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A i t I 'If 1t3 3 93 0 0 ~ G I 0 0 ( 1 O TE1 T^. it Ss. *E 7 -( History of Tuscola County.......... 9 Situation and Resources................. 9 Periods of History...................... 10 Civil H ist ry............................ 10 Th'I'lle County Seat....................... 11 County Officers........................ 15 County Societies...................... 18 Judicial History........................ 21 History of the M. E. Church............. 24 F orest Fires........................... 25 General Statistics....................... 28 Township and Village History..... 29 Town of Tuscola........................ 29 Civil H istory............................ 29 Early History.......................... 29 Entries of Land........................ 29 Village of Tuscola..................... 34 Church Societits...................... 35 Town of Vas3ar......................... 40 Entries of Land......................... 41 Village of Vassar...............'........ 43 Church History........................ 47 Vassar Newspapers...................... 50 Lodges and Soc eties................... 51 Vassar nldustries....................... 53 Town of Juniata........................ 58 Entries of Land........................ 58 Civil History........................... 60 Village of Watrousville.................. 61 Town of Arbela........................ 66 Entries of Land........................ 67 Town Orga nization..................... 69 Tlie New Country Song................. 70 Town of Indian Fields.................. 72 Entries of Land....................... 72 Civil H istory.......................... 75 Village of Wahjamega................... 77 Statistical.............................. 78 Village of Caro......................... 79 Caro Church History................... 82 School H istory......................... 85 Lodges and Societies................... 86 Civil H istory.......................... 88 Village Officers......................... 89 Press of Caro.......................... 90 Caro Banks............................ 91 Caro Industrie......................... 91 Caro District Agricultural Association.... 93 Town of Denmark...................... 104 Entries of Land........................ 104 Early History.......................... 105 Statistical.............................. 107 Village of Reese........................ 107 Town of Almer......................... 111 Entries of Land........................ 111 First Settlement....................... 112 Civil History.......................... 114 Statistical............................. 115 Town of Millington.................... 122 Entries of Land...................... 122 Village of Millington................... 124 To' n Officers......................... 125 Town of Akron.........................127 Entries of Land........................ 127 Village of Akron....................... 129 Town Officers.......................... 129 Town of Fair Grove.................... 131 Early History.......132 Entries of Land........................ 133 Civil History.......................... 135 Town Officers.......................... 136 Fair Grove Village................. 136 Town of Columbia...................... 140 Entries of Land................... 141 Early Settlement...................... 142 Town Officers.......................... 143 Unionv lie Village..................... 143 Unionville Churches.................. 144 Village Officers............ 145 Town of Ellington.................... 153 Entries of Land....................... 153 First Settlement...................... 154 Civil History.......................... 156 Town Officers......................... 157 Ellington Village....................... 157 Town of Fremont......................... 160 Entries of Land........................ 161 Early History.......................... 162 Military History............... 163 Village of Mayville..................... 163 Business Houses........................ 165 Town Officers.......................... 166 Town of Dayton........................ 170 Entries of Lan d........................170 Village of Hurd's Corners............... 172 Town Officers........................ 172 Town of Watertown.................... 174 Entries of Land........................ 175 First Settlement........................177 F ostoria............................... 179 Town of Elkland........................ 181 Civil History......................... 183 Great Fire of 1881...................... 185 Town Officers.......................... 185 Village of Cass City.................... 186 Church History........................ 188 Lodges and Societies.................. 189 Town of Gilford........................ 192 Early History.......................... 193 Town Officers..........................194 Town of W ells.......................... 195 Town Officers......................... 196 Town of Elmwood...................... 197 Village of Gagetown.................... 199 Town Officers.......................... 200 Town of Koylton...................... 202 Town of Kingston...................... 203 Town of W isner........................ 206 Town of Novesta.......................207 Biographies of Tuscola Counties. Adams, Charles O....................... 96 Adamson, James W.................... 191 Alber, Jacob......................... 65 Aldrich, Sylvanus N.................... 137 Allen,Robert........................... 71 Alwood, Levi S......................... 211 Andrews, D. H......................... 103 Andrews, George....................... 57 Andrews, James........................ 158 Andrews, Rev. L L..................... 109 Appleby, Clark......................... 40 Atkin, W illiam......................... 71 Atwood, Hon. Henry P.................. 89 Atwood, Theron W...................... 99 Baker, John........................... 55 Baldwin, P. S.......................... 40 Banbury, Joseph...................... 174 Bancroft, John Orlando................. 25 Bates, Daniel T....................... 172 Battille, Ebenezer......................194 Bauer, Lewis H......................... 64 Beach, Charles H,....................... 129 Beach, W illiam C....................... 159 Beckwith, Joel........................126 Belknap, J. G.......................... 65 Belknap, Lyman........................ 173 Belles, Andrew......................... 173 Belmer, Edward....,................... 102 Berry, Jonathan........................ 196 Berry, N. M........................... 180 Bingham, James........................ 200 Black, Hon. Cyrenius P................. 95 Black, Russell D...................... 63 Blackmore, J. P........................ 57 Blackmore, S........................... 57 Blocher, Daniel N............ 126 Borland, E. A.......................... 64 Borland, James R...................... 63 Botsford, Simeon....................... 103 Bourns, Frederick...................... 56 Brady, W illiam..................... 150 Bradley, Orrin........................ 40 Brainerd, J. W......................... 56 Briggs, J. W........................ 56 Briggs, Thomas W................... 180 Broderick, Aaron....................... 131 Brooker, James........................ 158 Brooks, Eli............................ 169 Brower, A. C........................... 86 Brown, George F....................... 99 Brown, Jacob W........................ 179 Brown, Joseph H....................... 179 Brown, W illiam H...................... 211 Bryant, Allison L....................... 167 Brydle, Francis......................... 146 Bullard, E. A........................... 55 Burgess, J. H........................... 56 Burk, Asa.............................. 148 Burnham, Theodore H.................. 126 Burrington, J. Q. A..................... 40 Burtis, Richard C....................... 64 Burton, Robert L....................... 121 Bush, Peter D.......................... 94 Calbeck, W illiam A..................... 100 Callan, Christopher..................... 121 Calley, John........................... 201 Carey, Alfred W........................ 190 Carpenter, Edward J.................... 160 Case, John A.......................... 71 Case, P. M.............................. 55 Case, Raymond P...................... 151 Casebeer, Alexander.................... 108 Chase, Sherman F...................... 98 Cilley, Augustus D..................... 93 Ci]ley, Mrs. Mary J..................... 94 Cobine, Hiram.......................... 146 Cody, Nelson......................... 169 Coffeen, I. W.................. 57 Cole, John M........................... 65 Cook, Emery D....................'..... 130 Cook, Charles D....................... 130 Cookingham, Edward R................. 16 Cooper, Alexander P.................. 115 Cornwell, Jackson C.................... 110 Covey, John............................ 1 0,4. I 1 I __ 3i — P-' -- A *(.ha r..N - J-' 1::- a' - -: - CONTENTS-CONTINUED. I Covey, Samluel B.............. 150 Coy. John S........................... 146 Crane. George W......................140 Cranston, David E..................... 137 Craw, Farley.......................... 81 Crittenden, Harmon K................. 168 Crossman, A. J......................... 66 Curtis. Charles.................... 57 Ctirtis, Rolbert 0......................'11 Curtis, W. B........................ 16i 9 D am on B ros.............................. 126 Darnon, Isaac T.........................126 D'Arcy, Benjamin........................ 167 Davies, W illiam...................... 57 Davis, Ebenezer....................... 32 Davis, Edgar......................... 191 Davis, George W...................... 97 Davis James H................. 32 Davis, Lewis........................... 56 Deitz, John.......................... 160 Delling, Charles N................. -.. 120 De Witt, Anthony...................... 126 De V Witt, L. A................. 192 Dickson, John....................... 210 Dodge, Joseph M................... 159 Dopking, Daniel D..................... 78 Doud, Edwin G........................ 55 Dozer, David E..................... 146 Dunean, Thomas.................. 179 Dwelley, S. H......................... 179 Dyer, Frank........... 102 Edson. Rufus P...................... 96 Elliott, Samuel......................... 159 Ellls, Edwin.......................... 32 Emerson, 0. G.......................... 56 Eyre, Frederick............. 201 Fairman, Franklin......................... 65 Ford, George.......................... 149 Foster, Thomas................ 179 Fox, Edwin G....................... 16 Fox, Horace............. 167 Fox, Leonard................... 168 French, F. MI........................... 194 Fritz, W illiam S....................... 98 Frisbie, James M..................... 174 Frisbie, William G................... 174 Fryers, Alfred.................... 172 Fulton, David....................... 170 Furman, Chauncey..................... 56 Gage, George S................... 159 Gage, Joseph.......................... 200 Gage, Morgan L................55 Gager, George....................... 206 Gardner, M. G....... 108 Garner, Jamnes............................ 174 Garner, Samuel...................... 110 Gaylord, W. E. H................ 140 Gerrish, Ebenezer W.................. 99 Gerstein, Diedlerick.................... 110 Getty, George F....................... 99 Gibbs, Sabin.......................... 96 Gibson, James......................... 65 Gilbert, Henry H..................... 131 Gillesiie, J. Ralph.................... 101 G illies, A. D................................. 190 * Gilmore, Russell....................... 173 Godfrey, E. F........................ 169 Goodell, E. W......................... 173 Goodell, Frank A...................... 100 (Goodell, Steward.........................173 Goodrich,Enos........................ 180 Gou d, Oliver P......................... 126 Granger, George H..................... 146 Gregory George B.................... 101 Greenfield, Capt. Alson................. 147 Greenfield, Algustus....................... 152 GTnel, Willia...................... 70 Haas, Eev. John...................... 169 Haight, Silas......................... 110 Haines, Andrew Jackson................ 39 Ha l, George........................... 64 Hall, Rev. Alfred...................... 116 Hamilton, H3enry D....................118 Harmon, Anthony...................... 65 BHarris, Benjamin F.................... 97 Harris, Francis W.................... 137 Harris in, Delnnis...................... 32 Harrison, D. W....................... 32 Harrison, John V...................... 33 Harrison, William H................. 32 Hart, Lovira........................... 33 Hatch, Jolin A........................ 65 Hayes, Hon. Eleazer B.................. 63 HEayes, John D......................117 Hayes, Stephen C.......................149 Hayes, William A.................... 149 Heartt, William A...................... 78 Heath. Ezra......................... 139 Heath,Joshua A..........................139 Hedden, L. C......................... 55 Hemstreet, Albert L................ 131 Hendrick, Cyrus..................... 203 Hendrick, Frank........................... 190 Hendricks, James P.................... 158 Hess, Heury W...................... 149 H ess, W esley......................... 152 Hiller, Mrs. Nancy.................... 139 Himelhoch & Lewenberg................ 101 Himelhoct), Isaac...................... 101 Himnelhoch, Meyer.................... -100 Hinckley, Reuben........................ 39 H ines, Sanford......................... 65 Hinson, D. P.......................137 Hitchcock, James L................... 190 Hobart, Hamilton....................... 194 Hobart, Marcus M...................... 194 Honsinger, Philip....................... 138 Horner, David A....................... 98 Houghton, Ab am GT................,., 210 Houghton, George N.................. 211 Hover, Weesley........................ 130 Hughes, Samuel H.................... 40 Humes, Asa B................:.....117 Hurst, John......................... 99 Huston, Hon. B. W................... 46 Ingels, D. D................................... 96 Ingersoll, George V...................... 167 Ireland, Amariah P.......................... 126 Jacobs, Williamu............................. 182 Jewell, George W.................... 180 Johnson, Ebenezer West................ 138 Johnson, Gilbert.................... 101 Johnson, Jailes........................ 55 Johnson,^ John.......................... 54 Johnson, Perrv Y..................... 65 Johnson, W illiam...................... 17 Jones, E. P......................... 2 )6 Jones, M organ A..................... 97 Judd, Alfred M......................... 98 Judd, Spencer L........................ 140 June, D avid........................ 120 Kane, John T......................... 120 Kelland, Rev. John........................... 190 K ile, G., Sr........................ 64 K ile, G.............................. 65 Killin, Charles T...................... 40 King, Henry....................... 152 Kinyon, Daniel..................... 100 Kinvon, Mrs. Louisa................ 100 Kitchen, Freeman H.................... 169 Kitchlen, Wilson N.......................168 Kline, Mrs. M.- A.................... 116 Kiickerbocker,John H................... 99 Krebs, Rev. Clement T. B................. 201 La Flamboy, Henry C.................. 200 Lake, Truman H 55 Lake, Truman H....................... 55 Landon, E. B................. 191 Lane,David.................. 127 Lanway, Lewis........................ 203 Lee, L. Henry.................... 4.40 Lennox, John......................... 127 Lennox, Willliam S.................. 127 Leonard, Otis W................... 117 Lewenberg, William B................. 102 Lewis, David R...................... 66 Lewis, J. B............................. 54 Lewis, J. R.....................210 Lewis, Thomas......................... 40 Livingston, W illiam................... 63 Lowrie, Charles J.......................... 191 Lowthian, Timothy....................148 Luce, James C.................... 139 Luce, Wil iam O., Jr.................. 100 McAfee, Thompson................. 201 McCartney, Byron....... 168 McCrea, Daniel.........................116 McCrea, Joseph W.................... 118 McGlone, Patrick..................... 62 McKay, WVilliam....................... 16 McKenney, Rev. Inman J. B............ 159 MIcLachlan, Norman L.................. 191 McLean, John.......................... 211 McLees, S............................ 173 M cN eil, A................................. 117 McNinch, Almon....................... 180 Macomber, Dexter M.................... 121 Malin, Avelry................ 40 Markham, Alonzo B.................... 168 Markhlam, George B................. 167 Markham, Horace H.................... 97 Marsaw, George....................... 118 Martini, Clemens................ 147 Maxwell, Peter........................ 139 Mlayn rd, Tancreda C.............. 202 Maz v\ ~od, Pev. W. P................ 102 Mead, John...........................169 Mead, William......................... 173 Merrill, Joshua................ 127 M errill, J. F........................ 127 Merritt, L. C.......................... 55 Merry, George E.......................148 M iller, Alfred......................... 194 M iller, Eleazer........................ 64 Mil!er, Frank......................... 97 Miller, H. A............................ 51 Miller, Harry H......................... 170 M iller, John L........................ 57 Miller, IMartin L.................... 39 Mills, Rev. Charles B................. 169 Montague, Clharles.................. 87 Molntague, Horace N.................. 01 MIontague, Horace N.................... 119 Montague, William J.................... 97 Moore, Charles..................... 109 Morgan, John A....................... 169 M orris, Richard........................ 63 Morris. W illiam....................... 98 Morrison, Joseph.......................104 Murphy,John.......................... 71 Myers,John..................... 180 Myers, Wlilliam H......................173 Nettleton, Benjamin F....... 103 Nettleton, T.......................... 64 Nicholson, John.................... 130 North, Hon. ToWtnsend.................... 44 Oliver, J.. J........................... 195 Orms, Orson........................... 39 Orr, Myron David..... 118 Orr, Robert G.. 191 Palmer, John F........................ 101 Parkhurst, Ryerson J.................. 98 Parks, Lemuel A...................... 194 Parks, William.........................110 Parsell, John.................................. 116 Paul, John.............. 195 Peet, Robert E....................... 173 Pepoon, Joseph A..................... 205 Perkins, S. A....................... 174 Perkins, Samuel B................ 174 Perry, Ebenezer W...................... 34 Perry, Hiram R....................... 160 Perry, James R................. 173 Perry, Joseph.......................... 201 Peterson, John B................ 191 Phelps, N. D................. 173 Price, Daniel...................... 201 Quick, Michael H...................210 Quick, Mrs. E. J.................. 210 Quinn, Timothy C............... 97 Ralston, George S............. 100 Randall, Elisha P...................... 119 Randall, H. 0........... 174 Randall, William....................174 Randall, William E...............192 Ransford, Byron L................ 101 e:.;:: o L- r t I* - I - - I I - CONTENTS-CONTINUED. i Rice, Lynes L......................... 173 Richards, Alexander.................... 100 Richards, Benjamin F.................. 115 Richardson, Col. John H................36 Richardson, Dana B................. 126 Richardson, Dr. Paschal............... 37 Richardson, John L.................... 38 Richardson, Nathan M.................. 96 Richardson, P. B....................... 37 Richardson, S. L...................... 37 Richardson, Samuel L..................101 Richardsons, The....................... 36 Richens, Jabez B.......................173 Robinson, George..................... 108 R1, binson, S. M........................174 Roby. Milton, L....................1....38 Rogers, Andrew J...................... 66 Rogers, David..........................127 Rogers,William L................... 102 Rogers, William M..................... 71 Rose, David B......................... 66 Ross, Riley......................... 97 Ross, David E..........................201 Rundel, Elmer E.................... 103 Rnssell, Robert H.....................148 Ryan, Miss Jane E..................... 98 Santee, Rev. Isaac..................... 151 Schenck, Travis........................191 Schermerhorn, Nicholas R..............167 S(-hultz, Earnest........................109 Seed, Hugh........................ 181 Seely,. D............................201 Sees, Charles F.........................147 Selden, Charles R.................... 16 Sezer, H enry.......................... 39 Sherman, Nathan....................... 140 Sherman, Nelson B.................. 140 Sherman, Samuel P.................... 79 Sherman, William E..................... 94 Sherwood, George F.................... 191 Sherwood, Lester M....................108 Shoff, Oscar F.......................... 40 Slafter, Almina Louise.................. 38 Slafter, Alonzo......................... 38 Slafter, Hon. David G................... 38 Slafter, John....................... 38 Slafter, Jolhn Farwell................ 38 Slafter, Jadson................... 38 Slat'ter, Persis Grow.................... 38 Slafters, The........................... 38 Slafter, W illiam....................... 38 Slaght, Arthur T....................... 99 Smith, Freeman........................ 121 Smith, George......................... 64 Smnith, John G........................ 127 Smith, Joshua D....................... 57 bmith, Robert T....................... 160 Snover, A. S...........................172 bnover, D. W..........................173 Snover, J. F.:........................ 174 Snover, S. M...........................174 Sorter, Henry H.......................196 Spafford, Solon P...................... 92 Sprague, Ira A.........................127 Staley, Emanuel L.................. 151 Staley. John, Jr........................ 99 Standart, William H.....................147 Stark, Joseph..........................109 Stark, W illiam B.......................108 Stevens, David S.......................1(3 Stevels, James L.......................196 Still, H enry A.........................147 Stiner, James W....................... 148 Stoddard, Cameron C................... 93 Street, Will.F........ 99 Streeter, Jasper........................ 137 Sutton, James D.............. 117 Sutton, James L........................ 115 Tappan, Ira............................ 65 Taylor, Edward H...................... 16 Taylor, James N........................ 109 Tennant, George.......................190 Teskey, J. A...................... 206 Thompson, George C.................. 126 Thompson, James B................. 110. j - I Thom s, John........................... 66 Tolland, Robert S......................145 Town, Arad B.......................... 146 Tripp, Ezra............................ 169 Trotter, Alexander...................... 51 Truesdell, Marcus R.................... 96 Tubbs, W alter................. 167 Turner, Jam es......................... 169 Turner, W illiam........................ 168 Utter, Solomon S.......................101 Van Demark, Edward................... 149 Vandyke, Peter........................ 93 Vangiesen, John G..................... 152 Van Guilder, Leonard.................. 119 Van Petten, Henry....................109 Van Wagoner, Charles H................ 93 Veitch, Arthur....................... 167 Voss, Charles......................109 Waidley, Isaiah.................202 W ait, Obadiah B....................... 174 W ait, F. L.............................174 Ward, Mrs. E.............. 138 W arner, R. H.......................... 210 W atrous, Aaron........................ 95 Watrous, Frank 0O......................100 W eale, John J.......................... 92 Weaver, A. B................................. 66 W eaver, R. S.......................... 64 Webster, A. W........................ 64 W ebster, Charles.......................127 W ebster, Roswell...................... 202 W eldon, Alonzo........................ 117 W ells, Joseph......................... 110 W entworth, Justin.....................57 W est. W illiam N.......................100 Weydemeyer, P. R....................190 Wheat, Fred S........................101 Wheat, William K............... 99 W hite, Asa............................. 57 White, Benjamin W................... 97 W hite, Elijah S....................... 198 W hipple, Job H........................119 Wickware, Henry...................... 190 W ilcox, Frank......................... 110 W ilcox, George......................... 70 W ilcox, Lonson........................ 92 W ilcox, Selah M........................ 71 Wilder, Hon. Daniel G................. 63 Wilder, Lafayette........................ 65 Williamson, Thomas H 56 W illson, Hugh........................ 150 Willson, Isaac W..................151 W ilmot, John F........................ 103 W ilmot, Robert........................ 196 W ilsey, J. D. & Co..................... 91 W ilsey, Julian D....................... 92 Wixson, Hon. Le-i L.................. 97 Wood, Benjamin A................... 63 W ood, George.........................173 Wood, Robert............... 173 Woodard, Walter.......................110 Wooley, Alonzo W................... 152 Wright, Franklin..................... 179 W right, J. H........................... 104 Wylie, Joseph S................. 138 Yorke, William A.......................211 Young, A. C........................ 103 Zander, Tacitus P..................... 98 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY...... 9 TIntroductory............................ 9 Indian Traditions and Treaties........... 9 Indian Stoicism and Courage.............13 Early Traders and First Residents........14 First Symptoms of Towns................ 17 Portsmouth and its Projector............. 18 Bloom and Blight of Lower Saginaw...... 19 Pioneer Life Illustrated.................. 22 Indian Hospitality.......................31 Monuments of the Past................. 32 Legend of the Lone Tree................33 County and Township Organization.......34 Sawmills, Lops and Lumber..............38 Logging Operations.....................45 Rafting Operations..................... 46 I Bay County Sawmills....................47 First M ill......................... 47 Bay City M ills.......................... 48 West Bay City Mills.....................51 The Salt Industry........................53 River Navigation........................ 57 Bridges...................... 59 The Courts and Bar.................. 59 HISTORY OF BAY CITY........64 Village of Portsmouth................... 64 Proprietors of Lower Saginaw............66 Change of Name....................... 72 Some of the Early Comers............... 72 Pioneer Pastimes........................ 78 Municipal Organization.................. 82 Bay County Divided.....................83 Biographies of Bay County. Avery, John H...........................49 Barclay, J. S............................74 Barney, C...............................28 Beckwith, Luther........................62 Birdsall & Barker........................ 50 Birney, James G........................68 Birney, Judge J.........................69 Bradley, F. E. & Co......................48 Bradley, N. B & Sons.................. 49 Briscoe, R. J............................50 Campbell, Henry M.....................49 Campbell, S. S..................... 65 Carney, Thomas, Sr.................... 75 Carrier & Co........................... 50 Carrier, Edwin G........................ 50 Catlin, Israel............................72 Catlin. W illiam.......................... 76 Cole, Capt Darius............... 59 Cottrell, C. B..........................75 Daily, M ichael..........................29 D etroit M ill........................... 50 Dolsen, Chapin & Co.................... 50 Drake, John...........................77 Eddy, Averv & Eddy....................49 Eddy Bros. & Co......................... 50 Eddy, John F...........................49 E ddy. S................................51 Fay, W. L.............................. 78 Fitzhugh, Charles C..................... 68 Fitzhugh, Dr. D. H..................... 68 Fitzhugb, D. H., Jr................68 Fitzhugh, Frank........................68 Fitzhugh, William D.....................68 Folsom & Arnold.................. 50 Fraser, James...........................66 Freeman, Chester H..................... 61 Gates, S. G. M.......................... 4 8 Green & SteVens........................ 51 Green, James A..................... 51 Green, Sanford M....................... 60 Grier, T. C.............................62 Hamilton & McGregor............. 48 Hargrave, E. J. &. Son................... 51 H argrave, E. J.......................... 51 Hart, B. B..............................73 Hart, Julius B..........................73 Hatch, Herschel H....................63 Hay, ButmaD & Co................... 50 Heinzmann, C........................... 78 Hitchcock.J. R................... 49 Hotchkiss, L L. & Co..................53 Jennison, Charles E.....................76 Johnson,F........ 52 Keystone. L. & S. Mfg. Co...............52 Laderach Bros......................... 52 Laing, James M......................... 50 Lewis, C. F........................ 52 Lord, George..................77 McCormick, James.......................22 McCormick, James J.................... 26 McCormick, Wm. R......................2 7 MeDonell, Archibald.....................62 McEwan, Alexander....................48 McEwan, John......................... 78 MnoEwan, John............................ 48 McEwan, William.......................78 - I-. - I /: 0 -i I I I CONTENTS-CONTINUED. McEwan, William A....................48 McKay, Alexander................... 75 McLean, S. Son & Co...................49 Malone, W. H. & Co..................... 53 Marsac, Capt. Jos. F..................... 29 M arston, Isaac........................... 62 Maxwell, Andrew C...................... 62 Miller, Albert....................... 48 Miller & Bros.......................... 51 Miller, Judge Albert.....................18 Miller, Jesse M........................76 M iller & Lewis..........................48 M unger, Curtis,......................... 73 Murphy & Dorr........................51 M yers, George C........................ 48 Padley, Richard......................... 78 Park, Edwin............................74 Perrott, P J............................72 Peter, W illiam..........................48 Pitts & Cranage..................48 Raymond, Col. Henry................... 75 Rogers, Elizabeth........................ 28 Rogers, Thomas......................... 27 Rouse Bros............................. 53 Rust, A & Bros......................... 50 Sage, H. W. & Co.......................51 Sherman, W. L.........................61 Simon, Philip......................... 77 Smalley Bros. & Co...................... 53 Smith, Dr. George E.............. 76 Smith, H. J. and C. J....................52 Smith, Oscar B..........................50 Stevens, A. J........................... 51 Trombley, Joseph...................... 15 Trombley, Joseph........................ 78 Trombley, Medor.......................16 W alker, Theodore.......................70 W atson, James.......................... 75 Welch, John............................ 52 Willson, Capt. John S................... 30 I tLUi 'tJ F'tA11TOIN^. i An Early Cottage (Bay County).......... 71 Barclay, J. 8. (Bay County)............. 74 Bay City in Fall of 1838................. 65 Biruley, James (Bay County)............. 59 Black, Hon. C. P..... 82 Black, Hon. C. P., Residence............162 Blocher, D. N., Residence and Store...... 194 Bonheur, Rosa........................ 155 Bryant, A. L., Residence................ 173 B illard, E. A........................... 54 Burtis, R. C., Residence................. 64 Campbell, S. S.(Bay County)........... 38 Caro Exchange Bank.................... 194 Carpenter, E. J., Residence..............156 Cilley, A. D.......................... 93 Cookingham, E. R............... 13 County Jail............................ 162 Court-H ouse............................ 162 Coy Blo ck............................186 Damon, I. T., Residence and Store.......124 Duncan, Thomas, Residence............. 124 Dwelley, S. H, Residence and Farm.....124 Foster, Thomas, Farm and Residence....177 Foster, Thomas, Property............... 181 Fox, Edwin G............................. 16 Gage, G. S., Residence.................. 156 Gibson, James, Residence...............ll111 Harrison, Harriet N..................... 29 Harrison, William H.................... 29 Harrison, William H., Residence and Store. 70 Harrison, William H., Farm............. 70 H art, Lovira........................... 168 Hart, Lovira, Residence................. 33 Hayes, Hon. E. B....................... 58 Hayes, Hon. E. B., Residence and Farm..148 Heartt, W illiam A...................... 77 Hendrick, James P., Residence.......... 156 Humes, Asa B., Residence.............. 102 Huston, Hon. B. W., Residence.......... 22 Ingels, D. D., Market................... 202 Jewell, G. W., Residence and Farm...... 124 Johnson, Dr. Wm., Residence and Stock F arm............................. 130 Johnson, Perry Y., Residence............ 143 Kelland, John, Residence................ 186 LaFlaixboy, H. C., Jr., Property......... 156 Landon. E. B., Residence................ 186 \vMcCormick, W. R. (Bay County)......... 22 McHose and Gage's Store............... 202 Miller, H. A., The Times................202 Miller's Opera House................... 52 Montague, Charles..................... 88 Montague, Charles, Residencee...........194 North, Hon. Townsend.................. 43 North, Hon. Townsend, Residence....... 116 Peterson, J. B., Residence.............. 186 Phelps. N. D.j Residence and Farm...... 162 Quick, M. H...........................211 Quick Mrs. E. J......................... 211 Randall, Mrs. Wm., Farm and Residence. 173 Rice, Lynes L., Farm and Residence..... 173 Richardson, Col. J. H., Residence........ 38 Richardson, P. B., Residence and Stock Farm................................ 136 St. Agatha's Church and Residence...... 38 Stark's Hotel..........................202 Sutton, J. D., Residence................ 111 Sutton, J. L., Residence................. 111 The Tim es............................ 202 Turner, William. Residence and Farm.... 173 Tuscola County Pioneer Office........... 49 Union School Building, Vassar.......... 49 Weaver, A. B., Residence..................... 11 Wentworth, Justin, Residence and Farm.. 22 Wilder, D. G., Residence.............. 33 Wixson, Hon. Levi L................... 97 Young, A. C., Residence.................102 i I I a be il - I.m4t IC t~ fb I J t I - - - - - 0 i......:{if: X:..............:-::........,,.............. 1X0[ gf 1777 gools Dealt t~t Iff 1mti tlC~I:: EF~ hi1t 1 IX) -) 1; - 1E;4:-I Ni 0 all ~~41ls I: '1ija 1: l ' ~i, L o1~S zoY N; Ln:: |O} | 3 |N rr — 1.:~ 0:;1. o-lop a~Ja 7 ~28 27 Ii ~r 25 2 31 a -33 34 —. 35 \Iv, -- - I I +- .! 2 C, 36 I 3 o 3 it:: It 10 U~ \il ~.2 ~ 9 17- 11 il 30 2 e31 3 3 34 - 36 1 T`71 R. IIE. __ j @ A 200 r@ id bb T. ION I R.7 E. E. -;:: —:::. 1.: - 0 Xt. I; I' | j IS U:0 II - I - a - __ HISTORlr' OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. The history of Tuscola County is a review of human efforts put forth during nearly half a century, in working out the destiny of a county. The advent of civilization was not preceded by any startling events or mysterious conditions. The trail of the Indian led through these- forests, and his canoe had parted the waters of the Cass, but the traces that he left furnish little more than local incidents. The first settlers quietly crossed the borders of the county and as quietly dedicated its territory to peaceful pursuits. The story of pioneer life is an interesting one, and there is more to charm and gratify than to amaze in tracing the growth and unfolding of the germ that was timidly planted nearly fifty-years ago. There have been no sudden bursts of activity, no dazzling schemes projected, but the march of progress has been steady and continuous,- transforming forests into wheat fields and fashioning the county into one of the jewels of the State. It is desirable to first know something of the territory, a history of which we are to trace; and this information is furnished by the highest authority in the follomwing article: SITUATION AND RESOURCES. " BY RON. TOWNSEND NORTH. Tuscola County is bounded on the north by Saginaw Bay, and a portion of Huron County; east by Sanilac Counlty; south by Genesee and Lapeer Counties, and west by Saginaw and Bay Counties. It comprises territory described as follows: Townships 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 north, of ranges 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east, and fractional township 15 -north, of range 8 east. TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. The townships in range 7, and townships 13, 14 and fractional lo north, of range 8 east, are quite level, though with descent to the bay sufficient for drainage for most of it, and rich in native soil. AR other portions of the county not sloping toward the bay are, or can be, drained into the Cass River or its tributaries, as this river, passing through the county from the northeast to the south. west, dividing its territory into nearly equal parts, not only affords good drainage, but water power and facilities for floating the timber product of the country. Most of ranges 8, 9, 10 and 11 east are quite undulating, and some of the townships may be called hilly, and are well watered by springs and streams that wind their way to the Cass River or Saginaw Bay. The low-lands, once termed swamp lands, now being occupied and found tc be very productive, are coming to be considered the most valuable lands we have. CHARACTER OF SOL. There is a great variety of soil, and frequently this variety is found to exist in the same section or quarter section of land. Most of the western part of the county may be called a clay loam surface with a stronger clay subsoil, ar d with drifts or patches of sandy loam or sand and gravel. The'easterln portion is more rolling with more gravel and less clay, affording, however, a rich variety of soil. TIMBER. Beech, hard and soft maple, white and black ash, a variety of elm, oak, basswood, hickory in small quantities, pine, hemlock, cedar, with a sprinkling of about all the varieties usually found in timbered countries, compose the timber of the county. CROPS. The soil of Tuscola County produces all the staple grains, as well as root crops, usually grown in this latitude. The wheat crop may truly be regarded as our chief staple for export. Oats and corn are raised here with good success, oats sometimes yielding as high as one hundred bushels per acre. Most of the soil in this county is very productive for field or garden crops. FRUITS. Here, as well as elsewhere in the State, the apple is the leading staple in fruits. The apple orchards, though most of them quite young, now yield crops of large quantity and fine quality. Pears and cherries are successfully raised. Peaches, except in some of the favored localities, are not a success, though they are cultivated to some profit by the favored few, and being of excellent quality the high price which they command stimulates their culture, though at some risk, on account of an occasional severe winter. The smaller fruits grow in great abundance. The Saginaw Valley cities furnish a good market, though large quantities of blackberries and raspberries are sent to Detroit. UNIMPROVED LANDS. There are some good agricultural lands and most of them timbered, in every town in the county; not in large tracts but conveniently located to schools, settlements and markets. Prices of these lands range from ten to twenty dollars per acre. There are neither government nor railroad lands left in the county, but there are a few hundred acres of swamp land and about two thousand acres of primary school lands. There are some stump lands, mostly in towns through which the Cass River and its largest tributaries pass. These lands are now being converted into good producing farms, as most of these lands will produce good clover, and after that grain or root crops can be raised with profit. I am of the opinion that they are best adapted to stock raising and dairying, and particularly well adapted to sheep raising. These lands can be purchased at fromn five to ten dollars per acre, and can be converted into stock farms at a comparatively small cost. STATES ROADS. The State roads passing through the county were a good thing in their day. The first, I believe, was the Goodrich & Lower Saginaw. The Port Huron & Bay City, the Tuscola & Bay, the Cass < IIf 6 9 - - - - e *- - - S - - -; i 7 1 _.;s (D c t 1 0 a HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. l i I I River, Unionville & Bay City, with the plank roads from East Saginaw, were of great importance in aiding the early settlement of this county. POPULATION. The first settlers in the county were mostly from western New York, and a small settlement was made about the year 1835. General development, however, did not commence until 1850, and then the immigration that followed represented various nationalities, but a large representation was from southern Michigan. The county is now so far developed by railroads, State and town roads that penetrate every township, that the privations endured by the early settlers no longer have to be endured by the new comers, who can now procure a comparatively cheap home and enjoy in part the benefits and privileges unknown to the pioneers who secured these advantages by sacrifice and toil in opening roads, establishing schools, churches and all the local industries. These are yet in their infancy, but the continual infusion of new capital and energy is rapidly building up the social and industrial interests of the county. RAILROADS. The county is well served with railroads. The Michigan Central, with its Bay City division to Bay City, passes through the villages of Millington, Vassar and Reese in this county, with branches to East Saginaw and Caro from Vassar. The Port Huron & Northwestern has its main line through this county, passing through the villages of Mayville and Vassar to East Saginaw. The East Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron railroad from East Saginaw passes through the villages of Reese, Fair Grove Center, Unionville and on to Sebewaing, Huron County, its present terminus. There is a railroad now being constructed from Caseville on the bay shore in Huron County, that passes through the eastern part of Tuscola County, through the townships of Koylton, Kingston, Novesta, Elkland and Elmwood, which will make important railroad connections. There is no lack of transportation for the product of forest or field, and as the forest is beat back the rich fields will yield products of still greater value to reward the husbandman and increase the wealth of the county..- PERIODS OF HISTORY. The settlement of the county began in the latter part of the year 1835, in the present township of Tuscola, and the first actual settler in the county was Ebenezer Davis. The number of settlers was slightly increased during the years 1886 and 1837, but from that time until 1850, the immigration was small. The period of general development began about the year 1850, when Messrs. North and Edmunds commenced operations at Vassar, and opened the channels for immigration. From that time onward settlers came in more rapidly, and planted homes in the forests. In 1850 the county was organized, and its civil history began. I I i i millions upon millions of feet of logs annually until the supply of pine along its course became exhausted. The cork pine of the Cass River was noted in all markets for its superior excellence, and was much sought after. The lumbering in this county was principally confined to logging operations, and the manufacture of lumber cannot be said to have ever constituted a particular epoch of history. Tne first mill in the county was built on Perry Creek, in the present township of Tuscloa, but general lumbering operations did not begin until about ten years later. There are, however, no statistics of lumbering operations on the Cass River prior to 1864, when the Huron Boom Company was organized. That year the company run out 40,000,000 feet of logs. The quantity increased each year until 1873, when it reached 100,458,140. Since then the supply has been diminishing. In 1879 the crop was about 7,000,000 feet and now operations have practically ceased. The county, however, has been a lumber county, and is now a farming county, and in this change has furnished an answer to the question: "After lumber, what then?" After lumber came wheat, corn, oats, grasses, the dairy, stock, the garden, the delight and attractions of rural pursuits and rural homes. CIVIL HISTORY. April 1, 1840, an act of legislature was approved, section 30 of which provided as follows: "That portion of the present county of Sanilac, embraced in the north half of town 10 north, and in towns 11, 12, 13 and 14 north, of ranges 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 east, and in fractional town 15 north, of ranges 7 and 8 east, shall be laid off as a separate county, to be known and designated as the county of Tuscola." The county was attached to Saginaw County for judicial and representative purposes, until 1850, when it was organized. March 2, 1850, an act of legislature was approved which provided for the organization of Tuscola County, as follows: "SECTION 1. That the county of Tuscola shall be organized, and the inhabitants thereof be entitled to all the rights and privileges to which by law the inhabitants of the other organized counties of this State are entitled. "SECTION 2. That all suits, prosecutions and other matters now pending before any court of record in Saginaw County, or before any justice of the peace in said county, or that shall be pending at the time of the taking effect of this act, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and execution, and all -taxes heretofore levied, and now due, shall be collected as though the county of Tuscola had not been organized. "SECTION 3. There shall be elected in said county of Tuscola, on the first Tuesday of November, the year 1850, all the several county officers to which by law the said county is entitled; and said election shall in all respects be conducted and held in the manner prescribed by law for holding elections for county and State officers. Provided, That until such county officers are elected and qualified, the proper county officers of the county of Saginaw shall perform all the duties appertaining to the said county of Tuscola in the same manner as though this act had not passed. And provided further, That the county officers so to be elected, shall be qualified and enter upon the duties of their respective offices on the first Monday in January, the year 1851, and no county buildings shall be erected at the expense of the county until after the county seat shall have been permanently located, as provided for in this act. "SECTION 4. The board of canvassers in said county, under this act, shall consist of the presiding inspectors of elections from each township therein, and said inspectors shall meet at the county seat of said county, at the time appointed by law for the county canvass, and immediately after the election authorized in the third section of this act, and organize by appointing one of their number chairman and another secretary of said board, and shall thereupon I I I 1 I -r I 1 I About the year 1865 an era of general improvement began. The war ended, and hope revived. Surviving soldiers returned to pursuits of peace, and the energies of the people were once more directed to channels of industry. The farmers of the county began to test improved methods of agriculture; farm machinery was introduced, and the click of reapers and mowers was heard in the harvest fields. An agricultural society was organized and successfully maintained. THE LUMBER OPERATIONS. The Cass River empties into the Saginaw, and for many years was one of the great highways for logs. Down this river floated l I T ~ ^-7 P-: v::::: IS0. i: E 4\. f:0.0 f0f It.:i i- op Is ~. j IA i Lo t p41 - A I I - _ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 11 I proceed to discharge all the duties of a board of county canvassers as in ordinary cases of election for county and State officers. "SECTION 5.. The circuit court for the county of Saginaw shall have the same jurisdiction over said county of Tuscola that it would haves if this act had not passed, until otherwise provided by lawv. 'SECTION 6- That it shall be the duty of the sheriff of said county of Tuscola to provide some suitable place for holding courts in said county, at the county seat thereof, until public buildings shall be -erected. "S:ECTION 7. That the county seat of said county of Tuscola be, and the same is, hereby fixed and established on the northwest fractional quarter of section 7, in township number 11 north, of range number 8 east, until the year 1860, and until the same shall be permanently located, as hereinafter provided; and the supervisors elected for the year 1860, in said county, shall have the power and it shall be their duty permanently to locate the county seat (of said county.." FIRST ELECTIONS. The presidential campaign of 1840 was a memorable one in the history of American politics, and the ringing echoes of its battle cry resounded through the forests of Tuscola. The first general election in the county occurred that Fall. The polls were kept open three days, and seven votes were safely deposited in the ballot box. The poll list showed that Dennis Harrison, Samuel H. Downs, Lovira Hart and Martin L. Miller, were Whigs; and Ebenezer Davis, Edwin Ellis and Jarvis Freeman, Democrats. James H. Davis, a resident of Tuscola and a Democrat, voted in Saginaw County, otherwise there would have been a tie vote. The first general election after the organization of the county was held November 5, 1850. The first board of county canvassers consisted of John H. Richardson, who was chosen secretary and chairman of the board. Eighty-three votes were cast at this election for representative in the State legislature, of which Alanson Calkins received fortv-six, and Paschal Richardson, thirty-seven. At this time Tuscola was the only organized township in the county. The question of Negro suffrage was voted upon at this election. The whole number of votes cast was forty-four; eighteen for, and twenty-six against. The county officers elected, were as follows: Clerk, William Harrison; treasurer, E. W. Perry; register of deeds, Townsend North; county judge, Lovira HIart; second judge, Calvin Lee; probate judge, Calvin Lee; sheriff, Leander W. Van~leeck; prosecuting attorney, Hiram Penoyer-;' surveyor, Joshua D. Smith; coroners, Silas S. Bliss and Chancey Firman. VFIRST COUNTY LEGISLATION. The journal of supervisors~ proceedings records that according to notice the first meeting of the board of supervisors was held at Vassar, January 24, 1851. J~ohn E. Richardson being the only acting supervisor in the county, constituted the board, and conducted its proceedings hbarmoniously. The only business transacted was the adoption of a resolution Coffering a bounty of $8 for the scalps of full grown wohles, thus furnishing an additional incentive to this industry of the ~early days. The next meeting was held JtXme 9, 1851, when Lovira Hart was chairman. The business of this meeting was equalizing valuations and adjusting a few accounts. The townships of Vassar, Tuscola, Arbela and Rogers were represented respectively by Town send North, Lovira Hart, S. Newton and E. Smith. At the October meeting ~George W. Richardson presented a bill. amounting to $5 for two and one-half days' services, in bringing prisoners from Saginaw to Vassar.. The board evidently frowned upon such-intoleratble, reedt of gai'n, and deducted one-half, allowing the bill at $2.50. Four wolf certificates were presented and atllowed at $8 each. A resolution detaching certain described terri I I - tory from the township of Tuscola, and attaching it to Vassar, was adopted. TOWNS OF THE PAST. By the provisions of an act of legislature approved February 12, 1853, the town of Auchville was organized from a portion of Huron County and attached to Ttscola County for judicial and representative purposes, until the organization of Huron County. By act of legislature in,1857 its name was changed to Sebewaing. Three years later, in consequence of the complete organization of Huron County it was detached from Tuscola County and attached thereto. The town of Geneva was organized in 1860 by the board of supervisors, and comprised the territory of fractional township 15 north, of range 8 east. In 1879 it was disorganized by act of legislature. Section 36 was attached to Columbia and the remainder of the township to Akron. CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES. For some unexplained reason, the line dividing Tuscola and Lapeer Counties was originally so placed as to run through the center of the prese-nt towns of Millington and Watertown in Tuscola County, and the town of Rich in Lapeer County. By the act of legislature under which Millington was organized in 1855, this was remedied, and the south-half of township 10 north, of ranges 8 and 9 east, was detached from Lapeer and attached to Tuscola; and the north-half of township 10 north, of ranges 10 and 11, was detached from Tuscola and attached to Lapeer. THE COUNTY SEAT. Section 7 of the act of legislature under which the county was organized fixed the county seat at Vassar until the year 1860, or until permanently located by the supervisors. It was made the duty of the supervisors elected for 1860 to permanently locate the county seat. For several years prior to 1860, it was apparent that the county seat campaign would be one of more than ordinary interest and activity. Vassar was anxious to continue the "shire" town, Centerville, now Caro, had been planted with the purpose that it should mature into the county seat, and Wahjamega complacently held its apron outstretched quite confident that it could not fail to catch the golden fruit, should the elements dislodge it from its hold at Vassar. With so many eager for the fray it could not be expected that the issue would remain unapproached beyond the time prescribed by law; hence, we find that the supervisors at a meeting held January 11, 1860, adopted a resolution as follows: With all due respect to the advice of the prosecuting attorney in the case, Resolted, That the sense of this board is that, under the constitution and laws of the State of Michigan, that this board has a legal right to take action in regard to the removal of the county seat of Tuscola County, as it has in their opinion remained at Vassar until the vear 1860, according to the provision of session laws of 1850. The resolution was adopted by a vote of twelve for and seven again st. At this time the population of the entire county was only 4,855, and the township of Indian Fields had a population of 128 and two competitors for the county capital. June 18, 1860, the board of supervisors met at the house of Melvin Gibbs, in the township of Indian Fields, that being the place of meeting according to the request of the following supervisors, to-wit: John H. Richardson, Alson Greenfield, Thomas Graham, George W. Sorter, Donald McKenzie, Jonathan F. Black, William B. Waldo and George H. Wilcox. On the following day i. —.: I -— VW I I i: f Ia - t 777,3' 4- -ap l-3 12 HISTORY OF TU SCOLA COUNTY. I I I a resolution was introduced, locating the county seat at Vassar, which was lost. A resolution was then adopted declaring that it was the light and duty of the board to locate and establish the county seat without submitting the question to a vote of the electors of the county. After defeating a resolution to indefinitely postpone, a resolution was adopted to vote by informal ballot for the location of the county seat, each member to designate in his ballot the village plat or section of land for which his vote was intended. The result of the first informal ballot was as follows: For Watrousville, 5; Heartts, 2; section 35, Almer, 5; section 16, Watertown, 1; section 3, Indian Fields, 1. Six informal ballots were taken, the complexion of the vote being changed each time. At the meeting of June 20, a preamble and resolution were adopted by a vote of twelve to eight, permanently locating the county seat on the southwest quarter of section 34, in township 14 north, of range 11 east, being in the town of Elkland. Subsequently, at the same session a protest was offered and placed on record. The protest set forth that the question could only be legally settled by a two-thirds vote of the board, to be sanctioned by a vote of the electors of the county, and declared the action of the board to be illegal and void, and "characterized by a spirit of factious opposition to the true interests of the county." This protest was signed by W. R. Bartlett, C. B. Mills, James Sanders, W. H. Randall, Thomas Briggs, W. M. Rogers, Cortez Gordon, William Hamilton. A resolution was then adopted instructing the chairman to appoint a committee to purchase a site on the southwest quarter of section 84, in township 14 north, of range 11 east, for a courthouse, jail, clerk's office, or any other county buildings. It was also voted to continue the county business at Vassar, until the necessary county buildings could be procured. The committee appointed to purchase a site were as follows: C. Shadley, George H. Wilcox, J. F. Black, J. H. Richardson and George W. Sorter. This committee were also empowered to hire suitable buildings for the use of the county until proper buildings could be erected. At the October session in 1860 a resolution locating the county seat at Watrousville, received seven votes for, and fourteen against. The village plat of Richland received thirteen for, and nine against. Ketchum's plat on section 3, Indian Fields, received thirteen votes for and eight against. Other resolutions naming different points in Indian Fields, were voted upon. At a meeting October 17th, the following preamble and resolution were adopted: WHEREAS, The majority of the board of supervisors for the county of Tuscola, are of the opinion that the county seat of said county is legally located on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 34, in township 14 north, of range 11 east, therefore, Resolved, That the county clerk, county register, sheriff, judge of probate and county treasurer, are hereby ordered and required to remove to said county seat, with all of the books, papers, vouchers, moneys, goods, chattels, and all other valuable things belonging to said offices, on or before the first Tuesday of February next. This resolution was adopted by a vote of eleven for and ten against. A resolution was also adopted appropriating $150 to be expended in procuring buildings. January 11, 1861, it was voted to have a committee of two appointed to be associated with the prosecuting attorney, and to procure good and sufficient counsel to assist said prosecuting attorney in fully and fairly testing the legality of the location of the county site, in case legal proceedings should be taken to prevent the removal of the county offices to the new site. The committee consisted of Thomas Graham and John H. Richardson. March 27, 1861, the board met at the house of A. Coggershall, in the village of Watrousville. The committee appointed to procure buildings at the county seat, reported that they had hired a building for the term of one year, from the first day of March, 1861, for the sum of $150, and that on their way to notify the clerk, an injunction had been served on them, strictly commanding them not to carry out the instructions of the board in regard to notifying the clerk. The board met June 10th, at Vassar, and at the same place in October. By this time the new county seat had acquired a name and the next allusion to the place in the official, records designates it as "Moonshine." But the name was all that locality ever acquired of the county seat. The board continued to meet at Vassar, and October 19, 1863, the following resolution was adopted: WHEREAS, The present county seat is inconvenient and remote from a large portion of our population, and whereas, justice demands that a more convenient, accessible and permanent county seat be established; therefore, -Resolveld, We, the board of supervisors of Tuscola County, believe it to be our duty to select some more central location for a county seat, that the same may be submitted to the people at the next annual election for their approval or rejection. This resolution was adopted by a vote of eighteen for and three against. The usual number of resolutions followed and were disposed of in the habitual way. October 23, 1863, a resolution. was adopted as follows: R:esolved, That in the event the present proposed location for the county seat be rejected by the people, then, in such case, we, as the board of supervisors, would cheerfully recommend some other point appearing more proper, be designated by some future board of supervisors. It is not altogether clear that this resolution was intended to accomplish anything, but it was about the accustomed time for something on this question, and an innocent resolution like the foregoing might answer the purpose. The proposed location referred to was Wahjamega, and upon the question of removing it to that point the electors voted at the spring election in April, 1864, and the result was a majority against removal. Centerville, of course, was opposed to its being removed to Wahjamega, and having defeated that project now bent all their energies toward accomplishing the success of their project. October 18, 1865, the following resolution was offered by James W. Spencer, of Indian Fields: * Resolved, That the county seat of the county of Tuscola be removed from the northwest quarter of section 7, town 11 north, of range 8 east, and located on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3, town 12 north, of range 9 east, and the said southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3, is hereby designated as the county seat of Tuscola County; and the said removal shall be submitted to the electors of said county for their rejection or approval at the annual township meeting to be held in April, 1866, and the sheriff of said county is hereby required to post notices as the law requires in such cases. On motion of J. D. Lewis the board went into a committee of the whole on the resolution, and after deliberating upon it recom-' mended its passage. The resolution was then submitted to a vote, with the following result: Yeas-James P. Demerest, Frank C. Edgar, John Anyon, Hamilton Hobert, James W. Spencer, William Smith, John H. Richardson, Elijah S. White, James D. Sutton, Lorenzo Hurd, William Medcalf, Hugh Wilson, B. A. Wood, Philo L. King, James Wright, Simeon Carson-16. Vays -De Witt C. Norton, Charles R. Selden, D. P. Hinson, E. G. Godfrev, Hiram Remmick, J. D. Lewis, B. Colvin-7.:", 4 -0 1 4, C' y ---e _ _ ___ I~ -an 'r I 1% lb 4 - - I 13 ID HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. This was the last resolution fixing a location of the county seat that came before the board. RESULT OF THE ELECTION. TOWNSHIP. WHOLE NUMBER. Arbela............................ 118 Alm er............................ 99 A kron............................. 78 Colum bia.......................... 60 D ayton............................ 78 Denm ark.......................... 80 Elkland........................... 38 Elm wood.......................... 32 Ellington......................... 61 Fair Grove................ 111 Fremont.......................... 65 Geneva........................... 21 Gilford....................... 32 Indian Fields...................... 93 Juniata........................... 161 K oylton........................... 22 Kingstcn..........................27 M illington........................ 94 Tuscola........................... 156 Vassar....................... 167 W atertown....................... 55 W ells.......................... 12 W isner........................... 21 Total......................1681 FOR REMOYAL. 6 99 77 60 52 22 38 32 61 109 19 20 6 79 93 22 24 5 104 1 0 12 21 962 AGAINST REMOVAL. 112 0 1 0 26 58 0 0 o 2 46 1 26 14 68 0 3 89 52 166 55 0 0 719 I The Pioneer, published at Vassar, and the only newspaper published in the county at that time, announced the result of the vote upon the question, with the following well-tempered comments: " This settles the question, a fact which we are glad to record. We hear it rumored that an effort will be made at a future meeting of the board of supervisors to designate some other point. We hope this will not be done. Money and time enough have already been spent in discussing this question. The people have emphatically said Centerville will best accommodate the people of this county. We do not believe this, yet the majority have so decided, and we lope this will settle the question. There may be those who have hopes that Vassar will join its interests with theirs in designating a new site. We have only to say to such, ' Vassar has always steadily voted against removal, and will continue so to do.' If we have erred in judgment as to the best interests of the county, it was from an honest conviction, which is not yet changed. We believe many who voted for removal will yet come to the conclusion that we were right-but let by-gones be by-golles. The question is settled, the ' hatchet buried,' and we hope never to be dug up. Let every village that has striven for the county seat go about its own business, count the strife at an end, and all will be well. The people of this place extend the welcome to Centerville and trust their intercourse in the future will be fraternal and profitable to both." June 11, 1866, the board met at Vassar to canvass the vote, and while the canvass was progressing Arnold B. Clark, of Dayton, appeared before the board and objected to the canvass being made, on the ground of illegality in the proceedings of the last board of supervisors, which illegality was alleged to consist in the fact that several parties appeared before that board as supervisors and voted on the question of removal, who were not supervisors, from the fact that the towns they assumed to represent, were not and never had been legally organized; and further, that the votes cast at the last election, on said removal, were, many of them, illegal. The foregoing objections were placed on record. The canvass of the vote was attended with some delays on account of informal returns.from some of the townships and the absence of any returns from others. Messengers were sent to the various townships, and a final determination was not reached until June 15. At the same meeting a resolution was adopted declaring that, suitable buildings having been provided for the county offices, the removal should be deemed to have taken place on that 15th day of June, 1866. A committee consisting of John H. Richardson, Lorenzo Hurd and D. G. Wilder was appointed to superintend the removal of all books, papers, records, etc., belonging to the county, to the place at which the county seat had been located. Thus after six years of contention and uncertainty the capital of Tuscola County had a fixed abode. Tossed and buffeted by tempestuous strife, it had been borne on billows of fast succeeding resolutions hither and thither, and once anchored in the luminous harbor of " Moonshine " in the farthermost corner of the county. The first meeting of the board of supervisors at Centerville, after the determination of the contest, occurred June 18, 1866. At the meeting of June 20th the following resolution was adopted: " Resolved, that this board tender their thanks tothe citizens of Centerville and to Mr, P. D. Bush especially for their very welcome reception at Centerville." The removal of the books and property of the county to Centerville was made about the first of September. THE COURT-HOUSE SITE. Mr. P. D. Bush, who was a leading spirit in the movements of Centerville during the controversy, had offered to donate to the county, grounds for its use, and also to furnish, free of expense to the county, as good a building as it then had at Vassar. October 20, 1865, a bond was executed by Mr. Bush, with three sureties, for the faithful performance of the contract. The frame of a Universalist Church building, which had been put up in the town of Aimer, was brought down and located where Mr. J. Staley's abstract office now stands, but was afterward moved to the opposite side of the street, and planted on the court-house square. This building was used as a court-house until the present building was finished, in 1873, when it was moved across tile street, and is now used for town and village purposes. More recently the question has been raised as to who the real donor of the court-house grounds was, and it may be well to state, in this connection, that all the evidence confirms the statement herein made, that Mr. Bush donated these grounds to the county, in pursuance of a promise made long before the question of location was finally settled. The records of supervisors' proceedings show that it was so understood by the board, and in conveying certain lands to Cyrus Giles, Mr. Bush gave a deed in which he reserved those lots, having previously donated them to the county, together with all rights which the county had in the building thereon, etc. It is perfectly clear that the lots occupied by the courthouse were donated by Mr. Bush, while those occupied by tne jail were donated by the late Samuel P. Sherman. THE LAST ACT IN THE DRAMA. Although the location of the county seat was fixed at Centerville, in 1866, and no official 'action attempting its removal was thereafter taken, yet its permanency was doubted by many, especially those who still entertained a hope of some day living in the shadow of the capital. The people of Centerville did not feel entirely secure in their hold upon it, and were anxious to pin it so securely to the spot that its removal would be practically impossible. In the spring of 1871, Hon. C. P. Bla3k was elected supervisor from Indian Fields, with a hope that he would find a way of ending all uncertainty in the matter. The legislature of 1870-'71 passed a law, or rather amended section 106 of tile general tax laws, under the provisions of which there was due Tuscola County, upon the settlement of the county treasurer with the auditor general, January 1, 1872, $31,564. After the action of the legislature already referred to, it occurred to Mr. Black that the opportune time for the erection of a I I & d1 I r i: tJ I I I hL k l —,% - A 14 a: HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I I I i I i I court-house had arrived, and he set himself about the attainment of that object, and thereby fulfill the mission for which he had been elected. In December, 1871, after having thoroughly investigated the matter, he visited several of the supervisors and secured the signatures of one-third of the board to a call for a special meeting, to take place January 9, 1872. The first business of that meeting was a motion by Mr. Black that the county treasurer be requested to submit a report in writing, showing the state of the finances of the county. In pursuance of that request, the treasurer submitted a report, stating, among other things, that there was due the county from the State, the sum of $831,564.05; that there was due to townships the sum of $9,094.59, leaving a balance belonging to the county, of $22,469.57. It was subsequently voted by the board, that the amount of money standing to the credit of the county in excess of the amount due the several townships, was legally a county fund, and subject to the disposal of the board of supervisors for any legitimate county purposes. Mr. Black then offered the following resolutions, which were adopted: Be it resolved by the board of supervisors of Tuscola County, that the sum of seven thousand dollars be appropriated out of the moneys received from the State by the treasurer of said county, in his settlement with the auditor genera], on the 16th day of November, A. D. 1871, and set apart to liquidate the debt to E. Morton, Esq., on bonds now held by him, and that such indebtedness shall be paid as this board may hereinafter order; and be it further Reolred, That the further sum of twelve thousand dollars be appropriated and set apart for the purpose of erecting upon the public square, now owned by the county of Tuscola, in the village of Caro, in said county, a court-house, to be constructed after the plans and specifications now in the possession of this board, provided that any three or more responsible persons shall, on or before the first day of February next, make and execute a bond to the county treasurer, for the use and benefit of Tuscola County, to be approved bv tie clerk and chairman of this board, conditioned that they will, on or before the first day of January, A. D. 1873, pay to said county of Tuscola the sum of three thousand dollars, lawful money of the United States, which three thousand dollars is to be applied in constructing said court-house; which bond, when so made and executed, may be transferred and used in the completion of said court-house; and be it further Resolved, That a committee of five persons be appointed by this board, whose duty it shall be, whenever the clerk of said board shall notify them that said bond of three thousand dollars has been properly executed and delivered to the county treasurer, to cause to be erected a court-house on said public square, according to said plan and specifications, and they are hereby invested with full power and authority to perform each and everything that may be necessary for the completion of said court-house, and that they enter upon their duty as soon as such bond is given as aforesaid, and proceed with all due diligence with the work, until the same shall be completed. Resolhed, That the sum of three thousand dollars be appropriated for the purpose of erecting a building on the county poor farm, to be built upon such plans and specifications as this board may hereinafter order. At a meeting of the board of supervisors held May 27, 1873, the building committee gave a history of the building of the courthouse in the following report: "On the 10th day of January, 1872, by resolution of your board, there was placed in our hands for the building of said court-house according to plans and specifications furnished us, executed by Porter & Watkins, of Bay City, the sum of $15,000, consisting of an order on the treasury of Tuscola County for $12,000, and a bond against the citizens of Caro for $3,000, for which we gave you our bond for $20,000, conditioned for the faithful performance of our duty in the premises as such building committee, in and for the proper application of said I $15,000, in the construction of said building. The first proceeding of your committee was to advertise to receive proposals for the erection of said court-house, on the 5th day of February, 1872, at which time proposals were received from the following parties, to wit: The proposition of Christopher Palmer and J. P. Shahey for $17,500; the proposition of J. Fisher, of East Saginaw, for $16,196; the proposition of Howell & Ale, of Caro, for $14,000; between which proposals, other things being equal, your committee had no hesitation in awarding the job to Messrs. Howell & Ale, and the adding to the building keystone corbels, over doors and over windows, and of painting of the outside of the walls. We, your committee, entered into contract with the said Howell & Ale, for the erection and completion of said court-house, according to said plans and specifications before referred to, together with the addition above mentioned, for the sum of $14,850, and paid them at the same time the sum of $4,000 on the same, and subsequently, to wit: When the foundation of said structure was completed the sum of $3,000; and further, when the first story was completed, the sum of $1,500; and on completion of the brick work $1,500; and on the completion of the roof and dome $1,000, and a like sum of $1,000 on the completion of the plastering. On the 26th day of October, 1872, your honorable body passed a resolution that an order for $350 be drawn on the county treasurer in favor of the court-house building committee, to be by them appropriated for the construction of a stucco cornice around the court-room, and chandelier centres put up in the same; also in the four offices below; and to change the finish of the stairs to the court-room from below, from a common box case to a hand-rail and baluster staircase. On the 6th day of January, 1873, your committee received from the treasurer of the village of Caro the sum of $400, which was at the same time paid Howell & Ale on contract. And on the 24th day of February, 1873, they paid on the same, the above-mentioned county order of $350, together with the sum of $50 received from the treasurer of said village, since which your committee received from said village treasurer the sum of $1,776.. 