History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

ST. CIIARLES TOWNSHIP.

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H. has full charge. He was married in 1863, to Frances O. Ware,
a native of Rochester, N. Y. She is a member of the Presbyterian
Church. They have 3 children-Harry E., Myrtle T. andErwin
E. Mr. McArthur owned at one time here, about 1,200 acres of
land.
Victor L. Parsons, of the firm of F. Hood & Co., stave manufacturers, St. Charles, Mich., was born in New York in 1840.
His parents were E. G. and Emeline Parsons, natives of New
York, and of English and German descent. Victor was educated
in Oswego Co., N. Y., and when young shipped as a sailor on the
greatlakes, and arose to be commander of the vessel, " Commodore
Foote." He learned his present business in New York, and in
1874 located at St. Charles. He commenced business with F.
Hood, of Saginaw City, and although having to suffer twice from
financial embarrassment, he has finally conquered all difficulties,
and the firm are doing a large and flourishing business. Mr. Parsons
was married in New York, in 1865, to Helen A. Passmore, who
bore him 2 children-Florence A. "and Ernest V. Mrs. Parsons
died in 1869, and he was again married in 1871, to Frances P.
Johnson. One child has been given to this union-Edward L.
Mr. Parsons was at one time Supervisor of St Charles tp.
Charles H. Parks, a son of Asahel Parks, an honored pioneer of
Chesaning tp., was born in 1833, and at the age of 12 years accompanied his parents to Michigan. He first found employment
with R. P. Mason, with whom he remained six years. After a year
with J. W. Turner in the saw-mill business, four years in the same
business at Saginaw City, and 12 years working at the carpenter's
trade, at St. Charles, he located on his present farm, where he has
since resided. He was married Sept. 18, 1856, to Jane Seaman,
who was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Jan. 31, 1840, and is a daughter of Charles Seaman. They have 3 children-Elva M., born in
October, 1865; Charles, born Aug. 2, 1876, and Ross, born May 22,
1879. Mr. Parks is a Republican. His father, who now resides at
Granville, Mich., was the father of 7 children-Isaac, Asher, Mehitable, Eunice, Eshiel, Charles and Oliver.
J. T. Symes, dealer in lumber, St. Charles, was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., June 20, 1821, and is a son of James Symes, a
native of London, England. He was educated in the public
schools of Massachusetts and Ohio, and in 1855, came to St.
Charles with a capital of $25,000. He invested in lumber, sawmill, etc., and in 1861 lost his mill and considerable lumber by fire,
his individual loss $5,000. His property was again destroyed ill
1869, loss $5,000, and the third time in 1876, the latter fire causing
a loss of $20,000. He carries a large stock of lumber, and owns a
good hotel at St. Charles, also Symes' Hall at the same village. He
is Republican in politics, although he has not voted since leaving
Ohio. He was married in Ohio, in 1846, to Mary D. Hines, who
has borne him 5 children-4 boys and 1 girl. The sons are all engaged in business in this State, and the wife and daughter are still
living in Ohio.
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