township. He has been active and effi- 
 cient in the development of all local interests, and 
 has afforded material service in the progress of edu- 
 cational matters and in other avenues pertaining to 
 the wholesome growth of a community. He is a 
 prominent member of the Order of Good Templars, 
 is a Prohibitionist, and one of the organizers of that 
 element in Huron County. He is Chairman of the 
 County Committee. In religious matters, he and 
 his wife are active and zealous. They are members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. 
 Gotts is a Steward. He was Clerk of the late Con- 
 ference (1884) He has officiated in all the local 
 offices of the township except that of Supervisor, and 
 has held several at the same time when there were 
 few settlers after the organization. He was Justice 
 of the Peace eight years, and is present Clerk (1884), 
 which position he has occupied eight years. 
 
 MJZS©^®* 
 
 •^^^i/uavt^^ 
 
 Jfhomas Weir, farmer, section 34, Sand 
 Beach Township, was born in Canada, 
 Sept. I, 1849, where he lived until he was 
 16 years of age, when he came to Huron 
 County and for eight years was employed by 
 J. Jenks, in the woods during the winter and 
 in the mills during the warmer portion of the year. 
 After a residence of three years in Iosco Co., Mich., 
 he bought the quarter section where he now resides. 
 He has since disposed of 50 acres, and 50 acres of 
 the remainder are cleared and in a good state of cul- 
 tivation. 
 
 With reference to national issues, Mr. W. is a Re- 
 publican. 
 
 He is the fourth son in a family of seven children 
 of Robert and Eliza (Hall) Weir, native^^f Ireland, 
 who emigrated to Canada, where they resided until 
 their death. He was married, in White Rock Town- 
 ship, Dec. 29, 1873, to Hannah, daughter of Francis 
 and Ellen (McCann) Landra, who were natives re- 
 
 spectively of Canada and Ireland. She was born in 
 Canada, Feb. 25, 1854, and in the family of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Weir are now the following children: Ellen R., 
 born Nov. 25, 1877; Annie E., born Jan. 22, 1879; 
 George W., born Jan. 31, 1881; Thomas A., born 
 March 26, 1883. 
 
 iharles S. Nims, farmer, section 19, Sand 
 Beach Township, is a son of Reuben and 
 Sophia (Whiton) Nims, natives of Franklin 
 ^1^ Co., Mass., who lived in that State a short 
 time after marriage, then 25 years in Ver- 
 mont, and in 1854 came to Sanilac Co., Mich., 
 lived one year there, and finally removed to Romeo, 
 Macomb Co., Mich., where Mr. N. died Feb. 2, 1869, 
 and where his widow still survives, at the age of 85 
 years. They had nine children, named Sarah S., 
 George W., William R., •Frances G., Hannibal H., 
 George R., Charles S., Jerome W. and Edward L. 
 The second born died when he was five years old. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 6, 1838, 
 in Huntington, Vt., attended the common' school 
 until 14 years of age, then attended Oberlin (Ohio) 
 College three years, and finally a course of law at 
 Harvard University in 1862, graduating in 1864. 
 He was admitted to the Bar in Boston, in 1863, the 
 year before he graduated. He at once came to San- 
 ilac County and formed a partnership at Lexington 
 with Watson Beach, which continued 18 years. Dur- 
 ing this time Mr. B. took charge of the law business 
 while Mr. Nims edited the Jeffcrsonian. While re- 
 siding at Lexington Mr. N. was elected two terms as 
 County Superintendent of Schools, and was Circuit 
 Court Commissioner several terms. He also held 
 minor offices in the gift of his townsmen. 
 
 In the fall of 1882 he came to Huron County and 
 and formed a partnership with J. and G. W. Jenks, 
 the firm name being J. & G. W. Jenks & Co. He is 
 also the manager of a farm of 400 acres south of the 
 Sand Beach village, and Secretary and Treasurer of 
 the Huron Dairy Salt Company. In reference to 
 political affairs Mr. Nims acts with the Republican 
 party, and in regard to religious views he, as well as 
 his wife, is a member of the Congregational Church. 
 
 Vto; 
 
 ^5 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 :^^;^^ g^^^lHl^DDf^ \C) ^^ ^ 
 
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 c=x 
 
 ■c7-^<^:D^^liIl^>v-e^- 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Zi^f'Qf'sr 
 
 
 Mr. Nims was married in the township of Sand 
 Bank (Rock Falls), Nov. 22, 1865, to Mary E., 
 daughter of Jeremiah and Relief (Heustis) Jenks. 
 (See sketch of J. Jenks.) Mrs. N. was born at Crown 
 Point, Essex Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 1846. The chil- 
 dren in the family of Mr. and Mrs. N. are, Charles 
 H., Mary E. J. (died when one year of age), Wolton 
 E. and Marion R. 
 
 Mr. Nim's brother, Hannibal H., was a member of 
 the loth Mich. Inf , Second Lieutenant of Co. K, and 
 afterward transferred to Co. C, and promoted as 
 Captain. He was killed in the battle of Jonesboro, 
 Ga. 
 
 ^harles G. Learned, one of the most ex- 
 tensive agriculturists of the Huron pen- 
 
 insula, resident at Port Austin, was born 
 Dec. 13, 18 16, at West Troy, Albany Co., N. 
 Y. His father, Edward Learned, was a na- 
 tive of Roxbury, Mass., and married Betsey 
 Crawford. She was born in Ireland and died in 
 Pittsfield, Mass. The senior Learned was a practical 
 business man and operated many years in the State 
 of New York as a contractor on the public works, 
 building canals, aqueducts, water works and rail- 
 roads, and died in Albany Co., N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Learned commenced his career as a business 
 man in 1835. Two years before attaining his major- 
 ity, he took a contract in his father's name to build 
 one mile of aqueduct on the water-works of the city 
 of New York, at Dobbs' Ferry. When he arrived at 
 the period of his legal freedom he had made his 
 first $10,000. He was one of the builders of the 
 Erie Canal, and constructed two tunnels on the 
 Boston water-works; also five miles of the aqueduct 
 connected therewith. After taking the contract for 
 the latter, his father became interested in its fulfill- 
 ment. He was also engaged as a contractor in the 
 construction of the dry dock and buildings at Brook- 
 lyn, for which he quarried the necessary building 
 material in Maine. He was interested in the build- 
 ing of the Harlem Railroad near Croton Falls, N. Y., 
 and in other similar enterprises until 1859. In 
 addition to his operations as a contractor, he was 
 
 ^«^^^ 
 
 ^^^^^ — @7^->iin^ 
 
 also interested for a period of five years in farming 
 and lumbering at West Troy, where he owned lum- 
 ber yards ; he also controlled a saw-mill in Rens- 
 selaer Co., N. Y. 
 
 His first knowledge of the pine tracts of the v3 
 Huron peninsula was obtained in 1S57, during a trip 
 to Port Austin to buy lumber of Smith & Dwight, of 
 Detroit, who were conducting their manufactures at 
 this point. The outlook impressed him as promising, 
 and in company with his brother-in-law, Frederick 
 S. Ayres, of West Troy, he purchased several thou- ^ 
 sand acres of pine land. Later, he sold a fourth S^> 
 interest to Ebenezer WiswaJl. A mill had already if 
 been erected on the tract purchased, and they 
 entered largely into the manufacture of lumber, with 
 yards for wholesale and retail traffic at Sandusky, 
 Ohio. As the county developed, the firm extended 
 their business relations, sunk the first salt well in 
 this county and engaged in mercantile enterprises. 
 
 In 187 1 Mr. Learned sold his interest in the 
 affairs of the concern to E. R. Ayres. He is still /k, 
 the proprietor of a large acreage. His farming lands 
 are of a-fine quality, and he has about 2,000 acres 
 in tillage, on which he raises the usual variety of 
 crops. He employs three general managers on his 
 farms and about 20 men. His dairy herd includes jy 
 30 cows of established merit, including Jerseys, 
 Short-horns, Holsteins and Ayrshires. He has a 
 thoroughbred Jersey bull, registered " Exquisite," 
 which he purchased in Pittsfield, Mass. A fine 
 grade of butter from his dairy is shipped to Detroit 
 and Philadelphia. 
 
 The village property of Mr. Learned at Port Aus- 
 tin includes an elegant residence with grounds at- 
 tached, containing three acres and worth $12,000. 
 The barns adjacent are of a fine type, and arc situ- 
 ated on an additional three acres. Six tenant houses 
 and a number of lots also belong to Mr. Learned. 
 He is the owner of 2,000 acres of land in Tuscola 
 County, located in the neighborhood of the Half- 
 Way House, between Sebewaing and Bay City, where 
 they keep a quantity of cattle. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Learned occurred in Lewis- 
 boro, Westchester Co., N. Y., Sept. 23, 1838, to 
 Maria Raymond. Only one of their four children 
 survive. (See sketch of J. R. Learned) Following 
 are the names of three younger children, who are 
 deceased: Sarah, Asa and Mary Jane. 
 
 Mr. Learned "has had a business career of great 
 
 (^ 
 
 ^. 
 
 (I 
 
 r-m^ 
 
tf^ 
 
 258 
 
 i 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 extent, making his name prominent in several loca- 
 tions, and he belongs to one of the most substantial 
 families of Eastern New York. While engaged in 
 the lumbering business at West Troy, he resided at 
 Poestenkill, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. At the same 
 time President James A. Garfield was a student at 
 Williams College, and taught writing at Poestenkill. 
 He was an inmate of the family of Mr. Learned 
 during the term of his teaching and made his home 
 with them in the interims of the college terms. His 
 wife, Maria Learned, who during her life had by her 
 prominent and consistent ("hristian character, ex- 
 ample and deeds of charity, endeared herself to the 
 people in this community, died Jan 10, 1881. 
 
 |0n a preceding page a fine lithograph portrait 
 adorns the collection selected for this Album. 
 
 I 
 
 ohn B. Thomas, farmer, section 18, Sand 
 
 Beach Township, is a son of Moses and 
 
 Clarissa (Winecup) Thomas, natives of 
 
 Macomb County, this State, where they still 
 
 ^F reside. John B. is the eldest of a family of 
 
 1'' 15 children, and was born in that county, 
 Sept. 22, 1844. The thunders of war in April, 1861, 
 aroused his patriotic spirit, and he immediately en- 
 listed in the 22d Mich. Vol. Inf.; but after about 
 six months he was discharged on account of dis- 
 ability, at Lexington, Ky. On recovery, however, in 
 1863, he re-enlisted in Battery M, First Regt. Light 
 Artillery, and served till the close of the war. 
 
 In 1866 he went to Bay City, Mich., where he 
 kept a boarding-house about seven years, when he 
 returned to Mt. Clemens and engaged in the manu- 
 facture of root beer for two years; but, not meeting 
 with satisfactory success, he discontinued the busi- 
 ness. In the fall of 1877 he came to Huron County 
 and purchased i6 acres of wild land where he 
 now resides. To this tract he has since added 40 
 acres, and he has 40 acres cleared and in a state 
 of productive cultivation. 
 
 In regard to national issues, Mr. T. counts him- 
 self among the Republicans. 
 
 In Mt. Clemens, Mich., Nov. 27, 1866, Mr. 
 Thomas married Miss Theresa Revor, a native of 
 
 Macomb County. She is the daughter of John B. 
 and Addie ({"elkier) Revor, and was born July 15, 
 1846. Mr. and Mrs. T. are the parents of the fol- 
 lowing children: Joseph G., born April 16, 1868; 
 Rosanna, Feb. 20, 1870; David, April 8, 1871; 
 Martha, Feb. 23, 1873: Laura, Nov. 19, 1877; Nel- 
 bert, March 8, (878; Bartholomew, Feb. 8, 1880. 
 One child, Joseph G., died in infancy. 
 
 -«= 
 
 
 T~T 
 
 =E>- 
 
 lexander Snowden, farmer, section 19, 
 
 [ Sand Beach Township, is a son of Stewart 
 
 and Mary A. (Taylor) Snowden, natives of 
 
 Ireland, who emigrated to Canada in 1841, 
 where Mr. S. died ; his widow survives. The 
 subject of this record was born in Ireland, 
 March 28, 1838; was three years old when he came 
 with his parents to Canada ; remained a citizen of 
 the Dominion until the spring of 1879, when he sold 
 his farm there and came to Huron County, purchas- 
 ing 185 acres of land in Sand Beach and Sherman 
 Townships. Of this tract he now has 115 acres in 
 good cultivation, and his farm is a specially valuable 
 one. 
 
 In political matters Mr. S. counts himself in the 
 Republican party, and both himself and wife are 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 Mr. Snowden was married in Canada, Dec. 21, 
 1869, to Adaline Hodgson, whose father was a native 
 of England, and mother, of the State of New York. 
 She was born in Canada, July 22, 1850. The four 
 children of Mr. and Mrs. Snowden are Gertrude I,. 
 M., Sarah M. A., Albert A. and G. Addison. 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 •*■,• 
 V 
 
 V) 
 
 ewis A. Gayeau, farmer, section 34, Lake 
 Township, was born Dec. 27,1838, in Kent 
 Co., Ont. His father, Lewis Gayeau, a 
 farmer by occupation, born in Windsor, Ont., 
 was of French descent, his ancestors beinfi 
 among the earliest settlers of Ontario. The 
 senior Lewis died in Kent County, in January, 1863, 
 
 ^^m"^ 
 
 '^^'^^ — @7^<-^iin^^:iin^> 
 
 r^A^ 
 
 V^T^ 
 
6v<^3iiti^nPf^-7 
 
 ^ 
 
 rr 
 
 ) 
 A 
 
 >J 
 
 V 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 at the age of 92 years. The mother, Mary E. 
 (Stone) Gayeau, was also a native of Windsor, Kent 
 Co., Ont., and died on the family homestead about 
 1859, aged 85 years. 
 
 Mr. Gayeau of this sketch became the master of 
 his own fortunes when he was 14 years of age, and 
 came from Ontario to Bangor, Bay Co., Mich., where 
 he obtained employment in the lumber woods and 
 saw-mills, and he spent some time in those avenues 
 of labor. He went thence to East Saginaw, where 
 he was similarly employed for a time, and afterwards 
 was occupied during three years in digging salt- 
 wells for Willis & Co. 
 
 In 1864 he went to the oil-regions of Pennsylvania 
 and passed 18 months at Oil Creek. He came back 
 to Michigan and with brief delay went to Chippewa 
 Falls, Wis., where he spent a few months, returning 
 to Saginaw, and thence to Huron County, where he 
 engaged witli Mr. Crawford as a saw-mill assistant 
 at Caseville. 
 
 In 1869 he purchased 160 acres of land in Lake 
 Townsip under the provisions of the Graduation Act. 
 He afterwards sold 80 acres, and of the balance has 
 cleared and otherwise improved 50 acres. 
 
 Mr. Gayeau is a Republican in political connec- 
 tion. 
 
 His marriage to Julia Campau took place at Sagi- 
 naw City, Oct. 19, 1844. Their childi'en were born 
 as follows: Llano, June 3, 1867; Alexander, April 
 23, 1875. Two children died in early infancy. 
 Dennis and Joseph are adopted children. The fam- 
 ily are Roman Catholics. 
 
 nnaasii^^f' 
 
 m~f^!S>(SVin<i' 
 
 ames Kearns, farmer, section 18, Sand 
 Beach Township, is a son of Alexander 
 ,';;>■•'-?■ and Jane (Bennett) Kearns, natives of 
 Ireland, who emigrated to Canada where they 
 spent the remainder of their lives. The sub- 
 ject of this sketch was also born in the Emerald 
 Isle, and was eight years of age when the 
 family came to America. 
 
 In 1868 he came to this county and has since 
 lived here. He owns 1 20 acres of wild land in 
 Sand Beach Township, and since 1873 he lias also 
 
 had charge of the farm of Clark Haywood, 
 tics Mr. Kearns is a Republican. 
 
 He was married in Canada, to Margaret McMas- 
 ter, a native of that country. They now have six 
 children, named Margaret J., Alexander, William, V^ 
 Edward, Annie and Archibald. 
 
 Mrs. Kearns is a daughter of William and Jane 
 (McMaster) McMaster, natives of Ireland, who emi- 
 grated to Canada, and located in Northwest Toronto, 
 where the father died. The mother is now living in 
 Sand Beach Townshij). 
 
 illiam Carter, owner and manager of the 
 Crescent Hotel at Port Crescent, was born 
 Jl^'^^ln" '^''■''ch 12, 1830, in Genesee Co., N. Y. 
 ^jk^' His father, Joseph Carter, was a native of 
 JlhX^ New England and of English descent, a 
 carpenter by trade and died in i860, in Gene- 
 see Co., N. Y. His mother, Olive (Fuller) Carter, 
 was born in New England, and died in the Empire 
 State. 
 
 He was the oldest of a family of seven children, 
 and when he was five years old was placed in the 
 care of strangers, living at various points until he 
 was 20 years of age, when he began to work as a 
 carpenter and joiner in the Province of Ontario, and 
 pursued that calling until he was 35 years of age in 
 the Dominion of Canada. 
 
 In 1864 he located at Port .\ustin, where he 
 worked as a saw-mill assistant for Ayres & Co., in 
 whose employ he remained two years. In 1866 
 he purchased 80 acres of unimproved land in Dwight 
 Township. The affairs of the township were in 
 pioneer condition, he owning the second horse-team 
 within its limits. He remained on the place four 
 years, making many improvements. 
 
 In 1870 he removed to Hume Township, where he 
 conducted the afHvirs of a farm in the interests of 
 Jonas R. Learned, of Port Austin, for five years. He 
 afterwards purchased a farm situated on the same 
 section, where he pursued agricultural operations six 
 years, and in 18S2 he purchased the hotel property 
 which he is still conducting in behalf of the traveling 
 public. 
 
 Mr. Carter is a Republican in political affinity 
 
 ^y 
 
 
 
 ^nt]i>^ — 5i<§3^ 
 
 ^■?^^^ 
 
. 260 
 
 <^:iin^i]iis> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -^i^pi^ 
 
 1^^^ 
 
 He has served one year as Supervisor, and two years 
 as Clerk of Dwight Township, and has been Clerk 
 four years. Justice of the Peace eight years, four 
 years School Superintendent and five years School 
 Director in Hume Township. He is present (1S84) 
 Superintendent of the Poor. 
 
 His marriage to Margaret Renney occurred March 
 20, 1855, in Grimsby, Ont. She was born Nov. 17, 
 1 83 1, in Toronto. Her parents died when she was 
 in childhood and she was reared among and by 
 strangers. Two of her eight children are deceased. 
 George, Alice, Fannie, Evaliiie, Isabella and John 
 are living. The family are communicants in the 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 I 
 
 % 
 
 "^(lUl^ illiam H. Holmes, farmer, section 36, 
 
 VVinsor Townsliip, was born Nov. i, 18 12, 
 
 ,^ in New Jersey. He was reared on a 
 
 2' farm, as was his father and grandfather 
 
 before him. His father, Edward Holmes, 
 
 ,^ was killed in the war of 181 2, when the subject 
 of this sketch was a baby. In 1824 the family of 
 his mother removed to Niagara Co., N. Y., and set- 
 tled at Royalton Center. 
 
 Since he was 12 years old Mr. Holmes has man- 
 aged his own affairs, as his mother died soon after 
 her removal to Royalton Center. He went, after the 
 event of her death, to Lockport in that county, where 
 he obtained employment on the canal. The now 
 populous city had but two houses when he first made 
 the acquaintance of the site where it now stands. In 
 1830 he bought a residence and lived there until 
 1868. He operated on the F>ie Canal nearly 40 
 years, and became the owner of two boats, one of 
 which was practically in charge of his daughter, 
 Mercy, and she was skilled in the matter of manage- 
 ment, and was accustomed, in the absence of a 
 steersman, to put on a coat and perform the duty 
 herself. He owred several farms in Niagara County 
 at one time. 
 
 In 1868 he came to Winsor Township and bouglit 
 1,000 acres of timbered land, on which he has devo- 
 ted much time to lumbering. He has cleared a 
 considerable proportion of his land, and has several 
 
 hundred acres for sale. He made the transit from 
 Lockport hereby means of sleighs, coming with three 
 teams. They traversed lumber routes and found 
 their way to their final destination by means of 
 blazed trees. At that time Mr. Holmes was in cir- 
 cumstances of ease, but he has found himself con- 
 siderably hampered by the heavy taxation to which 
 he has been subjected. He is the owner of a steam 
 saw-mill. 
 
 His marriage to Anna Snadiker took place in De- 
 cember, 1834, and they have had eight children : 
 Leander A., born Aug. 19, 1836, died Dec. 24, 1878, 
 at Sebewaing, and is there buried ; John was bom 
 May 30, 1 838, and died before he was four years of 
 age. Mercy Anna was born April 25, 1842; Mary 
 Ann was born Oct. 9, 1844, and died in December, 
 1852; William H., Feb. 14, 1846; Jasper N., April 
 22, 1848; M. V. was born Nov. 15, 1850, and 
 died in March, 1851 ; Wesley W. was born Aug. 30, 
 1852. The children were all born in Niagara County. 
 Their mother was born April i, 18 16, in New Jersey, 
 and is of German descent. She is the child of 
 Abram and ^hankful (Lindsay) Snadiker. Her 
 father died in Niagara County, in 1840. Her mother 
 died in September, 1882, in VVinsor Township, and 
 was 88 years of age at the time of her death. 
 
 In addition to his land in Winsor, Mr. Holmes 
 has 160 acres in Brookfield Townshij), section i, 
 with 60 acres cleared. 
 
 
 j;j|^7|v acob Layer, farmer, section 25, 
 
 Sand 
 
 '4 
 
 3 
 
 i^M{' Beach Township, is a son of Frederick and 
 ?)>,;-pf^ Margaret Layer, natives of Germany ; was 
 
 born in that country, Jan. i, 1834; at the age 
 '" of 20 emigrated to America, soon locating in 
 Sanilac Co., Mich., and four years afterward 
 he sold his land there and came to this county, 
 purchasing 80 acres of land where he now resides. 
 
 In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in the Sixth Michi- 
 gan Cavalry, and served three years without being 
 sick and without missing a day's duty. Thus he has 
 demonstrated the purity of his patriotism. After 
 the war he returned to this county, and the next 
 summer went to Cleveland, Ohio, and was overseer 
 in a lumber yard about two years. He then went to 
 
 Vi 
 
 
 
 ^^nar^Dtii->^ 
 
 ^=1^ 
 
 -CSJf^'^.fl^ 
 
 -«8§ 
 
 ATi'-. 
 
 
a 
 
 ^/■Ji£^^4^ .,f/^£Ui/^ 
 
■:j^K — 6v<>iin§iinr:>T 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Alpena, Mich., and assisted in building a saw-mill. 
 A year and a half afterward he returned to Sand 
 Beach Township, where he has since remained, now 
 having about 50 acres of his land in good tillable 
 condition. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Layer takes Republican views of 
 national issues, and in religion he and his wife arc 
 members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 Mr. L. was married in Cleveland, Ohio, May 10, 
 1866, to Barbara Kaufman, a nqitive. of Germany. 
 Their five children are: Mary, Frederick, Catharine, 
 Barbara and Annie. 
 
 o 
 
 ndrew Shaw, farmer, sections 2 and 3, 
 > |ji^^^ Huron Township, and light-house keeper at 
 ^. >^|fcS Point aux Barques, was born Aug. 18, 1824, in 
 S '•{j»r the capital city of Ireland, Dublin. He is the 
 .^ 'r son of John and Ann D. (Erasmison) Shaw, 
 ° and both parents died in Ireland. The death 
 
 •^ of his mother occurred before he came to the United 
 States. His father died at the age of 80 years. 
 
 Mr. Shaw left his native country to coaie to the 
 United States when he was 24 years of age, in 1848. 
 He first engaged as a farm assistant, in Orange Co., 
 N. Y. Four months later he went to Paterson, N. 
 J., where he wa,s occupied . about one year in the 
 boiler shops of that city. His ne.xt employment was 
 on the depot of the New York & Erie Railroad at 
 the foot of Duane Street. The following year he 
 went to Canada with the expectation of buying cheap 
 land, on the representation of a friend who informed 
 him of the possibility of the thing, but the plan 
 proved a mistake; no such lands were obtainable; 
 work was scarce, and that year he considers as totally 
 lost, as he made no progress. He started to try his 
 chances in Illinois,' and reaching Chicago found the 
 daily tide of emigration through that'city 300 strong; 
 and, disheartened by the cheap-labor outlook, lie re- 
 turned to Detroit. On arriving at that city he went 
 to the Land Oflice and purchased 40 acres of land 
 situated in St. Clair County, Emmet Township. 
 Coming to Port Huron, he encountered P. F. Brake- 
 man, who was looking for laborers; and, making an 
 
 engagement with him, lie came to Huron County to 
 make himself useful in the lumber woods. He 
 arrived at Huron City June 19, 1851, and remained 
 in the service of Mr. Brakeman two years, when his 
 employer sold his property to Messrs. Dowling & 
 Forbes, and he continued in his former capacity in 
 their interests more than a year. In 1853 he had 
 bought 109 acres of the Government, and in 1855 he 
 bought the farm he now owns containing 240 acres 
 of land. It was in its original state, covered with 
 forest, and Mr. Shaw removed the lumber in his own 
 interest. 
 
 Mr. S. received his appointment as keeper of the 
 light-house in 186 1, during the administration of 
 Abraham Lincoln, and has since continued the in- 
 cumbent of the position. (A full account of the 
 establishment, construction and management of the 
 light-house may be found in the historical part of 
 this volume.) 
 
 Mr. Shaw was first married May 22, 1854, to Mary 
 Meadon, who died June 7, 1866, leaving four chil- 
 dren : Mary J., born Feb. i, 1859; Emma, April 13, 
 186 1 ; George A., March 6, 1864; and Ann, June 
 6, 1 866'. The last child was born the day before the 
 death of her mother. Two children had preceded 
 her in their flight from earth : John A., born Feb. 20, 
 1855, and died Feb. 7, [859; and Jane, born March 
 5, 1 85 8, died March 21st of tlie same year. Mr. 
 Shaw was a second time married Oct. 28, 1870, to 
 Rachel Clark. Five children have been born of this 
 union, as follows: Andrew B., Feb. 14, 1872; Maggie 
 M., Dec. 16, 1874; Carrie M., Dec. 1, 1876; Eliza- 
 beth, May 5, 1879; Arthur E., Feb. i, 1881. Mrs. 
 S. was born May 13, 1842, in Caledon, Peel Co., 
 Oat. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a Republican in 
 political views and sentiments. He has held tiie 
 offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk 
 inany years, also the positions of School Officer and 
 Highway Commissioner, and has been the incmiihent 
 of the four at the same time. 
 
 He is the oldest living settler in Huron Township. 
 No roads had been built at any point in the county, 
 and the harbors on the lake side were in the condi- 
 tion over which the stars of heaven had shone and 
 the breezes of summer and the wild winds of winter 
 had played in mildness or howled in fury for 
 ages. When settlers began to come iii and human 
 
 ^tItlv>M::i ^^^ «#5^ 
 
 y^. 
 
 i 
 
t7-r4iIlII§llD>>r 
 
 rr 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 .) 
 
 ^^ wants and needs became the grand concern, human 
 device developed and in the same way the solution 
 of the problem of ways and means was reached. 
 Emigration and transportation hither were accom- 
 plished by the water route, and as there were no 
 docks or harbor conveniences of any description, 
 debarkation was consummated as it could be done 
 most effectively and speedily. O-x teams were 
 brought on boats and the animals pushed overboard 
 to swim ashore, which they would do instinctively. 
 The boilers, engines and other paraphernalia for 
 building and equipping saw-mills were conveyed 
 hither by vessels, the boilers floated ashore and the 
 other fixtures landed by means of lighters. 
 
 One incident in his life will give a complete repro- 
 duction of the tout ensemble of affairs. On the 
 Fourth of July, 1856, he was sowing turnip seed on 
 his farm, which was about one mile from his resi- 
 dence at that time. A heavy thunder shower came 
 up, and as he had been having the ague, his wife, 
 /5s fearing the consequences of his receiving a wetting, 
 i=3 set out to carry a coat to him. It was nearly dark, 
 *^ and the route was traceable only by the " blazed " 
 D trees along the line. Mrs. Shaw had traversed a 
 part of the distance when she made a mistake in the 
 direction and lost her way. Soon after she left 
 home, Mr. Shaw returned there and found that she 
 had set out to meet him. As he had not seen her, 
 there was but one conclusion. Supper was ready, 
 but appetite had fled, and a picture^ of a forlorn 
 woman wandering in the trackless woods was con- 
 stantly before his mental vision, and continually in- 
 tensified to his understanding by the thought that the 
 solitary figure, vainly struggling to restore herself to 
 her friends, was that of his wife, and his children's 
 mother. He retraced his steps, while word went 
 ([uickly through the settlement that Mrs. Shaw was 
 lost in the svoods. On reaching a certain point Mr. 
 Shaw became impressed with the belief that it was 
 there she had wandered from the path, and he 
 plunged into the forest, shouting wltli all his might. 
 In half an hour she answered him, and in a few min- 
 utes she was in liis arms. But the only improve- 
 ment in her condition was that she was no longer 
 wy alone; her husband was lost with her. Tiiey took 
 \. what they believed to be the route to tlie water's 
 ^ edge, and they estimated correctly. On reaching 
 ^ the beach they turned their steps toward the wharf, 
 
 
 (|> 
 
 If 
 
 and regained their home. The whole settlement had 
 turned out to join in the search, and parties had 
 gone in every direction. The fires in the mill were 
 rekindled to blow the whistle and recall the searchers. 
 
 In the fire of 1S71, Mr. Shaw's loss was small, his 
 fences only being burned. In that of 1881, he lost 
 three good frame barns, a great quantity of sheds, 
 fences and other farm belongings, 75 tons of hay, 
 about 400 bushels of grain, all his agricultural im- 
 plements, including mowing-machine, wagons, and 
 all of the best and most improved kind. His insur- 
 ance was taken in the " Home," of l^few York, and 
 the adjustment and payment were made without 
 delay. He received $1,600, which afforded material 
 aid in replacing his barns, etc. His house escaped 
 the flames. 
 
 The first light-house was built at Point aux Bar- 
 ques, about 1847. It was constructed under a con- 
 tract, and was built of stone collected on the beach 
 of Lake Huron. The walls cracked, and the evident 
 insecurity of the structure alarmed the keeper of the 
 light, and he notified the Department at Washington 
 of his apprehension. Mr. Shaw was then a Magis- 
 trate, and on being solicited, gave the Government 
 authorities formal notice of the condition of the 
 building, and an inspector was sent on, who at once 
 condemned the structure. 
 
 The present light-house was begun and completed 
 in 1857. It is built of Milwaukee brick chiefly, 
 much of the material in the former building being 
 utilized in the construction ; and the stone trimmings 
 are from the quarry near Grindstong City. The old 
 light was kept burning most of the time with the ex- 
 ception of a few months, when a temporary scalTold 
 was erected to support the light wiiile the finishing 
 strokes were being added to the new structure. The 
 lens used at present was made in Paris, and cost 
 about $10,000. 
 
 The first keeper of the light at Point aux Barques 
 was drowned, and his wife kept the light for some 
 time after. A man named Sweet succeeded her, 
 who was in turn followed by Chauncey Sheldon. He 
 served through the administration of President 
 Pierce, and on the accession of James Buchanan, 
 Mr. 'Dodge was appointed. Jacob M. Groat was his 
 successor, and on his vacating the position its duties 
 were taken in charge by the present incumbent, who 
 has kept the light since. 
 
 The iiublishers of the Huron County Album 
 
 < 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^^I]!l^DDv>>A 
 
 ^. 
 
 ^3i^^^^ 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 4^^^ 
 
 () 
 
 I 
 
 e 
 
 (3; 
 
 take pleasure in presenting, on a preceding page, a 
 fine lithographic portrait<)f Mr. Shaw, whose features 
 as there delineated will doubtless be of interest to 
 all the citizens of the vicinity. 
 
 #^ 
 
 ^harles A._ Schmidt, harness-maker at 
 
 ■ Sebewaing, was born March 5, 1843, in 
 
 Germany, and is tiie son of Gotleib and 
 
 f Charlotte Schmidt. In 1868 he emigrated to 
 the United States and first made his way to 
 the city of Albany. Six months later he pro- 
 ceeded to Newark, N. J., where he was a laborer 
 two years. He went thence to Chicago, and in 187 i 
 came to Sebewaing. He established his business of 
 harness-making in a building which he erected for 
 the purpose, and where he has since pursued his 
 vocation. He is a member of the Arbeiters' Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 Mr. Schmidt was married Nov. 14, 1875, at Seb- 
 ewaing, to Gertrude Greenbeck, and they have been 
 the parents of five children — Emma, (iustav, Fred, 
 Carl, and another child who died in infancy. Mrs. 
 Schmidt was born Sept. 7, 1852, at Sebewaing, where 
 her father, John Greenbeck, was among the first of 
 the pioneer settlers in Sebewaing. They are mem- 
 bers of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 Mr. Schmidt is a Democrat in political views. 
 
 I homas Richards, farmer, section 37, Sand 
 |[ Be.ich Township, is a son of Charles and 
 Amy (Parker) Richards, the former a na- 
 JS^ tive of Maine and the latter of Canada. They 
 were married in the Dominion, and resided 
 there until the fall of 1865, when they came 
 to this county and settled in Sand Beach Township. 
 During the memorable fires of 187 1 they lost all 
 their buildings and crops ; but saddest of all, while 
 returning from a visit to a sick neighbor, Mrs. R. 
 was caught in afire and burned to death ! When 
 found in the road her clothes had been burned en- 
 
 tirely from her body. In 1880 Mr. R. removed to 
 Grindstone City, where he now resides. He had r6 
 children. 
 
 The eldest of these, the subject of this sketch, 
 was born in Canada, Sept. 12, 1846; in 1865 he 
 came to this county, where he has a fine farm of 35 
 acres in cultivation, of the 40 acres which he owns. 
 During the fires of 187 i he lost all his buildings and 
 crops, the loss aggregating about $500. In respect 
 to general political issues Mr. R. is a Republican. 
 
 In White Rock Township, this county, April 8, 
 i86g, Mr' Richards married Miss Laney Cosal, who 
 was born in Germany May 30, 1852. They have 
 seven children, namely : George, James, Elizabeth, 
 Mary, John, Charles and Ernest. 
 
 «^ 
 
 •>my_.-A_2i<,S 
 
 (\ 
 
 m. 
 
 i 
 
 •\ obert Munford, merchant at White Rock 
 i. is a son of William and Elizabeth (Arm- 
 "• strong) Munford, natives respectively of 
 New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, who settled 
 in Maine, where Mr. William Munford died, 
 about 1859. About ro years afterward his 
 widow removed to Canada, and about 1855 came to 
 Michigan and settled in Port Sanilac, where she died 
 about a year later. She had been married twice, and 
 by each marriage had three children. Her first hus- 
 band was James Erskine. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the eldest son by the 
 second marriage, and was born in Aroostook Co., 
 Me., April 29, 1832. Not having any school priv- 
 ileges in his youth, he has grown up a self-made 
 man. He remained with the family until the fall of 
 1855, working at the carpenter's trade, which lie had 
 " picked up," in and about Fort Sanilac from their 
 arrival there until the fall of i860, when he came to 
 Huron County and established himself at White 
 Rock in the mercantile business, forming a partner- 
 ship with Uri Raymond, under the firm name of 
 Raymond & Munford, which continued about five 
 years, when Mr. M. bought out his partner, and 
 since that time has had the business, exclusively to 
 himself, and is prosperous. To some extent Mr. 
 Munford has also engaged in lumbering. He owns 
 
 < 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 a farm of 200 acres in White Rock Township, of 
 
 <© 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -Kfrl:^ 
 
 
 
 which 125 acres are in a state of good cultivation. 
 
 In politics Mr. Munford is a Republican, and he 
 has lield the office of Supervisor one year, Township 
 Treasurer several terms. Clerk and Justice of the 
 Peace. 
 
 Mr. Munford was married at Port Sanilac, Oct. 10, 
 1855, to Miss Jane, daughter of Hiram and Ann 
 Wesley. She was born in Toronto, Ont., Nov. 3, 
 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Munford have had eight chil- 
 dren, seven of whom are living, viz.: Annie, born 
 Aug. 4, 1856; Frank, Jan. 8, 1859; George, April 
 17, 1861 ; Ruth, May 30, 1867 ; Clerk, Jan. 14, 1870; 
 Herbert, April 1, 1872, and Nellie, July 22, 1879. 
 One child died in infancy. 
 
 ^i^l|l'{ oseph W. Selden, editor and proprietor of 
 l^^lf/- the Huron limes, published at Sand 
 lip'' Beach, was born June 26, 1858, in Detroit, 
 ?Jg and is the son of Joseph G. and Laura (Bris- 
 ^r coe) Selden. The latter died in the City of 
 \ the Straits, in August, 1864. His father is a 
 woolen manufacturer of Vassar, Tuscola County. 
 
 Mr. Selden entered upon the initiatory for his 
 present occupation when he was 13 years old, becom- 
 ing an employe in the office of the Tuscola Pioneer. 
 He continued to operate there three years, going 
 thence to Lapeer, where he secured a similar posi- 
 tion on the Clarion. He was next employed on the 
 Huron County News at Port Austin for a short time, 
 and then obtained a situation in a jobbing office in 
 Detroit. He also worked on the Free Press, and on 
 tlie Post and Tribune in his native city. In 1877 he 
 went to Lexington as an employe on the Sanilac 
 Jejlfersonian, coming to Sand Beach three years later, 
 to establish the journalistic enterprise in which he is 
 now interested. The first issue of the Times ap- 
 peared .\pril 8, 1880, and the paper has been popu- 
 lar from its inception. It has a circulation of 1,300, 
 with a profitable jobbing business. The mechanical 
 fixtures include a steam printing-press and a hand 
 jobbing-press. The business requires the aid of 
 three assistants. The enterprise has been a con- 
 tinuous success, and the advertising patronage is 
 generous and sustaining. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Selden to Elizabeth Wixsom 
 occurred at Lexington, April 26, 1880. She was 
 born in Lexington, May 20, 1859, and is the daugh- 
 ter of Philip and Einora Wixsom. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Selden have one son, born in Sand Beach, Feb. 7, 
 1881. 
 
 Mr. Selden is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
 and belongs to Huron Lodge, No. 365. He has been 
 a member of the Village Council since the place was 
 organized. 
 
 ^ti-far-o 
 
 Jt^'ohn Stocks, farmer, section 29, White Ruck 
 J^^lr Township, is a son of John and Sarah 
 Ife?^*^ (Wilkinson) Stocks, natives of England 
 ''IM, ^^'^ emigrated to Canada in 1843 and to San- 
 ilac County in 1848; Mrs. S. died in Port 
 Huron, in February, 1878, and Mr. S. in White 
 Rock Township, July 2, 1879. 
 The second oldest of their family of ten children, 
 
 •as 
 
 v$ 
 
 'S'fiinthony Schulte, farmer, section 16, Sand 
 
 1[ Beach Township, is a son of Randoli)h and 
 
 Catherine Schulte, of German nativity, the 
 
 former coming to America in 1836 and the 
 latter in 1846. They were married in Detroit, 
 where they remained until their death, the 
 former March 18, 1865, and the latter Dec. 31, 
 1883. 
 
 Mr. Anthony Schulte, the subject of this biograph- 
 ical outline, was born in Detroit, Sept. 15, 1853; re- 
 mained at home until 24 years of age, receiving in 
 his youth a common-school education, and in 1877 
 came to this county and purchased a half section of 
 land where he now resides. He has since disposed 
 of half his purchase, and of the remainder he has 25 
 acres cleared and thoroughly improved. In [lolitical 
 matters Mr. S. adopts Democratic views, and in re- 
 ligion both himself and wife are members of the 
 Catholic Church. 
 
 Mr. Schulte was married in St. Clair Co., Mich., 
 Aug. 24, 1 88 1, to Miss Mavy McAUen, daughter of 
 John and Mary McAllen. She was born in that 
 county, Aug. 8, 1853. 
 
 
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 *!• 
 
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■^2j€^ 
 
 v^^^ntl ^ C h>r^ 3tf€^^ 
 
 4^^f^ 
 
 % 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 the subject of this sketch, also was born in England, 
 Feb. 4, 1827, and was 16 years of age when the 
 family emigrated to America. In 1846 he enlisted 
 in the Seventh U. S. Regulars, and served through 
 the Mexican War. Shortly before his term of ser- 
 vice expired he broke his left leg, in crossing a 
 bridge. In the fall of 1852 he came to Huron 
 County, where he has since lived. He now owns 
 10 acres of land in White Rock Township, which 
 are improved. -In his political views Mr. S. is 
 independent, and his fellow citizens have honored 
 him with the offices of Overseer of Highways and 
 Constable. 
 
 He was married in Port Huron Sept. 26, 1853, 
 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Mary 
 (Carr) Brown. She was born in Montreal, April 7, 
 1837. Mr. and Mrs. S. have had 12 children, 
 namely, Abraham, John, Mary E. (died in infancy), 
 Hannah, Jane, William, Elizabeth Samuel, Alice, 
 Mary, Frank and Martha. 
 
 ^^H^S'^ 
 
 Sapt. Aaron G. Peer, of Grindstone City, is 
 l^^a one of the earliest settlers of Huron Coun- 
 
 ty, and is second to none in its business his- 
 "StJ tory, having begun the development of one of 
 
 the resources of the county in 1834. He 
 
 owns the quarries at Grindstone City, and is 
 the manufacturer of the first grindstone made here, 
 and put up the first engine used in the prosecution of 
 that business. The engine was prominent among 
 the "first things" of Michigan, as it was the first 
 built at Detroit, and was the motive of the " Argo," 
 the first steamer that plied between Port Huron and 
 Detroit. The land he " claimed " in 1836 was the 
 first entered in Huron County. 
 
 Capt. Peer was born Feb. 27,1812, in Dundas, 
 Ont. His father, Jacob Peer, was a native of New 
 Jersey, and in 1821 removed to Algonac, St. Clair 
 County, where he settled on 160 acres of land. Hecon- 
 tinued its management until his death, when he was 
 79 years of age. Jacob, another son, is now its occu- 
 pant. Their mother, Mrs. Lucy (Powers) Peer, was 
 born in New Jersey, and died at the age of 74 years, 
 at Algonac. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a farmer after reach- 
 ing manhood until 1833, when, in company with his 
 brother James, he superintended the construction of 
 a scliooner, of which he took command and operated 
 in the transportation business between Grindstone 
 City, Port Huron, Detroit and Buffalo, conveying 
 lumber and flour. In 1840, his brother James as- 
 sumed command of the schooner, and two years later 
 she was lost between Huron and Vermillion, Ohio. 
 She had on board her captain and a crew of six men, 
 and was laden with iron, coal and merchandise. She 
 went down in a gale and all were lost. 
 
 Capt. Peer then built a top-sail schooner, the 
 " Henry Clay," to ply between Buffalo and Chicago. 
 After running her several years lie sold her and built 
 the brig, " F. C. Clark," at Marine City, which he 
 soldi and bought the brig " Crispin." She was loaded 
 with stone and ready for a trip, when she sunk, 
 opposite Grindstone City; the loss was $7,000. He 
 afterward owned the schooner "Blish," and in 1865 
 was on board with a crew and- fastened to a crib in 
 the lake, when a furious gale came up, the moorings 
 were broken and the vessel went ashore, a complete 
 wreck. The captain and crew escaped by small 
 boats. He was also the proprietor of the " John 
 Owen," a freight and passenger steamer, and he used 
 her as a tow-boat a number years, when she was 
 finally burned, at Algonac, with a loss of $12,000. 
 He was the master of the steamer " Canadian," which 
 he ran in opposition to the line of tlie Wards of De- 
 troit one season. He has had a long and eventful 
 career on the lakes, which he finally abandoned in 
 1861. 
 
 He quarried the first stone at Grindstone City in 
 1834, and they were used in tlie pavement of Wood- 
 ward and Jefferson Avenues at Detroit. In 1836 he 
 made his claim of 400 acres of land, which included 
 tlie stone quarries, and in that year made the first 
 grindstone, and established the works to prosecute 
 the business. He brought with him the necessary 
 help and facilities, and shipped the products to Chi- 
 cago and other points. The mills now standing also 
 contain machinery for the manufacture of whet- 
 stones, wliich is of the most improved character. He 
 employed about 40 men when conducting the works 
 himself They have been rented since 1881, the 
 lease running until 1891. 
 
 The farm of Capt. Peer contains 225 acres, wi'h 
 
 V^ 
 
 1 
 
 V 
 
 0) 
 
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 ■^7K^Iltl.^llIlr>^r9 ^^"^€3^ 
 
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 ■6V<^im^lDf^T^ 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 2 
 
 V 
 
 1 20 acres under cultivation, devoted to grain and 
 hay. 
 
 A fire-proof stone building, 28 x 50 feet in dimen- 
 sions, was erected by Capt. Peer at Grindstone City, 
 in 1884. It is two stories in height, and he has his 
 residence on the upper floor. The lower story is 
 occupied as a store. 
 
 The marriage of Capt. Peer to Euphemia West- 
 brook took place on his farm near Marine City, St. 
 Clair County, in 1839. Four children were born to 
 them, viz.: .Arthur H., who resides in Chicago and 
 has been the owner and captain of a vessel a num- 
 ber of years ; Charlotte E., who is tlie wife of William 
 H. Cooper, a merchant at Port Austin. Two chil- 
 dren are deceased. The mother died in 1859, at 
 Port Huron. She was the daughter of Capt. Andrew 
 Westbrook, who was prominent in the war of 1812. 
 
 The second marriage of Capt. Peer took place at 
 Port Huron, Nov. r6, 1869, to Sarah L. Hawkins. 
 She was born in Geneva, N. Y. 
 
 Capt. Peer is President of the Pioneer Society of 
 Huron County, and has been a member of it since its 
 organization. 
 
 Being, of all the residents of Huron County, prob- 
 ably the one most deserving of a representation in 
 the portrait gallery of this Album, as a conspicuous 
 pioneer and still a most prominent citizen, the pub- 
 lishers of this work take special pleasure in placing 
 a likeness of the Captain in connection with the 
 above brief history. 
 
 •musie/rs^" 
 
 *®|.S!/33J». 
 
 if 
 
 I meat Volz, harness-maker, was born at 
 Sebewaing, his present home, Feb. 25, 
 i860. His parents, Andrew and Dorothy 
 5^ Volz, were born in Germany. They emigrat- 
 ed to the United States' in 1846, locating at 
 Ann Arbor, Mich., where Mr. Volz worked on 
 a farm five years; he came thence to Huron County, 
 locating at Sebewaing, and purchased 160 acres of 
 land, for which he paid $2.50 per acre, upon which 
 he made his home. He increased his property by 
 various purchases until he owned about 500 acres. 
 In 1878 he divided the land among his 10 children. 
 
 Mr. Volz was one of the earliest settlers in Huron 
 County, and one of the first in Sebewaing, He 
 was born Oct. 10, 1820. Mrs. Volz was born June 
 4, 1830. Tiiey still reside on the homestead. 
 
 Mr. Volz, the subject of this sketch, is the si.xth 
 child of his parents, and spent the years of his life 
 until the age of 16 in the acquirement of a common- 
 school education. In 1876 he was apprenticed for 
 three years to learn the harness trade. After serv- 
 ing his time he went to East Saginaw", working at his 
 trade two years; thence he removed to Ann Arbor, 
 where he remained a short time, returning to Seb- 
 ewaing in 1 88 1, where he opened his present busi- 
 ness. He carries all the goods common to the 
 harness trade, and employs two workmen besides 
 himself in the manufacture of saddlery and harness. 
 
 He was married Oct. 28, 1883, in Saginaw Co., 
 Mich., to Catherine Roth. She was born Oct. 28, 
 i860, in Saginaw County, and is the daughter of 
 John and Eva Roth, natives of Germany. Politi- 
 cally, Mr. Volz is a Democrat. 
 
 illiam Henne, farmer, section 22, Fairhaven 
 Township, was born Dec. 7, 1854, at 
 Newark, N. J., and is the son of Henry H- 
 ind Magdalena (Winnes) Henne. They were 
 latives of Germany, and emigrated in early 
 ife from their native land. They settled in 
 New Jersey, and in 1863 came to Michigan. The 
 father was a tailor by trade in his native country, 
 and after coming to America he engaged in farming. 
 His death, Sept. 21, 1882, was the result of accident. 
 While arranging for the threshing of his season's 
 harvest, he fell from the roof of his barn, his head 
 coming in contact with a wheel of the separator, 
 which produced a concussion of the brain, resulting 
 in death soon after. He was 61 years old, and was 
 an honored and respected citizen. The mother is 
 7 I years of age, and is still living with one of her 
 sons. 
 
 Mr. Henne was about 10 years old when he 
 came to Michigan. He resided with his parents 
 until 1870, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
 learned the cabinet trade, remaining three years. 
 
 
 V 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 271 
 
 
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 O 
 
 
 He then returned to Huron (!!ounty, assisting his 
 parents on the farm. 
 
 He was married May 24, 1879, to Annie Kuhl. 
 Her parents were among the earliest settlers of the 
 township of Fairliaven, where she was born, in Octo- 
 ber, 1861. They still reside on section 27. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Henne have had four children — Henry A. 
 and Frederick W. are living ; Theodore and an in- 
 fant child are deceased. 
 
 Soon after the death of his father, Mr. Henne es- 
 tablished his home on a portion of the family home- 
 stead, and now holds an undivided share in 120 
 acres of land. In political connection he is a Re- 
 publican, and has been Clerk of his township three 
 years. He is the present Supervisor (1884). The 
 family belong to the Evangelical Association. 
 
 
 ra Gager, farmer, residing on section 18, 
 Sand Beach Township, is a son of Noah 
 and Welthy (Huntly) Gager, natives of 
 Dutchess Co., N. Y., in which State they 
 resided until seven years after their marriage. 
 They then moved to Canada, in which coui?try 
 they both died. 
 
 Ira Gager, the eldest son of a family of nine chil- 
 dren, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., June 20, 1827. 
 He remained at home assisting the father on the farm 
 and attending the common schools until he attained 
 the age of manhood, when he went forth upon the 
 road of uncertainty to fight the battles of life alone. 
 His first effort was that of farming, at which he con- 
 tinued for a period, and then engaged as " mine 
 host." Finally, abandoning the hotel business, he 
 built a saw-mill, which he operated for a period of 
 three years, and then sold and moved to Niagara 
 Co., N. Y.,and engaged in farming. 
 
 Mr. Gager came from the latter county to this 
 county in 1866, and homesteaded i6o acres of land 
 on section 18, Sand Beach Townshij), and has re- 
 sided on the same up to the present time. His land 
 was unimproved, and he entered at once upon the 
 laborious task of clearing and improving it, deter- 
 
 mined to make it a pleasant and productive abiding 
 place for himself and family. How well his, efforts 
 have proven successful and his aim accomplished, 
 his farm, with about 100 acres improved, will testify. 
 
 Mr. Gager was first united in marriage to Miss 
 Diadamia Mann, a native of Canada, of American 
 ancestry, April 17, 1848. She was the mother, by 
 Mr. Gager, of nine children, namely: Rachel, 
 Franklin, Oliver, Susanna, Matilda, Francis, Caleb, 
 Henrietta and Nellie. The wife and mother de- 
 parted this life October, 1S75, in Sand Beach Town- 
 ship, mourned by all who knew her. 
 
 Mr. Gager was a second time married, Aug. 24, 
 1884, to Mrs. Mary Peugh, widow of Joseph I'eugh. 
 
 In the fire of 187 i, which will never be forgotten 
 by the residents of- Huron County, Mr. Gager lost 
 all his personal property, crops, etc. His house took 
 fire several times, but by tremendous exertion was 
 saved from the destroying element. Hoping he 
 might be enabled to save his furniture, he removed it 
 from the house and it was entirely consumed. His 
 estimated loss was $1,000. 
 
 In the second great fire in this county, 1881, Mr. 
 Gager again lost his fences, but managed to save his 
 buildings. He had a son living one and one-half 
 miles west of him (in Sigel Township) at that time, 
 and, knowing that he would certainly be burnt out, 
 Mr. G., in. company with another gentleman, started 
 with two horses to his assistance. They arrived with- 
 in a half mile of his son's house, when they realized 
 they were between two fires, and, actually in the fire. 
 The heat was so severe as to scorch the hair on their 
 horses, yet they succeeded in getting through. When 
 within a few rods of the son's house they observed 
 it had been totally destroyed. They sui)posed the 
 family had all perished, but, by vigorous shouting, 
 attracted their attention. The family had located in 
 a small corner of the field and were almost suffo- 
 cated. They had actually given up all hopes of 
 rescue and resigned themselves to the terrible fate 
 that would most certainly have overtaken them had 
 not Mr. G. and assistance so timely arrived. Mr. G. 
 conducted the family to a place of safety, where 
 they remained until the following morning and then 
 accompanied him to his home. The family referred 
 to was that of his son Oliver, who now resides in 
 Sigel Township. 
 
 Mr. G. has held the ofiice of Justice of the Peace 
 
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 A<<DI)K!lli;>Srg »»^ 
 
<^llll^nil^>r 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 of his township and other minor offices. He built 
 the school-house in fractional District No. i, Sigel 
 , Township. Politically he is a Republican. 
 
 
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 v.eij££x®-^* 
 
 5'4— „^^)/OTjr»v. 
 
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 j^enry E. Plaeh, farmer, section 7, Chandler 
 Township, was born Sept. 5, 1861, in Cleve- 
 land, Ohio. His parents, Christian and 
 Anna E. (Flanans) Flach, were Germans. Mrs. 
 Flach came to this country when she was 19 
 years of age. She was married at Mt. Pleasant, 
 Ohio, and in 1842 came to Michigan. Mr. F. died 
 Oct. 15, 1872, in Chandler Township, where Mrs. F. 
 resides with her son, who has cared for her since the 
 demise of his father. 
 
 Henry E. was six years of age when his parents 
 came to Michigan, and is the youngest of four chil- 
 dren. After finishing his education in the district 
 schools, he obtained a situation as salesman in the 
 store of J. A. Holmens at Caseville, where he was oc- 
 cupied one year. 
 
 He is the owner of an interest in a tract of land in 
 Chandler Township, which includes 700 acres, and 
 is a skillful farmer. 
 
 He is an adherent of the Republican party, and 
 on the fourth of November, 1884, cast his first Pres- 
 idential vote for James G. Blaine. 
 
 =■1^ — 
 
 ohn Shine, Supervisor of Hume Township, 
 
 and farmer on section 23, was born Sept. 
 
 27, 1825, in Ireland. His father, Thomas 
 
 Shine, was a native of Ireland, and was a 
 
 ]L farmer all his life. He died in 1839, aged 
 
 about 47 years, and was a man of elevated 
 
 character and standing in the community to whicli 
 
 he belonged. He married Mary Sheehan, and 
 
 seven children were born to them. Both ;:arents 
 
 were able to trace their ancestry through long lines 
 
 of unmixed Celtic progenitors. The mother came to 
 
 Canada in 1847, and died the same year, in the city 
 of Quebec. 
 
 Mr. Shine is the eldest of the children born to his 
 parents. He obtained a fair education in his native 
 country, whence he emigrated when he was 26 
 years of age. He worked on the farm until the age 
 of 22 years, when he went to Monmouthshire, 
 England, and obtained employment in the machine 
 shops of that place. He was engaged there three 
 years, meanwhile obtaining a thorough acquaintance 
 with the structure of railroad engines. 
 
 In 185 I he was sent in the interests of the Grand 
 Trunk Railroad Company to Quebec, to act in the 
 capacity of engineer and foreman on one of their prin- 
 cipal branches with headquarters at Longeuil, Que- 
 bec. He operated in their behalf four years, going 
 at the end of that time to the Province of Ontario 
 and engaging in the same capacity with another 
 railroad company. He operated there until 1863, 
 when he came to Michigan, and, locating near Bay 
 City, he engaged in the duties of his profession one 
 year. 
 
 In the winter of that year he came to Huron 
 County and entered a claim of 160 acres of land 
 under the homestead act, of which he is still the 
 proprietor. The settlers in the township were few 
 in number, there were no roads, no churches and no 
 school-houses at any accessible point. The land he 
 had purchased was in a wholly wild condition, and 
 Mr. Shine, during the five years succeeding followed 
 engineering at Port .Austin and Port Crescent. Af- 
 ter the lapse of that period he devoted his time and 
 energies exclusively to the improvement and culti- 
 vation of his property, and 120 acres of his original 
 purchase are in a first-class agricultural condition. 
 He is also the proprietor of 160 acres of unimproved 
 land in Meade Township. 
 
 Mr. Shine is independent in political views and 
 actions. He served his township six years as Super- 
 visor, — from 1870 to 1876, — and was re-elected to 
 the same position in 1883. He has held all the local 
 township offices. 
 
 His marriage took place Jan. 23, 1854, m the 
 Province of Quebec, to Catlierine Moore. Their 
 six children were born as follows : Hanora, Aug. 
 6, 1856; Thomas, Jan. 23, 1858; Eliza, Dec. 7, 
 1859; John, .Xpril 8, 1861 ; Michael, June 24, 1862. 
 Mary was born Nov. 29, 1854, became the wife of 
 Martin Carmody, and died in M.irch, 1S76. The 
 
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IMH 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 mother was the daughter of Michael and Haiiora 
 (Moran) Moore. Here parents were natives of Ire- 
 land, and emigrated thence to Ontario, where the 
 father died, in April, 1859. The mother came to 
 Michigan and died at the home of her daughter in 
 October, 1876. They were aged respectively 65 and 
 82 years. Mrs. Shine was born in County Kerry, 
 Ireland, in December, 1826. She was 21 years of 
 age when her family moved to Ontario. 
 The family are Catholics. 
 
 lexander Pike, merchant at Ubly, was born 
 Dec. 3, 1834, in Kent County, Province of 
 Ontario. He is a descendant of a military 
 race. His grandfather, Jonathan Pike, carae 
 over from England as a commissioned officer 
 under General Wolf, and obtained a grant of 
 Crown lands for honorable service, in Ontario, on 
 Pike's River, so named after himself, where Robert 
 Pike was born, and also a brother and two sisters. 
 One of the sisters married Col. Surplace, and the 
 other married a loyalist Kentuckian, by the name 
 of J. B. Williams. The brother held a Captain's 
 commission in the regular army of England, and so 
 also their father, P^obert Pike, was a commissioned 
 officer in England's army, the latter, the father of Al- 
 exander, the subject of this sketch. After serving his 
 country honorably, at the age of 53 years, he mar- 
 ried Magdaline Peltier, and immediately after settled 
 in Ontario, on the bank of the river Thames, and 
 became a farmer, in which occupation he was engaged 
 until his death, at the ripe age of 92 years. 
 The mother died at 52 years, beloved by all her 
 children. She possessed a great degree of energy and 
 perseverance, and was extremely religious. 
 
 Mr. Pike obtained a good elementary education in 
 the public schools of the Dominion, and when he 
 was 15 years of age he set out to seek his fortune in 
 " the States." He landed at Detroit, and after re- 
 maining there a month seeking employment, and not 
 finding it as readily as his boyish years anticipated, 
 and his store of cash reduced to 25 cents, he had 
 some misgivings as to the propriety of his remaining 
 in the States, and was about retracing his steps to 
 the Dominion, when, as he was walking on Wood- 
 bridge Street east, he saw a notice reading " Men 
 
 wanted here for Lake Superior. Apply to C. C. 
 Trowbridge." Mr. Trowbridge was hiring men for 
 the Collins Company. He applied, and was engaged 
 to go to Marquette, on Lake Superior. At that time 
 the present plucky little city contained one tavern, 
 two little stores, a blacksmith shop and five or six 
 log houses. 
 
 He spent two years or thereabout in hard manual 
 work, in the meantime informing his mind by reading 
 the lives of great men, and also history, and with it 
 trade and commerce, enlarging his ideas of the world 
 in general very materially. He soon acquired suffi- 
 cient capital to engage in buying produce and pro- 
 visions in Detroit and other places, all of which he 
 shipped by water to the towns on the shores of Lakes 
 Huron, Superior and Michigan. He continued this 
 business three years, at a rate of profit which in 
 that time netted $7,000. He passed the winters in 
 the improvement of his education at commercial 
 School. 
 
 He went to Minnesota, landing at St. Paul, and 
 went from there to Northfield, where he invested 
 his capital first in a dry-goods and Yankee notion 
 store. Not liking the business, he sold out to Eckles, 
 McFee & Hunt. He re-invested his capital in a 
 hardware store, which he continued to prosecute six 
 years. 
 
 Finding that his health was being undermined by 
 too close attention to business :and the extremely 
 cold climate, he disposed of his interest at Northfield 
 and bid a farewell to his many friends, among whom 
 was a Mr. Haywood, afterward cashier of the North- 
 field Bank, and murdered by the Youngers and 
 James brothers. Mr. Pike went thence to Kno.xville, 
 East Tennessee, for his health, when he became in- 
 terested in speculations and continued his operations 
 there until the secession of the South, when he re- 
 turned to Chatham, Ont., where he embarked in a 
 mercantile enterprise, which he managed until 1872. 
 His health again failed, and he disposed of his mer- 
 cantile house to Sterline Bros., and remained idle 
 some time. 
 
 In 1873, iiis healtli having partially recovered, he 
 again embarked in business. Owning a small steam 
 barge, he bought lumber and cord-wood, and carried 
 the same to Detroit, and disposed of his cargoes 
 there. The business not proving a [)aying one, he 
 disposed of it, and in 1874 came back to the land of 
 the free and settled in Detroit, and engaged again 
 
 V© 
 
 9 
 
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 1 
 
 ^^i^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 in business in a small way, his capital having been 
 reduced by sickness and misfortune. Courage never 
 lacking, he managed his business in Detroit until 
 1878, when he went to Algonac, St. Clair Co., Mich., 
 where he established mercantile relations, and oper- 
 ated successfully until July, 1882, the date of tlie 
 removal of his commercial interests to Ubly. He 
 has since continued to transact business at that point, 
 with satisfactory results. He owns a store 22x50 
 feet in dimensions, with an addition of 18x22 feet, 
 and carries a stock which averages $7,000 or $8,000 
 in value, and his yearly trade about $18,000 ; and he 
 also has a small elevator, and buys grain and prod- 
 uce. His goods include all articles requisite to the 
 demands of a country patronage. 
 
 Mr. Pike is a Republican in politics, and a Univer- 
 salist in religious belief. He was married Nov. 23, 
 1870, in Chatham, Ont., to Miss Emily M. Peck, and 
 they have been the parents of three children, born 
 to' them in the following order: Albert N., Laurence 
 Carl and Maud F. The third child is deceased. 
 Mrs. Pike was born in Raleigh, Kent Co., Ont., Sept. 
 10, 1848. She is the daughter of R. N. and Philliss 
 (Dauphen) Peck, natives of Ontario and respectively 
 of English and French nationality. They are farm- 
 ers, and reside in Raleigh, aged 74 and 63 years, 
 and had 1 1 children. Mrs. Pike was educated at the 
 Ursuline Convent, called " the Pines," at Chatham, 
 Ont., and is a strict Catholic in religious sentiment 
 and belief. She possesses in a remarkable degree 
 good sense and quick wit. 
 
 On a preceding page will be found an excellent 
 lithographic likeness of Mr. Pike, which the pub- 
 lishers are proud to add to the collection of portraits 
 in this Album. 
 
 •<-^<4##'>>-5- 
 
 fg^ii;,"'^ 
 
 illiam Rees, farmer, section 10, Sand 
 
 Beach Township, is a son of Thomas and 
 
 >-) Mary Rees, who were natives of Wales, 
 
 !^ and was born in the same county, June 
 
 5, 1836, where he lived until 1877 ; he then 
 
 came to Canada, and a short time afterw.ird, in 
 
 1878, came to this county and purchased 120 acres 
 
 of land in Sand Heach Township, which he has 
 
 since occupied, and where he has 50 acres in good 
 arable condition. 
 
 Mr. Rees was married in Wales, to Miss Mary 
 Lewis, a native also of that country, and was born 
 Jan. 24, 1840. Their seven children were born as 
 follows: Edward, March 15, 1862; Mary, March 6, 
 1864; Thomas, June 13. 1867 ; Lewis, April 4, 187 i; 
 Sarah, June 2, 1875 ; Annie, Sept. 3, 1880. 
 
 ■?. pp'^l ajor Cowper, proprietor of the " Half- 
 % ^'r-S-a l Way House," and Postmaster at Sigel, 
 j^'''^ section 19, Sand Beach Township, is a 
 
 |,^^^ son of Charles and Elizabeth (Holton) 
 Cowper. His parents were of English nativity, 
 and in 1858 emigrated to America, settling in 
 Sherman Township, this county. April 29, 1865, his 
 mother died, and Dec. 23, 1872, his father also 
 passed from earth. 
 
 Their only child, the subject of this record, was 
 born in England, Aug. 15, 1845, came to America in 
 1859, and lived at home until February, 1864, when 
 he enlisted for the cause of the American Govern- 
 ment, in the i6th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served until 
 the close of the war. At Hatcher's Run, Va., he 
 was disabled, and he now receives a pension. 
 
 After the war he remained at his father's house 
 until the fall of 1879, engaged in farm work. He 
 then came to Sand Beach, purchased ten acres of 
 land where he now lives, on section 19, and erected 
 the hotel of which he is now proprietor and manager, 
 it is located on the State road, six miles southwest 
 of Sand Beach village. In connection with his hotel 
 he has also a grocery, in which line he has a satis- 
 factory trade; and ever since 1877 he has also been 
 engaged in fire insurance. The latter business he 
 first entered mainly on account of his physical dis- 
 ability for attending thoroughly to the heavy duties 
 of the farm. He was appointed Postmaster in the 
 spring of 1881. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1868, in Sand Beach, is the date of Mr. 
 Cowper's marriage to Miss Rachel, darughter of Ira 
 and Diadema (Mann) Gager, who was born in Canada, 
 Oct. 19, 1 85 1. To them have been born the fol- 
 
 
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 r^fQP^ts- 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 lowing nine children: Elizabeth D., Oct. ii, 1869; 
 Ira A., Jan. 16, 187 1 ; Charles E., Nov. 25, 1872; 
 Amanda A., April 28, 1875; George F., March 4, 
 1877; Major W., March 16, 1879; Albert M., Jan. 
 28, 1881; Richard, Feb. 13, 1883 (died Feb. 26, 
 1883); Bertha M., July 8, 1884. 
 
 Mr. Cowper is a Rei)ublican in his political views, 
 and has held the offices of Highway Commissioner 
 two terms, School Director two terms, Township 
 Superintendent of the Poor, School Inspector and 
 Constable. 
 
 pfe^^p onas R. Learned, residing at Port Austin, 
 H'^^j'li was born Sept. 16, 1839, at Watervliet, N. 
 |te;:r^ Y. He is the son of Charles G. and 
 J'©' Maria (Raymond) Learned. (See sketch of 
 C. G. Learned.) 
 
 He received a good elementary educacion 
 in his native State, and was a student about 
 two and a half years at Hiram College, under James 
 A. Garfield, entering upon his studies there in 1S57. 
 His parents had removed to West Troy, N. Y., 
 whither he went on leaving Hiram, and there he 
 formed an association with John I. Winnie, for the 
 purpose of prosecuting the lumber business, which 
 relation continued to exist four years. 
 
 In 1864 Mr. Learned came to Huron County, in 
 company with Eben R. Ayres (see sketch of F. S. 
 Ayres). They had purchased a saw-mill and a con- 
 siderable acreage of pine lands of D. Whitney, Jr., 
 of Detroit, situated at what is now Port Crescent. 
 The location was named Port Crescent by Mr. 
 Learned, on account of tlie shape of the bay shore 
 at that point, which was that of the young moon. 
 He was the first Postmaster appointed there. 
 
 Messrs. Learned & Ayres established extensive 
 business connections at Port Crescent, where they 
 manufactured lumber of all varieties, shingles and 
 lath, and conducted a mercantile enterprise on a 
 large scale. 
 
 In 1870 they disposed of their interests toCarring- 
 ton. Pack & Co., and removed to Port Austin, where 
 they became factors in the firm of F. S. & J. S. 
 Ayres, under the ityle of Ayres, Learned & Co., and 
 
 prosecuted a lumber business, the manufacture of 
 salt, and engaged in general merchandise. 
 
 In October, 1874, Mr. Learned sold his claim to 
 E. R. Ayres, and has since been vigorously engaged 
 in the pursuit of agriculture, associated with his 
 father. Their stock is of the best character, and 
 their herds include generally about 150 head of fine 
 grades and throughbreds. The butter produced in 
 their dairy is of a superior quality, and is in de- 
 mand in the markets where known. They own 7,000 
 acres of land in Huron, Tuscola and Bay Counties, 
 and cultivate 2,000 acres, wliereon they raise large 
 crops of the cereals common to Michigan. They 
 ship their wheat product, and feed most of the re- 
 mainder of their farm produce. They also own land 
 in Dakota. 
 
 Mr. Learned is a prominent member of the Ma- 
 sonic fraternity, and is one of the seven founders of 
 Cass Lodge, No. 219, at Port Austin. 
 
 His marriage to Louise M. Letcher occurred Oct. 
 18, 1864, at West Unity, Ohio. Their three chil- 
 dren were born as follows: William L., July 16' 
 1866, in Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio; Edward R., 
 Nov. 19, 1868; Harry M., April 29, 1878. The 
 two younger were born at Port Austin. Mrs. Lear- 
 ned was born at West Unity, Ohio, and is the 
 daughter of Hon. William and Matilda Letcher. 
 She graduated at Oberlin College, class of 1862. 
 
 --wv^^l-.^ — 5- 
 
 f^rjflfellkharles L. Hall, attorney and insurance 
 ^jl^^lir agent at Sand Beacli, was born Oct. 8, 
 p)^ "^ 1850, in Paterson, N. J. He is the son 
 f'fe of Philctus 1). and Mary (Wannaniakcr) Hall. 
 /K^ When he was six years of age his parents re- 
 \ moved to Rome, Lenawee Co., Mich., where 
 his father bought a farm, his health iiaving failed 
 from close application to office work. Bolli parents 
 were natives of Warwick Township, Orange Co., N. Y. 
 They had eight children, seven of whom are now liv- 
 ing. After a brief residence in Rome, tiie family 
 removed to Adrian, where the father died Dec. 11, 
 1864, They went after that event to Orange Co., 
 N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Hall is tlic second of tiie children born to 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY 
 
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 I 
 
 his parents and was 15 years old when his mother 
 returned to New York. He was a student at school 
 until he was 18 years old, when he became a teacher 
 in the Seward Institute and in a district school in 
 Florida, N. Y. He continued his labors in that 
 avenue about two years and pursued his studies pre- 
 paratory to entering college. He changed his plans 
 and read law for some time, when he came to Adrian,^ 
 Mich., and was admitted to the Bar of Michigan in 
 that city in April, 1872. He began practice on the 
 first of May following, at Morenci, Lenawee County, 
 where he continued to transact the business of his 
 profession until Jan. i, 1S75. 
 
 In the fall of 1S74 he was elected Circuit Court 
 Commissioner and removed to Adrian. He was re- 
 elected in 1878 and continued in the discharge of the 
 duties of the position until December 31, 1880. In 
 February, 1S81, he came to Huron County, as a mem- 
 ber of the law firm of Hall, Welch & Hall, establish- 
 ing triune offices at Bad Axe, Port Austin and Sand 
 Beach, with himself in charge of the latter. The 
 association existed until October, 1882, since which 
 date Mr. Hall has managed the business of his office 
 singly, and is engaged in a prosperous and satisfactory 
 legal practice, and secures a large degree of patron- 
 age as an insurance agent. He represents the Con- 
 tinental of New York, the Pennsylvania Fire of 
 Pennsylvania, and the Germania and Underwriters 
 of New York. Mr. Hall is a member of the Masonic 
 fraternity and is the Senior Warden of Huron Lodge, 
 No. 36. 
 
 His marriage to Ella S. Greeley occurred Oct. 24, 
 1872, at Morenci, and of the union three children 
 have been born as follows: Carrie L., May 31, 1875 ; 
 Nellie H., Feb. 5, 1878; Charles G., Dec. 8, 1880. 
 Mrs. Hall was born in the township of Seneca, Len- 
 awee ("ounty, June 6, 1850, and is the daughter of 
 Noah and Maria (Gould) Greeley. 
 
 atthew Spoutz, farmer, section 36, Paris 
 
 Township, was born Feb. 21, 1828, in 
 
 France. His father. Otto Spoutz, was a 
 
 native of France and was a commissioned 
 
 ^1* officer under Napoleon, with whom he served 
 
 15 years. At Moscow he was captured by the 
 
 Russians and was in prison seven years, his incar- 
 
 ceration being caused by his refusal to take the oath 
 of allegiance to a foreign power. After securing his 
 release he returned to France, where he married and 
 where his son was born. Soon after his birth the 
 family removed to Luxemburg, where the father lived 
 on a pension paid him by the French government 
 until the death of Napoleon, and at the same time 
 worked at the hatter's trade. He died March 5, 1879, 
 aged 96 years and retaining his physical powers to a 
 remarkable degree. His teeth were perfectly sound 
 and firm at the time of his death. The mother, 
 (Catherine (Scheltor) Spoutz, was a native of France 
 and is deceased. 
 
 Mr. Spoutz obtained an excellent education in the 
 schools of Germany. He was married in the city of 
 Luxemburg to Mary Hahn. She was born Feb. i, 
 I S2S, of French parents. Her father was a well-to- 
 do merchant and his daughter was carefully educated 
 in both French and German. Mr. and Mrs. Spoutz 
 have been the parents of eight children, two of whom 
 — Matthew and Nicolas — are deceased. Conrad, 
 Clementon, Charles, Otto, Mary and Phebe are 
 living. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Spoutz was a merchant in 
 his native country three years, and at the end of that 
 time he emigrated with his family to America, locat- 
 ing in Buffalo, N. Y., wliere he carried on the hat and 
 cap business. He then went to Detroit and became 
 salesman in the hat store of Buhl & Co. While 
 in tliat city it was visited by the scourge of cholera, 
 and both Mr. Spoutz and his wife suffered from an 
 attack of the disease. On recovery they proceeded 
 to London, Out., where Mr. Spoutz engaged in the 
 hat, cap and fur trade, which he conducted two 
 years. In 1858, he went to Detroit and purchased at 
 tiie land office in that city 120 acres of land, of which 
 he at once took possession, and where he and his 
 family endured all the hardships common to the early 
 history of this portion of Huron County. He had to 
 carry on his back all supplies from Forestville, 18 
 miles away. The high price of all provisions added 
 greatly to the privation of his circumstances. He has 
 80 acres of finely improved farming land, with ex- 
 cellent buildings. The character of his pluck and 
 energy is plainly evident from the fact that in the fire 
 of 1881 — tliree years ago — he lost his barns, with 900 
 bushels of grain, and his residence with all its con- 
 tents. His affairs are once more in prosperous con- 
 dition and his supply of farm fixtures creditable. 
 
 •)» 
 
 y^ 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 V 
 
 ^ 
 
 4) 
 
 *■* 
 
 m?" 
 
 JSyf^^!;^^^ 
 
 o A^; 
 
 f>^r^ 
 
 -«g 
 
*M\ 
 
§»» — ■ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Ta^^^ 
 
 4^^§Jf 
 
 He has been true to the obligations of his citizen- 
 ship and espoused the cause of the Union when in 
 danger of disintegration from rebel foes. He enlisted 
 March 5, 1864, in the 2 2d Mich. Vol. Inf, in Co. K, 
 Mech. and Eng. His command was assigned to the 
 Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Spoutz was in the 
 battle at Nashville, and in the ascent of Lookout 
 Mountain his horse fell, crushing his knee. He 
 received honorable discharge July 5, 1865, at the 
 close of the war. He has been Highway Commis- 
 sioner nine years and held other minor official posi- 
 tions. In political tendency he is in sympathy with 
 the Democratic party. 
 
 ••«^<###>-^>- 
 
 Ifames H. Hall, attorney and banker at Port 
 ||^2J ~ Austin, was born March 7, iS46,in Orange 
 ■''■'^ Co., N. Y., and is the eldest son of Philetus 
 D. and Mary (Wannamaker) Hall. His father 
 was born Feb. 22, 1S24, in Orange County, was 
 a blacksmitii by trade, officiated some years as 
 superintendent of the freight depot of the Erie Rail- 
 road Company at Paterson, N. J., and died Dec. 1 1, 
 1864, in Adrian, Mich. His mother was a native of 
 Orange Co., N. Y., and died June 30, 1877, in 
 Florida, in that county. 
 
 Mr. Hall is of mixed Holland and English descent, 
 his mother's progenitors being natives of Holland 
 and those of his father from England. His paternal 
 great-grandfather was a musician on the American 
 side in the war of the Revolution. 
 
 The father of Mr. Hall removed his family to Pat- 
 erson, N. J., soon after the birth of his son, and at 
 the age of nine again removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., 
 and engaged in farming, that his boys might be 
 brought up on a farm. The subject of this sketch 
 enjoyed the advantage of the best private public 
 schools of Paterson, N. J., and enjoyed the benefits 
 of the excellent school system of Michigan after com- 
 ing to the State, working on the farm of liis father 
 when not at school. Soon after the deatli of his 
 father his mother removed her family to Florida, N. 
 Y., where he obtained a position in a large grocery 
 store at Newburg on the Hudson, that he might live 
 with his mother. In llie fall he obtained a position 
 
 as clerk in a country store with that well known mer- 
 chant grown gray in the business, W. L. Vail, of 
 Florida, N. Y., with whom he remained until he sold 
 out, and with his successors for several years; and 
 while tlius engaged devoted his leisure moments and 
 evenings to study. 
 
 In 1870, by the aid of friendly capital, he com- 
 menced business for himself in the shape of a first- 
 class grocery and provision store, which was con- 
 tinued until the winter of 1872, when he had an 
 opportunity to sell out to good advantage, did so and 
 in 1872 came to Michigan and engaged in the study 
 of law at Morenci, Lenawee Co., Mich., being mean- 
 vi^hile engaged in insurance business. In the fall of 
 1872 he entered the Law Department of the Uni- 
 versity of Michigan, where he completed a full course 
 of legal study, together with sonie other studies, and 
 was graduated in March, 1874. He came to Port 
 Austin in April of the same year and formed a part- 
 nership with George S. Engle, which relation existed 
 about two years. He afterwards conducted the 
 affairs of his office singly until March, 1881, when he 
 formed a partnership with his brother, Charles L. 
 Hall, and John F. Welch, triple branch offices being 
 established at Bad Axe and Sand Beach, the latter 
 under the personal supervision respectively of C. L. 
 Hall and Mr. Welch. This arrangement continued 
 one year. 
 
 Mr. Hall instituted his banking business, Jan. i, 
 1883, under the style of "The Port Austin Bank." 
 Its relations are those common to similar establish- 
 ments, and he also transacts business in real estate, 
 and represents the North American Insurance Com- 
 pany, the Hartford &: Phoenix, of Hartford, Conn., 
 the New York Underwriters, Germania, Traders' of 
 Chicago, Sun Fire of London, and the Michigan Fire 
 & Marine of Detroit. He is also agent for all prin- 
 cipal lines of foreign steamers. 
 
 Mr. Hall was elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
 Huron County in 1874 and discharged the duties of 
 the office two years. He has been also Circuit Court 
 Commissioner. 
 
 His marriage to Jessie Emery took place at Port 
 Austin, Aug. 27, 1879. Three children have been 
 born of this union, as follows: Ernest G., May 23, 
 1880; Harry Leroy, Jan. 24, 1882; Clarence Jay, 
 Nov. 23, 1883. Mrs. Hall was born Dec. 10, 1857, 
 I in Oxford, Lapeer Co., Mich., and is llic daughter of 
 
 v^ 
 
 A 
 
 
 V) 
 
 
:^^&s: ^:^V4^DI1 ^D Dr>r-o >ai^^^ 
 
 ^4>^(<i 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Andrew and Lucy A. (McClellan) Emery. Her 
 father is a native of Vermont, has pursued the career 
 of a farmer, and is now living in retirement at Case- 
 ville, Huron Co., Mich. Her mother was born in 
 Michigan, and died March i6, 1864, in the 28th year 
 of her life. 
 
 The hthographic likeness of Mr. Hall, on a pre- 
 ceding page, is given in this volume as that of a 
 representative and prominent business man of Huron 
 County. All who know him will recognize in his 
 features an indication of his high character. 
 
 i' 
 
 i 
 
 Si 
 
 :vL(^=^viainuel D. Grumney, proprietor and man- 
 ^Ml^ ager of the Soule saw, shingle and grist- 
 |||^«i«r j^^jjj^ ^f Soule village, was born Oct. 15, 
 1S50, at Madison, Conn. His parents, Sam- 
 uel H. and Elizabeth P. (Doud) Grumney, 
 were natives of Guilford, Conn., and were of 
 established Yankee descent, iiaving had ancestors of 
 early New England origin. The father died at Gill- 
 ford, Tuscola Co., Mich., where the mother still re- 
 sides. 
 
 Mr. Grumney is tlie seventh in order of birth of a 
 family of 13 children. He was very young when his 
 parents transferred their family and interests to Ches- 
 ter in his native State. He had a natural predilec- 
 tion for a seafaring life, inherited from his father; 
 and when he was 15 years old, in company with a 
 comrade, he took the route the boy literature of the 
 period points out as the certain thoroughfare to dis- 
 tinction, in trying parents' hearts without winning 
 anything to compensate for all it involves, and ran 
 away to sea. He went to New London, where he 
 shipped on a fishing schooner, the "Telegraph," 
 bound for Newfoundland, and made a cruise in the 
 capacity of cook. One year of this sufficed, and he 
 sou'ht the home nest, as a safe refuge from tempta- 
 tion and a place where forgiveness was certain and 
 fame as sure as possible, and was received back to 
 the fold of the household. Within the same year, 
 the family came to Watrousville, Tuscola Co., Mich. 
 The next year Mr. Grumney became a cook on the 
 brig " Isabella," and served for some time in that 
 capacity, and finally returned to the lumber woods 
 
 on the banks of the Cass River, where he was en- 
 gaged several winters. In the winter of 1870, he 
 shipped on the " Illinois," a barge running on Lakes 
 Huron and Erie, whicli was wrecked on Lake Huron 
 the same year, and the winter following the disaster 
 he passed in Chicago with his uncle. 
 
 Meanwhile he acquired a knowledge of engineer- 
 ing, and obtained employment in that occupation at 
 various places. Among other engagements which 
 he filled, he passed five years in the service of Mr. 
 Crawford, of Caseville. 
 
 In 1877, he purchased 40 acres of land in Oliver 
 Township, Huron County, on which he at once 
 settled, and improved 30 acres. In the spring of 
 1884, he exchanged the place for 77 J^ acres of land 
 on section 24, Chandler Township, where he estab- 
 lished himself in the various operations in milling 
 before mentioned ; and he has since continued the 
 management of the three witii their varied and ex- 
 tending connections. 
 
 Mr. Grumney is a decided Republican, and while 
 a citizen of Oliver Township, served in the capaci- 
 ties 'of Supervisor and Treasurer, discharging the 
 duties of each position two years. He was School 
 Director during the entire period of his residence 
 there, and held other official positions. 
 
 He was married Jan. i, 187 1, in Tuscola Co., 
 Mich., to Lillian R. Shaver. They have been the 
 parents of eight children, two of wliom are deceased, 
 Samuel H. and William L. The living are Francis 
 C, George N., Edwin A., Samuel L., Frederick S. 
 and Myrtle E. Mrs. Grumney was born in Madi- 
 son, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1855. She was 
 six years of age when lier mother died, and her 
 father removed to Tuscola County, Mich., in 1865. 
 
 #^ 
 
 y 
 
 ^jfMii eorge R. Wright, farmer, section 25, Sand 
 :|l|^^i Beach Township, is a son of Thomas and 
 
 -^p ^ Elizabeth (Tichnor) Wright, fatlier a na- 
 
 ^A'^tive of New Jersey, and .mother of New York 
 T Stale. They were married in that State, and 
 f Mr. W. still lives there. Mrs. W. died April 
 
 20, 1878. 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Schuyler 
 
 ^|«»- 
 
 ^^^^^ — ^tH^^h n § n ni>^r^ — ^^€»^ 
 
-3«€^K — ^vc^nti^iitis> \-^ . > €^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 % 
 (^ 
 
 Co., N. Y., May 28, 1854, remained at home until 
 of age, receiving a common- school education and 
 laboring upon his father's farm, and for the several 
 years following he was engaged in the sale of agri- 
 cultural implements, in the Stale of New York. In 
 the spring of 1882, he came to Michigan and bought 
 80 acres of partly improved land in Sand Beach 
 Township, where he has since resided. Sixty acres 
 of his land is cleared, and in good arable condition. 
 As to politics, Mr. Wright is identified n-th the 
 Democratic party. 
 
 He was married in St. Clair, St. Clair Co., Mich., 
 Sept. 28, 1882, to Miss Agnes, daughter of John and 
 Rachel (Jackson) Buchanan. She was born in Ash- 
 land Co., Ohio, April 20, 1856. They liave one 
 child, Herbert C, born Aug. 7, 1883. 
 
 -~-'^^^^■i^S'\'^^-^ 
 
 fe»lbridge F. Bacon, attorney and insurance 
 agent at Sand Beach, was born 'May 3, 
 1850, in Supeiior Township, vVashtenaw 
 Co., Mich., and he is the son of James and 
 Caroline E. (Farrand) Bacon. He attended 
 the common schools until he was 13 years old, 
 when he entered the State Normal School at Ypsi- 
 lanti, and was graduated there in June, 1872. The 
 year following his withdrawal from school, lie oper- 
 ated as civil engineer in Wisconsin, in the employ of 
 the Green Bay & Winona Railroad Company. He 
 went tlience to Petersburg, Monroe Co., Midi., where 
 he taught school one year. In April, 1874, he came 
 to Port Austin, Huron County, and entered upon the 
 study of law in the office of Richard Winsor, mean- 
 while continuing to operate as Surveyor of Huron 
 County. He discharged the duties of the position 
 two terms in succession, — from 1874 to 1878. 
 
 In July 1876, he was admitted to practice in tlie 
 State Courts of Michigan at Bad Axe, Judge Harris, 
 of Port Huron, presiding. He opened an office at 
 Caseville, Huron County, where he transacted busi- 
 ness one year, coming thence to Port Austin, where 
 he operated one year in company with George S. 
 Engle. 
 
 In 1878 he went to Detroit, and passed a year in 
 t1ie law office of John Atkinson. In June, 1879, he 
 
 opened his office at Sand Beach, where he has since 
 been vigorously engaged in the prosecution of his 
 business, and has steadily advanced in popularity 
 and position as a lawyer and advocate. Among 
 other prominent cases in which he has won reputa- 
 tion, was that of William Baker, whom he success- 
 fully defended in a charge of murder, securing 
 acquittal on the second trial. (The first resulted in 
 conviction and sentence for life.) 
 
 Mr. Bacon is acting for the Hartford (Conn.) In- 
 surance Company, the Michigan Fire & Marine 
 Company, etc. 
 
 He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 Mr. Bacon has been Village Attorney two years, 
 and is now officiating as Circuit Court Commissioner, 
 and as Justice of the Peace. He erected his resi- 
 dence in 1881, and owns two lots connected there- 
 with, besides one lot in the south part of the village. 
 
 His marriage to Clarence Bailey occurred at St. 
 Clair City, May 3, 1881. One daughter, Ruth, was 
 born May 30, 1882, in St. Clair. Mrs. Bacon was 
 born Aug. 15, i860, in St. Clair, and is the daughter 
 of Charles F. and Lucy (Williams) Bailey. 
 
 illiam Engel, merchant and miller at 
 Parisville, ivas born April 8, 1847, in Prus- 
 sia. His father, William Engel, Sr., was 
 3> also a native of Germany, and was a Captain 
 of a vessel 30 years of his life. He owned 
 two vessels, whi6h he sold and settled at Brom- 
 berg, in the Province of Posen, Germany, where lie 
 was afterward engaged in the business of hotel-kee))- 
 ing until his death, about the year 1864, when he 
 was 5 6 years of age. 
 
 Mr. Engel was thoroughly educated in his native 
 land, and when he was 17 years of age he became a 
 book-keeper in the mercantile establishment of his 
 uncle, where he was employed four years. On the 
 termination of his term of service he came, in 1870, 
 to the United States, locating at first in Detroit, 
 where he established himself in the grocery business, 
 and prosecuted that enterprise five years. 
 
 In the fall of 1875 he came to Parisville and pur- 
 chased a building for mercantile purjxjses, of James 
 
 yto; 
 
 i 
 
 (^ 
 
 I 
 
 )«^(f 
 
 ^^>^^ %A<^D!l^nDi>^:^ ^"^S^ 
 
)^^ 
 
 •^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -^^sk 
 
 A 
 
 >5 
 
 Erskine, where he did business until its destruction 
 by fire in 1879. He at once erected an extensive 
 business structure 40 x 52 feet, and attached his resi- 
 dence. In 1883 he built a mill four stories in height; 
 with three run of buhr stones, and having a capacity 
 of about 50 barrels daily. The annual business 
 transactions of Mr. Engel average $10,000. 
 
 He is a supporter of the principles and issues of 
 the Republican party. Soon after he settled in 
 Michigan he was elected Justice of the Peace, and 
 has since held the office continuously. In 1876 he 
 received the appointment of Postmaster of Parisville, 
 and has since continued the incumbent of the posi- 
 tion. 
 
 MV. Engel was married Sept. 5, 1876, in Sherman 
 Township, Huron County, to Henrietta Schader, and 
 they are now the parents of four children, viz: Emma, 
 born July 18, 1877 ; Theodore, June 9, 1879 ; Charles, 
 July 14, 1881, and William, Sept. 28, 1883. Mrs. 
 Engel was born Aug. 2, 1857, in Prussia, and emi- 
 grated to this country with her parents, Charles and 
 Minnie (Frederick) Schader, in 1869. They have 
 been constant residents of Delaware Township, Sani- 
 lac County, since their removal to the Huron Pe- 
 ninsula, with the exception of one year, when they 
 lived at Lexington. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Engel are members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 '*jif|il illiam E. Webb, farmer, section 4, Sand 
 
 i'lMJUUii' Beach 'I'ownship, is a son of John and 
 
 h ^^Sp-i^S-v^ H 
 
 
 Sarah (Shei)ard) Webb, of English nativ- 
 
 / ity, who emigrated to Canada in 1842, and 
 
 lived there the remainder of their lives, Mr. 
 
 '^ W. dying July 25, 1870, and Mrs. W., Oct. 3, 
 
 In the above family were four children, of whom 
 William E., the subject of this notice, is the 
 youngest. He also was born in England, July 23, 
 1830, and attended the common schools of his native 
 country until the emigration of the family to this 
 country in 1842. He remained with his father until 
 his death, as an assistant on the farm, which then 
 came into his possession, and which he occupied 
 until the siiriny of 1S82, when he sold it and came 
 
 to Huron County. He bought a half-section of wild 
 land in Sand Beach Township, built a fine dwelling, 
 and began to advance the improvement and value of 
 the place ; now has about 45 acres in a good state of 
 arability. 
 
 In general politics, Mr. Webb is in sympathy with 
 the Republican party. 
 
 He was married in Canada Feb. i, 1S55, to Miss 
 Mary, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Ingham) 
 Hindley, natives of England, who emigrated to Can- 
 ada in 1834, where they passed the remainder of their 
 lives, Mr. H. dying Sept. 5, 1857, and his widow May 
 23, 1865. Mrs. W. was born in Canada Feb. 5, 1836, 
 and there are now in her family the following chil- 
 dren: John H., born Nov. 12, 1855; Annie M., born 
 Feb. 3, 1858 (wife of James Ritchie); and Ermina 
 D., born Sept. i, 1861. 
 
 ^^»<iBi»-js» $==: ■■»- 
 
 VL 
 
 eorge M. Cross, farmer, section 13, Brook- 
 field Township, was born March 2, 1845, 
 in the Township of Tyre, Seneca Co., N. 
 Y. Willianr H. Cross, his father, is a native 
 of New York, and is now a resident of Jeffer- 
 son County, in that State, and is a member of 
 the Assembly of the Empire State. His mother, 
 Lucy A. (Boardman) Cross, was born at Seneca Falls, 
 N. Y., and died at her home in the same county, in 
 1 87 8, aged 6r years. 
 
 William H. Cross and five sons became soldiers 
 in the Union ariny. Two died in a rebel prison, and 
 one on the battle-field. The father sustained no in- 
 jury save a sprained ankle. He was 53 years of age 
 when he enlisted. 
 
 Mr. Cross, of this sketch, enlisted when he was 18 
 years old, enrolling April 30, 1863, in the Eleventh, 
 which was consolidated with the Fourth New York 
 Heavy Artillery. The battery was assigned to the 
 Army of the Potomac, and was in action at Gettys- 
 burg, and was detailed for duty in the harbor of New 
 York during the draft riot. After rejoining his com- 
 mand, Mr. Cross was a participant in the battles of 
 the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania and in the principal 
 engagements of the Peninsular campaign. He was 
 wounded Ai)ril 2, 1865, at Weldon Railroad, receiv- 
 ing a gunshot wound in his left arm and iiand. He 
 
 Ci^ 
 
 t 
 s 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 k 
 
 ?^ UIJC'^^Vj::;) :snf(?%n. 
 
 m^: 
 
/V^.^^ynn^ dfi^-^'Ue^mS 
 
i 
 
 / 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 was discharged July 26, 1865, at Harwood General 
 Hospital, Washington, D. C. 
 
 He was a carpenter by trade, and on returning 
 to his home resumed that occupation in connection 
 with farming, and pursued his twofold vocation until 
 his removal to Michigan. In the spring of 1867 he 
 came to Huron County and purchased 80 acres of 
 land in this township, to which he has added by 
 more recent purchase until he owns double that 
 amount in different parts of the county. He has 
 since improved nearly the entire amount of the first 
 "80" of which he became the proprietor. He is in- 
 dependent in political principle, and is present Jus- 
 tice of the Peace. He has officiated as Township 
 Treasurer. 
 
 His marriage to Mrs. Leon (Cooley) Coulter oc- 
 curred at Caro, Tuscola Co., Mich., March i, 1878. 
 She is the daughter of Smith and Celia R. (Pierson) 
 Cooley. Her father was born in Massachusetts, 
 and was a student of Oberlin College, Ohio. Her 
 mother was born in the State of New York, and is 
 the great-great-granddaughter of Mr. Pierson, the first 
 President of Yale College. She is living at Caro. 
 The father died at Caro, from the results of an injury 
 caused by being thrown from a buggy. Mrs. Cross 
 was born at Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y., July 21, 
 1846, and was educated at Rochester, in her native 
 State. She is a teacher by inheritance and practice, 
 coming from a line of educators whose connection 
 with the educational interests of this country dates 
 back to its pioneer period. She has taught 26 terms 
 of school. 
 
 She has two children by her first husband : David, 
 born Feb. 2, 1868, and Helen, Nov. 12, 1869. She 
 is a Presbyterian in her religious creed. Mr. (.'ross 
 is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Cross have had two children : George L., born Jan. 
 14, 1S79, and Adelbert R., born July 31, 1881. 
 
 fiJ'jf^T^enry Hellems, farmer on section 17, and a 
 
 r-f^<'.\;k blacksmith l)v vocation, is the first settler 
 
 ^JlVt m the present township of Dwight, of which 
 
 he became a resident in the fall of 1856. He 
 
 purchased his claim, and in order to reach his 
 
 land, traversed an old lumber route from Port 
 
 Austin, a distance of two and a half miles, and on 
 
 -^^^^^ 9^A<:DD 
 
 reaching its termination was obliged to cut his way 
 through the unbroken forest. He was accompanied 
 by his wife and five children. His farm included 
 320 acres, and he cleared a small space as soon as 
 possible, on which he erected a log shanty. He 
 afterward gave two of his sons 80 acres each, and 
 sold 80 ; and of the 851 acres which has since re- 
 mained in his possession, he has 50 acres under 
 cultivation. The log shanty was long ago replaced 
 by a modern dwelling, and the place is fitted witli 
 other suitable farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Hellems is a Republican of decided views, 
 and has been prominent in the management of the 
 local township affairs. He has officiated 12 years as 
 Notary Public, has been Supervisor five terms. Jus- 
 tice of tlie Peace two terms, School Director three 
 terms, and has held otlier minor official positions. 
 In 1876 he was elected Master of the Dwight 
 Grange, No. 602, and in the year following was re- 
 elected. 
 
 Mr. Hellems was born Sept. 27, 1811, in Welland 
 Co., Ont. He obtained such ediication as the public 
 schools of the section and period offered, and when 
 he was 13 years of age was "bound out" to learn 
 the trade of builder, being apprenticed to serve his 
 time until he was 21 years old. He remained under 
 the bond four years, and then left his employer on 
 account of ill treatment. On becoming his own 
 master, he engaged as a carpenter in his own 
 behalf, and passed 13 years in the business. He 
 then bought a farm, and in connection with his 
 agricultural projects established a turning-shop, 
 which he continued to operate until he resolved in 
 1856 to come to Michigan, to seek a field for the 
 im[)rovement of his fortunes. 
 
 He is the youngest son of Matthias and Dorothy 
 (Baker) Hellems, natives respectively of Pennsyl- 
 vania and Germany. After the marriage of his 
 parents, they located in the Keystone State, and 
 about the year 1806 they removed to Canada, where 
 they made a permanent settlement and passed the 
 remainder of their lives. They had eight children. 
 
 Mr. Hellems was first married in Welland Co., 
 Ont., March 3, 1833, to Harriet F. Clark. She bore 
 him six children, — Joel M., Robert E. (deceased), 
 Henry B., Jonathan 1?., Isaac B. and John T. (de- 
 ceased). Their mother was born in the State of 
 New York, and was the daughter of Major Joel B. 
 Clark, of New England origin and a prominent actor 
 
 i 
 
 
 o) 
 
 m 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 in the war of 1812. She died Sept. 2, 1848, in 
 Norfolk Co., Ont. Mr. Hellems was a second time 
 married, in Canada, to Abigail Anger, and of this 
 marriage one child was born, Dorothy E. The mar- 
 riage of Mr. Hellems to Snsan Cook took place Nov. 
 20, 1856. The names of their five children are 
 Josiah C, Charles W. (deceased), George W., Allan 
 G. and Mary J. (deceased). Mrs. Hellems is a na- 
 tive of Canada. 
 
 A lithographic portrait of Mr. Hellems is given on 
 a preceding page, to accompany the above brief ac- 
 count of his life. In the minds of liis friends, his 
 features, as thus presented, will be associated with a 
 life of pioneer toil, and also witli a life of success, 
 such as is attained by steady industry and strict 
 integrity. 
 
 '^O 
 
 •1 ;• 
 
 "(.orace B. Hitchcock, M. D., physician and 
 surgeon, practicing at Sand Beach, was 
 born March 9, 1845, 'in Martinsburg Town- 
 ^^ ship, Lewis Co., N. Y. His father, Henry 
 ^ Hitchcock, was born in 1804, in Lewis County. 
 His mother, Clarissa M. (Hubbard) Hitchcock, 
 was born in Port Leyden Township, Lewis Co., N. 
 Y.,in 1819, and is now living at Lowville, Lewis Co., 
 N. Y. 
 
 Dr. Hitchcock is the second of four children born 
 to his parents. He came to Hillsdale, Mich., in 
 1865, and engaged as a clerk in a general mercantile 
 establisliment. .\fter a short time he entered into 
 a partnership for the prosecution of a mercantile en- 
 terprise with Messrs. Ashbaughs, under the firm 
 style of Ashbaugh & Hitchcock. Two years there- 
 after they dissolved partnership by mutual consent, 
 and in the fall of 1872 he entered the office of W. 
 R. Ditmars, M. D., at North Adams, Hillsdale County, 
 where he read medicine for 18 months. He then 
 came to Howell, Mich., in 1873, where he was em- 
 ployed as a clerk for three years. Meanwhile he 
 studied medicine, as opportunity presented itself. In 
 the fall of 1874, he entered the Medical Department 
 of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where 
 he was graduated in the spring of 1878. He makes 
 a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear. After 
 
 )(^^- sfe?^s)»^ — ^^-^^nfl 
 
 receiving his credentials. Dr. Hitchcock opened an 
 office at Howell, where he practiced his profession 
 six years, coming thence in March, 1884, to Sand 
 Beach, and has already established a fine and lucra- 
 tive practice. 
 
 Dr. Hitchcock is a member of the Masonic fra- 
 ternity. He is a Quaker by birth and descent, and 
 adheres to the general tenets of the -Society of 
 Friends. While in Howell he officiated four years in 
 the village and township as Health Officer. In 1878 
 he represented his class at its .\lumni meeting, and 
 was the Vice-President. 
 
 His first marriage occurred June 14, 1865, at 
 Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y., to .Alvina F. Putnam, 
 a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y. Two children were 
 born of this union, in Howell, Mich.: Horace H., 
 Aug. 25, 1876; and Thomas F., May 28, 1880. Dr. 
 Hitchcock was a second time married in Milford, 
 Oakland Co., Mich., July i, 1883, to Cordelia F. 
 Allison, who was born in Brighton, Livingston Co., 
 Mich. 
 
 Dr. Hitchcock enlisted in the United States ser- 
 vice Jan. 28, 1865. He enrolled at Lowville, in 
 Co. H, First Regiment Frontier Cavalry, under Capt. 
 H. E. Turner. The command was sent to Sackett's 
 Harbor, Jefferson Co., N. Y., where it was placed 
 on patrol duty to guard the frontier coasts of Lake 
 Ontario and the River St. Lawrence. He was dis- 
 charged as Corporal, at Sackett's Harbor, July 7, 
 1865. 
 
 -J3=H= 
 
 
 &-- 
 
 eorge Anderson, farmer, section 14, Case- 
 ville, was born April 2, 1839, in Berwick- 
 shire, Scotland, and is the son of George 
 and Jane (Young) Anderson. His father was a 
 millwright and engineer by vocation, but he 
 adandoned his trades on account of failing 
 health, and removed to a farm ; but the change 
 availed nothing, and he died not long after. The 
 funeral ceremonies were the first event in the life of 
 Mr. .\nderson, which impressed him, as he was but a 
 child. The family removed to America in 1852, 
 accompanied by an older brother and his wife. They 
 landed in Montreal and located on a farm in Beau- 
 harnais Co., Can., which was situated near the village 
 
 'J 
 
 Eli 
 
 s 
 
 < 
 
 r^> 
 
'fl^ 
 
 ®>)e^# 
 
 ) 
 
 i 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 r^^^sr 
 
 "^•rs; 
 
 of St. Louis de Gonzague. After a residence there 
 of seven years, the place was sold to the oldest 
 brother, and the four younger brothers came to 
 Halton Co., Ont., where they prospected for a loca- 
 tion and remained two years, operating as farm 
 assistants. At the end of that time they decided on 
 settling in Michigan and came accordingly to Huron 
 County in i860, each one locating a tract of Govern- 
 ment land in Caseville Township, where they have 
 since resided. Only the land sharks had been here 
 previously, and the county was wholly unimproved ; 
 there were no roads, and only a lumber route a part of 
 the distance to the location where Mr. Anderson set- 
 tled. He has 100 acres of land, all "stumped" 
 and fenced, with a frame house, barn, sheds and 
 wagon house, all of excellent quality. 
 