57, which has also been applied on said contract, leaving yet to be paid on the contract and the extras above mentioned, as authorized by your honorable body, when completed, the sum of $773.43, and which said amount is now in our hands, the residue received on the aforesaid bond of the citizens of the village of Caro, and ready to be applied in full payment to the contractors whenever your honorable body shall have accepted the building and this our report, and instructed us to do in the final discharge of our duty. RECAPITULATION. Received cash from county treasurer...... $12,000 "' order on " "....... 350 "( on bond of citizens of Caro..... 3,000 $15,350 Paid Howell & Ale on contract........ $14,576.57 Balance due on contract and extras as authorized by the board of supervisors, when accepted....................... 773.43 $15,350 "We have further respectfully to report to your honorable body that when the time came to construct the desks for the judge and clerk in the court-room, in referring to the detail drawings and specifications in the contract therefor, it did appear to your committee that the character and style of architecture came far short of forming a respectable appearance with the general architectural finish of the building throughout, and especially that of the courtroom, and therefore felt justifiable in suggesting to the contractors the propriety of procuring from Messrs. Porter & Watkins such I I ra.:::: -I::- H:r: S:: W;:a 0:7 I -F : i =7 - N:7777i I:I: S: id 0 f fff t f:: 0 0 LD; He 'ltSX is:S An:; l — $: 6f HEISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 15 _ _I detail drawings for the desks as would be fully appropriate and in keeping with style of architecture to the general character of the building, having, at the same time, special regard in their structure to the ease and convenience of officers using the same. Upon which suggestion the contractors have acted, and, as they inform us, at an extra expense of $100, with which your committee feel perfectly satisfied, and most respectfully recommend that your honorable body provide for its payment. And in so doing, we feel that we, as a building committee, and you, as the controlling body in the county, in the premises, will be but doing simple justice to two most worthy gentlemen, who in every particular have, to our entire satisfaction, succeeded in erecting a building in every sense equal to the undertaking." The building committee consisted of Messrs. Alson Greenfield, E. W. Gerrish, R. R. Atwood and James Wright. The new court-house was then accepted in full by a vote of the board, and its use for county purposes authorized. The erection of the court-house closed the last chapter in the county-seat history, so far as its location was concerned, and provided the county with a much-needed and creditable building, without imposing any hardship upon the tax payers. THE JAIL. In accordance with the usual custom in new counties, the jail of a neighboring county was used for the confinement of prisoners, until a suitable building could be provided. This county, however, delayed the building of a jail longer than is usually the case. At the October session of the board of supervisors, in 1877, it was voted to build a jail, and to raise the sum of $8,000, one-half by tax and the other half by loan, for that purpose, the question to be submitted to the electors of the several townships at the annual election in 1878. The action of the board was ratified at the April election, and at a meeting of the board, April 24, 1878, a building committee was appointed, consisting of C. R. Selden, L. D. Haines, William MIcKay, William B. Waldo and James W. Spencer. Bonds of the county to the amount of $4,000 were issued, and May 28, the contract was let to Messrs. Howell & Ale, for the sum of $8,800. The building was erected during the year, and accepted by the board at the January session in 1879. The lots on which the jail was built were donated by the late Samuel P. Sherman. COUNTY POOR FARM. This property of the county, comprising 160 acres of excellent farming land, is situated in the south part of Aimer Township. The land is under a good state of cultivation, and the buildings are extensive and substantial. The houseis a large brick structure, and was built in 1873. COUNTY OFFICERS. 1850.-Leander W. Van Kleeck, sheriff; William Harrison, clerk; E. W. Perry, treasurer; Townsend North, register of deeds; Hiram S. Penoyer, prosecuting attorney; 0. A. Gibbs, judge of probate; Joshua D. Smith, county surveyor. 1852.-Jamnes Saunders, sheriff; William Johnson, clerk; Samuel North, treasurer: William Johnson, register of deeds; John Moore, prosecuting attorney; D. G. Wilder, judge of probate; Joshua D. Smith, county surveyor, 1854.-Jobn Perry, sheriff; John Johnson, clerk; David Atwood, treasurer; William Johnson, registerof deeds; John Moore, prosecuting attorney; D. G. Wilder, judge of probate; A. Judson Slafter, county surveyor. 1856.-John V. Hafrrison, sheriff; John Johnson, clerk; Daniel G. Wilder, treasurer; John Johnson, register of deeds; John J. Wheeler, prosecuting attorney; David G. Slafter, judge of probate; A. Judson Slafter, county surveyor. 1858.-Ira C. Kibbe, sheriff; John Johnson, clerk; Daniel G. Wilder, treasurer; John Johnson, register of deeds; Benj. W. Huston, prosecuting attorney; David G. Slafter, judge of probate; David E. Cranston, county surveyor. 1860.-Chas. R. Selden, sheriff; Frederick Bourns, clerk; Alson Greenfield, treasurer; Theophilus Baldwin, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; Lyman J. Gorbin, county surveyor. 1862.-Sabin Gibbs, sheriff; Frederick Bourns, clerk; Alson Greenfield, treasurer; Theophilus Baldwin, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; Emanuel Staley, county surveyor. 1864.-Peltiah M. Case, sheriff; Frederick Bourns, clerk; Sabin Gibbs, treasurer; Theophilus Baldwin, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; Emanuel Staley, county surveyor. 1866.-Benj. F. Richards, sheriff; Jefferson J. Wilder, clerk; Sabin Gibbs, treasurer; Isaac R. Jameson, register of deeds; Daniel G. Wilder, prosecuting attorney; Chas. B. Mills, judge of probate; David E. Cranson, county surveyor. 1868.-Tiffany Nettleton, sheriff; Jefferson J. Wilder, clerk; Sabin Gibbs, treasurer; Isaac R. Jameson, register of deeds; John P. Hoyt, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of probate; David E. Cranson, counlty surveyor. 1870.-Tiffany Nettleton, sheriff; Jefferson J. Wilder, clerk; Joseph Gamble, treasurer; Franklin A. Goodell, register of deeds; John P. Hoyt, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of probate; John Staley, county surveyor. 1872.-Jas. H. Cumings, sheriff; Cameron C. Stoddard, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; Jas. W. Spencer, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of probate; Travis Leach, county surveyor. 1874.-Jas. H. Cumings, sheriff; Cameron C. Stoddard, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; Jas. W. Spencer, register of deeds; Henry P. Atwood, prosecuting attorney; Myron D. Orr, judge of probate; Travis Leach, county surveyor. 1876.-John A. McPherson, sheriff; Nathan M. Richardson, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; John Staley, Jr., register of deeds; Rafus P. Edson, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; Geo. B. Felton, county surveyor. 1878. —John A. McPherson, sheriff; Nathan M. Richardson, clerk; Wm. M. Rogers, treasurer; John Staley, Jr., register of deeds; Rufus P. Edson, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; Geo. B. Felton, county surveyor. 1880.-Morgan A. Jones, sheriff; Nathan M. Richardson, clerk; Chas. R. Selden, treasurer; Edwin G. Fox, register of deeds; Rufus P. Edson, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; John A. Terkey, county surveyor. 1882. —Wm. McKay, sheriff; Edward R. Cookingham, clerk; Chas. R. Selden, treasurer; Edwin G. Fox, register of deeds; Edward H. Taylor, prosecuting attorney; Wm. Johnson, judge of probate; John A. Terkey, county surveyor. REPRESENTATIVES. The following is a list of representatives to the State legislature from Tuscola County, elected in the years named: 1850, Alanson Calkins; 1852, Paschal Richardson; 1854, Henry P. Atwood; 1856, Wallace R. Bartlett; 1858, Paschal Rich ardson; 1860, C. C. Stoddard; 1862, D. G. Slafter; 1864, J. D Lewis; 1866, Alson Greenfield; 1868, B. W. Huston, Jr.; 1870, B. W. Huston, Jr., re-elected; 1872, John P. Hoyt; 1874, John P. Hoyt, re-elected; 1876, Chas. B. Mills; 1878, Geo. H. Granger; 1880, Geo. H. Granger, re-elected; 1882, First District, Eleazer B. Hayes; Second District, Cyrenius P. Black. t __ 7101 C*- - - Anda 1 IZW -------- --- - -1 -!" ' O 1 16 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. r 16 CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS. 1854, Harry Joslin; 1856, Henry P. Atwood; 1858, Benj. W. Huston; 186(, Henry P. Atwood; 1862, J. Dennison Lewis; 1864, Mark D. Seeley; 1866, Benj. W. Huston, Jr.; 1868, Mark D. Seeley; 1870, Alonzo B. Markham; 1872, Alonzo B. Markham; 1874, Edward H. Taylor; 1876, William A. Rose; 1878, Fred. S. Wheat; 1880, Fred. S. Wheat and Alonzo B. Markham; 1882, Geo. F. Getty andl Henry S. Hadrall. COUNTY OFFICERS IN 1883. Following are personal sketches of present officers of Tuscola County: WILLIAM McKAY, sheriff, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, September 9, 1810. In the spring of 1851 ie emigrated to America and settled in Lapeer County, where he remained twenty years. During his residence in that county he interested himself actively in local politics and held several offices, the duties of which he administered satisfactorily. In 1875 he bought the Hurd farm in D'ayton, Tuscola County. He held the office of supervisor from that town six consecutive terms. In the fall of 1882 he was elected to his present office on the Rupublican ticket, and thus far has performed the duties of his office to the satisfaction of all concerned. As a farmer, Mr. McKay ranks among the most successful in the county, being the owner of 400 acres of excellent land, 200 acres of which compose his homefarm. He is' well known as an active Republican and a man of irreproachable character. EDWARD R. COOKINGHAM, clerk of Tuscola County, is a native of Chautauqua County, New York, where he was brought up on a farm. In 1868 he left there and came to Tuscola County, buying a farm in the township of Almner. He continued on the farm until 1882, when he was elected clerk of the county. He represented his township for some six years on the board of supervisors, was township clerk one year, and county superintendent of the poor three years. Was inalrried in 1864 and has two children. Rents his farm and lives in the village of Caro. In addition to farming, Mr. Cookingham has lumbered, cutting his own timber at times and jobbing for other parties. CHARLES R,. SELDEN, county treasurer, was born in Redford. Wayne County, Mich., March 7, 1832. His parents were from Vermont, to which State they returned, but afterward came back, and settled at Brownstown, Wayne County, Mich. In 1852 they came to Dellmark- Tuscola Coulnty, his father being virtually the first settler in that township. Thne son was educated in the township schools and at the high-school in Ypsilanti. Mr. Selden lived on his farm in Denmark until 1880, wshen he was elected county treasurer. He then came to Caro. In 1882 he was re-elected. He was supervisor for Denmark for eighteen years, sheriff of the county two years, and has also held a number of township offices. HIe was married in 1856, to Ellen E. Miller, a native of Vermont. They have one child, a daughter. Tle Caro derl(Itetisser avdto Citi_-ev of December 28, 1882, says: "lCharles R. Selden, who for the past two years has handled thefinances of the county, will continue to handle them for the coining two years. That he has made a good official, and pleasing to the public, is evident from his re-election by the largest majority of any one on the county ticket, therefore, it is needless for us to enter into any eulogy of his many excellent qualities." EDiWIN G. FOX, register of deeds of Tuscola County, was born March 14, 1848, in Oxford County, Ontario, where his parents had moved from the State of New York to engage in business. When he was about six years old, they left Canada and settled in Lapeer County, Michigan, and in 1856 removed to the part of Vassar Township, Tuscola County, now called Fremont, where they en gaged in farming. Mr. Fox's business experience began with his eighteenth year, when he was employed in mercantile work as clerk, continuing in the employ of various merchants until 1876, when he engaged in trade in Mayville, which he has continued to the present time. He has a-large store and extensive stock of general merchandise, requiring the attention of three men to attend to the wants of his patrons. He makes all purchases himself, and keeps a careful eye on the management and welfare of his business. Being a shrewd, careful and withal an enterprising business man, he ha-s rapidly and safely extended his trade, and is taking a front rank among the solid men of the county. His business career began with a capital of $600, this being the total sum with- which he began business in 1876. Mr. Fox was for six years township clerk of Fremont. Recognizing his careful business capacity and careful and exact methods, the people in 1880 elected him register of deeds of the county, to which office he was re-elected in 1882. The duties of a register are clerical mostly, yet it requires a moan who can expedite business when necessary, and also "put himself out" somewhat, as the expression is, to accommodate. These necessary characteristics Mr. Fox possesses il an eminent degree. A practical, careful business man, he has made the public his friends, while performing the duties of his office with punctuality, exactness and a strict observance of law, no light task for a public man. MIr. Fox is married and has one child. His present residence is in the village of Caro. EDWARD H. TAYLOR, attorney at law, Vassar, and county prosecuting attorney, is a native of England and was born at Lyth, near Lake Windermere, in 1843. At nine years of age he came to America with his, parents and located at Ransomville, Niagara County, N. Y. He remained at home working on the farm and attending school until-the 8th of August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth New York Volunteer Infantry., and on the 22d of the same mouth was mustered in at Camp Church, Lockport, N. Y. From there the regiment marched to Baltimore, Md., and occupied Forts Federal Hill, McHenry and Marshall, and till December, 1862, were drilled in infantry and artillery practice by a United States officer, after which the regiment, by order of the War lepartment, was transferred to the Eighth New York- Artillery a full regiment of twelve batteries. During 1863 he was prcmoted to drill sergeant and was commissioned second lieutenant in October, 1864, and placed in charge of the ordnance department of Baltimore. In front of Petersburg, January 1, 1865, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and February 14, 1865 was breveted captain. During the month of May, 1864, the regiment in command of Col. P. A. Porter, was ordered to join Gen. Grant in the Wilderness, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac, Gen. Hancock conmanding, and participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Ream Station, Petersburg, Crow Forts, Long Bridge, Farmville, aud was in the front line of battle on the 9th day of April when Gen. Lee surrendered. On the 25th of June following the regiment was lustered out, and by an order of the War Depar rtment, Capt. Taylor was placed in command of Comupany E, of the Tenth New York Zouaves, which was m1ustered out on the 10th of July, 1865, in New York City. Returning home he engaged in mercantile business one and a half years, when he was burned out and sustained a heavy loss. He afterward taught school and read law till April 14, 1872, when he cane to Vassar and at the June term of the circuit court-Judge Lovell presiding- was admitted to the bar. He practiced law till 1874, when he was elected circuit court commissioner, holding thee office two years, since which time he has practiced his profession J:: __ - IA 0 N I 0 a ~*:: a n i:, ii — a,sp: -8 I I -s -a B,9 9 r ~_ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 17 and has also done a large real estate and insurance business. In the fall of 1882 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Tuscola County and has served the village of Vassar in the capacity of trustee, village attorney, secretary of the school board and trustee of the district. Since 1872 Mr. Taylor has been actively engaged in politics and for the past six years has been chairman of the Republican county committee. He has also been largely interested in farming and clearing up lands. WILLIAM JOHNSON, M. D., probate judge, was born at Charnwood, in the county of Surrey, England. His parents emigrated to the United States when he was but a boy, and located at Pittsford, Monroe County, N. Y., in the year 1834. In 1844 they removed to Armada, Macomb County, Mich., in which county his mother died in the year 1863, his father dying some two years after at his son's residence in Tuscola County. Dr. Johnson came to Vassar in 1851, where he has resided ever since, save one year in Tuscola village. In 1842 he commenced the study of medicine in the State of New York, continuing it-after his removal to Michigan. Since he settled in Vassar he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, until within the last four or five years. In 1858 he and his brother James started a drug store, with which he was connected for a number of years. He sold his interest to the brother, and the business is now (1883) continued by his brother's widow. This was the first drug store in the county. Dr. Johnson has held a number of public positions. Under the United States government he was pension examiner and held the office from 1866 to 1883, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. He was also draft examiner during the war. In 1852 he was elected register of deeds and county clerk, the two offices being combined. During his term of office the records of the county were transcribed, in doing which the books of Lapeer and Saginaw Counties had to be carefully copied so far as they referred to the territory composing Tuscola County was concerned, the latter being at one time connected with the two former ones for judicial purposes. In Vassar he has been connected with the management of Union School District No. 1 for twenty-one consecutive years, also town and village clerk, highway commissioner, etc. In 1876 he was elected judge of probate for a term of four years, and in 1880 was re-elected. Dr. Johnson was one of the founders of the Tuscola County Agricultural Society, and was for a number of years president of it. He has also been an active member of the Farmers' Club, and also president of the same. He is a practical farmer, having a farm in Vassar Township, and is also much interested in stock raising. He has a fine herd of Durhams, or Shorthorns, fourteen in number, also a Holstein. His own driving horse is a thoroughbred Hambletonian. He was married January 19, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth E. Harrison, daughter of Dennis Harrison, who settled in Tuscola County in 1837. Mr. Harrison died September 4, 1881, and Mrs. Sarah M. Harrison, his widow,, resides with her son-in-law, Dr. Johnson. She is now eighty-seven years of age. RETROSPECTIVE. An interesting retrospective view is obtained from the following article, written by William A. Heartt, of Wahjamega: "The wide spread reputation that attaches to our county as being a first-class farming section is of long standing and had its inception as far back as the time when the government of the State I was yet territorial. Being sufficiently elevated and rolling to afford ready drainage, though seldom approaching to what might be called hilly; with a rich and varied soil, never failing supply of good, living water, abundance of timber for all practical purposes, HIS,,,,! ' i,:.-::0 combined with an equable climate, tempered by the waters of the Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron, rendered it highly attractive to the appreciative seekers after permanent homes in the past, and with the many added advantages which time-has brought in the way of churches, schools, the press, and all they imply, is making it more sought after to-day than ever before by a class of people we are glad to have as neighbors. "Previous to the year 1835 the territory embraced within the present limits of our county was wholly the property of the government, and the hunting ground of the aborigines and trapper. By referring to the tract book it appears that entries were first made in 1835 by D. Harrison, E. Ellis and others in the present township of Tuscola for purposes of settlement, and during the years of 1835-'36 some two thousand more entries were made by outside parties for purposes of speculation evidently, but the disastrous 'commercial revulsion which overwhelmed the country in 1887 had the effect to almost wholly defer operations in Tuscola County lands for other purposes for the long period of ten or more years. The year 1850 tnarks the period when it may be said the county commenced having its steady, uninterrupted and healthy growth and development. The construction of what was long designated the 'White Bridge' over the Cass River at Bridgeport on the Saginaw turnpike, by Mr. North, the payment for which work was made in State lands, led to the selection of several sections of land in the at present township of Juniata; viz: sections 17, 18, 19, 20, and 30 in 1848, also the present site of the village of Vassar, including the valuable water privilege which was immediately improved by Messrs. North and Edmunds, and through their enterprise was made the entering wedge for opening up to settlement all that portion of the country lying north and west of the Cass. A large proportion of the better class of farming lands in the townships of Tuscola, Vassar, Denmark, Juniata and Indian Fields had become appropriated as early as 1852 and 1853, at which time emigration had commenced to penetrate the county on the south side of the Cass, through the towns of Watertown and Millington. "To the earlier settlers the interval from 1835 to 1850 was attended with many hardships and privations, and called for persistent struggles to secure the necessities of life, rendered so, largely, by reason of the long distances to market and absence of anything like an approach to good roads. "As early as 1852 the lumbering operations on the Cass had assumed such proportions as to work an entire relief to the settler who had previously found it so difficult to make sale of his products. A home market was established at prices frequently in excess of those governing outside by more than the difference of cost for transportation, and it became a very frequent occurrence for the farmer after having effected a sale to the lumbermen of the surplus products of the farm, to engage for the service of himself and team, likewise his wife and family, in the camp during the winter following. This state of things continued for many years, and it was only within a few years past that the lumbering operations have become so curtailed as to fail to provide winter employment for all the surplus labor of men and teams. "The rapid growth and development of the county during the past thirty years is largely attributed to the favoring circumstances attending the removal of forest product. The Cass River pine had a reputation beyond that of any and all other known lumber dis tricts, and millions of feet of the product of other localities have found ready sales in markets like Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis from being represented as 'Cass River.',"We reach the close of the third decade in the growth of the county at 1880, and to those who have been called to take an active part in bringing about results already secured, retrospect is Is -- -IV 1* 1 -' Mi.-. --:* I 18 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA- COUNTY. 18: t - - - - - - - - - -- Subsequently other names were added, among which were pleasiab le and offers much of encouragement and hope for the future." COUNTY SOCIETIES. TUSCOLA COUNTY PIONEER SOCIETY. Tuscola County has an unusually large number of enterprising and intelligent pioneers who have a true conception of. their duty to posterity in transmitting the story of early settlement experience and development. For purposes of mutual enjoyment and co-operation in this work, it was decided to organize a county pioneer society. On the 4th day of December, 1873, a few gentlemen met at the office of Hon. B. W. Huston, in Vassar, pursuant to notice, inviting the early settlers of Tuscola County who had been residents of the county twenty years or more to be present and consider the propriety of forming a pioneer society. A committee was appointed on permanent organization, consisting of William H. Harrison, F. Bourns, P. McGlone, Sabin Gibbs, David June and Samuel Atwood; also a committee on by-laws, consisting of W. A. Heartt, T. North, D. G. Slafter, L. D. Haines, C. R. Selden, D. P. Hinson. The next meeting was held at Vassar, January 15, 1874, when the society was fully formed. The constitution adopted was in part as follows: ART. 1. The name shall be The Tuscola County Pioneer So ciety. ART. 2. The object of this society shall be to retain and hand down to those that come after us, incidents and matters of interest in the early settlement of our county and to re-unite in social and friendly association as many as possible of the early settlers, who in their zeal or judgment saw in the location, soil, timber and other natural advantages sufficient to hope for the building up of a rich and prosperous county. And now, after twenty years or more since some of us pitched our tents here, we desire to form this union for the object above expressed. ART. 3. The officers of this society shall be a president, a vicepresident from each town in the county, a secretary and treasurer, with an executive committee composed of the above ramed officers, of which committee seven may constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. ART. 4. Every person who subscribes or may subscribe to this constitution, and has been a resident of this county twenty years or more, and pays to the treasurer of this society the sum of fifty cents per annum in advance, will be.entitled to membership, unless otherwise ordered at a meeting of this society. The. fee of life membership shall be $5. The constitution was adopted unanimously and signed by the following persons, with the year in which they became residents of this county: 1835, Edwin Ellis; 1837, Lovira Hart; 1837, W. H. Harrison; 1840, John L. Miller; 1849, T. North; 1849, John Popp; 1850, J. D. Smith, Chancey Firman, George H. Smith, C. R. Selden, Sylvester Black, T. H. Lake, E. E. Brainerd; 1851, William Johnson, A. N. Rowland, William Butler, M. D. North, P. McGlone, Thomas Martin; 1853, James Gould, F. Bourns. The officers elected were as follows: President, Townsend North. Vice-presidents: Lovira Hart, Tuscola; H. G. Hinkley, Arbela; F. Bourns, Vassar; P. McGlone, Juniata; William A. Heartt, Indian Fields; David June, Almer; Samuel Atwood, Millington; Lovias Hinson, Fair Grove; C. R. Selden, Denmark; Abraham Vandemark, Akron; H. C. Marvin, Columbia; T. W. Briggs, Watertown; William Turner, Fremont; Lorenzo Hurd, Daytoin; John D. Hays, Gilford; S. S. Carson, Wisner; D. W. Leonard, Geneva; James Wright, Wells; Joseph Dodge, Ellington; E. S. White, Elmwood; J. C. Laing, Elkland; William S. Brown, Novesta; A. R. King, Kingston; Alexander Hunter, Koylton. Secretary, William Johnson, Vassar. Treasurer, W. H. Harrison, Tusco0la. Subsequently other names were added, among which were those of John V. Harrison, E. Davis, James H. Davis, Dennis Harrison, Sarah Harrison, Electas B. Harrison, Daniel W. Harrison, Martin L. Miller, E. W. Perry; all of whom settled in the county prior to the year 1840. The first 'reunion was held at the village of Tuscola, August 19, 1874. These reunions are held every year and are uniformly well attended. The officers in 1883 are as follows: President, Lovira Hart; secretary, Dr. William Johnson; treasurer, John Baker. There are about two hundred and fifty members. The death roll, however, is being lengthened and the time is not distant when the fathers and mothers of Tuscola County will have passed away and the story of their pioneer life can then no longer be gathered from their lips. The following persons have been president of the societyv: Townsend North, J. H. Richardson, W. H. Heartt, W. H. Harrison, W. M. Rogers, Lovira Hart. Dr. William Johnson has held the office of secretary since the organization of the society. Annual reunions have been held at Tuscola, Vassar, Watrousville, Wahjamega, Caro, Millington. The death roll contains the following names: Edwin Ellis, William Butler, Thomas Martin, C. C. Stoddard, Calvin Lee, Samuel P. Sherman, Jacob Winchel, Rev. I. J. B. McKinney, J. A. Hamilton, Ebenezer Davis, David Atwood, Dennis Harrison, Orville Gillett, E. B. Harrison, Paschal Richardson, Daniel D. Dopking, E. W. Perry, James Johnson of Vassar, Owen Pierce, William Fenner, Andrew McFarlin, J. G. Belknap, J. H. Hopkins, Daniel Kenyon, Alva Andrews, Lucinda Gorton, Parsis G. Slafter, John A. Hayes, Hervey Harrington, Henry S. Russell, John Walton, A. J. Rogers, J. D. Smith, A. Cottrell, James Johnson of Tuscola, Mrs. Parsis Slafter, Hugh Maxwell, King Allen, Ezra Tripp, D. P. Hinson, Joseph Hall, Mrs. Henry Goff, Willard Honsinger, Mrs. John Miller, Mrs. Ebenezer Davis, Mrs. Alfred Tivey, Horace Parsell, William Wilcox, Mrs. Sarah Allen, Mrs. James Luce, John Chamberlain, Robert Wilmot, William Ward. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. January 27, 1866, were filed in the office of the county clerk the articles of association of " The Tuscola County Agricultural Society." The objects of the association as therein stated were " the encouragement and advancement of agriculture, manufactures and the mechanic arts, by means of annual fairs, and the distribution of useful knowledge upon these subjects. These articles were acknowledged January 8, 1866, and were signed by thirty-one citizens of Tuscola County. The meeting to effect an organization, had been held January 8th at Vassar, at which forty-five persons were present, and the following officers had been elected: William King, president; J. D. Lewis, secretary; A. P. Cooper, treasurer. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.-Price Camprell, Fair Grove; B. A. Wood, Juniata; William McPhail, Almer; T. North, Vassar; E. E. Godfrey, Fremont. AUDITORS.-B. W. Huston, Jr., Vassar; Joseph Gamble, Indian Fields. VICE-PRESIDENTS.-R. S. Weaver, Juniata; C. C. Stoddard, Fair Grove; J. Sanders, Denmark; D. M. Orr, Aimer; S. R. Cross, Indian Fields; H. Hobert, Gilford; M. V. Kellogg, Vassar. The executive committee held a meeting at Watrousville in April and decided to hold the annual fair at that place for the term of five years, on the condition that the citizens of the place superintended the fitting up of the grounds and donated to the society the sum of $250, which, togetherwith a like sum from the society, should be expended in preparing the grounds for the fair. This L _. _ __ _ rrYII 71r - I7 - -11 O Q _.. If L HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 19 - - proposition was accepted. A lot containing eight acres was leased of P. McGlone, and the work of making the necessary improvements begun at once. The first fair was held October 4th and 5th, 1866, and was considered a pronounced success, although preceded by several weeks of wet weather. The number of entries was 280, and the receipts $522.35. The second fair was held October 1st, 2nd and 3d, 1867. The total receipts were $668.50, and the list of members had increased to 500. The receipts from all sources during the year were $819.49, and the total amount paid out was $784.80. The secretary's report for 1867 states that 156,000 bushels of wheat were raised in the county from 10,000 acres of ground. Of corn it was estimated that 210,000 bushels were harvested from 6,000 acres. The manufacturing interests of the county were reviewed as follows: i The manufactures of our county are lumber, shingles, farm implements and leather, to which we shall soon add woolen. There are upwards of twenty sawmills in the county, producing 10,000,000 feet of lumber annually, and perhaps as many shingle mills, producing as many million shingles, besides a large amount manufactured by hand. At Smith & Graham's basket factory, Vassar, 14,000 baskets have been made during the past year, besides a large quantity of wooden bowls, patent grain sowers, clothes reels, bed springs, etc. This establishment in the busy season employs eight men. There are two foundries in the county, Meehan's, at Vassar, and'Parker's, at Centerville. These are employed chiefly making plows, cultivators, scrapers, and some of the simpler kinds of machinery. The manufacture of new work and repairing at the Vassar foundry has amounted to $6,000 during the past season. One of the most successful establishments in the county is the tannery of Barker, Ripley & Co. This firm have tanned during the past season 400 sheep skins, 400 kips, 1,000 calf skins and 3,000 cows hides. They peeled for use 350 cords of bark, and constantly employ one team and six men. The capital invested is supposed to be not far from $10,000. This business is undoubtedly one of the most remunerative that can be prosecuted in the county. The immense quantities of bark and other facilities which our county offers ought to induce others to embark in this business. There is a tannery at Centerville and another at Tuscola which does a good deal of business, but we are not apprised of its full extent. "During the past season Townsend North commenced the establishment of a woolen factory at Vassar. The immediate desideratum aimed at was to furnish the people of the county wool carding facilities, without the expense and trouble of going abroad. This was accomplished and about 11,000 pounds of wool carded. " Machinery has also been imported and set up for coloring, fulling,'dressing and pressing cloth, and a considerable work of this kind has been very satisfactorily accomplished." The third fair was held September 29th and 30th and October 1st, 1868. Number of entries, 353, and total receipts' for the year, $866.37. Total expenditures, $702.57. The wheat crop for 1868 was estimated to average twenty bushels per acre, corn forty bushels, and oats forty bushels. The season as a whole was considered favorable. The season of 1869 was reported as being unfavorable to farming. Wheat averaged about eighteen bushels per acre, corn was a partial failure, but oats good, averaging thirty-eight bushels per acre. The annual fair was held October 7th and 8th. Number of entries, 538; receipts for the year, $970.55, and balance of cash on hand, $154.70. In 1870 the society purchased twelve acres of ground one mile north of Watrousville, for which seven hundred dollars was paid. i - The fair was attended with good success. The principal feature of the season was the prevailing drouth. The season of 1871 was reported by the secretary as being favorable for farmers. The average yield of wheat was estimated at twenty bushels to the acre. A new cheese factory at Unionville and a foundry at Watrousville were reported. Of the loss to farmers by forest fires he said: " A few buildings were burned, but aside from the timber the greatest loss to the farmer is undoubtedly in the destruction of fences. Buildings and fences will soon be replaced, and we may hope that the loss of timber may eventually result in bringing a greater number of acres of our rich soil into cultivation, confirming in some degree the truth of the old adage, that ' there is no great loss without some small gain.' " The annual fair was held on the new grounds at Watrousville, October 3d, 4th and 5th. The receipts were about the same as the year previous. The season of 1872 was diversified. Wheat in the northern part of the county was nearly a failure, but fair in the southern towns. The average yield was about fifteen bushels per acre, though of inferior quality. Corn was good, averaging forty bushels per acre, and oats about the same. The fair was held September 25th, 26th and 27th, with usually good success. The season of 1873 was reported as void of any unusual feature. The spring was late and the summer dry, followed by a wet and stormy autumn. Wheat was of uncommonly fine quality, and the average yield about twenty bushels per acre. Oats were below the average and potatoes a poor crop. A new hall was built on the fair grounds at a cost of nine hundred dollars.. The annual fair was reported as one of the most successful ever held. The entries numbered 587. The report of the year 1874 states that the season was one of unusual dryness. Water became so scarce as to cause great inconvenience. The average yield of wheat did not exceed fifteen bushels per acre. Oats yielded about forty bushels per acre. Hay was an average crop. The annual fair was reported successful. The fair in 1875 was held late in September, and with respect to receipts and number of entries was in advance of the previous year. The season generally was more favorable to farming than that of 1874. The season of 1876 was not favorable. Wheat averaged about fourteen bushels per acre, corn about thirty bushels, and oats were below the average. The fair was held September 27th, 28th and 29th. Number of entries, 677; total receipts during the year, $1,008.76; members of the society, 434. Secretary Hayes, in his report for 1877, said: "The year 1877 commenced with a cold January, followed by a warm, dry February. March, as usual, was cold and stormy, and April warm and pleasant. The first half of May was cool and dry; the latter part of May and first of June dry, and changeable from cool to unusually warm. July and August were favorable to the growth of nearly all kinds of grain. All products were an average or large crop. Our people are awakening to the fact that poor farming don't pay. Wheat is being more extensively cultivated than all other grain crops combined. The average yield per acre was about twenty-five bushels, and of good quality. Tuscola County harvested the past season 21,400 acres of wheat. If we are correct in our estimate of the average yield per acre, it gives us a total for the county of 535,000 bushels. We cannot compete with the older settled portion of the State, in number of acres sown or bushels raised, but north of the four southern tiers of counties, Tuscola County stands at the head. I i I I ii i J A FS I,:_ I -I I S *^::~ *"-:I 20,. 20: 1 _ _ L/- %. HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I i iI "There are only two cheese factories in the county; one at or near Mayville, and the other at Unionville." The fair of 1877 was held September 26th, -27th and 28th. Number of entries, 826; premiums awarded to the amount of $547.10; number of members of the society, 701. In his report for the year 1878- the secretary estimated the average yield of wheat to be about fifteen bushels per acre; oats and corn below the average. With reference to the society he said: "During the past year we have added to the number of horse stalls, extended the cattle sheds, and constructed comfortable seats near to and facing the ring for exhibition of stock. "We are free from debt, with a small surplus on hand." The fair was held on the first three days of October, with unusually fine weather throughout. The sale at the treasurer's office of 700 family tickets, makes a good showing and a grand record of the Tuscola County Agricultural Society. The annual fair for 1879 was held the 1st, 2d and 3d of October. The attendance was large and the entries numbered about twelve hundred, far exceeding any previous year. The society expended about $175 in improvements on the grounds. The secretary in his report says that the spring was early and about the 10th of May a severe drouth began. Fires spread over the forests but the damage was not general. June ran to extremes in heat and cold, mercury being at freezing on the 7th, and up to ninety-two degrees on the 29th. July was changeable, and a frost the 17th of August killed buckwheat, corn and vines in several localities. Wheat averaged about twenty bushels per acre of fine quality; corn was below the average, and oats a fair crop. The season of 1880 was not marked by any remarkable features. The crop of wheat was fair in quantity, but rains during harvest time reduced the average in quality. Oats and corn were good. The fair in 1881 was held on the 5th, 6th and 7th of October, being nearly a week later than usual on account of the district fair at Saginaw. The weather, with the exception of being cool in the morning, was remarkably fine throughout. Nearly 1,200 entries were made. 790 membership tickets and 2,500 gate tickets were sold. report of January, 1883, as follows: "There are some very good reasons why the fair cannot be successfully kept up in its present locality. When we think of the many county and district societies that have met with failures within the last few years, and others that are struggling under a heavy indebtedness, we are inclined to think Tuscola County cannot sustain more than two fairs, and we have at the present time three organizations of this kind, with good prospects for another, if the old society retains its present locality. Caro, only seven miles above us, having convenient grounds, well fenced, with commodious buildings, is in good shape for holding fairs; and Vassar, only a few miles below us, will soon be prepared to vie with Caro. The question then will be, or now is, can the old society stand between and compete with the two new organizations?" The treasurer's report for the year 1882 shows a balance of cash on hand amounting to $264.41. It was decided to remove the fair to Vassar. Favorable arrangements were made for the use of Recreation Park, and the work of fitting up buildings, etc., is in progress during the summer of 1883. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. YEAR. 1883. 1882. 1881. 1880. 1879. 1878. 1877. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871. 1870. 1869. 1868. 1867. 1866. PRESIDENT. Wm Johnson. Wm. Johnson. Wmn. Johnson. Wm. Johnson. Wm. Johnson. Wm. Johnson. Wm. Johnson. Wm. Johnson. Wm. Johnson. Wm. Johnson. J. Q. A. Burrington. C. R. Selden. Townsend North. Asa B. Weaver. Asa B. Weaver. B. A. Wood. Wm. King. Wm. King. SECRETARY. E. B. Hayes. E. B. Hayes. B. B. Hayes. E. B. Hayes. E. B. Hayes. E. B. Hayes. E. B. Hayes. E. B. Hayes. C. C. Stoddard. C. C. Stoddard. C. C. Stoddard. C. C. Stoddard. C.-C. Stoddard. C. C. Stoddard. C. C. Stoddard. J. D. Lewis. J. D. Lewis. J. D. Lewis. TREASURER. John M. Cole. John M. Cole. John M. Cole. John Walton. John Walton. John Walton. John Walton. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. R. C. Burtis. A. P. Cooper.; vk I I r 3 I I `a c l.i In speaking of the season of 1881 the secretary said: "The past year will long be remembered as one of unusual dryness. At first the growing crops and vegetation of all kinds warned the farmer that it was getting dry. And it continued, bringing to our minds the language of the young grammarian-dry, dryer, dryest. This was followed by streams, wells, and -springs giving out that had never failed before, occasioning great inconvenience on account of the scarcity of water for stock and other purposes. Many have deepened their wells, and some obtained flowing wells which will undoubtedly be a lasting blessing, especially in seasons like the past." Wheat was reported a poor crop, the yield being not more than ten bushels per acre. Corn was also poor; oats were about an average crop. The fair of 1882 was held on the 4th, 5th and 6th of October, with weather more like July or August than October. The entries in Division A were 250, in Division B, 171, in Division C, 1,123, and in Division D, 77, making a total of 1,621. The wheat crop was reported as being above the average: corn and oats good, though oats and wheat were damaged by excessive rains in August. The question of location has been one of annoyance to the society, and its prosperity has been endangered by the organization of district societies. The secretary alludes to this matter in his COUNTY TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE. The Michigan State Temperance Alliance, on the 31st of August, 1881, appointed Rev. E. B. Suttonits county agent. On his invitation, Capt. J. C. Bauticue visited the county in January, 1882, organizing the first branch on the 9th, at Ellington, with twenty-three charter members. He visited Caro on the 10th, Watrousville the 1 th, and Vassar the 12th. Some twenty township organizations were rapidly formed by him, after which a county convention was called, to meet at Caro. At this convention Rev. E. P. Clark was elected president of the County Alliance; John Staley, Jr. secretary, and Rev. E. B. Sutton, treasurer. A vice president was elected from each township in the county. The organization at present numbers some six hundred members, and is a powerful factor in temperance work through the county. SOLDIERS ASSOCIATION. May 26th, 1882, about seventy ex-soldiers met at the courthouse, in the village of Caro, and arranged preliminaries for the organization of a society to be known as the Tuscola County Association of the Soldiers of the War of 1861. At a subsequent meeting, an organization was completed by the adopion of by-laws and the election of officers. The by-laws provided that any honorably discharged soldier could become a member of this association by subscribing the roster, giving age, rank, company, regiment, and residence, and paying to the secretary the annual due of twenty-five t 4 - (I An:: A::0:0: A: 0r - I I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 21 -0I cents. The time for holding meetings to be the last Tuesday in April, in each year. The officers elected were a follows: President, Col. J. H. Richardson. Vice President, Capt. J. J. Wilder. Treasurer, Maj. B. W. Huston. Secretary, Sergt. N. M. Richardson. Chaplain, Private J. M. Getchel. Surgeon, Capt. D. S. Stevens. The, association has a membership of about one hundred. The officers in 1883 are the same as those first elected. JUDICIAL HISTORY. BY HON. B. W. HUSTON. Tuscola County was organized in 1850. and the circuit court for Saginaw County given jurisdiction over the same. No business, however, was transacted in the circuit court under the foregoing provision. In 1851 the State was divided into eight judicial districts, the seventh being composed of Lapeer, Genesee, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Ivinngston, Tuscola, and Midland Counties. Hon. Sanford M. Green, now judge at Bay City, who resided at Pontiac, was the first circuit judge. At this time there was no railroad nearer to Vassar, where the courts were held, than Pontiac, the judge having to make the trip by stage and private conveyance. He usually came up from Flint, with some of the attorneys who were in the habit of attending court at Vassar. The court was held in May, the country sparsely settled, and the roads almost impassable at that time of the year. Judge Green gave great satisfaction to the people, and was, as he is now, an able and upright judge, having few peers on the bench. The first term of court held in Tuscola County was May 25, 1852, Judge Green presiding, and the business transacted is best shown by the journal entry, which is as follows: "At a special term of the circuit court for the county of Tuscola, begun and held at the court-room of the township of Vassar, in said county, on Tuesday, the twenty-fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1852; present, Hon. Sanford M. Green, circuit judge. "There being no business to be transacted, the court adjourned without day." Thus ended the first term of court for Tuscola County. Happy indeed would it have been if it could always have been thus; but there were no lawyers in Tuscola then. The second term of the circuit court was held in Vassar, in May, 1854, continuing three days. The very first business of the court was the ordering of a grand jury. It was at this time the legal profession first made its appearance here. Hon. John Moore and Hon. J. G. Sutherland, both of Saginaw City, being present. Mr. Moore became one of the leading lawyers of the State, and was very popular with the pioneers of Tuscola. He was the first prose- uting attorneyv in which capacity he was then acting. Mr. Sutheriand was equally as prominent as Mr. Moore, and was afterward a member of congress and a circuit judge. He held two terms for Judge Turner, in this county. H~e is now at Salt Llake City, and had a large practice and a national reputation. The names of the grand jurv summoned were as follows: =Wesley Armstrong, Lucius Preston, Frederick Bourns, Hugh Max-:well, Wing R. Bartlett, Samuel North, J. G. Belknap, Matthew D.. North, Alonzo W. Davis, T. M. Histed, E. W. Perry, Eben Morse, JFames Whaley, Nelson Hews, Albert HIaner, Benjamin Gardner, P:aschal Richardson, O. A. Gibbs, Lewis H. Sturges, David G. Slafter, Edward Sturges, and William H. Randall. E. W. Perry was elected foreman of the jury. Of this jury, Mr. Richardson and ~r.. Slafter were afterward members of the State legislature, and Mr. Bourns county clerk for eight years. So far as known, the following members of this jury are dead, viz: Lucius Preston, Hugh Maxwell, Samuel North, J.. G. Belknap, Alonzo W. Davis, E. W. Perry, James Whaley, Nelson Hews, Paschal Richardson, Lewis H. Sturges, and Edward Sturges. Mr. Preston was killed in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, in 1864, and Mr. Hews died from disease contracted in the service. They were both members of Company D, Twenty-third Michigan Volunteers Infantry. The jury found two indictments, which of course were the first indictments found in the county; one against Milton Whitney, a well-known justice of the peace at that time, and for several years after, of Arbela Township, the charge against him being "for undertaking to join in marriage William Hunter and Julia Ann Hammond, knowing of a legal impediment" to the proposed marriage. Whitney recognized for his appearance for trial at the next term of court, in the sum of $100. The other indictment was found against Mary E. McFarland, the crime charged being murder. She gave bail for her appearance for trial at the next term of court, in the sum of $1,000. The other business transacted at this term of court was one certiorari case heard and reversed, an appeal case dismissed, and two judgments by default, aggregating $257.86. One year from this time the third term of court was held at Vassar in the ball-roor of the old Vassar Hotel, which was destroyed by fire some years ago, one of the early landmarks on Cass River. Judge Green presided and the court convened May 22, 1855. There was one attorney residing in the county at this time, being the writer of this sketch, who settled in Vassar in March, 185a. Harvey Joslin was admitted to practice at this term, being the first attorney admitted in Tuscola County. He remained in the county a few months, then went to East Saginaw, where he was in practice several years, removing from there to Grand Rapids, where he now resides. There was one judgment taken at this term of court by default: Mary E. McFarland was tried upon the indictment found against her at the last term of court, and acquitted. This was the first jury case in the circuit court, and the following named gentlemen composed the jury, to wit: DeWitt Norton, Milo Gates, Dennis Spooner, John D. Joslin, David G. Slafter, Alfred Holmes, Elliot Burnett, Joshua D. Smith, John Baker, Oliver A. Dickinson, Charles Anthony and David H. Andrews. John Moore was prosecuting attorney and tried the case on behalf of the people, and the writer defended. It appears by the above that the first criminal case tried in the court we are now referring to was that of murder. Hons. William Norton, now circuit judge at Flint, Levi Walker, of Flint, J. G. Sutherland, William L. Webber and some other attorneys were present. May 27, 1856, the court again convened. Judge Green was. present and presided; this being the last term of court he held in the county. Old citizens will remember the intense excitement that prevailed among the people when the grand jury brought in, as it did at this term, an indictment against three of the leading citizens of 'Une county on a charge of conspiracy. The case was tried at the next term of court and the defendants acquitted without the jury retiring from their seats. Gov. Wisner was present as counsel for the defendants. A large number of attorneys were present from Flint, Saginaw and other counties, and the little village of Vassar was full of people. The two hotels could not furnish beds, and attorneys, jurymen, sheriffs and witnesses obtained a ilight's rest by -1 or - If -or:: 1 I - 17 — -O A j A -i- i ---.- --.: ---. 22 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. sleeping on the floor at the hotels, or otherwise as best they could. H. P. Atwood, of Caro, appeared on record in some cases for the first time, and he has remained in practice to the present date. Jacob Allen, a well-to-do farmer of Juniata Township, was admitted to citizenshipat this term of court. He was the first person admitted to citizenship in Tuscola County. It was at this term of court that a well-known attorney, in a divorce case, had his bill of complaint dismissed because some of the pages were "wrong end up." In the spring of 1857 Hon. Josiah Turner, of Howell, Livingston County, was elected circuit judge of the Seventh Judicial District, term to commence January 1, 1858. Judge Green, however, having resigned, Judge Turner was appointed to the vacancy, and held his first term in this county at Vassar, May 26, 1857. Judge Turner continued to fill the position of judge of the Seventh Judicial District until the organization of the Twenty-fourth District in 1879, which consists of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola Counties. During the most of this time he was very popular with the people as well as the attorneys. He was an upright judge, lacking somewhat in industry. Had he brought more industry to the bench he would have been the equal in ability of any judge in the State. When Judge Turner came to the bench, Bay County had been organized and attached to the Seventh District, and during his long and honorable period of service, the judicial districts were trebled, a number of new judicial districts being carved out of the Seventh. Large and flourishing cities had grown up where there were only woods, among which is the third city of the State, there being now the cities of East Saginaw, Saginaw, West Bay City and Bay City, which were mere hamlets, that in the aggregate have at this time 75,000 population. The present judicial district, composed of Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac Counties, was formed in 1879. At the annual town mueetings in the spring of that year Hon. Levi L. Wixson was elected circuit judge for two years, and re-elected for six years in the spring of 1881. At the time of his election Judge Wixson resided at Lexington, in Sanilac County. He now resides at Caro, the county seat of Tuscola County. Judge Wixson was born January 9, 1829, admitted to the bar in 1861, graduated from the law department of Michigan University in 1862, and was in practice from that time until his election as judge. He was three times elected prosecuting attorney and three times judge of probate of Sanilac County. He is an able, honest and painstaking judge. It may be well, at this point in this sketch, to refer to some of the most prominent members of the bar in this county in the last quarter of a century. Henry P. Atwood, who commenced practice in this county in 1856 and still continues in practice, has, during all that time, been prominently before the people. He was born April 13, 1822, in Tompkins County, N. Y. He came to Ingham County in this State, in 1836. He was county clerk in Ingham County in 1848 and 1849; was a member of the house of representatives from Tuscola County in 1855. He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1860, his opponent being the writer, and re-elected in 1862 and 1864 without opposition. He was in 1872 again elected prosecuting attorney, his opponent being C. P. Black, and re-elected in 1874. No man, owing to his long residence in the county, his prominence at the bar, and the public positions he has held, is better known to the people of this and surrounding counties than is Mr. Atwood. He is now and has been one of the leading lawyers of the county. C. P. Black is an able lawyer, and owing to his having been a candidate for congress several times, has a State reputation. He came to Tuscola County in 1866 and was admitted to the bar in 1867. In 1873 he went to Marquette and was elected prosecuting attorney of that county. He afterward returned to Tuscola County and now resides at Caro. He is a representative of the Second Representative District of the county in the State legislature. Mr. Black is an able lawyer, very popular with the people and justly has many warm friends. In the spring of 1l68 John P. Hoyt came to Vassar and settled. He wf: a young attorney looking for a place to locate. He went into the law office of B. W. Huston, was elected prosecuting attorney in the fall, re-elected in 1870, and elected to the house of representatives in 1872, re-elected in 1874, and on the convening of the legislature was elected speaker. In June, 1876, he was appointed by the President, secretary of Arizona Territory and subsequently governor. He is now one of the judges of the supreme court of Washington Territory. Mr. Hoyt was only an average advocate, but as a lawyer, pure and simple, he was unquestionably the best lawyer Tuscola County has yet had, either on the bench or at the bar. One of the most promising young men that was ever admitted to the Tuscola bar was Prof. L. D. Keyes, the first principal of the Vassar Union School. He was a man of energy and pluck. On the breaking out of the rebellion he raised a company, went into the service as captain and was killed in battle in October, 1862. John L. Richardson, of Tuscola, at present a member of the bar, was in the army as lieutenant and did good service for his country. Mr. Richardson is a good lawyer, and has many friends. Also among the prominent attorneys in the county may be mentioned R. P. Edson, B. L. Rainsford and T. C. Quinn, of Caro, E. H. Taylor, of Vassar, at present prosecuting attorney, A. B. Markham, of Mayville, and D. E. Dozer, of Unionville. There are in addition to the foregoing the following members of the bar, some in practice and some not. D. G. Wilder, of Watrousville, Henry Dozer, of Unionville; E. B. Landon, H. Butler, of Cass City; William N. West, Fred S. Wheat, L. H. Orr, H. H. Markham, William C. Buchanan, T. W. Atwood, George F. Gilly, George W. Davis, of Caro; D. B. Richardson and J. M. Torry, of Millington; H. S. Hadsall, George S. Sales, F. L. Fales, of Vassar. In March, 1860, Oliver L. Spaulding, now of Chicago, was admitted. His examination consisted of his singing the song, "He was a fine old Deutcher Shentleman." In 1860 the county seat case arose. The board of supervisors assumed to remove the county seat from Vassar to " Moonshine." The latter was the name given to a point near Cass City on the bank of Cass River and only three or four miles from the county line between Sanilac and Tuscola Counties. The excitement was at white heat at the special meeting of the board and the friends of removal persistent. The history of this matter is elsewhere given. The injunction case went through the courts and the injunction was sustained. Some amusing incidents occurred at the sittings of the court during the early years of the county. In 1860, Hon. A. P. Davis, of Flint, who was then State senator, was present. He was a man easily imposed upon. He was anxious to be nominated to congress by the Republicans, and during the term he and his political friends determined to hold a Republican meeting in the court-room. There was a large number of lawyers present, and among them Hons. J. G. Sutherland, Sumner Howard, William Newton and C. H. Wis ner, all royal good fellows, lovers of fun and at that time nearly all Democrats. Knowing Mr. Davis' weakness the boys determined to capture the organization of the meeting, and did so by being on hand before the prominent Republicans knew what was projected. Mr. Sutherland was duly elected chairman of the meeting and made one of his witty speeches in introducing Mr. Davis as the speaker t ) )?o r -1 T — s I y1 ' ,\ R ESIDENCE 'F.13:F B.W.H USTO N, VASSAR TUSCOLA CO. MICH. I I n*: RESIDENCE & FARM OF JUSTIN WENTWORTH,SEC.6 VASSAR TOWNSHIP. I I Iw I-I t: r- - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 23 L_ I: I lo: S d? 0 Wu OF for the evening, calling the attention of the people to the great obligations they were under to Mr. Davis for his proposed amendment, in the senate, to the game law by changing the orthography of the word "woodcock." The Democrats gave Mr. Davis rounds of applause and kept him speaking more than two hours to their amusement and the disgust of Republicans. A committee of Democrats was appointed to draft resolutions which were drawn up, presented and adopted with due solemnity and to the great delight of Mr. Davis, who presented them to the Tuscola County Pioneer for publication. He also took them to Flint and had them published in -the Democratic paper there, remarking that "Bartlett would not publish them in the Pioneer because they spoke of the bad roads in Tuscola County." It was at this term of court that a lover of fun sent an attorney, who had driven into Vassar to attend court for the first time, up the Vassar hill to find the hotel where the " lawyers stopped." The Vassar hill at that time of the year, on account of a spring about half way up, was impassable and in a short time lawyer and horse were floundering in the mud. We have referred to Milton Whitney the Arbela justice. A case was brought before him to recover for a horse accidentally killed. The defendant appeared with two attorneys, the plaintiff with one and the justice-the case was to be tried by jury. Before the trial began the justice took the plaintiff's attorney one side and said to him, " If there is any evidence you do not want to go to the jury, object, object strong, and it will be all right." The trial commenced; the plaintiff's counsel followed instructions, and the justice and the two attorneys for the defendant had it " hot and heavy " all night, and the justice won the case. It was the same justice who in another case decided that if a party proved one item of his account it proved the whole and the other party could not introduce any evidence against it. In 1858 Thomas Rutherford sued N. W. Perkins before A. Pennell, Esq., then proprietor of the People's House at Vassar, for damages done to his growing potatoes by Perkins' hogs. Each of the parties had his attorney present, both of whom are still practicing in the county. The plaintiff proved the trespass and the damages. The defendant then proved that the plaintiff had no fence around his field as required by law at that time. To meet this position the plaintiff's attorney made a long and elaborate argument, during which he read considerable law, though none of it met the case as there was no such law, to prove the law unconstitutional that prohibited recovery in such cases without having a lawful fence. The defendant's counsel made a long and eloquent argument in reply, insisting among other things that it was "absurd" for a justice of the peace to pass upon the constitutionality of the acts of the legislature. When he closed the justice said, " I decide that law unconstitutional;" whereupon the defendant's counsel forgetting the respect due the bench, shook his clenched fist under the justice's nose and indulged in the following comment, " You d-d old fool." The plaintiff had judgment and obtained pay for the potatoes. At this time both of these attorneys resided at Vassar; one of them always brought his suits before Pennell, the other before J. G. Belknap, another justice, and it is well known that neither of them ever lost a case. On one occasion the attorney who had influence in Belknap's court " got even " with his friend who was the favorite in Pennell's court. A case was pending before Belknap that was not properly brought; the defendant's counsel moved to dismiss, read the law and referred to the authority in Tiffany's justice guide. When he had concluded his remarks the justice said, " I beg leave to differ with Mr. Tiffany," and overruled the motion. When Mr. Atwood was a candidate for representative, Mr. Belknap was at the polls, worked hard for Mr. Atwood all day, forgot to vote himself. Time and space will not permit relating any further experiences in justice court though a large volume might be filled with them. When the writer commenced practice in the spring of 1855 there were only two postoffices in the county-one at Tuscola and one at Vassar. The scattered settlers for over forty miles up the Cass River, at Sebewaing and as far as Port Austin in Huron County, received their mail at Vassar. There was no) postoffice in Huron County and none between Vassar and Lexington. The roads were only Indian trails and lumber roads cut through the woods to lumber camps along the streams. There was no livery at Vassar; the writer was too poor to own a horse and frequently went in those early days to suit and legal business on foot to Sebewaing and other points thirty and forty miles distant. The attorney of to-day can have no adequate idea of the hardships and incidents of the practice in justice courts at that time. To obtain a jury it would not unfrequently be necessary to obtain every available man for miles around, even at a distance of six to ten miles, requiring a day or more of time. When engaged in justice court practice the attorney usually made his home in the,primitive house of his client or in some lumber camp. In that early day the wants of the attorney were moderate and the pay the same. A trip to Sebewaing on foot, taking three days' time, a distance of thirty-two miles, was worth $15. Four dollars a day were an outside figure, and in a long case deductions were made. I refer to the above so that the curious may contrast the great change that has taken place in legal practice in the last twenty-eight years in this county, as well as in all that makes a people wealthy, happy and prosperous. A POETIC INCIDENT. It is not usual to sift the sweepings of a court room for poetry, but the following shows that such a search would sometimes be rewarded. In June, 1873, among the criminal cases being tried in the circuit court at Caro was that of a young man named Myers, charged with stealing a horse while on his way from Bay City to some point in Tuscola County. Myers claimed to have found the horse by the roadside and being weary borrowed it temporarily for a ride. He was defended by Hon. C. P. Black, of Caro. O. J. Atkinson, a lawyer from Port Huron, was trying a case and agreed with Mr. Black that if he would make the plea in his case, he, Atkinson, would write an argument for Mr. Black in his Mlyers' case. Mr. Black made the plea, during which Mr. Atkinson wrote a poem, which Mr. Black read to the jury, and submitted his case without anything additional. The jury acquitted the prisoner. The allusion to " Moonshine " will be understood when it is remembered that when the county seat was located at Cass City the place was called Moonshine. The poem was as follows: Myers was on his way to Moonshine, Where sage justice took her seat; When the sun poured down hot terror, Myers trod with weary feet Up the sandy road to Moonshine, Up where frogs and lizzards meet. Myers was tired; his feet were weary; Walking long his strength had tired, And seized with moral kleptomania Myers resolved to take a ride Up the sandy road to Moonshine, Up where frogs and lizzards hide. So he took a horse found grazing On the highway, near the hill, Scorning saddle, girt or bridle, Guiding only by his will Riding up the road to Moonshine, Where are frogs and lizzards still. I:I =! - 777M A- 1 -- schol-ous oe ad ahaf mlessouh nd estofUninvile 24 H:ISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. But the people God forgive them South Akron, at the log cabin of Father Waldo, until the Cook schoo]house was built; Fair Grove Genter, in log school-house; Southwest But the people —God forgive themzBy their scion of the law, Looking at this whole proceeding, Crimes and misdemeanors draw. Such a people, such a scion, None but Moonshine ever saw. HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. A brief sketch of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Tuscola County is furnished by Rev. J. O. Bancroft, a pioneer minister, as follows: "The first inhabitants of Tuscola County settled in the town of Tuscola, 1835-'36. "R"e. Mr. Whitwan, a local preacher, a brick mason by trade, then living at Flint, in 1839, preached the first sermon ever preached in the county, at the house of Dennis Harrison, of Tuscola. At this time Larmon Cll atfield was presiding elder of Grand River District, in which Tuscola County was rembraced. The first class was organized at Tuscola, March 2,, 1849, consisting of Lovira Hart, Esther Hart, Leander W. Van Kleeck, Emily Van Kleeck and Mary Hines. It was connected with Saginaw Circuit, Grand River District, Andrew Bell being preacher in charge, and George Bradley presiding elder. In the spring of 1849 Townsend North settled in Vassar. The itinerant minister soon followed. October 14, 1851, was organized by S. P. Lee, preacher in charge, the first society in Vassar. This class, which afterward disbanded, consisted of L. W. Van l leeek and wife, h ho bad moved from Tuscola, Ebenezer Morse, Elizabeth and Harriet Gibbs, wives of Sabin and Orin Gibbs. Tuscola Circuit was formed in September, 1853, with Thomas Josli n as preacher in charge. Charles Haines, appointed to Tuscola Circuit in 1854, formed a class of six members at Vassar. Out of this has grown the present church. "In 1855 Mr. Hutchins was appointed to Tuscola Circuit. H e was followed in 1856 by Lewis Mitchell. In 1857 Erastus Klumph was appointed to Tuscola Circuit. As the county was fast being settled, he extended the work and took new appointments in the northern part of the county. "It being necessary to have an assistant, Daniel Miller, a local preacher of South Flint Circuit, was sent as a supply by Samuel Clement, at that time presiding elder, of Flint District. "In 1858 E. Klumph was returned with Rufus H. Crane as 'junior preacher. "Mr. Klumph was very successful in revival work, and during his administration formed classes at several new points. At the conference of 1859 the name of the circuit was changed to Tuscola and Watrousville. John O. Bancroft was appointed preacher in charge, and Menzo S. Leet, junior preacher. The circuit at this time embraced all the inhabitants in the county on the north side of Cass River, that part of the town of Tuscola on the south side of the river, the western part of Millington and nearly all of Arbela. The appointments were in the following towns and designated on the church records by the following names: Tuscola, Arbela, Town-line (this was what was called at the time Owlsburg school-house, on the town line between Tuscola and Arbela), Vassar, Watrousville, South Juniata, (at Belknap school-house); North Juniata, (at I-Hen school-house); Ellingtonz, preaching first at the log house of J. B. McKenney,. and afterward at a log school-honse near there, and at the Sutton school-house; Almer, at the houses of Benjamin Haymon, Wesley Hess and Jacob Clyne, alternately, until the Clynle school-house was enclosed; North Akron, at the house of David Clark, afterward at the school-house one and a half miles south and west of Unionville; South Akron, at the log cabin of Father Waldo) until the Cook school - house was built; Fair -Grove Center, in log school-house; Southwest Fair Grove, at Hinson school-house; Southeast Fair Grroe, at Moreland school-house; Denmmark, at log house of John Nickerson, until there was a board shanty built for a school-house; East Denmark, at Baker school-house; also occasional preaching at otherplaces. "In 1860, J. O. Bancroft was returned with John Hamilton as j unior preacher. During the two years pastorate of 1859 and 1860 there were extensive revivals at Arbela, South Juniata, North Juniata, Denmark, and other places in some measure; 118 persons were received on probation in the church, and twelve Sunday-schools organized. "At this time ministers had to do much of their traveling on horseback, and Mr. Bancroft could relate many incidents of fording streams and passing through swamps, etc. He relates the following labor performed during his last round on the circuit. Leaving Tuscola, where he resided, Friday morning, he soon met a gentleman who said: "My niece desires you to perform the ceremony at her wedding, at Watrousville, Sunday evening." Mr. B. told him that his Sunday evening appointment was fourteen miles away and he could not promise to be there until 12 o'clock at night. The young lady in question was consulted, and said she had rather wait till 12 o'clock than to be married by a justice of the peace. But to return to the labor; heowent from Tuscola to South AkAon and preached Friday afternoon. Having an appointment for a two-days meeting at North Akron, he preached Saturday afternoon; Sunday morning held love feast, preached, took several persons into full connection in the church, administered the sacraments of baptism and Lord's Supper, rode six miles to the Almer appointment at Clyne school-house, preached at 2 o'clock, received persons into the church, administered baptism, held class meeting, rode six miles to the Sutton school-house, preached, received members into the church and held class meeting, then started on the fourteen miles iide to the wedding. On approaching the house at about half-past ten, he found the road filled with young people, looking and wondering if the minister would come.. So the happy two were made one. At about 12 o'clock supper was served, after which the guests returned to their homes. He describes a congregation and scene at the Denmark appointment. The congregation consisted of twelve adults, one boy and thirteen babies. While he was preaching one child got dowl from its mother's lap, went to another child who was sitting in a little chair, and made as though it would kiss it, but instead, bit its nose, and what a time! Soon all was quiet, and the preaching was progressing, when the mother let the child get down again. It repeated the same performance. Also, an instance of coming to a stream which he had never crossed during high water. He dismounted, sent his horse in, and was passing over on some trees, placed into the stream for that purpose. When the horse had reached an island in the middle of the stream, he turned round and made back for the shore. A race ensued. The Reverend gentleman slipped on some poles as he reached the crossing of a bayou and dislocated his shoulder. The horse, running through the woods, scattered the Sunday-school papers as he went. Mr. B. had to walk more than a mile before he could get help to put the joint in place. At the conference of 1861 the circuit was divided, and W~illiam Birdsall was appointed to Tuscola and John Hamilton to Watrousville. In 1862 C. L. Church was sent to Tuscola and A. H~errick to Watrousville. At the conference of 1863 the name of Tuscola Circuit was changed to Vassar, and J. Horton appointed pastor. In 1864 the two circuits were joined, E. Klumph being preacher. -1 r 'A PI l I. 0 14 i k I :: Gs r:= __, (:_.. - - * X II HISTORY OF Tl.1 He was succeeded in 1865 by J. B. Russel. The same year Nathan i^000Xl0: | Pierce was appointed to Millington. At the conference of 1866 /0:1 the Watrousville and Vassar Circuit was divided and a new circuit: formed, called Dayton and Kingston. John Hamilton was appointed to Vassar but did not go. A. J. Van Fleet supplied it. J. t B. Russel returned to Watrousville. J. H. McClure went to Millington, W. J. Johnson to Dayton and Kingston. In 1867 the appointments were as follows: Vassar, J. O. Bancroft; Watrousville, J. H. Caster; Dayton and Kintgston, L. L. Houghton; Millington, J. H. McClure. These appointments for 1868 were unchanged except Millington, to which Mlr. Miles was appointed. 