See also
1 Maria A. PRIDGEON1,2,3 (1855-1920) [2657]. Born 26 Sep 1855, Detroit, MI.2 Marr Harry MILWARD 11 Jul 1891, Detroit, MI.3 Died 25 Apr 1920, Detroit, MI.2 Buried Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, MI.2
From Dau's Detroit Blue Book and Ladies Address Book, 1905.From Dau's Detroit Blue Book and Ladies Address Book, 1905.
"Mr. and Mrs. Harry Milward. Receives Monday. Mrs., nee Pridgeon.".
2 John Edward PRIDGEON4 (1828-1894) [2625]. Born 15 Apr 1828, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.5,6 Marr Emma NICHOLSON 5 May 1851.4,6 Died 6 Dec 1894, Detroit, MI.5,6 Buried Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, MI.6
From the Detroit Free Press
August 30, 1862 – “A GENEROUS ACT – Some forty-five of the volunteers belonging to the Twenty -second Regiment, who were in this city on Thursday, received a furlough of a few days to go and visit their friends at Algonac and that vicinity, but before they were ready to leave, the river boat had taken her departure, much to their disappointment. Captain J. Pridgeon, seeing the strait they were in and the anxiety of reaching their homes as soon as possible, very generously tendered them a free ride on his steamer, the J.P. Ward, which was most thankfully and gratefully accepted. Such an act on the part of Captain Pridgeon speaks for itself?
From the Racine Daily Herald (Racine, WI)
March 1, 1879 - "Capt. John Pridgeon has purchased the schooner Michigan from the Detroit Dry Dock Company for $35,000 cash. It is said that Capt. Pridgeon intends to put the MIchigan and the schooner E.A. Nicholson behind the tug Crusader this summer, and that he will keep them both in the grain trade between Chicago and Buffalo."
From the Lake Superior and Weekly Tribune (Minnesota city unknown).
July 23, 1887 - "A. Booth & Son no longer own the prop Vernon. She was built for them a year ago at a cost of $78,000, but Wednesday the United States Marshal at Detroit sold her at public auction. The sale was made by the order of the United States district courn on a libel filed against the Vernon by the owners of the schrs S.V.R. Watson and Senator. Several weeks ago the Vernon towed these two vessels on a reef at Detour, and their owners claimed damages aggregating $33,000. Booth and Son suffered the Vernon to be sold, and under the act limiting the liability of vessel owners all claims against the Vernon can be paid with the proceeds. John Pridgeon, of Detroit, was the highest bidder. He got the boat, free of debt, for $23,350."
From the History of the Great Lakes, published 1899
Pages 421-422
"CAPTAIN JOHN PRIGEON, for many years one of the most important characters in the marine interests of Detroit, was born in Lincolnshire, England, where his father operated a small rented farm. His parents came to America when he was seven years of age, settling in Greenfield township near Detroit. Here he attended school a short time and this, together with some early trade in England, formed the whole of his early education. When he was thirteen years of age Captain Pridgeon came to Detroit, and first found employment as a teamster for E. Ferguson, afterward becoming manager for a man named Fields, who did general hauling business. He next drove stage between Detroit and Mt. Clemens for Burrell & Rose, and the following year engaged as cook on a Detroit river scow, earning twelve dollars a month. For three years he drove teams during the winter, and sailed in the summer. When John Robinson built the steamer Boston, he went on board as decksweeper, and was afterward deckhand. He sailed on the Boston one summer for twelve dollars per month, and worked in a livery stable that winter. During all this time, no matter how small his earnings, a portion was saved and put by for the future, thus laying the foundation for a substantial large fortune. Captain Pridgeon all this time had a predilection for the sea, and at the age of eighteen he went to New York and signed as an ordinary seaman in the United States navy. After a course of training on the receiving ship North Carolina he was put on board the United States sloop Albany, of the South Atlantic Squadron. While on this vessel he visited most all of the southern ports, including those of the West Indies and South America. In 1851 the Albany returned home with a number of American citizens who had been engaged in the Lopez insurrection in Cuba, they having been surrendered to the United States authorities by the Spanish government, and Captain Pridgeon returned to Greenfield with about $500, the savings of his three, years cruise. He soon after came to Detroit and shipped on the small steamer Telegraph as wheelsman. In the winter he bought a team and a pair of bob sleds, and worked in the lumber woods near Lexington. At the end of the winter he came to Detroit with a capital of $8oo. He continued working in this way for two or three years, teaming and sailing, and finally found himself worth about $3,000. At length he sold his horses, wagons and tools, and bought a little steamer, the United, with which he did a profitable towing business for a couple of years. He cleared $4,000 the first season, about $3,000 the second,and sold his steamer for $4,000, leaving him with about $12,000, which included his home.
