Stephen Mack

Stephen Mack (June 15, 1766 - November 11, 1826) was a merchant, patriot and politician. He was a member of the founding company of Pontiac, Michigan, and represented Oakland County in the Council of the Territory of Michigan in 1824. He was also the brother of Lucy Mack Smith and so the uncle of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.

Stephen Mack was born June 15, 1766 in Marlow, New Hampshire to Solomon Mack and Lydia Gates Mack. His father noted: "There were but four families in forty miles...As our children were wholly deprived of the privilege of schools, she took the charge of their education..." In 1779, not yet 13 years old (his father called him fourteen), he enlisted with his father and older brother Jason to serve on a privateer in the American Revolutionary War. His father related one incident when:

Stephen served on this trip in March 1779, and then served in the American Army from July 25, 1779 until August 31, 1779 with his brother Jason. He reenlisted, still aged only 15, for three years; serving from April 2, 1781 into 1783.

Mack settled in Tunbridge, Vermont where he established a store in town and a farm where he lived in the country. He had a son Stephen Mack, Jr. born 2 February 1798 in Tunbridge. He operated a tinnery with his partner John Mudget.

Mack moved to Detroit, Michigan in either 1800 or 1807. He left his family behind in Vermont where the children could be better schooled and established a string of merchant and business ventures in Michigan. In Detroit during the War of 1812, he was given the captaincy of a company under General Hull; however, the city was quickly surrendered to the British. Mack is said by his sister to have broken his sword over his knee and thrown it into the lake on hearing of the surrender. To save his property, his housekeeper housed British officers and pretended the house and business were her own.

After the war, Mack rebuilt his businesses. In 1812 he became a trustee of the village of Detroit and later a director and shareholder of the Bank of Michigan. He entered into a partnership which was known as Mack, Conant & Sibley which remained in business until 1821 when it was bought out by its chief competitor the American Fur Company.

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