1869.-Vassar, J. 0. Bancroft; Watroulsville and Caro, R. C. -- Lanning; Cass City, J. E. Withey; Unionville, A. Whitcomb; Dayton and Kingston, L. L. Houghton; Millington, Miles. At the conference in 1870 a new circuit was- formed, called Mayville, so at that time seven Methodist Episcopal ministers were appointed to Tuscola County. And thus the work has progressed, new fields been opened and occupied as development has advanced, until in 1883 there are ten stations and circuits, with an equal number of ministers, and eleven church edifices. A PIONEER MINISTER. John Orlando Bancroft was born August 16, 1826, in Fowler, Trumbull County, Ohio. He was descended from John Bancroft who came over from London, Eng., on the "Jarnes," anild after an eight weeks' voyage arrived at Lynn, Mass., June 12, 1632, He is of the eighth generation in this country. His father removed to the territory of Michigan in October, 1831, and settled in the town of Raisin, Lenawee County, two and a half miles from Tecumnseh. In December, 1835, he removed to St. Clair County, and settled twelve miles from St. Clair village, where he remained two years, then removed to the town of Bristol, now Almont, Lapeer County. He was married in Marathon, Lapeer County, to Huldah P. Richmond, April 22, 1847. He then settled on some new land, which he had bought, two and a half miles west of Almont. Here he remained clearing up and tilling his farm, teaching school winters, until September, 1853, when he was received into the Michigan Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was appointed to Lexington Circuit. In 1854 he was appointed to Armada, where he remained two years. In 1856 he went to South Flint, remaining theie two years. In 1858 he was sent to Goodrich circuit. In 1859 he was appointed to Tuscola and Watrousville circuit, which then embraced all of Tuscola County on the north side of Cass River, the town of Arbela and part of Milliugton on the south side. The < 0circuit then consisted of ten towns, with sixteen appointments. His next stations were Brighton two years, Pinckney two years, Holly two years. In 1867 he was returned to Tuscola County and stationed at Vassar, where he remained three years. He removed thence to Clarkston in 1870. In 1872 he was appointed to Oxford, remained there three years. In 1875 he was returned to Tuscola County and stationed at Watrousville. In 1877 he was sent to Hess Street, East Saginaw, and in 1879 to Midland City. At the conference of 1881, after twenty-eight years of labor and toil, he asked and received from the conference a superannuated relation, and settled among his old friends in the village of Vassar, where very soon after he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. D)uring Mr. Eancroft's ministry of twenty-eight years he preached at fourteen stations and circuits, received 280 members on church certificate, 1,069 probationers and 637 into full membership from probation, baptized 579 persons, married 215 couples,:e0~ ';;; JSCOLA COUNTY. 25 attended 379 funerals, administered the Lord's Supper 99 times, preached 4,667 times, and during the last twenty years made 5,168 pastoral visits. Mr. Bancroft's family consists of himself and wife and four children. There are two sons, John R. Bancroft, a hardware merchant at Vassar, and Rev. E. B. Bancroft, a member of the Detroit annual conference, and now stationed at Tawas, Mich.; also two daughters, Sarah H., engaged with her father in the furniture business, and Nellie E., just entering the Sophomore year at the Michigan University. Two daughters have been buried. FOREST FIRES. The forest fires of the years 1871 and 1881 constituted memorable epochs in the history of Tuscola County. In both instances it was truly a baptism by fire. The first visitation was fiercest and most terrific owing to the fact that the land was more generally covered with timber, much of which was down and very dry. No language can describe the fury of the tempest as the billows of flame were hurled hither and thither along the track of destruction. The destruction of timber was enormous, and in this respect the fires of this period surpassed those of 1881. THE FIRE OF 1871. Tile damage done by the fires of 1871 was mainly confined to the destruction of timber. Enos Goodrich, of Watertown, gives some personal recollections of a night of fire in which are vividly portrayed scenes and experiences that were common during the fiery ordeal of that period. Mr. Goodrich says: " On Sunday, the 8th of October, 1871, though the woods and fields were very dry, no special alarm or apprehension existed among the inhabitants. Settlers on new farms had continued to fire their fallows in the customary manner, ulntil there was scarce a farm or clearing in the county where fire did not exist; ill most cases it did not rul in the woods to ally alarming extent, but remained quietly slumbering andcl smoldering in the alluvial soil, in old stumps or the trunks of decayed trees. It is almost incredible what a sudden and electric effect a change of atmosphere can exert upon these hidden fires. On Sunday afternoon the wind blew fresh from the southwest, and with a husky dryness I have scarce ever experienced in my life. Under its magic inspiration these smoldering fires sprung into life in all directions. Fires that had been supposed to be extinct for weeks sent forth first their smoke and then their flames; and whatever object they touched became ignited with the rapidity of kiln dried flax. " Between two o'clock P. M. and sunset, so rapid was the spread of fire in some localities that many persons were accused of setting fires, where such a thing had never been thought of. At just midnight I was alarmed by Henry S. Chaplain, a neighbor of mine, who came to inform me that the fire was raging in the fences of a field on my improvement near his residence. I aroused the household, and with a force of some half dozen men, hurried to the scene of action. On our arrival we found Mrs. Chaplain, a lady of near seventy years, combating the conflagration single-handed. Hurrying to her relief, we removed fences, tore up stumps and roots, andraked leaves until, aided by the dampening influences of approach ing morning, we succeeded in subduing the fire. " A scout around the fields to see where danger threatened most, and a hurried breakfast, ushered in the dawn of the eventful 9th of October, '71. Having been honored by my townsmen with a seat on the board of supervisors, and this being the day fixed by law for their annual meeting, I must prepare for a hasty departure. -* 19 I -. to --: l F6 Jo ___ 26 HISTORY OF TU SCOLA COUNTY. Admonished by the threatening aspect of affairs, I placed a faithful guard of men around my steam saw mill and lumber yard, which was nearly surrounded by woods, with a vast amount of fallen timber and combustible matter. Fortunately, the location was flanked on the west by a pond I had raised for floating and booming logs, a eireumstance to which I was doubtless indebted for the saving of the mill. " After having given full instructions to the men to remove rubbish, to plow and drench with water, I proceeded on my way to Caro, our country seat. By this time the morning had so far wasted that one hour and fifty minutes, which brought me to Hurd's Corners, a distance of sixteen miles, found it past noon. Halting here at Wright's Tavern to partake of dinner and refresh my horse, I next proceeded onward toward Wahjamega. After crossing Sucker Creek I entered the low and level hemlock woods; and though I had been surrounded by fire all the distance, here for the first time it began to be particularly annoying. I feared obstructions ii the way, but learned that a force had been detached to cut out fallen timber and clear the track. As I advanced, sometimes the dense smoke, black and sodden with p would meet me in the face and produce temporary suffocation, from which cause I at times had fears that my horse would fall down in the harness. Sometimes the sheeted flames would rise on both sides of the track, and close and mingle above my head. Sometimes I would pause in a gap to catch a breath of free air, and watch the flames careering across the track before me-waiting for a momentary lull-when my faithful horse would again bound like a deer through flame and smoke. Meanwhile the crash of falling timbers in all directions, and the raining down of burning limbs and bark, admonished me of the danger of the situation. " Pushing on in this way until I came to the angle in the road, near Wahjamlega, I began to congratulate myself that I was about out of the woods. Near this point I met Supervisors Hurd of Dayton and Wright of Wells. These gentlemen brought the intelligence that a quorum of the board had convened, and, bringing news that the devastations of the fire were widespread and universal throughout thescounty, they had adjourned for two weeks, and hurried away to protect their several homes fron the fearfnlly impending danger.,,turning my horse, I followed in the wake of these two gentlemen, and another suffocating and breathless chase found us on the borders of the improvements near Sucker Creek, with the burning woods behind us. Slowly now I wended my onward course; and as I wound my way along that elevation of land west of Hurd's Corners, the shades of evening were closing around me. All around the improvements the woods were lighted up with fire. In some places it showed itself in brilliant and evanescent gleamings above the top of the dense forests-in others, the lurid flame would unroll its lonrg, sweeping scrolls, and, rising and sinking with the passing wind, would ignite every object within its reach. Especially to the south and east of Hurd's Corners did the fire seem to glory in its fearful revelry. While on the one hand the flame was struggling to produce the brightness of noonday, on the other hand the dense clouds of pitchy smoke seemed determined to maintain the darkness of night. Never were light and darkness mingled together with more confusion than in these burning fields and woods. -MV1y lorse, which had been in the harness since midnight of the night previous, showed no signs of faltering; but I knew he would require rest and refreshment before overcoming the sixteen miles that lay between me and my home in Watertown. I turned in at Wright's Tavern; but before going to bed I was told that several buildings in the neighborhood were burning, and many others so closely threatened that there was little hope of saving them. I went to bed, but could not rest. I was impressed with the conviction that my mill must burn. At last, hearing footsteps in the barroom, I dressed myself hastily and emerging from my room I bid the landlord 'Good morning.' My surprise may be imagined when he told me it was only half past ten, and he was just fixing to go to bed. But I told him I could not let him off till I had my horse. He remonstrated, and thought I was crazy. 'Why,' said he, 'you can never get through. Timber is falling all the time, in all directions, and your road will be blocked up;-and that is not all,' said he,,those big buildings of Ketchumn's lumber camp, a mile south of here, are now burning, and it will be impossible to pass them.' III replied to Iim, it was impossible for me to stay longer where I was, and that whether I went through or not, I certainly should go as far as I could. So -the horse-and buggy were soon ready, and I once more started on my fiery journey. Passing very comfortably for some distance, I soon came to where the road was enclosed on the west side by a long range of pine log heaps, and this range of heaps was in a clear blaze from one end to the other; while on the east side large masses of timber and brush were also burning in the most furious manner. It was a fiery gauntlet to think of running; and as I approached the entrance my progress was arrested by a loud voice shouting through smoke and fire and light and darkness, on my right. I halted, and answered through the gloom, but no person could be seen. I4 Drive slow,' shouted a stentorian voice through the smoke.,Can I get through?' I inquired of my invisible monitor. 'You can,' said he, 'if you can get the first forty rods.' This was interesting intelligence, but it would have been somewhat more pleasing had not that word if been interpolated. I thanked my invisible friend, and lookino earnestly into the passage, into which I could see about as far as the end of my nose, I bade the horse advance. As I entered between the two walls of fire I could catch glimpses of logs in the track which had doubtless been thrown there in tearing down the burning heaps with a vailn hope of arresting the fire. Had my course been arrested I could not have turned back without suffocating both myself and horse. Onward was the only way to daylight -the only road to a breath of air that could be inhaled without suffocation-and on we went until our egress was as sudden as our ingress. Here we paused for one more breath of pure air. But a short space in advance, and there were the Ketchum and Roberts lumber camps-first a capacious btoarding-house and barn of vast proportions, and next a large blacksmith shop. A few hours before I had passed these buildings, overshadowing the road with their vast proportions. Now the walls had fallen and they were a furnace of fire. Seeing that the way was clear and free from obstructions, I determined on a hasty passage, and putting my horse to his utmost speed-a few instants-a few powerful bounds, and the fiery mass was behind us. "(It was now not far from midnight, and fifteen miles of fire and smoke lay between me and home. Deeming that the worst was, past, I now resolved to take things calmly. As I passed the farm-houses and the cabins of new settlers no signs of slumber were visible. Lamps and candles were burning, and shed their dim light out on the smoky air. Tables were set at midnight, and refreshments served for those whose day of labor knew no night of rest. Dim and ghost-like the forms of men, women and children were seen moving to and fro through the smoke, as fences, piles of lum ber or shocks of corn were being removed to some place that might afford a hope of security. "As I passed onward through fire and smoke, amid the sound of falling timber, I reached a spot between Hurd's Corners and May ville, where for a distance of some half a mile- the road was overhung by a continuous forest of dead hemlocks. These trees, from ~-Y: -- - I - Is i . 'Al : o, 4 fr I;:: -1 - I HISTORY OF TUSC.OLA COUNTY. 27 I._ _ - - the ground to the topmast pinnacle, were a perfect mass of fire. Fiery limbs were falling in all directions, and now and then a sweeping blast would fill the air with millions of star-like particles of fire. I thought of Byron's Siege of Corinth: 'When into countless meteors driven, Her earth stars melted into heaven, Whose clouds that day grew doubly dun, Impervious to the hidden sun With volumed smoke that slowly grew To one wide sky of sulphurous hue.' "iI passed on without obstruction until, within less than two miles of home, near Foster's camp, on the Crapo lands, my course was arrested by a huge pine that stretched its massive trunk square across the road. Here was no chance for an argument. Turning back to where I could leave my horse in trusty hands, I soon made the balance of my journey home on foot. It was three o'clock in the morning when I reached my steam mill. The ground had been cleared of rubbish, and a broad track had been plowed and harrowed around the mill and piles of lumber, which the boys had christened their race course. They had deluged this track, and the lumber piles, and the ground on which they stood, with hogsheads of water. -Gray morning, struggling through the smoke, rose slowly over the eastern woods. I called in the aid of men from Foster's camp, whose services had been kindly offered for the occasion. All dead trees from which fire might be blown to the mill were speedily cut down. A line of men with water-barrels and buckets was formed around the mill. The wind blew a gentle breeze from the southwest; the time seemed opportune; and at a signal the torch was applied to the masses of dead timber and brushwood all along outside our line of defense. A few brief moments and the whole woods frontage, from the ground to a hundred feet above the tallest trees was a livid sheet of flame. It was literally astonishing to see with what rapidity the forest melted down before the destroying element. As quickly as the blaze began to subside, the men followed it with drenching masses of water; and in a few hours all was pronounced safe. "Just at this juncture the heavens saluted the earth with a gentle shower. Never was lain more universally welcomed than now; and that night, for the first time in many days! our frontier settlers lay down to their much-needed rest, with tranquil minds and grateful hearts.,,But alas! it w~as not so withl all. In many places, and even in our neighboring counties of Huron and Salnilac, the blackness of desolation marked the spot where, but a few hours before, stood flourishing villages and hamlets-the habitation of families then prosperous and happy, but now homeless and stricken and sorrowful-their numbers thinned by a death the most horrible that can be imagined. The sad work of gathering the corpses of their departing friends and consigning them to their last resting place, was the sequel to one of the most thrilling chapters in the history of our Peninsular State." THE FIRFES OF 1881. The early fall of 1881 had been preceded by a season of unusual dryness. The thirst of nature remailned unquenched through many wearisome months. A large amount of clearing was done by farmers, and fires from burning log heaps spread over the dry underbrush and parched fields of stubble, until the country was over run by fire. Monday, September 5th, was a day of general conflagration. The county was swept by a storm of fire. The signal service report of the great forest fires of this period contains.a vivid description, as follows: "The course of all the fires, whichl together made the great conflagration, was mainly toward the northeast. How the fires ran racing over the four counties has been told, but the story gives no picture of the terrible fury of the storm of fire and wind that destroyed the property and lives of the farmers and settlers. "Tlle heat of the flames was so intense that the people felt it while the fires were miles away, and sailors at Forestville felt it uncomfortably at a distance of seven miles. It withered the leaves of trees two miles from its path. Whole fields of corn, potatoes, onions, and other growing vegetables that were not touched by the flames, were roasted by the heat. It even became the cause of an unnatural growth, and peach, apple and other fruit trees burst forth in blossoms. Fish in the streams were killed by the fierce heat, and after the fires were over their dead bodies were found floating on the surface of the water. Birds, escaping from these terrible flames, were carried far out into the lake, and dazed and blinded, and finding no resting place, were drowned. Several witnesses gave an account of a curious phenomenon, illustrating the intensity of the heat. A peculiar blue white flame would sometimes burst forth from ignited tree stumps, flicker a few seconds, and then the strong wind would suddenly extinguish it. It resembled a lighted candle. Sergeant Baily says: 'Oxygen and carbon will ignite at a temperature of 400 degrees centigrade, and as the old tree stumps were badly charred by the fires of 1871, they were essentially a carbonaseous substance. The air was highly charged with gases, and the temperature raised 400 degrees or over; the causes of the phenomenon can, I think, be traced to tliese conditions.' The phenomenon attracted attention ill several places. Even the earth in some places took fire. "The -speed with which the flames and wind traveled, and the tremendous powers they exerted, are almost incalculable. Some of the effects of the wind have already been given. Large bowlders were rolled along the ground as if they were pebbles. The conflagration is described as roaring like a tornado, and as giving forth loud, explosive sounds that were terrifying. As the stormadvanced it uprooted great trees, blew down buildings, carried roofs through the air, lifted men and women from their feet, and threw them back violently to the ground, in some cases seriously injuring them. The flames literally raced through the country, licking up villages almost in an instant. An anonymous writer says: 'Dark and gloomy swamps, filled with pools of stagnant water, and the home for years of wild cats, bears and snakes, were struck and shriveled and burned almost in a flash. Over the parched meadows the flames rushed faster than a horse could gallop.' Horses did gallop before them, but were overtaken and left roasting on the ground. "Sometimes the flames were carried beyond buildings, and would then circle back and burn what they had at first spared. Sometimes everything for a mile would be burned, and then patches from ten feet to tenll rods wide would be untouched. "Here and there lanes hardly twenty feet wide would be burned, and a half mile of fuel would be left on either side. The fire would run within three feet of a wheat stack and then glide away and burn a house. Its freaks were numerous and startling. "Before the fire came the air was thick with blinding smoke, and the darkness became almost total. Lamps were lighted at midday, and the lights threw shadows as electric lights do. Through the darkness flaming balls of punk fell into the villages and fields, and then the fires would burst forth on every side. The flames came rushing on, sometimes in huge revolving columns, then in de tached fragments that were torn by the winds from the mass, and sent flying over the tops of trees for a quarter of a mile, to be pushed down to the earth again. Flames were seen to leap many feet higher than tall pines, and everywhere over the burning country, sheets of flame were flying in every direction. "The people of the four counties suffered as men and women AM - t Illfr D *.-Z __ _ ~ I -," %. I. * : il ~ < i i ~ i:::~i:: i ~ i: "3 r 28. HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. have rarely suffered. Men, women and children, old and young, were burned while they were flying along the public highway. The fires burned so intensely, and with such devouring force, that household articles were snatched by the flames as their owners carried them into the air. Some of the fugitives were lifted from the ground by the strong wind and were seized by the flames as they fell. Some saved their lives by scooping holes in the earth and burying their faces to escape suffocation, the fire meanwhile, burning up their clothes and blistering their flesh. Others found refuge in wells, where they clung to the walls with fingers and toes for twenty-four hours. "The flying sand blinded people, who walked, in the gathering darkness, into fire-traps. Those who escaped were blind for weeks. During the burning of the fire, half-naked creatures made their way into village streets, often bearing the charred remains of the dead with them. Many found refuge from the fires in the lake, and even there they were suffocated by the smoke blown from the shores. The cinders falling into the water made a lye, so that it was necessary to go down several feet under the surface for drinking water. The remains of many of those who were burned were unrecognizable, so thoroughly did the fire do its work. Not only were the domestic animals killed, but wild beasts perished in the forests. They were tamed by fright and herded with cattle and horses. One man, who jumped for safety into the lake, found himself in the morning behind a bear, who was as submissive as a dog. Much sickness thus resulted from the disaster. Ordinary malarial fevers assumed a typhoid character, and serious lung and bronchial complaints were numerous for many weeks after the outbreak." The townships in Tuscola County that suffered most were Elkland, Novesta, Ellington, Vassar, Millington, Indian Fields, Juniata, Elmwood, Arbela, Almer, Wells, Gilford, Fremont, Tuscola, Koylton, Denmark and Kingston, and of these, the first three named sustained the greatest amount of damage. One account, written September 15, 1881, says: "Mr. J. C. Laing, of Cass City, estimates that 200 families have been burned out in the country tributary to that village. In Elkland Township, thirty families are left destitute. H. Depew, living south of Cass City, started a brickkiln last spring, and when the fire came the family fled to the pit from which the clay was obtained, and, taking a pail of water, sought shelter therein. Here they remained four hours, almost suffocated and scorched from the smoke and flames. The families of H. C. Doning, C. T. Bennett and John Schriber, were compelled to seek shelter in the river, where they remained in the water several hours. The intense heat killed the fish in Cass River in that locality, and they rose to the surface by the hundreds." In Elkland Township upward of thirty families were burned out and left homeless, and many others suffered losses. About the same number suffered in Novesta. In Ellington about twenty families sustained serious losses. Next in order came Vassar, Millington and Juniata. An incident is related by a gentleman who rode out into the burnt district beyond Cass City. By the roadside he met an old man, who looked as if he might be one of the sufferers. Stopping his horse, the traveler inquired of the aged settler if he had been burned out. "No," he replied, "but my son has." "Did he lose much?" "Yes; but he was well fixed," was the complacent reply. "HIe made a good deal out of the fires of 1871 and has done well since." The traveler expressed his astonishment at the singular announcement, and asked the old man to explain. "Well, you see, he was on the relief committee and looked out for himself." "Is he on the committee this year?" anxiously inquired the traveler. "No, but he can be if he wants to." The traveler proceeded on his journey and he pondered as he-went. GENERAL STATISTICS. 1 883 750 235 1882 8,981 275 763 248 504,072 8,660,277.00 1881 8,597 583 344 495,460 107,185 2,888 8,156,730.00 1880 25,779 8,007 544 197 497,087 139,946 3,694 7,434,631.00 1879 575 229 496,808 86,660 2,472 2,255,397.00 1-878 7,225 523 149 493,714 2,223,136.00 1877 490,819 2,1.71,353.00 1876 6,569 467 141 494,583 2,156,828.00 1875 6,058 460 140 2,123,214.00 1874 16,99S 5,602 150 427 158 2,075,951.00 1873 5,178 133 510 2,149,944.00 1872 5,062 131 391 137. 1,971,511.00 1871 4,691 114 352 81 1,852,436.00 1870 13,715 101 444,584 48,400 1,643 1,795,594.00 1869 3, S96 75 1,829,588.00 1868 77 71 1,668,842.00 1867 3,220 148 1,573,763.00 1866 2,533 1,433,593.00 1 865 12,328 1,413,849.00 186, 4 6,983 2,301 127,728 19,785 1,255,519.00 1863 1,946 47 110 1,223,178.00 1862 1,730 1,133,404.82 3 861 1,568 930,709.42 1860 4,855 1,313 18,837 882 1,156,532.00 1859 1,027 1,214,563.50 1858 830 27 1,101,338.00 1857 670 25 974,523.00 1856 483 27 922,094.45 1855 395 16 595,551.80 1 354 1,504 16 41,913 2,481 329,551.80 1853 278,158.92 1852 135,304.90 1851 123 5 1850 291 1 390 13 PRINCIPAL FARM PRODUCTS. Wheat. Indian I Oats. Potatoes. Hay. Wool. Butter. Cheese. Bushels. Corn. Bushels. Bushels. Tons. Pounds. Pounds. Pounds. Bushels. I __ _ _ __ l 1850 470 1,076 315 1,040 77 317 1,107 150 1853 3,162 6,454 7,038 563 233 8,295 200 1859 26,435 39,332 22,308 28,190 2,790 1,972 93,483 4,090 1863 36,385 42,599 39,705 6,997 9,733 147,919 8,430 1870 116,175 82,863 84,512 118,673 15,376 41,348 367,340 4,319 1873 146,070 175,400 146,162 17,065 1.879 638,860 431,473 299,411 204,960 23,670 110,982 784,96.1 5,558 1880 527,201 777,190 298,470 250,691 18,531 102,136 POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS. Township. 11854 | 1860118641 1870 1 1874 1 1880 Auchville................................. 195 IDetached from Tuscola Co. Akron.................................... 186 304 585 726 1,367 Alm er.................................... 263 343 671 745 1,181 Arbela.................................... 248 527 608 870 979 1,283 Columbia................................. 94 199 424 538 1,196 Dayton................................... 129 326 660 789 1,039 Denmark.................................. 148 309 368 816] 880 1,643 Elkland................................. 51 1241 511 7261 1,250 Ellington................................. 92 203 452 4651 723 Elmwood.......................... 33 100 369 5651 1,017 Fair Grove............................... 367 513 928 1,056 1,609 Fremont.................................. 96 231 664 794j 1,126 Geneva................................... 45 107 152 207 Gilford.................................. 114 186 353 512 1,086 Indian Fields............................. 100 128 249 825 1,006 1,871 Juniata................................... 302 6431 766 1,042 1,041 1,302 Kingston................................. 47 324 383 649 Koylton................................... 60 142 422 580 869 Millington.................................. 285 400 613 9491 1,633 Novesta................................... 105 1711 356 Tuscola................................ 437 9541,022 1,110 1,21 1,301 Vassar................................ 74 229 264 775 1,298 1,734 Watertown.............................. 208 322 684 804 1,094 Wells.................................... 72 66 194 295 441 W isner................................... 931 165 190 Total................................. 1,504 4,855 6,983 13,7141 16,990 25,771 NOTE.-The Township of Geneva was merged into other townships in 1878. The population of Wisner for 1880 is given with that of Gilford, as it was so returned by the enumerator, and cannot now be separated. I I I I I I I I I I -0 Is i 40 ' L e eoa::o PI-: H 6 L I 19" I B "I' 6k:- ~::::0~:::;0 000:I; aD S: t I 777777777777 7- - ' - ' l I I 11 Q 4L L I I1 TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE HISTORY.. 0 r: f:: TOWN OF TtUSCOLA. This town belongs to the west tier of townships in the county, and is bounded on the north by Denmark and Vassar, east by Vassar, south by Arbela and west by the county line. The Cass River extends through the township in a southwesterly direction. The southern portion of the township is also drained by two small creeks which empty into the Cass. The surface of the township is generally undulating and in some portions quite broken. There is considerable poor land in the township, but some portions are exceptionally fine and these are covered with rich and beautiful farms that are not surpassed in the West. One of the best of these is that of Lovira Hart, a little distance from Tuscola village. Nearly half a century ago Mr. Hart settled upon this land, then covered as was all of Tuscola County with wilderness. Though now an old man he still lives to look upon the results of his labors, in fields as rich and beautiful as ever delighted the eye of an agriculturist. In the same vicinity are many others rich in soil and attractive in appearance. CIVIL HISTORY. The town of Tuscola was organized under an act of legislature passed in the winter of 1840 and comprised the territory of Tuscola County which was at the same time set off from Sanilac County, but was not organized until ten years later. The territory is described in the civil history of the county. The records state that the first town meeting was appointed at the house of E. W. Perry, on Cass River, but not being held on the day specified, it was called on the 15th day of April, 1840, by a notice of Dennis Harrison, John Murray and E. W. Perry. In pursuance of this notice the meeting was held and Dennis Harrison chosen moderator, Martin L. Miller clerk, and Lovira Hart and E. W. Perry, inspectors. The number of voters was twelve. Dennis Harrison was elected supervisor, treasurer and highway commissioner; Martin L. Miller was elected clerk and school inspector; Lovira Hart was elected highway commissioner, justice of the peace and assessor; Ebenezer W. Davis was elected highway commissioner, justice and assessor; Ebenezer W. Perry was elected commissioner, justice and assessor; Cornelius B. Leonard, school inspector; Samuel H. Downs, constable and collector, and John Miller and Jarvis Freeman, directors of the poor. The names of the voters were as follows: Lovira Hart, E. W. Perry, Dennis Harrison, S. H. Downs, Martin L. Miller, C. B. Leonard, J. Murray, Ebenezer Davis, J. Freeman, Edwin Ellis, John Miller and J. H. Davis. The general election in the fall of 1840 is mentioned in the early history of the county. At the annual meeting in 1843 twenty-six votes were cast. The whole number cast at the general election in 1880 was two hundred and eighty-three, of which one hundred and eighty were Republican, ninety-one Democratic and twelve Greenback. EARLY HISTORY. Tuscola is the mother of all the towns in Tuscola County, and with respect to age outranks the county by ten years. Turning backward to December, 1835, we find Michigan just entering the sisterhood of States. Saginaw City was but a ragged speck, and only a few Indian traders occupied the site of Bay City. The territory now included in Tuscola County formed a part of Sanilac County, and the shadow of dense forest was upon all this area. The opening chapter of Tuscola's history begins at the time above mentioned. Back of that time are no oracles except the section posts and lines, and the grave mounds of the Indians. The latter are scattered all along the Cass River, and in some places are very numerous. This once formed a part of the favorite hunting grounds of the Chippewas, and the plow of the husbandman has oftimes upturned evidences of sanguinary conflict. ENTRIES OF LAND. TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGF 7 EAST. SECTION 1. Abram Warren, October 3, 1849. Leonard C. Mills, October 8, 1849. Cumming & Carson, November 23, 1850. Ebenezer Morse, May 2, 1850. Wing R. Bartlett, November 10, 1852. SECTION 2. Louis Hundermark, August 15, 1851. E. Van Valkenburgh, April 30, 1852. Jacob Wyckoff, May 30, 1852. Jerusha S. White, April 8, 1854. Edward W. White, September 1, 1854. James M. Foster, September 20, 1854. Uzziel Burnett, September 20, 1854. SECTION 3. George O. Vail, August 31, 1853. Georae O. Vail, October 7, 1853. Charles H. Abbott, September 4, 1851. George O. Vail, September 28, 1852. Alfred M. Hoyt, February 13, 1850. SECTION 4. George O. Vail, October 7, 1853. William Wilson, Jr., March 18, 1851. Seivers & Crimer, March 15, 1849. John H. Griscom, November 28, 1849. John H. Griscom, January 30, 1850.. SECTION 5. Seivers & Crimer, March 15, 1849. Leopold Helbronner, November 26, 1849. John H. Griscom, November 26, 1849. Darwin A Pettibone and David G. Slafter, July 11, 1856. I I -e e* - f~ C 9 /:: A:^,4 L S: 000..; C, I IT - w P- - 4 -.V ---Ob 30 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. SECTION 6. George F. Van Fleet, November 26, 1849. Charles P. Degrick, November 26, 1849. Charles Thayer, December 29, 1849. Charles H. Abbott, December 16, 1851. SECTION 7. James Hirst, April 16, 1855. George F. Van Fleet, November 26, 1849. Charles P. Degrick, November 26, 1849. Salmon C. Hall, November 20, 1849. SECTION 8. William Wilson, Jr., June 10, 1851. George F. Van Fleet, November 26. 1849. Leopold Helbronner, November 26, 1849. John H. Griscom, November 26, 1849. Nahum N. Wilson, June 23, 1853. SECTION 9. Albert Collins, June 7, 1837. Alfred M. Hoyt, January 30, 1850. Alfred M. Hoyt, February 13, 1850. Charles Thayer, December 28, 1849. SECTION 10. Alfred M. Hoyt, January 30, 1850. SECTION 11. Lucius Preston, November 26, 1850. Albert C. Smith, January 1, 1851. Nathan Smith, May 7, 1852. Horace Hews, March 13, 1853. Jabez Fairbanks, July 30, 1851. Nathan Snmith, October 21, 1853. George W. Wyckoff, November 28, 1854. Henry Bartlett, November 30, 1854. SECTION 12. Paschal Richardson, November 2, 1848. Paschal Richardson, Otober 18, 1819. Cumming & Carson, November 23, 1850. Albert C. Smith, December 13, 1850. SECTION 13. Douglass Houghton, April 26, 1836. Reuben A. Miller, February 12, 1853. John G. Briter, December 1, 1854. SECTION 14. C. H. & W. T. Carroll, June 28, 1836. Joshua D. Smith, April 3, 1850. Silvester Black, July 17, 1850. Silvester Black, May 5, 1851. Mehitable Black, May 5, 1851. George W. Wyckoff, November 28, 1854. Henry Bartlett, November 30, 1854. SECTION 15. C. H. & W. T. Carroll, June 28, 1856. Alfred M. Hoyton, January 30, 1850. SECTION 16. John H. Richardson, January 16, 183v. Peter Raymer, February 8, 1866. David G. Slafter, March 26, 1863. Thomas Lewis, May 1, 1869. J. B. Taylor, May 1, 1869. Seth Coats, May 1, 1869., John Miller, October 25, 1854. A. C. Chapman, November 23, 1854. E. M. Slafter, March 13, 1855. E. M. Slafter, April 4, 1855. Alfred J. Waters, July 26, 1855. SECTION 17. Daniel Miller, October 11, 1836. George F. Van Fleet, November 26, 1849. Leopold Helbronner, November 26, 1849. John H. Griscom, November 26, 1849. SECTION 18. John L. Ray, May 5, 1854. Jonathan G. Hunter, June 17, 1854. James Carey, September 13, 1854. James Lacy, September 13, 1854. Robert Carey, September 13, 1854. John L. Rae, April 16, 1855. James Hirst, April 16, 1855. George F. Van Fleet, November 26, 1849. SECTION 19. Dennison Spooner, December 2, 1850. George S. Devose, February 1, 1851. Jonathan Taylor, January 4, 1854. Silas S. Lee, April 17, 1854. Jonathan Taylor, June 26, 1854. Jonathan Taylor, September 2, 1854. Amos Chaffee, July 5, 1836. SECTION 20. Lyman Abbey, June 2, 1836. SECTION 21. Amos Chaffee, July 5, 1836. Samuel Vance, October 11, 1836. Simon Scott, Jr., October 11, 1836. Kneeland Townsend, March 10, 1837. SECTION 22. Abel Millington, October 20, 1835. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. Robert A. Quartermass, January 31, 1837. Cumming & Carson, November 23, 1850. Reuben A. Miller, March 11, 1851. Lucius Preston, September 16, 1851. Lucius Preston, September, 22, 1852. Adoniram J. Slafter, January 9, 1855. SECTION 23. Douglass Houghton, April 26, 1836. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. Reuben A. Miller, February 12, 1853. Reuben A. Miller, August 26, 1853. Marshall S. Samson, November 28, 1854. SECTION 24. Douglass Houghlton, April 26, 1836. Isaac Miller, October 28, 1850. Isaac Miller, March 11, 1851. Henry Enge], June 14, 1851. Isaac Roe, January 29, 1852. William Dalley, January 29, 1852. James Cooper, January 29, 1852. Silas Fox, January 29, 1852. Isaac Miller, August 15, 1853. William Ellsworth, December 12, 1853. Reuben Miller, November 7, 1854. Milo Curtis, December 1, 1854. SECTION 25. David A. Pettibone and David G. Slafter, July 11, 1856. L. G. Andrews and J. Langdon, February 12, 1851. L. G. Andrews and J. Langdon, February 27, 1851. Oliver P. Toby, March 18, 1851. William McComb, March 18, 1851. Nahum N. Wilson, March 18, 1851. Oliver H. P. Green, August 25, 1851. Darvin A. Pettibone, February 10, 1857. Jeremiah Devoe, March 27, 1852. Zephaniah Shaw, November 28, 1854. SECTION 26. Jairus Kibbe, June 22, 1836. Kellogg Sexton, June 22, 1836. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. Volney Curtis, December 1, 1852. James W. Shuler, November 28, 1854. SECTION 27. Abel Millington, October 20, 1835. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. SECTION 28. Abel Millington, October 20, 1835. Peter A. McCowdrey, October 24, 1835. Dennis Harrison, October 30, 1835. Robert Leonard Hurd, March 24, 1836. A~sahel Newcomb, May 21, 1836. Charles A. Bogart, July 9, 1836. J i ---- - -- i - -- loL. C: I n l: - 1.t * __ a' A HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 31 SECTION 29. Dennis Harrison, October 30, 1835. Daniel H. Haynes, December 29,1835. Martin S. Miller, December 29, 1835. Martin S. Miller, February 1, 1836. Stephen I. Miller, July 5, 1836. Amos Chaffee, July 5, 1836. SECTION 30. Russell G. Hurd, April 5, 1836. Ebenezer Davis, May 21, 1836. James H. Davis, November 10, 1843. Silas Bliss, September 1, 1845. Silas Lee, September 1, 1845. Silas Bliss, October 29, 1846. John A. Randle, October 19, 1850. Silas L. Lee, September 9, 1848. SECTION 31. Douglasa Houghton, April 26, 1836. Joshua Davis, March 10, 1837. James Eraser and Sidney Campbell, March 13, 1837. SECTION 32. Asahel Colt, October 30, 1835. Daniel H. Haynes, December 29, 1835. Douglass Houghton, April 26, 1836. William Miller, July 9, 1836. William Miller, July 15, 1836. Carlton Bartlett, July 15, 1836. John Curry, February 3, 1853. Richard B. Chapin, November 4, 1854. SECTION 33. Dennis Harrison, October 30, 1835. Samuel H. Downs, May 21, 1836. Alfred Tivy, July 9, 1836. Charles A. Bogart, July 9, 1836. Levi Bond, October 28, 1836. Asahel Newcomb, Jr., October 28, 1836. SECTION 34. Alfred Tivy, July 9, 1836. Luther Dickinson, September 24, 1836. Alonzo W. Davis, September 2, 1851. James Wean, October 13, 1851. James D. Camp, Novelmber 1, 1851. Jacob Hauser, September 15, 1851. Daniel F. Brown, September 15, 1851. SECTION 35. Noah Graves, June 22, 1836. Asahel Newcomb, October 27, 1836. Owen Pierce, June 17, 1851. John B. Smith, October 30, 1851. Owen Pierce, November 10, 1852. Alonzo W. Davis, December 27, 1852. John Curry, November 28, 1853. John Hooper, October 10, 1848. William Hooper, October 10, 1848. Jarvis Freeman, November 25, 1854. SECTION 36. Edwin Ellis, October 27, 1836. Daniel Ellis, October 27, 1836. Asahel Newcomb, October 28, 1836. Daniel Libbey, October 28, 1836. Daniel D. Dewey, November 10, 1852. Zephaniah Shaw, August 7, 1854. Chauncey Lewis, December 5, 1854. EARLY HISTORY. The first purchase of land in Tuscola County, for the purpose of immediate improvement, was made by Dennis Harrison, of Lewiston, New York, in October, 1835. A company, consisting of R. S. Hurd, E. W. Perry., and Dennis Harrison, of Lewiston, New York, was organized for the purpose of pioneering. The ar ticles of co-partnership are dated November 17, 1835, and state that each partner contributed the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars to the capital stock. This amount was subsequently~ increased. December 14th, following, R. S. Hurd, accompanied by Edwin Ellis and Charles Hayes, arrived at the Cass River, having made the journey with an ox team and lumber wagon. In an old account book, kept by Mr. Perry, is an entry of "tavern expenses of Edwin Ellis and oxen to Tuscola, $36.88." In the same book is a statement that Mr. Perry left Lewiston for Tuscola, November 24, 1835. He remained, however, but a short time, when he returned to Lewiston, and did not come back until the following year. He was back and forth several times, and settled here permanently, late in 1837. Upon arriving at the Cass River, the party made a shelter of boughs, which was their habitation until a log house could be built. Mrs. R. S. Hurd was the first white woman that came into the county anticipating a permanent hlome. Her husband and herself became disheartened and returned home the following year. Mr. Hayes afterward went to sea, and all trace of him has been lost. Mr. Ellis went away in 1837, but returned about two years later and settled permanently. When Messrs. Hurd, Ellis and Hayes arrived here the country was then covered with a forest which they immediately attacked with their axes, and in a short time had made considerable of a clearing. There were plenty of Indians then who roamed over the country in undisturbed freedom, and but little less wild than the wolves whose howlings made the welkin nightly ring, yet they were civil and peaceable and never made the citizens trouble. The three men put up a log cabin, 8x10 feet in dimensions, in which they lived while getting out timber for a saw-mill. They also cleared up the land in the little "chopping" they had made, and planted it with corn, potatoes and other vegetables. While these were growing they were obliged to go to Saginaw City for their provisions, bringing them back in little canoes, which often took them several days. During the nights they were obliged to camp out on the banks of Cass River, but between the howlings of the wolves and the depredations of the mosquitoes they obtained but little rest. The wolves were very numerous and ravenous, as may be seen from the following incidents: During the winter of 1835 as Mr. Charles Hayes was returning home from Bridgeport, toward evening, he was pursued by a pack of howling wolves. He was all alone and unarmed, and his condition was a fearful one, as his bloodthirsty foes were rapidly approaching. To attempt to escape by running would be folly, so he took to a tree, and had but Just time to reach a high limb, when they appeared at the foot of the tree, no doubt much disappointed in not obtaining a warm meal. He remained in the tree until the enemy retreated, when he descended and made for home. Upon another occasion as M1r. Hayes was on his way from Bridgeport he got lost, and having a piece of pork with him, the smell of it attracted the attention of wolves. For three days he wandered about at the mercy of these animals, and the no less bloodthirsty mosquitoes, when he at last succeeded in reaching his home. Such incidents as the above were not of unfrequent occurrence in this section, at the time of which we write, yet the hardy pioneers were not to be intimidated and to-day the country is reap ing where these men sowed. In December, 1835, Martin L. Miller came to locate land, and went away again, but subsequently returned, and became a resident. In 1836 and 1837 came with their families, Ebenezer Davis, Thomas Cavil, Dennis Harrison, Nathaniel Moss, Lovira Hart, Jarvis Freeman, John Miller, Samuel H. Downs, Calvin Lee, Al i i I I I i i I I - 1-1 r I. -1 I - f -7 - q 14 - L __ 6 - - - Q, i i 32 C: I I HISTORY OF TUSCOLX. COUNTY. I I - I I iI i I fred Tivy, with perhaps a, few others, the rank and file of the early pioneers. FIRST PERMANENT SETTLER. Local tradition awards to Edwin Ellis the honor of being the first settler in Tuscola. This honor is of too doubtful importance to warrant any controversy, and yet if the distinction is worthy of any consideration, it is deserving of accuracy. If the title to the honor of being the first permanent settler in this county is closely analyzed it will be found to belong to the late Ebenezer Davis. Mr. Ellis came, as already stated, in December, 1835, and remained until the summer of 1837, when he went to Saginaw and did not again take up his residence in Tuscola until 1840. Ebenezer Davis and family arrived in Tuscola in June, 1836, and remained here until his death. About the time of Mr. Davis' arrival the people who were here left, and during the following three months Mr. Davis' family were the only white people in the county. Mr. James H. Davis, a son of Ebenezer Davis, who came with his parents, is still a resident of Tuscola. We give herewith short biographical sketches of these men, as follows: EBENEZER DAVIS departed this life, at his residence in Tuscola, March 13, 1880. Mr. Davis was born November 6, 1797. He settled in Tuscola, in June, 1836, his family at that time comprised his wife and eleven children. He was the first postmaster in the county, and his son, James H. Davis, was the first mail carrier, the route being from Bridgeport to Tuscola. Mr. Davis was largely instrumental in getting this county detached from Lapeer County, and attached to Saginaw County for judicial and representative purposes. Mr. Davis spent more tban half his days in the town of Tuscola. Mrs. Phoebe M. Davis, his wife, died in May, 1871. She was born in the year 1800. JAMES H. DAVIS, Son of Ebenezer Davis, was born in Westerlo, Albany County, N. Y., in 1817, and in 1836, with his parents, moved to Niagara County, where they remained until June, 1836, when they came to Tuscola. The family consisted of father, mother and eleven children. Mr. Davis had the first contract for carrying the mail from Bridgeport to his father's house, one and one-fourth mile west of Tuscola, his father being the postmaster, and the first one in the county. Dennis Harrison, at Tuscola village, succeeded him as postmaster, and removed the office there, and when the route was continued to Vassar, three months later, Mr. Davis resigned, and Chancey Firman succeeded him as carrier. His present place, on section 30, was purchased of the government in 8Ibi, and he has since resided there. EDWIN ELLIS, deceased, was born in Vermont, in 1811. From Vermont he went to New York, and in 1835 to Tuscola County, being one of the first comers to this county. He felled thle first tree on the north line of section 33, in the town of Tuscola. In the summer of 1837 Mr. Ellis went to Saginaw, and did not again take up his residence in Tuscola County until 1840, when he settled on the farm where his widow now lives. In 1844 he married his second wife, Miss Mary Hunter, a native of Vermont, who mloved from that State to Ohio, and came to this county in 1811, from Pine Run, Genesee County, where she had resided eight or nine years. Mr. Ellis at one time was so hard pressed for provisions that three men dined off one pigeon, which was warmed up for a strangler. Mr. Ellis and Ebenezer Davis went down to Saginaw after supplies, and on coming back the canoe was tipped over, and the bag of flour dropped into the river. It was rescued, dried and the bag scraped. In coming through to Tuscola County from the East, Mr Ellis drove an ox team across Canada. i I FIRST SAW-MILL. Mr. Dennis Harrison had visited the Cass River region for the purpose of learning something of the country and had been persuaded by Saginaw men that a fortune could be made at lumbering. It was therefore the main object of the company formed at Lewiston to build a mill and engage in lumbering. The time between December, 1835, and the summer of 1836, was spent in chopping and getting ready, and late in 1836 the mill was finished. It was located on Perry Creek a short distance from the Cass River and was the first saw-mill in Tuscola County. After operating it a short time it was purchased by Mr. Perry. Some portion of this mill is still standing upon its original site. THE HARRISONS. DENNIS HARRISON died at his home in the village of Tuscola, September 4, 1880, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Mr. Harrison was a native of Connecticut and of Scotch descent. He married Sarahl M. Van Kleeck, of Rensselaerville, N. Y., in the year 1818. About this time they settled at Lewiston, N. Y., where they resided until removing to Tuscola County. In September, 1837, Mr. Harrison became an actual resident of Tuscola where he lived until the time of his death. He was a man of strong constitution and maintained his vigor in a remarkable degree until a few days before his death. He was a man of great will-power and his life was exemplary in every respect. The children at the time of his death were: Sarah, wife of Nelson Hurd; John V.; William H.; Electus B., who died in 1881; Daniel W., and Elizabeth, wife of Dr. William Johnson, of Vssar. Mary Adaline, youngest daughter, died. WILLIAM H. HARRISON was born at Lewiston, N. Y., September 1, 1823. With the exception of about four years lie lived at home and in 1887 emigrated to Tuscola with his parents. At the age of twenty years his father gave him his time and he engaged in making shingles at Pine Run and afterward worked at a job on the road. He then went to Lewiston, N. Y., and attended the academy at that place. Afterward he attended school at Romeo, Mich. He then returned to Tuscola and lived at home one season, working at shingle-making a part of the time. The following winter he taught school at Pine Run. May 11, 1848, he married Miss Harriet N. Miller at Lewiston, N. Y. The two years following he had charge of his father's farm, and then began the mercantile business in a small way, as related elsewhere, being the first to engage in that business in Tuscola. He continued the mercantile business until 1878 when he retired from active business and was succeeded by his son, John F. H. Harrison. They have four children living: John F. H., the merchant; Benjamin D., a druggist at Sand Beach; Mattie A., and Cora, both of whoml are married and living in Dakota. Mr. Harrison entered openly upon Christian work and living about the year 1854, and since that time has been a devoted student of the Bible and zealously engaged in religious work. About the year 1879 he was licensed to preach, and in 1883 is building a chapel for religious worship in the town of Arbela. This he is doing at his own expense, and it is his practice to preach every Sabbath, which is a gratuitous service. His religious creed is of the broad and liberal kind and his chapel is to be dedicated to non-sectarian worship. Mr. Harrison is a man of great benevolence and endeavors to employ his time and means in ways that will benefit the world. He has large real estate interests which occupy a portion of his attention. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison and views of his property are given in this work. D. W. HARRISON is a native of Niagara County, N. Y., where lie was born in 1827. Came to Tuscola in 1837 with his parents and has occupied his farm in section 28 since 1854. In company -1 f.1? O —.d -- i r ~: (l PI: V i: X -~~-L'1_.-i:;W ~i::~~-I. i:_:1;'::~: i;:-'C,:::::~-::;:;::I;::::: I~:i'-: ---:;-i:1::'-:_-i:.1~- ~~:~::::: -:- -~'..iii ", - i - 4. b i/i~I ~i F ~ ~ iii''~~'z~~:~-.'-':-~.:::::_: -:;ii '.'1 ~. ~-,::::~; I: ~.. r;~ ----~~ u:: r ;"~: 2;rJ:-~ j i,~I--.-~ ~....~...i~'- i~!??i Yi " LL A RES.OF D.G. WILDER,WATRO USVILLE, TUSCO LA, Co. .