The next season he purchased of Oliver Newberry the propeller Napoleon for $6,000 cash, and for two years did a general towing business in the North channel, at St. Clair flats. He subsequently sold the Napoleon and purchased the steamer Canada, which he also used in the towing business. From 1866 to 1884 Captain Pridgeon was probably the largest owner of tugs, steamers and sailing vessels at the port of Detroit. His investments were almost universally successful and at the time of his death, which occurred December 6, 1894, his estate was valued at over $1,000,000. During the latter years of his life, he converted his business into that of contracting, disposing of vessels when he could do so to good advantage; but the firm of John Pridgeon & Son still continued to do a large and profitable vessel trade.
Captain Pridgeon married Miss Emma Nicholson, daughter of a Canadian farmer, who lived about nine miles back of Windsor. Mrs. Pridgeon is still living, together with two children, John Pridgeon, Jr., and a daughter, Mrs. Harry Milward. For a period of eight years Captain Pridgeon was a member of the Board of Water Commissioners of Detroit; the period of his service being marked with many improvements in the water works, to all of which he gave a great deal of his time and attention. He was cordially esteemed by the employers of the board, and at the expiration of his term of service he retired from public life with the respect and goodwill of his associates and of the public."
From: Michigan Pioneer and historical Collections, 1894-95.
"December 6, 1894, Captain John Pridgeon, aged 64 years. Captain Pridgeon was a self made man; born on a farm in Lincolnshire, Eng., he emigrated at the age of 7 with his father, who settled first on a farm in Greenfield. From the date of his arrival in the United States he began the work of life on his own account, all the education he ever received was obtained by close observation and experience. He was a wonderful judge of character and early scrutinized the manner and methods of successful men, whom he chose for his models in the operations of his life. He was generous, but was careful in the dispensation of his gifts and first learned the use that was to be make of them. His employees were always treated justly, but were expected to perform their part honestly. He was the father of ex-Mayor John Pridgeon, Jr."
The following information is from the Shipwreck Database (Version 6.0): http://www.oakland.edu/boatnerd/swayze/shipwreck/ by David D. Swayze Great Lakes Researcher and Historian
W.R. MUIR
Other names : also seen as W.K. MUIR*. Built as HAMILTON MORTON(qv), renamed in 1863
Official no. : C46226
Type at loss : propeller tug, wood
Build info : 1854, Geo. Colyer, Buffalo
Specs : 110x20, 123 t.
Date of loss : 1867, Sep 18
Place of loss : Near the mouth of the Black River.
Lake : St. Clair R.
Type of loss : explosion
Loss of life : 7 of 12
Carrying : none [bark CITY OF BUFFALO and another vessel in tow]
Detail : Her engineer, noticing the water was low in her boiler, stopped her engine and began to douse her fires. The captain of her CITY OF BUFFALO, coasting up behind, frantically signalled her to get out of the way. When she restarted her engine, a terrific boiler explosion resulted. Canadian registry, but owned out of Detroit by J. Pridgeon. Two of his brothers died in the explosion.
Burned at Detroit and sunk in Nov, 1858. Raised in 1863, rebuilt and enlarged, becoming a Canadian bottom in 1864.
Raised and returned to U.S. bottom after this accident, US#26249
*There was a tug W.K. MUIR built at Milwaukee, 1862, abandoned 1881 [US#26367]. She had a major fire at Milwaukee, July 4, 1867..
Sources: nsp,lhl,hgl,mmgl,clu,st,mpl,rsl,nsp,bb
From The Palmer Scrapbook, volume 27, Burton Collection, Detroit Public Library:
" Incident, Anecdote, Personal Comment
by David M. Carey
One of Detroit's notable elections resulted in making John Pridgeon jr., her mayor. His Republican opponent was the late Dr. Yemens. Neither had ever figured largely in politics, and the man who won out never cared a rap for the game. He likes business, is adapted to it and knows the ins and outs as behooves a man of affairs in this rapidly moving age. It was as clear a case of paternal pride as ever came within my observation.
Capt. "Jack" Pridgeon had done well for his part in making Detroit. He was one of those sturdy characters that put the hallmark on American life and that we love to read of in American fiction where the imagination has fact to work upon. Nothing daunted him, and when his ambition set a stake he reached it in carrying out his plans. Plain, blunt and tenacious of purpose, endowed with the strongest common sense and wonderfully capable, he was a good man for a friend and a bad one for his enemies.
