Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Rachael Fuller for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Historical Collections Collections and Researches Made by the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society VOL. XXII, 1894 [166-175] ST. CLAIR COUNTY BY MRS. HELEN W. FARRAND. MRS. ELIZARETH ASHTON. - Mrs. Elizabeth Ashton died at her residence in Port Huron, July 31, 1892. She had nearly reached the age of 64 years. She was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to this country at the age of thirty years. Here she married and moved to St. Clair a number of years since. For the last seven years of her life she had been afflicted with total blindness. Two children, a daughter, resident in Detroit, and Robert Ashton of Port Huron, are left to mourn her. MRS. ANDREW BLACKIE. - Mrs. Andrew Blackie, aged 88 years, living in China township, died July 15, 1892. The deceased was an old resident and was respected by all who knew her. WM. BURNS. - Wm. Burns, ex-county treasurer, died at his home, 1534 Poplar street, Port Huron, May 3, 1893, aged 55 years. Mr. Burns was born in Chapel township, County Wexford, Ireland, and came to America with his brother Moses forty years ago. He located in Fremont, Sanilac county, on land purchased from the government. Three years later he moved to Worth, in the same County, and shortly afterwards to Jeddo, in Grant township, where he settled on a farm. His first wife was MARY ANN CARROLL, daughter of a Grant farmer. She died twenty years ago, leaving two sons and two daughters, WM. and JOHN, now of Chicago, MRS. JOHN DAWSON of Dakota, and MISS KATIE BURNS of Port Huron. MR. BURNS was married the second time to MRS. THORNE of Port Huron seventeen years ago, and from this mar- riage had one son, JOHN, aged 16 years. He had two sisters residing in Chicago, and a brother, MOSES, in Sanilac county. In 1886 MR. BURNS was elected county treasurer on the demo- cratic ticket and came to Port Huron to reside. He was elected a second time. For two years he was under sheriff. As an officer he was a courteous and obliging gentleman and made many friends. He was an enthusiastic member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a member of the Knights of Labor and of Huron tent, K. 0. T. M. In the death of MR. BURNS Port Huron has lost a good citizen. JAMES W. CAMPBELL. - James W. Campbell died at his farm on Lapeer avenue, Port Huron, August 9, 1892, aged 74 years. He had resided on the same farm for forty-four years. He leaves a wife, five sons, and one daughter. THOMAS CURRIE. - Thos. Currie, an old resident of Algonac, and father of CAPT. THOMAS CURRIE of Port Huron, died at the home of his daughter, MRS. FRANK HART, of Marine City, on Sunday, February 5, 1893, aged 79 years. MR. CURRIE was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1818, and moved to Nova Scotia when seven years of age. In 1839 he moved to Algonac and has since resided there. Five sons and three daughters survive him. MRS. JOSEPH EBERT. - Mrs. Joseph Ebert died February 8, 1893. She was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1832, and came to this country at an early age. She was married in 1852, at St. Clair, which place has always been her home since her arrival in this country. Five children survive her, three of whom are married. Two, MRS. M. GEARING and EDW. CASHINE reside in Detroit, and MRS. G. S. ANDERSON in Allegheny, Pa, The other two have always lived here at her sister's home, the St. Clair House. She also leaves two sisters and one brother to mourn her loss. ANDREW FOSTER, - Andrew Foster died suddenly of heart disease October 7, 1892. ANDREW FOSTER was born in Ireland on February 2, 1828. He came to Canada with his parents when 18 years of age. He grew to manhood in Canada and was at one time engaged in the boot and shoe business in Guelph. At the breaking out of the war he moved to Detroit and in 1862 came to Port Huron and entered the employ of H. J. BOCKIUS. Two years later he engaged in the boot and shoe business on his own account and has since continued in it, and at the time of his death was the oldest boot and shoe dealer in this section of the county. Two sons and two daughters survive him, FRED FOSTER, WM. FOSTER, MRS. FRED WRIGHT, and MISS EDITH FOSTER, all of Port Huron. JOHN H. HOYT. - John H. Hoyt died at his home in Port Huron June 3, 1892, aged 56 years. MR. HOYT came to Port Huron over thirty years ago. At one time he was engaged in the drug business, was