- -a -a I. HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 33 __ with his brother, William H., he built a saw-mil at Tuscola, which was completed December 4, 1868, and was engaged in the lumber business for a number of years, but finally sold his interest to his brother, William H. Mr. Harrison succeeded himself as township treasurer at the last election and received the unanimous vote of both parties. He was married June 7, 1854, to Miss Emeline Hopkins, who came to Tuscola with her father from Allegany County, N. Y., September 29, 1850. They have three children —Horace E., Merta A. and Libbie M. Mrs. Harrison taught the Tuscola school in 1850, which was then the only school in the county, but the following year a schoolhouse was built in Vassar, in which Augusta M. Slafter taught the first school. JOHN V. HARRISON was born in Niagara County, N. Y., October 24, 1821, and lived there until 1837, when, in company with his parents, he came to Tuscola and in 1843 commenced work on his present farm which lies opposite the Tuscola sash and blind factory, which at one time (the land) belonged to and was a part of the farm. The farm was purchased by his father, Dennis Harrison, in 1836. Mr. Harrison was in the employ of William H. Harrison in the capacity of clerk for eighteen years. In 1869 he and Sylvester Detriech engaged in mercantile business at Tuscola, which they continued two years. He was married in 1846 to Jerutsha Ann Lee, a native of Niagara County, N. Y., and they have three sons. Her father was Calvin Lee, who came to Tuscola from Lewiston, NiagLra Co., N. Y., in 1842. Mrs. Harrison taught the second school in the county and her brother Silas was the first married. In the early times when provisions were not procured with the same ease as at present, Mr. Harrison and his brother, William H., brought a barrel of flour from Pine Run on a hand sled, and at other timnes had to go to Fentonville with an ox team to mill. The Harrisons were a pioneer family in every sense. When they arrived here in the fall of 1837, there were two log houses in the vicinity of what is now Tuscola village. Mrs. Dennis Harrison, and one child camne about four weeks after the others and were brought from Pine Run on an ox sled. They lived in a log house next to the mill about a year and then moved into a log house vwhich Mr. Harrison had built. About 1846 they moved into a frame house still standing on the corner of Saginaw and Bridge Streets. When they moved in their household goods were transported from Bridgeport up the river in a canoe. At one time the supply of provisions was nearly exhausted and there were many mouths to feed. Something must be done to replenish the larder. It was winter and Mr. Harrison constructed a sled to which William and John were harnessed, and they went to Mount Morris, a distance of twelve miles, loaded on a cargo of flour and pork, which they drew home, arriving just in time to furnish material for a meal shortly due. When the first school-house was built they brought the nails and glass on their backs from Pine Run, a distance of about twelve miles. The load for each was about fif ty pounds. About the time they settled here pork cost forty dollars per barrel in Detroit, lard twenty dollars per hundred pounds, and salt ten dollars per barrel. The latter item shows that the salt and potato diet of early days was not as inexpensive as would appear to people who are in the habit of paying ninety cents per barrel for salt. The first cow purchased by the Harrisols was in 1839. They needed a cow, but had no money with which to make the purchase. It occurred to William that by catching wolves he might get bounty money enough to pay for a cow. He set his traps, secured the wolf scalps, and with a lunch and twenty-five cents inll money started for Lapeer in company with a brothler to draw the bounty. He got an order for twenty dollars, which he discounted four dollars in order to get the money. Before he found a cow he had spent a dollar, and the price of the cow was seventeen dollars. While studying out a way to bridge the chasm he picked up a two dollar bill froma the ground, and the cow was bought. ONE OF THE OLDEST RESIDENTS. LOVIRA H'ART is one of the veritable pioneers of Tuscola County and is well deserving of a notice in this work. He came to Tuscola in 1836 and settled on sections 20 and 29, where he has since resided. What was then a dense trackless wilderness he has transformed by his perseverance and industry into well tilled fields which provide all the creature comforts and well repay him for the years of unceasing labor he spent in developing and improving this now productive soil. For some time after his arrival in the county his nearest postoffice was Bridgeport and trading points were Saginaw and Flint, and he experienced many of the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. He has filled many of the township offices and is now the president of the County Pioneer Society. He has in his possession a remarkable curiosity, or it might be termed a reminiscence of his pioneer experience, which is interesting and worthy of notice. Late inll the Fall of 1838 his brother, Orlando Hart, of Mt. Morris, Livingston county, N. Y., came to make him a visit, bringing with him a wolf trap of his own make, thinking it wvould be of use in the then wilderness of Tuscola. During the two following winters Mr. Hart and Eben Morse, a young manl living with him, caught several wolves with it; but in the spring of 1841 the trap disappeared from near the stake between sections 20 and 29 and was not again heard from until the winter of 1878-9, when a Mr. Thompson, while cutting wood cn Chris. Hughes' farm in Genesee county, felled a beech tree, inll the top of which he found a steel trap. He cut out a section of the timber to which the trap was attached and carried it to Mt. Morris, where Orlando Hart, the maker, saw and recognized it. The trap was afterward taken to Flint, Mich., and sold to a Mr. Crocker, who intended to place it onl exhibition in the Crystal Palace, London, but was finally persuaded to sell it to Lovira Hart, who has since retained It. Whatever animal it was that carried it must have ascended the tree thirty-five or tllirty-six feet high, passeci through a crotch or fork and around the body, and being unable to extricate itself perished. There is a small tuft of fur in the jaws of the trap supposed to be from a lynx or wild-cat. There is now a solid ridge of wood over the chain, which, by cutting a mortise, discloses thirty-six courses of wood. Mr. Hart has been connected with most of the important events of the county, and was one of the most active of the pioneers. He lives yet upon the land he first cleared and has one of the finest farms in the county, a view of which is given in this work. There are few men living inl the county who have had a greater v~ariety of pioneer experience than Mr. Hart. The first wheat that he raised was threshed with a flail. The crop amounted to 150 bushels. He took it to Pontiac and sold it for fifty cents a bushel in order to get money which he was obliged to realize. Going to mill was one of the hardships of those days, and sometimes it was necessary to make a journey to Flushing. Arriving there it would sometimes be impossible to get hotel accommodations, and wrapping himself in a blanket he would lie all night under his wagon. Other incidents are mentioned in other connections. Mr. Hart is president of the Pioneer Society and takes a lively interest in its welfare. ] 0 1 1 W-I - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. Ir 34 SOME OF THE FIRST EVENTS. The first permanent settler was Ebenezer Davis, who arrived in June, 1836. The first birth was that of Ellen, daughter of Ebenezer Davis. The first death, that of Adaline, daughter of Dennis Harrison. The first marriage, Sarah, daughter of Dennis Harrison, to Nelson Hurd, of Pine Run. The ceremony was solemnized by Lovira Hart, Esq. The first school was taught by R. L. Hurd. The first school district was organized in 1839. To effect this Lovira Hart walked to Lapeer and back, a distance of about seventy miles, following an Indian trail. The first school-house was built that year by Dennis Harrison, and a school taught by Jerusha Harrison, then Lee. The old school-house is still standing on the bank of the river at the lower end of the village. The first sermon was preached at the house of Dennis Harrison in 1839, by Rev. Mr. Whitwan, an Englishman and a brick mason by trade. He traveled on-foot and always carried a gun. The first physician in the county who regularly attended upon a patient was Dr. Fish, of Flint. The first resident physician in Tuscola was Dr. Wm. Johnson, now of Vassar. The first lawsuit was tried before Lovira Hart. The first grist-mill in the county was built about 1841 on Perry Creek by Alfred Holmes. The first fanning-mills were brought from the State of New York by Lovira Hart, about the year 1840. They were brought from Bridgeport in a skiff, one at a time. The first postmaster was Ebenezer Davis, and his son James H. Davis was the first mail carrier, the route being from Bridgeport to Tuscola. This was in 1846 or 1847. The first frame dwelling was erected by R. C. Ripley in the year 1842, and is still standing. The first tannery was built by R, C. Ripley, in 1842-'43, where the woolen-mill now stands in the village of Tuscola. He also built the first saw-mill on Cass River. The first frame barn in the county was built in the year 1840, by Dennis Harrison, and is now the property of William Harrison, in the village of Tuscola. The only citizens of Tuscola who went to Lapeer to vote were Lovira Hart, Dennis Harrison, E. W. Perry and S. H. Downs. The first mail ever brought into the county was in December, 1835. Edwin Ellis, R. L. Hurd and Charles Hayes had just arrived, and Martin L. Miller had come out to look at land. They wanted their mail, and Mr. Miller said that if thev would furnish him a pair of skates, he would go to Saginaw and bring it. They got the skates and Mr. Miller made the journey on the ice, and brought up the desired letters. From a memorandum in E. W. Perry's old account book, it would seem that Charles Hayes was the first tailor in the county. The memorandum, made in 1836, reads as follows: "Charles Hayes lost one day, while making his pantaloons." CLEARING THE CASS RIVER. The first event which had a bearing upon the future destiny of Tuscola County, was the clearing of the Cass River, thereby opening its channel for the logging operations of subsequent years. The flood-wood in the river had collected into five formidable dams, which completely obstructed passage. The early settlers were subjected to great hardship on account of these, as at each one the canoe would have to be unloaded, and both canoe and cargo transported over the flood-wood. These obstructions had been increasing in magnitude for years, and perhaps centuries. The legislature of the State had offered to pay the sun of $1,000 for clearing the river, but no one would undertake it. After Mr. E. W. Perry purchased the interests of his partners in the saw-mill, he determined to open a channel to float his lumber down the river. Considering the extent of his means, it was a gigantic undertaking, but about the year 1839, he succeeded in clearing the channel of the river, having expended about $1,500. The importance of this enterprise has never been fully realized. In pine regions lumbering always precedes agriculture. The Cass River was skirted with the finest cork pine in the world, and, until it was lumbered, there would be no general progress in agriculture. There could be no lumbering until the obstructions in the Cass River were removed. In doing this, Mr. Perry achieved the first great triumph for progress in the county, and made it possible for North & Edmunds, to. inaugurate an era of general development ten years later. Mr. Perrv never received but a small portion of the amount he expended in this enterprise. It has, however, connected his name with the growth and prosperity of the county. EBENEZER W. PERRY was born in Smithfield, Chenango County, N. Y., and was a carpenter'by trade. The facts of his partnership in the company that made ths first opening in Tuscola County, have already been mentioned. He lived in Tuscola until 1867 and then removed to Saginaw, where he remained three years, and then came back to Tuscola and stayed two years. Returning to Saginaw he remained a short time, when he again took up his residencein Tuscola, where he died, April 1, 1875. He was about sixty-eight years of age at the time of his death. He was twice married and left a wife and seven children, three of whom now live in Tuscola. The first permanent bridge across the river at Tuscola, was built mainly by his energy and enterprise. In many ways he rendered service to this region of country that should not be undervalued. TEN YEARS OF LONELINESS. The period between the years of 1837 and 1848 was a silent one. The ten or eleven families who had settled in Tuscola were the sole inhabitants of the county. This period began in the time of "wild cat money" and continued through the demoralization and prostration. In 1848 the Richardsons came, followed soon by the Slafters; the operations of North & Edmunds, at Vassar, started the tide of immigration, and an epoch of general development began. THE VILLAGE OF TUSCOLA. In the spring of 1848, Col. John H. Richardson and his brother, Dr. Paschal Richardson, arrived in Tuscola. They foundten or eleven families in this part of the county. There were the saw-mill, tannery, and the dam across the river. This about completes an invoice of the population and industries of the county at that time. A RETROSPECT. Col. Richardson furnishes us with a retrospective view, as follows: "In the spring of 1848, I landed in Tuscola County, with the expectation of making my future home here. I arrived in the spring, and found a small band of farmers struggling to make themselves comfortable. That little band consisted of about nine fami lies; they had chosen their locations and had made some improvements, little patches of corn and wheat and potatoes. They seemed to enjoy the life of the pioneer. All seemed happy in their avocations, and appeared very much interested in the arrival of strangers from the outside world; were full of hospitality and were very anxious that strangers should know of the wealth and see some of the beauties of this county. I confess I was completely captivated j —,-: - l (Lf fal — L-, HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 35 by their friendly interest and the undeveloped beauties which surrounded me. Looking up toward the tops of the tall forest trees, such as the oak, the sugar maple and the pine, all so useful and so plenty in this county at that early day, I found almost everything so different from what had been represented to me when I first landed in Detroit. The representation made to me at that time was, a cold and barren soil, fit for no one but Indians, half-breeds and trappers. I was happily disappointed in not finding moss on the bodies of the trees from top to bottom, and the lower branches touching the ground. I found the early settlers of this county most beautifully located upon the banks of the Cass River, upon good, clay loam soil, with every prospect of securing a competence. I became satisfied, after a few days prospecting, that I could not do better than select my location and commence operations. I immediately did so, and then wrote on for my friends to come, and they kept coming, one after another; and they had some friends and would send for them; and so the number of families kept increasing, and has continued to do so until now. The forest trees kept disappearing before the sturdy arms of the pioneer, and beautiful orchards of mixed fruits and waving fields have taken their place. "And so Tuscola County of 1848, with its new developed resources, its dark woods, its bridle paths, and Indian trails, and log cabins, has passed away, and now beautiful villages, palatial dwellings, broad and rich fields of wheat, oats and corn, and most of the different varieties of fruit, enough for home consumption, and a large amount yearly for export, leaving good profits in the hands of the operators, is the recompense of the inhabitants of Tuscola County. "Tuscola County was attached to Saginaw County for judicial purposes, and remained so until 1850, when an act of the legislature was passed, organizing Tuscola County, where there was but one organized town and that was the township of Tuscola. About that time Messrs. North & Edmunds located at Vassar, and commenced building mills; and the inhabitants commenced settling around them, coming in on the trail of the little band located on the banks of the Cass River, at Tuscola. And so from the few inhabitants of 1848 and 1850, Tuscola County has advanced to its present position, having in 1880, according to the census, a population of upward of 25,000. Not only has the face of the country been improved, but the stock has changed for the better in as great a ratio as our farms. When we look to 1848 we see the cattle running in the woods with the tinkling bell upon their necks. A small ox, sometimes a pair of bulls or a steer and a heifer yoked together constituted the teams of the ccuntry. The hogs running half wild, with jewels hanging to their chops and necks, constituted the pork family. Compare the past with the present: then the rude log cabin, now the stately mansion; then the log barns and hay ricks and scanty crops, now the well-filled frame barns; from the trails and log causeways to well constructed turnpikes; from the ox team and two-wheeled cart and sled we have now beautiful horse teams and top carriages; and from the small native cow we have changed to the well-bred imported stock." During the year 1850 Col. Richardson built the big store, still standing, and opened the first regular store in the county. The postoffice was moved into it, and Dr. Richardson was postmaster. The features of a village now began to appear. This was the,ateway through which every one had to pass in going from Saginaw ap the Cass River. People swarmed in to buy pine lands, and for several years following 1850 settlers poured into the county rapidly. They were lively years for Tuscola Village. The village was platted and its future looked promising. In 1854 the Cass River House was built by John Currey, and called the Currey House. About two years later Dennis Harrison built the Tuscola House, and in 1857 Dr. William Johnson, now of Vassar, moved into it, and served the public in the double capacity of physician and landlord. During 18.54, Mr. Philo B. Richardson arrived and engaged in the mercantile business. The mill property and water has remained in possession of the Richardsons, but a sash, door and blind-factory and a woolen-mill have succeeded the old saw-mill and tannery. The postmasters at Tuscola have been as follows: Ebenezer Davis, Dennis Harrison, Dr. Paschal Richardson, William Harrison, Sabin Gibbs, P. B. Richardson, Horace E. Harrison and Dr. Shoff. The office was at one time called Worth, but afterward changed to Tuscola. The village is located on section 28, and was platted in 1850. It has one of the finest natural locations on the Cass River, but having no railroad connection it has retrograded rather than advanced. BRIDGES. The first bridge across the Cass River at this point was a rude affair, built by the State. The first permanent bridge was commenced by Dennis Harrison and E; W. e. rry, and finished by the latter. The present magnificent iron bridge is- the finest improvement the town has ever made, and it was largely?Iue to the efforts and good judgment of Hon. D. G. Slafter that it was secured. It was built in 1877 at a cost of $7,000. CHURCH SOCIETIES. THE METHODIST CHURCH. In the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tuscola County will be found the early history of the society in Tuscola village. The fi rst sermon ever preached in the county was preached here in 1839 by Rev. Mr. Whitwan. The first class in the county was organized here ten years later and the members were L.ovira Hart, Esther Hart, Leander W. Van Kleeck, Emily Van Kleeck and Mary Hines. The church edifice was built in 1867 and dedicated in February, 1868. The building was erected by the Wesleyan Methodists and Methodist Episcopal branches,to be used alternately, but the latter have succeeded the former. December 25, 1858, William Johnson, D. W. Harrison, J. M. Palmer, Dennis Harrison, E. Harrison, E. Eilis and A. J. Slafter signed articles of association for the organization of the "First Wesleyan Methodist Societ? of Tuscola." At a meeting held at the house of William Johnson in the town of Tuscola, January 10, 1859, the following named were elected trustees of the society; viz: W. H. Harrison, Edwin Ellis and James M. Palmer. This branch con tinued as a society until its numbers, from one cause and another, were so diminished that the organization was practically abandoned. The Methodist Episcopal Society has, at the present time, about ninety-five members, and the Sunday-school about seventyfive members. The more recent ministers have been Revs. Strong, = r I I I I BEGINNING OF GENERAL PROGRESS. The two Richardsons purchased the mill property and water power of Mr. Ripley, and completed the dam. In 1849 the Slafters came, and Townsend North began operations at Vassar. In 1850 William Harrison started the first mercantile business done in Tuscola. His cash capital was $16, and his first purchase of goods amounted to $116. He bought his goods of Daniel H. Eaton, of Saginaw, and brought them in on a wagon. His salesroom was in his dwelling-house. J -It- 0 .e r — I " v - PM 36 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I f - - I Moon, Storer, Pierce, Bailey and the present pastor, Rev. R. D. Robinson. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.-BY L. HENRY LEE. Among the early settlers of Tuscola there were a few who had been members of Baptist Churches in the Eastern States, but on settling in the "wilderness" they did not take steps to organize a Baptist Church, but helped to sustain other organizations and worked in their Sunday-schools. The first sermon preached in Tuscola County, so far as is known, by a Baptist minister, was preached by Rev. J. S. Goodman, then of Flint, at the funeral of John Slafter, in the latter part of November, 1856. In the winter of 1857-'58 Rev. William Wisner held a very interesting series of meetings in the school-house in the village, and in the spring following it was decided by the few Baptists in and about the village that the time had come to organize a church. Accordingly, on the last Saturday in March, 1858, the following namled brethren and sisters entered into covenant obligations with one another and with their God, viz: Brethren E. W. Perry, G. W. Smith, and Sisters A. C. Slafter, Almina Richardson, A. M. Tobey, Persis Slafter and Susan B. Tivy, three of whom, Sisters Richardson, Tobey and A. C. Slafter are still with uS. Others soon united, so that in the latter part of December, 1858, when Rev. M. Hayden came among us, the church numbered seventeen members. The church was organized as a regular gospel church by council, July 15, 1858, A. H. Cole, chairman of council, F. R. Tracy, clerk. Soon after the organization of the church, Bro. E. W. Perry was chosen clerk, and Abijah Lee, deacon. Elder Hayden remained with the church about six months. In March, 1860, Rev. W. D. Potter came upon the field as a missionary of the Flint River Association, and remained with us two years, preaching to us once in two weeks. Rev. J. Hawker was our next pastor, laboring very acceptably with us two years. Early in 1865 Rev. W. W. Robson settled with us as pastor, and remained with us between one and two years, after which we were supplied for a while by Rev. H. Stowits, after which Rev. A. A. Mead acted as pastor till some time in 1868. In the spring of 1866 it was decided to undertake the building of a meeting-house. Accordingly, work was commenced, but it was not completed until the spring of 1870, and the first meeting in it was the covenant meeting of May 15, 1870, and on June 1st of that year it was dedicated; sermon by A. J. Frost, prayer by Rev. S. W. Titus. The church then numbered thirteen members, four males and nine females. Soon after the dedication a call was given to Bro. I. Horton to be our pastor, which he accepted, and at a council held September 14, 1870, he was ordained. He held the pastoral relation until September 10, 1871. January 7, 1872, a call was given to Bro. H. E. Adams, which he accepted and on February 20, 1872, he was formally set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by council. Bro. Adams resigned in the latter part of 1873. September 19, 1875, Mr. V. Frazer was called to the pastorate. He resigned July, 1876. October 11, 1876, a call was extended to our present pastor, Rev. P. Forbes, who still labors with us with much zeal and energy. Since the formation of this church its statistical changes have been as follows: Baptized, 48; received by letter, 55; by experience, 24; dismissed, 44; excluded, 13; dropped, 1; died 14; present number, 61. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. The Seventh Day Adventist Society, of Tuscola, was organized October 20, 1866, with seventeen members. John L. Miller was chosen elder. About that time they purchased the old school house of Mr. Dennis Harrison for a place of meeting. The original number of members has been diminished and regular meetings are not now held. UNITED BRETHREN. A class of five members and a Sunday-school in connection with the North Michigan Conference of the United Brethren in Christ, was organized in 1883 by Rev. A. E. Seibert, of the Vassar Church, with a membership of five, which meets in the schoolhouse in the northern part of the town. Services are held every two weeks. UNION SCHOOL. The village school belongs to School District No. 1, and since 1867 has been a graded school. The present school building was erected about 1854. The present teacher is John A. Chapel, and the number of school children in the district is 148. SOCIETIES. There is an Odd Fellows' lodge which has a good membership and is flourishing. A post of the G. A. R. was instituted in the village recently, and christened Harper Post, No. 101. The members were mustered in by Col. J. V. Russell, of Granger Post, No. 38, East Saginaw. Officers were installed as follows: Post commander, William Marks; senior post commander, A. J. Haines; junior post commander, R. B. Rogers; quartermaster, Orson Orms; adjutant, Alonzo Slafter; chaplain, M. E. Greenough; officer of the day, Charles Hustler; officer of the guard, Lucius Bush; sergeant major, Fred Clemens; quartermaster sergeant, G. W. White. THE RICHARDSONS. JOHN H. RICHARDSON, senator from the Thirtieth District, is a native of Vermont, born in Randolph, January 24, 1814. His father, Harper Richardson, was born in Royalton, Vt., -and is of Scotch origin. Three Richardson brothers emigrated from Scotland in an early day, probably in the sixteenth century, one locating in Connecticut, one in Philadelphia and the other in New York City. His mother was Roxy Belknap, born in Randolph, Vt., a descendant of the Kibby family, who also were among the first settlers of Connecticut. Mr. Richardson's father was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that calling in Randolph, Vt., until a few years previous to his death, which occurred in 1838. His means were somewhat limited, and the only educational advantages our subject enjoyed were those afforded by the district schools of that day. As soon as he was old enough to command wages he worked at farming by the month du:ing the summer season, getting but a few weeks' schooling each winter. At the age of nineteen years he gathered his personal effects into a pack, and with this on his back he traveled on foot from Randolph to Old Ipswich, Mass. Arriving in that vicinity he worked one summer on a farm, and in the fall commenced work in a cotton factory. He was employed in the preparation department one and a half years, and was then tendered the position of overseer of the department, which duty he assumed and discharged satisfactorily for seven years, his salary of $1.50 per day being then considered big wages. He next went to Chicopee, Mass., and worked one year in refitting an old mill, after which he removed to Palmer, where parties were putting up a mill for the manufacture of the finest cambric goods. He filled the position of overseer in this mill for seven years. _______________________________________I r. 1I - ~ A S i|:s go I I", I -06 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 37 In the year 1847 he removed to Michigan, and located near Tuscola. He entered a tract of pine lands, built a saw-mill, and engaged in the lumber business, which he followed until 1877, when he erected a flouring-mill and a sash and blind factory. He has been eminently successful in business, and has acquired a fine competence, all the fruits of his own labor. He has two large farms in the immediate vicinity of Tuscola, which lie also conducts. Two years after settling in Michigan Mr. Richardson was elected to the office of supervisor. Tuscola County was then attached to Saginaw for judicial purposes. It was organized as a county in 1850, when our subject, in company with the clerk, constituted the whole county board. He has held the office of supervisor at different times aggregating about seventeen years. In 1861 he raised a company of volunteers and tendered its services to the governor. He was elected captain. His services at Balls Bluff, Maryland, where Baker was slaughtered, were recognized by his promotion to major of the Seventy-Seventh Michigan Volunteers. His company being mostly lumbermen, and able to "ride a log," they were detailed to man the boats being used to convey the army to the Maryland shore in their retreat. He was interviewed by General McClellan, who asked him if he thought he could get the whole army safely over by daylight. Receiving an affirmative answer, the general said: "For God's sake do it. Command the whole army; they are in your hands." The feat was safely accomplished and the Army of the Potomac, or at least a portion of it, saved from capture. His regiment went through the Peninsular campaign, where Mr. Richardson proved to be of great service in superintending the building of bridges and the log roads approaching Yorktown, over which heavy ordnance might. be drawn. At the battle of Fair Oaks and Seven Pines he led his regiment, the colonel being sick and the lieutenant-colonel having resigned. He was situated in the break between the two divisions of the Union army, the one at Seven Pines and the other at Fair Oaks, and was pitted against three rebel regiments, far outnumbering his force; but by a charge of bayonets he drove them from their position, thus connecting the two divisions of the Federal forces and preventing what might have been a serious break in their lines. At the close of the Peninsular campaign he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Twenty-Seventh Michigan Volunteers, and was sent with his regiment to Vicksburg, where they participated in Grant's campaign. He was taken ill with rheumatism and a pulmonary difficulty in the fall of 1863, and was advised to resign, which he did. He did not recover sufficiently to again enter the army; in fact, has never been in sound physical condition since. In the fall of 1864, he, with others, was commissioned to go to Decatur, Alabama, to take the soldiers' vote. He was also appointed commissioner to lay the State road from Saginaw to Mackinac. Mr. Richardson has held some office of trust ever since he became a resident of Michigan, and has served the public faithfully in whatever capacity it has seen fit to have him represent. In 1868 he was elected a delegate for the State of Michigan to the Chicago convention that nominated U. S. Grant as president of the United States. In the fall of 1.882 he was tendered the nomination, as representative to congress, by the Democratic and Greenback parties of his district, but declined on account of his own pressing business which demanded his personal attention. He was elected to the State senate in the fall of 1882, by the Greenback and Democratic parties, of the Thirtieth District, which includes the counties of Bay and Tuscola. His majority was 1,629 votes over the Republican nominee. He had been a Republican until the Liberal Republican movement of 1872. Was tendered the nomination for representative in congress by the Greenback party of his district, but they were in the minoraty, and he failed to get the election. In the senate Mr. Richardson was chairman of the committee on school for the blind, and member of committee on cities and villages, military affairs, public health and saline interests. Among other bills introduced by him is the one requiring the State to pay to the soldiers of the late war, the $100 bounty promised those who enlisted in 1864, and which they have never been able to get. Mr. Richardson was married in 1841, to Miss Cynthia Henry, of Connecticut. They have had seven children. The eldest son, Lieutenant Harper S. Richardson, entered the army with his father, and was wounded at Jackson, Miss., from the effects of which he died in the hospital at Detroit. His eldest daughter died of consumption, in May, 1880. Mr. Richardson has a fine residence in the village of Tuscola, where he has won the confidence and esteem of his many friends: as attested by their gift to him of the honorable position he so ably occupied in representing them in the senate of Michigan. P. B. RICHARDSON is a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and was born in 1814. For a time worked in the United States armory there, and for the Boston & Springfield Company, making and repairing cotton machinery; camle to Tuscola in 1854, where hle has since resided, and engaged in mercantile business, occupying for two or three years the Tuscola store, built by Col. J. H. Richardson-the first store built in the county. He then built his present store, and has since been doing a general mercantile business in the building then erected. He also has a fine farm of 160 acres, on section 33, Tuscola Township, and has built thereon a residence, at a cost of $2,000; keeping some of the finest stock in the county, among which may be mentioned a number of Holstein cattle, which he imported from Germany, three Norman Percheron horses, brought out from France, and a Hambletonian stallion. He also brought with him from the East two Morgan horses. He sold, in 1882, two Holstein cows for $525, and two calves and a yearling for $425. Mr. Richardson has been under-sheriff a number of terms, and also constable. He was married at Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, to Miss Abigail S. Graves, by whom lie has had two sons and one daughter. S. L. RICHARDSON Was born at East Randolph, Orange County, Vermont, in 1816, and at the age of nineteen years went to Ipswicih, Massachusetts, remaining there till 1841, when he removed to South Danvers, where he remained fifteen years. At Ipswich he learned the tanner and currier's trade, and worked at it there and at South Danvers. He came to Tuscola the 17th of May, 1848, and bought a farm in the edge of Saginaw County, on the Indian reserve, which he cleared and improved. It beina very fertile soil, he reports a yield of 406 bushels of wheat from thirteen acres, and remarks of it that it was sold for sixty-two cents per bushel, and was taken up the Cass River to be fed to oxen. He probably brought in the first mower and threshing machine used in the county. In connection with Col. Richardson and Mr. Deiderich he built the Tuscola grist-mill, in 1869, and on February 17, 1870, it commenced running. After six years he sold his interest in the mill, but now, in company with his son, is running it. DR. PASCHAL RICHARDSON was born at Randolph, Vt., and com menced the practice of medicine in Massachusetts. In 184-1 he came to Michigan, and settled on a farm in Genesee County. He afterward moved into the village of Flint, and in 1848 came to Tuscola with Colonel Richardson and engaged in business as already stated. He died in April, 1878. He was three times married, and left a widow at his death who still resides in Tuscola. Dr..3(. I I.; r 0 j lI { 'A'. I I I. I vi.1 o ^~-:: A:;: I e - - -- I. o0 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I Richardson was one of the prominent men of the county. He held several local offices, and was at one time a member of the legislature. JOHN L. RICHARDSON is a native of Ipswich, Essex County, Mass., and was born in 1834. In 1841 he came to Michigan with his parents, and settled in the township of Thetford, Genesee County, and in 1849 came to Tuscola. Mr. Richardson graduated from the law department of the University of Miclligan, in 1867, and has since practiced his profession. Has been township clerk'two years, township treasurer four years, and supervisor five years, holding the office at the present time. I I THE SLAFTERS. JOHN SLAFTER was born at Mansfield, Conn., October 31, 1776. He married Persis Grow, of Hartland, Vt., January 14, 1805. She was born June 17, 1783. Mr. Slafter inherited the paternal estate at Norwich, Vt., where he resided for many years. He held the office of justice of the peace, and was a prominent citizen of that place. He followed surveying at times, and an old compass that he used is now in possession of Hon. D. G. Slafter, at Tuscola. The instrument must be a century old, and is a curiosity. In 1850 Mr. Slafter sold his estate in Vermont, and removed to Tuscola, where his sons had already located. He died November 2, 1856. HON. DAVID G. SLAFTER was born at Norwich, Vt., January 1, 1817. February 11, 1813, he married Ann Calista, daughter of John Lucas, of Pierrepont, N. Y. She was born December 6, 1825. In the fall of 1849 they settled in the town of Tuscola, and since that time Mir. Slafter has occupied a prominent position in business and public affairs. With the exception of one year, he has held the office of justice of the peace ever since 1852, and during all that time he has never had a case reversed. He was judge of probate four years, enrolling officer and deputy provost marshal from 1863 until the close of the war, and a mnember of the legislature in 1863 and at the extra session of 1864. Mr. Slafter's business has been mainly real estate and lumbering. He is now extensively engaged in buying and selling pine lands, and at the present time is largely interested in pine lands in Alabama. He is a stockholder in and vice-president of the First National Bank of Vassar. He is a man of superior business ability, and is regarded as one of the leading men of the county. WILLIAM SLAFTER is a native of Norwich, Windsor County, Vt., where he was born October 1, 1807. In 1849 he came to Tuscola, bringing his family, and reaching the county onil the 17th day of October, and with the exception of five years, between 1854 and 1859, spent in Genesee County, has since resided here. In coming into tile county his party consisted of his wife and five childrenFlora E., Albert, Alonzo, Mary and Anne R., also D. G. Slafter and wife. At Flint they hired a man, by the name of Russell, to bring them through with his horses and wagon, but when in the vicinity of Pine Run he declared himself lost, and after wandering about for some time they finally encamped four miles south of Tuscola village, on what is now Mrs. Calkins place, and built a fire. William and D. G. Slafter then struck out in search of the settleinent, and along in the night reached Tuscola, where they procured help and returned for the remainder of the party, bringing them in about two o'clock in the morning. Mrs. Slafter and daughter Mary died within the following two weeks. Mr. Slafter was foreman for P. Richardson & Co., in their lumber camps, and running sawed lumber in rafts to Saginaw, for many years, and was the first highway commissioner who did very much toward improving the roads. JUDSON SLAFTER was born at Norwich, Vt., January 3, 182'2, and settled in Tuscola in 1850. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in the service, and was made sergeant of Company D, Twenty-third Mich I igan Volunteers. He was wounded at Campbell's Station, Tenn., November 16th, and died in the hospital soon after. He left a widow and three children. He was a man very much esteemed, and an excellent soldier. JOHN FARWELL SLAFTER was born at Mansfield, Conn., November 11, 1814, and died at Keokuk, Iowa, October 24, 1847. There were four daughters, viz.: Phalle Richardson Slafter, born at Norwich, January 1, 1806, who married Nahum Wilson, of Barre, Vt., March 17, 1828, and died in August, 1863. PERSIS GROW SLAFTER, born December 28, 1809, who married Austin Hutchinson, of Norwich, Vt., December, 1832, and died at Hartland, Vt., in 1879. ALMINA LOUISE SLAFTER, widow of the late Dr. Paschal Richardson, still living in Tuscola, also Augusta Melvina, wife of Oliver P. Tobey, of Tuscola. ALONZO SLAFTER, son of William Slafter, was born in Norwich, Windsor County, Vt., December 27, 1812, and came to Tuscola with his parents in 1849, and since has resided here, with the exception of the time he spent in the army. On the 8th of December, 1864, he enlisted in the Thirtieth AMichigan Volunteer Infantry, and served until the 23d of June 1865. They rendezvoused at Camp Blair, Jackson, and from there were ordered to Keely's Hall, corner of Orleans and Lafayette Streets, Detroit, where they were mustered in, and were afterward at the Detroit barracks, on what was termed "frontier service, "and enforced the passport system. Mr. Slafter has a farm near the village of Tuscola, and at one time was engaged in the nursery business, having an original stock of 64,000 trees. TRACES OF COAL. For some time prior to the year 1848, John Miller, a blacksmith, was in the habit of getting his coal from a vein that cropped out in the river, near the mouth of Colt's Creek, and which was accessible when the water was low. The attention of the few people who were in this locality was absorbed in lurmbering, and but little thought was given to the matter. In 1859 the Richardsons sunk a shaft to a depth of sixteen feet, near the tUnnery, and struck a vein -of coal underlaid with fire clay. A few years ago Mr. Philo Richardson sunk a well on his farm, and at the depth of fifty-five feet drilled through a vein of coal, about five feet in thickness. Mr. Peter Baldwin had a similar experience in sinking a well on his farm. Specimens of the coal have been preserved, and it is believed that the country about Tuscola village is underlaid with this valuable mineral, but in what quantities has not been determined. STATISTICAL. Census of 1854: Population, 437; males, 235; females, 202; number of marriages during preceding year, 13; number of deaths during preceding year, 3; number of acres of taxable land, 13,434;' number of acres improved, 1,124; number of acres of wheat, 261; bushels of corn preceding year, 4,050; bushels of wheat preceding year, 2,145; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 2,194; tons of hay cut preceding year, 245; pounds of wool sheared, 165; pounds of butter made preceding year, 3,750, pounds of cheese made pre ceding year, 20; number of horses, 31; number of work oxen, 70; number of cows, 91; number of flouring-mills, 1; number of barrels of flour made preceding year, 100; number of saw-mills, 3; feet of lumber cut, 1,800,000. Census of 1860: Population, 954; number of families, 121; number of dwelling-houses, 121; value of real estate owned, $38,670; number of farms, 156; number of acres improved, 3,627; nlumber of horses, 120; number of cows, 243; bushels of wheat G r ~::d '~:9 ~~: 1~-;~: — i~:Ba: v:Fi ii I,JI * e -: -I%co 6101- 0 IN I i I. i I. i t i V I.. -. - O.: - I, I. I i LA Us-0. MICH. 44 i - 4'.- "I i. - t I i. , f., i I I. ij '91 -... t....1 r RES. oF COL -J. H. RiCHARDSON, TuSCO LA VI L LAG IE yTijSCOLACO. MiCH. 6 I - -.!. - i a] I I I t - - - - - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 39 raised, 4,308; bushels of rve, 844; bushels of corn, 7,941; bushels of oats, 6,001; bushels of potatoes, 4,441; pounds of wool sheared, 43; pounds of butter made, --; tons of hay cut, 168; number of flouring-mills, 1; number of saw-mills, 1; feet of luimber sawed, 500,000. Census of 18G8)4: Population, 1,022; males, 518; females, 504; nulmber of deaths preceding year, 1; number of acres of taxable land, 10,875; number of acres improved, 3,552.; acres of wheat, 295; bushels of corn preceding year, 2,254; bushels of wheat preceding year, 3,028; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 3,682; tons of hay cut preceding year, 1,239; pounds of wool sheared preceding year, 3,399; pounds of butter made preceding year, 31,814; pounds of cheese made preceding year, 3,696; number of horses, 153; number of saw-mills, 1; feet of lumber sawed, 300,000. Census of 1870: Population, 1,110; number of families, 238; number of dwellings, 237; number of voters, 259; numnber of deaths, 2; number of acres of improved land, 4,546; number of horses, 247; pounds of wool sheared, 5,258; pounds of butter made, 27,833; pouids of cheese made, 709; bushels of wheat raised, 7,-827; bushels of rye, 295; bushels of corn, 6,608; bushels of oats, 9,886; bushels of potatoes, 7,864; tons of hlay cut, 1,470; number of saw-mills, 2; feet of lumber cut, 500,000; number of flouring-mills, 1; barrels of flour ground, 800. Census of 1874: Population, 1,292; males, 667; females, 615; number of horses, 338; number of oxen, 101; number of cows, 474; number of sheep, 985; number of swine, 271; bushels of wheat, 9,975; bushels of corn, 12,658; bushels of apples, 3,491; bushels of potatoes, 11,246; tons of hlay, 1,538. Population in 1880,1,301. Total equalized valuation in 1882, $725,764. Number of farmns in 1881, 178; acres of improved land, 744; bushels of Awheat raisedl in 1880, 30,237; of corn, 50,089; tons of hay, 1,448. SCHOOL MATTERS. According to the annual school report for the year ending September 4, 1882, of the town of Tuscola, the directors for the I ensuing year were: John H. Richardson, Lemuel P. Hart, Archibald Chambers, Joseph E. Levis, Rufus L. Price, James Saunders, i Horace Coleman, John Holliday, and Albert Whaley. There were nine school districts, three of which were fractional. Whole number of children of school age in the town, 547; number that YEAR. 1 S49 1 S4 L 1S47 1S46 1 S45' 1 S43 1S41 1 S40 SUPERVISOR. Alanson Calkins Alfred Holmes Alfred Holmes Lovira Hart Alfred Holles Lovira Hart E. W. Perrv E. W. Perry E. W. Perrv Dennis Harrison CLERK. E. W. Perry Paschal Richardson, D. H. Haynes R. C. Ripley R. C. Ripley Ebenezer Davis Ebenezer Davis Ebenezer Davis Dennis Harrison Martin L. Miller TREA.SURER. Truman M. Waters John Miller John Miller John Miller Lovira Hart John Miller John Miller John Miller E. W. Perry Dennis Harrison BIOGRAPHICAL. ANDREW JACKSON HAINES is a native of Albany County, N.Y., but subsequently moved to Niagara County, and afterward to Oxford, Oakland County, Mich., where he remained until 1843, when he came to Tuscola, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years in the township of Tuscola. His father came six months previous, and it is said that he filled out the first summons issued in the county. He had previously visited the county in 183.5 and located land in Tuscola Township, and at that time made the shakes for the first house, probably, erected in what is now Tuscola County. Mr. A. J. Haines enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Infanltry during the late war, and served four years, receiving a wound at Antietam which incapacitated him tor duty for six months. He married Miss Elizabeth Hughes, a native of Boston, Mass. They have had three children, all of whom are living. HENRY SEZER WaS born in Pennsylvania, in 1827, and in early childhood, with his parents, moved to Steuben County, N. Y., where he continued to reside until 1864, when he came to Tuscola County, living in the village of Vassar one and a half years. He then settled in the township of Fair Grove, where he remained four years, thence to Indian Fields, remaining three years, when he moved on the Harrington farm in Tuscola, where he has since resided. He was married in 1848, to Miss Mary Knight, a native of Steuben County, N. Y. They have had no children of their own, but have reared several adopted ones. MARTIN L. MILLER WAS born in Niagara County, N. Y., in 1818, and first visited Tuscola in 1886, at which time he purchased land and made a trip to Saginawon skates, for R. Leonard Hurd, bringing in his mail, which, without doubt, constitutes him the first carrier. In 1888 he came to Tuscola and located permanently, and has since resided on the farm he purchased on his first visit. He was married in 1849, to Miss Mercy E. Wilson, a native of Bolton, Stanstead County, Canada, but who moved with her parents to Genesee County, Mich., in 1887. Mr. Miller is a land surveyor, and has surveyed and laid out very many of the roads in the townships of Tuscola and Arbela. Inl 1880 he engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick, having discovered a fine quality of clay for the purpose on his premises, and expects to largely increase his present capacity. A spring, which is highly charged with iron, flows from underneath the bank of (lay, which no doubt is strongly impregnated with it, thus causing the articles manufactured from it to be strong and durable. RUBEN HINCKLEY was born in Ohio, in 1830, and in 1851 came to Saginaw, and about two years thereafter, to Tuscola, where he has since resided. His farm is on section 80, and is well improved. He has been twice married, first to Helen Davis, who came to Tuscola from New York with her parents, Ebenezer and Phoebe Davis. The date of her birth was October 22, 1887, and was the first white child born in the county. His second wife was Elizabeth Wilson, Davis, widow of M. V. Davis, who was a son of Ebenezer and Phoebe Davis. ORSON ORnis was lborn in Vermont, in 1831, and made that State his home until 18,57, when he came to Tnscola. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and I I i i - q4 -r i I I - I V I I I I I attended school during the year, 420. There buildings and one graded school. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR. 1883 1SS2 1 S70 1882 1875 1S73 1870 1 869 1867 18766 1870 1863 1 8;62 1867 1 S;6 1 863 1 S52 1851 1850 SUPERVISOR. John Holliday John L. Richardson John L. Richardson John L. Richardson John L. Richardson John L. Richardson E. 1M. Slafter E. 31. Slafter E. M. Slafter E. M. -Slafter J. Q. A. Burrington J. Q. A. Burrington J. Q. A. Burrington J. Q. A. Burrington J. Q. A. Burrington John H. Richardson John H. Richardson John H. Richardson John H. Richardsonr Jeremiah Hopkins William H. Harrison William H. Harrison John H. Richardson John H. Richardson John H. Richardson DeWitt Norton Lovira Hart Jeremiah Hopkins Jeremiah Hopkins J. D. Smith Jeremiah Hopkins Jeremiah Hopkins Lovira Hart John P. Richardson CLEEK. Clarence D. Palmer Wallace Palmer Wallace Palmer Wallace Palmer Wallace Palmer Lemuel P. Hart Oscar Shoff C. E. Goddard E. M. Billings E. M. Billings Frank F. Whalen John A. McPherson John A. 'McPherson John A. McPherson John L. Richardson A. N. Fisher A. N. Fisher Allen Sage A. N. Fisher William'H. Harrison A. N. Fisher A. N. Fisher A. N. Fisher A. N. Fisher William Johnson William Johnson William Johnson J. M. Baldwin A. J. Loveland John Perry John V. Harrison John V. Harrison John V. Harrison E. W. Perry are nine school TREASURER. Oren Bradley D. W. Harrison I). W. Harrison Peter S. Baldwin Peter S. Baldwin Orson Orms Orson Orms Orson Orms Oliver P. Tobey John L. Richardson John L. Richardson John L. Richardson John L. Richardson John V. Harrison John V. IHarrison John V. Harrison John V. Harrison John V. IHarrison John V. Harrison John V. Harrison S. H. Haynes John V. Harrison John V. Harrison John V. Harrison A. J. Slafter A. J. Slafter Alfred Tivv Alfred Tivv Alfred Tivv Silas S. Lee Silas S. Lee Ira Tapleen O)rvil Gillett Lovira Hart.4-... [k_ op T r - - 1 4 71-! m l J 1 -17 i 40 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. - served three years, being mustered out at Saulsbury. He was first corporal and then sergeant of his company. Mr. Orms built the I. 0. O. F. Hall, in Tuscola, in 1879, and is the owner of the same. He also has a sorghum and cider-mill, and has the reputation of doing a good business. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade. He was married in Genesee, Genesee County, Mich., to Miss Harriet Twogood, a.native of New York. They have had six children, of whom Manley D., is now attending Yale College. L. HENRY LEE was born in Albion, Orleans County, N. Y., in 1837, and remained there until 1857, when he came to Tuscola, and in the spring of 1859 purchased his present farm, which is situated in section 31. The following June he commenced chopping and clearing the land, but did not build for some time, as he rented a piece of land and a house ill the vicinity. At that time there were no roads to Mr. Lee's farm, and he was obliged to chop his way out. He now has a fine farm, anld is giving his attention to the breeding of fancy stock, having at present three thoroughbred Jersey cattleone male and two females, and several grade cattle. Mr. Lee was married to Miss Frances L. Hunt, who was born in Mt. Morris, Livingston County, N. Y., September 6, 1837, and came to Tuscola with her parents at six month's of age. Her parents were Abijah A. and Minerva Hunt, both of whom died in the county. THOMAS LEWIS is a native of Bay Quinte, Canada, and was born in 1827. He remained there until eight years of age, when he moved to Lewiston, Niagara County, N. Y., where, after one years' residence, he returned to Canada. Subsequently he resided one year in New York, and in 1850 came to Tuscola, and located on the Cass River, and removed in 1854 to his farm on section 17, where he has since resided. Mr. Lewis has been a tradesman, lumberman and farmer. In 1851 lie was married to Sarah G. Davis, daughter of Ebenezer Davis, and has been a resident of the county since 1836. OSCAR F. SHOFF, M. D., is a native of Middlesex County, Ont., and was born ill 1847. He there commenced the study of medicine and graduated from the University of Michigan, at Annl Arbor, Marchli 31, 1869, and in April following came to Tuscola, where he has since resided. He was appointed postmaster, and took possession of the office in June, 1882. Soon after the doctor's arrrival here he saw the importance of improving the stock of the county, and in 1871 brought in his first thoroughbred stock. Since that time he has engaged quite extensively in the business, and has handled Berkshire hogs, Cotswold and Lester sheep, and at present has a herd of short horns, consisting of seven females and one male. In 1879 he purchased of John P. Sanborn, the celebrated short horn bull, Victoria Duke 6th, probably the finest bred animal ever brought to the county. The doctor's stock are all thoroughbreds and registered. J. Q. A. BURRINGTON was born in Burk, Caledonia County, Vt., in 1829. In 1853 he moved to Ohio, and with the exception of three years spent in Iowa resided there continuously till the fall of 1856, when he came to Tuscola. The following spring he purchased his present farm which is on section 30, and has since resided there. He was the third and last county superintendent of schools in 1873-'74, but before his second term had expired the office was abolished. The county then contained about 120 districts. From 1869 to 1873 was supervisor of the township of Tuscola, but in the fall of 1873 resigned, owing to his duties as super intelndenlt of schools. Has been a member of the executive committee of the State Agricutural Society for ten years and was at one time president of the County Agricultural Society. For four years was a member of executive committee of the State Grange,and was again elected at the last election. Is at present chairman of the committee. CHARLES T. IrLLIN was born in Indiana County, Pa., in 1885, and resided there until 1870, when he came to Tuscola County and located on section 23, of Tuscola Townslip, where he has since resided. Mr. Killin cleared up his farm from what was then a dense wilderness and did pioneer work in every sense of the word. He married Miss Jennie A. Bolar, of the same county of his nativity, and has a family of three sons. CLARK APPLEBY was born,. in Otsego County, N. Y., April 3, 1822, where lie resided until 1869. In February of that year lihe came to Tuscola County and located on section 2, in the township of Tuscola, whllere lie has since resided. He has made many illmprovements on his place which will now rank with the best farms in the townslip. Mr. Appleby has been twice married, his first wife having died in New York previous to his coming West. His second and present wife was the widow Bates, formerly Miss Mary Grover, also of Otsego County, N. Y. AVERY MALIN is a native of Ontario County, N. Y., and was born in 1804. At six years of age, with his parents, he moved to Erie, Erie County, where they lived one year, and then moved to Geauga County, Ohllio, and remained there till 1855 when he came to Michigan, and after stopping awhile in (enesse County reached Tuscola County in May, 1855. He purchased land on sections 2 and 12, in Tuscola Towlnship, and after stopping in Vassar about six montlhs, he moved on his ]and on section 12, where lhe has since resided. He married Miss Eliza Ann Copley, a native of New York, in 1835, and who died in 1876. They raised a family of four children, of whoml all are living, except Sarah, who died in 1870. David and Ann E. are still living at hollle. SAMUEL H. HUGHES was born in Boston, Mass., in 1796, and at thirteen years of age engaged in the hardware business. In 1831 he moved to Ohio, where he remained twenty-two years. He came to Tuscola ill 1852 where he has since resided. He married Priscilla Woods, of Boston, in 1817. They had seven children, of whom all are living except Nelson, who died on his return from the war-no doubt froml the exposure lie had experienced. Mr. Hughes has been in many kinds of business, among which may be mentioned the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods in the town of Ware, Hamlpshire County, Mass., farming and hardware business. ORRIN BRADLEY wSS born in Lenawee County, Mich., in 1887, and subsequently moved to Livingston County, where lie remained until 1870, when lie came to Tuscola and located on section 35, where he has since resided. He bas given his attention almost exclusively to farming, but has held the office of highway commissioner for the township of Tuscola. P. S. BALDWIN is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and was born in 1832. At ten years of age his father took him to Waterloo County, Ont., to learn the tanner and currier's trade, where he remained until 1846, when he came to Tuscola. His time since has been spent here and in Saginaw County, and has been engaged in lurmbering, farming and fishing. He first commenced lurmbering by doing job work on the north branch of White Creek. In 1872 he purchased his present farm on section 29, and in 1881 commenced the manufacture of cheese. His factory is supplied with milk partly from his own cows and by purchase from others. He uses the milk of 200 cows. I I i I [ -r — o - TOWN OF VA SSAR.,d 4 —W An act of legislature approved March 2, 1851, provided that township 11 north, of range 8 east, and townships 11, 12, 13 and I t F \ - (i I - I i I A I I i i I I - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 41 14 north, of ranges 9, 10 and 11 east, be set off from the township of Tuscola, and organized into a separate town by the name of Vassar. It will thus be seen that when first organized, Vassar covered an area of thirteen townships, but was relieved two years later by the organization of Indian Fields wllich took from it nine townships. The present boundaries of Vassar are as follows: north by Denmark and Juniata; east by Fremont and Watertown; south by Millington and Tascola, and west by Tuscola. The Cass River runs in a southwesterly direction across the northwest corner of the township. The territory of the town was enlarged and its boundaries slightly changed inl 1865 by the annexation of two half sections from the township of Tuscola. This was done to bring the village of Vassar wholly in Vassar Township. This change was authorized by act of legislature approved March 9, 1865, which read as follows: That the east half of sections 1 and 12 of the township of Tuscola, in the county of Tuscola, be and the same hereby is detached from the township of Tuscola, and is annexed to the township of Vassar in said county; and that the boundaries of the said township of Vassar are hereby so changed as to include the said half sections above described. Pr,,rided, That the said detached territory shall still be deemed a part of the township of Tuscola for the purpose of filling the quota of said township under the call of the president for volunteers made in December, 1864, and for the further purpose of paying all bounties heretofore pledged by said township to volunteers and remaining unpaid; ani to these ends said territory shall be liable precisely as it would have been had this act not passed. The settlement of the town has been confined almost wholly to the northwestern portion, in the vicinity of Vassar village. The early history of the town is entirely comprised in that of the village. ENTRIES OF LAN-D 1). TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGE 7 EAST. SECTION 1. Abram Warren, October 3, 1819. Ebenezer Morse, May 2. 1850. Leonard C. Miles, October 8, 1849. SECTION 12. Douglass Houghton, April 26, 1836. Paschal Richardson, November 2, 1818. Ebenezer Morse, Mav 2, 1850. TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST. SECTION 1. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Albert Finton, May 30, 1855. SECTION 2. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Henry H. Alvord, January 8, 1855. SECTION 3. Martin S. Miller. February 1, 1836i. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. James M. Baldwin, et. al., August 4, 1853. James MI. Baldwin, et. al., November 28, 1853. James M. Baldwin, et. at., October 20, 1854. Henry Raymond, December 20, 1854. SECTION 4. Douglas Houghton, April 26, 1836. SECTION 5. Douglass Houghton, April 26, 1836. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. Frederick Bourns, September 11, 1854. Matthew D. North, November 28, 1854. Benjamin F. Leland, December 19, 1854. Benjamin F. Leland, December 22, 1854. SECTION 6. Orrin A. Gibbs, October 4, 1849. Loren C. Miles, October 80, 1849. Robert Edmunds, February 6, 1852. Lewis H. Sturges, August 20, 1852. Elizabeth North, July 6, 1854. Lewis H. Sturges, December 11, 1854. Poland S. Stoddart, May 7, 1855. SECTION 7. Trumbull Cary, October 20, 1835. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. Gardner D. Williams and James Fraser, February 11, 1837. SECTION 8. Trumbull Cary, October 20, 1835. Douglass Houghton, April 26, 1836. Seth C. Huston, June 22, 1836. Edward W. White, July 20, 1853. Orrin A. Gibbs, December 12, 1854. Alvarus T. Hosner, December 16, 1854. SECTION 9. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Cummings & Carson, November 23, 1850. Townsend North, May 22, 1850. David Slafter, Joshua D. Smith and James M. Baldwin, August 9, 1853. Alvarus T. Hosner, December 16, 1854. Win. R. Hubbard, December 26, 1854. SECTION 10. Douglass Houghton, MI:y 10, 1836. Cummings & Carson, November 23, 1850. James M. Baldwin, David G. Slafter and Joshua D. Smith, August 4, 1853. WVm. R. Hubbard, December 26, 1851. John A. Putnam, January 13, 1855. SECTION 11. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Royal C. Remlick, January 29, 1853. John A. Putnam, January 12, 1855. SECTION 12. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. James M. Edmunds, May 22, 1851. Isaiah J. Spencer, January 17,1855. Philip Fraser, February 9, 1855. SECTION 13. Henry Sherman, January 17, 1855. Jacob Tallman, January 10, 1855. David Edwards, February 3, 1855. SECTION 14. Relmnos Disbrow, January 9, 1855. Henry Sherman, January 17, 1855. John C. Westervelt, February 2, 1855. SECTION 15. Jacob Phillips, December 26, 1854. Samuel Lewis, January 17, 1855. Frederick B. Dains, January 18, 1855. SECTION 16. George Miller, February 16, 1855. John Chadwick, November 21, 1867. Oliver Lambert, Junie 3, 1871. C. S. Dymond, May 25, 1872. A. Harris, May 25, 1872. W. H. Hocknell, November 12, 1873. Samuel Day, March 12, 1874. Persis Elizabeth Chadwick, November 7, 1879. Ellen Tough, October 27, 1879. Geo. S. Kennard, January 15, 1880. Jonathan Newnman, August 9, 1878. SECTION 17. Henry Youncg, December 2, 1854. Zery W. Hoyt, December 12, 1854. SECTION 18. Ira C. Kibbe, February 21, 1853. Ira Davenport, September 13, 1853. Ira Davenport, September 19, 1853. Geo. L. Bartlett, November 30, 1854. Townsend North, December 12, 1854. Chas. H. R. Wood, January 5, 1855. AL. I I I I I i I -r < 7 1 42 HISTORY OF TUSCOL COUNTY. SECTION 19. Isaac Miller, April 3, 1851. Isaac Miller, April 17, 1851. Henry Engel, June 14, 1851. Isaac Miller, April 16, 1852. Reuben A. Miller, July 23,1852. Ira Davenport, September 13, 1853. Hannah A. North, July 6, 1854. Samuel North, November 28, 1854. Geo. L. Bartlett, November 30, 1854. Merrit Johnson, November 29, 1854. SECTION 20. Samuel Lake, September 21, 1853. James R. Slausson, October 18, 1853. Henry Young, Jr., December 2, 1854. Ira C. Kibbe, December 14, 1854. Erastus Call, December 28, 1854. Ira C. Kibbe, January 13, 1855. SECTION 21. Ira C. Kibbe, December 12,1854. Ira C. Kibbe, December 14, 1854. Stephen D. Trowbridge, December 25, 1854. John Algoe, December 28, 1854. Wm. Holston, March 7, 1855. SECTION 22. John W. Putnam, December 21, 1854. Stephen D. Trowbricdge, December 25, 1854. Samuel Lewis, January 17, 1855. Fred. B. Dains, January 18, 1855. SECTION 23. Edward Perks, January 17, 1855. Fred. B. Dains, January 18, 1855. Margaret Harrold, February 17, 1855. John E. Covert, April 10, 1855. SECTION 24. Nicholas Lake, February 3, 1855. Sally Covert, February 5, 1855. SECTION 25. Chas. Rhodes, January 20, 1855. Jas. A. Peters, january 20, 1855. Jeremiah T. Williams, February 6, 1855. W. Irving Beardsley, March 18, 1855. SECTION 26. Shepard Wheeler, December 25, 1854. Henry Ball, January 17, 1855. Lambert L. Bouck, February 24, 1855. SECTION 27. Shepard Wheeler, December 25, 1854. Geo. W. Enders, December 27, 1854. Peter All, December 28, 1854. Geo. Titsworth, December 28, 1854. Jacob J. Titsworth, December 28, 1854. SECTION 28. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. John Algoe, December 28, 1854. John Nelson, January 18, 1855. Jesse Carey, February 6, 1855. Alonson Reynolds, March 3, 1855. SECTION 29. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. Frederick Bourns, December 16, 1854. Wm. Johnson, December 16, 1854. Erastus Call, December 27, 1854. Frederick Bourns, January 8, 1855. Philip Devoe, January 2, 1855. SECTION 80. Reuben A. Miller, February 12, 1853. David G. Slafter and Joshua D. Smith, August 23, 1853. Ira Davenport, September 19, 1853. Willard Lambert, August 7, 18154. Willard Lambert, August 1, 1854. Frederick Bourns, December 16, 1854. William Johnson, December 16, 1854. SECTION 31. Owen Logan, January 16, 1852. Daniel Griggs, June 22, 1854. Alden M. Pease, November 28, 1854. Johann H. Dehmel, February 6, 1855. Henry Wood, April 5, 1855. SECTION 82. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. Henry Van Petten, December 21, 1854. Nelson Babcock, December 21, 1854. Chas. Goucher, December 25, 1854. John Johnson, January 17, 1855. Darius Watkins, July 2, 1855. SECTION 33. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. Henry Hudson, December 6, 1854. Jesse Carey, February 6, 1855. Daniel C. Davis, May 15, 1855. WTm. E. Burch, June 2,1855. SECTION 34. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. Samuel M. Axford, December 18, 1854. Smith Line, January 18, 1855. SECTION 35. Chas. Seymour, Horace R. Jerome and Francis G. Macy, March 27, 1837. Samuel M. Axford, December 18, 1854. Nathaniel Call, December 26, 1854. I WmV Hicks, February 8, 1855. SECTION 86. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. Wmi. H. Rhodes, January 20, 1855. Chas Rhodes, January 20, 1855. The early records of the town clerk cannot be found, and the early civil history is therefore meager. The first town meeting was held at the store of North and Edmunds. Nine votes were polled. September 10, 1867, the township board delivered to the president of the Saginaw, Vassar & Sanilac Plank Road Co., bonds to the amount of $3,000, being bonds donated to said company to aid in the construction of a plank road from Vassar to East Saginaw. The highest number of votes polled at the spring election in 1868, was 139. In 1870, $1,000 was raised for highway purposes, and $300 for contingent purposes. At the spring election in 1871, the highest number of votes polled was 148. In 1872, there was raised for highway purposes, $500; interest on bonds, $300; contingent fund, $400; library, $50. January 28th, 1873, a special township meeting voted on t the question of borrowing three thousand dollars, to be secured by the bonds of the town, for the purpose of building a new bridge across Cass river in the village of Vassar. Thirty-six votes were polled, all of which were in favor of the proposition. At the annual meeting it was decided by a vote of 107 to 50 to raise an additional amount of three thousand dollars for the purpose of building a wrought iron bridge. A combination bridge was finlially built. School District No. 2 was formed out of sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 28, 24, and north half of 25 and 26, at a meeting of the board held April 25, 1875. School District No. 3 was organized November 18, 1875, out of the following described territory: bections 8, 4, 9, 10, 15, 16, east half of 8 and 17, north half of 21 and 22 and northeast quarter of 20. There are four school districts in the town of Vassar, one of which is fractional. The directors are E. H. Taylor, John S. Kilbourn, Chester S. Dymond, and Freeman W. Titsworth. There are four school buildings, one of which is brick, two frame and one log. Whole number of children of school age in the town and village, 599; number that attended school during the year, 484. I 1i I 1 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 43 THE FIRE OF 1881. The fire of September, 1881, destroyed twenty-one houses, thirteen barns and two saw-mills, and left eighteen families without shelter. The greatest individual loss was that of Wim. Bates, whose mill, three miles south of Vassar village, was burned, together with a large quantity of logs. The loss was estimated at about $10,000. STATISTICAL. Census of 1854: Population, 74; males, 89; females, 35; number of acres of taxable land, 1,226; number of acres of improved land, 241; bushels of corn preceding year, 750; bushels of wheat preceding year, 415; tolls of hay preceding year, 10; pounds of butter made preceding year, 650; number of horses, 5; number of cows, 12; number of saw-mills, 1; feet of lumber sawed, 1,200,000. Census of 1860: Population, 229; number of families, 52; number of dwellings, 52; value of real estate owned, $27,100; number of occupied farms, 34; number of acres of improved land, 715; number of horses, 19; number of cows, 26; bushels of wheat raised, 386; bushels of rye, 120; bushels of corn, 895; bushels of oats, 620; bushels of barley, 90; bushels of potatoes, 1,062; pounds of butter made, 2,620; tolls of hay cut, 1i3; number of saw-mills, 2; feet of lumber sawed, 1,800,000; number of flouringmills, 1. Census of 1864: Population, 264; imales, 138; females, 126; number of acres of taxable land, 2,794; number of acres of inmproved land, 439; bushels of corn preceding year, 1,010; bushels of wheat preceding year, 240; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 868; tons of hay preceding year, 207; pounds of wool sheared, 295; pounds of butter made, 1,400; number of horses, 33; number of flouring-mills, 1; number of barrels of flour lmade preceding year, 4,680. Census of 1870: Population, 775; number of families, 167; number of dwellings, 168; number of farms, 29; number of voters, 1,880; flumber of acres of improved land, 1,057 number of horses, 45; number of cows, 61; pounds of butter made, 5,175; pounds of cheese made, 330; pounds of wool sheared, 2,463; bushels of wheat raised, 2,136; bushels of corn, 3,105; bushels of oats, 2,640; bushels of potatoes, 3,795; tons of hay cut, 318; number of saw-mills, 2; feet of lumber sawed, 1,708,000; flouring-mills, 1; barrels of flour made, 5,200. Census of 1874: Population, 1,308; males, 676; females, 632; number of horses, 54; number of cows, 110; number of sheep, 183; bushels of wheat, 952; bushels of corn, 4,214; bushels of apples, 185; bushels of potatoes, 1,895; tons of hay, 205. The report for 1879 shows 29 farmins, 1,151 acres of improved land; and for the preceding year, 4,278 bushels of wheat, 4,335 bushels of corn, 2,520 bushels of potatoes, and 314 tons of hay. Population in 1880, 1,734. Total equalized valuation in-1882, $516,777. For the year 1880 there is reported 4,064 bushels of wheat, 11,227 bushels of corn, 322 tons of hay; acres of improved land in 1881, 1,639; number of farms, 44. TOWN OFFICERS. The town officers since 1867, the earliest date of which any record can be found, are as follows: I THE VILL(AGE OF VASSAR. This village is situated on the Cass River, a little more than twenty miles from its confluence with the Saginaw. It is distant from East Saginaw City about eighteen miles and from Bay City twenty-two miles, and occupies a position in the northwest corner of the town of Vassar. The village is spread upon both sides of the river, and mainly on a level plat of ground, skirted all along on the west by an elevation, which from the river presents a bold and sometimes high and irregular front, that having been ascended brings to view a country whose surface is an almost unbroken level away to the Saginaw, twenty miles distant. This ridge or terrace affords building sites which are most delightful, some of which are already crowned with elegant residences. Upon a conspicuous point on the bluff stands the Union School building, a mammoth brick structure which proclaims the intelligence and enterprise of the community. Theie is a general expression to the village that is inviting. There is a picturesque beauty about its location that delights the eye, but its chief charm is in the air of thrift and refinement that pervades its business places and its homes. The population of the village in 1883 is something over fifteen hundred and is steadily increasing, as is also its commercial strength and importance. The history of Vassar is particularly interesting and important from the fact that its bilth and that of general progress in the county were simultaneous. The men who projected Vassar were the ones who opened the gates for settlers to come into the county. EARLY HISTORY OF VASSAR. On the morning of March 1st, in the year 1819, a company of four persons, consisting of Hon. Townsend North, the late Hon. James M. Edimunds, the late James Saunders and Joseph Grovenor, swiung their packs from their shoulders and dedicated the site of Vassar to civilization and industry. Messrs. North and Edmunds were the proprietors of the place and the two men accompanying were in their employ. TheyLad spent the previous night at Tuscola, and from that place made the journey on the ice. They halted at the mouth of the creek, near where the mill now stands. Some lumber had been sent up in advance and with this they built a shanty, leaving a large opening in one side for a fire. At night they cooked a supper and partook of a meal that perhaps may have tasted better than many others served amid more gorgeous surroundings. After dark they gathered boughs and made beds upon which they slept during the night, and the next morning proceeded to lay the foundation of a village. They went immediately at work clearing a piece of land and putting in crops in order to provide supplies for the future, as markets were distant and difficult to reach. Work on the saw-mill was soon begun, a dam across the river built, and thus the wheels of industry were put in motion. The mill commenced running early in 1850. STARTING A VILLAGE. Mr. North very soon perceived the advantages of location which this place enjoyed as a trading post and business center of the surrounding country. The population of the county was less than three hundred, and nineteen-twentieths of its territory uninhabited. But Mr. North proposed to induce immigration and direct its tide into these unoccupied townships, and for a long time at least this place would be their nearest trading point. Soon after a start in business had been made the company laid out a few streets and had a survey made in order to sell lots, though the regular plat was not made until 1853. Now Messrs. North and Edmunds were confronted with the task I I L -, r r YEAR. 1883. 1882. 1881. 1880. 1879. 1878. 1877. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871. 1870. 18 69. 1868. SUPERVISOR. Lewis C. Merritt, Lewis C. Merritt. Jefferson J. Wilder. Mathew D. North. Thomas H. Williamson. Thomas H. Williamson. Thomas H. Williamson. Thomas H. Williamson. Thomas H. Williamson. B. W. Huston, Jr. B. W. Huston, Jr. Matthew D. North. Matthew D. North. Matthew D. North. Matthew D. North. Matthew D. North. CLERK. John R. Bancroft. John R. Bancroft. John R. Bancroft. John R. Bancroft. John R. Bancroft. John R. Bancroft. John R. Bancroft. John H. Burgess. James H. Dow. Lewis C. Davis. Lewis C. Davis. Lewis C. Davis. John H. Bourns. William Lake, Jr. John H. Burgess. John H. Burgess. TREASUREE. Mathew D. North. Mathew D. North. Lewis C. Merritt. Lewis C. Merritt. Orange G. Emerson. Orange G(. Emerson. Lewis C. Merritt. Lewis C. Merritt. Lewis C. Merritt. James Johnson. James Johnson. Thomas H. Williamson. James Johnson. James Johnson. James Johnson. Jaines Johnson. I:~ 1~i.