It is all to the credit of this man's memory that he fought his way to the top as he did. an illustration will help to a conception of his character. He landed a big load of cordwood and delivered it on dock as per order from Capt. Ward. Capt. "Jack" wanted the money under his scheme for enlarging his business, and had been promised cash on delivery. He went twice to the quarters of Capt. Ward and was informed that the gentleman could not be seen. No three times and out for Capt. Jack. He brushed aside the understrappers and landed in the presence of the marine mogul. the latter was not accustomed to having his orders disregarded, and he played his hand the higher, because he saw a very determined looking man before him.
"Do you know who I am?" he shouted. "I'm Capt. Ward, sir and I consider this intrusion d_____d impertinent, sir."
"I don't care a ripperty rapperty rip if you're a dozen Capt. Wards billed as one. I'm Captain Jack Pridgeon. You ordered a cargo of wood and it's on the dock. If you don't give me your check I'll give you a rough handling on the sidewalk by way of the window. Don't ring that bell, or by the living ippity ip I'll wring your neck."
The check was given then and there and each man profanely warned the other never to cross his hawser again, but characters like that warm to a good fighter, and they did an enormous volume of business afterward.
This gives you a line on the man who said that his son must someday be mayor of Detroit. It was no empty boast from a strong man accustomed to victory. The son was worthy and the father determined. The campaign organization was simply perfect. "Cash" Taylor at headquarters exemplified his Christian name. It was not a race but a runaway, for Pridgeon carried every ward and had an overflow vote nearly big enough to elect another mayor.
The old gentleman was delighted and the people were well served by a safe, conservative, conscientious chief executive who stopped leaks and kept the machinery running smoothly without scandal and extravagance."
Excerpts from an article in the Grand Traverse Herald, May 3, 1867.
"Chicago and Sarnia Line. As the Boats in this Line will touch at Northport during the season, the following notice of them, which we find in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, may not be uninteresting to our readers:
This popular and prosperous line, running in connection with the Grand Trunk Railway, is now owned and managed by Capt. John Pridgeon. It is composed of the B.F. Wade, Montgomery, Sun and City of Fremont.
The B.F. Wade is known round all the lakes as being one of the most magnificient vessels that float these waters. She is 1,256 10-100 tons burthen, length overall 245 feet, breadth of beam 33 feet, and depth of hold 15 feet.
The Montgonery laid up last winter in Chicago, and has been entirely refitted, and to a considerable extent refurnished - She is a splendid boat, 1,104 tons burthen, and ranks next to the Wade in the line.
The City of Fremont is a new boat, which came out last June. She was built in Cleveland by Qualo and Martin, for the Fremont Transportation Company. She is of 600 tons burthen, 165 feet in length overall, 27 feet six inches beam and 11 feet six inches hold.
The Sun laid up last winter at Buffalo. She has also been refitted and will come out this season decidedly improved. She is of 650 tons burthen and has as captain Robert A. Jones and as clerk Wm. MItchell."
Some references to the Captain from the Journal of the Senate:
Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1789-1873
MONDAY, May 30, 1864.
Mr. Chandler presented the petition of John Pridgeon, of Detroit, Michigan, and a petition of citizens of Michigan, praying that an American enrollment may be granted to the Canadian-built propeller "Michigan," under the name of the propeller "Michigan;" which were referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1789-1873
THURSDAY, January 11, 1866.
Mr. Chandler presented the memorial of John Pridgeon and William K. Muir, owners of the steam-tug Michigan, a foreign-built vessel, praying that an enrollment and license may be granted to said tug as an American vessel; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. Chandler presented the petition of John Pridgeon, owner of the steam-tug W. K. Muir, praying that said tug may be enrolled and licensed as an American vessel; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, 1789-1873
SATURDAY, January 20, 1866.
Mr. Chandler, from the Committee on Commerce, to whom were referred the petition of John A. Sloan, and the petition of John Pridgeon and William N. Muir, reported a bill (S. 89) to issue American registers to the steam vessels Michigan and Dispatch; which was read and passed to a second reading.
From the Stevens Point Journal (Stevens Point, WI), October 23, 1886.
"SUNK IN A FOG - Two Steamers Collide on Lake Michigan - One of Them Sinks in Fourteen Fathoms of Water - Five of Her Crew Missing and Presumably Drowned.
Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 13, A special from Sheboygan to the Evening Wisconsin, says: "The steambarge Selah Chamberlain, of Cleveland, collided with the steamer John Pridgeon, Jr., Wednesday night between eight and nine o'clock when about three miles northeast of this place and sunk in forty-two feet of water. Five men are missing and are supposed to have gone down with the Chamberlain.
The Chamberlain left Milwaukee Wednesday afternoon and was bound for Escanaba for iron. She had the schooner Fayette Brown in tow. The Pridgeon arrived here yesterday morning.