 Mr. .\nderson is a Republican in political opinion. 
 In the spring of 1863 he was elected Treasurer, and 
 held the position 18 years. In 1864 he was elected 
 Supervisor. 
 
 His marriage to Jane Brown occurred Sept. 3c, 
 1868, and they have three children, Isabella J-) Jane 
 A. and Jessie B. Mrs. Anderson was born in Can- 
 ada March 14, 1836, and is the daughter of Robert 
 and Isabella (Young) Brown. Her parents are both 
 Scotch. The father died in the fall of 1863; the 
 mother resides at Si. Louis de Gonzague, on the 
 Canadian liomestead. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are 
 members of the Presbyterian Church, and are among 
 the leading people of Caseville. 
 
 -^fli ohn Gerstensehlseger, farmer, sec. 5, Sand 
 Jeach Tp., son of Melchior and Ann M. Ger- 
 stenschla;ger, natives of Germany, where 
 Mrs. G.died. Mr.G. emigrated to America in 
 1843, and settled in Illinois, where he died. 
 John also was born in Germany, Aug. 17, 1827 ; 
 received iiis education in the schools of his native 
 country, and came with his father to America in 
 
 1843- 
 
 About 1850 he bought a farm in St. Clair Co., Ills., 
 which he carried on three years, then sold it and 
 bought a 200-acre farm in I'erry Co., Ills.; tliis he 
 managed until 1879, then sold it; came to Huron 
 
 County and purchased 400 acres in Sand Beach and 
 Rubicon Townships, 160 of which is under cultiva- 
 tion and in a good farming condition. 
 
 Mr. G. was a soldier in the Mexican War, under 
 Gen. Wool, and served a year. In the spring of 
 1884 he was elected Drain Commissioner. In poli- 
 tics he is independent, and in religion he and his 
 wife are members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 For his wife, he married Miss Eve Tuenger, in 
 January, 1853, in St. Clair Co., 111. She is a native of 
 Germany. Of the 13 children born in the 
 family of Mr. and Mrs. G., ten survive and three 
 died in infancy. The living are, Edward, Julius, 
 Anna, Eve, Will-.elmina, John N., Philip H., Mary, 
 Albert W. and Joseph. 
 
 v|) 
 
 ^1^ 
 
 
 ' ohn F. Welch, Probate Register of Huron 
 ij^ County, wis born Feb. 14, 1845, in Massil- 
 "^ Ion, Ohio. He is the son of Samuel W. 
 and Eunice C. (Ford) Welch. The family re- 
 moved in 1848 to Palmyra Lenawee Co., 
 Mich., where the father died, in 1872. 'I"he 
 mother resides at present in Douglas, Allegan Co., 
 Mich. 
 
 Mr. Welch was reared on a farm until tlie year 
 preceding his majority. He received a good common- 
 school education, and taught school about five years 
 in Lenawee County. In October, 1870, he entered 
 the Law Department of the University of Michigan 
 at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in the spring 
 of 1872. Soon after that event, he established his 
 office at Morenci, in Lenawee County, where he con- 
 tinued the practice of his profession until February, 
 188 I, the date of his removal to Bad Axe. On com- 
 ing hither, Mr. Welch associated his business with 
 that of J. H. Hall, of Port Austin, and C. S. Hall, of 
 Sand Beach, being established at the several places. 
 This relation existed until the fall of 1882, since 
 whicli date Mr. Welch has transacted his business 
 singly. He is now acting Probate Register, and at- 
 tending to the duties of his legal connections. He 
 belongs to -the Masonic Order and to the Knights of 
 Maccabees. He is a member of the Board of Trus- 
 tees of the Graded Schools at Bad .^.xe. His wife, 
 
 i 
 
 ^=»^^ — ^K^nnsniif^ 
 
 t9- 
 
# v:i@ f | «^ 
 
 r^^^ ^rv<^]\mm^' >i'0 >i( «^^ter 
 
 -reg 
 
 ff^f 
 
 2 go 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 I 
 
 Mrs. Ida E. (Swindell) Welch, was born Nov. 17, 
 1855, in Morenci. She is the daughter of Charles 
 and Elizabeth E. Swindell, and belongs to one of 
 the earliest pioneer families of Adrian. She was 
 married to Mr. Welch Jan. 9, 1878, and is the 
 mother of two children, — Osa F., born Jan. 18, 1880, 
 in Morenci, and John F., born Feb. 3, 1883, in Bad 
 Axe. 
 
 IfC^:.': idney A. Smith, farmer, section 24, Fair- 
 haveri Township, was born Feb. 18, 1843, 
 
 [^^^P in Orion Township, Oakland Co., Mich. 
 His parents were natives of England, and 
 about May, 1836, emigrated 10 the United 
 States. They had eight children, of whom Mr. 
 Smith is fourth in order of birth. He was carefully 
 trained in the old-country thrift and economy, and 
 at the age of 17 years he secured 80 acres of land in 
 Huron County by purchase. In 186 1 he made his 
 first location on 160 acres, and in 1862, associated 
 with his brother, he secured a further claim of 160 
 acres. He is present proprietor of 280 acres, and 
 has cleared about 40 acres. 
 
 His parents died in Oakland County, the father 
 June 12, 1865, the latter May 12, 18S3. Mr. Smith 
 managed the home farm in Oakland County about 
 six years, the place including 80 acres. In 1869 he 
 came to Huron County, where he has since resided. 
 
 In political faith he is a Democrat, and has held 
 the position of Treasurer, Supervisor and Clerk, and 
 other minor offices of his township. He is an active 
 member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 ?!-7j rederick Empkie, farmer, section 6, 
 
 Dwight Township, was born Feb. 26, 1850, 
 
 irj^3'-Y>;- in Prussia. His parents, Charles and 
 
 Sophia Empkie, were also natives of that na- 
 
 :!li^ tionality, and emigrated with their family to 
 
 the United States in 1858. 
 
 At the age of 15 years, Mr. Empkie entered upon 
 
 his single-handed strife with the world, and, besides 
 
 providing for his own maintenance, he contributed 
 largely to the support of his parents. He entered 
 the employment of Woods & Co., lumbermen at Port 
 Crescent, and was occupied in their interest eight 
 years. 
 
 He purchased 125 acres of land, lying chiefly in 
 Hume Township, on which he settled in 1880, and 
 now has 35 acres under improvement. Mr. Empkie 
 is a Democrat in political connections. 
 
 His marriage to Mary Etzler occurred at Port 
 Crescent, Huron Township, Dec. 31, 1879. Their 
 children are four in number. Emma and Annie are 
 twins. The third child is named Frederick, and an 
 infant. 
 
 Mrs. Empkie was born July 3, 1859, at Port Aus- 
 tin, this county, and is the daughter of August and 
 Theresa (Richert) Etzler. 
 
 ^9»- 
 
 ^ illiara Kellogg, merchant in Sebewaing 
 Townshii), was born Jan. 16, 1830, in 
 Steuben Co., N. Y., and is the son of 
 Nathan and Fanny (Price) Kellogg, the 
 former a native of Connecticut, the latter of 
 New York. After their marriage in the Empire 
 State, they removed to Pennsylvania, and came 
 thence to Washtenaw Co., Mich. The father went 
 to California in 1852, where he died not long after. 
 The mother lives in Lima, Washtenaw Co., Mich. 
 Susan, Joseph and Jonathan (twins), William, Min- 
 nie, Harriet, Daniel, Charlotte and George, and a 
 child .who died in infancy, comprise the ten children 
 born to them. 
 
 Mr. Kellogg was three years ot age when his 
 parents came to Michigan. He was engaged in 
 farming in Washtenaw County until 1861, when he 
 became a resident of Huron County, settling in Seb- 
 ewaing. Two years after that event, he entered the 
 employii ent of Joiin Mullerweiss, and operated in 
 his interests 12 years. 
 
 In 1876 he opened a general store in Sebewaing, 
 and has since been engaged in the transaction of a 
 prosperous business. 
 
 He was married Feb. 22, 1870, in Sebewaing, to 
 Delphine Benjamin. Their children are two in num- 
 
 (■ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ( 
 
 ■^=^-K^iiti^iiii?>v9 — ^^^^ 
 

 n-r^i>i«h .: 
 
 :;:ftSi ;i lit 
 
T2;^^S^ 
 
 vC:DII^CD^>^ 
 
 HUROM COUNTY. 
 
 -^af^^njjJjiK^ 
 
 4^^^ 
 
 293 
 
 ber, — William and Mary. Mrs. Kellogg was born in 
 Pennsylvania, and is the daughter of Daniel S. Ben- 
 
 ^ jamin. 
 
 Mr. Kellogg is a member of the Masonic frater- 
 
 1^. nity. He is a Republican in political faith and con- 
 nection, has been Treasurer of the township and 
 village of Sebewaing, serving two years in each ca- 
 pacity, and is also Village Councilman. 
 
 ^*-^^ 
 
 (i) 
 
 k^ 
 
 t '^ ■{ rancis Nash, farmer, section 12, Colfax 
 Township, has resided in Michigan since 
 (gv'<^' '" 1862. In that year he removed from the 
 ^'^ Dominion of Canada and located in Worth 
 3^ Township, Sanilac County. After a residence 
 { there of two years, he came to Huron County, 
 ^ and in January, 1865, he obtained a farm of 120 
 /^ acres of Government land, under the regulations of 
 '=t the Homestead Act, in Colfax Township. He has 
 V& disposed of 40 acres, and of the remainder he has 
 ^ placed 60 acres under cultivation of the best style, 
 ■.T]l 1^'s farm ranking among the finest in the county. 
 
 At the time he located in Huron County, the sec- 
 tion where he settled was attached to Hume Town- 
 ship, and at as early a date as possible Mr. Nash 
 moved vigorously in the matter of separating the 
 townships. He built the first school-house in Colfax, 
 and has been constantly interested and active in 
 school matters. He has officiated two terms as Jus- 
 tice of the Peace, and held most of the local offices. 
 He is a Republican of the stalwart kind. 
 
 Mr. Nash w.is born July 12, 1830, in England, 
 and was but three years old when his parents emi- 
 grated to Canada. He is the youngest of eight 
 children, and grew to manhood in Ontario. School 
 privileges were limited, and he obtained a fair educa- 
 tion by his own application. He was apprenticed at 
 the age of 15 years to, learn the trade of carpenter 
 'and joiner, spending seven years to satisfy his inden- 
 tures. He followed his trade until 1868. 
 
 His parents, James and Elizabetli (Hill) Nash, 
 (Were natives of England, and emigrated to Canada 
 ^in 1833. The mother died there in 1836, and the 
 'father in 1844. 
 
 Mr. Nash was married in Ontario Co., Ont., Oct. 
 
 26, 1851, to Elvira S. Bennett. Following are the 
 names and dates of birth of 12 children, of whom 
 Mr. and Mrs. Nash have been the parents: Abra- 
 ham R. R. was born Sept. 23, 1852; John F. A., 
 July 28, 1855; .Mma E., Aug. i, 1857; Norman J. 
 B., Dec. 17, 1859; Robert W. C, Feb. 14, 1862; 
 Abigail E., March 23, 1864; Elvira E., Oct. 24, 1866; 
 Nina E., April 30, 1869 ; Francis A., March 30, 187 i ; 
 Essa M., May 5, 1873; and Hugh C, May 7, 1876. 
 One child died in infancy. 
 
 Mrs. Nash was born in Vermont, and is the daugh- 
 ter of Richmond and Abigail (Hinkston) Bennett. 
 They were natives respectively of Connecticut and 
 Vermont. They settled after their marriage in the 
 latter State, afterwards removing to Canada, vi^here 
 the father died, in 1853, and the mother in May, 
 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are members of the Bap- 
 tist Church. 
 
 Mr. Nash is a fine sample of what a man may 
 accomplish, even without capital, when he has the 
 auxiliaries of energy and perseverance and judgment 
 to guide them ; and as a representative citizen of 
 that class, we present his portrait in this volume, on 
 a preceding page. 
 
 1 
 
 ^e 
 
 ^9^^k 
 
 ^^^ r Qj^ ^mMi^^^^ — ^"^^ 
 
 i 
 
 j.enry F. Pangborn, farmer, resident on sec- 
 tion 23, Verona Township, was born Dec. 
 2, 1 842, in Canada, and is the son of Thomas 
 and Eliza Pangborn. He was reared to man- 
 hood in the manner common to the training ot 
 farmers' sons in the Dominion, and came to the 
 township where he has since resided, in 1867. He 
 had become comfortably located and fairly started in 
 business life when the first season of loss and dis- 
 aster overtook Sanilac County. In the fire of 1S71, 
 Mr. Pangborn lost his house and other i)roperly, 
 reaching an aggregate of several hundred dollars. In 
 the fall of the same year he bought the farm on which 
 he has since resided. It contains 80 acres, with 60 
 acres under cultivation. In the fire of 1881 he ex- 
 perienced a loss of $2,000, his house, barn, grain 
 hay, fences, orchards and stock being destroyed. 
 Tiiere was no insurance on the property. Mr. Pang- 
 born has made the improvements on his place him- .j. 
 
 /fc 
 
7<^\\mm>T 
 
 T2<^^ 
 
 fOj 
 
 
 
 294 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 self, and is fast replacing substitutes for all the farm 
 fixtures which perished in the flames. 
 
 He was married Oct. 19, 1868, in Verona Town- 
 ship, to Mrs. Martha (Noonan) Currie, widow of 
 Alexander Currie. She was born June 17, 1842, in 
 Canada, 21 miles from the city of Ottawa, whither 
 her parents removed from Ireland in 1840. They 
 removed in 1858 to Verona Township, and bought 
 160 acres en section 15. Her father, John Noonan, 
 died there in 1875. Her mother, Mary (McLaughlin) 
 Noonan, is living with Henry Pangborn, her son-in- 
 law, in Verona Township. Mrs. Pangborn has three 
 sisters and one brother — James Noonan, a farmer, 
 located near Bad Axe; Ellen, wife of John Scott, of 
 Verona Township; Mary A. (Mrs. Henry Pangborn); 
 Kate, wife of Byron Davis, a painter at Bad Axe. 
 Mrs. Pangborn became the wife of Alexander Currie 
 in Paris Township, Huron Co., July 10, i860. He 
 was a native of Canada, and was drowned in 1866, 
 in the Mississippi River, where he was plying his 
 vocation of sailor. Mary E. and Electa A. Currie 
 are the names of the children born of the first mar- 
 riage of Mrs. Pangborn. 
 
 -J— 
 
 I 
 
 -^-^ 
 
 fi^Mj^o tiiliP Binkle, harness-maker at Sand Beach, 
 I'b^I" ^^^ \iOxn April 21, 1858, in Canada. His 
 Itei^ father, Christian Binkle, was born in Ger- 
 y-^ many, and is now a farmer in the Dominion; 
 the mother, Eve Binkle, is also living. Mr. 
 Binkle learned his trade at Listowell, Ont., be- 
 ginning his apprenticeship when he was 14 years of 
 age. He served three years, and worked during the 
 year succeeding at carriage trimming. He has fol- 
 lowed his trade ever since. 
 
 He came to Michigan in 1876, and after spending 
 tliree months at Jeddo, St. Clair County, he came to 
 Adams' Corners, Huron County, and was in the em- 
 ploy of A. H. Adams two years. He went thence to 
 White Rock, and managed the business of harness- 
 making one year in his own interest. 
 
 In May, 1880, he established his shop at Sand 
 Beach, where he has prosecuted his business with 
 success. His shop contains a good assortment of 
 articles common to such business, together with vali- 
 
 ses and trunks. Besides his operations as a harness- 
 maker, and in the repair department of his shop, he 
 trafficks in hides, wool and fur. He is the owner of 
 some real estate at Sand Beach. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Binkle to Lena Whipler oc- 
 curred at Listowell, Can., Feb. 13, 1879. One child, 
 the eldest son, was born in White Rock. Two others 
 were born in Sand Beach. Their births occurred as 
 follows: Henry, Feb. 7, 1880; Annie, March 30, 
 1882; William O., June 29, 1884. Mrs. Binkle was 
 born in Canada, Jan. 19, 1S61, and is the daughter 
 of John and Margaret Whipler. 
 
 audelin Tschirhart, farmer and stockman 
 on section 19, Sherman Township, is a na- 
 tive of Alsace. (At the date of his birth 
 
 (^ 
 
 that province belonged to France, but the >\^ 
 Franco-German war caused its cession to Ger- n 
 many.) 
 
 V) 
 
 He was born in May, 1834, near the 
 River Rhine. His father, Anthony Tschirhart, was 
 a native of Germany, a prominent agriculturist and a 
 landholder in Alsace, where he died in 1872, at the 
 age of 65 years. Margaret Tschirhart, the mother, 
 was a native of the same province, of mixed French 
 and German ancestry. She died in her native prov- 
 ince, in 1877, at the age of 5,8 years. Botli parents 
 descended from the better classes, and traced their 
 line of progenitors from a very early period. 
 
 Mr. Tschirhart was reared to manhood under the 
 care of his parents. He obtained an excellent edu- 
 cation in the provincial schools where he was born, 
 and at the age of 17 years he engaged in the busi- 
 ness of wagon-making, which he followed three years. 
 At the age of 20 years he set out for America. He 
 located at first in Huron Co., Ont., where he engaged 
 two years in lumbering. In the spring of 1857 he 
 came to Michigan and settled in Sherman Township^ 
 where he was the first pioneer on the western part, v 
 He was preceded by four permanent settlers in the 
 township. He obtained a claim to 60 acres of Gov- 
 ernment land by purchase, where he has siilce been 
 occupied in clearing, improving and cultivating, and 
 extending his landed interests, until he is a leading 
 landholder and agriculturist of Huron County. He 
 
 ■^7^>il n :<^: n iis>^r^^ — ^^s»^ 
 
 4>^^ 
 
'Ms/^®^«^#- 
 
 -2j€^^s: 6VCi 
 
 ^>r 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ) 
 > 
 
 
 owns 580 acres, with 200 acres under the best im- 
 provements. He has three large stock and grain 
 barns, and a residence exceeded in quaHty by only 
 two others in the township. He makes a specialty 
 of Durham cattle. 
 
 Mr. Tschirhart is a staunch Democrat, and has 
 been active and prominent in the local affairs of the 
 township in whose organization he was one of the 
 prime movers. He is present Supervisor (1884), and 
 held the position 10 years in succession. He has 
 served four years as Treasurer, and has held most of 
 the minor offices. 
 
 He was married Jan. i, 1856, in Stanley, Huron 
 Co., Ont., to Josephine Weingardner. Nine children 
 have been born to them, one of whom is deceased. 
 The names of those who survive are named Jacob, 
 Theresa, Joseph, Anna, August, Josephine, Caroline 
 and Rosa. Louisa died when she was seven years 
 old. The parents of Mrs. Tschirhart, Joseph and 
 Magdalena (Nelser) Weingardner, were natives of 
 Alsace, of mixed French and German descent. Her 
 father was a weaver by occupation, and remained 
 with his family in his native province until 1855, 
 when he came to Huron Co., Ont., accompanied by 
 his children, his wife having died in France. He is 
 still living in Ontario. 
 
 The family are Roman Catholics. 
 
 'Jtsmof^^r 
 
 K4— v'^S'OTZi*^ 
 
 illiam C. M. Van Tromp, general mana- 
 ger of the Bay Port farm of F. Crawford, 
 resident at Caseville, was born May 9, 
 i> 1835, at Taunton, Somersetshire, Bng., and 
 ■> is the son of William and Elizabeth (Warren) 
 Van Tromp. The former died in August, 1881, 
 and was nearly 81 years of age. He was a farmer 
 all his life. The mother resides at the old home in 
 Taunton. 
 
 Mr. Van Tromp came to the Dominion of Canada 
 in February, 1879, locating on a farm in Chatham 
 Township, Kent County : he afterwards managed a 
 farm for Messrs. Walker & Sons; the place contained 
 1,100 acres, with 800 acres improved. He continued 
 to operate there two years, and March 14, 1884, 
 
 came to the county of Huron and entered the em- 
 ploy of F. Crawford. 
 
 He was married in 1862, in Kingston Church, Eng , 
 to Jane Biffen, and they are the parents of three 
 children, born as follows: Edith J., Sept. 9, 1863; 
 Mary E., April 27, 1S65; Hubert J., Dec. 12, 1863. 
 The mother was born June 9, 1834, in Kingston, 
 Eng., and is the daughter of Jolm and Charlotte 
 (Warren) Bifiten. Her parents have been dead many 
 years. 
 
 'homas Philp, retired farmer, resident on 
 section i, Bingham Township, was born in 
 ^ Cornwall County, Eng., March 25, 1808. 
 i^y^ He began his contest with the world at the 
 tw age of 1 6 years, when he engaged as a laborer 
 
 I in a grist-mill, and acquired a thorough knowl- 
 edge of every detail of the occupation of a miller. 
 
 In 1 83 1 he came to the Dominion of Canada and 
 operated as a miller at Coburg about 25 years. In 
 November, 1857, he removed to Michigan and located 
 320 acres of land under the Graduation Act on sec- 
 tion 36, Verona Township, where he was the first 
 permanent settler. (The village of Sand Beach was 
 in its first days.) The land he had purchased was 
 two miles from the main thoroughfares, and Mr. 
 Philp built the road from his premises to the routes 
 of communication with the world at large. Forest- 
 ville was the nearest point of supplies, where all 
 provisions were secured. Mr. Philp cleared and 
 otherwise improved 70 acres of his farm, and in 1875 
 bought 40 acres in Bingham Township, to which he 
 has retired. He still owns 220 acres of land at different 
 points in Huron County, and has given liis children 
 different amounts from his original acreage. 
 
 He was one of the prime movers in the organiza- 
 tion of the township of Verona, and was its first 
 Supervisor. He has held the position of Treasurer 
 and other minor offices. He was formerly a Republi- 
 can, but at present sustains the princii)les of the 
 Prohibition element. 
 
 He was married Jan. 30, 1849, in Hope Town- 
 ship, Durham Co., Ont., to Ann Moon. Twelve 
 children have been born to them, as follows: Loveda, 
 Elizabeth A., Anna M., Thomas J. and Rebecca J. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^^ 
 
 •*■ ■ 
 
 0) 
 
 >«^<f 
 
 ^^^^f^ '^7*<^D!l^lDi'^A;^^ sj^^)^ 
 
 -4^^f 
 
I 
 t 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 !>j^' 
 
 :#- 
 
 296 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 (twins), Robert, Mary, James and William (twins), 
 Isaac and Martha (twins). The last named child is 
 deceased; Martha is the only one now unmarried. 
 Mrs. Philp was born Feb. 2, 18 19, in Cornwall, Eng , 
 and is the daughter of John and Ann (Cullies) Moon, 
 also natives of Cornwall. She was 12 years of age 
 when her |.)ar>.'nts emigrated to Canada. The family 
 are attached to the English Cliurch, in which they 
 were reared. 
 
 '^tas'MM^r 
 
 K4— >*.^nSWT2J2W<* 
 
 l\ 
 
 eorge S. Bell, farmer, section 26, Hume 
 ^aC Township, was born June 20, 1821, in the 
 i lKj~ *■ north of Ireland. His parents came to 
 "/!?^ America when he was nine years of age. He 
 was under the paternal roof until he was 22 
 years old, when he became a sailor on the At- 
 lantic Ocean. He shipped as a deck hand, after- 
 wards becoming mate, and was on the sea in those 
 capacities eight years, making frequent trips to foreign 
 countries. He was in the British service and sailed 
 on the Thistle and on the brig Themis. 
 
 On leaving his seafaring life, he bought a farm in 
 the vicinity of Millbridge, Maine, where he was oc- 
 cupied some years in lumbering and milling. He 
 was there resident when tlie Southern rebellion 
 broke out, when he entered the marine service once 
 more, in which he continued until the Alabama com- 
 menced her career, when he again abandoned a sea- 
 faring life. He next engaged in mercantile business 
 in Boston, in which he was engaged until the fall of 
 1862. Under a call from President Lincoln for men, 
 he enlisted in the 66th Mass. Reg. Vol. Inf., enroll- 
 ing in Co. A., Cai)t. F. Thayer, of Boston. The reg- 
 iment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. 
 He was in active service in the battles of the Wil- 
 derness, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Al- 
 len's Mills, North Anna, Petersburg, and shortly after 
 the last named contest he was severely injured by 
 being thrown from a horse while crossing the Rap- 
 pahannock River. He went to the hospital only after 
 receiving three distinct orders from his ('olonel, and 
 was not again able to lake active part in military 
 service, receiving final discharge on account of disa- 
 bility, in August, 1864. On receiving his release he 
 
 returned to Boston and remained there two years. 
 In 1866 he went to Lynn, Mass., where he was oc- 
 cupied until he determined to settle permanently in 
 Michigan. In 1S68 he came to this township and 
 secured his homestead of i6o acres of unimproved 
 land. He has improved 60 acres. Mr. Bell is a Re- 
 publican in political opinion and connection. 
 
 He was married April 4, 1852, at Annapolis, Nova 
 Scotia, to Catherine Carmichael. One child, James 
 E., is living ; May E. is deceased. Mrs. Bell is the 
 daughter or Uri A. Carmichael, and was born in 
 Annapolis,' N. S., March 13, 1831. Her father was a 
 Lieutenant in the "Scotch Grays" at the battle of 
 Waterloo, where he was shot in the leg and shoul- 
 der. He suffered all the rest of his life from the ef- 
 fects of liis wounds, which caused his death in 1840. 
 He was a native of Edinburg, Scotland. His daugh- 
 ter was nine years of age when he died, and she af- 
 terwards resided with her mother until her marriage. 
 His death occurred at Annapolis, N. S. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Bell belong to the Presbyterian 
 Church. Mrs. Bell had traveled in the United 
 States for eight years, and was a visitor and specta- 
 tor of the Rebellion for 13 months berore the close 
 of the war. Her last visit was to Chestnut Hill 
 Hospital, where she found her husband, who had 
 been wounded and was in a very poor condition. 
 She remained with him eight weeks, waiting for a 
 discharge, but he never received it. She took him 
 to their home in Boston, where she nursed and sup- 
 ported him for three yeras. 
 
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 acob Beck, farmer, section 17, Sebewaing' 
 'l"ownshi[), was born Feb. 8, 1836, in Scio 
 Township, Washtenaw Co., Mich. He is 
 \i the son of Gottfried and Mary Beck, natives 
 respectively of Germany and Maryland. His 
 parents settled after their marriage in Washte- 
 naw County and later removed to the township of 
 Sebewaing, Huron Co., where they still reside. 
 
 Mr. Beck passed the first 15 years of his life in 
 his native tovvnship, attending school and assisting 
 on his father's farm. In i860 he returned to Wash-, 
 tenaw County, where he remained about two years. 
 On his' retmn to the township of Sebewaing, he lo- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 caled on loo acres of land deeded to him by his 
 father. He now owns 80 acres and has cleared and 
 improved 45 acres. In the fall of ^882 he erected 
 a handsome and convenient farm-house. His place 
 is in e.\cellent condition, and he is considered one of 
 the leading a'griculturists and a most reliable citizen 
 of his township. He has a fine vineyard of 5,000 
 grape-vines, of which he is justly proud. His crop 
 in 1882, from 3,000 vines, was 40,000 lbs. of grapes. 
 
 His marriage to Elizabeth Lahr occurred in Sagi- 
 naw Co., JMicii., April 12, i86g. They have four 
 children : Wilhelmine M., Ernst V., Matilda M. 
 and Elizabeth F. 
 
 Mrs. Beck is the daughter of Valentine and 
 Magdelena (Knorr) Lahr, natives of Germany. The 
 father was born Oct. 25, tSiS, the mother July 24, 
 1815. They emigrated to the United States in 1837, 
 and were married in New York in 1842. The same 
 year of their marriage they returned to the old 
 country, remaining there till April 24, 1850, when 
 they again came to the United States, locating in 
 Monroe County, IMichigan, where their daughter, 
 Mrs. Beck, was born March 29, 185 1, Mr. Lahr 
 died Oct. 17, 1883. The mother is still residing in 
 Monroe County. 
 
 Mr. Beck is independent in political opinion and 
 action, and has held the offices of Treasurer and 
 Highway Commissioner. He and his wife are mem- 
 bers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 
 
 •W%^<J^^a;>^i 
 
 .1: • r;(L rederick S. Ayres, of tlie firm of Ayres & 
 Co., at Port Austin, has been one of tlie 
 ;u,;v'- prominent business men of Huron County 
 
 ^Ij^ since 1859, when he came here and entered 
 v^ vigorously into the work of developing tlie 
 i resources of the county. He was born Oct. 22, 
 1 8 14, in New Canaan, Fairfield Co., Conn. His 
 father was a native of the same county and was a 
 leading tanner and manufacturer of boots and shoes 
 in New Canaan, in which business he was engaged 
 during the entire active period of his life. His wife, 
 mother of Mr. Ayres, of this sketch, was Rebecca 
 (Seymour) Ayres. 
 
 The progenitors of F. S. Ayres in this country con- 
 
 9 
 
 sist of three brothers, of English extraction, who 
 emigrated to Ameiica before the Revolution. One 
 brother settled in Maine, another in Connecticut, and 
 the remaining brother in New Jersey. 
 
 The subject of tlie present sketch is a descendant \^ 
 of the Ayres who located in the State of Connecticut. 
 He became assistc^nt manager of his father's business 
 when he was 17 years old, owing to the protracted 
 ill-health and advanced age of the latter, and at 21 
 entered into the manufacture of boots and shoes, 
 which branch of business his father had relinquished. 
 In 1840 he transferred his affairs to West Troy, where 
 he was similarly interested, and conducted a whole- 
 sale and retail business until 1858, when he came 
 West to recuperate his broken health. 
 
 In 1859 Mr. Ayres embarked in a lumbering and 
 mercantile enterprise, with Charles G. Learned and 
 Ebon Wiswall, at Port Austin, removing his family 
 herein 1861. At that time the firm owned 10,000 
 acres of land in Huron County, wiiicli a little later 
 they doubled in e.xtent. It was nearly all pine land, /S 
 and they pushed the manufacture of lumber products i= 
 of general varieties with vigorous energy. Their saw- ^ 
 mill, which was purchased of Smith, Dwight & Co., ca 
 of Detroit, and constructed by them, was built in ^^ 
 1850, and at that time was one of the largest and 
 best in the State of Michigan. They manufactured ^ 
 an aggregate of 75,000,000 feet of lumber, a large ^ ' 
 quantity of lath and shingles, and afterward added 
 the rftanufacture of staves and other material for 
 barrels. 
 
 In the winter of 1862-3, they sunk the first salt 
 well outside of the Saginaw Valley, and at first 
 evaporated by means of kettles, producing 100 barrels 
 daily. They have since substituted a pan block, and 
 by means of its improved facilities manufacture 160 
 barrels a day. When their business was in its com- 
 parative incipiency they eni[)loyed an average of 100 
 men, but their extending relations now reciuire the 
 assistance of a considerably larger number. Their 
 average annual sales amounted to about $100,000, 
 
 In 1871 the firm relations underwent sevc 
 changes, Mr. E. Wiswall selling his claim to M 
 Ayres of this sketch, who admitted his son James S 
 into the partnership, and Mr. Learned transferred his 
 claims to his son Jonas R. In 1874 the latter in turn 
 sold to E. R. Ayr2s, son of the senior of the firm, 
 which has since been known as " Ayres & Co." The 
 business transactions of the i)artnership included th 
 
 
 0. 
 
 eral*® 
 Mr. r 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ) 
 
 manufacture of salt, mercantile relations and traffic 
 in real estate. They own a farm in Port Austin, 
 comprising i,ooo acres, a large farm in Dwight Town- 
 ship, and 20 acres platted in the village. 
 
 The residence of Mr. Ayres at Port Austin is on 
 Lake Street, and is situated in the midst of finely laid 
 out and attractive grounds. 
 
 His marriage to Nancy Raymond occurred in 
 Lewisboro (then South Salem), N. Y. Four children 
 were born to them, two at New Canaan, Conn.: 
 James S. (see sketch); Sarah E., wife of Charles L. 
 Mather, manufacturer of lime and cement at West 
 Troy, N. Y.; Ebon R., resident at Sandusky, Ohio ; 
 and Caroline M., wife of Frederick St. John Lock- 
 wood, President of the Fairfield Co. (Conn.) Bank. 
 The two last named were born in West Troy, N. Y. 
 
 A fine lithographic hkeness of Wx. Ayres is given 
 in this AuiUM just preceding the above biographical 
 outline. 
 
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 r. Aldrieh Holmes, general merchant and 
 dealer in grain at Caseville, is one of the 
 leading and prominent business men of 
 Huron County. He was born July ig, 1836, 
 ^W in Leeds Co., Ont., and is the son of Richard 
 I and Mary A. (Aldrieh) Holmes. His father is 
 yet a resident of Leeds County, and was born April 
 27, 1787, in Columbia Co., N. Y. His powers of 
 mind are as complete as in his prime, and on the 
 seventh day of July, 1884, he wrote the date of his 
 birth and his birtli place in a fair, legible hand, to 
 which he affixed his name. His son, the subject of 
 this sketch, visited him in the summer of 1884, and 
 found him in the field, lioeing corn! The mother, 
 who was a distant relative of Dr. Ben. Franklin, 
 was born July i, 1797, and died March 13, 1S70, on 
 the homestead where the father is still living, and of 
 which he has been a resident 58 years, or since 1826. 
 They were the parents of 12 children, all of whom 
 save the youngest, who died in his forty-fiist year, 
 are living and in good health. The eldest will be 70 
 years old on the first day of January, 1885. 
 
 Mr. J. .Mdrich Holmes was reared on his father's 
 farm, and obtained a good education. In the winter 
 
 of 1855-6, he engaged in teaching school in Leeds 
 Co., Oat., returning in the spring to the farm where 
 he assisted in the farm labors until September of the 
 same year. He then went to Haldimand Co., Ont., 
 and again became a teacher. He continued there 
 in that vocation until May, 1858, and again returned 
 to the farm. In September following, he went again 
 to Haldimand County, and taught school until the 
 spring of 1859. He then engaged as a salesman in 
 a store at Selkirk, in the same county. He remained 
 in that capacity until February, 1866. His salary 
 for the first si.\ months was $20 and board for that 
 entire period. In connection with his labors as clerk, 
 he officiated as book-keeper. At the time named, 
 associated with a fellow clerk, he purchased the 
 stock of their emplo)er and managed the business 
 about one year, when Mr. Holmes sold out. He 
 spent the winter of 1866-7 at the Commercial Col- 
 lege at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The following summer 
 he passed with little profit in the Madock mineral 
 regions of Canada, and in the winter of 1867-8 he 
 again engaged in teaching in Haldimand County. In 
 May, 1868, he came to Ora Labor (now Bay Port), 
 Huron County, where he conducted a limited mer- 
 cantile enterprise in the interests of J. W. Snell. In 
 October of the same year he embarked in trade 
 with H. C. Marvin, at Unionville, Tuscola Co., 
 Mich., buying a half interest in a trade already es- 
 tablished. 
 
 His marriage to Susie A. Holmes took place in 
 February, 1869, and five children, the youngest of 
 whom died in infancy, have been born to them as 
 follows: R. Will, at Unionville, Dec. 8, 1869; S. 
 Estella, March 25, 1872; Bertha A., July 2, 1874; 
 M. Maude, July 6, 1876. The three last named 
 were born at Caseville. Mrs. Holmes is the daugh- 
 ter of William and Mary (Hoover) Holmes, and was 
 born April 30, 1S39, in Haldimand Co., Ont., where 
 her father has lived for half a century. Her mother, 
 who was a native of Pennsylvania, died April 4, 
 1869, at her residence. She was born Nov. i, 1803. 
 Her father was born in March, 1810, and is a money 
 lender and a man of wealth. Her parents had one 
 son and four daughters. 
 
 Mr. Holmes continued in business at Unionville 
 with Mr. Marvin until January, 187 1, when he sold 
 to his partner and removed in April following to 
 Caseville. He rented a small store building in the 
 lower part of the village, where he transacted mer- 
 
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 9 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -5SJ%^te^ 
 
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 (q^ 
 
 cantile business until September, 1872. In the sum- 
 mer of that year he purchased a lot and erected a 
 suitable and convenient building, which he has since 
 occupied. He is a Notary Public, and does the 
 business common to the office. His lines of mer- 
 chandise is suitable for the accommodation of his 
 local patronage and include the articles common to 
 a general mercantile establishment. His building, 
 which is 40 X 84 feet in size, is one of the largest in 
 the county used for like purposes. Mr. Holmes owns 
 some wild lands and a small improved farm. 
 
 || ohn Schreiber, farmer, section 21, Sand 
 fc" Beach Township, is a son of Christopher 
 'Schreiber, who lived and died in Germany. 
 ^ John emigrated to America in 1852 and lived 
 It one year in Buffalo, N. Y. He next bought a 
 farm in Macomb Co., Mich., and lived there 
 till 1879, then sold out and purchased 40 acres 
 where he now resides. He has the whole tract 
 cleared and in a good condition of high cultivation. 
 On governmental policy Mr. S. takes Republican 
 views, and botii himself and wife are members of 
 the Lutheran Church. Oct. 3, 1852, he married 
 Miss Catherine MoUar, who was born in Germany, 
 March 14, 1830. They have nine children, namely : 
 Minnie, John, Lizzie, Emma, Melie, Ernest, Jennie, 
 Charles and Mary. 
 
 ohn M. Simmie, farmer, section 31, Bloom- 
 field Township, was born Aug. i, 1849, 
 '"^"^ in Perth, Scotland, of which county his 
 
 )arents, James and Catherine (Mcintosh) 
 ^t Simmie, were also natives. The former died 
 there in 1865, at the age of 39 years. The 
 latter resides in Canada, and is 65 years old. She 
 was left a widow with five sons, with whom she 
 emigrated to Canada in 1866. They settled in the 
 county of Huron in the Piovince of Ontario. 
 
 Mr. Simmie was 17 years of age at that time, and 
 soon began to learn the miller's trade in Huron 
 County, which vocation he followed as a business 
 four years, when he engaged in railroading on the 
 "Great Western " of Canada. He continued in that 
 occupation several years, but in 1876 came to Huron 
 County, Mich. He entered the employ of Langdon 
 Hubbard, in whose interests he has since been em- 
 ployed, working winters in the lumber woods and 
 spending the summer seasons in work on the farm 
 of Mr. Hubbard, of whose agricultural interests he 
 is the manager. 
 
 Mr. Simmie was married in October, 1876, to 
 Jeannette Howrocks. Of four children born of this 
 union, two are living. James was born in Sigel Town- 
 ship, Nov. 22, 1877, and died Aug. 9, 1879; John 
 was born Feb. 13, 1879, and died Aug. 12, 1879; 
 Catherine was born Aug. 23, 1880; Isabella, born 
 July 22, 1884. Mrs. Simmie was born in 1853. 
 She is the daughter of Jolin and Bella (Taylor) How- 
 rocks. The former is deceased. The latter resides 
 in Dakota with her sons. 
 
 Mr. Simmie is a Republican, and is at present 
 (1884) Township Clerk. He has held other local 
 offices, and he and his wife are Presbyterians. 
 
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 |[llan McGregor, farmer, section 8, Bloom- 
 field Township, was born Jan, 8, 1848, in 
 Glengarry Co., Ont., and is of Highland- 
 Scotch descent. His parents, John and Cath- 
 erine (McDonald) McGregor, reside in the 
 village of Wyebridge, Simcoe Co., Ont., hav- 
 ing sold their farm and retired to [lass their declin- 
 ing years free from care. 
 
 The son was reared to manhood on a farm. He 
 spent the winters of his life, after reaching liis ma- 
 jority in lumbering, and working summers on a farm. 
 He came to Michigan in 1876, and in the fall of 
 1877 bought the farm on whicii he no.v resides. He 
 was in the employ of Langdon Hubbard for four 
 years as a foreman, and took possession of his farm 
 in February, 1881. 
 
 Mr. McGregor suffered heavily in tiie fire of 1881, 
 losing his barn, frame house, crops and furniture, 
 also pigs and hens, saving only his cattle and one 
 
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 -^ii&isr 
 
 HURON COUNTY 
 
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 horse. His family took shelter in a shanty, after 
 seeing the destruction of their property, where they 
 resided six weeks, and until a new house was in 
 readiness for their occupancy. His crop of .fall 
 wheat was in the ground, which was a piece of good 
 pasture. 
 
 Mr. McGregor is a Democrat in political connec- 
 tion, and at present (1884) is Treasurer of his Town- 
 ship. 
 
 He was married, March 27, 1866, to Ann J. Tripp. 
 Their children were born as follows : Duncan John, 
 April 3, 1867 ; Catherine Mary, May 27, 1869 (she 
 idied April 29, 1879. while on a visit to Canada, with 
 hermother); Jane, April 12, 1873; Alexander, May 
 12, 1875 ; William Allen, May 7, 1879. All the 
 children were born in Canada. 
 
 Mrs. McGregor is the daughter of Hiram and 
 Catherine Emma (Harrington) Tripp, and was born 
 Oct. 8, 1850, in Canada. Her parents are of Dutch 
 and English descent. They reside on a farm in 
 ^Maskoka, Ont. 
 
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 ffiRSII) illi^°^ Anderson, farmer, section 1 1, Case- 
 -.la^ f viUe Township, was born Feb. 23, 1834, 
 jiSJS^^"'^^ i'l Berwickshire, Scotland. His parents, 
 j^^> George and Jane (Young) Anderson, are 
 both deceased. His father died in Scot- 
 land, about the age of 59 years. 
 Mr. Anderson emigrated with his mother, four 
 'brothers and a sister-in-law, in 1852, to America, 
 landing at Montreal. They purchased a farm in 
 Bcauharnois Co., Province of Quebec, where they 
 lived eight years. In i860, three brothers, Ander- 
 son, came to Huron County and purchased wild land 
 in Caseville Township. There were tiien no im- 
 provements of any description there, and but a few 
 ^traces of the dishonest lumbering wiiich had been 
 carried on previously. They guided tlieir location 
 ,by Government lines, there being no roads. Wild 
 I game, especially deer, was abundant. The claim 
 secured by Mr. Anderson included 160 acres, of 
 (Which he has cleared 40 acres and placed it under 
 lood cultivation. 
 
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 J^ 
 
 Mr. Anderson was married Sept. 27, 1867, to 
 Mary A., daughter of Irvin and Margaret McPher- 
 son. Her father was born in Glenelg, Furnesshire, 
 Scotland, in 1794. He emigrated to America in 
 1802 with his grandmother, mother and four brothers. 
 His grandfather was a soldier in the British army 
 during the Revolutionary War, and was in prison 
 eight years in North Carolina. The father was a 
 soldier in the British forces daring the War of 1812. 
 The mother of Mrs. Anderson was born in 1802 and 
 died in Canada in 1841. Her father died at St. 
 Urbain, Can., about 1870. She was born at that 
 place May 12, 1834, and is one of a family of 11 
 children. (She had a twin brother.) Wm. McPherson 
 was born March 17, t824; Donald, Feb. 7, 1826; 
 Kenneth, March 28, 182S; Angus, March 3, 1830; 
 John, Feb. 14, 1832; Murdoch (twin brother of Mrs. 
 Anderson), May 12, t834. His birth occurred the 
 day after that of his sister; Christina, July 24, 1836; 
 Isabella, Oct. 3, 1838; Margaret M. Jan. 3, 1841 
 (died Dec. 2r, 1868). 
 
 Mr. Anderson was drafted Sept. 27, 1S64, and was 
 assigned to Co. F, isth Mich. Vol. Inf., Capt. W. W. 
 Hubbell, General Oliver, Brigade Commander, of 
 Second Division and 15th Army Corps, of the Cum- 
 berland. He was discharged in May, 1865. The 
 regiment was in the corps of General Sherman at 
 Goldsboro, N. C, and Mr. Anderson saw plenty of ■ 
 skirmish warfare. His brother, John, was drawn in 
 the next draft and they met on the field, wlien Mr. 
 Anderson learned of the deatli of his mother, whom 
 he left in health. 
 
 Mr. Anderson is a Republican, and with his wife 
 is a member of the Presbyterian Churcli, in whicii 
 they were reared. 
 
 V>— ^ 
 
 ^lois Berger, marketman and butcher, Sebe- 
 
 ^ waing, was born March 3, 1838, in Swit/.er- 
 
 ^-jj^-ii land, the native country and life-long resi- 
 
 ■".'"i dence of his parents, John and Barbara 
 
 Berger. He came to the United States in 
 
 1865, ]iroceeding, directly after landing, to Sebe- 
 
 waing. Three months later he went to Lapeer 
 
 County and engaged in butchering, continuing in 
 
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 f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. ■ 
 
 ">i*"ft#iiC" 
 
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 tliat occupation there two years. In iS68 he es- 
 tablished his business at Sebewaing, and has since 
 continued its successful prosecution. Mr. Berger is 
 in harmony with tlie principles of Republicanism in 
 political opinion. He is a member of tlie Concordia 
 Singing Society. 
 
 His marriage to Mary Schaade took place March 
 28, 1861, in his native land. She was born there 
 April 30, 1825. 
 
 ■^■^ 
 
 ^( S^-5jharles Soule, of the 
 
 firm of Eakins &: 
 
 ^ L^^^ Soule, manufacturers of salt and lumber, 
 
 AV** and general merchants, at Port Crescent, was 
 ^u born Nov. 23, 1824, in Rutland Co., Vt. His 
 
 f]v father, Gardner Soule, was a native of the 
 Green Mountain State, where he was a farmer 
 many years; and was a descendant from mixed Eng- 
 lish and German ancestors. He married and late in 
 life removed to Wyoming Co., N. Y., where his 
 wife died, in May, 1879, aged 78 years. His death 
 occurred in April, 1880, when he was 85 years old. 
 He had been blind two years before his death. 
 
 Mr. Soule, of this sketch, was i r years old when 
 his parents transferred their family and interests to 
 the State of New York. He was carefully educated 
 and became a teacher, but the vocation was detri- 
 mental to his health and he exchanged the calling 
 for the lumber business, in which he engaged in con- 
 nection with active operations as a builder, in which 
 branch he carried on extensive relations in Cattarau- 
 gus County, the dwellings and business structures 
 whose erection he superintended making in the 
 aggregate a number sufficient for a city. His lumber 
 business increased until it assumed extensive pro- 
 portions. Eventually he sold all his business in the 
 State of New York and came to Huron County, where 
 he established a saw and grist mill and a mercantile 
 enterprise in the township of ("handler (then Lake), 
 which he was instrumental in having set off and 
 named in honor of the late distinguished Senator 
 from Michigan. 
 
 The public spirit and enterprise of Mr. Soule 
 attracted settlers, and the place which at the date of 
 his location was in primeval wildness soon displayed 
 
 the progress of civilization and development in the 
 hands of persistent energy, and it is now one of the 
 best improved sections of the county. The settle- 
 ment which gathered about the nucleus established 
 by Mr. Soule naturally took his name. For three 
 years a private mail was sustained, which finally 
 merged into a regular Government route through the 
 efforts of Mr. Soule, and was established in 1884. 
 He owns 300 acres of excellent farming land in the 
 vicinity of Soule, which is rapidly growing and 
 promises to be one of the leading inland villages of 
 the county. 
 
 In 1880 Mr. Soule became a member of the firm 
 of Williamson, Eakins & Co., successors to Woods & 
 Co., in the manufacture of salt and lumber. In June, 
 1883, Mr. Williamson withdrew from the firm and it 
 became Eakins & Soule. Their annual transactions 
 reach an aggregate of !|! 100,000, the salt block yield- 
 ing about 150 barrels daily and their lumber product 
 reaching about 30,000 feet per diem. 
 
 In political connection Mr. Soule is a Republican 
 of decided type. He is a Justice of the Peace at this 
 writing (1884). Mr. Soule is the present Postmaster 
 at Port Crescent, having been appointed in 1880 by 
 President Hayes. He had previously been Post- 
 master in the township of Soule. At the election of 
 Nov. 4, 1884, he was elected Probate Judge for 
 Huron County. 
 
 He was married in April, 1845, in Wyoming Co., 
 N. Y., to Clarissa T. Rowley. The following children 
 have been born to them: 'Julia E., Lotta E., Albert, 
 Lorena A., Edward C, James T. and George. Mrs. 
 Soule was born in April, 1825, in Bennington, Wyo- 
 ming Co., N. Y. She is of New England parentage. 
 
 The portrait of Mr. Soule adorns tlie gallery of this 
 Ai.r.UM, being given just preceding the above bio- 
 graphical sketch. 
 
 m. ottfried Book, Jr., farmer, section 16 
 M Sebewaing Township, was born in Scio, 
 SS^" '^ Washtenaw Co., Mich., April 22, 1S39, 
 y?^ and is the son of Gottfried and Mary (Schill- 
 ing) Beck. (See sketch of Gottfried Beck). 
 I He was but nine years of age when he came 
 with his parents to the township of Sebewaing, 
 
 v«^ 
 
 C 
 
 1 
 
 V 
 
 m 
 
T<^:IlDi^IiD^>T- 
 
 TT 
 
 4^5f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 where educational facilities were very limited on 
 account of the unsettled condition of the country. 
 He remained with his parents until he was 24 years 
 of age, when, associated with two brothers, he en- 
 gaged in the management of a farm in Sebewaing 
 Township, which he operated six years. 
 
 In 1869 he located on 80 acres of land given him 
 by his father, and he has now 60 acres' of cleared 
 and improved land. In politics he is a Democrat 
 and he has been Treasurer one term. 
 
 He was married Nov. 30, 187 1, in Sebewaing 
 Township, to Helena P. Schilling, daughter of Fred- 
 erick and Catherine .Schilling. She was born Sept. 
 28, 1850, in Scio, Washtenaw Co., Mich., and is 
 the mother of two children : Edmond H. and Clar- 
 issa M. 
 
 (^ eorge H. Van Woert, book-keeper for 
 Thomas Winsor & Co., Port Austin, was 
 born Oct. 2, 183 1, in Albany Co., N. Y., 
 ' y?^ and is the son of Tunis and Orletta (Smith) 
 Van Woert. His father was a native of New 
 York State, and lived the life of a farmer, 
 dying at the age of 80 years, in Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
 where he passed the last 30 years of his life. The 
 mother was a native of Connecticut, and died in Sar- 
 atoga County, when she was 81 years old. 
 
 Mr. Van Woert was brought up to the age of 18 
 years on his father's farm. He had obtained a good 
 common-school education, and at the age named he 
 began his career as an accountant. He followed 
 book-keeping as an occupation successively in the 
 cities of Troy, Albany and New York, and came to 
 Port Austin in 1862, where he entered the employ of 
 Ayres, Learned & Wiswell, operating in their interests 
 17 years as book-keeper and also as inspector of 
 lumber. In 1879 he entered upon the duties of his 
 present position, in the mercantile estayishment of 
 Thomas Winsor & Co. 
 
 Mr. Van Woert owns 120 acres of land situated 
 six miles south of Port Austin in Dwight Township, 
 all of which is under cultivation. He also owns a 
 fine village property where he resides. He is a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity, and has dis- 
 
 charged the duties of the office of Treasurer of Port 
 Austin Township 12 years. 
 
 He was married in Newtonville, Albany Co., N. Y., 
 Nov. 20, 1867, to Mary J. Hermans. She was born 
 Sept. 25, 1838, and is the daughter of Abram and 
 Mary Hermans. One child has been born of their 
 union, Herman, whose birth occurred Aug. 15, 1868. 
 
 yraO^^'j'T.aniel McGregor, farmer, section 9, Blooni- 
 fiS^aliL field Township, was born Nov. 20, 1835, '■'' 
 ^Jri^"^ Glengarry Co., Ont. His parents, John 
 ^A and Catherine (McDonald) McGregor, are 
 ^ both living in the village of Wyebridge, Sim- 
 j coe Co., Ont. The father was born at Glen- 
 
 lion iu the Highlands of Scotland, and will be 83 
 years of age Dec. 25, 1884. The mother is 75 years 
 old, and is a native of Ontario. 
 
 Mr. McGregor was reared to the vocation of far- 
 mer by his father, and when he reached his majority 
 engaged in lumbering in Simcoe Co., Ont., where he 
 passed the winter seasons of four years in the various 
 avenues pertaining to that branch of business, and 
 at the same time he engaged in mercantile business 
 at Wyebridge, in which he was occupied ten years. 
 At the end of that time his business was destroyed 
 by fire, and unfortunately without insurance. 
 
 He came to Michigan, and, meeting Mr. L. Hub- 
 bard at Port Huron, he engaged with him in the 
 capacity of foreman on his farm. He bought the 
 property of which he has since been the owner in 
 1 87 7. It was in a wholly wild condition and he has 
 expended his labors and energies upon it until he 
 has placed 45 acres iu a good agricultural condition, 
 with a frame house and barn upon it. 
 
 Mr. McGregor is a Democrat, and has been Super- 
 visor of his township one year. He has a thorough 
 knowledge of horses. 
 
 His marriage to Isabella Kennedy occurred Feb. 
 2r, i860. Their children have been born as follows : 
 Katie M., April 22, 1862; Finlay, May n, 1864; 
 Margaretta A., April 7, 1867 ; Jeannette M., April 
 24, 1870; Lillian E., April 29, 1872 ; Bella May, 
 July 4, 1876. 
 
 Mrs. McGregor was born Dec. 21, 1835, in Ontario, 
 which is also the birth-place of her parents, Hugh 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 and Jeannette (Mcintosh) Kennedy. They are of 
 Scotch descent and arc about 82 years of age. 
 Their family comprised nine children. She and her 
 husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 Tames F. Weatherhead, farmer, section 12, 
 jj^?' Dwight Township, has been a resident of 
 Huron County since the fall of 1859, .when 
 he pre-empted a claim of 80 acres of land, 
 ]L where he has since held proprietorship, and 
 still owns one-half of his original acreage, near- 
 ly all of which is under the plow. 
 
 He has held various school and township offices. 
 His parents, James and Sarah (Hunter) Weather- 
 head, were also born in Scotland, where they were 
 married and resided until 1842, the year in which 
 they emigrated to the Dominion of Canada, where 
 they resided until death. 
 
 The son was T4 years of age when he accompanied 
 his parents to the American Continent. His marriage 
 to Ann Moore occurred March 27, 1855, in Canada, 
 where she was born, July 22, 1832. They have had 
 nine children — John J., George F., Robert, Smith A., 
 William, Joseph, Agnes, Mary E. and Margaret E. 
 
 #-# 
 
 -J— 
 
 ndrew H. Burton, farmer, section 25, Brook- 
 ^.^. field Township, was born June i, 1831, in 
 S^^ Madison County, N. Y. He entered his 
 homestead claim of 160 acres Nov. 25, 1865, 
 and was the first settler in the township. His 
 father, Maj. Ross Burton, was a resident in 
 the State of New York until 1858, when he removed 
 to Michigan, and is now a resident of Barry County, 
 and is about 80 years old. 
 
 Mr. Burton made his first acquaintance with the 
 State of Michigan when he was 20 years of age. He 
 remained two years, and traveled back to his native 
 State on foot. In 1858 he came to Kent County, 
 and operated as a farmer, and also as a carpenter 
 
 and joiner until his removal to Huron County. He 
 adopts the tenets of the Democratic party. He was 
 the principal factor in the organization of the town- 
 ship, and was permitted, on account of his priority of 
 settlement, to dictate its name, which he called 
 "Brookfield," in memory of his native place in the 
 Empire State. He was the first Clerk of the new 
 township. 
 
 His first marriage occurred Oct. 2, 1854, in Al- 
 mont, Lapeer Co., Mich., when Lovina Moe became 
 his wife. She died in Brookfield Township, in the 
 spring of t88o. Three of seven children of which 
 she was the mother are deceased — -lacelona L., and 
 Ann and Amy (twins). The latter died in infancy. 
 Those living are : Liona R., Derillo A., Albert H. 
 and Ada V. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Burton was 
 again married, in Barry County, to Mrs. Ann (Scott) 
 Burton. She was born in New York, and by her 
 former marriage had three children, Ermina, Ina and 
 Clara. One child, Chauncey, has been born of the 
 second marriage. Mrs. Burton belongs to the United 
 Brethren Church. Mr. Burton is a member of the 
 " Ages to Come " Society. 
 
 =E^ 
 
 /.unting Trescott, of Sand Beach, has been 
 a resident of the place since June 13, 1856. 
 He was born Aug. 20, 1802, in Hard- 
 wick, Caledonia Co., Vt. His parents removed 
 in 1807 to Grafton Co., N. H., where his father 
 pursued his vocation as carpenter, the son 
 acquiring a thorough knowledge of the same business, 
 operating as his father's assistant. 
 
 Mr. Trescott came to Cleveland, Ohio, in r82i, 
 and remained there some time, devoting ten years to 
 the calling of a teamster. On coming to Sand Beach, 
 he was employed by Jeremiah Ludington to assist in 
 the construction of a saw-mill at Center Harbor, 
 below Sand Beacli. He has continued to work at 
 his trade most of the time since, the exception being 
 devoted to draying He is the owner of five village 
 lots at Sand Beacli ; and has served actively in the 
 local affairs of the village, having held the office of 
 Justice of the Peace and School Inspector, and has 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 also officiated a number of years as member of the 
 School Board. 
 
 Mr. Trescott was married in Brooklyn, Cuyahoga 
 Co., Ohio, Dec. 30, 1830, to Cynthia A. Brainerd. 
 Nine children were born of their marriage, eight of 
 whom survive. Alfonzo A. is a farmer in the town- 
 ship of White Rock, Huron County ; Maria A. mar- 
 ried Jeremiah Ludington, Jr., and resides at Verona 
 Mills; Melissa B. is deceased; Martha E. is the wife 
 of Samuel Fuller, of Sand Beach ; Minerva married 
 John J. Kneale, an engineer at .Alpena; Alva J. is a 
 carpenter in the Breakwater in the harbor at Sand 
 Beach ; Loren J. keeps the light-house at Sand 
 Beach; Lydia A. married Samuel H. Pangborn, a 
 furniture dealer, of Alpena; Harriet S. is the wife of 
 Geo. W. Gordon, of Alpena. Mrs. Trescott was born 
 March 15, 1811, in East Adams, Connecticut, and 
 is the daughter of Jabiiiand Lydia (Lamb) Brainerd. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Trescott reside with their daughter, 
 Mrs. Samuel Fuller. 
 
 Mr. Trescott was elected Supervisor of Sand Beach 
 Township in the spring of 1859. He has also held 
 the offices of Justice of the Peace and Coroner, and 
 was appointed acting Slieriff, and during the war was 
 Deputy Provost Marshal of Sand Beach, Sigel, 
 Verona, Huron, Bingham and Paris Townships. 
 
 g;^.. 
 
 %-5^^- 
 
 .^^harles Crawford, manager of the hardware 
 m^u^ business of his father, F. • Crawford, at 
 ^Jp Caseville, was born July 31, 1859, at Cleve- 
 ^L land, Ohio. His parents came to Caseville, 
 1^ in this county, when he was in his early 
 years, and he received his elementary educa- 
 tion at the public schools of Huron County. Later 
 he went to Ann Arbor, where he spent three years, 
 after which he took a course of commercial study in 
 the business college at Poughkeepsie, where he was 
 graduated in the fall of 1S78. On his return to Case- 
 ville he engaged in the business of a butcher, which 
 he pursued several years. In 18S3, he took charge 
 of the hardware interests of his father. The rela- 
 tions of the establishment are tlie most e.xtensive in 
 Huron County, with the single exception of tliat of 
 
 Mr. Jenks at Sand Beach. The building is 30x70 
 feet on the ground, and the assortment of articles in- 
 cludes all varieties of merchandise common to simi- 
 lar establishments. 
 
 Mr. Crawford is a Republican, and cast his first 
 Presidential vote for James A. Garfield. Nearly the 
 entire course of his life has been spent under Repub- 
 lican administration. 
 
 rancis Etzler, farmer, section 28, Hume 
 Township, was born Nov. 19, 1837, in 
 Prussia. His parents, Antoine and Joan- 
 'qW "^ (Houckey) Etzler, were natives of Germany, 
 •^J^ where they belonged to the agricultural class. 
 
 i They came to the United States in 1853, and 
 after a brief stay in Buffalo, N. Y., they moved to 
 Geauga Co., Ohio, and some three years later to Port 
 Austin, Huron Co., Mich. Their mother died there 
 Oct. 3, 1857, and the father and three sons deter- 
 mined to found a home in the (then) unbroken wilder- 
 ness of Hume Township. They secured a half 
 section of land situated on sections 28 and 29, which 
 was afterward divided among the three sons. 
 
 Mr. Etzler, of this sketch, is the proprietor of 1 10 
 acres of the original tract. He suffered comparatively 
 heavy losses in the fire of 187 1, when two barns, with 
 their contents, and the major portion of a fine orchard 
 were destroyed. The latter has been replaced. Mr. 
 Etzler has cleared and otherwise improved 80 acres, 
 which is his homestead and where he has a new resi- 
 dence and good farm buildings. 
 
 Politically Mr. Etzler is a Republican. 
 
 He was first married April 24, 1S63, in Dwight 
 Township, to Hannah Kaase. She died Aug. 13, 
 187S, and left seven living children: Johanna, 
 Franklin, Albert, Conrad, Anthony, Lucinda and 
 Matilda. Robert died three years before his mother. 
 Her death was caused by abscess of the liver, from 
 which she suffered five years. Mr. Etzler was a 
 second time married, Oct. 22, 1879, at East Saginaw, 
 to Mrs. Mary (Myers) Zellnar, widow of Powell Zell- 
 nar. Si.\ children were born of her first marriage . 
 Mary E., Margaret, Paulina, Sophia, Barbara and 
 Powell. The latter is deceased. One child, Min- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 311 
 
 nie, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Etzler. Tlie 
 mother was born in Switzerland, Dec. 13, 1840. She 
 came to the United States when she was 23 years of 
 age, with a brother and sister, and located in Dwight 
 Township, where she remained until her marriage. 
 
 ^*H^S^ 
 
 r{|j ga^^on. Joseph W. Snell, farmer and dealer m 
 
 X'llp-I; real estate, resident at Albion, Calhoim Co., 
 
 (;' liti"' Mich., whose business interests are situated 
 
 ih largely in Huron County, was born June 2, 
 
 T 1826, in Lycoming Co., Pa. His parents, 
 
 I William and Emily (Molineau.x) Snell, were 
 
 natives of England. His father devoted his life to 
 
 agricultural pursuits, emigrating early to the State of 
 
 New York, where he died in 1839. The mother 
 
 died in the same State in 1828. 
 
 Mr. Snell is the youngest of six children, and was 
 but two years old when his mother died. At the 
 age of eight years he went to live with an uncle, 
 Jesse P. Haines, of Niagara Co., N. Y., under 
 whose supervision he remained until he attained his 
 majority. Mr. Haines was a surveyor by profession 
 and a prominent member of the Society of Friends. 
 In character he was one of the finest examples of 
 all that the principles of his creed tend to develop. 
 Always just and wise, pre-eminently solicitous for the 
 welfare of the community of which he was a mem- 
 ber, he exerted an influence that survives him even 
 now in the character of those with whom he was 
 intimately connected. 
 
 Soon after attaining his majority, Mr. Snell went 
 to Haldimand Co., Ont., and became interested in 
 Inmbering. He operated there 16 years, and during 
 the time was married (May 17, 1857) to Fidelia 
 Holmes. She was born in May, 1827, in Haldimand 
 County, and is the daughter of \V'illiam Holmes, a 
 wealthy farmer and lumberman of that county who 
 has retired from active business. Her mother, 
 Mary (Hoover) Holmes, was of German extraction 
 and born in Pennsylvania. She died about 1869. 
 Mrs. Snell obtained a good common-school educa- 
 tion and engaged some years in teaching. The 
 family of Mr. and Mrs. Snell includes six children. 
 Jessie H." is the wife of the Rev. I.yman Bacon, a 
 graduate of .Mbion (College and a minister of tlie 
 
 M. E. Church. Mrs. Bacon was graduated at 
 Albion College and was a successful teacher for 
 some years. Maud, the second child, was graduated 
 in the department of music in the same college. 
 William M. and Thomas C. are students at Albion, 
 where the two youngest children, Joseph W. and 
 Day H., are taking preparatory courses of study. 
 
 Mr. Snell removed his family to Saginaw, Mich., 
 in 1866. After a brief residence there, he came 
 to Huron County and purchased several hundred 
 acres of timbered land, making his location at Bay 
 Port. Soon after he opened a mercantile enterprise, 
 which he has since conducted, in conjunction with 
 farming and lumbering. Together with his wife, 
 Mr. Snell owns about 2,000 acres of land within 
 Huron County. 
 
 He is an active and prominent member of the 
 Republican element in politics, and has been Super- 
 visor of his township several years. In 1868 he was 
 elected to represent the people of Huron, County in 
 the Legislature of Michigan, and served during the 
 two sessions of his term. In 1872 he was again put 
 in nomination for the same office, but owing to local 
 divisions was defeated by a small m.ijority. Mrs. 
 Snell is a prominent and zealous member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 V^ 
 
 
 
 (; 
 
 :enry Pangborn, farmer and breeder of 
 stock, section 22, Verona Township, was 
 born Sept. 13, 1837, in Brock Township, 
 Ontario Co., Can. He is the son of John and 
 j Barbara (Shier) Pangborn, and his father was a 
 I lumberman and farmer in the Dominion, in the 
 first of which occupations he assisted until he was 
 18 years old, when he began to work chiefly on the 
 farm. The family came to Verona Townshii) in 
 1862, when the father bought 160 acres of land on 
 section 25, in the southeastern part of the township. 
 In 1863, Mr. Pangborn bought his farm of 200 
 acres, where he has since pursued agriculture of a 
 high character, and has 115 acres under cultivation. 
 He also deals in cattle. He was a heavy loser by 
 both the fires which have devastated Huron County. 
 In the first he was coni|)elied to witness the destruc- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 tion of his barn, which was filled with farm products, 
 his granary, farm implements, fences, etc., entailing 
 a loss of $2,000. In 1881 he lost fences and five 
 head of cattle. His house became the refuge for 
 several families who lost everything, and he gave 
 them shelter from one to three months, as the emer- 
 gency demanded. 
 
 Mr. Pangborn has been an active and useful 
 member of society, and of the community to which 
 he belongs. He has been Supervisor five years, and 
 has discharged the duties of the school offices a 
 number of years. He has been deeply interested 
 in the official duties of the several positions he has 
 held. The parents of Mr. Pangborn are residing 
 with his brother John in this township. 
 
 His marriage occurred Jan. 22, r866, in Verona 
 Township, to Mary A. Noouan, daughter of John 
 and Mary (McLaughlin) Noonan. She was born 
 Sept. 4, 1848, in Canada, 21 miles south of the city 
 of Ottawa. The father of Mrs. Pangborn died Oct. 
 II, 1877, in Verona Township, aged 59 years. Her 
 mother was born in August, 1817, and is still living, 
 with her daughter. The latter is the mother of seven 
 children: John A. V., Mary A., Albina G., Nellie M.^ 
 Samuel H., Matilda B. and Bertha M. 
 
 It is with a considerable degree of satisfaction that 
 the publishers of this work are permitted to place the 
 portrait of Mr. Pangborn among its pages. Truly, 
 the citizens of the county will recognize in the like- 
 ness one whose interest is in common with their own^ 
 and a representative citizen of the county. 
 
 SiE-MJl? born Marc 
 (rJlOife'^ His i)aren 
 
 "iX 
 
 (^ISyron W. Boyd, merchant at Soule, was 
 ilis born March 11, 1847, in Leeds Co., Ont. 
 irents, Robert and Sarah (Brow) 
 J® Boyd, were natives respectively of Ontario 
 and the State of Vermont. They are now 
 living in retirement in Forest, Ont. The 
 father has been a leading agriculturist of Lambton 
 Co., Ont. 
 
 Mr. Boyd was reared to manhood on his father's 
 farm, and remained under the parental roof until he 
 was 26 years of age. In 1874 he engaged in a gen- 
 ,eral mercantile business at Jura, Lambton Co., Ont., 
 
 which he conducted seven years. Closing out his 
 interest there, he came to Michigan, in May, 1S81, 
 and soon after established the business he has since 
 conducted. He carries a stock worth $3,500, and 
 transacts an annual business which in the aggregate 
 amounts to about $6,000. His mercantile affairs 
 have been prosperous, and from the first have been 
 increasing. 
 
 He is a Republican in political persuasion. 
 
 His marriage to Isabella M. Paine took place 
 March 20, 1873. She was born in St. John's County, 
 Quebec, and is the daughter of John and Ann K. 
 (Milner) Paine. Her parents were of English and 
 Scotch nationality, respectively, and early in life set- 
 tled in the Province of Quebec. Her father died 
 May 27, 187 I ; the demise of her mother occurred 
 March 19, of the same year. The one was 78 years 
 of age, the other 69 years old. The family went, in 
 1870, to Ontario, where her mother died, and where 
 she was married two years later. 
 
 4 — 
 
 !j| C^a5;|.tephen A. Mosher, general merchant and 
 'I'^iMir"' dealer in agricultural implements at Soule 
 \,\j village, was born June 25, 1832, in Os- 
 wego, N. Y. In his paternal line of descent 
 he is of traceable English lineage, his ancestral 
 progenitors having come to New England from 
 Manchester, England. Mr. Mosher, senior, came to 
 Livingston Co., Mich., in 1853, and later in life to 
 Huron County, arriving at the residence of his son in 
 November, 1882, where he died three weeks after, 
 aged 70 years. The mother, Eliza J. (Brock) Mosher, 
 was a native of New York, of New England par- 
 entage and English descent. She was the daughter 
 of John D. and Anna Brock, the former belonging to 
 the same line of descent with General Brock, com- 
 mander of the loyalists in Mackenzie's War. She 
 died in Shiawassee Co., Mich., in 1857. 
 
 The parents came in 1840 to Erie Co., Ohio, where 
 tlie family located on a farm. The son assisted in 
 the agricultural operations until he was 14 years of 
 age, when he went to work on the Wabash Canal, 
 remaining in that avenue of employ two years. He 
 ne.xt went to Rochester, N. Y., where he became an 
 
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 r^^f^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ry- 
 
 -5tf<^^%r 
 
 2'?*fe- 
 
 auctioneer and passed two years in that occupation, 
 coming in 1852 to Hillsdale Co., Mich. He engaged 
 as salesman in a store at Jonesville, where he con- 
 tinued to operate one year. His health becoming 
 seriously impaired, he returned to his parent's home 
 in Livingston County, where he passed two years in 
 his recovery. 
 
 His first occupation on convalescence was in the 
 capacity of farm assistant and afterwards as a mill 
 hand. 
 
 Mr. Mosher belongs in the vanguard of the pa- 
 triots who responded to the first cry of the Nation for 
 succor against rebellious insurgents, as he enlisted in 
 the Ninth Reg. Mich. Inf , Co. I. The regiment was 
 assigned to the Army of the Cumberland under the 
 command of Generals Sherman and Grant. He was 
 under fire in the battles of Mill Springs, Fort Donel- 
 son, Murfreesboro, Lebanon and Chattanooga. He 
 was captured (July 12, 1862) at the battle of Mur- 
 fursboro. He was in the hands of the rebels for three 
 days and contrived to make his escape through 
 strategy, though at great risk. He was accompanied 
 by a comrade and they made a successful effort to 
 regain their liberty, joining the Union army at Nash- 
 ville after six weeks slow, perilous and tedious travel 
 through the " bush," which had to be done by night. 
 They subsisted en berries and the hoe-cake of the 
 negro cabins they passed on their way toward the 
 north star. They traversed about 100 miles and were 
 almost naked when they found themselves in safe 
 quarters. Mr. Mosher was honorably discharged 
 Oct. 15, 1863. He suffered no injury save from the 
 exhaustion consequent upon his great fatigue, and 
 probably experienced no greater hardships than fell 
 to the fate of most of the soldiers of the gallant 
 Ninth Michigan, celebrated in the annals of the war 
 for its fighting qualities. (A fact not commonly 
 recorded in the history of the Ninth is, that the clos- 
 ing volley at the rebels just previous to the surrender 
 of General Johnston was fired by a detachment from 
 the "Ninth.") 
 
 After being released from the military service of 
 the United States, his family removed to Genesee 
 Co., Mich. In December, 1874, they came to Huron 
 County and located at Bad Axe, removing a year later 
 to Oliver Townsliip, where Mr. Mosher entered a 
 claim of 120 acresof land on sections i and 12, where 
 he resided a few years, ai\d on whicli he made many 
 improvements. 
 
 In 1880 he exchanged his farm for two acres in 
 
 the village plat of Soule, containing a building where 
 he established tlie business interests named. He was 
 appointed Postmaster at Soule in 1880, and is also 
 Justice of the Peace. In political connection he is 
 an uidherent of the National Greenback party. He 
 was one of the principal agents in the organization of 
 the township of Oliver, and was the first Justice after 
 it became an independent municipality. He was a 
 member of the Board which arranged its local affairs 
 and afterward held successively most of the local 
 positions. 
 
 He was married Oct. 25, 1856, at Howell, Living- 
 ston Co., Mich., to Mary A. Garlock. Two children 
 born to them are deceased — Julia L. and Martha J. 
 Mary C, Francis D., Richard L., William H. and 
 Susan A. are living. Mrs. Mosher was born Sept. 
 15, 1838, in Wayne Co., N. Y. Her parents removed 
 to Livingston Co., Mich., when she was five years old 
 and she continued to reside there and in Genesee 
 County until her marriage. Her father. Rev. Richard 
 Garlock, became a minister when 1 8 years of age and 
 died June 22, 1S76, in Genesee County, dying, as 
 nearly as could be determined, by the hand of violence. 
 He was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church and was 64 years of age at the time of liis 
 demise. Her mother, Martha (Curtis) Garlock, was 
 also a native of Wayne Co., N. Y., and died in Gen- 
 esee Co., Mich., in 1854, aged 42 years. 
 
 ■M=¥< 
 
 >' oah B. Swfeet, furniture dealer at Bad Axe, 
 
 ^^,ij- was born in London, Can., June 12, 1849, 
 
 ■ rSVK and is the son of Sheldon and Martlia 
 
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 f 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
 (Herch) Sweet, natives of Vermont. Mr. Sweet 
 is the third child in line of birth of a family of 
 seven children. He was reared to his present 
 occupation of cabinet-maker. He came to the United 
 States in 1869 and settled in St. Clair Co., Mich., re- 
 maining there 15 years, when he removed his family 
 and interests to Bad Axe, Huron Co., Mich. He 
 purchased the furniture store of F. H. Krause, which 
 he is carrying on with good success. He has a large 
 stock of furniture and also a good supply of under- 
 takers' goods. 
 
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■:2»s^ crV^mi^DD^->r 
 
 314 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Sweet was married April 25, 1870, to Eliza 
 Holt, daughter of John and Eliza (Sparrow) Holt. 
 She was born April i, 1852, near Toronto, Can. 
 They have three children born of their union : Irwin 
 E., Lilla and Myrta. Mr. Sweet is a " Liberal " in 
 religious views. 
 
 ^<s«-iii>^>^ 
 
 X 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 illiam H. Cooper, Sr., of the mercantile 
 firm of Cooper & Creevy at Port Austin, 
 has been prominent in the business history 
 and the development of the resources of Hu- 
 County for the past 20 years. He has been a 
 resident of the county since the fall of 1857, 
 when he came to Huron City and entered the em- 
 ployment of R. B. Hubbard & Co. as book-keeper. 
 
 He operated in that capacity until 1865, when he 
 went to Grindstone City, and in company with Wil- 
 liam Creevy and George Whitney, of Sandusky, Ohio, 
 bought the grindstone quarry now owned by Worth- 
 ington & Sons, to whom the property was sold in 
 1870. 
 
 Within that year, the present firm of Cooper & 
 Creevy was formed, and their mercantile business 
 established at Port Austin. They carry a stock of 
 general merchandise adapted to the reipiirements of 
 their patrons and representing about $7,000. They 
 handle dry goods, groceries, mill products and hard- 
 ware, and re(iuire two assistants. 
 
 Tlie firm is engaged in the transaction of business 
 in several other avenues, among which is the manu- 
 facture of lumber in Lincoln Township, in Huron 
 County, where they have timber lands. They ship 
 their lumber to Sandusky, Ohio. The lumber firm 
 includes Orange Noble, of Erie, Pa., and their landed 
 possessions in Huron County embrace about 7,000 
 acres. The same association are also the proprietors 
 of the interest known as the New River Company, in 
 Huron Township. They have two salt wells and 
 manufacture salt by the pan method, having facilities 
 for the production of about 150 barrels daily. They 
 employ 25 assistants and ship their salt to Detroit, 
 Toledo and St. Louis. Their works include a saw- 
 mill and they make the barrels used in their busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Mr. Cooperwas born Jan. 8, 1838, in County Wex- 
 
 ford, Ireland. His parents. Dr. W. W. and Ellen 
 (Heath) Cooper, are also natives of Ireland, and his 
 father was a prominent physician there. He died in 
 Ireland, in 1878. The mother and two sisters now 
 reside in Sandusky, Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Cooper came to the United States when he 
 was 19 years of age. He was in the city of New 
 York five months and came thence to Sandusky, 
 Ohio, where he remained three months, or until the 
 fall of 1857, when he came to Huron City, Huron 
 County. 
 
 He was married in Huron City, July 16, 1864, to 
 Charlotte E. Peer. Their three children were born 
 as follows : William H., Jr., May 5, 1865 ; Euphemia 
 k., Jan. 30, 1867, at Grindstone City, Charles Ar- 
 thur, March 20, 1869. Mrs. Cooper is the daughter 
 of Capt. Aaron G. and Eu]jhemia (Westbrook) Peer, 
 of Grindstone City. (See sketch of Capt. A. G. 
 Peer.) She was born on St. Clair River, on the 28th 
 day of February', 1846. 
 
 Mr. Cooper is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 <-5j^o|-V/->>~^- 
 
 ^ames McAllister, farmer, section i, Bingham 
 %- Township, was born June r7, 1831, in 
 Glasgow, Scotland. His parents, James 
 and Jane (Paul) McAllister, emigrated from 
 Scotland to Peel Co., Ont., in 1842, where he 
 was bred to the occupation in which he has 
 passed his life. He remained on the home farm 
 until he was 27 years old, coming to Michigan in 
 1859. He became proprietor by purchase of 400 
 acres of Government land, on which he was actively 
 engaged for several years in lumbering. He still re- 
 tains ownership of his ooginal acreage, and has im- 
 proved 140 acres. He suffered materially in the 
 fires of 1 87 1 and 1881. 
 
 Mr. McAllister is a Republican in political faith. 
 He has officiated as Supervisor and Treasurer of his 
 township, and is the present Justice of the I'cace 
 (1884), which office he has held many years. 
 
 He was married Dec. 25, 1862, in Verona Town- 
 ship, Huron County, to Margaret Scott. The follow- 
 ing children constitute the issue of this union : James, 
 Jane, John, William, Robert, Flosso M. and Jessie A. 
 
 II 
 
 '5 
 
 I 
 
 0:: 
 
 (^ 
 
 « •• 
 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 ^.Al 
 
 -^I1II^I1I1<>^^ — ^^^1^ 
 
 -4>^§5f 
 
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 0/rt^cry2^^LetyO. 
 
 ..^^U-^^e^^^'i^ 
 
 I 
 
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 T<:M'^: CDr^ vO .J ^^ 
 
 ■cr 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -»s4ji@v 
 
 fe 
 
 3'7 
 
 i^ 
 
 • ■>- 
 
 1 
 
 (twins), Walter, Grace and Margaret. The last 
 named child is not living. Mrs. McAllister was born 
 in Peebleshire, Scotland, Sept. 27, 1841. Her mother 
 died when she was small, and when she was 19 years 
 of age she came to Ontario with her father, where 
 they remained only a brief time, coming thence to 
 Verona, where her father still resides. 
 
 
 — ^^sy 
 
 homas Sinclair, Stock farmer, on section ii, 
 Hume Township, is a native of the Shet- 
 land Islands on the coast of Scotland, and 
 was born June 20, 1828. His father, John 
 Sinclair, was of Scotch origin and a sailor by 
 vocation from his youth until 1869, when he 
 abandoned the water and now resides at Port 
 Huron, aged 80 years. He married Agnes Sinclair, 
 and became a resident of Port Huron about 1S54. 
 The motjier was also of Scotch extraction, and died 
 at Port Huron, Dec. 7, 1880, aged 74 years. The 
 elder Sinclair was keeper of the light-house at Port 
 Huron during 1 1 years previous to the spring of 
 1 88 1, when he yielded the position. 
 
 Mr. Sinclair is the oldest of nine children born to 
 his parents, and emigrated with them to the United 
 States when he was 1 2 years old. The family first 
 settled in Lockport, N. Y., going tlience to Buffalo, 
 and two years after to the Province of Ontario. In 
 1852 they came to Port Huron. He waS an inmate 
 of his father's home until his mariiage to Mary 
 Soule, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., which event 
 occurred Jane 10, 1853. Four children have been 
 born to them: Frank T., the eldest, was married 
 June 8, 1881, and resides at Port Austin, where he 
 is a dealer in real estate. Emma A., Clara M. ajid 
 James E. are the names of the others. Clara is the 
 wife of W. C. Williamson. (See sketch.) Mrs. 
 Sinclair is the daughter of Gardner and Abigail 
 (Curtis) Soule, whose ancestral line is traceable to 
 the Mayflower and tlie Colonial period in the events 
 of which the Soule family was conspicuous. Slie 
 was born April 10, 1823, in Rutland Co., Vt., and 
 went with her parents to Genesee Co., N. Y., when 
 
 States, being frequently a member of the families of 
 her uncles in Vermont. 
 
 After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair came to 
 Forester, Sanilac Co., Mich., where they remained 
 about two years, encountering all the worst experi- 
 ences of a new and wholly unsettled section. They 
 went thence in 1854 to Port Austin, where they re- 
 mained a short time, coming afterwards to Hume 
 Township, where Mr. Sinclair purchased a farm on 
 section 12. He is now residing on another farm, 
 where he lived until 1883, the date of removal to 
 their present home. Mr. Sinclair is the manager of 
 320 acres of land, which is under good improve- 
 ments. 
 
 He is a Republican and the oldest, by priority of 
 official date. Justice of the Peace in the county, 
 having held the office continually since he removed 
 to the county, and is still the incumbent. 
 
 The reader will be pleased to find a portrait of 
 Mr. Sinclair in this volume, and the publishers 
 accordingly take pleasure in presenting it. It is 
 given on the page lu'cceding the commencement of 
 this sketch. 
 
 r j- , .race Smith, senior member of the firm 
 : jLivil^ uf Smith & Webb, proprietors of the busi- 
 'il^ ness known as the " Model Lime Kiln,'' 
 located near the dock at Sand Beach, was born 
 in Durham Co., Ont., Feb. 28, 1834. He is 
 the son of Isaac and Vesta (Moulton) Smith. 
 His father was a native of Vermont, in April, 1879, 
 in Lexington, Sanilac Co., Mich. The mother was 
 born in Lower Canada, where she died in 1859. 
 Their family included six children. 
 
 Mr. Smith is the second in order of birth of the 
 children of his fadier's family. He was reared to 
 manhood in his native province, where he engaged 
 some time in agriculture, and owned 100 acres of 
 land in Clark Township, Durham Co., Ont. In the 
 spring of 1865 he came to Lexington, where he was 
 a farmer until his removal to Sand Beach, in April, 
 1 88 1. He formed a partnership with Robert Webb, 
 of Port 1 lope, for the purpose of manufacturing lime, 
 and built the lime kiln. Their works have a pro- 
 
 vs> 
 
 A 
 
 V 
 
 0) 
 
 sh^ was 10 years of age, but she was reared in both 
 
 $«^fi* 
 
 -4^5f3^;V 
 
 rf^ 
 
r^:llIl^DD>> 
 
 .^18 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ducing capacity of 100 barrels of lime every 24 
 hours, and their patronage compels them to operate 
 day and night. They burn the Rock Bottom, Kelley 
 Island stone, from Ohio, and employ seven men. A 
 cooper shop for the manufacture of barrels is at- 
 tached to the establishment. They ship their lime 
 chiefly up the lakes. 
 
 Mr. Smith was married in Lockport, Niagara Co., 
 N. Y., to Sarah Newton, Sept. 27, 1854, who was 
 born Nov. 22, 1838, and they have been the parents 
 of seven children. The two oldest were born in 
 Ontario, the others at Lexington. George H. was 
 born May i, i860, and is in the employ of his father. 
 Albert was born Oct. 7, 1861, and died July 27, 
 1864; Herbert, June 13, 1865 ; Ida, Sept. 12, 1867 ; 
 Ambrose, April 24, 1870, died Oct. 23, 1870; Al- 
 wyn, Aug. 4, 1873 ; Frederick, Oct. 18, 1880. 
 
 ••<-^<#i#^^~^ 
 
 ohn Linsen, farmer, section 3, Winsor 
 Township, was born Feb. 8, 1824, in Wur- 
 temberg, Germany, and is the son of Mat- 
 thew and Mary (Houck) Linsen. His par- 
 ents have been dead since about 1850. 
 
 In 1852 Mr. Linsen emigrated from his na- 
 tive country to the United States and settled 
 in St. Clair Co., Mich. He was a tanner by trade, 
 and obtained employment in that line of business, 
 in which he continued two years. In 1854 he com- 
 menced with a farm, which he purchased, containing 
 60 acres. After retaining possession of it eight 
 years, he sold it in 1862, with the intention of em- 
 barking in the tanning business, which project he 
 carried into effect at Marine City, St. Clair County, 
 becoming associated with Moretz Menjel, with whom 
 he continued to operate two and a half years, after 
 which he became proprietor, by purchase, and 
 afterwad he formed a partnership with James 
 Hoebel. Six months after the establishment of the 
 new firm, their tanner}' burned and he came to the 
 German Colony at Ora Labor. He built a tannery, 
 and in three years had lost his entire property. He 
 next secured a claim of 160 acres of land on section 
 15, in Winsor Township, on which he operated six 
 years. He sold the place in April, 1875, and took 
 
 possession of that which is now his homestead, and 
 which he purchased before selling his property on 
 section 15. 
 
 Mr. Linsen is a Republican in political faith. 
 He has officiated five years as Supervisor, and as 
 Justice of the Peace four years. 
 
 He was married in 1854 to Elizabeth, daughter of 
 George and Elizabeth Stein. She was born March 
 29, 1829, in Saxony, Germany. Her mother died 
 in 1S77 ; her father lives on a farm located four 
 miles from St. Clair. 
 
 ••<-4<###'-^>- 
 
 
 i^ii^ll|' osiah Black, M. D., practicing physician at 
 Tfiyi Sebewaing, was born Jan. 8, 1854, in Can- 
 ada. His father, James Black, was a na- 
 jt^ tive of Scotland and emigrated to Ontario, 
 where he married Maria Ainslie. They are 
 and have been residents of the Dominion since 
 their marriage. They became the parents of 
 six sons and two daughters. 
 
 Dr. Black obtained his elementary education in 
 the common schools, which lie attended until the age 
 of 15 years. At 18 he entered a dry-goods store in 
 the employment of his brother as a salesman, and 
 followed the mercantile business for about five 
 years, when he resolved to carry into execution a 
 newly-formed project of studying medicine. He 
 jjroceeded to Detroit, where he attended the Detroit 
 Medical College two terms. He went thence to the 
 Michigan College of Medicine, Detroit, where, after 
 two terms of study, he was graduated, in the spring 
 of 1 88 1. He first entered upon the practice of his 
 profession at Lapeer, where he continued two years. 
 He opened an office at Sebewaing in July, 1882, and 
 has since been engaged in a satisfactory and increas- 
 ing business. For all the success and progress Dr. 
 Black has won, he is indebted solely to his own en- 
 ergy and uersevering efforts-. He began his conflict 
 with fortune with empty hands, and is under no obli- 
 gations save those which belong to his own man- 
 hood and which he has fully honored in his plans 
 and their accom[)lishment. In political opinions and 
 connections he is independent. He is a member of 
 the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Maccabees 
 and of Leamington Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F. 
 
 vfc 
 
 I 
 
 V 
 
 0) 
 
 IlDi>%^ — ^^^ 
 
 4^^^ 
 
r^—- 
 
 -:2^^^ — ©vc^nn§iiiis>r 
 
 
 ) 
 
 ^ 
 
 >0 
 
 I=X 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 (Ontario.) In connection with his professional prac- 
 tice, Dr. Black is conducting a drug store. 
 
 He was married in Canada, to Isabell Duncan, 
 and they have two children, — Elmer L. and Beatrice 
 I., born respectively Aug. 6, 1878, and Jan. 28, 18S0. 
 Robert and Mary (Glennee) Duncan, the parents of 
 Mrs. Black, are natives of Scotland. 
 
 --^%^t% 
 
 S-A-> 
 
 l^amuel T. Cantelon, farmer, section lo, 
 Hume Township, was born in 1842, near 
 
 Canada. He became his own 
 man at the early age of 16 years, and interested 
 himself in acquiring a knowledge of the car- 
 penter's trade, which he pursued in Iiis native 
 country as a vocation until 1862. 
 
 In October of that year he came to the States and 
 enlisted in the military service of the Union, enrolling 
 in the 23d Mich. Vol. Inf , Co. F, his regiment being 
 assigned to the command of Gen. Sherman. He 
 fought in the Army of the Cumberland, and was 
 actively engaged in the battle of Resaca, siege of 
 Knoxville, Bowling Green, Andersonville, Nashville 
 and in many minor engagements. During the entire 
 period of three years he did not lose a day of service, 
 and finally received an honorable discharge at Salis- 
 bury, N. C. 
 
 He returned to Port Austin, whence he enlisted, 
 and worked as a carpenter five years. In 1870 he 
 came to Hume Township, bought 37 acres of land, 
 and has since given his exclusive attention to his 
 agricultural pursuits. 
 
 Politically he is a Republican, has held tlie official 
 positions of Justice of the Peace and Highway Com- 
 missioner, and is now School Trustee. 
 
 Mrs. Cantelon, formerly Jessie Hume, is the sister 
 of the late Walter Hume, who came from Falkirk, 
 Scotland, near Glasgow. He was born June 10, 
 1818, and came to New Glasgow when he was 14 
 months old, and then moved at the. age of 19 to Lobo, 
 Middlesex Co., Ont., and to the States at the age of 
 20. He was the first white man who settled per- 
 manently in the township, coming to this section 
 long before any other white man, lived with the In- 
 dians and was de fach the Daniel Boone of Hume 
 
 ^f^^.,. '^^^f^ ?^^^D!)^ 
 
 Township, living by hunting, fishing and trapping, 
 and at the same time was engaged in traffic in 
 sliingles. He opened the first clearing in the town- 
 ship and built the first house. The e.xact date of his 
 coming to Huron County is lost, through the fact 
 that he had no- family ties at the time. He built a 
 hotel at the mouth of the Pinnebog River, which was 
 probably the first structure for the purpose in Huron 
 County. He married Mary Shilling, of Sebewaing 
 Township, in this county. Her father, Frederick 
 Shilling, is now a resident of that place. Mr. Hume 
 became an extensive landholder in the county, his 
 possessions at one time including more than 1,000 
 acres of the best class of pine lands, but adverse cir- 
 cumstances deprived him of his property previous to 
 his death, which occurred about March 17, 1874. 
 The name of " Hume" Township justly commemor- 
 ates this early settler. His wife died May 5, 1S67, 
 at the time of the birth of Walter, the only surviving 
 child of herself and her husband. 
 
 Mr. Cantelon was married to Jessie Hume, Sept. 
 15, 1866. She was born in Middlesex Co., Ont., and 
 is the daughter of Thomas and Mery (Glenn) Hume. 
 Her father is deceased. Her mother is a member of 
 her household. Mrs. Cantelon taught school before 
 there was any school-house built in the township. 
 She and her husband are members of the Baptist 
 Church. 
 
 OOP 
 
 9 
 
 c^: 
 
 
 /'l^iP^j^jarling Anderson, farmer, section 8,Chan- 
 ■, isfMLll, dler Township, was born in Berwickshire, 
 ':i^W^ Scotland, -April i, 1830. His father, 
 i^*^ George Anderson, was a farmer in Scotland 
 ^ and died in his native country, in 1840. 
 \ Mr. Anderson lived in Scotland until he was 22 
 years of age, when he emigrated with his mother, 
 Jane (Young) .Anderson, and fo'ur brotliers to Can- 
 ada, locating on a farm in the Province of Quebec, 
 where they were engaged in agriculture eight years. 
 In i860, accompanied by three younger brothers, he 
 came to Michigan and secured the entire acreage of 
 section 1 1 and half of section 4 in Caseville Town- 
 ship, under the Graduation Act. They were the 
 first permanent settlers in tiie township; and, being 
 single men, in rugged health, and with hopeful 
 
 DDf^A^ 
 
<^nD^no^> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 "i/^^^ 
 
 
 ) 
 
 1=3 
 
 ^ 
 
 hearts, witli dispositions to make the best of circum- 
 stances, the privations of pioneers to which they 
 were subjectsd made httle permanent impression 
 beyond mere momentary perplexity. They were the 
 first to convey household fixtures and necessaries 
 over the stage route hither through Caseville Town- 
 ship. Wild game abounded, and of a variety suited 
 to human needs and was depended on for a long 
 time as a means of subsistence. The nearest mar- 
 ket place was at Sebewaing, whither all farm prod- 
 uce was conveyed. After the first year the land 
 was divided, Mr. Anderson's portion being situated 
 on the northeast quarter of section ir. He im- 
 proved a part of the place, but in 1867 he removed 
 to Chandler Township, and at different periods 
 since has secured lands amounting 320 acres, on sec- 
 tions 5, 8, and 9, all being favorably situated. He 
 has made considerable improvements single-handed, 
 having no sons old enough to render much assist- 
 ance. 
 
 The Township of Chandler was set off in 1867, 
 and in 1869 he was made Treasurer, a position he 
 held ten consecutive years. He has been Road 
 Commissioner six years. In political sentiment, Mr. 
 Anderson is a Rei)ublican. 
 
 He was married Oct. 6, 1870, in Durham village, 
 in the Province of Quebec, to Janet Craik. They 
 have been the parents of three children, one of whom 
 is deceased. Dorothy J. was born Dec. 26, 1872; 
 George D., May 12, 1874. Mrs. Anderson was born 
 April I, 1840, in the Province of Quebec, and is 
 the daughter of A\exander and Dorothy (Gilchrist) 
 Craik, both of whom were born in Scotland. The 
 family are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 ■ — "iSi— «— -^f->-«— r3{- 
 
 illiam Martin, farmer, section 25, Verona 
 Township, has been a resident of this town- 
 ship since i85S,in wliich year his parents, 
 George and Rebecca (Pangman) Martin, re- 
 moved liither from Canada. His father bought 
 the farm on which the son has lived nearly all 
 his life, as he was but two years of age when tJie 
 family took possession of the [jlace. It included 
 320 acres of land in a wild slate, but is now in 
 
 advanced cultivation and in a comparatively valu- 
 able condition, 200 acres being improved and arable. 
 Mr. Martin assisted his father in the management of 
 the place until he was 20 years of age, when he 
 assumed entire charge and continued its manage- 
 ment on shares five years. In 1881 he became its 
 proprietor by purchase. Its location and general ap- 
 pearance is desirable, and it is supplied with good 
 orchards, excellent farm buildings and fixtures gen- 
 erally. He was born in Scott, Ontario Co., Can., 
 Oct. 2, 1856. 
 
 Mr. Martin was married Nov. 13, 1877, in Tyre, 
 Sanilac Co., Mich., to Anna Ried. Of this union 
 three children have been born, on the farm, namely: 
 Nellie R., Oct. i, 1878; Herbert T., April, 1880; 
 Wealthy, Dec. 24, i88r. Mrs. Martin was born Oct. 
 21, 1857, in ForestviUe, Sanilac Co., Mich., and is 
 the daughter of Timothy and Wealthy (Lake) Ried. 
 
 Mr. Martin is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 -H-'^-#^^>"^- 
 
 «<■; f'ft'l ' hi'istian F. Sehlegel milch, known as the 
 
 ^- ^ ('' ^ "-■ 
 t' L_ikl;' pioneer miller of Huron County, propne- 
 
 ii®^"*" ^°'^ °^ ''^^ ^^^^^ Crescent flouring mills, was 
 
 ^Ip born Feb. 20, 1824, in Prussia. His father 
 
 Vv and mother, John and Mary M. (Brown) 
 
 vl 
 
 
 
 
 Schlegelmilch, were also natives of Prussia, 
 where his father ])ursued the career of a miller and 
 died in 1836, aged 43 years. The mother died at 
 Cleveland, Ohio, in 1S74, aged 72 years. 
 
 Mr. S. was the eldest of his parents' children, and, 
 though but 12 years of age when his father died, was 
 active manager of the mill, which remained in his 
 mother's charge. It was afterwards sold. Wlien he 
 was 20 years of age he entered the regular army of 
 Germany, the 12th Cav. Reg., where he served three 
 years, receiving on his discharge tiie complimentary 
 commendations of the officers of his command. 
 
 He came to America in 1S49, landing at Quebec. 
 He proceeded thence up tlie lakes to Buffalo and to 
 Cleveland, Ohio, going later to Rochester, N. Y., 
 where he found his brother. He was informed that 
 he could obtain a position in a flouring-mill in the 
 Province of Ontario, and accordingly he returned to 
 the Dominion and resumed the occupation to which 
 
 ^ 
 
 K> 
 
 lA®))€^#- 
 
 .^^.A 
 
 <^D!l^llIli>^ 
 
 A. 
 
 JSti^^^fC 
 
/ 
 
lRSBS^^?^''^^5!?*!?T'^^??5i'n3i3fflW* 
 
 ;-^it. 
 
 
 
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it 
 
 & 
 
 
 2 
 
 V 
 / 
 
 o 
 
 w> 
 
 I 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -uS^ 
 
 he had been bred, and in which he continued five 
 years. 
 
 At the expiration of that time he came to Port 
 Huron, Mich., where lie engaged in ship-building, a 
 branch of hibor which he had before pursued with 
 ;:rafit. He afterwards came to Lexington, Sanilac 
 County, where he spent tliree years in the mills of 
 Nicholas Wolfel, his son Albert, now deceased, 
 operating as engineer. 
 
 He came to Port Crescent in iS66, then in its 
 extreme infancy, there being but a few settlers in the 
 vicinity, and the country being chiefly unbroken 
 forest, with wild animals in abundance. He took a 
 reflective view of the situation and prospects, and 
 determined to build a grist-mill near the mouth of 
 the Pinnebog River, which project he carried into 
 exicution, and is still operating a mill at the same 
 place. It runs by steam power, and has a capacity 
 of I GO barrels of flour daily. Three months after 
 the first mill was erected it was burned to the ground, 
 but he immediately rebuilt the structure. His mill 
 is one of the best in the county of its kind. He 
 owns four improved village lots, and 280 acres of 
 farming land in Hume and Meade Townships. In 
 18S3 he sustained a loss of $3,000 through the de- 
 struction by fire of a barn and its contents; in 1S81, 
 he also suffered loss. 
 
 Mr. Schlegelmilch is a Democrat, and has held 
 various official positions. In the spring of 1884, he 
 was elected Justice of the Peace ; has also served 
 two years as Highway Commissioner. 
 
 His marriage to Elizabeth Billing took place Feb. 
 27, 1850, in Bowmanville, Darlington Township, 
 Durham Co., Out. Four children were born to them, 
 as follows: Albert, Jan. 7, 185 1; Julius, Nov. 2, 
 1853; Mary M., Aug. 26, i86o; Frederick VV., Oct. 
 26, 1862. The eldest daughter was married Aug. 5, 
 1 88 1, to Joseph West, book-keeper for Bennett Has- 
 kell, of Port Crescent. Frederick is a teacher of 
 ability and reputation. Albert was married Jan. 19, 
 1873, to Nickolena Nelson, and died Nov. 6, i88r, 
 in Meade Township, leaving five children. 
 
 Mrs. Schlegelmilch is the daughter of Andrew and 
 Ann (Westlake) Billing. Her parents .vere of Eng- 
 lish origin and members of the agricultural class, 
 who emigrated to Ontario in 1843. The father died 
 in Bowmanville in 18S0, aged 82 years. The mother 
 died in September, 1S62, aged 55 years. Mrs. S. is 
 
 the second of a family of eight children, and 
 was born May 26, 1833, in Northlew, Devonshire, 
 England. She was 12 years of age when the family 
 removed to Ontario, and she received a good educa- T 
 tion. She is a woman of superior character, and has vS* 
 a broad influence in the community where she re- 
 sides. The family attend the Lutheran Chnrch, 
 under whose influences Mr. S. was brought up. His 
 wife was reared under the teachings of the English 
 Church. 
 
 9 
 
 ^ 
 
 ames G. Grice, of the firm of Grice & Sons, 
 proprietors of the flouring-mill known as 
 the "Verona Grist-mill," was born Sept. 
 23, 182T, in Lancashire, Eng. He is the son 
 of William and Mary S. (Ormandy) Grice, 
 who were also natives of England. 
 At the age of 13 years, Mr. Grice was apprenticed ^ 
 to learn the business of an engineer and mechanic, v^» 
 at which he served three years. By 1S28 he fulfilled = 
 his term of indentLiro, and he was then emiiloyed as a '*i/ 
 blacksmith by the Liverpool & Manchester Rail- *^ 
 road Company, in whose service he continued ( 
 several years. His next business was as engineer 
 in an iron mine for a short time, when he resumed 
 his former occupation. 
 
 He was married in Ulverstone, Lancashire, Eng., 
 Dec. 25, 1839, to Jane, daughter of William and 
 Jane Mason. She was born Feb. 20, i8i8, in 
 Wigton, Cumberland, Eng. Seven of eight children 
 born to Mr. and Mrs. Grice are living : William M. 
 is a resident of Lexington, Sanilac County; Mary is 
 the wife of John Ballentine, of Bad Axe; Joseph is 
 the foreman of t'.ie Government Works at Sand 
 Beach; Jane is the wife of J. G. Puddock, foreman 
 of the Huron Dairy Salt Company; Benjamin is a 
 member of the firm of Grice & Sons, as is the next 
 son, James P. (see sketcli); Richard is engaged as a 
 clerk with J. Ballentine at P>ad .Axe. Charles, the 
 youngest child, was killed near the present site of 
 Weckersville, Montana, on the night of Dec. 3, 18S1. 
 
 He was in the employ of a lumber firm at that point, 
 and, during a terrific rain-storm, sought shelter, with 
 seven others, in a cabin roofed with sods, which 
 
) 
 
 1^ 
 
 (|^ 
 
 •i^ 
 
 ^^x^ 
 
 ^V 
 
 ^yW^Wi^:^ >ss€^ 
 
 -«^ 
 
 §7^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 becoming weighted with the descending water, fell 
 and crushed him. He was the only one killed in 
 the party. 
 
