Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: History of St. Clair County, Michigan by Arthur St. Clair A.T. Andreas & Co., Chicago, IL - 1883 [Page 299 - 303] EARLY LAKE NAVIGATORS The steamboat men of the earlier times are at present limited to a comparative few, and of those now living, Capts. WILLIAM T. PEASE, now a resident of Buffalo; L. H. COTTON, of Detroit; DAVID WILKESON, of Perrysburg, and HARRY WHITTAKER, of Buffalo, are the oldest on record. The command of the first steamer, the Walk-in-the-Water, devolved on Capt. JOB FISH, an imported man from the East, whose knowledge of lake navigation did not extend very far, and who re- signed his post on encountering the first gale, which occurred on his third or fourth trip, and delivered over the safe management of the vessel to JOHN DAVIS, his mate, before reaching port. JEDE- DIAH ROGERS subsequently commanded the Walk-in-the-Water, and up to the close of her career. The Superior, being the second steamer on the lakes, was placed in command of Capt. ROGER SHERMAN, who, although imported, as was the case of FISH, proved himself equal to the position, and continued as master of the same boat two or more seasons, when he returned from whence he came. Capt. W. T. PEASE, who comes next on the list, commanded respectively the Niagara 1st, Pioneer, Superior, Niagara 2d, and others at a later period, including the Boston. He was also at one time master of the schooner Michigan, which subsequently was sent over Niagara Falls. He was living and a resident of Buffalo in 1871. Capt. L. H. COTTON commanded the first steamer that ever towed a vessel up the Fort Erie Rapids, the steamer being the Monroe, and the vessel the ship Milwaukee. Capt. C., also, during a very lengthy and popular career, was master of the steamers Ohio 1st, Penn- sylvania, D. Webster, Oregon, Baltic, Anthony Wayne, and latterly the mammoth steamer Western World. At an early period in his life, in 1835, he fitted out the brig Queen Charlotte, which during the war of 1812, was captured from the British, and for many years lay sunk at Erie, Penn. Capt. DAVID WILKESON, who in 1871 was living retired at his old home in Perrysburg, commenced (as did those previously named, except SHERMAN and FISH) his career in command of sail vessels. He commanded the schooners Eagle and Guerriere, his first steamer being the Commodore Perry, of whom he remained master until the close of her career, when himself and others caused to be built the Superior 2d, which he commanded for several years. Capt. C. L. GAGER is also among the early lake men, and was with Capt. LEVI ALLEN, JAMES HARRINGTON, LORING PIERCE, and JOHN KIMBERLY on the Walk-in-the-Water as a seaman, comprising her crew. He was absent from the lakes for several years, and on his return bought the steamer Red Jacket and sailed her, then the Gen. Porter, which he converted into a propeller, and after- ward the Albany. Capt. WALTER NORTON, many years deceased at Buffalo, was among the early pioneers, and first commanded sail vessels, among which was the schooner Michigan, already alluded to. He sailed the steamers Henry Clay, Gen. Porter and Michi- gan. Capt. GEORGE MILES sailed vessels for several years, among others the Erie, which, during a fearful gale, got dismasted on Lake Erie and came near being lost with all hands. He after- ward sailed the steamboat Enterprise, somewhere in the years 1834-35, and died several years since at Erie. Capt. JOHN F. WIGHT commanded the William Penn, and subsequently the Chicago. He died some years since at Erie. Capt. HARRY WHITTAKER was not only prominent as a steamboat navigator, but also as a builder of steamboats, and through the intrigues of others has had his fortune wrecked on more than one occasion. At an early day, he sailed the schooner Marie Antoinette, then the steamers North America, Monroe, United States and A. D. Patchin. What was never previously nor since achieved, he navigated with the steamer United States throughout the winter of 1845, between Buffalo and Detroit. He resided at Buffalo, N.Y. Capt. MORRIS TYLER was also a vessel man at the first, and in 1831-32 sailed the schooner Cincinnati, and others previous to that time. He also commanded the steamers Ohio 1st, Daniel Webster and James Allen. He last sailed the brig Columbia, which he owned and built. He died at his residence in Lower Sandusky about the year 1845. Capt. JOHN FLAHARTY commanded sail vessels at first, then steamers, William Peacock and Pennsylvania, and on his re- tirement went into the forwarding business at Huron, Ohio, and subsequently at Buffalo, where he