for years a member of the customs force, and was connected with Howard's lumber office for some time. A wife, one son, and one daughter survive him. MRS. FRANKLIN W. HUNTINGTON. - Mrs. S. M. Huntington, nee KINGSBURY, died October 20, 1892. She was born in Ogsdensburg, N. Y., in 1820. Her father subsequently established the family home in Canton, N. Y., at which place the marriage of his daughter, SUSAN M., to FRANKLIN W. HUNTINGTON was solemnized. Mr. and Mrs. HUNTINGTON moved to Kentucky where they both engaged in teaching. A few years after they were again at the old home in Canton, from which place they came to Port Huron in 1850. Eight children were born to them, four of them still living, viz., MRS. GEO. W. JONES, MRS. E. O. AVERY, of Alpena; MRS. FRED A. FISH of Port Huron, and GEO. P. HUNTINGTON of Detroit. MRS. HUNTINGTON'S character was moulded in childhood through the religious influences of a pious mother, which, early in life, led her to seek connection with the Presbyterian church in Canton. During the whole period of her residence in Port Huron she was a consistent member of the Congregational church of that city. Five members only are living of older membership than herself. Her literary taste made her a very desirable co-worker in the Ladies' Library Association, of which she was a charter member, and for which she had filled the offices of librarian, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, etc., with ability and care. On the occasion of a visit from the L. L. A., of Flint, MRS. HUNTINGTON'S poem to mark the occasion elicited much applause, and in this con- nection we will say that her talent for composing in "measure" - a poetic faculty - was often exercised, and, on fitting occasions, a poem from her facile pen was frequently solicited. Her tenacious memory was a marvel to her friends until advanc- ing years weakened its power. A quiet dignity seemed her per- sonal accompaniment, and her friends will recall its gentle power on many occasions in the past. GAGE INSLEE. - Gage Inslee died at his home in Port Huron, January 27, 1893. MR. INSLEE was born in New York state August 8, 1818. He came west with his parents in 1835. In 1856 he en- gaged in the milling business in Port Huron. In 1860 he was appointed deputy United States marshal and also served as pro- vost marshal. In 1862 he was appointed to a position on the customs force and held the place until 1885. He was an uncom- promising republican. In 1841 MR. INSLEE married MISS ELSIE ANN MONTAGUE of Orange county, N. Y, She died about five years ago. The deceased leaves one son, CHAS. INSLEE, of Grand Rapids, and one daughter, MRS. A. B. MCCOLLOM. MRS. M. McELROY - Mrs. M. McElroy, whose death occurred July 21, 1892, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 56 years ago. In 1854 she was married to JACOB McELROY, a brother of Hon. C. McELROY of St. Clair, and soon after moved to the state of Alabama where they lived until her health failed, when she with her husband and five children came north again, settling at New Baltimore. In the year 1871 they moved to Marine City where in March, 1879 they celebrated their silver wedding. MR. McELROY died soon after. In August of the same year the widow moved to St. Clair where she had resided ever since. Frail in body yet of a persevering and energetic nature her life was prolonged much beyond the expectations of her friends. During her residence in St. Clair, until the past year and a half, she successfully carried on the furniture and undertaking business. During these years of business she served with deli- cacy and appropriateness at a large number of funerals. Her manner was of that quiet and retiring kind that wins friends at every point. She was a member of the Congregational church. The example of perseverence and industry as illustrated in the life and character of MRS. McELROY is one which could be followed by all with profit. MRS. RORERT MILLS. - PHOEBE CUMPTON MILLS, wife of ROBERT MILLS, was born near Wardsville, Canada, fifty-nine years ago and died at her home in Port Huron, June 4, 1892. For many years she lived at Belle River, in what is known as the Hart settlement. She became a member of the Methodist church when quite young and always lived an upright, christian life. OSCAR F. MORSE. - Oscar F. Morse was born in New Hampshire, February 13, 1842. He came to St. Clair with his parents in 1846. At the age of 20 years he joined the 8th Michigan Cavalry and entered the service in defense of his