Merchant and General Trader, on Sugar Island, in the St. Mary's River, Michigan, is the son of Jesse and Margery (Munson) Church, and was born in Riga, Monroe County, New York, August 20, 1812. His father was a Captain in the war of 1812, and fought in the battle of Lundy's Lane, under Colonel Philetus Swift, whom he admired greatly, and after whom he named his son. Philetus Church's grandfather was an early settler in Western New York, and his remains were among the first buried west of the Genesee River. His mother was a native of Massachusetts, and inherited the strictest Puritanic principles, the influence of which, on Philetus' whole life, has been very marked. His father early learned the wheelright's trade, but worked at it very little, preferring farming, which he followed most of his life. Philetus obtained his education in a common district school, finishing it by attending the Academy at Palmyra, New York, for six months, during the winter of 1829-30. In the summer he sometimes assisted his father on the farm, and at others worked for his neighbors at seven dollars per month. His greatest ambition was to become a merchant. Accordingly, April 19, 1831, he engaged as a clerk in the store of Deacon Hubbard Hall, at Byron, New York, for eight dollars per month. He remained with him until the fall of 1835, when he went to Oakfield, Genesee County, and, with fifteen hundred dollars, established himself in business. Here he became very zealous in assisting Mr. Carey in founding what is now known as the Carey Collegiate Institute, located at Careyville, New York. He actually subscribed more money than he was then worth, for its support; this, of course, made him bankrupt, and obliged him to give up his business, but he never regretted his gift. The institution is flourishing, and he has been rewarded in more ways than one for his then impoverishing liberality.

Mr. Church, after his failure at Byron, went to Careyville, where he remained till the fall of 1841, trying to build up his business. On the 11th of October, 1837, he married Elizabeth Duncan Wells, of Byron, Genesee County, New York, who was the granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Taggart, of Coleraine, Massachusetts. Mr. Taggart is known in the history of our country as Representative in Congress from his district for fourteen years,--from 1803 to 1817,--and is frequently styled, in his church, "The Bishop of Calvinism." In going to Congress, he was obliged to travel all the way from Coleraine to Washington on horseback. Mrs. Church inherited the Calvinistic principles of her grandfather without any of his absent-mindedness or other peculiarities. In the great revival of 1830 and 1831, in Western New York, under President Finney, she became converted, and immediately united with the Presbyterian Church. In 1841 Mr. Church went to Detroit, Michigan, and, through the influence of W. A. Howard, obtained a clerkship in the store of M. W. Burchard & Co. Here he remained till 1845, when he went into the northern part of the State in search of copper, which had lately been discovered; but, landing at Sault Ste. Marie, he became engaged, during the winter of 1845-46, in selling goods on commission. In June, 1846, he removed to Sugar Island, his present residence, where he began trading with the Indians. He first established a small store here, but his business has assumed such dimensions that he now has facilities for carrying on the whole mercantile trade with the four hundred Indians who live on the island. He also supplies nearly all Lake Superior vessels with wood at his landing, and does a large business in lumber and tamarack knees for vessels. In 1851 he commenced making raspberry jam, and the yearly production has increased steadily, so that now he manufactures from six to twelve tons per annum.

The way in which Mr. Church was led to engage in this business is a good illustration of the manner in which different industries are developed in new countries; and is, substantially, as follows: About the year 1850, Mrs. Kenzie, of Chicago, while on a pleasure trip, stopped at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Church, as all pleasure-seekers usually find a few moments to do, while the vessel is taking on wood. While there, she was entertained with delicious raspberry jam, and immediately desired to purchase some, which was furnished to her in due time. As she from time to time entertained her friends with it, the demand began to increase very rapidly, and is now beyond the natural yield of the island. Mr. Church has on the island a saw-mill and a shingle-mill, both of which produce a large amount of stock yearly. He also handles about four tons of maple sugar and some two thousand dollars worth of furs yearly. Three years ago a demand sprung up for a peculiar kind of evergreen which grows on the island, and last year he shipped more than ten tons of it to various parts of the country. It is extensively used in decorating churches and public buildings, retaining its fresh appearance for a year or more after it has been cut. He also keeps a steam-tug, which he uses almost exclusively for his own business. Mr. Church went to Sugar Island, in 1846, for the legitimate purpose of acquiring property, which, through patient and incessant labor, he has accomplished. He now gives work of some description to members of every family who lives there. Four hundred Indians owe the blessings of their comfortable, and in many instances fine homes, to Mr. Church, and it is he whom they must thank for their rescue from poverty. His policy has always been to give the Indians work, and keep all kinds of stimulating drinks from them; and, if there is one thing which he and his much-lamented wife have felt proud of, it is the restraining and elevating influence they have exerted over their wild neighbors.

They have been, most emphatically, the friends of the red man. Hundreds of friends can testify to the kind hospitality they have received in the home of Mr. Church, and will always recollect with pleasure the few moments' conversation while waiting for the boat to "wood up." Many persons of world-wide celebrity have visited "Church's Landing," among whom may be mentioned, Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner, Judge McLean, Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, and many others, whose presence has graced the "delightful home on the island." Only three visitors to the island ever refused to enter his house, and they were the duelist, J. Watson Webb, and his two daughters. While Mr. Church was living at Byron, New York, he became an elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which he and Mrs. Church have been members since their early conversion. While living in Detroit, they were members of Doctor Duffield's church. When the first Presbyterian Church of Sault Ste. Marie, the first in Northern Michigan, was organized, in 1854, they were two of the original eight who covenanted "to walk together as disciples of Jesus Christ, on the principles of the confession of faith and form of government of the Presbyterian Church." They had three children, all of whom were boys; the second child died when only nine months old, and was buried at Detroit, where they were living at the time. His oldest son is a farmer on the St. Mary's River, and the youngest is associated with his father in his business on the island. Mrs. Church died on the 23d of October, 1876; her death is greatly felt by her husband and sons, as well as by a large circle of friends, whom her talents and kindness had drawn to her. Politically, Mr. Church was a Democrat until the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law, when he became a Whig. On the formation of the Republican party, in 1854, he identified himself with it, and still maintains its principles. He has been the Supervisor of his township for the past fifteen years.

American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men with Portrait Illustrations on Steel, Vol I-II 1878