died after the war. Capt. CHESLEY BLAKE died at Milwaukee, with cholera, in 1849. He commanded the schooners Hannah, Napolean and others; also steamers Niagara, Michigan and Illinois. Capt. AUGUSTUS WALKER was probably one of the most prominent navigators in aiding and furthering steamboat interests that ever sailed the lakes. He built the steamers Sheldon Thompson, Washington 1st, Columbus and Great Western, and first commanded the steamer United States, and subsequently the others herein named. The Western was the first steamer on the lower lakes provided with upper cabins. Capt. W. died at Buffalo, in 1865, aged sixty-five years. Capt. LEVI ALLEN, one of the most popular lake men throughout his sailing career, commanded respectively the steamers United States, Superior, Pennsylvania, Buffalo and Niagara 2d. He was a resident of Buffalo, N.Y. Capt. ARCHIBALD ALLEN died several years since, at Black Rock, N.Y. Among other craft he commanded during his time were the steamers Michigan and Nile. Capt. SIMEON FOX will be remembered by many acquainted with early lake events. He served on board sail craft the greater part of his time, and at one period sailed the schooner Amaranth. He also commanded the steamboats Charles Townsendand Chautauqua, the latter when plying between Buffalo and Barcelona. He died at Buffalo, N.Y., many years since. Capt. PETER SHAINHOLDTS served as first officer on the steamer Superior, along with PEASE, and in the same capa- city for several years on different boats. He commanded the steamer Cincinnati, between Buffalo and Chippewa, for a time, and the Charles Townsend, between Buffalo and Detroit. He died in Buffalo about 1847 or 1848. Capt. THOMAS WILKINS was a man unsurpassed in popularity by any who ever came before or after him. In connection with his duties, he always maintained the strictest sobriety in the performance of the same. He was the popular commander of the steamers William Peacock, Thomas Jeffer- son, and Missouri, and after retiring from the lakes, served faithfully for several years, and, up to the time of his decease, as Collector of Customs at Erie, Penn. He died in 1870. Capt. SAMUEL CHASE, long since dead, commanded in his day the steamers Ohio 1st, also the Gov. Marcy and the Monroe. Capt. CHARLES BURNETT (familiarly known as BUCK BURNETT), commanded the steamers Ohio 1st, and the New England. He also in earlier times commanded vessels. After his retirement from the lakes, he was appointed Harbor Master at Buffalo, and proved an excellent officer. He died like most all sailors, very poor. Capt. JAMES LUNDY commenced his career on board sail vessels, and, among others, the schooners Detroit, Maria, and also steamers Pennsylvania, Cleveland 1st, Uncle Sam, Constellation, Rochester, Baltic, City of Cleveland, and others. He was a man of strict habits and always popular. BOB WAGSTAFF, as he was familiarly called, will not soon be for- gotten by many. He commanded the first and finest ship ever on the lakes, the Julia Palmer, in 1836. He was also a steamboat man for many years of his life, and not long since died in New York. Capt. CHARLES C. STANNARD commanded the brig Ramsay Crooks, on Lake Superior, also the steamboats Niagara, Bunker Hill and Saratoga, and died at "the bells." on board the Western World, on leaving the dock at Detroit, in 1856. Capt. A. E. HART commanded steamers United States, Cleveland 1st, propellers Oregon and Edith. Previous to steamboating, he sailed the schooner Buffalo and others. His brother, Capt. ROBERT HART, deceased at Buffalo, sailed at an early day the sloop William Tell and other vessels, also steamer Robert Fulton, and pro- peller Paugassett. The steamer Chippewa, built at Buffalo, without frame, with the shape or model of a muskmelon, was sailed by Capt. BENJAMIN ARMSTRONG, who also commanded the schooners Sterling and Britannia, besides other craft. Capt. G. APPLEBY sailed the schooner New Connecticut, which capsized in Lake Erie, and three days afterward a woman was rescued from the cabin alive, which was conceded one of the most remarkable events of the times. He also commanded the steamers North America, Constitution, Benjamin Franklin and Sultana. He died at Buffalo in 1867. Capt. THOMAS J. TITUS commenced his career on sail vessels, commanding the schooners Aurora, United States and others. He also sailed the steamers Ohio 1st, Sandusky, Erie, Buffalo, Queen City and Julia Palmer. His last command was that of the propeller Monticello, and while on Lake Michigan was drowned from the small boat while attempting to land on shore. Capt. H. VAN ALLEN was deservedly one of