 Mr. Grice came to the United States in 1850 and 
 went to Windsor, Conn., Aug. 8. He worked at his 
 trade there five years, and came theace to Forester, 
 Sanilac Co., Mich., to take a position as engineer in 
 a saw-mill. He built a shingle-mill at Sand Beach, 
 which he managed about five years. After residing 
 there 13 years, he moved to Verona, in 1882, and 
 built the flour mill which they are at present run- 
 ning. Mr. G. also owns a quarter section of land a 
 third of a mile northwest of Sand Beach ; and also a 
 fine residence, with 12 acres, in connection with his 
 mill at Verona. For two years he was interested, in 
 company with his son, J. P., in a salt block at Port 
 Hope. 
 
 A lithographic portrait of Mr. Grice adorns the 
 pages of this Album, being given near the beginning 
 of this sketch. 
 
 ^'irajt S. Johnson, foreman in the lumber yard of 
 '■.' t4=l|f- F- Crawford at Caseville, was born Dec. 30, 
 sJv^^TT 1847, in Lorain Co., Ohio, and is the son 
 of Thomas and Nancy (Lang) Johnson. The 
 parents are still residents in that county. At 
 the age of 15 years Mr. Johnson enlisted in the 
 Union service of the United States. He enrolled in 
 Company H, 43d Ohio Volunteer Veterans. The 
 regiment was assigr.ed to the command of Gen. H. 
 A. Hubert, i6th .\rniy Corps, and Fourth Division, 
 under Gen. Dodge. In the spring of 1864 he was 
 transferred to the First Division, 17th Army Corps, 
 under Gen. F. P. Blair; Gen. Morrow, Division Com- 
 mander. The Second Brigade was commanded by 
 Gen. John \V. Sprague, of Huron Co., Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Johnson served in the ranks until tlie fall of 
 Atlanta, when he was detailed as an Orderly on the 
 staff of Gen. Sprague, and continued to perform tlie 
 duties of the position until he received his discliarge. 
 He did not miss an engagement wliile he was in the 
 service, and was in the hospital but about four hours, 
 while suffering from the effects of heat. May i, 1864, 
 his regiment joined Sherman's army at Chattanooga. 
 
 The first battle in which he was under fire was at 
 Decatur, Ala. At the fight at Resaca he sustained 
 a slight wound in the flesh above the left knee joint. 
 The blood filled his shoe, birt he did not fall out. 
 He participated in the succeeding battles of Dallas, 
 Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach-Tree 
 Creek, where he aided in removing E. F. Noyes, then 
 Colonel of the 39th Ohio, from the field. Col. Noyes 
 lost his life as a result of his wound, but he gained 
 the stars of a General. Mr. Johnson was also in 
 action at Atlanta when Gen. Hood was in command 
 of the rebel troops. 
 
 On receiving his discharge he returned to Lorain 
 Co., Ohio. He was married Feb. 18, 1867, to Clara 
 Case, and they are the parents of six children: Nel- 
 lie, born Aug. 15, 1869; Ellen A., Jan. 2, 1872; 
 Thomas, Feb. 21, 1875; Leonard, June 24,1877; 
 Nancy, Jan. i, 1880; Frank, June 17, 1884. Mrs. 
 Johnson was born Sept. 24, 1847. in Racine Co., 
 Wis., and is the daughter of Seymour and Roxana 
 (Moon) Case. Her parents reside in Crawford Co., 
 Mich., where her father is in the lumber business. 
 
 Mr. Johnson removed his family in 1869 from Lo- 
 rain Co., Ohio, to Saginaw City, where he operated 
 five years as an engineer, in the employ of G. F. 
 Williams & Bros. He was engaged in a blast fur- 
 nace in Ohio. In March, 1874, he removed from 
 Saginaw to Caseville, and entered the employ 
 where he has since been engaged, and is now opera- 
 ting as a scaler and shipper of lumber and salt. He 
 is a Democrat, and has served two years as Deputy- 
 Sheriff. He is now (1884) filling his fourth term as 
 Township Clerk. 
 
 gf/||iw ames Curran, foreman of the salt blocks of 
 wMi'- F. Crawford, at Caseville, was born Dec. i. 
 
 ^«^^ 
 
 ^m 
 
 1845, at Kingston, Can., and is the son of 
 
 John and Matilda Curran. His father was 
 
 born in 1806, and was a sailor and pilot on 
 
 the St. Lawrence River. His mother was born 
 
 about the same year and is the second wife. Both 
 
 parents are yet living, in Oswego, N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Curran is the oldest child of the second 
 family of his- father. He engaged in the service of 
 
 < 
 
■cr 
 
 v<>DU^Dn^>r 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 o 
 
 A 
 
 
 the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River when he 
 was 13 years of age, and followed that calling until 
 manhood, .\fter leaving the life of a waterman, he 
 engaged in a brewery at Kingston, Canada, with G. 
 W. Creighton, and acted as foreman of the establish- 
 ment about four years. He came tiience to Sagi- 
 naw, Mich., where he learned the salt business, and 
 two years later came to Caseville, reaching that place 
 in July, 1871, and immediately entered upon the 
 discharge of the duties of his present position. lie 
 is the manager of three salt blocks Jjelonging to Mr. 
 Crawford. The daily product is 300 barrels every 24 
 hours, and two sets of hands are employed. Five 
 wells are connected with the works, three of which 
 are at present in operation. The wells are 1,765 feet 
 in depth. All the barrels utilized in the salt busi- 
 ness at Caseville are manufactured in connection 
 with other branches of the business. Mr. Curran 
 owns 200 acres of land on section 7, and has im- 
 proved 80 acres. The place is supplied with an 
 excellent residence, and three good barns. 
 
 Mr. Curran was married in April, 1870, to Agnes 
 Morrison, and they hive been the parents of seven 
 children, born as follows: Agnes M., July 29, 1S71 ; 
 Sylvester, Feb. 17, 1873; Birt.Oct. 5, 1875; Rubena, 
 March 22, 1877 (died 15th of April, 1879); James 
 VV., May 17, 1879; Jeannette, March 22, i88i ; 
 Arthur, June 11, 1883. Mrs. Curran is the daughter 
 of Robert and Harriet Morrison, both of Caseville. 
 Mr. Curran is a member of the Republican element 
 in politics. 
 
 *>4ii2£'©i€-«— ^^1 
 
 •^Sl^vzrafji. 
 
 -V i (: j^;harles McMillan, farmer, section 29, Paris 
 ^jtrj^ Townsliip, was born in June, 1S27, in 
 ^1^ Kentyre, Scotland. His father, Alexander 
 Jl McMillan, was a farmer in his native land, 
 ^ and held the office of Poormaster many years. 
 He died in Scotland in 1848, aged about 65 
 
 years. Ann (Shaw) McMillan, the mother, was of- 
 
 unmixed Scottisii origin, and died in Ontario in 1863. 
 
 She was 73 years of age at the time of her decease. 
 Mr. McMillan received a good education in his 
 
 native country. His father designed that he should 
 
 enter the ministry, and his early education was 
 planned accordingly. But he felt little inclination 
 tor the vocation, and ceased his studies after he had 
 accomplished a considerable portion of the prepara- 
 tory education. When he was 24 years of age, ac- 
 companied by his eldest brother, he emigrated to 
 Canada and made a location in Elgin Co., Ont., 
 where he purchased 200 acres of land, and devoted 
 his time and abilities to dealing in stock. After five 
 years of effort in that avenue of business, he sold 
 the place with the purpose of returning to Scotland, 
 but before his plans were perfected, he entered a 
 matrimonial scheme which nullified all other proj- 
 ects. The friends of the lady being located in 
 Michigan, he turned his thoughts in the direction of 
 the Peninsular State, whither lie came in 1859, He 
 located where he has since resided and operated as 
 an agriculturist, securing a claim of 120 acres of 
 land. He set forth to make his way thither from 
 Forestville, Sanilac County, by a route indicated 
 only by "blazed " trees, and 12 miles in extent. He 
 was the first permanent settler in this part of the 
 township, a fact which demonstrates the character ot 
 his resolute energy to fulfill a purpose, as many 
 others had made previous attempts only to return 
 altogether to their old homes, or to make another 
 attempt to locate in a region that promised less of 
 privation and hardship. 
 
 Mr. McMillan is now the proprietor of 480 acres 
 of land, including more than 300 acres under excel- 
 lent cultivation. The improvements have all been 
 made under his personal supervision, and are of tlie 
 best type. He has given much attention to raising 
 stock, and has made a specialty of Durliam cattle. 
 He is a PvCpublican in political connection, and has 
 always been active in local and general politics. He 
 has held the office of Supervisor about 20 years, be- 
 ginning with the third term after the organization of 
 the townsliip, and holding the position until he de- 
 clined a further re-election. 
 
 He was married April 4, 1859, in Elgin Co., Ont., 
 to Mary Shaw, and they have had nine children — 
 Archibald, Alexander, Charles, Campbell, John, 
 Daniel, Dugald, Ann and Catherine. The last born 
 is deceased. 
 
 Mrs. McMillan was born in August, 1837, in Scot- 
 land. She is the daughter of Charles and Douglass 
 (Bruce) Shaw, and in 1855 accompanied her parents 
 to Ontario, where her father died, in 1859. Her 
 
 
 -^»sO*'^ @7'<?llllgllll'>A;9 S©^ 
 
-^^&s^ — ©v^nn^BDf>T^ 
 
 -om 
 
 1^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 V 
 
 '" 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 s 
 
 h 
 
 mother was an inmate of her home in Paris Town- 
 ship until the terrible period of flame and fire in 
 187 I, when the house and all its contents were de- 
 stroyed. Mr. McMillan was absent, and his family, 
 consisting of Iiis mother-in-law, five little children, 
 and his wife with an infant ten hours old, passed 
 alive through that terrible period. No pen can ade- 
 quately describe the situation. Mrs. Shaw was so 
 badly burned that she died in consequence. Mrs. 
 McMillan, with her baby and five other children, 
 crept into a root house, where they passed the most 
 desolate hours of their lives, the night of the 9th of 
 October, 187 1, all being nearly exhausted from the 
 heat and smoke. The heroic endurance of the young 
 mother shows how strong and lasting is the element 
 of true courage in her line of ancestral descent on 
 her mother's side, where the name of Douglass Bruce 
 perpetuated those of the royal champion of Scotland, 
 and of his friend to whom the illustrious Robert com- 
 mitted his heart, and whom he enjoined to carry it 
 for burial to the Holy Land. The legend relates 
 that the faithful Douglass, true to his commission, 
 fought his way toward Palestine, flinging before him 
 into the midst of the Saracens, the heart of Bruce, 
 and fighting up to it until he accomplished his pur- 
 pose. ' 
 
 * ^ - 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 *; * 
 
 ^©l^rederick Schmitt, farmer, section 17, Seb- 
 
 '^l&^IIIIlL fwrmirr '^rowntilii n wr-ic Kr,ri-\ Anrr nr\ T C ^ .1 
 
 §f,^ ewaing Township, was born Aug. 30, 1847, 
 ''^ in Germany. Leonhard and Margaret 
 ^'^ (Herbert) Schmitt, his parents, were natives 
 of Germany, and emigrated in 1850 to the 
 i United States. They settled at Bay City, where 
 the father died. The mother died at Sebewaing. 
 John, Margaret, George, Frederick and Katherina 
 are the names of their children. 
 
 Mr. Schmitt came to this country with his parents, 
 and has been a resident of Sebewaing since 185 1. 
 .\fter the death of his father, his mother married 
 John Gruenbeck, and on the death of the latter he 
 became the possessor of 80 acres of land, situated 
 on section 17, to which he has added by purchase 
 until he owns 154 acres. Of this he has 1 10 acres 
 under improvement. He is a Republican in politi- 
 cal sentiment. 
 
 His marriage to Louisa Beck, widow of Gotlieb 
 Auch, occurred Nov. 9, 1874. at Sebewaing, and 
 they have four children, — William F., John J., 
 Ferdinand H. and Martha M. S. Mrs. Schmitt is 
 the daughter of Gotfried and Mary Beck. Her first 
 husband died at Sebewaing. She had one child, 
 Theodore T., by her first marriage. She was born 
 March 14, 1S49, in Washtenaw Co., Mich. Mr." 
 and Mrs. Schmitt are members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 •neAa2/^-^^'^£ 
 
 ^^^J^ZJZrerjv 
 
 ^' f r?T!}'°^^®^ Hauselmann, farmer, sec. ion 32, 
 ■] ^A/k'^i. Sherman Township, was born in Wurtem- 
 
 i^"" burg, June 9, 1836. His father, Geo. M. 
 ,i^ -'\ Hauselmann, was a native of 'Germany, of 
 
 German parentage, where he was a farmer. 
 
 Tlie family came to this country in 18!; 2 and 
 settled in Norfolk Co., Ont., where the father died, 
 July 24, 1852, aged 61 years. The mother, Barbara 
 Hauselmann, was also a native of Wurtemburg, the 
 residence of the family until their removal to On- 
 tario, Can., and after her husband's death removed 
 with her son to Huron County, and is still an inmate 
 of his home. She is 82 years of age. Their family 
 included five children, three of whom are living. 
 
 Mr. Hauselmann was 16 years of age when his 
 parents left their native country, and he remained in 
 Canada after the death of his father seven years. 
 He obtained a good education in Germany, and the 
 care of his mother and a younger brother devolved 
 upon him when the natural protector of the family 
 liad been removed. 
 
 Mr. Hauselmann is one of the earliest settlers of 
 Sherman Township, where he located before its 
 organization. He became the proprietor of 60 acres 
 of land in Sherman Township, in 1859, of which he 
 took possession immediately after his marriage. He 
 was a member of the town board of organization, 
 and the privilege of naming the townsliip was ac- 
 corded to him. He had a high regard and opinion of 
 General Sherman and his character, and selected his 
 name to be perpetuated on the Huron peninsula, 
 more especially in honor of Sherman's achievements 
 in that year,— 1862. Mr. Hauselmann served asthe 
 
 i 
 f 
 
 \ 
 
 r^ 
 
 •C !• 
 
 K-^nmiiDf^A^ 
 
4^1111 ^liD^i>v 
 
 rr 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ■Zi^- 
 
 ■iji^" 
 
 -«s^ 
 
 ^Pi' 
 
 329 
 
 P 
 
 <^. 
 
 :-§ 
 
 first Supervisor of the township, and held the posi- 
 tion 13 consecutive years. He has been Township 
 Clerk six years, and has held the incumbency of 
 Justice of the Peace 23 years. He is also County 
 Superintendent of the Poor, and is serving his ninth 
 term in that office. He is a Democrat, and is con- 
 sidered a straightforward and reliable citizen. 
 
 He now owns 140 acres of valuable land, a large 
 proportion of which is improved and fitted with 
 creditable farm fi.\tures. 
 
 His marriage occurred Oct. 25, 1859, to Margaret 
 Kaufman. No children have been born to them 
 but they have adopted a son and a daughter — 
 Henry and Anna. Mrs. Hauselmann is the daugh- 
 ter of Michael and Barbara (Etzel) Kaufman, natives 
 of Germany. They emigrated to Ontario in 1855, 
 and six years later came thence to Michigan, where 
 they died, aged 58 and 56 years respectively. The 
 daughter was born Aug. 12, 1841, in Wurtemburg, 
 and was educated in the public schools of her native 
 country. The family are members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 ^ 
 
 redrick Schilling, one of the'earliest of 
 the pioneer settlers of the township of 
 Sebewaing, was born Feb. 7, 1808, in 
 Germany. His parents, Peter and Julia A. 
 Schilling, came to the United States in 1817, 
 and located at Baltimore, Md. They were 
 wholly ignorant of the English language and of the 
 ways and customs, and the entire family, consisting 
 of the parents and two children, Frederick and 
 Catherine, were sold into slavery in Maryland, 
 where they were held for a time and were finally 
 transferred to Williamsport, Pa. Their bondage 
 continued about 18 months, and they escaped from 
 Pennsylvania to Livingston Co., N. Y., making their 
 way thither by stealth, begging their food and pass- 
 ing three days of the time without anything to eat. 
 They remained in the Empire State about i r years, 
 when they came to Washtenaw County, Mich., 
 where the parents passed the remainder of their 
 lives. 
 
 Mr. Schilling came to Huron County in 1857, and 
 located 400 acres of land in Sebewaing Township. 
 
 His residence has been there ever since, and his 
 present home is with his daughter Helena. He was 
 married in 1832, in Washtenaw County, to Catherine 
 Miller, and they had lo children, — Catherine, Mary, 
 John, Christine, Lydia, Louisa, Gottfried, Ernst, 
 Caroline and Helena. 
 
 Mr. Schilling is a Democrat. He was the first 
 Supervisor of Sebewaing Township, and held the 
 position altogether 14 years. He has also officiated 
 several years as Notary Public, and a short time as 
 Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Lu- 
 theran Church. 
 
 »«^— 
 
 \k^ F. Leipprandt, farmer, section 13, Case- 
 
 in, ville Township, is also a merchant, 
 £)^*^ and the Postmaster of Hayes postoffice, 
 $'h which is located on his farm. He was born 
 pi^ May 5, 1835, in Wurtemburg, Germany, and 
 I is the son of John F. and Dora (Hennes) 
 Leipprandt. His father was born about the year 
 1800, and died in his native land, in 1878. His 
 inother is still living on the homestead in the " Fader- 
 land," with another son. She was bora Jan. 16, 
 i8ro. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in 
 his native country, and came to the United States 
 when he was r7 years of age. He proceeded to 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, where he obtained employment in 
 a furniture factor)', and continued in that situation 
 three years. He went thence to New Bremen, Ohio, 
 where he was engaged as a millwright, his trades of 
 wheelwrignt and cabinet-maker, which he had 
 learned of his father, rendering it easy for him to 
 secure employment. He afterwards bought a flour- 
 ing mill at La Crescent, Houston Co., Minn., which 
 he managed two years. While there he was con- 
 verted to Cliristianity, and after two years he sold 
 his mill and became a circuit-rider of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. In the fall of 1870 he came to 
 Caseville and bought the farm on which he has since 
 resided. 
 
 He was married Aug. 6, r856, to Engel M. D. 
 Hoffschmidt, and they are the parents of six chil- 
 dren, born as follows: J. William, Sept, ri, 1857; 
 
 r 
 
 ^ 
 1 
 
 V 
 
 sniir>A^ 
 
 
 -1^ 
 
 '^ 
 
■aV4:llIl^IiD^>r 
 
 33° 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 T 
 
 V Edwin C, Sept 14, 1859; Charles W., Nov. i, 1861 ; 
 
 ^ Lydia C. F., April 2, 1864; Violet D., Feb. 3, 1879. 
 Their mother was born Dec. 25, 1837, in Hanover. 
 Germany. Her father, Henry Hofifschmidt, died in 
 
 (hj Wisconsin ; her mother is living in Plymouth, \Vis. 
 Mr. Leipprandt is a Republican in political affilia- 
 tion. He has served as Justice of the Peace ever 
 since he has been a resident of Caseville ;' has been 
 Clerk two terms and filled a vacancy one term as Su- 
 pervisor. 
 
 He is one of the substantial and reliable citizens 
 of Huron County. His farin includes 140 acres of 
 land under cultivation, and his residence is one of 
 the finest in the Huron peninsula. It is fitted with 
 steam-heating apparatus, bath-room, with hot and 
 cold water, and various other modern appliances. 
 The farm has four excellent frame barns. On the 
 place is a valuable brick yard, with all necessary fix- 
 tures, the machine run by steam. The producing 
 capacity is r 0,000 brick daily. One foot below the 
 stratum of clay he is working, lies a bed of material 
 equal to that used in the celebrated Milwaukee 
 brick. The proprietor has been engaged in a mer- 
 cantile enterprise on his farm since 1874, transacting 
 his business in that avenue in a store in front of his 
 house. He keeps the assortment of articles suited 
 
 / ^ to his 'patronage, and expects in the immediate fu- 
 
 \i ) ture to transfer his mercantile affairs to Berne, three 
 and a half miles distant, and located on the railroad 
 at a point south of Caseville. He was educated at 
 the College of Leichttnstern, Wurtemburg, Germany. 
 The i)ublishers are happy to place in this volume a 
 portrait of the above-mentioned worthy gentleman. 
 It is given on a preceding page near this sketch. 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 ^SS-^'^ 
 
 ames Harvey, deceased, a former resident 
 ?■ on section 23, Chandler Townshi|), was 
 born Dec. 6, 1829, in Kings County, Ire- 
 land. His parents, Joseph and Catherine 
 (Fisher) Harvey, were of Irish origin. Tlie 
 father dying when the son was but six years 
 old, left the latter wholly in the charge of his 
 mother until the age of 14 years, when he was ap- 
 prenticed to a blacksmith. He found it a distaste- 
 
 -Sij^^jKL 
 
 ful occupation, and after giving it a year's trial he 
 ran away to sea, and shipped as a seaman in the 
 merchant service, operated by Harvey & Deans, of 
 the city of Cork, Ireland, with whom he bound him- 
 self for a term. After a service of 18 months, he 
 severed the obligations, because he received no 
 recompense, and came to St. John's, N. B., where he 
 became a seaman on an American vessel, and he 
 spent some years in cruising on the principal oceans. 
 Leaving the service of the sea, he engaged in that of 
 the lakes, where he operated until his death, Nov. 
 24, 1869, on Georgian Bay. He was second mate 
 of the "Aerthusa," and, while reefing sail during one 
 of the severest storms on record, was swept over- 
 board. The correspondence of his captain with his 
 widow, spoke of the dead sailor in the most com- 
 mendatory terms. He was an efficient seaman, 
 strictly temperate and correct in all his habits. He 
 won the respectful consideration of all who knew 
 him at home or pursuing his vocation, was well edu- 
 cated, and well qualified for any calling in life. 
 
 He was married Oct, 24, 1850, to Mary Duggan, a 
 native of the city of Cork. She is the daughter of 
 James and Mary (Beteman) Duggan, both of Irish 
 nationality. Her father was a salesman in one of 
 the chief stationery shops in that city, and died at 
 29 years of age, leaving two daughters. The mother 
 died in Cork, in 1866. 
 
 Mrs. Harvey is the elder of her parents' children, 
 and was reared to womanhood and educated in her 
 native city. A few years after her marriage she re- 
 moved with her husband to the United States, and 
 remained a year in the city of New York. They 
 returned thence to Cork, where they had a residence 
 three years. At the end of that time they came 
 again to the United States and took up a claim of 
 t6o acres of land in Chandler Township. Subse- 
 quently Mr. Harvey became the proprietor of 120 
 acres additional. The entire acreage is still retained 
 in the family, and 120 acres have been cleared, 
 constituting one of the best farms in the township. 
 Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey hold 80 acres 
 each ; the widow retains possession of 1 20 acres. 
 
 Mrs. Harvey was educated in the parish schools 
 of St. Mary's, Shandon Church, situated on the 
 River Lee. Both herself and husband were reared 
 in the English Church. At the time they fixed their 
 home in Huron County, the vicinity in which they 
 located was in a wholly unimproved state, and they 
 
 i 
 
 ••r • 
 
 V 
 
 < 
 
 /^ 
 
^^^ 
 
 r^^^ 6VC?Ilt]:gIlIl^>V 
 
 
 
 A 
 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 experienced all the variety and privations of pioneer 
 life, which, however inconvenient, seldom appeared 
 to discounge or weaken the purpose which instigat- 
 ed first settlers in their efforts to accomplish their 
 designs. 
 
 •^iJ-s^i^^iaiai'^s^-J^ 
 
 illiam Hedley, a resident on section 5, 
 Chandler Township, is one of the leading 
 _ agricultnristsof the Huron peninsula. He 
 !' has lived in Chandler Township since 1866, 
 when he became a land-holder by the pur- 
 chase of 120 acres, to which he afterwards 
 added 40, and has cleared and placed under the 
 best improvements 100 acres. At the time of his 
 making a location, settlers were widely separated, 
 and he has brought the most satisfactory results 
 from the " uncut forest and the unbroken soil." 
 
 He was born Dec. 28, 1823, in Northumberland, 
 Eng., and his parents were both natives of the same 
 county, of unmixed English origin. His father, 
 George Hedley, was a farmer, and lived and died in 
 his native county, his decease occurring in 1856. 
 His mother, Elizabeth (Morton) Hedley, died in the 
 same place, in 1879, aged 78 years. Their family 
 included five sons and three daughters ; Mr. Hedley 
 was the third in order of birth of the children born 
 to his parents, under whose care he remained during 
 his minority. 
 
 On reaching the age df 21 years, he engaged in 
 the butchering business, in which he was occupied 
 until 1854, the year in which he emigrated to the 
 United States. He had a wife and four children, 
 and the family first settled in Connecticut, where the 
 husband and father spent three years as a common 
 laborer, or farm assistant. He removed his interests 
 thence to Kent Co., Ont., where he purchased a 
 farm, of which he retained the proprietorship four 
 years. His next remove was to East Saginaw, Mich., 
 where he entered into a contract as packer for a salt 
 company, in whose interests he was occupied eight 
 years. 
 
 He came to Huron County in 1866, ana secured 
 the 120 acres of the farm lie now owns, and to 
 whicli, by a later puvciiase, he added 40 acres. The 
 appearance and value of his property is substantially 
 
 increased by the ([uality of the buildings he has 
 erected. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Hedley is a Democrat. He has 
 officiated as Township Clerk 13 years. 
 
 He was first married in 1844, to Jane Hogg, a 
 native of Northumberland, l)orn in 1818. She died 
 in the township of Chandler, March 28, 1874, of 
 cancer of tiie breast. Five children survive her, — 
 John, Ellen, Elizabeth, Mary and Henry. Mr. Hed- 
 ley was a second time married, Feb. i, 1879, at 
 Caseville, to Mrs. Sarah (Martin) Davison. She was 
 born Dec. 21, 1822, in Diirham Co., Ont., and is the 
 daughter of Moses and Catherine (Luno) Martin, 
 natives respectively of England and Germany. Her 
 father died in Ontario, at the age of 87 years. Her 
 mother is still living, and is very aged. 
 
 The marriage of Mrs. Hedley to William Davison 
 took place in her native county. Four children were 
 born of this union, — Lydia, Mary, Hannah and Ed- 
 ward. All are married. Mr. Davison was of Yankee 
 birth and origin, and died in 1878, in the State of 
 New York. 
 
 ichard Gwinn, farmer, section 12, Case- 
 ville Township, was born in Ireland in 
 October, 1820. His parents, James and 
 ^^\ ^^•'^'^ (Short) Gwinn, emigrated to Canada 
 when the son was about a year old, locatini^ 
 in New Glasgow, where the mother died, in 
 1838, aged 56 years. The father died in Branf Co., 
 Ont., in r86o, and was aged 64 years. 
 
 Mr. Gwinn was married July 7, 1849, to Mary A. 
 Saunders, and they are the parents of five sons and a 
 daAighter — John, Maria, William, Richard, Joseph K. 
 and Samuel J. The mother was born Feb. 24, 1823, 
 in Ballafin, County Queens, Ireland, and is the child 
 of Allen and Maria (Luttrell) Saunders. Her mother 
 died in Kilmanagh, County Kildare, on the Dul)Iin 
 Road, in Ireland. Her father died in Canada. 
 
 After iiis marriage, Mr. Gwinn remained a resident 
 on his father's farm until tiie next fall, when he re- 
 moved to Artiuir Township, Wellington Co., Ont., 
 and bought a farm, on which he expended his efforts 
 and energies nine years. In 1S59 he sold the place, 
 
 V^' 
 
 (^; 
 
 
 (^ 
 
 •; ■» 
 
 ^^^k' 
 
 J^i^^ 
 
 <^n!i^Dii;>^^^ — 2*€y^ 
 
 m 
 
@))«^^ 
 
 332 
 
 '4J 
 
 (> 
 
 A 
 
 :-<^ 
 
 V 
 
 ^ 
 
 V 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -«^^^ 
 
 which he had put in excellent condition, and came to 
 East Saginaw. In the fall of i860 he settled on the 
 farm he now occupies and owns, and of which he 
 secured 80 acres by pre-emption. He paid for it 
 under the provisions of the Graduation Act. In 
 political principles Mr. Gwinn is a Republican. 
 
 •viaae;®^" 
 
 *^^l/3OT*v. 
 
 |[lexander B. Arthur, proprietor of the 
 ~--_J ^ Arthur House at I'innebog village, was 
 g^^ " borii Oct. 13, 1854, in Hamilton Co, Ont. 
 In addition to his business as a landlord, he is 
 also managing the sale of agricultural imple- 
 ments at the same place. His father, George 
 Arthur, was a native of Ireland and a farmer. He 
 emigrated to Ontario in early life, where he is still a 
 resident. He married Margaret Brown, who was 
 born in Durham Co., Ont., and brought by her parents 
 to Hamilton County when 17 years old. In 1877 she 
 came to Huron County to reside with her son, and is 
 56 years of age. 
 
 Mr. Arthur is the eldest of 1 1 children. He re- 
 ceived a careful education, and at the age of 16 years 
 began teaching, in Peterborough Co., Ont. After 
 operating in that capacity one year in the province, 
 he came to Grindstone City and engaged in the ser- 
 vice of the Lake Huron Stone Company, in whose 
 interests he operated nearly one year. He next 
 engaged in teaching in Sanilac County, and after a 
 short time was interrupted in tlie prosecution of his 
 business Ijy the destruction of the school buildings 
 by fire, and he returned to the province of Ontario 
 and rented a farm for a tiui-;. In 1874 he secured a 
 hom(!stead claim, which he purchased afterwards, and 
 later sold it, to good advantage, for the purpose of 
 returning to Michigan. In 1877 he bought 160 acres 
 of land in Greenleaf Township, Sanilac County, in 
 the midst of a wliolly unsettled and unbroken coun- 
 try, miles in extent. He opened a clearing, built a 
 house and entered vigorously upon the improvement 
 of his property, also trafficking in wild lands in the 
 vicinity, until 1881, when adversity compelled him to 
 dispose of Viis entire interest. • 
 
 He sold out and came to Grindstone City, where 
 he obtained an interest in a meat market. He also 
 
 purchased several houses and lots and is still pro- 
 prietor of all the property. The meat market is now 
 leased (1884). 
 
 In 1883 Mr. Arthur became associated with E. A. 
 Lincoln, of Sand Beach, in traffic in stock and in the 
 business pertaining to the vocation of drovers. In his 
 travels through this section, he perceived the feasi- 
 bility of erecting a hotel at this point, and was ad- 
 vised by his partner to reduce the plan to practice. 
 He made arrangements accordingly, purchasing land 
 and material and proceeding to the erection of the 
 required building. He formed a partnership with 
 Mr. Benjamin Shires, and they bought and refitted 
 the old Duran store building. He afterwards 
 changed his associate in business, forming a partner- 
 ship with his brother-in-law, Magnus McLean. In 
 the sale of agricultural implements he is associated 
 with a brother, E. G. Arthur, and they are prosecut- 
 ting a successful business in that line. 
 
 Mr. Arthur is liberal in his religious views, and is 
 a Republican in political sentiment. He declines all 
 official preferment. 
 
 -5— «N/W£ 
 
 g-VW^-J-c 
 
 Mr 
 
 obert M. Wagstaff, Custodian of the 
 Harbor of Refuge, Sand Beach, received 
 the appointment to the position in 1882, 
 from Robert T. Lincoln, Secretary of War, on 
 the recommendaiion of F. U. Faniuhar, Ma- 
 jor of Engineers, U. S. Army. 
 Wagstaff was born Sept. ro, 1835, in Buffalo, 
 N. Y., and is the son of Robert and (Catherine 
 Walker) Wagstaff. His father was born in 1808, at 
 Palmyra, N. Y., and was a sailor most of his life. 
 His connection with the marine service of the 
 United States has given his name an historical in- 
 terest, and it is prominent in the records of the 
 country. He became a' lake pilot at an early age, 
 and in 1832 was one of the five whose name was 
 mentioned in the Chicago Inter-Ocean, of December, 
 1883, as knowing the route from Buffalo to Chicago. 
 In that year, during the progress of the Black Hawk 
 war, Captain Wagstaff piloted the United States 
 squadron from Buffalo to Chicago, which conveyed 
 supplies to the army of General Scott. He was on 
 
 Vf 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 ^^-^<^|]!l^tlD;>^-^^ :s5#^^ 
 
c&'yp\ Ji^ 
 
 
 '^ 
 
■:s^^^ 6V<>llIlgnilv> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ^ 
 
 > 
 
 . >. 
 
 I 
 
 board the schooner " United States." In 1836 he 
 was made commander of the " Julia Palmer," the 
 first full-rigged ship on the lakes. She was lost in 
 1874 on Lake Superior. At the time of his death, 
 which took place in December, 1864, he was Harbor 
 Master at Washington, U. C. He was Harbor 
 Master atTampico durmg the war with Mexico, and 
 was the first Harbor Pilot of the Harbor of San 
 Francisco, Cal., receiving his appointment from the 
 Governor. 
 
 Mr. Wagstaff was at school some years in Detroit, 
 and at the age of 17 years he went to New York 
 and shipped on a vessel bound for California, where 
 he remained on the Pacific coast four years. He 
 also went to Australia, China, and the waters of the 
 North and South Pacific Oceans. He was absent 
 from 1853 10 1857, and made the passage around the 
 globe. In 1857 he shipped on the ship " Ellen Fos- 
 ter," bound from San Francisco to China, returning 
 thence to Boston with a cargo of sugar and manilla. 
 In 1858 he sailed on the " C. J. Kershaw," the first 
 vessel which sailed from the fresh water lakes to 
 Liverpool and return. He came back as lier first 
 mate. He went again to Liverpool in 1859, and, 
 altogether, has made nine trips across the ocean to 
 Liverpool. 
 
 When the war of the Rebellion broke out he was 
 appointed master's mate on the sciiooner " Sydney 
 C. Jones," in the fleet under Commodore Porter, and 
 was in action at the capture of New Orleans. He 
 went afterwards to Vicksburg and thence to the 
 James River, where he wis in the service at the 
 time of the retreat of McClellan. He went tlience 
 to Baltimore, and on to Alexandria, wliere the 
 schooner was stationed as giuud-ship. While there 
 he was promoted as Acting Ensign and ordered to re- 
 port on board the steamship " Florida," under orders 
 to join the Wilmington blockading sijuadron, where 
 he assisted in the capture of the rebel schooner 
 " Hattie." He took command as prize master and 
 took her to the Port of New York. On his return, 
 he was transferred to the gunboat " Morse," sta- 
 tioned at Yorktowii, Va., where he participated in a 
 severe engagement at White House, on the Pamun- 
 key River, where the rebels made an attack on 
 Sheridan's baggage trains. He was again transferred 
 to the gunboat " Tulip" on the Potomac River, and 
 three days later she exploded, while on her way to 
 Washington for repairs. Her crew consisted of 69 
 
 men, of whom Mr. Wagstaff and two others alone 
 escaped. He was in the water nearly two hours, sus- 
 taining himself with a stick under each arm. He 
 was picked up by an aimy transport and was dis- 
 abled about a month. In the fall of 1864 he was 
 transferred to the United States store-ship "Guard," 
 which was attached to the European squadron and 
 spent two years in foreign waters, where he visited 
 the ports of Lisbon, Portugal, Cartliagena and 
 Gibraltar, Spain ; Spezzia, Italy, and Mahon on the 
 island of Majorca, whence he returned to the 
 United States, when he was honorably discharged 
 from the Government service, Sept. ii, 1867, at New 
 York. He tlien became connected with the lake 
 service, and for eight years was pilot on the revenue 
 cutter, " W. P. Fessenden." He was a sailor on the 
 lakes until October, 1882, when he acceded to liis 
 present position. 
 
 Mr. Wagstaff was married in Boston, June 19, 
 1865, to Kate B. Nial. She is the daughter of 
 Hugh and Ellen (Corbet) Nial. She was born Nov. 
 16, 1839, in Canada. Their children are — Robert 
 D., who was born Sept. 5, 1867, at Buffalo; Francis 
 was born in Detroit March 14, 1870, and died in 
 Detroit Nov. 3, 1873; Charles B. was born in De- 
 troit, Nov. 4, 1874. Mr. Wagstaff belongs to the 
 Order of Masonry and to the A. O. U. W. 
 
 (^if^f HJiJi? illiam McCoy, proprietor of the Port Cres- 
 _j^lkta^ijg cent House wai born Jan. 20, 1847 in 
 :j|^-p Ottawa Co., Out. His parents, Thomas and 
 ^ Catherine (Cane) McCoy, are natives of 
 Ireland, whence tiiey emigrated to the Do- 
 
 }J minion of ('anada, vviiere they are important 
 and influential members of tiie agricultural com- 
 munity. 
 
 Mr. McCoy was reared after the method common 
 to the education and training of farmers' sons, and 
 was instructed in all the branches of farming. He 
 came to Michigan when he was 17 years of age, and 
 began his struggle for independent maintenance in 
 the lumber regions of the Pinnebog River in Huron 
 County, entering the employ of Leonard & .'Vyres. 
 He went liience, in 1868, to Grindstone City, wliere 
 
 V© 
 
 9 
 
 
 t 
 
 he operated as a turner in the manufacturing estab- 
 
<) 
 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 lishment of Wallace & Co., engaged there in the 
 grindstone business. He was skillful and effective 
 in his work, and his task was of a character that 
 commanded most remunerative wages. He operated 
 there 1 1 years, during the last of which he officiated 
 as foreman for Hubbard & Peer. 
 
 Meanwhile he had become the proprietor of a farm 
 in Port Austin Township, and after managing his 
 agricultural interests there two years, he came in the 
 spring of 1882 to Port Crescent, and took possession 
 of the hotel he is now (1884) conducting. He owns 
 the property and still retains the ownership of 120 
 acres of land in Port Austin Township, a portion of 
 which is improved. In political opinion Mr. Mc- 
 Coy affiliates with the Democrats, and he has held 
 the minor local offices of his township. 
 
 He was married Dec. 17, 187 1, in Buckingham, 
 Ottawa Co., Quebec, to Bridget A. C.irr. Mary G., 
 born Dec. 17, 1872, and Thomas E., born Oct. 30, 
 1875, are the children of Mr. and Mrs. McCoy. 
 Their mother was the daughter of Edward and Mary 
 Carr, natives of Ireland, wlio emigrated to Canada, 
 where the father is still living. The mother is dead, 
 and Mrs. McCoy was Ijorn at Elmer, Ottawa Co., 
 Quebec, Sept. 10, 1849. She was well educated, 
 and was a teacher in the common schools for seven 
 years. She died at St. Mary's Hospital, Detroit, 
 March 4, 1870, of a tumor. Mr. McCoy was again 
 married June 20, 1882, in Pontiac, Ont., to Mary 
 Donnelly. She was born April 22, 1859, in Pontiac, 
 and is the daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Heapley) 
 Donnelly. The parents are natives of Ireland, and 
 are resident at Pontiac. They had 12 children. The 
 family are Roman Catholics. 
 
 Mr. McCoy's portrait, on a preceding page, will no 
 doul)t l)e welcomed in this volume by all his friends, 
 and the public generally. 
 
 E5'«^v-<«iWe>^ 
 
 "#iifflK illiam Kappen, farmer, sections 29 and 32, 
 li^^iw VVinsorTowiisliii), was born May 31,1827, 
 '''l^^y in Prussia, and is the son of Frederick 
 ■ ■'3> and Mary (Ode) KaiJpen. His father died 
 in Prussia, in 1846. His mother came with 
 him to America in 1854, and died in 1868. 
 Mr. Kappen landed in New York, on reaching this 
 
 country, and proceeded to Marine City, St. Clair 
 County, where he worked as a farm laborer one year 
 by the month; at the end of that time he bought 40 
 acres of land, on wliich he resided and labored two 
 years, sold out and went to Le.\ington, Sanilac Co., 
 Mich , where he conducted a rented farm one year. 
 In 1858 he went to BooneviUe, Mo., where he rented 
 a farm, on which he labored two years. In September, 
 1861, he enlisted in the Union service, enrolling in 
 Co. A, Fifth Mo. Cav., State Militia. He was a par- 
 ticipant in the battle of BooneviUe, and his regiment 
 had many engagements with bushwhackers. The 
 command did not leave the State. He was dis- 
 charged in March, 1863. 
 
 In May, 1863, he removed hither and bought 80 
 acres on each of the sections named. He is a de- 
 cided Republican in political sentiment, and has 
 served four terms as Highway Commissioner, four 
 years as Township Treasurer, School Director ten 
 years, and has this present year acted as Census 
 Enumerator in the Township of VVinsor. 
 
 He was married in April, 1852, to Wilhelmine 
 Dannenburg, and they have been the parents of 10 
 children, — William, Eena, Frederick, Margaret (de- 
 ceased), Mary, Herman, Ernstina, Matilda, Augusta 
 and Martha. 
 
 OCX) 
 
 I 
 
 0> 
 
 'acob T. Roi'ick, editor and proprietor of 
 [^^fe^ the Bad Axe Dcmocraf, published at 
 SSPF*^ Bad A.xe, Mich., was born in the State ot 
 New Jersey, Feb. 9, 1853 ; he is a son of Mark 
 and Ann E. (Moore) Rorick, the former of 
 (ierman-English extraction, tlie latter of Irish 
 descent, and both natives of New Jersey, where they 
 lived and died. 
 
 The sujjject of this sketch attended school the fust 
 15 years of his life; he was then engaged in working 
 on a farm by the month for a period of seven years, 'Q) 
 after which he engaged in teaching school, sonie 14 
 terms, in the country; he then became Principal of ^ 
 tlie Schools at Canandaigua, Mich., for three terms, 
 then acted as Principal of the Schools at Fayette, 
 Ohio. He emigrated to Michigan in the year 1867, 
 having been engaged for a short time previously as 
 
 ■itn- 
 
 ■^:ll D ^ llti;^'-^ ^^g:^^:. 
 

'^^^ 
 
 (C^ 
 
 ') 
 
 i 
 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -5tf<^^Jfe: 
 
 clerk in a grocery store. Several years since, he was 
 engaged for a time in dealing in produce, with a fair 
 degree of success. He came to Bad Axe in July, 
 1884, and purchased the press from William T. 
 Hutchinson and entered immediately upon tiie 
 duties of puliiisliing a paper known as the Bad A.xe 
 Democrat, which he has continued up to the present 
 time, a more extended sketch of which will be found 
 elsewhere in this work. 
 
 Mr. Rorick was married in Lenawee Co., Mich., 
 April 16, 1 88 1, to Carrie Eldridge, daughter of the 
 Rev. H. P. and Sarah (Averill) Eldridge; she was 
 born in New York, Feb. 4, 185S. They have by 
 this union one child, Mark Eldridge, born Feb. i, 
 1884. Mr. Rorick is a member of the Order of 
 Freemasons, belonging to Lodge No. 173, Medina, 
 Lenawee Co., Mich. Li political faith Mr. Rorick 
 is, as the title of his paper would seem to indicate, a 
 Democrat of strong type. He holds to the principles 
 of no compromise wilh wrong, but to hew to the line 
 and let the chips fall where they may. On the sub- 
 ject of religion he is a freethinker. 
 
 i eorge C. Green, attorney at Sand Beach, 
 I was born in England, Nov. 22, 1844. He 
 
 is the son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) 
 Green, both of English descent. The former 
 died when the son was an infant, the mother 
 emigrated to Canada, where she still resides. 
 Mr. G. was raised to the occupation of a farmer 
 and lumberman, which business he followed until lie 
 was 25 years old. He then purchased a farm in 
 Lexington Township, Sanilac Co., Mich., which he 
 continued to operate until 1868, when he was ap- 
 pointed Under-Sherifif of Sanilac County, filling the 
 position for a period of two years. He then began 
 the study of law, with Judge Wixson and John Devine 
 at Lexington, Saliilac County. In 1875 he was ad- 
 mitted to the Bar of the 24th Judicial Circuit of this 
 Slate and also the United States Court. In 1878 he 
 located in Sand Beach, where lie has since conducted 
 his business with success. Mr. Green is entirely a 
 self-made man. In 1876 Mr. G. was elected to fill 
 the office of Circuit Court Commissioher of Huron 
 
 County, which position he held for four years, and on 
 Nov. 4, [884, was again elected, with a larger major- 
 ity than any man in Huron County, — 585. 
 
 Mr. Green was married in Canada, in i860, to 
 Mary Giddings, daughter of William and Susan Gid- 
 dings. She was born in Englanci, in 1840. Of this 
 union two children have been born : Henrietta and 
 Roselplia. Both are qualified teachers in graded 
 schools. 
 
 -£68- 
 
 ^{ «N-|3harles Henning, 
 
 iroprietor of- the Sebe- 
 
 if . 
 
 raS wauig Steam Planiiig-Mills, ,vas born Dec. 
 
 Sllg 3> 1846, in Prussia. His parents, Charles 
 fj» and I^orothy (Grambauer) Henning, emigra- 
 ted to the United States in 1S54 and located 
 in Niagara Co., N. Y. Mr. Henning there grew to 
 the age of 16 years, when his father became a de- 
 fender of the integrity of the country which had 
 become the home of his family. He enlisted in 
 1862 in tlie 129th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was 
 killed in the siege of Richmond, leaving a wife and 
 three children — Charles, Carlotta and Frederick. 
 
 Mr. Henning was nine years of age when his par- 
 ents transferred their family and interests to America, 
 and at the age of 13 years he began his single- 
 handed conflict witii the world. He passed the first 
 three years as a farm laborer by the month, after 
 which he went to Bufialo and entered upon an ap- 
 prenticeship of three years to learn the trade of cabi- 
 net-making. On completing the term of his inden- 
 ture he came to Michigan, and was employed about 
 one year in the vicinity of Mt. Clemens, working as 
 a house carpenter. He proceeded thence to Bay 
 City and worked at cabinet-making for the next 
 seven years. He was in the employ of several [lar- 
 ties during the first three years, and at the end of 
 that time entered into a partnership with S. B. Sher- 
 man, and tiiey transacted business in furniture- 
 making, and also as undertakers. 
 
 In 1865 their establisliment burned, with practi- 
 cally no insurance. Their loss was nearly total, and 
 in tlie summer of 1869 Mr. Henning came to Sebe- 
 waing. His entire cash capital consisted of a two- 
 dollar bill, blit he opened a furniture store, on a 
 
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 I 
 
 0) 
 
 (q) 
 
 •i '• 
 
 mmm^ 
 
 t^ 
 
 -Sv?^ 
 
 ^-^171- 
 
7^]!irMWi>t^ 5S«€»ter 
 
 340 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -4®^ 
 
 1*1^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 small scale. His first bill of stock amounted to $25 ; 
 bat his business constantly and rapidly increased. 
 At the end of si.\ years he formed a partnership with 
 two other men, and they started a small planing- 
 mill, operated by a 4 x i 2 engine. He afterwards 
 purchased the claims of his partners, and disposed 
 of his interest in the furniture business. His plan- 
 ing business increased so rapidly as to require ad- 
 ditional motive power, wliich he leased from a grist- 
 mill in the vicinity. He continued this variety of 
 operation three years, when he formed a partnership 
 with George Winterhalter, and the firm bought the 
 property where the business of Mr. Henning is trans- 
 acted, and which the latter now owns. In connection 
 with his planing-mill he manufactures btoom-handles, 
 in which line of business he is extensively engaged. 
 
 Mr. Henning is a Republican of unmistakable 
 views, and has been one of the Councilmen of Sebe- 
 waing since the incorporation of the village. 
 
 He was married May 6, 1867, at Bay City, to 
 Margaret Bartel. She was born May i, 1848, in 
 Bavaria, and came with her parents to the United 
 States wlien she was two years of age. Her father 
 died in Frankenmuth, Saginaw Co., Mich., where her 
 mother still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Henning have 
 had eight children, four of whom survive. Three 
 died in infancy. Johnnie died before he was three 
 years old, from the effects of being scalded. Charles 
 was born June 16, 1868; Margaret, Aug. 15, 1870; 
 Leonhart, Feb. 14, 1875; Martha, Dec. 31, r877. 
 
 A portrait of Mr. Henning is given in proximity to 
 this sketch, and is welcomed in the collection given 
 in this Album. 
 
 'ames Ross, farmer, section 17, Bingham 
 %- Township, was born April 19, 1822, m 
 Banffshire, Scotland. His parents lived 
 and died in their native country. Mr. Ross 
 became a laborer when he was a boy of 12 
 years. The first event of his life of any im- 
 portance was his marriage, in Scotlond, to Mary 
 Corley, of the same nationality. She was born in 
 April, 1822, in Aberdeenshire, and has been the 
 mother of 1 2 children, born in the following order: 
 
 Stephen, Mary, James, Jane, Ellen, Charles, Lizzie, 
 Anna, Margaret and Jessie. Two children died in 
 infancy. 
 
 Two years subsequent to their marriage, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Ross emigrated to Canada, settling at first in 
 Hamilton, Ontario, where they were resident seven 
 years. They went thence to Lancaster, Wentworth 
 Co., Ont., and lived there 12 years, removing thence 
 to Michigan in 1870, when they located where they 
 have since resided. They became proprietors, by 
 purchase, of 240 acres of land on section 17, 120 
 acres on section 8, and 120 acres on section 16 of 
 Bingham Township. The entire acreage was in a 
 wholly wild condition. There were no roads in the 
 vicinity, settlers were more like angels visits, — few 
 and far between, — and he encountered life in the 
 bush in all its variety. 
 
 Mr. Ross is the most extensive land-holder in 
 Bingham Township, and has one of the best loca- 
 tions. Nearly all the land is now under cultivation. 
 
 He is a member of the Democratic element in 
 politics. He has been Justice of the Peace six years, 
 and is still the incumbent of the office. The famdy 
 are Presbyterians. 
 
 "»i— S- 
 
 Texander S. Leszczynski, of the firm of 
 B^j^t Leszczynski Bros., Sand Beach, dealers in 
 ^^ dry goods, notions, hats, caps, boots, shoes. 
 
 i-Ai 
 
 A<; 
 
 groceries, crockery, glassware, etc., and manu- 
 facturers of furniture, also wholesale dealers in 
 butter, eggs and general farm produce, was 
 born Jan. 12, 1859, in Springwells, Wayne Co., Mich. 
 His parents, Anthony and Anna (Skriba) Leszczynski, 
 were natives of Poland. The lather was born there 
 June 17, 1829. He was a stone mason by trade, and 
 came to the -United States in rSso. For 12 years 
 preceding his death, he was a merchant in Wyan- 
 dotte, Wayne County. He died from suffocation, 
 Aug. 26, 1876, while asleep in the rooms above his 
 store, which was broken into and fired by burglars 
 about three o'clock in the morning. The mother is 
 still living. She was born July 28, 1830, and has 
 been the mother of seven cliildren, five of whom are 
 living. 
 
 Mr. L., of this sketch, is the fourth child of his 
 
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 1 
 
 ■tsa 
 

 ^^<^Ly^^ 
 
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 ■cr 
 
 vC:BI)^llD>^r- 
 
 TT 
 
 -e£^ 
 
 l^^f 
 
 ,i, 
 
 i 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 343 
 
 parents in order of birth. He began to learn the 
 trade of a ]jractical printer when he was 15 years of 
 age, and devoted three years to his apprenticeship. 
 He abandoned the project and became a clerk in a 
 dry-goods store, which occupation engaged his atten- 
 tion between two and three years. In iSSohe em- 
 barked in the grocery and provision business in 
 Detroit, his store being located on the corner of 
 Hastings and Napoleon Streets. He sold the es- 
 tablishment Sept. I, 1881, coming the same month 
 to Sand Beach. He formed a partnership with 
 George W. Carr, which ter.nlnated Sept. i, 1883, by 
 the purchase of the interest of Mr. Carr by the 
 brother of the senior member — John M. Leszczynski. 
 The latter is engaged in the manufacture of up- 
 holstered goods, and is preparing to place his prod- 
 ucts upon sale. The brothers are both members 
 of the Polish National Benevolent Society. 
 
 Mr. Leszczynski was married April 25, 1882, to 
 Victoria, daughter of Paul Siuda. She was born at 
 Parisville, Huron Co., Mich., Oct. 30, 1859. One 
 son, Joseph F., was born of this union, April i, 1883. 
 
 -S3= 
 
 
 £>- 
 
 i'^M^n i.'ohn Hopson, farmer, section 35, Rubicon 
 Township, was born Aug. 27, 1821, in 
 County Westmeath, Ireland. He has 
 been a resident of Michigan since 1835, the 
 "^r year in which his parents emigrated to the 
 '"^ LHiited States, and also the date of their set- 
 tlement at Detroit. His father was a gunsmith, a 
 I)lacksiuith and a machinist, anil had been drilled in 
 iiis several callings witli all tiie thoroughness which 
 characterizes the training of craftsmen in the old 
 countries. His skill and the needs of the settlers 
 brought him abundant patronage, and his business 
 thrived beyond his most sanguine hopes. 
 
 The i)roclivities of Mr. Hopson of this sketch, in 
 his first youth, inclined towards a professional 
 career, and he entered the office of Dr. Thomas B. 
 Clark, of Detroit, to read for the practice of medi- 
 cine; but the plan was abandoned, and he went to 
 Cenesee County to manage a farm which his father 
 had purchased. He remained there about 18 
 
 months. After his return to the City of the Straits, 
 he engaged a short lime as a carpenter, after which 
 he became a salesman in his brother's store, in 
 which employment he continued about nine years. 
 Meanwnile he had become interested in the lake 
 service, and was the proprietor of three vessels, — 
 the "Matilda," "Woods," and the "Cadet." He 
 was engaged in traffic with the settlers along the 
 lake-side, of whom he bought shingles and shingle 
 " bolts," a branch of business in which he was con- 
 siderably interested about nine years, when he sold 
 his vessels ; but he has always retained an interest 
 in vessel property. 
 
 He came to Huron County to make a location 
 June 6, 1847. The impelling cause was the im- 
 paired condition of his health, his physicians stren- 
 uously urging the necessity of his pursuing an active 
 life in the open air. Pursuant to this advice, he left 
 Detroit on the steamer " Charter," and was landed in 
 Huron County where Rock Falls is now located. 
 The steamer brought his equipments, which includ- 
 ed a wagon and a pair of steers. Mr. Hopson 
 reached land in a yawl-boat; the steers were pushed 
 overboard and swam ashore. 
 
 There were no roads in Huron County. An In- 
 dian trail lay along the lake side, and the woods 
 were traversed in divers directions by the same va- 
 riety of roads. Mr. Hopson drove his steers and 
 wagon over one of these to Sand Beach, where he 
 established himself in gill-net fishing, in company 
 with William Underbill. This was the first e.\|)edi- 
 tion with a wagon between the two points named. 
 Mr. Hopson invested $1,900 in the venture, wliich 
 |)roved profitaljle, notwithstanding the fact that fisii 
 were very low in price. He pursued the business of 
 fishing three years, at Sand Beach. 
 
 In 1850 he decided to engage in otiier avenues of 
 business in Huron County, and he located at Sharp's 
 Bay, below Rock Falls, where lie built a steam saw- 
 mill, now believed to be the first of that character 
 in Huron County. It was destroyed in 1851 by an 
 incendiary fire. Soon after the erection of the mill, 
 he built a frame liouse at Allen's Creek, where Ife 
 fixed his residence. Eight months later he returned 
 to Detroit. In 1852 he came to Rubicon Township, 
 where he has since continued to reside. His home- 
 stead contains 400 acres of land, and he owns, be- 
 sides, scattered tracts at other points in the county. 
 
 % 
 
 V 
 
 r 
 
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 A 
 
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 V 
 
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 ^s^^ — QT^nnsnPf^ ^^ > €^^ 
 
 fs^ 
 
 -Kig 
 
 ^^mj^ 
 
ev<4pa^[iiij> 
 
 344 
 
 HURON COUNTY 
 
 TaJ^^^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 i^ 
 
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 I 
 
 He is the owner of furnaces at Sand Beach, with a 
 small frame house, which is rented. 
 
 Mr. Hopson is one of the most prominent charac- 
 ters in the history of Huron County. When his 
 feet first trod its soil, primeval nature reigned in- 
 tact. No step of the progress of tlie county has 
 been taken without his observation and interest. 
 He has passed through his ordeals of trial, two 
 epochs which have made this portion of the Penin- 
 sular State historic ; and in what he has suffered in 
 the fiery baptisms of 1871 and iSSi,his fealty to 
 the home of his early manhood, his life's prime and 
 the advanced period upon which he is entering, has 
 strengthened and been made permanent. 
 
 His connection with the local government has ex- 
 isted since he came to the county, which at the date 
 of his settlement was attached to Sanilac County. 
 Before the separation and organization of Huron 
 County, business was transacted at Lexington, and 
 during the existence of that state of things he 
 served one term as Supervisor of Sand Beach. He 
 has been Justice of the Peace for 34 years, includ- 
 ing every year since 1849 save one. He served 18 
 years as School Director and is now School Assessor. 
 
 On his settlement in the county in 1849, he gave 
 his attention to traffic m real estate, traded in shin- 
 gles, and, to further his operations in the latter 
 branch of business, he built shingle-mills at various 
 points. He has always possessed decided temperance 
 principles, which were an offence to the [jrevalent 
 opinions of that period. They were chiefly in favor 
 of free whisky, and the devotees of that stamp 
 wrought their revenge on him by burning his mills. 
 
 Richard Hopson, the father of the subject of this 
 sketch, was born Aug. 7, 1777, in Ireland. He mar- 
 ried Catherine .Anderson, a native of Scotland. 
 Seven of their children were living at the time the 
 family emigrated to the United States in 1835. Five 
 are still living. At the family re-union, Aug. 9, 1884, 
 all were present save one brother. A remarkable 
 fact concerning the family is that Aug. 7 is the 
 birthday of the father and also of two sons. \'rhe 
 fonner died in Detroit, Dec. 26, 1841. The decease 
 of the mother occurred at the same place, in Septem- 
 ber, 1842. 
 
 Mr. Hopson was married July 7, 1851, in the city 
 of New York, to Susan Journeaux. Four children 
 have been born of this marriage, as follows : Mary 
 
 Jane was born May 18, 1852, and died March 12, 
 1858, at her father's home in Rubicon Township 
 Albert J. was born Oct. 19, 1853, in Detroit ; Thomas 
 Edgar was born Feb. 3, i860, and died Aug. 4, 1881; 
 Ella Jane was born Sept. 29, 1861. The two last- 
 named children were born in Rubicon Township. 
 Mrs Hopson was born Aug. 3, 1827, in the city of 
 New York, and is the daughter of Phillip and Mary 
 (Lockwood) Journeaux. Their family included two 
 daughters and a son. The latter is deceased. The 
 sister of Mrs. Hopson is a resident of Jersey City. 
 
 The experiences of Mr. Hopson uwA family in 
 the fire of 1881 deserve the distinction of a para- 
 graph. On the fifth day of September the hungry 
 fiend pressed close to their home, and nightfall found 
 the entire household stationed at various points on 
 the premises, equipped for active service, as the exi- 
 gency demanded. The same convulsion of the wind 
 which followed the march of the flames with terrific 
 fierceness, and which filled the people of the burnt 
 districts, already worn out with the long continued 
 nervous strain, with a terror two dreadful for words, 
 came suddenly upon the scene. The midday hour 
 had just passed, when a storm-cloud came from the 
 northwest, unroofed the barn, and in its circular 
 sweep caught Mrs. Hopson, who held in her arms a 
 bundle of clothing she was endeavoring to save, off 
 her feet, whirled her about in the air, and she fell 
 unconscious to the ground. Her side was severely 
 bruised, and slie was injured internally, but has since 
 recovered. The family succeeded in protecting their 
 house. 
 
 The fire of Oct. 9, 1871, destroyed evei7thing but 
 his dwelling, the loss including mills, barns, fences, 
 and valuable timber, also cattle, sheep and hogs. It 
 is a remarkable occurrence that at the same time his 
 brother, who was doing business in Chicago, was 
 burned out in that great fire, losing about $150,000! 
 
 The first meeting of Mr. Hopson with VV. R. 
 Stafford, was an event which has been the source of 
 much amusement for years. They encountered 
 each other in one of the unfrequented paths on the 
 shore of the lake, a sharp turn making their meeting 
 abrupt. There was a lawless condition of affairs 
 prevalent, the trails being infested by a set of desper- 
 adoes who accosted travelers with demands for 
 money. Mr. Stafford and Mr. Hopson glared at each 
 other a few minutes, and the former drew an old 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 horse pistol. As Mr. Hopson exhibited no belHger- 
 ent manifestations, and it being evident that each 
 individual cherished only the intent to preserve him- 
 self from injury, without inflicting harm or loss on 
 the other, a conversation followed which resulted in 
 the establishment of a friendship which has since 
 been without shadow, save in difference of opinion 
 on political events, Mr. Hopson being a Republican 
 of a radical kind; while Mr. Stafford is a Democrat. 
 A portrait of Mr. Hopson is given in connection 
 with this sketch, which gives it a completeness not 
 otherwise attainable, and which doubtless will be 
 welcomed by all readers in the collection of this 
 Album. 
 
 
 Ifhomas B. Woodworth, Prosecuting Attor- 
 ney of Huron County, residing at Caseville, 
 was born Oct. 2, 1 841, in Rose Township, 
 Wayne Co., N. Y., and is the son of Stephen 
 E. and Rachel (Bell) Woodworth. His father 
 is of English descent, and was born in 18151 
 and is now a resident of Champagne Co., 111. He 
 has been a merchant all his life. The mother was 
 born in 1S22, and died July 20, 1845. She was of 
 Irish parentage. Both parents were born in New 
 York. 
 
 Mr. Woodworth was but four years of age when 
 his mother died, and he went to live with his grand- 
 father Bell, in Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he remained 
 until he attained his majority. He obtained his 
 earl)' education at the common schools of New York, 
 and later was sent to the seminary at Cazenovia, 
 where he was graduated in 1861. He then became 
 a farmer on his own responsibility, and continued in 
 that line of business until 1867, the year of his re- 
 moval to Caseville. He interested himself in lum- 
 bering, in which he passed three years, and in 1870 
 was elected County Surveyor, in which position he 
 officiated several years. He also served as Super- 
 visor from 1868 to 1875 inclusive. In 1876 he was 
 elected on the Republican ticket to represent his 
 district in the Legislature of Michigan, and in the 
 same year was admitted to the Bar of Michigan. He 
 was elected to his present official position in 1882. 
 
 Mr. Woodworth was married Oct. 6, 1864, to Ger- 
 trude M. Smith, and they have five children : Philip 
 B. was born Oct. 19, 1865; Paul, Sept. 3, 1869; 
 Robert S., May 9, 1872 ; Frederick L., Jan. 8, 1877 ; 
 Gertrude E., Nov. 12, 1878. The mother is the 
 daughter of Philip M. a^id Harriet (Nichols) Smith. 
 She was graduated at Cazenovia Seminary in 1862, 
 and, with her luisband, belongs to the Methodist 
 Episcopal Churcli. 
 
 ^«-^K|t^ 
 
 ^f «is3linton D. Gage, farmer, section g, Bloom 
 
 t"^^^ field Township, was born March 6, 1857, 
 ^g* in Orleans Co., N. Y. His parents, James 
 
 Jl^ W. and Cordelia F. (Merrick) Gage, reside 
 
 *'^ with him in Bloomfield Township. His 
 father was born Feb. 27, 1823, in Clinton, 
 Oneida Co., N. Y., and, although he is a practical 
 farmer, he is a music teacher by profession, and still 
 pursues it as a vocation. His mother was born 
 Sept. 10, 1825, at Portage, Allegany Co., N. Y. 
 
 The parents were married in the Empire State, 
 and in 1867 removed to Canada, where the father 
 pursued his profession three years, removing thence 
 to Detroit, Mich. A year later the family removed 
 to Huron County. They took possession of their 
 farm May 10, 1875. Tlie place contained 80 acres, 
 and was wholly unimproved. About 50 acres have 
 been placed in a tillable condition. 
 
 Both father and son are of Republican principles. 
 The former has served five years as Justice of the 
 Peace, and as School Inspector; the latter has also 
 held local offices. 
 
 Mr. Gage was married May 10, 1876, to Nellie 
 Sayre. Four children have been born to them : 
 Ella M., Jan. 19, 1878; William I)., Sept. 26, 1879; 
 James Garfield, March 4, 1881 ; t'arroll E., Jan. 23, 
 1883. Mrs. Gage is the daughter of William Ira 
 and Rachel (Laidlaw) Sayre. 
 
 The family of Mr. Gage, Senior, comprised two 
 children, the subject of this sketch and a daughter, 
 Ella. She died Oct. 18, 1871, at Grand Haven, 
 Mich., and was 22 years of age. 
 
 In the fire of Sept. 5, i88i, the experiences of ilie 
 Gage family were of a type comparatively less tcrii- 
 
 
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 ble than those of many others, and their losses com- 
 paratively slight. They lost no cattle, but two hogs 
 perished in the flames. They were enveloped in 
 smoke so dense as to mislead them in relation to the 
 extent and ravages of the fire; and, supposing their 
 own house to be burning, they left it, and, wetting a 
 heavy woolen carpet, they saved their lives by get- 
 ting under it. As the smoke lifted, they discovered 
 that the house of Mr. McGregor was not burned, 
 and, being seen in turn, Mr. McG.'s family also took 
 refuge under the carpet. 
 
 'YWifik illiam H. Perrin, a land-holder in the 
 ' >-^Sc Huron 
 
 Peninsula, resides at Clinton 
 Huron Co., Ont. He is heavily interested 
 in Canadian lands, and on personal exami- 
 nation, became satisfied of the feasibility 
 and practicability of agricultural investments 
 in Miclvigan, as land of equal quality with that of 
 Canada could be bought much cheaper. He pur- 
 chased 500 acres in ElmerTowiiship, Sanilac County, 
 of which he continues to hold 200 acres, 120 acres 
 of which is improved, is under cultivation and rented 
 on shares. He has sold 300 acres to men in his em- 
 ployment, whom he has assisted in locating. He 
 owns 320 acres of land in Oliver Township, Huron 
 County, to the management of which he gives his 
 personal attention. Of this tract 200 acres are in 
 
 tillage. 
 
 The Canadian land interests of Mr. Perrin include 
 40 acres in Clinton, where he resides, a fine farm of 
 100 acres in Huron County, and 640 acres in Beadle 
 County. Of the latter, 200 acres are improved. All 
 the tillable lands are rented on shares. 
 
 Mr. Perrin was brought up on a farm. At the age 
 of 18 years he began to buy grain. He owned a 
 grist-mill and a saw-mill in Stratford, Perth Co., 
 Ont., which he managed four years, and afterward 
 gave his attention exclusively to buying grain. He 
 continued that branch of traffic 10 years, in the in- 
 terests of August Girard, of Montreal, and after that 
 operated in his own behalf, in the same direction, 
 until 1883, when he determined to prosecute his 
 agricultural interests. He was, for many years, the 
 
 most extensive exporter of grain in the Dominion, 
 loading sometimes 400 cars daily for transportation 
 on the Grand Trunk & Canada Railroad. His points 
 of foreign shipment were Liverpool, London and 
 Edinburg. 
 
 Mr. Perrin was born in Brantford, Ontario, Aug. 
 15, 1832. His father, David Perrin, was a native of 
 Connecticut, and the son of Thomas Perrin, one of 
 the most prominent settlers of Brant Co., Ont. The 
 latter erected the first mill built in Western Canada, 
 in the closing years of the iSth century. He built 
 two mills for the celebrated Indian Chief, Joseph 
 Brant, for which he received a tract of 2,000 acres of 
 land, under a lease of 99 years, from Brant himself, 
 and which was made perpetual by the Government. 
 The mother and a brother of Mr. Perrin reside on a 
 part of the original acreage, holding respectively 200 
 and TOO acres, situated in and near Mount Pleasant, 
 Brant County. One of the mills constructed for 
 Brant (Thayendanaga), near Brantford, comprised a 
 saw-mill, grist-mill and distillery, and was burned in 
 the war of 1812. Thomas Perrin was a Colonel in 
 the British army, and took a prominent part in the 
 second struggle between Great Britain and the Amer- 
 ican Colonies. Brant was one of the most powerful 
 coadjutors of the English government in the war of 
 the Revolution, but his splendid traits of character 
 were manifested in the influence he exerted after the 
 close of the war in the restoration and maintenance 
 of peace. He possessed fine intellectual accom- 
 plishments, was the secretary of Gen. Johnson, and 
 assisted in the compilation of text books of the Mo- 
 hawk language. David Perrin married Charlotte 
 McMuUen, a native of Nova Scotia, and a descend- 
 ant from a Pennsylvania family. He died in 1855, 
 at Mt. Pleasant. The motiier is still living there, as 
 stated. 
 
 Mr. Perrin maintains his residence at Clinton, in 
 Brant County, where he has erected a fine business 
 building, of brick, two stories in height, containing a 
 bank and four stores. He also owns three dwellings 
 besides his own handsome residence in the town. 
 He is a communicant in the establishecj Church of 
 England. 
 
 His marriage to Matilda M. Lincoln took place at 
 Clinton, Ont., Aug. 14, 1859. She was born in 
 London, Eng., and died at Clinton, leaving two 
 children : William G., a clerk in the employment of 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 the Grand Trunk Railroad ('ompany, and Matilda 
 M., an accomplished young lady, and a graduate of 
 the Literary Department of Helmouth College, at 
 London, Out. She is at the head of the domestic 
 department of her father's household. 
 
 Althoui;h Mr. Perrin is a Canadian by birth and 
 training, he entertains a favorable opinion of the 
 States, especially of the localities where he has busi- 
 ness interests. 
 
 June 2g, 1881, while traveling between Dulutli 
 and St. Paul, the train was derailed, and Mr. Perrin 
 sustained injuries from which he waS confined two 
 montlis at the Merchants' Hotel, St. Paul. 
 
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 eorge Brown, farmer and surveyor, resi- 
 dent on section 8, Dwight Township, was 
 born Oct. 16, 1829, in Niagara Co., N. Y. 
 He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Shaw) 
 Brown, natives and life -long residents of the 
 State of New York. 
 Mr. Brown remained under the instructions and 
 gu'dance of his parents until the period of his 
 majority. On attaining to the independence of 
 manhood he interested himself in the calling of a 
 carpenter, in which vocation he was engaged several 
 years at various places. 
 
 In 1864 he enlisted in the 169th N. Y. Vol. Lif., 
 and remained in the Union service about six months. 
 In July, 1865, he came to Huron County, and 
 bought the place where he has since resided, includ- 
 ing 120 acres of timbered land, situated in Dwight 
 Township. He has since disposed of 40 acres, and 
 of the remaining 80 acres has cleared and cultivated 
 70 acres. He cleared the first piece of land and 
 built the first shanty in Bad A.\e. 
 
 Mr. Brown is a member of the National Greenback 
 party. He has been County Surveyor two years. 
 Treasurer six years, and Justice of the Peace about 
 two terms. 
 
 His marriage to Henrietta VVharrman occurred in 
 November, 1856. Of this union ten children have 
 been born, six of whom survive. Their names are 
 Addison A., Frank, ("harles, Herbert, .Mfred, Henri- 
 
 etta and Minnie. Two children died unnamed in 
 infancy. Mrs. Brown was born June 13, 1S38, in 
 Ontario. 
 
 -;_..^^v/V^^S..g«^g^ 
 
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 '^{fmW lin Pengra, attorney at Sebewaing, was born 
 Oct. 19, 1S47, in Seneca Co., N. Y. His 
 father, Eleazer Pengra, is a native of Ver- 
 mont, and married Elizabeth Riggs, who was 
 born in England. After their marriage they 
 settled in the State of New York, where the 
 mother died. The father removed to Pennsylvania, 
 where he has since resided. Six of their children 
 attained adult age,— Charles VV., Lydia J., Moses M., 
 Mary, OHn and Emma. 
 
 Mr. Pengra was an attendant at the common 
 schools until he was 15 years of age. In the closing 
 year of the war he enlisted in the 98th Pa. Vol. Inf., 
 and served four months. In 1865 he became a stu- 
 dent at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, 
 N. Y. After pursuing a course of study for two years, 
 he was compelled by failing health to abandon the 
 life of a student for the time being. He spent a year 
 on his father's farm, and in 1867, in company with 
 Salvadore Slocum, he came to Goodrichville, Gene- 
 see Co., Mich., where they established a trade in 
 drugs and groceries. In 1868 Mr. Pengra sold his 
 interest and bought 80 acres of land in Aimer, Tus- 
 cola County. He carried on his agricultural project 
 four years, but found it unprofitable and sold out. 
 He engaged in teaching in Caseville, Huron County, 
 where he continued to operate in that avenue of busi- 
 ness three and a half years. In the fall of 1S75 he 
 came to Sebewaing and taught liie village school five 
 years. In 1874 he began the study of law, and he 
 continued to read for that profession during the 
 period of his teaching. In January, 1878, he was 
 admitted to the Bar of Michigan, and in the summer 
 of 1880 opened his practice at Sebewaing. He has 
 since prosecuted the business of an attorney, with 
 success. In the fall of 1882 he was elected Repre- 
 sentative of Huron County, defeating the opposition 
 candidate by 556 majority. He has officiated three 
 years as a member of the School Board, and as In- 
 spector and Superintendent. He has been Attorney 
 
 9 
 
 
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 •^VC>IlD:?.linf>: 
 
 4^^5f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 of the village since it3 organization. He is a Repub- 
 lican in political principle. 
 
 IMr. Pengra was married Dec. 15, 1868, to Frances 
 L. Davis. Their four surviving children were born 
 as follows: Orville O., Dec. ig, 1869; James O., 
 Aug. 16, 1873; Irene, Aug. 28, 1878; Emma E., 
 Aug. 7, 1882. Glen, Clare, Frank and an unnamed 
 infant are deceased. Mrs. Pengra was born June 
 24, 1850, in the State of New York, and is the daugh- 
 ter of Philip and Olive (Harrington) Davis. Her 
 parents are natives of the Empire State. 
 
 On a preceding page is given a lithographic 
 portrait of Mr. Pengra. 
 
 
 Lena, John, Ottiliai Justin and Jacob. The family 
 are Roman Catholics. 
 
 Mr. Greyerbiehl formed a partnership in 1869, 
 with William Maurer, in the lumber business, and 
 they erected a saw and shingle mill on the fiirm of 
 Mr. Greyerbiehl. The mill was destroyed in the 
 fire of 187 1, causing a loss of $4,000. It was re- 
 built the same year, and was again destroyed in the 
 fire of i88r, causing a loss of $4,500. 
 
 ^ohn Greyerbiehl, farmer and stockman^ 
 fe^ section 6, Paris Township, was born Jan. 
 20, 1832, in the territory of Alsace, on the 
 River Rhine, then belonging to France. He 
 was less than two years of age when his parents 
 came to Ontario (in 1833), where his father 
 and mother both died. He became a mason by 
 trade, which was the calling of his father, and which 
 he pursued for 16 years, in Waterloo Co., Ont. 
 
 He . came to Huron Co., Mich., in the spring of 
 i86r, and made a purchase of 160 acres of land, to 
 which he added 80 acres by later purchase. He 
 has placed 180 acres of his farm under excellent im- 
 provement, and has a valuable and attractive home, 
 and two frame barns. He is independent in political 
 connection. 
 
 His marriage to Mary A. Bish occurred in Febru- 
 ary, 1 86 1, in Waterloo Co., Ont. She was born Jan. 
 19, 1843, in the same county, and died in Paris 
 Township, Sept. 26, 1882. She possessed a lovely 
 and amiable character, and is remembered for her 
 many estimal)le qualities by those among whom she 
 lived in the days of the early settlement, enduring 
 with them tlic privations of tlie pioneer [)eriod, and 
 to whom she became endeared tlirough mutual sym- 
 pathy. She was the mother of 12 children, two of 
 whom, Peter and Ottilia, are deceased. Those living 
 are named Mary, Catherine, Henry, Joseph, Rosa, 
 
 rtiee B. Williams, proprietor of the Winsor 
 House, at Port Austin, was born Jan. 4, 
 18 1 9, in the township of Hamburg, Erie 
 Co., N. Y. His parents, Nathan and Sarah 
 (Potter) Williams, were members of the agri- 
 cultural community. 
 
 Mr. Williams was brought up on his father's farm, 
 and followed the same vocation, chiefly, until his re- 
 moval to Detroit in 1850. He passed a year there 
 as a saw-mill laborer, proceeding thence to Newport, 
 now Marine City, St. Clair County, where he operated 
 as a filer in the gang saw mill of E. B. Ward. A 
 year later he went to Forestville, Sanilac County, in 
 tlie same interest, where he operated two years as 
 foreman of a saw-mill. In 1854 he came to Port 
 Austin to assume charge of the saw-mill of Smith, 
 Dwight & Co., and was employed in the same estab- 
 lishment, under different owners, until the mill was 
 destroyed by fire in December, 1878. 
 
 In 1S67, he built a hotel at Port Austin, which 
 was managed by an assistant, until he was released 
 by the fire referred to from his position in the saw- 
 mill, when he took charge of the hotel. In 1878, 
 he bonglit the old court-house building, which he 
 connected with the hotel building, for the purpose 
 of enlarging and increasing his facilities for the ac- 
 commodation of the public. He keeps a temper- 
 ance house, and a livery in connection, witii horses 
 and ec|uipments suitable for the accommodation of 
 his pjtrons. He also runs a free "bus" to all 
 trains and boats. He formerly owned a fine farm 
 of 160 acres in Hume Township, wliich he ex- 
 changed, in 1867, for the hotel property. 
 
 Mr. Williams has always been warmly interested 
 
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 <>DIl^DI]>>r 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 ■>i«*y,»v 
 
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 in school affairs; is a member of the Pioneer Society 
 of Huron County, and of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 He was married first in Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 25, 
 1840, to Laura A., daughter of Newell Burrows, and 
 a native of Orleans Co., N. Y. She died in Buffalo. 
 Mr. Williams was again married at Forestville, Sanilac 
 County, to Mary A. Hanford, a native of Vermont. 
 Two children were born of the second marriage: 
 Nellie E., wife of H. G. Snover, an attorney of Port 
 Austin, and Stella E., wife of Robert H. Atkins, 
 conductor on the Port Huron & Northwestern Rail- 
 road. 
 
 i- obert Scott, farmer and stockman, section 
 II, Bingham Township, was born March 
 15, 1818, in Scotland. His parents emi- 
 
 \'^ grated with their family to Ontario, when he 
 was nine years of age, and he remained under 
 their care until 1838. He went from Ontario 
 to the State of New York, and four years later was 
 married (Jan. 9, 1842), to Olive Gould, at Fulton, 
 Oswego County. Five children were born to them 
 — Reuben, George, Jeannette, Charles and Cather- 
 ine. All are married but the second son. 
 
 Mrs. Scott was born in Hannibal Township, 
 Oswego County, Sept. 27, 1820, of New England 
 parentage, of German extraction. Her father died 
 whe 1 she was six years old, and she was reared in 
 various families until her marriage. After that event 
 herself and husband settled in Fulton, where they 
 resided 17 years, Mr. Scott being an employe on 
 the Oswego Canal. In 1855, they removed to Elgin 
 Co., Ont., coming thence two years later to Huron 
 County, and settling in Bingham Township, where 
 they were among the first pioneers. 
 
 They purchased 320 acres of land in June, 1857, 
 on section 1 1, at a time when there were no thorough- 
 fares of any descrii)tion. Mr. Scott had not a whole 
 dollar in money when he went to New York, but lie 
 had the resolute perseverance of a man with a pur- 
 pose and ambition to secure comfort for his family. 
 His place now includes 80 acres, cleared and culti- 
 vated land, which is made attractive in appearance 
 and increased in value by the addition of suitable 
 and valuable farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Scott is a Democrat in political persuasion. 
 He has been Justice of the Peace several years, and 
 has held the office of Supervisor of the township 10 
 years. The family are members of the Methodis 
 Episcopal Cluuch 
 
 A portrait of Mr. Scott is given on the preceding 
 page. 
 
 k 
 
 jji~r®^a,harles E. Dow, junior member of the firm 
 y^J f' of Winterhalter& Dow, proprietors of the 
 1^ "^^ Sand Beach Iron Works, was born Jan. 2 
 % 1849, in Lake Co., Ohio. His father, John 
 ^ Dow, was born in New Hampshire, and was a 
 \ farmer and mechanic. He died in Madison, 
 Lake Co., Ohio. The mother, Harriet A. (Butter- 
 field) Dow, is still living, in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. 
 
 Mr. Dow began to serve an apprenticeship in a 
 machine shop at Conneautville, Pa., in which he 
 Continued three years. On its termination he went 
 to Missouri, and was occupied two years as an engin- 
 eer. He subsequently traveled some time in the 
 West and Northwest, and in the spring of 1S71 he 
 came to Rock Falls, Huron County, and entered the 
 employment of Pack, Jenks & Co., where he oper- 
 ated two years as a saw-filer. The year following he 
 was employed by the same firm as clerk, after which 
 he was occupied a year in the repair shop. 
 
 In the fall of 1874 he came to Sand Beach, where 
 he rented the hotel property known as the Sand 
 Beach House. He managed the house as lessee 
 three years, when he purchased it and converted it 
 into the " Dow House," by which name it has singe 
 been known. He was the proprietor and manager 
 until the spring of 1884, and in connection therewith 
 he conducted a stage line from Sand Beach to' Bad 
 Axe. In connection with the hotel Mr. Dow had a 
 livery stable. He carried on the business of livery 
 and buying and selling horses, with good success, for 
 seven years, when he took a partner, the firm name 
 then being " Dow & Verd." At the end of one year 
 he sold his interest to Mr. Verd. 
 
 In May of the current year (1884), he purchased 
 an interest in the business in wliich he is now en- 
 gaged. The building in wliich the firm of Winter- 
 halter & Dow are operating was erected by the senior 
 member in the fall of 1883. Tlie structure is every 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 way adapted to the purpose to which it is devoted, 
 and the fixtures are of the most approved modern 
 device. The manufactures inckide all varieties of 
 machine ^r.d foundry work, brass castings, gas-pipe 
 and fittings, steam-cocks, gauges, valves, injectors, 
 lubricators, etc. The business is prosperous, and 
 promises satisfactory future developments. 
 
 Mr. Dow's marriage to Amelia A. Hewitt took 
 place at Rock Falls, Nov. 13, 1872. Nellie D., only 
 child, was born in Rock Falls, Jan. 10, 1873. Mrs. 
 Dow is the daughter of George G. and Angelina 
 (Jenks) Hewitt. 
 
 Mr. Dow is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
 Lexington Commandery, and belongs to the Knights 
 of Honor. 
 
 ohn F. Ziegler, farmer, section 1 6, Sebe- 
 J\^ yl^^fe" waing Township, was born March 3, 1834, 
 ^ |S^** in Germany. He is the youngest son of 
 his parents, Frederick and Christiana (Krauss) 
 Ziegler, also natives of Germany, who emi- 
 " grated to the United States in 1834. They 
 . settled primarily in New York, and later came to 
 / Huron County. They became residents of the 
 ^ township of Sebewaing, where the father died, Sept. 
 15, 1878. The mother still resides there, and is 70 
 years of age. 
 
 Mr. Ziegler was a babe of six months old when 
 his parents emigrated to America. He spent his 
 youth and early manhood at home on his father's 
 farm until he was 24 years of age. In 1858 he took 
 possession of a farm given him by his father, which 
 included 80 acres of timbered land. He has put 
 the place in good condition, has cleared 50 acres and 
 erected good farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Ziegler is a Re|)ublican in his faith and con- 
 nection. He has been Constable of Dwighl Town- 
 ship one year. Treasurer seven years, antl Supervisor 
 the same length of tune. 
 
 He was first married, in Sebewaing Township, to 
 Catherine Layer, and of 12 ciiiidren of which she 
 lecanie the mother, seven survive: Joseph J., Anna 
 
 C, Rosanna C, Mary, Louisa, Cliristiana and John 
 
 D. Fredrika, John E., Daniel F. and Frederick are 
 deceased. Their mother died Sept. 8, 187 8. Mr. 
 
 Ziegler was a second time married Oct. 23, 1879, to 
 Sophia, daughter of Frederick and Frederika (Erwin) 
 Grettenberger, and widow of Frederick Brendle, who 
 died May 7, i86g, in the Township of Sebewaing. 
 Mrs. Ziegler is of German parentage, and her parents 
 s)3ent their entire lives in their native land. The 
 children born of her first marriage are : Louisa, 
 Frederick, Dorothy, Catherine (deceased), Hermione 
 (deceased). Otto and Eugene. She was born Aug. 
 12, 1835, in Germany, and was 18 years of age when 
 she came to the United States. She remained the 
 first few months in the city of New York, and came 
 thence to Detroit, Mich., where she remained three 
 years, coming to Sebewaing in 1857. 
 
 ^■SMi*^^ 
 
 ewis W. Coon, farmer, section 4, Bloom- 
 field Township, was born July 7, 1844, near 
 Cleveland, Ohio. His father, Henry H., 
 •was born in the State of New York in 1820, and 
 married Sally P. Kidney. He died in 1852. 
 The mother was born Jan. 4, 1822, in Ohio, 
 and is at present residing in Wakeman, Huron Co., 
 Ohio. 
 
 The son was brought up on a farm, and learned 
 the trade of a cooper, at which he worked chiefly 
 about four years. At the end of that time, associated 
 with a younger brother, he engaged in the manage- 
 ment of the family homestead. This arrangement 
 was prosecuted nine years, when he left his brother 
 on the place and came to Michigan. He reached 
 Bloomfield Township Oct. 20, 1S79. He was pleased 
 with the agricultural promise of Huron County, and 
 removed his family hitlier a month later. In July, 
 18S0, he bought the farm of wliich he took posses- 
 sion on tiie arrival of his family. There were two 
 and a half acres cleared, on which iiad been erected 
 a log house, having one window. The farm includes 
 44 acres, and of this 25 acres are cleared. 
 
 Mr. Coon is a Republican, and has served as 
 Treasurer and Clerk of the township one year re 
 speciively. 
 
 He was married April 4, 1867, to Mary J. Adams, 
 and of their union nine children have been born : 
 Alice A., April 28, 1868 (she was married Sept. 10, 
 1882); Mabel E., June 7, 1869; Alfred B., Jan. 2, 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 357 
 
 1874; Florence M., March 14, 1875; Charles A., 
 Feb. 28, 1878; Leon L. was born May 29, 1879; 
 Alta A., Jan. 8, 1881; Herbert L., Feb. 9, 1883; 
 Maud, July 31, 1884. 
 
 One child — Leon L.— is deceased. The loss and 
 terror of Sept. 5, i88i, througii the fire, are indescrib- 
 able, but the destruction of property fades into in- 
 significance in view of the fact that it severed the 
 family circle. Mr. Coon had the child in his arms, 
 and, becoming blind with the dense smoke, became 
 separated from his family. The child smothered in 
 the father's arms. 
 
 Mrs. Coon was born June ii, 1846, in Keene, N. 
 H., and is the daughter of Benjamin W. and Mary 
 (Livingston) Adams. She became an orphan at the 
 age of six years, her father's death occurring at that 
 time. Her mother died when she was 18 months 
 old. 
 
 —¥: 
 
 on. Richard Winsor, senior member of the 
 banking, law and insurance firm of Winsor 
 & Snover, at Port Austin, was born April 
 25. 1839. i" Middlese.x Co., Ont. He is of 
 English extraction in the line of paternal de- 
 scent, and on the maternal side is of mixed 
 Irish lineage. 
 
 Richard Winsor, his father, was born in London, 
 Eng. He was a builder by profession, and after 
 coming to Ontario he operated extensively as a con- 
 tractor. Among the buildings he erected is the City 
 Hall, of London, Ont., the public market l)uildings, 
 th^ gas works, and other structures of prominence 
 and stability. He married Elizabeth Longworth, a 
 native of County Westmeath, Ireland, and they be- 
 came the parents of nine children, seven of whom 
 survive. Mr. Winsor, of this sketch, is the eldest; 
 Elizabeth is the wife of Hon. R. W. Irwin, of White 
 Rock, Huron County ; Esther is married to William 
 McKenzie, an engineer and machinist at Port Aus- 
 tin ; Jane resides at that place also ; Thomas is the 
 managing member of the business firm of T. Winsor 
 & Co., of Port Austin (see sketch) ; Philip and 
 Henry are employes in the mercantile establishment 
 of the firm last named. 
 
 Their father came from the Dominion of Canada 
 
 ^^^ — ^^Ac^tm^' 
 
 to Michigan in the winter of 1856-7, and, locating ^ 
 temporarily at Detroit, looked around for a perma- 
 nent home on what he believed to be the best por- » 
 tion of Michigan, prospectively, — the Huron penin- 
 sula, and located 160 acres of land at Light-house 1 
 Bay. He erected a hewn-log house on a clearing he 
 had made, and was proceeding with all possible 
 vigor and anxiety to develop his home. He opera- 
 ted meanwhile in Detroit during the building sea- 
 sons. He removed his family to the farm at Light- 
 house Bay, and on the 13th of April, i860, accom- 
 panied by his son John, was going from Huron City 
 to his place with a small sail flat-boat, loaded with 
 bundles of fruit trees for his contemplated orchard, 
 and farming implements, when lather and son were 
 drifted into the lake and drowned, and the household 
 left,without reliance save the eldest son, then a few 
 days short of his majority. 
 
 Mr. Winsor s grandfather, Richard Winsor, was a 
 native of Devonshire, Eng. He was an architect, 
 and had charge of the liuilding operations of the 
 Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, and con- 
 structed buildings under his orders at various points ^ 
 and in several countries. He was married in Eng- '^ 
 land, and had three children, viz. : Elizabeth mar- 
 ried William Hall, a man who pursued the occupa- 
 tion of teaching, accumulated a competency, and in 
 later life operated as a financier; Ann married 
 William Weston, a tanner located at Hall's Mills, 
 near London, Ont., and afterwards at Simcoe, where 
 both died ; Mr. Winsor's father was the youngest 
 child. He removed when quite a young man to 
 London, Ont., where he lived until 1856. Except 
 for a period when a young man, he lived in the 
 United States, and a portion of that time in what is 
 now the city of Detroit. 
 
 Capt. John Longworth, his maternal grandsire, 
 was born April 7, 1790, in County Westmeath, Ire- 
 land, and in early manhood entered the British ser- 
 vice and participated in the Peninsular War, under 
 the Duke of Wellington. The Government of Great 
 Britain bestowed upon him testimonials of apprecia- 
 tion of his gallant conduct in action, in the form of 
 medals, bearing designs to commemorate the battles 
 in which he had distinguished himself One of these 
 bears in its clasps the inscribed names of Albuhera, 
 Busaco and Talavera ; the other, that of Waterloo. 
 These medals, with other relics, are in the jxjssession 
 of Mr. Winsor. After the surrender of Napoleon, 
 
 
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 3S8 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Captain Longworth returned to Ireland and operated 
 as a civil engineer in the service of the Government 
 until the spring of 1830, when he resigned his posi- 
 tion and emigrated to Canada. He arrived at Que- 
 bec in May and entered the service of the Canada 
 company as a civil engineer, establishing himself at 
 Goderich, Ont. There he built the harbor, the first 
 construction of that character on Lake Huron. He 
 afterwards constructed many other public works in 
 the interest of the company, and resided at Gode- 
 rich nearly 53 years. On the 20th of October, 18S2, 
 he was removed to the home of his grandson, Mr. 
 Winsor, at Pori Austin, on account of his declining 
 health. He died Jan. 17, 1883, nearly 94 years of 
 age. 
 
 The facts above stated are taken from the Annual 
 Register of the Dominion of Canada for 1883, which 
 makes permanent record of his long and useful ca- 
 reer. 
 
 Captain Longworth first married Elizabeth Bruce, 
 whose lineage in the paternal line is recorded from 
 the days of the royal Robert, of Scotland, a period 
 of more than 500 years. They had six children. 
 Elizabeth was the eldest and married Richard Win- 
 sor. It is presumed that Thomas, the second son, 
 is deceased, as he was a sailor and went to Australia, 
 since which time no definite intelligence has been 
 obtained of him. William remained in Ireland to 
 complete his education, came afterward to America 
 and went to New Orleans, where he became a 
 lawyer in the State Courts of Louisiana. He went 
 thence to Texas, where he resided about 30 years, 
 and was Judge of one of the Circuit Courts during 
 the period of reconstruction, and became peculiar 
 and erratic from these troubles. He resides near 
 Denver, Col., and is an accountant in a mining com- 
 pany. He was an officer of American Customs at 
 London, Ont., three years. Jane is a member of 
 the family of Mr. Winsor. Esther married Daniel 
 H. Lazars, a member of an old Scotch family of 
 position, the first Judge of the County of Perth, Ont., 
 and resident at Stratford. He is still the incumbent 
 of tlie position. John is deceased. The mother 
 died soon after reaching this country. 
 
 Captain Longworth married Ellen Maxwell. They 
 had two children : Susan, wife of Hon. John Rob- 
 son, now Secretary of the Treasury of British Colum- 
 bia, who was for a number of years a leader of the 
 Reform party there. Frances married Capt. Thomas 
 
 Niell, and resides near her daughter, Mrs. James 
 Jenks, at Sand Beach. Captain Niell was a sailor, 
 and, in company with Hon. Malcolm Cameron, of 
 Ontario, owned a line of transportation vessels on 
 the lakes. He came to Port Huron, and was inter- 
 ested in the same business on Lake Huron. He 
 was thrown from a horse at Port Austin in 1881, 
 where he was engaged in mercantile business, re- 
 ceiving injuries to the spine which resulted in his 
 death a few days later. 
 
 Mr. Winsor was a resident of Ontario until he was 
 17 years of age. He was a pupil five years in the 
 first graded school instituted at London, under the 
 present free-school system of Canada, established by 
 the appropriation of Glebe, or Clergy Reserve Land, 
 funds. This school had six departments, and afford- 
 ed the best facilities for securing liberal elementary 
 education, including modern languages and classics. 
 Mr. Winsor came with his father to Sanilac County, 
 and at the time of the death of the latter was the 
 sole stay of his widowed mother and seven younger 
 children. 
 
 In 1859 the house at Light-house Bay wasdestroy- 
 ed by fire, with all its valuable contents, including 
 furniture, a fine library and all the belongings of a 
 family of culture and refinement. He was at work 
 at Huron City, and at the same time picking up, as 
 he could, some knowledge of law. He set out from 
 the ruined home with his three small brothers, 
 Thomas, Philip and Henry, at times one on his 
 back and the other two under his arms, and made 
 his way to Huron City. He bought a piece of land, 
 and at intervals cleared and improved the place, kept 
 the family together, attended to the education of 
 his brothers and sisters, and exercised the care they 
 needed until they were old enough to care for them- 
 selves. His brother William (third son) was drowned 
 at Fort Gratiot. He was in poor health, and was 
 taking a trip on a vessel laden with stone, which 
 fouled on the dock of the Grand Trunk Railroad 
 Company, and sunk. William Winsor and a com- 
 rade with him were drowned. 
 
 He prosecuted his law studies under John Divine, 
 of Lexington, and was admitted to practice in the 
 State Courts of Michigan at that place, passing his 
 examination in open court in 1867, Judge Dewey 
 presiding. Previous to that he had maintained an 
 office several years at Huron City, and had prac- 
 ticed in the Circuit Courts. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Mr. Winsor has been prominent in the affairs of 
 the Huron peninsula from the beginning of his 
 career. His abilities, energies and persistent strug- 
 gle in the accomplishment of the purposes which he 
 formed in early life, established him firmly in the 
 confidence of the settlers of Huron County; and in 
 the fall of 1862, when he was but 23 years of age, 
 he was elected to the Legislature of Michigan on 
 the Republican ticket. He was re-elected in 1864, 
 and served a second term. He was nominated 
 again in the fall of 1866, but declined the position, 
 from the urgency of his business relations. In the 
 spring of 1867 he was elected and served as a mem- 
 ber of the Constitutional Convention at Lansing. In 
 the fall of 1 868 he was elected to the State Senate, 
 the District then including Sanilac, Tuscola, Lapeer 
 and Huron Counties. He served during the ses- 
 sions of 1869-70 and 1870-1. In the fall of 1880 he 
 was again elected to tlie Senate of Michigan, and 
 served in the regular and extra sessions of 188 1-2. 
 He was one of the prime movers in securing the 
 extra session for the purpose of devising ways and 
 means for the relief of the fire sufferers in his district, 
 and introduced the Fire Relief Bill, which provided 
 for the necessities caused by the devastation. In 
 the session of 1882, he introduced the bill for the 
 organization of the 26th Judicial Circuit, placing the 
 counties of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola in one 
 Judicial District. 
 
 Mr. Winsor has been active in the prosecution of 
 all enterprises which tended to the development of 
 Huron County and to place it on a par with other 
 sections of the State in point of progress and tlie 
 facilities of civilization. He was one of the chief in- 
 struments in obtaining an extension of the Port Hu- 
 ron & Northwestern Railroad to Port Austin, and he, 
 with Caleb H. Gallup, moved primarily in the matter 
 of securing the telegraph from Port Huron to this 
 point. After consultation, the two put forth every 
 exertion to secure the purpose desired, and spent 
 weeks in canvassing to obtain sufficient funds to in- 
 duce the Western Union Company to put the wires 
 ihrougli, which was done. 
 
 Mr. Winsor removed to Port Austin Dec. 24, 1867, 
 having a large family on his hands and a small 
 capital in hard casli. The investment of his re- 
 sources in that line caused him little anxiety, as the 
 entire amount was but 25 cents. The county seat 
 was then established at Port Austin, and he engaged 
 
 immediately in the practice of law. In the spring of 
 187 I he associated Robeit W. Irwin with himself as 
 a partner. This relation existed until July, 1876, 
 when his present associate, Horace G. Snover (see 
 sketch), purchased the interest of Judge Irwin. 
 
 The firm are engaged in the transaction of tlie 
 most extensive law business in Northern Michigan. 
 Their operations in insurance are also large, and they 
 represent the most reliable and solid companies of 
 England and America, including the London & Liv- 
 erpool & Globe, the old " Home " of New York and 
 the " Union " of California. Their banking house 
 transacts the varieties of business common to such 
 institutions, in which they have widely extended 
 relations. The building in which they now operate 
 was erected in 1884, at a cost of over ;|4,ooo, and is 
 one of the most complete business structures in the 
 State. It is built of brick, is 27 x 55 feet in dimen- 
 sions, with two stories and a basement. It stands on 
 solid rock, is heated by steam, and has all the most 
 approved modern appliances. The vault is lined 
 with steel (railroad rails) four inches in thickness, 
 manufactured by tiie Detroit Safe Company. The 
 access thereto is by means of a steel outside door, 
 with burglar-proof door inside, made of two-inch 
 steel. The door joints are connected by steel holts 
 to the railroad iron, with all fastenings inside. Witliin 
 is a burglar-proof chest constructed of steel three and 
 a half inches tliick, with another inside. It is of 
 the most substantial character known to safe-builders. 
 The steam-works were put in by the Detroit Metal 
 & Plumbing Company. 
 
 The firm of Winsof & Snover own several thou- 
 sand acres of land in Huron County. They own 160 
 acres in Meade Townshi[), where the water-lime cur- 
 rent has been discovered, said to be the most superior 
 (luality of water-lime rock on the continent. A Mil- 
 waukee firm have sunk the shafts, and preparations 
 are being made to develop the quarry. 
 
 Mr. Winsor is the individual proprietor of about 
 2,000 acres of land. He owns one 700-acre farm on 
 sections 10, 11 and 14, in Dwight Township, with 300 
 acres under first-class cultivation, and raises grain 
 and stock. He has 200 head of Cotswold sheep and 
 100 head of cattle. 
 
 His marriage to Martha Turner occurred at Lan- 
 sing, in June, 1863, and Mr. and Mrs. Winsor are the 
 parents of four sons and a daughter, born as follows : 
 Richard, April 26, 1864; Amos K., Feb. 20, 1866; 
 
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 -rr^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Irwin, Oct. i6, 1867; Bessie, March 26, 187 1; 
 Horace G., Nov. 20, 1879. Tlie three first were born 
 at Huron City; the others were born at Port Austin. 
 Mrs. Winsor was born Feb. 23, 1845, in Ingham Co., 
 Mich., and is the daughter of John and Rebecca 
 (Haynor) Turner. Her mother was a member of the 
 Haynor family, of Troy, N. Y., where she was born. 
 Her family were German and of excellent position 
 and culture, and she spoke the language of her pa- 
 ternal ancestors with the same facility as English. 
 Mr. VVinsor's portrait is given opposite pa^e 357. 
 
 nthony Etzler, farmer, section 29, Hume 
 C Township, has been a resident of Huron 
 County since the year 1856. when his par- 
 ents came to Port Austin. He remained at 
 that place a year, and, in company with two 
 brothers, he came to Hume Township and 
 located one half of section 29, in October, 1857. At 
 that date there was l)ut one settler in the township, 
 namely, Walter Hume. (See sketch of S. T. Cante- 
 lon.) He was a single man, as were liis brothers, 
 and they were the earliest settlers in tlie township 
 succeeding Mr. Hume. There were no families, no 
 roads nor improvements of any character, within five 
 miles of their location. \\\ supplies requisite to the 
 maintenance of life were obtained at Port Austin, 10 
 miles distant. Obstacles of formidable type were the 
 rule, not the least of whicii were the wolves, witii 
 which the forest was infested to a degree that inter- 
 fered materially with the welfare and comfort of the 
 pioneers; and it frequently happened that the neces- 
 saries of life could be obtained only at great hazard. 
 Mr. Etzler had an adventure whicli supplied all 
 the romance and thrilling incident requisite to a 
 complete pioneer experience. He was returning 
 from Port Austin with a bag of flour on his back, 
 when he became aware that three wolves were pur- 
 suing him closely. Tlie forest was very dense, and 
 rapid locomotion difficult under the best circumstan- 
 ces; a burden increased tlie dangers. He finally 
 drojjped the sack of flour and. made the best time 
 possil)le. Only tlie urgency of the occasion, which 
 had grown clearer with every step, saved his life, as 
 the savage brutes were close upon his heels when he 
 reached the safe shelter of home. 
 
 Mr. Etzler was born Nov. 26, 1835, in Prussia, and 
 came with his father's family to America when he 
 was 18 years old. After a brief stop at Bufl'alo, N. 
 Y., they went to Geauga Co., Ohio, where they re- 
 sided three years previous to coming to Michigan. 
 The section on which the farm of Mr. Etzler is situ- 
 ated is one of the best in the township, a state which 
 is the palpable result of the energy and persistent 
 effort which has been expended to place it in a con- 
 dition to take fair rank with other sections in the 
 county. He owns 106 acres, most of which is under 
 improvements of the best type. The orchard on the 
 place is a very fine one, and comprises 350 trees, of 
 the best quality and variety. 
 
 Mr. Etzler is a Democrat, and has held several 
 local offices of his township. 
 
 He was married July 4, 1858, to Elizabeth Wiemer. 
 Their children are named Anna, Mary, Emma and 
 Helen. Mrs. Etzler was born Sept. 30, 1827, in 
 Prussia. She came with her brother to the United 
 States in 1855, locating in Sebewaing, where she 
 lived until her marriage. Mr. Etzler is a Roman 
 Catiiolic. 
 