Captain Greenley, of the lost steambarge Selah Chamberlain, says the Chamberlain was struck on the port bow, and was cut down to below the waterline. She immediately began to sink and Captain Greenley ordered the boats lowered. The five men who were lost jumped into one of the boats, when the davits broke, and they were dumped into the lake and drowned. The Chamberlain lies about three miles east of Sheboygan Point."
From the Waukesha Freeman (Waukesha, WI), October 21, 1886.
"The owners of the sunken propeller Selah Chamberlain have filed in the district court at Chicago a bill for $85,000 against the John Pridgeon, on which claim the latter was seized by the marshal."
From the Fort Wayne News:
1894-12-06 - "Captain John Pridgeon, one of the best known vessel owners on the lakes, died at his residence, in Detroit, this morning. Mr. Pridgeon was about 70 years old and had been engaged in the vessel business for more than thirty years."
The following information has been extracted from a short manuscript contained in the manuscript collection at the Detroit Public Library.
""Wishing to settle down he married Emma Nicholson, daughter of a farmer who lived nine miles back of Windsor and bought a lot 30 x 100 feet of Crane & Wesson at 261 Franklin street. There he built a cottage and made his home for many years."
"Capt. Pridgeon built a large brick mansion of the southwest corner of Cass and Brainard street and his third home there. Previous to that he had a home at 443 Jefferson avenue and his latest home was at 456 Woodward avenue, old numbering. At the time of his death he was said to be worth $1,250,000 of which about $500,000 was in Detroit real estate which has grown enormously in value since 1894.".
4 John Hayes PRIDGEON7 (c. 1798-c. 1879) [436]. Born c. 1798, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England.7,8 Bap 22 Sep 1799, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England. Marr Maria ROBSON 26 Dec 1826, Horkstow Church, Lincolnshire, England.7 Died c. 15 Jan 1879, Birmingham, MI.1 Buried Royal Oak Cemetery.1
Hayes and Maria and family left Liverpool, England on the ship "Carolin Auguste", arriving in New York on October 27, 1837. Nat'l Archives Series No. M237, Microfilm Number 35, List No. 898 as follows:
"Hayes PRIDGION 40 yrs, Occupation: Farmer, Maria 34 yrs, William 11 yrs, Henry 10 yrs, Hayes 9 yrs, Mary Ann 1 yr, Country of Origin: England. Country of Destination: Michigan. Ship Name: Ship Carolin Auguste Port of Departure: Liverpool. Port of Arrival: New York Arrival Date: Oct 27, 1837"
From the Detroit Free Press, January 16, 1879. "Died. PRIDGEON - In this city, on the morning of the 18th inst. at the residence of his son-in-law, Henry Fuller, 478 East Congress st., Hays Pridgeon, father of Capt. John Pridgeon, aged 81 years. Funeral at Royal Oak, on Friday the 17th inst., at 1 o'clock p.m."
From the Birmingham Eccentric, January 24, 1879. "Friday January 17th the funeral of Hayes Pridgeon of Detroit, father of Captain John Pridgeon was held in the M.E. Church of this village. Sermon by Rev. S.E. Warren after which the remains were interred in the Royal Oak Cemetery.".
8 Joshua PRIDGEON7 (1772-1850) [464]. Born 29 May 1772, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.7 Marr Mary HAYES 23 Mar 1795, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England. Marr Ann ROBSON 13 Jun 1825, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England. Died 1850, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.7
9 Mary HAYES (1770-1824) [465]. Born 1770, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England. Died 1824, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.
5 Maria ROBSON7 (c. 1807-bef1870) [437]. Born c. 1807, England.7 Died bef 1870.
3 Emma NICHOLSON4 (1828-1925) [2629]. Born 25 Jun 1828, South Cave, Yorkshire, England.2 Died 2 Nov 1925, Detroit, MI at the home of her son in law, Harry Milward.1 Buried 4 Nov 1925.1
From Dau's Detroit Blue Book and Ladies Address Book, 1905.
"458 Mrs. Emma N. Pridgeon, nee Nicholson. Receives Monday.".
6 Robert NICHOLSON ( - ) [2662].
7 Ann Rachel PICKERING ( - ) [2663].
| 1 | "Newspaper obituary". |
| 2 | "Tombstone located by David Gustner". |
| 3 | "Michigan Marriage Records". |
| 4 | "Cyclopedia of Michigan, 1900". |
| 5 | 1894-95, "Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections". |
| 6 | "Obituary of Capt. John Pridgeon from the Detroit Free Press, December 7, 1894". |
| 7 | "Information provided by Richard Brothwell". |
| 8 | "Ward 4 city of Detroit 1870 census". |