the most popu- lar men navigating the lakes, in which the qualities of the sailor and gentleman were combined. His sailing career began on the Canada side, and on board the steamers Thames, Kent, Emerald, London, Canada and Clifton: also on the American side, on board the Mayflower and the Empire State, two of the finest steamers that ever floated on the lakes. Since his retirement from the lakes, his home was at Mackinac. The steamer Thames was also at one time commanded by Capt. G. R. WILLIAMS, plying between Buffalo and Port Stanley, C. W. Capt S. F. ATWOOD, ranks also among the first navigators on the lakes widely and favorably known. Besides sail vessels, he commanded at different periods the steamers Macomb, Monroe, Gen. Harrison, Troy, Arrow, T. Whit- ney, Parsons, and others. In later years, he resided at his island home on Lake Erie, at North Bass, where he extensively engaged in the culture of grapes. Capt. J. L. Edmonds, commanded for several years vessels and steamers, such as the North America, Chicago and Southerner. While in command of the latter, and after leaving Buffalo on her second trip of the season, in March, 1850, he was taken suddenly ill, causing the immediate return of the steamer to port, where he died on entering the harbor. Capt. AARON ROOT sailed the schooner Amaranth, steamers Constellation in 1836, Bunker Hill in 1837, and subsequently the propeller Henry Clay. He died at Black River, Ohio. Capt. JOEL H. McQUEEN commanded the steamer Constellation in 1837; afterward the Sam. Ward and other boats. He also, at cue time commanded the schooner White Pigeon. Capt. JOHN SHOOK sailed the schooner Cincinnati, besides other vessels, at an early period; also steamers United States and Columbus. He died at Huron, Ohio, some years since. His brother, Capt. JIM SHOOK, sailed the fine clipper brig Illinois, in 1835, of the Eagle Line, when it was fashionable to have the pea jacket ornamented with a spread eagle. He also at one time commanded the propeller Scioto, besides several sail craft. He died at Huron, Ohio, a few years since. Capt. CLIFF BELDEN died at Cleveland, in August, 1858. He commenced early on the lakes on board of sail vessels, and at one time commanded the steamboat Star. Capt. A. H. SQUIER sailed vessels for several years, among others the schooner Laguire, steamers DeWitt Clinton, Garden City and others. He is a resident of Buffalo, N.Y. Capt. AMOS PRATT, a long prominent lake navigator, will be recollected as master of the steamer Anthony Wayne, or Mad Anthony, as she was at first called. He also commanded one of the first propellers on the lakes, the Samson, in 1843, afterward the Princeton and Globe. He was a popular seaman and gentleman. His death occurred in 1869 or 1870. Capt. WILLIAM DICKSON died at Buffalo in 1865, aged sixty-five years. He was reared on the waters, and commenced life as a ferryman between Black Rock and Fort Erie. After several years' experience on the lakes, he commanded the schooners Sterling, Merchant, Michigan 2d, ship Milwaukee, brig Robert Hunter, propellers Hunter and Illinois. Capt. J. T. PHEATT, died at Toledo in 1859. He came from the lower lake, in command of the schooner Grant. While on the upper lakes he commanded the steamer Gen. Harrison, in 1840, the steamer Indiana, in 1842, the Northern Indiana and Western Metropolis. At the time of his decease he was managing a ferry at Toledo. Capt. JOHN STEWART sailed for the late OLIVER NEWBERRY, several vessels, commencing at an early period - the schooners Marengo, La Salle, brig Manhattan and others. Previous to his decease, which took place on the River St. Clair, he commanded the steamers Michigan and Northerner. He was universally liked. We also pay a passing tribute to the memory of other lake pioneers, among whom were Capt. SAMUEL VARY, who died at Sheboygan a few years since; "OULD NED BURKE," as he was widely known; JERRY OLIVER, who commanded the steamer New England, besides sail vessels at other periods; Capts. PAINE MANN, JOE SHERWOOD, JOHN KLINE, also Capt. JOHN W. WEBSTER, who, with Capt. JAMES HACKETT, light-keeper at the mouth of Detroit River, are the two oldest vessel masters at present living. Capt. W. resides at Painesville, Ohio. Capt. W. P. STONE, once of the steamer Keystone State, and favorably known, died a few years since at a hotel in New York City. Capt. THOMAS RICHARDS died while in command of the steamer Niagara, at Milwaukee, in 1849. Capt. G. W. FLOOD came from the seaboard, and sailed the brig Indiana, in 1837, in 1839 the steamer Sandusky and in 1843 the propeller Hercules, after which he returned