 '", illiam Wilson, farmer and stockman, res- 
 on section 34, Paris Township, was 
 j^Sr*' ^>orn May 10, 1832, in Middlesex Co., 
 3sSx' Ont. His father was a native of Yorkshire, 
 Eng. He emigrated to Canada, where he 
 married Jane White, a native of Scotland. 
 They settled in Middlesex Co., Ont., where they 
 passed the years of their lives subsequent to tlieir 
 marriage. He died June 8, 1882, and she in July, 
 1874. They were aged respectively 72 and 60 
 years. 
 
 Mr. Wilson is the oldest of 10 children born to 
 his parents, and he was an inmate of their home 
 until his marriage, Nov. 2, 1855, to Jane Bryce, in 
 London Township, Middlesex Co., Ont. Their four 
 children were born as follows : John G., Oct. 22, 
 1857 ; Ann G., June 2, i860; Ida J., Nov. 2, 1864; 
 Hannah G., Sept. 2, 187 1. Mrs. Wilson is the 
 daughter of Archibald and Ann (Monaiian) Bryce. 
 Her father was of Scotch birth ; her mother was 
 born in the State of New York. They settled in 
 
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rs!^^^ — -€V<>I1 D § n \i^>7^ 5i«€^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 Middlesex County in its early period, and received 
 a land grant from the British government, such as 
 was bestowed upon the first actual settlers of that 
 part of the territory belonging to Crreat Britain. Her 
 father has been dead more than a score of years, 
 and her mother is still a resident in her old home. 
 Mrs. Wilson was born Nov. 24, 1845, in London 
 Township, and is the eldest of three children born 
 to her parents. 
 
 After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson set out 
 for Michigan, landing at Forestville, Sanilac County, 
 on the Huron peninsula. Mrs. Wilson remained 
 there a few weeks, while her husband made his way 
 through the unbroken forest on a "jumper,' travers- 
 ing a route marked by "blazings," and continuing to 
 press on until he reached his claim, in what is now 
 tile township of Paris. He was the first settler in 
 the township, and named it when it was organized. 
 The first three town meetings were held in his cabin. 
 He was for a number of years a member of the 
 Board of Supervisors, and has been almost contin- 
 ually connected with the official management of its 
 affairs. 
 
 Mr. Wilson has now 160 acres of land in excellent 
 farming condition, with an elegant residence, Ijcated 
 in a fine position on his farm. Politically he is in- 
 dependent. The family are communicants of the 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 I^Sr ohn C. Liken, senior meinbcr of the busi- 
 ^M t ness house of Jolin C. Liken & Co., at 
 iZ-^^ Sebewaing, was born Aug. 9, 1832, in 
 Grossherzogthuni, Oldenburg, Germany. His 
 ir parents, Frederick and Catherine Liken, were 
 also natives of Germany, where they passed 
 their entire lives. Their children were named Fred- 
 erick, William, Henry, Hannah, J. C, Herman and 
 Magdalena. They are all living with one exception. 
 Mr. Liken received an excellent education in the 
 schools of his native country, ])revious to becoming 
 14 years old, after which he was apprenticed for four 
 years to learn the cooper's trade, working one year. 
 After serving his time, he went to Greenland on a 
 
 whaling vessel, in the capacity of cooper. He was 
 absent six months. On first reaching the ice- 
 floes of the Northern Ocean, the crew and assistants 
 were called up to see a colony of seals at i>lay. 
 Young Liken sprang upon a cake of ice in his eager- 
 ness to kill one of the creatures, hut it was too thin 
 to bear his weight, and he went through into the 
 water. A seaman who hastened to his rescue was 
 obliged to devote his attention to his own safety, 
 and the adventurous boy hung to the ice, which 
 broke in his grasp until he was exhausted. He had 
 time meanwhile to form a resolution to steer clear of 
 Greenland all the rest of the days of his life, if there 
 should be any left at the termination of the difficulty 
 in which he found himself! The captain, with sev- 
 eral seamen, lowered a small boat and made their 
 way through the broken ice and rescued him. On 
 the fourth of July, the whaler was blocked into a 
 water course, by 21 English and German whaling 
 vessels, and lay there three weeks. Mr. Liken 
 reached home in the latter part of August, jjerfectly 
 satisfied with his experiences. He worked at his 
 trade until the summer of 1853. In June of that 
 year he sailed for America, working his passage in 
 a sailing vessel. The voyage consumed exactly six 
 weeks. The estimate of his services by the captain 
 was expressed by the present of a $5 gold piece. The 
 particular act for which he received the testimonial 
 was his voluntary ascent to the mast-head during a 
 fearful gale, to assist in reefing a sail. 
 
 On landing at the port of New York, he sought 
 for work at his trade, but being without friends or 
 influence, he was for a time unsuccessful. Finally 
 he took the landlord of the hotel where he stayed, 
 into his confidence, who became interested in his 
 welfare and inserted an advertisement in his behalf 
 in a journal published in the interests of the craft to 
 which he belonged. He applied to the advertising 
 firm of Waydell & Co., where he met William F. 
 Young, of Binghamton, N. Y., tiien in the city, for 
 the purix)se of securing coopers. He made an en- 
 gagement with him and proceeded to Binghamton, 
 where he was employed four years. He went thence 
 to Addison, Steuben Co., N. Y., and worked one year 
 at his trade. The panic of 1S57 caused the collapse 
 of his employers, and he found himself in enforced 
 idleness. He had invested his earnings in real estate 
 at Addison. He observed that various members of 
 the surrounding community were in possession of 
 
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 4 
 
 I 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 considerable quantities of stave bolls, and he went 
 to Binghamton to consult his former employer as to 
 tlie feasibility of a plan he had conceived to embark 
 in business in his own behalf. Mr. Young supplied 
 him with money, and he returned to Addison to 
 carry out his plan of entering into the manufacture of 
 sugar and molasses hogsheads, of which he made a 
 complete success. He purchased the fixtures of his 
 former employers, and went into business on an ex- 
 tensive scale, with 14 assistants. 
 
 On the failure of the timber supply of that region, 
 he sold his property and proceeded to Huron 
 County, locating at Sebewaing in the fall of 1865. 
 He at once put his business in operation, and was 
 rewarded by largely increased avenues, one branch 
 being the exportation of large quantities of white- 
 oak pipe staves to Germany. This still continues, 
 though in reduced quantity. He owns and operates 
 two saw and stave mills at Sebewaing, and one each 
 at Unionville, Akron and Fair Grove, Tuscola Co., 
 Mich. His working force includes 200 men and 
 boys, and the aggregate annual product of his vari- 
 ous lumber establishments amounts to $75,000. He 
 operates two flour mills at Sebewaing and Union- 
 ville ; the one is a three-stone mill, the other a two- 
 stone niill, with a producing capacity of 60 barrels of 
 flour daily. He is the owner of the " John C. Liken," 
 a steamer plying between Sebewaing and Bay City. 
 Among the many firms with whom he transacts bus- 
 iness, are the two named in New York and Bingham- 
 ton. 
 
 In 1874 he erected the fine brick block in which 
 he carries on his mercantile transactions, including 
 traffic in hardware, dry goods, groceries and drugs, 
 constituting four stores, in which his business -rela- 
 tions reciuire the aid of nine clerks. . His trading 
 business amoimts to $100,000 annually. He deals 
 extensively in lumber, shingles, lath, brick, lime, 
 etc., etc. He has branch business houses at Bay 
 Port and Kilmanagh, in Huron County, and at 
 Unionville, in Tuscola County, and his entire annual 
 business transactions amount .to about $350,000. 
 He owns over [,000 acres of land in Huron, and 
 500 acres in Tuscola Counties, chiefly unimproved. 
 
 Mr. Liken is identified with the iirinciples and 
 issues of the Republican party. He has served on 
 the Board of Village Trustees since the organization 
 of Sebewaing. 
 
 He was married Feb. 15, 1855, in Oxford, Chenan- 
 go Co., N. Y., to Walburga Kunkel, daughter of 
 Peter and Mary Kunkel. Her parents were both 
 natives of Bavaria, Germany, where her father died. 
 Her mother came to America and died in 1869, in 
 Sebewaing, at the residence of her daughter. Mrs. 
 Liken was born July 16, 1836, in Bavaria. She 
 came to the United States when she was 16 years 
 of age. Following is the record of the five children 
 born to Mr. and Mrs. Liken: Mary C. was born Jan. 
 31, 1856, in Bingliamtou, N. Y., and is the wife of 
 Richard Martini, of Sebawaing. Hannah E. was born 
 Sept. 16, 1857, in Addison, N. Y. She married F. C. 
 Bach, and lives at Sebewaing. (See sketch.) Charles 
 W. was born Sept. 25, 1858, in Addison; Emma H. 
 was born at the same place, March 23, 1864; John 
 died in infancy. 
 
 The public will doubtless be pleased to find, ac- 
 companying this sketch, a portrait of Mr. Liken, who 
 deserves representation in the collection given in this 
 work. 
 
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 , .- .-^ illiam Handy, farmer, section 13, Case- 
 lllk^3;li, ville Township, was born Oct. 3, 1821, 
 '"'ji^ " in Wilkesbarre, Pa., and is the son of 
 ' Daniel and Sybil (Woodruff) Handy. The 
 
 former was a native of Pennsylvania, and 
 removed his family to Parma Township, Mon- 
 roe Co., N. Y., where he entered upon the career of a 
 pioneer. In 1836 he came to Michigan, reaching 
 Detroit Oct. 6, of that year. He proceeded to Ox- 
 ford, Oakland Co., Mich., where he bought another 
 unimproved tract of land, comprising 120 acres, 
 where he made a clearing in the "oak openings," 
 built a log house and established a home. He died 
 March 24, 1848, and was 7 i years of age at the time 
 of his demise. The mother died about i86g, and 
 was 82 years old. 
 
 When Mr. Handy was 22 years of age he went 
 to Lapeer County to engage in lumbering, operating 
 in the woods winters, on the drive during the s|)ring 
 seasons and as a siw-mill assistant in summer. In 
 the fall of 1S49 he went to Port Austin and i)assed 
 the summers and winters of two years in lumbering. 
 In 185 I he bought 80 acres of land near Caseville, 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 where he set himself diligently to the work of found- 
 ing ;i home. • He sold the place in 1856, and took 
 possession of the farm wliich is and has since been 
 his liouiestead. His first motive in making the 
 transfer was to secure the advantages of better hunt- 
 ing and trapping. He has killed ten elk since com- 
 ing here, whose horns sold for $25 in Chicago. The 
 number of deer he has captured cannot be estimated, 
 and he has killed t>vo bears when alone, as well as 
 several in company with other hunters. 
 
 Mr. Handy is a Democrat. In 1864 he was 
 drafted into the military service of the United 
 States, and was assigned to C'ompany F, 15th Mich. 
 Vol. Inf He was in the service eight months, dur- 
 ing which time he was under fire in regular battle at 
 Bentonville. He was discharged in June, 1865, at 
 Louisville, Ky. 
 
 His marriage to Lydia Case took place Jan. 18, 
 1847, and they are the parents of seven children, — 
 Caroline, Mary A., John C'harles, Sylvia, Clarissa, 
 Sherman and Minerva. One child is deceased. 
 Mrs. Handy was the daughter of Isaac and Jane 
 (Austin) Case, and was born March 21, 1828, in St. 
 Clair Co., Mich. She died in 1884. Her parents 
 were respectively natives of Connecticut and Michi- 
 gan. 
 
 ohn J. Murdoek, farmer, sections 21 and 
 22, Caseville Township, was born Sept. 29, 
 1847, in Kilnrow, County Ayr, Scotland, 
 and is the son of Hugh and Janet (Campbell) 
 Murdoek. In November, 1868, he emigrated 
 to the United States. The parents are living 
 with their son in Caseville Township. The father 
 was born April t, 1827 ; the mother in November, 
 1828. They came to Ohio in the fall of 1869. 
 
 After landing in New York, Mr. Murdoek pro- 
 ceeded to the coal regions of Pennsylvania, Ohio and 
 Indiana, where he was employed for some time in 
 the mines. In 1873, he came to Huron County ; lie 
 purchased a farm of Hon. Joseph Snell, with seven 
 acres improved. 
 
 Mr. Murdoek is a Republican in political senti- 
 ment, and has held various township offices. He 
 was married Feb. 23, 187 i, to Louisa Sollaw. Their 
 
 children were born as follows: Albert H., Feb. 
 2, r872; Edwin S, Feb. 13, 1874; Jessie A., Nov. 
 13, [876: Mibel J., A|)ril 24, 1879; Grace E., May 
 iq, [882. Their mother was born Jan. 14, 1850, in 
 Canal Fulton, Stark Co., Ohio, and is ilie daughter 
 of John .\. and Anna (Cyring) Sollaw. Her mother 
 died in 1869, and her father in 1877, in Stark Co., 
 Ohio. 
 
 WiXW&v^^^ Heisterman, ex-Register of Deeds of 
 
 ^^^ Huron County, resident at Bad Axe, was 
 r^iP born Nov. 5, 1820, in Westphalia, Prussia. 
 
 ■^(7 He received a thorough education in his na- 
 
 ' \ tive country, pursuing courses of study in phi- 
 losophy, medicine and political economy until 
 1843, when he went to Leipsic and was there occu- 
 pied as a translator of French medical literature into 
 English. He came to America during the i)rogress 
 of the Mexican war, proceeding to Buffalo, wiiere he 
 enlisted in the United States Army for five years. 
 He was in the service throughout the entire course of 
 of the war, receiving honorable discharge in August, 
 185 1, at Ft. Gratiot, Mich. He went next to Saginaw 
 City, and was occupied a few months in operating a 
 ferry between the cities of Saginaw and East Saginaw. 
 
 In Novernber, 1852, he purchased of the United 
 States Government an island in Saginaw Bay, contain- 
 ing about 400 acres of land, on which he located and 
 resided until September i, 1883, when he sold the 
 property. The island belongs to the township of 
 Fair Haven in Huron County, which was not then or- 
 ganized. He sold the island to an organization of 
 gentlemen of Saginaw, styled the Island Club, obtain- 
 ing $1 1,000 as compensation therefor. The island is 
 a noted resort and fast increasing in popularity. 
 
 Mr. Heisterman has been identified with the for- 
 tunes of Huron County since 1852, and has been 
 active in its interests. In the fall of 1876 he was nom- 
 inated on the Democratic ticket for Register of Deeds, 
 and was successful in obtaining the election. The 
 ([uality of his services can be estimated from the fact, 
 that he held tlie incumbency six years, receiving two 
 re-elections. He was Supervisor of Fair Haven 
 Township r6 years, and' held several other official 
 positions. He was elected State Senator the present 
 
 
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 snn^>A^ — ^«>^ 
 
 •i^j^ 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -"^Tt^ 
 
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 year (1884). He was the first white settler in Fair 
 Haven Township, and for some time had no associates 
 save the Indians, of whom there were a great number. 
 A missionary made frequent visits to the locality 
 but he was not a resident. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Heisterman to Mary Uutcher 
 took place at Port Huron, Mich., September 18, 1849. 
 She was born January 1 1, 1828, in Oswego Co., N. Y., 
 and is the daughter of Daniel and Lavanchia Butch- 
 er. Her mother died when she was 15 years old ; her 
 father is living in Fair Grove Township, Tuscola 
 County, of which he has been many years a resident. 
 He is 84 years of age. 
 
 A portrait of Mr. Heisterman accompanies this 
 sketch, being placed on a i)receding page. It gives 
 the features of a prominent and representative citizen 
 of Huron County. 
 
 christian Botcher, deceased, formerly. resid- 
 
 | a^j^ ing on section 13, Sand Beach Township, 
 
 Mip was a son of John and Mary Botcher, natives 
 
 " of Germany, in which country they resided 
 until their death. tHiristian was born in the 
 native country of his parents, and resided there, 
 engaged in the occupation of farming and coachman, 
 until the summer of 1868. At the date mentioned, 
 he crossed the ocean and landed on American soil. 
 He came direct to this county and setUed in Sand 
 Beach Township. Two years later, in 1870, he pur- 
 chased 83 acres of wild land on section 13, same 
 township, and entered on the laborious task of clear- 
 ing and improving the same. He erected a fine frame 
 house, good barn and other buildings, and was just 
 entering on the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor 
 when, in 1871, the destroying element, fire, laid his 
 barn, together with its entire contents, in ashes. 
 During that fire, so well remembered by every inhab- 
 itant of Huron County, Mr. Botcher injured his eyes, 
 fighting the element, from which injury he never re- 
 covered, his death occurring December 3, 1873. 
 
 Mr. Botcher was united in marriage, in Germany, 
 in January, 1850, to Miss Mary Puis. She was a 
 daughter of Christopher and .Sophia (Stevenson) Puis, 
 natives of Germany, in which country the daughter 
 
 was also born, July 15, 1831. Her parents had a 
 family of ten children, most of whom died in infancy. 
 Mrs. B. is a member of the Lutheran Church, as like- 
 wise was her husband. 
 
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 I] homas Winsor, senior member of the firm 
 of Thomas Winsor & Co., manufacturers of 
 salt, lumber, staves, heading, shingles, etc., 
 also dealers in general merchandise, Port 
 Austin, was born June 5, 1852, in London, 
 Out. He is the son of Richard (sr.) and Eliz- 
 abeth (Longworth) Winsor (see sketch of R. Win- 
 sor), and has resided since he was seven years of 
 age in Huron County. 
 
 His parents removed in 1869 to Huron City, 
 wliere the family remained several years and went 
 thence to Port Austin, where they still reside. 
 
 Mr. Winsor established a general mercantile busi- 
 ness at Port Austin, in 187 i, and after managing its 
 interests singly for a few months, he became associa- 
 ted with Thomas Neill, and after a successful prose- 
 cution of the affairs of the concern about three and 
 a half years, its membership was dissolved. In 1875 
 the firm of Carrington & Winsor was created, 
 which relation still continues. Their first business 
 was transacted in a brick store, which they erected 
 for the purpose, and wliere they have since operated. 
 Their stock represents an average amount of $12,- 
 000 or more. In 1880-1, they built an e.ttensive 
 salt block and saw-mill, which was burned March 27, 
 1881, involving a loss of $22,000. In the following 
 year a branch store, which they had built in Meade 
 Township, 24 .\ 80 feet in dimensions, was burned, 
 with a loss above insurance of $2,500. Tiicy re- 
 built tiie store and constructed a grist-mill at the 
 same place, and subsequently sold both. The salt 
 block was also rebuilt and a saw-mill erected to aid 
 in the prosecution of their business. They own two 
 wells, having a capacity of 200 barrels daily, and 
 manufacture three grades of salt, distinguished as 
 "packer's salt," " fine " and "second-quality." In 
 1883 thejj built an elevator on the Port Huron & 
 Northwestern Railroad, at Port .Austin, which has a 
 capacity of 18,000 bushels, and is one of the largest 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 structures of the kind on the line. The firm traffic 
 in all kinds of grain and produce. They own a 
 dock situated near their mills, built in 1877 by Mr. 
 Winsor and his brother Philip (now a salesman in 
 the store). The land where their works are erected 
 comprises 40 acres nearly, and they own 10 acres 
 south of the village of Port Austin. They conduct 
 a retail and wholesale lumber yard, and operate as 
 builders and contractors; also have a machine shop 
 where a large amount of repairing is done. Another 
 branch of their business is the sinking of salt wells 
 
 alonir tlie shore of Lake Huron. In 
 
 5, Roscoe 
 
 E., son of Mr. Carrington, was admitted to the firm. 
 Mr. Winsor has been and still is Postmaster of Port 
 Austin. 
 
 He was married at Port Crescent, Jan i, 1874, to 
 [da A. Carrington. Their chil'dren were born at 
 Port Austin, as follows: Eva, Jan. i, 1S77; 
 Blanche, Aug. 26, 1880; William, Jan. 14, 18S3. 
 Mrs. Winsor is the daughter of Mark and Rhoda 
 A. Carrington, and was born Aug. 3, 1858, at Lex- 
 ington, Sanilac Co., Mich. (See sketch of Mark 
 Carrington.) 
 
 ^1*1 eter Smeader, Sr., farmer, section 6, Dwight 
 l^aife Township, was born Feb. 18, 181-?, in Ger- 
 JjllSS- many, and is the son of Theodore and 
 j j* ^ Lucy Smeader, also natives of Germany, where 
 >'|\ they passed their lives. 
 
 Mr. Smeader was reared to manhood in his native 
 land, and was a resident there until 1855, the year 
 of his emigration to tiie United States. He came at 
 once to Sanilac County, and passed about 18 months 
 at Forestville. He went thence to Port Austin, 
 where he spent nine years in a saw-mill. At the end 
 of that time he bought 130 acres of land and has 
 since bought 80 acres more. He has sold 50 acres 
 of his original purchase, and placed 65 acres under 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Smeader is a Democrat in political faith. 
 
 He was married the first time in Germany, Jan. 
 I, 1840, to Johanna Lelly. Eight children have 
 been born to them, two of whom died in infancy. 
 
 Elizabeth, Mary, Susan, Peter, Christopher and 
 Nicholas. Their mother was born in Germany and 
 died Aug. 5, 1865. Mr. Smeader was a second time 
 married in September, 1866, in Dwight Township, lo 
 Jane Harper, a native of Canada. The family are 
 Roman Catholics. 
 
 ngram Harrison, farmer and stockman, 
 resident on section 24, in Lake Township, 
 was born Dec. 25, 1832, in Yorkshire, Eng. 
 (3 or His father, John Harrison, was also born in 
 ■{^ England, and in 1857 transferred his family 
 and business to Middlese.x Co., Ont. His 
 mother, Mary (Wilson) Harrison, was a native of 
 England, and died in her native country when slie 
 was 45 years of age. 
 
 Mr. Harrison was the fourth of seven children 
 born to his parents. He obtained a fair education 
 by his own efforts, and when he was 1 2 years of age 
 began to earn his own livelihood by farm labor. 
 When he was 22 years of age he came to this 
 country, and settled in Livingston Co., N. Y. A 
 year later he went to Middlesex Co., Ont., where he 
 was a laborer until his marriage, in that county, 
 June 29, 1859, when he became the husband of 
 Elizabeth Edwards. The following children have 
 been born to them: Mary (Mrs. Joseph Williams) ; 
 Henry, Eliza, Alice, Robert, Edward, John, Ann, 
 James, Francis and William. The latter died in 
 infancy. 
 
 After his marriage Mr. Harrison was a farmer in 
 the counties of Middlesex and Lambton, in Ontario, 
 where he remained nine years. In the fall of 1869 
 he came to Huron County, and purchased 240 acres 
 of land on sections 24 and 25, Lake Township. The 
 entire tract was in its original wild state. The 
 farm now includes 90 acres of cleared and cultivated 
 land, two acres of which is a well-assorted orchard, 
 and the place is fitted with suitable and necessary 
 farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Harrison is a Republican, and has discharged 
 the duties of several local offices in the township. 
 
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372 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 He owns and operates a flouring mill at Pinnebog. 
 In the collection of portraits selected for this 
 Album is found that of Mr. Harrison, accompanying 
 this sketch. 
 
 'MUISSU®^^ 
 
 Wr--.<^%(tppn>f 
 
 ames S. Ayres, of the firm of Ayres & 
 ^ Co., at Port Austin, merchants, farmers, 
 dealers in real estate, and manufacturers 
 of salt, was born Aug. 30, 1838, in New Ca- 
 naan, Conn. He is a son of Frederick S. and 
 Nancy (Raymond) Ayres, and is in company 
 with his father and brother, Eben R. Ayres, res- 
 ident at Sandusky. (See sketch of F. S. Ayres.) 
 Mr. Ayres was educated in the common schools of 
 West Troy, and afterwards was instructed by a pri- 
 A^ vate tutor until about the age of 17 years, when he 
 ■c=t matriculated at Williams College, Williamstovvn, 
 ^ Mass., and four years later was graduated at that 
 ° institution. He attended the Law School at Albany 
 ■^ one year, and graduated there, and went thence to 
 V Chicago, where he opened his office and acted as an 
 I( ) attorney for three years. 
 
 In 1 856 he came to Port Austin to manage his 
 father's lumbering interests, which he conducted five 
 years, and in 187 1 became a member of the firm of 
 Ayers, Learned & Co., engaged in the business 
 already named, in which they have since continued 
 to operate. In 1874 Mr. Learned sold his claim to 
 the brother of Mr. Ayres, Eben R., a resident of 
 Sandusky. 
 
 The building where the Messrs. Ayers conduct 
 their mercantile transactions is one of the first con- 
 structed at Port Austin. Their stock is estimated at 
 $10,000, and they employ three salesmen. The firm 
 offer for sale 14,000 acres of farming lands in Huron 
 - V County, situated in the townships of Port Austin, 
 Dwight, Lincoln, Meade, Lake, Chandler and Oli- 
 ver. They have about 1,200 acres which they culti- 
 vate in Port Austin and Dwight Townships, and 
 '^y employ Ijy the month a small army of agricultural 
 ^ laborers. 
 
 Mr. Ayres is an active and aggressive Republican. 
 He was President of the Blaine and Logan Club at 
 
 ^^»=: 9^POM 
 
 Port Austin, and has taken part in several Presiden- 
 tial campaigns, doing the variety of service popularly 
 known as " stump" speaking. He has acted as 
 Chairman of several Republican county conven- 
 tions, and is always actively interested in the State 
 conventions, and in all movements for the advance- 
 ment of the present party element on the earth. He 
 takes an earnest interest in school matters, and is a 
 member of the present School Board (1884), with 
 which he has been connected continuously for up- 
 wards of 16 years. 
 
 Mr. Ayres was married at Tarrytown-on-the-Hud- 
 son, Oct. 20, 1869, to Annie Evans. She was born in 
 Mobile, Ala., in April, 1841, and died Nov. 2, 1882, 
 at Port Austin. The five children born of this mar- 
 riage are named as follows : Nancy (deceased), Eben 
 R., Jay D., James S. and Annie (deceased). Mr. 
 Ayres was a second time married Feb. 7, 1884, at 
 Port .\ustin, to a sister of his first wife, Sarah Lou 
 Evans. She was born in New York in 1846. 
 
 Mr. Ayres owns a fine residence on Lake Street ; 
 also an interest in the diflerent plats of the firm in 
 the village of Port Austin designated respectively as 
 "Ayres & Co.'s," and "Ayres, Learned & Co.'s plats.' 
 
 £,enry Libby, machinist at Caseville, and en- 
 gineer in the employment of F. Crawford, 
 is the son of Jacob H. and Elizabctli (Stass) 
 Libby, both natives of Germany. The mother 
 died about the year 1857. The father was born 
 in 1796, and is still a resident of Hanover, 
 Germany, where Mr. Libby, the subject of this 
 sketch, was born, June 12, 1832. There was a 
 family of 1 1 children born to his parents, of whom 
 he is the third youngest, and the oldest one now liv- 
 ing, and is the owner of 240 acres of land situated 
 on sections 2, 17 and 10. He was born June 12, 
 1832, in Hanover, Germany. In 1850 he emigrated 
 to the United States, and found his first employment 
 with a farmer in Geauga Co., Ohio. He went thence 
 to Cleveland, Ohio, where he passed two years in 
 the service of Thomas Searls, learning his trade. 
 He is a natural mechanic, and is an acknowledged 
 master of his business as an engineer and machinist. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 He worked two years for Mr. F. Crawford, in Cleve- 
 land, and camein 1857 in his interest to Caseville, 
 where he has operated since, with the exception of 
 three years, when he was engaged in the manage- 
 ment of a saw-mill at VVarrensville, Oeauga Co., 
 Ohio. 
 
 He has erected all the machinery in the works of 
 Mr. Crawford at Caseville, as follows : two engines in 
 Crawford's mill of loo-horse power ; one in another 
 saw-mill, of 35 -horse power; one in the grist-mill, of 
 35-horse power; No. i in drill house, 15 -horse power; 
 No. 2, in drill house, 15-horse power; No. 3, in drill 
 house, 15-horse power; No. 4, in drill house, 15- 
 horse power; No. 5, in drill house, 25-horse power; 
 two portable engines, respectively of 7- and 20-horse 
 power. In addition to these Mr. Libby has put in 
 three steam pumps.twoof which are 10x5 inches and 
 one is 6 X 3 inches in size. 
 
 The farm of Mr. Libby includes 125 acres of im- 
 proved land, with two good frame houses and two 
 good frame barns, with necessary out-buildings and 
 excellent orchards. 
 
 He was married in September, 1857, to Maria 
 Emshoff, and they have six children, \nna, John, 
 Eliza, Henry, Nora and Mabel. Mrs. Libby was 
 born in October, 1832, in Prussia, Germany. She 
 came with her father to Cleveland, in 1854, after the 
 death of her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Libby are Lu- 
 therans in religious belief. 
 
 5'V\/v>.— 5- 
 
 agloire rromant, farmer, section 20, 
 Dwight Township, was born Oct. i, 1842, 
 in the city of Montreal. His parents, 
 .^'^^ Charles and Genevieve Fromant, were na- 
 tives of France. 
 In 1856 Mr. Fromant left Montreal to seek 
 an opportunity to secure an independent livelihood. 
 He came to Port Austin, where he obtained a place 
 as assistant in a saw-mill, in which vocation he 
 passed 16 years. Seven years following he worked 
 a farm on shares. In April, 1879, he located on 
 80 acres of land he had purchased in 1869, all of 
 which is now cleared and improved, and is supplied 
 with a good house, barn and other suitable acces- 
 
 sory farm buildings. Politically Mr. Fromant is in 
 affiliation with the Democratic party. 
 
 His marriage to Elizabeth Smeader occurred at 
 Port Austin, Sept. i, i860, and of their marriage 11 
 children have been born — Joseph, Charles, Mary, 
 Ann, Peter, Michael, Susan, William, Maggie, Rich- 
 ard and Elizabeth. Mrs. Fromant was born Feb. 
 26, 1842, in Prussia, and is the daughter of Peter 
 and Johanna Smeader. Tiie family are Roman 
 Catholics in religious belief. 
 
 
 lirehie Currie, farmer, section 20, Pans 
 ^ Township, was born in August, 1824, in 
 Argyleshire, Scotland. His father, Duncan 
 Currie, was a shepherd in his native land, and 
 in 1846 he came to the New World, locating 
 in Ekford Township, Middlesex Co., Ont., and 
 afterward came to Michigan, where he located on the 
 farm on which his son is now residing, and there he 
 died, April 5, 1871. His mother, Ann (Mitchell) 
 Currie, was born in Scotland, and died in Ekford 
 about 1850. 
 
 Mr. Currie was reared to the calling of his father, 
 which he followed in his boyhood, and on reaching a 
 suitable age he became a farm laborer in his native 
 country until he came to Ontario in 1856. In 1857 he 
 came to the then unbroken and solitary wilderness of 
 Paris Township, and after prospecting in every direc- 
 tion he fixed upon a claim of 24c acres of land on 
 section 17. He "bushed" his road thither for some 
 miles, and had no knowledge of the location of his 
 neighbors, himself and his brother being the only 
 settlers for miles. All supplies were brought 18 miles 
 over the trails of the elk and deer, which were here 
 in great abundance and of whom Mr. Currie killed 
 many for subsistence. He afterwards sold a part of 
 his first purchase, and on the death of his father he 
 took possession of tiie homestead, which embraces 
 160 acres of land. He had made a beautiful and 
 valuable home for his family, having now 90 acres 
 cleared and improved in the best manner. Mr. 
 Currie is an earnest and zealous Republican, and has 
 been active in the local official affiiirs of his lownshii). 
 
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 374 
 
 HURON COUNTY 
 
 A 
 
 He was married Dec. 27, 1869, in Paris Township, 
 to Miss Flora, daughter of Archie and Mary (Mc- 
 Intyre) Clark. Her father died in Elgin Co., Can., 
 March 2, 1870, aged 53 years. Mrs. Clark was liv- 
 ing with her daughter, Mrs. McDonald, when the fire 
 of 187 I occurred, in which Alexander McDonald, his 
 wife Nancy, nee Clark, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary 
 Clark, his son Archie, a boy of nine years of age, and 
 his sister-in-law. Miss Jeannette Clark — five persons 
 in all — perished in the flames ! The dreadful visita- 
 tion and affliction are fully treated in another portion 
 1 of this work. The following poem, by Cyrenius Mc- 
 Taggart, now deceased, a resident of the township at 
 the time of the occurrence, is incorporated in this 
 sketch, for obvious reasons : 
 
 The McDonald Family, 
 
 WHO PERISHED IN THE GREAT FIRE OF I 87 I, IN 
 HURON COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 
 
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 i 
 
 Sons of freedom, only ponder 
 
 On McDonald's awful doom, 
 And his family, five in number. 
 
 In the hot and fiery gloom, — 
 
 Where the flames in torrents flashing. 
 Through the fields and forest round, 
 
 And the trees like thunder crashing. 
 In great numbers on the ground. 
 
 Thus the deluge, fierce in motion. 
 
 With the wind did loudly roar. 
 Like the waves ui)on the ocean. 
 
 Dashing on the stormy shore. 
 
 What have been their thoughts and feelings. 
 
 In that hot and dismal place, 
 When the flames came round, unyielding. 
 
 Such a stubborn foe to face ! 
 
 Oh ! methinks I see them weeping. 
 Clasped into each other's arms, — 
 
 When the flames came round them sweeping. 
 Cry aloud in wild alarms, — 
 
 As they cast their eyes to heaven. 
 
 And for mercy loudly cried, 
 When by flames and smoke were driven, 
 
 Where they fell and shrank aiul died. 
 
 Thus the deluge passed o'er them ; 
 
 Sad and awful was the scene. 
 Sweeping everything before them. 
 
 Through the wild and living green. 
 
 Thus it raved until the morrow. 
 
 When a calm appeared at last; 
 Every soul was filled with sorrow 
 
 At the closing of the blast. 
 
 All the fields and forest timber. 
 
 By their friends were searched around. 
 
 And at length in death's cold slumber. 
 These poor souls' remains were found. 
 
 In the woods where they were driven. 
 
 Lay their bodies on the earth. 
 And their souls we hope in heaven 
 
 With the God who gave them birth. 
 
 All ye readers, only ponder ! 
 
 Can you think without regret, 
 On the death of this small number. 
 
 And among them poor Jeannette .■' 
 
 A maiden fair in every feature. 
 
 And admired by all around 
 As a lady, and a teacher. 
 
 In this moldering mass was found. 
 
 Those horrid flames so fierce, and raken 
 With the wind, with force and strife, — 
 
 This fair lady they have taken 
 In her prime and bloom of life. 
 
 No more she's seen among the flowers 
 Nor in the shade of summer green; 
 
 With her young friends in idle hours, 
 This fair maid no more is seen. 
 
 Slie is gone from earth, departed; 
 
 And her friends, to be no more, 
 Left them sad and broken-hearted. 
 
 To lament on Huron's shore. 
 
 May to her a robe be given ; 
 
 Thus may her precious soul be blest, 
 Like the stars in yonder heaven, 
 
 And be one among the rest. 
 
 Mrs. Currie was born Sept. 2, 1849, in Elgin Co.. 
 Out., where she resided until the death of her father. 
 On the occurrence of that event, she came to Paris 
 
 Townsliip, where she was married. 
 
 i 
 
 -^^^^^n!]^i!iii>^-^=^ — 25M»ei. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 illiam T. Chappell, proprietor of the Chap- 
 pell House at Sebewaing, was born May 
 8, 1850, at Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y. 
 His father, W. T. Chappell, Sr., was born at 
 '^ Avon, and his mother, Julia (Ransom) Chap- 
 pell, was a native of Claridon, Geauga Co., 
 Ohio. They located after marriage at Avon, w'here 
 Mr. C. was a prominent agriculturist and was one of 
 the earliest importers of Durham cattle in the Empire 
 State. The family are still residing there and in- 
 cludes six children, — W. T.., J. Frank, Charles H., 
 Nellie V., Carrie B. and Emma. 
 
 Mr. Chappell attended the common schools of his 
 native place until he was 1 1 years of age, when he 
 was sent to Temple Hill Academy at Geneseo, N. Y., 
 where he was a student three years, after which he 
 attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima a 
 similar period. In 1868 he went to the Eastman 
 Business College at Poughkeepsie,.N. Y., where he 
 was graduated the following year. In 187 i he came 
 to Bay City ; from there he went to Sebewaing, and 
 platted 80 acres of land, and sold lots to the amount 
 of $18,000. 
 
 On coming hither to reside, Mr. Chappell at once 
 took rank among the leading men in the town and 
 county. He owns about 400 acres of land in Huron 
 and Tuscola Counties, including 250 acres under cul- 
 tivation. One farm of 160 acres is located near Port 
 Austin. He has been a mail contractor since the 
 time of his locating in Huron County, and at present 
 controls 66 miles of mail route. He deals consider- 
 ably in real estate. He is a connoisseur in horses, 
 and in early manhood indulged a taste for fine 
 grades. He always kept a fine team while at school, 
 and after being graduated he spent a year or two in 
 buying and fitting horses for tlie New York market. 
 
 Mr. Chappell is a staunch and active Republican. 
 He cast his first Presidential vote foi* General Grant, 
 and has been an adlierent of the " grand old party" 
 ever since. Most of his life has been spent under a 
 Republican administration, and he expects to spend 
 his remaining years in the prosperity and hope in 
 which the country has rejoiced for so long a period. 
 In the fall of 1876 he was elected Slieriff' of Huron 
 County, and served two years. He declined a re- 
 
 He 
 
 a member of the Order of Odd 
 
 election. 
 Fellows. 
 
 His marriage to Laura E. Tong occurred Jan. 4, 
 1870, at Avon. They have two children: Mary, 
 born at Avon, and Arthur S., born in Sebewaing. 
 Proctor T. Tong, the father of Mrs. Chappell, is a 
 native of England and married Mrs. Elizabeth 
 (North) Howe. She is a native of Connecticut, and 
 died in Utica, Mich. They had one child, — Laura. 
 
 The portrait of Mr. Chap[)ell, accompanying this 
 sketch, gives the characteristic features of an influen- 
 tial and representative citizen of the Huron peninsula. 
 
 ^*-^h*^ 
 
 ■^j-f ^^^harles E. Ball, farmer, section 6, Dwight 
 2Jj>^^^ Township, was born Jan. 21, 1839, in Nor- 
 walk, Huron Co., Ohio. His parents, Sanford 
 and Lavina (Lock) Ball, were natives respect- 
 ively of Vermont and Pennsylvania. After 
 ,their marriage they settled in Ohio, where 
 they continued to reside during the remainder of their 
 lives. She died Sept. 18, 1853; and he, April 21, 
 1859. Charles E., Lois and James constituted their 
 family of children. 
 
 Mr. Ball was educated in the common schools of 
 Ohio, and was at home until he was 15 years of age, 
 when he engaged as a sailor on the lakes and con- 
 tinued to operate in that capacity for a period of 25 
 years. He was first employed as a steward, after- 
 wards became an ordinary seaman and was promoted 
 to the position of mate. He passed 1 1 years in com- 
 mand of a schooner in the service of John F. Rust & 
 Co., of Cleveland, Ohio. In the fall of 1862 he en- 
 listed in the 23d Mich. Vol. Inf., and served three 
 years as private and Corporal. He was an active 
 participant in all the engagements in which the regi- 
 ment was involved until nine months previous to his- 
 discharge, during wiiich lime he was on detached ser- 
 vice in Washington. 
 
 On being discharged, lie went to Muskegon and 
 spent a summer there as an assistant in a saw-mill, 
 and, while employed on the lakes, passed tlie winter 
 months of four years at Algonac. 
 
 In 1861, previous to his enlistment in the army, he 
 I bought 43 acres of land in Dwight Township, which 
 
 
 
 ^m>^ 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 r2ii^§^ 
 
 •ST 
 
 (i, 
 
 (|^ 
 
 •)^ 
 
 at the date of purchase was in its original timbered 
 condition. He made a clearing and erected a log 
 house, in which he resided a year. In the winter of 
 1878 he made an additional purchase of 40 acres of 
 land, and settled permanently on the place. The 
 efforts and good management of Mr. Ball on the place 
 have resulted in the improvement and cultivation of 
 60 acres. 
 
 He is a Republican in political connection and a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 His marriage occurred at Croswell (then Davis- 
 ville), Sept. 15, i860, to Emily, daughter of Eli and 
 Julia Henington. She was born Jan. 5, 1843, in 
 Pennsylvania. They have an adopted child, Willie 
 by name. 
 
 ') 
 
 i 
 
 ^) 
 
 radford Slack, merchant, at Ubly, was 
 born March 25, 1852, in O-xford Co., Ont. 
 He came to Bingham Township with his 
 parents, James and Abigail (Wooley) Slack, 
 in 1867. They belong to the farming com- 
 munity and are still residents of this township. 
 Mr. Slack was reared to the occupation of his 
 father, and was under the protection and influences 
 of his paternal home until 20 years of age. On 
 reaching manhood, he bought So acres of land on 
 section 18, Bingham Township, which, like himself, 
 remained to be tested in use and value. He at 
 once set vigorously at work to clear and improve 
 and erect a home. He proceeded with his efforts 
 until he had accomplished the reclamation of 50 
 acres, when he sold the place, a year subsequent to 
 his removal to the village of Ubly. He established 
 there the business he has since conducted, which 
 includes two branches of trade, — general merchan- 
 dise and a tin-shop. Mr. Slack owns four improved 
 lots in the village. 
 
 He is a Republican in political connection, and 
 has discharged the duties of the minor local offices 
 of his township. He is and has been considerably 
 interested in school matters. 
 
 His marriage to Mary Ross occurred in 1872, in 
 Bingham Township, and they are the parents of four 
 children — Ettio J., Mary A., Guy and Martha. 
 
 )f^4|« ^^^^^ ^^-i<^Il!I 
 
 ■^rtj-childri; 
 
 Mrs. Slack was born in Scotland, in 1852. Her 
 parents, James and Mary (Barber) Ross, are farmers 
 in this township, where the daughter was reared to 
 womanhood. 
 
 •waaa^®^"*— t^^ 
 
 .^^!/3OT>. 
 
 ijfea 
 
 |nson H. Bowman, farmer, section 20, 
 t Bloomfield Township, was born Feb. 28, 
 " 1844, in Dunn Township, Haldimand Co., 
 Ont. He is the son of Joseph and Sarah M. 
 (Furler) Bowman. His mother resides on 
 section 3, Bloomfield Township, and was born 
 in 1826. His father died during the early youth of 
 his son, at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., where he is 
 buried. He was a farmer all his active life. 
 
 Mr. Bowman was brought up to the vocation of 
 his father, and on reaching his majority he rented a 
 farm, which he continued to manage four years, 
 after which he operated as foreman of the place un- 
 til 1873, when he came to Huron County. He 
 entered the employ of Langdon Hubbard, clearing 
 land and logging in his interest five years. In 1878 
 he bought 160 acres of land in Huron Township, on 
 section 33. Later he sold the place, all but 40 acres, 
 which he retains, with 40 acres on section 4; and 
 on this he has since lived and labored. He has 
 about 20 acres cleared, a good frame house, a barn 
 and a small orchard. 
 
 His marriage to Sarah Angelina Crosby occurred 
 Aug. 29, 1865. Their children were born as follows : 
 Palmer E., July 18, 1866'; Almeda J., Jan. 26, 1868; 
 Anson H., Jan. 22, 1870 ; Walter A. and Robert A., 
 twins, March 26, 1872; Amelia A., March '3, 1874; 
 Almond M., Sept. 15, 1876; Nellie A., Feb. 27, 
 1880; William C, March 16, 1882; Flora U., April 
 14, 1884. Robert A., one of the twins, died in July 
 following his birth. 
 
 Mrs. Bowman was born June 23, 1849, in Haldi- 
 mand Co., Ont. Her parents, John and Mary A. 
 (Waters) Crosby, are living in Ontario. Their chil- 
 dren are eight in number. 
 
 Mr. Bowman is a Republican, and has served as 
 
 Treasurer of the township seven terms, as Justice of 
 
 the Peace one year, and in several other positions. 
 
 He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 The family suffered indescribable horrors during the 
 
 V© 
 
 9 
 
 < 
 h 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^Dti;-> 
 
 zu::^. 
 
 -^k^^^ 
 
 -4 
 
 m 
 
(g))(^^ 
 
 g««- 
 
 ■ry 
 
 •7<i>M'^Uy>:- 
 
 ->s««w«sr 
 
 «#j^#^ 
 
 
 
 1=3 
 
 1=2 
 
 <^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 fire of 1 88 1. The fifth of September found them 
 waiting, in terrified suspense, whatever fate was in 
 store for them. The flames were already in posses- 
 sion of various parts of the farm, and at noon was 
 upon them. To save the house, Mr. Bowman drew 
 water from the well until it was dry. On the failure 
 of the water, the house soon caught, and was aban- 
 doned by the family, who sought safety in a sum- 
 mer fallow, the father removing the bo.x of a lumber 
 wagon, which he propped against the wheels to form 
 a shelter. The inaction and waiting for seeming 
 destruction was a fearful . thing to endure, and Mr. 
 Bowman at last re-adjusted his wagon, " hitched 
 up" and started in a westerly direction, only to en- 
 counter intense heat. After traversing a distance of 
 about two miles, they met a man who informed 
 them of the total destruction of everything in that 
 direction, and they retraced their route. Returning 
 to the summer fallow, the wagon-box was again 
 made to do duty as a protection, and they passed 
 the night under its shelter. In the morning a man 
 named Richard Foreman, who was sent out from 
 Port Hope to look for possible sufferers, came to 
 them. He had expected to find all the settlers lost 
 in the fire of the day previous, and up to that time 
 had discovered seven dead bodies, as follows : Mr. 
 Leman and his son Alfred, aged 17 years; Albert 
 Jonch and wife ; Minnie Moss and her brother and 
 sister, children who had become separated from 
 their parents in the smoke. Mr. and Mrs. Moss 
 were saved. The bodies were found between Port 
 Hope and Kinch's Corners, together with a large 
 number of dead cattle, hogs and sheep. The loss 
 of Air. Bowman included two cows, eight hogs, his 
 house, barn and stable, 12,000 feet of lumber, si.\ 
 acres of oats and five acres of peas. 
 
 1 
 
 eter Smeader, Jr., farmer, resident on sec- 
 If! tion 6, Dwight Township, is a native of 
 
 S^-^ Prussia, where he was born Jan. 16, 1848. 
 
 i^ He is the son of Peter and Johanna Smeader, 
 
 ^^ whose sketch appears on another page. (See 
 index). 
 
 His parents came to the United Slates when he 
 
 was seven years of age, and he resided with them 
 until he reached the age of 17 years. In 1864 he 
 went to Port Austin, where he was a laborer about 
 nine years. He went thence to Tawas City and 
 spent three years in a saw-mtll. He came back to 
 Huron County, in 1874, and purchased 40 acres of 
 land in Dwight Township, on which he settled, and 
 to which he has added 30 acres. Of this tract 
 about 50 acres are under cultivation. He is a Dem- 
 ocrat in political connections. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Smeader occurred Oct. 15, 
 187 I, in Tawas City, to Olive. Mutart. Of seven 
 children born to them, five survive — Albert Ulysses, 
 Johanna J., Frank W., Jonas P. and William E. 
 Minnie A. and Mary are deceased. The family are 
 Roman Catholics. 
 
 Mrs. Smeader is a native of the Dominion of Can- 
 ada, and was born Oct 20, 1848; is the daughter of 
 George and Mary (Sanders) Mutart, natives respect- 
 ively of Prince Edward Isles and Devonshire, 
 England. 
 
 #^ 
 
 AL'-' 
 
 — }- 
 
 (J. , avid H. Pierce, general merchant at Ubly, 
 was born March 17, 1849, near the town of 
 ■^ii^(^?^^ Pictou, Ont. His parents, Alexander and 
 "&, Lydia (Grooms) Pierce, were Canadians by 
 ^ birth and of New England origin, descended 
 S from Scotch and German ancestors. They be- 
 longed to the agricultural class and came to Michi- 
 gan in 1858, locating five miles south of Minden 
 City in Sanilac County, where they were among the 
 earliest jjioneers. The senior Pierce was the first to 
 lake a wagon into that part of the county. He af- 
 terwards removed to Bingham Township, in Huron 
 County, and located 120 acres of land on sections 
 22 and 27. Of his original tract 20 acres lie within 
 the limits of the corporation of Ubly, and are 
 platted. The parents are both residents of the vil- 
 lage, and are passing their lives' sunset days in firm 
 health and content. 
 
 The son was eight years of age when he was first 
 made acquainted with the State of Michigan. He 
 w.Ts educated in the common schools of Huron and 
 Sanilac Counties, and resided with his parents dur- 
 
 ■<!yi^ SSJ©« 
 
 f 
 
 < 
 
 I 
 
 0) 
 
:2J«&<k: 6V^DD5^DDf>T 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 ing liis minortiy, obtaining a thorough and practical 
 knowledge of farming, which he pursued nine years 
 • after reaching his majority. • 
 
 In May, 1881, he established his mercantile enter- 
 prise at Ubly, and in the fall of the same year suf- 
 fered the common loss of the people of the Huron 
 peninsula. His first move after the catastrophe was 
 to build a business structure and place therein a full 
 stock of goods, preparatory to retrieving his fortunes, 
 and he has already reaped the reward of persistent 
 energy. His business is in the most flourishing con- 
 dition, his aggregate, of annual sales amounting to 
 $20,000. He also owns 80 acres of farm land on 
 sections 23 and 26, chiefly under improvements. 
 
 Mr. Pierce is a Republican in political afSliation, 
 and holds the office of Notary Public. 
 
 He was married Sept. 16, i87i,in Ubly village, 
 to Frances McGuinness. They are the parents of 
 five children, — Joseph H., Lydia, Alexander, Cathe- 
 rine and Cyrenius. Mrs. Pierce was born Feb. 15, 
 (853, at Randolph, N. Y. Her father died in that 
 place, in 1 868, and she removed to Huron County 
 with her mother and grandmother. With her hus- 
 band, she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 
 •ntSJiJiM^r^—IM 
 
 4^^WIOT»v 
 
 ^nreremiah Kelly, farmer, section 32, Dwight 
 ''^ Township, is the son of John and Cathe- 
 rine (Coughlin) Kelly, and was born Dec. 
 1845, in Ireland, which was also the native 
 land of his parents. 
 
 Mr. Kelly emigrated to the United States in 
 1855, and passed 15 years in the cities of New York 
 and Brooklyn and in New Jersey, operating part of 
 the time as a molder. 
 
 In 1867 he came t* Huron County and was en- 
 gaged a little less than five years in a foundry at Port 
 Austin. In the fall of 1871 he "returned to Jersey 
 City, whence, after two years, he went to Susque- 
 hanna, Pa., where he remained between two and 
 three years. He returned to Port Austin, and in the 
 spring of 1S77 he purchased and took possession of 
 120 acres of land in Dwight Township, on which he 
 
 ^^€^ ^ n,A ^-;tltl 
 
 has since resided, and of which he has improved 
 one-third. 
 
 Mr. Kelly is independent in political opinions. 
 He has served his township in the capacity of School 
 Director. 
 
 He was married July 4, 1872, in Detroit, to Martha 
 Houser. They have had four children . Mary died 
 when three months old; John, Catherine and Jenny 
 are still living. Mrs. Kelly is a native of Canada, 
 and was born Oct. i, 1858, near Bayfield, Canada. 
 She came in early life to Huron County, Mich. 
 
 aAfe^A^ 
 
 rank X. Vogl, farmer, section 32, Sherman 
 
 Township, was born Aug. 21, 1849, '" ^'i- 
 
 varia. His parents emigrated to Ontario, 
 
 (^ Can., in 1856, and to Michigan in i860. His 
 
 father was a stone mason by trade, and 
 
 died in Sherman Township, Feb. 5, 1879. 
 
 His mother is living with a son in this township, and 
 
 is 75 years of age, 1884. 
 
 Mr. Vogl was a child of six years when he was 
 brought to the American continent by his parents, 
 and was ten years of age when they became residents 
 of Huron County. He was an inmate of the pater- 
 nal home until 1876, when he was married, in Sanilac 
 Township, in the county of the same name, on the 
 27th day of June, to Susanna M. Smith. They 
 have been the [larents of five children, one of whom, 
 Hubert, is not living. Those who survive are named 
 Joseph F., George C, John A. and Daniel T. The 
 family also includes an adopted daughter, Mary I. 
 Mrs. Vogl was born June 14, 1856, in Huron County, 
 Ont. Herfatlier, Jacob Smith, was born in Germany, 
 of Prussian parentage. Her mother, Christine 
 (McGinnis) Smith, is a native of Ontario. They are 
 now farmers in Bridgehampton Township, Sanilac 
 Co., Mich., whither they removed in 1866. 
 
 In tlie same year of his marriage, Mr. Vogl be- 
 came the proprietor of 140 acres of land by deed of 
 gift from his father, of which 100 acres is still in his 
 possession. Nearly the entire tract is under cultiva- 
 tion. The place is enhanced in value and improved 
 in appearance by several splendid barns and an 
 elegant residence which has just been completed, at 
 
 y^ 
 
 \ 
 
 -4>^^ 
 
i 
 
 i 
 
 ^) 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Ta<€^^ 
 
 4^^^ 
 
 383 S 
 
 a cost of $2,000. Mr. Vogel is a practical and 
 skillful farmer and stock-raiser, and is engaged, as a 
 specialty, in raising Durham cattle. 
 
 Mr. Vogl is a Democrat in [wlitical views and 
 connections. He has been Justice of the Peace 
 eight years and a member of the Township Board 
 nine years. 
 
 The family are Roman Catholics. 
 
 -f— <^i 
 
 ames Ryan, proprietor of the Port Austin 
 Hotel, and also of the White Ash Grove 
 breeding farm, was born May r, 1835, in 
 County Tipperary, Ireland, and is the son of 
 ^r John and Mary Ryan. He was seven years 
 old when his parents emigrated from the Green 
 Isle to Canada, where the father bought a farm, near 
 the city of Ottawa. Not long after they removed to 
 a farm in Huron County, Ont. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was thoroughly trained in agricultural 
 knowledge, and when he was 17 years old became 
 the proprietor of loo acres of land, which was in a 
 natural' state and covered with heavy timber. On 
 this lie operated until he had cleared 66 acres and 
 erected thereon good buildings, set out orchards and 
 put the farm in a promising condition. 
 
 He left Canada in the fall of 1861 and came to 
 Port Austin, where he purchased the piece of ground 
 now constituting the site of tlie hotel. He erected a 
 small building for the purjjose of hotel-keeping, in 
 which he transacted business until 1 868, the year of 
 the construction of the Port Austin House. The 
 former structure is still in existence and is occupied 
 by a tenant. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was the proprietor of a stage route be- 
 tween Port Huron and Bay City i r years, and from 
 Port .'\ustin to Bad Axe four years. His hotel is 
 ample for the accommodation of his patrons, and is 
 supi)lied with all the appurtenances requisite for the 
 welfare of its guests. A good livery is attached, and 
 a free carriage runs to all trains and boats. He 
 owns a considerable amount of village property, in- 
 cluding a barn and granary and two lots situated 
 opposite his stables, and a lot west of the hotel, 
 containing a dwelling and a blacksniith shop. He 
 
 ^^ — ^K=>n ii.^> 
 
 owns, also, four lots in another direction, and a house 
 and lot in Grindstone City, and he manages a meat 
 market' at Port Austin. 
 
 The White Ash Grove breeding farm includes 340 
 acres of land, all enclosed and cultivated, and it 
 constitutes in every sense a model farm. Besides 
 this, Mr. Ryan owns 560 acres in Huron and 'I'us- 
 cola Counties. His herds and flocks comprise 
 thoroughbreds and grades of the finest kind. He 
 owns an average of 75 head of Durham cattle, and 
 Southdown and Cotswold sheep. His horses are 
 Hambletonians, ("lydesdales and Mambrinos, and 
 his hogs are pure Berkshires. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was married in Biddul[)h, Huron Co., 
 Ont., Feb. 10, 1857, to Elizabeth McCormack, and 
 they are the parents of 10 children. Mary A. is 
 the wife of Eli Fuller, jeweller at Port Austin; Jolin, 
 book-keeper for his father, is .Supervisor of Port .Aus- 
 tin Township, and was elected Clerk of Huron 
 County at the recent election (1884) on the Demo- 
 cratic ticket ; was graduated at Goldsmith's Business 
 College at Detroit, Sept. 14, 1883; Valentine, Jane, 
 Julia, James W., Margaret, Susan, Ellen and Ger- 
 trude. 
 
 The publishers of this work take pleasure in pre- 
 senting a portrait of Mr. Ryan, accompanying this 
 biographical sketch. 
 
 
 V^ 
 
 
 V 
 
 
 #-# 
 
 |^;enry C. Kennedy, farmer and breeder of 
 jjgi stock, section [5, Hume Township, was 
 born in July, 1837, in London, Out. His 
 parents, Thomas and Ellen (Clarry) Kennedy, 
 were natives of Ireland, and soon after their 
 marriage they came to London, where they 
 engaged in farming until tire death of the fatlier in 
 1845. The motlier married again and removed to 
 Hume Township, wliere she is still living, aged 90 
 years. T 
 
 Mr. Kennedy was educated in lire public schools | 
 of Canada and instructed in practical farming until ^^ 
 he attained the age of i\ years, when he set out in ^t 
 life as a common laborer. In 1863 he came to ^ 
 Michigan, locating at Port Austin, where he became ^ 
 
 an assistant in the saw-mill of Ayres & Co 
 
 He was 
 
 ?). 
 
 S^ 
 
^2lS^i^^^6Sr 
 
 •^ 
 
 v4>IiD^DDy> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -::s(^^tssr 
 
 -«4^^ 
 
 i' 
 
 ■'■>. 
 
 I 
 
 in their employ four years and at the end of that 
 time removed to Port Crescent, where he built the 
 first public house in the place, named it the Port 
 Crescent Hotel and was its owner 12 years. 
 
 In 1871 he went to Roscommon County, where 
 he was engaged in lumbering during the winter 
 seasons, which interest he prosecuted with excellent 
 success. In 1874 he purchased the farm on which 
 he is now operating, containing 240 acres of land. 
 Of this one-half is well improved and he is a skill- 
 ful and [)ractical farmer. He took possession of his 
 farm in 1882, and has made a specialty of raising 
 fine stock. He also owns 80 acres in Meade Town- 
 ship, which are unimproved. 
 
 He is a Democrat in political connection and 
 opinion, and has served as Treasurer of his townshii) 
 and in other local capacities. 
 
 He was married at Port Austin, April 30, 1866, 
 to Mary Grannell, and they have been the parents 
 of seven children. Thomas, Edward, Frank, James, 
 Willis and Eva are living (1884). William was 
 drowned when he was six years old, in the Pinnebog 
 River, at Port Crescent. He was at play on the 
 river side and, falling in when alone, no rescue was 
 possible. 
 
 Mrs. Kennedy is the daughter of Edward and 
 Mary A. (Cunningham) Grannell. Her parents 
 were natives of Ireland, where she was also born 
 July II, 1847, in County Wexford. They emigrated 
 to Greenwich, Huron Co., Ont., in 1853. After the 
 death of her father and imother, Mrs. Kennedy came 
 to Port Austin, where she continued to live until her 
 marriage. The family are Roman Catholics. 
 
 Si^ 
 
 _ s [■iS'harles E. Grant, farmer, section 7 
 r^^p Township, was born Oct. 
 
 Winsor 
 8, 1838, in 
 Osnabruck, Ont., and is the son of Robert and 
 StJ^ Mary (Papst) Grant. His father was born in 
 f^ '787, and in the fall of 1863 came to Winsor 
 Township, and died in November, 1865. The 
 mother was born in 1799, and died in October, 1877. 
 They had 12 children, of whom Charles E. is the 
 I ith in order of birth. 
 
 He received a coninun-school education in 
 
 the 
 
 Dominion, and in 1863 came with his parents to 
 Winsor Township. He has been a resident on the 
 farm where he now lives since coming to the county. 
 He was married in March, r86o, in Aldborough 
 Township, Elgin Co., Ont., to Mary Graves. Their 
 ten children were born in the following order: The 
 eldest born died unnamed, six weeks after birth; the 
 second child died at birth ; Robert was born Feb. 
 27, 1863; Ulysses S., Nov. 20, 1865; John D., Oct. 
 31, 1867 ; Catherine M.. April 9, 1870; William W., 
 April 14, 1869, and died Aug. 22, 1871; Julian, 
 Jan. 10, 187 1, and died Sept. 2, [871; Edwin E., 
 born Nov. 10, 1872; George M., Jan. 5, 1876. Mrs. 
 Grant was born Aug. 2, 1844, in Canada. Her 
 parents, John B. and Catherine (Harder) Graves, 
 came to Winsor Township to reside, and in Septem- 
 ber, 1866, her mother returned to Ontario for a visit, 
 and died there. The father remained in Winsor 
 Township until 1869, when lie went to Ontario to 
 live with his children, and died there. 
 
 Mr. Grant is a decided Republican, and has served 
 his township as Highway Commissioner, as Treas- 
 urer two terms, and also as a school officer. 
 
 Ij. Brennan, Sand Beach, Justice of the 
 Peace, Village and Township Clerk, and 
 dealer in musical instruments, sewing- 
 ■,Aff machines, etc., and also insurance agent, was 
 if born near Whitehall, N. Y., Dec. 1 1, 1855. His 
 parents, Robert and Mary (Mara) IJrennan, 
 were both natives of Ireland. They removed to 
 Massachusetts with their family when their son was 
 in early youth. They soon after made another 
 transfer, to Hampden Co., Can., where tliey remained 
 one year, whence they came to While Rock, Huron 
 Co., Midi., in 1867. Mr. B. bought a faim of 40 
 acres on section 30, in Sand Beach Township, where 
 Mr. Brennan, of this sketch, grew to manhood. Tiie 
 first effort of the latter to conduct an independent 
 business, was in 1875, wiien he opened a confection- 
 ery store, which he conducted five years. He ob- 
 tained a good and available knowledge of law by 
 unaided application, which renders him an efficient 
 officer in the position he holds as magistrate, to 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 '!> 
 
 g^ 
 
 -s^jggsiK^ — 9^M-^M :-^: M'i>^ — ^^i?^^ 
 
 »,^¥^ 
 
^^^ 
 
 ^^ 
 
 
 ■^v<>ii(i§iin^ 
 
 /^^ 
 
 -:J^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 which he was first elected in 1880, and which he 
 still holds by successive re-election. After the in- 
 corporation of the village of Sand Beach, he was 
 elected Clerk. In 1878 he was elected Township 
 Clerk. He was nominated by the Democratic ele- 
 ment in the fall of 18S2 for County Clerk, and ran 
 considerably ahead of his ticket, but was defeated. 
 He began the prosecution of the business in which 
 he is now engai;ed in i88i. Among the sewing- 
 machines which he handles, are the White, Domestic, 
 Eldridge and Royal St. John. He deals in Clough, 
 Warren and Crown organs, and the varieties of mer- 
 chandise common to similar establishments. 
 
 Mr. Brennan's father lives at Sand Beach ; liis 
 mother died there May 4, 1881. 
 
 i- 
 
 )h illiam Maurer, farmer, section 8, Paris 
 ]',, Township, is one of the leading agricultu- 
 -, rists of Huron County, and has been one of 
 its most valuable actors in its progress and 
 advancement since he became a resident. He 
 was born Dec. n, i8i8, in the province of 
 Alsace, on the River Rhine. He received a good 
 education in both the French and German languages, 
 and at the age of 14 years learned the business of a 
 lathe turner, which he followed until he was 21 years 
 of age. 
 
 Meanwhile he had emigrated to America and 
 located at Rochester, N. Y., going thence, later, to 
 Lockport After a short residence there he proceeded 
 to Waterloo Co., Ont., where he engaged in agricul- 
 ture. In i86r he came to Michigan and secured 
 240 acres of wild land, on which he established his 
 homestead. His farm now includes 320 acres of 
 land, one-half of which is under very fine agricul- 
 tural improvements. He has also given 228 acres of 
 land to two of his sons, most of which is improved. 
 He is one of the leading stock men in Huron County, 
 and also is prominent in the development of the 
 horticultural possibilities of the northern portion of 
 the Huron penii.sula, as he raises all the fruits 
 adapted to the climate. In political belief Mr. 
 Maurer is a Democrat, and has officiated as Super- 
 visor of his township. 
 
 He was married Nov. 25, 1845, in Waterloo Co., 
 Ont., to Catherine Clreyerbiehl, and they are the par- 
 ents of 12 children, all yet living. They are named 
 Mary A., Joseiih, Gertrude, Rosa, Catherine, Jacob, 
 Odelia, William, John, Peter, Powell and Magdalena. 
 Three daughters and two sons are married. 'l"hc 
 family are Roman Catholics, and Mr. Maurer is a 
 Trustee in the Church. Mrs. Maurer was born June 
 4, 1826, on the River Rhine in Alsace, and came 
 with her parents when she was seven years of age to 
 the Dominion of Canada. 
 
 V 
 
 "<^'#(||^ illiam W. Barber, farmer, sections 3, 17 
 j^JL ''iiid 5, C^aseville Township, is the engineer 
 
 ! <v-- i.> • ill charge of the engine in the grist-mill of 
 
 F. Crawford. He was born May 9, 1838, at 
 
 Black Rock, Erie Co., N. Y., and is the son 
 
 of Thomas and Lucy (Miner) Barber. His 
 
 father was the manager of a saw-mill at Black Rock, 
 
 and died in Collinswood, Ont. His mother lives at 
 
 Caseville, and is 73 years of age (1884). 
 
 When Mr. Barber was 16 years of age he went 
 with a light wagon and span of horses to Winnebago 
 Co., 111., to effect the arrest of a man who had robbed 
 a jewelry store in Dunkirk, N. Y. He was cap- 
 tured with little trouble, which was contrary to e.\- 
 pectation, as he was supposed to be connected with a 
 gang of thieves. He was in the act of exchanging a 
 watch. His preliminary trial was held at Rescue. 
 Mr. Barber remained at that place about eight 
 months, and while there managed a hotel. He re- 
 turned thence to the city of Buffalo, and began to 
 learn the trade of ship-builder. He abandoned the 
 project and came to Saginaw, where he was occupied 
 four months in a saw-mill. In October, 1857, he 
 made his way to Caseville, then Pigeon River, where 
 he has resided since witli the exception of two years. 
 He engaged as a sawyer for F. Crawford, and during 
 the last nine years he has <)|)erated as the engineer of 
 the grist-mill of Mr. Crawford. His farm contains 
 seven acres, and is situated on tlic limits of Case- 
 ville. It has a liouse and barn, and is all dcvi>led to 
 fruit-raising of fine ipialilies. 
 
 He was married Jan. 24, i86r,on North Manitou 
 Island, lo Cathcruif D'roy, an<l ihey have three cliil- 
 
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 <^I1D^I1|]^> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 dren, born as follows: William W., Nov. 24, 1868; 
 May, June 6, 1881; Mabel, June 12, 1884. Mrs. 
 Barber was born July 31, 1844, in the capital of 
 
 France, Paris. Her parents, Peter and D'roy, 
 
 came to this county in 1854. Her mother died in 
 Leland, Leelanaw Co., Mich., where her father is 
 now living. Mr. Barber is a Republican, and a mem- 
 ber of the Masonic fraternity. He has officiated five 
 years as Constable. 
 
 (OSes C. Gregory, farmer, section i, Case- 
 ville Township, was born June 9, 1830, 
 '^ at Bangor, Maine, and is the son of 
 A^F^ Amos and Susan (Clark) Gregory. His 
 
 ^^ paternal ancestors were interested in the ocean 
 1 trade service, his grandfather being a ship- 
 owner. His father was a seaman on one of the 
 vessels, and was lost with his command during an 
 ocean trip. They were heard from at one of the 
 West Indies, which was the last intelligence of the 
 ship or crew, and it is supposed that they fell into 
 the hands of pirates and were put to death. 
 
 Mr. Gregory was a lumberman in his native State, 
 and pursued tliat business until his removal to 
 Michigan, in the fall of 1853, when he came to 
 Huron County. After a stay of two years he re- 
 turned to Maine. In 1855 lie again came to Case- 
 ville, and engaged in lumbering for F. Crawford, in 
 whose interests he operated during the winters of 
 16 consecutive years. During the summer seasons 
 he was engaged in farming to some extent, and built 
 the Gregory House, where he has kept hotel for 
 several years. He also interested himself to a con- 
 siderable extent in traffic in real estate. In 1880 
 he located upon the farm he now occupies. He is 
 a Republican in political faith. 
 
 * He was married Dec. 12, 1855, to Sarah Dodge, 
 and they are the parents of the following cliildren : 
 Israel N., Martha W., Susan, Winfield S., Otis L., 
 Elizabeth, Nellie M., Byron T., Jessie, Gertrude and 
 Moses. The last named child and Israel N. are 
 deceased. Mrs. Gregory was born May 3, 1836, at 
 Port Huron. She is the daughter of Reuben and 
 Lucie (Deynor) Dodge. Her mollicr died .it the age 
 
 of 30 years, at Port Huron. Her father died when 
 74 years old, at Caseville. 
 
 Reuben Dodge was the first settler in the western 
 part of Huron County. Charles R. Smith was the 
 second in order, and Mr. Gregory was the third. 
 The latter landed on the Huron peninsula at Stock- 
 man's fisheries, two miles from Port Austin. He 
 proceeded thence by an Indian trail to Pigeon River, 
 now Caseville. On arrival there he found himself 
 preceded by the persons named. The place was 
 inhabited by Indians who were engaged in sugar- 
 making, hunting and fishing. A tribe lived at a 
 place called Chebeong, near the site of the village of 
 Sebewaing. A few were in the neighborhood of 
 Caseville. The nearest postoffice was at Bay City; 
 50 miles distant. Mr. Gregory brought money with 
 him to make a land purchase for a Mr. Worth, of 
 Cleveland, Ohio, in whose interests he performed 
 his first duties at Caseville, hiring men to get out 
 shingle belts, which he shipped to Cleveland. 
 
 At the time of the fire in 187 1 he lost his camp 
 and had a narrow escape with his life. He was 
 absent at the time of the near approach of the fire, 
 and the men had made a trench to protect the 
 camp. In less than an hour after his arrival the 
 wind changed and blew a whirlwind. Tlie cliange 
 was so sudden and the danger so imminem that 
 there was barely time to get the horses from the 
 stable; and they tried to save a small <iuaniity of 
 bedding by i)utting it in the wagon, but it took fire 
 in spite of tliem, and to escape they liad to nm the 
 horses to their utmost speed. The camp was in the 
 township of Grant, and they rode the entire distance 
 witli trees crashing all around save in front of them. 
 They reached Pigeon River, where they remained 
 two days. 
 
 g>il#|R. ohn Getty, farmer, section 8, Bloomfield 
 ^*3lr Township, was born Aug. 21, 1840, in 
 
 ' ^ Caradoc Township, Middlesex Co., Ont. 
 
 His parents, James and Ann (Ingraham) Getty, 
 
 were also natives of the Dominion of Canada. 
 
 The latter has been dead since the son was 12 
 years of age ; she died in Sanilac Co., Mich. The 
 father is living with a l)rother in Ontario. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Getty was raised on a farm, and after his 
 mother's death he labored as a farm assistant. When 
 he was 19 years of age he came to Michigan to work 
 n the Inmber woods. His first employer was VV. R. 
 Stafford, in whose lumbering interests he worked by 
 the month, and he operated for him as foreman in a 
 lumber camp. 
 
 In January, i8S2,he bought his present farm, hav- 
 ing previously owned several others. It contains 
 120 acres and comprises 55 acres cleared and other- 
 wise improved. He lost about $3,600 in jobbing in 
 the lumber woods. He erected a saw-mill in 1882. 
 
 Mr. Getty is a Republican in political views and 
 action, and has held several local township offices. 
 
 His marriage to Mary J- McNelHs, took place May 
 29, 1864. Seven children have been born to them: 
 Mary A., March 24, 1865 ; the second child died 
 soon after birth; Heman, May, 7, 1869; Addie B., 
 July 14, 1871; Olive L., Oct. 13, 1873; Eva May, 
 May, 18, 1875; John B., July 2, 1878. 
 
 Mrs. Getty was born in Kingston, Ont. She is 
 the daughter of David and Mary (Mulligan) Mc- 
 NelHs. Her father died in Canada, and her mother 
 in the township of Gore, this County. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Getty and their daughter Mary are 
 members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. 
 Getty has been a memlter for 22 years. 
 
 ."ir..'^.:'<^"..-ii^'^.. 
 
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 H|!i obert W. Irwin, merchant and Postmaster, 
 E^^' White Rock, is a son of .Stephen and Eiiz- 
 >^- abeth (Dundass) Irwin, natives of Ireland, 
 }^^ who emigrated to Canada in their youth. 
 Mrs. I. died in the summer of 1881. Mr. 
 Irwin is still living. 
 In their family were ten children, the eldest of 
 whom is the subject of this sketch. He was born in 
 Oxford Co., Ont., Oct. 17, 1831, attended the com- 
 mon schools until 18 years of age, learned the car- 
 penter's trade, and when 21 years of age came to St. 
 Clair Co., Mich. There he worked at his trade 
 until 1855, then followed photographing at different 
 points for two years; in September, 1857, he came to 
 Huron County, and was em ployed by R. B. Hubbard 
 
 & Co., of Huron City, and for about three yeaK 
 liad charge of their building and mill repairing. In 
 the fall of i860 he was elected to the office of 
 County ('lerk, being the first Clerk of the county. 
 In the autumn of 1862 he was re-elected, and at tlie 
 same time elected Register of Deeds. These offices 
 he held four years ; and during liis official term, 
 namely, in 1864, the county buildings were burned at 
 Sand Beach, and he lost all his individual property ; 
 but he succeeded in securing all the records, papers 
 and documents belonging to the county, except some 
 circuit court files, and one record of mortgages. 
 In the fall of 1865, while the county offices were 
 being rebuilt, Mr. Irwin engaged in mercantile busi- 
 ness at Sand Beach, and enjoyed a large and 
 successful trade until the memorable Ifill of 1871, 
 when his store and contents, as well as residence, 
 were all consumed by the flaming element. His 
 family barely escaped with their lives, in their night 
 clothes! His loss was estimated at upward of 
 $25,000. 
 
 Going to Port Austin, he engaged in law and in- 
 surance, in partnership with Hon. Richard Winsor, 
 under the firm name of Winsor & Irwin. At the 
 end of five years Mr. I. sold out his interest in the 
 law business to H. G. Snover and again engaged in 
 merchandising, at Sand Beach, carrying on a success- 
 ful and prosperous trade until September, 18S3, 
 when he sold out and purchased the salt block, 
 l)rick, stone, dock, dwelling-liouse, and bouglit also the 
 entire interest of Thompson Bros, at White Rock, at 
 which place he was appointed Postmaster, Oct. t, 
 1883. In the fall of 1S68 he was elected Judge of 
 Probate, and re-elected until he had had the office 
 1 2 consecutive years. 
 
 Mr. Irwin was married Nov. 9, 1S61, to Miss 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Long- 
 worth) Winsor, her father a native of England and 
 her mother of Ireland. Her parents were married 
 and settled in Canada, and removed to Huron C-ity. 
 Mich., in 1859, where he lived until his death, which 
 occurred by drowning. (Sec Richard Winsor's Re- 
 port.) 
 
 Mrs. Irwin was born in Canada July 4, 1840. The 
 children of Mr. and Mrs. I. are: Eber W., born in 
 Huron Township, Sept. 3, 1863; Nana E., in Sand 
 Beach, May 20, 1865; an infant, March 7, 1867, 
 died 10 days subsequently ; Robert \V^, Jr., in Sand 
 
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 ^^^^^ ^^tKHD o % 
 
»)(^#»- 
 
 -^^&K ^^7<^M § D n^ >:^^ 5st€^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 ^ 
 
 Beach, April 7, 1869, and Earl S., in Port Huron, 
 Dec. 8, 1883. 
 
 Mr. Irwin has been a Freemason since 1857, 
 wlien he joined the mystic order at Lexington ; he 
 now belongs to Huron Lodge, at Sand Beach, and 
 also to the Royal Arch Chapter, and to Refugee 
 Lodge, K. of H., of Sand Beach. Mrs. L is a 
 member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 We take great pleasure in presenting the portrait of 
 Judge Irwin in this work, as of a gentlemen who has 
 demonstrated that after suffering the most complete 
 losses of his property, one can yet honestly and hon- 
 orably rise to competency and a high station in 
 societv. 
 
 tii'f^m illiam E. Spohn, M. D., physician, surgeon 
 !||y?>^^L and druggist, resident at I'innebog, Hume 
 Jl^^r>" Township. His parents, Asbury and 
 2' Mary A. (Terryberry) Spohn, removed from 
 T'* the Dominion of Canada to Hume Township 
 'hen lie was nine years of age, and he has 
 "grown up with the country." 
 
 Dr. Spohn was born Feb. 4, 1851, in Ontario. His 
 early education was obtained in the public schools, 
 and when lie was 19 years of age lie became a stu- 
 dent in the graded school at Fort Austin, which he 
 attended two years. After teaching si.\ months, he 
 again attended the same school three months. He 
 passed two years in teaching, and in 1876 began the 
 study of medicine with Bennett Richard, M. D., of 
 Port Austin, and continued to read for his profession 
 under his instructions about three years. He matric- 
 ulated at the Detroit Medical College, where he 
 attended two terms and completed the prescribed 
 course, graduating and receiving his credentials from 
 that institution in 1881. He at once established his 
 business at Pinnebog, where he has thus far met with 
 umiualified success. His business as a druggist is 
 also in a satisfactory and (jromising condition. 
 
 In political opinion. Dr. Spohn adopts the views of 
 the Republican party. He owns 50 acres of land in 
 Hume Township, most of which is in an unimproved 
 state. 
 
 He was married Dec. 5, 1882, at Royal Oak, Oak- 
 
 land Co., Mich., to Sarah E., daughter of Peter and 
 Sarah (Hart) McDowell. She was born May 16, 
 1 860, at Rojal Oak. 
 
 The parents of Dr. Spohn were natives of Canada. 
 In 1S60 they removed thence to Hume Township, 
 where the father died, Sept. i, 1882. The motheris 
 living. 
 
 S*hJh»i5 
 
 I 
 
 oshua B. Madill, proprietor and manager of 
 the Ifbly grist-mills, was born Nov. 24, 
 1850, in Ontario Co., Can., and is the son 
 of Henry W. and Phebe (Sharnard) Madill. 
 His parents are members of the agricultural 
 class, and were born in Toronto. They reside 
 in Ontario County and are aged respectively 63 and 
 55 years. 
 
 Mr. Madill acquired a fair education in his youth, 
 and when he was 23 years of age was married to 
 Henrietta Tool. The event occurred in Ontario 
 County, Jan. 7, 1874. Mrs. Madill is the daughter 
 of John and Harriet (Woodruff) Tool. Her parents 
 are natives of Ontario, of Canadian origin, and are 
 farmers by occupation. Her mother died when she 
 was 25 years old, in 1875. Her father resides in 
 Ontario. Mrs. Madill was born Dec. 19, 1S54, in 
 Ontario Co., Can. Four children have been born to 
 her husband, in the following order: Lottie, I'hebe, 
 Hattie and Ross. 
 
 After marriage they removed to the village ' of 
 Brougham in Ontario C'ounty, where they pursued 
 the vocation of farming two years, at the expiration 
 of which time they left the Dominion of Canada and 
 located at Lexington, Sanilac County, where Mr. 
 Madill became interested in a carriage factory, and 
 was also in charge of the affairs of the aged grand- 
 father of his wife. He went thence to the township 
 of Mation in the same county and settled on 160 
 acres of land which he had i)reviously purchased. 
 On this he pursued agricultural operations until the 
 fall of 1 88 1. At that date he set out with a portable 
 saw-mill, which he operated in various parts of San- 
 ilac and Huron counties until 1883, when he came 
 to Ubly and erected a grist-mill. The estab- 
 lishment is devoted chiefly to local work, and is 
 fitted with the machinery constructed by J. T. Noah, 
 
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 V) 
 
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 "T^J^w^sr 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 of Buffalo, N. Y., and has a producing capacity of 75 
 barrels daily. 
 
 Mr. Madill is a Republican, and has held the local 
 offices of his township and school district. He is 
 present School Director. He and his wife are mem- 
 bers of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Madill is Clerk 
 of the society. 
 
 ^SS^Ito^'^S^S'^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 obert Campbell, merchant at Adams' Cor- 
 ners, Sherman Township, was born Jan. 
 
 i^(v\ 24, 1828, in Glasgow, Scotland, and has 
 Aj been a resident of the Huron peninsula since 
 1849, when he located in Sanilac Township, 
 in that county, where he was one of the earli- 
 est of the pioneer element. He was there occupied 
 in the shingle trade, and afterward proceeded to Port 
 Sanilac, where he was interested in fishing as a voca- 
 tion for 12 years. In 1864 he came thence to White 
 Rock in this county, where he was again interested 
 in his former occupation, traffic in shingles. After 
 pursuing that business three years, h2 bought 80 
 acres of land in Paris Township, located on section 
 24. He entered into the manufacture of lumber and 
 shingles, and not long after, he amplified his business 
 connections by the establishment of his mercantile 
 interests. He continued the management of his 
 combined business operations until the completion of 
 the Sand Beach branch of the Port Huron & North- 
 western Railroad, wlien he transferred his interests 
 to Adams' Corners. He bought a lot and erected a 
 business building 40x60 feet in dimensions, in 
 which he i)laced a stock of goods embracing the 
 lines of articles requisite to the demands of a 
 country trade, re[)resenting upwards of $5,000. His 
 aggregated annual business amounts to $24,000. The 
 landed possessions of Mr. Campbell embrace 200 
 acres of im[)roved land in Sherman and Paris Town- 
 ships. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Campbjll, James and Kli/.a- 
 beth (Patterson) Campbell, were natives of Scotland, 
 of unmixed Scottish descent, the former of Highland 
 origin, the latter belonging to the class designated as 
 Lowlanders. The father died near Glasgow, in 1836, 
 aged 55 years. The mother came to the United 
 
 States in 1849, and died at Carsonville, Sanilac 
 County, in January, 1884, at the advanced age of 93 
 years. She was the mother of nine children, — 
 William, James, Elizabeth, Archibald, John, Colin, 
 Robert, Agnes and Buchanan. 
 
 Mr. Cami)l)ell was married in November, i860, at 
 Port Sanilac, to Margaret McMurdock, and they have 
 been the parents of five children, one of whom is 
 deceased. Elizabeth, Robert, Alice and Maggie are 
 living; James is deceased. Mrs. Campbell is the 
 daughter of James and Margaret (Cummings) Mc- 
 Murdock, both of whom were of Scottish origin. 
 They came to Michigan late in life, and died in 
 Sherman Townsliip. The death of Mr. McMur- 
 dock was one of the most remarkable incidents in 
 the local history of Sherman Township. He became 
 lost in the bush one and a,quarter miles from his 
 home, and although search was not intermitted, eight 
 months elapsed before his remains were discovered. 
 Crowds of people engaged in the search, but of 
 course their field of operation was more remote, 
 under the reasonable supiwsition that lie had wan- 
 dered a long distance. 
 
 Mrs. Campbell was born in .Scotland, emigrating 
 when she was 16 years old to Huron County. Slie 
 died at her home in Paris Township, in 1880. She 
 and her husband were members of the Congrega- 
 tional Church. 
 
 Mr. Campbell is a Re[)ublican, and lias always 
 been prominent in the general matters of his town- 
 shiix .\fter tlie fires df 1S71 anil rSSi, he was made 
 relief agent in this district. 
 
 A 
 
 )^A®^«^^ 
 
 i%»- 
 
 l^hristoph Hahn, merchant and farmer at 
 Sebewaing, was born Aug. 12, 1833, in 
 Germany. His parents, Christian F. and 
 jte Barbara Hahn, resided in Germany until their 
 /|^ death. Mr. Hahn left his native land to be- 
 come a citizen of the United States when about 
 18 years of age. He located primarily in the city of 
 Philadelphia, where he resided two years, and while 
 there was employed as a machinist. In 1855 he 
 came to Sebewaing and entered the employment of 
 John Muellerweiss, working for him on the farm and 
 
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 I 
 
(«)>^^<l«- 
 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -^'^f^^ 
 
 in his store. He went then to Washtenaw County, 
 where he worked two summers by the month, and 
 returned to Sebewaing, wliere he became a land- 
 holder. He is now the proprietor of loo acres of 
 land in this township, on section 31, and 40 acres in 
 Tuscola County. There are 100 acres under culti- 
 vation. In March, 1884, he bought a stock of mer- 
 chandise at Sebewaing, and is engaged in a profitable 
 business. He is a Republican in [ralitical sentiment 
 and action. 
 
 His marriage to Mary Wolf took ])lace Jan. 11, 
 1862, and they have two children, — Mary and Wil- 
 liam. Mrs. Hahn was born in Germany. The 
 family belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hahn 
 has been School Assessor nine years. 
 
 »«^ 
 
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 fAyljatthew D. Wagner, of the banking firm 
 iajl of Noble & ^Vagner, at Sand Beach, was 
 born Dec. 26, 1856, at Ogdensburg, N. Y. 
 ^\\>;;^ His parents, James H. and Mary A. (Potts) 
 J Wagner, came to St. John's, Clinton Co., Midi., 
 and after a brief residence there, settled at 
 Vassar, Tuscola Co., Mich., vvhere Mr. Wagner, 
 senior, is a farmer and dealer in stock. He was born 
 May 10, 1832, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. The mother 
 was born in 1835, in Prescott, Canada, near the line 
 of the State of New York. 
 
 Mr. Wagner was a lad of 10 years when his parents 
 transferred their family and interests to Michigan. 
 He was early attracted to tlie study of law, and 
 when about 17 years of age he entered the office of 
 E. H. Taylor, of Vassar, and later that of B. W. 
 Huston, of the same place, reading for his profession 
 under their instructions, a little less than two years. 
 In August, 1877, he came to Lexington and entered 
 the banking house of B. R. Noble, where he remained 
 until December, 1880, when the present banking 
 establishment of Noble & Wagner was founded, at 
 Sand Beach. Mr. Wagner owns a half interest in 
 its affairs, and conducts its business relations, which 
 includes the transactions common to general bank- 
 ing. The firm also engage to some extent in lend- 
 ing on real estate. They also manage an insurance 
 business in the interests of the .^tna and Phoenix, 
 
 of Hartford, Conn., the Liverpool & London & 
 Globe, also the Firemen's Fund of California, one of 
 the most substantial and reliable companies in the 
 world. They deal extensively in real estate, im- 
 proved and wild, and are the owners of about 1,000 
 acres within the county of Huron. The private 
 property of Mr. Wagner embraces 200 acres of farm- 
 ing land in Custer and other townshii)s in Sanilac 
 County, a fine residence and several lots at Sand 
 Beach. The bank block of Messrs. Noble & Wag- 
 ner was built in the summer of 1882; it is con- 
 structed of brick, is 24x38 feet in dimensions, and 
 is two stories in height, the upper story being devoted 
 to office purposes. It cost $3,100. 
 
 The marriage of Mr. Wagner to EurethaA. Mitch- 
 el occurred at Vassar, Mich., Nov. 24, 1880. 
 Their children are Harry Leigh, born Feb. 19, 1883, 
 at Sand Beach, and David Earle, born Nov. 10, 
 1884. Mrs. Wagner was born Dec. 3, 1855, in 
 Ohio, and is the daughter of Festus C. and Harriet 
 Mitchel. 
 
 Mr. Wagner is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
 and of the Knights of Honor. He and his wife 
 belong to the First Presbyterian Church. 
 
 jl^^g'^tewart Van Buskirk, senior member of the 
 firm of Van Buskirk & Monroe, lumber 
 ||§*^ dealers at Sand Beach, was born Oct. 7, 
 i860, in Pine Run, Genesee Co., Mich. He 
 is the son of Joseph and Mary (Wilbur) Van 
 Buskirk, the former a resident of Rochester, N. 
 Y.; the latter of Livingston County in the same 
 State. Their family includes two children, — Stew- 
 art and Minnie F. The latter is the wife of George 
 N. Monroe, of Sand Beach. Mr. Van Buskirk, Sr., 
 removed his family and business interests, in 1867, 
 to Harrisville, Alcona Co., Mich., where he still re- 
 sides, and is connected with the lumbering interests 
 of the place where he is located. He is tlie proprie- 
 tor of two saw-mills and two general mercantile es- 
 tablishments, and is doing an extensive business, 
 employing an average working force of 100 men. 
 
 Mr. Van Buskirk was trained to u complete un- 
 derstanding of his business by his father, was a clerk 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 395 
 
 in his store during his minority, and had the charge 
 of one of his saw-mills through one season. His 
 father established a lumber-yard ^t Sand Beach in 
 June, 1882. In July, 1883, the son and son-in-law 
 became proprietors of the yard by purchase, and 
 built a planing-mill. It is 50 x 58 feet in size, and is 
 fitted with a steam engine of loo-horse power. The 
 mill requires the aid of three assistants besides the 
 owners. 
 
 Mr. Van Buskirk is a member of the order known 
 as the Knights of Columbia. 
 
 ^dward. McKay, farmer, section 24, Chan- 
 ai dler Township, was born Sept. 15, 1825, 
 ^ in Argyle, Scotland. .His father, Edward 
 5S. McKay, was a native of Scotland, a farmer, 
 >k and emigrated to York Co., Ont., where he 
 died March 11, 1864, aged 86 years. His 
 mother, Rose (McDermott) McKay, was born in 
 Scotland, and died in 1877, in York Co., Ont. 
 
 Mr. McKay was seven years of age when his 
 parents came to Ontario, and he continued to reside 
 in York County until May, 1878, when he disposed 
 of his property in the Dominion and came to Michi- 
 gan. He purchased 160 acres on section 24, Chan- 
 dler Township, under partial improvements. He 
 increased his estate by an additional purchase of 160 
 acres, situated adjoining on section 25. He sold 80 
 acres later, and has 80 acres under tillage. He is a 
 leading agriculturist. 
 
 In political faith and action, Mr. McKay is a Re- 
 publican. 
 
 His marriage to Anna Kennedy took place March 
 21, 1865, in Kings Township, York Co., Ont. They 
 are the parents of seven children, born as follows : 
 Margaret A., Feb. 13, i866; Rose, March 2, 1868; 
 Mary, March 10, 1870; Jennie, Dec. 31, i87r; 
 Susan C, April 22, 1874; Angus E., Oct. 23, 1S77 ; 
 Nettie M., Oct. 27, 1S80. Mrs. McKay is the 
 daughter of Angus and Margaret (Campbell) Ken- 
 nedy, and was born in Caledan Township, Peel Co., 
 Ont. She is the eldest living of a family of eight 
 children. Her parents were in early life when they 
 came to Ontario. They settled in York County, and 
 
 the father died there June 8, 1866. The mother is 
 still living in Kings Township, York County, aged 62 
 years. The family are members of the Baptist 
 Church. 
 
 --4=^ 
 
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 ^ 
 
 eorge W. Jenks, of the firm of J. Jenks & 
 Co., at Sand Beach, was born May 9, 1838, 
 Crown Point, N. Y. He is the son of 
 liah and Relief (Huestis) Jenks. (See 
 sketch of J. Jenks.) Mr. Jenks was 16 years 
 old when his parents removed, in 1854, from 
 the Empire State to Michigan. They made a brief 
 stay of eight months at St. Clair, and came thence 
 to Lexington, Sanilac County. He became a sales- 
 man in the general store of J. L. Woods and operated 
 in that capacity until the country called on its sons 
 to defend her in her peril from an internal conflict. 
 He enlisted Oct. i, iS6r, as a private in Co. D, loth 
 Mich. Vol. Inf., enrolling in Lexington. The com- 
 pany was known as the " Sanilac Pioneers " and 
 was under the command of Capt. Israel Huckins, 
 who still survives. The regiment was mustered in 
 at Flint. He vvas commissioned Second Lieutenant at 
 Flint, April 22, 1862. His command was sent to 
 Hamburg Landing, on the Tennessee River, and went 
 thence to Corinth, and was present at the evacuation 
 of that city. It proceeded to Tuscumbia, Ala., where 
 it was stationed at Florence, and was on duty as 
 ferrymen. Lieutenant Jenks was in charge of a 
 steam-boat which plied up and down the river, con- 
 veying troops and military supplies from Florence to 
 Hamburg Landing. He received his appointment 
 as Commander on the river from General Payne. 
 The regiment went thence to Nashville, Tenn., where 
 it was engaged during the siege. While there we was 
 commissioned First ['Lieutenant by Governor Blair, 
 his credentials bearing date of July 5, 1862. He 
 resigned Feb. ri, 1863, at Nashville, on account of 
 sickness, and returned to his home, where he passed 
 many months endeavoring to recover his health. A 
 year after his return he attempted to re-enlist, but 
 his application was rejected because of physical dis- 
 al)ility. He received an ajipointment as Deputy 
 Provost Marshal under William McConnell, of Pon- 
 tiac, and retained the position until the spring of 
 
 f 
 
 C) 
 
 <> 
 
 
 
 ^=«« y Qj^ m tm i<>^9- 
 
 r-Ii:^ 
 
 4^mj^ 
 
396 
 
 1 
 
 HURON COUNTY.. 
 
 1864, when he resigned, and took charge of his 
 father's saw-mill, five miles north of Lexington. 
 
 In the winter following, he entered the employ- 
 ment of Pack, Jenks & Co., and went to Rock Falls, 
 operating as general manager in the interests of the 
 firm from Dec. 11, 1864, until Jan. i, 1876, when 
 the firm dissolved, and he received from his father 
 one-half of It's business, including all lands of Car- 
 rington. Pack & Co., and Pack, Jenks «& Co. A 
 partnership was formed, which still exists and is 
 known as " J. Jenks & Co." The firm are engaged 
 in a general mercantile business and in the manu- 
 facture of flour and salt, besides the transaction of 
 an extensive business in real estate. They employ 
 an average of 75 assistants in the various depart- 
 ments of their business. 
 
 Mr. Jenks is Supervisor of Sand Beach Township, 
 and has served several terms in the same position. 
 He was elected Presidential Elector on the Republi- 
 can ticket in 1884. 
 
 His marriage to Arabella Knapp occurred Oct. 15, 
 1867, at Jeddo, St. Clair County. Two children have 
 been born of this union: George J., Feb. 13, 1869, 
 and Anna Belle, Aug. 4, 1877. Mrs. Jenks was born 
 July 19, 1848, at Bath, New Hampshire, and is the 
 daughter of Henry and Mary Ann Knapp. 
 
 Mr. Jenks is a member of the Knights of Honor 
 and of the Royal Arcanum. He was appointed dis- 
 tributing agent at Sand Beach for the relief of the 
 sufferers from the fires of 187 1 and i88i, and dis- 
 charged the duties of the position with credit to 
 himself and the general satisfaction of those inter- 
 ested. 
 
 The publishers are happy to place in this Album 
 a lithographic portrait of Mr. Jenks, in proximity to 
 the foregoing sketch. 
 
 ^enry Jurges, farmer, section lo, Bingham 
 Township, was born Jan. 27, 1835, in Han- 
 over, Germany. His parents came to Amer- 
 ica when he was 14 years old, and settled in 
 Preston, Waterloo Co., Ont. In 1854 they made 
 another change, removing to Huron County, 
 where they passed their remaining years. 
 
 Mr. Jurges was marr-ed March 17, 1857, in On- 
 
 i^g^r: ^7^^11(1^ 
 
 tario, to Catherine Miller, and they became the 
 parents of eight children, all of whom survive the 
 mother but one. Their births occurred as follows : 
 Caroline, Elizabeth, Frederick, Mary, Catherine, 
 Minnie, Emma and Henry. The latter is deceased. 
 Mrs. Jurges died April 18, 1884, mourned by a large 
 circle of friends who had known her many years and 
 tested her value as a member of society. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Jurges located on a farm 
 in the township of Paris, in Huron County, where he 
 owned a farm and managed it three years. He after- 
 ward sold the property and came to Bingham Town- 
 ship, where he has since continued to reside without 
 change. He bought 238 acres of land, 158 acres 
 being situated on section 10 and included in his 
 homestead, the remainder lying on section 9. He 
 has improved 165 acres on the two places. He is 
 one of the most skillful and capable agriculturists in 
 the township, and has creditable and suitable farm 
 buildings. 
 
 In political faith and action he is independent. 
 
 V^ 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 V 
 
 /; l_y fj.i'oseph Frantz, farmer, section 31, Bingham , ^ 
 Township, was born April 2, 1830, in Al- ^ 
 sace (then belonging to France), near the 
 River Rhine. At the age of 23 years he left 
 his native land to come to America. He had 
 received a good education in the French and 
 German languages previous to the death of his 
 father, which occurred during his minority. On 
 reaching this county he proceeded to the city of 
 Buffalo, where he made but a brief stay, going thence 
 to Ontario, where he located in Oxford County. He 
 was engaged in agricultural pursuits there three 
 years, and in 1856 he set out for Michigan via Lake 
 Huron, landing at Forestville, Sanilac County. He 
 proceeded at once to the Government Land Office 
 at Detroit, where he learned of the promising outlook 
 of the Huron Peninsula; and, acting under the 
 advice of Pliilip Link, of Minden, he purchased 160 
 acres on section 31, Bingham Township, under the 
 terms of the Graduation Act. He set out to make 
 the acquaintance of his 'newly acquired possession, 
 and found that it lay in the depths of the unbroken 
 
 (^ 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ) 
 
 >5 
 
 forest, with no roads of any description for many 
 miles. But he had resolved on having a. home at all 
 hazards, and he began to "lap the bush," until he 
 found the location of which he was the proprietor. 
 He was the first permanent settler in Bingham 
 Township, and carried all his provisions and sup- 
 plies on his back from Forestville, a distance of 24 
 miles, often conveying 100 pounds of flour in one 
 day. He was in fine health and possessed remark- 
 able powers of endurance. After getting fairly 
 started, he purchased 1 20 acres additional, making 
 a tract of 280 acres, all of which he has retained, 
 and has improved 130 acres. In the fire of i88r, 
 he lost property aggregating $6,000, having at the 
 time the best farm buildings in the township, in- 
 cluding a large frame barn and a stone residence. 
 
 Mr. Frantz is a Democrat in political affiliation, 
 and he has held various local offices in his town- 
 ship. He was married Nov. 2, 1856, in Dereham 
 Township, Middlesex Co., Ont., to Almira Gardner, 
 and their nine children are all living. They were 
 born in the order here named: Anthony, William, 
 John, Joseph A., Sarah A., George, Lewis, Clara and 
 Ambrose. Mrs. Frantz was born Sept 24, 1837, of 
 Canadian parentage. The family are Roman Cath- 
 olics. 
 
 1— <-4<4#^.V>— J-^ 
 
 ^i^Mi- ames Harvey, farmer, resident on section 
 l^^ir 23, Chandler Township, was born in 1852, 
 1^^^ in Liverpool, England. He is the son of 
 James and Mary (Duggan) Harvey, natives of 
 Ireland. (See sketch of James Harvey, Sr.) 
 When he was six months old his parents went 
 to the city of Cork, Ireland, and tiie family had 
 their home in that city until i860, when they came 
 to Michigan, settling in Huron County in November 
 of that year. Mr. Harvey was then about nine years 
 of age, and has since been a resident of Chandler 
 Township. 
 
 He was married Oct. 8, 187 i, to Margery Melick, 
 and they are the parents of six children, — James, 
 Obed, Martha -J., Minnie, Margaret and Joseph. 
 Mrs. Harvey was born March 22, 1855, in the Prov- 
 ince of Ontario. 
 
 Mr. Harvey is a Republican in political sentiment. 
 
 and he has officiated some years as Justice of the 
 Peace in his township; he is present Treasurer 
 (1884). He is the proprietor of 80 acres of land, 
 all of which is under cultivation, his farming opera- 
 tions being managed with a skilled judgment, which 
 establishes his rank as developer of the agricultural 
 resources of Huron County. He and his wife are 
 communicants in the English Church. 
 
 4 vv^^-i^^-v> J- 
 
 \rr£%, m illiam C. Williamson, stock farmer and 
 Jjl^a^L general agriculturist, on section 11, Hume 
 ^I^^O Township, was born April 14, 1849, in 
 ||>^' Mercer Co., Pa. His father was a physician 
 "* in early life. He married Selina C. Camp- 
 bell, and settled in Milwaukee, Wis., where he 
 died, in 1855, aged about 45 years. His wife died 
 in 1878, in Chicago. 
 
 Mr. Williamson was educated in the public schools 
 of Milwaukee until he was 11 years of age. His 
 father died when he was seven years old, and he 
 was under the guidance of his mother four years sub- 
 sequently, when he went to work on a farm, and 
 spent three years in that variety of labor. At the 
 age of 14 years, he became a clerk in a store in 
 Meadville, Pa., and operated in the capacity of sales- 
 man three years, going thence to Erie in his native 
 State, and later to Chicago, where he engaged as a 
 clerk in an insurance office. In 1S67 he engaged in 
 the interests of Woods & Co., for whom he officiated 
 in the capacity of book-keeper and manager of their 
 lumbering and mercantile enterprises. In 1879, he 
 was one of an association that built the salt-block, 
 now owned by Aikens & Soule. The firm was known 
 as Williamson, Aikens & Co. The senior member 
 sold his interest in 1883, to the present proprietors. 
 Since that time he has given his attention e.vclusively 
 to his agricultural affairs and the improvement of his 
 stock. He owns iCo acres of land in Hume Town- 
 ship, nearly all of which is improved. 
 
 In political sentiment, Mr. Williamson is in accord 
 with the Republican party. He has oflSciated as 
 Supervisor seven years, — from 1876 to 1883, serving 
 the last two terms as Chairman of the Board. 
 
 His marriage to Clara A. Sinclair occurred Aug. 
 
 I 
 
 9 
 
 ca: 
 
 
 )«^f|« 
 
 -^"^^ — ^^^^^n!)^nni>ir^ — ^^^^ 
 
 4¥^^ 
 
398 
 
 *7 
 
 ^Il:$:IlIl^>r 
 
 raf^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 > 
 
 S 
 
 ^ 
 ^ 
 
 I 
 
 12, 1877, and of their union two children, Harrie and 
 William, have been born. Mrs. Williamson is the 
 daughter of Thomas and Mary (Soule) Sinclair, the 
 former a native of Scotland, the latter of New Eng- 
 land parentage. (See sketch of T. Sinclair.) She 
 was born Dec. 12, 1859, at Port Austin. She was 
 educated at the common schools of Huron County, 
 and afterwards attended the College at Flint, Mich. 
 
 ,^ ohn H. Tucker, farmer, section 22, Sand 
 
 jjl^^l^ Beach Township, is a son of John and 
 
 ||^'* Ro.xy (Page) Tucker, natives of Vermont, 
 
 "iM. who settled in New York State, where Mrs. T. 
 
 ]t died. May 2, 1844. Mr. T. afterwards came 
 
 \ to Sanilac Co., Mich., and settled in Bridge- 
 
 ham]3ton Township, where he still resides. 
 