country. In the fall of 1863 he was taken prisoner near Athens, Tennessee, and for the next fourteen months languished, starved, and suffered in five different southern prisons, among the number being Libby, Richmond, and Andersonville prisons. At the end of this time he was exchanged and came home badly broken down in health and the sufferings thus endured made him more or less an invalid for the balance of his life. After the close of the war he served in various public positions, among them as clerk of the house of representatives for one year, and engrossing clerk of the senate for two years. The duties of these offices he performed very acceptably. In the year 1869 he was married to MISS SARAH SAPH, who died May 23, 1892. Five children were born to them, four of whom are left to mourn his death. Three years ago Mr. and Mrs. MORSE joined the Congregational church of St. Clair, and at the time of his death, which occur- red July 23, 1892, MR. MORSE was a trustee of the society and clerk of the church. The deceased directed the building of the hotel at Grande Pointe and was manager of the same for some time. Later on he occupied positions of steward and manager of the Oakland and Somerville Springs hotels respectively and made many friends by his attentions to the welfare and comfort of thousands of guests. He was a member of Miles post G. A. R. and of Palmer lodge No. 20, Knights of Pythias, of St. Clair, and was buried by the latter organization. A detachment from Sanborn post G. A. R., of Port Huron, accompanied by a portion of Miles post, of St. Clair, attended the funeral services. CALIXTE PAILLE. - Calixte Paille, an old resident of Port Huron, died at his home, 409 Ontario street, August 14, 1892. Heart difficulty was the cause of his death. The deceased was formerly a well known boot and shoe dealer but of late has lived a retired life. He had resided in Port Huron fifty years and had resided in the same house for thirty-nine years. He leaves a wife and one daughter, MRS. GEO. TEBO of Chicago. MRS. MALINDA PARIS. - Mrs. Malinda Paris died in St. Clair, October 22, 1892, aged 68 years. She was born at Paris, Ky., December 24, 1824. Her maiden name was ROBINSON. Her father was a slave, but her mother was born free. From this marriage there were nine children, of whom MALINDA was the sixth. On account of the father being a slave a very determined ef- fort was made to enslave the children. This the mother stead- fastly resisted through the courts for fourteen years, when they were finally declared free. MALINDA, the subject of this sketch, distinctly remembered the time, she being then five years of age. The mother then tried to buy the freedom of her husband, but the sum asked ($15,000) being beyond her power to secure, he urged her to take the children and go north, choos- ing to die there alone in slavery rather than run the risk of having them stolen from her. She finally did so, taking her departure in the night, her husband, unknown to his master, accompanying them nine miles of the way. They then knelt to- gether and prayed and sang a parting hymn, and the slave father turned back alone to end his life a slave, while the faithful mother hurriedly bore her children onward to a place of safety. They never met again on earth. She found a home for herself at Terre Haute, Ind., where they earned their living, the mother at her trade as a tailoress, and the children working out. There MALINDA became acquainted with WILLIAM PARIS, whom she married at the age of eighteen. He was born free, but had been kidnapped at three different times and taken into slavery. Twice he was held thus for six months at a time before he found opportunity to escape, and the last time he was held a year. This was before their marriage. After their marriage they went to Vincennes, Ind., where they found employment in a hotel as cooks. But they had not been long there when his would-be master found him out, and came with his blood hounds to force him back into slavery; but by means of the "underground railroad" a safe landing on Canadian soil was secured to him. He went to Chatham, where he was soon joined by his wife, MALINDA, and there their first child, JANE, was born. He enlisted as a soldier, but in a short time the regiment was disbanded. After this they went to Detroit, and meeting there with GEN. S. B. BROWN they were hired by him to come to St. Clair and cook in his hotel, and here they spent the remainder of their lives, she being left a widow in the year 