-: i- J J -~ 2 NY 17r HISTORY OF TUiI 44 of adopting a title by whicl the place should be designated and known. This matter was the subject of much thought and discussion. Mr. North being the real founder of, the place some thought it should be named after hula. But no combination cold be effected that was satisfacory to Mr. North, and he suggested the name of Edmundsville. That name did not suit the fancy of Mr. Edmunds, and he suggested the name of Vassar. Matthew Vassar was an uncle of Mrs. Edmunds, and Mr. Edmunds was desirous that the town should bear his name. The suggestion met the approbation of the ochers interested and thus the village took its name from the foundef r of Vassar F emal e College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The beacon light of immigration was now hung upon the tower of Vassar, and at this date the continuous and successful settlement of Tuscola County began. The time was ripe for reclaiming this wilderness and handing it over to the domain of civilization, and the projector of Vassar possessed the sagacity and energy to carry forward the enterprise. Roads were projected and improvements made in every direction. MMr. North andn his co-workers sought the aid of legislation, solicited appropriations for public improvements, instituted schemes of industry, gave publicity to the character of the country and by every possible means invited immigration. The spirit with which they worked imparted a m motentm to general progress, results of which are now visible upon every hand. HON. TOWNSEND NORTH. Among the pioneers of Tuscola County -there is no one better known or more universally respected than the gentleman whose name is at th e head of this sketch. An d if he is well known in his own county his name is also a familiar one in most parts of the State of Michigan, of which he has been a citizen for about forty-seven years. HON. TOWNSEND NORTH was born September 24, 1814, in Ulster County, N. Y. His parents moved from that part of the State when he was an infant, and for a number of years lived in the towns of Fayette and Tyre, in Seneca County. His father, who farmed in a moderate way, was a carpenter and joiner by trade, which avocation his son learned. In 1835 the father removed to Washtenaw County, Mich., and the year succeeding the son came to Michigan and followed his trade in the counties of Washtenaw and Lenawee until 1839. In 1840 he was one of the sub-contractors on the first dormitory building for the university of Micigan, at Ann Arbor, where he lived some five years. During -his residence in that part of the State he also had a farm in Washtenaw County, which he commenced to improve. In 1845 he removed to Flint, Genesee County, where he opened a lumber yard and also kept a hotel. He remained in that city for some three years. During the time he kept the hotel an incident occurred which completely changed his plans for the future. The capital of the State then was at Detroit, and the members of the legislature from Saginaw County used to stop at his house on the way to Detroit. One evening he got into conversation with Charles Palmer, who was the Saginaw member, and among other things asked him what measure he had in view for the benefit of his county. He replied that he had no especial thing in contemplation. Mr. North then called his attention to the fact that the United States government had made a grant of five hundred thou sand acres of land for internal improvements in the State of Michigan, and suggested that an appropriation for a bridge across the Cass River at Bridgeport might be procured and the building of the bridge would be a great benefit to Saginaw County. Mr. Palmer, to whom the idea had not occurred up to that time, during the session introduced a bill which was prepared by Judge Edmunds, SCOLA C OUNTY. Mir. North's brother-in-law and also a member of the legislature. It made a grant of 3,000 acres of land to build the bridge and was passed by the legislature, the grant to be expended under the sanction of the board of supervisors. They let the job of building the bridge to the lowest responsible bidder, and a tender made by Mr. North was accepted. In his bargain with the board he stipulated that they should make him their agent to select the lands which he was to receive for building the bridge. In locating them he was impressed by the fine quality of the pine timber along the Cass River and also the excellent quality of the soil. In addition to the amount received for the bridge, he, in company with Judge J. M. Edmnunds and his brother, Newton Edmunds, bought other lands. In 1849 they built the saw-mill (which is now standing) south of te e bridge in the village of Vassar. The firm was known as North & Edmunds. J. M. Edmunds and Newton Edmundu s carried on the firm's store at Ypcilanti, and Mr. North was the resident partner at Vassar, superintending their lumber and other operations at that place, with occasional aid from the Edmudnds. They also had a mill at East Saginaw, which was built in 18553, which was inanage bby the Messrs. Edmunds. In addition to the saw-mill at Vassar they also kept a general stock of merchandise at Vassar, it beingl tthe first store in tthe county. In 1854 te e firm was enlarged by the addition as members of lilliaa Wf. Carpenter, Thomas W. Locwwood and Samuel Barstow, all of Detroit. In 1858 Judge Edmunds and h is brother Newton retired from tlh e firm. The duration of the co-partnership was limited to six years, but was continued until 1864, when Mr. North bought the interests of th e three Detroit members. Judge J. M. Edmundus, now deceased, was afterward commissioner of the United States land office and postmaster of the city of Washington, D. C., and Newton Edmunds was at one time governor of the Territory of Dakota and now a banker at Yankton. Durinog the continuance of the co-partnership, his partners being non-residents, Mir. North was unable to tender such aid to any proposed local public improverments as he would liked to have done, as he feared that his zeal m ight outweioh his judgement to the detriluent of his partners. After the dissolution he was in a more independent position, and he has largely aided in many works which have been for the benefit of his chosen home and Tuscola County. In 1849, when operations were first commenced at what is now Vassar, there was no settlement nearer than Tuscola, the present site of their village. The village of Vassar was surveyed, and the plat recorded in August, 1854, for the company, by D. A. Pettibone, a surveyor who then lived il Bridgeport, Saginaw County. In 1865 he sold his saw-mill, grist-mill, a quantity of pine lands, etc., to B. F. McHose. In 1867 he and his son James E. (who hzad charge of the mill) purchased another saw-mill and run it until after the death of this son in 1874, when he sold it to Worden & Delano. The mill was originally owned by Stephen Bunnell, from whose hands it passed into those of Col. William B. McCreary, of Flint, who sold it to Mr. North. In 1867 he started the Vassar woolen-mills, an institution which is known all over the State for the excellence of its products. In 188~2 a, 'oint stock~ company was organized and a, new factory ~uilt. The capital stock of the compatny is $25,000. - Operations in tile new building, which is a large three-story brick structure, will be commenced in 1883 and about thirty operatives will be employed. In 1875 he and Bostwick Noble, of Lowell, Mich., opened a bank. After about a year Mr. North purchased Noble's interest, and recently took into partnership his only son, Frank, and the institution was known by the firm name of T.- North & Son, until c - d-. r - N o "I ~ "I" -.4 9 a —?J 5 I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. COUTY 45 July 5, 1883, when the First National Bank of Vassar commenced doing business with Mr. North as president. In 1872, when the D. & B. C. Railroad was in the course of construction, he built a number of miles of it, commencing at Otter Lake and extending about a mile and one-half beyond the village of Vassar toward Bay City. He also was a stockholder in the road to the amount of $5,000. Although the investments, both stock and contract, were far from being paying ones, yet they have aided in giving to Tuscola County a much needed outlet to better markets for its agricultural and other products. He also built some ten miles of the State road to Blumfield, which was continued from Goodrich to Bay City. In 1862 he was appointed assessor of internal revenue for the Sixth District of Michigan, by President Lincoln, holding the office four years, and in 1871 was re-appointed by President Grant, holding the office until it was discontinued in 1873. Mr. North never has been what is known as an office-seeker, the foregoing appointments having been made without any solicitation on his part. He has held a number of other public positions, all of which have been more of honor than profit. He was the first register of deeds of Tuscola County after its organization in 1850, member of the State senate in 1875, supervisor for Vassar six years and member of the school board sixteen years. He was also president of the board appointed by Gov. Croswell to locate the Michigan school for the blind. Mr. North has been marriel twice and has had seven children born unto him by his first wife, only two of whom siurvive, and three by his present wife, who are all living. Aside from his banking and other business in the village lie is an extensive farmer, having two farms, one in the township of Fremont and the other in Denmark. Mr. North's residence at Vassar is very handsomely situated, presenting a fine appearance and being on an eminence it commands a view of the village and a large extent of surrounding country. The grounds are tastefully laid out and the interior of the house is finished in a manner in which elegance and comfort are combined. REMINISCENCES OF 1850. Mrs. E. H. Hudson, now of Potterville, Mich., a daughter of Wihiam Jameson, one of the pioneers of the county, relates the following reminiscences connected with Vassar in its infancy: "On the 7th day of September in the year 1850, a party of eight persons might have been seen wending their way over the hills and ' through the forest from Tuscola village, then but a small hamlet, to where a thriving and beautiful village now stands. That party was my father and mother and six children. The youngest was a babeone year old, which I, with my mother, took turns in carrying. That babe is now Mrs. A. W. Ale, of Caro. As we slowly made our way for long miles through these trackless wilds, crossing ravines and occasionally climbing over some fallen monarch of the forest, where for a few moments, we would sit and rest our weary limbs, we viewed with admiration not unmixed with awe, the wonderful growth of timber and vegetation of these wild, uncultivated tracts of land. " The only sign of civilization that greeted us was the small clearing of Mr. J. D. Smith, where we stopped for dinner. Never, in all my life, can I remember a meal fraught with so much sweetness as the one prepared by the good Mrs. Smith, for the hungry, tired and foot-sore travelers that invaded her quiet home on that, to me, long remembered day. " Rested and refreshed we again took up our line of march and in a few hours reached the city of Vassar, as my father, good-naturedly, called the settlement. "I shall never forget my first impressions. Emerging from a forest so dense and dark as to be almost gloomy on that bright Sep I tember day, we came to a corn field, the contents of which, if my memory serves me rightly, was about three or four acres; it might have been more, it might have been less. A zigzag path across this soon brought us to the North & Edmunds' boarding-house, where we were welcomed by Mr. Chauncy Furman and a younger portion of the Rogers' family who were one day in advance of our party. These persons consisted of Mr. George and Jackson Rogers and their wives, and Miss Mary, now Mrs. Thomas Hunter, of Caro. The boarding-house was a huge structure built entirely of boards and slabs, with an enormous fire-place and stick chimney. Beside this there were five board shanties with stove pipes projecting through their slab roofs, the frame of a saw-mill and a building about the size of a modern corn crib, which we soon learned was the store. In front of the boarding-house was collected quite a number of persons, and as I looked them over shyly I thought they were as motley a group as my eyes had ever rested upon. There were huntsmen with their rifles, and workingmen in their overalls and blouses, some of them smoking and talking, one or two reading, and all seemingly content and happy. It was a lovely Sabbath afternoon, and as I thought of this, and the grand old church in Washtenaw County where I had spent so many happy Sabbaths, my heart sank within me. I felt that I had left everything worth living for behind. " A little later in the day a large deer, the first I had ever seen, was brought in, and as I looked upon this beautiful creature, his eyes now glazed in death, and his head now laid low which only a few hours before had borne aloft so proudly those immense horns, I almost felt indignant that it should be the hunter's victim. I am quite certain that the hunter's name was John Beach. " I soon learned that life with me had only just begun. I, who had ever been a child and knew nothing of labor or care, took up life that Sabbath day anew, and, as I scanned the future and took in its responsibilities, I grew years older. " But we were not alone in our trials. No one who came to this counlty at that early time but can tell of hardships, of hard work and discomforts, of sickness and privations, of hopes[and fears. I might tell you of the long, lonely walks I have taken from my father's cottage down the river road to Vassar; I might recount many little advenltures of my own, of how I once miet an animal for which I never yet found a name, which seemed to be having a frolic all its ownl, over and under the body of a large beech tree, which 1lay directly across my path. Suffice it to say, I was afraid, and the half hour I waited and watched it in its gambols, and at the same time watched the slun sink lower and lower behind the tall trees, seemed an age to me. I could tell too of the herds of deer, from the dappled fawn to the antlered stag, that crossed my path at different times, sometimes stopping to drink from the purling brook, and sometimes coming so near to me I could almost feel their breath. Then I would clap my hands and they would bound away. I would perhaps indulge in a girlish laugh, the echoes of which would come back to me from the broken stillness of the woods beyond. Then I would remember I was alone. Once a large bear crossed my path, but Sir Bruin kept on his way and-an,,d.so (id I.. " In time I grew to love those long walks I was so often obliged to take in my struggles with poverty in the first year of our pioneer life. I learned to love the woods, the brooks and hills of our adopted home, and with many others I learned to look on one and all as friend and neighbors. "Who is there among the pioneers of Tuscola County who does not remember that we were all neighbors? Distance did not raise the barriers it does now. Three, five, or ten miles was not too far to go to make a friendly call or visit, even if the journey had to be performed on foot, or with our patient oxen and our more serviceable than beautiful cart. -WI -J; l I w S s- t - L,, I I Ir llw r x.T w -: -A - I _ I A6- W JI l e) - I I i I I i 46 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. __ "My father and brother helped to fell tile first trees where the beautiful andl romantic village of Vassar nowo stands; and as I come I upon each w(ll remembered landllarl myv heart swells and my i eyes fill with tears. The old homestead now owned by Mr. Jamles Smith is shorn of everything that mlade it llome to me. The dear old ivy-covered house is gone, aind tle hands that reared it have moldered back to dust. I see forests tulrned into illmmense fields of waving grain, and beautiful orchards ladein with their rich and abundant fruitage. I see broad acres of beautiful pastures where but a few years ago thle wild deer roamed at will, where the bear prowled and the wolf howled his midnighlt dirges. I see everywhere grand strides of civilization. Where I once climbed the steep banks of a ravine in search of blackberries stands the Vassar Union SShool-honse. And there, too, on tile hill beyond and in the vale below stand beautiful edifices wllose spires point to a hlouse not made with hands." FIRST EVENTS. Dr. William Jollnson, the pioneer physicilan, furnishes tile followinll: "The first resident family was that of Leander W. Van Kleeck; Mr. North's family came in June, 1850, and the same year O. A. Gibbs, Jacob Alber, Chllauncy Furman, Mr. Watereani, and some others. It was some time during this year that Joshua- D. Smith and Sylvester Black located about two miles below Vassar, their clearings being the only ones between Tuscola and this place. Mr. Smith being extensively acquainted, his house became a frequent stopping place for all manlner of travelers, Mrs. Smith ever showing herself a kind and attentive hostess. Having lived for many years in the family of her uncle, Dr. Smith, of Saginaw City, she had acquired a considerable knowledge of medicine and its use, and your historian and many others made frequent demands upon her remedial supplies. Inl 1851 a wonderful excitement prevailed, kept up by land-lookers coming in by scores, and others with the intention of actual settlement, and during this season several families moved up the river. This year tle first frame house was built in Vassar, erected by James Saunders, and now occupied by J. D. Smith. I "A school district was formlled in the fall of 1850 or early in the spring of 1851, Mr. North spending three days tramping, through the woods in order to find a sufficient number of personsfreeholders-to sign the petition. In tile summer of 1851 the 'Curtis shanty' was made over into a school-house, and four months of school taulght by Miss Augusta Slafter. A frame school-house was built the following year, and school taught during the' winter of 1852-'53 by D. G. Wilder. now of Watrousville. Thle present brick school-house was erected in 1860. "The first sermon preached in Yassar was by Rev. Calvin Selden, in the spring of 1851. In the fall of that year, Rev. S. P. Lee, a Methodist minister, found his way in, preaching every two or three weeks; a society was formed, comprising five members, on the 14th of October. From this date there has been Methodist preaching, though more or less irregular at the beginning. On the 12th of April, 1855, the Presbyterian Church was organIlized, the original membership being six. "During the years 1852-'54 several families moved in and became lesidents-F. Bourns, E. W. White, E. Sturges, B. W. Huston and others. On Tuesday, November 24, 1857, the first copy of the l'scla Cl(,,t! 'ioi,,'',' was issued by W. R. Bartlett. "The first public discussion in the town on a specified topic was on the 2d of February, 1858, at the school-house. It shows the drift of national thought and the political question of the day. The notice read: 'There is to be a public discussion at the school-house, on Saturday evening of this week, to commence at early candle light. The question to be discussed is one of no little ilmport'ance, as it is so minutely connected with the political issues which now agitate our country: " 'lJ'e.sol(1, That the constitution of the United States recognizes and countenances negro slavery.' " GLIMIPSE OF VASSAR IN 1855. Frederick Bourns, one of the early settlers, furnishes a view of Vassar in the spring of 1855, as follows: "Those whose acquaintance with our town has only extended over the past few years, can have but little idea of its appearance in 1855. It was then just about six years of age, and numbered less than one hundred inhabitants all told. Most important places of business were tlhe saw-mill of Messrs. North & Edmunds, now owned by our townsman, Mr. B. F. McHllose, a blacksmith's shop on the site of Butts & Stephens' store, the wagon shop of Messrs. Matthew D. and Samuel North, nlear where the furniture store of Messrs. North & Johnsonl now stands, the tannery at the lower end of the village, the store of Messrs. North & Edmunds across the street from the grist-mill, and that of Arms & Bournls on the present site of Mrs. Meehan's residence, and the public-house known as Pennell's Tavern, a lpart of which is still standing on Main Street, just south of the First National Bank. Such is a brief description of the village of Vass.r as it appeiared in the spring of 1855." Daring these years Vassar hllded the march of progress, sending out its torch bearers to light thle way. It was here the first house of worship in the county was built, and the first newspaper enterprise that ever embarked upon the troubled waves of journalism in the county, started out from this obscure port. Along the hlumber roads or trails or through woods came settlers with their bags of wheat or corn upon their shoulders, bringing it to mill to be ground into material for bread or jolinny cake. The old boarding-house of North & Edmunds was the bakery for all this region, and men who had come on in advance of their families in order to get a clearing started and provide shelter, would bring their flour to Vassar to be baked into bread. The first brick building in Vassar was a dwelling-house, still standing on Main Street, built in the year 1855. The first private residence of much pretension in the village is the one now owned by B. F. McHose, on' Main Street. It was built in 1855 by John B. Joslin, and was the big house of this region. Mr. Joslin never occupied it but sold it to a Mr. Swett, who occupied it as a boarding-house. Dr. William Johnson was the first physician and first postmaster. HON. B. W. HUSTON. The subject of this sketch is the senior member of the Tuscola County Bar, and for many years has been a man of proiminence in the State. Mr. Huston was born near Rochester, N. Y., March 5, 1831, and came to Ypsilanti, Micl., with his parents when five years of age. He was educated at Ypsilanti; admitted to the bar at Ann Arbor in September, 1854; came to Vassar in March, 1855, and began practice. In July, 1854, he married Nancy Vought. They have two children. Mr. Huston was a Democrat until the war of the rebellion when he became a Republican, in which political faith he has since continued. In 1858 he was elected prosecuting attorney on the IDemocratic ticket. In 1867 he was a member of the constitu i i - a 2 l! I _____ V o~-.-,, I - - ' — ) F-.iI ;- i ~1 I e - -__ -- fcL+I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 47 tional convention; a member of the house of representatives of the State in 1869 and 1871, and of the State senate in 1879. He was one of the early postmasters of Vassar; a member of the Eepublican National Convention in 1872 and again in 1880; a lay member of the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Baltimore, and in 1880 at Cincinnati. Mr. Huston went into the military service of the United States in 1862 as captain of Company B, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. He participated in a number of engagements, was promoted major in 1864, and mustered out in January, 1865. Mr. Huston has been singularly successful both in his profession and as a business man. In boyhood he was deprived of many of the advantages generally enjoyed by the youth of this country. When he settled in Vassar his only capital consisted of his profession, his good habits, industry and energy. Even at the time of his marriage his entire cash capital would have hardly equaled the usual marriage fee. He has not only accumulated a handsome property, but has contributed largely to the prosperity of Vassar, and to the architectural beauty of the place. His residence, which is an attractive brick structure, is one of the finest in the village, and his brick block constructed in 1882, is an ornament to the village. Mr. Huston has borne a prominent part in public affairs, having been identified with all movements in the general interests of the people. As a representative and senator hlie has diligently looked after and forwarded the interests of his constituents and of his county, and has deserved and received the appreciative thanks of the people. CHURCH HISTORY. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In the spring of 1849 Townsend North settled in Vassar. The itinerant minister soon followed. The first society was formed by S. P. Lee, preacher in charge of Genesee circuit, October 14, 1851, and consisted of L. W. Van Kleeck, Emily Van Kleeck, Ebenezer Morse, Elizabeth and Harriet Gibbs, wives of Sabin and Orrin Gibbs. This class was afterward disbanded. In 1854 Charles Haines, preacher in charge of Tuscola circuit, formed a class of six members, which continued to increase in numbers, and has grown into the present large and flourishing church. Vassar was connected with Tuscola circuit, and had preaching by the pastors appointed to Tuscola, until ] 863, when the name of the circuit was changed to Vassar, and J. H. Horton was appointed pastor. The services were held in the school-house until the Presbyterian Church was dedicated, and that church was used most of the time till the present Methodist Episcopal Church was completed. At the conference of 1867, by the unanimous request of the Quarterly Conference, J. O. Bancroft was appointed to Vassar in view of building a church edifice. At this time there were but thirty-five members in the church. It looked like a great undertaking, but with the main business men of the town on the board of trustees, and the experience and indefatigable labor of the pastor and his wife, a substantial and beautiful brick church was completed and furnished at a cost of.$7,400. It was dedicated to the worship of God, July 11, 1869. A Sunday-school was organized and has been carried on very successfully under the able superintendency of the Hon. B. W. Husto1, for the last thirteen years. In the winter of 1870 a great revival occurred under the labors of the pastor, Rev. J. 0. Bancroft. During this, the last year of his pastorate at Vassar, he received 100 probationers into the church. By the time of conference for 1870, the church had become strong, and Tuscola and Arbela were set off, and Tuscola became the headquarters of another circuit. Rev. W. Hagadorn was appointed to Vassar in 1870, served three years; 1873, A. J. Richards; 1874, L. Barnes; 1876, R. Woodams; 1879, H. CG. Northulp; 1880, W. Hagadorn was returned. His health failed about the middle of the second year, and at the conference of 1882, H. S. White was appointed. There have been frequent revivals of religion since the dedication of the church. At the present time the church work is well organized. It has a large membership with ability to support the various institutions and enterprises of the church. The present membership is about 150. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church is one of the pioneer institutions in Tuscola County, dating back, as it does, to the first days of settlement, and its church building being the first regular house of worship in the county. Mr. Frederick Bourns, one of the charter members, furnishes the following very complete history of the society and its work: "The First Presbyterian Church of Vassar dates back to the spring of 1855. About four years before this time the Methodists had organized a class, and the Rev. Thomas J. Joslin, who is now the presiding elder of the Flint District in this State,was the preacher in charge at this place. But there were a few Presbyterians here, even at that early day, who earnestly desired an organization of their own denomination, and who, consequently, warmly welcomed the Rev. Justin Marsh, the synodical missionary of this part of the State, at that time, when he visited us in the spring of 1855. After consultation with those interested, it was decided to organize a church here to be called the 'First Presbyterian Church of Vassar,' and on the afternoon of April 12, 1855, the organization was effected, the meeting being held at my house. The names of the persons constituting this church were Mr. Joseph Selden, Mrs. Lucy Maxwell, Mrs. Jerusha White, Mrs. Hannah M. Bourns, Mr. John Johnson and Frederick Bournls. Of these six original members, two have passed from the church militant to the church triumphant, viz: Joseph Selden, who died November 20, 1860; and Lucy Maxwell, who died September 11, 1862. The other four have been spared to the present time. At this meeting Joseph Seldenll, John Johnson and F. Bournls were ordafined as elders; the former holding the sacred office till his death, and the two latter up to the present time. "Although our organization dates from the time just mentioned, we had no minister of our own denomination till near the middle of October, 1856, when after a correspondence with the Rev. George Winter, then living in the town of Brandon, Oakland County, Mich., he made us a visit and preached to us for the first time in the then frame school-house at the farther end of the village, opposite the tannery, where Mr. Moore now lives,-a place that will always be well remembered by the church goers of that early day. "At the first meeting of the session of which we have any record, and which occurred on the 12th day of October, 1856, with the Rev. George Winter as moderator, two members were received into the church, viz: Mrs. Olive W. Selden and Mrs. Elizabeth Carr. About this time arrangements were made with Mr. Winter by which he was to preach for us once in two weeks; we on our part pledging ourselves to pay him whatever we could raise by subscription, and which amounted, on an average, to about $250 per year; which, considering he had to travel about fifty miles each way to fill his appointment, was, to say the least, a very reasonable salary. At the communion season on June 14, 1857, three more AQ r - -- i v /k - _ ," I | _ __ __ - -- 48 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. w - - members were added to our little band, viz: Mrs. Ann Saunders and Mr. George Degroff and wife; and at the October meeting of the Saginaw presbytery in the same year, this church was received and placed under the care of said presbytery. "During the winter of 1857 and 1858, we held our first series of revival meetings, which were well attended, the people coming from all parts of the surrounding country; at which time many were converted, so that during the following spring and summer thirty-one persons were received into the church, and nearly all of them on profession of their faith. Mr. Winter continued his labors with us until about the middle of April, 1862, during which time fifty-nine persons in all, were added to the church. "'It was during the ministry of Mr. Winter that we built the church we now occupy. A subscription for the purpose of raising funds was started in the fall of 1857, and met with very general encouragement, some subscribing money, others material, and still others labor. One of the largest donations received, if not the largest subscribed, was that of Hon. Townsend North & Co., who gave two village lots for a site and also $200 in mloney. Others were equally benevolent, according to their ability, so that in the summer of 1858 we proceeded to build, putting up and enclosing the building that same year. In the spring of 1859 we found that we had not means enough pledged to finish the building, and a second subscription was circulated, which, with a loan of $500 from the church erection fund of our denomination, enabled us to complete the building, which we did about the 1st of August, at a cost of $2,000 all told. On the 9th day of August, 1859, this church was dedicated to tile worship of Almighty God. The dedication sermon was preached by the late Rev. William C. Smith, of East Saginaw, from Matthew, twenty-sixth chapter and eighth verse, to a full house. It was a high day for the people of Vassar when the first regular house of worship in Tuscola County was completed and set apart to its s.icred use. The money we had borrowed from the church erection fund-and which they very generously lent us without interest —we paid back as fast as it became due, so that we were soon free from the shackles of debt, and with but smrall exceptions have remained so to this time. "After Mr:Winlter left us, we were without regular preaching something over a year, when the Rev. Alex. Trotter, now the able editor of the Pioneer, was engaged to preach for us, which lie continued to do regularly for more than two years, and oco:zsionml1ly afterward until the spring of 1866, when his labors with us ceased. During Mr. Trotter's ministry the church received a fresh impetus in social work, our 'Ladies' Aid Society' being then organized, by means of which our lidies procured the blinds for our church windows. About the same time, and through the generosity of some of Mr. Trotter's friends at the East, we were presented with a fine communion service. There were also ten additions mnide to our membership during Mr. Trotter's ministry. "Our next regular preaching was by the Rev. Edward B. Wright, who ministered to this church for a period of three months, in the summer of 1866, and who declined a call to become our pastor. We were then without preaching' until August 4, 1868, when the Rev. S. N. Hill, then of Birmingham, Michigan, and who is with us on this occasion, commenced his labors with us as our minister, at a salary of $609 per annum, and continued his ministry until about the middle of October, 1874. It was during his pastorate and by his efforts mainly, that a subsoription of about $125 was collected, to purchase the first bell that we had for this church, which arrived in town November 16, 1867, and was fist rung at the funeral of Frank, a son of Mr. James Gould, three days after its arrival. "It was also decided, in the summer of 1869, to make some repairs and alterations in our church building, and Mr. Hill assumed the management and oversight of the work until it was completed, and notwitllstanding the members of our society had aided our Methodist brethren this year, some $500 or $600 toward thebuilding of their church, we paid out about $700 in repairs and re-arranging the pews and pulpit of our own building. There were seventy-one additions made to our membership during Mr. Hill's ministry. After Mr. Hill's work closed, we were again without regular preaching until January 1, 1875, when the services of Dr. John G. Atterbury, of Detroit, were secured for a term of six months, which were ended the following July, at which communion season five persons were admitted to membership with us. "On the first of September, the same year, the Rev. Joseph H. Reid, of Manhattan, Kansas, began his labors with us, at a salary of $1,000 per year; $200 yearly being furnished by the Home Mission Board. He continued to minister to us with very marked success until September 11, 1877, when the Master of the vineyard called him to rest. But truly his works, remain to praise him, as he left an added membership of forty to our numbers. "After being thus suddenly deprived of a pastor, the Rev. H. H. Northrup, of Flint, very kindly came to our relief and suppiled our pulpit until arrangements were m;de with our present pastor, Rev. E. P. Clark, formerly of Caseville, Huron County, Mich., to become our minister, who, after laboring with us one year with acceptance, received a call from this churuch and society to become its settled pastor, at a salary of $900 per annum, and to become increased as we should become more able; which call was duly accepted by him, and, on the 9th day of April, 1879, at a meeting of the presbytery held at this place, he was duly installed'. "Our first church bell having been broken in 1877, in the autumn of the same year we purchased a new one, weighing 800 pounds, at a cost of $259, of Meneeley & Kimb3rly, of Troy, New York, which was put into position about the 10th day of December; and this bell, also, was first rung at a funeral, that of Miss Mary Myers, a member of our Sabbath-school, who died at the residence~ of E. H. Taylor. Esq., of this place.. "During the war of the Rebellion eight of our number entered the army, and all returned safely save one, viz: Brother Charles Jameson, who died November 16, 1863." The present membership of the church is about 145. The early history of the Sunliy-s3hvol is given in another place. The present membership of the school connected with this church is about 200. The pastors of the church, beginning with the year 1856, have been as follows, in the order given: George Winter, Alexander Trotter, Samuel N. Hill, Joseph H. Reid, Edward P. Clark. The following named persons have been elders of the church: Joseph Selden, Freedrick Bourns, John Johnson, Joshua D. Smith, Thomas H. Williamson, Adoniram J. Leach, Joseph G. Selden, Lucius A. Park, William Johnson. An interesting event in the history of this church was the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of its organization-its silver wedding. These exercises occupied the two days of April 11 and 12, 1880, and were of a highly entertaining chairacter, and pzrticipated in by a large number of people. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. This denomination, which has now become quite generally known, numbers in Tuscola County about 150 church members. It was first intro:iuced into the county through the labors of Elders I. D. Van Horn and D. M. Cauright, who pitched a fifty-foot tent in Vassar, in May, 1865. After six weeks labor a class of some fifty persons was formed, who held meetings for a short time in John 1 e I 4_-.., - it ' 0 - I I 0 O z a J m -i 0 0 1 u cn z 0 z:3 Ir U) U) w 0 E IL 0 A w w z 0 Iz.M 0 C.) C( J 0 u Cl) 3 U) (k I 0 (t 0. (n 0: " z <, 0 (J) Ul (1) C6 <.4 lk> w F0 ir. F fw I i ] V47 1t = HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 49 I.i I I son's Hall, and then removed to private dwellings, assembling for a while at the house of H. Decow. The church was organized March 20, 1866, with twenty-five members; Edwin G. Doud being local elder. Preparations were made to build a house of worship in 1870, but the house was not dedicated until the fall of 1872. It has a seating capacity of from 250 to 300. It is finished in black ash, which proves to be a neat and durable finish. The house and grounds are free from debt. Meetings and Sabbath-school are held weekly, though there is seldom any minister present. The church has steadily increased in numbers, the present enrollment being forty-three, and the Sabbathschool of forty-one members is in good working condition. The trustees of the church are, A. C. O'Rzilly, clerk, Mason Smith and E. J. Smith. There is a tract missionary society of twenty members, which has this year distributed $500 worth of tracts and papers. UNITED BRETHREN. The Vassar Church of the United Brethren in Christ, in connection with the North Michigan Conference, was organized in 1880 by Rev. A. E. Seibert, under whose pastoral care it has continued to the present time. In 1881 a church edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,100. It is a neat, plain building, 32x44 feet in size, with a seating capacity of about 250. The present membership of the church is about sixty. The trustees are Richard Wells, Ezer Stevens and Richard Kibbe. A flourishing Sundayschool of forty members is connected with t-he church, Richard Wells being its superintendent. There is also a ladies' mite society, the object of which is to raise funds for the needs of the church. Mr. Seibert has also in his charge a class of eight members, organized this year, and a Sunday-school, meeting in the sohool-house in East Vassar, and another of five mnmbers with Sunday-shAlool, in the north part of the town of Tuseola. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. St. John's Episcopal Society began to have church service in Vassar about August, 1880, having only four members. Rev. Mr. Todd, of Caro, visited the place once a week until the fall of 1882, when he removed from Caro. Since then his successor, Rev. Mr. Beaulien, has continued the work. Services are held in Ripley Hall every Tuesday evening, and Sunday-school every Sunday afternoon. The society is small, numbering only four or five members. A new chapel is being built, however, which it is expected will be completed during the autumn of 1883. EARLY SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. Mr. John Johnson gives the history of the early Sunday-school work as follows: "It was about two years after the village of Vassar was about fairly started, when steps were first taken to establish a Sabbathschool, that the children of the few families then gathered in the woods might be instructed in the word of God. It was in the summer of 1852, over thirty-one years ago, that this movement was made. A new school-house was being built, and during its construction the village was canvassed by Mrs. A. W. Sanders (still a member of the school in whose organization she took so active a part), to solicit the attendance of all interested in the Sabbath-school work, and to invite the children of the place to meet at the new school-house on a certain Sabbath, about the Ist of August, two o'clock. The school-house was now just completed, and it is believed that this meeting was the first public gathering held within its walls. The number present at the organization is not definitely known, but there were in attendance during the first term of the school eight adults and thirty-one children. "The name of the Vassar Union Sabbath-school was given to the organization, and Dr. Wm. Johnson was elected superintendent. Prior to the organization a subscription had been circulated for the purpose of raising funds to purchase a library. Five dollars were raised and forwarded to J. G. Selden, of Detroit, our present superintendent, to be expended in the purchase of books. Upon stating his commission to Mr. W. E. Boardman, the agent of the American Sunday-school Union, Mrs. Boardman informed him that she had funds in her hands to aid new schools in such objects, and added five dollars to the fund. The books were forwarded on the 10th of August, 1852. "As there is no record of the school that I can find, prior to December 1, 1861, a period of nine years, a particular account cannot be given. "The semi-annual report made April '69 shows the maximum of the school: membership, 205; average attendance, 155; divided into seventeen classes. On July 11th of this year the M. E. Church was dedicated, and from this date the name of Vassar Union Sabbath-school was dropped, each denomination maintaining its own school. It is agreeable to reflect that the union had been one of pleasantness and good will to all, and its members have reason to look back and rejoice that they were privileged to have a part in it." THE VASSAR SCHOOLS. Progress in Vassar has been of the broadest kind, and throughout the history of its activities a manifest appreciation of moral and intellectual improvement is everywhere apparent. The schools of Vassar have always been noted for their excellence, and the policy of the villa(e in relation to educational matters has been characterized by the greatest liberality. Turning backward we find a school being taught in the summer of 1851 by Miss Augusta Slafter, in a shanty remodeled for that purpose. The records state that at a special meeting of the school inspectors of the towns of Vassar and Tuscola, held August 23, 1851, for the purpose of forming a school district out of portions of the two towns named, the following boundaries were established: Beginning at the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 23, thence east to the town line between Vassar and Tuscola, thence north one and one-half miles, thence east two miles, thence north one and one-half miles, thence west one-half mile, thence north one-half mile, thence west three miles, crossing said town line, thence south three and one-half miles, to the place of beginning. Said district was designated as fractional district number one of Vassar and two of Tuscola. In 1859 the boundaries of the district were enlarged so as to cover twenty-one and one-quarter sections. In 1852 a frame school-house was built, which is still standing opposite the tannery and used as a dwelling. In the winter of 1852-'53 a school was taught in this building by D. G. Wilder, now of Watrousville. Charles Fonda and A. J. Leach also taught in the same building. UNION SCHOOL BUILDING. About 1857 the subject of erecting a union school building began to be agitated. There were some who believed that a prosperous future was in store for Vassar, and were in favor of erecting a school building that would not only reflect credit upon the place, but afford ample facilities for the demands of the place for years to come. Others were more. conservative in their views, but the more liberal enterprise at last prevailed, and in 1860 a brick building was completed at a cost of between $'5,000 and $6,000. The village was then in its infancy, and this stroke of public enterprise is a noteworthy fact in the history of the place. The first iu r: O44;? II- b i I f = (D I -A - 9) 0I \d -. - - HIISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. principal of schools in the new building was Prof. Keyes, who was subsequently killed in battle. Not long after the completion of the new school building, Hon. Townsend North conceived the idea of providing accommodations for pupils who might wish to come from other parts of the county and avail themselves of the advantages of this school. With this end in view he erected a large building at a cost of about two thousand dollars, and divided it into apartments, so arranged that the occupants could board themselves. The war was in progress and soon after its completion the draft came, and the generally disturbed condition of affairs interfered with the success of the project, and finally the building was re-arranged for tenement purposes. MORE ROOM REQUIRED. The question of additional school facilities for the district was also one which agitated the public mind for several years before it was successfully solved. The district had largely outgrown the building, which was inadequate to meet the demand. For several years additional rooms in various parts of the town were secured and branch schools carried on in these; but the plan had many inconveniences and drawbacks, and did not prove altogether satisfactory. The demand for further school room was imperative, and when once thoroughly understood, action in the matter was not long deferred..Looking toward this end, at the annual meeting in the fall of 1877, a sum of money was voted for a building fund, which sum was added to each succeeding year, until the amount had reached $1,600 last season, when the question of building was introduced and discussed. The project met with some opposition, but the district finally voted to build and on the Union School grounds. The board was then instructed to procure plans and specifications for a new building, which were submitted to the district, and those furnished by A. C. Varney, of Detroit, for a large front addition to the old school building were adopted. The next question to be decided was the one of raising the additional money for the completion of the work, which was finally carried, but the season was then so far advanced that it was thought best to defer building until the following season. During the winter the board advertised for bids for the completion of the work, and- the contract for all stone, brick and mason work was let to John Glanfield & Son, and the carpenter work, tin.work, painting and completion and finishing of the job to H. W. Park, all of Vassar. In style of architecture the new building is the same as the old, and, as it stands on the brow of the hill, is very imposing. It is built directly in front of the old house, and has a frontage of seventy-two feet, width of thirty-five feet and height of thirty-three feet above grade line. A basement, seven feet in the clear, extends under the entire new part. The building is surmounted by a fine tower in the center of the front, eighty feet from the grade line to the tip of its pinnacle. 160,000 brick were used in the construction of the building. The furniture throughout is the latest improved, and for convenience, simplicity and strength is unsurpassed by any manufactured in the country. The building is well lighted and well ventilated, and heated from the basement by two patent hot air furnaces. In this building, Vassar can boast of as fine, well finished and well furnished a building as any town of the same population in the State. It is not only a credit to the architect and the mechanics employed in its erection, but a monument to the liberality of the tax-payers of the district, who thus expressed their determination that the educational interests of Vassar should be maintained in the future at as high a standard as in the past. A fine view of the Union School building as it now appears is given in this work. The principals of the schools, since Prof. Keyes, have been Profs. Lewis, Van Wormer, Rev. S. N. Hill, Capt. E. P. Allen, Profs. Williard, Park, Wood, Norton and Wilson. As now organized, the schools are divided into three departments: primary, grammar and high school. These departments have four years each. The school year is divided into three terms, as follows: Fall term begins first Monday in September; ends Friday before Christmas-sixteen weeks. Winter term begins Monday after New Years; continues twelve weeks. Spring term begins after a vacation of one week and continues twelve weeks. ~ The superintendent and principal of high school is Eugene A. Wilson. The board of education is composed of the following named gentlemen: O. G. Emerson, E. H. Taylor, E. C. Caine, M. L. Gage, P. L. Varnum, J. R. Bancroft. VASSAR NEWSPAPERS. THE TUSCOLA COUNTY PIONEER. The lioner~ is the oldest newspaper in the Saginaw Valley, and is justly deserving of the name it has so faithfully and honorably borne for a quarter of a century. Its history, should it be given in all the fullness of incident and struggle, would fill a volume of interesting contents. Its career has noteworthy features which are highly creditable to the men who have stood at its helm. Its beginning was a stroke of journalistic enterprise which attests the nerve of its founder, and the strength of his faith in the prosperous future of Tuscola County. It is further noticeable that during this entire period of twenty-five years it has changed owners but three times, and its career as a business institution has been one of growth and increasing permanency. On Tuesday, November 24, 1857, the first number of the Tuscola County Pioneer was issued by W. R. Bartlett. The population of the entire county was less than 4,000. Vassar Township contained less than 200 permanent residents, and the village was but a ragged speck on Cass River. Caro was a tangled slashing, and even Tuscola. though past its majority, numbered but seven or eight hundred souls. There were four postoffices in the county, and the mail for all, when bunched, would scarcely have made sufficient ballast for a toy balloon. Mr. Bartlett, however, possessed the two requisite qualities necessary to carry forward his undertaking; they were energy and f aith. He settled in Watrousville in the spring of 1854, and two years later was elected by the Republican party to the legislature, and served two years. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Vassar and the following November began a journalistic career. In 1859 he was again nominated for representative by the Republicans, but was defeated at the polls by a majority of five. He held several local offices and was appointed postmaster at Vassar by President Lincoln, which position he held three years, and then resigned in favor of Isaac Jameson, a wounded soldier. In 1863 he sold the Pioneer office to William Lake, Jr., and en gaged in other business. In 1866 he removed from the county, and is now a resident of Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. Lake published the paper about six years. during which time he increased the size of the paper from six to eight columns. A portion of the time J. D. Lewis was associated with Mr. Lake in the business and editorial management of the paper. i l e A L - lj - LI (5 - f I F HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 51 I In August, 1869, Mr. Lake sold the establishment to Rev. Alexander Trotter, who still remains at its head. In 1875 Mr. Trotter took his two sons into partnership, and from that time the firm has been A. Trotter & Sons. In 1878 steam power was added, and in February, 1881, the form of the paper was changed to a six column quarto. The present season the firm is erecting a substantial brick building on Pine Street, to be fitted with all the necessary modern conveniences for the printing business. The Pionieer has always been Republican in politics, and has maintained an elevated standard of journalism. A fine view of their new building is given in this work. ALEXANDER TROTTER was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the year 1810. When he was about five years of age his father came to America, and settled in Delaware County, N. Y. His mother had died in his infancy. At the proper age he attended the academy at FairfieId, Herkimer County. His collegiate education was obtained at Oberlin, Ohio, and his theological education at the Union Theological Seminary, in the city of New York. Emerging from college, Mr. Trotter entered the ministry, but was prevented from continuing it as a life-work on account of the uncertain condition of his health. In the spring of 1863 he came to Vassar and being pleased with the appearance of the place invested his means, and became identified with the place. Soon after coming here he became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church and Scontinued that relation about three years. He was afterward postmaster of the village for some time, and in 1869 purchased the Pioneer printing establishment as already stated. Mr. Trotter was married at Morristown, N. J., May 28, 1843, to Phoebe Day, of that place. They have five children: three daughters and two sons, all married. Mr. Trotter has crossed the line of three score years and ten, but is still vigorous and active, with a seeming promise that his thus far useful life will be prolonged for years to come. His sons have come up to honored positions as business men, and the' hitherto successful career of the Ptioeer has a warrant of long continuance. THE VASSAR "TIMES. The Time).es is a six-column quarto newspaper, cut and pasted in book form, and printed entirely at home. It is issued weekly, and Horace A. Miller is editor and proprietor. The career of the Times has been of short duration, but of more consequence than longevity is the fact that it has been thus far characterized by prosperity and growing importance. For some time previous to the winter of 1880-'81 it had appeared manifest to some of the business men of Vassar that another newspaper could render valuable aid in stimulating the progress of material interests, and its establishment as a business venture be warranted by the advanced stage of development to which the village and county had already attained. In February, 1881, the Vassar Timtes Pinting Company was incorporated under the laws of the State, and Robert S. Toland, a well known journalist, was engaged as editor and manager of the new journal. The initial number of the Vassar Tl'ies was issued March 17th following. The success of the enterprise from the start was gratifying beyond expectation, and it immediately occupied a prominent place among the local newspapers of the State. September 3, 1881, the Tiues was purchased from the stock company by Robert S. Toland and Horace A. Miller. A few months later the failure of Mr. Toland's health obliged him to retire from the business, and in April, 1882, his interest was purchased by Mr. Miller, who continues the editor and proprietor of the paper. The Times is independent but not neutral in politics, and is mainly devoted to the local interests of Vassar village and Tuscola County. Its space is filled principally with news from various local points. One page I is devoted to the village and town of Millington, another to Mayville, and a third to Clifford. Its market reports are also a feature receiving careful attention. The appearance of the Ties denotes a liberal patronage and a prosperous business. The proprietor, Mr. Miller, is a native of Geauga County, Ohio, and is a young man of energy and enterprise. He came to Vassar in the spring of 1881, having previously attended Hillsdale College, and subsequently had spent some time in a law office at Bay City. LODGES AND SOCIETIES. MASONIC. Cass River Lodge, No. 163, F. and A. M., was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge at its session of January, 1865, with J. J. Wilder, W. M.; I. C. Kibbe, S. W.; B. A. Wood, J. W.; H. P. Atwood, secretary. In February the following officers were elected: I. C. Kibbe, W. M.; H. P. Atwood, S. W.; I. Killam, J. W.; J. H. Grinnell, treasurer; W. Lake, Jr., secretary; J. Gould, S. D.; L. F. Hinson, J. D.; P. D. Bush, tyler. Monday evening, February 20, the lodge was duly constituted and the officers installed. The officers in 1883 are as follows: W. M., J. A. Trotter; S. W., J. R. Bancroft; J. W., L. C. Merritt; treasurer, M. L. Gage; secretary, E. A. Bullard; S. D., C. H. Richardson; J. D., Jas. Stewart; stewards, T. H. Lake, E. J. Hovey; tyler, M. P. McHose. A few years after its organization the name of the lodge was changed to Vassar Lodge. The lodge is building a new hall on Pine Street which, when completed, will provide it with desirable apartments. ODD FELLOWS. Vassar Lodge, No. 264, I. O. O. F., was organized in February, 1876. The charter members were P. D. Irons, H. B. McHose, J. H. Wagner, H. N. Montague, P. L. Varnum, John Clark and A. W. Wilber. Principal officers were: N. G., P. D. Irons; secretary, J. A, Clark; treasurer, H. B. McHose; V. G., J. H. Wagner; present officers: N. G., J. A. Clark; secretary, P. L. Varnum; treasurer, J. H. Wagner; V. G., C. D. Bennett. LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. The Vassar Library Association was organized in January, 1882, largely through the instrumentality of Mrs. Anna Oakley. A village library has been established which now contains 268 volumes. The officers in- 1883 are: President, Horace A. Miller; vice president, P. L. Varnum; secretary, Rev. E. P. Clark; treasurer, Geo. E. Williamson. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. Eureka Lodge, No. 869, Knights of Honor, was organized with about eighteen members, in September, 1878. The present dictator is D. G. Whitcomb; reporter, Horace A. Miller; finance reporter, M. P. McHose; medical examiner and treasurer, Dr. L. C. Davis. GOOD TEMPLARS. Vassar Lodge of Good Templars, No. 431, was organized in May, 1882. W. C. T., W. E. Clough; W. V. T., Mrs. W. H. Dack; secretary, Mary E. Kesseler; treasurer, Mrs. A. Hartman; P. W. C. T., W. H. Dack. The lodge has had a successful career thus far, and is at present in a flourishing condition. CHOSEN FRIENDS. A lodge of the order of Chosen Friends was organized in March, 1883, with twenty-two members. The following were the officers elected: Chief councilor, W. E. Clough; vice councilor, G. W. Laking; secretary, G. R. Wightman; treasurer, J. H. Wagner; I i I I fA -1 I -a 4 ji. I~~ I I1.6 522 IIISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. medical examiner, Dr. T. A. Cullis; probate, Wm. Kenyon. marshal, John Scott; guard, M. Fogler; warden, John Parker; sentinel, E. Adams. KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES. Vassar Tent, No. 66, Knights of the Maccabees, was organized in December, 1882. Sir Kt. C., Frank L. Fales; S. K. L. C., Horace A. Miller; R. K., H. S. Hadsall; F. K., T. Lane; P. S. Kt.; C., S. A. Lane; prelate, D. C. Atkins. THE POSTOFFICE. The Vassar postoffice was established in 1852, and was kept in the store of North & Edmunds. Dr. William Johnson was the first postmaster. The mail was brought from Tuscola, and the carrier's MILLER'S OFERA hat was usually the mail bag. Soon after the mail was received regularly from Bridgeport. Dr. Johnson held the office until the election of James Buchanan as president, when a political change of administration resulted in a change of federal office holders, and he was succeeded by B. W. Huston, Jr. Mr. Huston was followed by W. R. Bartlett, Isaac Jameson, Alexander Trotter, and William Lake, Jr. The present postmaster, E. C. Caine, took the office in January, 1882. A new postoffice is being erected in the summer of 1883, adjoining the store of John Johnson & Son, on Main street. The business of the office is constantly increasing, and on the 1st of July, 1882, was made a third-class office, and a separating office from April 1st, 1882. A large amount of mail is thrown into this office by the junction of the two railroads. Pouches are made up here for Bloomfield, Richville, Buena Vista, Watrousville, Caro, Tuscola, Saginaw, East Saginaw, and D. & B. C., East Saginaw and Port Huron agents. Eighty-three lock pouches are received and the same number dispatched every week, besides a number of sacks of paper mail. INCORPORATION. The village of Vassar was incorporated under a special law in 1871, and the first village election was held on the tenth day of April in that year. Thirty-six votes -were polled, and nearly all the officers elected received the entire vote. The records state that the common council of the village held their first meeting at the office of B. W. Huston, Jr., April 22, 1871. William Johnson was appointed clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by failure of Thomas F. Sawyer to qualify. The first ordinance passed was one restraining horses, cattle, sheep and swine from running at large. At the spring election in 1873, 102 votes were cast. In December, 1874, occurred the death of William Butler, president of the village. Suitable notice of the event was taken by the council. Charles Curtis was elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the year. In 1877 the village obtained a new charter under the general laws, and the first election under the new charter was held April 2, of that year. The highest number of votes polled was 176. Under the new cllharter the number of trustees was increased from four to six. I I.I I i i i I I I I i i I -j I v HOUSE, VASSAR. VASSAR VILLAGE OFFICERS. PRESIDENT. CLERK. TREASURER. 1,~71 Townsend North Thos. F. Sawyer Morgan L. Gage 1 '72 Townsend North Win. Johnson Morgan L. Gage 18773 Wm. Lake, Jr. Wml. Johnson Morgan L. Gage 1S 71 Wm. Butler" Wm. Johnson Morgan L. Gage 1 875 James Graham Wm. Johnson Morgan L. Gage 187 6 James Graham AVm. Johnson Morgan L. Gage 8I 77 J. G. Selden Jas. A. Trotter Morgan L. Gage 1,x7,8 J. G. Selden Jas. A. Trotter Morgan L. Gage I 879 James Graham Jas. A. Trotter Morgan L. Gage 1 8;0 Jeff. J. Wilder Jas. A. Trotter' Mlorgan L. Gage 1ql Ed. C. Caine Henrv A. Hadsall Morgan L. Gage 1 S2 Frank L. Fales Henry A. Hadsall Morgan L. Gage 1883 John W. Brainard Henry A. Hadsall Orange G. Emerson ASSESSOR. Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway Joseph Selden Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway Henrv A. Brockwav Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway Henry A. Brockway THE OPERA-HOUSE. The Vassar Opera-house is a building highly creditable to this floulishing village. The building is situated on the corner of AMiill and Pine Streets, and was erected by R. W. & F. Miller in 18'79, at a cost of $7,500. The auditorium is reached by an easy flight of stairs from Main Street, and the house will seat 750 persons, about equally divided between the parquette and gallery. The exterior of the building is very pleasing, the red brick showing off well, and the interior is not only cozy and comfortable, )but decorated in a manner that reflects much credit upon the proprietor and the artist. The property is now owned by Frank M1iller, his brother, having retired from a proprietary interest in 1881. VASSAR BANKS. The First Nati onal Bank of Vassar is the successor of T. North & Son. The business was first established in 1875 by Mr. North, who.associated with him Bostwick Noble, of Lowell, Mich. The following year Mr. North purchased Mr. Noble's interest. In j 1:,( 9 —r k _\ tl j Ii - _ ___ _ ___ _Aa -a _ _ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 53 1878 he built a handsome brick building in which the bank is now located. In 1882 Mr. North took his only son Frank into partnership, and the firm name of T. -North & Son was adopted. The business was continued by this firm until the summer of 1883 when the organization of tile First National Bank took place. The organization was completed in June, and the first currency issued early in Auyust. The capital stock is $50,000. Directors: Townsend North, D. G. Slafter, B. W. Huston, Justin Wentworth, Frank North, George Williamson, and R. C. Burtis. Officers of the board were elected as follows: President, Hon. Townsend North; vice-president, Hon. D. G. Slafter; cashier, Frank North. The Vassar Exchange Bank is one of the thrifty business institutions of the village of Vassar. It is conducted under the firm name of I. Gibbard & Co.. the proprietors being Isaac Gibbard, of Rochester, N. Y., and C. C. Curtis, of Vassar. Mr. Curtis is cashier, and has the general management of the business. It was established in February, 1882, and is located in the Opera-house Block. THE PROFESSIONS. The professions are represented in Vassar as follows: Three legal firms, Huston & Hadsall, Frank L. Fales, and E. H. Taylor, prosecuting attorney. Seven physicians, L. C. Davis & T. A. Cullis, H. M. Leach, Wm. Johnson, H. A. Brockway, J. B. Lewis, allopathic, and J. R. Nunn, homeopathic. Two dentists, E. J. Hovey and L. G. Dean. RIVERSIDE CEMETERY. This beautiful city of the dead is one of the deligiltful and interesting points about the village of Vassar. Among the inhabitants of the village are a considerable number, well advanced in years. As the years roll by, members of these families are laying aside life's burdens, and are borne to their last resting place. The place of their sepulcher possesses a solemn and sacred interest to those who are left behind. It had been felt for some years that the township burying grounds did not meet the requirements of the village, and steps were taken toward securing a more desirable place. In 1879 a stock company was formed, and a tract of land containing thirty-eight acres, located on the river bank a short distance below the village, was purchased. A large sum of money has been expended in clearing the ground, laying out- drives and fitting it for the purpose intended. The location is very desirable, and the improvements that have been made indicate a spirit of refinement and enterprise on the part of the people of the village. Many of the lots are already graced with handsome and enduring family monuments; graceful winding drives, sloping banks of greensward, and carefully tended graves give promise of surpassing beauty in time to come. RECREATION PARK. This park is owned by the Vassar Driving Park Association, and was started in 1881. It is situated on River Street, about half a mile from the business center of town, has a good half-mile track, and abundance of room for other purposes, the grounds containing twenty acres. Last year the track was graded and rolled, the grounds thoroughly drained, the stumps taken out, most of the land inside and outside the track plowed, leveled and seeded down, and a high, tight board fence built around the entire tract. The work of improving the place has been continued, and the association now have a delightful park and an exceIlent track. A large sum of -money is being expended the present season, and tlhe County Agricultural Society having arranged to hold their fairs here, are providing the necessary facilities. It is now proposed to increase the capital stock to $5,000. The present directors are L. C. Merritt,, S. Blackmore, E. H. Taylor, J. P. Blackmore, J. A. Trotter, C. D. Bennett, James McConnell. The officers are: President, E. H. Taylor; secretary, James A. Trotter; treasurer, L. C. Merritt. VASSAR INDUSTRIES. A noticeable feature in the more recent histcry of Vassar is its strong and steady growth. This is partly accounted for in the number and flourishing character of its manufacturing industries, some of the most important of which we will mention. THE VASSAR MILLS. In the year 1858, the Vassar Mill Company built a flouring-mill with two run of 3tone, and commenced running it in November of that year. This was practically connected with the enterprises inaugurated by Messrs. North & Edmunds. Somewhere about 1854, a small grist-mill was attached to their saw-mill, and for a time furnished adequate facilitiesfor grinding the grain product of the surrounding country. A few years later, however, there was a demand for a flouring-mill, and this mill was built. In 1864, Mr. B. F. McHose purchased the property, and has operated it ever since. In 1877, the new process and two run of stone were added. Early in 1883 the style of the firm was changed to McHose & Clark, the latter being a Boston capitalist, and important improvements made upon the mill, making it one of the best in the State. The mill is 50x56 feet on the ground, and four stories high, including the basement. The framework is of a massive character, and the entire structure is built with an eye to durability as well as convenience. The building is surmounted by a cupola, 18x56 feet in size. The engine-house, which is located 100 feet east of the mill, is 30x40 feet in size, and is absolutely fire-proof, being sheeted and roofed with iron. Two large boilers supply steam for the engine, which has a capacity of 100 horse-power, and is connected with the mill by a 150-foot shaft. The cooper shop will turn out from 300 to 400 barrels per day. The mill is fitted exclusively with centrifugal bolting reels, and by their use the grade of flour is greatly improved. The capacity of the mill is 300 barrels per day, and it is considered by competent judges to be one of the very best in the country. The old saw-mill, originally built by North & Edmunds in 1849, forms a part of this property, and it is the intention of Messrs. McHose & Clark to soon put it in running order. Mr. McHose is one of the pioneers of Tuscola County, and has had many years' experience in the manufacture of flour. He is a native of Pennsylvania, but lived for several years in Ohio, where lie was engaged in milling. In 1854, he settled in the town of Tuscola, where he remained until 1864, when he purchased the Vassar mills. He has always been engaged mnore or less in lumbering, and has the reputation of being one of the best business men in the county. THE VASSAR WOOLEN-MILL. In 1868 the Vassar woolen-mill commenced operations, Messrs. North & Selden being proprietors. At first wool carding and cloth dressing constituted the business of the mill, but the business was gradually extended to the manufacture of yarn, cloth, etc. The business outgrew the capacity of the mill, and during the past year a stock company was organized and a large brick building erected. This is now one of the important institutions of the Saginaw Valley. J I L,v ]a7 -.