 The subject of this biographical sketch, John H. 
 Tucker, was born in Clayton, Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
 Aug. 28, 1827, remained at home until he was 18 
 years of age, attending the common school, then 
 resided eight years in Canada, and in 1853 he came 
 to Port Huron, Mich., and engaged in the millwright 
 business, which trade he had learned in Canada. In 
 1858 he came to this county and for six years lived 
 at Port Hojjc. In the fall of 1864 he moved to 
 Sand Beach Township. He owned several small 
 tracts of land, which he disposed of, and in 1880 he 
 purchased 80 acres of land on section 22, where he 
 settled and has about 20 acres improved and in good 
 condition for crops. 
 
 With reference to national issues, Mr. Tucker 
 takes Republican views. He has held the offices of 
 County Surveyor, Justice of the Peace, etc. 
 
 July 3, 1850, in Walpole, Canada West, Mr. 
 Tucker married Miss Martha, daughter of William 
 and Monica Brown, of English ancestry. She was 
 born in Canada, March 2, 1833. Of the 13 children 
 born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, the fol- 
 lowing are living : William H., born May 13,1853; 
 Lucinda M.,Nov. 18, 1854; John E., March 4, 1857; 
 George F., June 15, 1859; Ida M., Feb. 4, 1866; 
 Charles A., March 16, 18C9; Herbert L., July 21, 
 1871; Francis E., Oct. 18,1873. Four children are 
 
 deceased: Mary I., April 30, 1S64, three months old; 
 Jane, Feb. 19, 1867, at the age of five years; Albert 
 and Adelbert in infancy. 
 
 ife imon Hoffman, manager of the mercantile 
 establishment of J. C. Liken & Co., at Bay 
 Port, was born July 7, 1851, in Waterloo 
 
 Co., Ont., in the township of the same name. 
 
 He is the son of Henry and Catherine (Die- 
 
 bel) Hoffman, and both his parents are living 
 near Wilverton, Perth Co., Ont. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman acquired a common-school educa- 
 tion, and when he was 12 years old obtained a situa- 
 tion in a store at New Dundee, and served an 
 apprenticeship of nearly three years, for which he 
 received $200 and his board. He continued in the 
 same employment two years after the expiration of 
 his indenture. Afterward he went to a place called 
 Baden, where he was similarly employed more than 
 a year. In March, 1869, he came to Bay Port and 
 engaged with J. W. Snell, in whose interests he 
 operated six months. His next employment was as 
 school-teacher, and he taught two terms at the same 
 place, after which he became a salesman in the store 
 of John Muellerweiss at Sebewaing, with whom he 
 remained three years. At the end of that time he 
 engaged in the management of the Sert House at 
 Sebewaing, gomg thence a little more than a year 
 later to Bay City, where he embarked in a similar 
 enterprise and managed the Sherman House about 
 six months. Returning to Sebewaing he was ap- 
 pointed to the position of Deputy Sheriff and Mar- 
 shal of the village, in which he officiated until he 
 entered u[X)n the duties of his present position in 
 18S0. 
 
 He was married Nov. i, 1873, to Eliza Sert. She 
 died May 14, 1874, and he was again married May 
 4, 1877, to Elizabeth Smith. Two children have 
 been born to them, as follows: Gertrude, June 27, 
 1878, and Charles Henry, Jan. 23, 1881. Mrs. Hoff- 
 man is the daughter of Charles and Minnie Smith, 
 and was born June 22, 1859, in Herkimer Co., N. Y. 
 Her mother was born Nov. 3, 1823, and lives in Bay 
 
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 i 
 
 ( ' 
 
^a^^^c 6V<^llll§linf^ v^ > €g^ 
 
 •isr 
 
 i^ 
 
 I') 
 
 i 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 City. Her father died April 29, 1883, in Bay City. 
 Both her parents were born in Germany. 
 
 Mr. Hoffman is an adiierent of the Repiibhcan 
 party. He is a Notary Public, and is present Post- 
 master at Bay Port. 
 
 esse L. Jenks, deceased, was born April 7, 
 181 2, in Newport, Sullivan Co., N. H., and 
 was the son of Jeremiah W. and Hester 
 
 \£ (Lane) Jenks. His parents removed to Brid- 
 port, Addison Co., Vt., and went thence to 
 Crown Point, Essex- Co., N. Y. (See sketch of 
 J. Jenks.) 
 
 Mr. Jenks was brought up to the vocation of 
 farmer, which he pursued a short time after he 
 entered upon life in his own behalf, after which he 
 kept a hotel at Crown Point, continuing to operate in 
 that capacity several years. In the fall of i860 he 
 came to Michigan. He leased the Central Hotel at 
 Port Huron, and continued its management one 
 year. He next became interested in the City Hotel 
 at St. Clair, which he conducted one year. He went 
 thence in June, 1870, to Rock Falls, \\\ Sand Beach 
 Township, Huron County, cvhere he had control of a 
 stage route between Port Sanilac and Port Austin, 
 and also conducted a hotel. He managed his 
 various business enterprises four years. Meanwhile 
 he became the owne'r of 40 acres of land, situated 
 northwest of Sand Beach, whither he removed in 
 November, 1874. His death occurred March i6, 
 1875, a few months after his removal from Rock 
 Falls. The farm is in a finely ini[)roved and culti- 
 vated condition, and the widow remained there resi- 
 dent until 1879, when she became an inmate of the 
 household of her daughter, Mrs. N. P. Arnold, of 
 Sand Beach. 
 
 Mr. Jenks was twice married. His first wife, Mary 
 Jane was a daughter of Sylvanas and Eliza 
 Miner, and was a native of the State of New York. 
 Three children were born of this marriage, but one 
 of whom survives — Bela W. (See sketch of B. W. 
 Jenks.) Robert died at the age of three years ; an 
 infant died unnamed. The wife and mother died 
 in Schroon Township, Essex Co., N. Y., in 1852. 
 
 Mrs. Mary B. (Martin) Jenks, the widow of Jesse 
 L. Jenks, was born Dec. 5, 1817, in Jay Township, 
 Esse.K Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Thomas 
 and Betsey (Bowman) Martin. She was married to 
 Mr. Jenks .'\pril 5, 1853. Four children were born 
 to them, two of whom are deceased. Helen \. died 
 at Port Huron at the age of six years. Robert M. 
 resides at Sand Beach and is a clerk on the dock. 
 He was born in Crown Point, Aug. 18, 1859. Jennie 
 M. was born Jan. 25, i86i, at St. Clair, Mich., and is 
 the wifa of N. P. Arnold, Station Agent at Sand 
 Beach. (See sketch of N. P. Arnold.) William H. 
 was born Aug. 2, 1864, at St. Clair, and died when 18 
 years of age, at Sand Beach. 
 
 S../":inT^ 
 
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 Vfc:. 
 
 i^|.^iogness Perry, farmer, section i, Caseville 
 Township, was born in 1817, in Aberdeen, 
 
 "I'riijy- Scotland, and is the son of William and 
 WI4 Ann (Duncan) Perry. His father died in his 
 ^ infancy. The demise of his mother occurred 
 } when he was three years old, and when he 
 
 was four years old he came to America with his uncle, 
 Diogness Duncan. They landed at Quebec and pro- 
 ceeded to Guelph, that province, where Mr. Duncan 
 bought a farm. Mr. Perry worked on a farm, and also 
 gave his attention to stone-cutting. He worked at the 
 latter businesss until he was i8 years of age, when he 
 proceeded to Akron, Ohio. He obtained employ- 
 ment on the Wabash & Ohio Canal, and operated in 
 cutting stone for locks about three years. He went 
 thence to Maumee, where he found employment on 
 the public works. He kept his purpose of finding a 
 location for a home in view, and later went by way 
 of Detroit to Canada, with a friend who had deter- 
 mined to buy a farm in the Dominion and wislied 
 Mr. Perry to locate near him; but the latter did not 
 comply with the desire. He became acquainted with an 
 English farmer named Wm. Fletcher, at Bear Creek, 
 who hired him as a farm assistant, and he continued 
 in the same service nine consecutive years. He went 
 at the end of that time to Guelph to visit his uncle, 
 witli whom he stayed a year. He accepted a propo- 
 sition from his former employer, Mr. Fletciier, to 
 again enter his service, and he worked for him two 
 
 ^ 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 (i 
 
 ^^^DD^niif^A 
 
 ici. 
 
 JSt^l^L 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -<^ 
 
 1^^^ 
 
 years, finally devoting his earnings to the purchase 
 I of a farm lying next to that of Mr. Fletcher. His 
 ^ inext imperative business was the selection of a home 
 partner, and he returned to Bear Creek, where he 
 (g^vvas married, in 1859, to Ann McCauley. They have 
 had four sons and two daughters, William, Robert, 
 John, Agnes, Eliza and Sherman. The parents of 
 Mrs. Perry, Robert and Ann McCauley, died in 
 Ontario. 
 
 After his marriage, Mr. Perry took possession of 
 ' his farm; but on the breaking out of the civil war in 
 )the States and during its progress, the influx of ne- 
 I groes into that part of Canada conflicted with his 
 tastes, and he sold his farm, in 1865. He came at 
 once to Huron Co., Mich., and bought a quarter-sec- 
 tion of Government land in Caseville Township, 
 where he has since operated. He has now about 70 
 acres of land. 
 
 He is a Democrat in political persuasion, and has 
 officiated as Constable of his township and in other 
 A official positions. With his wife, he belongs to the 
 ^ Presbyterian Church. 
 
 ) 
 
 •1 :• 
 
 li hilip Kappler, farmer, section 24, Verona 
 
 t% Township, is one of the substantial aari- 
 
 Ji{° " . . '' 
 
 IJlfSS''^ cuUurists of the township where he resides, 
 
 ^wJ being the proi)rietor of 140 acres of land 
 ■^IA- located on sections 24 and 25. He came to 
 '' Huron County when he was 19 years old, in 
 company with his brother, Daniel Kappler, reaching 
 here in January, 1866. He engaged in lumbering 
 for Jeremiah Ludington during the remainder of 
 that winter, and in the spring he went to work with 
 his brother, who was a carpenter and builder, re- 
 maining with hun until the beginning of the next 
 lumliering season, when he was again employed by 
 Mr. Ludington in his savv-mill. He remained in his 
 last situation chiefly for five years. His brother set- 
 tled meanwhile in Paris Township, where he has 
 since resided. 
 
 Mr. Kappler was born April 10, 1847, in Waterloo 
 Co., Ont., and is the son of Philip and Magdalena 
 Kappler. He was brought up on a farm. In the 
 pring of 1S71 he purchased [40 acres of land of 
 
 Mr. Ludington, whicli was covered with standing 
 timber. He has now go acres cleared and in good 
 cultivation. His place was in most prosperous con- 
 dition, with excellent farm buildings, and the recent 
 harvest of crops in winter quarters, when all the 
 accumulated farm fixtures and supplies were de- 
 stroyed by the fire of 18S1, entailing a loss of $3,000, 
 with no insurance. 
 
 Mr. Kappler was married Dec. 28, 1876, at Port 
 Austin, to Mary A., daughter of Peter and Mary A. 
 Murray. Tlie children of this union areas follows: 
 Charles, William, Mary E. and Thomas. 
 
 >/v^^|-|^S|-w 5- 
 
 §P #^!;ela W. Jenks, of the firm of J. Jenks & Co., 
 '- ifa^A- at Sand Beach, was born July 18, 1849, at 
 'i.l0^ Schroon Lake, Essex Co., N. Y., and is the 
 ^ only surviving child of Jesse L. and ALary 
 Jane (Miner) Jenks. (See sketch of J. L. Jenks.) 
 When he was 11 years old, his father re- 
 moved with his family to St. Clair, Mich., and en- 
 gaged therein the hotel and livery business. In 1870 
 they made another transfer, to Sand Beach Township, 
 where his father died, March 16, 1876. 
 
 Mr. Jenks' mother died when he was about three 
 years old. When he was in his i6th year he obtained 
 a clerkship in the post-office at St. Clair, where he 
 operated a year, coming thence to Rock Falls to en- 
 ter upon the duties of clerk and book-keeper in the 
 interests of Pack, Jenks & Co. On the extinction of 
 the business relations of the firm and the formation 
 of the partnership of J. Jenks &Co., he was received 
 therein and is still a member of the firm and inter- 
 ested in their varied and extensive departments of 
 business. (See sketch of J. Jenks.) 
 
 Mr. Jenks is a member of the Knights of Honor, 
 and of the Western Union Mutual Life Insurance 
 Company. He has served seven years in the capac- 
 ity of Treasurer of Sand Beach Township. He owns 
 liis residence and three lots connected therewith, and 
 has an interest in 200 acres of land witliin the corpo- 
 ration of Sand Beach, owned by the firm of wiiich he 
 is a member. 
 
 His marriage to AUie E. Stafford occurred at Mem- 
 phis, Macomb Co., Midi., July 18, 1871. Of this 
 
 9 
 
 0, 
 
 5«^#' 
 
 .::^J^'^^C 
 
 <>D!i^nD;>^ 
 
:»<^s»- 
 
 
 2 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ■3*^^*^ 
 
 union four children constitute the issue, the two old- 
 est of whom were born at Rock Falls: Howard S., 
 May 2, 1872; Allie May, Nov. 24, 1S73. Minnie 
 Blanch was born at Sand Beach, Sept. 4, 1876, and 
 also Bela Walton, Aug. 8, 1882. Mrs. Jenks is the 
 daughter of Henry B. and Abbie R. Stafford, and was 
 o rn Aug. 8, 1848. 
 
 ^nl^ionzo Hunter, proprietor and manager of 
 \i the Huron House, Sand Beach, was born 
 " Nov. 3, 184s, in Ameliasburg, Prince Ed- 
 ward Co., Ont. His parents, David and Phil- 
 ean (Taft) Hunter, removed to the township 
 of Sanilac, in the county of the same name, 
 in 1863, where they are still living, on a farm of no 
 acres. The mother was born Nov. 3, 1825, her son's 
 birthday occurring on the same day of the month, 20 
 years later. 
 
 In the year following the settlement of his parents 
 in Sanilac County, Mr. Hunter came to Rock Falls 
 in the township of Sand Beach. He became an 
 assistant in the saw-mill of Pack, Jenks & Co., re- 
 maining in their employ about 15 years. His ne.xt 
 engagement was as sawyer for Woods & Co., at Port 
 Crescent, in whose interests he operated one year. 
 He afterward bought the Exchange Hotel at Port 
 Sanilac, which he sold after a management of one 
 year. He was in the employment of the United 
 States Government through three years following, 
 and, meanwhile, in the summer of 1882, he built the 
 hotel which he is now conducting. The structure is 
 28 X 60 feet in size, witli two wings. Although small, 
 the house is a good one, and is generously patronized 
 by the traveling public. Mr. Hunter is a member of 
 Port Hope Lodge, No. 138, Order of Masonry. 
 
 His marriage occurred April 5, 1875, at Rock 
 Falls, to Edna C. Priest. Hattie, only child, was 
 born at Sand Beach, Dec. 13, 1879. The parerits of 
 Mrs. Hunter, David N. and Harriet Priest, reside at 
 Sand Beach. 
 
 Socrates Hunter, the paternal grandsire of Mr. 
 Alonzo Hunter, died at the age of 103 years, in New 
 Salem, London District, Ont. 
 
 During the period of bis active life as a lumber- 
 
 ate mmseii ne ^^ic, 
 over his body, f 
 lystanders be- g^ 
 
 man, Mr. Hunter experienced a narrow escape from 
 a terrible death. He had occasion to break a roll- 
 way of logs, and before he could extricate himself he ^, 
 was thrown and four large logs passed ove 
 crushing him into the earth. The by 
 lieved him dead, but he only sustained slight injuries 
 comparatively, no bones being broken. His nose 
 was fractured and mutilated, and one eye was in- 
 jured; the skin was also abraded from various parts 
 of his body. At another time he and a companion 
 were passing the night at the Tyson House at Man- 
 istee, when it burned. He, with a number of others, 
 were on the third floor of the building and he was 
 the only one who escaped uninjured. He made a 
 rope of the bed-clothes and lowered himself a part 
 of the distance, when he was rescued by those be- 
 low. He saved only his hat and trowsers, leaving 
 the rest of his clothing, including his watch and 
 money. His companion leaped from the window 
 and was hopelessly crippled. 
 
 (^ 
 
 -wJZCeT©^-^— f§^^^^^4— -^^i'^^^n^ 
 
 oseph Deachim, farmer, section 30, Bing- 
 ham Township, was born in Alsace, then 
 in France, Sept. 25, 1835. His parents 
 were of German-French origin. When he was 
 \6 years old he came to America with his 
 cousin, Joseph Frantz (see sketch). They re- 
 mained together in Ontario three years, when they 
 came to Michigan, proceeding to the land office at 
 Detroit, where they each secured a tract of land on 
 the strength of the representations of a citizen of 
 Huron County. 
 
 Mr. Deachim bought 160 acres on section 30, in 
 Bingham Township. On attempting to make their 
 way to their property they found they had every 
 obstacle neariy that imagination could invent or fact 
 make real to contend with. The township was actu- 
 ally without settlers ; there were no roads for miles, 
 and the entire country seemed one tract of swamp. 
 They cut their route of progress to their land eight 
 miles. All supplies were procured at Forestvillc, 24 
 miles away, and the hardships of the case were only 
 equalled by the strength and perseverance which the 
 
 1 
 
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 £^. 
 
 " I ^ ^ jC^ 
 
 # 
 
r^i^^K ^V^DIli$^DD^>?^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 i 
 
 hardy French peasantry brought from beyond the 
 sea, and applied to the purpose of developing homes 
 for themselves under a free flag and the privileges of 
 a republic. Later, Mr. Deachim doubled his acre- 
 age, and has loo acres under good improvements. 
 In 1881 the fire consumed every dollar's worth of 
 combustible property on the farm, but he has pro- 
 ceeded with his agricultural labors undaunted and is 
 again in a prosperous condition. 
 
 Mr. Deachim is independent in political opinion 
 and action. 
 
 He was married Jan. 4, 1865, in Tyre, Huron 
 County, to Christine Schegcue. Seven children have 
 been born to them, as follows : Joseph, William, 
 Josephine, Mary, Hattie, Lizzie and Robert. Mrs. 
 Deachim was born in Waterloo Co., Can., Oct. 29, 
 1S50, and is the daughter of Joseph and Agnes 
 Deatry, natives of the north of France, and of Ger- 
 man descent. They came to Michigan from Canada 
 in i86r, and settled in Argyle Township, Sanilac 
 County, where the mother died. The father still 
 resides there, aged 70 years. The family are Roman 
 Catholics. 
 
 ^j ^^^-^ ;- 
 
 ames Philp, farmer, section 36, Verona 
 To.vnship, was born in Hope Townshi[), 
 Waterloo Co., Ont, .A.ug. 10, 1851. He is 
 S the son of Thomas and Ann (Moon) Pnilp, of 
 Vr Bingham Township. (See sketch.) 
 
 At tlie age of 21 years he became a lunilier- 
 man and spent some time in that employment. He 
 afterwards bought a farm in Verona Township, wliich 
 he sold a few years later and received 80 acres of the 
 original family homestead. On this he has since oper- 
 ated and has placed the entire tract under the best 
 quality of improvements. He isdeservingof his good 
 reputation as a skillful farmer. 
 
 In political faith and action Mr. I'liilp is a Repub- 
 lican. He has been interested in school matters, and 
 has officiated in the offices of his district. 
 
 He was married May, 1875, to Anna O'Neal. Of 
 four children born to them, Norman and Nettie are 
 deceased; Rebecca and Albert are living. Mrs. 
 I'hilp was born in Ontario, in 1857, and is the daugli- 
 ter of John and Rebecca O'Neal, natives respectively 
 
 of Ireland and Scotland. The family reside in Vero- 
 na Township, where the father is a farmer and car 
 penter. They are members of the Baptist Church. 
 Mrs. Philp is permanently lame from the effects of 
 illness in 1881. 
 
 — .^G'- 
 
 '-enry Goebel, proprietor of the Goebel 
 ^ House, Sebewaing, was born April 30,1837, 
 in Prussia. His parents, Carl and Christine 
 Goebel, were natives of the same country, and 
 came thence in the summer of 1856 to Sebe- 
 waing Township. His father died there, in the 
 fall of 18S1 ; his motlier survives, and is still a resi- 
 dent of the place where she was among the earliest 
 settlers. Their children are three in number, — Henry, 
 Carl and William. 
 
 Mr. Goebel was 19 years of age when he accom- 
 panied his parents to the United States. He at- 
 tended the common schools of his native country 
 during the period prescribed by law, and assisted his 
 father in farm labor until their removal to this coun- 
 try. He was an inmate of the paternal Iiome until 
 he was 25 years of age, when he left home to become 
 a farm laborer by the month, spending four years in 
 that variety of occupation in Bay and Washtenaw 
 Counties. In 1867 he rented the Forest City House 
 at Bay City, associated with his brother-in-law. In 
 1869 he came to Sebewaing and assumed the man- 
 agement of the Sett House, which he conducted 
 three years. At the expiration of that time he 
 o[)ened a saloon and was engaged in its management 
 tliree years. In 1S72 he bought the site of the 
 hotel he is now managing, on which he erected the 
 Union House. The business of the hotel has been 
 uniformly successful. He is tlie proprietor of 80 
 acres of land in the township of Fair Haven, of 
 which about 7 acres are imi)roved.. He belongs to 
 the Democratic element in politics, and in the spring 
 of 1884 was elected President of the village of Sebe- 
 waing. He has been Highway Commissioner tliree 
 years and Township Treasurer two years. He be- 
 longs to the Arbeiter Association, and is a member 
 of the Knights of Maccabees. 
 
 Mr. Goebel was married Jan. ii, 1862, at Bay 
 
 ■s 
 
 $f§^-«- 
 
 u^a^^ 
 
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 -5sf^i^ 
 
 ■cr 
 
 T<>BU^ljD>>r 
 
 ■>(^^i^^ 
 
 -»4y@^ 
 
 At 
 
 
 M 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 405 
 
 City, to Alary Bauer, and they have had nine chil- 
 dren, William, Henry, Mary, Otto and Oscar are 
 hving, and Anna M., Julius C, Emma and George 
 are deceased. Mrs. Goebel was born Jan. 27, 1840, 
 in Wurteniburg, Germany. Her p.irents, Charles and 
 Barbara Bauer, were natives also of Germany, and 
 emigrated thence in iS5S,to the United States, when 
 Mrs. Goebel was 18 years old. 
 
 'ohn J. F. Auch, physician and farmer, Seb- 
 waing, was born Aug. 21, 1817, in VVurtem- 
 
 S^^'^burg, Germany, the son of Christian and 
 
 W Margaret (Beck) Auch, also natives of Ger- 
 ir many. They emigrated to the United States 
 in 1836, first locating in Washtenaw Co., Mich. 
 In 1830 they came to what is now the village of 
 Sebewaing, where the father died in 1869, and the 
 demise of the mother occurred Sept. 3, 1884. Their 
 family included eight children, John J. F., Chris- 
 tiana, .\ndrew, Dorothy, Godfried, Margaret, Gotlieb 
 and Louisa. 
 
 Dr. Auch was a student in the e.vcellent schools 
 of his native country until he came to the United 
 States. He assisted on his father's farm until the 
 age of 22 years, when he became interested in agri- 
 culture on his own behalf, in which pursuit he passed 
 18 months. He then determined to become a min- 
 ister and began the study of theology, which he con- 
 tinued three years. 
 
 In 1845 1^^ came to Sebewaing as a missionary 
 among the Indians, among whom he labored seven 
 years. In 1852 he received a call to settle as Pastor 
 over tlie German Lutheran Church at Sebewaing, 
 and discharged the duties of the position until 1867, 
 when he resigned. He went to Unionville, Tuscola 
 County, where he embarked in the saw and grist mill 
 business, which he continued 10 years. In 1873 he 
 returned to the family homestead in Sebewaing to 
 witch over the declining years of his mother, and 
 he is still resident on the farm, which contains 80 
 acres, with 36 acres under cultivation. He owns an 
 undivided half of the place. 
 
 While ofiSciating as Pastor over the Church at 
 Sebewaing, he engaged in the study of medicine 
 
 under the directions of Dr. Kock, of Frankenmuth, 
 Saginaw Co., Mich. Sebewaing was at that date 
 without a physician, and he fully realized the neces- 
 sity of a resident medical practitioner. He studied 
 alone chiefly, and in his practice has met with good 
 success. At present his business in that line is lim- 
 ited. 
 
 He is a Republican in political faith. 
 
 His marriage to Marcia D. Streiter took place 
 April 3, 1840, at Ann Arbor, Mich. The only child 
 born of this union died in infancy. 
 
 Mrs. Auch was born April 28, 181 8, in Germany. 
 
 Her parents, Jacob and Streiter, were natives 
 
 of the same county. Dr. Auch has officiated lo 
 years as Justice of the Peace, and many years as 
 a school officer. With his wife, he is a member of 
 the Lutheran Church. 
 
 ^-.<-^.<4#^».. 
 
 A 
 
 SSS-^oriiK 
 
 (> 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
 illiam H. Merrick, Sheriff of Huron Coun- ,V>-' 
 ty and residing at Bad Axe, was born in ^ 
 Miy^-r^ Huron Co., Ont., Feb. 19, 1S42, and is the '', 
 •J|:^^ son of Robert K. and Mary (Graves) Mer- 
 rick. He was reared on his father's farm in 
 the Dominion to the age of 2 1 years, and Spent 
 the four years succeeding his majority in the States 
 of Michigan and Illinois, and in 1867 he returned to 
 Huron County, and worked as a carpenter and 
 joiner. Two years subsequent to his return he 
 engaged in the manufacture and sale of boots and 
 shoes at Port Austin, in which he was engaged about 
 six years. In the fall of 1874 he was nominated on 
 the Democratic ticket for the office of Sheriff, and 
 was elected by a majority of 276 over the nominee 
 of the Republican party. He received a second 
 nomination in 1876, and a flattering re-election by a 
 majority of 179 votes. In 1880 he was again placed 
 in nomination and again elected, receiving a majori- 
 ty of 41 votes. He was re-elected in the fall of 
 1882, scoring a majority of 217 voles. He was 
 elected Probate Judge in 1884 by 611 votes over 
 the Republican nominee. He has been an efficient 
 officer, and his rei)eated elections to the same posi- 
 tion manifest his popularity. He has been a resi- 
 dent of Bad .\xe since the spring of 1883. He owns 
 
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 ?iyj 
 
<^nD^DDi> 
 
 406 
 
 y v o 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -#t^^ 
 
 e 
 
 <^ 
 
 80 acres of land in Dwight Township and several 
 lots besides his residence at Bad Axe, and also a 
 residence in Port Austin. He belongs to the 
 Masonic fraternitj-. 
 
 Mr. Merrick was married July 4, 1870, at Port 
 Austin, Huron County, to AUie Hayes, a native of 
 Rochester, N. Y. She was born Dec. 29, 1852. 
 Their children were born as follows: Frank W., 
 May 27, 1872; A. R., Dec. 9, 1874; and Gale G., 
 Dec. 29, 1879. 
 
 The publishers of the Huron Countv Album 
 take special pleasure in presenting to its readers a 
 lithographic portrait of Mr. Merrick on a preceding 
 page, as that of a worthy and prominent citizen. 
 His friends will doubtless be pleased to see that the 
 characteristic features of the man are hereby more 
 permanently preserved to future generations and to 
 the public generally. 
 
 1?> 
 
 "^ 
 
 
 
 
 J|h.omas Sullivan, farmer, resident on sec- 
 Kali tion 23, Dwight Township, was born March 
 II, 1855, in Haldimand Co., Out., and is a 
 son of Francis and Mary (Callaghan) Sullivan. 
 His parents were natives of Ireland, and emi- 
 grated to the Dominion. They remained there 
 until the fall of 187 i, the date of their removal to 
 Huron Co., Mich. The mother died in the autumn 
 of 1875. 
 
 Mr. Sullivan is the eldest son of his parents, and 
 came with them to Dwight Township. He attended 
 the common schools of this county and obtained a 
 fair degree of education. He was but 1 8 years of 
 age when he became the proprieior of 80 acres of 
 land, which was in its primeval condition at the 
 time he entered his claim, under the regulations of 
 the Homestead Act. He has imi)roved the whole 
 property, with the exception of ten acres, which are 
 still in timber. 
 
 He is a Democrat in political views, and has been 
 active in the local affairs of his township. He has 
 served three terms as Treasurer, and is now dis- 
 
 charging the duties of the position of Supervisor for 
 the third term. 
 
 Mr. Sullivan is a Roman Catholic in religious con- 
 nection. 
 
 'tea2/S^'«— ^^ 
 
 ''^^!—,>^mPrvt»- 
 
 olin Soule, farmer, resident at Soule vil- 
 ^ lage, Chandler Township, was born Jan. 2, 
 '''""'^ 1828, in the town of Danby, Rutland Co., 
 Vt. He is the son of Gardner and Abigail 
 Soule, and when he was 12 years of age went 
 to serve an apprenticeship with his grand- 
 father, David Curtis, to acquire a knowledge of the 
 trade of blacksmith, and continued to devote his 
 time and attention to his occupation until he was 21 
 years of age, with the exception of the time passed 
 in the common schools in the shadow of the Green 
 Mountains. After being released from his obliga- 
 tions to his grandfather, he resumed blacksmithing 
 and followed it as a business five successive years. 
 He went tlien to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he 
 engaged extensively in lumbering, and built a saw- 
 mill having a capacity of 39,000 feet of lumber daily. 
 He continued to operate in that branch of business 
 for 22 years at that place, and then sold out for the 
 purpose of coming to Michigan. 
 
 Arriving in Huron County, he bought tvo acres of 
 land in the village of Soule, and 40 acres on section 
 13, Chandler Township. The latter tract was unim- 
 proved, and Mr. Soule has cleared and put under 
 cultivation 10 acres. 
 
 He is a Republican in political views and connec- 
 tions. 
 
 His first marriage occurred in the year 1849, in 
 Genesee Co., N. Y., when Mary Gilbert became his 
 wife. One child, Gilbert, was born to them, who is 
 now residing in the State of New York. The mother 
 was born in 1829, in Genesee Co., N. Y., and died 
 in her native county in 1851. Mr. Soule was a 
 second time married, in 1854, to Hannah Merril, 
 born in Genesee Co., N. Y., and died in 1875, in Cat- 
 taraugus County. They became the parents of one 
 child, Jamie. Sept. 23, 1877, Mr. Soule was mar- 
 
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 V 
 
 f^ 
 
-^^^^ — ©ve^nii§iiii^>v^ 
 
 
 
 ISC 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ried again, to Mrs. Nancy Fee, who was born, bred 
 and married twice in Cattaraugus County. Ida M. 
 and Minnie M. are the names of the children by the 
 last marriage. 
 
 ichael Bleicher, farmer, resident on sec- 
 tion 20, Dwight Township, was born May 
 ?/ii^^5- ' I, 1840, in Germany. His parents, Paul 
 y ^ \ and Magdalena Bleicher, were also born in 
 Germany, and emigrated from " das Fader- 
 land" to Michigan in 1852. They settled in 
 Monroe County and are now deceased. 
 
 Mr. Bleicher first came to Huron County in 1858, 
 and until 1867 resided at Port Austin, where he was 
 engaged in fishing. He went in that year to Lake 
 Superior, where he was similarly engaged i x years. 
 At Ihe end of that time he returned to Huron County 
 and purchased his farm in Dwight Township, com- 
 prising 80 acres, on which he hns e.xpended his 
 energies and managed his agricultural affairs, until 
 he has 65 acres under excellent improvements. Mr. 
 Bleicher is a decided Republican in political senti- 
 ment. 
 
 His marriage to Johanna Baudaman occurred in 
 April, 1861, at Port Austin. .Seven children have 
 been born to them, five of whom are now living. 
 They are Felix, Leroy, Charles, Frank (2d) and Cora. 
 Michael and Frank (ist) are deceased. Mrs. Bleich- 
 er is a native of Germany. 
 
 "'t'Zfifi'®^'^— %| 
 
 m—»^%{!nnntv 
 
 ames M. Jenks, of the firm of J. Jenks & 
 Co., at Sand Beach, was born July 14, 1850, 
 at Crown Point, N. Y. He is the son of 
 Benjamin L. and Amanda (Messer) Jenks, and 
 when he was five years old his parerits re- 
 moved from Crown Point to St. Clair, Mich- 
 His father died at Port Sanilac in 1869. His motlier 
 is yet living, and is now the wife of Jeremiah Jenks, 
 the senior member of the firm above mentioned. 
 
 Mr. Jenks was reared and educated at St. Clair, 
 and just before attaining his majority, in January, 
 187 I, he went to Port Crescent, Huron County, to 
 operate as a clerk in the employment of Woods & 
 Co. This relation continued until the formation of 
 the firm of J. Jenks & Co. at Sand Beach, in 1S76, 
 when he was made a member of that partnershii). 
 The departments of their business comprise heavy 
 transactions in general merchandise, in the manu- 
 facture of salt, flour, and in real estate. 
 
 Mr. Jenks was married July 20, 1877, at Port 
 Austin, to Nellie L. Neill. One child. Max, was born 
 of this union June 3, 1878, at Port Austin. Mrs. 
 Jenks was born Aug. 2, 1855, in Goderich, Can., and 
 is the daughter of Capt. Thomas and Fanny Neill. 
 Her father was a resident of Port Huron for some 
 years. 
 
 Tiie fine residence of Mr. Jenks was built in 1877. 
 
 crip=i 
 
 =-*=^ 
 
 Martini, of the business firm of 
 
 John C. Liken & Co., at Sebewaing, was 
 
 born Aug. i, 1S45, in Waldenburg, Saxony. 
 
 ^\^<^ His parents, Carl R. and Valentine (Thieme) 
 
 e? Martini, were natives of Germany, and passed 
 
 I their entire lives in that country. They were 
 
 the parents of 10 children, — Richard, Herman, Clara, 
 
 Johannes, Eliza, Clemens, Robert, Julia, Lina and 
 
 Valentine. 
 
 Mr. Martini was a pupil in the common schools 
 until he was nine years of age, when he was sent to 
 a school of higher grade to complete the time pre- 
 scribed by the law of his native country. At the 
 age of 14 years he entered a grocery, where he oper- 
 ated chiefly for five years, studying meanwhile in the 
 School of Commerce at Dresden. After serving his 
 time he was employed 15 months in another mercan- 
 tile establishment. His ne.xt employment was in a 
 large hosiery Victory, where he remained until his 
 emigration to the United States, in October, 1866. 
 On landing at the port of New York, he proceeded 
 to Saginaw, but, being unable to obtain satisfactory 
 employment, he learned the business of cigar-making, 
 in which he was occupied until he came to Sebe- 
 waing, in June, 1867. He was similarly occupied 
 
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 mnM<^>^r^, ^5^»=- 
 
 .lii^^ 
 
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 ->2(€^^^ 
 
 ■rr7<-:II 11:^11 |]^.>V 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 T 
 
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 there about four months, when he became a sales- 
 man for John Muellerweiss, and afterwards for 
 Mivellerweiss & Liken. His engagement with them 
 was terminated by their dissolution three years later. 
 In 187 1, he entered into a silent partnership with 
 Mr. Liken, which relation continued three years, and 
 eventuated in his being received into full connection 
 with the business relations of the firm. 
 
 Mr. Martini is a Republican in political principle. 
 He has officiated 11 years as Township Clerk, and 
 13 years as Notary Public. 
 
 His marriage to Mary C. Liken occurred at Sebe- 
 waing, July 31, 1876, and they are the parents of 
 three children, born at Sebewaing, as follows : John 
 C, April 4, 1879; Henry R., Oct., 23, 1880; Clara 
 H., May 12, 1882. Mrs. Martini is the daughter of 
 John C. and Walburga (Kunkel) Liken (see sketch), 
 and was born Jan. 31, 1856, in Binghamton, N. Y. 
 She is a member of the Lutheran Church, as is also 
 her husband. 
 
 ^ 
 
 •^ 
 
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 -5— ^'VV^^f-f^S'V^ 
 
 illiam Etzler, farmer, section 28, Hume 
 Township, was born June 18, 1840, in 
 Prussia, and is the son of Antoine and 
 Joanna (Houckey) Etzler. He was 1 2 years 
 of age when his parents and brothers came 
 to this country. They resided a year in Buffalo, 
 N. Y., and went thence to Geauga Co., Ohio. Three 
 years later they removed to Port Austin, where the 
 mother died soon after. 
 
 In the late fall of 1857 the father and three sons 
 settled on 320 acres of land, situated on sections 28 
 and 29 in Hume Township, which they purchased 
 under the Graduation Act. They lived together five 
 years, and at the end of that time made a division of 
 the land, William receiving 106 acres, the farms of 
 his brothers lying on either side. He took posses- 
 sion of the place and entered uix)n the work of 
 improvement. Of the original acreage 70 acres have 
 been placed in the best possible agricultural condi- 
 tion, with two large barns, a granary and as fine a 
 residence as there is in the township. 
 
 Mr. Etzler is a Republican in political faith. 
 
 He was married Sept. 16, 1863, to Soi)hia Empkie, 
 
 ^^^^ >^u?^^^p: ^^-^^D!] 
 
 at Port Austin, and they have seven children, viz.: 
 WiUiam, Frederick, Charles, Emma, Edward, Nellie 
 and Libbie. Mrs. Etzler was born Dec. 18, 1846, 
 in Prussia, and came to Michigan from her native 
 country when she was 1 1 years old, settling at Port 
 Austin. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Etzler are respectively members of 
 the Catholic and Lutheran Churches. 
 
 ugustus Pittsley, proprietor of the Frank- 
 
 ijiij,-^^ir's> ''" House at Sand Beach, was born Sept. 
 
 I'jp? 26, 1S33, in Chenango Co., N. Y. His par- 
 
 ' 'y> ents, Jeremiah and Roxana (White) Pittsley, 
 
 were farmers and are both deceased. 
 
 Mr. Pittsley was reared on a farm, and his life was 
 passed in that occupation until the outbreak of the 
 Southern Rebellion, in 1861, when he became a 
 soldier in the Union service. The war had not 
 been in progress very long before he became satis- 
 fied that it was a matter of no trifling moment, and 
 that the nation was at the mercy of foes at home 
 unless their plans were thwarted, and he enlisted 
 July 2, 1861, in Co. A, lolh N. Y. Cav., Captain 
 Loomis. He enrolled at Oxford, Chenango Co., N. 
 Y., and his regiment was attached to the Army of 
 the Potomac. Mr. Pittsley was in action at Bull 
 Run (2d), at Gettysburg under Burnside, in the 
 Stoneman raid, at Culpeper, and at Brandy Sta- 
 tion under Kilpatrick. He was taken prisoner at 
 Gettysburg, Pa., and was paroled. At Westchester, 
 Pa., his left hand was split by a saber stroke. He 
 was discharged at Utica, N. Y., at the close of the 
 war. In 1863, while on a fudough, he came to 
 Sand Beach, and on being released from the service 
 of the United States, he came hither and was in tlie 
 employment of Pack, Woods & Co. in the lumber 
 woods. 
 
 In 1869 he built a hotel at Sand Beach, near the 
 site of the Franklin House, which was destroyed in 
 the great fire of 187 1, with a loss of $4,000, and an 
 insurance of $500. In the spring of 1872 he erected 
 the hotel which lie has since managed, where he is 
 doing a prosperous business. He can accommodate 
 
 
 VI 
 
 (^ 
 
 i' 
 
-^^K — 6v<^^Dii^nii>>^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 about 30 guests, and keeps a small livery. He owns 
 27 acres of land, lying contiguous to his hotel proper- 
 ty, with a dwelling thereon. He is also associated 
 with Charles Verd, in the proprietorship of a livery, 
 which they established in the spring of 1884. 
 
 Mr. Pittsley was married May 26, 1865, at Sand 
 Beach, to Ellen J. Holder. Four children have 
 been born to them: Efifie, May 6, 1866; and Ed- 
 ward, Sept. 6, 1873; these two, the eldest and 
 youngest, are living ; Verbie and Alverda are de- 
 ceased. 
 
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 >-5-^J — o^fr<j».Ss^i — ^-i<- 
 
 'acob Miller, farmer, section 11, Bingham 
 Township, was born Dec. 28, T850, in Wa- 
 terloo Co., Ont. He is the son of Nicolas 
 and Margaret (Habner) Miller, and his parents 
 were among the earliest settlers in the township, 
 having made a transfer of their family and in- 
 terests to the county in 1856. He was a member of 
 his father's household until his settlement in life as 
 the head of a family. 
 
 He was married June 20, 1S81, in Paris Township, 
 to Catherine Kelley. She was born Oct. 18, r 85 5, in 
 Strathroy, Ont., and is the daughter of Daniel and 
 Margaret (Brennen) Kelley. Her parents are now 
 residents on a farm in Bingham Township. 
 
 In August, 1878, Mr. Miller purchased So acres of 
 wild land, and when he was married he fixed his res- 
 idence therein. There are now 60 acres of finely im- 
 proved land with farm buildings of excellent charac- 
 ter. Mr. Miller is a Democrat in political principle, 
 and is the present Township Treasurer. The family 
 are Catholics. 
 
 onathan B. Hellems, farmer, section ig, 
 
 ^ Dwight Township, was born June 26, 1840, 
 
 in Welland Co., Ont. He is the son of 
 
 ^ Henry and Harriet F. (Clark) Hellems, whose 
 
 sketch may be found in another part of this 
 
 fortunes under his control, and engaged in a saw- 
 mill at Port Austin, where he operated six months. 
 After passing about eight years in various occupations, 
 he devoted his attention e.xclusively to farming, and 
 has since pursued that avenue of business as a voca- 
 tion. In 1866 he entered a claim of 120 acres of 
 Government land in section 19, but deferred taking 
 possession of iiis property until two years later. Since 
 that date he has been continuously resident and 
 retains possession of 80 acres of his original purchase. 
 He has cleared and improved about 45 acres. 
 
 Mr. Hellems is a Republican in political connec- 
 tions and issues, and is of decided opinions relating 
 to national issues where development depends on the 
 predominancy of that element. 
 
 He was married Oct. 1 1, 1868, in a portion of Hif- 
 ron County now included within Chandler Township, 
 to Hannah E. Melick. Only one child has been 
 born of this union, Obed H., who died when he was 
 three years of age. , Mrs. Hellems was born Jan. 25, 
 185 1, in Brant County, Ont., and is the daughter of 
 Obed and Mary A. (O'Brien) Melick, the jiarents be- 
 ing respectively of Irish and German extraction and 
 natives of Canada. They became residents of Hu- 
 ron County in the spring of 1863, settling in what 
 was then Lake Township. The mother died Aug. 
 6, 1878. They had eight children, of whom Mrs. 
 Hellems is the youngest. 
 
 volume. When he was 17 years of age, Mr. 
 Hellems found himself with the structure of his own 
 
 eorge W. Carr, general merchant at Sand 
 Beach, was l)orn Sept. i, 1850, near Gene- 
 "^ va, Seneca Co., N. Y. He was six years 
 "yf* old when his parents, Thomas and Mary 
 (Christler) Carr, came to Michigan, settling 
 near Romeo, Macomb County, where they 
 now reside, on the farm of 80 acres on which they 
 originally settled. 
 
 Mr. Carr was reared on his father's farm to tlie 
 age of 22 years, and in 1872 he engaged as traveling 
 salesman in the interests of a nursery company, for 
 whom he operated four years continuously. He 
 came to Sand Beach in August, 1877, and became a 
 salesman in the mercantile establishment of J. Jenks 
 & Co. After operating in their interests about four 
 
 V^ 
 
 9 
 
 ^ 
 
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^^^ 
 
 
 
 (^ 
 
 1 
 
 •!(• 
 
 y> 
 
 2^>^ 6V4^llll§PIlf:>^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 years, he embarked in business independently, and 
 has since conducted his mercantile affairs, carrying 
 a stock valued at an estimate of $5,000. 
 
 Mr. Carr owns 40 acres of farming land on sec- 
 tion 16, in the township of Sand Beach, a part of 
 which is improved and cultivated. He is also the. 
 owner of liis residence and place of business. 
 
 His marriage to Miss E. A. Gibson occurred Jan. i, 
 1876, at Lenox, Macomb County. Ethelyn M., only 
 issue of this union, was born in Lenox, Jan. 8, 1S77. 
 Mrs. Carr was born Aug. 13, T854, in Lenox, and is 
 the daughter of Matthew B. and Ann (Beard) Gib- 
 son. Her parents were among the early pioneer set- 
 tlers of Macomb County, setding therein about the 
 year 1850, when the portion where they located was 
 innocent of even traces of civilization. 
 
 Mr. Carr is a member of the Village Council, and 
 belongs to the Knights of Honor. The family 
 attend the Baptist Church. 
 
 •<^ ] fr4''jhristian V. Bach, of the firm of Liken & 
 ' ":"'~^j Bach, manufacturers of slaves and bead- 
 le ri ing, saw and grist miller at Sebewaing, is a 
 
 'f}^ native of the place where he is now transacting 
 
 I business. He was born March iS, 1854. 
 His parents. Christian and Christiana Bach, were 
 born in Germany and emigrated in early life to 
 America. They made their first location in Washte- 
 naw Co., Mich., proceeding thence, in 1853, to 
 Sebewaing. His father died and his mother is still 
 living. Five of their eight children survive, — 
 Reuben, Christian F., Theodore, Alfred and Eliza- 
 beth. Those deceased were named Edward, Ferdi- 
 nand and Christiana. 
 
 Mr. Bach attended the common schools until he 
 was 16 years of age, when he assumed the manage- 
 ment of his father's farm, continuing in that occupa- 
 tion until he was 22 years of age. Li 1876 he 
 formed a partnership with John C. Liken for the 
 purpose of prosecuting the business in which they 
 are at presrtit engaged. Mr. Bach is a Republican 
 in political sentiment. 
 
 He was married Oct. i, 1878, in Sebewaing, to 
 
 Hannah, daughter of John C. Liken. (See sketch.) 
 They have had four children, namely: Charles, 
 Franklin A., Emma and Heinrich. Charles is de- 
 ceased. The family members of the Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 
 jSennett Haskell, salt and lumber manufact- 
 'A^iMMc urer and general merchant at Port Cres- 
 (pf'^yp^ cent, was born May 22, T850, in Penobscot 
 'f^hj'^ Co., Maine. His father, N. B. Haskell, was 
 one of a long line of descendants from a family 
 prominent in the Pine-Tree Stite for many 
 years, was a lumberman in Maine, and is now a res- 
 ident of Bad Axe, Mich. He married Hannah Sho- 
 rey, and both were natives of Maine, of English 
 extraction. They removed in 1858 to Steuben Co., 
 N. Y., and seven years later came to Whitehall, 
 Muskegon Co., Mich., where the father engaged two 
 years in lumbering, after which, in the spring of 1868, 
 they came to Port Crescent. 
 
 Mr. Haskell's father, associated with Henry C. 
 Spaulding, of Elmira, N. Y., established an extensive 
 lumber business. They secured a large tract of land 
 situated on the course of the Pinnebog River, which 
 empties into the Saganaw Bay at this point, and con- 
 ducted operations largely in rafting. They controlled 
 an extensive trade on the river, which traversed a 
 county noted for its valuable pine, and which affords 
 at its outlet a fine harbor. Since they came hither 
 they have cut from one to three million feet of logs 
 every winter, and of this large interest Mr. Haskell 
 was general manager until 1880, when he became 
 sole proprietor. In the same year he established the 
 salt block, which has a daily capacity of 200 barrels 
 of salt when operated to its full extent. He is at 
 present engaged in the erection of a store for the 
 prosecution of his. mercantile operations, built in L 
 form, 48 X 72 feet in dimensions, designed to be one 
 of the finest structures for the purpose intended in 
 Huron County. He owns within the county about 
 4,000 acres of land, some of it still in fine timber, hut 
 chiefly in course of preparation for agricultural pur- 
 poses. He owns all village lots in Port Crescent 
 lying north of Pinnebog Street. Mr. Haskell is a 
 Republican in political opinion. 
 He was married April 9, 1875, at Port Crescent, 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 «^ 
 
 )f^# 
 
 J^s^^n:- 
 
 '^mm\^y>^ 
 
 ^. 
 
 -^3^!?^ 
 
^^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 rs^^^KT 
 
 -^ 
 
 ) 
 
 1 
 
 to Josephine Earl. She was born in 1854, at Buck- 
 villc, Ont., where her parents now reside. She was 
 carefully educated in music, and was a teacher of the 
 art for some time previous to her marriage. She is 
 the daughter of Thomas Earl, and her parents are 
 natives of Canada and of English extraction. 
 
 -^-=^^-~^ 
 
 (^enry B. Hellems, farmer, section i7,Dwight 
 Township, is the son of Henry and Harriet 
 F. (Clark) Hellems. (See sketch of H. 
 Hellems.) He was born April 29, 1838, in 
 Welland Co.. Ont. He obtained a good com- 
 I mon-school education, and was bred to the vo- 
 cation of farmer, remaining on his father's farm until 
 he was 31 years of age, when he took possession of 
 80 acres of land, which became his property by deed 
 of gift from his father. On this he has since resided, 
 has cleared about 35 acres, and placed it under fair 
 cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Hellems is a decided Republican, and has 
 been Constable three years. School Assessor seven 
 years and has held other official positions. He was 
 drafted March 18, 1865, and was assigned to service 
 in the 15th Reg. Mich. Inf. He was in the military 
 service of the United States six months, receiving his 
 discharge at Little Rock, Ark. On being released he 
 returned to Dwight Township. 
 
 He was married March 20, 187 i, in Dwight Town- 
 ship, to Augusta A. Hoover. One child, Henry C, 
 was born to them. Mrs. Hellems was born in Jeffer- 
 son Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Ca])tain John 
 Hoover, an officer in the War of 181 2. 
 
 ^y* af^^fe>dward C. Soule, civil engineer, resident at 
 
 Soule village, was born Jan. 7, 1855, in 
 
 Wyoming Co., N. Y., and is the son of 
 
 Charles and Clarissa F. (Rowley) Soule. (See 
 
 sketch.) He was nine years of age when his 
 
 parents removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and 
 
 he acquired a substantial education in the public 
 
 schools of the county, which he supplemented by a 
 solid course of study in the grammar school of 
 Franklinville in the same county. He began teach- 
 ing at the age of 20 years, opening his career in 
 Michigan, and afterwards prosecuting the same busi- 
 ness in the State of New York. He then returned to 
 Michigan and again became a teacher, and combined 
 that vocation with surveying. 
 
 In 1883, associated with his father and brothers, 
 he engaged in the management of a mill, in which 
 business they continued to operate some years. 
 
 He is a Republican in political connection, and in 
 1880 was elected County Surveyor, serving in the 
 position two years. 
 
 His marriage to Maggie Taylor took place at Port 
 Austin Jan. i, 1883. They are the parents of one 
 child, Daisy, born July 2, 1884. Mrs. Soule is the 
 daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Mason) Taylor. 
 After their marriage the parents went to Ontario, 
 and afterwards came to Michigan and settled at Port 
 Austin. Their daughter was born in York village, 
 Ont., June 25, 1859. She was in early childhood 
 when her father removed to Port Austin, where she 
 obtained a good elementary education, and after- 
 wards went to Le Sueur, Minn., where she completed 
 her studies. She returned to Port Austin and be- 
 came a teacher in Huron County, in which she was 
 engaged six years previous to her marriage. 
 
 ^..<^,^^^Vfe.^,, 
 
 
 V) 
 
 jqp '1 ,'r.'r'n'&-otf 
 
 ■gff^^rugh M. Walker, farmer, section 9, Bloom- 
 
 "^ HI" ^^^^ Township, was born Jan. 18, 1849, 
 
 ' near Dundas, London Co., Ont., and is the 
 
 V, y son of Josiah and Lydia Ann (Hitchcock) Walker, 
 
 The former lives on a farm in Lapeer County. 
 
 I The latter died Aug. 5, 1865, in Lapeer County, 
 
 and was 36 years of age at the time of her death. 
 
 Mr. Walker was reared on his father's farm, and 
 remained at home until he was 18 years of age, 
 when he engaged as a farm assistant, working sum- 
 mers by the montli and lumbering in the woods 
 winters. His parents removed to .Mmont, Lapeer 
 County, where he reached manhood, and where he 
 obtained an education in the common schools. He 
 was qualified to teach, and he followed that vocation 
 
 f& 
 
 •!!• 
 
 A<3Dii§nDi>^T^ — ^'^^ 
 
(*)>5fe^^l»- 
 
 -^^^^^ eV4iDD^DD5^>v^ 
 
 ry 
 
 -3«^^ 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 (|\ 
 
 •;!* 
 
 4«2 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 for some time, teaching three terms in Lapeer Coun- 
 ty and two terms in Huron County. 
 
 He came first to Huron County in December, 
 1878, in search of a location for a permanent abode, 
 the trip resulting in the purchase of the farm of 120 
 acres, of which he has since been the owner and 
 occupant. He made the purchase of Langdon Hub- 
 bard, by whom it had been " lumbered over." He 
 was in a promising condition when the fire of 1881 
 destroyed a new barn, quantities of fencing and a 
 large orchard of young fruit-trees. The farm con- 
 tains 40 acres of improved land, with a good frame 
 house. 
 
 Mr. Walker is an adherent of the prohibition ele- 
 ment; he has served the township five years as 
 Supervisor and three years as School Superinten- 
 dent. 
 
 He was married Aug. 5, 1872, to Susan V. Witt. 
 Seven children have been born to them, as follows : 
 I. Floyd, Sept. i, 1873; Kiltie E., Dec. 2,1874; 
 Jennie V., June 3, 1876; Mary .\., April 17, 1878; 
 Mabel S., Oct. 18, 1879; Lydia A., April i8, 1881; 
 Roy, Nov. 2r, 1882. The three first named chil- 
 dren were born in Oakland Co., Mich. The others 
 were born in Bloomfield Township. 
 
 Mrs. Walker was born June 3, 1854, in Dryden 
 Township, Lapeer County, Mich, Her parents were 
 Calvin and Adelia (Haines) Witt. The former died 
 when the daughter was eight years old, leaving her 
 fully orphaned, her mother having died when she 
 was one year and a half old. 
 
 ;fl»o 
 
 \ euben G. Schluchter, blacksmith at Sebe- 
 waing, was born Feb. 18, 1858, in Huron 
 County, Ont. His father, Jacob G. Schluch- 
 (& ter, was a German by birth and emigrated to 
 y Canada, where he married Ellen Gray. The 
 I wife was born in Canada. After their mar- 
 riage they settled in Ontario, where she died, in 
 1869. They became the parents of 10 children. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is the fifth in order of 
 birth of the children of his parents, and attended 
 school until he was 16 years of age, when he was 
 apprenticed to a blacksmith and served three years 
 
 $«§^i- ^^^ — ^^^^Dn^ 
 
 in obtaining a knowledge of his trade. In the spring 
 of 1880 he came to the township of Sebewaing, re- 
 moving to the village of the same name in the spring 
 of 1884. He at once entered upon a successful and 
 steady business. He is a Democrat in political con- 
 nection. 
 
 He was married Aug. ig, 1881, to Mary L. Ruchty, 
 and they are the parents of three children, — Gen- 
 evieve S., Edmund G. and Amelia A. Their mother 
 was born in Canada. Her father, George Ruchty, is 
 a native of Switzerland, and was born in 1821. Eva 
 Ruchty, her mother, was born in Poland, in 1841. 
 Mr. Schluchter is a member of the Arbeiter Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 ^■se<iii^$s>^ 
 
 iharles Verd, liveryman at Sand Beach, 
 5^^ was born October 7, 1842, at West Hawks- (j 
 
 K\,^-' bury, Ont. He is the son of Tussant and 
 fjlj Electa (Wait) Verd. In 185 1 the family came 
 
 '1^ to St. Clair County, where the father bought a 
 farm in a portion of the county now included 
 within Grant. Township. 
 
 Mr. Verd was raised on a farm and was employed 
 in agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1861 he went 
 to Grand Traverse Bay, remaining there about one 
 year, then going to Port Hope, Huron County, where 
 he entered the employmenl of Fish & Co. In 1863 
 he went to the lumber woods in the interest of Staf- 
 ford, Haywood & Janess, in whose employment he 
 remained a number of years. He took jobs on the 
 Pinnebog River in Huron County, in which avenue 
 he operated two years. At the end of that time he 
 was engaged in taking contracts from R. B. Hubbard 
 & Co., of Huron City, operating on the West Branch 
 of Willow Creek. 
 
 In 1S65 he purchased 80 acres in the township of 
 Rubicon, which he afterward sold, buying almost 
 immediately a farm in Gore Township, of which he 
 also disposed and bought 80 acres in Huron Town- 
 ship. He cleared on the three places an aggregate 
 of 100 acres. 
 
 Mr. Verd embarked in his present business enter- 
 prise in the spring of 1882. He keeps eight horses 
 and livery fi.xtures suited to the demand. He owns 
 his place of business and his residence. He is a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ( 
 
 j::;^. 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 4^^f 
 
 (^ 
 
 1 
 6 
 
 t 
 
 He was married in Rubicon Township, Jan. 8, 
 1865, to Phebe, daugliter of Henry and Lydia (Clark) 
 Hoffman. Mrs. Veid was born in Burford, Canada 
 West, Jan. 5, 1843. Six sons have been born to 
 them, as follows : Edward T., Charles, William H., 
 Homer T., Frank and Frederick. 
 
 
 ohn Wills, farmer, section g, Hume Town- 
 ship, was born Dec. 28, 1823, in County 
 -" Mayo, Ireland. His parents removed to 
 
 Canada in 1833, where they were farmers and 
 C passed the remainder of their lives. They 
 
 have been dead about 35 years. 
 Mr. Wills remained under the roof of his parents 
 until his first marriage in 1844, to Margery Wills. 
 Four children were born of their union, — William, 
 Elenor, Elizabeth (deceased) and James. Those 
 who survive are married and settled in life. In the 
 winter of 1852-3, while Mr. and Mrs. Wills were 
 making a little trip on the ice, on Lake Ontario, Mr. 
 Wills skating and drawing his wife on a hand-sled, 
 they found themselves unexpectedly in an air-hole. 
 They went under, and Mrs. Wills was drowned! 
 Help came, but too late to save her, and Mr. Wills 
 was insensible and recovered only after the most 
 strenuous efforts to recall his life. He was again 
 married, in 1854, to Bessie Wills. She was born in 
 Ontario, of Irish parentage, and died about one year 
 after her marriage. Mr. Wills was married a third 
 time, March 9, 1859, at Port Huron, to Rachel 
 Wrisk, and of this union seven children have been 
 born, one of whom is deceased. They are Elizabeth, 
 Jennie, Robert J., Joseph, Maggie, Minnie (de- 
 ceased) and James. Mrs. Wills is the eldest 
 daughter, and one of nine children that were born to 
 her parents, William and Lucinda (Smith) Wrisk. 
 The latter were born resi)ectively in Ireland and 
 Ontario. They are now residents of Kent Co., 
 Ont., the former being 80 and the latter 68 years of 
 age at the present time. Mrs. Wills was born in 
 Raleigh, Ont., Feb. 17, 1836. 
 
 In 1859 Mr. Wills came to Huron County and 
 located on the lake-side in Hume Township. After 
 
 ^^^ — @^>ti n.^. 
 
 a residence three years, he entered a claim of 
 80 acres where he has since resided, and nearly all 
 of which is now cleared and improved. 
 
 Mr. Wills enlisted in the military service of the 
 United States Aug. 23, 1863, enrolling in Co. F, 23d 
 Mich. Vol. Inf. The regiment was attached to the 
 Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Wills while in 
 the service did picket duty, chiefly on account of im- 
 paired health. He is a Republican in political 
 persuasion. He was brought up in the English 
 Church, and his wife was reared in the tenets of the 
 Methodist Church. 
 
 ^ 
 
 A 
 
 :< 
 
 ■— j I gjgQjj p_ Arnold, station agent for the Port 
 Huron & Northwestern Railroad Company 
 '^ at Sand Beach, was born Oct. 5, 1854, in 
 Kent Co., Ont. His parents, Samuel E. and 
 Margaret A. (Mills) Arnold, are both living in 
 Kent County, Ont., where the father is the pro- 
 prietor of 200 acres of fine farming land. The pa- 
 ternal grandparents of Mr. Arnold were natives of 
 Pennsylvania, of German descent. They removed ^ 
 to Ontario before the Rebellion. His great-grand- < 
 father, Louis P. Arnold, was a volunteer in the ( >,) 
 Civil War in the United States, and died in Kent 
 County, Ont., aged 104 years. Louis S., his grand- 
 father, is still living, in Ontario, and is 84 years of 
 age. 
 
 Mr. Arnold was reared on his father's farm to the 
 age of 15 years, when he began to learn the trade of 
 carpenter and joiner, in which he spent two years. 
 In 1872 he came to St. Clair County, Mich., and be- 
 came a clerk in the employ of his uncles, M. & 
 B. Mills, lumber dealers at Marysville, with whom he 
 remained seven years, meanwhile taking a complete 
 course of study at Bryant & Stratton's Business Col- 
 lege at Cleveland, Ohio. On leaving the employ of 
 his uncles he went to Port Huron and there engaged (^ 
 in a grocery in tlie capacity of book-keeper. His 
 next employ was with the Northern Transportation 
 Company in that city, where he was a telegraph oper- 
 ator one year. In the fall of 1879 he came to Sand \lf 
 Beach as telegraph operator for the Western Union ^ 
 Company, in whose service he remained until the 'J 
 completion of the railroad, when he was appointed— 
 
6V<^nD^DIly>r 
 
 4^5f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 to the position he has since held. With the aid of 
 one assistant, he officiates as ticket agent, telegraph 
 operator and baggage agent, and officiates as " dis- 
 play-man " in the Government service, in which 
 capacity he displays the flags in the United States 
 Signal Service, at Sand Beach Station. 
 
 Mr. Arnold was married Oct. 5, 1882, at Sand 
 Beach, to Jennie Jenks. One child, Mary B., was 
 born to them, Aug. 20, 1883. Mrs. Arnold is the 
 daughter of Jesse L. and Mary Jenks (see sketch 
 of J. L. Jenks), and was born Jan. 25, 1861, in St. 
 Clair, Mich. 
 
 
 V 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 3>/?y?i)S 
 
 lOses Erb, farmer, section 26, Chandler 
 
 Township, was born Nov. 16, 1848, in 
 
 ,|,^2jj^''^ Lambton Co., Ont. His father and 
 
 J5^"^\ mother, Abram and Wilhelmina (Clems) 
 Erb, were natives of Ontario, of German de- 
 scent. The mother died at Ovid, Mich., in 
 January, 1881, while visiting a daughter there, and 
 was 68 years old. 
 
 Mr. Erb was reared in Ontario to the age of his 
 legal manhood, when he came to Michigan and en- 
 tered the employ of Berkey & Gay, furniture manu- 
 facturers of Grand Rapids, in whose employment he 
 remained eight years. After leaving their service he 
 passed two years in another manufacturing establish- 
 ment at the same place. His health failed, and he 
 came to Huron County and became a land-holder in 
 Chandler Township, where he has since managed his 
 agricultural operations. The location is one of the 
 best in the township, and of the 80 acres comprised 
 in his farm he has improved 35 acres. 
 
 Mr. Erb is a radical Republican, and has served 
 as Supervisor of his township and in the several 
 school offices. 
 
 He was married Jan. 3, 1870, at Lowell, Kent 
 Co., Mich., to Adella Barber. They have two chil- 
 dren,— Claud and Bertie. Mrs. Erb was born in 
 Linden, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Dec. 14, 1854, and 
 is the daughter of Alfred and Evaline (Snyder) 
 Barber. They were natives of New York, of New 
 
 ^^^Hi^- 
 
 -■_y 
 
 <>t]ll^ 
 
 England origin, and English descent. The mother 
 died at Lowell, in September, 1881. The father of 
 Mrs. Erb is a resident there. 
 
 viteccr®^*— 1|^^^^^4^4— >''^^'OT!'^ 
 
 Senjamin Cartwright, farmer on section 
 _j,S 30, Dwight Township, was born Aug. 20, 
 5''^ 18 1 3, iij Cheshire, England. His parents 
 Solomon and Hannah Cartwright, were both 
 natives of England, where they passed their 
 entire lives. Mr. Cartwright is the eldest of 
 (o children. He first came to the United States in 
 1842, and sought employment in New England, which 
 he traversed for that purpose, but failed to receive 
 anything satisfactory, and went thence to Canada, 
 where he remained till the fall of 1843, when he re- 
 turned to England. In the fall of 1845 he again came 
 to the United States. He settled at first in New Jersey, 
 where he remained two years, going thence to New 
 York, where he entered the employment of the late 
 Peter Cooper. He operated in his interest two 
 years, and in 1848 went to Mineral Point, Wis., where 
 he engaged for a short time in the lead mines. He 
 went afterwards to Canada, and remained there 
 neatly six years. 
 
 He became a resident of Huron County in 1861, 
 and within the same year he bought 80 acres of land 
 in Dwight Township, where he has since resided. 
 He has cleared and improved 30 acres of the tract 
 of 40 acres of which he is the owner. He was 
 among the first settlers of this portion of Huron 
 County, and was the owner of the first wagon 
 brought into the township, the first fanning-mill, and 
 the first threshing-machine. He also built the first 
 brick chimney in Dwight Township. 
 
 Mr. Cartwright is a Republican in politics. He 
 has been Justice of the Peace and Township Treas- 
 urer. 
 
 He was married Oct. 23, 1841, in Manchester, 
 England, to Hannah Hague. Five of their eight 
 children are living, — Hannah, Abel, Lydia, Jane and 
 Charlotte. One sjn. Job, enlisted in the army of 
 tile Union during tlie Civil War, and yielded up his 
 life in the cause of national unity. Another son, 
 
 V 
 
 1 
 
 V 
 
 
 
 r^ 
 
 * 
 
:^|^- 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ') 
 
 >J 
 
 ^) 
 
 c^ 
 
 Major, died in New Jersey. Walter died at St. 
 Thomas, Out. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright are communicants in the 
 Church of Endand. 
 
 (h 
 
 ohn G. Puddock, of the Huron Dairy Salt 
 Company, at Sand Beach, was born Oct. 
 20, 1843, in O.xford Co., Can., and is the 
 son of Allen and Elizabeth (Goodwin) Pud- 
 dock. His father was a farmer and died in 
 Canada in 1850. The mother died there in 
 1867. 
 
 Mr. Puddock passed the first 20 years of his life 
 on a farm and in 1863 came to Michigan. In the 
 year following, he came to Sand Beach and became 
 foreman in the saw-mill of Pack, Jenks & Co., con- 
 tinuing to operate in that capacity until the re-con- 
 struction of the firm in 1876. He accepted the 
 position of foreman in the salt block and discharged 
 the duties of the situation until Sept. i, 1883, when 
 he purchased an interest in the business. The salt 
 block was built by Messrs. J. Jenks & Co. in 1876, 
 it being constructed with pans. The establishment 
 was converted into a steam block in 1883, and in 
 the same year they established a department for the 
 manufacture of dairy salt. The company belongs to 
 the Michigan Salt .\ssociation. They manufacture 
 about 150 barrels of common fine salt daily, and 
 have facilities for converting the entire product into 
 dairy salt. The bulk of their salt is prepared for dairy 
 purposes, except what is demanded by the local 
 trade in common fine salt. Their business requires 
 an average force of 14 men and boys, and nine 
 women. 
 
 In the fall of 187 1, in company with John Ballen- 
 tine, he purchased a saw-mill of Jeremiah Ludington 
 at Verona Mills, which he conducted during the 
 winter seasons until 1S76, when he sold his interest 
 to his associate. 
 
 Mr. Puddock is the owner ot a considerable 
 amount of village property, which includes several 
 vacant lots, four lots in the block where his residence 
 is located and the Puddock Block, in which the post- 
 office is located. 
 
 He is a prominent member of the Masonic fra- 
 ternity, and is Master of Huron Lodge (Blue), No. 
 361, at Sand Beach. He is President of Sand Beach 
 village and is serving his second term in that ca- 
 pacity. 
 
 Mr. Puddock was married May 12, 1866, at Sand 
 Beach, to Jane Grice. The four children born of 
 this marriage are— Alice E., May B., Jennie M. and 
 Nellie B. Mrs. Puddock was born in England, and 
 is the daughter of James G. and Jane (Mason) Grice. 
 (See sketch of J. G. Grice.) 
 
 V^ 
 
 obert A. Davidson, blacksmith, wagon and 
 
 ^ carriage manufacturer, located at Sand 
 
 .jii^JP^' Beach, was born March 25, 1840, near 
 -'''■^ Hamilton, Ont. His parents, James and 
 Jane (Billingslay) Davidson, are both de- 
 ceased, the death of the former occurring 
 when the son was about 1 2 years of age, and that of 
 the latter in i86g. 
 
 Mr. Davidson was instructed in the details of the 
 blacksmith business in the shop of his brother An- 
 drew, where he was employed at an eariy age, and 
 he has pursued that business since without inter- 
 mission. He established a shop at Thamesford, in 
 Ontario, and subsequently at a place then known as 
 Auleyville. In 1869 he came to Brockway Center, 
 St. Clair Co., Mich., where he conducted his busi- 
 ness five yea^s. He went thence to Emmett, in the 
 same county, and had a shop there some years. He 
 has been in Sand Beach since April, 1S79. On his 
 arrival here he entered the employment of James 
 Ross, with whom he continued three years. In 1882 
 he began his present enterprise in his own interest, 
 his business requiring two assistants. He does all 
 kinds of general blacksmithing, wagon and carria^e 
 making, and all the varieties of repairing common to 
 his business. He owns his wagon and blacksmith 
 shops and his residence at Sand Beach. He is a 
 member of the Kniglits of Honor. 
 
 Mr. Davidson was married May 20, i860, at 
 Ingersoll, Oxford Co., Ont., to Margaret L., daughter 
 of Colon McNee. She was born in the township of 
 Nissuria, Oxford Co., Ont., May 5, 1843. Four 
 
 1 
 
 < 
 
 :3i^^ ^w!^-;0!J^I](lf>^;^ 5«^^(K1 
 
^^^ 
 
 <^t]|]^llll>>r 
 
 v 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 "^^•<. 
 
 4^^f 
 
 '^children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, 
 '|j as follows : Linda, born May i8, 1864; James R., 
 
 ^rl^Aug. 18, 1869; and two others who died in infancy. 
 t The parents are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^"«^-<SIB«-fe>^ 
 
 > 
 
 V 
 
 / 
 '■) 
 
 .J 
 '.3-. 
 
 K eter Murray, farmer, section 2, Bingham 
 
 Township, was born in County Longford, 
 
 i„i*C::>-L^ Ireland, in 1824. His parents died in their 
 
 •hj native land previous to his emigration to the 
 
 l^ Dominion of Canada, in 1852. He located in 
 Middlesex Co., Ont., and was a resident there 
 until his removal to Michigan in May, 1873, when 
 he purchased 80 acres of land, now constituting his 
 homestead. The property was in a wholly wild and 
 primitive condition, and one-half is now under fine 
 and profitable cultivation, witli a handsome residence 
 and excellent accessory farm buildings. 
 
 Mr. Murray is independent in political opinion and 
 connections. 
 
 He was married in 1S54, in Middlesex Co., Ont., 
 to Mary Noonan, and they have been the parents of 
 12 children. Of these, one son and six daughters 
 have gone to the land of silent mystery, whither the 
 sorrowing mother journeyed to join her little ones in 
 1869, when she was 39 years of age. Mr. Murray 
 was again married in 187 i, in Ontario, to Anna Mc- 
 Donald. Two children born of the second marriage 
 are deceased. Five children of the former union are 
 living, and were born as follows : Mary A., Thomas, 
 Peter, Michael and Catherine. Mrs. Murray was 
 born in the State of New York, of Irish parentage. 
 The family are Roman Catholics. 
 
 V 
 
 — s-i^^i4— 
 
 ^harles Davis, M. D., practicing physician 
 and surgeon at Sand Beach, was born 
 
 March 18, 1850, in the township of Turner, 
 Androscoggin Co., Maine. He is the son of 
 Thomas and Rachel (Soper) Davis, and his 
 father was a farmer. The latter was born in 
 Maine, and died in the village of Turner, in June, 
 1868. The mother was also born in the Pine-Tre. 
 
 State, and resides at present in Sand Beach with her 
 son. 
 
 Dr. Davis passed the first 20 years of his life on 
 his father's farm, when he entered the Literary De- 
 partment of Bates College, at Lewiston, Maine. He 
 matriculated there in 1869, and was graduated in 
 1S73. He engaged a short time in teaching, after 
 which he entered the Medical Department of Bow- 
 doin College at Brunswick, Maine, going thence, after 
 one term of study, to the City Hospital at Boston, 
 where he had all the advantages of the varied char- 
 acter of the medical and surgical practice for one 
 year. He then became a salesman in a drugstore in 
 Detroit, where he remained until 187S, meanwhile 
 attending lectures in the Detroit Medical College 
 where he was graduated in March, 1878. Within 
 the same month in which he received his credentials, 
 he came to Sand Beach, and, in company with Dr. 
 Johnson, established a joint practice, which relation 
 existed a few months. He opened an office alone, 
 and has conducted his business with such skill and 
 efficiency as to establish a popular and prominent 
 practice. He ranks among the leading physicians 
 and surgeons of the county. During the past two 
 years he has officiated as village and township physi- 
 cian. Dr. Davis has one brother, Frank by name. 
 
 |j^®8[lfred Pagett, merchant at Ubly, Bingham 
 ^^^^ Township, was born Jan. 27, 1841, in Lon- 
 
 don, England. In his early childhood he ob- 
 tained such education as he could from the 
 <|» public schools of the city of Bristol, and at the 
 age of 15 went to work in the coal mines of 
 that place, where he passed nine consecutive years 
 of his life. 
 
 He came to the United States when he was 24 
 years of age, and, after a brief sojourn in the city of 
 Philadelphia, he proceeded to Forestville, Sanilac 
 County, this State, and entered the store of Alfred 
 Gunning as salesman. He remained in his service 
 seven years, and at the expiration of that time, in 
 1867, he started a branch store in the interests of his 
 employer at Tyre, Sanilac County, which he managed 
 from the month of March in the year named until 
 April, 1870. 
 
 vt 
 
 
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 fi 
 
 r^ 
 
 ^nDn>^ 
 
 £^1- 
 
■^V<>linSDIlr^?^ 
 
 -4^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 A 
 
 
 In that year he came to Ubly and established 
 business for himself, and has since continued its 
 prosecution. He invested $700 in stock at the out- 
 set and proceeded with constantly extending relations 
 and increasing business until 1881, when he suffered 
 an entire loss of all he had accumulated. Not a 
 vestige of his property remained on the si.xth of Sep- 
 tember. But discouragement with all the rest did 
 not settle on his banners, and he proceeded to re- 
 instate his business. He erected a new store, put in 
 a stock of goods and has since operated prosperously. 
 His stock in trade represents a cash value of $1,500, 
 and his annual sales aggregate $4,000. He owns 
 four acres of land within the village limits, and he has 
 recently erected a tasteful cottage near his place of 
 business. 
 
 Mr. Pagett is a believer in the principles of Re- 
 publicanism and was seven years Postmaster at 
 Ubly. He held the same position at Tyre and has 
 officiated as Township Clerk of Bingham. 
 
 He was married in December, 1864, in the city of 
 Bristol, Eng., to Anna Belcher. She was born Feb. 
 21, 1841, and reared to womanhood in the same city 
 where her marriage occurred. She was a cotton- 
 weaver previous to her marriage. 
 
 (f> 
 
 •;;* 
 
 lexander Pierce, farmer, residing at Ubly, 
 'i of whicli he is the founder, was born March 
 
 28, 1823, in Prince Edward Co., Ont. He was 
 reared to manhood by his parents, William and 
 Anna (Winch) Pierce, and continued an in- 
 mate of the paternal home until he was 23 
 years of age, when he established liimself as the head 
 of a household, by marriage. 
 
 Four years after that event, Mr. Pierce removed to 
 Victoria Co., Ont., where he became a land-holder 
 and pursued agriculture as a vocation four years. 
 He then exchanged his property for 120 acres of 
 land in Minden, Sanilac County. On this he oper- 
 ated until he placed nearly one-half its entire acreage 
 under improvement. In 1869 he came to Huron 
 County and purchased r6o acres of land on sections 
 22 and 27, of Bingham Township. In 1882 he 
 platted the village of Ubly, and has met with success 
 
 in his scheme of establishing the place, which he has 
 pushed by offering substantial inducements to busi- 
 ness men to make this a point for their operations. 
 
 In the fire of 1881 Mr. Pierce suffered heavily in 
 the total loss of his perishable property, amounting 
 to several thousands of dollars. 
 
 Politically, he is an adherent of the Republican 
 party, and has officiated in several local offices. 
 
 His marriage to Lydia Grooms took place in Vit;- 
 toria Co., Ont., Sept. 26, 1846, and of their union 
 seven children have been born, — David H., Thomas 
 W., Anna E., Lydia J., Clara, William J. and Sarah 
 E. The last mentioned was the second in order of 
 birth, was married and is now deceased. Mrs. Pierce 
 was born Sept. 14, 1S28, in Prince Edward Co., Ont., 
 and is the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Mack- 
 intosh) Grooms. Her parents were of Scotch origin, 
 and died some years ago in Victoria Co., Ont. The 
 daughter was 10 years old when her mother died, 
 and she was reared by relatives. 
 
 #-# 
 
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 y pi^S'^ fS 
 
 iMM'l^avid E. Dues, Captain of the Life-Saving 
 Station at Sand Beach, was born Feb 
 
 ' 1856, in Kincardine, Bruce Co., Ont., and 
 j^ is the son of Peter and Mary A. (Ramage) 
 ^^ Dues. His father is a native of Denmark, spent 
 ? many years of his life as a sailor, and is now in 
 charge of the light-house at Ludington, Mich. His 
 mother is a native of Canada and is of Scotch descent. 
 The family removed about the year i860 to De- 
 troit, whence they proceeded to Wyandotte, Wayne 
 County. When Mr. Dues was eight years of age 
 they made another remove, to Port Huron, whence, 
 in 1870, they came to Rock Falls in Huron County. 
 At the age of 10 years he began the life of a sailor 
 under the instructions of liis fiither, who was a caj)- 
 tain, and he has since continued on the water in 
 some capacity. At 17 he was second mate on tlie 
 schooner " H. H. Brown," a merchant vessel of 1,500 
 tons burthen, and plying between Escanaba, Cleve- 
 land and Erie. Two years later he was in command 
 of the " Industry," a vessel of tiie same class, running 
 on Lakes Huron and pyrie. 
 
 He came to Sand Beach in 1S78, where he was 
 engaged in fishing three years. He received his ap- 
 
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 I 
 
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 ^)$^^^l'* 
 
 s^^^ ^^A^^H !1 ^DUf^ An > !»(g^ 
 
^^r^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 pointraent in the Life-Saving service Oct. 24,1881, 
 from Capt. Kiah, the Superintendent of tlie district. 
 He fitted up the station, and, together with a crew of 
 eight men, discharges the duties of the post. They 
 have afforded assistance to and visited at least 25 
 wrecks, have saved many Hves, and rescued several 
 persons who have fallen into the lake. 
 
 Mr. Dues was married May 23, 1877, at Sand 
 Beach, Mich., to Nancy, daughter of Nathan and 
 Diana Gager. Three children have been born to 
 them at Sand Beach, viz.: Eva D., April 28, 1878; 
 Annie A., June 20, 1880; and Cecil C, March 23, 
 1883. Annie was drowned in Lake Huron, May 4, 
 1882. Mrs. Dues was born in Canada, Nov. 20, 
 i860. 
 
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 i 
 1 
 
 {|^ 
 
 ames' Campbell, farmer, section 22, Hume 
 ? Township, was born in December, 1831, in 
 County Antrim, Ireland. His parents, 
 William and Jane (Kerr) Campbell, were of 
 It Irish birth and Scotch descent, belonging to 
 the sturdy race known in the history of the 
 world as the Scotch-Irish. They passed their entire 
 lives in their native country, and died when the son 
 was nine years old. 
 
 He is the youngest of six children, and when he 
 was 14 years of age he came to America, in com- 
 pany with an elder brother. They made their first 
 stop in the Province of Ontario, where Mr. Campbell 
 operated as a common laborer 16 years. In i860, 
 he carne to Michigan, and settled at once where he 
 has since resided. He secured 80 acres of land 
 under the provisions of the Graduation Act, and has 
 been the sole force in the improvement of his land, 
 all of which is cultivated, and manifests the charac- 
 ter of the owner and his persistent efforts in a 
 praiseworthy direction. The place is in one of the 
 best parts of Hume Township, has a good home 
 and a large slock and grain barn. 
 
 Mr. Campbell is a member of the Republican 
 element in politics, and is one of the Justices of his 
 township, in which position lie lias been officiating 
 two years. He has also held the minor local offices. 
 He was married April 20, 1859, in Dumfries Co., 
 Ont., to Elizabeth (Parke) Williams. Mary, Isabella, 
 
 George, Margaret, Celia and John are the names of 
 the living children of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell; 
 James is deceased. The mother is the daughter of 
 William and Margaret (Hous'.on) Parke, natives of 
 Ireland, where she was also born, Dec. 25, 1840. 
 Her father died in 1849; the demise of her mother 
 occurred in 1858, four years after her daughter, with 
 her sister, had come to Ontario. The family are 
 communicants in the Episcopal Church. 
 
 =-«E— -• 
 
 §<;[{ ^^Stenry Neuman, Supervisor of Sebewaing 
 
 r.:^^^^ Township, and farmer on section 21, was 
 
 ^fe born in Prussia, Aug. 7, 1839. Gottlob and 
 
 M Rosana (Weisbrod) Neuman, his parents, were 
 
 1 natives of Prussia and emigrated to the United 
 States in 1855, and located in S(jbewaing Town- 
 ship. Mr. Neuman, Sr., died Aug. 22, 1883. Mrs. 
 Neuman died July 15, 1876, in Sebewaing Township. 
 
 Mr. Henry Neuman learned the-trade of a cooper 
 in his native country, and he was occupied in that 
 business until he came to tiie United States. His 
 father pre-empted 80 acres of land in Sebewaing 
 Township, on which he assisted until he was 19 years 
 of age. At that age he became a sailor on Saginaw 
 Bay, and passed the sailing seasons of four years in 
 that vocation, spending the winters in the woods. 
 He was then employed on his father's farm until 
 1863, when he was drafted into the military service 
 of tlie United States. He was assigned to the Sec- 
 ond Mich. Cav., and served until tlie close of the 
 war, when he returned to Sebewaing. 
 
 In 1S60 he entered a claim of 40 acres of swamp 
 land and brought 40 acres additional at $1.25 per 
 acre. He cleared 15 acres, sold out and bought 80 
 acres on which he settled permanently in the fall of 
 1869. He now owns 133 acres in Sebewaing and 
 Brookfield Townships, and has 45 acres in good cul- 
 tivation. 
 
 In political belief and connection Mr. Neuman is 
 a Republican. He has held the offices of Drain and 
 Highway Commissioner and Treasurer, and in the 
 spring of 1883 was elected Supervisor, receiving a re- 
 election to tlie latter position in 1884. 
 
 He was married Nov. 26, 1868, to Mary D. Beck, 
 
 
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 4 • 
 
 0) 
 
 q) 
 
-7<^:Illl^:on^>T 
 
 (^ 
 
 1=3 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 and tliey have had six children, — Louisa M., Fred- 
 erick, Adolph, Lina M., IdaS., Bruno H. and Bertha. 
 The first-born child died before she was two years 
 old. Mrs. Neuman was born Oct. 20, 1845, at Ann 
 Arbor, Mich. Her parents, Gotfried and Mary Beck, 
 were born respectively in Germany and Maryland, 
 and settled in Sebewaing Township in 1851. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Neuman are members of the Evangelical 
 Lutheran Church. 
 
 vv^S§-f^S|-vvw-5- 
 
 'ohn R. Poss, farmer, sections 2 and 5, of 
 Caseville Towhship, was born Feb. 17, 
 1846, in Lapeer Co., Mich. He is the son 
 of Nicholas and Adeline (White) Poss. The 
 ^r latter died in 1849, when her son was but three 
 
 I years of age. His father died June 6, 188 1, 
 aged 72 years. Mr. Poss has two sisters and a half 
 brother. 
 
 He was reared to the age of 16 years on a farm, 
 and in 1862 enlisted in tlie military service of the 
 United States. He was absent three years, and on 
 his return to Lapeer County he engaged for a time 
 by the month as a farm laborer, after which he worked 
 his father's farm on shares. He made a success of 
 the plan, and at the end of a year purchased a part 
 of the place. He continued to buy portions of the 
 homesteaci farm, until he became the owner of nearly 
 the whole of it. In August, 1873, he sold out and 
 came to Caseville, remaining two years. In 1875 he 
 returned to Lapeer County, where he stayed a period 
 of two years, coming back to Caseville, where he has 
 since resided. In addition to his farming he is en- 
 gaged in selling agricultural implements, and negoti- 
 ates financial paper. Since May, 1876, he has man- 
 aged his house as the Poss Hotel. It is a two-story 
 structure, with 23 rooms, and has in connection with 
 it a small livery. His farm contains 63^^ acres, lo- 
 cated on section 2, and one on section 5 has leSj'^. 
 His house is located fn Caseville Township. 
 
 His marriage to Flora .^dams took place Nov. 22, 
 1872, and they have two children, — Frank R., born 
 March 17, 1874, and Adeline R., born Oct. 30, 1878. 
 Mrs. Poss is the daughter of Daniel A. and Rachel 
 (Hamilton) Adams. She was born July 16, 1852, in 
 Lapeer Co., Mich., and had three brothers, — Edwin, 
 
 Her mother died July 5, 1861. St^ 
 
 Arthur and Elmer. 
 
 Her father lives at Mt. Morris, Genesee Co., Mich., 
 and is an attorney. Mr. Poss is a Democrat in his 
 political views. 
 
 #^<^ 
 
 V§) 
 
 ames Eyan, proprietor of the Port Austin 
 
 Hotel, and also of the White Ash Grove 
 breeding farm, was born May i, 1835, in 
 County Tipperary, Ireland, and is the son of 
 '^r^ John and Mary Ryan. He was seven years 
 
 I old when his parents emigrated from the Green 
 Isle to Canada, where the father bought a farm, near 
 the city of Ottawa. Not long after they removed to 
 a farm in Huron County, Ont. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was thoroughly trained in agricultural 
 knowledge, and when he was 17 years old became 
 the proprietor of roo acres of land, which was in a 
 natural state and covered with heavy timber. On 
 this he operated until he had cleared 66 acres and 
 erected thereon good buildings, set out orchards and 
 put the farm in a promising condition. 
 
 He left Canada in the fall of 1861 and came to 
 Port Austin, where he purchased the piece of ground 
 now constituting the site of the hotel. He erected a 
 small building for the purpose of hotel-keeping, in 
 which he transacted business until 1868, the year of 
 the construction of the Port Austin House. The 
 former structure is still in existence and is occupied 
 by a tenant. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was the proprietor of a stage route be- 
 tween Port Huron and Bay City i r years, and from 
 Port Austin to Bad Axe four years. His hotel is 
 ample for the acconnnodatioa of his patrons, and is 
 supy;lied with all the appurtenances requisite for the 
 welfare of its guests. A good livery is attached, and 
 a free carriage runs to all trains and boats. He 
 owns a considerable amount of village property, in- 
 cluding a barn and granary and two lots situated 
 opposite his stables, and a lot west of the hotel, 
 containing a dwelling and a blacksmith shop. He 
 owns, also, four lots in another direction, and a house 
 and lot in Grindstone City, and he manages a meat 
 market' at Port Austin. 
 
 The White Ash Grove breeding farm includes 340 
 acres of land, all enclosed and cultivated, and it 
 
 (^ 
 
 
 
 II 
 
 eA^^nnsnn;^ 
 
 i^ 
 
 ^^y^^^-'j^_ 
 
i^lK/^^>^fe^<|« 
 
 -^i^&K e5V^Dn^DDf>v 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 constitutes in every sense a model farm. Besides 
 this, Mr. Ryan owns 560 acres in Huron and Tus- 
 cola Counties. His herds and flocks com)irise 
 thoroughbreds and grades of the finest kind. He 
 owns an average of 75 head of Durham cattle, and 
 Southdown and Cotswold sheep. His horses are 
 Hambletonians, Clydesdales and Mambrinos, and 
 his hogs are pure Berkshires. 
 
 Mr. Ryan was married in Biddulph, Huron Co., 
 Ont., Feb. 10, 1857, to Elizabeth McCormack, and 
 they are the parents of 10 children. Mary A. is 
 the wife of Eli Fuller, jeweller at Port Austin; John, 
 book-keeper for his father, is Supervisor of Port Aus- 
 tin Township, and was elected Clerk of Huron 
 County at the recent election (1884) on the Demo- 
 cratic ticket ; was graduated at Goldsmith's Business 
 College at Detroit, Sept. 14, 18S3; Valentine, Jane, 
 Julia, James W., Margaret, Susan, Ellen and Ger- 
 trude. 
 
 "\ obert Winterbottom, proprietor of the 
 iii^Sl hotel at Port Hope, was born May 30, 
 '4j;,.^W. 1828, in Lancashire, Eng. His parents, 
 Robert and ■ Elizabeth (Spencer) Winter- 
 bottom, were born and passed their entire 
 ives in the same shire. Their family num- 
 bered 13 children, four of whom were twins and died 
 in early life. All the others grew to maturity and 
 married. The father died at the age of 74 years; 
 the mother was 72 years of age when her demise 
 occurred. 
 
 Tjie youngest in the above family, the subject of this 
 sketch, came to the United States in 1848, landing in 
 New York. He first obtained employment in a ship 
 yard, and engaged in whip-sawing, where he remained 
 14 months. At the end of that time he went to 
 Brantford, Canada. He worked there thiee years as 
 a carpenter, and in 185 1 came to Port Huron. In 
 1855 he came to Willow Creek (now Huron), where 
 he engaged as a sawyer in a saw-mill, and also 
 worked at shingle-making, continuing in that em- 
 ployment between six and seven years. 
 
 He then became interested in the hotel business 
 at Willow Creek, where he conducted a house for the 
 accommodation of tlie traveling public. During the 
 great fire of 1871 he lost all his property, having to 
 
 send his children to his friends in Port Austin to get 
 them clothed. Having to commence life anew, he 
 went to Grindstone City and kept boarding-house for 
 Worthington Brothers for two years and then moved 
 back to Huron and kept hotel, and in the year 1876 
 moved to Port Hope, where he has since continued 
 in the hotel business. 
 
 Mr. Winterbottom was an adherent of the Repub- 
 lican party until 1879, when he adopted the princi- 
 ples of the Greenback element. He has been 
 Supervisor of Huron and Rubicon Townships several 
 terms. After tlie fire of 1881 he was appointed 
 local State Commissioner for building bridges in the 
 township of Bloomfield. In November, 1884, he 
 was elected Sheriff on the Fusion ticket. 
 
 He was married in i860 to Flora McKinnon, and 
 they have had six children, born as follows : Ida, 
 Elizabeth (deceased), Christine, John, Jane and 
 Ella. Mrs. Winterbottom was born in July, 183 1, 
 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and is the daughter of 
 Alexander and Mary (Kennedy) McKinnon. Her 
 father died in Iowa. Her mother, who came to Port 
 Huron in 185 i, died afterward in London, Canada. 
 Mrs. Winterbottom came to Huron County in the 
 year 1855, to the village of Port Austin. 
 
 <5 
 
 - --'VX.^^p-g^S'VW^- 
 
 I 
 
 ejp^rl ansing E. Lincoln, farmer and stock-raiser, 
 
 # 
 
 residing on section 30, Sand Beach Town- 
 
 JSi^f^'^^L. 
 
 ,£X 
 
 J^ 
 
 'Afj/'l^ ship, is a son of Milton and Lydia (Car- 
 ■4w" jsenter) |Lincoln, natives of Tompkins Co., N. 
 Y. They resided in Massachusetts for a period 
 and then moved to Tomjikins Co., N. Y., in 
 whicli county they resided until the time of their 
 deaths. The family of the parents embraced eight 
 children, namely: Catharine, Diana, Amelia, Eugene, 
 Lewis, Lorain W. and Lansing E. 
 
 Lansing E. Lincoln, the yqungest of his father's 
 family, was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Nov. 23, 
 1852. He received a common-scliool education in 
 his native county and assisted his father in the main- 
 tenance of the family until he arrived at the age of 
 16 years. 
 
 At the latter period in iiis life, Mr. Lincoln went 
 
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 -^ 
 
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 .0 
 
 1 
 f 
 
 1^ 
 
 (^ 
 
 I 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Tai^®^ 
 
 4j^f 
 
 423 
 
 forth to fight for the preservation of the Union. He 
 enlisted in the 23d N. Y. Inf., for two years. While 
 on picket duty at Bell's Cross Roads, Va., he received 
 a bullet wound in the left arm, which he carries to 
 the present day. Receiving his discharge, he re- 
 turned home and remained for si.x months, when, in 
 company with his brothers, he was appointed Sutler 
 of the 148th N. Y. Inf , and was thus engaged until 
 the close of the war. 
 
 On the closing of the war, Mr. Lincoln, in com- 
 pany with his brothers, went to Richmond and opened 
 a general store. He remained in the business about 
 eight months, when he sold out to his brothers and 
 returned to his home in New York. He then moved 
 on the old homestead, which he had purchased from 
 his father while in business at Richmond, and car- 
 ried on the same for a year and then sold it. A year 
 later he went to De Ruyter, Madison Co., N. Y., and 
 formed a partnership with Henry De Lamota to carry 
 on a tannery and boot and shoe store. The partner- 
 ship continued for about a year, when it was mutually 
 dissolved, Mr. L. taking the boot and shoe depart- 
 ment. He continued in this business for about two 
 years, when he removed his stock to Mason, Mich., 
 where he followed the business for another year. At 
 the expiration of that time, he formed a partnership 
 with his brother under the firm name of L. E. Lin- 
 coln & Bro. This partnership continued for a year, 
 when he sold out his interest and entered the em- 
 ployment of Case, Tolman & Co., of Utica, N. Y., 
 wholesale boot and shoe house, with whom he re- 
 mained one and a half years. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln, at the expiration of the latter date, 
 left New York State for Colorado, but on reaching 
 this State determined to go into the stock business. 
 He resided in Missouri from'rcS73 to 1881 and then 
 came to this county and located in' Sand Beach 
 Township. He owns 80 acres of land in that town- 
 ship, all of which is under a good state of cultivation. 
 He deals extensively in stock, shipping to Buffalo 
 and other points weekly. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln was first married in Tompkins Co., 
 N. Y., to Miss Lucena M., daughter of William and 
 Sarah C. (Brower) Tifiiny. She was born in Tomp- 
 kins Co., N. Y., and has borne to Mr. L. two children, 
 namely, Minnie S. and Earnest. Minnie S. died 
 when nearly 10 years old. The wife and mother 
 
 jarted this life in Cortland Co., N. Y. 
 
 ■e^^nnr^^ 
 
 ••H<###>-v>- 
 
 rancis Crawford. There is, perhaps, no 
 C ixjrtion of this great and enterprising na- 
 '■' tion that has been more rapidly, and at 
 the same time substantially, developed than 
 that included within the boundaries of Michi- 
 gan. The enterprise and business capacity of 
 the people of the Eastern States has been one of the 
 chief motive powers observed in the onward march 
 of the people of this State. Within the borders of 
 the State there has been no greater enterprise mani- 
 fested than on the Huron Peninsula. All around 
 the coast, towns have been started and large plans 
 for the development of the country manifested. 
 Men of large ideas and rare business ability and 
 sagacity located at these different points on the 
 shore and began their work of opening up and de- 
 veloping the peninsula. \\\ this work we have very 
 largely detailed the labor of these men and, in their 
 different biographical sketches, given the life history 
 of the men themselves. 
 
 Among the men above referred to, and one who 
 has perhaps done as much as any of tliem toward 
 developing Huron County, is Mr. Francis Crawford. 
 A gentleman possessing far more than the average 
 capacity for business and with commendable enter- 
 prise, he came to Caseville, and has since been the 
 very life and soul of the jilace. As early as 1856, 
 and while a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, in com- 
 pany with Mr. George Martin, he purchased Mr. 
 Leonard Case's property here. This was a very 
 large estate, consisting of some 20,000 acres of land. 
 Two years later, 1S58, Mr. C'rawford bought Mr. Mar- 
 tin's interest and moved to Caseville, where he has 
 since resided, and has either been the prime mover of, 
 or otherwise prominently identified with, every enter- 
 prise or movement for the benefit of the place that has 
 been started. He owns all the salt wells and blocks 
 now at Caseville. Besides these large interests, he 
 also manufactures lumber, shingles, lath and salt 
 barrels, the latter for his own use. He also owns a 
 grist-mill, a general supply store and a hardware 
 store. 
 
 Among those of whom we give portraits in this 
 
 J5&.'®'^i^.5r: ^|^>^^^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 S? 
 
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 A 
 
 •*■ - 
 
 ( 
 
 nn^^'r^ 
 
#*»- 
 
 -^^V^nO^DDi^ 
 
 <ui±— 
 
 "5t!^^i^^^ 
 
 4^5$ 
 
 424 
 
 <kf 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 work, there is none more worthy a place among the 
 leading men of the county than Mr. Francis Craw- 
 ford, and we therefore take pleasure in presenting 
 his portrait in connection with this sketch. 
 
 :=K- 
 
 "acob Spriess, Postmaster at Sebewaing, was 
 jl" born June 25, 1839, in the village of Zut- 
 '^'^^ zendorf, Province of Elsass, Germany. He 
 received the quaHty of education coinmon in 
 his native land, and came to the United States 
 in 1852, locating at Pittsburg, Pa., where he 
 was variously occupied during the two years, in 
 which he was there resident. He went thence to 
 Haldimand Co., Ont., and was there " bound out " for 
 three years to acquire a knowledge of shoemaking, 
 in the village of Cayuga. The man to whom he 
 was apprenticed fell into financial difficulties within 
 the second year and fled from his creditors, thereby 
 leaving his apprentice free from his obligations. He 
 obtained work at his trade, of which his knowledge 
 was incomplete, and he engaged successively in 
 several places, adding to his understanding of his 
 business in each, until he became a fairly thorough 
 craftsman. He was employed as a journeyman until 
 1864, when he established business in his own behalf 
 in Croton Mills, Norfolk Co., Ont., and prosecuted 
 shoemaking. His success was of an indifferent 
 order, and in 1868 he came to Huron County, 
 where he established himself once more in the shoe 
 business. 
 
 In 1S72, he became agent for the Singer sewing- 
 
 machines, and traveled in the interests of the man- 
 ufacturers. He now combines the sale of machines 
 with his business proper of shoe-making. In the 
 spring of 188 1, he received his appointment as Post- 
 master from President Garfield, and is still the in- 
 cumbent of the position. 
 
 He was married in Rainham Township, Haldimand 
 Co., Ont., March 28, 1S64, to Catherine Starnaman, 
 and they have Iiad 1 1 children, six of whom are 
 still living, — Sophia C, George G., Otto H. W., 
 Emma M., Jacob A., Martha M. Those deceased 
 were named, Martha A., Mary M., Jacob A. VV., Ida 
 R. and Louisa E. The three first named died 
 within the same week of scarlet fever, in 1871, 
 Martha and Jacob being buried in the same coffin. 
 Mrs. Spriess is the daughter of Abraham and .\nna 
 Starnaman ; the mother was of foreign birth, being a 
 native of Elsass, Germany, and the father of Penn- 
 sylvania, U. S. The daughter was born Feb. i 1, 
 1844, in Rainham, Ont. She and her husband aie 
 zealous and prominent members of the German 
 Lutheran Church, of which he is a Trustee. He is 
 also a Republican of the most decided character, 
 'carrying into his politics and religion the same 
 sturdy, inflexible traits that have enabled him to 
 conquer all obstacles and make a success of his life's 
 efforts. 
 
 He has held the office of Justice of the Peace 1 4 
 years, has been Scliool Director 13 years, both of 
 which offices he still fills. Township Treasurer two 
 years, and has served four terms as Village Trustee. 
 He is engaged in insurance, and represents several 
 companies. He is the manager of the office of the 
 Western Union Telegraph Company at Sebewaing, 
 and is the agent of the American Express Com- 
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 tHE forests of the Huron 
 peninsula have been but 
 recently subdued by the 
 enterprise of a civilized race, 
 preparatory to the establish- 
 ment of comfortable and 
 permanent homes for a dense 
 population. The early surveyors 
 which the Government sent out to 
 make the survey of this part of the 
 State reported that it was an irre- 
 claimable waste and not fit for cul- 
 tivation in any quarter, the soil 
 being^^of that character which pre- 
 cluded the propagation of cereals. 
 The subsequent rapidity of settle- 
 ment and enormous crops of every- 
 thing in tlic line of cereals has demonstrated con- 
 clusively their mistake, for no acreage surpasses 
 Northern Michigan in productiveness. Notwith- 
 standing tJie oft-repeated tales of want and hard- 
 ships told l)y their sires, men of energy, with their 
 families and all their earthly possessions loaded 
 uix>n wagons drawn l)y oxen, pushed their way step 
 by step, tlirough tiie unbroken forests of Huron, initil 
 they found suitable locations. With a spirit of hero- 
 ism have they toiled until the iorests were laid low, 
 and their herculean labor is manifest in the broad 
 acres of highly cultivated land, upon wliich stand 
 palatial residences and outbuildings of the most 
 
 expensive character. Over the grounds where the 
 red man chased the bounding deer, and the wild- 
 cats and wolves held their nightly vigils, may be 
 seen herds and flocks feeding and reposing in con- 
 tent; where useless weeds and unused timber cum- 
 bered the ground, the husbandman may now be seen 
 gathering the golden harvests ; and where the sav- 
 age's miserable wigwam occasionally appeared, now 
 stands a dwelling which by comparison is a mansion, 
 with here and there a school-house or a church, the 
 greatest distinctive feature of all in contrast with 
 the aboriginal paganism. Transportation of goods 
 by ox teams has given way to the power of steam, 
 and a commerce has been opened up with all parts 
 of the civilized world. Prosperity in a high degree 
 has smiled upon her people, who, taking age into 
 consideration, are fortunate in living in the most 
 healthful, beautiful and productive States in the 
 Union. 
 
 Tlie history of this county is possessed of no small 
 degree of interest. While other counties were con- 
 nected with the frontier by large bodies of excellent 
 lands, this seemed for a long time shut off from the 
 gaze of shrewd speculators by reason of its heavy 
 growth of timber. They were destined to become 
 the heritage of an honest, industrious people, and 
 the in<;ome derived from the timber and products of 
 the soil has given many of the first comers a liand- 
 some competency. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ooo 
 
 Value of Local History. 
 