1860. There were seven children born to them, three of whom are still living. Her oldest son, HENRY, enlisted in the war of the rebellion, where he remained until its close, a period of over three years and three months. He contracted disease in the army, consumption, and after a lingering illness, died in his mother's home. She finally applied for and received a pension on his account, but only lived to enjoy it for about three years. She was always a very hard worker, and for the last few years of her life she suffered a good deal from difficulty of breathing. Fourteen months ago she had a very sudden and serious attack of sickness which the physicians pronounced heart trouble. From this she never recovered. During the most of this period her sufferings were intense. She knew that her life. hung upon a very slender thread, but her trust in God was unfaltering to the end. Her desire for continued life was only for the sake of others, that she might still help to bear their burdens. The immense concourse of people present on the occasion was sufficient testimony that "AUNT MALINDA " will long be held in loving remembrance by the people of St. Clair. REV. A. HASTINGS ROSS. - Rev. A. Hastings Ross died at his home in Port Huron, May 13, 1893. He was a native of Worcester county, Massachusetts, and was born in the town of Winchendon on April 28, 1831. His early life was spent on a farm. He at- tended the common school there and entered the academy. He afterwards went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he entered Oberlin college, and graduated in 1857. After graduating he entered the theological seminary at Andover, Massachusetts, where he pur- sued his theological studies for three years. His first pastor- ate was at Boylston, Mass., where he remained five years. He then accepted a call and was pastor of the Congregational church of Springfield, Ohio, for seven years, and was after- wards pastor of a church in Columbus, Ohio, for two years. He then accepted a call from the first Congregational church in Port Huron, and came here on June 1, 1876. During his lifetime MR. ROSS was a lecturer on church polity in the Oberlin Theo- logical Seminary, and was elected "Southworth lecturer on Congregationalism" at Andover Theological Seminary. During his seventeen years residence in Port Huron he built up a large congregation, with several branch chapels. He was one of the founders of the Hospital and Home and was its president at the time of his death. He will be missed in this institution. MR. ROSS was also prominently identified with other charitable institutions of the city. He was respected by all classes in all churches, and was acknowledged a man of much ability. MR. ROSS was united in marriage October 15, 1861, to MISS MARY M. GILMAN, of Churchville, New York, who survives him. He leaves no children. DEWITT C. SMITH. - Dewitt Clinton Smith, of Brockway, died November 10, 1892, in Port Huron, at the home of his daughter, MRS. GEORGE PLAISTED, aged 65 years. MR. SMITH was born in Amherst, Mass., September 3, 1827, was one of the earliest settlers of the county, coming to St. Clair with his father in 1836. He was a member of the Presbyterian church in which for many years he has been an earnest and faithful worker. MRS. C. M. STOCKWELL. - Mrs. C. M. Stockwell died at her home in Port Huron, August 22, 1892. She had resided in Port Huron with her husband for forty-one years and her many friends will be pained to learn of her death. A husband, two sons and two daughters survive her, DR. G. A. STOCKWELL of Detroit; DR. C. B. STOCKWELL of Port Huron; MRS. WALTER McMILLAN of Detroit, and MRS. HARRY HYDE of Buffalo. MR. JOSIAH WEST. - Mr. Josiah West, one of St. Clair's oldest citizens, died at the residence of his son, MR. FRED WEST, in St. Clair township, July 30, 1892. Born in Middlesex, Vermont, December 15, 1804, he had nearly rounded out eighty-eight years of life. As a boy of ten he accompanied his parents, in 1814, to Broome, county, N. Y. From there he moved to St. Clair in 1855. His residence has since been in this vicinity. For a number of years disease attendant upon old age had kept him confined to his room. Over fifty years ago he became a member of the Baptist church. He was three times married, and the father of fourteen children, but four of whom are now living. At one time during the late war he bad four sons in the army of the Union forces. MRS. CHARLES H. WATERLOO. - Mrs. Charles H. Waterloo died at her home in Port