James Somerville's biography, Manistee, Manistee County, Michigan

SUBJECT: James Edward SOMERVILLE, Manistee County Biography
SUBMITTER: Nedra
EMAIL: NEvans7115@aol.com
DATE: Sep 19, 1999
SURNAMES: SOMERVILLE, TUXWORTH, WOOD, HAIT, HAITE
James E. (Edward) SOMERVILLE, a member of the firm of SOMERVILLE & WOOD,
is one of the enterprising business men of Manistee. The firm handles all
kinds of school and college textbooks, and fancy articles, wall paper,
holiday goods, blank books, stationery, etc. The business was established
in 1878 by Mr. SOMERVILLE, who operated it alone until two years ago, when
Mr. WOOD became a member of the firm. They do an extensive business, and
run two stores in the city, one being located in the Engleman Block and
carrying similar goods in stock.

A native of Pontiac, Mich., J.E. SOMERVILLE was born March 7, 1855, and
received the main share of his education in the public and high schools
of Lansing. His parents were James and Margaret J. (HAIT) SOMERVILLE. The
father was born in the northern part of Ireland in 1824, and came to America
in early manhood. The mother was born in New York State in 1831, and married
in this state. Of their three children, Emma is the wife of George I. (Isaac)
WOOD, who is the junior member of the firm to which our subject belongs.
Frank is engaged in the coke and coal businedd in Chicago. In 1869 the
parents moved to Manistee, where the father died in January, 1883. His
wife is still living, making her home in this city. James SOMERVILLE, Sr.,
was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, but retired,
and for ten years prior to his death was engaged in a mercantile business.
During the late war he served for three years, in the capacity of Chaplain,
with the Sixth Michigan Calvary. From the privations and exposure incident
to army life he incurred serious disability, from the effects of which
he never fully recovered, and probably led to his death a few years later.

August 12, 1880, James E. SOMERVILLE married Miss Jennie TUXWORTH. She
is a native of Canada, and a daughter of George and Ruth TUXWORTH, both
of whom are now deceased. She came to Michigan with her parents in childhood,
and grew to maturity, receiving her education in the mean time. Five children
have come to bless the union of our subject and his estimable wife, two
sons and three daughters, named as follows: Harry, Ruth, Ella, Besse and
Arthur.

In questions of national importance, Mr. SOMERVILLE uses his vote for the
Republican candidates and principles. He is a true patriot and a good citizen,
being interested in educational matters and whatever tends to the elevation
of his fellow-men and to the betterment of society. By continued and unremitting
effort he has won a competence, and through his sterling and honorable
methods of doing business has gained the respect and confidence of the
entire community.

From Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan, Record Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1895.

Note: James mother was Margaret Jane HAITE.




-----------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: 
In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the 
Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial 
entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These 
electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by 
other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this 
material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written 
consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact 
the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.