Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, 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. =========================================================================== CAPTAIN WILLIAM MEES Capt. William Mees, a retired lake captain, who is now enjoying a well- earned rest after years of arduous toil at his home in Muskegon, was born in Somersetshire, England, on the 18th of June, 1826. His parents, William and Fannie F. (Baker) Mees, were also natives of England. The father served in the British navy for the period of twenty-four years, and at length emigrated to Canada, where his death occurred. Capt. Mees, whose name heads this record, was a lad of only eight summers when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to Canada, landing in Quebec. The father was also a contractor of canal building and was engaged on the construction of the St. Lawrence Canal. Our subject's connection with the Lakes dates from his fourteenth year, when he went with his father to Chicago and secured a position as cook on the schooner "Drift," which plied on Lake Michigan between St. Joseph and Chicago, and was commanded by Capt. William Dougan. Capt. Mees sailed on the Lakes until 1892, and rose successively step by step until he became captain. The first vessel he sailed out of Chicago was the "Henry Clay," in 1848. In 1849, he was captain of the "Gen. Warren," which he ran for two seasons, and later the brig "T. W. Morris" two seasons. He then moved to Muskegon, in 1851, and entered the employ of Ryerson & Morris and sailed the schooner "Roberts," being in their employ steamboating and sailing for about ten years. Later he resumed business on his own account, buying a small steamboat, which he ferried across Muskegon Lake, being so engaged about two years, when he built the passenger steamer "pony," which was also put into commission as a ferry boat. He afterward sold the above two boats and then built the tug "Gettie" in connection with Capt. Tom Walters. In 1873 he sold the "Gettie" and went to Green Bay and bought the steamer "Annie," which he took up to Pine Lake and ran between Charlevoix and East Jordan for four seasons, and being desirous of selling the "Annie," he took her to New Orleans, via Chicago and the Illinois Canal and Illinois River, and disposed of her to advantage. In the following summer he became superintendent of the Muskegon Booming Company's floating stock and was so engaged about six years. He was then engaged as captain of the "Ira O. Smith" up to 1891, his practical retirement from the steamboat business dating from that year. He has held papers as a pilot and captain for thirty-six years, but his whole experience on the Lakes runs back to 1842. He is among the oldest lake captains living. In January, 1848, Capt. Mees was united in marriage with Miss Winnifred White, a native of Boston, Mass., who died June 11, 1888, mourned by many friends. Eleven children were born of that union, but only three are now living, as follows: Mary, now the wife of Charles Brown, a resident of Chicago; Eliza, who resides in Lansing, Mich., where she is employed in the State Auditor's office; and Winnifred, wife of Robert Foster, who resides in Muskegon. On the 18th of November, 1843, during a severe storm, Capt. Mees was wrecked off the coast of South Haven, while sailing on the schooner "Liberty." Making his way to the shore, he walked through two feet of snow to St. Joseph, a distance of twenty miles. He met with a number of hardships during his life on the Lakes, yet altogether was very successful in escaping wrecks and injury. Since 1892 he has lived retired and his rest is well deserved. In politics, he votes with the Democratic party and is a stanch advocate of its measures. Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Muskegon Lodge No. 140, A. F. & A. M. The captain is widely known throughout this community and has a large circle of friends and acquistances, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth and the many excellencics of his character. He is an interesting conversationalist, having many entertaining stories to tell of his life as a sailor. =========================================================================== SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, Michigan: containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of the presidents of the United States. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1893