Huron, July 27, 1892. She who was MARY JANE BEEBE was born in Genesee county, New York, June 21, 1818. Both her father and mother came from old New England stock. Her ancestors were of those who sought, found, and helped maintain a home for the oppressed. With her brothers and sisters, of whom there was a goodly lot in that sturdy family, she was educated in an humble way in the public schools of Genesee and Cataraugus counties. In 1836, when this portion of Michigan was practically a wilderness, the family came to this State, the journey occupying several weeks, and located at what is now Richmond, in Macomb county. The settle- ment there established was long known as, and is still occasionally called, "Beebe's Corners" - a mark of distinction in a way for the dominating family among Macomb's pioneers. They were not rich, these people who came here in the early days, but they were progressive. The men felled the forest, and with the first logs, after homes had been built, school houses were erected. In one of these homely places of learning MARY BEEBE taught boys and girls who have since carried on the task inaugurated by the pioneers. The school house stood on the river bank near the site of Marysville. Red men in canoes filled the great water path in front that is now traversed by the craft of a mighty commerce. In November, 1844, the young school teacher was married at Richmond to CHARLES H. WATERLOO, who, with his parents, brothers, and sisters, had left England some seventeen years before. The WATERLOOS had first established themselves on a farm near Detroit, but were now in Columbus township, St. Clair county. Here CHARLES and his wife began a married life that lasted nearly half a century. Their first home, like those all about them, was of logs, for they were in the heart of the woods. Turkeys so wild that they were not afraid of man, came to the very doorway to be shot. Deer and other game offered themselves as easy sacrifices to the growing family. In time the log house and barns gave place to prouder structures of frame. The children and the grainfields demanded it. MR. WATERLOO had been a successful farmer in a small way and had become well known in the community. In 1862 he was elected register of deeds of St. Clair county, and shortly thereafter abandoned farm life for a home in Port Huron. Here the home- stead has remained. The house in which MRS. WATERLOO died, she had lived in and loved for twenty-eight years. Her children attended, and some of them taught in, the public schools of the county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. WATERLOO. Two of them died more than two score years ago. Indeed the Almighty, in whom she had an abiding faith, had dealt kindly with her, in that she had seen a large family of children reach full maturity. These children are STANLEY, ALTHEA (MRS. JEROME CAMPBELL), BELLE (MRS. FRANK FLOWER), HATTIE, CHARLIE, MINNIE (MRS. ED. CONWAY), LUCY, and BURKE. All were with their mother at the time of her death with the exception of STANLEY, and he arrived in time to attend the funeral. The pall bearers were the dead woman's own sons and MR. CAMPBELL, her son-in-law. MRS. WATERLOO was a member of the Congregational church and had been for nearly thirty years. During long months of sick- ness and suffering she bore up bravely, and to the very last she taught to those around her a lesson of unselfishness, humanity, and immortality. The world is better because of such women as she. MRS. CATHERINE YOUNG. - Mrs. Catherine Young, widow of the late JAMES YOUNG died at her home in Port Huron, April 29, 1893. She was born in Aberfeldy, Scotland, December 13, 1817, and was 76 years and 4 months old at the time of her death. She came to this country with her sister and settled in Detroit in 1830 and was married to JAMES YOUNG in 1832. They moved to Port Huron in 1837, being among the first settlers here. MRS. YOUNG watched Port Huron grow from a small settlement to a thriving city. Naturally of a retiring disposition and thoroughly de- voted to her home and family, she was but little known except by the older settlers. By her death her children lose a loving mother, and they sincerely mourn their loss. Four daughters and two sons survive her, viz.: MRS. ANN GREENFIELD of Detroit; MRS. JACOB P. HAYNES, MRS. W. V. ELLIOTT, MRS. M. N. PETIT, JOHN M. and WM. M. YOUNG, of Port Huron. ========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ==========================================================================