 HE great dread of mankind from the re- 
 motest ages has been to be forgotten. The 
 meati.' employed to prevent this and to 
 perpetuate his memory has been in proportion 
 to the amount of intelligence he possessed. It 
 has been conceded now by scientists that the 
 S principal object of the Egyptians in building their 
 J pyramids was to perpetuate the name and deeds of 
 their great leaders and rulers. The walls in the ex- 
 tensive apartments beneath those huge stone monu- 
 ments are covered with paintings illustrating the 
 deeds, both m peace and war, of her illustrious 
 princes, and in a chronological order. These colors 
 ' ) are as bright, apparently, as when they were first laid 
 ;» on, and the work shows great skill and artistic de- 
 ^ sign. The exhumations made by the archeologist of 
 = Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of 
 VA these people to perpetuate the memory of their 
 =a achievements. The walls of these palaces found 
 •5Y buried here are decorated with historical emblems 
 ^ representing the lives and deeds of tiiese people. In 
 (\^ Memphis they displayed a higher art. They carved 
 out in marble elegant and life-like statues of their 
 distinguished princes, accompanied with hieroglyph- 
 ics, illustrating their deeds. The erection of those 
 great obelisks were for the same purpose. Coming 
 down to a later period we find the Greeks and Ro- 
 mans erecting mausoleums and monuments, and carv- 
 ing out statues to clironicle their great achievements, 
 and carry them down the ages. It is evident that the 
 mound-I)uilders, in piling up their gross mounds of 
 earth had but this idea, to leave something to show 
 tliat tliey had lived. .\11 these works, iliese represent- 
 ations, though many of them costly in the extreme, 
 give but a faint idea of the lives and character of 
 those whose memory they were intended to perpet- 
 uate, and scarcely nothing of the masses of the peo- 
 ,, pie that then lived. The great pyramids and some 
 * * of the obelisks remain, objects only for scientists or 
 C^ curiosity seekers : the mausoleums, monuments and 
 ^^ statues are crumbling into dust. The monuments, 
 (® statues and other relics are being gr.adually con- 
 ^ veyed to the different museums of the world, and 
 
 (^) 
 
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 soon there will nothing remain in these countries to 
 illustrate the lives of the people who once dwelt in 
 them. 
 
 Generation after generation comes and goes like the 
 leaves of autumn. Nations have been born, have 
 had their rise and fall, and then passed away leav- 
 ing scarcely a riflle on the great ocean of time to 
 show that they ever existed, so imperfect and muta- 
 ble has been their means to perpetuate their achieve- 
 ments. It was left to modern ages to establish an 
 intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of per- 
 petuating this history; immutable in that it is almost 
 unlimited in extent, and perpetual in its action ; and 
 this is through the act of printing. Nations may be- 
 come disintegrated and pass away, monuments and 
 statues may crumble into dust,but books will live. 
 This art has been rapidly advancing from its first in- 
 ception until now it would seem that there were no 
 longer any further ground for improvement. This is 
 pre-eminently an age of printing, an age of books. 
 
 To the present generation, however, are we in- 
 debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
 of local history and local biography. By this system 
 every man, though he has not achieved what the 
 world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate 
 his life, his history, through the coming ages ; so alike 
 has every community. 
 
 We come now to the work before us : To our 
 patrons, we say, that the scythe of Time cuts down 
 all; nothing of the physical man is left; the monu- 
 ment whicli his children or friends may erect to his 
 memory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and 
 pass away ; but his life, his achievements, the work 
 he has accomplished, which otherwise would be for- 
 gotten, is perpetuated by this book through coming 
 ages. Shakespeare has said : 
 
 The evil men do livos after llicni : 
 
 Tlio i;oo(l is oft intorroil wirli their bonos. 
 
 Our aim in this work has been only to preserve 
 the good. We have sought to gather from the best 
 sources of information obtainable, the conditions and 
 incidents of the early pioneer life, and to present 
 that, together with the i)resent development of the 
 county. Many of the pioneers* came into these 
 l)rimeval forests without a dollar in their (xickets, 
 and with but the ax on their shoulder to carve out 
 their fortunes and build up a country. With un- 
 daunted hearts, and a courage equal to that of the 
 great heroes of history, they began life. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 The land where the wild animals once roamed 
 undisturbed, where the Indian later on built his 
 wickeup, has been transformed into cultivated fields, 
 or is occupied by business houses, dwellings, schools 
 and churclies. 
 
 Here mav be seen now all llie elements of an 
 advanced civilization : the husbandman at his plow; 
 the artisan at his forge ; the merchant with his stock 
 of goods; the railroad train steaming through the 
 country ; the youtii gathering into schools, and the 
 people into their places of worship. 
 
 The facts mentioned have been carefully culled 
 from every source ; neither pains nor expense has 
 been spared in the compilation of this work, which, 
 although not without error, is as correct as can be 
 gathered from the pioneers themselves. 
 
 Upon local history depends the perpetuation of 
 facts heretofore unwritten, as well as the biographical 
 sketches of every worthy pioneer in the county that 
 could be procured. Each sketch speaks volumes ; 
 and a history of one man's life, ijerhaps of an entire 
 family, is now recorded where naught can efface or 
 destroy it. P'rom this will all future volumes of like 
 import take their data. Those who have volunteered 
 the information from which this work is compiled, 
 will live in the history of this county as long as time 
 lasts. No manlier hands e'er drew a sword than 
 they who faced privation and danger while engaged 
 in the subjugation of the dense wilderness which 
 once covered this now beautiful land, and to them is 
 this volume dedicated. 
 
 How Our Fathers Lived. 
 
 HE young men and women of to-day have 
 very little conception of the mode of life 
 among the early settlers of Sanilac County. 
 In but few respects are the manners of the 
 present time similar to those of a quarter of a 
 century ago. The clothing, the dwelling, the 
 diet, the social customs, etc., have undergone a total 
 revolution as though a new race had taken possession 
 of the land. Pioneer life in Huron County finds its 
 parallel in almost every county in the State and 
 throughout the entire Northwest. The land was to 
 be cleared of forests, and the skill of human art 
 
 used to transplant to the fertile region the civiliza- 
 tion of the East. Cabins were to be erected, wells 
 dug, and the rivers and creeks made to labor for the 
 use of mankind. 
 
 As many living citizens can well remember, the 
 pioneers had many difficulties to contend with, not 
 the least of which was the journey from civilization 
 to their forest homes. The route lay through a wild 
 and rough country ; swamps and marshes were 
 crossed with great exertion and fatigue ; rivers were 
 forded with difficulty and danger, nights were 
 passed in the dense forests, with mother earth for a 
 couch and the trees and foliage for a shelter ; long, 
 weary days and weeks of travel were endured, but 
 finally their eyes were gladdened and their hearts 
 beat faster when a vision of their future home burst 
 upon them. 
 
 The first thing upon his arrival was to set about 
 building a cabin. While this was being done the 
 family slept in the wagons or upon the grass, while 
 the horses or mules, tethered to prevent escape, 
 grazed on the grass around them. Trees of a suita- 
 ble and uniform size were selected, felled and pre- 
 pared for their places. The day for the raising was 
 announced and from far and near came other 
 pioneers to assist in the labor. The structure went 
 up, a log at a time, those engaged in the work stop- 
 ping now and then to " wet their whistles," and soon 
 it was ready for the clapboard roof, which was held 
 on by huge weight-poles. A door and a window 
 were cut where the good wife directed, a chimney 
 built, and the building was ready for its occupants. 
 The space between the logs was filled with split 
 sticks of wood, called " chinks," and then daubed 
 over, both inside and out, with mortar made of clay. 
 The floor was sometimes nothing more than earth 
 tramped hard and smooth, but was commonly made 
 of " puncheons," or split logs, with the split side 
 turned upwards. The roof was made by gradually 
 drawing in the top to the ridge-pole and on cross- 
 pieces laying the clap-boards, which, being several 
 feet in length, instead of being nailed were held in 
 place by weight-poles, reaching the entire length of 
 the cal)in. 
 
 For a fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs on 
 one side of the room, usually about six feet in 
 length, and three sides were built up of logs, making 
 an offset in the wall. This was lined with stone, if 
 convenient; if not, then earth was used. The flue, 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 or upper part of the chimney, was built of small 
 split sticks, two and a half or three feet in length, 
 carried a little space above the roof, and plastered 
 over with clay, and when finished was called a 
 "cob and clay "chimney. The door space was also 
 made by catting an aperture in one side of the room 
 of the required size, the door itself being made of 
 clapboards secured by wooden pins to two cross- 
 pieces. The hinges were also of wood, while the 
 fastenings consisted of a wooden latch catching on 
 a liook of the same material. To open the door 
 from the outside, a stop of buckskin was tied to the 
 latcli and drawn through a hole a few inches above 
 the latch bar, so that on pulling the string the latch 
 was lifted from the catch or hook, and the door was 
 opened without further trouble. To lock the door it 
 was only necessary to pull the string through the 
 hole on the inside. Here the family lived, and here 
 the guest and wayfarer were made welcome. The 
 living-room was of good size, but to a large extent it 
 was also kitchen, bed-room, parlor and arsenal, with 
 flitches of bacon and rings of dried pumpkins sus- 
 pended from the rafters. 
 
 The old cabins are rapidly being superseded by 
 
 modern frame and brick structures, yet with almost 
 tearful eyes we watch them disappear. Every log 
 and chink has a history; could they speak, they 
 would tell us of the days of toil and privation under- 
 gone by our fathers, of the days made sacred by the 
 birth or death of his children, of the religious servi- 
 ces which were held there when no church was yet 
 built in the neighborhood, or the merry-makings 
 which the neighbors for miles around attended, when 
 logs were to be rolled, and a dance given in the 
 evening; the whole to conclude with a supper, the 
 delicacies of which consisted of venison, maple 
 sugar and corn bread. One by one the old log 
 structures are being removed; but it seems almost a 
 sacrilege to tear them down, so closely have they 
 been connected with tl\e success of our pioneers, 
 many of whom now state that although they are now 
 wealthy and have every every comfort and luxury 
 that money can procure, yet the days spent in 
 their primeval home and the kindness which every- 
 where prevailed among neighbors, brought more 
 happiness than is now enjoyed, although their barns 
 are filled with grain, their pockets with gold and their 
 lands dotted with herds of cattle and sheep. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 OMING to the history, we 
 find Huron County located 
 in the Lower Peninsula, and 
 forms what is called the 
 "Thumb of the Michigan 
 Mitten," and is composed of 
 twenty-seven townships, having an area 
 of 4<So,ooo acres. Its location is pre- 
 eminently good, having a coast line on 
 three sides, formed by the waters of 
 Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay, which 
 make a junction at the north. On its 
 southern border lies Sanilac and Tus- 
 cola Counties. This peninsula is an 
 alluvial formation, and, in a geological sense, of very 
 recent date. This county is very liberally watered by 
 rivers and small streams. The Cass, Pigeon, Pinne- 
 bog and Shebahyonk (or Chebeong, now corrupted to 
 " Sebewaing ") Rivers all head near the center of the 
 county ; and Willow Creek, further toward the east. 
 The Pigeon, Pinnebog and Shebahyonk, after com- 
 pleting their circuitous courses, empty into Saginaw 
 Bay. Willow Creek empties into Lake Huron, and 
 ('ass River into Saginaw River. 
 
 Tliis drift soil, which in this Peninsula is chiefly 
 composed of a mixture of clay, sand and gravel, is 
 exceedingly well adapted to the growth of plants 
 and fruit. It is easily tilled, holds the moisture 
 
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 well, and yet is sufficiently porous to allow projier /S, 
 drainage. 1=3 
 
 All this territory once belonged to Virginia, and 
 extended to the western boundaries of that State, 
 and was known as the " Northwestern Territory." 
 It was ceded to the United States in 1787. The 
 first white settlers in the county were John and 
 Alanson Daggett. This was in the spring of 1838. 
 They were lumbermen, and located on the eastern 
 coast of the county at a place which they named 
 "Rock Falls," and put up a water-power saw-mill 
 tliere. Later came Henry Whitcomb, followed by 
 others. Then came along fishermen and " shingle- 
 weavers," who preyed upon Uncle Sam's timber 
 domain. Mr. Luce came in 1839, and located a saw- 
 mill water-power, at Willow Creek, now called 
 "Huron City." The pioneers came up along this 
 coast in small skiffs, and some on foot. 
 
 John Hopson was the first man that drove a 
 wagon into Sand Beach. He came up along the 
 shore witli it. This was in 1849. The " Charter," 
 Capt. Anderson, master, was the first boat to land 
 passengers or goods on this side of the coast, which 
 was in 1848. 
 
 John Hopson put up the first steam saw-mill in v 
 the county, at Rock Falls, in 1850. This mill was " 
 burned down the following year by an incendiary, 
 because Mr. Hopson would not allow him to have 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 whisky. Mr. Hopson used to have some pretty hard 
 conflicts in those old days, with some of the lumber- 
 men and the " shingle-weavers," on account of his 
 fearless opposition to drunkenness and debauchery. 
 
 While this side of the coast was being settled up, 
 they were not idle on the Saginaw Bay side, where 
 Sebewaing now is. Rev. J. J. F. Auch settled near 
 there as a missionary to the Indians in 1845. He 
 was soon followed, as is stated in the history 
 of Sebewaing, by a little colony of Germans. As 
 with the east and west coasts, so it was with the 
 north. 
 
 A pretty full and detailed account of the early set- 
 tlement, growth and development of the county is 
 given in the history of the townships, and it is not 
 our purpose now to go again over this ground, but we 
 will be confined to general matters. 
 
 This county was first attached to Tuscola and San- 
 ilac Counties for judicial purposes, and was organized 
 from them under an act of the Legislature passed 
 in 1859. Sand Beach was then made the county 
 seat. 
 
 The first election held in the county was in the 
 fall of t86o, when .\braham Lincoln was running for 
 President. The officers, elected entered upon the 
 discharge of their duties Jan. i, 1861. E. B. Ward 
 gave two acres of land in Sand Beach whereon to 
 erect the county building, with the proviso that it 
 should remain the property of the county as long as 
 it was used for county purposes; when otherwise, it 
 was to revert to him. Ward, Ludington and others 
 put u[) the building, the different towns contributing 
 material. The county seat remained at Sand Beach 
 until 1865, when it was removed to Port Austin. It 
 remained there until 1873, when the Board of Super- 
 visors located it permanently at Bad Axe. 
 
 The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was 
 held at Willow Creek, now Huron City. 
 
 Henry Whitcomb was the first Justice of the Peace 
 in the county. He received his appointment from 
 Sanilac County. 
 
 Robert W. Irwin was elected the first County Clerk. 
 
 For many years subse(|uent to the first settlement, 
 the manufacture of lumber and shingles was the prin- 
 cipal business along the coast, upon which grew 
 forests as fine as an ax ever struck. Soon the farm- 
 ers began coming in, locating lands, clearing them up 
 ind patting in crops. 
 
 Some of the lumbermen in the early days made 
 
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 gardens around their cabins, and it was soon discov- 
 ered that the soil was good for something other than 
 growing trees. One by one, from the early settlement, 
 the townships have been set off and organized, until 
 they are now all complete ; one by one the towns 
 and villages have sprung up into existence, until the 
 county has become dotted all over with them. Good 
 farms and fine farm buildings are seen in every part 
 of the county. This branch of industry has since the 
 fire made rapid development. The old farmers have 
 improved with time, and those that have recently 
 come in are more experienced. It is a rare thing to 
 see a farm now without good buildings, at least good 
 barns, and without an orchard. Of course the orch- 
 ards must be young. In putting up their houses, if 
 the farmers could be induced to break away from the 
 old stereotyped pattern of farm-houses, and put up 
 something new, a structure with some architectural 
 design, it would add much to the beauty of the coun- 
 try. A few have done this: may there be more. 
 
 Huron County has no separate war record. It had 
 but just completed its organization when the war broke 
 out. There were about seventy enlistments from 
 the county, and they went into the,regiments of Tus- 
 cola and Sanilac Counties, and were mustered into 
 the loth, 5th and 23d Michigan Infantry, and 6th 
 Michigan Chivalry. When the draft come on, many 
 of those who were subjects of it had business in 
 Canada. During this period Canada became a favor- 
 ite place of resort for many. HuntingTrescott, who 
 was then Provost Marshal for this division, says he 
 looked in vain for parties for whom he had papers. 
 He would shove his papers into the cabins through 
 the crack of the door or crevice. When the war was 
 over and these truants returned, the draft papers were 
 still there in their cabins. waiting for them. 
 
 There were a few Indians here in the early days, 
 only a few, something over a hundred. They did 
 not remain long afterthe white man came, but roamed 
 around the country for awhile and then left, about the 
 year 1847. They belonged to the Sebewaing and 
 Chippewa tribes. They had some lands here which 
 they sold. They were peaceful, with the usual traits 
 belonging to their race. 
 
 The county was aided in its early growth by the 
 State, which inaugurated a system of building through 
 different parts of the county what was called "State 
 roads." For this purpose the State donated 170,000 
 acres of swamp lands in the county. These lands were 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 ceded to the State under an act of Congress passed in 
 1850. Without this aid the county, especially the 
 interior, would not have been settled to-day. The 
 land was so low and swampy, the forests were so 
 heavy and thick, that it would have been impossible 
 for settlers unaided to make an entrance. If the 
 farmers would go more generally into dairying, it 
 would be be much better for them, and mucli more 
 lucrative. The lands are well adapted for this busi- 
 ness. It is well watered, and the soil is fitted for 
 grasses. In this business they would make two dol- 
 lars where they make one now; and theirlands would 
 be growing richer instead of poorer. The millions 
 upon millions of feet of lumber that have been taken 
 from the county, and the fires, have made her mighty 
 forests look thin ; yet, although there is a large amoimt 
 of timber left, the palmy days of the lumber trade are 
 past. A new industry has come up, wiiich promises 
 to excel the lumber trade in its magnitude, and that 
 is the salt manufacture, which is bringing into the 
 county hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. 
 With this are the grindstone manufactories, at Grind- 
 stone City, second only in magnitude. These grind- 
 stones, scythe-stones and ax-bits are known and sold 
 throughout the Country. For excellence of quality and 
 workmanship they have no superior in the United 
 States. 
 
 Another impetus to the growth of Huron County 
 was the introduction of railroads. These, with her 
 superior water advantages, afford the people of the 
 county ample means of transportation. The county 
 has a good system of schools, and good school build- 
 ings. The teachers through the different departments 
 are well qualified for their duties. The scholars are 
 above the average in brightness and intelligence, and 
 appear attentive to their studies. If they would intro- 
 duce more generally into the schools, maps and charts, 
 and have well selected libraries in them, it would be 
 found to produce beneficial results. 
 
 The citizens of Huron County never did better 
 than when they looked after the education of their 
 young. To this rising generation they must look to 
 perpetuate what they have so ably commenced. 
 
 The churches have not been neglected. Places 
 of worship for the people have been generously dis- 
 tributed in the county. Many of the edifices, 
 though not costly, are very neat and attractive, and 
 
 show a cultivated taste by those who constructed 
 them. 
 
 The people of Huron County are above the aver- 
 age for new counties, in intelligence and refinement. 
 As a class they are industrious, sober and attentive 
 to their own business. Very few loafers are seen 
 about the county, and we have yet to see in the 
 county a drunken man, or a fight. The cultivation 
 of flowers is most general throughout the county. 
 In all the hotels, in the dining-rooms or parlors, 
 those sweet companions of the refined greet the eye. 
 
 The climate is all that could be desired by those 
 who prefer a northern latitude. Michigan is in about 
 the same latitude as Southern France and Northern 
 Italy. It is colder on account of its higher eleva- 
 tion, being about 800 feet above the sea. The other 
 reason, as given by scientists, is that the climate of 
 Michigan, like the American climate in general, has 
 the peculiarities of inland regions, in its not being 
 modified and controlled by the warm breath of the 
 oceans. The Huron peninsula is remarkable for its 
 fine autumns and its freedom from early and late 
 frosts. Its location makes it especially adapted to fruit 
 culture. The frosts here are not so severe as in the 
 locality of Chicago. The moisture from the Sagi- 
 naw Bay tones down the winds from the west and 
 southwest, and the same effect is produced on the 
 north and northwest winds by the waters of Lake 
 Huron. 
 
 With all those advantages, Huron County is a 
 most desirable place of habitation. The early settlers 
 planted better then they thought, perhaps, when they 
 located here. Their struggles and privations are 
 over, and the want for the many delicacies and re- 
 finements possessed by older countries, and which 
 the ladies especially so much missed, is supplied. 
 The pioneers can look back with complacency to 
 their hardships and toils, to the days when they had 
 to depend upon the wild game of the forests or the 
 fish from the waters for their means of subsistence, 
 and to the rude cabins for their protection from the 
 cold blasts of winter. They have witnessed in one 
 generation a wilderness transformed into civilized and 
 pwpulous communities. Though their shadows fall 
 toward the east, they have many years yet to enjoy 
 the blessings that come from their labors and reflect 
 on the results of their grand achievements. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ) r^l /TS^ r7^^ 
 
 -5 #•# 
 
 
 
 p,OWNSHIP history is a spe- 
 cial feature of this work, and 
 tlie aim has been to present 
 separately the leading inci- 
 dents of each, embracing 
 their early settlement, growth 
 and present condition. They 
 are little municipalities, with their 
 own governments, societies and local 
 institutions. The good-natured am- 
 bition of each of the townships to 
 excel the other tends to increase the 
 ^3 capacity of performance and raise 
 _j3^the standard of excellence, without 
 >> producing any other than the most 
 V^§\3f kindly feelings. We also give the 
 histories of the villages and cities 
 under the head of the townships in which they are 
 located. By referring to the inde.x in tlie back part 
 of the book, the page upon whicli the sketch of any 
 township, village or city begins may be readily seen. 
 
 Bingham Township. 
 
 HIS is one of the old-settled townships, dat- 
 ing back to 1 85 6, when James R. Frank 
 made a location here. It was organized 
 in 1863, Robert Scott being selected as the 
 first Supervisor. The land in this township is 
 rolling, and the soil is rich and productive, 
 yielding as high as 62 bushels of wheat to the acre. 
 
 with an average of 20 bushels. The Cass and I'in- 
 nebog Rivers run through this township, the former 
 running southwest and the latter north. This town- 
 ship had an abundance of very fine timber before the 
 fires, but its forests now look like skeletons. Both 
 the fires of 1871 and i88r swept over the entire 
 township. 
 
 About six months prior to the last fire, Mr. Lay- 
 man and family came in and settled near Mr. Ran- 
 dall's place. When the conflagration came rushing 
 over the township, devouring everything before it, 
 Mr. Layman was sick with typhoid fever. His wife 
 had a babe three months old. A daughter was ab- 
 sent at a neighbor's. A son, Albert, and a boy three 
 years of age, were in the house. The mother rushed 
 with babe and youngest son to the swamp and stayed 
 there all night, and though badly burned were saved. 
 In the morning she got to Mr. Randall's just as they 
 were starting for Port Hope, and were taken along. 
 A short distance from where their house had stood 
 she found the burned body of her husband, and 
 about 20 yards further on was that of her son, 
 Albert! 
 
 They have four schools in the township, located 
 on sections 17, 27, 11 and 29. There are four 
 Ciuirch societies in tlie township, two of which are 
 located at Ubly, a little town on the western branch 
 of the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad. The 
 Presbyterian Church building was dedicated in 1884. 
 It is a very neat edifice and cost $2,000. It was 
 built after the fire by the Presbyterian Relief Com- 
 mission. Rev. Peter A. McMartin is the present 
 Pastor. Rev. John C. Anderson, of Bad Axe. holds 
 missionary services here every two weeks for the 
 Episcajjal society. 
 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 At the hamlet of Ubly, Alex. Pike. Alfred Pagett 
 and Uavid H. Pierce carry on a general merchan- 
 dise business. Bradford Sluck is also a dealer in 
 general merchandise. Joshua B. Madill has a flour- 
 ing mill. There is a hotel here, and a postoffice. 
 The people of the township generally go to Ubly 
 to do their trading. 
 
 This township is pretty well cultivated; all over can 
 be seen fine farms, with good dwelling-houses and 
 farm buildings. It ranks the seventh in population, 
 and notwithstanding the two great calamities the 
 people are advancing and are prosperous. 
 
 The boundaries of this township are: north, Ver- 
 ona; east, Paris; south, Sanilac County, and on tlie 
 west, Sheridan Township. It is numbered 15 north, 
 of range 13 east. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 
 Bingham has been represented 
 
 by the foUovvin 
 
 amed Supervisors : 
 
 
 Robert Scott, 
 
 1863-6 
 
 A. McKinzie, 
 
 1S67 
 
 Robert Scott, 
 
 1868 
 
 Alex. McKinzie, 
 
 1869-70 
 
 Neil McKay, 
 
 1 87 1 
 
 Tames McAllister, 
 
 1872 
 
 Robert Scott, 
 
 1873-4 
 
 Alex. McKinzie, 
 
 1875 
 
 Henry Frank, 
 
 1876-8 
 
 Robert Scott, 
 
 1879 
 
 Charles A. Williams, 
 
 I 880-1 
 
 Sterling Nugent, 
 
 1882-4 
 
 ) 
 
 BliOOMPIBIiD ©OWNSHIP. 
 
 '^JgLOOMFIELD Township was organized in 
 H3li 1873. It is in number 17 north, of range 
 14 east, and has for its ixnindary lines, 
 Huron on the north, Rubicon on the east, 
 Sigel on the south, and Lincoln on the west. 
 After the fire of 1S71, which burned over 
 about two-thirds of this township, Henry B. Gillard 
 came into the township and made the first settle- 
 ment. The original timber here was pine, inter- 
 spersed with hard-woods. The nature of the land is 
 flat, with a sandy loam soil. It is regarded as a 
 
 good country for grain. It is watered by the east 
 and west branches of Willow Creek. Tiiere are no 
 swamp lands in the township, but about two-thirds of 
 the lands are yet uncultivated. 
 
 There is one good saw-mill in the township, owned 
 by John Getty, on section 8 ; but the principal busi- 
 ness is farming. There are three school-houses, lo- 
 cated on sections 4, 20 and 32, in which good schools 
 are kept. Port Hope is the nearest port and trading 
 lioint Wlieat yields an average of 20 bushels per acre. 
 
 This township was organized in 1S73. William 
 C. Elliott was elected first Sitpervisor, H. 15. Oillanl, 
 Clerk, and William Thompson, Treasurer. 
 
 There are two Baptist Churches, one K|)iscopal 
 and one Methodist. Tlie Methodist charge was es- 
 tablished here in 1883, Rev. Tliomas G. Hackle, 
 Pastor, with Mr. Coon, Mr. and Mrs. Ripley, Mr. 
 and Mrs. John Getty, and Katie McGregor as mem- 
 bers. Rev. Mr. Persons holds services liere. 
 
 The fire of 1881 swept over the entire townsliip, 
 causing great suffering and loss of property. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Wm. C. Elliott, 
 John P. Stillwell, 
 Hugh M. Walker, 
 Daniel McGregor, 
 Hugh M. Walker, 
 
 •873 
 
 1874-8 
 
 1879-80 
 
 188; 
 
 1882-4. 
 
 #^ 
 
 Bl^OOI^PIBLD feoWNSHIP. 
 
 HIS township was organized by the Board 
 of Supervisors at their annual meeting, in 
 in 1867. The first election was held the 
 first Monday in April, 1868, at the residence 
 of A. H. Burton. Elijah Thompson was hon- 
 ored with the first Supervisorship. This man 
 is also claimed to lie the first settler, he having come 
 about the year 1865. 
 
 Except the western portion, whicli is n)lling, the 
 land is generally flat; the soil, clay loam. There 
 are some four sections of swamp land. The timber 
 consists of |)ine, hemlock, and tlie hard-woods. She- 
 bahyonk Creek runs through the township. Grain 
 and other products have an average yield. For all 
 kinds of fruit the township presents superior claims. 
 There are four school-houses, which are located on 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 sections i, 13, 33 and 35. The Pontiac, Oxford & 
 Port Austin Railroad runs north and south through 
 the township. The nearest depot is Gagetown, 
 and the nearest port is Sebewaing. Since the com- 
 pletion of the railroad the land has materially ad- 
 vanced, and the township is being rapidly settled up 
 by a good class of farmers. 
 
 The fires of 187 1, and also 1881, burned only 
 into the southeast corner. 
 
 This township's northern boundary is Winsor, its 
 eastern, Grant, the southern, Tuscola County, and 
 the western, Sebewaing Township. It is numbered 
 15 north, of range 10 east. There are two saw- 
 mills in the township, and one flouring-mill. 
 
 The religious wants of the people are well attended 
 to. The Methodist Church has a mission in the 
 township. First service held in 1883. Rev. R. 
 Saigeon is Pastor. There is also a Lutheran Church, 
 and an Evangelical Association society. The Pres- 
 byterian Relief Synod erected a neat edifice the past 
 season, costing $1,500. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The township has been represented by the follow- 
 ing named Supervisors: 
 
 Elijah Thompson, 1868 
 
 Jacob Maker, 1869-73 
 
 W. S. Willson, 1874 
 
 C. Link, 1875-7 
 
 W. S. Willson, 1878 
 
 C. Link, 1879 
 
 W. S. Willson, 1880-4 
 
 ^ASEYiiiLB Township. 
 
 ■^{■i^ASEVILLE is in the northern tier of tovvn- 
 ^fe^i^ ships, and is numbered 17 north, of range 
 10 east. It is bounded on the north by Sagi- 
 ^!^ naw Bay, on the east by the Township of 
 Chandler, on the south by Winsor Township, 
 and the waters of Saginaw Bay make her western 
 line. The first meeting for organization and the 
 election of officers' was held April 2, i860, in the 
 school-house near the mouth of Pigeon River. At 
 
 this election, Alexander Wheeler was chosen Super- 
 visor, Abraham A. Fox, Treasurer, and Francis Craw- 
 ford, Clerk. It embraced the territory now occupied 
 by Brookfield, Chandler, Fair Haven, Grant, Oliver 
 and Winsor. Some of the early incidents are men- 
 tioned in the history of the village of Caseville. The 
 first funeral service was read by George Cleaver. 
 The first sermon was delivered in the school-house 
 at the mouth of Pigeon River by the Rev. Mr. 
 Cross. 
 
 The earlier settlers came by the way of Point aux 
 Barques, following the Indian trail along the beach. 
 There were about here at this period quite a number 
 of Indians, belonging to the Chippewa tribe, who had 
 their principal town at Shebahyonk. They were 
 peaceful, and mixed with the settlers a great deal. 
 For arms they carried the old flint musket and toma- 
 hawk. They hunted, fished some, and made^maple 
 sugar, using birch-bark troughs to catch and hold 
 their sap, which they boiled down in brass kettles. 
 These kettles had been so long in their possession 
 that even the proverbial memory of the oldest In- 
 dian was taxed in vain when asked to give an ac- 
 count of how he got them or whence they came. 
 
 This township is well supplied with schools. In 
 addition to the graded school in the village, there is 
 one on section 12, one on section 21, and two in school 
 district No. I. Two of the buildings are veneered 
 with brick ; the rest are frame. 
 
 The township is well watered by the Pigeon River, 
 which meanders through it, and other little streams. 
 The soil is a dark clay loam, easily tilled when 
 cleared, and very productive. Settlers are constantly 
 coming in, new lands are brought under cultivation, 
 and new buildings are put up. The old farmers are 
 improving their homes, and gradually bettering their 
 financial condition. 
 
 The following is a list of the Supervisors from the 
 organization of the township to the present time : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Alexander Wheeler, 
 Francis Crawford, 
 George Anderson, 
 Francis Crawford, 
 T. B. Woodworth, 
 James Adams, 
 George Cleaver, 
 Gustave A. Flach, 
 
 1860-1 
 
 1862-3 
 
 1864 
 
 1865-7 
 
 1868-75 
 
 1876-82 
 
 1883 
 
 18S4 
 
 0) 
 
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 <^n!i^nii;>=- 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Caseville. 
 
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 HIS pretty little village is located on Sagi- 
 naw Bay, at the mouth of Pigeon River. 
 ^ ^ ' The residences and most of the inisiness 
 •x: houses are built on the bluff, which is about 
 30 feet above the Bay. The Pigeon River, 
 bordered by beautiful forest and shade trees, 
 meanders gracefully through the town. It is in 
 township 18 north, of range 10 east. It is 108 miles 
 north and eight miles east of Detroit, 20 miles south- 
 west of Point aux Barques, and 48 miles north of 
 Saginaw River. There is a natural harbor here, with 
 a depth of from 10 to 11 feet of water. It is con- 
 sidered the best harbor north of Sand Beach. With 
 a moderate expenditure of money it could be made 
 one of the best harbors on the coast. There are two 
 docks for the accommodation of steamboats and 
 vessels, which come regularly, bringing goods and 
 carrying away the products of the town and surround- 
 ing country. Caseville has been recently supplied 
 with another means of transportation, in the Pontiac, 
 Oxford & Port Austin Railroad, which was com- 
 menced in 1881 and completed in 1883. The ter- 
 minus of the road is at this place, with headquarters 
 at Pontiac. 
 
 The first settlers were Reuben Dodge, wife and two 
 children, who came in 1840, from Maine. He built 
 a little cabin at the mouth of Pigeon River on sec- 
 tion 35, and settled down in life, devoting himself to 
 hunting, fishing and farming. Mr. Dodge is dead, 
 but his widow is still living and resides in the village. 
 The first child born here or in the township was their 
 son, Reuben Dodge, Jr., who was also the first child 
 born in the territory now embraced by Caseville 
 Township. 
 
 In 1852 William Rattle, representing the interests 
 of Leonard Case, of Cleveland, came and put up a 
 saw-mill. The name then given to the town was 
 Port Elizabeth, in honor of Mr. Rattle's wife. Mr. 
 Case's interest iiere consisted of 20,000 acres of land. 
 Mr. Rattle managed the business until 1856, when 
 the Pigeon River property passed by purchase into 
 the possession of Francis Crawford and George Mar- 
 
 At this time the nearest postoffice 
 
 tin, of Cleveland 
 was Port Austin. 
 
 In 1858, Mr. Crawford purchased George Martin's 
 interest, and has since made Caseville his home. 
 The first hotel here was opened by Robert Stpiiers, 
 in 1856, and was built at the head of what is now 
 known as Main Street. Mr. J. W. Kimball carried 
 the first mail into town, in 1858, bringing it from 
 Port Austin. The first wedding celebrated in the 
 village and the first in the township, was in 1855, 
 the contracting parties being Moses C. Gregory, who 
 located here in 1853, and Sarah Dodge. They now 
 reside on section i, where they have a fine, large 
 farm, surrounded by a numerous family of worthy 
 and affectionate children. 
 
 The first floating craft, other than a birch-bark 
 Indian canoe, that landed at Caseville, was in the 
 spring of 1853. It was the schooner "Ohio," Capt. 
 John Armour commanding, who took on a cargo of 
 shingle bolts for Cleveland. 
 
 BUSINESS INTERESTS. 
 
 There are now five salt wells in the village and 
 three salt blocks, one pan and two steam, all owned 
 by Mr. Francis Crawford. In connection with these 
 great enterprises, he manufactures lumber, shingles, 
 lath and salt barrels for his own use. He also has a 
 grist-mill, with two run of stone, a general supply 
 store and a hardware store, keeping in this depart- 
 ment all kinds of agricultural implements. The 
 first salt well was opened in the spring of 187 i, at a 
 depth of 950 feet. Later it was sunk down 1,764 
 feet, the present depth. Recently the fifth well was 
 opened at a depth of 1,850 feet. The annual pro- 
 duction from the three salt blocks is from 40,000 to 
 50,000 barrels. The capacity is about 400 barrels 
 daily. The saw-mill cuts out about 3,000,000 feet 
 annually. In former years, they manufactured from 
 seven to eight million feet. The timber is rafted or 
 floated down the Pigeon River and brought by mail. 
 The flouring mill, erected in 1S70, was the first built 
 in the township. The lumber manufactured now is 
 principally pine, with some ash, oak and elm. 
 
 The Pigeon River salt and iron works were started 
 in 1873 by Messrs. Edison, Sanford & Crawford. 
 The furnace was moved from Black River, Ohio, and 
 has a capacity of 30 tons of pig iron daily. The 
 ore was shipped from Marquette and Escanaba. 
 The works were run about a year, and 'then the blast 
 
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■^^&K ^^V4^D0"^CD^>T 
 
 rr- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 went out, owing to the depression in the iron trade 
 and the high price of fuel. In 1879 the property 
 changed hands, additional works were put in and the 
 furnace was started again. It ran for awhile and 
 then clo-)ed. The property a3ain changed hands, 
 and is now owned by A. G. Stone, of Cleveland. 
 
 J. A. Holmes is one of the enterprising merchants 
 of Caseville. He has a large assortment of dry 
 goods, groceries and general merchandise, which in- 
 cludes an extensive line of furniture. He cast his 
 fortunes with the good people of Caseville in 1871. 
 Dr. J. W. Jackson opened in the spring of 1882 a 
 very fine line of drugs, medicines, etc. He is also a 
 practicing physician, with a good list of patrons. 
 Dr. S. J. Henderson has also a drug store in con- 
 nection with his practice. 
 
 The Poss House is a fine hostelry, presided over 
 by J. R. Poss, and was opened to the public in 1877, 
 being the second liotel staried by him in the village. 
 He is also an extensive farmer, having three large 
 farms under cultivation. 
 
 There are two other hotels in the place, besides 
 the Poss House, namely : The Central House, kept 
 by E. Midline, and the Gonder House, kept by Con- 
 rad Gonder. 
 
 W. J. Dell keeps a general grocery store, and a 
 meat market adjoining. There is also a market, 
 kept by W. Loosmore. 
 
 James Adams, an old resident of Caseville, showed 
 his faith in the future of the town last spring by 
 opening a store with a large stock of general mer- 
 chandise at the head of Main Street. 
 
 The ladies of the village and vicinity are supplied 
 with those indispensable articles of millinery so 
 necessary to their adornment, by Mrs. Alice Lloid. 
 
 There is also a blacksmith and wagon shop at 
 Caseville, owned by Neil Connelly, and a shoe shop 
 by R. Lankin. 
 
 The legal profession has in it an able representa- 
 tive at this point in the person of T. B. Woodworth, 
 the present worthy C'ounty Attorney. 
 
 Hiram Kellsey is the representative of Uncle Sam 
 in the postoffice. Mails are received daily by rail, and 
 daily each way by stage. In January, 1874, T.B. 
 Woodworth, Esq., started the Caseville Ai/vi'/tiscr, 
 a weekly paper. He published the same until 1876, 
 when, to the regret of the citizens of the town, he 
 sold out to the Huron C'ounty News Company, 
 and the paper was moved to Port Austin. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 Methodist Episcopal Church — was organized on 
 the 26th of September, 1868, under the laws of the 
 State, by the Rev. Manasseh Hickey, Presiding 
 Elder of the Flint District, with 12 members. The 
 Trustees were, T. B. Woodworth, Mrs. Fisher, Ed- 
 ward Hardy, Francis Crawford, Horace Murdock, 
 1). L. Lighthall and Henry Campo. The first min- 
 ister sent here was Rev. Wm. Cross, in 1867. Ser- 
 vices were held in the school-house until their 
 church edifice was built, which was in 1874. It was 
 dedicated November 15, same year. Rev. Jocelyn 
 Russell, of Albion College, officiating. The Pastor 
 at this time was the Rev. R. Woodhans. It is a 
 large, fine frame building, of Gothic architecture, and 
 cost $4,279. Present membership, thirty-six. The 
 Rev. J. B. Russell is the present Pastor. In addition 
 to this charge, Mr. Russell holds service at Wild 
 Fowl, Maple Grove and Bay Port. There are a 
 Sabbath-school and Bible Class connected with this 
 society. 
 
 Catholic Church. — -This society has a membership 
 of twenty-six families. There is no resident priest. 
 The. Rev. Father N. L. Maschino, of PoVt Anstin, 
 officiates, holding service here every six weeks. In 
 March, 1875, they purchased the school building 
 which had been vacated upon the completion of the 
 new school-house, and fitted it up for a church. It 
 was dedicated the following June, by the Rev. 
 Bishop Borgess, of Detroit. They are intending to 
 build a fence around the church, put up a bell and 
 furnish an organ, when their arrangements for the 
 present will be completed. 
 
 German Lutheran. — There is a German Lutheran 
 society in the village, but we regret that we were un- 
 able to procure any intelligent information regard- 
 ing it. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 In educational matters the citizens of Caseville 
 have been progressive. The first school opened in 
 this place was in 1859, in a frame building, and was 
 taught by Miss Ninnie Quinn. The present school 
 building, which is the third one built since the first 
 settlement, is located on section 35, and, in the 
 enumeration of township schools, is in District " No. 
 I." It is a large two-story structure, with liuee 
 large, airy apartments, and cost $6,000. There are 
 200 scholars on the rolls. Mr. M. Medaugh is 
 
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 C-^A-^ 'Si^^^ 
 
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 {|^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 437 
 
 Principal, Miss Mary Milwrick has charge of the in- 
 termediate, and Etta Adams the primary, depart- 
 ment. There is an exceedingly well assorted library 
 connected with this school. 
 
 M.\SONIC LODGE. 
 
 Caseville Lodge, No. 368, F. & A. M., was or- 
 ganized in September, 1883, and received a charter 
 from the Grand Lodge at its session in January, 
 1884. The lodge started with thirteen charter 
 members, viz.: John Conlin, Gustave A. Flach, 
 James Ciirran, Neil Conley, John McKinzie, John 
 Harder, George Gardner, S. J. Henderson, Charles 
 P. Seippardt, Heeler McLean, L. S. Johnson, Wes- 
 ley E. Bailey and Ricliard Lankin. John Conlin is 
 Master. The membersliip has increased to twenty. 
 They have leased a hall for five years and fitted it 
 up for their meetings. 
 
 While the fires of 1871 and 1881 did a great deal 
 of damage, yet they facilitated the clearing up of the 
 country, and to this extent they were a benefit. 
 This beautiful little village has the elements of 
 growth, and the possibilities of a prosperous future ; 
 yet it is not likely that there will be any material 
 change for her until her business interests are more 
 evenly distributed. 
 
 (9HANDLBi=^ Township. 
 
 ^|^S?j| HE Board of Supervisors at their annual 
 c [_£d', meeting in 1S79 adopted resolutions pro- 
 viding for the organization of this township. 
 
 Be)'* In accordance with this action of the Board, a 
 
 meeting was held on the first Monday in April, 
 1 880, when the town officers were duly elected, 
 the organization perfected, and the township of 
 Chandler assumed the duties of self-government. 
 These responsible proceedings were held in a school- 
 house on section 3. William Smith was elected 
 Supervisor. It was named after Michigan's great 
 statesman, the late Zachariah Chandler. It was 
 organized from the township of Lake, and is num- 
 bered 17 north, in range 11 east. Its boundaries are 
 as follows . On the north by Lake, the east by 
 Meade, the south by Oliver, and on the west by 
 Caseville. 
 
 ^S" north and 1 2 east. 
 fJl^ north by Meade, on the east by Verona, on 
 
 V 
 
 Thomas Edwards located in the township in r86o, 
 and is reputed to be the first settler. 
 
 The land is rolling in the north and east; in the 
 south and west, flat; and the soil is clay loam. Two- 
 thirds of the township was burned over in the fire of 
 187 1, and three-fourths in iSSr. There still re- 
 mains about 10,000 acres of wild land. The Pin- 
 nebog River makes a circuitous passage through the 
 township, affording excellent facilities for drainage, 
 and for floating their logs down to the mills at Port 
 Crescent. 
 
 All kinds of northern fruits do well here except 
 peaches. Good water is readily obtained. The 
 nearest port and railroad depot is Caseville. The 
 little town of Soule, whicli is located on a branch of 
 the Pinnebog, affords the people a place to trade 
 and exchange their products. There is at this hamlet 
 a flouring-mill, saw-mill and two stores; also a black- 
 smith, and boot and shoe shop. Samuel D. Grum- 
 ney operates the mills, and S. A. Mosher, who is 
 the Postmaster, owns one store, and B. W. Bayed 
 the other. There are four school-houses in this 
 township, located respectively on sections 5, 12, 20 
 and 24. Two of the school-houses are frame, and 
 two log buildings. The largest yield of wheat in 
 this township is 60 bushels per acre; corn, 100, and ^^ 
 potatoes, 150 bushels. 
 
 There is a large Catholic society, who have a good- 
 sized, substantial church building. Rev. N. L. 
 Maschino, from Port Austin, holds service here every 
 fourth Sunday. There is a Methodist charge, with 
 twenty members, presided over by Rev. Mr. Diehl. 
 The first regular service was held in 1S71. 
 
 Only two gentlemen have had the honor, so far, to 
 represent this township in the capacity of Supervisor, 
 namely: William Smith, who served from 1880 to 
 1883, and Moses E. Soule, the present incumbent. 
 
 (90LPAX Township. 
 
 |if a^'.^OLFAX Township is located very near the 
 i^^^^ center of the county, and is numbered 16 
 
 It is bounded on the 
 
 A 
 
 •v. 
 
 0) 
 
 ^«^rK 
 
 . the south by Sheridan, and on the west by 
 
 * Oliver. 
 
 riiis township was organized November, 
 
 ■, 1868, by ^ 
 
HURON COUNTY 
 
 i 
 f 
 
 (|\ 
 
 an order of the Board of Supervisors, made in Oc- 
 tober, i868. The election was held on the third day 
 of November, 1868, at the house of Mrs. Peacock, 
 on section 24. Melzer Granger was elected Super- 
 visor, Oliver Healy, Treasurer, and Charles E. Brown, 
 Clerk. 
 
 Elijah Brown, who, with his family, located on 
 section 21, was the first settler. About the same 
 time came Francis Nash, M. W. Farnsworth and 
 John Peacock, with their families. The first school 
 was opened in 1869, with fifteen scholars. Elijah 
 Brown brought the first mail into the township. 
 
 The soil is a rich clay loam, and its production for 
 the acre is above the avearage. 
 
 The County Poor Farm is located in this town- 
 ship, near its eastern line, and about one mile west 
 of Bad Axe. 
 
 The people of this township suffered severely from 
 the fires of 1871 and 1881. Aside from the sad 
 history and terrible suffering, some peculiar phases 
 of character and strange incidents were brought out. 
 One narrative, given by farmer Francis Nash, who 
 lives about three miles north of Bad Axe, may be of 
 interest. He hjd seen the smoke comii.g up from 
 the south, but at first thouglit nothing of it. Soon 
 the fire was within a mile of his farm, coming up 
 toward the back end. In less than half an hour the 
 trees in the woods not far from his house were fall- 
 ing, to use his expression, " faster than his clock 
 could tick!" When asked how he saved his build- 
 ings, he said he " fought the fire for life and home." 
 The open field in front favored him, and the fire 
 passed around on its devouring way. When his 
 own home was out of danger, he started off to look 
 after his neighbors. 
 
 Not far from him there lived a family consisting of 
 a wife and three small children, one in the arms of 
 its mother. Near this place there were two open- 
 ings, or cleared ground, of several acres, and lying 
 between was a small place covered with timber of a 
 very combustible nature. The dwelling-house stood 
 in one of these clearings, and in the rear of the tim- 
 ber toward which the fire with furious force was 
 leaping. As Mr. Nash approached the house, he 
 saw the man walking frantically back and forth on 
 the ridge of his house, swinging an empty pail and 
 calling for help. The wife was bringing the house- 
 hold goods out and piling them up a little way from 
 the house. He called for the man in vain to come 
 
 down, and tried to induce the woman to put the 
 goods back in the dwelling, as it was the safest 
 place. This she refused to do, and then he put 
 them back. He then took the two oldest children 
 and started for the other clearing, bidding the 
 mother to follow. She went on a few yards, and 
 when they approached the fire line she stopped and 
 could not be forced to go any further. He put down 
 the two children, snatched the baby from its mother's 
 arms and ran off, ordering her to follow. When he 
 arrived at the open field and out of danger, he 
 turned about, and there stood the mother with her 
 two children just where he had left her, and sur- 
 rounded by the fire. He laid the baby down in the 
 field, and, returning through smoke and flame, took 
 a child under each arm, shook the mother and bade 
 her follow liim. True to the character of the 
 mother, she could not bear the separation from her 
 children, and she rushed after tliem and was saved. 
 As soon as the fire abated, they returned over the 
 burnt field to the place. The house was in ashes. 
 At a short distance was the husband and father, 
 seated on a [nle of household goods, and close at 
 his feet were his pigs, all safe. 
 
 A part of the history of this township will be ein- 
 braced in that of the village of Bad Axe. 
 supervisors: 
 
 Melzer Granger, 
 
 1S68- 
 
 -72 
 
 Francis Murphy, 
 
 1873- 
 
 -4 
 
 James Hailey, 
 
 1875 
 
 
 James D. Russell, 
 
 1S76- 
 
 -7 
 
 Melzer Granger, 
 
 187S 
 
 
 George H. Rogers, 
 
 1879 
 
 
 Henry Dawson, 
 
 iSSo 
 
 
 Melzer Granger, 
 
 1881 
 
 
 T. W. Carpenter, 
 
 18S2 
 
 
 James Hailey, 
 
 1883- 
 
 -4 
 
 ~^»« 
 
 DWIGHT ©OWNSHIP. 
 
 lii^l^WIGHT Township was settled in 1856. 
 ^'i |fe-^w| ,i. Henry Hellemshas the honor of being the 
 
 
 first settler, and also the first Supervisor. 
 'J'his townshipis 18 nortli, of range 13 east, and 
 
 ^ is surrounded by the townships of Port Austin on 
 
 the north, Huron on the east, Lincoln on the 
 south, and Hume on the west. The land is rolling 
 
 ^ 
 
 '5 
 
 V 
 
 ^ 
 
 .isa:^^ 
 
 ^^bK-^nn^i 
 
 ii> 
 
 -vz^ 
 
 A- 
 
rS«^ 
 
 -=«te^ ©V<iIlIl§llll^> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 ') 
 
 > 
 
 :-<^ 
 
 V 
 
 qN 
 
 at the nonli and the remainder is flat. The soil is 
 of a gravelly clay loam nature in the northern part ; 
 in the southern, sandy. The timber originally was 
 hard-wood, with some pine and hemlock. Nearly 
 the entire township was burned over in iSyr, and 
 about one-half the southwestern and northern por- 
 tions in 1881. About one-third of the land is under 
 cultivation. Bird's Creek, with its tributaries, runs 
 through the township, which affords good drainage. 
 The largest yield of wheat is fifty bushels ; the aver- 
 age, twenty bushels per acre. All kinds of fruit do 
 well here, except clierries, which one farmer says 
 would do well were it not for the birds. 
 
 There is a saw-mill in the township, which cuts 
 lumber for home markets. There are no churches ; 
 but the township has three schools, which are located 
 on sections 13, 17 and 25. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 It has been represented by the following named 
 Supervisors since 1864. Back of this, on account of 
 the destruction of the records by fire, we have no 
 definite information. 
 
 Thomas Nichols, 
 Henry Hellems, 
 Thomas Nichols, 
 Henry Hellems, 
 William Carter, 
 William Stoddard, 
 Henry Hellems, 
 William Stoddard, 
 B. A. Stoddard, 
 Thomas Sullivan, 
 
 1864-5 
 
 1866 
 
 1867 
 
 1868-9 
 
 1870-5 
 
 1876 
 
 1877-8 
 
 1879 
 
 1880-1 
 
 1882-4 
 
 Faii^ r^AVBN Township. 
 
 •^^"^^AIR HAVEN Township was organized 
 il 14, 1863. There were 22 votes cast 
 at this election, which elected John G. 
 Davis for Supervisor, Wellington Bordeau for 
 ^^ Clerk, and A. Chapman for Treasurer; Carl 
 Heisterman, A. Chapman, Frederick Elsaesser 
 and John Foster were chosen Justices of the Peace. 
 The northern and western boundary of this townsliip 
 is Saginaw Bay, the eastern Winsor, and the southern 
 Sebewaing Townships. It is numbered 16 north, of 
 range 9 east. It has three organized school districts, 
 
 located on sections 36, and 22, and on 36,17 and 9. 
 This township is well timbered with ash, elm, beech, 
 maple, oak, hemlock and pine. The land in the west- 
 ern portion is undulating, and the soil is a sandy 
 loam. In the eastern part of the township, it is clay 
 loam. 
 
 The fires of 187 i reached the eastern portion of the 
 township, but it escaped the destruction of 1881. The 
 Shebahyonk River, or Creek, drains Fair Haven, and 
 affords good opportunity for drainage. Vegetables of 
 all kinds do well, and' the township boasts of having 
 produced the largest yield of potatoes in the county, 
 300 bushels per acre! 
 
 The Evangelical Association furnish the people a 
 place for worship. The nearest port is Bay Port. 
 The Saginaw, Huron & Tuscola Railroad passes 
 through the township, with its terminus at Bay Port, 
 on Saginaw Bay. This is a new road, built more partic- 
 ularly to accommodate tourists who visit the islands 
 that lay off from Bay Port and along the coast of 
 Fair Haven. These islands are said to be very pretty, 
 with the additional advantage of having what tourists, 
 and especially sportsmen, so much desire, good hunt- 
 ing and fishing. The scenery along the shore of this 
 township is beautiful, and is liberally shaded with 
 fine forest trees. There are numerous little coves 
 which small craft that are used for fisliing and light 
 commerce put into for harborage. These boats, lying 
 close to the banks and in their rocking movements 
 keeping time with the motion of the waves, with their 
 little masts tapering up beneath the tall old forest trees 
 and partially hid by their boughs, presents a scenic 
 surprise to the traveler as he passes along the road. 
 
 The township is justly named Fair Haven. The 
 town of Bay Port is located at the northern point of 
 the township; situated well and being the terminus of 
 the railroad, it has the possibilities of becoming an 
 important trading place in the future. J. C. Liken 
 &-Co. have a large supply store here which they have 
 recently established. There is also a blacksmith and 
 a wagon shop. A [)ost-office has been opened, with 
 daily mails each way from Casevills and Sebewaing. 
 The railroad now carries the mail to and from Sebe- 
 waing. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The names of the Supervisors 
 served are given below : 
 John (i. Davis, 
 Carl Heisterman, 
 
 with the terms 
 
 1863 
 1864 
 
 VS 
 
 
 (^ 
 
 ■! '» 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 ■^^D!1^0Df5>A^ 
 
<^:IlIl^nO^>r 
 
 "^a^sir'^ 
 
 4^^f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 4 
 
 \ 
 
 P 
 
 
 Phillip Sharpstine, 
 
 1855 
 
 Carl Heisterman, 
 
 1866 
 
 J. W. Snell, 
 
 1867 
 
 Carl Heisterman, 
 
 1868 
 
 Francis Thompson, 
 
 1869 
 
 Carl Heisterman, 
 
 1870 
 
 J. W. Snell, 
 
 1 87 1 
 
 Carl Heisterman, 
 
 1872-3 
 
 J. W. Snell, 
 
 1874 
 
 Carl Heistejman, 
 
 1875-6 
 
 J. W. Snell, 
 
 1877-8 
 
 George Carpenter, 
 
 1879 
 
 John Linsen, 
 
 1880 
 
 Robert Lambert, 
 
 1881 
 
 Sidney A. Smith, 
 
 1882 
 
 John P. Weeks, 
 
 1883 
 
 Wm. Henne, 
 
 1884 
 
 
 '^ 
 
 'J 
 
 Kilmanagh. 
 
 .ILMANAGH hamlet, judging from the fact 
 that it has taken for its site four townships, 
 IK^ must have very ambitious aspirations. It 
 ^^ comers on Fair Haven, Winsor, Brookfield and 
 Sebewaing townships. Its business is repre- 
 sented by C. Haist, who deals in general 
 merchandise ; G. Kendinger, who has a saw-mill and 
 a flouring-mill, and a lively trade. J. C. Liken & 
 Co. have a branch store here. John Griel is the boot 
 and shoe maker, and John Hortop does the black- 
 smithing for the place. A post-office was established 
 here in 1873, with F. Thompson as Postmaster. It 
 may seem a little peculiar in this age of change, but 
 nevertheless Postmaster Thompson is still at his post. 
 Mails arrive semi-weekly from Sebewaing and Bad 
 Axe. 
 
 Kilmanagh is located in the center of a rich farm- 
 ing country, and consequently has witliin herself the 
 elements of prosperity. 
 
 GOI^B ©OWNSHIP. 
 
 HIS township was organized from Rubicon 
 in 1862. The first officers elected were, 
 John H. Tucker for Supervisor, George 
 Allen, Clerk, and Robert Hunter for Treasurer. 
 Wm. H. Lane, Robert Hunter, John N. Smith 
 and Christian Pachert were chosen for Justices 
 of the Peace; Highway Commissioner, John Mills; 
 School Inspectors — Robert Hunter, F. Fuller and 
 George Allen. It has one school district, which was 
 also organized in 1862. 
 
 Its northern and eastern boundary is Lake Huron ; 
 on the south lies Rubicon, and on the west Huron 
 Township. It is numbered 18 north, of range 15 
 east. The territory of Gore Township is limited, 
 containing a small portion of the area of a full Con- 
 gressional township. Its soil and its advantages are 
 about the same as those of Rubicon. The land is 
 somewhat rolling. Its long shore line affords 
 superior water facilities, and makes the location of 
 the township an attractive one. It is well settled 
 up, with a good farming community, who are in the 
 main thrifty and independent. The history of Rubi- 
 con is a part of the history of this township. The 
 people's early pioneer life, their struggles and priva- 
 tions, their defeats and triumphs, were together. 
 The citizens of this township do their trading mostly 
 at Port Hope. They suffered terribly by the fires of 
 1881. The township was burned all over except a 
 small area in the southeast corner. From the organ- 
 ization to the present time this township has been 
 served by the following named 
 
 supervisors: 
 
 John H. Tucker, 
 
 E. J. Johnson, 
 George Allen, 
 
 F. Fuller, 
 
 E. T- Johnson, 
 
 F. Fuller, 
 George Allen, 
 E. J. Johnson, 
 
 1862-4 
 
 1865 
 
 1866-7 
 
 1868-70 
 
 187 I 
 
 1872 
 
 1873 
 
 1874-S 
 
 m 
 
 -^^'^^^^^^ — ^-K^B n n u^ 
 
 
 
 .^U=u 
 
 JySi^^^r^ 
 

 
 W> 
 
 I 
 
 ^^m 
 
 gs»- 
 
 ■:2«€^«5^ 6V<- 
 
 s> 
 
 T^^ 
 
 -4^^?f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 George Sutherland, 
 Charles Gettz, 
 George Sutherland, 
 Charles Gettz, 
 
 I 8; 6-9 
 1880 
 18S1 
 1882-4 
 
 Gf^anip ©ownship. 
 
 il^RANT Township" was organized by the 
 
 ^5^ Board of Supervisors in April, 1867. It 
 is numbered 15 north, of range 11 east. The 
 
 ',<^ first Supervisor elected was Levi Williamson. 
 
 \ This man was the first settler, locating in 
 1863, and is still residing in this division of the 
 county. 
 
 This township was well timbered with elm, maple, 
 beech, pine and hemlock. The surface of the land 
 in the northern portion is flat; in the southern, roll- 
 ing. The soil is clay loom, in some parts, and in 
 others, sandy, with clay as sub-soil. The northwest- 
 ern and northeastern portions were burned over in 
 the fire of 1871 ; in the fire of 1881, the southeast- 
 ern portion. It is estimated that there is about 
 6,000 acres of swamp land, and some 14,000 acres 
 of what is called here " wild land" in the township. 
 The principal crops raised are oats, wheat, corn and 
 barley. This region is drained by the Pigeon River 
 and the Shebahybnk Creek. There are two saw- 
 mills, a CDoper and blacksmith shop, and a shoe- 
 shop. The postoffice is at Canboro, and C. G. W. 
 Parker, who also keeps a general store, officiates as 
 Postmaster. There are mails each way semi-weekly 
 from Sebewaing and Bad Axe. The postoffice was 
 established in 1870. Mr. Parker was appointed to 
 take charge of this much coveted office; and time, 
 which makes so many changes in official life, has 
 chronicled none for him. May none be made here- 
 after. • 
 
 The nearest port for this townshif) is Seljcwaing, 
 and the nearest railroad station, Bad Axe. It is well 
 supplied wiyi school buildings, which are located as 
 follows: Sections 29, 7, g, i, 28 and 25. Tliere 
 is a church building, occupied jointly by the Baptist 
 and Methodist societies. There is some choice 
 farming land in this township, ar.d many good farms 
 
 and farm houses. It was named after the hero of 
 Appomatto.x,^ and with such a name it cannot be 
 otherwise than prosperous. The boundary lines are 
 formed on the north by Oliver, the east by Sheridan, 
 the south by Sanilac County, and on the west by 
 Brookfield. The following-named citizens have 
 represented this township as 
 
 supervisors: 
 
 William Teller, 1869 
 
 Joseph Bruckeiibery, 1870-2 
 
 Edward Lunibkin, 1873 
 
 Joseph Bruckenbery, 1874-6 
 
 Levi Williamson, 1877-8 
 
 R. C. Hallock, 1879 
 
 John W. Murphy, 1880-3 
 
 R. C. Hallock, 1884 
 
 I7UMB ©OWNSHIP. 
 
 ri!i; ^^Sty^jg Township forms part of the northern 
 '^ boundary of the Peninsula, and is num- 
 Tff bered 18 north, of range 12 east. It is bounded 
 y on the north by Saginaw Bay, on the east by 
 1 Dwight, south by Meade, and on the west by 
 Lake Township. Its organization was completed in 
 i860, the election for this purpose being held at 
 Walter Hume's store. Wesley Armstrong was chosen 
 Supervisor, Walter Hume, Treasurer, and Archibald 
 Thompson, Cleik. 
 
 Walter Hume and family, who came in 1S50, are 
 credited with being the first settlers. 
 
 This township was heavily timbered with pine, hem- 
 lock, cedar, beech and maple. The soil is clay loam, 
 except that bordering on the Bay. It is drained by 
 the Pinnepog River, which was for many years the 
 principal means of transporting logs to the saw-mills 
 at Port Crescent. These mills have dismantled the 
 forests, together with the fires of 1871 and 1 881, so 
 that now timber is regarded as being rather scarce. 
 About three-fourths of the land is under cultivation. 
 Tlie soil is good for raising all kinds of cereals, and 
 the location is well adapted to the cultivation of 
 fruit. The water is good and can be easily obtained. 
 
 V© 
 
 
 v: 
 
 
■^T^nn^iinf^r 
 
 -9# 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 5g The nearest port is Port Crescent; and the nearest 
 i \ railroad station is four miles away. 
 •? f* The township has been represented by the follow- 
 ing named gentlemen as 
 (2/ supervisors: 
 
 Wesley Armstrong, 
 
 James Armstrong, 
 
 Charles F. Hazen, 
 
 J. B. Johnson, 
 
 James B. Armstrong, 
 
 J. B. Johnson, 
 
 W. D. Kelley, 
 
 John Shine, 
 
 \Vm. C. Williamson, 
 
 John Shine, 
 
 I860-I 
 
 I862-S 
 
 1866- 
 
 1867 
 
 1868 
 
 1869 
 
 1870 
 
 187 1-6 
 
 1877-83 
 
 1884 
 
 Port Crescent. 
 
 
 
 1=1 
 
 ;*'tt. 
 
 -%. fr- 
 
 
 the mouth of the Pinnepog River and on 
 cii a liluff overlooking Saginaw Bay is located 
 the village of Port Crescent, containing some 
 350 souls'. The peculiar crescent-shaped line 
 I of the bay forms a most natural harbor. From 
 this peculiarity the town receives its name. It is 
 about the center between the east and west lines of 
 "^ ) the county, in Hume Township. A daily mail runs 
 to Port Austin and Caseville. There are two piers 
 (or " docks," as they are called here), where vessels 
 and steamboats land and deliver their goods and re- 
 ceive their cargoes. Boats from Detroit and Port 
 Huron running to Bay City, and often those going 
 around the lakes, stop here. 
 
 The Pinnepog River, extending some twenty-five 
 miles into the interior of the county, and command- 
 ing several miles of country on each side of its 
 banks, has afforded unusual facilities to lumber manu- 
 facturers for floating down logs to their mills. As 
 fine a body of timber as ever was seen once shaded 
 this land ; but it has now fallen before the a.\ of the 
 (q> sturdy pioneer, been manufactured into lumber, 
 passed from the beautiful shores of this village, and 
 ^ [, became a factor in the construction of many of the 
 rt ^ cities of the country. Notwithstanding the great 
 \t drain upon these grand old forests for many years, 
 and although Ihey look bare compared with their 
 once dense growth, there is considerable yet left 
 ^^iwaiting the ax and the saw. 
 
 Port Crescent is also a noted fishing point for her- 
 ring and whitefish, and a large trade is carried on in 
 this line of business. These fish are dressed, put 
 into small barrels with layers of salt, and shipped to 
 the markets. Eakins & Soule do the largest busi- 
 ness here. They have an extensive supply store, 
 handling about $60,000 worth of goods annually. 
 They are also large manufacturers of lumber and 
 salt. Learned & Ayres first established the busi- 
 ness at this place. They sold out to Woods & Co., 
 when the firm changed to Williamson, Eakins & Co., 
 and now it is Eakins & Soule. In 1880, Williamson 
 & Eikins commenced sinking their well to supply 
 brine for their steam salt block. In the spring of 
 1881 it was completed, at a depth of 1,242 feet. 
 The block has a capacity of 150 barrels daily. 
 
 Bennett Haskell is an extensive dealer in general 
 merchandise. He has also a salt block and saw-mill. 
 The salt works were started in 1880 and have a 
 capacity of 200 barrels daily. The well was sunk 
 1,252 feet. Mr. Haskell has recently moved into his 
 new business block, which is the finest in the village. 
 This saw-mill was the first that converted a log into 
 lumber in Hume Township, and was put up by J. 
 W. Kimball, now at Port Austin. 
 
 C. F. Schlegelmilch has a very fine grist-mill, with 
 two run of stone. It has the capacity of 250 bushels 
 with 12 hours' run. It was erected in i86g, and is 
 the first mill in the county. 
 
 Anthony & Kleba make wagons for the good peo- 
 ple of the township, and Phillip Erneweine does the 
 blacksmithing. There is also a store of groceries and 
 fancy goods, owned by Mrs. Varty. Charles Fuerst 
 makes boots and shoes. George Meader keeps a 
 meat market. The Carter House is run by William 
 Carter, and is a house where guests are made at 
 home and comfortable. There is also another hotel 
 kept by William McCoy. This house was opened to 
 the public in 1868, by Henry Kennedy, who built it, 
 and started the first hotel in the place. 
 
 Dr. E. W. Sellers looks after the sick. Dr. James 
 Eakins was the pioneer physician of this township, 
 opening an office here in 1869. He is no longer in 
 practice. 
 
 Charles Soule is the present Postmaster. Mails 
 are received once a day from each direction, — from 
 Port Austin and Caseville. The ijostoffice was es- 
 tablished at Port Crescent first in 1865; Chades F. 
 ^II|];:>>A^ ^^<,^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 0) 
 
 '9 
 
 I 
 
•^^^ 
 
 r^^^ e^iDIl^:iin^>r 
 
 ■^asf'w'sKr" 
 
 -|4ۤ5f 
 
 1 
 
 (g% 
 
 
 i 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Hazen, the Postmaster, held the office until 187 1. J. 
 B. Johnson held tiic first postoffice in the township, 
 which was located at Piimebog Bridge in 1S60. The 
 telegraph wires connected here in 187 i. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 This village has a good school for the education of 
 her children, which is partially graded. S. M. Janes 
 is Principal, and Miss Mary McKinzie, assistant. 
 Tlie former has sixty-five scholars, the latter fifty-five. 
 The building is a good two-story frame structure, 
 with two large and airy apartments. This is School 
 District No. i. The others in the township are lo- 
 cated as follows : District No. 2, on section 27 ; Dis- 
 trict No. 3, on section 24, and District No. 4, on 
 section 29. 
 
 With her large lumber manufactories, her salt in- 
 dustries, her fine location, and good harbor facilities, 
 with the rich country that surrounds her, we see no 
 reason why Port Crescent should not grow and be- 
 come one of the first towns in the county. 
 
 ««4il2l2/©^-^-^i-|^^^^-i?— »-^^!'^OT»- 
 
 Pinnebog. 
 
 HIS little hamlet is located on section 31 
 and 32 in Hume Township, and 5 and 6 in 
 
 r"** Meade Township. The stage road leading 
 to Caseville, and running east and west, di- 
 vides the town, a part of which lies in Meade 
 and a part in Hume. 
 
 It has a good school, taught by John T. Hughes. 
 There are 120 scholars on the roll, with an average 
 attendance of 60. In the district there are 168 pupils. 
 
 Richard Wagner is a dealer in general merchan- 
 dise, and is also Postmaster. Mails arrive each day 
 from Port .\ustin and Sebewaing. 
 
 Lewis Gerard lias dry goods and groceries, and 
 McLean & Arthur, hardware and agricultural imple- 
 ments. 
 
 Dr. William E. Spohn has settled in this to\vn as 
 physician and surgeon, and keeps also an assortment 
 of drugs and medicines. 
 
 Ingram Harrison established at this village one of 
 those essential elements to the growth of a country, — 
 a flouring-mill. It has two run of stone, one for flour 
 and one for feed. His mill has a capacity of fifty 
 
 bushels per day. He is doing well and has a home 
 market for all the flour he can make. 
 
 Benjamin Shiers did a good thing for himself as 
 well as his neighbors when he opened a cheese fac- 
 tory last spring. He has been making eight cheeses 
 a day, witli an average weight of forty-eight pounds. 
 
 Wagner & Bros, have a blacksmith shop. There 
 is a good hotel here,kept by Anhur& McLean. Pinne- 
 bog is located in the midst of a good farming com- 
 munity and undoubtedly will grow in importance as 
 time rolls on. 
 
 A Metliodist church is located about a mile from 
 the village, in Meade Township. 
 
 V© 
 
 :— ^l-=^ 
 
 FJUI^ON ©OWNSHIP. 
 
 ^I'S^fURON Township led off in the roll of self- ^ •' 
 |j^^ government. This act was consummated by A 
 the authority of the Legislature, April 20 
 
 (^ 
 
 m - „ , , _ 
 
 ^y 1855. The meeting for the election of officers ^ 
 i was held at the residence of Antoine Osm. The == 
 1 _ number of votes cast at this election was seven- ^ 
 teen. Peter C. Rean, Moderator, Elias S. Sutton, 4 
 Clerk ; A. L. Kimball and J. S. Sales, Inspectors. ( ^ 
 The election resulted in the choice of H. B. Morri- 
 son for Supervisor. The people selected Jacob M. 
 Groat, Herman W. Dickinson, Orange C. Cutler and 
 David Thompson for Justices of the Peace;' John 
 W. Kimball, Jeremiah Ludington and John Gihn 
 for Highway Commissioners ; Herman W. Dickinson 
 and H. B. Morrison for School Inspectors ; Henry B. 
 Dighton, George W. Vaughn, and George H. Mitch- 
 ell, Constables ; H. B. Morrison and H. W. Dickin- 
 son, Overseers of the Poor. 
 
 This township at its first organization embraced 
 the entire territory of Huron County. Its central 
 location was at the inoutli of Willow Creek. It was 
 settled first in 1845, by Mr. Lewis, who started a 
 saw-mill. Tlien came Mr. Brakeman, and Lan 
 Hubbard, who has done so much toward the d 
 opment of this township 
 
 There are now five organized school districts. The vfy 
 first school meeting was held in 1855, at the resi- ^^ 
 dcnce of H. Dawinly. Sections 4,5,8,9 
 were then made to constitute the first school 
 
 :2^^^^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 1^> 
 
 2^J^ 
 
 JSii^'t^^ 
 
 ff.f4;:^>^^ 
 
■eV<^Dn^DDf^ 
 
 rr 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Si^ 
 
 ^r^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 with Emma Smith as school-teacher. This lady 
 received the first school certificate granted in the 
 county. She is still living, and teaching at Vassar, 
 Michigan. 
 
 The soil in this township is clay loam, with an 
 admixture of gravel, and is very fertile. About one- 
 fourth of the land is under cultivation. There are 
 no swamp lands, but about three-fourths of the land 
 is not yet under cultivation. It is drained by Wil- 
 low Creek and New River, and the facilities for farm 
 drainage are good. Tliis region is exceedingly well 
 adapted for dairying. All kinds of fruit do well 
 here, particularly plums. 
 
 There are now four good school-houses in the 
 township, with good schools. The nearest railroad 
 depot is Port Austin ; Huron City is the nearest port. 
 
 Nearly all of this township was burned over in 
 187 I, and about three-fourths in 1881. The losses 
 of stock, cattle and timber were very severe, — one 
 man, Mr. Langdon Hubbard, losing about $250,000 
 in the fire of 18S1. 
 
 One by one the townships have been set off and 
 organized, so that now, and for many years past, 
 Huron has only had jurisdiction over such extent of 
 territory as is usually allotted to townships. It is 
 now numbered 18 nortli, of range 14 east. 
 
 This township has been ably represented by the 
 following named gentlemen in tlie county : 
 
 BO.\RD OF SUPERVISORS. 
 
 H. B. Morrison, 
 Jacob M. Groat, 
 Wm. Ludington, 
 Alsonza Kimball, 
 H. W. Dickinson, 
 Alex. McDonald, 
 Richard Winsor, 
 Robert Winterbottom, 
 Henry Hayden, 
 Robert Winterbottom, 
 Charles Schubel, 
 Robert Winterbottom, 
 James McVerly, 
 Charles Verd, 
 Wm. Thompson, 
 Charles Schubel, 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 185s 
 1855 
 1856 
 
 1 85 7-8 
 
 •859 
 
 1860-1 
 
 1862-6 
 
 1867-9 
 
 1870 
 
 1871 
 
 1 87 2-4 
 
 1875-6 
 
 1877-9 
 
 1880 
 
 1 88 1-3 
 
 1884 
 
 "«^-^4^^>-^ 
 
 IlAP^B SOWNSHIP. 
 
 HIS Township was organized in 1867 by a 
 special act of the Legislature, which pro- 
 vided that the surveyed townships 16, 17, 
 ]M and the fractional township 18 north, all in 
 Y range 1 1 east, be detached from the township 
 
 • of Grant and Casevilie, and organized into a 
 township by the name of " Lake." John B. Wood- 
 hull, Chancy Chapman and James Harvey were 
 authorized by said act to act as inspectors of the 
 first meeting. Mr. Harvey not attending, Thomas 
 Gill was chosen to act in his stead. Robert Gotts 
 was made Clerk. John B. Woodhull was elected 
 Supervisor, Archibald Mcllhaegey, Sr., Treasurer 
 and Robert Gotts, Clerk. 
 
 The first school district organized was in the sum- 
 mer of 1864, on section 24. A log school-house was 
 built and a school oi)ened the following winter, with 
 about twenty scholars in attendance. 
 
 The first settler was William Fisher, who located 
 in the township in 1859. He still resides here. 
 Robert Gotts and Hannah L. Davison were the first 
 couple married. They were joined in wedlock in 
 1866. James Uplhegrove was the father of the first 
 child born, which was in 1862. 
 
 There is no postoffice in the township. The peo- 
 ple get their mail at Casevilie, Port Crescent and 
 Pinnebog. 
 
 In religious matters they are not any more fortu- 
 nate, having to go to Casevilie, Pinnebog and the 
 township of Chandler for Divine worship. 
 
 The western line of Lake is about one mile and a 
 half from the P., O. & P. A. R. R. It is well ' 
 drained by the Pinnepog and Pigeon Rivers. The 
 northern jxirtion is. rolling, while the southern is ' 
 rather flat. The soil in the southern and eastern 
 portions is clay loam, while that bordering on Sagi- 
 naw Bay is sandy. 
 
 The fire of 1871 burned over about one-third of 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 S3 
 
 \ 
 0: 
 
; ^(^ t|»' — 
 
 1^ 
 
 • ■>* 
 
 1 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 445 '**^^ 
 
 this township; that of iS8i, about the same. The 
 latter was more destructive to the crops. By this 
 fire two houses and two barns were burned. Robert 
 Gotts tells rather an amusing yet a sad story. After 
 the great fire had moved on from his farm and the 
 atmosphere had somewhat cooled off, he started out 
 to see what was left. His buildings were all safe, but 
 his entire potato crop was roasted in the hill! He 
 secured one meal of hot roasted potatoes from his 
 field, and says he was gratified that this much had 
 been left him ! 
 
 A very valuable sandstone quarry has been 
 opened in the township about one mile from the 
 shore. It is owned by Ypsilanti and Detroit men, 
 a firm known as the "Babbitt Sandstone Company." 
 The stone is of a bluish tint, hard, and makes a very 
 fine building material. A dock has been made on 
 the Bay by the company, especially for their use in 
 shipping this stone. 
 
 There is a beautiful lake, lying nearly in the cen- 
 ter of this township. It is about two miles long and 
 one mile wide, and is plentifully supplied with fish, 
 pike, suckers and pickerel. Though the circle of 
 this lake is small, it has within its inclosure several 
 little islands. The banks are high and shaded with 
 forest trees, making the whole scene one of pictur- 
 esque beauty. 
 
 There is some swamp land in the township, but 
 the location is favorable for drainage. The principal 
 production js wheat, oats and hay. The largest 
 yield of wheat per acre is fifty-two bushels; potatoes, 
 200 bushels. The average yield of wheat has been 
 eighteen bushels per acre. All kinds of fruit do well 
 here, and many choice varieties are being cultivated. 
 The nearest market is Caseville. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Lake has been represented in the county govern- 
 ment by the following men : 
 
 S. B. WoodhuU, 
 James Duffty, 
 George McKay, 
 Edward Heaton, 
 George McKay, 
 M. C. Smalley, 
 George McKay, 
 M. C. Smalley, 
 Wm. Duffty, 
 
 ^€^^ 
 
 1867-9 
 
 1870-1 
 
 1872-7 
 
 1878 
 
 1879 
 
 1880 
 
 1881 
 
 1882 
 
 1883-4 
 
 #^ 
 
 LiiNGOLN Township. 
 
 v^ 
 
 INCOLN Township was organized in April, 
 feJlff 1877, by order of the Board of Supervisors 
 S.iil'iJT made in June, 1876. The meeting was 
 held at George Collins' house. Before this 
 time it was within the jurisdiction of Dwight. 
 It was settled in 1865, by John H. Provorse, 
 who still resides in the township. It is numbered 
 17 north, of range 13 east, and is bounded on the 
 north by Dvvight ; on the east by Bloomfield ; on the 
 south by Verona, and on the west by Meade. 
 
 The whole of this township was burned over in 
 1871; and the eastern side again in 1881. It is 
 drained by Willow Creek, which empties into Lake 
 Huron at Huron City. The principal crops raised 
 are wheat and hay. This township is better adapted 
 to stock or dairy business than to agriculture. Fruit 
 is reported to do well. The location is healthful. 
 
 The people pride themselves on having good 
 roads. The Port Austin division of the Port Huron 
 & Northwestern Railroad passes along the western 
 line of the township, and has a station at Filion, 
 where there is a postoffice. 
 
 There are no villages in this township, but they 
 have three school-houses, located on sections 26, 19 
 and 6, in which good schools are kept. 
 
 The great fires have done much to retard the pro- 
 gress of this township, but the people look for a 
 brighter future and a more general development of 
 its resources. 
 
 The township was named after the great President, 
 Abraham Lincoln. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Below are given the names of the gentlemen who 
 have represented Lincoln Township in the local 
 government : 
 
 Felix Filion, 
 Walter Kapson, 
 John Gordan, 
 Barzel R. Church, 
 
 l.^l 
 
 Ht>A^ 
 
 1877-81 
 
 1882 
 
 1883 
 
 1884 
 
 -«t 
 
 A 
 
 !>-: 
 
 •f ■ 
 
 V 
 
 V) 
 
 n 
 
 m 
 
$«^^-«»-'- 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 -cet'-- 
 
 0)badb Township. 
 
 EADE Township was organized from 
 
 Hume in 1S69. The meeting was held 
 
 ^misris^-'p, for the election of officers the first Mon- 
 
 A\ day in April, at the school-house in District 
 
 "l* No. I. There were twenty-five votes cast. 
 
 Spencer A. Case was elected Supervisor, Alex. 
 
 Lipcier, Clerk, and John Libby, Treasurer. Justices 
 
 of the Peace — Peter Peterson, George Millick, 
 
 Charles Gilbert, Alex. Lipicier and George Brushier. 
 
 This township has for its northern boundary 
 Hume, eastern, Lincoln, southern, Colfax, and west- 
 ern. Chandler Townships. 
 
 The first settlers were Peter Rivers and Anthony 
 Libby, who came in the spring of 1859, and Charles 
 Gilbert, Vetle Nelson and J. Martin, who came in the 
 fall. 
 
 The township has four school districts : District 
 No. I, on section 6, District No. 2, on section 17, 
 District No. 3, on section 27, and District No. 4, on 
 section ii. Two of these have frame, and two log, 
 school-houses. 
 
 There is a Methodist Church on section 6, which 
 was built and dedicated in 1881. Rev. Mr. Deal is 
 Pastor. This society has about forty members. The 
 Catholics have also a large church here, with a mem- 
 bership of about eighty families, who are mostly French 
 Canadians. Their church edifice was erected some 
 fifteen years ago. Services are held in this place 
 every fourth Sunday by Rev. N. L. Maschino, of 
 Port Austin. 
 
 The first child born in this township was a son of 
 Mr. Charles Gilbert. 
 
 The land in the northern portion is rolling, and in 
 the southern flat. The soil is clay loam. About 
 one-third of the land is uncultivated. It is drained 
 by the east branch of the Pinnepog River. The 
 principal crops raised are wheat, oats, potatoes, corn 
 and hay. The largest yield of wheat per acre is 45 
 bushels; oats, 75; corn, 90; potatoes', 200; hay, 3 
 tons. 
 
 The township has a flouring-mill and a saw-mill. 
 
 The water is good and can be readily obtained. 
 The nearest port is Port Crescent, and the nearest 
 railroad depot, Filion. The nearest trading place is 
 Pinnebog, a jiart of which lies in this township. 
 
 This section of the county was visited by the fires 
 of 1 87 I and 1 88 1. The latter was very severe, burn- 
 ing a large portion of the territory, together with many 
 of the farmers' houses and barns. 
 
 This township was named after Gen. Meade, the 
 hero of Gettysburg. It is numbered 17 north and 
 12 east. The following named men have served as 
 
 SUPERVISORS : 
 
 Spencer A. Case, 1869-70 
 
 John Dunn, 1871 
 
 Spencer A. Case, 1872-6 
 
 George Potter, 1877 
 
 J. D.'Reilly, 1878 
 
 Hal vor Johnson, 1879 
 
 Charles Gilbert, 1880-3 
 
 Felix Filion, 1884 
 
 -vtJlClZ/©^-^ S|-|^^^;|i«-'«-^®'OT2'^ 
 
 Olivbi^ Township. 
 
 ^r0^'!- LIVER Township seceded from Lake and 
 
 ■^■kw*]". >et ui: 
 
 p a separate government in 1877. 
 c)?!}i/'^ This was done under the order of the Board 
 U&-' of Supervisors made in 1876. It is numbered 
 ■^6 16 north, of range 11 east. It is bounded on 
 the north by Chandler, on the east by Colfax, 
 on the south by Grant, and on the west by Winsor. 
 The first election was held the first Monday in April, 
 1877, at a school-house on section 3. The first Su- 
 pervisor elected was F. M. Black, who was one of 
 the eady settlers. The soil is drained by Pinnepog 
 River and its branches. 
 
 This township did not suffer as much from the 
 fires as the others. A large body of timber, mostly 
 hard-wood, still stands waiting the ax of the lumber- 
 man. Tiie Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin Railroad 
 in Winsor runs along near the western line of this 
 townsliip. There is one school, which is located on 
 section 3. The Lutheran Church has services here, 
 but they have no resident pastor. 
 
 vfc 
 
 i 
 
 < 
 
 4) 
 
 •: ■■» 
 
:Ms/®))«^^l«-- 
 
 -6V;iDD^IlIl^> 
 
 ¥^ 
 
 -»^^f 
 
 ) 
 
 >: 
 
 V 
 
 f 
 
 t 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The Supervisors of this township since its organi- 
 zation have been as follows : 
 
 F. M. Black, 
 
 1877-9 
 
 S. D. Grumney, 
 
 1880-1 
 
 John Oliver, 
 
 1882-4 
 
 ^Ai^is Township. 
 
 li ARIS is one of the early settled townships. 
 
 As long ago as 1S56, Casmer Smolensk! 
 
 '!|^^ located a farm here, and began his im- 
 
 i'J provements, and from that time it has been 
 
 r settling up rapidly. The greater portion of 
 the inhabitants of this township are Poland- 
 ers, who are very thrifty. It is regarded as one of 
 the best farming sections in the county. In the 
 south and west portion of the township the land is 
 hilly, while in the north and east it is flat. 
 
 The soil is a clay loam. The township is well 
 drained by the branches of Black and Cass Rivers, 
 and by Elm Creek. 
 
 The people suffered fearfully from the great fires, 
 particularly that of 1S81, which swept over nearly 
 the whole township. They have pretty well re- 
 covered from the effects, having good homes again, 
 and doing well. About two-thirds of the land is now 
 under cultivation. There are two saw-mills and one 
 flouring mill, which supply the home demands. 
 
 The township is provided witli fine schools, which 
 are located respectively on sections 8, 11, 21, 26 and 
 31. This township was organized in 186 1, when 
 Donald Currie was chosen Supervisor, Alex. Curric, 
 Clerk and Richard Evans, Treasurer. It is bounded 
 on the north by Sigel, on the east by Sherman, on 
 the south by Sanilac County, and on the west by 
 Bingham Township. Parisville is the i)rincipal village, 
 where there is a general store, kept Ijy Wm. Engle, 
 and a hotel by George Zinger. 
 
 A Polish school is about to be opened at this 
 town, which will be in charge of the Sisters of the 
 Catholic Church. The Catholics also have a C'hurch 
 here, which was one of the first put up in the penin- 
 sula. A new building 45 X120 feet is nearly finished. 
 
 It was erected by Rev. Joseph Gratza. There is 
 also a Presbyterian society at Parisville. 
 
 This town has a postoffice, and the Port Huron & 
 Northwestern Railroad runs across the southeast 
 corner of the township. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The names of the Supervisors who have served 
 the township are given below: 
 
 Donald Currie, 1861 
 
 Charles McMillan, 1862-7 
 
 Donald Currie, 1868-70 
 
 Charles McMillan, 187 1-2 
 
 Stephen Willkowski, 1873 
 
 Charles McMillan, 1874 
 
 Stephen Pawlowski, 1875-6 
 
 Charles McMillan, 1877-8 
 
 Wm. Mauer, 1879 
 
 Charles McMillan, 1880-1 
 
 Paul Suida, 1882-4 
 
 =e:s- 
 
 ^oi^T pusipiN Township. 
 
 v^ 
 
 HE good people of this township got to- 
 gether April 7, 1862, and efl'ected their 
 t^ organization. The polls were opened first at 
 '^^P^ C. H. Gallup's office, but were afterwards 
 moved to J. Heath's shingle shop.. There were 
 seventy-one votes cast, which was the largest 
 number of all the townships at their first election. 
 Isaac Brebner was elected the first Supervisor. 
 
 Port Austin Township forms the tip of the tongue 
 of the Lower Peninsula, and is numbered 19 north, 
 of range r3 east. It is a fractional township, com- 
 posed of 17 sections, and is bounded on three sides 
 by the waters of Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. 
 
 It is estimated that about one-tenth of the town- 
 ship was burned over by the fires of 1871 and 1881. 
 The wind changed during the progress of the latter, 
 driving the fire backward and westward, which saved 
 the town of Port Austin, and a large portion of the 
 township. 
 
 The original timber was pine, hemlock, and the 
 hard-woods. There is but little swamp land in the 
 township. The lands are drained by Bird's Creek, 
 which runs through the western side of the township 
 
 xsx 
 
 ^^«^<l'" 
 
 ■i:=^^ 
 
 <^Il!l^Iin^>^:9 s^jg^r^ ^, 
 
^^^ 
 
 #»- 
 
 <^llli:^llli^> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 "^i^^^-L 
 
 t 
 
 1 
 f 
 
 V 
 
 and empties its waters into Saginaw Bay at Port 
 Austin. The shore line is bordered with a belt of 
 sand, and rising back of this is a clay loam. The 
 surface is undulating, which, together with Bird's 
 Creek, facilitates drainage. The production of the 
 cereals is not up to the average standard ; but all 
 kinds of fruit do exceedingly well, and considerable 
 attention is given to this branch of industry. 
 
 There are two school-houses in the township, 
 located on section 29 and 25. 
 
 This is one of the oldest settled townships in the 
 county, the first member of tlie white race coming 
 here as early as 1837. It contains two thriving 
 towns, — Port Austin and Grindstone City, and for 
 several years had the county seat. 
 
 The following named citizens have represented 
 the township in the Board of 
 
 supervisors: 
 
 I') 
 > 
 
 2 
 
 Isaac Brebner, 
 Edward Cole, 
 Richard Winsor, 
 Edward Cole, 
 Richard Winsor, 
 G. H. Gregory, 
 Robt. W. Irwin, 
 John Butters, 
 Richard Smith, 
 George S. Kene, 
 Richard Smith, 
 Edward Cole, 
 John Ryan, 
 
 1862 
 
 1863-6 
 
 1867 
 
 1868-9 
 
 1870 
 
 187 I 
 
 1 87 2-6 
 
 1877 
 
 1878 
 
 1879 
 
 1880 
 
 1 88 1-3 
 
 1884. 
 
 Further particulars in regard to this township will 
 be found in the history of the village of Port Austin- 
 
 Port Austin. 
 
 ^T the mouth of Bird's Creek on the eastern 
 _ shore of Saginaw Bay, and about two miles 
 '^ west by south of Point aux Barques, is 
 situated the town of Port Austin. For natural 
 advantages, beautiful and picturesque scenery, 
 it is unequalled by any other site in tlie Lower 
 Penmsula. Its front rests on a parterre which 
 gradually rises as you go from the Bay. Its coast is 
 rocky, and for some distance back is shielded by 
 grand old trees. No prettier or more romantic spot 
 could be selected for residences or summer resorts 
 than along tnis shore, and the wonder is that these 
 
 beautiful grounds are not all dotted over with fine 
 residences. A few, with an appreciation for the 
 beauties of nature, have put up elegant residences 
 on these grounds. Among these are, James H. Hall, 
 the banker, the Winsors, Mr. Quimby, of the Detroit 
 Free Press, and J. W. Kimball. 
 
 The Government built for this port a good light- 
 hovise. It is located on a reef about two miles and 
 a half north by east from the town, and about two 
 miles north of Point aux Barques. The crib is octa- 
 gon in shape, 80 feet in diameter, and rests on a solid 
 foundation of rock, which lies 6 feet under water. 
 It is 94 feet high, and was completed in 1878. The 
 keeper is F. E. Kimball. 
 
 SOME OF THE FIRST THINGS. 
 
 During the early days, on steamboat nights, or 
 when tiiey were expecting vessels, they would build 
 bonfires on the shore. Afterwards, Ayres & Co. 
 used to hang out a lamp at the top of a cedar pole. 
 
 Jonathan Bird was the first settler at this place, 
 which was in 1837. He was a " Patriot "in the re- 
 form movement of that time, who fled from Canada 
 and sought refuge on the shores of Saginaw Bay. 
 He built him a little cabin and remained through 
 that winter. In 1838, he built a water-power saw- 
 mill on the banks of the creek that run into the Bay, 
 which was afterwards called Bird's Creek. This 
 was the first saw-mill started in the territory of 
 Huron County. This was the beginning of the 
 heaviest lumber business ever opened in the county. 
 In 1852, Smith, Dwight & Co. bought out Mr. Bird, 
 and under the direction of J. W. Kimball started a 
 large steam saw-mill, which afterwards cut out over 
 120,000,000 feet of lumber for the eastern markets. 
 The tall chimney of this old mill is standing on the 
 sandy shore, within a hundred feet of the water's 
 edge, as firm and erect as ever. This would reverse 
 the theory that a sandy foundation is unsafe to build 
 upon. 
 
 The first school taught at Port Austin was in 1853, 
 in a school-house built by J. W. Kimball. Miss 
 Emma Smith, whose little flock numbered some 15 
 children, was the teacher. 
 
 The first religious service held here was by a 
 Methodist circuit preacher who came up from Lex- 
 ington. This was in 1853, and the meeting was held 
 in the school-house. This territory then belonged 
 to the township of Worth, in Sanilac County. 
 
 vi 
 
 
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 ( 
 
 fo^ 
 
 j^i-L 
 
 aH^;||(|^||p;>fi.a=^ ^s^^^ri. 
 
■^v<^iiiisiin^^T^ 
 
 4^^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 (Of 
 
 
 S 
 
 ^ 
 
 s 
 
 h 
 
 At this period tlie people had no regiihir mail, 
 which being brought only by steamboats, in the 
 winter did not come at all. In the fall of 1S53 
 Daniel Butters, with others, clubbed together and 
 hired a man to bring the mail from Lexington. In 
 the winter of 1853-4 John Butters took tlie contract 
 to carry the mails from the village to Caseville, at 
 $2 a trip, following along the beach. At this time 
 there were a few Indians along the coast. 
 
 When Mr. Butters, with his family, came along, 
 they could not land. The boat took them on to 
 Saginaw. On her return trip, she again failed to 
 make a landing, when they were taken back again to 
 Port Huron, where they lay off to await the return 
 of the boat from Detroit. On the third trial the boat 
 effected a landing, and they were put ashore. 
 
 Times were pretty hard during this winter (1854), 
 and many of the settlers h'ad to subsist at times on 
 middlings, and what suckers they could catch. The 
 provisions of some were left below at Port Huron by 
 the boats, and could not be got in until tiie roads 
 were cut through. 
 
 The coves along this coast used to be a place of 
 refuge in early times for fugitives from justice. 
 
 Thomas Winsor has the honor of being Post- 
 master of this village. They now have three mails 
 a day : one from Sebewaing, one from Sand Beach, 
 and one by rail from the south. 
 
 The county seat was held at this place from 1865 
 to 1873, when it was moved to Bad Axe. 
 
 BUSINESS INTERESTS. 
 
 Port Austin is well supplied with transportation 
 facilities. It is the terminus of the western branch 
 of the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad. There 
 are also two good docks, where steamers and vessels, 
 bound around the lakes and plying between Detroit 
 and Bay City, land, discharge and receive freight. 
 
 Thomas Winsor & Co. have an extensive steam 
 salt block, which was established in 1878. Their 
 brand is the " Port Austin Peerless Salt." These 
 works, with their saw-mill, were burned in the spring 
 of 1880, but were rebuilt again. The brine is sup- 
 plied for the block from two wells, which extend to 
 the depth of 1,180 feet, one but recently opened. 
 The capacity of their block is 150 barrels per day. 
 The engine is 200-horse-power, and, in addition to 
 the salt block, furnishes the power for the saw-mill, 
 barrel factory and machine shop. The firm are also 
 
 §:^m^h 
 
 large dealers in general merchandise, and have an 
 elevator and a lumber yard. 
 
 Ayres & Co., who located at Port Austin in 1859, 
 carry on an extensive trade in general merchandise. 
 They have also a salt block, started in 1864, which 
 yields a yearly product of about 40,000 barrels. 
 They have in connection with this a saw-mill, 
 shingle-mill and barrel factory, and a flouring-mill. 
 
 The Huron Agricultural Works, established in 
 1870, is another industry which is of great benefit 
 to the county. This includes the carriage and 
 wagon manufactory, and is represented by J. ^\', 
 Campbell & Co. 
 
 Tlie banking and insurance business is represented 
 by James H. Hall, who is well patronized. He is also 
 a lawyer. Richard Winsor has also a banking house, 
 which he carries on with his large legal practice. He 
 came to the Peninsula in the winter of T857-8, and 
 located at or near Huron City, then called Willow 
 Creek. He located at Port Austin in 1867. He has 
 recently moved into his new bank building, which is 
 the best structure in the town, and not e.xcelled in the 
 county. It is a two-story brick building, with a solid 
 stone foundation and blue stone trimmings. The 
 rooms are finished with hard wood, tastefully orna- 
 mented, and the building is heated by a furnace with 
 modern appliances. The large vault rests upon a 
 solid stone foundation; is constructed independent 
 of the building, lined with steel rail, and has a time 
 lock. The upper floor is divided into offices with a 
 neat little hall in the rear. 
 
 From the healthful appearance of the village it 
 would appear that there would be little use for drugs 
 and medicines, yet Dr. Bennett Richards does a fine 
 business in this line, and has also a good practice. 
 He was lucky when he selected this place for his fu- 
 ture home, which he did in 1865. When he located 
 at this village, he says, he was the only physician 
 within 40 miles. 
 
 H. Adams supplies the people with dressed lumber. 
 
 W. H. Cooper & Co. are extensive dealers in gen- 
 eral merchandise. This firm has also a large steam 
 salt block at New River, between Grindstone City 
 and Huron City, wliich was established in 1874. 
 Their annual production is 25,000 barrels. 
 
 John Butters has a good trade in general merchan- 
 dise and millinery. He is one of the early settlers. 
 James Ried has a furniture store, and C. J. Friers is 
 
 I 
 
 
HURON COUNTY. 
 
 -^m 
 
 H^f 
 
 ,0 
 
 > 
 
 <7S 
 
 2 
 
 m •* 
 
 well prepared to supply his customers with harness 
 and saddlery. The hardware and stove business is 
 represented by James Baldwin and John Brett; the 
 jewelry by Eli Fuller. I. Razek & Co. and Stine & 
 Mcllhargey have dry goods and groceries; W. E. 
 Clark, books and stationery. Mrs. George Hazen, by 
 her skill in millinery, is prepared to make the ladies 
 of the village look more beautiful. Taylor & Dunn 
 have a boot and shoe store. 
 
 B. L. Tripp, A. Horn, and James Ryan have the 
 monopoly of the meat markets. R. H. Wilcox has a 
 bakery and a confectionery store. 
 
 James Ryan is one of the old hotel-keepers of the 
 town, and his place is a popular resort for travelers. 
 He has also a large stock farm about two miles east 
 of the village, where he is breeding Mambrino, Wal- 
 lace and Hambletonian horses, and the Berkshire 
 breed of swine. This is a very important enterprise 
 for the county. Landlord O. Williams, of the Winsor 
 House, has his share of the public patronage and 
 always makes his guests feel at home. This building 
 was formerly occupied as a court-house. 
 
 There are also a tailor shop, boot and shoe shop 
 and two blacksmith shops, and a restaurant. 
 
 Port Austin is not without a newspaper. This is 
 the Huron County News, publislied by the Huron 
 County News Co. It was started in 1862, the first 
 paper in the county. A history of it is given else- 
 where. It was established as a Republican paper, but 
 during the recent campaign it advocated the Prohi- 
 bition ticket. 
 
 One of the new industries of this place, which 
 ought to be noticed, is the dairy. I'he Learneds, 
 with commendable enterprise, are leading off in this 
 direction. They have a very neat little creamery, 
 and through the jiast season milked 35 cows. This 
 they first started for their own use and as an experi- 
 ment. They propose now to go into this business 
 much more extensively. 
 
 There are many fine residences in this village, and 
 the people are of a better class. Port Austin is very 
 favorably located. With her extensive industries, 
 and the splendid agricultural country around, there is 
 no reason why she should not be one of the foremost 
 and best built up towns in tiie country.- 
 
 The historian, before closing this sketch, is con- 
 strained to express a regret at seeing this beautiful 
 village marred by so many old dilapidated shanties, 
 broken down fences and rickety sidewalks. 
 
 ,>!>rlJ*3?l,^J<_ 
 
 '^m'^< 
 
 EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. 
 
 This village can take pride in having one of the 
 best schools in the county. The school-house is a 
 large two-story building, with three apartments, and 
 with a seating capacity in all of 200 pupils. Cost, 
 $4,500. The school is graded. D. H. Powers is 
 principal; George A. Frazier has charge of the inter- 
 mediate, and Miss S. H. Clark the primary, depart- 
 ment. There is in attendance about 150 scholars. 
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 The Presbyterians of Port Austin gathered together 
 and organized their society in 187 i, with ten mem- 
 bers, namely, Mr. and Mrs. John Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. 
 W. F. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. George Kene, Mrs. C. H. 
 Gallup, Mrs. Caroline Cliapman, Mrs. Brebnor and 
 Mrs. Marrow. John Kerr and W. F. Clark were 
 chosen Ruling Elders. Rev. E. P. Clark was the 
 first Pastor, remaining until 1877. The second Pas- 
 tor was the Rev. John Kay, who remained two years. 
 Rev. T. Dwight next served the society one year. 
 Rev. S. W. McKee was the fourth Pastor, serving 
 two and. a half years. At the present they are with- 
 out a pastor. Present membershii), sixty. The first 
 meetings were held in an old school-house, which 
 they fitted up for a place of worship. A Sunday- 
 school lias been connected with tliis Church from its 
 first organization. They have a very neat little 
 church edifice, costing, with other property, $3,000. 
 
 Catholic Church. — When, some twenty years ago, a 
 few members of this great religious organization set- 
 tled in Huron County, this Church, true to her his- 
 torical character, sent them a missionary to look after 
 their spiritual welfare. A mission was established at 
 Port Austin, which was the first in the county. By 
 their indomitable zeal they soon had a church build- 
 ing up, which was the first at Port Austin. Their 
 membership rapidly increasing, and the building 
 becoming old, it was decided to erect a larger edifice, 
 to meet the wants of the congregation. This was 
 begun in 1883, and at present it is so far in the 
 course of completion that they are able to worship 
 beneath its roof It is a large, plain edifice, no feet 
 in length by 46 feet in width, with a sealing capacity 
 of about 650 persons, and will cost when completed 
 $4,500. It is called the "Saint Michael's Catholic 
 Church," and is in charge of Father N. L. Maschino. 
 This congregation has a membership of about 175 
 families, from Port Austin and adjacent settlements. 
 
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 0) 
 
'SJSs 
 
 (^^)«^t> 
 
 <:im^:Dn>ix- 
 
 ^ 
 
 ) 
 
 • >. 
 
 2 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 'o 
 
 €> 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 ":2^'^ 
 
 45' 
 
 It is in the diocese of Bishop Borgess, of Detroit. 
 Services are held only every other Sunday, as the 
 priest has to attend three other missions and two 
 stations. Most of the Catholic societies in the coun- 
 ty are attended by the priest from Port Austin. There 
 are also with the Church four Sisters of the Domini- 
 can Order, who have charge of the education of her 
 children. It is a large, flourishing school, of about a 
 hundred scholars. 
 
 St. John's Episcopal Church held its first services in 
 Port Austin Feb. 4, i88i,in the Presbyterian church, 
 with two communicants, — Mr. W. H. Cooper and 
 Mrs. James Ayres, since deceased. Rev. W. H. 
 Smythe presided as missionary. The services of this 
 Church have since been held in a hall. The society 
 has nearly completed a rectory, for the construction 
 of which it has received outside aid. They hope in 
 1885 to complete a church building. Present num- 
 ber of communicants, 35 ; congregation, about 200. 
 There is a Sunday-school attached, with a library of 
 100 volumes. Mr. Smythe holds missionary service at 
 Port Crescent. The first meeting was held March 6, 
 1 88 1, with no communicants. Messrs. Haskell, 
 Eakins and Soule gave the land and built a neat little 
 church at this place, costing $r,ooo. Mr. Smythe 
 holds services here every two weeks. Besides this, 
 he visits Meade and outlying missions. 
 