^ — I'ry fj:: A M.l- ~ L I I I i I i i I i I I I 54 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I I I i I i i I i Ii I I MILLER'S ELEVATOR. In 1873 R. A. & F. Miller built the above elevator in the village of Vassar. It is 40x80 feet in size. Its business amounts to about 40,000 bushels per annum. It is near the Vassar depot of the Detroit, Saginaw, & Bay City R. R. Frank Miller bought his brother's interest in 1881, and is now sole proprietor. Mr. Miller also deals in building material of all kinds in addition to his elevator business. THE FENNER TMILLS. This property consists of a saw-mill and flouring-mill, and was owned and operated by William Fenner until his death, which recently occurred. Since that time, a company of Vassar gentlemen have purchased the property and will continue its operation. The furniture factory of M. D. North has been in constant operation for several years, and has every year been adding new machinery and facilities, so that now it is one of the best equipped factories in the valley. Its principal manufactures are furniture, sash, doors, blinds, and all sorts of cabinet work. There are also the shingle-mill of C. D. Bennett, the tannery of Williamson & Taylor, one of the old industries of the place, the brick and tile works of H. Coffeen, 0. G. Emerson's basket factory, which gives employment to about ten hands, M. L. Gage's ashery, pump factory of T. Clyne, Morrison & Son, marble works, two foundries, a wagon shop and various other industries, which give employment to labor, and impart vigor to the general prosperity of the commlllunity. RAILWAY FACILITIES. Vassar first secured railway conmimunication through the building of the Detroit & Bay City Road in 1873, to aid which the people of the village subscribed $28,0,0. The construction of this road marked a new era of progress, and imparted increased vigor to the growth of the place. Since the building of this road, the Michigan Central Railway Company have secured control of it, and the Careo and Vassar branch has been built, also the Saginaw and Vassar branch; the former in 1878, and the latter soon afterward. The company purchased a tract of land near the depot, and have built a roundhouse, turn-table, coal sheds and new depot. In 1881, the Port Huron & Northwestern narrow gauge was built, giving Vassar an eastern outlet. The people of the village subscribed $15,000 to aid the building of this road. With these railway connections, Vassar has come to occupy a central position and is provided with superior shipping facilities. Three express trains leave daily for Detroit, three for Bay City and Mackinaw, three for Caro, two for Port Huron, and five for Saginaw, an equal number arriving from each of these places. THE SPIRIT OF THE TIME. A local writer, speaking of the prevailing spirit of the place at the beginning of 1883, very truthfully says: "We have many natural advantages, among which might be mentioned the river, with a dam at this point furnishing power for milling, and water supply for steam manufactories; an abundance of timber for almost any manufacturing purpose; a vein of pure spring water cropping out from the hillsides in quantities sufficient to quench the thirst of thousands every day; a surrounding of as good agricultural country as there is in the world; a wholesome distance from other trade centers, and a good climate. The few men who invested here in the beginning were shrewd enough to recogrnize these, and duringl the succeeding years there has been a constanlt effort toward SUPPLEMENTING NATURE with the tllings that make a town of life and progress. It was this spirit of ilmprovement that twenty-two years ago built a brick school I I I Ii I I i I I I I house, which has ever been our pride until we outgrew it, and which, a little more than a year ago, doubled it in size and converted it into a handsome, modern school building, by far the finest and largest in the county; that built here the first church in the county; that built a handsome bridge across the Cass; that erected an elegant brick opera-house; that lighted our town with street lamps; that ornamented our streets with rows of b;eautiful shade trees in every part of town;..that laid good, wide sidewalks in all directions; that improved our roads wonderfully. The most encouraging feature of our recent improvements is, that the business buildings now erected are almost all of brick, solid and substantial, and looking as though their owners meant to stay. Vassar now passes for one of the prettiest villages in Michigan, and we believe there are none that excel it for business prospects. Never a season passes without witnessing the erection of a goodly number of solid business blocks, and a proportionate number of residences; never a year goes by without increasing the business of the last. "The village council has been busy this year, improving and beautifying the village more than has ever been done in one year before. The first work of importance was procuring the services of civil engineer E. F. Guild, to survey the entire village, establish the grade of every street, make an elaborate set of maps of the same, and draw a large and correct plat of the village. This done, the work of grading the steep hill at the upper end of Main Street was begun, and when completed, an easy and handsome driveway was made, where before was a dangerous spot. The benefits of these improvements extended upon three streets, Main, Maple and Grant. Main Street was then graveled from this point to Oak Street, and is now in splendid shape nearly its entire length. "Considerable improvements have been made on the east side; several new streets have been opened or lengthened, and some impassable places have been cleaned out and graded; the junction of Goodrich, Butler and Cherry Streets has been graded and greatly improved, several tile underdrains have been laid, and such great changes have been made in the appearance of this part of town, that no one who has been absent would recognize the place. "New sidewalks have been laid in nearly every part of town, and Vassar now boasts of more and better sidewalks than any town of its size in Michigan. "The village has also purchased the Whittaker Building at the foot of Pine Street hill, and converted it into a village hall, and engine house below and council room above, which it has fitted up in creditable shape, and now no longer pays a dollar for rent." | BIOGRAPHICAL. JOHN JOHNSON, merchant, of Vassar, was born in Surrey, England. His family emigrated to the United States in 1834, and settled at Pittsford, N. Y., where they remained for ten years, during which time Mr. Johnson received the principal part of his education. From there they removed to Armada, Macomb County, Mich. In 1854 he came to Vassar, of which village he has continued to be a resident until the present. His first employment was transcribing the records for the then new county of Tuscola. In doing so it was necessary to visit the register's offices at Lapeer and Saginaw City, as the territory of which Tuscola is composed was at one time a part of Lapeer County, and afterward of Saginaw County. In 1857 he succeeded his brother as register of deeds, and held the office for four years. He also was county clerk for two years. He was married in 1859, and has a family of seven children. J. B. W. LEWIS, M. D., is a native of Moravia, Cayuga County, N. Y., where he was born in 1821. At fifteen years of age he - - I t I 11 I Ie I l I --.A E. A. BULLARD, VASSAR, MICH. rC- I!' I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 55 moved to Green, Trumbull County, Ohio, with his parents, and remained there three years, at the end of which time he returned to New York, locating at Virgil, Cortland County. In November, 1839, he removed to Marengo, Calhoun County, Mich., and 1847 to Ceresco, where he remained until 1882, when he came to Vassar. Doctor Lewis has been twice married, first to Miss Maria E. Hughes, by whom he had two daughters, both of whom are married; one living in Marshall, Mich., and the other in Joliet, Ill.; second, to the widow of G. S. Harrington. He was born in Green, Trumbull County, Ohio, and died in Vassar, August 7, 1875. It will be remembered that Mr. Harrington had a factory in which he manufactured sash, blinds, doors and furniture, and also kept a furniture store. Mrs. Lewis' maiden name was Clarissa Ann King, and she was born in Bennington, Genesee County, N. Y., in 1825, but has been a resident of Vassar for the past seventeen years. The doctor is.a graduate of the Cleveland Medical College, where he attended in 1847-'48, and has since practiced his profession. MORGAN L. GAGE, of the firm of McHose & Gage, merchants, has been a resident of the county since 1862, when he engaged as a clerk in his present store with J. Coleman & Co., remaining with them in that capacity five years; at the end of that time he purchased an interest in the business. Three years later the Coleman interest was purchased by B. F. McHose, and since that time the business has been continued under the firmn name of McHose & Gage. JAMES JOHNSON (deceased) was born in Pittsford, Monroe County, N. Y., September 1, 1834, and in 1844 with his parents and family, moved to Armada, Mich., where he received his edutcation. In 1855 he camne to Vassa.r, and the following year bought out the drug business of Doctor Bissel, which he continued until his death, which occurred March 10, 1879. He had previously provided plans and material for a new drug store which was erected by his executor the summer following his death,-the old building was removed in June and the new building occupied the following December. He married Miss Mary E. North, eldest daughter of Mr. T. North. They had four children-two sons and two daughters, all living. Mr. Johnson for several years held the office of treasurer of Vassar, and became widely known and universally respected. His death is mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives. L. C. MERRITT, of the firm of Merritt & Hedden, mlerchtants, is a native of Metamora, Lapeer County, Mich., but has been a resident of Vassar since 1871. He first engaged in mercantile business on the corner of Pine and River Streets, where he continued two and one-half years, when he pulled down the old store and erected a brick store on its site, which was the first of its kind in town. Forming a partnership with Mr. Hedden they built a handsome brick store on the opposite corner of Pine and River Streets, which they have occupied since December 17, 1882. Mr. Merritt is a member of the executive committee of the county agricultural society, and as a public officer has served the township of Vassar five years as treasurer, and since the spring of 1882 as supervisor. L. C. HEDDEN, of the firm of Merritt & Hedden, merchants, is a native of Michigan, and was born in Washtenaw County, but for a numbers of years was a resident of Wayne County, where he was engaged in farming. In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in the Ninth I Michigan Infantry, and served to the close of the war. During his time of service he was employed as army mail agent and United States mail messenger between Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis and other points. He has been a resident of Vassar since April 11, 1882. P. M. CASE.-Among the many who deserve a notice in the history of Tuscola County may be mentioned Mr. Case, who has been a resident of Vassar since 1860. The following year he was appointed deputy sheriff under Sabin Gibbs, and attended to all the duties of that office for two years, at the end of which time he was elected to the office and served the full term. He was succeeded by Sheriff Richards and again was appointed under sheriff, serving to the end of his term. In 1868 he engaged in the grocery business, which he continued for twelve years. Mr. Case was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1815, and in 1828 moved with his parents to Washtenaw County, Mich., where he remained until 1860, when he came to Tuscola County. He was married in 1838 to Miss Catharine North. They have had five children, of whom all are dead except the youngest daughter, who is with her husband — Mr. Orvis- in Italy. The eldest son died in the army, and two daughters and a son in Vassar, of typhoid fever. EDWIN G. DOUD is one of the pioneers of Vassar, having come here in the spring of 1855, from Ohio-his native place —with his own conveyance-a span of horses and wagon. At that tithe there were but three houses upon the bluffs, and the total population of the place probably numbered less than fifty souls. The following summer he built a residence on Main Street, and the following winter taught the village school. The next winter he taught at Tuscola, and for five succeeding winters in other schools of the county. Having purchased land in the township of Denmarlk, he moved on it in the spring of 1857 and commenced his battle with the wilderness, to carve out for himself and family a home. In this he was eminently successful, and when he sold his farm in the spring of 1882, he found he had accumulated enough through his energy and frugality to build himself a fine residence in Vassar onl Main Street, where he now resides, and still have a competency remaining. As a public officer Mr. Doud served four terms as treasurer, three terms as clerk, and one term as justice of the peace for the township of Denmark, and in the spring of 1856 was elected justice of the peace for Vassar, and served one year. He married Sarah A. Foley, a native of Philadelphia. They have had two sons, both of whom are in business in Vassar. JOHN BAKER, the subject of this sketch, was born in England, near Dover, in 1822, and came to America in 1836 with his father and sister, locating ill Whigville, Genesee County, Mich. He afterward spent two years in Lenawee County, and in 1851 he went to Oregon and elngaged in lumbering, remaining on the Pacific slope one year, at the end of wlhich tine hlie was called home onl account of sickness in his family. In 1852 he came to Tuscola County and purchased a farm in the township of Denlmark, where he remained until 1880, when he came to Vassar, where he now resides. Although Mr. Baker has been an industrious farmer, he has still found time to act as a local preacher onl circuit duty, and was well known as such through portions of the State. He married Miss Van Steenbergh, in Oakland County, June 10, 1844. They have had seven children, all of whom are living except one. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were pioneers in the town of Denmark, and their pioneer history constitutes an interesting part of the early history of that town. TRUMAN H. LAKE was born in the town of Gorham, Ontario County, N. Y., in 1824, and in 1836 moved to Washtenaw County, Mich., where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1850, when he came to Tuscola County and settled on eighty acres of a section of land in Juniata Township, purchased by Levi Rogers, his father in-law. After remainillng on the land nine years he returned to Washtenaw County, which he made his home for eight years, when he came to Vassar, where he has since resided. He married Miss Martha Ann Rogers, who was a native of Ontario County, N. Y. They have had three children, of whom but one son is now living. E. A. BULLARD, dealer in drugs, medicines and fancy goods, -- H2I I 1 I 6f I i j - I 1 n, I I I i II I I I I I i i I 56 HISTORY OF TUSCOLN COUNTY. Main street, came to Vassar in 1865, after serving two terms in the army, first in the old "fighting Fifth," and second in the 1st Michigan Light Artillery. He commenced here the manufacture of pumps, and after two years took in T. Clyne as a partner, to whom he sold out after four years of successfll business. In July, 1874, he bought out the drug store of Dr. Davis. the stock inventorying $850. With no experience as a druggist he took hold of the business, and the first year's sales amounted to less than $2,500. By dint of unceasing energy, and by most persistent and well directed advertising, his business has increased until his sales for 1882 reached $12,000, and his stock of fancy goods is something ilmmense. Since coming here he has built three houses-the last a very handsome one-a pump factory and a store, and has started the town booming at the upper end by platting "Bullard's Addition to Vassar" and settling a number of residents there, a speculation which netted a handsome profit. He is one of the most ingenious advertisers in the State, and whatever he touches proves a success. 71/scola ',ol:nt!/ Pioneer. J. H. BURGESS, Of the firm of Burgess & Doud, grocers, is a native of Yates County, N. Y., and has been a resident of the county since April, 1857, except the time he spent in the army during the late war. He first engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he continued until March 4th, 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, First Regiment U. S. Sharpshooters, under Col. Bodine, and served three years. Was wounded at Gettysburg, and for eighteen months was an invalid. Coming back to Vassar he again engaged in the boot and shoe business until 1870, when he was appointed postmaster, holding the office six years. He then embarked in the stationery and grocery line, and in 1880 built his present store on Main Street. In July, 1882, Mr. Doud purchased an interest in his business, and the firm has since been known as Burgess & Doud. Mr. Burgess has served the township of Vassar three years as clerk. THOS. H. WILLIAMSON, Of the firm of Williamson & Taylor, tanners, was born in Surrey, England, and came to America in 1849, stopping three years in New York, then coming to Vassar, where he has since resided. The tannery which they now occupy wa-sbuilt in 1853 by a Mr. Ripley, and was operated by the firm of Barker, Ripley & Co., in which Mr. Williamson was a partner. They also manufactured boots and shoes and had a currying establishment at Flint. In 1873 the firm of Williamson & Taylor was organized, and has since been actively engaged in the business. They employ from five to eight men at the tannery and turn out 6,000 sides of leather,annually. Mr. Williamson has served the township of Vassar four years as supervisor. He married Miss Emily Taylor, of New York. They have had three children, all of whom are living in Vassar. J. WM. BRAINERD, harness maker, has been established in business here since 1869, five years on Main Street, and nine years in his present quarters. He does a large trade in the manufacture of single and double harness, and keeps a full line of robes, blankets, whips, combs, and other articles belonging to the business. He is a native of Hartland, Livingston County, N. Y., and was a farmer until twenty-three years of age. FREDERICK BOURNS is a native of Lincolnshire, England, where he was born April 29, 1819. In 1830 with his father and family he came to the United States and located in Springfield, Otsego County, N. Y., where he remained until the fall of 1834, when he came to Milford, Oakland County, Mich. He was there engaged in mercantile business five years with A. S. Arms, and the following five years, individually. Came to Vassar in 1853 and engaged in selling goods till 1858, when he was appointed deputy county clerk. At the end of two years' service as deputy he was elected clerk, and held the office for three successive terms, until December 31, 1866. The following spring he was elected justice of the peace and has retained the office to the present time. In addition to his duties as justice of the peace Mr. Bourns does an insurance and real estate business, his sales of real estate in the county aggregate many thousands of acres. Was married in 1841 at Brighton, Livingston County, N. Y., to Miss Hannah M. Andrews, a native of Rochester, N. Y. They have had five children, of whom three are living. O. G. EMERSON is a native of Rutland County, Vt., and first came to Vassar in 1857, but did not come permanently till 1871. He first entered the employ of H. Harrington in the capacity of clerk in his store, and a year later purchased an interest and became a partner, which relationship was continued till 1878, when Mr. Emerson became sole owner and proprietor through the purchase of Mr. Harrington's interest, and has since continued the business, but in April, 1882, changed his location to his present quarters in the Opera Block. It might be added that Mr. Harrington came here in 1857 and established the business-that some years later he formed a partnership with a Mr. Leach, which was dissolved in 1866 by the withdrawal of Mr. Leach, and that Mr. Harrington continued the business individually until 1872, the year of his forming a partnership with Mr. Emerson. LEWIS C. DAVIS, M. D., is a native of Amsterdam, Montgomery County, N. Y., and first came to Michigan in 1848 and to Tuscola County in 1864, where he has since practiced his profession. He studied medicine in the University of Michigan and graduated from the University of Louisiana, then known as the New Orleans Medical College. Dr. Davis is a practitioner of the regular school and has built up an extensive and successful practice. In March, 1882, he associated hinmself with Thomas Allen Cullis, M. D., who graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, in March, 1879. Dr. Cullis is a Canadian by birth. After receiving his diploma he located in Millington and there commenced the practice of medicine. CHAUNCEY FURMAN was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1811, and when twenty three years of age came to Washtenaw County, Michdi. He purchased a farm in the township of Augusta, where he resided several years, but afterward took up his residence in Ypsilanti and engaged in butchering., In 1850 he came to Vassar and has since been a resident of the county. After a period of twelve years spent in Vassar he moved on a farm he had purchased in Tuscola township and there lived six years, when he returned to Vassar and commenced the erection of buildings on land he purchased, where now stands the Michigan Central Depot. He soon thereafter purchased his present residence, where he has since resided, excepting four years he spent on a farm in the township of Vassar. Mr. Furman kept the Vassar Hotel one year, carried the mail between Vassar and Bridgeport seven years, has been constable and highway commissioner, and was one to let the building of the first bridge at Vassar. He has been thrice married. His present wife was the widow Low, formerly Miss Mina Irons, of Ypsilanti. Her brother, Chauncey Irons, came to Vassar the same year with Mr. T. North. J. W. BRIGGS, jeweler, is a native of Canandaigua, Ontario County, N. Y., and has been a resident of Vassar since 1877. Established his business on Main Street, opposite his present quarters, January 2, 1878. Mrs. Briggs carries on a millinery and fancy goods department in the same store. Both are carrying a good stock and are receiving the patronage they merit. Mr. Briggs has an army record covering four years and two months. He enlisted at Rockford in the Seventy-fourth Illinois and reenlisted in the Third Michigan, in which he was color bearer. He I -V ( - f L I Ai IC I 1 I 0 i I L,.,. I _0:::,re): ^ ^ -—, i: HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 57 I was detailed to the detective service in New Orleans, but spent most of his time in Texas. H. W. CoFFEEN, Of the firm of Salesbury & Coffeen, brick and tile manufacturers, is a native of Hammond, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. His father, Curtis Coffeen, established the business in 1878, and continued it until December, 1880, making the first machine brick manufactured in the county. In December, 1880, H. W. Coffeen purchased the business, and in the spring of 1882 admitted Edward Salesbury as a partner. They have since continued the business, and during the season of 1882 manufactured 1,500,000 brick and 100,000 tile. They have an inexhaustible bank of clay which produces pure white brick and tile. Employ from fifteen to twenty-five hands. J. P. BLACKMORE, proprietor of the Jewell House, Vassar, is a native of London, Ont. He came to Lapeer County, Mich., in 1873, and for five months was in the employ of the Detroit & Bay City Railroad. In 1874 he had a timber contract with the F. & P. M. R. R., after which he returned to Canada and aided in the construction of the Great Western car-shops at London, Ont., and was also engaged in bridge building in Indiana one summer for the B. & O. R. R., after which he came to Vassar and opened a saloon and billiard hall on the East Side. In company with his brother he purchased the Central House, which he conducted four years, when he sold his interest and engaged in livery business, which lie traded for a farm in Tuscola, on which he resided for a time, and also in Juniata on a farm he owned there. He first purchased a one-half interest in the Jewell House and soon thereafter the remaining one-half, and has greatly improved the property both in building and refurnishing, making it one of the best stelries in Tuscola County. CHARLES CURTIS, the subject of this notice, was born in New York in 1820, and four years thereafter with his parents moved to Ohio, covering the distance with an ox team and w;!gon. His residence continued in Ohio for upward of thirty years, the last ten years in Willoughby, Lake Co., and in May, 1858, lie came to Vassar, where he has since resided, and has been engaged in the boot and shoe business. Mr. Curtis was married in the spring of 1845, to Miss Eunice Cottrell, of Ohio, whose parents came from Massachusetts. They have had three children, the only survivor being Clayton C. Curtis, cashier of the Vassar Exchange Bank, who was born in Ohio, January 11, 1858, and came vith his parents to Vassar the following May. S. BLACKMORE, proprietor of the Central House, is a Canadian by birth, and first came to Tuscola County in 1872. For three years thereafter he was engaged in railroad bridge building in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Returning to Vassar in 1875 he has since kept hotel, and in connection has been running a livery and 'bus line. The Central House has been thoroughly refitted, and is doing a large business. GEORGE ANDREWS, the subject of this notice, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1816, and there lived forty-four years. Coming to Tuscola County, Michigan, he purchased a farm in the township of Vassar, which he cleared up and on which he resided till the fall of 1882, when he moved into the village of Vassar where he expects to pass the remainder of his days. Mr. Andrews has been twice married; first to Miss Mary Cummings, of New Hampshiie, and second to Miss Lydia Martin, of London, Ontario. ASA WHITE, lumberman, was born at Fletcher, Franklin, County, Vt., in 1832. When about four years of age he moved with his parents to New York, and afterward to Richfield, Genesee County, Mich., in 1849. Mr. White was brought up a farmer and carpenter. In 1862 lie came to Tuscola County, and settled in the township of Fremont. In November, 1864, he enlisted in the i 11 Ii ii i I i I i i i i i - Fifteenth Michigan Infantry Volunteers. He has been in several prominent battles. At the close of the war he returned home. In 1870 he moved to Vassar and engaged in lumbering and real estate. He was married January 27, 1857, to Marinda Todd, of Genesee, Genesee County, Mich. They have lost four children, three girls, and have one daughter living. JOHN L. MILLER was born in Oakland County, Mich., in 1835, and in 1840 came to Tuscola County with his parents, who settled in the township of Tuscola, his father purchasing 320 acres of land and clearing it up from what was then a dense wilderness, and in the early years of his settlement has shot deer from his door-step. Mr. Miller has experienced all the hardships of pioneer life, having had to live a week at a time on potatoes and salt, but now owns a fine farm in the township of Vassar, the result of his labors. He was married to Julia Whiteman, a native of New York, and has two children. On account of poor health he has given up farming and is now a resident of Vassar village. His father, who is eightyeight years of age, is now living in Bay County. JUSTIN WENTWORTH, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Hope, Knox County, Me., and was born in 1835. He remained there until twenty-one years of age when he came to Vassar. From Detroit, in company with eight or ten others, he took the old stage route via Flint, Pine Run and Tuscola, stopping at the latter place over night, at a hotel then kept by Dr. Johnson. ' He first engaged with Merrill & Remick, lumbermen, on Goodwin Creek, and helped to clean out that water course on which they erected two dams. Samuel Sayres was the foreman. After four years service with Merrill & Remick he purchased a farm in the township of Watertown, and engaged in farming, where he remained four years, at the end of which time he removed to Vassar, and a year later purchased his present farm where he has since resided, with the exception of seven months spent in Minnesota. Mr. Wentworth, in connection with D. G. Slafter, Mr. Dacy and Mr. Watrous cleaned out White Creek and built a dam at its head. He has been largely identified with the lumbering interests of the county, and atpresent is lumbering on Rifle River, Muskegon River and on the Mackinaw Division of the Michigan Central Railroad. WILLIAM DAVIES was born in Wales, England, in 1844, and came to the United States in 1867. He first settled in Grand Blauc, Genesee County, Mich., where he remained one year, when he moved to Watrousville, Tuscola County. He was married in 1870 to Mrs. Adeline Sturgis, in 1872 to Mrs. Susan Sturgis, and in 1876 to his present wife, Miss Ida E. Lovejoy, by whom he has had two daughters, Aneley and Laura Davies. His present farm of 100 acres is in the township of Vassar, one mile north of the flourishing village of Vassar. Mr. Davies is one of the enterprising farmers of this section, and has one of the best cultivated farms. He is also engaged quite extensively in buying, selling and raising fine horses, cattle and hogs. JOSHUA D. SMITH, one of the pioneers of Tuscola County, died at his residence in Vassar, May 18, 1883. Mr. Smith was born at' Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., February 28, 1821. When four years of age his parents settled in Michigan. About fifty-eight years of his life were of a pioneer character, he having resided in Troy, Farmington, Saginaw and Vassar, when each was new. His last thirty years were spent in Vassar, occupied in locating land, farming, manufacturing, etc. He was twice married; first to Miss Emeline Williams and next to Miss Elizabeth A. Gleason, who remains his widow. Mr. Smith was active in promoting the growth of this new region, and was always an honored citizen. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church for twenty-five years, and an elder for nineteen years. - F -1 f 1 j I - - - r ~::~- S:*: —:: ~~1 L II_. A, m - - %A. S;I N - p 3~1 I 9 -- i li III 58 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. THE TONVN OF JUNIATA. This town is bounded on the north by Fair Grove, having Denmark on the west,Vassar to the south and Indian Fields east.. Cass River flows through the southeast corner of the town, about three sections lying to the south and east of the river. The most of the town is rolling; about one-third perhaps, in the southeast corner, along the river, being level and having a more sandy soil than the other two-thirds, which is generally a clay loam. This was among the earliest settled towns in the county. The first settlers in the town were Levi Rogers and family, who came in early in 1850. The first blow struck for improvement was by Andrew Jackson Rogers on land which his father had purchased of Townsend North. From Levi Rogers the town took the name of Rogers under which it was organized. Shortly after came two German families, and about the same time William Jameson, Jonas Belknap, Ezra A. Belknap, John Freeman, S. H. Moore, Daniel Gorton Truman, and within the next two years Patrick McGlone, Ephraim Smith, Frank Fairman, Daniel Kinyon, King Allen, Hiram Gibbs, Lucius Marvin, James Wing, Henry S. Russell, William Law, Andrew Schultz, Nelson Vickery, William Fenner, Daniel T. Tonkrey, E. Miller, R. G. Black. Until 1852 the only roads were the lumbermen's supply and logging roads, very serviceable in winter but almost impassable in spring and summer. In 1852 a road was laid out from the present site of Watrousville which was cut through in 1853, the people generally turning out and helping to open the road. The commissioners to lay out this road were Jackson Rogers and William Jameson. Martin Miller, of Tuscola, was surveyor. The first marriage in the town was of Silas H. Moore, son of Alfred and Hannah Moore, of Canton, Wayne County, Mich., and Sarah Rogers, daughter of Levi and Abigail Rogers, December 24, 1851, by Orin A. Gibbs, of Vassar. The first death was of William Law, February 5, 1852. The first birth was of Charlotte, daughter of King and Sarah Allen, November 24, 1851. She died March 24, 1852. The first school meeting was held in May, 1853, at the house of Patrick McGlone. The first school in the town of Juniata was taught in the summer of 1853 by Miss Ellen E. Miller, now wife of Charles R. Selden, of Caro. The building used was a low log shanty, built by D. G. Wilder to live in, until he could construct a better habitation. It stood nearly opposite the present site of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Watrousville. The following are the names of pupils who attended this first term of school: Sarah, Arvilla and Eliza McGlone, George, Charles and Abraham Pettingill, Nancy, John and Dall Streeter, Jennie and James King, George Smith, Mary, Sally, Albert and Emily Schultz, Martha Huntley, Lemuel Gamble, Jonathan, Clarissa and Salmon Simons, Nelson and Dana Miller, and Anna Morrell. Mrs. E. H. Hudson, daughter of Mr. William Jameson, speaks of the first sermon preached in Juniata as follows: "The first sermon that was preached in the town of Juniata, was preached in my father's house by the Rev. Mr. Selden, a brother of Mr. Joseph Selden, who for years was our beloved and respected neighbor. "The Rev. gentleman came from his New England home to visit his brother, and spent the Sabbath there. As my father's house offered larger room than any other in that vicinity, he accepted an invitation to preach there and did so to about thirty souls, a pretty well-filled house for those days. This was, I think, in the second year of our pioneer life. You that sit every Sabbath in your grand churches little know how sweet to us were the words of life as they fell from the lips of that good man. We had no churches then; we had no schools, no art galleries, no railroads. No set forms of society troubled us, no social inflictions marred our peace. "But we had a hearty welcome for all. Alike we welcomed the friend or stranger, the old and the young, the rich and the poor; the cultured or the child of nature shared the hospitalities of our humble homes. Society made no chains for us, but our motto was charity and good will to all." LAND ENTRIES PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 12 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST. SECTION 1. James Fraser, April 26, 1851. Daniel Kinyon, August 13, 1851. John Chaffee, August 17, 1852. Hiram Utley, November 13, 1851. August Howell, August 3, 1852. SECTION 2. David Kester, September 1, 1851. Matthew Hiller, January 5, 1852. William Patterson, May 6, 1852. Samuel H. Hewes, July 1, 1852. Samuel Hewes, July 2, 1852. Lewis K. Van Gieson, August 10, 1853. Matthew Hiller, April 3, 1855. Warner W. Vandersen, October 23, 1855. SECTION 3. Andrew Hartman, December 8, 1851. Charles Low, January 16, 1852. Ebenezer Jennings, August 23, 1852. James Van Valkenburgh, November, 10, 1852. James H. Streeter, August 12, 1853. James King, August 24, 1853. William Burton, December 12, 1854. William D. Willson, August 6, 1855. SECTION 4. Erastus Marr, Aug 23, 1850. Erastus Marr, June 14, 1852. Michael Thornton, April 27, 1853. John Borland, December 2, 1853. Aaron Watrous, Jr., December 14, 1853. Franklin Poppin, January 27, 1854. Charlotte Luther, December 11, 1854. SECTION 5. [lhomas Rutherford, November 17, 1852. James Gibson, November 19, 1852. James Gibson, March 22, 1853. David Eaton, October 15, 1851. Gurdon Mathewson, October 15, 1851. Jane Blanck, June 23, 1852. Thomas Rutherford, October 27, 1852. Seymour Winchell, May 10, 1853. Anthony R. Cook, May 10, 1853. Mark Carrihgton, April 24, 1854. SECTION 6. Isaac Hodges, September 5, 1851. William F. Roth, November 15, 1851. Abraham B. Smith, December 13, 1851. James Edsall, December 13, 1851.' Townsend North, November 17, 1852. Townsend North, December 1, 1852. Henry Hutchinson, January 10, 1853. Andrew Schultz, December 13, 1853. Mark Carrington, April 25, 1854. SECTION 7. William R. Young, April 13, 1852. Porter Edmunds, December 20, 1852. i i I I, I - lr I l: I -C 1 I — "I I; :: I " ' r: w i - - I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 59 Francis Rogers, March 29, 1852. Aaron Rogers, Jr., November 29, 1853. Aaron Rogers, Jr., May 22, 1854. SECTION 8. Alexander Thorn, February 27, 1851. Alexander Schackleton, February 16, 1852. John Borland, March 3, 1853. Levi Rogers, October 20, 1851. Daniel Gorton, November 5, 1853. John Borland, November 26, 1853. Aaron Watrous, Jr., May 22, 1854. SECTION 9. Daniel Gorton, Julne 10, 1850. Hannah McGlone, July 6, 1850. Erastus Marr, April 30, 1852. Asa Stoddard, January 19, 1852. SECTION 10. Jacob Winchell, November 20, 1850. Clarissa Webster, September 20, 1850. Noah Felt, April 5, 1852. Darius Hodges, September 19, 1851. Ezra Healey, December 8, 1851. SECTION 11. Martin Waturous and Aaron Watrous, Jr., May 5, 1851. Hiram Gibbs, March 1, 1852. Edwin K. Pulsipher, Mlay 6, 1852. Nelson Hewes, May 6, 1852. James Sanders, May 14, 1852. Elijah Gibbs, June 19, 1852. David Black, et. al., April 25, 1858. SECTION 12. King Allen, October 20, 1851. Henry S. Russell, May 18, 1852. Eli Hyde, June 2, 1852. Amos Andrews, June 2, 1852. Hiram Allen, June 19, 1852. -Hiram Allen, September 15, 1853. Martin Watrous, January 5, 1853. David H. Andrews, November 3, 1853. SECTION 13. Martin Watrous and Aaron Watrous, Jr., May 5, 1851. Martin Watrous, Augulst 23, 1851. Martin Watrous, January 9, 1852. Charles G. Southworth, June 4, 1852. Martin Watrous, May 19, 1853. Samuel T. Atwater, July 1, 1854. Nelson Kile, April 1, 1858. SECTION 14. Martin Watrous and Aaron Watrous, May 5, 1851. Martin Watrous, August 23, 1851. John Moore, September 15, 1851. John Latham, September 15, 1851. Christian Burns, May 18, 1852. David Gamble, December 1, 1852. Aaron Watrious, Jr., June 16, 1853. Aaron Watrous, Jr., September 13, 1853. Patrick McGlone, August 24, 1855. Patrick McGlone, November 14, 1856. SECTION 15. Daniel G. Wilder, March 16, 1850. Thomas Chapman, October 9, 1850. James B. Toncray, January 13, 1851. Henry Pettingill, September 20, 1852. Thomas Wisner, October 14, 1852. Henry Pettingill, April 80, 1853. Aaron Watrous, Jr., May 10, 1853. SECTION 16. E. Briggs, May 4, 1851. James Gotham, September 15, 1851. S. Andrews, September 15, 1851. Lot Wilder, October 27, 1852. P. H. Rickert, October 4, 1858. Aaron Watrous, January 15, 1859. Lot Wilder, December 19, 1853. D. R. Sortwell, December 30, 1853. SECTION 17. Townsend North, February 14, 1846. SECTION 18. Townsend North, February 14, 1846. SECTION 19. Townsend North, February 14, 1846. SECTION 20. Townsend North, February 14, 1846. SECTION 21. Alfred Moore, November 29, 1850. Alfred Moore, May 3, 1851, Alfred Moore, April 30, 1851. Aaron Watrous, June 29, 1853. Alfred Moore, October 25, 1853. Alfred Moore, November 22, 1849. SECTION 22. Gearhart Kile, April 10, 1852. Martin Watrous, May 19, 1853. Aaron Watrous, Jr., June 4, 1853. Lafayette Wilder, March 15, 1855. Stephen G. Miller, October 29, 1857. SECTION 23. Russell Merrill, March 29, 1856. William Fenner, August li, 1856. Martin Watrous, November 16, 1858. Martin Watrous, November 17, 1858. SECTION 24. Gardner D. Williams and James Fraser, February 11, 1857. David Robinson, September 30, 1851. Samuel T. Atwater, July 1, 1854. Martin Watrous, December 28, 1854. William Fenner, November 6, 1855. SECTION 25. Gardner D. Williams and James Fraser, February 11, 1837. Samuel T. Atwater, July 1, 1854. William King, August 11, 1856. Moses B. Hess, August 26, 1856. SECTION 26. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Martin Watrous, February 23, 1853. William King, August 11, 1856. Edmund H. Hazelton, August 21, 1856. SECTION 27. Horace C. Babcock, December 7, 1852. Martin Watrous, January 5, 1853. Daniel Castle, January 22, 1853. Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853. Joshua D. Smith, August 23, 1853. Henrv D. Braddock, November 14, 1855. SECTION 28. Stephen J. Miller, October 29, 1857. Aaron Watrous, August 5, 1858. Aaron Watrous, November 23, 1858. SECTION 29. Alfred Moore, May 3, 1851. Thomas Rutherford, February 10, 1852. Benjamin Ames, February 6, 1852. Aaron Watrous, Jr., December 14, 1853. Wm. Allen, August 31, 1855. Joseph Gamble, June 11, 1859. Aaron Watrous, August 5, 1858. SECTION 30. James M. Edwards, February 28, 1850. James M. Edwards, April 19, 1850. James M. Edwards, April 28, 1850. Townsend North, February 14, 1846. SECTION 31. Sabin Gibbs, November 22, 1850. Ezra A. and James G. Belknap, December 17, 1850. Timothy Showerman, June 6, 1851. Rufus Brown, June 6, 1851. I -— j r v3 i i - a): {g$D S Flu: k 'S::: X; $ KL - -~ I i - -la -' -- [I - "- el .C.tea I ] 4 - I - i 60 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY Amos Parks, January 13, 1853. Alonzo P. Rowland, November 6, 1855. SECTION 32. David Ringle, August 22, 1853. Norman W. Perkins, August 25, 1854. Silas Rich, August 10, 1855. Alonzo P. Rowland, November 6, 1855. Norman W. Perkins, February 11, 1856. John Chase, September 27, 1858. SECTION 33. David Ringle, August 22, 1853. Levi Fairchild, November 10, 1855. John Terwilliger, December 18, 1855. John J. McDougall, June 22, 1857. SECTION 34. Gardner D. Williams and James Fraser, February 11, 1837. Daniel Castler, January 22, 1853. Henry D. Braddock, November 14, 1855. Susan Miller, August 18, 1858. SECTION 35. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Edmund H. Hazelton, August 21, 1856. Mary E. Berry, August 24, 1857. John Bourn, December 9, 1859. SECTION 36. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Daniel D. Dewey, March 13, 1854. Joshua D. Smith, James M. Baldwin and David G. Slafter, May 26, 1854. Moses B. Hess, August 30, 1856. CIVIL HISTORY. The township of Rogers was organized by act of legislature, approved March 2, 1851, and comprised the following territory, to wit: Townships 12, 13 and 14 north, of ranges 7 and 8 east, and township 15 north, of range 8 east. In 1857, the name of the town was changed, by act of legislature, from Rogers to Juniata. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1851, at the house of Levi Rogers, at which the following officers were elected, viz. Supervisor, Ephraim Smith; clerk, Joseph Selden; treasurer, Truman H. Lake; commissioner of highways, Silas H. Moore; school inspector, Daniel Gorton; justices of the peace, Jonas G. Belknap and Levi Rogers; constables, Andrew J. Rogers and William S. Jameson; poor-master, P. McGlone; overseers of highways, Ezra Belknap, District No. 1, and G. W. P. Rogers, District No. 2. The whole number of votes cast was thirteen. At a meeting of the town board, September 30, it was voted to raise $60 for town expenses. In 1852, the town meeting voted to raise $250 for highway purposes. December 14, 1852, Daniel Gorton was appointed treasurer, to fill vacancy occasioned by Truman H. Lake, being elected sheriff of the county. In 1853, $250 was voted for highway purposes. In December of the same year, Silas H. Moore was appointed agent for the town to sell spirituous liquors. The treasurer's statement, dated December 10, 1853, shows: State and county tax..................... $321.65 Town tax............................... 100.00 Highway tax............................ 250.00 Non-resident delinquent tax............... 277.71 School districts.......................... 482.25 Mill tax................................ 65.00 In 1856 the whole number of votes cast at town meeting was 103. In July, 1856, the boards of Rogers, Fairgrove and Akron, met at Watrousville, for the purpose of effecting a mutual settlement. The following rule of division was adopted, viz.: That moneys, credits and debits, be divided in the proportion of i590 to Rogers, l O to Fatirgrove, and Il0: to Akron, on which basis a settlement was made. September 4, 1857, Theophilus Baldwin was appointed clerk by the town board, in place of O. P. Chubb, resigned. Under date of October 17, 1857, appears a report of Patrick McGlone and Frederick Schilling, commissioners under act of the legislature, appointed to lay out a road from Sebewaing to Cass River, and of D. E. Cranston, surveyor, that they have laid out and established a road, on a line described, from the northeast corner of section 4, through the town to the right bank of Cass River; and of B. A. Wood and Henry Wideman, commissioners, that they have laid out and established a road from the southeast corner of section 36, on a line described, to an intersection with the Sebewaing and Cass River road. In 1858, $300 was raised for highway purposes. In 1859, 109 votes were cast at town meeting. The annual settlement with the treasurer in 1860, showed the following debits: Supervisor's warrant..................... $1169.69 Cash of county treasurer................. 50.00 Primary school money................... 84.16 County orders.................... 164.44 The number of votes cast in 1860 was 130. November 16, 1860, the supervisor reported taxes to be collected as follows: Town purposes.......................... $378.29 School.................................. 708.76 Highway................................ 114.80 State and county tax..................... 711.60 $1,913.45 April 8, 1861, A. B. Weaver was by the town board appointed supervisor, in place of Andrew Davidson, resigned. January 6, 1864, a special town meeting was held at the house of H. G. Vaughn, for the purpose of raising money to relieve the town from the draft. It was voted unanimously, to authorize the town board to issue bonds to the amount of $3,000, for the payment of bounties to volunteers for military service, and in the following March the board executed bonds of $200 each, to the amount of $2,600. The amount of the assessment roll for the year, as per warrant, was $2,480.35. The total number of votes cast at the annual election in 1864 was 152. At a special town meeting August 15, 1864, it was voted to raise by tax $100, for each man credited to the town on the two last calls from this date, for military service. At the presidential election in 1864, 160 votes were cast. The annual meeting for 1865, authorized to pay out of the contingent fund a sufficient sum to pay the amount due volunteers, who went into military service the previous fall and were credited to the town, under the call for 500,000 men, money which had been raised by subscription, to be paid into the treasury; and $2,600 was ordered raised, to pay bonds coming due the following spring. Taxes for 1865, as per supervisor's warrant, were $5,764.68. In 1866, $2,000 was ordered raised, to pay soldiers' bonds. Total number of votes cast at the election, 161. In 1867, a bounty of $12 was voted for every wolf killed. At the annual meeting in 1868, 79 votes were cast for the annual sessions of the legislature, and 20 for the biennial sessions. 90 votes were cast for prohibition, and 17 against. At a special town meeting held June 25, 1868, it was voted to IvI I I.I i. i se - L - -- I 46 - - 4 -A - - I I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 61 raise four per cent on the assessed valuation of the town, as a bonus to the East Saginaw & Watrousville Plank Road Company, on conditions specified. August 29, 1868, the town board appointed Benjamin A. Wood supervisor, to fill vacancy caused by the death of J. W. Rogers. In October, Mr. Wood having resigned, Henry P. Atwood was appointed supervisor. The amount of tax roll for 1869 was, $4,491.13. The number of votes cast in 1870 was 170. At the November election of 1872, 210 votes were cast for governor. The amount of the tax roll for 1874 was $3, 684.30.; for 1875 it was $4,466.04. In April, 1878, the town board appointed John M. Cole supervisor, in place of E. B. Hayes, resigned. The total tax for 1878 was $7,113.73. In October, 1882, a vacancy having occurred in the office of treasurer, by the death of John Walton, Perry Y. Johnson was appointed by the board. In December, 1882, E. B. Hayes having resigned the office of supervisor, T. M. Rutherford was appointed to fill the vacancy. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 613; number of families, 134; number of dwellings, 134; number of farms, 135; number of acres of improved land, 3,045; number of horses, 82; number of cows, 192; bushels of wheat, 7,695; bushels of rye, 152; bushels of corn, 7,250; bushels of oats, 4,579; bushels of potatoes, 3,579; pounds of wool, 512; pounds of butter made, 14,773; pounds of cheese made, 500; tons of hay cut, 333; flouring-mills, 1; saw-mills, 1. Census of 1864: Population, 766; number of acres of taxable land, 12,780; number of acres improved, 4,034; bushels of corn preceding year, 9,010; bushels of wheat preceding year, 11,692; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 4,943; tons of hay preceding year, 844; pounds of wool sheared, 2,073; pounds of butter made, 19,175; pounds of cheese made, 870; flouring-mills, 1; saw-mills, 1. Census of 1870: Population, 1,042; families, 204; dwellings, 202; farms, 133; voters, 231; bushels of wheat raised, 21,392; bushels of corn, 13,471; bushels of oats, 11,356; bushels of potatoes, 16,995; tons of hay, 1,467; number of acres improved land, 6,012; pounds of wool sheared, 9,121; pounds of butter made, 36,569; pounds of cheese made, 730. Census of 1874: Population, 1,041; number of horses, 319; number cows, 427; bushels of wheat raised, 17,377; bushels of corn, 21,490; bushels of apples, 4,496; bushels of potatoes, 17,670; tons of hay, 1,493. Population in 1880, 1,302; total equalized valuation in 1882, $549,194; number of farms in 1881, 157; acres of improved land, 9,091; bushels of wheat raised in 1880,50,634; corn, 79,625; tons of hay, 1,211. SCHOOL MATTERS. In Juniata there are eight school districts, one of which is fractional. The directors are Q. Tappan, E. B. Hayes, W. J. Lawe, Ambrose Lewis, David Johnson, J. F. Riley, Nelson Miller. Whole number of children of school age in the town, 400; number that attended school during the year, 320. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR. 1872. 1871. 1870. 18 69. 1.868. 1867. 1866. 1865. 1 S64. 1863. 1862. 1861. 1859. 1858. 1857. 1856;. 1855. 1854. 1853. 1 852. 1851. SUPERVISOR. Washington Ball. Washington Ball. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. J. Warren Rogers. J. Warren Rogers. D. G. Wilder. Benj. A. Wood. Richard C. Burtis. D. G. Wilder. D. G. Wilder. Andrew Davidson. Jonathan F. Black. Jonathan F. Black. Aaron Watrous. Aaron Watrous. D. G. Wilder. Daniel Kinyon. Joseph Selden. Ephraim Smith. Ephraim Smith. CLERK. TREASURER. John A. Hatch. James R. Borland. John A. Hatch. James R. Borland. A. R. Carter. James R. Borland. A. R. Carter. James R. Borland. R. C. Burtis. James R. Borland. A. R. Carter. James R. Borland. A. R. Carter. James S. Deming. A. R. Carter. James R. Borland. John Harmon. James R. Borland. John Harmon. James R. Borland. J. M. Watrous. James R. Borland. J. M. Watrous. James R. Borland. Theo. Baldwin. James Simonds. Theo. Baldwin. B. A. Wood. Theo. Baldwin. William King. Orvil P. Chubb. William King. J. W. Wilber. G. Kile. No Record. David M. Black G. Kile. Silas H. Moore. D. G. Wilder. Joseph Selden. Truman H. Lake. Joseph Selden. Truman H.,Lake. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... THE VILLAGE OF WATROU SVILLE. This village is located in sections 9, 10, 15 and 16 of the town of Juniata. In February, 1851, Patrick McGlone settled on section 9 and built a log house. This the necessities of travel compelled him to turn into a tavern, this being on the thoroughfare for lumbermen, settlers and prospectors seeking pine or farming lands. Mr. MecGlone was also a woodman and well acquainted with the surrounding country, which fact caused his aid to be constantly sought by seekers after homes in the wilderness. In October, 1852, came to McGlone's Aaron Watrous with a crew of men to commence lumbering on the Cass River, and made his home with MecGlone during the winter. The latter proposed to him to build a mill at that point, to which Mr. Watrous assented, provided sufficient pine could be located to warrant a mill. Returning in June, 1853, with A. B. Weaver and Wright, and finding from Mr. McGlone's report that the necessary pine could be secured, a site was purchased of D. G. Wilder in the northwest quarter of section 15 and the mill built in 1853. In the same year Mr. Watrous built a frame "lean-to" to his log boarding-house and put in a stock of goods. This point thus became established as a center of trade. It was for many years the depot of supply for all the country to the north and northeast. Mr. Watrous put in a run of stone and at once tended to this point the steps of settlers from every direction, bringing, generally, on their backs their small bags of grain. The miller was A. B. Weaver, and never did a miller have a more motley array of grists to grind. The average did not exceed a half bushel, and it was mostly corn. The elevating at first was very primitive, a box beneath receiving the meal which was carried up by hand, for bolting. This, however, was a great improvement on the more primitive coffee-mill method, and was welcomed accordingly. Not only for his business enterprise is Mr. Watrous remembered, but also for his kindly heart and for the ready aid he gave to many an early settler about whose door the wolf of privation, hunger and distress was prowling. Many instances are related of his prompt response to the appeal of the struggling pioneer, and many a pack was loaded by him with flour and pork, for which his only payment was a promise of an honest man and the pleasant consciousness of a kind(ly act. We find the following paragraph written by E. E. Caster while on a visit to Watrousville in May, 1867. He says: "Watrousville is in reality only about eight or ten years old. I remember sleeping in the woods one night, near this place, and listening to the howling of the wolves until nearly daylight, when they ceased their music. Mr. McGlone's log shanty then stood here, a lone sentinel in the wilderness. Now, there is a very tasty little village here, which contains, by actual count, upward of seventy buildings of various dimensions. One steam saw-mill, which also drives a run I r> f, I YEAR. 1883. 1882. 1881. 1880. 1879. 1878. 1877. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. SUPERVISOR. James R. Borland. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Eleazar B. Hayes. Washington Ball. CLERK. John A. Hatch. John A. Hatch. John A. Hatch. C. T. Jarvis. John A. Hatch. John A. Hatch. John A. Hatch. John A. Hatch. John A. Hatch. John A. Hatch. Chas. T. Jarvis. TREASURER. Perry Y. Johnson. John Walton. John Walton. Perry Y. Johnson. Perry Y. Johnson. Daniel G. Wilder. James R. Borland. James R. Borland. James R. Borland. James R. Borland. James R. Borland. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS. Nelson Miller. Perry Y. Johnson. Perrv Y. Johnson. T. A1. Rutherford. Richard M. Ross. D. W. Altenbury.................... -46. l J I I _ 71; ]!-= * * * 4 J- fr |I - II ii 62 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTTY. 62~ of stone for custom work, two hotels, six stores of various sizes and kinds, a good school building, which is used for church purposes also, and three residences especially noticeable for their elegance." POSTOFFICE. Prior to 1856 the people of Watrousville and vicinity had received their mail by private conveyance from Vassar. Uniting together for that purpose they employed a messenger who canme in on foot or on horseback once a week, usually on Saturday or Sunday, and was paid one dollar for the trip. Chauncey Furlman was the carrier most of the time. In 1856 a mail route was established from Vassar to Sebewaing by way of Watrousville, Mr. Furman being contractor, and a postoffice was established at the latter place with Aaron Watrous as postmaster. In 1861 B. A. Wood became postmaster. The following persons have held the office since, viz: Henry B. Wilber, R. C. Burtis, Geo. Rogers, B. A. Wood, a second term, John Walton, J. A. Hamilton, and again B. A. Wood, the present incumbent. SCHOOLS. A graded school was established in District No. 4, which includes the village of Watrousville, about 1875. It has two departments and an attendance of about seventy-five pupils, the number of children of school age in the district being, by the last census, one hundred and four. The teachers engaged for the year, commencing in September, 1883, are Thomas Allen and sister. The trustees are: Am. Lewis, director; R. S. Weaver, assessor; J. M. Cole, moderator; Dr. Richard Morris and R. D. Black. WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. This society was organized in Watrousville in 1882. It has from the first been deeply interested and attentive to the work for which it was established. Meetings are held every alternate Thursday evening at the Methodist Episcopal Church. The membership is now fifteen. The officers are: President, Mrs. A. Stafford; corresponding secretary, Mrs. R. S. Weaver; recording secretary, Mrs. D. R. Lewis; treasurer, T. Ratlhburn. THE CHOSEN FRIENDS. Tuscola Council, No. 47, of this order, the primary object of which is mutual life insurance, was organized January 5, 1883, with sixteen members. Ten have since been added. The officers are: Russell D. Black, C. C.; Mrs. Annie E. Fish, V. C. C.; I). R. Lewis, secretary; Mrs. E. M. Black, treasurer; Mrs. D. R. Lewis, prelate; Jas. H. Simpson, marshal; Mrs. M. A. Arnold, warden; Edwin Hardy, guard; Chas. Thursby, sentry. SEVENTH DAY- ADVENTIST CHURCH. A church of this denomination was organized in the fall of 1865 by Elders I. D. Van Horn and D. M. Canright with thirtyseven members. It was formally organized for incorporation February 27, 1866, when at a meeting of persons who had signed articles of association for the purpose of forming a religious society to be known as the Society of Seventh Day Adventists of Watrousville, the following persons were elected trustees, viz: Zephanial Wilber, Andrew J. Rogers and John Walton. Services were held in school-houses until 1869, when a neat, plain church edifice was erected in the village of Watrousville, with a seating capacity of about one hundred. Services are held every Saturday, with oc casional preaching by Elder Wmi. Ostrander and others. The present membership is about thirty-two. The Sabbath-school has about twenty-seven members. The trustees of the church are J. A. Hatch, C. W. Hartson and Calvin Jewett. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. About the year 1856 a class of the M. E. Church was organized at Watrousville. Services were held regularly at the school-house until the building of their house of worship. At the quarterly conference held at Vassar. February 18, 1865, the following persons were elected trustees of the church at Watrousville, viz.: William King, James Simonds, Elisha Kenyon, Harris Stillson and Philip Davis; the corporation to be "described and known as the Trustees of the First Methodist Society in Watrousville." In 1871 a church building was erected under the pastorate of Rev. J. B. Russell. It is a convenient and commodious structure and built with excellent taste. Its dimensions on the ground are 36x60 feet, and its seating capacity about 400. The present membership of the church is thirty-eight. The pastor at the present time is Rev. W. J. Bailey. The trustees of the society are E. Higgins, G. Kile, E. B. Rose, R. S. Weaver, Win. Eckley, A. Stafford and W. Walton. A prosperous Sunday-school numbering eighty members is connected with the church. A class also meets at the Belknap school-house in the southwest part of the town, supplied by Rev. Mr. White, of Vassar, services being held every Sunday. BIOGRAPHICAL. PATRICK MCGLONE, who is one of the earliest settlers of that part of Tuscola County now known as the township of Juniata, is a resident of the village of Watrousville. He was born May 6, 1810, in Seneca County, N. Y., and was brought up on a farm. His education was acquired in a log school-house, sitting on a bench made from a log. His father removed to Steuben County, taking his family with him. In 1881 the son, Patrick, went to Reed Township, Ohio, where he worked on a farm two and a half years. He then bought eighty acres of land, cleared up a farm, and in March, 1833, was married to Hannah Reed, whose father was the first settler in and after whom the township was named. His health failing after living on his farm seven years, he removed to Rose, Oakland County, Mich., where he bought 160 acres of land and made of it one of the best farms in that county. He remained there some seven years. He then came to Tuscola County, arriving at Vassar, July 3, 1850. He bought 160 acres of land in what is now Juniata. The only persons then living in the township were two Germans, who were clearing land about three miles from Vassar. A Mr. Levi Rogers and his sons had been in the township but had left. They returned in October, 1850. In February, 1851, he moved with his family on his land, and commenced the work of clearing up a farm. After his house was built lie was literally compelled to make a tavern of it as there was no place near it where travelers could stay. In that and another house he built he kept hotel for some fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. McGlone have raised a family of four daughters and one son, also alnadopted son. The daughters are all married. The son, Joseph R. McGlone, is in the lumber trade at Toledo, Ohio. The adopted son is married and lives on the homestead. Mr. McGlone is full of anecdotes of the early times in this county, and is one of those gentlemen who can tell in an engaging manner reminiscences of pioneer times. During April, 1851, while in Vassar, lie was told by parties whom he met there that he had been deceived as to the quality of the land in the section of country where he had settled, and that from his place to the bay it was a worthless swamp. This somewhat discouraged him. He returned home and quit work on the house he was building. He however determined to go and see for himself. Taking with him two compallions, one of whom was David Gordon, now of Grand Rapids, they went through the woods to Sebewaing and found the land they passed over to be good for farming purposes. On his return work - - - - t - 1I 400 - L — "A7-n 4(- - I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 63 1 Wl fw __ was resumed on his house. The year following Mr. McGlone was the moving spirit in getting a State road built from the corner of northeast quarter of section 16, range 8, to Sebewaing. When he went to Sebewaing the first time, he met a German missionary,who assured him the land in this part of Tuscola and Huron Counties was good, knowing flora a personal inspection that it was so. Mr. McGlone says that he, as well as many other early settlers of Tuscola County, was under many favors to the late Curtis Emerson, of East Saginaw, who was a large land owner in the county. That eccentric gentleman was always ready to lend a helping hand to the pioneers, and his name to-day brings back to many of them the memory of kindnesses extended. HON. ELEAZAR B. HAYES was born in Geneseo, Livingston County, N. Y. His father was a farmer, and the son was brought up on a farm. His father moved to Michigan with his filmily when the son was about nine years of age. When he was seventeen he bought his time of his father and returned to New York, where he worked on a farm in summer time and attended school at Liberty during the winters. In 1852 he came back to Michigan and for a number of years taught school in the following places: Brighton, Livingston County, Milford, Oakland County, and Vassar, Tuscola County-teaching winters. In 1856 he commenced clearing up a farm in Gilford, Tuscola County. He sold it and in 1865 located in Juniata, his farm being about one and a half miles from the village of Watrousville. In the fall of 1882 he was elected a member of the State legislature for the First Representative District of Tuscola County. He was a supervisor for Gilford Township three years, for Juniata eleven years, resigning the last office when elected representative. He has been an under sheriff for four years, school director over thirteen years and for the past seven years secretary of the Tuscola County Agricultural Society, of the executive committee of which he has been a member for twelve years. HON. DANIEL G. WILDER was born in Chesterfield, Hampshire County, Mass. His father moved with his family to the State of New York, living for a number of years in Genesee and Wyoming Counties, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1848 the son came to Michigan, and for a number of years taught school, putting in two winter and one summer terms in Genesee County, also one winter term at Vassar. In 1849 he had bought 120 acres of land from the United States government in what was then the township of Rogers, now called Juniata, and his health failing he quit teaching school and went to farming Iabout the year 1851. While in Genesee County he had studied law in the office of Levi Walker, and was admitted to the bar at Howell, in Livingston County. When he went on his land to clear up a farm, he was a single man and lived alone in a shanty, sometimes a month passing without seeing a human being. In the fall of 1856 he was elected county treasurer and on taking possession of his office he removed to Vassar. In 1859 he was re-elected, holding it until January 1, 1861. At the expiration of his last term he returned to his farm. Previous to this, however, he had served four years-1852 to 1856-as judge of probate. In 1860 he was elected State senator from the Twentyty:seventh District, which embraced Tuscola, Lapeer, Huron and Sanilac Counties. He also served one term as prosecuting attorney. Among other offices held by him were justice of the peace and clerk in Vassar, and supervisor, justice of the peace, treasurer and school inspector in Juniata. About 1873 or 1874 he retired from the practice of law. In 1872, however, he had engaged in mercantile business at Watrousville, being a member of the firm of Carter & Wilder. He bought his partner's interest in 1875., and continues the business. He also deals in drugs, medicines, etc. In 1853 he was married to Louisa Pratt, of Genesee -County. They had one child, a daughter. After the death of his first, he was again married to Margaret Riker, in 1875. They also have had one child, a daughter. WILLIAM LIVINGSTON is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in 1821. At four years of age he removed with his parents to the town of Cambridge, Washington County, N. Y., where he resided luntil 1869, when he came to Tuscola County and settled in Juniata Township. He then purchased his present farm and has always been a farmer, although he has sometimes engaged in lumbering. In 1845 he married Miss Miriam Welles, of Washington County N. Y. They have had two sons, both of whom are living. BENJAMIN A. WOOD, postmaster at Watrousville, was born in Salem, Mass. In 1836 his father moved to Lenox, Ashtabula County, Ohio, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business, and the son learned the shoemaker's trade. Afterward he was in the stame business for himself. and removed from there to Jefferson, where he went into the grocery trade. In 1856 he removed to Watrousville, Tuscola County. He worked at his trade for a time after cominlg, and then opened a grocery store. He continued in the last business five years and then resumed shoemaking, at which he still continues. In 1861 he was appointed postmaster at Wat~rousville -and now (1883) occupies that position. He has several times resigned the office, but has always been induced to take it again, more as an accommodation to his neighbors than for any profit to be derived from holding the office. He has held a number of other public offices, having served as a supervisor for Juniata, township treasurer, justice of the peace,superintendent of the poor and notary public. He has also been president of the Tuscola County Agricultural Society. He was married to Sarah Burtis in 1835 They have had a family of three children, two of whom are living at this date (1883). RUSSELL D. BLACK, M. D., was born February 14, 1815, in Broome County, N. Y. During his boyhood his father came West to Geauga County, Ohio. About 1848 he completed his medical education at an eclectic college in Cincinnati. For about three years he practiced medicine at Russell, Geauga County, and in 1851 removed to Watrousville, being the second physician to locate in the county. The practice of medicine in those early days was no joke, entailing as it did many a weary tramp through the forests on foot. Dr. Black has been a member of the board of health twenty-eight years, justice of the peace twenty-four years and supervisor two. His present and second wife was Mrs. Eliza M. Kent previous to becoming Mrs. Black. They have two children, a son and daughter. The son is now reading medicine and proposes to adopt his father's profession. The daughter lives at home. JAMES R. BORLAND was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, ill 1834, and came to the United States with his parents in 1843. They settled in western New York, where they lived till about 1853, when they came to Alichigan and located where William Borland now resides. The subject of this sketch now owns 165 acres on section 5, where he resides, a portion of which was taken up by John Borland (his father) from the government. He also owns 273 acres in different tracts throughout the county. He was married in 1864 to Miss Sarah J. Caul, of Ypsilanti, Mich., and has four daughters. Mr. Borland has held the office of township treasurer sevelnteen years, and now (1883) is representing the township of Juniata as supervisor. RICHARD MORRIS, M. D., was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1847, and came with his parents to America when less than a year old. They settled near London, Canada, where he lived until about 1870. He received his medical education at the Toronto School of Medicine and the University of Buffalo. He graduated from the latter institution in 1870, and soon thereafter came to I -N -, 1 L/ I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 87 - t ROYAL ARCANUM. Caro Council No. 661 of the -Royal Arcanum, was organized March 6, 1882, with twenty-three charter members. The officers elected were: Regent, Cyrenius P. Black; vice-regent, George H. Pond; orator, W. J. Taylor; past regent, John A. McPherson; secretary, J. Ralph Gillespie; collector, Jas. L. Duck; treasurer, Fred. D. Aplin; chaplain, A. L. Keiff; guide, A. C. Dickensheets; warden, R. P. Edson, sentry, W. S. Cassitt; trustees, Geo. B. McClelland, J. D. Knight and J. H. Howell; medical examiner, W. J. Taylor: representative to Grand Council, John A. McPherson; alternate, C. P. Black. The present membership of the Council is twenty. Meetings are held on the third Fridayin each month. The following officers were chosen at the last election: R., C. A. Van Wagner; V. R., 'G. H. Pond; secretary, J. R. Gillespie; collector, W. N. West; treasurer, F. D. Aplin; chaplain, A. L. Keiff; G., R. P. Edson; W., J. A. McPherson; sentry, W. S. Cassitt; medical examiner, W. J. Taylor; trustees, S. Strickland, J. H. Howell and F. Townsend; representative to Grand Council, J. A. McPherson. LADIES LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. The records state that the ladies of Caro convened July 28, 1877, to effect a legal organization of the society called the Caro Ladies' Library Association. The meeting was duly organized, Mrs. N. M. Richardson in the chair. MIiss Della Cumings, clerk. A constitution and by-laws were read and adopted, committees appointed, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing six months. Mirs. N. M. Richardson, president; Mrs. Wm. McPhail, vice-president; Miss Della Cumings, secretary; Mrs. A. P. Cooper, corresponding secretary; Mrs. John Staley, treasurer; Mrs. D. C. Bush and Mrs. R. Whiteside, librarians. The membership at first was very small, being barely sufficient to maintain a working organization. It has, however, increased until there are at present about sixty-five members. Already the library they established contains nearly four hundred volumes of well selected books, and the number is being increased from time to time. The present officers of the society are as follows: President, Mrs. L. A. Hankerson; vice-president, Mrs. S. F. Chase; treasurer, Mrs. C. R. Selden; secretary, Mrs. N. M. Richardson; librarians, Mrs. S. P. Spafford and Mrs. N. MI. Richardson. W. C. T. U. The Womnan's Christian Temperance Union of Caro was organized at at a fleeting held at the residence of Mrs. Field, in January, 1880. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs. John1 Staley, Jr.; vice-president, Mrs. J. A. McPLerson; treasurer, Mirs. N. M. Richardson; secretary, Mrs. R. J. Parkhurst. The society has continued its organization to the present time, and from time to time has public temperance meetings. The officers for the last half of 1883 are as follows: President, Mrs. John Staley, Jr.; vice-presidents, Mesdames H. K. Winans, G. Spaulding and L. W. Chapin; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Dr. Wheat; treasurer, Mrs. J. F. Seeley; recording secretary, Mrs. P. Van Dyke. G. A. R. May 26, 1883, a meeting of soldiers was held at Odd Fellows Hall for the purpose of organizing a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Col. George Aiken, of Bay City, and Col. Markis, com mander of the Tuscola post, were the officers who mustered in the boys. It was decided to name the organization "Whiteside Post No. 143, G. A. R., department of Michigan," in honor of the late Col. Richard Whiteside, of this place. The following is the list of officers elected: Commander, W. C. Buchanan; senior vice commander, N. M. Richardson; junior vice commander, Alex. Richards; surgeon, Dr. D. S. Stevens; quartermaster, M. A. Jones; officer of the day, John Staley, Jr.; officer of the guard, D. C. Dickensheets; chaplain, Alex. Reynick; adjutant, R. J. Parkhurst; sergeant major, G. S. Nutt. The following is the muster roll: D. S. Stevens, N. M. Richardson, G. S. Nutt, Rev. E. B. Sutton, Geo. Roxbury, E. D. Hollister, Isaiah Smith, John Monk, C. L. Taggett, R. J. Parklurst, Jas. Monroe, Geo. K. James, M. A. Jones, J. Eisenstein, D.. Dickensheets, Alex. Richards, John Strohauer, A. H. Wortman, Frank A. Goodell, W. C. Buchanan, John Staley, Jr., Andrew Richards, H. E. Gidley, S. McTaggett, H. G. Sherman, E. B. Bills, B. F. Richards, Chas. M. Amsden, J. T. Williams, John Wagner, Wm. Hodges, Alex. Reynick, Jas. S. Glllespie, E. P. Randall, E. Belmer, D. D. Ingels, Henry Wright, J. Mintline. THE PIONEER MERCHANT AND BANKER. Mr. Charles Montague is the oldest merchant in Caro, having been continuously in the mercantile business longer than any one now engaged in That pursuit in the place. He was also the first to engage in the banking business in Caro. Mdr. Montague was born near London, in Ontario, Canada, and came to Macomb County, Mich., in the year 1859. In 1863, being then about eighteen years of age, he came to Centerville, now Caro, and was temporarily in the store of J. C. Montague as clerk. He then enlisted and want into the army where he remained nearly two years. Returning to Centerville, he went into the mercantile business in 1865 with J. C. Montague, the style of the firm being J. C. Montague & Ca. From that time to the present he has been continuously interested in the mercantile business, though for several years his personal attention has been given to more extensive business operations. In 1867 J. C. Montague & Co. sold out and Charles bought out D. C. Bush. He was alone il business until February, 1868, when he took William E. Sherman into partncrship. That firm continued until 1870, when Mr. Sherman witlldrew and M~r. Montague continued business alone for a time. The present firm is Charles MIolltague & Co. In 1875 Mr. Montague engaged in the, banking business, a history of which is given on another page., Mr. Montague has been very successful in his business opern~tions, and his liberal enterprise has had much to do with the prosperity of Caro. In 1869, as a member of the firm of Montague & Sherman, he built the first brick block in Caro, now the Wilsev Block. In 1878 he built the Opera-house Block, in which the Opera-house is located. The following year he built the Bank Block, in 1880 the Citizen's Block, and in 1881 the block of six stores on Frank Street, at the corner of State Street. These blocls are all of brick and constitute an important part of the business buildings of the village. In all public enterprises calculated to contribute to the welfare of Caro, Mr. Montague has taken a prominent part, and aided them liberally with his means. It was largely due to his efforts that a railroad was secured to Caro. He gave $5,000 in money, besides donating the depot grounds, and guaranteeing the payment of the $30,000 that was subscribed by the people of Caro and vicinity. He made the contract with the company to pay the sum of $30,000 and furnish the right of way. Mr. Montague's business in Caro at the present time is principally in real estate operations and banking. He is the owner of a large amount of real estate, in both the village and county, the management of which occupies a considerable portion of his time. But his most important interest is in the lumbering business of the firm of Van Winkle & Montague near Green Bay, Wis. This firm has been operating about two years, and is one of the most extensive lumber manufacturers in that part of the State. Their mill is go — 19-v /T i. I > I e) ' 1 < 6 IL - 1 1 88 II i le H I T R Y O U S O A C O N Y - I 88 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. l o c a e d n G r d e n B a y a n d c u t a n n a l l a b u t 0, 0 0, 0 0 f e t o lumbr. he irt ow abot 10,00,00 fet o stndig pne I I located on Garden Bay and cuts annually about 30,000,000 feet of lumber. The firm own about 100,000,000 feet of standing pine on Fish Dam River, and control the booming operations of the river. Their investment at this point represents nearly half a million dollars. In tracing the rise and progress of Caro it will be observed that Mr. Montague has been prominently identified with all the public enterprises which have combined to work out prosperity in the place. RAILROAD COMMUNICATION. Since the year 1871 various railroad projects have been brought to the attention of the Caro people, but only one has been carried to completion. In 1871 the Flint & Pere Marquette Company proposed to build a road from East Saginaw to Caro, and asked a bonus of $15,000 from the people of this village. Nothing was done, however, toward raising that amount, but a route was surveyed by the company and some work was done on a portion of the line and then the project was abandoned. In 1877, after a good deal of agitation, the preliminaries of a road from Vassar to Caro were arranged. The people of Caro and vicinity subscribed the sum of $30,00(, of which Charles Montague, Gf Caro, and William A. Heartt, of Wahjamega, subscribed $5,000 each. Mr. Montague donated the depot ground, and gave a personal guarantee for the payment of the $30,000 and that the right of way should be furnished. The road was completed in the summer of 1878 and commenced business in July. Another project is the Grand Trunk Line from Port Huron to Bay City by way of Caro. This has been agitated for some time and there is some prospect of its being carried out. There is a railroad committee organized in Caro, composed of some of its leading business men, for the purpose of looking after the railroad interests of the place. CIVIL HISTORY. The year 1870 witnessed a marked improvement in the material interests of Caro, and toward its close there was a pronounced sentiment in favor of having the village incorporated. December 1, 1870, the editor of the village paper alluded to this subject and called ^ public meeting of citizens in an article as follows: " At present we have fourteen stores of different kinds, ten shops, three saloons, three hotels, one printirg office, one dentist, four physicians, three lawyers, one daguerrean gallery, open part of the year, one barber shop, one meat market, one livery stable, one foundry, one tannery, one paint shop, one saw and grist-mill and one brewery. We have also a church, lately built at a cost of about $4,000, and a union school with an average daily attendance of about 160 students. The population of the place has materially increased. During the past season there have been thirteen houses built, or now nearly completed and five new business places. Many important additions have been made to residences and business places. The population of the village at the last census was 180. In consideration of our rapid growth would it not be well to direct our attention to the subject of procuring a village charter? Nothing has been done as yet toward the improvement of our back streets, building sidewalks, etc. It requires a population of not less than 300 to get a corporation one mile square. That is as large as is needed at present. The legislature will soon meet, and it is time something was done by our citizens. We have mentioned the subject to several, and all express the same opinion- something should be done.' We therefore take the responsibility of calling a meeting for Monday evening of next week at 7:30 o'clock precisely, to take the matter of incorporation into consideration, and if at that meeting it is thought best by the citizens to procure a village charter, proceed immediately to the necessary measures to secure one. Let every citizen of Caro be present at the meeting at prcisely half past seven at the court-house." In pursuance of the call made a meeting was held at the court-house, of which F. Craw was chairman, and H. G. Chapin, secretary. It was unanimously voted to proceed to incorporate the village of Caro. C. P. Black. J. P. Hoyt and H. P. Atwood were appointed a committee to draft a charter for submission to a subsequent meeting. William E. Sherman, R. Whiteside, and William McPhail were appointed to investigate and report at a subsequent meeting, on limits of the corporation. The meeting then adjourned until Monday evening, December i9, at 6 o'clock. At the adjourned meeting, held December 19, 1870, a charter was adopted and arrangements made for presenting it to the legislature. It was determined that section 3 of the township of Indian Fields should comprise the corporation. A bill for the incorporation of the village was passed by the legislature in February, 1871, and signed by the governor. The charter provided, among other things, that so much of the township of Indian Fields, in the county of Tuscola and State of Michigan, as is comprised in section 3, township 12 north, range 9 east, should be made and constituted a village corporate under the name and title of the village of Caro. That the elective officers should consist of a president, recorder, treasurer, assessor and eight trustees, to be elected by a plurality of votes by ballot, of the inhabitants of the village, having the qualification of electors under the constitution of the State; these officers to hold their offices for one year and until their successors were elected and qualified; no person, however, being eligible who had not the qualification of an elector of the State nor been a resident of the village three months. The president, recorder and trustees were constituted a body corporate and politic with perpetual succession, to be known and designated by the name and title of "the common council of the village of Caro." Annual election of officers to be held on the first Tuesday in March in each year. It being the gefieral feeling of the citizens of the village that partisan politics should not enter into their charter election, a call was made for a citizens' caucus, to be held March 6, 1871, for the purpose of nominating a union ticket. At the election held March 7, an opposition ticket appeared in the field, but excited little interest, the entire union ticket being elected. 102 votes were polled, said to have been about a two-thirds vote. The officers elected were as follows ' President, H. P. Atwood; recorder, S. C. Armstrong; treasurer, A. M. Judd; assessor, Henry Church; trustees: C. P. Black, J. P. Hoyt, G. W. Howell, S. P. Sherman, W. Balch, G. S. Gage, C. Montague, A. P. Cooper. The first marshal of the village was J. T. Mills, and the first street commissioner, Joseph Gamble. The total number of votes cast at the first election was 102. The first meeting of the common council was held at the courthouse, March 11, 1871, at which only preliminary business was transacted. One of the objects sought to be gained by the incorporation was that of local improvements, and the first work of the council was upon streets, alleys and sidewalks. The question of cattle running at large also came before the council, and early in the summer a pound was ordered built, and an ordinance for the impounding of animals passed. The enemy of the public pound appears to have been abroad in the land about this time, and the first official appearance of that institution after its construction is in connection with the prosecution of a certain individual, who, not having the i I I I iI 3 -r -j.I -V -r. *4 I = -- k \ - o or-p I_1\ ::X::::0 I, I,li;;;s e ~~~ I to 1 ~8 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 89 - i several attempts have been Inade to secure some kind of fire pro fear of the law before his eyes and being actuated by unlawful designs upon the peace and dignity of the municipality, did burglariously enter and feloniously take from the said village pound a certain occupant thereof. It is noted that in August, 1871, the street commissioner was directed to clear Sherman Street of logs. At a meeting of the council held January 18, 1872, it was m resolved that a special meeting of the tax paying electors of the village be held at the court-house, January 29, 1872, to vote upon the question of issuing the bonds of the village to the amountof $3,000 to be used in aiding in the construction of a court-house. At that election fifty-seven votes were cast, a majority of which were in favor of the issue; whereupon the council at its next meeting, February 6, 1872, ordered that three bonds of the village, of $1,000 each, bearing seven per cent interest and payable March 15, 1873, be issued for the purpose specified. At the same meeting the first step in the direction of a fire department was taken, an order being passed for procuring six ladders, two twenty-five feet long, two twenty feet long and two fifteen feet long, sufficiently strong to hold two persons; also to procure twelve buckets, with a light wagon to carry ladders and buckets. The first step toward a village lock-up was taken in August, 1873, by an order for the construction of two cells, in connection with other improvements on the town hall, recently purchased. The cost of moving the town hall is reported as having been $45, and the relative cost of the building to that of removing it would seem somewhat strangely disproportioned, were it not explained that the sale to the village was a mere formality to satisfy the requirements of the law. The number of qualified electors who voted at the third annual charter election, in 1874, was 106. May 12, 1874, A. M. Judd tendered to the common council his resignation as president, which was accepted, and on the 9th of June, H. P. Atwood was by the council elected president to fill the vacancy. 107 votes were cast at the fifth charter election. The treasurer's report for the year ending March 2, 1875, shows total receipt, $620.31; total expended, $509.50. April 13, 1875, the council directed the street commissioner to remove the stumps from the street running northeast fromn the church to Grant Street. June 1, 1875, the council authorized the expenditure of $20, to assist in stumping, logging and grading Frank Street. On the 2nd of November, 1875, the common council was instructed to make arrangements with the sheriff of Bay County, to receive prisoners sentenced under the village ordinances. The marshal was directed to arrest all disorderly persons during the night and Sabbath, and to see that the ordinance requiring the closing of saloons at nine o'clock P. M., is enforced. At the meeting of the council January 25, 1876, the recorder announced the death of Hon. C. C. Stoddard, president of the village and presiding officer of the council. Thereupon a committee was appointed to draft resolutions of respect which were duly reported and adopted. Seemingly imbued with the exhilarating spirit of the centen nial year the village council determined upon a more exalted state of things, and March 14, 1876, attested its sincerity by the adoption of the following resolution: '"Resolved, that no justice of the peace be allowed the use of the council room, unless they clean the room immediately after." The village still remains without any fire department, although several attempts have been made to secure some kind of fire protection. The subject of water works has been agitated, but up to the present time no decisive action has been taken. At the spring election in 1883, James W. Spencer, Republican, received 132 votes, and R. J. Parkhurst, Democrat, 128 votes. FIRST VILLAGE PRESIDENT. HON. HENRY P. ATWOOD, first president of Caro village, was born in Tompkins County, New York, from whence his father brought his family in 1836 to Ingham County, Michigan, and settled on a farm. While a resident of that county he studied law in the office of Griffin Paddock, at Mason. In 1854 he left that county and went to Gilford, Tuscola County and began farming, his health being too poor to continue office work. In 1855 he returned to the law and was admittecl'to the bar at Saginaw City, Judge S. M. Green being the judge presiding at the time of his admission. He then commenced practice at Vassar, where he remained from 1856 until 1865, also carrying on a farm at the same time. From Vassar he returned to Ingham County, practicing at Lansing for some time. He then came back to Tuscola County, locating first at Watrousville, but finally coming to Centerville, now Caro, where he has resided continually ever since. In public life Mr. Atwood has held the following offices: Clerk of Ingham County in 1848; member of the State legislature from Tuscola County in 1854; prosecuting attorney five terms; supervisor for the township of Juniata and also for Indian Fields, and first president of the village of Caro. The latter position he has filled twice since. Married and has a family of six children. I I VILLAGE OFFICERS. YEAR. 1871. 1872. 1874. 1875. 1877. 1 SS)O. 18S1. 18X2. 18S3. PRESIDENT. H. P. Atwood. H. P. Atwood. F. A. Goodell. A. M. Judd. C. C. Stoddard. Wm. M. Rogers. Wm. M. Rogers. C. P. Black. Wm. M. Rogers. John F. Wilmot. F. H. Thomas. John Staley, Jr. J. W. Spencer. RECORDER. S. C. Armstrong. Thomas A. Mills. J. J. Weale. Wm. L. Rogers. Henry G. Chapin. Henry G. Chapin. J. H. Cummings. W. C. Buchanan. W. C. Buchanan. Manly C. Dodge. Manly C. Dodge. Fred. D. Aplin. F. C. Townsend. TREASURER. A. M. Judd. E. W. Gerrish. Avril Harris. Henrv S. Johnson. Henry S. Johnson. Henry S. Johnson. Gilbert Johnson. Marcus C. Robb. Marcus C. Robb. John D. Knight. Gilbert Johnston. Gilbert Johnston. Gilbert Johnston. ASSESSOR. Henry Church. A. M. Judd. A. M. Judd. H. S. Lee. Tiffany Nettleton. C. Montague Sr. W. L. Rogers. J. W. Spencer. J. W. Spencer. Marcus C. Robb. John D. Knight. W. L. Rogers. J. R. Gillespie. TRUSTEES. 1871. —C. P. Black, J. P. Hoyt, G. W. Howell, S. P. Sherman, W. Balch, G. S. Gage, C. Montague and A. P. Cooper. 1872.-C. P. Black, J. P. Hoyt, D. Kinyon, A. Reynick, J. Riley, Charles Montague, J. N. Mertz and T. Nettleton. 1873.-G. Johnson, Charles W. Husted, William McPhail, A. W. Ale, J. N. Mertz, J. H. West, M. M. Cross and S. S. Utter. 1874.-John M. Boyd, Alexander Reynick, James Howell, John Riley, William M. Rogers, John Kelley, Charles Montague and William E. Sherman. 1875.-Charles Montague,, Jr., Alexander Reynick, Hubbard L. Lee, D. C. Bush, Jonathan Sprague, Samuel Strickland, John M. Boyd and Lonson Wilcox. 1876.-J. Sprague, Alexander Reynick, James W. Spencer, Charles Montague, D. S. Stevens, F. W. Norton and F. Pool. 1877.-Charles Montague, Alexander Reynick, J. W. Spencer, John F. Wilmot, William Thompson, Frederick Pool, C. (. Slayton and H. G. Chapin. 1878.-G. W. Howell, Charles Montague, W. K. Wheat, Sabin Gibbs, Alexander P. Cooper, S. F. Chase, John D. Knight and William Thompson. 1879.-George W. Howell, Alexander Reynick, Alonzo Wash A Il __ I - -A - -- -, ::: I -- J -: 50 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. VW - A,~ 90 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. burn Soon P Spffod, Fedeick Pool Gerge T. Aexa de I I burn, Solon P. Spafford, Frederick Pool, George T. Alexander, George Van Winkle and Tiffany Nettleton. 1880.-George W. Howell, H. P. Atwood, Charles Montague, W. K. Wheat, S. F. Chase, John Staley, Jr., Augustus L. Keiff and Morgan A. Jones. 1881.-A. P. Cooper, George W. Howell, A. C. Parsons, S. P. Spafford, R. J. Parkhu'rst, John F. Palmer, N. M. Richardson and H. P. Atwood. 1882. — C. O. Thomas, C. H. Van Wagoner, S. P. Spafford. L. Wilcox, A. Reynick, D. S. Stevens, H. N. Montague and John F. Palmer. 1883.-George W. Howell, Frederick W. Oesterle, John H. Knickerbocker, John N. Mertz, John Wagoner, John F. Seeley and Horace N. Montague. FIRST FIRE. The first fire of any importance that visited the village of Caro, broke out about 4 o'clock in the morning of Friday, June 29,1871, and was described as follows: "The fire was first discovered by Mr. David Hemorick, livery and stage agent. He noticed a smoke issuing from the engine room attached to the building of Mr. E. Belmer, but supposed they were firing up for the day. He finished his business with the stage, returned to the barn and hitched up a team, and when riding past the second time, discovered that the engine house was in flames. The buildings destroyed were all the property of Mr. E. Belmer, who was absent from home at the time, and consisted of a wagon and blacksmith shop, the back end of which was used as a woolen-mill, and directly back of this was the engine house, and a few feet from this a good sized barn. On the west side of the shop was Mr. Belmer's new building, occupied by the marble works, D. C. Bush, clothing merchant, and the second story by F. A. Leasia, tailor. By the time a sufficient number had arrived, the flames had made such rapid progress that the saving of the shop was considered an impossibility. The house on the west side, and about thirty feet from the shop, required immediate attention, and was saved by hard work. And in saving this the Adertti.s er office and all the upper portion of State Street, consisting of eight or ten business places, were saved. The marble shop was about ten feet from the burning building, and time was only had to clear the burning building, when the flames drove those at work away. The contents of the store and tailor shop were all saved, also the windows and a portion of the glass front. "The engine had been in use the previous day, and was closed up about 6 o'clock in the evening. Everything was made secure, as was supposed, and an examination of the vicinity at 10 o'clock that evening revealed nothing unusual. It is supposed by those acquainted with the premises, and the construction of the engine, that a coal dropped out and set fire to the wooden frame on which the engine was standing, before the engine was closed, and burned slowly until the next morning. "The loss falls heavily on Mr. Belmer, as the property destroyed had been accumulated by years of hard labor, and was not insured. His loss in buildings and tools is estimated at $4,000. His house and household goods were mostly saved, yet damaged somewhat. "The carding machine was the property of Mr. Robert E. Miller, and was brought here from Lapeer last winter. His loss will amount to about $1,000. No insurance. "The marble works lost in building and stock about $1,000. Tools all saved. "Messrs. Quick and Smith lost all their accounts, and a set of carpenter and joiner tools. The other tools in the shop belonged to Mr. Belmer. Their loss was not more than $150." i I I I I i I I THE PRESS OF CARO. THE CARO ADVERTISER AND CITIZEN was founded in 1868, by Henry G. Chapin, who had recently come from Perry, N. Y. It was established as the Tuscola 4ldvertiser, and the first number was issued Friday, August 21, 1868. December 10 following, the day of publication was changed to Thursday, for the purpose of securing a better distribution of the edition to the various parts of the county. before the close of the week. When the Adllertiser was first started, a building 20x30 feet was erected on Lincoln Street, for its accommodation, and so small was the outfit of the office then, consisting of a hand press, three type racks with cases, an imposing stone and small table, its quarters were larger than was needed, and there was room to rent. As business increased a jobbing outfit was purchased, and the building removed to a more central location, on the corner of State and Burnside Streets. Here still farther additions were made to the material of the office, two new presses purchased, imposing stones, paper cutter, etc., the paper enlarged to its present size and fitted out in a new dress. About this time a fire broke out in the office, and but for the active efforts of tne citizens of Caro, all that had been accumulated in four years of hard labor would have gone in smoke and melted metal. A plan was immediately formed for the construction of a new building, large enough to accommodate the increased size and business of the office, and mot e secure from fire from without and within. The lot adjoining the one where the new office is located was purchased, the old building again moved, and in the spring of 1875 the work of building was begun. November following the new quarters were finished and occupied. That building is still occupied by the office. The,Adertiser was started as a seven column folio (just onehalf the size of the paper to-day), In looking over the early files of the paper, one is struck with the large amount of patronage, proving that the business men of Caro have built up the town and its trade by enterprise and a true appreciation of the value of advertising. Many of the old pioneers of the county are fond of 'telling how they took hold and helped the editor in the first few years of the paper's struggle for existence. On the 18th of January, 1872, in order to accommodate the rapidly increasing advertising patronage, the paper was changed from a seven column folio to an eight column folio, which size it remained for over ten years, during the entire life-time of its founder. On the 1st day of April, 1881, Mr. Chapin died very suddenly, while returning from a busniess trip to Detroit. Sometime before his death, however, in January, 1880, Mr. Chapin took into partnership, in the business of the office, E. G. Donaldson, Esq., a lawyer of the place, a main of excellent ability, but one to whoml the duties of an editor and publisher were new and irksome, and lhe retired from the partnership, which lasted only from January 1, to August 12, 1880. Upon the death of Mr. Chapin his widow, Mrs. L. W. Chapin, assumed control of the paper. She employed as editor and business manager, Rev. O. Fletcher, a Baptist clergyman, and afterward Rev. Joseph F. Berry, a Methodist clergyman, but neither of these gentlemen could spare sufficient time from their pastoral duties to make the editorial and newspaper business successful, consequently, each one gave up the undertaking after a few weeks' trial. Upon the retirement of Mr. Berry, Mr. E. B. Fiske, of Rochester, N. Y., temporarily supplied the vacant position until October 1, 1881, when Mrs. Chapin secured the services of Mr. George H. Pond, of Ann Arbor, who had been editor of the Ann t Arblor Courier for about two years, whom she installed as editor and business,manager, giving the entire control of the paper into his hands. Taking hold of the paper he infused new life into its veins, making a complete meta t I I i i i i i *I i 1I J i ' T — PI * e l_ C I I r Om I [" 4 -1 i I t i 4 0)..A 4 - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 91 morphosis in the style and make-up and general appearance of the sheet. County news was made a specialty, and a good line of county correspondents secured. On the 1st day of January following, the paper was enlarged and changed in form, from an eight column folio to a six column quarto. On the 15th day of April, 1882, occurred the first change of ownership the paper had ever known in the fourteen years it had existed, Mrs. Chapin disposing of the same to Mr. Pond for $2,700. That gentleman continued,to remain proprietor until the 10th of October, 1882, when there occurred a change in the newspaper business of Caro, that was quite an eventful one. The Caro Citi-esl, which had been established as a Democratic paper, but by change in ownership had also changed its politics, and been run in direct opposition and competition with the Advertiser-, though in the same party, was on that day purchased by a company consisting of George H. Pond, Frederick D. Aplin and Charles A. Pyne, under the firm name of George H. Pond & Co. The Citizen was then consolidated with the Advertise)r, and the paper then took the name of The Caro Ad(ertiser and Citizen. The merging of the two offices increased the advertising patronage to such an extent that another enlargement became necessary, so with the issue of October 19, 1882, the consolidated journal appeared as a seven column quarto, just twice the size of the original lAdvertiser. Another change in the proprietorship of the paper occurred in February, 1883, Messrs. Pond and Aplin purchasing the interest of Mr. Pyne, since which time the firm name has been Pond & Aplin. The Advertiser ald Citizen is the largest paper in the county and among the largest in the State of county papers. It is thoroughly Republican in principle, has a large corps of correspondents throughout the county, is well edited, both editorially and locally, and is in a prosperous condition. THE CARO JEFFERSONIAN. The first Democratic newspaper in the county was started by A. Ten Eyck at Watrousville in the year 1860, and was named the lWatrousrille Democrat. The enterprise was not a success, and Mr. Ten Eyck, at the outbreak of the war, abandoned it and went into the army. He was killed at the front in 1862. In 1867 a stock company was organized and a second Democratic paper started at Caro, and called the Tusccola (Coulity Deu1ocrat, with H. R. Cotter editor. This enterprise, like its predecessor, was not a financial success, and the company disposed of the stock and it was removed to another locality in 1869. In 1878 H. S. Harcout started a Democratic paper in Caro called the Calro Demlocrat, which was purchased in 1879 by R. S. Toland and merged into the (C'alro Citizen, a Republican paper. In 1880 Orton Williams started the (.C'aro Jetq'ersovia,, a four column quarto sheet, meeting with good success. The next year it was enlarged to a seven column folio. In the spring of 1882 the paper was sold to Frank H. Thomas, who enlarged the paper to a six column quarto. The same year he took J. Ashley Keith into partnership, and the firm has since been Thomas & Keith. The Jet'ersonian is ably conducted and under its present administration is in a flourishing financial condition. HOTELS. Caro has three hotels, all of which are well kept and furnish accommodations for the traveling public. The early hotels were, as already stated, the Gibbs House and the "Centerville House." The name of the latter was changed by S. R. Cross, its proprietor, to the Caro House. During the summer of 1867 John Kelsey built the "Exchange Hotel," and after keeping it a short time rented it. In 1869 Solomon Utter, who had been keeping the Gibbs House, purchased the property and kept it about two years. He then rented it, and subsequently sold it to John Palmiter, who in 1875 sold the property to B. F. Nettleton, the present proprietor. The frame portion of the present Caro House was built by F. H. Thomas in 1877 and kept by him. In 1880 he built the brick part, and continued to keep the house until the spring of 1882, when he leased it to the present proprietor, L. D. Hoard. The Medler House was built by E. J. Medler in 1879 and 1880, and kept by him until his death in 1882. The present proprietor is Jacob Hobson. CARO BANKS. The village of Caro is provided with superior banking facilities. There are two banks, both of which are managed by safe and sound business men and are in a prosperous condition. The magnitude of their business and the elegance of the quarters which they occupy constitute a flattering testimonial to the general thrift and progress of the locality. THE CARO EXCHANGE BANK was established in August, 1875, by Mr. Charles Montague, and the office was located in the store of C. Montague & Co.; thence it was removed to the corner of State and Frank Streets. In September, 1879, the new block in which it is now located was completed and a portion of the ground floor was converted into one of the most complete banking offices in this part of the State. The rooms are large, elegantly finished, and supplied with rich and costly furniture. The proprietor of the bank is Charles Montague and the cashier is W. F. Street. THE TUSCOLA COUNTY BANK. In October, 1878, Mr. John F. Seeley came to Caro from Ovid, New York, for the purpose of engaging in the banking business. No suitable building being available, he opened an office, temporarily, in the furniture establishment of James H. Howell. July, 1880, the Bank Block was begun, and completed the following December. The building is of brick, two stories high, and 20x44 feet in size. The building with the bank furnishings cost about $5,500. This bank is one of the prosperous institutions of the county. John F. Seeley is proprietor and J. C. Riley is teller. CARO INDUSTRIES. CARO MILLS. The Caro saw and grist-mills were originally built by Joseph Gamble in 1867. They afterward came into the hands of Allan Sheldon & Co., of Detroit, who sold them to J. M. Boyd & Co. Upon the failure of the last-named firm in 1876, the concern was sold by the assignees to J. D. Wilsey & Co. There are three run of stones in the grist-mill, and it is run'as a custom mill, grinding probably 50,000 bushels of grain per annum. The saw-mill, which is but a small one, cuts pine, hemlock, and all kinds of hardwood which grow in the county and that are used for making lumber. The two establishments employ about six persons. The capacity of the saw-mill will be increased in the season of 1883 by the addition of a circular saw. In addition to making lumber and flour, power is furnished to run the machinery in a furniture factory, chair factory, and box manufactory. J. D. WILSEY & CO. This firm is composed of Julian D. Wilsey and Solon P. Spafford. They were originally in business in Detroit, but closed out their establishment there in 1878 and came to Caro. Thev had previously had a branch store here, having in 1876 bought out the stock of J. M. Boyd & Co. from the assignees of that concern. The I!I -_ ( I IlI - -- 'k - Ow -^ ipy ^ I j /t I_ 92 HI STORY OF TU.SCOLA COUNTY. I purchase consisted of a stock of dry goods, groceries, crockery, glassware, hardware, etc.; also a saw and grist-mill, a brick block, thirty acres cf land, and some village property. The firm carry on the store, also running the saw and grist-mill. JULIAN D. WILSEY, of the above firm, was born at Fort Ann, Washington County, N. Y. His earliest practical business experience was in keeping books for a flour manufacturing concern at Waterford, N. Y. On coming West he located first at Detroit, where he was for a number of years assistant superintendent and bookkeeper for the Detroit & Lake Superior Iron Manufacturing Co. Subsequently he engaged in mercantile business with Solon P. Spafford. Is also a partner in the private bank of Wilsey & McPhail at Cass City. SOLON P. SPAFFORD, of the firm of J. D. Wilsey & Co., is a native of New Hampshire. Leaving that State his family first went to New York and afterward to Michigan, settling in Macomb County. When he became of age he went to Almont in Lapeer County, where he worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade, also farmed, and finally went into the mercantile business, which he has followed for over thirty years. At one time he owned about half of the village of Almont, and while in the building trade erected some of the first churches and other buildings in Almont and vicinity. Has been in trade in Almont, Memphis and Detroit. In 1876 came to Caro. Has held the following official positions: Postmaster at Almont, also at Memphis, and has been a member of the Caro village council for some years. Is president of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church. Married and has two daughters. STATE STREET PLANING MILL. The planing-mill of Wilcox & Weale is situated in the northern part of the village of Caro and was built in 1880 by Wilcox & Blakeley. In 1881 Mr. Blakeley sold his interest to J. J. Weale and the new firmn was organized. They manufacture sash, doors, blinds, moldings, siding, flooring, ceiling, etc., and do a general planing-mill business. In the spring of 1883 large additions were made to the machinery in the mill, the steady increase of their business rendering it necessary. The number of their employes has been about ten, and they will probably be obliged to increase the same. They find a ready sale in Tuscoia and adjoining counties for all they make. The total amount of their business for the year 1883 will in be the neighborhood of $20,000. JOHN J. WEALE, Of the firm of Wilcox & Weale, owners of the State Street planing-mill, was born in Genesee County, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1856, going to Clinton County, locating near Saint Johns. While there he worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1858 he removed to Detroit. From there he went to Pennsylvania, and was in that State in the early days of the oil excitement. On his return to this State he remained in Detroit until 1869, when he came to Caro. Many of the principal buildings in the city were constructed by him. In November, 1881, he bought Mr. Blakeley's, interest in the State Street planing-mill and entered into co-partnership with Lonson Wilcox. During the war he served ten months in the Tenth Michigan Infantry. He has been marshal and recorder of the village of Caro. He is married and has one child. LONSON WILCOX was born in Northville, Wayne County, Mich., where his father was in the shoemaking business. In 1858 his family moved to Elmwood, Tuscola County, and ccmmenced farming, the son, Lonson, learning the shoemaker's trade. In 1874 he opened a general store in Caro, following that line of business for some three years. He sold out and went into the jobbing carpenter trade, continuing at that until 1880, when he and Mr. Blakelev built the planing-mill now owned by Wilcox & Weale. In I I I i i 1876 he was elected a member of the village council, and in 1882 was again elected. He served ten months in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Stone Mountain and was in the "bull pens," as they were called, at Macon and Millen, Ga., losing in sixty days about fifty pounds of flesh. He still suffers from the effects of his treatment by the rebels. He has a family, wife and two children living. B. F. HARRIS' ELEVATOR. This elevator was built in 1875 by Benjamin Haskell, who sold it in 1880 to Benjamin F. Harris. It has a capacity of about 8,000 bushels and is run by steam power. It is located alongside the track of the M. C. R. R., in the village of Caro. The amount of grain handled in 1882-'83 will reach a total of 100,000 bushels. CARO ELEVATOR. The Caro elevator was built in the spring of 1878 by R. W. & F. Miller. The main building is 24x30 feet, two stories high, and has a capacity of 10,000 bushels. It is run by horse power. There are other buildings adjoining it used for storage purposes. In 1881 R. W. Miller retired from the firm, and the business is now carried on by Frank Miller. It is situated near the depot of the Caro branch of the M. C. R. R. For the season of 1882-'83 it handled about 70,000 bushels of grain of various kinds. Mr. Miller also owns an elevator at Vassar. WILLIAM PETER'S ELEVATOR was built in 1878. It has a capacity of 10,000 bushels. It is near the depot of the Caro branch of the M. C. R. R. It handles about 70,000 bushels per annum. M. J. CILLEY'S GRIST-MILL. This grist-mill was built in 1879 by Briggs & Depew. Mr. Depew retiring Edward Mallory took his place. Mr. Mallory subsequently bought his partner's interest, and in 1881 he sold the mill to Mrs. M. J. Cilley. It has three run of stones and does a mercantile trade as well as custom grinding. It is on State Street in the village of Caro. B.- F. HARRIS' GRIST-MILL. In connection with his elevator near the depot of the Caro branch of the M. C. R. R., Mr. Harris has a grist-mill in which are two run of stones. It is exclusively a custom milf. The machinery was put in during the early part of 1883. PARKS' FOUNDRY AND AGRICULTURAL WORKS. In 1878 Edward Parks started a foundry and wagon shop in the northern part of the village of Caro on State Street. After some time the wagon making part of the business was discontinued and the manufacture of agricultural implements commenced. The establishment employs from seven to eight men, and the business is a growing one. Mr. Parks finds a market for his manufactures in Tuscola and Huron Counties. CARO BRICK AND TILE YARD. This yard was first put in operation by William E. Sherman in 1868, upon land leased from David McMichael. In 1874 it was purchased by George W. Warren. Its annual product is from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 bricks and 500,000 pieces of tile. It is in the township of Indian Fields, half a mile from the village of Caro. CARO FURNITURE FACTORY. This establishment is located on West State Street, and is operated by Hiscock & Packer. They manufacture tables, bureaus, bedsteads, etc. It was originally started by Elum C. Hiscock in 1881. January 1, 1883, Jewett J. Packer was taken into partnership by Mr. Hiscock. They find a market at home for the whole of the product of the factory. I, JL' p I - a -— r -l I -.A -L I I - -Al IL-. Deceased. C* %. II —.i vp HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 93 I I j WISNER & RIDDLE'S MACHINE SHOP. This establishment is owned by Theodore W. Wisner, his son, Erwin F. and Frank D. Riddle. It is on State Street in the village of Caro. They manufacture edgers for saw-mills, horse-powers, wood-sawing machines, drag saws, etc. Their principal business, however, is repairing. They employ about five men, including themselves. SMITH AND FORBES' TOBACCO FACTORY. This firm commenced operation as manufacturers of cigars in the village of Caro in February, 1882. Their business, which at the time of writing this notice, is only about a year in existence, has grown rapidly and they now employ five hands at cigar making. Mr. Smith is a practical cigar maker himself, and Mr. Forbes attends to the selling of their goods. They sell their goods in this and adjoining counties. CARO STAVE AND HEADING WORKS. These works were built in 1882 by Hood & Brown. They are located near the depot of the Caro branch of the M. C. R. R. They are run by steam power and employ an average of twenty-five hands. The capacity of the works is 24,000 staves, 12,000 pieces of heading and 2,500 sets of heading per diem. The product of the establishment is shipped as far east as Massachusetts and west to St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Brown is the resident partner and superintends the works. CARO DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. Prior to the spring of 1882 the people of Caro endeavored to secure the location of the county fair grounds at that point, claiming that such a location would be more central and therefore better accommodate the people of all parts of the county. The committee of the county society, however, decided to hold their fair for 1882 upon the grounds at Watrousville, and the Caro people immediately took steps toward the organization of a separate association. The result was that the Caro District Agricultural Association was formed March 11, 1882, under an act of the legislature of the State of Michigan, entitled "An act to authorize the formation of county and town agricultural societies," approved February 12, 1855, and acts amendatory thereto." Compiled Laws 1871, page 707. A fine tract of land containing twenty-two acres, located near the railroad and but a short distance from the center of the village was secured and has been fitted up with suitable buildings, a good half-mile track, etc. The first officers and directors of the association were as follows: President, John F. Wilmot; secretary, George S. Ralston; treasurer, James W. Spencer; marshal, William McKay; vicepresidents, S. B. Bourn, John C. Laing, Elmwood; J. D. Sutton, F. L. Wait, Almer; Jacob Gould, James Kirk, Unionville; John G. Veit, John A. Teskey, Koylton; Emanuel Staley; directors, A. C. Young, Charles Montague, S. P. Spafford, F. H. Thomas, M. R. Truesdell, Joseph St. Mary, C. H. Van Wagoner, B. F. Nettleton, John F. Palmer. The first fair was held on the grounds September 19, 20, 21 and 22, 1882, and was a pronounced success. The officers and directors for 1883 are as follows: President, A. C. Young; secretary, G. S. Ralston; treasurer, J. W. Spencer; directors, M. R. Truesdell, F. L. Wait, G. S. Farrar, J. A. Teskey, H. D. Hamilton, J. Kirk S.P. Spafford, J. D. Sutton, Charles Montague. BIOGRAPHICAL. CHARLES H. VAN WAGONER, of the firm of C. H. Van Wagoner & Co., was born in Oxford, Oakland County, Michigan. The father was a farmer, but the son learned the trade of a stone mason, in pursuit of which calling he worked in Pontiac, Milford, Orion, and other places in Oakland County. In 1875 he went to Lapeer and commenced selling agricultural implements. He continued in business at that place until 1878, when he removed to Caro. At the last named place, in addition to his agricultural implement business, he also sold saw-mills, steam engines, etc. In the fall of 1882 he sold out his business to Moreland Bros. As an indication of the energy and go-a headativeness with which Mr. Van W. manages his business, the amount of his sales for three years is a good criterion to judge him by. In 1879 he sold $40,000 worth of goods, in 1880, $70,000, and in 1881, $100,000. He now is engaged in making the machine~ he formerly bought from other manufacturers, and is doing much for the material progress and prosperity of Caro. He is a member of the village council. Is married and has two children. PETER VAN DYKE is a member of the firm of C. H. Van Wagoner & Co., proprietors of the Caro Iron Works. He was born and brought up in the town of Mayfield, Fulton County, N. Y. Came to Michigan in 1843. Kept a general store in Lapeer until 1878, when he removed to Caro. While in Lapeer County was one of the firm of Dodge & Van Dyke, who were extensively engaged in the manufacture of shingles. Served one term on the Lapeer school board and was clerk of the township of Marathon for three years. Married and has one child. CAMERON C. STODDARD, who died at his home in the village of Caro, January 24, 1876, was one of the pioneers of Tuscola County. The following is from an article published in the Adlertiser after his death: "Mr. Stoddard was born in the town of Lewis, Essex County, N. Y., in February, 1829, and removed to Fair Grove, in this county, in 1852. He was married in July, 1856, to Miss Jennette E. Sanford. of Wayne County, N. Y., who now survives him, with two sons and one daughter. He was elected to the State legislature from this county in 1860. Enlisted as a private in Company A, Twenty-ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteers, in 1864, served a little over a year, and at the time of his discharge was commissioned as first lieutenant and acting as captain of the company. After the war he returned to his home in Fair Grove, where he remained until 1872, filling the office of supervisor and nearly every other township office during the time. In 1872 he was elected county clerk, and re-elected in 1874. He has been secretary of the County Agricultural Society for seven years, and was unanimously re-elected at the last annual meeting of the society. Since he became a resident of the village of Caro his valuable services have been in constant demand, and at the time of his death he was president of the village, director of the school board, and president of the board of trustees of the M. E. Church in this village. "Mr. Stoddard was a man noted for his firmness of character, sustaining every principle of right, frowning on all wrong; for his correct business habits, and quiet demeanor, and no man says aught against him; never seeking place or position, but always receiving from a people who appreciated him as a faithful public servant, an honest man, an exemplary citizen. His death is a loss to the county that will long be mourned." AUGUSTus D. CILLEY. The subject of the following sketch was born in Canton, Wayne County, Mich., where he lived until he arrived at the years of manhood. He was for some time in business at Canton, but leaving there he went to Detroit and was for a number of years engaged in business as a general commission merchant. Having become the owner of some pine lands in Tuscola County, he came here in 1865 to look after them. While here he decided to remove to the county and build a saw-mill, which he did, I t II C- 1 " _lai -- T O 94 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 94 building it in the township of Almer, about two miles east and four miles north of what is now the village of Caro. The difficulties in the way of erecting a mill in those days, 1865, were very great, as everything had to be brought by teams from East Saginaw. The roads were primitive ones, and their condition was such that it took six spans of horses to haul the boiler from the last named place to the site of the mill. There was no foundry or machine shop nearer than East Saginaw at the time capable of making mill repairs, and any breakage in the machinery necessitated a shutting down of the mill until the necessary repairs were made, which of course involved a trip to the last named place. Tuscola County now ranks among the first in the State as an agricultural county, but at the time Mr. Cilley was building and running his mill he could not purchase enough heie to feed his people, consequently. it had also to be brought in by teams. He operated the mill until 1872, when it was destroyed by fire, together with a large quantity of valuable lumber, entailing a loss upon him of about $30,000. After the fire on account of ill health he went to California with the hope that a change of climate might prove beneficial. It failed to have the desired effect, however, Mr. C. dying at Sacramento, Cal., in December, 1872. His body was brought home and buried at Canton, Wayne County, Mich. Mr. Cilley was a man who was much esteemed by those who knew him, and in leaving a comfortable home with pleasant surroundings in the city of Detroit and locating in what was literally a wilderness at that time, he was a veritable pioneer, and to a great extent a public benefactor. There are few houses in Caro or the adjoining townships which were built previous to the destruction of his mill by fire in 1872, the lumber used in the construction of which was not cut at his mill. The farmers and others in the neighborhood had to haul lumber for long distances over bad roads, and Mr. Cilley's enterprise was a great saving in both time -and money to them, a benefit which many very freely acknowledge to-day, and also speak in high terms of him. MRS. MARY J. CILLEY, widow of the late Augustus D. Cilley, was born in Northumberland County, Penn. The family were from England originally, her grandfather being during his life time an extensive land owner and prominent man in that part of Pennsylvania. Her father, James Silverwood, came to Michigan in 1845, settling in Wayne County, about eighteen miles from Detroit. He was engaged in farming, and also transacted other business. Miss Silverwood was married to Mr. Cilley in 1859. At the time of her marriage Mrs. C.'s husband was in business in the village of Canton, but left there and went to Detroit, and from there he removed to Tuscola County. Since his death Mrs. C. has been extensively engaged in business, such as lumbering, farming and stock raising, also running a grist-mill. She has had three daughters, but two of whom are living, the eldest dying shortly after the removal of the family to Tuscola County. PETER D. BUSH. Among the names of the early settlers of Tuscola County will be found that of Peter D. Bush, who came into this section of Michigan about the year 1857, some twenty-five years ago. He was born in the town of Parma, Monroe County, N. Y., and his early days were spent on a farm. He and his brother Elias -both mere boys-came to Michigan in 1837, traveling through Canada. It was during the time of the Canadian rebellion, or "patriot war," as some called it. They met with considerable trouble on their way through Upper Canada, as it was then called, both from the Canadian militia and the Indians. Notwithstanding, however, they reached Detroit in safety. The people whom they met then expressed great surprise that two such striplings as they were had been able to make their way through. They located in Highland, Oakland County, and commenced to clear up a farm, building a shanty for themselves, and keeping bachelor's hall. After living in that township for a few years, Peter D. decided to remove to Tuscola County, and accordingly bought a quantity of land in the township of Indian Fields, on a part of which the flourishing village of Caro now stands, and removed there in the year 1857. After some years, Mr. Bush decided to lay out a village plat and accordingly employed Mr. D. A. Pettibone, a surveyor, from Lapeer, to do the work. The village was named Centerville, but the postoffice was known as Tuscola Center, as the rules of the postoffice department did not allow two offices of the same name in one State. The land on which the village was located was originally purchased from the late James J. McCormick, of Bay City, and was bought for Mr. Bush by the late Samuel P. Sherman. The ground on which the court-house now stands was cleared by Mr. B., and in 1866 was donated by him to the county. The board of supervisors for Tuscola County at a meeting held June 19, 1866, passed a resolution, thanking the people of Centerville, and Mr. Peter D. Bush, especially, for the very welcome reception extended on their meeting at the new county seat. On October 9, 1866, Messrs. L. Hurd, C. R. Selden, J. M. Dodge, B. W. Huston, and H. Remick were appointed a committee to examine the site for a court-house which Mr. Bush offered to donate to the county. On October 12th the committee reported that the site was a very suitable one, and recommended its acceptance by the county on his making a good and sufficient deed of the same, which he did a few days afterward, as the records show. On June 8, 1867, a committee consisting of J. H. Richardson, H. Hobert and D. P. Hinson were appointed to examine a building furnished by Mr. Bush to be used for county purposes. This building was donated to the county by Messrs. Giles, Bush and others. It was moved from the opposite side of State Street to the county grounds, and was used for a number of years as a court-house, but was afterward moved back across the street, and is now used as a town hall. Mr. Bush is yet but a man in the prime of life, scarce a gray hair to be seen on his head. He has been married three times, and has one son and a daughter living. The son, Mr. D. C. Bush, deals in sewing machines and millinery goods. The daughter is the wife of D. C. Deckensheets, village marshal. Mr. Bush is now a resident of the village, but still carries on farming. WILLIAM E. SHERMAN was born July 25, 1829, in Farmington, Oakland County, Mich., where he was brought up on a farm. He came to Tuscola County with his father in 1851, locating in what is now Indian Fields. They built the first house in the township. He lived with his father until 1853, when he got married to Sarah E. McGlone, of Juniata. He then opened and kept a hotel at Watrousville, which he afterward sold, and went to farming in Juniata. Previous to this, however, he had bought lands in Almer, Ellington and Indian Fields. In 1859 he left his Juniata farm and came to Indian Fields, where he has resided since. He has been identified with the rise and growth of what is now the flourishing village of Caro from the time it was a nameless place. He kept the second hotel in what is now Caro, calling it the "Centerville House," which gave the name to the village which grew up around it. Among the many business enterprises and industries which Mr. Sherman has been connected with may be mentioned the following: In 1859 he built and opened the first store in what is now Caro. In 1861 built a shop and started a shoemaker in business. In 1865 started a foundry at which were made the first plows, etc., in the county, except at Vassar. In 1867 made the first brick in this part of the county. The yard was near where the present railroad depot now stands. He sold that and started another on some land he J I ' 4 — 'rk -?1 9 -- q- i 6 '* 4.. HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 95 I leased near the mouth of Sucker Creek, now owned by Geo. W. Warren. At this yard was made the brick put into the first brick building in Caro. It was known as the "Sherman Block." It is now owned and occupied by J. D. Wilsey & Co., and was erected in 1869. In the year 1859 he commenced selling goods. In 1866 he formed a co-partnership with Charles Montague, which continued some three years. In 1871 he was a member of the firm Gamble, McPhail & Co., who, in addition to their store, run a grist and a sawmill. This latter firm continued in existence until 1874. In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Sherman has, ever since he has been in Tuscola County, been engaged in lumbering, excepting the last few years, owing to ill health. By his first wife he had three children. In 1877 he was again married to Miss Mary Imrie, of Mt. Morris, Genesee County, Mich. HON. CYRENIUS P. BLACK. This gentleman was born April 16, 1843, in Alfred, Allegany County, N. Y. The family is of Scotch extraction. Besides a common school education, he attended the university at Alfred Center. After leaving school he clerked for a while and also taught school in Allegany County. He began reading law at Angelica in the office of Martin Grover, judge of the court of appeals, of the State of New York, and subsequently entered the office of Marshal B. Champlain, attornev general of the State. He came to Tuscola County in 1866, locating at Watrousville. Shortly after coming he was appointed assistant U. S. assessor of internal revenue for Tuscola County. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 and practiced law at Bay City until 1869, during which time he was a member of the legal firms of Shepard & Black and Black & Wheeler. In the fall of 1869 he was appointed administrator of the estate of Aaron Watrous and removed to Caro. Since living in Caro has been a partner of Hon. H. P. Atwood and Hon. John P. Hayt, late territorial governor of Arizona. In 1873 he entered into a co-partnership with IIon. D. H. Ball, of Marquette, and removed to that place. During his residence in the Lake Superior Country he was prosecuting attorney for Marquette County, also attorney for the city of Marquette. The firm of Ball & Black were attorneys for the Chicago & Northwestern, and the Marquette, Houghton & Onfonagon railway companies, also for a large number of the principal mining companies, among which were the New York mine (in which Samuel J. Tilden was the principal stockholder), the Republic, Lake Superior, Cleveland, Washington, etc. During his residence there he was engaged in some of the most important mining suits ever argued in the State. In 1877, in consequence of ill health, he was compelled to leave the Upper Peninsula and spent a year in the Rocky Mountains, part of the time at Denver. In 1878 he returned to Caro, and his health improving he resumed practice. When the contest settling the county seat at Caro was going on, Mr. Black was the supervisor for the township of Indian Fields, and it was largely owing to his untiring zeal and efforts that Caro retained the prize. He has served several terms on the Caro school board. The county of Tuscola is strongly Republican politically, and although Mr. Black is a Democrat, his personal popularity is such that whenever he has been nominated for office he has always run largely ahead of his ticket. In 1880 he run against the present Senator Conger for congressman in the Seventh Congressional District. In Tuscola County Mr. Black was some 500 votes ahead of his party's ticket, and about 800 in the district. In the fall of 1882 he was elected a member of the State legislature for the Second District of Tuscola County. At the session of the legislature held in 1883 he was a member of the judiciary, railroad, and deaf and dumb asylum at Flint, committees, and is also on the special committee to investigate the subject of discrimination in railroad freights. He married a daughter of the late Aaron Watrous, of Watrousville, and has a family of three children. Mr. Black, from a boy of fourteen years, has worked his way in the world without pecuniary aid from any one. He is now a member of the firm of Black & Edson, attorneys, Caro, Mich. AARON WATROUS. The history of Tuscola County would be incomplete without the history of this pioneer. Mr. Watrous was the founder of Watrousville; he was born at Chester, Middlesex County, Conn., and died at his home in Watrousville, February 1, 1868, aged fifty-nine years. His father's name was also Aaron Watrous; his mother being a Dickinson; both ancestral branches being among the older families of that State, and quite numerous. The subject of the sketch learned the stone-cutter's trade, and worked at that business until about the age of eighteen years; but possessing an energetic and enterprising spirit he abandoned his trade and started in the mercantile business, beginning as a peddler, quite common in those days, and at the age of nineteen he married Miss Laura Luther, of East Lynn, Conn. He soon acquired such a financial start that it enabled him to open a small store near Chester, and his business became so increasing he shortly afterward removed to Deep River, then a thriving village on the Connecticut River, and opened one of the largest stores there, and soon took a stand as one of the most prominent business men of the place. After remaining for some years at Deep River he, with.other citizens of that vicinity, emigrated to the State of Ohio, locating in Austinburg, Ashtabula County, where he engaged in the mercantile business. At Austinburg Mr. Watrons soon became prominent in business and social circles, which position he forever held with the people of that place. It seemed as if he was fated to be in the path of emigration, as in 1853 there started out from Ashtabula County a wave of emigration to the then new and wild county of Tuscola. In that year Mr. W. came to Watrousville, then known as lMecGlone Corners, buying quite a large amount of land there and in the immediate vicinity. He there opened a store and built a saw-mill, being the only ones above Vassar which at once supplied the pressing wants of the pioneers that had settled in and around that beautiful part of Tuscola County. Mr. Watrous had here a broad field opened up before him, giving him labor to absorb his indomitable energy. He was the leading spirit in all the improvements at Watrousville and vicinity. If there was a new mail route or a highway to be established he was foremost in the enterprise. If there was a needy family to be supplied he was the one applied to. He became quite largely interested in lumbering, which he carried on in connection with his store. He laid out the village of Watrousville upon the beautiful ridge that it occupies, and had high hope that it would be made the county seat, but its location prevented it. In 1856 his wife, after lingering some years with consumption died, having borne to him nine children. A few years after the death of his wife Mr. Watrous received a stroke of paralysis, paralyzing his right side, including his right arm and right leg, which forever after precluded him from entering upon active business, and from that time until his death, his business had to be transacted for him, although always under his direction, he retain ing his mental faculties till the last. He died after a short, severe illness, surrounded by nearly all his children and many friends. Mr. Watrous had, with the rest of humanity, faults, but he had many virtues, among which was a broad charity toward his fellow men. He had an open and tender heart and his many acts of generosity will be remembered by the recipients for years to come. He was for many years a prominent Odd Fellow, occupying high 'C"I- 7 I I~ p_.__ I a-I I! I 96 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. official positions in that order, and though never a seeker for office, he was at one time after coming to Michigan, a candidate for State senator, and made a fine run, though defeated, his party being in the minority. His children living are as follows: Mrs. Jane A. Baldwin, of Oconomowoc, Wis.; Mrs. Ellen Culver, Ashtabula, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Maxwell, Vassar, Mich.; Mrs. Mary A. Black, Caro, Mich.; and Ansel Watrous, of Bay City, Mich. SABIN GIBBS was born in Benson, Rutland County, Vt., where he received his education. For some years previous to coining West Mr. Gibbs was in the canal boat business, carrying passengers and their baggage through the Erie Canal to Buffalo, it being before the New York Central Railroad was built. Afterward he was engaged in carrying iron ore from Port Henry, N. Y., to various points on the Hudson River, also to Newark, N. J. He came to Michigan in 1847, making his home at Ypsilanti, where he worked for Norris & Follett, lumber manufacturers. In 1851 he moved to Vassar, Tuscola County, and was employed in Hon. T. North's saw-mill for one year. In 1852 he went to Tuscola village and took charge of Isaac Miller's saw-mill, remaining there a year and a half. In 1854 he went into the hotel business, keeping the first hotel in Tuscola for about a year. He then kept the Curry House three and a half years, also the Tuscola House, built by W. H. Harrison, for five years. In 1862 he was elected sheriff of Tuscola County, serving two years. In 1864 he was elected county treasurer, in which office he continued until January 1, 1871. The first two years he was treasurer his office was at Vassar, that being the county seat, and on its removal to Caro he removed also. During his residence in the latter place he served one term as member of the village council. Since 1871 he has been in the real estate and insurance business. He occupies a brick dwelling-house on Almer Street, which is one of the neatest and most tasty appearing residences in a village which is dotted with nice houses. It was built bv him in 1875. He has been married twice and has three children. NATHAN M. RICHARDSON was born in Port Dover, Canada West -now known as Ontario-and came to the United States when seven years old, his parents settling in Genesee County. When the war broke out he was a mere youth, but sixteen years old, nevertheless, he enlisted and was mustered into service in October, 1861, as a private soldier in the Second Michigan Infantry; and he went through the war, too, being discharged in August, 1865. During that time he was in sixteen battles, was wounded twice, once at Knoxville, Tenn., on November 24, 1863, where eighty-four out of 150 were killed and wounded, and again at Petersburgh, June 17, 1864, and was a prisoner of war seven months. When discharged he was color sergeant of the regiment and bore some honorable scars that to-day he points to with pride. He first came to Tuscola County in 1867, and in 1868 located at Vassar, where he remained one year, coming to Caro in 1869 where he entered upon the practice of his profession, dentistry, and has remained ever since, and says he expects to remain until he is carried out feet first. He has been county clerk seven years, town clerk two years, school inspector, and also member of the village council. Is now in the abstract and real estate business. He was married in 1870 to Miss Emily J. Hovey, of Genesee County, Mich. They have two children. The Caro Advertiser and Citi-zen of December 28, 1882, says: "N. M. Richardson, who steps down and out of the county clerk's office next Monday, gives way to his predecessor with an exceptionally good record at his back. He has held the office seven years, having been first appointed on February 6, 1876, by Judge Josiah Turner. Since then he has been re-elected for three terms by the people. Methodical, accurate and industrious, he has always mastered thoroughly every duty which his position has demanded of him, and in a manner acceptable to the people. MARCUS R. TRUESDELL, dealer in hardware, stoves, tin, copper and sheet iron ware, was born in Independence, Oakland County, Mich. He learned the trade of a tinsmith at Flint, where he lived for a number of years. In the fall of 1877 he came to Caro and opened a hardware establishment. Is one of the directors as well as organizers of the Caro District Agricultural Society. Is a member of the firm of S. F. Smead & Co., also dealers in hardware in Caro. He has a tin shop in connection with his store, where he employs several hands and manufactures all kinds of tin, copper and sheet iron ware. Is a man of family, having a wife and two children. D. D. INGELS was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1842, and in 1847 came to Michigan with his parents and located in Lapeer County. In 1860 he removed to Flint, and in 1861 enlisted in the Tenth Michigan Infantry, serving with "that organization until its term of service expired, participating in Sherman's famous march to the sea. After his discharge he was connected with the transportation department until the close of the war. In 1868 he came to Caro and established a meat market, which proving successful, he built in 1876 his present commodious market on the corner of State and Lincoln Streets, a lithographic view of which appears in this work. CHARLES 0. ADAMS, millwright, was born at Parma, Monroe County, N. Y., and came to Michigan with his parents in 1835. They commenced farming in the township of Highland, Oakland County. From there they went to Atlas, Genesee County. Mr. Adams then removed to Fenton, and lived there eighteen years; came to Caro in 1874; was eleven months in the Third Michigan Cavalry and was discharged on account of disability, being at the time orderly sergeant of his company. He is a millwright by trade, and has followed that and the running of saw and grist-mills for twentyfive years. He is married and has four children. RUFUS P. EDSON, of the firm of Black & Edson, attorneys, was born September 16, 1841, in Olive, Ulster County, N. Y. He received a part of his education at Franklin Literary Institute, Franklin, Delaware County. In 1859 he commenced the study of law, reading for a year in the office of Judge Gleason, at Delhi, and for two years in Henry R. Mygett's office, at Oxford, N. Y. He then enlisted in the One Hundred Forty-fourth New York Infantry, in which regiment he was color sergeant for six months, when he was promoted to a second lieutenantcy, receiving his commission from Governor Horatio Seymour. He served two years with the regiment and was in a number of engagements. On his return to New York State he again studied law under Henry Vanderlyn, (one of the oldest lawyers in the State) in the office of Mr. Mygett. In 1865 he was admitted to the bar at a general term of the supreme court, held at Binghampton. After his admission he went West, living in the city of Minneapolis, Minn., for about a year, and practicing law at Sauk Center, Stearns County, for another year, and then removed to Kalamazoo, Mich,, where he was a partner of Judge Hawes for five years. In 1874 he came to Tuscola County, locating at Unionville, and the following year removed to Caro. In 1876 he was elected prosecuting attorney, and held the office by reelections until January 1, 1883. The Caro Advertiser aml CRitizen said of him, about the conclusion of his term of office: "He has made an acceptable official, and to his credit be it said, that during the last term of court the criminals who transgressed the law were as vigorously prosecuted as during his first term. When satisfied of the guilt of persons, he has been a terror in ferreting out and punishing them." At the close of his term of office he formed a partnership with the Hon. C. P. Black. He is a man of family, having a wife and two sons. -1 )L i -t I i I I ~ z-tg~-~a~~-/oa I - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. t97 r HON.LEVI L.WIXSON,Judge for the Twenty-fourth Judicial Circuit of the State of Michigan, was born of American parents in the township of Pickering, which is about thirty -miles from Toronto, Ont. His father removed with his family to Sanilac County, Mich., in 1841, where he engaged in farming. That county at that time was an almost unbroken wilderness. The educational privileges which lie enjoyed were such as could be obtained in the rural districts in those days. In 1860 he went to Ann Arbor and studied law, graduating from the law department of the State Universityin 1862. Previous to that, however, he had been admitted to the bar at a term of court held at Lexington, in 1861, Judge Sanford lM. Green presiding. In 1879 he was elected judge for the judicial district composed of Tuscola, Huron and Sanilac Counties, and in 1881 was re-elected to the same office for a full term of six years. After graduating at Ann Arbor he practiced law at Lexington, until he was elected judge in 1879. He lived there until February, 1882, when he removed to Caro. During his residence in Sanilac he was judge of probate for twelve years, prosecuting attorney three terms, leaving the last term unfinished, having been elected to the bench. He was also circuit court commissioner and filled a number of other village and township offices. He has a family of a wife and three children. BENJAMIN W. WHITE was born in 1829 in the township of Aurora, Portage County, Ohio. His people were farmers and he was brought up on a farm, receiving such educational advantages as farmers' boys did in those days. He came to Michigan in 1853, locating in Ellington Township, Tuscola County, where he bought land from the U. S. government and cleared up a farm, which he still owns and cultivates. In addition to farming Mr. White has lumbered also, and if lie has been a good farmer he has been no less a successful lumberman. While he lived in Ellington he served one term as supervisor, was highway commissioner six years and justice of the peace five years. Mr. White removed from his farm to Caro in November, 1882, and deals in logs besides being a farmer. Is married and has a family of five children. WILLIAM J. MONTAGUE was born iinLondon, Ontario. His father moved with his family to Michigan in 1864, buying a farm in the Township of Almer, Tuscola County. The son received his education in the schools of the village. After leaving school he followed teaming, hauling goods to and from East Saginaw. In 1876 he went into the livery stable business, also the buying and selling of horses. Has been in the lumber business, logging on his own lands sometimes and jobbing for others occasionally. In the early days of lumebering in Tuscola County, lands were not cut very close and even sometimes trees which were felled were not all cut up into saw logs. Mr. Montague has done some very profitable business in going over such lands the second time. Is a married man. TIMOTHY C. QUINN was born near Kingston, Ontario. From there his father moved with his family to Goderich, Ontario. He then removed to Marquette and afterward to Negaunee, Michigan. The son attended a commercial college in Milwaukee for a year, while the family were in the Upper Peninsula. In the fall, winter and spring of 1874-'75 he was at the Albany Law School, graduating therefrom, which entitled to practice in courts in the State of New York, but not in Michigan, being under age. He came back to Negaunee and'shortly after went into Ball & Black's law office at Marquette for three years, and upon the dissolution of that firm remained with C. P. Black, (now of Caro) until he was of age. Was admitted to the bar April, 1877, at Marquette. He then went to Denver, Colorado, and in the fall of 1877 came to Caro. Was for a time associated with Mr. Black. The connection was dissolved at the close of 1882, Mr. Quinn continuing practice. Was married to Miss Catherine Morris in 1880. They have one child.' GEORGE W. DAVIS was born January 12, 1851, in Attica, Lapeer County, Mich., and received a common school education. On the maternal side he is of Puritan descent. Her maiden name was Wilder, a name which was borne by one of the families that came over in the "Mayflower." His family left Lapeer County in 1856 and settled in Tuscola County, but after a short stay returned to the former. Some time afterward he again came to this county, locating in the township of Fair Grove. In 1868 he went to Detroit and studied law in the office of his brother, E. G. Davis, for about two years. In 1870 he came to Fair Grove and for some four years devoted his attention to the study of theology, and at times in 1872 and 1874 lecturing upon subjects connected with that study. From 1874 till 1878 he was in the timber and stave trade. In 1878 he again resumed the study of law, also working at the carpenter's trade. Since 1880 has been practicing law in justices' courts. In February, 1883, was admitted to the bar at Caro. Previous to this admission lie resided in Akron, but has since removed to Caro. In addition to practicing law he deals in real estate. Married and has four children. BENJAMIN F. HARRIS was born in Hardin County, Ohio, ill 1858. Was educated at the Delaware College, in Delaware County, Ohio. Was in the grain trade for three years at Kenton, in that State previous to coming to Caro. In 1880 he bought Haskell's elevator in the latter named village and is one of the largest grain dealers in the county. He runs a custom grist-mill with two runs of stones in connection with his elevator. Also deals in coal, salt, cement, shingles and building materials generally. Is married and has one child. HORACE H. MARKHAM was born in Ortonville, Oakland County, Mich. His family removed to Pontiac, and he was educated in the high-school there. He commenced reading law in the office of Judge Taft, at Pontiac. In 1878 he went to Ann Arbor and in 1881 graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan. Previous to this, however, in 1880 he was admitted to the bar at a term of court held at Ann Arbor, Judge Morris, of Monroe, presiding. After graduating he came to Caro and commenced practicing. Was at one time a member of the legal firm of Atwood, Markham & Titus, afterward Atwood & Markham, which latter firm has also been dissolved. Is married. FRANK MILLER is a native of New Jersey. When he was a boy his father removed with his family to Fulton County, Ohio, and followed farming. The son, Frank, lived on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, and in the year 1859 went to California, where he was a miner for about fifteen years. In 1873 he and his brother came to Vassar and went into the grain and mercantile trade. In 1878 he removed his place of residence to Caro, but still continued in business at the former place. He and his brother also built an elevator at Caro, and in 1881 his brother retired, and he now carries on the business at both places. They also built the opera-house at Vassar, a notice of which will be found elsewhere. Mr. Miller deals in salt, lime, cement and building materials. RILEY Ross was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. ~ Until his removal from that county to Michigan he was, after arriving at manhood, engaged in farming, hotel-keeping, and other business. When he came to Tuscola County he bought land in the township of Aimer and cleared a farm, which he has cultivated ever since. While a resident of that township he held a number of offices, among them justice of the peace, commissioner of highways, etc. Mr. Ross is now living in Caro, but still carries onl his farming business. Married and has two sons and one daughter. The sons are married, and the daughter, who is the youngest of the children, lives at home. His father, Henry L. Ross, also lives with him. MORGAN A. JONES, who held the office of sheriff for che term A -. - : 0.