to salt water. He died in California. Capt. GEORGE E. WILLOUGHBY died at Quebec a few years since. He commanded respectively the Emerald, London, Canada, Ocean, Mayflower and Plymouth Rock, and was popular. Capt. C. H. LUDLOW sailed vessels, and in 1849 commanded the steamboat Baltic. He also sailed the propeller Globe, subsequently the propeller New York. He died some years since. Capt. JACOB IMSON, formerly of the Hendrick Hudson, Diamond, Buckeye State and propeller St. Joseph, is farming in Michigan. Capt. S. CLEMENT was in business at Chicago. He, in 1839, sailed the schooner Philadelphia, and other periods different vessels besides the Atlantic and others of Ward's steamers. Capt. E. B. WARD was also at an early date a vessel man, sailing, among others, the schooner Gen. Harrison. The first steamboat he commanded was the Huron, in 1840. Subsequent events are too familiar for repitition here. Capt. L. B. GOLDSMITH was navi- gating the lakes in 1871, and latterly in command of the steamer Jay Cooke. He commenced early and promised to stay late. Capt. FRED S. WHEELER, who commanded the propeller Hercules and steam- boat St. Louis, has been dead for several years. Capt. FRED S. MILLER still navigates, and has been tossed about from an early date. There are those who will also remember Capt. R. C. BRISTOL, who sailed vessels; also the steamers James Madison and Niagara 2d. His death took place some years ago. Capt. D. P. NICKERSON came from the seaboard, and has filled numerous important positions, both on the salt and fresh waters. He was the Captain on board the steamers Eclipse, Bunker Hill, Ohio 2d, Saratoga, and others. Capt. MORRIS HAZZARD came from the East, having an experience on the rivers. He brought out the steamer Milwaukee, at Buffalo, in 1838, and afterward commanded the Contellation, Empire State, and also sailed the Monroe. In nearly all of these steamers he held more or less interest. He died at his residence in Buffalo in 1869. Capt. D. H. McBRIDE died at Milwaukee in March, 1871, after a lengthy sojourn on the lakes. He had a large experience on both sail and steam craft. The schooner Havre was the last vessel he commanded, in 1842, and the propeller Ironsides the last steamer. He was second mate of the steamer Erie, which was burned on Lake Erie in 1841, and narrowly escaped being counted among the lost. Capt. WILLIAM HINTON, for several years past pilot on the United States steamer Michigan, was first officer of the Erie when she was burned, and also met with a narrow es- cape. He has served long and faithfully on board steamers, and commanded the Daniel Webster after she was changed to the Black Dan, and knows all about it. Capt. JAMES M. AVERILL, an old lake man, commanded the steamer Erie (the little) in 1840 or 1841, and subsequently sail vessels - the Barton and others. Previous to this period, the Captain was several years at sea. He resided in Buffalo. Capt. HEBER SQUIER resided at Grand Haven. He was connected with the steamers St. Louis, Empire City of Cleveland, propeller Oriental, and others, with all of which he leaves a bright record. Capt. JACOB TRAVERS commanded the steamer Golden Gate, besides several sail craft; Capt. BENJAMIN A. STANNARD, numerous sail craft, but both have long since retired to a quiet life. Capt. JOHN CALDWELL, who died at Cleveland in 1864, commanded in 1836-37 and 1838, the schooner Hudson, afterward the Henry Crevolin and Trenton. Subsequently for several years he commanded steamers to Lake Superior, and in the Northern Transportation Line. He was universally respected. Capt. B. G. SWEET resided at Toledo. He dated his career back to 1831, sailing the schooner N. C. Baldwin to 1837-38, and took to steamboats somewhere about 1845, commanding the propeller Phoenix in 1846, burned on Lake Michigan in November of that year. He also sailed the Northerner, North Star, propeller Iron City, and others. He retired some fifteen years since. Capt. D. HOWE, at one time quite prominent on the lakes, was a lower lake man, and sailed at one time the schooner Saratoga. In 1837, we find him in command of the steamer New York, which craft was bedecked with four pipes. In 1840, Capt. HOWE was is command of the Chesapeake, and in 1844-45, the Empire, at that date, the mammoth of the lakes. He also sailed the steamer America, and others. He went to Vermont and there died, during the war. Capt. J. C. BENJAMIN died at Prairieville, Mich., in 1864. He sailed the steamboat Ben. Franklin in 1849, and pre- viously sail vessels out of Cleveland. ===========================================================================