 Baptist Church was organized Feb. 12, 1875, at 
 the house of Frederick S. Ayres. Present — Mr. and 
 Mrs. Ayres, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Learned, Thomas 
 Neil and wife, Mrs. E. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. 
 Kimball. Rev. H. C. Beals officiated as Pastor, who 
 remained with the Cliurch for awhile, and then it was 
 left for several years without a minister. The new 
 church, which is a fine Gothic structure, was com- 
 pleted and dedicated in June, 1884. It cost $3,000, 
 including lot. The society has at present forty mem- 
 bers, who are presided over by Rev. William A. 
 Atchinson. 
 
 This village shows her musical taste in the organ- 
 ization of a brass band. It has thirteen members, 
 and W. H. Brown is the leader. 
 
 .MASONIC. 
 
 Cass Lodge, No. 219, was organized in i866. The 
 charter members were James McDonald, Nathan 
 Stoddard, Benjamin W. Merrick, D. Hill, John 
 Butters, A. R. Cole, William Adamson, O. B. Wil- 
 liams, Jonas R. Learned and G. H. Van Woert. 
 
 ^*-^« 
 
 Grindstone City. 
 
 */[vp'i HIS enterprising and stirring little town is 
 
 jj^-lgj-lj located on the shore of Lake Huron, and is 
 
 igJjtiJ^^^ ^ in the township of Port Austin. The first 
 
 ■J&. settler here was Capt. A. G. Peer, who located 
 
 I in 1845. 
 
 He started the first grindstone mill, 
 which he ran by water power, utilizing a creek 
 that puts in at this place. This was not only the 
 first mill here, but also in the territory now embraced 
 by Huron county. The Captain is still living in the 
 town, and is hale and hearty. 
 
 The first postoffice established here was in the fall 
 of 1S74; James Green was appointed Postmaster, 
 and he holds the position yet. They have mails 
 each way daily, and have also telegraphic connec- 
 tions. 
 
 The principal business carried on in Grindstone 
 City is the manufacturing of grindstones and salt. 
 Worthington & Sons started their grindstone factory 
 in 187 I. A year before this they opened a general 
 merchandise business. In 1880, this firm started 
 their salt block, and have an annual production of 
 about 30,000 barrels of salt. They manufacture 
 annually about 3,000 tons of grindstones, — some 
 weighing as high as 7,500 pounds, — and a large 
 quantity of scythe-stones and ax-bits. They employ 
 on an average seventy-five men. They handle about 
 $50,000 of merchandise annually. 
 
 The I,ake Huron Stave Company is another large 
 f.xctor in the business of this city. The members of 
 this firm are Robert Wallace, who lives at Grind- 
 Stone, Frank B. Wallace and E. L. Wallace, of De- 
 troit, and James J. Wallace, of Chicago. This firm 
 are also dealers in general merchandise, handling 
 about $30,000 annually. They manufacture 3,000 
 tons of grindstones, and about 3,000 gross of scythe- 
 stones and ax-bits yearly. James Wallace bought 
 the business from Cipt. Peer. The others came into 
 the firm and it was changed to the Lake Huron Stone 
 Company in 1865. They shij) a large quantity of 
 stone from this place to different markets, for build- 
 ing purposes. 
 
 The fire of 187 1 burned part of the town. In 
 
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 I 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 1881 the fire was kept back by vigorous fighting. 
 
 There are two docks running out into the lake 
 nearly 3,000 feet. They are constructed with cribs 
 filled wiih stone, which make a very good harborage 
 for lake vessels. Upon these docks tramways are 
 constructed for the conveyance of salt and stone 
 from the factories. It might be mentioned that these 
 factories have, in addition, blacksmith and machine 
 shops and a barrel factory. They all find employ- 
 ment for about 450 men. 
 
 The population of this thriving village is estimated 
 at 600. The stone quarries seem inexhaustible, 
 which will warrant the assumption that this town is 
 now only in its infancy of growth and prosperity. It 
 has established a good school for the education of 
 its youth. 
 
 There is a Presbyterian society in the village, but 
 no church. A church building was put up by the 
 Presbyterian Relief Synod after the fire of 188 r, 
 which was afterwards blown down by a cyclone, and 
 it has not since been re-built. 
 
 I^UBiGON Township. 
 
 UBICON Township is one of the oldest 
 settled townships in the county, and was 
 for mxny years before its organization a 
 
 .- lumbering camp 
 
 this period, quite a town. 
 
 Forest Bay was, during 
 
 The first meeting 
 was held at this place, April 4, 1859, to perfect 
 the organization of the township. Forty-eight votes 
 were cast, resulting in the election of W. D. Lud- 
 ington for Supervisor, J. E. Raymond, Clerk, and 
 John Hopson, Treasurer; A. L. Kimball, W. D. 
 Ludington, Wm. Gleason and J. B. Jennings were 
 elected Justices of the Peace, and W. R. Stafford, 
 John Hopson and Charles Murray, Highway Com- 
 missioners. Rubicon Township is bounded on the 
 north by Gore, on the east by Lake Huron, the south 
 by Sand Beach, and on the west by Bloomfield Town- 
 ship. It is numbered 17 north, of range 15 east. 
 To Wm. Ludington this township is indebted for its 
 name. 
 It is hard to tell who the first settler or settlers 
 
 were. Hunters and fishermen from Sanilac and St. 
 Clair Counties used to make it their headquarters. 
 Later on, or about the year 1850, some " shingle- 
 weavers," with fishermen, came in and rendezvoused 
 here. It was not long before the wealth which lay 
 dormant in the magnificent forests of pine, liemlock, 
 cedar, bass-wood, beech, maple, birch and ash began 
 to attract attention. Transportation was easy and 
 cheap by water. The land was bought from the 
 Government by John Hopson, W. R. Stafford, Wm. 
 Ludington, Haywood & Jenness, saw-mills were per- 
 chased and set up, and the great lumber industry 
 comir.enced in earnest. This was about the time of 
 the organization of the township. The felling of 
 these giant trees, the perpetual buzz of the saw, and 
 the sailing to and fro of the white- winged transport- 
 ers of commerce, soon brought in the agriculturist. 
 Of these first settlers a few yet survive. 
 
 The lake cuts off some of the area of the town- 
 ship, and it has only about twenty-three square 
 miles. About seven square miles of this still re- 
 main uncultivated. The remaining portion is oc- 
 cupied by splendid farms, the owners of which are 
 becoming inde|jendent. The land is undulating in 
 the northern and western portion of the township. 
 Approaching the lake it becomes more even, and, 
 sloping as it does, gives a natural drainage. There 
 are a few small creeks which also assist in the drainage 
 as well as to supply water for stock. The soil is 
 varying; in some parts it is a clay loam, and others 
 a sand loam. 
 
 The people of this township suffered severely 
 from the fires of 1871 and 1881, which swept over 
 nearly the entire territory. That of i88r left a little 
 striparound Port Hope, in the extreme northern por- 
 tion, and about the same in the southeast corner of 
 the township. 
 
 Rubicon is regarded as being especially adapted 
 to the cultivation of the larger and smaller fruits, 
 and this belief is warranted by those who have had 
 practical experience in this direction. 
 
 There are four school districts in this township, 
 with good school buildings and good teachers. Dis- 
 trict No. I is* on section 26, No. 2 on section 4, No. 
 3 on section 18, and No. 4 on section 29. The cost 
 of school-house in No. i is $800. There are forty- 
 five scholars in attendance. School building in Dis- 
 trict No. 3 cost $950. The attendance at this school 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 is fifty-two scholars. The school building in No. 4 
 cost $500, and the attendance here is twenty-seven 
 scholars. No. 2 will be mentioned in the history of 
 Port Hope. 
 
 This township may be ranked as among the fore- 
 most townships of the coujity. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The names of those who have served as Supervi- 
 sors are here appended : 
 
 W. D. Ludington, 1859-61 
 
 James E. Haywood, 1862 
 
 James Miller, 1863 
 
 W. D. Ludington, 1864-5 
 
 James Miller, 1866-70 
 
 Vvilliam Seeley, (871 
 
 James E. Haywood, 1872 
 
 John Hopson, 1873 
 
 James Miller, 1874 
 
 Edwin Hicks, 1875 
 
 W. J. Ludington, 1876-7 
 
 R. C. Ogilvie, 1878-80 
 
 ^Robert Winterbottom, 1 881-2 
 
 John Melligan, 1883-4 
 
 Huron City. 
 
 f HIS pleasant village is located on an ele- 
 vated plateau overlooking Lake Huron, 
 and at the mouth of Willow Creek. It is 
 S^ the highest bluff in the county, and from it, 
 looking down the gradual sloping fields to the 
 lake, a most beautiful and commanding view 
 can be taken. A long time before any permanent 
 settlement began, the present site was occupied by 
 transient fishermen. -Some time in the year 1845, 
 Mr. Lewis built a saw-mill, which he operated awhile 
 and sold out to Mr. Brakeman. This man sold to 
 Bowling & Forbes, of Port Huron, who afterwards 
 sold out to R. B. Hubbard & Co. This was really 
 the lx;ginning of this town. Extensive business 
 operations were carried on by this firm until the fire 
 of 1871, which destroyed their mills, docks, store 
 and the entire village. This was a great loss, not 
 only to them but also to the township. Their flournig 
 mill, saw-rain, grain, lumber, shingles, cedar posts, 
 dock, and warehouses, filled with grain, were en- 
 tirely consuined by the fire. They re-lniilt again ; 
 but soon after Mr. Watson retired from the firm and 
 
 Mr. Hubbard became sole proprietor of this exten- 
 sive business. 
 
 Prior to the fire of 1871, the township of Huron 
 a little way from the lake was almost an unbroken 
 forest, containing as fine a body of timber as ever 
 grew, — fine beech, maple, ash, elm and basswood. 
 The manufacturing of this timber into lumber gave 
 employment to many families, and was a source of 
 great benefit to the village and tlie adjacent country. 
 The fires of i88r again destroyed it, leaving but one 
 small house standing. The business was again 
 built up by Mr. Hubbard, and the town once more 
 is in a prosperous condition. The losses of Mr. 
 Hubbard by the fire of i88r alone is estimated at 
 $250,000. About 100 head of fine cattle were 
 burned. Mr. Hubbard handles about 30,000 in 
 merchandise annually. In addition to this, he man- 
 ufactures lumber, shingles, lath and flour. He is 
 also an extensive farmer, cultivating some 3,000 
 acres of land. With this, he is breeding the Short- 
 horn, Durham and other blooded stock. 
 
 Frank W. Hubbard is Postmaster. Daily mails 
 each way, and telegraph communications. 
 
 F. W. Hubbard is building a cheese-factory, which 
 will be ready for next season. 
 
 The village has a good hotel for the accommoda- 
 tion of its guests. 
 
 Number of scholars in the organized districts is 
 243. There is a good school in the town. The 
 Maccabees have a lodge here. 
 
 There is a very neat Methodist Church building 
 at this place, which has been built since the fire ; 
 cost, $1,300. Rev. H. G. Pearsons, from Port Hope, 
 officiates. 
 
 ^^- 
 
 Port Hope. 
 
 I HIS clean, attractive, well built village rests 
 on a plateau extending back from the 
 shores of Lake Huron. With its com- 
 manding view of the lake on the east, and 
 the large cultivated fields to the westward, it 
 l)ossesses a location that the traveler would go 
 far to find excelled. 
 
 The settlement of this iilace grew out of the lum- 
 ber-manufacturing interests. Il is laid out regularly 
 into lots, which are ornamented by elegant dwellings. 
 
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 454 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 school-houses, churches, and shady trees. The lake- 
 shore road, for several miles each way from the vil- 
 age, is unsurpassed by any in the county. Port 
 Hope is located near the northern line of Rubicon 
 Township, and is one of the oldest towns in the 
 county. 
 
 The principal industry here now is the manu- 
 facture of salt. Wm. R. Stafford has a pan block, 
 which he started in 1874, and made 16,000 barrels 
 the first year. The well extends to the depth of 
 800 feet. The strength of brine is 84. To meet 
 the capacity of the well, Mr. Stafford has largely in- 
 creased his salt block, which gives him now a capac- 
 ity of 60,000 barrels annually. He consumes 10,000 
 cords of wood annually, for which he pays one dol- 
 lar per cord. In addition to tliis, Mr. S. has a barrel 
 factory, flouring-mill and saw-mill. The flouring- 
 mill has six run of stone, French luihr, with a capac- 
 ity of 60 barrels daily. His saw-mill was first built 
 in 1858. At this time the shore was lined witli 'a 
 heavy growth of timber, and tliere were no roads. 
 For some years he cut out annually about 7,000,000 
 feet. His mill, dock, and a large amount of lumber 
 was burned in 187 1. Loss about $100,000. Re- 
 built in 1872, and was burned again in 1881, with 
 dock, and a million feet of lumber. The firm name 
 at first was Stafford & Jenness. In 1868 it was 
 changed to Stafford & Haywood, and Haywood retired 
 in 1882. Thesalt block is carried on by an incorporated 
 company, which is called the " Port Hope Salt Com- 
 pany." With this, Mr. Stafford is a large dealer in 
 general merchandise, handling from $75,000 to $100,- 
 000 annually. 
 
 There is also another salt block, owned by Dr. R. 
 C. Ogilvie. Willi this there is a saw-mill and barrel 
 factory. In addition. Dr. Ogilvie has a drug-store, 
 and is a dealer in general merchandise. He is also 
 Postmaster of Port Hope. The salt block of Dr. 
 Ogilvie was started during the early part of 1883. 
 It has a capacity of 150 barrels daily. The well is 
 a remarkably good one. 
 
 W. Leuty is a dealer in general merchandise. Dr. 
 S. Bell has established himself in the village. Mrs. 
 J. Getlz keeps millinery and fancy goods. There is 
 a blacksmith and wagon shop by S. E. Carr, and a 
 boot and shoe shoi), by Felix Beckwith. 
 
 The town has good facilities for transportation. 
 Two docks extend from the shore out into deep | 
 
 water for the accommodation of large vessels. Four 
 regular lines of steamers stop here, connecting with 
 Detroit and the upper lakes. 
 
 For the entertainment of people visiting Port 
 Hope, Robert Winterbottom has a commodious hotel, 
 whicli is located on Main Street. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 Port Hope has an e.xcellent graded school, in 
 charge of J. J. Daily, Principal, and Mrs. M. G. Carr, 
 assistant. There are 130 scholars in attendance. 
 The school building is very creditable to the town. 
 It cost $2,500. There is also a German school of 
 from fifty to sixty pupils. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 This village is well re|)resented by societies. They 
 have a Masonic lodge, with a chapter, — Port Hope 
 Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M., and Stafford Chapter, 
 No. 27, of R. A. M. 'They have a good building 
 for the liolding of their meetings, the upper part of 
 whicii is used by them, and the lower part as a pub- 
 lic hall. Two literary societies have also been estab- 
 lished in the village, — the " Mutual Improvement 
 Society," and the "Chautauipia Literary and Scien- 
 tific Circle." These are in the third year ot organi- 
 zation. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 Of these there are four. The Mclhodists were 
 the first to hold services in this town, which was in 
 1858, Rev. J. Tuttle presiding: meetings were then 
 held in a boarding-house. A fine church edifice has 
 been built, costing $4,500, and a parsonage which 
 cost $1,500. Present membership is about seventy. 
 Rev. H. G. Piersons is the Pastor. 
 
 The German Lutheran — Synod of Missouri — first 
 organized in 1870. They have a large, fine churcli 
 building, which was completed in 1872. Rev. W. 
 Schwartz was the first Pastor. The present Pastor 
 is Rev. Thomas Schoech. The Church has a par- 
 sonage. Rev. E. Delarme has charge of the Ger- 
 man Reformed Church, which has some thirty 
 members. They are to have a church building soon. 
 
 Presbyterians. — Their first service was held at this 
 village in 1875, by Rev. John Kay. They organized 
 in 1 88 1, with fifteen members. 'This society is 
 erecting a fine church edifice, which, when com- 
 pleted, for architectural beauty, will be unsurpassed 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Rev E. L. Davies is the present niin- 
 
 
 
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 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 The first school taught in Rubicon Township 
 was by Thomas Nichols, who afterwards became a 
 Methodist minister. The first school taught at Port 
 Hope was in 1859, in a little old shingle shanty, by 
 Mrs. James E. Haywood. The first Postmaster of 
 this township, and also village, was W. R. Stafford, 
 who held the same for twenty-two years, an unusual 
 thing to happen to an official. 
 
 Port Hope has a daily mail service each way. The 
 people in the contiguous portions of Bloomfield, 
 Gore and Huron Townships, come here for their mail, 
 and also to do their trading. 
 
 Sand Bbagh Township. 
 
 i^AND BEACH is one of the first townships 
 W to organize in this county. The exact 
 
 f[iHvgs<-^ date cannot be definitely ascertained, but 
 l*\ it was before the county was set off, and the 
 \v, territory of which it was composed was then 
 1 attached to Sanilac County. It embraced the 
 
 ■ territory now occupied by Sherman and White 
 Rock Townships, and that of which it is now com- 
 posed. The opinions of the oldest settlers differ as 
 regards the time of this organization, and they are 
 unable to give the names of the first officers elected, 
 or those that followed with any accuracy, the dates 
 or terms of service. The records were destroyed by 
 the fires. From the best information obtained, it 
 must have been about the year 1854. 
 
 It was first settled by John Allen, who came in 
 183S. The township was then heavily timbered 
 with jiine, hemlock, cedar and ash. The townships 
 of White Rock and Sherman have since been organ- 
 ized from it. Tiie eastern portion of the townshi]) 
 is rolling, the western flat. The soil is clay loom, 
 and sandy, with occasional gravelly fields. It is well 
 watered by several creeks, among which are Allen 
 and Spring Creeks. It is a good soil for the cereals, 
 and all the northern fruits do well. There are seven 
 
 full school districts in the townshi|) and one frac- 
 tional one, having good school buildings. 
 
 Major Cooper has a hotel at Sigel postoffice, near 
 the western line of the township, and a grocery 
 store. He is also Postmaster. The township is 
 bounded on the north by Rubicon, on the east by 
 Lake Huron, the south by Sherman and White 
 Rock, and the west by Sigel Township, and is num- 
 bered 16 north, of range 15 east. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The names of the Supervisors from 1S64 are 
 given below. Jolin Hopson and Hunting Trescott 
 served as Supervisors before this date. Mr. Trescott 
 thinks he served in 1S60. 
 
 T. W. Pack, 
 
 1864-6 
 
 Robert W. Irwin, 
 
 1867 
 
 G. W. Pack, 
 
 1868 
 
 Robert W. Irwin, 
 
 1869-71 
 
 G. W. Tenks, 
 
 1872-7 
 
 Robert W. Irwin, 
 
 1878-81 
 
 Henry Harrison, 
 
 1882 
 
 G. W. Jenks, 
 
 1884 
 
 Most of the history of this township properly 
 comes under the next head. 
 
 -^ >^^Sp-i^S-v^~"J- 
 
 Sand Beach. 
 
 .ciK-i^'aii g j].|gy passed up and down this coast, the 
 . early pioneers, sto|)ping at times at different 
 S^**' points and then moving on, had little 
 ^ thought that the wild-looking country upon 
 11?^ which the site of Sand Beach is located would 
 I be converted into a city, or that from the lake 
 in front would be constructed as fine a harbor as 
 could be found on any inland coast. Neither did the 
 people of a more recent period ; and when other 
 settlements along the shore were broken up and 
 scattered, and a location finally made here, they had 
 no idea that it would be other than a little hamlet. 
 Nor is this to be wondered at when we remember 
 how strange and eccentric is the birth, growth and 
 development of towns anil cities. Some locations* 
 which are regarded as exceedingly favorable for the 
 building up of cities, will settle up rapidly for a time 
 and then, like the Roman empire, go down ; while 
 other locations that were nol regarded worth even 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 the establishment of a postofifice, become in one 
 generation great commercial centers. 
 
 Sand Beach has had this advantage, however, 
 from the first, of possessing as favorable a site for a 
 city as could be found anywhere. The site upon 
 which the town is principally built is on a plateau 
 with an elevation of some 40 feet above the lake, 
 which affords one an extensive view of that water 
 and the harbor. The shore recedes, forming a cres- 
 cent line and throwing out thereby points at the 
 north and south which partially forms a bay, and 
 thus makes a natural location for a harbor. The 
 name was given to this site by fishermen who used 
 to ply their trade along this shore, on account of the 
 wide beach here and its freedom from the rocky 
 bluffs that appear above and below ; and it has since 
 been retained. 
 
 The first settler here was John Allen, who came in 
 the sirring of 1838; with him came Alanson Daggett. 
 They put up a saw-mill a short distance below, at a 
 place then called Rock Falls. Mr. Allen sold out to 
 Mr. Robertson, who sold to Henry Whitcomb in 
 1845. This lumber, which they manufactured, was 
 put aboard of vessels that lay at anchor off the 
 shore. They would form cribs there of lumber and 
 then float them out to the vessels and load up. If no 
 storm came up, they were all right; and all wrong it 
 it did. 
 
 The first couple married on this shore were Duncan 
 McCart, and Mary Jane French. E.xtensive prepa- 
 rations were made, considering the times, for this 
 occasion, a great feast was held and a Bacchanalian 
 revel followed. 
 
 Henry Whitcomb was the first Justice 01 the 
 Peace. 
 
 Mr. Whitcomb brought the first goods here for 
 sale. The "shingle-weavers " were quite numerous 
 in those days along this shore, and a merry time they 
 would often have. They got a good price for 
 their shingles : tlie timber cost them nothing, as they 
 aopropriated tliat from the (iovernment. From the 
 proceeds of llieir shingles they would send down to 
 Port Huron and purchase a barrel of flour and a 
 barrel of whisky. Then they would have a " high 
 time " until the whisky gave out, whicii it always 
 would do long before the flour did! 
 
 The same thing might be gaid here of some of the 
 saw-mills. Frequently the ])roducts of their labor 
 
 would be siezed after it reached its destination; and 
 the Government inspectors would often suddenly 
 appear along the shore and scatter the " weavers " 
 into the deep forests. And often, too, their eyes 
 would be closed to Uncle Sam's interests, and they 
 would pass on. 
 
 Another industry was located here which the early 
 settlers speak of, and, though not as reputable, was 
 perhaps as profitable. This was counterfeiting. A 
 man by the name of Cane came here with his outfit, 
 put up a log hut and started a Mexican silver dollar 
 factory. He, however, never offered his goods upon 
 this market. Later on he went into counterfeiting 
 bills. The good-natured settlers did not trouble him 
 or "give him away," though they knew pretty well 
 what he was doing. The dollars were first-class. 
 Cane told a good joke on himself to one of the 
 pioneers. He was preparing a pot of metal for the 
 purpose of veneering his bogus dollars, and his coun- 
 terfeit money was so good that he had mistaken it 
 himself for the genuine, and, putting it into the potv 
 he spoiled the whole batch ! 
 
 Upon the organization of the county in 1859, 
 Sand Beach was made the county seat. It reriiained 
 so until 1864, when the court-house was burned, 
 with nearly all the records. The fire occurred June 
 25th. One term of court was held here after the 
 fire, in the Dow House, and then the county capital 
 was removed to Port Austin. 
 
 The first child born about Sand Beach was a 
 daughter to Alanson and Mrs. Daggitt. 
 
 In r86i Carrington & Pack established their 
 large steam saw-mill at Sand Beach. They cut 
 here for many years, and until the timber became 
 thinned out, on an average of 30,000 feet per day. 
 With this lumber business they opened a general 
 merchandise store on the corner of Huron and State 
 Streets, which is now occupied by J. Jenks & Co. 
 At this period the shore land was covered with as 
 fine a forest of pine as ever grew heavenward. 
 
 In 1864, Pack, Jenks & Co. started a saw-mill 
 with a merchandise store, about two miles below, at 
 Rock Falls. June i, 1876, J. Jenks & Co. bought 
 out the firm of Pack, Jenks & Co. at Rock Falls, 
 and Carrington, I'ack & Co. at Sand Beach, and 
 established their headquarters here. From this pe- 
 riod the actual beginning of the city may be dated. 
 The members of this extensive business house are 
 
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HURON COUNTY 
 
 
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 Jeremiah Jenks, George \V. Jenks, James M. Jenks 
 and Bela W. Jenks. 
 
 In 1876 a well ivas put down and a pan salt block 
 started. The well was sunk 715 feet. In 1883, a 
 steam block was put in. During this season the 
 company started the drying and grinding works for 
 making dairy salt. The capacity of the block is 150 
 barrels per day. The brine is 85 by the salinometer. 
 The firm is still carrying on the hardware business at 
 the old stand, while on the opposite corner they have 
 established their general merchandise in a new, large 
 two-story brick store, with basement, all of which 
 they use in their business. In the rear — fronting the 
 lake — they have their elegant, well appointed offices. 
 The building is heated by a furnace. This is by far 
 the largest and finest business house in the county, 
 and was completed in 1882. This company was es- 
 tablished in 1876, and incorporated in 1884. Capital, 
 $200,000, all paid in. They have in connection an 
 elevator, — storage capacity, 25,000 bushels; a barrel 
 factory, and roller flouring-mill. The barrel factory 
 turns out 400 barrels daily, employing 24 men. The 
 flouring-mill, one of the best in the country, was 
 built in 1881, and was the first mill in the United 
 States to roll winter wheat. It contains 16 sets of 
 rollers, and has a capacity of 250 barrels every twen- 
 ty-four hours. Sand Beach is one of the best wheat 
 markets in the State, bringing as much as on the 
 wagon in Detroit. 
 
 The Huron Dairy Salt Company was incorporated 
 in 18S3. Capital $50,000, with $30,000 paid in. 
 George VV. Jenks is President, Charles S. Nims, Sec- 
 retary. 
 
 The officers of J. Jenks & Co. are : Jeremiah 
 Jenks, President; George \V. Jenks, Vice-President; 
 James M. Jenks, Manager, and Bela W. Jenks, Sec- 
 retary. The company have a dock running out into 
 the lake some 1,200 feet, with a track on it, which 
 they iiuilt at a cost of $20,000. In connection with 
 their other business, they keep a coaling station. 
 They purchase from 6,000 to 8,000 cords of wood 
 annually. They ^11 in their brick store about $190,- 
 000 wortli of goods annually ; in iheir hardware store, 
 $30,000. The two firms employ ai)out 125 men. 
 
 J. Jenks & Co. built thirteen miles of the Port 
 Huron & Northwestern Railroad, Sand Beach divis- 
 ion, and donated the depot grounds. This road was 
 completed in 1880, and the first train came into 
 Sand Beach Sept. 23, of the same year. 
 
 OTHER MUSINESS INTERESTS. 
 
 One of the important imlustrics of this place is the 
 Sand Beach Iron Works, lately opened-, and owned 
 by Winterhalter & Dow. It has the best of facilities 
 for doing all kinds of work in iron, steel, brass and 
 agricultural and mill supplies. They keep on hand 
 all kinds of brass and gas fittings, piping, etc. 
 
 The Sand Beach Lumber Yard, Van Buskirk & 
 Monroe, proprietors, have a large stock of all kinds 
 of lumber material. 
 
 The Sand Beach Sash and Door Factory is an- 
 other important industry in this i)lace. John Wellock 
 is the enterprising man who has started this busi- 
 ness. 
 
 The first and only lime kiln started in Huron 
 County is in this village. Smith & Webb are the 
 proprietors of this important industry. Their manu- 
 facturing capacity is 100 barrels per day. They get 
 their lime rock from Kelly's Island, Lake Erie. 
 
 Fishing interests are represented by F. H. Davis & 
 Co., W. B. Isabel & Co., and Levi Brown. The two 
 former fish with tugs, the latter witli sail boats. 
 
 Fred Hilsch is the pioneer in Huron County in the 
 manufacture of cigars. 
 
 C. Maywood keeps lumber and shingles. 
 
 Nobles & Wagner are the pioneer bankers of tiiis 
 city. They established themselves here in 1880, and 
 erected their fine brick bank building in 1S82. Tliey 
 haveoneof the best and probably the handsomest safes 
 in the country ; it is a perfect gem. It is made of steel, 
 with a silver-bronze finish, nickel-plated, with gold 
 ornaments. It was made by Macneale «& Urban, of 
 Cincinnati, for the Chicago Exposition, and took tlie 
 medal. It is absolutely air-tight, with lever action 
 for closing the door, and has the latest improved time 
 lock. Their vault rests on a solid stone foundation, 
 and is constructed independent of the building, with 
 air chambers. 
 
 Leszczynski Bros, are large dealers in general 
 merchandise, which includes a large line in dry 
 goods, with boots and shoes a speciality. 'I'hey are 
 also manufacturers of u])holstered furniture. 
 
 A. H.Taggart keei)s drugs, medicines and jewelry, 
 and I. 1). Lane drugs, medicines and stationery. 
 
 P. M. Olfield is the i)liotographer of the town. 
 
 J. L. Brennan, the accommodating Town Clerk, 
 keeps an assortment of musical merchandise, organs, 
 sewing-machines and holiday goods. 
 
 vS 
 
 
 Si/ 
 
■^V<-:I1I1 
 
 HURON 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 •! ;• 
 
 Mrs. S. Cross and Miss M. Decker look after the 
 interests of the ladies of this village by keeping an 
 assortment of millinery goods, and supplying them in 
 the department of dress-making. 
 
 G. W. Dennis keeps stationery, books, cigars and 
 tobacco. 
 
 H. W. Warnica has a large establishment of fur- 
 niture and upholstered goods, and is also under- 
 taker. 
 
 W. A. Smith keeps stoves and tinware. 
 
 H. Jacobs has a general merchandise store. 
 
 Alex. Walker has groceries and a market. 
 
 C. F. Dow has a billiard hall, with cigars and 
 tobacco and " soft " drinks. 
 
 W. W. Smith, H. Gutsch and A. W. Seely are 
 manufacturers of boots and shoes. 
 
 Cunning & Sommerville and F. Pawlowski are 
 large market dealers. 
 
 M. Kuchenbecker, keeps a tailoring establish- 
 ment. 
 
 Robert Lowery lias a restaurant and bad)er shop. 
 
 Bond & Pittsley keep a livery. 
 
 R. A. Richardson and J. E. Lester carry on the 
 wagon-making and blacksmithing business. 
 
 A. W. Cliamberlain has a store of general mer- 
 chandise and millinery. 
 
 W. G. Rochon paints the houses and signs for the 
 people of the village. 
 
 H. D. Coon attends to their e.xpress business. 
 James Montgomery supplies the town with bread from 
 his bakery, and kee|)s a restaurant. 
 
 The leading hotels of Sand Beach are the Huron 
 House and the Dow House. The Huron House was 
 built in 1881 by .\. Hunter, and opened for business 
 in the spring of rSSz. Though not overgrown in 
 size, it is first-class in every way. Tlie rooms are 
 large and well furnished in every particular. It oc- 
 cupies an eligible location on Huron Street, giving a 
 commanding view of the lake and harbor. The table 
 is furnished with all that the market affords. Mr. 
 Hunter, the landlord, is a good caterer, understand- 
 ing the wants of liis guests, and knowing how to make 
 them feel at home. The service is good and every- 
 thing about the establishment is as " neat as a pin." 
 The traveler who stops here once will call again. 
 
 The Dow House, kept by Samuel East, is a spa- 
 cious house with ample accommodations, and situated 
 on a pleasant site. It was built by Mark Carrington 
 in i860, as a boarding-house. Il was enlarged in 
 
 1880 and refitted. It is a good hotel and the largest 
 in the county. 
 
 There are also two other hotels, the Union House 
 and the Franklin House, kept respectively by G. W. 
 Willson and .\. Prittsley. 
 
 The legal profession is well represented at Sand 
 Beach by George C. Green (the oldest expounder of 
 Blackstone here), ElbridgeF. Bacon, Charles L Hall 
 and John F. Murphy. 
 
 In medicine and surgery the people are well pro- 
 vided for, having Drs. E. E. Lewis, Charles Davies, 
 P. O. VVagener and H. R. Hitchcock. 
 
 Postmaster, E. H. Swain. Daily service by rail 
 and by stage from Port Austin and Bad A.xe. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 Sand Beach takes pride in having the best graded 
 school and the best school-building in the county. 
 Its architectural construction is superior. It is a 
 two-story frame buildmg, with three commodious 
 apartments. There are 250 scholars on the roll, and 
 450 in the district, which is No. i. C. McCurdy is 
 Principal, Miss Lizzie Carmon has charge of the 
 grammar, and Miss Christine VVinterbottom the in- 
 termediate, department. Miss Georgie Bacon pre- 
 sides over the primary department. 
 
 THE PRESS. 
 
 The first paper published in Sand Beach, and the 
 pioneer newspaper of the county, was the Huron 
 County News. The first issue of this journal was 
 dated March 13, 1862, and O. F. Harrington was 
 the brave editor who prepared and cast this little 
 sheet before the world. He might have said with 
 Cowper, and no doubt did, as he sent his little ven- 
 ture forth: 
 
 (lO, my littlo hook, from this, my solitude: 
 I oast thee on the waters; s;o thy ways: 
 
 But if. as 1 suppose, thy vein be {jooil, 
 Tlie world will tiiid thee after many days. 
 
 It was published here until 1865, when it followed 
 the county seat to Port .\ustin. It was then jiub- 
 lished by Wmsor & Gallup, .(^bout the year 187 i it 
 passed into the hands of W. K. Cl.irk, who is the 
 present publisher and editor. 
 
 'J he Huron County Times was established in 1880, 
 and. is now in its fifth volume. Joseph W. Seldcn is 
 the editor and proprietor. It is Republican in poli- 
 tics, and contains more reading matter than any 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 paper published in the county, being a 1 6-page, five- 
 column journal. It is ably edited and newsy. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The Presbyterian Clutrch WTA organized Nov. 27, 
 1 88 1, with 22 members, Rev. D. 1,. Davies jjresiding. 
 These members were Mr. and Mrs. James Eccles 
 and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Wagner, Mr. 
 and Mrs. A. W. Chamberlain, Mr. and Mrs. Peter 
 Dues, Mrs. .A.. R. Fifield, Mrs. Alice E. Jenks, Mr. 
 and Mrs. E. F. Bacon, Mrs. Sarah sVillson, Mrs. 
 Alex. Wood, Mrs. L. E. Lincoln, Mrs. Roberts, Mr. 
 and Mrs. George Harwood, and Mr. and Mrs. Colin 
 Campbell. The first service of this society was held 
 October, iSSo, in the Baptist Church, the pastor 
 then officiating living at Port Hope. This Church 
 has a Sunday-school, consisting of 50 members. 
 They have built an edifice, in which, though nqt 
 completed, services are held. It will cost, when 
 finished, $4,500. The design is very unique, and 
 will be an ornament to the village. 
 
 Methodist Episeopal Church. — Services were first 
 lield by this denomination in the fall of 1857, at 
 wiiat was then called " Center Harbor," in a school- 
 house about a mile south of this village, by Rev. 
 George Owens and Presiding Elder Hickey. Ser- 
 vices were held there until 1S71, when the fire 
 destroyed everything. This circuit embraced For- 
 est ville, Sherman, White Rock and Sand Beach. 
 After the fire of 187 i they moved to Sand Beach 
 and occupied a school-house on section 12. In 
 1878 J. Jenks gave them a lot and a building was 
 commenced. It was completed and dedicated on 
 the 27th of February, [880, the services being held 
 by Presiding Elder EKvood, and the Pastor, Rev. R. 
 Bird. There was in the first organization 19 mem- 
 Ijers. Cost of their church building is $2,254. 
 
 Rev. George Owens is credited with having 
 preached the first sermon on this shore. 
 
 'I he Baptist Church was organized here as early 
 as 1874, January 24, by the Rev. VV. D. Potter. 
 This took place at Rock Falls, about two miles south 
 of Sand Beach, and with the membership of Jere- 
 miah Jenks, John Moran, Sarah Ingles, Isabella 
 Reynolds, James Holmes, Thos. and Eliza Reynolds, 
 Isabella Clark, Margaret Moran, Mabel Reynolds, 
 Peter Dues, George Mettleton, Wm. Wright, Mary 
 and Maggie Moran, Jas. Huxtablc, Hannah Mann, 
 Levina Maule, Chas. Richards, James Moran, Caro- 
 
 line Richards, Adelina and Elizabeth Mitchell, 
 Anna Moran, Michael Liztle, Jacob Fradligh and 
 .\ngelina his wife, and John Huxtable. Rev. A. M. 
 Swain was the first Pastor called who took charge of 
 the Church. He officiated nine years. Services 
 were held in a chapel. In the fall of 1877 the so- 
 ciety followed tlie town to Sand Beach, and built 
 tlieir first cliurch, at a cost of $5,000. It is very 
 imposing, and one of the finest church buildings in 
 the county. They have a neat parsonage, costing 
 $500, which was built by Jeremiah Jenks and pre- 
 sented to the Church. Present membership, loS. 
 They have a flourishing Sabbath-school of 55 mem- 
 bers. This was the first Baptist Church estai)lished 
 in the county. 
 
 The Catholic Churcl; of St. Vinceni Dc Paul held 
 its first service in Sand Beach Jan. i, 1882, starting 
 in with the promises of the new year. They had 
 a membership of fifty families. Rev. N. L. Mas- 
 chino, of Port Austin, was, and is still, in charge of 
 the mission. They began the erection of their 
 church edifice in 18S2, and completed it in [u!)-, 
 1884, previous to which time services were held at 
 the residences of jirivate families. It cost $2,000, 
 and is a plain, neat and substantial church. Di- 
 mensions, thirty-three by sixty-five feet. Services 
 monthly, from Port Austin. 
 
 Evangelical Lutheran Zions Church. — This society 
 was organized here in 1872. They have a church 
 building and a parsonage. The voting members of 
 this Church number 30, and there are about ten fam- 
 ilies. The present Pastor is Rev. F. Duever. 
 
 Presbyterian. — While writing the history of the 
 Churches of Sand Beach, it may not be inopportune 
 to mention the work of the Presbyterian Relief Mis- 
 sion. After the great fire of 1881. the Presbyterian 
 Synod of Michigan appointed Rev. E. L. Davies 
 agent to solicit funds and superintend the building 
 often churches in the burnt districts, the work being 
 carried on under the direction of the Relief Commit- 
 tee of the Synod. These churches are all now com- 
 pleted except three, and dedicated : those at Port 
 Hope, Sand Beach and ("aseville are nearly fin- 
 ished. The cluirches completed are located as fol- 
 lows: Sand Beach, Port Hope, Grindstone (which has 
 been destroyed by a cyclone), Verona, Ubly, Bad 
 Axe, Cumber, Marlette, Caseville and Brookfield. 
 
 M.\SONlC. 
 
 Huron Lodge, No. 361, was organized-imder char- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 ter in January, 1883, with eleven members. It now 
 has thirty-six. They have a hall twenty-four by six- 
 ty-five, which is well furnished. 
 
 INCORPOR.A TED. 
 
 Sand Beach was incor[X)rated as a village by act 
 of the Legislature approved March 14, 1S82. The 
 first meeting was held for the election of officers April 
 10, following. Jeremiah Jenks was chosen President, 
 ]. L. Brennan Clerk and Eugene H. Swain Treasurer- 
 Trustees — Samuel A. Fuller, Benj. M. Grice, Robt. 
 W. Irwin, George VV. Carr, J. \V. Selden and Harvey 
 T. Perkins. Assessor, Henry Harrison ; Street Com- 
 missioner, Benj. F. Harrimore ; Constable, David 
 M. Priest; Charles Hubbell was appointed Marshal. 
 The village territory embraces the south half of frac- 
 tional section i, and fractional section 12. 
 
 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Tlie citizens of Sand Beach have learned some 
 practical lessons from their sad experiences with fire, 
 and have done all they could to guard in the future 
 against this terrible enemy to life and property. To 
 this end they have constructed a complete fire de- 
 partment, after the Holly system of water works. 
 This system consists of a large steam engine, with 
 pump, conveniently located for drawing water from 
 the lake. This engine is located in the boiler and 
 engine rooms of the North Star Rolling Mill of J. 
 Jenks & Co., and is always ready for action. Mains 
 have been laid in the principal streets, to which hy- 
 drants have been attached, and in such locations as 
 are particularly exposed to danger. In connection 
 with this system a good hose company has been 
 formed. This system has also been utilized by the 
 citizens in the use of the pure water for domestic pur- 
 poses, and for wetting down lawns and dusty streets. 
 
 Sand Beach is located in the line of the great water 
 thoroughfare around the lakes and all intermediate 
 points. Several lines of beautiful steamers make reg- 
 ular trips here from Cleveland, Detroit, Port Huron 
 and all points north. With these there are heavy bar- 
 ges, light boats and vessels, all having traffic here 
 and all taking advantage of the fine harbor. It is a 
 grand sight to view from the town, which rests so 
 grandly on an eminence, these giant movers of the 
 industries of the country as they majestically pass 
 
 through the blue waters, or turn and come into port. 
 Maple shade-trees have been set out .ilong all the 
 streets, which are regularly laid out. 
 
 We have, in writing the history of Sand Beach, 
 taken the events and incidents of the early and 
 later life of the people about this shore in chronolog- 
 ical order, following them along as they were center- 
 ing and finally culminating at this town. Though the 
 Harbor of Refuge and the Life-Saving .Service are a 
 part of the institutions — and important ones, too — 
 of Sand Beach, we have thought it best to speak of 
 them in a separate chapter, or under their proper 
 heading, and with a few further thoughts we will close. 
 
 The village of Sand Beach is the most important 
 town in Huron County. Its business features are 
 more e.vtensive and promise a wider field of oi)era- 
 tions. Its population is from 1,100 to 1,200, and is 
 constantly increasing. In addition to its many in- 
 dustries, it is flanked on three sides by a good, rich 
 agricultural' country. Its business houses are good 
 and the dwellings also, many of them exceedingly 
 fine. There are no tumble-down rookeries or fences 
 to mar the beauty of her streets, nor rickety and un- 
 certain side-walks to disturb the pleasures of a prom- 
 enade. Many of the old settlers who have watched 
 this site grow from a wilderness into a beautiful little 
 city are still alive to enjoy the fruits of their labors. 
 
 One of the early settlers. Hunting Trescott, whom 
 every one loves, celebrated his golden wedding Dec. 
 30, 1880. His children and grandchildren and the 
 citizens gathered togetlier at liis house, and to his 
 surprise presented him with a fine gold-headed cane. 
 He is still living here, with the chosen companion of 
 his early youth, surrounded by a score and a half of 
 loving children and "randchildren and affectionate 
 neighbors. 
 
 Sbbbwaing ©ownship. 
 
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 i 
 
 .EBEWAING Township— first known as 
 Auchville — was organized by act of the 
 lljw'W Legislature passed Feb. 12, 1853. Prior 
 to this it was attached, for judicial purposes, 
 with Fair Haven and Geneva, to Tuscola 
 County, under the name of Auchville. The 
 first meeting was held at the residence of Frederick 
 Schilling. Mr. Schilling was chosen Chairman, 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 ^525^3 
 
 461 <^ 
 
 Frederick Luckhard, Clerk, and Christian Bach and 
 John Muellerweiss, Inspectors of the Election. 
 There were fifteen votes cast, resulting in the elec- 
 tion of Frederick Schilling for Supervisor, Frederick 
 Luckhard, Clerk, and Jacol) F Ruehle, Treasurer; 
 C. Bach, Peter Schairer, Jacob Armbuster for Jus- 
 tices of the Peace; J. F. Stricter, Gottfried Beck 
 . and Andreiv Volz for Highway Commissioners ; for 
 School Inspector, Edniond Roeder ; Constables — 
 John Muellerweiss, John Weidner and Frederick 
 Ziegler. 
 
 This township is numbered 15 north, of range 9 
 east, and is situated in the southwest corner of the 
 count)'. Fair Haven bounds it on the north. Brook- 
 field on the ea°st, Tuscola County on the south, with 
 Saginaw Bay on the west. There are four school 
 districts in this township, which are located as fol- 
 lows: No. I, on section S; No. 2, on section 32 ; No. 
 3, on section 10; and No. 4, on section 23. Tlie 
 first school district has 360 scholars on the roll; the 
 second, 75; the third, 100; and the fourth, 60. The 
 school buildings are all frame, and cost respectively 
 as follows: District No i, $4,000; No. 2, $400; No. 
 3, $700; and No. 4, $400. In District No. i, there 
 are two private scliools, bjthof them Lutheran, with 
 about 200 scholars in attendance. 
 
 The first white settler in this towjiship was Rev. 
 John J. F. Auch, who came as a missionary to the 
 Indians in 1845. He resides at Sebewaing. ■ 
 
 The original timber in this township consisted of 
 the hard-woods, interspersed with some pine. The 
 surface of the land is flat. The soil in the central 
 part of the township is very rich ; the eastern part 
 swampy, and near the bay, sandy. The fire of 187 i 
 burned in the center, on the north line, and in the 
 swamps. All the high land is now under cultiva- 
 tion. When the township was first settled it was 
 nearly all swamp. It is drained by the Sebewaing 
 River, which flows into Saginaw Bay. The cereals 
 do well. Potatoes do splendidly, yielding as high as 
 200 bushels per acre. It is an excellent township for 
 fruit, except peaches. The cultivation of grapes is car- 
 ried on extensively. There is one vineyard of five acres. 
 The water is good. The township contains the in- 
 corporated village of Sebewaing and the little ham- 
 let of Kilmanagh. It contains a largo number of 
 fine farms, with commodious dwellings and good 
 farm buildings. Its orchards are numerous and 
 under good cultivation. 
 
 Sebewaing Township is rapidly increasing in pop- 
 ulation, and in this respect is third in order. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 Below is given the names of the men wlio have 
 represented the townshij): 
 
 Frederick Schilling, 
 Frederick Ziegler, 
 Peter Schairer, 
 Frederick Schilling, 
 Peter Schairer, 
 Frederick Schilling, 
 Wm, J. Davis, 
 Frederick Schilling, 
 Peter Schairer, 
 Christian Bach, 
 John F. Ziegler, 
 Henry Neumann, 
 
 1853 
 ■854 
 
 185 s 
 1856 
 
 ■857 
 1858-60 
 
 i86i 
 
 1862-5 
 
 1866-8 
 
 1869-74 
 
 1875-S2 
 
 1884 
 
 Sebewaing. 
 
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 i^EBEWAING village is located at the niouih 
 of Sebewaing River, in the Township of 
 Sebewaing, on Saginaw Bay. Its early 
 history is one of peculiar interest. The first 
 white man who settled at this place was the 
 Rev. J. J. F. Auch, who came in 1845. Mr. 
 Auch came from the Lutheran Church Society, of 
 Ann Arbor, Mich., as a missionary to the Indians. 
 There was one house here then, which was built by 
 Charles Rodd, a half-breed. Mr. Auch put up the 
 second house, which he l)uilt of logs. 
 
 Frederick Ziegler came in 1849. His brjther 
 John followed three months later. In 185 i, Frederick 
 Schilling, Gottfried Beck, Christian Auch, Jacob F. 
 Ruehle, Frederick Smith, Ustus Schmidt, with their 
 wives and children (Schilling had eight), all from 
 Ann Arbor, Mich., were landed by the steam-boat 
 " Julia Smith " on Lone-Tree Island, off from the 
 mouth of Sebewaing River. This island has since 
 been washed away. It was some three weeks before 
 this little colony, with their goods, were landed on 
 the main land. 
 
 This was effected by means of a little boat which 
 they procured from tlie Indians. This little hand 
 did not feel particularly happy, or safe either, when 
 they had got over, for they had no roof to shelter 
 their heads, and the land was very low and swampy. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Often they had to wade in water three feet deep! 
 They had arranged before their coming to have some 
 houses put un, but this had not been done. They 
 located their lands here and then began to lay out 
 and build houses. At first they all had to spend 
 their nights in a log house, and it was not a large 
 one either. There were forty-five of them, men 
 women and children, and they must have been, as 
 they admit, pretty closely packed together. They 
 got their provisions from Saginaw, which were 
 brought in small boats. There was plenty of game 
 here then, — elk, bear, deer, wolves on land, and 
 pike, pickerel and sturgeon in the bay. 
 
 J. Muellerweiss came in the fall of 1S51. 
 
 The first marriage tliat was celebrated here was 
 between John Grueiibeck and Margaret Schmidt, in 
 the fall of 1 85 1. The first child born was to the 
 wife of Frederick Schmidt, who was christened 
 Mary. 
 
 The first church was built and dedicated two years 
 later. It was built by tlie Lutherans. The first ser- 
 mon preached was in 1849, in German, and was de- 
 livered by Rev. J. J. F. Auch. This gentleman was 
 the established Pastor of the Lutheran Church from 
 1853 to 1867. 
 
 During the earlier period of the village's history 
 these people got their mail from Hampton, now Bay 
 City. The first Postmaster at Sebewaing was David 
 Philbrick, who received liis commission in 1854. The 
 mail tlien came from Watrousville, Tuscola County. 
 The first school opened here was in 1854, and was 
 taught by Mr. Auch. It was attached to the Luth- 
 eran Church, and there were about a dozen pupils. 
 It was opened in the church building. The new 
 church edifice of this society, which is called the 
 " Evangelical Lutheran St. John Church," was erected 
 in 1 87 3. Their present Pastor is the Rev. H. Gany- 
 neiss. 
 
 During the early times there was a congregation of 
 Indians located near this point. It was in charge of 
 the Lutheran Church : Rev. E. Raeder was the 
 preacher. Services were held at their town, not far 
 from Sebewaing, called " Shebahyonk." Nock-che- 
 ko-may was their chief. They bought soine land 
 here from the Government in 1847 and settled on it. 
 They belonged to the Chippewa and Sebewaing 
 tribes. Of the former there were some fortv in num- 
 
 their lands to Christian Auch, F. Schiller and Gott- 
 fried Beck, in 1856, and emigrated; some went back 
 to Canada, and some into Saginaw County, where 
 there was an Indian reservation. Whenever the 
 traders would bring in whisky these Indians would 
 manage to get hold of it, and then would follow a 
 grand debauch. But they were always good-natured, 
 and it is not known that any white person was ever 
 injured by them. 
 
 Sebewaing is now an industrious and thriving vil- 
 lage, with a population of some 850 souls. It is well 
 built u[) with good dwellings and suijstantial business 
 houses, that of J. C. Liken & Co. being one of the 
 best in the county. It is a iwo-story building, of 
 brick, with a stone foundation, eighty by sixty feet in 
 dimensions. 
 
 Many of the first settlers are still living, enjoying 
 the blessings that come to a ripe old age from habits 
 of industry, economy and sobriety. They have 
 passed through the deprivations, struggles, and 
 oftentimes sad experiences of pioneer life, and are 
 now reaping their just rewards They have beheld 
 the water settling away, the swamps disappear, and 
 in their place rich, cultivated fields and happy, peace- 
 ful homes. 
 
 Mr. Frederick Schilling relates a strange e.xperience 
 that befell his parents when they came to this land 
 of freedom. They had left the old country (VVurtem- 
 berg) with a desire of being freed fiom monarchical 
 slavery, and not expecting any other when tliey landed 
 on these shores. They came to Baltimore, which 
 was about the year 1817. After they had been there 
 awhile, tiiey were sold into slavery and taken up into 
 Pennsylvania, where they remained three jears before 
 they procured their liberty. 
 
 INCORPORATED. 
 
 The village of Sebewaing was incorporated by a 
 special act of the Legislature, approved March 13, 
 1879. This act provided, "That fractional section 
 No. 7, and section No. 8 in township No. 15 nortli, 
 of range No. 9 east, the same lying and being in the 
 township of Sebewaing, County of Huron, and State 
 of Michigan, be and the same is hereby constituted a 
 village corporate to be known as the village of 
 Sebewaing." The first election was held in accord- 
 ance with this act, on Monday, April 14, 1879. John 
 J. F. Auch and John C. Liken were ai)pointed a 
 
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 bar; of the latter, about seventy-five. They sold | Board of Registration for the purpose of registering 
 
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 nURON COUNTY. 
 
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 voters for said election. Officers chosen at this 
 election were — President, William Budde; Treasurer, 
 Jacob Spiess; Clerk, Olin Pengra; Trustees — J.J 
 F. Auch, John C. Liken, Henry Vahlc, William Fin- 
 ger, John Muellerweiss and Charles Henning. This 
 was the beginning of their corporate government. 
 
 The village affairs at present are intrusted to the 
 following named citizens: President, Henry GoebeK 
 Treasurer, Jacob Spiess ; Clerk, Peter Surine ; Street 
 Commisssioner, .\ugustBur; Trustees — J. J. F. Auch, 
 John C. Liken, Henry Vahle, A. C. Pierce, William 
 Kellogg and Charles Henning. 
 
 BUSINESS INTERESTS. 
 
 The largest firm doing business in Sebewaing is 
 J. C. Likeji & Co. The members of this firm are J. 
 C. Liken, Charles W. Liken and Richard Martini. 
 They are dealers in general merchandise, all kinds of 
 agricultural implements and are manufacturers of 
 flour, lumber, staves and heading for barrels; and 
 have an elevator for the handling of their grain. 
 This firm has a branch store at Bay Port and one at 
 Kilmanagh. .\t Sebewaing they handle about ijioo,- 
 ooo annually, and wth their branches about $150,000. 
 Number of men employed, from 125 to 150. The 
 barrel factory, in which Christian F. Bach is a partner, 
 was started in 1874. This factory has the capacity 
 of making 30,000 staves per day, and turning off 
 25,000 sets of heading during the working season, 
 which is ten montlis. They enijiloy twenty men and 
 ten boys. 
 
 Christoph Hahn is one of the heavy dealers in 
 Sebewaing, in general merchandise, drugs and agri- 
 cultural implements. He is successor to John Muel- 
 lerweiss, who opened business at Sebewaing in 185 i. 
 
 Ernst Volz is one of the enterprising men of Sebe- 
 waing, which fact he demonstrates by having one of 
 the best harness and saddlery stores in the county, 
 if not the best. He keeps a general assortment in 
 his line, including trunks, robes, etc. He takes 
 great pains in tiie manufacture of his harness, and 
 has an extensive sale for them throughout the 
 country. 
 
 Lawinstine & Hirshberg keep dry goods and 
 clothing, and D. Hess a clothing store. Charles 
 Henning has an important industry, which he estab- 
 lished in 1875. This is a ])laning-mill, sash, door 
 and broom-handle manufactory. He is not only 
 
 doing a good business for himself, but also for the 
 country. 
 
 Henry Vahle represents the carriage and wagon 
 interests. He manufactures wagons, has a carriage 
 repository and does blacksmithing. He established 
 his business in 1866. 
 
 A. Van Horn also has a wagon shop. 
 l)v. Josiah Black opened a line of drugs in 1882 
 and is doing well. He is also building up a large 
 practice. The Doctor is a graduate of the Michigan 
 College of Medicine. 
 
 C. C. Bruck has groceries and dry goods. • 
 
 John Schmitzer has a large furniture store, and 
 manufactures a good share of his cabinet goods. 
 Is also undertaker 
 
 John C. Welch supplies the community with jew- 
 elry and time-pieces. 
 
 Jacob Priess has a stationery establishment, and 
 keeps cigars and tobacco. 
 
 Charles Schmidt keeps saddlery and harness. He 
 estal)lished his business in 1877 at this village, and is 
 doing a good trade. 
 
 J. J. Bauer has a furniture manufactory, and is also 
 undertaker. 
 
 Wm. Finger has a flouring mill, witli two run of 
 stone. 
 
 Wm. Kellogg is a dealer in general merchandise 
 and millinery. 
 
 Sebewaing village is well .represented witii hotels. 
 The Chappell House, W. T. Chappell and J. L. 
 Pregitzer, ])roprietors, is a recent acquisition to the 
 village. Tr.avelers who place themselves under the 
 care of these landlords are well looked after. 
 
 There are two other hotels in town, — the Union 
 House, Wm. Budde, proprietor, and the Goebel 
 House, kept by Henry Coebel. Mr. Goebel is a rep- 
 resentative landlord, and his guests will always feel 
 at home with him. 
 
 The Sebewaing Brewery is a new industry for this 
 village. Braendle & Peters are the proprietors, who 
 make a good tpiality of beer. Those who must 
 drink should patronize this home industry instead of 
 a spurious foreign article. 
 
 The ladies of the village are well provided for in 
 the deiiartment of millinery and dress-making, by 
 Mrs. A. G. .Surine. 
 
 R. Pomranz has a b.ikery and a confectionery 
 store. 
 
 Dr. J. Nicholi has an office in town. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Alois Berger keeps the village supplied with 
 everything in the market line. 
 
 There also three saloons, two blacksmith and two 
 shoe shops. 
 
 The legal profession is ably represented by Olin 
 Pengra and W. F. Drury. 
 
 August Reinhold has a saw-mill in the edge of 
 town. 
 
 One of the summer resorts of this town is 
 Bay Shore Park, situated about a mile from the 
 village on Saginaw Bay. John Boegert is the pro- 
 prietor. 
 
 A livery stable is carried on by Stapleford & 
 Dowd. 
 
 The Saginaw, Huron & Tuscola Railroad comes 
 into this town. It has recently e.xtended a line to 
 Bay Port. 
 
 THE HARBOR. 
 
 The people of this town have been for several years 
 improving their harbor facilities. They spent $8,000 
 in dredging and putting out breakwaters, and the 
 Government made two appropriations in all, $15,000 
 for this work. In 1880, Congress made an appropri- 
 ation of $7,000 to restore and improve the channel 
 of 1876, by dredging it to seven feet in depth. It 
 had previously appropriated $8,000 for improvement 
 of this harbor. The channel now has an average 
 depth of seven feet, terminating in six feet soundings. 
 There was shipped from this harbor for the year 
 ending July i, 1879: Grain, 135,000 bushels; 
 cedar posts, 15,000; railroad ties, 40,000; wood, 
 2,000 cords; apples, 2,000 bushels; butter, 50,000 
 pounds; potatoes, 3,000 bushels; headings for bar- 
 rels, 15,000; staves, 4,000,000; white-oak ]>ipe 
 staves, 100,000; hoops, 7,000,000; iiard-wood lum- 
 ber, 4,000,000 feet. 
 
 The imports and general merchandise for the year 
 ending July i, 1884, was $350,000. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The people of Sebewaing have given special at- 
 tention to the education of their children. District 
 No. ; has a large, fine building. This school is 
 partially graded. C. E. Stoddard is Principal. He 
 has in his department 49 scholars. Miss Carrie 
 Dupont is assistant, with 67 pupils. It is a two- 
 story building, with two large apartments; cost, 
 $4,000. 
 
 The parochial school of the Lutheran Evangelica 
 
 Church has 140 pupils. E. H. Dress is Principal; 
 Assistant, Miss May Gremel. The building has 
 two apartments, and cost$T,ooo. German is taught 
 in the forenoon and English in the afternoon. 
 
 There is another school, attached to the German 
 Reformed Church. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 T/ie Methodist Evangelical Church. — This society 
 has had but a small membership from the earliest' 
 settlement. Services have been held at odd times 
 in school-houses and halls. A church building was 
 begun in 1883, completed this year, and was dedi- 
 cated Oct. 12, 1884. Presiding Elder Bigelow and 
 Rev. T. B. McGee, the present Pastor, officiated. 
 Services are held every fourth Sabbath. The cost of 
 this building was about $1,200. 
 
 The German Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel's 
 Church, — Rev. J. L. Hahn, Pastor. This society 
 was organized in Sebewaing in 185 1, beginning with 
 about twelve members. Their first "meeting was 
 held in a missionary house built for Indian service. 
 Afterwards a log church was put up. This has 
 given place to a large, fine new church edifice, cost- 
 ing $6,000, and furnishing, $2,000. This society has 
 400 communicants and has given expression to 
 its musical taste by putting into their church a 
 good pipe organ. 
 
 Evangelical Association, whose headquarters are 
 at Sebewaing, has four organizations in the county, 
 including the one in this village. Rev. E. W. 
 Schafer is in charge of the four societies. Sebe- 
 waing village has a membershiii of nineteen. This 
 association has in this country and in Europe 120,000 
 membei^. Bishop E. E. .^schaer, of Chicago, is at 
 present mi charge. 
 
 Moravian Church was organized in 187 1, with 
 four families. Rev. K. J. Regennass was the first 
 Pastor. A very neat and substantial church build- 
 ing was comi)leted by this society in 1880, at a cost 
 of $1,800. Rev. Henry Lehmann is the present 
 Pastor. Its membership now embraces si.x families. 
 Services every Sunday afternoon. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 Maccabees, Morning Star Tent, No. ijj, was or- 
 ganized and charter granted April 12, 1884. It was 
 organized with seventeen members, Sir Knight Com- 
 mander, John Berger; Sir Knight Lieut. Com- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 niander, J. Pregitzer; Finance Keeper, Henry 
 Goebel; Physician, Dr. J. Black, and a long list of 
 officers. This society has a lodge hall fitted up in 
 good style, and is in a flourishing condition finan- 
 cially. 
 
 Workingmen's Society. — This society was organized 
 in March, 1878, with twenty members. Present 
 number, forty-six. Its present officers are : Presi- 
 dent, Ernst Reinhard; Vice President, John 
 Boegert; Treasurer, John Muellerweiss; Secretary, 
 Charles Schmidt; Second Secretary, Henry Goebel; 
 Trustees — Daniel Hersinger, Henry iTruff, Adam 
 Zimmer; Physician, C. A. Burger. 
 
 Saeiigcrbiind of Sebewaing — Organized Nov. i, 
 1884, with eighteen members. President, Henry 
 Goebel; Secretary, Gustave Reinhard; Treasurer, 
 John Muellerweiss; Director, Andrew Kuch. Ob- 
 ject of this society is to improve in music, and for 
 enjoyment. 
 
 FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Fill- Company, No. /, of Sebewaing, was organ- 
 ized in the spring of 1883, with twenty members. 
 Wm. Badde is Chief Engineer. Cost of engine, 
 $2,500. This company is paid when on duty. 
 
 Tiger Company, No. 2, organized in June, 1S84, 
 with eighteen members. They have a hand engine. 
 It is an independent company. Theodore Peters is 
 Foreman. 
 
 POSTOFFICE. 
 
 Jacob Priess has charge of the (xsstoffice. Daily 
 mails l)y rail from Saginaw, and by stage from Case- 
 ville; semi-weekly by stage from Bad A.xe. 
 
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 Shbi^idan ©ownship. 
 
 HIS township was organized in 1867, by 
 order of the Board of Supervisors, made at 
 their annual session in 1866. The elec- 
 tion, in accordance with this order, was held at 
 the house of Archibald Campbell, at which 
 time John Mcintosh was chosen Supervisor. 
 This township was first settled in 1859, by John 
 
 Mcintosh. The nature of the land is rolling in the 
 south and west and flat in the north and east por- 
 tion. The original timber was elm, maple, ash, 
 beech, cedar, pine and hemlock. It is regarded as 
 a good agricultural district. The soil is clay loam. 
 This township, like most of the others in the county, 
 was a great sufferer through the fires of 1871 and 
 1 88 1. The former fire burned over sections 3, 4, 7, 
 8,9, 10,21,22, 23 and 24; the latter all of the 
 south and east portion. In this township there are 
 about 7,000 acres of wild land. It is watered by 
 the Pigeon River and Elk Creek. Wheat and hay are 
 the principal products. There are a large number of 
 very thrifty young orchards in the township, which 
 give promise in the future of an abundance of fruit. 
 
 The nearest port is Sebewaing. Bad Axe furnishes 
 the nearest railway station. 
 
 There are two saw-mills, one store and a black- 
 smith shop in the townshijj. Two school-houses 
 have been built since the fire, and schools are held 
 in them the greater part of the year. A postoffice 
 was established in 1881, in the township, and called 
 Popple. It was closed up for awhile after the fire, 
 but was opened again in 1883. Mails are received 
 from Bad .^xe and Sebewaing, semi-weekly. Popple 
 has one store, owned by A. B. Nichols. 
 
 Sheridan Township, which was named after the 
 immortal " Phil." Sheridan, has two religious socie- 
 ties, — one Catholic and the otlier Presbyterian. 
 
 It IS numbered 15 north, of range 12 east, and 
 has for its boundary lines, Colfax on the north, 
 Bingham on the east, Sanilac County on the south, 
 and Grant on the west. 
 
 The citizens of this township have honored the 
 following named gentlemen as 
 
 ^iiiD^Dni^-^ 
 
 supervisors: 
 
 
 John Mcintosh, 
 
 1867-70 
 
 John Mclntyre, 
 
 187 1-4 
 
 John Mcintosh, 
 
 1875-8 
 
 T. Sweeney, 
 
 1879 
 
 Addison Broonihower, 
 
 1880 
 
 Neil McDonald, 
 
 I88I-2 
 
 Duncan Buchan, 
 
 1883-4 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 Shei^man ©ownship. 
 
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 [|2^ HERMAN Township was formerly organ- 
 ized with White Rock Township, under the 
 name of White. It was organized under- 
 the name of Sherman, with its present boun- 
 dary, in 1865, and was named after that illus- 
 trious general who made tliat now historical 
 "march to the sea." It is situated in the southeast 
 corner of the county adjoining Sanilac County. It is 
 numbered 15 north, of range 15 east, with Sand 
 Beach for its north line, White Rock its eastern, 
 with Sanilac County on the south and Paris Town- 
 ship on the west. 
 
 It was settled in 1856. Joe Willy and John 
 Huersanger are said to be the first settlers. The 
 eastern portion of this township was burned over in 
 t87i, and the northwest corner in 1881. Both fires 
 were very destructive. The southeast and west 
 portions of the township are rolling, the north flat. 
 It has a clay loam soil, with some parts sandy. 
 More than half of the tcnvnship is now under culti- 
 vation. There is very little swamp land. It is 
 liberally "watered " by several creeks, among which 
 there are Welch and Elm, and White " River," as it 
 is called. The soil is rich and it ranks high in the 
 scale of production. The highest yield of wheat is 
 forty-five busliels per acre; of potatoes, 350 bushels. 
 The average yield of wheat is twenty-five bushels 
 per acre. The fruits do well and are very seldom 
 hurt by the frost. 
 
 There are two saw-mills in the township, which 
 cut lumber for home markets. There is also a gen- 
 eral store at Adams' Corners, sometimes called 
 " Ruth," owned by Robert Campbell, who handles 
 about $25,000 worth of goods annually. There is 
 also at this place a shoe-^ihop and a blacksmith shop. 
 This township is well provided with schools, hav- 
 ing four, which are located on sections 26, 29, 17 
 and 31. Three of the school buildings are frame 
 and one log. There is a Catholic and a Lutheran 
 Church. 
 
 The nearest port for the people of Sherman is 
 
 White Rock, and Adams' Corners is their railroad 
 station. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The people of Sherman Township from the organ- 
 ization to the present time have elected as Super- 
 visors : 
 
 Michael Hauselman, 
 L. Tschirhart, 
 Michael Haulselman, 
 L. Tschirhart, 
 
 1865 
 1866-7 
 1868-73 
 1874-S4 
 
 SiGBL Township. 
 
 
 -^^^srS^^jJ^ 
 
 ■^>ll!l 
 
 ..uirisaeji^ OME tmie prior to 1864, this township was 
 organized. On account of the destruction 
 Ij^rf i;^v Qf fj^g records by the fires, the date of its 
 organization and the election of officers cannot 
 be ascertained definitely enough for history. 
 It was first settled about the year 1859, by 
 Fred J urges, Joseph Lakowski and Waterhouse 
 Whitelam, who located farms. It has not developed 
 or increased in population in proportion to the other 
 townships. 
 
 The land is flat, with the exception of a portion in 
 the western part. The soil is sand and clay mixed. 
 Running through the township from north to south 
 is the east branch of Willow Creek. The fire of 
 187 I passed over the wiiole township; tliat of 1881 
 burned the northern portion. The largest yield of 
 wheat as reported is fifty-three bushels per acre; the 
 .average yield is fifteen bushels. Fruits have not 
 been much cultivated, but would do well. The orig- 
 inal timber was the hard-woods, pine, cedar and 
 hemlock. There are three schools in the township, 
 located on sections 24, 22 and 7. There are two 
 Lutheran Churches in the township. 
 
 The nearest port is Sand Heach, and the nearest 
 railroad station is Bad Axe. 
 There is one saw-mill and a general store. 
 Sigel Township in number is 16 north, of range 14 
 I east, and is bounded on the north by Bloointield, on 
 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 the east by Sand Beach, on the south by Paris, and 
 the west by Verona Township. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 The following named Supervisors have represented 
 the township: 
 
 Watson Robinson, 1864 
 
 W. Whitelam, 1865-6 
 
 Watson Robinson, 1867 
 
 W. Whitelam, 1868-72 
 
 Joseph Bloomfield, 1873-4 
 
 John Hodgson, 1875 
 
 foseph Hloonifield, 1876-7 
 
 W. Whitelam, 1878 
 
 Fred I urges, 1879-81 
 
 C. M.'Kartlett, 1882-3 
 
 Theodore Engel, 1884 
 
 Uei^ona ©ownship. 
 
 |^ERON.'\ Township was settled in 1857. 
 
 Thomas Philp has the credit of being the 
 
 first settler. A great portion of this town- 
 
 '^ ship is a series of hills and valleys, which adds 
 
 ^ much to the beauty of its landscape. The 
 timber before the great fires was beech, maple, 
 ash, cedar, pine and hemlock. It was nearly all 
 burned over by the fire of 1881, but e.scaped the 
 fires of 187 1. It is watered by Willow Creek, the 
 outlet of which is at Huron City. The highest yield 
 of wheat is 60 bushels per acre. Fruit has not been 
 cultivated much yet, but it is regarded as a good 
 locality for it. 
 
 There are a flouring-mill and saw-mill located at 
 Verona. The township is well provided with schools, 
 having five, which are located on sections 11, 19, 24, 
 26 and 22. There are three Churches, Baptist, Meth- 
 odist and Presbyterian. 
 
 The trading point and postoffice is at Verona vil- 
 lage. The dale of organization is not definitely 
 known, as the records have been destroyed. 
 
 This township is bounded' on the north by Lin- 
 coln, on the east by Sigel, the south by Bingham, 
 and the west by Colfax Townshii). Its number is 16 
 north, of range 13 east. It has been represented by 
 the following named Supervisors since 1864 : 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 
 Thomas Scott, 
 
 1864-74 
 
 Henry Pangborn, 
 
 1875-6 
 
 Thomas Scott, 
 
 1877 
 
 Henry Pangborn, 
 
 1878-9 
 
 lolin M. Cam|)bell, 
 
 I 880-2 
 
 John Hunt, 
 
 ■8S3-4 
 
 -tsc— 
 
 Bad Axe. 
 
 J|AI) .^XE is the county-seat of Huron 
 ^yp County, and is located in the townshii)sof 
 ■^^ '^ Verona and Colfax, the major portion of 
 the village lying in the former. From the 
 importance attached to it as the county-seat, 
 and its prospective future growth, some facts 
 in regard to its location and early settlement may 
 be of interest. 
 
 In 1 86 1, a surveying party in charge of Messrs. 
 Pack and Papst, started out to locate a route for a 
 public highway from Sand Beach to Sebewaing, for 
 which the State Legislature had made an appropria- 
 tion. In the prosecution of their work they finally 
 reached the mineral spring just north of the village, 
 where, pitching their tents, they remained for a 
 time. This had been a favorite place for sportsmen 
 for many years, and a rude hut had been put up 
 here for their accommodation. While here, one of 
 the party found an old broken ax, which he took up 
 and drove into a tree near by. One of the other 
 party made a drawing on the tree of the x\o\% his- 
 torical ax, and wrote underneath it, " Bad A.\e,' 
 from which the village took its name. This tree was 
 at the point where the road crosses the town line 
 between the two townships, Verona and Colfax; 
 and from this time on this place was known as Bad 
 Axe Corners. 
 
 For some time there had been heated discussions 
 and considerable strife among interested parties as 
 to where the future county-seat of the county should 
 be permanently located. The burning of the court- 
 house in 1864, where the seat then was, settled this 
 controversy for a time by causing it to be located at 
 Port Austin for a term of ten years. But the con- 
 troversy in a few years arose again, and continued 
 until finally settled by selecting its present location. 
 During the annual session of the Board of Super- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 visors in October, 1872, while the contest between 
 the shore towns to secure the permanent location of 
 the county seat was at its height, a motion was 
 made to locate the same at Bad Axe, which was 
 finally adopted. Then Woods & Co. donated to the 
 county 40 acres of land at this place to be used for 
 county purposes, upon which the public buildings 
 have since been erected. 
 
 By the Board of .Supervisors the county officers 
 were instructed to move with the county records 
 from Port Austin to Bad Axe, Oct. i, 1873, which 
 the Board declared to be the future county seat of 
 Huron County. .\t the appointed time the records 
 were taken there, and all county officials moved 
 tliere. Immediately a contract was let to Septimus 
 Irwin to clear the site and put up a temporary build- 
 ing for the use of the county until permanent 
 l)uildings could be erected. 
 
 This building was completed in time for the Octo- 
 ber term of the Board of Supervisors. .\t this time 
 there were no other buildings near the new county 
 seat, and a temporary shanty was put up as an 
 eating-liouse for tlie Board. They bought their bed- 
 ding, and when their daily official Inisiness had been 
 transacted, they would spread their " shake-downs " 
 on the floor of the court room and retire for the 
 night. Tlie country all about this place was then an 
 unbroken forest. 
 
 Thus was inaugurated the beginning of a town 
 destined to play no unimportant part in the future 
 history of Huron County. In the fall of the same 
 year Mr. Irwin commenced the erection of a hotel, 
 which was completed tlie year following. This hotel 
 was destroyed by the fire of iSSi, Imt has since been 
 rebuilt. 
 
 About the same time L. Mathews started a general 
 store, and was followed soon after by Robert Philp. 
 Being away from all means of transportation, either 
 by rail or water, the town had a slow growth. Dur- 
 ing seven years it reached a population of only 179. 
 After the fire of 1881, which consumed tlie entire 
 town, except the court-house and a few small houses, 
 the place took on a new life, and it might be said a 
 new birth, and lias grown rapidly ever since, hav- 
 ing now a population of about 800. 
 
 Bad .^xe is located jiear the geographical center 
 of the county, on rising ground wliich has a gentle 
 slope from the site in each direction. The soil is 
 
 rich, of a gravelly loam nature, which, added to the 
 favorable location, renders drainage rapid and easy. 
 The water is exceedingly pure, and is freed from 
 limy substances. In a short space of time this 
 wilderness has been transfoTmed into cultivated 
 farms, and a beautiful village of fine dwellings and 
 pleasant lawns. In 1882 the western branch of the 
 Port Huron & Northwestern Railway was completed 
 through Bad Axe to Port Austin, which gave a new 
 impetus to the growth of this village. Tlie build- 
 ings here, like most of those put up in the county, 
 are constructed of wood. A suitable clay has been 
 found, and a bnck-yard has been started by Warren 
 Bros., who make a good quality of brick. There ate 
 many things to favor the belief that "Bad Axe" 
 will cut its way to the front and be a large town. It 
 is surrounded by a hxrge agricultural country, of 
 which it will be the trading center. Its manufactur- 
 ing industries and its general business is equitably 
 distributed, whicli is largely in its favor. It has one 
 railroad, and in a short time will undoubtedly have 
 another, — a branch from the Saginaw, Huron & 
 Tuscola, — wliich will run from Saginaw Bay througii 
 to Sand Beach. There are parties who believe that 
 the country about Bad Axe is favorable for the pro- 
 duction of petroleum; but the geological formation 
 will not warrant this belief, and in our judgment 
 that which has stimulated this idea is only a surface 
 indication. We should be glad, however, for the 
 good people here, to find that we are mistaken. 
 
 BUSINESS INTERESTS. 
 
 John Ballentine keeps a large stock of general 
 merchandise. He is one of the oldest settlers in the 
 county, first started business at Verona, and moved 
 to Bad Axe in 1882. When he first started a store 
 at Verona he paid as high as five dollars freight on 
 a barrel of sugar. This was unlike the experience of 
 others. He was burned out by the fires of 187 i and 
 1 88 1. Robert Philp & Co. deal in general merchan- 
 dise, carrying a large stock of goods. Mr. Philp has 
 the jiost-office. L. C. Carpenter & Co., Odell & 
 Collins, (Jeorge Smilley, J. A. Morgan and James C. 
 Roberts are also dealers in general merchandise. 
 
 B. L. Scott is one of the enterprising men of Bad 
 Axe, locating hire in in 1879. He manufactures 
 lumber and flour, has a large elevator, and does a 
 a general merchandise business. He cuts about 
 3,000,000 feet of lumber annually. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY 
 
 469 -s^ 
 
 There are two planing-mills, carried on by Miller 
 & Sons, and Bell Irwin. Reuben Rapson has a 
 wagon factory, which he started in 1874. N. B. 
 Sweet & Co. have a general furniture store and is also 
 undertaker. James Stillwell keeps a general hard- 
 ware store, and W. Hawley & Co. a clothing house. 
 
 E. .•\.. Johnson keeps a general assortment of har- 
 ness and saddlery. N. J. Cumniings and W. E. Small 
 represent the jewelry trade. Mrs. Elizabeth Duke 
 has a bakery and a confectionery store. J. C. Ed- 
 wards has a tailor shop. Mesdaraes Rossiter & 
 Brower have millinery and ladies' furnishing goods. 
 Charles Mc.\voy has a blacksmith shop. A photo- 
 graph gallery has been opened by John McEvoy. 
 Joel Wallace, with his genial countenance, presides 
 over a restaur.int, saloon and a cigar and tobacco 
 store. There are two other saloons in the town. 
 
 Walker & Seeley are the pioneers here in the bank- 
 ing business. They have a fine two-story brick build- 
 ing, into which they have recently moved. Their 
 banking rooms have been fitted up with a good deal 
 of taste. 
 
 G. W. Bradley manufactures patent medicines, and 
 has also a barber shop. 
 
 John Andrews supplies the people with meats. 
 
 Medical science is represented by Drs. John S. 
 Deady (who also has a drug store), Hugh M. Gale 
 and M. C. McDonnell. 
 
 The law is represented by W. T. Bope, George 
 May wood, Wm. Potter, J. F. Welch, Chipman and 
 C'arpenter and Warner. 
 
 Richard Smith does an abstract, insurance and real- 
 estate business. 
 
 HOTELS. 
 
 The Central House, located on Main Street and 
 kept by Thomas Morrow, is a large,' fine three-story 
 building. It is well appointed in every way and is 
 as clean, neat and tidy as a doll house. The guests 
 are carefully looked after, and there is no place in 
 the county where the traveler will feel more at home 
 tiian with Landlord Morrow. 
 
 The Irwin House is a large, commodious structure, 
 three stories high, located west of the court house 
 on Main Street. It is well furnished and well kept. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The First Presbyterian Church. — In 1873 this 
 Church was organized at Bad Axe and composed of 
 members residing in the townships of Sheridan, Ve- 
 
 ^ ^'''^^ — e^^-^n n % 
 
 rona, Paris and Colfax. The members resided at a 
 distance from Bad Axe, varying from three to twelve 
 miles. They obtained two lots from Wood & Co. 
 for a church building and parsonage, on condition 
 that they were to put up these buildings; but, owing \^: 
 to the scattered condition of the members and their 
 limited mumber, they were unable to build and the 
 lots reverted to the original owners, and the member- 
 ship was disbanded. In 1878, this society was reor- 
 ganized, with ten members, by Rev. J. E. Beecher. 
 Services were held in the school-house for a while, 
 then in the Protestant Methodist church, until it was 
 destroyed by the fire of 1881. After this, services 
 were held occasionally at different places. In 1883, 
 through the aid received from the Synodical Commit- 
 tee appointed by the Synod of Michigan to collect 
 funds for the building of churches in the burnt dis- 
 trict, this society began the erection of a church and 
 parsonage, which was completed and the former ded- 
 icated in 1883. Later on, a part of this congregation 
 were united with the United Presbyterians, who oc- 
 cupy the church built by the Relief Committee; the 
 other part still maintain their original organization, 
 and are supplied from the Verona and Ubly Churciies, 
 by Rev. P. A. McMartin. The United Presbyterians, ?= 
 were organized in 188 1, with Rev. F. W. Vertican \/ 
 presiding, who served until July, 1883. They had 
 sixteen members. The jiresent Pastor; Rev. J. P. ( ' 
 Gibson, took charge in January, 1884. Present mem- 
 bership, about twenty-four. The edifice is very neat 
 and attractive, and is of Gothic architecture. 
 
 The Baptist Church of Bad Axe was organized in 
 1878, with eight members: Rev. A. Corey, Pastor. 
 The first church building was erected in 1879, at a 
 cost of $2,500. This building was destroyed by the 1 
 fire of [88r. Under the zealous leadership of James 
 McArthur, who was then Pastor, the church was re- 
 built, at a cost of $3,000. It is a handsome structure, 
 and is an ornament to the town. The present Pas- 
 tor is Rev. W. P. Owens. Membership, fifty-one. 
 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. — Rev. George Walker 
 was the first Pastor of this charge, in 1878. He was*^ 
 succeeded in 1880, by Rev. John Bettis, who held 
 until 1882. Rev. Piercy DeLong then took charge" 
 until 1884, when the Saginaw Conference appointed ^^ 
 Rev. Henry King. The Church was organized in, 
 1880. Jacob Durfey & wife, and Duncan Williams (SJ 
 and wife were the first members. The society has a^ 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 (S^ 
 
 good church building and a parsonage, and are prac- 
 tically out of debt. Present membership is eighty- 
 nine. A "Union Sunday-school" is connected \vith 
 the Church, which is doing a good work. 
 
 Si. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church. — -In the 
 autumn of 1880 this society held its full services, in 
 a school-house, Rev. W. H. Smythe officiating. A 
 church building was framed in Detroit in 1881 and 
 shipped to Bad Axe, via Sand Beach. It was hauled 
 from Sand Beach to Bad Axe and completed in 1882, 
 at a cost of $1,200. The rectory was built in 1883. 
 At present there are forty communicants. The mis- 
 sion has been much improved, and is in a growing 
 and thrifty condition. It is under the Diocese of 
 Michigan. An interesting Sabbath-school is one of 
 the features of this Church. Rev. John C. Anderson 
 is in charge of this Church. Missionary services are 
 also held by him at Ubly, Gagetown, and in the town 
 of Grant, with a good attendance. 
 
 THE PRESS. 
 
 The Huron Tribune. — A mariner might as well 
 undertake to navigate the .Atlantic without a compass 
 as for a people to attempt in this age to build up a 
 town without the aid of the press. They are the 
 great exponents of thought, and the potent power 
 that gives life and success to all business enterprises. 
 Believing in this principle, the people of this little 
 village have established through their patronage two 
 good newspapers to represent their interests. 
 
 Tiie pioneer in this enterprise was the Bcukwoods- 
 man, very appropriately named at the time. It was 
 started by Bell Irwin, and cast its light before the 
 people of Bad Axe in 1876. In 1880, George A. 
 Miller purchased it and changed the name to Huron 
 Tribune. Originally it was Democratic in politics. 
 When the change took place, it became Republican. 
 In the spring of 1881, Jolui May wood bought a half 
 interest, and in December, 1883, bought the other 
 half, and is now editor and proprietor. Mr. May- 
 wood is making a success out of his enterprise. The 
 Tribune is a newsy, interesting paper, and is doing a 
 good deal for the development of the county and the 
 advancement of civilization. 
 
 Bad A.xe Democrat. — Early in 1884, E. J. Dunn, 
 through the aid of the citizens of Bad Axe, started 
 the above named paper. It was not a success, and 
 was sold to J. T. Rorick, who is now editor and pro- 
 
 prietor. In politics, as its name indicates, it is 
 Democratic. Mr. Rorick has rapidly increased the 
 circulation, and is laying a permanent foundation for 
 a successful enterprise. He is a practical newspaper 
 man, keenly alive to the interests and wants of the 
 people and the future importance of Bad Axe. He 
 is in the field at a propitious season, and we expect 
 that the incoming administration will be aided and 
 supported in the discharge of the onerous duties of 
 government by his able paper. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL. 
 
 The people of Bad Axe, looking to the proper 
 rearing of the young, have been forward in establish- 
 ing a good school. They have a fine one-story brick 
 building with three commodious apartments. There 
 are r6o pupils in attendance. The building, though 
 large, is not commensurate for the growing demands 
 of the village. A. J. Lynd is Principal, with two 
 assistants— Miss Grace Norton and Miss Manning. 
 
 SOCIETIES. 
 
 There are several societies in Bad Axe. The 
 Masonic brethren have an organization here which 
 was started this year. They have a hall well fur- 
 nished, and suitable for a large membership. The 
 Grand Army of the Republic have a Post at this 
 place, Wisner, No. 70. It was organized in 1882. 
 There is also a society of Good Templars, which has 
 been established several years. One of tlie best 
 things for the county is the Huron County Agricul- 
 tural and Art Society, which holds its annual fairs 
 here. It has been established several years. Bad 
 Axe is one of the few towns in the county that enjoys 
 the luxury of a brass band. This was organized 
 July I, 1884. John M. Cary is President, C. A. 
 Johnson, Secretary and R. Haller, Drum Mijor. For 
 the time they have been together, they jilay exceed- 
 ingly well. 
 
 COUNTY BUILDINGS. 
 
 Huron County may well be proud of her public 
 buildings, for there are few county structures in the 
 State that can surpass them for durability of con- 
 struction and elegancy of style and finish. 
 
 The Court House is a large two-story building, with 
 abasement. It is built of stone and brick, and well 
 appointed throughout. It is heated by a furnace, 
 with all the latest improved fixtures. This building 
 was erected in 1875, at a cost of $25,000, and was 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
 
 
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 one of the few buildings tliat escaped the fire of 1881. 
 
 The Postoffi.cc was first opened about three miles 
 west, on the State road. This was in 1868. The 
 mail was carried tlien the original way, — on the back 
 of a horse, — and was received once a week. At this 
 time there was no other building within three miles. 
 Charles Brown was Postmaster, who lield it until tlie 
 spring of 1875, when Sep. Irwin was appointed. 
 Robert I'hilp, the present Postmaster, succeeded 
 Irwin the following fall. Daily mails are now re- 
 ceived by rail, and twice a week from Sebewaing, by 
 stage : daily by stage from Sand Beach. 
 
 The Verona Jail is one of the best jails in the 
 State. It is three stories high, and is constructed of 
 stone and brick and well finished. There are thirteen 
 strong cells in it and living apartments for the keeper, 
 which are first-class. It was completed in 1875, at a 
 cost of $13,000. It also escaped the fire. 
 
 THE COUNTY POOR FARM. 
 
 Soon after the county seat had been permanently 
 located, the Board of Supervisors assembled together 
 to make some provisions for the poor of the county. 
 This was in the springof t875. The Board appointed 
 a committee with authority to locate and purchase a 
 site for the poor farm, which they proceeded to do. 
 Two hundred acres of land was located about one 
 tnile west of Bad .A.xe, for which the county paid 
 $600. Thomas Morrow was appointed overseer, and 
 work was begun. The site was all wild land. The 
 same season and the winter following, ten acres of 
 land was cleared and a barn was built. The year 
 1876, Mr. Morrow cleared off fifteen acres more, 
 and material was also gathered in for building a 
 house. The following year the house was built. It 
 is a fine, large two-story house with attic, having 
 some twenty-five rooms, and cost between $3,500 
 and $4,000. The rooms are comfortably furnished, 
 well ventilated, and are heated by stoves. Another 
 barn and two sheds were built, and more land 
 cleared up and i)ut under cultivation. One hun- 
 dred and sixty acres have been improved altogether, 
 which is all well fenced. The whole premises are 
 in a good condition and well kept. The average 
 number of poor persons here is about ten. 
 
 The farm is well stocked with cattle, hogs and 
 horses. The clothing provided for the occupants is 
 plain and substantial, and the food good and whole- 
 some; and a physician is employed to look after their 
 
 medical wants. They are made to feel at home, and 
 to be as comfortable and happy as possible under 
 the circumstances. The poor farm property is 
 valued at $ro,ooo. Tiie cost of supporting this 
 establisiinient, together with some outside indigent 
 persons, is estimated at $3,500 per year. 
 
 Thomas Morrow resigned in 1882, and \Vm. 
 Tehast was appointed, who held his place until last 
 fall, when the present overseer, \Vm. Story, was ap- 
 pointed. 
 
 The people of Huron County deserve credit for 
 attending so well to their poor. Charity and benevo- 
 lence are among the noblest traits of the human 
 character, and nothing speaks so well for communi- 
 ties as to have such eleemosynary institutions planted 
 in their midst. 
 
 Verona. 
 
 HIS pretty little hamlet is located on the 
 eastern line of the township of Verona. 
 Quite an old village is this Verona, and 
 in by-gone years was of more importance than 
 some of the towns which now put on superior 
 airs. Jeremiah Ludington was the first settler 
 here, in the spring of 1865. He first opened a 
 store, and afterwards |)ut up a saw-mill and a grist- 
 mill. When the town was first settled, it was all 
 woods. The first school was opened in 1S67. The 
 school building was put up and the school started by 
 Mr. Ludington. George Martin and Thomas Philp 
 were among the early settlers. The postoffice was 
 established in 1867, Jeremiah Ludington being the 
 Postmaster. He held it seven years and then was 
 succeeded by his son. 
 
 June 15, 1879, Mr. Ludington opened his large 
 hotel. This hotel, with another, and the whole 
 town, were burned in 1871. It was rebuilt and again 
 burned in i88i. Mr. Ludington, undaunted, started 
 in again and put up another hotel, which is one of 
 the best in the county. Others rebuilt, and the town 
 presents a thriving appearance. The business in- 
 terests are represented by Grist & Son, who have a 
 flouring mill, with six run of stone. D. H. Luding- 
 ton has a general merchandise store. Norman J. 
 Scott has the same. 
 
 
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 -^^^i^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 There are two blacksmith shops, represented by B. 
 McKillem and Alex. Murray. A good school is 
 located here, on section 24, of which John Hunt at 
 present is the teacher. Number of pupils on the 
 list, 100; in attendance, about 50. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church was organized here 
 March 2, 1882, in the Baptist Church, with fourteen 
 members, namely — Alex. Murray, Alex. Scott and 
 wife, Donald Shaw and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Willson 
 Mrs. McKetlan, Mrs. White, Norman J. Scott, 
 Thos. Scott, Mr. Siiumester, and Mrs. Samuel Will- 
 son. Rev. Peter .A.. McMartin is the present Pastor. 
 This society has a good church building, which was 
 dedicated in February, 1884; cost, $1,400. 
 
 The Baptist Church was built in 1876, and dedi- 
 cated in 1877. This society was organized in 1876, 
 with nine members. The present Pastor is Rev. 
 Thomas PoUavd. They have a good substantial 
 church building, which cost $1,700. 
 
 POSTOFFICE. 
 
 D. H. Ludington is Postmaster. Mails daily from 
 Sand Beach and Bad Axe. This village is very 
 pleasantly located in a little valley, and surrounded 
 by a good farming country. 
 
 ^r^iTE FJoGi^ Township. 
 
 HITE ROCK Township was first organ- 
 
 i*wUl? ized with Sherman, under the name of 
 
 "White." The name was afterwards 
 
 changed, by special act of the Legislature, 
 
 to "White Rock." The other part of the 
 
 territory was set off and was called "Sherman." 
 
 It is now only a fractional township. 
 
 The records having been destroyed by fire, both 
 at the county seat and in the township, the exact 
 date of organization cannot now be determined, nor 
 the first officers. The township is located in the 
 southeast corner of the county, and is bounded on 
 the north by Sand Beach, on the east by Lake 
 Huron, on the south by Sanilac County, and on the 
 west l)y Sherman Towiisliip. It is numbered 15 
 7» nortli, of range 16 east. 
 
 ^ 
 
 It was settled as early as 1848. A Mr. Smith is 
 said to be the first settler. 
 
 The nature of the land is flat. The soil is sandy 
 loam. It is very liberally drained, having five large 
 creeks, which empty into Lake Huron, and some 
 smaller ones. The original timber was pine, hem- 
 lock, cedar, beech and maple. The ]5rincipal crops 
 are hay, oats, wheat and potatoes. The largest 
 yield of wheat per acre is thirty-five bushels; the 
 average yield, twenty-five. All fruits do well here. 
 
 There are two schools in the township, located on 
 sections 5 and 29. The school-house on section 29 
 is built of brick. 
 
 There is a Congregational and a Methodist 
 Church in the township. Wiiite Rock village is the 
 nearest port and Adams' Corners the nearest depot. 
 The trading town is White Rock. This township 
 was all burned over during the fire of 187 1, and 
 there were heavy losses and great suff'ering. It es- 
 caped the fires of 1881. 
 
 SUPERVISORS. 
 
 This township has been represented by the follow- 
 ing named Supervisors : 
 
 Michael Hauselman, 1864 
 
 Patrick Murphy, 1865 
 
 Charles S. McKee, 1866-8 
 
 Thomas Thomson, 1869-70 
 
 Samuel Hanna, 187 i 
 
 Thomas Thomson 1872 
 
 G. W. Gordon, 1S73-4 
 
 Thomas Thomson, i87S~7 
 
 Armond Munford, 1878 
 
 Thomas Thomson, 1 87 9-80 
 
 Charles Hubbell, 1S81 
 
 Thomas Thomson, 1882 
 
 Charles S. McKee, 1883 
 
 Alex. Lindsay, 1884 ■ 
 
 White Rock. 
 
 HIS little village is situated on a bluff by 
 M the shore of Lake Huron, near the south- 
 ^>^^ east corner of Huron County, in White 
 flM's Rock Township. Tliere has been a settle- 
 ment here from the early days, consisting most- 
 ly of fishermen and "shingle-weavers," who 
 would stay for awhile and then pass on up the shore, 
 or northward. 
 
 The site is an attractive one for a town. The 
 
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HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 principal business man is Robert W. Irwin, who is a 
 pioneer, and the first Clerk of Huron County. This 
 gentleman has an extensive salt block here, which 
 was established ill 1S71 by Thomson & Bros. Be- 
 
 ^ fore they opened their block, the fire of 187 1 had 
 burned them out. In 1872 they rebuilt, and o|)er- 
 ated until 1883, when they sold out to the present 
 proprietor. There are three wells, which are down 
 600 feet, and they produce a good flow of brine, 84° 
 standard. The manufacturing capacity of this block 
 is 225 barrels daily. Connected with this block are 
 a steam barrel-heading and stave factory and saw- 
 mill. Mr. Irwin is also a large dealer in general 
 merchandise. His business house is a large«two- 
 story brick block, well stored with goods. He has a 
 telegraph office which connects him with the wires 
 of the country. There are twenty-five men in his 
 employment. 
 
 Robert Munford has a fine assortment of general 
 
 ^ ^ merchandise, and is also Postmaster. He is an old 
 
 /^ settler, having opened his business here in i860. 
 The village is supplied with a daily mail from Sand 
 Beach and westward to the railroad station, Adams' 
 Corners. 
 
 .5Y Dr. W. L. Schoales is the village physician. 
 :» Mrs. M. A. Ferguson is landlady of the Cottage 
 
 ( -x House, which is one of the old pioneer establish- 
 ments, having been opened here twenty-five years 
 ago. It was burned in 1871, but was rebuilt again. 
 When the fire came on they fled into the lake for 
 safety, which was all that saved them. The people 
 flocked in from the country and rushed into the lake 
 as the only means of saving their lives. Everything 
 was destroyed in the village. The people managed, 
 by ducking into the water and keeping themselves 
 wet, to save their lives. Mrs. Ferguson, who lost 
 one eye, relates that after the fire was over they 
 went back witli their children to where their hotel 
 had but a short time before stood. Their home was 
 gone! Her little boy picked up three clothes-pins, 
 which was all there was left. During the fire it was 
 so dark that they could see nothing. One empty 
 wagon and a ijuggy were rolled out into the lake, 
 that they might be saved. After the fire was over 
 they were found burned down to the water's edge, 
 with only the ends of the spokes just above water! 
 They have a good school at this village and a 
 
 ^ good brick school-house, which cost $2,000. W. W. 
 
 Brown is Principal and Miss Minnie Spearin as- 
 sistant. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The Congregational Church was organized in 1879, 
 and built their church edifice the same year ; cost, 
 $1,400. Rev. R. M. Burgess was Pastor. The 
 church was dedicated in 18S0. At this time they 
 had twelve members. 
 
 The Methodist Church was established at White 
 Rock in 1879. A building was erected the same 
 year. Rev. Robert Bird was in charge. A Metliod- 
 ist society has existed here since 1854. Services 
 are now held every two weeks, the minister coming 
 from Minden. Among the old settlers of White 
 Rock village are Charles McKee, Orson King, David 
 Snady and Isaac Van Wermer. 
 
 'This village is pleasantly situated, and has-good 
 agricultural country back of it. 
 
 05lNSOI=^ SOWNSHIP. 
 
 INSOR Township is the youngest in Hu- 
 ron County and the last to be organized. 
 It was organized in 1880, from Fair Haven. 
 The election was held on the 6th of May. 
 Cliarles E. Grant, C. Link* and F. Thomp- 
 \2 son were the Inspectors. John Linsen was 
 chosen Supervisor, Charles E. Grant, Treasurer, and 
 J. N. McKay, Clerk; William Kappen, Highway 
 Commissioner; Jolin Linsen, Samuel Gieger, Adam 
 Harder and Wm. Kohn, Justices of the Peace; H. 
 Harder, Superintendent of Schools. 
 
 The school districts are organized as follows : No. 
 I, on section 28; No. 3, on section 7; No. 4, on 
 section 10. 
 
 The township is bounded on the north by Case- 
 ville, on the east by Oliver, the soulii by Brookfield, 
 and on the West by Fair Haven Township. Its 
 number is 16 north, of range 10 east. 
 
 The Ponliac, O.xford & Port Austin Railroad 
 (broad-gauge) passes north and south througli the 
 western portion of this township. The soil is clay 
 loom, and its productiveness is of a higli degree 
 
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 rCiIlll§nilf>T^ 
 
 -^ 
 
 l^^f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 (L 
 
 There is considerable swamp land, which contains, 
 however, some valuable timber. It is watered by 
 the Pigeon River and Shebahyonk Creek. The 
 township contains some valuable farms and good- 
 farm buildings. An extensive limestone quarry 
 exists in Winsor, from which is shipped a large 
 amount of stone for building purposes. This is a 
 most valuable adjunct to the township. A branch 
 road from the Saginaw, Huron & Tuscola Railroad 
 runs to this quarry. The present destination of this 
 railroad is eastward, running across the county 
 through Bad Axe to Sand Beach. Parties have 
 been boring near this quarry, and it is reported that 
 
 they have found a good material for grindstones. 
 
 William Holmes has a saw-mill, located near the 
 southern line of the township, which he started in 
 1881. He cuts hard and soft lumber for the home 
 markets, and is doing a good business. 
 
 A Lutheran Church has been established here, 
 with a membership of twenty families. Services 
 are held in a school-house in section 10, school dis- 
 trict No. 4. It is presided over by Rev. Frederick 
 Menke. 
 
 John Linsen has the honor to be the first and 
 only Supervisor elected by the township to attend to 
 its municipal affairs. 
 
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 ^)^i5-<«!l||M®>^ 
 
 URON County held its first 
 general election in the fall 
 of i860, when there were 
 only two tickets in the 
 field, — Republican and 
 7M Democratic. The Re- 
 ' publican ticket received a 
 ^'*°@5?i{p majority of the votes cast. On ac- 
 i^ count of the destruction of the rec- 
 ^■f^^V' ords by fire, it is impossible to give a 
 5?'.'vy'o5 report of this election, or of the elec- 
 tion following, until 1864. To the 
 memory of Hunting Trescott we are 
 indebted for the names of some of 
 the county officers elected during 
 this period. R. W. Irwin was elected 
 as County Clerk in i860, and he held that office until 
 1866, having been re-elected in 1864. Wesley Arm- 
 strong was elected Sheriff in i860, and in 1862, 
 
 Wm. Furman. Samuel Lawder was elected County 
 Treasurer in i860, and C. B. Cottrell in 1862. C. 
 H. Gallup was elected Prosecuting .\ttorneyin i860, 
 and re-elected in 1862-4. 
 
 Huron County, since its organization, has been 
 Republican until the late election, when it went 
 Democratic. In local or county matters it has fre- 
 quently elected Democratic candidates. Since the 
 war there has been a strong Greenback element in 
 the county, and of late years some agitation among 
 the Prohibitionists. At the late election the Demo- 
 crats and the Greenbackers fused, and the Prohibi- 
 tionists put up a straight ticket. The people of the 
 county have been very fortunate in the selection of 
 their public servants from the first. They have been 
 men of ability, integrily and worth. The county is 
 practically out of debt, and financially and politi- 
 cally is in a good condition. 
 
 The accompanying list gives ihe official vote of 
 
 I 
 
||S/^1^^#^- 
 
 HURON COUNTY 
 
 TT 
 
 ■5tf%^^ 
 
 •^^■ 
 
 475 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 the county from its organization (excepting from 
 i860 to 1S63) up to and including 1884. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 8, 1864. 
 
 President — Abraham Lincoln, Rep., 360; George 
 B. McClellan, Deni., 337. 
 
 Governor — Henry H. Crape, Rep., 360; VVm. M. 
 Fenion, Dem., 338. 
 
 Representative in Congress — John F. Driggs, 
 Rep., 360; William Willard, Dem., 338. 
 
 State Senator — Wm. R. Nims, Rep., 360; Nathan- 
 iel B. Eldridge, Dem., 338. 
 
 State Representative — Richard Winsor, Rep., 341 ; 
 Wm. R. Stafford, Dem., 325. 
 
 Sheriff — John H. Tucker, Rep., 328; Joseph 
 Maukin, Dem., 339. 
 
 Treasurer — Chas. B. Cottrell. Rep., 382 ; James 
 Mcintosh, dem., 296. 
 
 Probate Judge — James B. Armstrong, Rep., 330; 
 Robert Scott, Dem., 318. 
 
 County Clerk — Robert W. Irwin, Rep., 341 ; 
 Charles S. McKee, Dem., 339. 
 
 Register of Deeds — Robert W. Irwin, Rep., 341; 
 Charles S. McKee, Dem., 339. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — Caleb H. Gallup, 
 Rep., 344; K. E. Chadwick, Dem., 317. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Caleb H. Gallup, Rep., 
 344; John Divine, Dem., 318. 
 
 County Surveyor — Charles B. Cottrell, Rep., 359; 
 H. H. Case, Dem., 309. 
 
 Coroners — Robert Munford, Rep., 351; Oscar F. 
 Purdy, Rep., 351. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 13, 1866. 
 
 Governor— Henry H. Crapo, Rep., 505 ; Alpheus 
 S. Williams, Dem., 332. 
 
 Representative in Congress — John F. Driggs, 
 Rep., 502; Julius K. Rose, Dem., 334. 
 
