Stephen Benedict Grummond (September 18, 1834 – January 2, 1894) was a shipowner, marine industrialist, and the mayor of Detroit, Michigan.
Stephen Benedict Grummond | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of Detroit | |
| In office 1884–1885 | |
| Preceded by | William G. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Marvin H. Chamberlain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 18, 1834 Marine City, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | January 2, 1894 (aged 59) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Spouse | Louisa Bangs Prouty (m. 1861) |
| Children | 11 |
Early life and business edit
Stephen Benedict Grummond was born on September 18, 1834, in Marine City, Michigan, the son of Stephen Benedict and Mary Harrow Grummond.[1] The elder Grummond was a successful businessman who ran a general store in Marine City.[1]
Starting at age 15, the younger Grummond served on merchant ships in the summer and continued his schooling during the winter months.[1] Using his savings and some investment from his father, Grummond purchased a merchant vessel of his own and sailed her for several years. In 1855, he sold his first vessel, moved to Detroit, and purchased another; Grummond continued in the business of buying, selling, and operating various vessels.[1] He established Grummond's Mackinac Line of steamers, and at one time owned the largest tug and wrecking business on the Great Lakes.[1] He built up a great fortune, much of it in the tugging business,[2] and expanded into barges, lumber, and Detroit real estate.[1][2]
Politics and personal life edit
Grummond was originally a Democrat, but joined the Republican Party when it was established.[1] In 1879, he was elected a member of the Board of Estimates, and in 1881 was elected to the City Council. Two years later he was elected as mayor of Detroit in a close race, and served in that capacity in 1884–1885.[1][3] Grummond ran again for a second term, and was narrowly defeated by Marvin H. Chamberlain.[3]
In 1861, Grummond married Louisa B. Prouty; the couple had eleven children, seven of whom lived to adulthood:[1] Mrs. Marie Graves, Nathaniel P. Grummond, U. Grant Grummond, Edith Grummond, and Edna Ora Grummond.[2]
Stephen Benedict Grummond died at his home on January 2, 1894.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Silas Farmer (1889), THE HISTORY OF DETROIT AND MICHIGAN, pp. 1048–1049
- ^ a b c d HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, COMPRISING A SYNOPSIS OF GENERAL HISTORY OF THE STATE, AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MEN, Western Publishing and Engraving Co., 1900, pp. 222–223
- ^ a b ROBERT B ROSS; GEORGE B. CATLIN (1898). LANDMARKS OF DETROIT A HISTORY OF THE CITY. p. 620.