Stephen Benedict Grummond

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]

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]