Stephen Benedict Grummond
Encyclopedia
Stephen Benedict Grummond (September 18, 1834 – January 2, 1894) was a shipowner, marine industrialist, and the mayor of Detroit, Michigan
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, the son of Stephen Benedict and Mary Harrow Grummond. The elder Grummond was a successful businessman who ran a general store in Marine City.
Starting at age 15, the younger Grummond served on merchant ships in the summer and continued his schooling during the winter months. 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 Detoit, and purchased another; Grummond continued in the business of buying, selling, and operating various vessels. He established Grummond's Mackinac Line of steamers, and at one time owned the largest tug and wrecking business on the Great Lakes
. He built up a great fortune, much of it in the tugging business, and expanded into barges, lumber, and Detroit real estate.
, but joined the Republican Party
when it was established. 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. Grummond ran again for a second term, and was narrowly defeated by Marvin H. Chamberlain
.
In 1861, Grummond married Louisa B. Prouty; the couple had eleven children, seven of whom lived to adulthood: Mrs. Marie Graves, Nathaniel P. Grummond, U. Grant Grummond, Edith Grummond, and Edna Ora Grummond.
Stephen Benedict Grummond died at his home on January 2, 1894.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
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Early life and business
Stephen Benedict Grummond was born on September 18, 1834 in Marine City, MichiganMarine City, Michigan
Marine City is a city in St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located on the west bank of the St. Clair River, it is one of the cities in the River District north of Detroit and south of Lake Huron. The population was 4,652 at the 2000 census...
, the son of Stephen Benedict and Mary Harrow Grummond. The elder Grummond was a successful businessman who ran a general store in Marine City.
Starting at age 15, the younger Grummond served on merchant ships in the summer and continued his schooling during the winter months. 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 Detoit, and purchased another; Grummond continued in the business of buying, selling, and operating various vessels. He established Grummond's Mackinac Line of steamers, and at one time owned the largest tug and wrecking business on the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. He built up a great fortune, much of it in the tugging business, and expanded into barges, lumber, and Detroit real estate.
Politics and personal life
Grummond was originally a DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, but joined the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
when it was established. 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. Grummond ran again for a second term, and was narrowly defeated by Marvin H. Chamberlain
Marvin H. Chamberlain
Marvin H. Chamberlain was the mayor of Detroit, Michigan.-Biography:Marvin H. Chamberlain was born in Woodstock Township, Michigan in Lenawee County on November 5, 1842, the son of Philonzo Chamberlain. He attended the district school until the age of 15; in 1859-60 he taught school in Lenawee...
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In 1861, Grummond married Louisa B. Prouty; the couple had eleven children, seven of whom lived to adulthood: Mrs. Marie Graves, Nathaniel P. Grummond, U. Grant Grummond, Edith Grummond, and Edna Ora Grummond.
Stephen Benedict Grummond died at his home on January 2, 1894.