 State Senator — John S. Jones, 487. 
 
 State Representative — Caleb H. (iallup. Rep., 
 459; Wm. R. Stafford, Dem., 371. 
 
 Sheriff — Joseph L. Quinn, Rep., 497 ; Frederick 
 Hauselinan, Dem., 310. 
 
 County Clerk and Register of Deeds — Herman 
 VV. Dickinson, Rep., 494 ; Niel C. Eachem, Dem., 
 336- 
 
 County Treasurer — Chas. B. Cottrell, Rep., 494; 
 Truman B. Johnson, Dem., 336. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Calel) H. Gallup, Rep., 38. 
 
 County Surveyor — Richard Smith, Rep., 511. 
 
 Coroners — John Muellenveiss, Rep., 503; H Tres- 
 cott. Rep., 565. 
 
 ELECTION OF APRIL, 1867. 
 
 Circuit Judge — James S. Dewey, Rep., 347 ; Wm. 
 T. Mitchell, Dem., 10. 
 
 County Superintendent of Schools — Charles B. 
 Cottrell, 293. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3, 1868. 
 
 President— Ulysses S.Grant, Rep., 698; Horatio 
 Seymour, Dem., 477. 
 
 Governor — Henry P. Baldwin, Rep., 697; John 
 Moore, Dem., 479. 
 
 Representative in Congress — Randolph Strick- 
 land, Rep., 678 ; William Newton, Dem., 492. 
 
 State Senator — Richard Winsor, Rep., 646; George 
 Smith, Dem., 497. 
 
 State Representative — Joseph W. Snell, Rep., 687 ; 
 Carl Heisterman, Dem., 484. 
 
 Probate Judge — Robert W. Irwin, Rep., 653; 
 Robert Scott, Dem., 492. 
 
 Sheriff — S. Kene, Rep., 611 ;■ Joseph W. Mankin, 
 Dem., 481. 
 
 County Clerk and Register of Deeds — Richard 
 Smith, Rep., 693; James E. Haywood, Dem., 481. 
 
 County Treasurer — Charles B. Cottrell, Rep., 681 ; 
 Wm. H. Cooper, Dem., 489. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Caleb H. Gallup, Rep., 
 658; J. S. Barclay, Dem., 468. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — C. H. Gallup, Rep., 
 658; J. S. Barclay, Dem., 469. 
 
 County Surveyor — J. Ludington, Jr., Rep., 651; 
 James Miller, Dem., 508. 
 
 Coroners — Bennett Richards, Rej)., 692 ; Joseph 
 Wyrzykowski, Rep., 740. 
 
 ELECTION OF APRIL, 1869. 
 
 Circuit Judge — William T. Mitchell, Rep., 497 ; 
 E. F. Meade, Dem., 324; D. S. Dewey, Pro., 19. 
 
 County Superintendent of Schools — Chauncy Chair- 
 man, elected. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1870. 
 
 Governor — Henry P. Baldwin, Rep, 511 ; Charles 
 T. Comstock, Dem , 369. 
 
 Representative i.i Congress — John G. Sutherland, 
 Rep., 469; John F. Driggs, Dem., 413. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 I 
 
 State Senator — John C. Waterbury, Rep., 698; 
 David Mills, Dem., 373. 
 
 State Representative — ^James E. Haywood, Dem., 
 468; John VV. Wilson, Rep., 412. 
 
 Sheriff — John C. Budde, Rep., 412; Byron]Bartlett, 
 Dem., 365 ; J. L. Quinn, Ind., 98. 
 
 County Clerk and Register of Deeds — Richard 
 Smith, Rep., 534; James Adams, Dem., 351. 
 
 County Treasurer — Edmond Cole, Rep., 519; 
 Moses Vance, Dem., 234. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Richard Winsor, Rep., 530 ; 
 Caleb H. Gallup, Dem., 267. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — James S. Ayres, 
 Rep., 312; Caleb H. Gallup, Dem., iSi. 
 
 County Surveyor — Thomas B. \Voodworth, Rep., 
 434; S. C. Carpenter, Dem., 251. 
 
 Coroners — Bennett Richards, Rep., 487 ; Alex- 
 ander M. Johnson, Rep., 479. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1872. 
 
 President — Ulysses S. Grant, Rep., 812; Horace 
 Greeley, Dem., 243. 
 
 Representative in Congress — Omar D. Conger, 
 Rep., 946; John H. Richardson, Dem., 308. 
 
 State Senator — Ira H. Butterfield, Rep., 864; 
 Joshua Manwairing, Dem., 385. 
 
 State Representative — James E. Haywood, Dem., 
 712; Joseph W. Snell, Rep., 527. 
 
 Probate Judge — Robert W. Irwin, Rep., 749; Carl 
 Heisterman, Dem., 476. 
 
 County Clerk and Register of Deeds — Richard 
 Smith, Rep., 719; George Drury, Dem., 330. 
 
 Sheriff — Hugh McKinzie, Rep., 690; John C. 
 Budde, Dem., 544. 
 
 County Treasurer — Edmond Cole, Rep., 856; Er- 
 nest J. Beck, Dem., 394. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — George S. Engle, Dem., 
 644; Richard Winsor, Rep., 605. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — Richard Winsor, 
 Rep., 601 ; George S. Engle, Dem., 16. 
 
 County Surveyor — -George Brown, Rep., 816; 
 Byron Bartlett, Dem., 429. 
 
 Coroners — James Eakins, Rep., 864; Henry W. 
 Dickinson, Rep., 864. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 8, 1874. 
 
 Governor — John J. Bagely, Rep., 811; Henry 
 Chamberlain, Dem., 620. 
 
 Representative in Congress — Omar I). Conger, 
 Rep., 870; Enos Goodrich, Dem., 544. 
 
 State Senator — Jeremiah Jenks, Rep., 893; Joshua 
 Manwairing, Dem., 526. 
 
 State Representative — Jeremiah Ludington, Jr., 
 Rep., 794; Frank Buschkowski, Dem., 630. 
 
 Sheriff — William H. Merrick, Dem., 854 ; Duncan 
 McKinzie, Rep ,518. 
 
 County Clerk and Register — Richard Smith, Rep., 
 868 ; George H. Van Woert, Dem., 552. 
 
 County Treasurer — James H. Haywood, Dem., 
 744; Edmond Cole, Rep., 674. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — James H. Hall, Ind., 767 ; 
 Richard Winsor, Rep., 652. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — James H. Hall, Ind., 
 715 ; James M. Skinner, Rep., 713. 
 
 County Surveyor — E. F. Bacon, 1433 ; no opp. 
 
 Coroners — James Eakins, Rep., 1433; John Ross, 
 Rep., 1433. . 
 
 ELECTION OF APRIL, 1S75. 
 Circuit Judge — ^Edmond W. Harris, 10S5. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1876. 
 
 President — Rutherford B. Hayes, Rep., 1269; 
 Samuel J. Tilden, Dem., 1038. 
 
 Governor — Charles M. Croswell, Rep., 1273; Wm. 
 L. Webber, Dem., 1038. 
 
 Representative in Congress — Omar D. Conger, 
 Rep., 1292; Anson E. Chadwick, Dem., 1034. 
 
 State Senator — John C. Montgomery, Rep., 1272; 
 Ira M. Clark, Dem., 1042. 
 
 Probate Judge — Robert W. Irwin, Rep., 1330; 
 George S. Engle, Dem., 977. 
 
 Sheriff — Wm. H. Merrick, Dem., 1247 ; Joseph L. 
 Quinn, Rep., 1068. 
 
 County Clerk — Charles E. Thompson, Rep., 1464 ; 
 Frank Higham, Dem., 840. 
 
 Register of Deeds — Richard Smith, Rep., 1153; 
 Carl Heisterman, Dem., 1155. 
 
 County Treasurer — Edmond Cole, Rep., 1225 ; 
 James E. Haywood, Dem., 1091. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Richard Winsor, Rep, 
 1207; George W. Carpenter, Dem., 915. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — George C. Green, 
 Rep., 1297 ; George S. Engle, Dem., 1020. 
 
 Surveyor — Elbridge F. Bacon, Rep., 1246; James 
 Miller, Dem., 1060. 
 
 Coroners — James Eakins, Rejj., 1284; D. W. Mc- 
 Lean, Rep., 127 I. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1878. 
 
 Governor — Charles M. Croswell, Rep., 976; Or- 
 lando M. Barnes, Dem., 705 ; Henry M. Smith, 
 Green., 240. 
 
 Superintendent of Public Instruction — C. A. Gower, 
 Rep., 984; Zelotes Truesdell, Dem., 709 ; David Par- 
 sons, Green.. 236. 
 
 Representative in Congress — Omar D. Conger, 
 Rep., 1007; William T. Mitchell, Dem., 742 ; Charles 
 F. Mallary, Green., 191. 
 
 State Senator — Benj. VV. Huston, Rep., 1009; Al- 
 onzo Downing, Dem., 800. 
 
 State Representative — Jeremiah Ludington, Rep., 
 979; Mark Carrington, Dem., 698 ; James H. Hall, 
 Green., 245. 
 
 Sheriff — \Vm. T. Chappell, Rep., 773 ; John Beattie, 
 Dem., 744; Luke Johnson, Green., 411. 
 
 County Clerk — Charles E. Thompson, Rep, 1146; 
 Ira' W. Haywood, Dem., 589; Ransom Bartlett, 
 Green., 183. 
 
 Register of Deeds — Carl Heisterman, Dem., 1344; 
 Luther Ripley, Rep., 555. 
 
 County Treasurer — Edmond Cole, Rep., 'i 103; 
 James Green, Dem., 828. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Richard Winsor, Rep., 
 1026; George S. Engle, Dem., 869. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — George C. Green, 
 Rep., 986; George W. Carpenter, Dem., 789. 
 
 County Surveyor — John H. Tucker, Rep., 960 ; 
 Henry B. Gillard, Dem., 684; Richard Smith, Ind., 
 287. 
 
 Coroners — James Eakins, Rep., 984 ; John Gard- 
 ner, Rep., 1687. 
 
 ELECTION, APRIL, 1879. 
 
 Circuit Judge — Levi L. Wixon, Rep., 1271 ; C. P. 
 Black, Dem., 1216. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1880. 
 
 President — James A. Garfield, Rep., 17 13; Win- 
 field S. Hancock, Dem., 12 16. 
 
 Governor — David H. Jerome, Rep., 1634; Fred- 
 erick M. Holloway, Dem., 1384. 
 
 Representative in Congress — Omar D. Conger, 
 Rep., 1733; C. P. Black, Dem., 1194. 
 
 State Senator — Richard Winsor, Rep., 1810; 
 George S. Engle, Dem., 1 104. 
 
 State Representative — James Eakins, Rep., 1798; 
 Frank Buschkowski, Dem., 1146. 
 
 Probate Judge — Horace G. Snover, Rep., 1882; 
 Ezra A. Engle, Dem., 1076. 
 
 Register of Deeds — Carl Heisterman, Rep., 1640 ; 
 Luther Ripley, Dem., 1334. 
 
 County Clerk — John M. Cary, Rep., 1792; Rich- 
 ard Randall, Dem., 1158. 
 
 Sheriff— Wm. H. Merrick, Dem., 1508; Thomas 
 Morrow, Rep., 1467. 
 
 County Treasurer — Charles E. Thompson, Rep., 
 1774; James E. Haywood, Dem., 11 96. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Hiram L. Chitman, Rep., 
 1894; Wm. T. Bope, Dem., 1077. 
 
 County Surveyor — Edward C. Soule, Rep., 1743; 
 H. Gillard, Dem., 1219. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — Lyman A. Orr, Rep., 
 2481 ; James M. Skinner, Dem., 1735. 
 
 ■Coroners — G. B. Harris, Rep., 1727; John Gard- 
 ner, Rep., 2016. 
 
 ELECTION OF APRIL, 1881. 
 
 Circuit Judge — Levi L. Wixon, Rep., 1702. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1882. 
 
 Governor — David H. Jerome, Rep., 1547; Josiah 
 VV. Begole, Dem., 1181. 
 
 Representative in Congress — John T. Rich, Rep., 
 1454; Ezra C. Carlton, Dem., 1286. 
 
 State Senator — Joseph W. McMahon, Rep., 147 i ; 
 John Tennant, Dem., 1263. 
 
 State Representative — Olin Pengra, Rep., i486; 
 John P. Shairer, Dem., 316; E. P. Green, Green., 
 93°- 
 
 Sheriff — Wm. H. Merrick, Dem., 1480; Thomas 
 Morrow, Rep., r263. 
 
 County Clerk — John M. Cary, Rep., 1433; John 
 L. Brennan, Dem., 1280. 
 
 County Treasurer — John Ballentine, Rep., 1288; 
 James Adams, Dem., 1425. 
 
 Register of Deeds — Charles E. Thompson, Rep., 
 1435; Carl Heisterman, Dem., 1290. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — Thomas B. Woodworth, 
 Rep., 1377 ; VVm. T. Bope, Dem.. 1175. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — James M. Skinner, 
 Rep., i486; E. F. Bacon, Rep., i486. 
 
 County Surveyor — Duncan McFadden, Rep., 1407 ; 
 Henry Stradwick, Dem., 1329. 
 
 Coroner — T. B. Sutton, Rep., 1389; George M. 
 Stewart, 141 1. 
 
 ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1884. 
 
 President — James G. Blaine, Rep., 1351; ; Grover 
 Cleveland, Dem,, 1454; J. P.St. John, Pro., 179; 
 Benj. F. Butler, Fus., 444. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 Governor — R. A. Alger, 1347 ; J. W. Begole, Fus., 
 1884; David Preston, Pro., 177. 
 
 Representative in Congress — Edgar Weeks, Rep., 
 1296; E. C. Carleton, Dem., 1936; John Russell, 
 Pro., 150 ; O. J. Atkinson, Green., 34. 
 
 State Senate — Joseph M. Gaige, Rep., 1323; Carl 
 Heisterman, Dem., 1917 ; W. F. Clark, Pro., 173. 
 
 State Representative — Olin Pengra, Rep., 1344; 
 L. E. Lincoln, Dem., 1913; Bell Irwin, Pro., 161. 
 
 Probate Judge — H. G. Snover, Rep., 1349; W. 
 H. Merrick, Fus., i960 ; James Miller, Pro., 115. 
 
 Register of Deeds— Charles E. Thompson, Rep., 
 167 1 ; John Boegert, Fus., 1595 ; James Currie, Pro., 
 141- 
 
 County Clerk — L. D. Griffin, Rep., 1314; John 
 Ryan, Fus., 1725 : J. M. Gwinn, Pro., 170. 
 
 Sheriff — Moses Gregory, Rep., 15 13; Robert Win- 
 terbottom, Fus., 1761 ; G. B. Gillesby, Pro., 138. 
 
 County Treasurer — Henry Frank, Rep., 1328; Ira 
 Haywood, Fus., 1707 ; Felix Filion, Pro., 180. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — T. B. VVoodworth, Rep., 
 1483; W. T. Bope, Fus., 1862. 
 
 County Surveyor — Duncan McFadden, Rep., 
 1553; Henry Stradwick, Dem., 1722. 
 
 Circuit Court Commissioner — George A. Maywood, 
 Rep., 1364; Enos Hartsell, 1342 ; George C. Green, 
 Dem., 2006; John F. Murphy, 1858. 
 
 Coroner— W. H. Deady, Dem., 1984 ; Charles S. 
 McKee, Dtm., 1856. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 jHE project for the construc- 
 tion of a harbor at Sand 
 Beach was adopted by the 
 general Government in '73. 
 The object was to provide 
 a place of refuge for vessels 
 engaged in commerce in the 
 northern and northwestern lakes 
 when caught by heavy weather 
 near the dangerous Point aux 
 Barques. Before the year 1876, 
 or before a retreat was made here, 
 whenever vessels were thus caught 
 they were obliged to sail a distance 
 of sixty miles to lake refuge in the 
 Saint Clair River. After the en- 
 gineer corps of the Government 
 had completed its surveys, and designated Sand 
 Beach as the most suitable point to carry out the ob- 
 ject in view, work was begun. The amount expended 
 to June 30, 1882, was $776,618.86, and resulted in 
 completing 5,205 feet of breakwater, and partially 
 building 845 feet. The amount expended during the 
 fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $76,993.81, and 
 resulted in the construction of 520 feet of break- 
 water. The amount required to complete the work 
 on the present plan is as follows : 
 
 Superstructure of lake arm % 60,000 
 
 Superstructure of south arm 40,000 
 
 Dredging and repairs 7S,ooo 
 
 Total $t75,ooo 
 
 Part of this work has been done this year. 
 For this great work the following sums have been 
 appropriated : 
 
 1871 $100,000 
 
 1872 100,000 
 
 1873 7S-o°o 
 
 1874 75,000 
 
 1875 100,000 
 
 Total 
 
 1876 $ 75,000 
 
 1878 100,000 
 
 1879 7S.oo° 
 
 1880 75,000 
 
 1881 50,000 
 
 !l{b25,ooo 
 
 For the work of 1884, the engineer recommended 
 that the sum of $100,000 be appropriated, ("ongress 
 appropriated $75,000, which amount was expended. 
 The west breakwater is 1,500 feet in length. From 
 the north opening to the main entrance the break- 
 water is 4,575 feet. The main entrance is 600 feet 
 wide. From the south end of the breakwater it is 
 1,925 feet. The north opening is 300 feet wide. 
 The proposed depth from breakwater to dock is 
 eighteen feet: it is now fourteen feet. Tiie cribs are 
 seven feet above the mean level of the water, and 
 the sea wall is five feet high, or above this. The east 
 crib is thirty-eight feet wide and sixty-five feet long. 
 The water along the breakwater is from twenty-five 
 to thirty-five feet in depth. The light-house is to be 
 placed at the main entrance. The crib has been put 
 down. The superstructure is to be made of concrete, 
 and the frame of superstructure iron, and is to be 
 finished in 1885. \ liglit-house has been erected on 
 tlie angle crib of the breakwater. At times, when 
 severe storms are threatening the lakes, a hundred 
 vessels may be seen in the harbor. It is a great 
 acquisition to Sand Beach, and from its skillful con- 
 struction and the crescent formation of the shore, it 
 is one of the best harbors on the lakes. This is the 
 only place on Lake Huron where the water level is 
 taken every day, which is done at 12 m. The whole 
 commerce of the great chain of nortliern and north- 
 western lakes will be benefitted by this grand work. 
 
 Capt. Robert M. WagstafT, an old and trusty sea- 
 man, who has been in the service of the Government 
 for many years, is custodian at present. 
 
 
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 NE of the most interesting 
 features of this coast, and the 
 most humanitarian institution 
 'Itj of the country, is the Life- 
 ^ Saving Service; and the his- 
 tory of Huron County would 
 be incomplete without it. The au- 
 thority to establish a life-saving station 
 on this coast, was given to the Secre- 
 tary of the Treasury by act of Con- 
 gress passed June 20, 1874. This 
 act authorized the establishment of a 
 " complete life-saving station " at Point 
 aux Barques. This was designated as 
 the " 'I'enth District." It went into commission in 
 1876. Stations at Sand Beach and Grindstone City 
 were established and went into commission in the 
 fall of 1881. The superintendent's headquarters of 
 the Tenth District was removed from Detroit in 1882. 
 There are thirteen stations embraced in this dis- 
 trict, eight on Lake Huron and five on Lake Superior. 
 The stations on Lake Huron are located as follows: 
 Sand Beach, Point aux Barques, Grindstone City, 
 Tawas, Sturgeon Point, Thunder Bay Island, Middle 
 Island and Hammond Bay ; on Lake Superior, Ver- 
 million Point, Crisp's, Two Heart River and Mus- 
 kallonge Lake. 
 
 Since this station has been established, hundreds 
 of lives have been saved on this and Lake Superior 
 coast. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, 
 
 there were 195 persons' lives involved, and none lost. 
 Total value of property involved, $493,720; amount 
 saved, $465,325, — by these brave men. But in try- 
 ing to save others from death, the men of the Life- 
 Saving Service sometimes meet their own. A calam- 
 ity of this kind occurred off the coast of Huron 
 County some years ago; and, as most of the brave, 
 unfortunate men lived in the county where they had 
 families and friends, it is thought that a pretty full 
 report of the same would be acceptable and desir- 
 able by the patrons of this history. ^ 
 
 .The Captain of the scow " J. H. Magruder," 
 bound for Detroit, after having weathered a fearful 
 storm and heavy sea through the long night, every 
 moment of which he, with crew, wife and two chil- 
 dren, was threatened with destruction, discovered at 
 daybreak, on the morning of the 23d of April, that 
 he was off Point aux Barques Life-Saving Station 
 No. 2. The sea was still breaTcing over the vessel's 
 bow and there was several feet of water under the 
 stern. Fearing that there was great danger unless 
 assistance was rendered, he displayed his ensign at 
 half mast. A little after seven o'clock he saw the 
 answering signal from the station, and soon after 
 observed the surf-boat coming out. Then he lost 
 sight of her, thought the sea was too heavy, and that 
 she had gone back. In about one hour and a half 
 he saw her again, a mile north of him, and pulling to 
 the eastward to get out of the breakers on the reef. 
 In a short time he beheld her go down in llie trough 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 of a heavy sea, and when she came up she had cap- 
 sized. She was righted, bailed out, and again pulled 
 for his boat. In about twenty minutes she again 
 capsized. He observed several men clinging to her 
 for a time, and then he saw only one ! (This life- 
 saving crew has been criticised by some for their 
 action here, but the Captain of the "Magruder" 
 thought they used good judgment.) The Captain 
 threw his deck-load overboard, the wind shifted to 
 the northward about noon, and making sail he 
 cleared the reef and arrived in Sand Beach all safe, 
 but leaking badly. 
 
 The sequel to this sad story we will let Captain 
 Kiah, the gallant keeper of tliis station, tell himself: 
 
 "A little before sunrise on the morning of the 23d, 
 James Nantau, on watch on the lookout, reported a 
 vessel showing signal. I got up, and saw a small 
 vessel about three miles from the station, bearing 
 about east and by south. She was flying signal-of- 
 distress flag at half mast. I saw that she was at 
 anchor close outside the reef All hands were im- 
 mediately called; ran the boat out on the dock; 
 and, when ready to launch, surfman Deegan, on 
 patrol north, came running to the station, having 
 discovered the vessel from McGuire's Point, one and 
 one-half miles north of the station. At this time a 
 warm cup of coffee was ready, of which we all 
 hastily partook, and a little after sunrise (5:15 by 
 our time), we launched the boat. Wind east, and 
 fresh, sea running northeast, surf moderately heavy. 
 We pulled out northeast until clear of the shore surf, 
 and then I headed to cross the reef where I knew 
 there was sufficient water on it to cross without strik- 
 ing bottom. We crossed the reef handsomely, and 
 found the sea outside heavier than we had expected, 
 but still not so heavy as we had experienced on 
 other occasions. 
 
 " After getting clear from the breakers of the reef, 
 the boys were in e.xcellent spirits, and we were all 
 congratulating ourselves upon getting over so easily. 
 I then bore down towards the vessel, heading her up 
 whenever I saw a heavy sea coming. When lieading 
 direct for the vessel, the sea was about two points of 
 the compass forward of our port beam, and the 
 heaviest seas I had frequently to head the boat 
 directly for, or dodge them. When about a quarter 
 of a mile from the vessel, and half a mile outside 
 the reef, and very nearly one mile from the nearest 
 
 poirit of land, I saw a tremendous breaker coming 
 for us. I had barely time to head her for it, when 
 it broke over our stern and our boat filled. I 
 ordered the boys to bail her out before the sea had 
 got clear of her stern, but it became apparent 
 at once that we could not free her from water, as 
 the gunwales were considerably under water amid- 
 ship, and two or three minutes after she was cap- 
 sized. We then righted her, and again were as 
 quickly capsized. We righted her a second time, 
 but with the same result. I believe she several 
 times capsized and righted herself after that, but I 
 cannot distinctly remember. As near as I can 
 judge, we filled about one hour after leaving the 
 station. 
 
 " For about three-quarters of an hour we all clung 
 to the boat, the seas occasionally washing us away ; 
 but liaving our cork jackets on, we easily got back 
 again. At this time Pottenger gave out, perished 
 from cold, drop[)ed his face in the water, let go his 
 hold, and we drifted slowly away from him. We 
 were all either holding to the life-lines or upon the 
 bottom of the boat, the latter position difficult to 
 maintain owing to the seas washing us off. liad it 
 been possible for us to remain on the bottom of the 
 boat, we would all liave been saved, for in this posi- 
 tion she was bouyant enough to float us all clear 
 from the water. My hope was that we could ail 
 hold out until we got inside the reef where the water 
 was still. I encouraged the men all I could, re- 
 minded them that there were others, tlieir wives and 
 children, that they should think of, and to strive for 
 their sakes to keep up ; but the cold was too much 
 for them, and one after another gave out, each as did 
 the first. 
 
 "Very little was said by any of the men. It was 
 very hard for any of us to speak at all. I attribute 
 my own safety to the fact that I was not heated up 
 when we filled. The men had been rowing hard and 
 were very warm, and the sudden chill seemed to 
 strike them to the heart. In corroboration of this 
 theory I would say that Deegan, who did the least 
 rowing, was the last to give out. All six perished 
 before we drifted to the reef I have a faint recol- 
 lection of the boat grating or striking the reef as she 
 passed over it, and from that time until I was taken 
 to the station I have but little recollection of what 
 transpired. I was conscious only at brief intervals 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
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 I was not suffering, had no pain, had no sense of 
 feeling in my hands, felt tired, sleepy and benumbed. 
 At times I could scarcely see. I remember screech- 
 ing several times, not to attract attention, but thought 
 it would help the circulation of the blood. I would 
 pound my hands and feet on the boat whenever I 
 was conscious. I have a faint recollection when I 
 got on the bottom of the boat, which must have 
 been after she crossed the reef. I remember, too, in 
 the same dreamy way of when I reached the shore. 
 Remember of falling down twice, and it seems as if 
 I walked a long distance between the two falls; but I 
 could not have done so, as I was found within thirty 
 feet of the boat. I must have reached the shore 
 about 9:30 a. m., so that I was about three and a half 
 hours in the water. I was helped to the station by 
 Mr. Shaw, light-keeper, and Mr. McFarland. Was 
 given restoratives, dry clothes were put on, my lin^s 
 were dressed, and I was put to bed. I slept till noon 
 (two hours), when my wife called me, saying that 
 Deegan and Nantau had drifted ashore, and were in 
 the boat room. My memory from this time is clear. 
 
 " I thought possibly these two men might be 
 brought to life, and, under my instructions, had Mr. 
 Shaw and Mr. Pethers work at Deegan for over an 
 hour, while I worked over Nantau for the same time, 
 but without success. I then telegraphed to the 
 Superintendent and the friends of the crew. The 
 four other men were picked up between i and 2 p. 
 m., all having come ashore within a quarter of a 
 mile of the station. I, with the surf-boat, came 
 ashore about one mile south of the station, the bod- 
 ies drifting in the direction of the wind, and the boat 
 more with the sea. On the 24th, Hiram Walker, of 
 Detroit, telegrajihed to ship the bodies of Pether- 
 bridge and Nantau to Detroit, which I did, together 
 with their effects." 
 
 Mr. Samuel McFarland gives a very pathetic ac- 
 count of this disaster: 
 
 " I am a farmer, and was working on the farm 
 about one-fourth of a mile from where the surf-boat 
 came ashore, when I heard gulls screeching, as I 
 supposed, several times; but paid no attention to 
 it. Presently my two dogs started to run for the 
 cliff, and thinking that somebody might be calling 
 from the shore, I went to the edge of a high cliff 
 overlooking the lake, and saw a boat bottom up 
 about 100 rods from the shore, with one man on it. 
 
 Not knowing that the station crew were out, I started 
 to notify them of what I saw. Upon getting to the 
 station, about nine o'clock, and learning that they 
 were out, concluded that it was the surf-boat I had 
 seen, and went to the light-house after Mr. Shaw to 
 accompany me to where the boat was drifting in. 
 When we got there tlie boat was ashore, and Cap- 
 tain Kiah was standing on the beach about thirty 
 feet from the boat, with one hand holding on to the 
 root of a fallen tree, and with the other steadying 
 himself with a lath-stick, and swaying his body to 
 and fro, as if in the act of walking, but not moving 
 his feet. He did not seem to realize our presence, 
 and was so disfigured we at first failed to recognize 
 him, his face black and swollen and a white froth 
 issuing from his mouth and nose. We took him be- 
 tween us, and with great difficulty walked him to 
 the station. Several times on the way he would 
 murmur, ' Poor boys, they are gone!' Atone time 
 he straightened out his legs, his head dropped back, 
 and we thouglit he was dying; but he soon recov- 
 ered again. After reaching the station, he was 
 given restoratives, his clothes were removed, and he 
 was put to bed. His legs from above the knees 
 were much swollen, bruised and black." 
 
 The names of the lost crew are as follows : Will- 
 iam I. Say res, Robert Morrison, James Pottenger, 
 Dennis Deegan, James Nantau and Walter Pether- 
 bridge. Nantau and Petherbridge were single men. 
 Sayres and Morrison were widowers. Sayres left 
 five children, the youngest at the time being eight 
 years old. Morrison left three children, the young- 
 est, six years old. Pottenger and Deegan each left 
 a wife and four children, each of the youngest at the 
 time being two months old. Their widows and 
 children are still living in Huron County. No 
 blame has ever been attached to Captain Kiah or his 
 crew, by those who had any knowledge of the cir- 
 cumstances. It was on," of those incidents that are 
 liable to occur to the best and bravest of men. Cap- 
 tain Kiah was left very feeble in mind and in body ; 
 his limbs were in a critical condition. It was a 
 question whether he would be able for duty again, 
 and the closing incident of this sad tragedy was his 
 resignation. Thus this station in a day, by the 
 power of a great wave, was bereft of a crew who had 
 within a year, by tlieir heroic action, saved nearly a 
 hundred lives. 
 
 
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 2 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 In the fall of this year, Superintendent Joseph 
 Sawyer, of the Tenth District, was drowned near 
 Rogers City while returning from one of the stations/ 
 and the heroic Captain Kiali, late Keeper of Station 
 No. 2 of this District, having recovered his health 
 fully, was tendered the vacant place by the Govern- 
 ment, which he accepted. For his bravery in the 
 disaster at Pbint aux Barques, the Secretary of the 
 Treasury, under act of Congress passed June 20, 
 1874, presented him with a magnificent gold medal. 
 It is two inches in diameter and one-eighth of an 
 inch thick, and solid gold. On one side is repre- 
 sented a surf-boat in a heavy sea with the surf-men 
 in and about her, with the inscription around the 
 edge as follows: "Life-Saving Medal of the First 
 Class. United States of America." On the other 
 side is the front of a pedestal bearing the following 
 inscription : " To Jerome (i. Kiah, Wreck of Life- 
 Saving Crew of Point aux Barques, Lake Huron, 
 April 23, 1880. Act of June 20, 1874." Surmount- 
 ing the pedestal is the American eagle. To the left 
 is a female figure in drapery leaning against the 
 pedestal. On the right is the bow of a boat with 
 rigging, anchor, etc., and around the edge are these 
 words: "In testimony of heroic deeds in saving life 
 from the perils of the sea." 
 
 Captain Kiah is as hale and hearty a man as one 
 would meet in a day's walk ; gives no indication that 
 he was once so near death's door. 
 
 The stations along this coast have since been 
 much improved in their equipments. kx. Sand 
 Beach station they liuve the English life- boat, which 
 is in its construction a self-bailer and a self-righter ; 
 the same at Grindstone City. At Point aux Barques 
 they have a life surf-boat, also a self-bailer and a 
 self-righter. They have at tliis station all the mod- 
 ern appliances for life-savmg at sea. The station 
 is complete to the fullest extent. 
 
 Congress lately has raised the salary of the officers 
 to a respectable figure ; but there is yet room for 
 great improvement in providing for the surf-men. 
 The whole service should be put on a footing with 
 the navy, the men in line of promotion, and no re- 
 strictions as far as their salary is concerned. They 
 now go out of commission at the close of navigation, 
 and come in again when it opens. In the mean- 
 time they have to forage around for a living. The 
 Government should also pension the widows of the 
 men in this service who lose their lives in trying to 
 save the lives of others. 
 
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 hVron county. 
 
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 Railroads, i,^ 
 
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 RAILROADS in Huron County, 
 
 on account of her superior ad- 
 vantages of water navigation, 
 were not so greatly needed; 
 nor did the county feel the ab- 
 ffe->- sence of these potential agen- 
 cies for civilization as did the 
 other counties during their 
 early settlement. But they came 
 along in good time, as they always 
 do ; and the blast from their trum- 
 pets, announcing their several arrivals, 
 was quite musical to the ears of the 
 people. While none of the roads 
 that now enter the county are domi- 
 ciled here, they answer the purpose 
 of a ready and quick means of transportation just as 
 well. 
 
 (iS^ 
 
 Port Austin & Northwestern Railroad. 
 
 HE echoes of the locomotives of this road 
 were the first to resound through the forests 
 % of Huron County. This was in 1881, and 
 the first passenger train steamed into Sand 
 Beach on the 23d of September of the same 
 year. This road starts from Port Austin, 
 seventy-one miles from Sand Beach. A branch of 
 this road, called the " Port Austin Branch," leaves 
 the main line at Palms, in Sanilac County, and enters 
 Huron County through Bingham Township, runs 
 through Bad Axe, and from there to Port Austin, 
 passing along the western line of Lincoln and Dwight 
 Townships. The first passenger train came into Bad 
 Axe Oct. 10, 1882. It was completed to Port Austin 
 
 at the close of the same year. This is a narrow- 
 gauge road. 
 
 Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin Railroad. 
 
 lyi/j* M^ f)RK was commenced on this line in 1881! 
 ^^^fflq ^"'^ completed in 1883. It is a broad- 
 '"-^;L ' gauge road, and enters the county in 
 3> Brookfield Township, passes through Winsor 
 and terminates at the town of Caseville. 
 ^ This is an important road to Caseville and this 
 section of the county. 
 
 Saginaw, Huron & Tuscola Railroad. 
 
 HIS road started from Saginaw in 1882, and 
 was completed as far as Sebewaing in the 
 spring of 1883, a distance of thirty-seven 
 miles. It runs through Tuscola County and 
 2> along the coast of Sebewaing Township to 
 Sebewaing village. From liere it leads off to 
 Bay Port, its present terminus, passing along near 
 the shore line of Fair Haven Township. This is a 
 narrow-gauge road. A branch runs out, starting 
 about a mile below Bay Port, to the stone quarries in 
 Winsor Township. The present purpose of the com- 
 pany is to extend this branch to Bad Axe, and from 
 there on to Sand Beach. 
 
 This is the introduction of the railroad system into 
 Huron County. It will not be many years, probably, 
 before a complete net work of iron rails will be woven 
 over the entire territory. 
 
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 S early as 1838, or about two 
 years after this Territory 
 went into the sisterhood of 
 States, an attempt was made 
 to get salt in the Grand River 
 Valley ; but it was a faiUire. 
 ■ -. N The Congress of the United 
 States had passed an act allow- 
 ing the State to select twelve 
 springs, with six sections adjoin- 
 ing. In 1859, the salt interests 
 revived and the matter was 
 taken up anew, the Legislature at 
 this time offering ten cents a barrel 
 for all the salt that could be made 
 in the State. As soon as salt made 
 its appearance, the Legislature repealed this act, 
 " before prayers," as it might be said. The manu- 
 factory of salt was first started in Huron County, at 
 Port Austin, in 1863, using the solar system, which 
 was here a failure. Ayres & Co. started their works 
 in 1864, using large iron kettles. They soon im- 
 proved on this process, and adopted the pan system, 
 which they still use. They manufacture about 40,- 
 000 barrels annually. Their well was sunk 1,198 
 feet. Brine, 88"^, salinometer. 
 
 Tlios. Winsor& Co. have an improved steam block, 
 with two wells, which they operate with one beam. 
 Their wells are down to the depth of 1,180 feet. 
 They make 150 barrels per day. Their brine is very 
 pure. Salinometer, 86°. In 1876, J. Jenks & Co., 
 of Sand Beach, started a pan block, with a well for 
 brine supply at a depth of 715 feet. In 1883, they 
 
 _^%, 
 
 put in a steam block. They manufacture 150 barrels 
 per day. The brine from this well is 84", salin- 
 ometer. The same year they added to their business 
 the dairy-salt factory. ( ^ 
 
 In 18S0 Wovthington & Sons, of Grindstone City, ^ 
 established their block-pan process. They produce /7s 
 30,000 barrels annually. At Caseville there are five =j 
 wells and three blocks, — one pan and two steam, — ^ 
 owned by Francis Crawford. The first well was put =3 
 down in 187 1 at a depth of 950 feet. Later it was -^ ■ 
 put down to r,764. Recently the fifth well was put^ 
 down, at a depth of 1850 feet. The annual produc- \ 
 tion from these three blocks is 40,000 to 50,000 barrels. ^ 
 
 At Port Crescent, Eakins & Soule put down a well 
 in 1881, to a depth of 1,242 feet, for brine supply to 
 their pan block. Their capacity is 150 barrels daily, 
 though they do not put up quite this amount. At 
 this place there is another salt block, owned by Ben- 
 nett Haskell, which was opened in 1880. This well . 
 is down at a depth of 1,250 feet. Capacity, 200* 
 barrels: at present not running. 
 
 At New River, W. H. Cooper & Co. have a steam 
 salt block, which was started in 1S76. Their annual 
 production is 25,000 barrels. At White Rock there 
 are two mills, which were started in 1872. The pres- 
 ent proprietor is R. W. Irwin. These wells are down^. 
 to a depth of 600 feet, with a good flow of brine ^ 
 which is 84°, salinometer. The block is of the pan 
 process, with a capacity of 225 barrels' daily. ' 
 
 The Port Hope Pan Block Salt Works are owned | 
 by Wm. R. Stafford, and was started in 1874. Since, 
 then the block has been greatly improved, and has a ®J 
 capacity now of 60,000 barrels. The well is down lo^ 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 a. depth of 800 feet. Proof of brine, 84° standard. 
 
 R. C. Ogilvie has a pan block at this place, which 
 has a capacity of r5o barrels daily. The above list 
 embraces all the salt establishments in this county. 
 
 This industry is increasing in importance every 
 year. The price of wood averages one dollar per cord. 
 From 75, 000 to 100,000 cords are used annually in 
 the salt manufactories. Inspectors of salt are ap- 
 pointed by the State, who make regular examinations. 
 The second quality is branded as such, and is used 
 largely as a fertilizer. So thorough has the system 
 become that only about two per cent of the entire 
 production is second quality. It is handled by the 
 "Salt Association," and a great portion of it goes to 
 Chicago. Salt can be made here in this State cheaper 
 
 than anywhere else. We give one illustration, from 
 
 the tables of 1880: 
 
 New York, capital invested, $2,385,081. 
 
 Amount produced, bushels 8,748,203 
 
 Michigan, capital invested, ^2,147,209 
 
 Amount produced, bushels, « . . 12,425,885. 
 
 They have not, in any of the salt blocks in Huron 
 County, put up any process yet for saving the "bitter" 
 waters which are drawn off in the process of manu- 
 facture. From these bitter waters is obtained bro- 
 mine, and the chlorides of magnesium and calcinm, 
 all of considerable commercial value: also, there are 
 prepared from these waters, carbonate and bi-car- 
 bonate of soda and caustic soda. The production of 
 salt in Michigan is about half of that of the whole 
 country. The price at present is 70 cents a barrel. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
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 ^^^ 
 
 ONDAY morning Sept. 5, 
 1 88 1, the sun rose with un- 
 usual splendor over the 
 blue waters of Lake 
 Huron, casting its warm 
 rays upon the people of 
 Huron County. The air 
 was balmy, and resonant with the 
 charming notes of the wild birds. 
 There was nothing to indicate that 
 ere its setting there would be any- 
 thing other than peace, contentment 
 and happiness among the people, or 
 that ere it took farewell of this fair 
 land and passed below the western 
 horizon, a darkness would come as 
 
 intense as could be produced by the 
 all light, and a calamity befall the people 
 magnitude of woe, suffering and death, 
 
 would be unparalleled in the world's history. The 
 result of the world's experience goes to prove that the 
 greatest calamities come to mankind when they are 
 the least expected. So it was in this terrible event. 
 
 During the previous week tliere had come rumors 
 of disastrous fires in the counties south, but no thought 
 of danger here had been entertained, particularly in 
 these counties below. Forest and fallow fires were 
 burning in many of the townships of Huron County 
 and the counties south during almost the entire 
 month of August, but they were thought to be harmless. 
 
 As early as the middleof August the meteorological 
 journal of the Port Huron Station announced the pres- 
 ence of "dense clouds of smoke from forest fires ;" 
 and from this station fires in the west and southwest 
 were plainly visible. Later on, the flames had seized 
 upon the "slashings" in Sanilac County. The confla- 
 grations were spreading with such rapidity that finally 
 the people of Sanilac, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 became alarmed. On the second of September the 
 fire had destroyed a great part of Carsonville, and 
 had burned buildings and standing timber in that 
 vicinity. 
 
 The first very alarming conflagration began on 
 the last day of August. The fire had originally 
 started in Lapeer County, spreading northeasterly 
 along the valley of the south liranch of Cass River 
 into Marlette, a township lying in the southwestern 
 corner of Sanilac County. It advanced northward 
 through Marlette as far as Moore, then changed its 
 course in the direction of Custer and Watertown 
 townships, passing through these to Sandusky, reach- 
 ing there about two o'clock p. m. Here it destroyed 
 a church, a school, tliree outbuildings and a dwelling. 
 Traveling northeastward, it raged through the 
 swamps west of Black River, crossed this streami 
 and at four o'clock burned the village of Deckerville. 
 From here it swept through the forests and " slash- 
 ings " of Marion and Bridgeport Townships. The 
 wind changed to the north about dark, and blew with 
 such force that the flames soon went out. Before 
 this the fire had become general, and other towns 
 than those mentioned had been threatened. The 
 fires so far had j)een driven by strong diverse winds 
 that grew into gales as the flames increased. The 
 vegetation on one side of the fire-path would be 
 green, while on the other everything had been burned 
 to the ground. 
 
 It was on the fifth day of September, however, 
 that the irresistible conflagration started on its prin- 
 cipal " march to the sea." The smoldering embers 
 of the fires of the previous Wednesday were ready 
 for action, waiting for a favorable wind. It came : 
 a vigorous southvvest gale came up, and then the 
 fiery demon advanced upon its prey. Some days 
 before this the fires had worked from the northern 
 part of Tuscola County into the southern townships 
 of Huron. By Sunday they had united and had 
 reached the township of Colfax, and were also burn- 
 ing in the forests west of Bad Axe. No particular 
 uneasiness, however, was felt by the people of these 
 Townships and others at this time. They had all 
 along through the month of August continued their 
 fallowing, and fed their local fires, notwithstanding 
 occasional warnings. 
 
 We have thus traced the fire from its commence- 
 ment to Huron County, where our history more par- 
 
 ticularly begins. All day, on this Sunday, the wind 
 blew strong from the southwest, and was very hot. 
 On the afternoon of this Sabbath day, a fire broke 
 out on a farm a few miles west of the village of Bad 
 Axe. A number of men went out and got the fire 
 under their control, and so subdued that no further 
 trouble was apprehended. Monday all was peaceful 
 during the morning hours. Toward noon the wind 
 freshened up, and reports came in that the fires had 
 broken out in the vicinity of the Poor Farm. Assist- 
 ance was sent out to jirotect that property. The 
 wind continued to increase until about two o'clock, 
 when it was blowing a gale, and volumes of smoke 
 were seen in the west. But a few moments, and all 
 was darkness ! A cloud of smoke and flame was roll- 
 ing over the country. The heat was so intense that 
 it was almost impossible to breathe. The wind then 
 blew a hurricane. A few seconds more and all was 
 on fire! The very atmosphere seemed — not only 
 seemed, but was — burned into flame. The people 
 had not time to save anything, and the only question 
 with them was, how to save their lives, and those of 
 their children. The court-house was filled with men, 
 women and children ; and those who took refuge 
 there, by heroic efforts saved the building and their 
 own lives, by fighting the fire through the long, terri- 
 ble night. 
 
 The fires did not enter this village in a direct line, 
 but circled in the air over the house-tops. Within 
 twenty minutes after the first building caught fire 
 the conflagration became general, and the lives of all 
 were imperiled. In two hours all the houses in 
 Bad Axe were destroyed except the court-house and 
 a few buildings in the north and west portions, 
 which were protected by green woods. About 400 
 people took refuge in the court-house and were 
 saved. This village stood in a clearing which was 
 made after its settlement, surrounded by forests and 
 "slashings" and " windfalls " which had been accu- 
 mulating there for years. 
 
 Those who fled east passed through a cloud ot 
 fire until they came to an opening. Here they dug 
 a large trench, into which they put the women and 
 children, and covered it over with boards and wet 
 blankets. The men stood ground until the fire in its 
 devouring course had passed on. For a time they 
 thought it was impossible for any to be saved, the 
 heat was so intense. 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 A part of Bad Axe lies in the township of Colfax. 
 The fires burning in the woods on Sunday spread to 
 /%the north and northwest into the townships of Meade 
 ♦ and Chandler. The settlers were still working away 
 with their local fires. These townships had been 
 burned over by the great fires of 1871, and there 
 were large accumulations from windfalls caused by 
 this fire. There were also the " slashings," and with 
 their heaps of limbs and tree-tops, knots, etc., the 
 result of lumber camps, they were regular tinder 
 boxes ready for the flame. This condition of things 
 can be considered that of almost every point of the 
 county that was reached by the fire. 
 
 The beautiful little village of Verona, which lay 
 in the line of the current of flame, leaving Bad A.\e, 
 was swept of everything except its church, hotel and 
 two other buildings, and from there to Bad Axe but 
 two houses remained. 
 
 0) 
 
 V 
 
 To return to the townships of Meade and Chan- 
 dler. The conflagration began spreading in Chan- 
 dler about 12 o'clock m., on the 5th of September. 
 The west \yinds forced it across into the central and 
 
 ^ northern parts of Meade Township. From here it 
 
 ^ met strong, southwest currents which swept it across 
 the northwest corner of Lincoln and through the in- 
 terior of Dwight into Port Austin. Another current 
 took it and carried it southeast through Huron, Gore 
 • '4/ and Rubicon. Here a union was formed with the 
 conflagration spreading northeast from the head- 
 waters of Cass River. 
 
 Through the townships of Dwight and Meade 
 there were during and before the fire, strong currents 
 of wind from the southwest, which occasionally 
 changed to the west. This continued until the 
 
 \p middle of the afternoon, when the wind suddenly 
 j^ veered around to the north and blew a gale. This 
 saved the townships of Port Austin, Hume and 
 Lake from any further destruction. The fires 
 spread very rapidly, burning down green forests, and 
 every barn, dwelling or granary in its path. In Meade 
 first, on section 15, occurred the first death by fire. 
 
 '^ In passing northward the fires at first only extended 
 to the western and northwestern parts of Lincoln 
 Township. The wind still blew from the southwest, 
 so that the fires kept running toward the northeast. 
 
 The fires broke through from Lake and Hume 
 Townships, about on a line of the lowest range of 
 sections. These townships being on Saginaw Bay, 
 
 and the winds coming off the water toward the heated 
 and rarefied air on shore, held firmly in the west 
 without any oscillations from the southwest. Hence 
 the fire near the southern limits of Lake and Hume 
 were held back by tli£ moist westerly winds, which 
 were strong enough to drive the fire eastward into 
 the township of Dwight. Here it met the controll- 
 ing southwest wind. As the flames spread eastward 
 the destroying forces were increased, and a larger 
 number of buildings were destroyed than in Dwight, 
 where the " slashings " and windfalls were few. The 
 fires were driven back from Hume by the north 
 wind about three o'clock. It is said on good au- 
 thority that the temperature in Huron at seven 
 o'clock in the morning was 99" in the shade. This 
 has its value as indicating the state of the atmos- 
 phere on the morning that the fire broke out. 
 
 The southwest gale that blew the flames into Hu- 
 ron Township was so strong that it prostrated trees 
 from 30 to 40 feet high and from six to eight inches 
 in diameter, and small, young poplars were laid flat. 
 The town of Port Austin was threatened until about 
 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the wind changed 
 to the north. It came within a mile of the village 
 and skirted along westwardly toward Hume, when 
 the northerly winds turned the current back toward 
 Dwight. A hay-stack caught on fire within half a 
 mile of the village, but it was put out. 
 
 riie last wind that was blowing in Huron Town- 
 ship at about half past one increased in force as 
 it approached the center of rarefication, drove the 
 conflagration to the eastward, and, shaping its direc- 
 tion to the outline of the coast, forced it across the 
 southwest corner of Huron Township, and then into 
 the village of Huron City. Here it became a whirl- 
 wind of fire, sweeping through the whole length of 
 the settlement, prostrating the forests and continu- 
 ing with fearful speed toward Port Hope. 
 
 After leaving Huron City, the fires spread south- 
 ward, accompanied by heavy west and northwest 
 winds, down through Huron Township into Bloom- 
 field and Rubicon Townships. As the fires in- 
 creased and the area of destruction grew larger, the 
 atmospheric forces became more violent, and great 
 clouds of flame were driven with whirlwind speed ■ 
 through the air. The fires reached Port Hope about 
 two o'clock, running along in a current on the shore 
 front and consuming everything. About this time 
 
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 ■^21*%^^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 the wind changed to the west. At this the 
 
 people began to congratulate themselves upon being 
 
 'able to save some of their property lying back from 
 
 the lake, as the west wind would hold the flames 
 
 (^ that way. They had not long to indulge in this 
 hope, for sojn there came a report that the whole 
 coiiutry west of them was in flames. Mr. Stafl"ord, 
 wlio liad large interests at the place, had his men out, 
 and all others he could coinmand, established a 
 p.itrol and fought the fire all that day and the night 
 following, and by great exertions the village was 
 [saved. The open fields back, or to the west, were 
 in their favor, as they tended to check the great cur- 
 rents of fire. They by no means felt safe, as fire 
 was still all around them until Wednesday night, 
 when a heavy rain came on. The whirlwind which 
 had been driving these fires through Huron Town- 
 ship and Huron City, and through the forests into 
 
 f,^ ) Port Hope, seemed to hug the shore country, and to 
 have ultimately broken through to the lake. The 
 
 /^ trees that had been blown down lay with their tops 
 
 a toward the southwest. 
 
 V^ The wind that accompanied the fire in its south- 
 
 <^ ward course was very strong. It would form into a 
 
 ^T\J whirlwind, unroof houses and barns, throw down log 
 y cabins, lift persons from the ground and hurl them 
 through the air like sticks. At Forest Bay, in the 
 southeast portion of Rubicon Township, it struck a 
 counter-current, or a southeast wind, and was very 
 eccentric in its movements. This is the home of 
 John Hopson, one of the old and prominent men of 
 Huron County. The wind made an attack on his 
 barn, which had previously been unroofed, and took 
 off an ash rafter, which was about thirty feet long 
 and six inches square, and spiked down, and, whirl- 
 ing it some ten rods, drove it under a board fence 
 with such force that Mr. Hopson failed to pull it out 
 with a yoke of oxen. It can be seen there yet by 
 curiosity hunters. It also took Mrs. Hopson up, who 
 came outside, and carried her through the air some 
 distance and then let her down with no injury, but 
 with a good degree of fright. 
 
 From here it continued on its course of destruction, 
 spreading out through the northern part of Sigel 
 
 ^d Township and the northern and western portion of 
 <^ Sand Beach. At the same time the other conflagra- 
 tion that was following the course of Cass River 
 through the dense forests, and, coming northerly 
 
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 into Huron County, was laying waste the townships 
 of Sheridan, Bingliam, Paris, Sherman, Colfax, Ver- 
 ona and the southern and western portion of Sand 
 Beach. The fires in Elmwood Township in Tuscola 
 County began to spread, and coming northward 
 passed through the southeastern corner of Brookfield 
 and over all of (jrant but the northwestern corner. 
 The fires spread northeastward and eastward through 
 Colfax and Sheridan and along the low lands north 
 and south of Cass River. Along this river there 
 were immense forests of green trees. There were 
 great bodies of standing dead timber and fallen tim- 
 ber several feet high, caused by the fires of 187 i. It 
 all greatly augmented the conflagration. Tiie winds 
 were strong here, and, like those that drove the fires 
 from the neighborhood, from the southwest. The 
 fires reached Verona about three o'clock. They had 
 heard from parties who had been at Bad Axe when 
 the fire broke out there, of the great destruction 
 going on. These persons drove through flames of 
 fire to reach their homes, and only arrived about 
 an hour ahead of the conflagration. It came on with 
 the southwest gale. Before the fire reached the vil- 
 lage there was total darkness, and immense clouds 
 of smoke hung over the town. The northwest gale 
 which came up lasted a few minutes, then the wind 
 changed back to the southwest again. A few short 
 moments and this town was in ashes, save the build- 
 ings that have been previously mentioned. The 
 fiery wave passed along through the low lands of Ver- 
 ona into Bloomfield Township, and also over Sigel. 
 They were fierce and rapid, these fires, in their war. 
 A few moments would suffice for the destruction of a 
 village. Forests were swept down with almost equal 
 rapidity. 
 
 The fires reached Paris betwen two and three 
 o'clock. The conflagration came from the west. It 
 appeared like a solid wall of flame from fifty to a 
 hundred feet high, rushing on with gigantic and de- 
 vouring fury, destroying everything in its course. It 
 had been as dark as midnight from about noon. 
 From Sigel the fire went into Sand Beach. Tiie 
 morning sun had shone l:)riglitly upon these people. 
 There were no signs of the approaching wave of 
 fire. Toward noon the sky became closed and over- 
 cast; soon after it became red. At two o'clock the 
 darkness was so intense tliat the people could not 
 see. They lit their lamps in tlieir houses, and tiieir 
 
 
 

 
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 <4DnSIltls>;^er 
 
 #?^f 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 lanterns to go about with. A large portion of this 
 township escaped from the destruction of this fire, 
 but they all had the smoke and the heated air. In 
 Sherman Township a wagon weighing a thousand 
 pounds was taken up and hurled some fifteen rods 
 by the northwest wind. 
 
 In this township the opposing currents met — the 
 northeast and the southwest. Their struggle for 
 mastery made a terrible noise, like the roaring of 
 mighty waters. The people became greatly alarmed 
 and did not know what next would follow. The 
 northwest current was the strongest and drove the 
 southwest wind back, turning the fire southwest 
 across tne corner of Minden. It is reported that on 
 the north half of section 14, and the south half of 
 section 11, an area a mile long escaped the flames, 
 while northwest of this point twenty persons and 
 almost all perishable property within a square of 16 
 miles was burned. Often in the midst of a general 
 destruction, a shanty would be spared. Northwest 
 of Parisville the currents of fire divided and the 
 property of some of the farmers was burned, while 
 that of others was untouched. At the Polish church 
 there were seven houses within an area of eighty rods 
 in diameter that escaped the fire, while everything 
 outside of this area was consumed. These peculiar- 
 ities of this great conflagration occurred in every 
 township that it reached. At Minden the conflagra- 
 tion was discovered in the forests about two miles 
 southwest of the village about half past three. At 
 four o'clock the wind came like the lightning flash, 
 and with it the fire. At this place a southwest wind 
 bore off a part of a barn-roof, carrying it some hun- 
 dred rods. The other part of the same roof was 
 caught by a northwest wind and carried about one 
 hundred and twenty rods. 
 
 The eccentricities of this great conflagration— if so 
 they may be called — the incidents, the narrow es- 
 capes, the sad, sad accounts of suffering and death, 
 would fill volumes. We can only in this work give 
 some of the principal features and incidents. 
 
 On Wednesday night a heavy rain, brought about 
 by the great fires, came on : the fires were extin- 
 guished and the storms were over. 
 
 The causes that brought on this conflagration are 
 numerous. The atmospheric conditions were ex- 
 ceedingly favorable. The winds were very strong, 
 and south of this fated territory were from the south- 
 
 )€^|,. ^^^^ ^^^>ll ^ tlll->^ 
 
 west. In Lapeer County, at the beginning of the 
 fires, its velocity was reported to have been forty- 
 five miles an hour. The south and southwest winds 
 had prevailed for several days before the fire. 
 There had been a protracted drought extending 
 through the months of July and August. The sea- 
 son had been one of unusual heat. The ground was 
 parched and baked, even into the very roots of grasses, 
 shrubbery and trees. In clay soils, the ground was 
 cracked open, and deep crevices could be seen in 
 many places. The sun had been pouring down its 
 unabated heat all summer. Wells and cisterns 
 were dry. In some places there was no water for 
 miles for stock, and miles of dead timber were left 
 standing from previous forest fires and those of 187 1 ; 
 there were " slashings " and wind-falls and limbs 
 and tops of trees, that had been accumulating from 
 the time the earliest saw-mill had been started, — all 
 forming a material for combustion which for quality 
 and ([uantity has not been equalled in the history of 
 the country, or even the world. 
 
 There is no such thing as stopping a fire that 
 has once started in such material. The people in 
 many localities fought the fire and kept it off. This 
 was the case in Caseville Township. They fought 
 it there all the afternoon and all night. Toward 
 morning the moist wind came up from the Bay and 
 they were saved. But the conditions were favorable 
 or they would not have been saved. It was as im- 
 possible to check this fire in its currents as to stem 
 Niagara River. It swept over open fields faster than 
 a horse could run. Many were overtaken and left 
 burned to death on the ground. At times the wind 
 blew a perfect tornado, uprooting trees, carrying 
 roofs of buildings through the air, taking men and 
 women up and hurling them back to the ground! 
 People speak of seeing blue flames shoot out from 
 burning stumps, flicker a few seconds, and then be 
 carried away by the wind. The air seemed to be 
 heavily charged with gases ; there were literally 
 balls of fire; this, with the intense heat and the 
 counter currents, may account for much of the phe- 
 nomena witnessed in this great conflagration. 
 
 The destruction to property was great, the suffer- 
 ing beyond description. Whole families perished 
 in their houses. The bodies of the dead men were 
 found by the roads, where they fell in their vain at- 
 tempt to escape death. Thousands of people barely 
 
 9 
 
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(g> )« - @: f | ^ 
 
 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 saved their lives, leaving homes, buildings, all in 
 flames, and were exposed and left in a perishing 
 condition, without food, shelter or clothing. The 
 charred remains of all kinds of animals, wild and 
 tame, were found over the desolate country together, 
 and sometimes even those of human beings! 
 
 Flying sheets of flame and balls of fire were seen 
 in every direction. These would often overtake or 
 light upon people fleeing for life, and burn them to 
 death. Some saved their lives by rushing into green 
 corn-fields and burying their heads in the earth. 
 Many found refuge in wells. One man clung to the 
 stones in a well with his fingers and toes twenty- 
 four hours ! When the fire and smoke went away, 
 he discovered that he was only two feet from the 
 bottom, and the well was dry ! One man, who 
 sought the lake for safety, found behind him in the 
 morning a big bear, which was as submissive as a 
 kitten ! 
 
 Mr. Wade, in Rubicon Township, daring the fire 
 took his wife and three children into the corn-field 
 for safety. The husband went back to try and save 
 some of his property, but could not, so sudden did 
 the fire come upon him. He did not get back to 
 his family until daylight, when he found them 
 burned to a crisp. By them was the carcass of a 
 bear, which, it is presumed, came to them for pro- 
 tection ! 
 
 News came into Sand Beach village early Tues- 
 day morning that some people out in the country 
 had been burned. A wagon was sent out, and soon 
 afterward it returned bearing the crisp and charred 
 remains of Mrs. Maul and son! This sad cortege 
 was soon followed by the Wade family, burned be- 
 yond recognition ! Then came the Calkins lamily, 
 the mother clasping the remains of her babe to her 
 lifeless bosom ! 
 
 Some days after the fire the charred remains of a 
 mother and her five little children were found in the 
 forest. She — poor heart ! — was in a kneeling posture, 
 with the hands of her five children in iier lap, all 
 burned to a crisp ! 
 
 We could go on for days detailing incidents of this 
 fire, and then not be half through. Space will not 
 permit. It may already l)e too lengthy. Tiie his- 
 torian has aimed to give the facts in as few words as 
 possible. It is not a pleasant subject to write about. 
 We believe this conflagration has no parallel in the 
 
 world's history. The Chicago fire of 187 1 is the 
 nearest approach to it. The destruction of property 
 there was greater, but the fire was not so extensive. 
 The loss of life, the amount of property consumed, 
 and the e.vtent of territory burned over; the terrific 
 speed wiiii wliich the country was laid waste; the 
 wail of human suffering and anguish and woe that 
 broke over these fair shores, it would seem never 
 could be surpassed. God grant that it may never 
 be! and God grant that this people may hereafter 
 have absolute immunity from fires! 
 
 The number of lives lost during this conflagration 
 in Huron County is estimated at 70; the amount of 
 property destroyed, at $1,107,538. We think this is 
 an underestimate. 
 
 This history would be incomplete witliout the 
 mention of the generous response of the American 
 people from all parts of the country toward the 
 sufferers. They were relieved as far as it was pos- 
 sible for them to be by human aid. Money and 
 supplies flowed in from all over the country. State 
 aid was given, and relief committees were organized 
 to look after their wants. That advantage was taken 
 of this generous response in money and supplies by 
 some mercenary persons was not to be unexpected. 
 
 Most of the people have recovered financially from 
 this great conflagration, but it will be generations be- 
 fore the country will recover from its devastating 
 effects. The land has been denuded of its most 
 attractive oril&ments. Its grand forests are gone ; 
 the trees, with their beautiful foliage, are no more. 
 The charred remains of trees and stumps meet the 
 eye from every direction. They rise up l)efore you 
 like ghosts, a sad reminder of burned kindred, of 
 buried hopes and blasted lives. 
 
 History is fond of perpetuating heroic deeds, and 
 mankind is prone to worship at the shrine of heroes 
 who achieved their greatness on bloody battle-fields; 
 but the people who met and fought this great ava- 
 lanche of fire and when they could no longer fight it 
 fled with tlieir children before its devouring flame; 
 who, wlien the fire was over and they turned their 
 faces toward tlieir burned iiomes, to build uj) again 
 their firesides and erect their family altars, — even if 
 they have not won great battles, or conquered nations, 
 are as worthy of a place in history as the heroes of 
 Marathon, Austerlitz, Waterloo, Shiloh, (Gettysburg or 
 of the Wilderness. 
 
 The great fires were the occasion for the nianifesta- 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 tion of some of the noblest, as well as some of the 
 meanest, traits in the human character. What could 
 be more generous and noble than the response to the 
 call for relief that came from all parts of the world? 
 There was no occasion to ask for anything; just as 
 soon as the cause became kno^vn, money, provisions 
 and clothing poured in from every city in the North, 
 and by its abundance many were replaced in com- 
 fortable, and some even in affluent circumstances. 
 
 The distribution of the supplies was confided to 
 men of well-known business character and integrity, 
 who had a personal knowledge of most of the cases 
 which came under their supervision. These men 
 devoted their own time and means freely and gen- 
 erously to deal out the relief, neglecting their own 
 interests. 
 
 Yet the supplies had hardly arrived on the grounds 
 before those near made a rush for them ; and though 
 a sufficiency was given them to supply their imme- 
 diate wants, many were disappointed and grumbled 
 because they did not receive an abundance. The 
 worst cases were those who suffered the least. In- 
 stead of eating the bread and accepting the relief 
 with thankful hearts, their conduct was disgusting to 
 many sensible persons. How different were they 
 from the people who gave the donations! While there 
 were many of this class, of course there were hun- 
 dreds too timid to ask even for necessaries. 
 
 Every class of relief was received from all parts of 
 the world, and from every class of people. The fol- 
 lowing sums of money were sent from the respective 
 Grand Lodges, immediately following the fires, to 
 Arthur M. Clark, at that time Grand Lecturer of 
 Masons, of Michigan, to be distributed among some 
 200 Masons, who lost their homes and were left des- 
 titute by the fire : 
 
 Michigan $4,800 
 
 Maine 1,100 
 
 Connecticut 1,200 
 
 Delaware 50 
 
 Illinois 1 ,200 
 
 California 1,100 
 
 West Virginia. ... 100 
 
 Mississippi 800 
 
 Iowa 500 
 
 Indiana 137 
 
 Pennsylvania .... 4,400 
 
 Louisiana 1,600 
 
 Wisconsin 500 
 
 South Carolina. .. .$ 350 
 
 Texas 1,400 
 
 .\rkansas 900 
 
 Alabama 50 
 
 Missouri 250 
 
 Maryland 600 
 
 Kentucky 100 
 
 Kansas 300 
 
 Ohio 65 
 
 New Jersey 30 
 
 New York 125 
 
 Michigan K. T.,. .. 1,000 
 
 Tennessee 1,200 
 
 Total $23,877 
 
 In addition to the above there was also sent a 
 large amount of clothing and provisions, which was 
 distributed among these suffering Masons. 
 
 The general relief, together with something of the 
 losses, can be seen from the report of the State Fire 
 Relief Commission, which is appended : 
 
 REPORT IN REGARD TO FIRE RELIEF. 
 
 " His Excellency, David H. Jerome, Governor 0/ 
 
 Michigan : 
 
 " The Fire Relief Commission of Michigan ap- 
 pointed by you to supervise the work of relief to 
 the sufferers by the disastrous fires in this State on 
 the fifth of September last, in compliance with a 
 joint request from the several committees already 
 sngaged in the work, has the honor to submit the 
 following report of its labors to the present date:. 
 
 "The work of relieving the sufferers being still in 
 progress, and a portion of the funds entrusted to our 
 charge for that purpose yet unexpended, the report 
 of your Commission is necessarily incomplete. 
 
 " The Commission has, from the date of its organ- 
 ization on the tenth of October last to the present 
 time, held regular meetings upon every lawful day, 
 and have devoted much time and careful thought to 
 the discharge of the important and onerous duties 
 assigned to it. While maintaining a watchful super- 
 vision over the contributions entrusted to it by the 
 generous people throughout the land, and using its 
 best judgment to secure a faithful, impartial, and ju- 
 dicious distribution of the same to those who were 
 reported to it by proper authority as entitled to re- 
 ceive aid, — not a single individual appeal has been 
 made (and the number of tiiese has been very large) 
 but has received careful consideration and investiga- 
 tion by the Commission, so that the relief asked for 
 should, if practicable, be promptly given if the ap- 
 plicant was found entitled to it. 
 
 " Immediately upon the organization of your Com- 
 mission, the Detroit Relief Committee turned over to 
 it the books and records of every kind belonging to 
 that committee, together with a condensed report of 
 the receipts and disbursements, and the remaining 
 cash and merchandise in the hands of the commit- 
 tee, as shown by the report. 
 
 " Sliortly thereafter the relief committee of East 
 Saginaw, Flint and Bay City made similar reports to 
 your Commission, that of the first two being accom- 
 panied by the remaining funds in their hands. Bay 
 
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HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 493 
 
 
 
 City, by mutual agreement, continued its work of re- 
 lief in the Bad Axe district, reporting on the same 
 from time to time to the Commission. On the 27th 
 of January a final report was sent by the Bay City 
 Committee, accompanied by a check for the remain- 
 ing funds in their hands. 
 
 " Upon careful consideration of the general condi- 
 tion of the sufferers, and of the system adopted and 
 in operation for their relief as shown by the reports 
 of the committees, your Commission, being pledged, 
 according to arrangement at the meeting requesting 
 its appointment, to carry out all existing contracts 
 made by the previous relief committees, resolved, as 
 the most judicious course under existing circum- 
 stances, to carry out in its general features the system 
 adopted by the Detroit Relief Committee, which ap- 
 peared to have been most admirably planned, and to 
 have been carried out hitherto with great energy and 
 success. 
 
 " The limits of such a report as the present will 
 not permit the Commission to present other than a 
 general and somewhat condensed review of the 
 work of relief The section of country burned over 
 was promptly arranged into districts of from one to 
 five townships each, as was found to be most con- 
 venient; one-half of some townships being in one 
 district and the other half placed in another, the 
 better to accommodate the sufferers. These districts 
 were placed in charge of a responsible and prom- 
 inent citizen residing therein, through whom, as their 
 relief agent, assisted by voluntary local committees 
 in the district, the general relief committees and 
 the Commission have dispensed every every form of 
 relief, except in cash, which has Ijoen distributed, 
 with their assistance, by special agents. 
 
 Til rough these district agencies as originally or- 
 ganized, with the exception of a few changes shown 
 to be necessary as the work developed, relief has 
 been dispensed to the sufferers under tlie following 
 general classification : Provisions and groceries ; 
 clothing and bedding; medicines and medical aid; 
 seed wheat and grass ; plows, wagons, harness, and 
 agricultural implements and tools of all kinds; lum- 
 ber and shingles; doors, windows, nails, etc., for 
 houses and barns; furniture, including stoves, bed- 
 steads, chairs, tables, crockery, tin and wooden ware ; 
 hay and other feed for such number of cattle as'they 
 were advised lo retain ; donations and loans in money 
 
 -^^tK^hi] 
 
 to aid in rebuilding saw-mills, etc., destroyed ; cash 
 distributions by special agents directly to the suffer- 
 ers on as liberal a scale proportioned to the size and 
 wants of each family as the Commission deemed it 
 wise, with the means at its command, to allow. 
 
 " On the progress and results obtained in the dis- 
 tribution of the foregoing means of relief, the Com- 
 mission reports as follows : 
 
 " Provisions and groceries have been liberally sup- 
 plied sufficient to subsist the sufferers upon an 
 average to nearly the first of J.muary, a cash distri- 
 bution bein'4 made in the latter part of November and 
 beginning of December, as a substitute tVom that 
 date. Clothing and bedding have been supplied to 
 the sufferers in abundance, the former, as well as 
 large quantities of the latter, being furnished through 
 the generous contributions of the public in these 
 articles. Many districts were supplied with more 
 clothing of certain kinds than was required, the 
 greatest demand being for warm bedding, ticking, 
 new boots and shoes, and woolen wear for winter use. 
 These the Commission purchased and distributed 
 wherever required. 
 
 "The stocks of clothing now on hand we believe 
 to be sufficient for the requirements of the sufferers. 
 
 "Seed wheat for fall sowing was furnislied by this 
 Commission and other committees to all who were 
 reported as entitled to it, and ready to sow. Through 
 the energy of the committees and their agents in the 
 district, aided by the favorable season, a large area 
 was sown in good time with the promise of a favor- 
 able result. A (luantity of grass seed was also fur- 
 nished and sown. Plows, wagons, harness, and 
 other farming implements were sent forward in liberal 
 quantities as rapidly as practicable. The distribu- 
 tion of the most expensive of these articles was in- 
 trusted to the judgment of the agents, to be loaned 
 or donated, as they might deem advisable, it being 
 impossible to supply all who applied. By the aid, 
 however, of a liberal expenditure for the repair of 
 those only partially destroyed, most of the sufferers 
 are now enabled to prosecute the work on their 
 lands. 
 
 "The work of furnishing lumber and sliingles to 
 replace, after a sort, the houses and barns destroyed, 
 was entered upon immediately after the fires, but 
 so large were the quantities reipiired beyond the 
 available stocks within reach, that some time was 
 
 
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HURON COUNTY. 
 
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 'unavoidably consumed before all the sufferers could 
 \ be furnished with sufficient shelter. In order to 
 ^i hasten and increase the supply, advances and dona- 
 tions were made to owners of saw-mills destroyed in 
 (^ithe district, to be repaid in lumber or sawing for the 
 benefit of the sufferers. The Detroit Relief Com- 
 mittee, by whom such loans and donations were 
 chiefly made, was guided in its action by the recom- 
 mendation of the district agents, that such aid 
 would not only increase the quantity of lumber for 
 ■the use of the sufferers, but by sawing logs for those 
 )who required, be of general benefit to the district. 
 Some of these loans have already been repaid in full 
 ' or in part in lumber and sawing. The sufferers are 
 now all under shelter, and temporary shelter for the 
 stock is also nearly furnished. 
 
 " As fast as places of shelter could be got ready, 
 and doors and windows sent forward to close them in, 
 /\\ the Commission, who had meanwhile been forward- 
 Vl ing stoves as fast as they could be furnished by the 
 manufacturers, purchased and sent forward a mod- 
 erate quantity of furniture, consisting of bedsteads, 
 ^ chairs, tables, tin and wooden ware, and crockery, 
 ^jj useful and substantial in kind and character ; and 
 ™ although the supply to each family was necessarily 
 "y limited, the requisitions of the district agents having 
 f been filled, it is believed that sufficient has been 
 ^ ^ distributed to supply the necessities of the sufferers 
 and enable them to resume housekeeping. 
 
 "The abundant rains during October, falling upon 
 the soil burned over and enriched by the fires, pro- 
 duced an abundant crop of grass, which, with the 
 continued mild weather until late in the season, 
 proved of incalculable benefit and saved the lives 
 of a large number of cattle. At the proper time a 
 circular letter was sent by several agents, requesting 
 them to notify the sufferers that hay would be furn- 
 ished to each family so entitled at the rate of one 
 ton for each head of cattle, at the maximum number 
 of one team and one cow, three head in all ; to those 
 who possessed more without having otherwise the 
 means to subsist them, to dispose of the surplus 
 while in a fit condition for sale. The advice was 
 generally followed, and one ton of hay issued. In 
 \^A this connection it should be understood that the 
 i^ amount of hay so furnished by this Commission and 
 other committees was not considered sufficient to 
 winter the cattle so supplied, but rather as the maxi- 
 
 ^7K>DI1 
 
 mum quantity which the funds on hand would war- 
 rant. 
 
 " The remarkably wild winter, however, while it 
 has prevented much valuable out-door work with 
 teams, has at the same time enabled the sufferers to 
 practice the closest economy in feeding, so that the 
 allowance has lasted for a longer lime than was an- 
 ticipated. 
 
 "The Commission is of the opinion that an addi- 
 tional half ton per head, which it is now engaged in 
 distributing, will, should the spring prove to be fa- 
 vorable in proportion as the winter has hitherto been, 
 not only subsist the cattle until the first of April as 
 contemplated, but, with the aid of some coarse grain 
 to feed the teams during the seeding time, carry 
 them through till grass. 
 
 " Upon a careful review of the position of the suf- 
 ferers, and of the reports from the agents in response 
 to a request for information thereon, it was resolved 
 early in November to substitute, instead of supply- 
 ing provisions, payments in money to the sufferers, 
 upon a scale as nearly adequate and proportionate 
 to the size and wants of each family as practicable. 
 The first payment was made by special agents sent 
 for that purpose, in the latter part of November and 
 beginning of December and January. The change 
 from supplies to money payments appeared to give 
 general satisfaction. In Januar)' a second payment 
 was made for the month of February and a part of 
 March, 25 per cent being added to the amount ejJ- 
 lowed in the previous payment. It is believed that 
 when hay now being purchased and distributed is 
 paid for, also outstanding contracts for lumber, 
 freights and other e.xpenditures, still a sufficient 
 amount will remain on hand to make one more cash 
 distribution, sufficient at least to subsist the sufferers 
 until April first. 
 
 " The following statement of cash receipts and 
 disbursements under the different classifications of 
 aid given, including those of the Detroit Relief Com- 
 mittee, is respectfully submitted. Proper vouchers 
 for all disbursements will be found on file in the 
 office of the Commission. The receipts and dis- 
 bursements, in condensed form, of the East Saginaw 
 and Bay City Relief Committees follow in the order 
 named. A statement of the actual receipts in cash 
 has not yet been received from the Relief Committee 
 of Flint ; their total expenditures and balance re- 
 mitted to your Commission is therefore given : 
 
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 RECEIPTS OF CASH. 
 
 By Detroit Relief Committee $207,274 89 
 
 By Fire Relief Commission 198,284 56 
 
 From. East Saginaw Relief Committee. 1,680 15 
 
 Flint Relief Committee 1 63 44 
 
 Bay City Relief Committee 5 4° 
 
 Total receipts $407,408 44 
 
 DISBURSEMENTS. 
 
 Provisions and groceries $52,702 50 
 
 Seed wheat and grass seed 26,5 1 7 60 
 
 Furnitnre, stoves, etc., etc., 34,704 94 
 
 Agricultural implements, tools, etc., 10. 497 25 
 
 Blankets, boots and shoes, etc., 17)272 52 
 
 Lumber and shingles, doors, etc., 21,144 02 
 
 Hay and feed for cattle 66,845 44 
 
 Hospital stores and physicians 2,803 '9 
 
 Freights and teaming, etc., i4)484 88 
 
 Distribution agencies, office, etc., 9,664 06 
 
 Advances to rebuild saw-mills, etc., 71823 00 
 
 Distributed to the sufferers 69,583 66 
 
 Total disbursements $334,042 40 
 
 Balance on hand $73,366 04 
 
 Making total estimated liabilities about.. $53,000 00 
 Leaving a balance on hand with which to 
 make one more cash distriliulion of 
 
 about $20,000 00 
 
 Which will probably be distributed in March. 
 It will be seen, therefore, that on payment of the 
 above liabilities, and one more cash distribution, the 
 entire fund in the hands of the Commission will be 
 exhausted. 
 
 REPORT OF EAST SAGINAW RELIEF COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cash receipts $5.25 1 34 
 
 Distribution in money and supplies 3)57i 19 
 
 Balance remitted to the Fire Relief Com- 
 mission, as per its report $r,68o 15 
 
 RAY CITY RELIEF CO.MMITTEE. 
 
 Cash receipts and donations of mdse. . . $23,063 81 
 Cash distributions in money and supplies 23,058 41 
 
 Balance on hand remitted to the Fire Re- 
 lief Commission as per its report $5 4° 
 
 FLINT RELIEF COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cash receipts (no report) 
 
 Distribution in money and supplies $2,457 9' 
 
 Cash remitted to tiie Fire Relief Commis- 
 sion as per its report . . .• $1 63044 
 
 from contributions in cash and in merchandise sold 
 for cash, which, from its nature and the circumstances 
 of the sufferers, it was deemed more advantageous to 
 sell than to distribute in kind. 
 
 " In addition to the above, large quantities of cloth- 
 ing, bedding, articles for domestic use, and other 
 supplies, have been received from all parts of the 
 United States and Canada, which were forwarded to 
 the agents as rapidly as practicable, to be distributed 
 to the best of their judgment. The widely varied 
 character and quality, and the quantity of these 
 donations, their rapid accumulation, and the neces- 
 sity of sending them forward without delay for the 
 use of the sufferers, precluded the possibility of 
 either the Detroit Relief Committee or this Com- 
 mission appraising them at any satisfactory valuation, 
 and therefore no attempt to value them was made. 
 
 " In presenting a statemeni of the number of pack- 
 ages of all kinds received, we beg to add that prop- 
 erly prepared books were jilaced in the hands of the 
 agents on which to record the amounts distributed of 
 these, as well as of all other supplies, against the 
 name of each family receiving aid. 
 
 " Donations of merchandise received by the De- 
 troit Relief Committee and the Fire Relief Commis- 
 sion, part being sold and credited in cash donations, 
 the remainder distributed or now in store : 
 
 Clothing, bedding, and mixed mercliandise, 
 
 packages 4.4'*'° 
 
 Hardware, tinware, crockery, packages 161 
 
 Grain, flour, potatoes, and seeds, bags 3i423 
 
 Grain, flour, potatoes, and seeds, barrels 221 
 
 Furniture, stoves, and stove furniture, pieces. 678 
 Farming implements and liarness, pieces. . . . 
 Provisions, groceries, dried fruit, packages. . . 
 
 Sashes, doors, and blinds, packages 
 
 Books, boxes 
 
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 In the foregoing are presented only the receipts 
 
 Total number of packages and' pieces. . . ■ 9,755 
 
 " Upon the basis of the relief which has been 
 already afforded by the different committees, it is 
 believed that the funds now on hand will be suffi- 
 cient to subsist the sufferers until April first. It 
 would have been very gratifying to have been able 
 to state that the sufferers would from that date be 
 able to support themselves, or that tlie funds so 
 generously donated would prove sufficient to accom- 
 plish that end. 
 
 "The fact remains, liowever, that niucli yet is re- 
 quired to be done for our unfortunate fellow citizens, 
 
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 HURON COUNTY. 
 
 
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 and the Commission deems it its duty to submit for 
 consideration, without any specific recommendation 
 as to the amount which may be required, a few of 
 the principal wants of the people for which aid is yet 
 necessary, and for which no means are^yet provided 
 to supply. 
 
 " It will be seen that only such needs are referred 
 to as have already either formed a part of the work 
 of relief or have become connected therewith, as in 
 the case of taxes, for the payment of which money 
 donated for the subsistence of the sufferers has been 
 in many cases used. 
 
 " The following comprise the principal heads under 
 which aid will be required after April first, to supply 
 part of which it is essential that operations should 
 be commenced as early as practicable : 
 
 1. Provisions for teams during seeding time. 
 
 2. Seed for spring sowing. 
 
 3. Money to pay taxes. 
 
 4. Subsistence for the people until tJiey can real- 
 ize from their lands and labors. 
 
 " Other losses occurred to a very considerable 
 amount, in school-houses, fences, bridges, culverts 
 and public edifices. For these the Commission did 
 not feel warranted in making appropriation from the 
 funds at its disposal. It will be obvious from the 
 character of the work itself, and the possibility of 
 contingencies arising in the future, which may to 
 some extent increase or diminish the necessity for 
 aid to the sufferers, that the Commission cannot 
 assume the responsibility of naming a specific sum 
 for that purpose, but instead thereof respectfully 
 submits some statistics in connection therewith, 
 which it trusts may be of service in determining the 
 amount yet necessary, and which will be found 
 attached to this report. In accepting the trust 
 placed in our hands, we have so endeavored to dis- 
 charge the duties incumbent upon us in furnishing 
 aid to our suffering fellow citizens as to enable them 
 to build up their homes again, and to become self- 
 supporting. 
 
 'In closing this report we may be permitted to say 
 that we, as a people, are under the deepest obliga- 
 tions to our fellow citizens of other States for so gen- 
 erous a response to the appeal for aid to our suffering 
 people, and that we have endeavored to administer 
 
 their bounty for the best interests of those for whose 
 benefit it has been so freely bestowed. 
 
 " All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 H. P. Baldwin, Chairman ; A. H. Dey, D. C. 
 Whitwood, Geo. C. Coud, F. W. Swift, C. T. 
 
 GORHAM. 
 
 " Detroit, Feb. 22, 1882." 
 
 "statistics of losses. 
 "The following statistics of the losses by the fires 
 
 are prepared from reports made to the Fire Relief 
 
 Commission 
 
 No. of townships more or less burned over 70 
 
 " of houses destroyed 1)521 
 
 " of barns destroyed r,48o 
 
 " of families burned out and reported for aid. 3,231 
 " of persons burned out and reported for aid . 1 4,438 
 
 Total value of property reported destroyed. $2, 346, 943 
 
 Average loss of each family $726 4° 
 
 Average loss per capita 1 62 55 
 
 "The estimate made above of property destroyed 
 
 does not include that of individuals not requiring 
 
 and who did not apply for aid. 
 
 i 
 
 statistics and estimates in relation to further 
 aid for the suffering, 
 feed for stock. 
 Total number of cattle at the maximum al- 
 lowed of one team and one cow to each 
 family, that are receiving one and a half 
 tons of hay each in round numbers, about . 5,000 
 Proportion of teams .in the above requiring 
 
 additional feed during seeding time 1,700 
 
 SEED. 
 
 "Amount asked for per returns collected as follows : 
 
 Bushels. lUishcIs. 
 
 Oats 31,663 Barley 6,814 
 
 Peas 23,361 Potatoes 1 1,665 
 
 Wlieat 11,665 Timothy seed... 2,074 
 
 Corn 8,332 Clover seed 2,166 
 
 "The above report, from individual requests, in- 
 cludes returns and estimates from all the sufferers 
 of every class. Deducting from this quantity the 
 proportion of those whose losses were slight, and 
 who should be able to supply themselves (about 
 one-fourth), and also the tpiantity believed, on a com- 
 parison of the statistical returns of losses with tlie 
 amount asked for, to be in excess of the ability to 
 use for seeding purposes, will show that about 60 
 per cent of the quantity, asked for will be sufficient 
 to supply all that can be properly used by those 
 entitled to seed. M. H. Allardt, Sec." 
 
 < 
 
 i 
 
 
 
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 ) 
 
 1 
 f 
 
 (1) 
 
 (^ 
 
 •i k 
 
 Adams, John 23 
 
 Adams, John Quincy 39 
 
 Allen, George R ^84 
 
 Anderson, Darling .319 
 
 Anderson, George 288 
 
 Anderson, William 302 
 
 Armstrong, James 216 
 
 Arnold, Nelson P 413 
 
 Arthur, Alex. K 332 
 
 Arthur, Chester A 99 
 
 Auch, J. J. F 40.S 
 
 Ayres, F. S =99 
 
 Ayres, James S 372 
 
 liach, C. F 410 
 
 I'acon, E. F 283 
 
 Haglcy, John J iS7 
 
 Baldwin, Henry P iS3 
 
 Ball, Charles F, 377 
 
 liallentine, John 187 
 
 liarher,\Vm. W 385 
 
 Barry, JohnS 113 
 
 Beck, Gottfried, Jr 30S 
 
 Beck, Jacoh 296 
 
 Begole, Josiah W l6g 
 
 Bell, George S 296 
 
 Bcrgcr, Alois 302 
 
 Bingham, Kinsley S 137 
 
 Binkle, P 294 
 
 Black, losiah, M. D 318 
 
 Blair, Austin 145 
 
 Blcicher, Michael.. 407 
 
 I'odey, John R 213 
 
 l!o[ie,\Vm. T 183 
 
 Botcher, Christian 368 
 
 Bowman, Anson H 378 
 
 lioyd, li. W 312 
 
 BIOGI^p^I^I^pIi. 
 
 Brack, C. C 247 
 
 Brennan, ]■ h 384 
 
 Broomfield, Joseph 227 
 
 Broomhower, A • 190 
 
 Brown, George 349 
 
 Buchanan, James 75 
 
 Burton, A. H 307 
 
 Campbell, James 418 
 
 Campbell, Robert 39' 
 
 Cantelon, S. T 319 
 
 Carpenter, L. C 200 
 
 Carr, G. W 409 
 
 Carrington, Mark 239 
 
 Carter, Wm 259 
 
 Cartwright, Benj 414 
 
 Gary, John M 182 
 
 Case, A. E 230 
 
 Chappel, John W 319 
 
 Chappell, Wm. T 377 
 
 Chipman, H. L 229 
 
 Church, B. R 236 
 
 Clark, Charles 188 
 
 Clcary,Wm. G 189 
 
 Cole, Thomas 184 
 
 Coon, Lewis W 354 
 
 Cooper, Wm. H 3i4 
 
 Cowper, Major 276 
 
 Crapo, Henry H 149 
 
 Crawford, Charles 3°^ 
 
 Crawford, Francis 423 
 
 Cross, Geo. M 284 
 
 Croswell, Charles M 161 
 
 Cur ran, James 324 
 
 Curric, Archie 373 
 
 D 
 
 Davidson, R. A. 
 
 Davis, Charles, M. D 416 
 
 Deachim, Joseph 401 
 
 Deady, J. S 225 
 
 Dickinson, Heman W 218 
 
 Dickinson, Dr. H. W 230 
 
 Dow, Charles E 353 
 
 Dues, David E 417 
 
 Dufty, Wm 246 
 
 E 
 
 Empkie, Krederick 29Q 
 
 Engel. Wm 283 
 
 Erb, Moses 414 
 
 Esler, Alex L , 226 
 
 Etzler, Anthony 360 
 
 Etzler, Francis 308 
 
 Etzler, Wm 408 
 
 Facer, Heiir^ E 210 
 
 Farr, Joseph 236 
 
 Felch, Alpheiis 117 
 
 Ferris, H. D 241 
 
 Filion, Desire 218 
 
 Filion, Felix 242 
 
 Filion, Leon 305 
 
 Filion, Simon 225 
 
 Fillmore, Millard 67 
 
 Flach, Henry E 272 
 
 Flint, John H 348 
 
 Frantz, Joseph 356 
 
 Fromant, Magloirc 373 
 
 C'lage, Clinton D 345 
 
 (lager, Ira 271 
 
 Gale, Hugh M.,M. D 225 
 
 Garfield, James A 95 
 
 Geiger, John 253 
 
 Geltz, Charles 306 
 
 Gerstenschlaeger, J 289 
 
 Getty, Henry 190 
 
 Getty, John ; 386 
 
 Gilbert, Charles 182 
 
 Goebel, Henry 402 
 
 Gotts, Robert 253 
 
 Grant, Charles E 384 
 
 Grant, Ulysses S 87 
 
 Green, George C 339 
 
 Greenly, Wm. L 121 
 
 Gregory, M. C 386 
 
 Greyerbiehl, John 350 
 
 Grice, J. G 323 
 
 Grice, J. P 308 
 
 Grumney, Saml. D 382 
 
 Guyeau, L. A 358 
 
 Gwinn, Richard 331 
 
 H 
 
 Hahn, Christoph 391 
 
 Haley , James.. 205 
 
 Haley, Oliver 195 
 
 Hall, Charles 1 277 
 
 Hall, James 194 
 
 Hall, James H 281 
 
 Handy, Wm 364 
 
 Harrison, Ingram 371 
 
 Harrison, Wm. H 51 
 
 Hansen, J. E 235 
 
 Harvey, James, Sr 330 
 
 Harvey, James, Jr 397 
 
 Haskell, Bennett 410 
 
 Hauselniann, M 326 
 
 Hayes, Rutherford B 91 
 
 Haywood, Clark 207 
 
 Haywood, Ira 315 
 
 Heaton, Edward 252 
 
 Hcdlcy, Wm 331 
 
 Heistcrman, Carl 367 
 
 Hellems, H. B 411 
 
 Hcllems, Henry 287 
 
 Hcllem.^, J. B 409 
 
 Henley, Angus O 190 
 
 I 
 
 EZi. 
 
 < 
 
 /S) 
 
 -^«?'^s!J^ 
 
 -=^-filD^llD<^>V^ 2%?^^ 
 
(g>) «^ { i ^ 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 -:a(«S^%r 
 
 - 4 ?( !g^ -(S) 
 
 <) 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 »;^ 
 
 Hcnnc, Wm 270 
 
 Heiining, Ch:irlcs 339 
 
 Hitchcock, H. R 288 
 
 HotTman, Simon 398 
 
 Holmes, J. A 300 
 
 Holmes, Wm. W 260 
 
 Hotstein, August 224 
 
 Hopson, John 343 
 
 Hubbard, Joseph 214 
 
 Hubbard, Langdon 223 
 
 Hunt, John aig 
 
 Hunter, Alonzo. ... - 401 
 
 Irwin, R.W 
 
 Jackson, Andrew 43 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas, 27 
 
 Jenks, B. W 400 
 
 Jenks, George W 395 
 
 Jenks, Jeremiah... 179 
 
 Jenks, Jesse T, 399 
 
 Jenks, J. M 407 
 
 Jerome, David H 165 
 
 Jeroux, Joseph 200 
 
 Johnson, Andrew 83 
 
 Johnson, E. (I ...199 
 
 Johnson, L. S 334 
 
 Jurges, Henry 396 
 
 K 
 
 Kappen, Wm 336 
 
 Kappler, Philip 400 
 
 Kearns, James 259 
 
 Kellogg, Wm 290 
 
 Kelly, Jeremiah 380 
 
 Kennedy, H. C 383 
 
 Kerr, George 248 
 
 Kinsh, John 252 
 
 Labellc, Raphael 195 
 
 Layer, Jacob ,260 
 
 Learned. Chas. G 257 
 
 Learned, J. R a^y 
 
 Lcipprandt, C- K 339 
 
 Lcszczynski, A. S 340 
 
 Libby, Henry 372 
 
 Liken, John C 363 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 79 
 
 Lincoln, L. E ^ao 
 
 Linscn, John 318 
 
 Ludington, t>. H 226 
 
 Ludington, J ., Jr 193 
 
 Ludington, W. J 251 
 
 M 
 
 Madill, J. B 3W 
 
 M ad ison , J ames 31 
 
 Martin, George, Jr 220 
 
 Martin, Thomas .236 
 
 Martin, William ■ • • -320 
 
 Martini, Richard 407 
 
 Mason, Stevens T 105 
 
 Maurer,Wm 385 
 
 Maywood, John 240 
 
 McAllister, James 314 
 
 McAvoy, Charles 242 
 
 McClelland, Robert 129 
 
 McCoy, Wm 335 
 
 McDonnell, M. C, M D 196 
 
 McDowell, Wm. H 209 
 
 McGregor, Allan 301 
 
 McGregor, Daniel ■ -TP^ 
 
 McKay, Edward 39S 
 
 McKillen, Benj 215 
 
 McM illan, Charles 32s 
 
 Melligan, John 205 
 
 Merrick, Wm. H 40s 
 
 Milller. Jacrb 409 
 
 Monroe, James 35 
 
 Morgan, J. A 214 
 
 Morrow, Thomas 245 
 
 Mosher,S. A 3'2 
 
 Munford, Robert 265 
 
 Murdock, John J. 367 
 
 Murphy, John W 227 
 
 Murray, Peter 4'6 
 
 N 
 
 Nash, Francis 293 
 
 Neal, Henry 197 
 
 Newcomb, Joseph 220 
 
 Neuman, Henry 4*8 
 
 Xims, Charles S 254 
 
 o 
 
 Odcll, Charles 208 
 
 Ogilvie, R. C, M. D 245 
 
 O'henley, Angus 190 
 
 Parr, Richard 229 
 
 Parsons, .Andrew 133 
 
 Paterson, Roger 207 
 
 Peer, Aaron G 269 
 
 Pcngra,Olin 349 
 
 Perrin, Wm. H 346 
 
 Perry, D 399 
 
 Philp, James 402 
 
 Philp, Robert 204 
 
 Philp, Thomas 295 
 
 Pierce, Alex 417 
 
 Pierce, D. H 379 
 
 Pierce, Franklin 71 
 
 Pike, Alex 275^^ 
 
 Pittsley, A 408 
 
 Polk, J. K 59 
 
 Poss, J.R 419 
 
 Proudfoot, Wm 224 
 
 Provorse, J. H ..200 
 
 Puddock, J. G 415 
 
 R 
 
 Ransom, Epaphroditus 125 
 
 Rapson, Reuben 241 
 
 Reed, James 197 
 
 Rees, Wm 276 
 
 Richards, Thomas 265 
 
 Robinson, Watson 213 
 
 Rorick, Jacob T 336 
 
 Ross, James 340 
 
 Ryan, James 383 
 
 Schilling, Frederick 329 
 
 Schlegel milch, C. F 320 
 
 Schluchter, R. G 412 
 
 Schmidt, Charles A 265 
 
 Schmitt, Frederick 326 
 
 Schreiber, John 301 
 
 Schubel, Charles. t ..206 
 
 Scott, B. L. 224 
 
 SchuUe, A 266 
 
 Scott, Norman J 228 
 
 Scott, Robert 353 
 
 Scott, Thomas '. 183 
 
 Selden, J. W 266 
 
 Shaw, Andrew 263 
 
 Shine, John 272 
 
 Simmie, John M 301 
 
 Sinclair, Daniel 209 
 
 Sinclair, Thomas 317 
 
 Slack, Branford 378 
 
 Small, W. E 217 
 
 Smeader, Peter. Sr 371 
 
 Smeader, Peter, Jr 379 
 
 Smith, Horace 317 
 
 Smith, Richard 216 
 
 Smith, Sidney .A 290 
 
 Snell, Hon. J. W 311 
 
 Snovcr, H. G 247 
 
 Snowdcn, Alex 258 
 
 Soule, Charles 305 
 
 Soule, E. C 411 
 
 Soulc, John 406 
 
 Pagctt, Alfred 4*6 
 
 Pangborn, Henry 311 
 
 Pangborn, H, F 293 
 
 Pangborn, J. C 209 
 
 Pangman, George 217 
 
 Parent, Amos 203 
 
 Parker, Wni H. 239 
 
 Spohn, Wm. E., M. D 390 
 
 Spouiz, M 278 
 
 Spriess, Jacob 424 
 
 Stafford, Wm. R 233 
 
 Stocks, John 266 
 
 Storbeck, Otto W 315 
 
 Sullivan, Thomas 406 
 
 Sweet, Noah B 313 
 
 Taylor, Zachary 63 
 
 Thomas, J. B 258 
 
 Thompson, Chas. E ...asi 
 
 Thompson, Wm. (Huron Tp.)i98 
 Thompson, Wm. (Verona Tp.)i95 
 
 Trcscott, Hunting 307 
 
 Truax, L. C ...235 
 
 Tschirhart, Laudelin 294 
 
 Tucker, J. H 398 
 
 Tyler, John 55 
 
 Vahle, Henry 246 
 
 VanBuskirk,S 392 
 
 Van Burcn, Martin 47 
 
 Van Tromp, W. C. M 295 
 
 Van Woert, Geo. H 306 
 
 Verd, Charles 412 
 
 VogI, Frank X 380 
 
 Volz, Ernst 370 
 
 w 
 
 Wagner, M . D 392 
 
 Wagstaff, R. M 332 
 
 Wallace, Robert 187 
 
 Walker, H. M 411 
 
 Walker, G. H 218 
 
 Washington, George ig 
 
 Weathcrhcad, J. F 307 
 
 Webb, Wm. E 384 
 
 Weir, Thomas 354 
 
 Welch, J. F 389 
 
 Wills, John 413 
 
 Williams, D. H. T 199 
 
 Williams, (). B 350 
 
 Williamson, Levi, M . D aoj 
 
 Williamson, Wm. C 397 
 
 Williamson, Wm. J 196 
 
 Wilson, Wm 360 
 
 Winsor, Hon. Richard 357 
 
 Winsor, Thomas 368 
 
 Wintcrbottom, Robert 430 
 
 Wisncr, Moses 141 
 
 Woodbridgc, Wm 109 
 
 Woodworth,T. B 345 
 
 Wright, G. R 282 
 
 z. 
 
 Zicgler, John F ..354 
 
 i 
 
 X=I 
 
 t^ 
 
 «!• 
 
 ^ 
 
500 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 -*4?^^ 
 
 %» 
 
 v© 
 
 >-5-<§ o«$-oS»>-5fe>o g>-J-< 
 
 I 
 
 Adams, John 22 
 
 AtJams, John Quincy 38 
 
 Arthur, Chester A g8 
 
 Ayers, F. S 298 
 
 IJngley, John J 156 
 
 Baldwin, Henry P 152 
 
 Hal len tine, John 186 
 
 Barry, John S 112 
 
 Hegole, Josiah W 168 
 
 Bingham, Kinsley S 136 
 
 Blair, Austin 144 
 
 Bope, Wm. T 182 
 
 Buchanan, James.. .'. 74 
 
 Carrlngton, Mark 238 
 
 Chappell. Wm. T 376 
 
 Crapo, HcnryH 148 
 
 Crawford Francis 422 
 
 Croswell, Charles M 160 
 
 Felch, Alphcus ii'i 
 
 Fillmore, Millard 66 
 
 7 o ■ 
 
 Garfield, James A 04 
 
 Grant, Uiysses S 86 
 
 Greenly, William L 120 
 
 Grice, J. G 322 
 
 Hall, J. H 280 
 
 Harrison, Ingram 370 
 
 Harrison, Wm. H 50 
 
 Hayes, Rutherford B go 
 
 Heisterman, Carl 366 
 
 Hellems, Henry 286 
 
 Henning, Ch2rles 338 
 
 Hopson, John , 342 
 
 Hubbard, I.angdon 222 
 
 Irwin, R. W 388 
 
 Jackson, Andrew ^2 
 
 Jefferson, Thos 26 
 
 Jenks, George W 394 
 
 Jenks, Jeremiah 178 
 
 Jerome, David H 164 
 
 Johnson, Andrew 82 
 
 Learned, Charles G 256 
 
 Leipprandt, C. F 328 
 
 Liken, John C 362 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham 78 
 
 Liidington, Jer., Jr 192 
 
 Madison James 30 
 
 Mason, Stevens T 104 
 
 McClelland, Robert 128 
 
 McCoy, William 334 
 
 Merrick, W. H 404 
 
 Monroe, James 34 
 
 Nash, Francis 292 
 
 Ogllvie, R. C, M. D 244 
 
 Pangborn, Henry 310 
 
 Parsons, Andrew 132 
 
 Pengra, Olin 348 
 
 Pierce, Franklin 70 
 
 Pike, -Alexander 274 
 
 
 
 Polk, James K 58 
 
 Ransom, Epaphrodiius 124 
 
 Robinson, Watson 212 
 
 Ryan, James 382 
 
 Scott, Robert 352 
 
 Shaw, Andrew 262 
 
 Sinclair, Thomas 316 
 
 Soule, Charles 304 
 
 Stafford, Wm. R 232 
 
 Taylor, Zachary... .^ 62 
 
 Thompson, Charles E. . . ....250 
 
 Tyler, lohn 54 
 
 VanBuren, Martin 46 
 
 Washington, George 18 
 
 Williamson, Levi, M. D,. 202 
 
 Winsor, Hon. Richard 356 
 
 Wisner, Moses 140 
 
 Woodbridge, William 108 
 
 — m 
 
 
 < 
 
 ■':&■ 
 
 -•— tSS' — ■ 
 
 GENERAL HISTORY 
 
 TOWNSHIP HISTORIES 
 
 Bingham 
 
 Bloomfield 
 
 Brookfield 
 
 Caseville 
 
 Cliandler 
 
 Colfax 
 
 Dwight 
 
 Fair Haven 
 
 Gore 
 
 Grant 
 
 Hume 
 
 Huron 
 
 Lake 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 Meade 
 
 Oliver 
 
 Paris 
 
 429 
 
 432 
 
 432 
 433 
 433 
 
 434 
 
 437 
 437 
 438 
 
 439 
 440 
 441 
 44 1 
 443 
 444 
 
 445 
 446 
 446 
 447 
 
 Port Austin 
 
 Rubicon 
 
 Sand Beach 
 
 Sebewaing 
 
 Sheridan 
 
 Sherman 
 
 Sigel 
 
 Verona 
 
 White Rock 
 
 Winsor 
 
 VILLAGES: 
 
 Bad Axe 
 Caseville 
 Grindstone City 
 Huron City 
 Kilmanagh 
 Pinnebog 
 Port Austin 
 Port Crescent 
 Port Hope 
 
 447 
 452 
 
 455 
 460 
 
 465 
 466 
 
 466 
 
 467 
 
 472 
 
 473 
 
 467 
 435 
 45' 
 453 
 440 
 
 443 
 448 
 442 
 
 453 
 
 ^ ^ kC) >^ ^^ 
 
 • Sand Beach 
 Sebewaing 
 Verona 
 White Rock 
 
 POLITICAL 
 
 Election Returns 
 
 HARBOR OF REFUGE 
 
 LIFE-SAVING SERVICE 
 
 RAILROADS 
 
 Port Austin & North- 
 western 
 
 Pontiac, Oxford ^: Port 
 Austin 
 
 Saginaw, Huron & Tus- 
 cola 
 
 SALINE INTERESTS 
 THE GREAT FIRES