~-J I I 1 'I 98 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. ending January 1. 1883, has been in positions of trust in this county, either appointive or elective continually (one year excepted) since 1866. Mr. Jones was born in Michigan, in the township of Troy, Oakland County, December 18, 1834, and has always resided in the State. He first came to Tuscola County on the 18th of December, 1856, settling in Vassar, where he lived for many years. On the 9tfi of March, 1864, he enlisted as a musician, his band beirng assigned to the First Division, Third Brigade, Ninth Army Corps, but finally assigned to the Twenlty-seventh Michigan Infantry, and was discharged in 1865. After the battle of the Rappahannock he was with the Army of the Potomac, and in nearly every engagement to the time of Lee's surrender, his band being the first that marched into Petersburgh after that event. Mr. Jones had been a deputy sheriff for seven or eight years previous to his election as sheriff, and was also marshal of Vassar for a period of four years. The Caro Advlertiser and Citizen says of him that "as an official, he has given quite general satisfaction to the public. He will leave the affairs of his office in good shape and has given the people of this county an economical administration." Is married and has a family of three children. WILLIAM MORRIS was born in Limerick, Ireland. His literary education was acquired at Ennis College and he studied medicine at Trinity College, of which he is a graduate; also at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, to which city he went in 1839. The doctor is an M. D. of Trinity College, Dublin, and a member of the following institutions: Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin; Dublin Lying-in Hcspital; the Medical Chirurgical Society and the National Vaccine Institution, of England; corresponding member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin; licentiate of the Medical Board of Toronto and a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ontario. In 1843 he emigrated to Canada, where, with the exception of 1845-'46, he remained until 1878. During these years he practiced medicine at Boulton village, near Toronto, Fort Erie, Florence and lastly at Delaware, Ontario. In 1878 he cameto Caro. The doctor is one of a family which is largely composed of the disciples of Galen, having two sons, two sons-in-law, two brothers, and two brothers-in-law, who are medical practitioners. WILLIAM S. FRITZ, dentist, was born in the town of Sugarloaf, Colullmbia County, Penn. His parents were farmers and he was brought up oil a farm. Aside from a common school education he attended the State normal school at Bloomsburg. For four winters following the time he was at the foregoing school he taught school two terms in his native township and one term each in Briar Creek and Center, in Columbia County. In 1870 he came West, locating near Watrousville, in Tuscola County. He taught school for four winter terms in the township of Juniata, and one term each in Akron, Fair Grove, Gilford and Almer; also one term in Stockbridge, Ingham County. In 1871 he studied dentistry, and from that time until 1878 he practiced that profession in summer and teaching in winter. Since 1878, however, lie has devoted his time solely to the practice of his profession, and from a very meager business has succeeded in building up a very lucrative practice. Mr. Fritz is also a farmer, having bought in 1880 the southwest fractional quarter of section 7, range 9, in the township of Almer, whinh he rents. It is only partially cleared up, but in 1882 it produced among other crops 530 bushels of wheat. Has a family of a wife and two children. DAVID A. HORNER, druggist, was born in Washtenaw County, Mich. Was brought up on a farm. He went to Ypsilanti, where he resided some ten years, during which time he learned the druggist business. In December, 1881, he moved to Caro and opened a drug store. He also deals in paints, oils, boolis, newspapers, stationery, etc. Has a family, wife and one child. TACITUS P. ZANDER was born in 1853 in Ottawa, Ill. The family moved from there to Wisconsin, living for a number of years at Prairie du Chien. While there attended the college at that place. They then removed to Tuscola County, Mich. Shortly after he went to the Cook County normal school at Englewood, one of the suburbs of Chicago, graduating from that institution. From 1874 '76 taught school at Matteson, Ill., and spent the next year in traveling in that State. He then taught at the Colehour school in South Chicago for four years. In 1882 he came to Caro and began reading law in the office of Black & Quinn, now Black & Edson. Has a wife and one child. RYERSON J. PARKHURST was born in Superior, Washtenaw County, Mich. He was attending the normal school at Ypsilanti, but left it to enter the army. He went out as a three months' man, and at the expiration of that time enlisted in the Twelfth United States Infantry. During his term of service his regiment was in the Army of the Potomac, and he participated in twenty-one engagements, receiving wounds at Antietam, Gettysburg and Petersburg. He was color bearer in seven battles, and at Gettysburg the colors he carried were pierced nineteen times by bullets. June 18, 1864, he was wounded at Petersburgh, and was sent to Columbia Hospital, Washington. September 14th returned to his regiment and received his discharge. His rank in Company D, First Battalion, Twelfth United States Infantry, was that of orderly sergeant. He then went into the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad, and was a conductor for fifteen years. In 1879 he came to Caro and bought the grocery stock of S. J. Kinyon, carrying on the business for about eleven months, when he sold out on account of his health. In 1881 he formed a copartnership with H. S. Johnson in the boot and shoe trade. Has been a member of the village council. Has a wife and one son. ALFRED M. JUDD was born in the city of Brockville, Leeds County, Ontario, where he learned the trade of a watchmaker. In 1867 he came to Michigan and settled in Centerville, now Caro, where he opened a watchmaking and jewelry establishment, occupying the same store from that time until the present. When the Western Union Telegraph Company built a branch of their line to Caro he became the operator, and he and his son, W. C. Judd, have been in control of the office since 1874. Mr. Judd lhas served two years as township treasurer, two years as township clerk, and was president of the village for one year. Is married and has a family of three children living. MISS JANE E. RYAN, dealer in millinery goods, was born in Roscommon County, Ireland. Her father, who was a provision dealer, also a stone mason, emigrated with his family to Canada. He lived for a number of years in London, Ont., also in St. Mary's. Miss Ryan learned her business in London, Ont. In 1867 she was living at St. Mary's, but left there and came to the United States, living for about a year in Flint before coming to Caro. She opened a millinery establishment, and has continued in that business up to the present (1883) year. Miss Ryan has also done her part to aid in the growth and prosperity of Caro, having built two stores on State Street, one a brick and the other a wooden structure. SHERMAN F. CHASE, M. D., was born in 1849 in Morrow County, Ohio. Received his education in the schools of the neighborhood in which he was born. He commenced the study of medicine at Sparta, O., in 1868, afterward attended a course of lectures at Hahnemann College in Philadelphia, and graduated fromn the Homoeopathic College of Detroit in 1872. Came to Caro, Tuscola County, in the fall of that year and began practice. Since here he has served two years as a member of the village council and three years as county physician. In the spring of 1883 was elected a school inspector for the township of Indian Fields. Was -1 iI I - -- F I 4 * Ib \: t L - --------- I \-e - - I i 11 I Ml HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 99 married to Lettie A. Crissey, a native of New York State, in 1874. GEORGE F. BROWN was born ill 1846 in Norfolk County, Ont., of American parentage. The family removed to the United States when he was six years of age. They first settled in St. Joseph County, Ind., on a farm, from whence they went to Cass County, Mich., in 1862. Remained there until 1871, when he went to St. Charles, Saginaw County, at which place he was in the stave business. In October, 1881, he came to Caro, having formed a copartnership with Francis Hood, of Saginaw City. They built the stave and heading works situated on the banks of the Cass River, near the Michigan Central Railway Depot. While in St. Charles was supervisor for the township one term, also justice of the peace and a member of the village council five years. Was married to Miss Addie L. Salisbury, of Cass County, in 1870. They have two children. JOHN STALEY, Jr., was born in Pennsylvania in 1844. When the war broke out he enlisted as a drummer boy in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Infantry, serving nine months, the term of its enlistment. He then served as a three months' man in the Pennsylvania State troops when that State was invaded by the rebel troops. After that he again enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry as a musician, and served until early in 1866, some ten months after the war closed. In 1867 he came to Tuscola County and was engaged in the surveying business. In 1870 he was elected county surveyor, serving one term. He has also held the following offices: Postmaster at Unionville six years, supervisor for township of Akron five years, register of deeds four years, and is now (1883) register of the probate court and president of the village council. He also was State examining agent for two years, looking after trespassers on the State lands. He now resides in Caro and is the senior member of the firrm of Staley & Slaght, who are engaged in the real estate and abstract business; He is married and has a family of four children. WILL F. STREET was born in Monroe, Mich., where his youthful days were spent and a part of his education was acquired. From there his parents removed to Bay City, and his father engaged in the drug business. Mr. S. was at one time during his residence in Bay City in the bank of C. F. Gibson, after which he was connected with the Second National Bank in that city. In 1875, in company with Mr. Charles Mont.igue, the Caro Exchange Bank was organized, of which Mr. Street was made cashier, which position he still holds. He possesses first-class abilities for his work, and has won an enviable reputation in the community. Is a married man. WILLIAM K. WHEAT was born in Venice, Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1830. Was educated at Cayuga Academy in Aurora. He studied medicine for about three years with Dr. B. A. Fordyce at Venice Center, during which time he taught school two winters. Graduated at Philadelphia Medical College in 1853 and then located at Montezuma, N. Y., where he commenced practicing and remained until 1866. He then removed to Bay City, Mich., and continued practicing there, and in 1870 also opened a drug store. In 1875 on account of the ill health of his wife he was compelled to leave there and find a locality which would prove healthier for her, and on trial found Caro to be the place. While in the State of New York he held the office of justice of the peace, also collector of tolls on the canals. In Bay City he was a member of the school board for two terms. In Caro he was health officer for four years and for two years a member of the village council. While in practice at Montezuma, N. Y., he made a trip as physician for an exploring expedition, in the year 1864, through Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Dakota, etc. Is married and has had two children, only one of whom, Fred. S. Wheat, an attorney in this village, is now living. The latter has been prosecuting attorney for Tuscola County. ARTHUR T. SLAGHT was born in Seneca County, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1878, locating in Caro, Tuscola County. He came with Mr. J. F. Seeley,' who opened the Tuscola County Bank, in which institution he acted for four years as teller. He then became a member of the firm of Staley & Slaght in the real estate and abstract business. Is married. THERON W. ATWOOD, attorney, was born in White Oak, Ingham County, Mich. He is the son of Hon. H. P. Atwood, of Caro. He was educated at Ann Arbor, and graduated from the law department of the State University in 1875, and admitted to the bar at Caro the same year. He is married and has three children. GEORGE F. GETTY was born in Alleghany County, Md. His parents removed to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, when he was quite young, where they went on a farm. He attended the Smithville Academy, Wayne County, Ohio, after which he taught school some five winters. He also attended the Northwestern Ohio Normal School at Ada, Ohio, from which lie graduated in 1879. He read law in the office of John A. Hostatler at Canal Dover, Ohio, and attended two courses of law lectures at Ann Arbor in 1881. He was admitted to the bar at the latter place in 1882. He then came to Caro and became a member of the firm of Hurst & Getty, attorneys. He was elected circuit court commissioner for Tuscola County in 1882. He is married and has one child. JOHN HURST was born in Nottingham, England, and came to the United States in 1863, going to Ann Arbor where lie had a brother living who was a farmer, with whom he helped carry on a farm. They sold out and moved to Livingston County where they purchased another farm. He sold his interest in the farm to his brother and entered the law office of Sardis F. Hubbell, of Howell, where lie read law five years. He was admitted to the bar at a term of court at Howell in 1871, Judge Turner presiding. He then commenced practice at Au Sable, in Iosco County, remaining there three years. From there he went to Saginaw City, entering into co-partnership with William H. Sweet. In 1878 he came to Caro, Tuscola County, and opened a law office. He is the senior member of the firm of Hurst & Getty, attorneys. While in Iosco County Mr. Hurst held the offices of circuit court commissioner and justice of the peace. He is married and has one child. EBENEZER W. GERRISH was born in the State of Maine. His parents removed from there when he was an infant and made their residence at Pittsford, N. Y., where he remained until he was nineteen years old. He then went to Erie, Pa. He studied for a while at Allegheny College, Crawford County, Pa. He then commenced to learn the profession of civil engineer in Erie County, and followed it for about three years. He afterward spent some five years in Ashtabula County and Kingsville, Ohio. In 1837 or '68 he removed to Tuscola County, Mich., and located in the village of Centerville, now Caro. He has been a justice of the peace four years and town treasurer one year. As resident member of the committee appointed to supervise the building of the present court-house he superintended the construction of that building. He is now, aside from practicing his profession, engaged in the insurance and real estate business. He is married and has two sons. JOHN H. KNICKERBOCKER was born and brought up at Flint, Genesee County, Mich., where he learned the watch-making and jewelry business. From there he went to Bay City and engaged in that line of trade. In 1879 he came to Caro and engaged in the same business, being the senior member of the firm of J. H. Knickerbocker & Co. Few places of a much larger size contain as neat and tastily arranged store or as fine an assortment of goods as this i i I -.Y I I" I %w I __ ___ I I v -3d I /11 Z XLX 6, I' re M X- - -- 100 HISTORPY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. firm carries. Mr. Knickerbocker is married and hlas a family of two children. DANIEL KINYON. Among the early settlers of Tuscola County was Daniel Kinyon, who died in Caro October 1, 1882. He was fifty-six years of age at the time of his death and was one of the victims of that insidious, but deceiving disease, consumption. The JtfL#'ersono3ia,1 of October 5, 1882, says of him: "The funeral took place from the Universalist Church, which was handsomely draped, Tuesday afternoon, under the direction of the Masonic fraternity. During the hours of service, and during the funeral procession the places of business in town were closed and flags displayed at half mast as a token of regard to one who was universally respected by the whole community. "Daniel Kinyon was born in Arcadia, Wayne Ccunty, N. Y., in 1826, and moved to Wayne County, Mich., with his parents in 1831. In 1851, in company with Mr. Frank Fairman, of Juniata, he came into Tuscola County and took up a piece of land in that township opposite Mr. Fairman's. The two young pioneers built a shanty on the line between their places, where they labored as only pioneers know how for many a weary day. Success followed their efforts. Mr. Kiinyon finally bought a farm in the west part of the corporation and moved to Caro, where he has since resided, and was, perhaps, one of the best known men in these parts. He was always noted for his kindness, and seemed to move through life bearing good will to all and malice toward none. Many a poor man will bless the memory of Daniel Kinyon for pecuniary assistance in the time of need. Mr. Kinyon was the youngest of six brothers, four of whom are living, his brother John living in this village since 1875, and the others living in the southern part of the State. Mr. Kinyon leaves a family consisting of his widow and five children behind him, with whom the many warm friends of the deceased mingle their sorrow." Mr. Kinyon was a member from its organization of Mt. Moriah Lodge, F. & A. M., which body passed resolutions of sorrow for his death and sympathy with his family, as also did Caro Lodge, No. 173, I. O. O. F., he being a member of that fraternity. Mrs. Louisa Kinyon, widow of the deceased, was born in Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich., and was married to Mr. Kinyon some twenty-nine years at the time of his death. The family consists of two daughters and three sons. The eldest son, Willie B., resides on the farm originally purchased by his father in Juniata township. The remainder of the family reside with their mother at the homestead in the village of Caro, at the time (1883) we write. WILLIAM A. CALBECK is a native of the county of Peel, Ontario. Came to Michigan in 1874 and located at Caro, Tuscola County, where he engaged in the carriage making business. He continued at that for some time and then went into the meat market trade with D. D. Ingels. In 1878 he started a livery stable, and is at the present time (1883) running the same. Is married and has two children. WILLIAM N. WEST was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1840. He was brought up on a farm and received his education at the Canandaigua Academy. For some two years after leaving the academy he read medicine. He afterward went to West Virginia and entered into mercantile business. From there he removed to Adrian, Mich. After remaining there for a year he located at Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich., staying there three years. In 1875 he decided to make Caro his home. He had in previous years paid some attention to reading law, and on coming to Caro decided to adopt the legal profession and for a year applied himself to the study of law. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice. He was appointed by Gov. Jerome to the position of circuit court commissioner to fill a vacancy, acting in that capacity for six months. In 1876 he was elected a justice of the peace, and in 1881 was re-elected. Is married and has one son. GEORGE S. EALSTON was born at Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., in 1855. When fourteen years of age he went to sea, and for some five years followed the life of a sailor, at one time being the second mate on a vessel in the coasting trade, also going to the West Indies. He was in the employ of the American Express Company some five years in various capacities, during three of which he spent his spare time in studying law. Came to Caro as agent of the American Express Company. He then bought out the firm of C. O. Thomas & Co. and carried on business under the firm name of G. S. Ralston & Co. Mr. Thomas afterward became a member of the concern, and it was then known as Thomas & Ralston. In 1882 he bought out his partner and carries on the business alone, which is that of a general store. He was the first secretary of the Caro District Agricultural Society, organized in 1882. Is married and has one son. WILLIAM O. LUCE, Jr., was born in 1858 in Meridian, Cayuga County, N. Y. His family left there and lived in Syracuse for a time, also at Elbridge and Auburn, N. Y., living at the latter place seven years, where he learned the business of a druggist. In 1881 he came to Caro, Tuscola County, and is proprietor of an extensive drug, news and stationery establishment. He has lately commenced the manufacture of several medicines, the formula for preparing which he has patented, and they have thus far been very favorably received by the public. Is a married maln. MEYER HIELHOCH was born in Courland, Russia, and emigrated to the United States in 1876, first settling at Bay City, from which point he sold goods for a year, traveling on the road. In 1877 he opened a small fancy notion store in Caro, and his business has grown into an extensive dry goods and a wholesale notion trade, employing some ten traveling salesmen. In Russia his father and himself were engaged in the butchering business. Mr. H. is personally very popular among both Christians and Hebrews. FRANK A. GOODELL WaS born and brought up on a farm in Vermont. From there he went to Port Byron, N. Y. When the war of the rebellion broke out he enlisted in the Seventy-fifth New York Infantry. He served twenty-six months in this regiment until discharged on account of wounds received at Port Hudson on the Mississippi River, losing a leg therefrom. After leaving the army he went to Seneca Falls, N. Y., and in 1866 came to East Dayton, Tuscola County. In 1870 he was elected register of deeds for Tuscola County, holding the office two years. He has been in the mercantile trade in the State of Colorado, also at East Dayton, Tuscola County, and is now in business at Caro. Is married and has two children. ALEXANDER RICHARDS is a native of Niagara County, N. Y., and was brought up on a farm. He came to Michigan in 1853, settling in Tuscola County. He worked in the lumber woods, also on a farm he bought, and was in the employ of W. A. Heartt some three years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Infantry, serving twenty-two months, when he was discharged on account of wounds received at the battle of Antietam. After remaining at home a year recovering from his wounds he again enlisted in the Second Michiganl Infantry, serving until the close of the war. His rank when mustered out was that of first lieutenant. Mr. R. was for a n-umber of years engaged in farming, selling agricultural implements, etc., and now (1883) keeps a liquor store in the village of Caro. Is married and.has one daughter. FRANK 0. WATROUS was born in Ozaukee County, Wis.; was educated at Beloit College. After leaving college he learned the trade of a tinsmith at Port Washington, Wis. He then "traveled on j 1 _ k - A [sp — - A 11. ` --- —: t: I I: 1 - JL --- I I I In, HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. Aferlevig ClOUNhecersTY.ltesoeo Clre utna 101 the trade" and taught school at tiimes for some fifteen years, during which time he w ent all over tile Western States. While in California he was in tile grocery trade at Santa Clara for three years. In March, 1880, lie came to Caro and formed a co-partnership with Charles Pyne in the hardware trade. In 1881 h e bought his partner's interest and carries it on under his own name. He does a large business in hardware, etc., and also carries on al extensive tinsmith shop. Is married and has one child. SOLOMON S. UTTER was born in D elhi, Del aware County, N. Y. When h e was but a mere boy his father moved with his fanily to Buffalo, where he (the son) remained about three years. From theredohe went to Lester, Livingston County, N. Y., and remained about twenty years. At first he worked on the Genesee Valley Canal, and during the last ten years of his residence in that county kept a hotel at Cuylerville. In 1867 he came to Centerville, Tuscola County, and kept the Gibbs House for two years. He then bought the Exchange Hotel, and kept that two years. Selling out the hotel he went to farming, having a farm in Juniata and another in Fair Grove-living in the village of Caro, however, while carrying on his farms. He is now (1883) keeping a livery stable and running a stage line between Caro and Cass City. Previous to the building of the Caro branch of the M ichigan Central Railroad he run a stage line to Vassar. Is the senior member of the firm of Utter & Hemerick. Married and has two children. GILBERT JOHNSON was born at Avon Springs, Livingston County, N. Y. His father removed his family to Wyoming County when he was but a boy, and where he remained until lie was of age. Then he went to Nunda, Livingston County, where he was a resident for some nineteen years. Previous to going to Nunda he had always worked at farming, but upon going to that place he went into the lumbering business, as at that time there was considerable pine in the Genesee Valley. He run saw-mills, by the thousand, set up engines, and in short could turn his hand to anything about a mill. Leaving the State of New York in 1866 he came to Michigan and located in Tuscola County, settling at what in those days was known as Centerville. There he took up the business of painting, following it for a number of years. He is now engaged in the jewelry and watch-making trade, being the senior member of the firm of Johnson & Dyer. Has held the offices of constable and deputy sheriff, and is now (1883) treasurer of the village of Caro. Is married and has had three children, only one of whom is living. He, Harry S., is engaged in the boot and shoe trade in the village of Caro. SAMUEL L. RICHARDSON is an Englishman by birth, having been born in Essex, Eng. In his early days he followed the sea for a living, visiting various parts of Europe, from Sebastopol in the Black Sea to Archangel in the northern part of Russia, also to some of the Portuguese and Spanish islands in the Atlantic ocean. During the Crimean war he was on a transport steamer, carrying troops, etc., to Sebastopol, at which place and Balaklava he remained some ten months. He witnessed a number of the battles between the Russians and the allied troops. Although not actively engaged in any of the fights, still according to the terms of his engagement on the transport he was liable to be called upon to go to the front. He left Hull, England, and emigrated to Canada, remaining in that country for some years. In 1869 he went to East Saginaw, Mich,, remaining there fifteen years, driving a dray. In 1879 came to Caro and went into the wholesale lager beer trade, also being a retail liquor dealer. Is married and has two children. JoHN F. PALMER, of tlhe firm of Palmer & Gardner, dealers in groceries, was born in Genesee, Livingston County, N. Y. When he was about ten years of age his family moved to Michigan, settling in Calhoun County. Attended school at Battle Creek. After leaving school hlie clerked in the store of Charles Austin at Bedford. His family removing to Grand Rapids he accompanied them, and went to school there for about two years. He then returned to Bedford and clerked again in Mr. Austin's establishment. That gentleman made a trip to New Zealand and for two years the business was carried on under the name of Godsmark & Palmer. On Mr. Austin's return Mr. Palmer went to Detroit and sold goods for Farrinagton, Camlpbell & Co., wholesale grocers, for a number of years. In 1880 he came to Caro, formed a co-partnership with Edward Gardner, and opened a family grocery. He was elected a village trustee in 1881, and re-elected in 1882. Is a married man. HORACE N N. MONTAGUE came to Centerville, Tuscola County, in 1862. In 1874 lie run a stage line to Vassar in connection with one that run to East Saginaw. In 1876, in company with M. Curry, kept the Jewell House at Vassar. In 1877 came to Caro and kept a livery stable for about a year, which he traded off for a farm. May 27, 1879, he bought out C. R. Richardson's boot and shoe store, and is now (1883) engaged in that line of business. Is married and has one child. J. RALPH GILLESPIE is the junior member of the firm of J. S. Gillespie & Son, abstract and real estate agents. He was born in Grand Rapids. He and his father have been in the abstract business at Grand Rapids, Romeo, Armada, Corunna, Owosso and Ypsilanti. Mr. Gillespie, Jr., lived at one time in East Saginaw, also at Midland. His father and himself came to Caro in 1876. Is married and has one child. FRED. S. WHEAT, attorney, was born in the State of New York and came to Bay City, Michigan, with his father, Dr. W. K. Wheat, when he was nine years of age, and went to school there and was among the first class of scholars that graduated from the high school in that city. In 1876 his father and family removed to Caro, and he then read law in the office of Atwood & Atwood. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar. The same year he was appointed circuit court commissioner to fill a vacancy, and in the fall of the year was elected to that office. In 1880 was re-elected. Was married in 1879 and has three children, two of them twins. BYRON L. RANSFORD, attorney, was born in Mendon, Monroe County, N. Y. Attended school at the academy in East Bloomfield, Ontario County. Lived in Mendon until lie was seventeen years of age. He then came to Michigan, teaching school first at Rochester and afterward at Battle Creek. Read law in H. Stuart's office at the latter place for three years. Taught school again at Holly, reading law at the same time. Was admitted to the bar in 1865. Commenced practice at Holly, remaining there until 1872, when he went to East Saginaw. In 1882 located in Tuscola County, at Caro. While in Oakland County was circuit court commissioner for two years. Is married and has one son and a daughter. GEORGE B. GREGORY, M. D., is a native of Utica, New York. In 1866 came to Lapeer, Michigan. He attended the homeopathic colleges at Cleveland and Detroit, also the Wooster University, an allopathic institution in Cleveland. He graduated at the Detroit College in 1874, and from tlje Wooster University in 1878. Practiced his profession in Lapeer and Ovid. In 1882 came to Caro. Married and has two children. HIMIELHOCH & LEWENBERG. This firm are the proprietors of the "Boston Clothing House," in the Union Block on State Street, in the village of Caro. They also own the Union Block. They are extensive dealers in clothing, gents' furnishing goods, hats, caps, etc. Isaac HIMELHOCH, of the above firm, was born in Courland, in Russia, one of the Baltic provinces of that empire. in which country lie received his education. In April, 1874, he arrived in the United States, sojourning at first t at Syracuse, New York, and engaged I t - A [L L T'. -: - _I - --- - 5 he K 102 HISTORY OF TU SCOLA COUNTY. 102 in selling goods on the road. He remained there until 1876, when he went to Bay City, Michigan, selling goods from that point until 1877, when he came to Caro and opened a dry-goods and gents' furnishing store. In 1878 he sold out his dry-goods business to his brother, Meyer Himelhoch, and put in a stock of clothing, taking in as a partner William B. Lewenberg. Mr. Himelhoch is a young married man. WILLIAM B. LEWENBERG, the other member of the firm of Himelhoch & Lewenberg, was also born in Courland, Russia, and was educated there, and for so young a man has been an extensive traveler and had a varied experience. In 1869 he came to the United States, living a year in Detroit and some three years in Flint, in which places he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. While in Flint he was one of the leading spirits in organizing that well known military organization, the "Flint Blues." In 1874, which was about the time of the breaking out of the "diamond fields" excitement in South Africa, he went to that country. For about a year and a half after his arrival in the Cape Colony he was in mercantile business, and then went to the diamond country as a diamond merchant, where he remained some year and a half also. He then determined to return to Russia, and in doing so sailed along the eastern coast of Africa, stopping at Natal, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Quilimain, Aden, on through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to Port Said. From that port he went to Italy, visiting Naples, Rome, Florence, Venice and other parts of that country. He then passed through Austria and on to Berlin, in Prussia, and from there to Riga, in Russia. For a time he was engaged in the grain trade in the interior of that country also traveling extensively in it, but in 1878 made up his mind to make the United States his home. On arriving in New York he started for Bay City, Michigan, at which place lie made a short stay and then came to Caro, associating himself with Mr. Hinelhoch in trade. Mr. Lewenberg is quite a linguist, speaking six languages fluently, viz.: German, Hebrew, Russian, Lattish, Hollandische and English. Of all countries in which he has lived he prefers the United States "by a large majority." Is not a married man. WILLIAM L. ROGERS was born in Ontario County, New York. When he was but an infant his father came West with his family and settled on a farm in Washtenaw County. From there lihe removed to Tuscola County in 1850, and cleared up a farm. The son was then but seventeen years of age, and about four years afterward he bought and cleared up a farm for himself in Juniata Township, where he remained for a number of years. In 1870 he came to Caro. In earlier days he followed the trade of a carpenter and joiner and he continued at it until 1878, when he embarked in the real estate business, and is now (1883) still following that line of trade. Has held the offices of township clerk and member of the village council and is now assessor and director of schools for the village. Married and has a family of four children. FRANK DYER is a member of the firm of Johnson & Dyer, dealers in watches, clocks, jewelry, etc. He was born in Wellington, Ohio, and learned the watchmaker's trade in Cleveland. He came to Michigan in 1878 and was in the employ of D. W. Briggs, of Vassar, for two years. Early in 1880 he moved to Caro and was employed by Gilbert Johnson, watchmaker and jeweler. After being in that gentleman's establishment some twenty-two months he be came a partner in the business. Is married and has one child, a boy. EDWARD BELMER was born in St. Charles, Lower Canada, now Quebec. When he was an infant his parents removed to Franklin County, New York, and located at Chautauqua first. The son was brought up at Malone, where his family removed to. He learned the tallners' and shoemakers' trades. In 1835 he went to Lewiston, New York. In 1853 he came to Tuscola County, bought land and cleared up a farm. Learned blacksmithing, in this county, which trade he worked at on his farm in Aimer, also at Wahjamega. Had his house, shop, tools, etc., destroyed by fire in 1863. In March, 1864, enlisted in Company H., Second Michigan Infantry. His regiment was in the Army of the Potomac, and he was with it in fourteen pitched battles, besides many skirmishes. His regiment was at the blowing up of Fort Hill, or "Fort Hell," as the soldiers called it, and was about decimated by its losses. Was discharged August 5, 1865. On coming back he resumed blacksmithing, which trade he has worked at for some twenty-two years. In 1869 came to Caro and kept a hotel and a store, dealing in general merchandise, also drugs and medicines. Is now (1883) a manufacturer of "Belmer's Adhesive Salve," "Magic Oil," etc. In 1871 was burned out, losing everything again, including a stock of marble, another business lie had engaged in. After the fire he lived in Flint some time. In 1875 came back to Caro again. Kept a hotel and store in the building now occupied by Parkhurst & Johnson. Held the office of town clerk in Aimer, has also been a justice of the peace and highway commissioner. He was married in 1838 to Harriet Stafford, of Niagara County, New York. They have six children now living, four of them in the village of Caro. REV. W. P. MAYWOOD. The Rev. W. P. Maywood was born March 6, 1843, at Hull, in Lower Canada, now the province of Quebec. In 1852 his parents removed to Perth County, Ont. In 1865 he was admitted as a member of the Wesleyan Conference of Canada. He preached two years in Canada, one at Chatham, and the other at Kingsville. Previous to entering the ministry he taught school for a time. He then came to Michigan and was admitted into the Detroit conference on probation in 1867. After that he was stationed at Memphis, Macomb County, for three years; at Au Sable, Iosco County, three years; and had entered on his second year at Caro when his health gave way. His ailments were of a pulmonary character, and the first symptoms appeared during the last year of his pastorate at Au Sable. At the Flint conference he took a superannuated relation, and transferred his residence to Denver, Col. The change of climate was at first beneficial, and he was apparently on the way to complete recovery. A relapse, however, set in, and on October 18, 1877, he quietly passed away. His remains were interred at Denver. The Detroit Christian Advocate, in an obituary notice of Mr. Maywood had the following: "Brother Maywood was a true Christian man, and a devoted minister of the gospel. He loved his work, and desired to remain on earth only that he might labor for the Master. During the greater part of his illness he cherished the expectation of recovery, based on the belief that God had something more for him to do. He was always unassuming in his deportment, never disposed to push himself into note, satisfied with the field of labor the bishop assigned him, yet retaining ~-omething of attachment for the Wesleyan system of Canada. He filled his appointments with entire acceptability to the people, and with a large measure of usefulness. The sympathy of the Detroit conference and the Methodist public in this State have been fully extended to him during his protracted illness. In his death the Detroit confer ence has lost an able and earnest minister, and the church a faithful and ardent member." At Detroit, in 1867, he was married to Martha J. Wigle, of Kingsville, Ont., who, with three children, survives him. Mrs. M. remained in Denver some six months after Mr. M.'s death, and then returned to Caro, where she is bringing up and educating her chil i elJ __..... - -. -. ES. OF A.C.YOUNG, CARO,.HUMES; ALMER TOWNSHIP,TUSCOLA CO. I II_! b ___ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 103 dren. MIrs. M1S. is a young woman yet, b1ut has proved herself fully equalto the responsibilities which hlave fellen to her lot. JOHN F. W]LMOT is a native of Kingston, Ont., and was educated in the common schools of the city. He left there when he was about twenty years of age, and traveled through the New England States, working at his trade of tinsmith, for two years. Came to Caro, Tuscola County, in 1872, and went into the hardware trade, also having a tin shop in connection. Was president of the village of Caro in 1880, also- one of the trustees. Was president and business manager of the C~ar o Cwiti,:enl for two years, until it was merged into the sdrelrteiser. Was first president of the Caro District Agricultural Society, il the organization of which lie was prominent. Married and has a family of five children. BENJAMIN F. NETTLETON was born in Penfield, Monroe County, N. Y., in 1833. In 1835 iis father went with his family to Geauga County, Ohio. The family consisted of four sons and four daughters, and Mirs. Nettleton. Benjamin F. lived in Ohio until 1856, when he came to Tuscola County, settling in what is now Juniata Township. He lived in that township for about twenty years, during which he followed his trade, that of a carpenter and joiner. He also cultivated a farm. In 1875 he disposed of hls farm and purchased the Exchange Hotel il Caro, and has since kept the house. That the house is a good one is an assertion that finds proof in the fact that it has a large home patronage. In addition to hotel keeping he has also been for years interested in lumbering. He hleld the office of highway commissioner for three years, also was a constable. In 1862 was married to Mary J. Ensign, a native of Ohio, but a resident of Juniata. They have had six children, only one of whomn, a daughter, is now living. ELMER E. RUNDEL was born in the township of Novi, Oakland Colunty, MIich. He received his early education in the district schools of tle adjoining township of Commerce. He learned the trade of a butcher at Holly, and was in business for himself at that place for some five years. He came to Caro in 1878 and went into the boot and shoe trade, continuing at i. for about two years. He then sold out and was for a while engaged in business as a butcher. In 1882 he embarked in the grocery and provision trade. Is married. A. C. YOUNG was born June 29, 1848, cat South Crosby, seven miles from Brockville, Ont. His early days were passed without much of a chance to get an education. In 1866, when about eighteen years of age, he came to Tuscola County. His first night in the county was passed in Vassar. During it the hotel at whichi he was stopping was burned down, and he found himself in the morning minus money and all his clothes, save what he saved on his back. He was compelled therefore to seek employment, and he hired out to go into the woods. In the spring following he bought eighty acres of land il Elmwood Township, and cleared a small field which he put under wheat. He worked for four consecutive winters in the woods, and each spring drove logs. In the course of time he acquired a thorough knowledge of lumbering, and he readily obtained employment at the highest wages. For two springs he was employed to take charge-of 100 men on the Flint River, receiving $4 per day. When twenty-one years old a Saginaw firm paid him $150 per month to scale logs. In 1870 he -went into business with Henry A. Dodge, at Elmwood Corners. The copartnership was a brief one, as in a few months he purchased his partner's interest. Ill September, 1870, he was married to Miss Frances J. Bearss, a native of Tilsonburg, Ont., but at that time living with ier parents in Elmwood. For some three years she was his sole assistant in the store, in fact, most of the time managing the business herself, her husband being eingaged in buying and selling logs. In 1872 he secured the establishment of a postoffice at Elmwood, and was postmaster until he removed to Caro, in June, 1873. He located in a small building on the corner of Main and Burnside Streets, and in addition to his mercantile pursuits operated in logs for Bay City parties for two winters. He also bought shingle bolts, etc., extensively on his own account. In the fall of 1874 he bought a portable saw-mill and located it il the township of Almer. It cut 1,000,000 feet of lumber that winter. He also sold 1,000,000 feet of logs. In 1875-'76 and 1876-'77 he got out logs for Eddy, Avery & Co., of East Saginaw. His first store was 20x40 feet in size, but additions have been made until the grocery department is 14x100 and the dry goods 22x72 feet il size. His first year's business in Caro aggregated about $9,000; it now amounts to $50,000 per annum. The season of 1882-'83 he handled over $25,000 worth of railroad ties, cedar fence posts, house blocks, telegraph poles, etc., which are shipped to a11 parts of the United States. Mr. Young has erected a number of buildings in Ciaro, among which may be mentioned the brick store on Main Street, near Burnside; a dwelling near the railroad depot, his own elegant residence on the corner of Pearl and Cooper Streets, costing some $10,000; a steam elevator, etc. He is also about to erect a new brick store for his own business this year, 1883. He is the owner of considerable real estate in Caro, and three farms in the adjacent country. One of the local papers, the Citien, says 'of him: "Mr. Young's success as a business mtan is one instance, and a striking one, of what the right kind of genius, aided by hard work, can accomplish. Personally he is highly esteemed, and his liberality toward all public or benevolent objects is well known. Such men as A. C. Young give vigor to ally community, and such success commands admiration, while it exacts respect and appreciation." DAVID S. STEVENS was born in Wheeler, Steuben County, N. Y., in 1826. He was educated at the academy at Prattsburg in that county. Came to Michigan in 1848. Taught school at Monroe. Commenced the study of medicine at Oakville, Monroe County, in 1849. Attended the second and third courses of lectures delivered in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. Graduated about 1853. Began practice at Monroe and went from there to Oaklville. Was postmaster there for about ten years. In 1862 went out as assistant surgeon of the Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, and was with that regiment until it was mustered out. Was promoted to be surgeon in 1863. In 1866 came to Centerville, now Caro, and commenced practice of medicine. Has resided there ever since. Has been a member of the village council. Is married. SIMEON BOTSFORD is one of the earliest settlers of the town of Ellington, and one whose name is intimately connected with the early history of that town. He was born in the State of Connecticut, September 27, 180a. At twenty years of age he removed to Michigan with his parents and settled in Oakland County. In April, 1834, he was married in Oakland County to Miss Mary Ann Delling. In 1853 he visited Tuscola County on an exploring expedition with a view of locating if the prospect suited him. He found a choice piece of land in the present town of Ellington. In 1855 lie brought his family and became one of the early settlers of that region, as is stated in the history of that town, which also is a record of Mr. Botsford's activity in public affairs, and the service he was able to render in building up a new town and society. About twio years ago M~r. Botsford left the farm, and is now living in the village of Caro. D. H. ANDREWS was born in Geauga County, Ohio, in 1818, where he resided up t. 1835, when he came to Tuscola County and took up the land where he now resides. He was married in 1839 L - - - - - -- - * 0 Is I L 104 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. i to Miss Rachael M. Sutton of his native place, but who was born ill Lower Canada. Mr. Andrews owns 240 acres of land on section 18, and may well be called one of the pioneers of Tuscola County, as there were but three or four famlilies at that time in the township, of whom lie calls to mind D. D. Dopling, S. P. Sherman and J. Crane. Messrs. Heartt and Stuck Tere just, building their mill at Wahlljamega. He was the founder of the first Sunday-school in the township, which was also thlle first one ill that section of country. JOSEPH MORRISON, deceased, was born1 in Orange County, N. Y., in 1812, and remained there until 1860, when he came to Michigan, stopping two or three years inl Flint, then came to the township of Indian Fields and settled on the farm where his widow now resides. The surviving family consists of Mrs. Morrison, whoin he married in 1835 in Orange County, N. Y., and three children —two sons and one daughter. One son is now ill Dakota aud the other in Caro. The dau(ghter, now Mrs. R. Purdy, lives about one rlnile from the old homestead. Mr. Morrisol's death occurred in 1871. J. H. W aIGHT was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., in 1837. and remained there until lie came to Tuscola County in 1869. He first purchased a ffarm about one mile east of his present residence, upon which lie resided tell years, then exchanged it for the place he now owns. Mr. Wright is a mason by trade, but of late years has devoted his time and attention exclusively to farming. He was married in 1862 to Miss Ellen J. Thompson, of Tompkins County, N. Y., and has four sons and one daughter. THE TO\N O F DENMARK.O The town of Denmark was organized by the Board of Supervisors at a meeting held October 11, 1853, and was erected out of territory described as follows: Townships 12, 13 and fractional 14, north. of range 7 east., the same being under the jurisdiction of the town of Rogers. The name of the town was selected by Mr. Selden and his son, C. R. Selden, now treasurer of the county. Its application hald no particular significance, but was made with the idea of having a name dissimilar to those of other localities. At the first town nmeeting held April 3, 1854, at the house of Joseph Selden, Hamilton Hobart and Joseph Selden were inspectors, John E. Freeman and Charles R. Selden, clerks. ENTRIES OF LAND PRIOR TO 186C0. TOWNSHIP 12 NORTH, RANGE 7 EAST. SECTION 1. Samuel C. Munson, September 10, 1851. James M. Edmunds, September 10, 1851. James M. Edmunds, January 3, 1852. Townsend North, August 10, 1852. Joseph Selden, January 8, 1851. John Gardner, August 23, 1854. Darwin A. Pettibone, August 29, 1854. SECTION 2. Darwin A. Pettibone, August 29, 1854. Darwin A. Pettibone, March 13, 1855. Darwin A. Pettibone, November 26, 1855. Christopher A. Wilber, November 21, 1856. Wm. S. Driggs, April 18, 1853. A. S. Berry, August 9, 1853. Thos. Foote, Jr., January 7, 1854. Seneca C. Breese, February 12, 1851. Jas. M. Edmunds, January 26, 1859. SECTION 3. Darwin A. Pettibone, July 11, 1856. Chauncey Furman, December 20, 1854. Josiah West, January 17, 1855. Jacob Bain, May 22, 1855. Alexander Casebeer, August 20, 1856. Calkins Gardner, August 28, 1855. John A. Sherwood, January 18, 1856. Amacy M. Barton, January 18, 185(6. SECTION 4. Cuyler Terwilliger, February 10, 1857. Henry Van Patten, February 16, 1855. Jacob Bain, May 22, 1855. Darwin A. Pettibone, July 9, 1855. Henrv Van Patten, September 7, 1858. SECTION 5. Henry Vatn Patten, November 12, 1856. John Nickerson, January 22, 1857. Theodore Hunter, February 17, 1858. Aaron Watrous, August 5. 1858. SECTION 6. Alfred M. Hioyt, August 28, 1850. Theodore Hunter, April 3, 1857. SECTION 7. Alfred M. HIoyt, May 24, 1850. SECTION 8. Alfred M. Hoyt, May 24, 1850. Oliver Waters, June 1, 1855. Ira Whiting, December 11, 1855. SECTION 9. Aaron Watrotns, April 1, 1854. Alexander Hamilton, March 31, 1858. Samuel N. Samson, July 2'9, 1858. Zadock Gillett, July 29, 1858. SECTION 10. Win. Burton, May 24, 1854. Alfred M. Hoyt, May 24, 1850. Darwin A. Pettxbone, November 26, 1855. David M. Black, August 8, 1856. Jacob Cummings, November 12, 1852. David Cummings, November 12, 1852. Aaron Watrous, Jr., April 1, 1854. Mils L. Gates, February 7, 1855. Aaron Watrous, Jr., December 19, 1855. SECTION 11. Charles S. Kimberly, February 3, 1854. Charles S. Kimberly, July 16, 1851. SECTION 12. Charles S. Kimberly, July 16, 1851. SECTION 13. Charles R. Selden, July 11, 1853. Benj. F. Ormsby, August 16, 1853. Spalding Blackman, August 16, 1853. Spalding Blackman, September 6, 1853. Spalding Blackman, September 22, 1853. John Baker, October 27, 1853. Geo. Wilkinson, November 5, 1853. Jas. Gaunt, No-vember 5, 1853. Charles Madison, November 16, 1853. John H. Richardson, January 24, 1853. John Baker, September 24, 1855. SECTION 14. Samuel Pettibone, July 21, 1855. William Burton, May 4, 1854. Albert C. Van Raalte, February 18, 1850. Samuel Mapes, October 29, 1850. Eleazar French, March 8, 1855. Barsley Mallory, June 12, 1855. Mindret Demrest, December 3, 1855. SECTION 15. Barsley Mallory, June 12, 1855. Henry D. Post, February 18, 1850. William Burton, May 24, 1854. SECTION 16. Richard C. Burtis, January 29, 1857. Milton Ford, February 26, 1857. SECTION 17. Alfred M. Hoyt, May 24, 1850. SECTION 18. Alfred M. Hoyt, May 24, 1850. V T "I, AI i 1 _ __ __ -1 1- V - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 105 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SECTION 19. Nahum N. Wilson, December 20, 1855. Robert Davis, November 13, 1852. Henry D. Post, January 29, 1850. William Young, January 8, 1849. SECTION 20. Henry D. Post, January 29, 1850. Hosea Pratt, January 3, 1855. Sylvester P. Davis, June 27, 1859. SECTION 21. Henry D. Post, January 29, 1850. SECTION 22. Henry D. Post, January 29, 1850. SECTION 23. Henry D. Post, January 29, 1850. SECTION 24. Henry D. Post, January 29, 1850. Henry D. Post, March 14, 1850. Philip Davis, September 6, 1853. Edward W. White, October 28,, 1853. Johann Zimmerman, August 18, 1854. Charles Jost, August 18, 1854. Charles R. Selden, March 17, 1858. T. R. and J. Colman, May 16, 1859. Joseph Colman, July 15, 1859. SECTION 25. Alfred Moore, Nov. 29, 1849. Joseph Selden, March 14, 1850. Zelotes Martin, August 20, 1858. L. C. Felt, September 20, 1858. Joseph Colman, September 9, 1858. SECTION 26. Alfred M. Hoyt, January 23, 1850. Daniel Robinson, October 11, 1854. Robert Houlden, February 19, 1855. Robert Crawford, June 26, 1855. SECTION 27. Alfred IM. Hoyt, January 23, 1850. SECTION 28. Alfred M. Hoyt, January 23, 1850. SECTION 29. Alfred M. Hoyt, January 23, 1850. Charles H. Abbott, December 16, 1851. SECTION 30. Darwin A. Pettibone, July 11, 1855. Henry S. Edget, May 20, 1816. Seivers and Crimer, March 15, 1849. Gottfreit Hopper, September 18, 1850. William T. Young, January 8, 1850. SECTION 31. Joachim Harms, October 2, 1855. Augustus Kruger, November 10, 1855. Mary Crawford, July 29, 1855. Seivers and Crinier, March 15, 1849. SECTION 32. Darwin A. Pettibone, May 23, 1855. Oliver P. Toby, June 22, 1853. Seivers and Crimer, Maich 15, 1849. Albert Backus, June 22, 1850. SECTION 33. Nahum N. Wilson, June 22, 1853. Henry D. Post, January 29, 1850. Seivers and Crimer, March 15, 1849. SECTION 34. Henry D. Post, January 24, 1850. SECTION 35. Uzziel Burnett, September 5, 1853. James M. Foster, September 5, 1853. Samuel Garner, September 30, 1853. Joseph Wells, September 30, 1853. Robert Wlitacker, October 8, 1853. Herman Camp, October 20, 1853. Samuel Garner, October 21, 1853. Joseph Wells, October 21, 1853. Robert Whitacker, November 28, 1853. Henry S. Canfield, April 14, 1854. Samuel Garner, January 15, 1855. SECTION 36. John E. Freeman, October 10, 1851. Albert Moody and Wilson Sloan, November 5, 1851. Leonard W. Vankleeck, February 9, 1850. E. and J. H. Helms, June 19, 1850. EARLY HISTORY. The first settlers of Denmark located in the southwest and.southeast corners of the town. In the spring of 1850 Gottleib Amman, Michael Schourtz and possibly one or two others, who had emigrated to America, arrived in the southwest corner of the township and began making an opening in the wilderness for a German settlement that soon followed. The first minister in the present town of Denmark was Rev. D)enidolfer, who arrived in 1851, and used to hold meetings in Mr. Amman's house. In 1852 he organized a church with six members, which was the first in that township, and one of the earliest in the county. In March, 1850, Mr. Joseph Selden entered 160 acres of land in section 25, and accompanied by his son, Charles R. Selden, now treasurer of Tuscola County, camle from Wayne County, Mich., that spring and laid the ax at the root of the tree. They built a log cabin, cleared what they could, and that fall put in a crop of wheat. About this same time John Freeman, who afterward became a resident of the town, did some chopping for Townsend North. Mr. Freeman was then an unmarried man and was in Mr. North's employ. In the spring of 1851, Mr. Selden removed his family from Wayne County to the wilderness of'Tuscola. The journey was made with two wagons, one drawn by horses and the other by oxen, and from Vassar to their cabin the only road was such as had been marked out by lumbermen. The family consisted of Mr. Selden and wife, and four children: Charles R., present county treasurer, J. G., now of Vassar, Mrs. James Saunders, and Mrs. John Johnson, also now living at Vassar. Mr. Selden, senior, was practically the father of Denmark, having been the leading spirit in its organization and in the early management of its affairs, as was also Mr. Charles R. Selden After becoming established in their rude home they built a frame barn, the first one built in Tuscola County, outside of Tuscola Township. The raising of this barn was the "event of the season." North & Edmunds shut down their mill at Vassar, and people gathered from all the region round about to assist in the miracle of frontier enterprise. Mr. Selden assisted in the development of that part of the county until 1860, when his life labors ceased, his death occurring in December of that year. His age was sixtyone years. He was earnestly opposed to the institution of slavery and had strong faith that good would result from the election of Mr. Lincoln to the presidency. About the last interest he manifested in worldly affairs was in the result of the election, which was the fruition of his'political hopes. A strip of land along the south part of the township was settled by Englishmen, and in consequence came to be known as the English Line. Among those settlers were Joseph Wells, Robert Whittacker, and Samuel Garner, all of whom are still residents of the township. They located their lands in 1853. Benjamin F. Ormsby, an old Revolutionary soldier, located on section 13. In November 1853, John Baker and family, now of Vassar, arrived and took up their abode on section 13. Other settlers followed the trail which had now become distinct, and in the spring of 1854 the first town meeting was held and Denmark appeared upon the map of Tuscola County. The Carrs, Gaunt, Chamberlain, Mallory, and Hicks were also among the early comers. The life of these first settlers was not unlike that of pioneers generally. They had erected their family altars in the wilderness for the purpose of securing homes and comforts for after years. They expected hardships and were prepared to brave them. Their nearest markets were Flint and Saginaw, both of which were thirty I a; — 1, C 9 I -17 7 iA 1 106 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY miles away. To these places they went for supplies. The journeys were made with horses or oxen, and generally required three days for the round trip. The average larder was supplied with flour, pork and potatoes, and many a wealthy dyspeptic of the present day would give his fortune to be able to eat one meal with the comfort and relish experienced by those who sat down to the homely fare of these pioneer homes. A few years after the settlement began in Denmark this whole region was visited by a severe frost early in the summer, that cut off everything unable to cope with the freezing power. This occasioned serious loss and some suffering. There were instances where some of the settlers were obliged to subsist for several days upon roots and berries. As a general rule, however, people in this section did not want for food. People were generous and hospitable. The first water-melons belonged to the whole neighborhood, no matter upon whose land they grew. Borrowing and lending was both a custom and a necessity. After the farmers began to raise a little grain they took it to Vassar to be ground, and when water was too high or mud too deep to go with teams, they would take a half bushel of wheat or corn in bags upon their shoulders and "go to mill." FIRST TAVERN. David Bacon, on section 14, probaby kept the first tavern designed and kept as such, having all the appointments of bar, etc. The town meetings were held there for some time on account of its being a public place. But before that the latch string of every house was out, and it was so understood by people in want of a meal or shelter for the night. One of the early stopping places was the house of Mr. John Baker, on section 13. He arrived with his family in November, 1853. The first month they lived in a board tent, and then moved into a small board house that had been hastily built. It seemed to be a convenient point for land lookers and surveyors to stop, and Mrs. Baker's hospitality was taxed to such an extent -that it became necessary to take pay from those who ate and slept beneath her roof, as a means of replenishing the larder. Their house was not larger than an average room in a modern house, but it was not unusual for fifteen or twenty people to eat at a single meal and be provided with lodgings for the night. The floor was a convenient and safe bed, and a tier of bunks around the room furnished accommodations that were never grumbled at. "Mrs. Baker's" became a well known stopping place, and although ' she was obliged to perform all the varied duties of landlady, chambermaid, cook, waiter, nurse, mother and wife, her guests were always provided with a bountiful meal and comfortable lodgings. Sometimes the duties already mentioned were interspersed with garden work. One night after digging and carrying to the pit twenty-one bushels of potatoes, with the aid of her little son, three men came for supper and lodgings, one of whom was Mr. Pettibone, a well known surveyor of that day. The meal was provided, and the only beds in the house given to the guests, while the family slept upon the floor. Mr. Pettibone objected to such an arrangement, but was overruled. He declared that he would not stop there again if he was compelled to occupy a bed while a woman, who had dug potatoes all day, slept upon the floor; and he carried out his promise. One day two men drove up to the house and called for whisky, but soon found they were at the wrong place for any commodity of that kind. The Bakers were strong temperance people, and Mrs. Baker told her husband that something wag wrong, or else whisky would not have been called for at their house. At last she happened to think of the deer's horns that Mr. Baker had put up infront of the house, and which were a well known tavern sign. Seeing them the travelers supposed that a full assortment of the usual tavern commodities were kept "constantly on hand." The deer's horns were taken down, and were never more seen adorning the front of the Baker premises. EARLY PREACHING AND SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. Three or four years after the settlement of the eastern portion of the township began, Elder Mitchell made visits to Watrousville, and upon one occasion Mr. and Mrs. Baker walked there, a distance of three and one-half miles, to invite him to their house to arrange for a religious meeting. He accepted their invitation, and returned with them, Mrs. Baker riding his horse and he accompanied Mr. Baker on foot. At this visit he made an appointment to return and preach in two weeks, the meeting to be held at Mr. Baker's house. The appointment was kept, and that meeting was the first public worship in that part of Denmark. About that time Mrs. Baker carried on a Sunday-school at her house. The children from the whole neighborhood assembling for that purpose. Placing the chairs. in a circle, Mrs. Baker gathered the school about her, and performed the duties of superintendent, chorister and teacher. The first regularly organized Sunday-school was established by the American Sabbath-school Union, at the house of Mr. Henry Carr, in the spring of 1856. The house was what was known as a block house, with two large rooms. Thle use of one was given for the Sunday-school. Mr. Carr was not a professor of religion, but Mrs. Carr was a devoted Christian woman. Mr. Matthew Wilkinson, a, Englishman, who had been in this country but a few years, was elected superintendent of the. school. He was not at that time a professor of religion, but he took hold of the matter with a great deal of interest and earnestness, and the school was prosperous under his management. The children used to gather from all parts of that section, some traveling a distance of five or six miles, thus setting an example which might be studied with profit. OUT OF BREAD. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Joseph Seldenll and his son, C. R. Selden, were putting in some wheat in the little patch they had cleared. The family had not yet arrived, and they were keeping bachelor's hall in their shanty. Their bill of fare was not complicated, and bread was an essential part of it. This they were in the habit of getting at Vassar, where they had it baked at North & Edmund's boarding-house. But one time the machinery of the bakery was stopped by the continued obstinacy of the yeast, and no bread could be provided. The Denmark farmers lived on potatoes and salt for a number of days until the Vassar yeast could be induced to elevate itself. The fragrance of newly baked bread was wafted to the fasting couple over the town line, or by some other means they learned that again there was manna in the wilderness, and the next morning Charles took a meal bag and journeyed down to.Vassar before breakfast. Filling his sack with loaves of bread, he shouldered it and started for breakfast, three miles away. The aroma of the fresh bread would steal out of the sack and insinuate itself into his nostrils with provoking persistency, but he remembered that his father was waiting at home with an appetite as keen as his, and he pushed through without a stop. That morning's breakfast, with its three courses of potatoes, salt and bread, was a banquet such as man partakes of but few times in his life. POSTOFFICES. The first postoffice in the west part of the town was at the German settlement, and was called Richville. The office is still continued, and Henry Liepkert is postmaster. The first in the east part of the town was at Carr's Corners, and Henry F. Carr, now dead, was postmaster. The office is still continued, but the name j e HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 107 has been changed to Denmark, and the present postmaster is Reuben Alexander. The other postoffice is at Gates or Reese, as the village is now called, and is spoken of in connection with the village. SCHOOL MATTERS. From the annual school report of the town of Denmark for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained: School directors for the ensuing year: Frederick Wirth, Eugene Willson, George Robinson, Thomas Gulliver and D. G. Wakeman. There are four whole and three fractional school districts, with two brick and three frame school-houses. The whole number of children of school age is 528; attending school during the year, 387. STATISTICAL. Census of 1854: Population 148; males, 79; females, 69; number of acres of taxable land, 3,240; number of acres improved, 178; bushels of corn preceding year, 100; bushels of wheat preceding year, 75; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 180; pounds of butter made preceding year, 1,195; number of horses, 1; number of oxen, 28. Census of 1860: Population, 309; families, 66; dwellings, 66; number of farms occupied, 76' number of acres improved, 1,461; number of horses, 35; number of cows, 121; bushels of wheat, 2,124; bushels af rye, 862; bushels of corn, 2,891; bushels of oats, 2,551; bushels of potatoes, 1881; pounds of butter, 9,445; pounds of cheese, 100; tons of hay, 209. Census of 1864: Population, 368; number of acres of taxable land, 1,473; bushels of corn preceding year, 2,420; bushels of wheat preceding year, 2,420; bushels of potatoes, 2,313; tonls of hay, 468; pounds of wool, 546; pounds of butter, 7,690; pounds of cheese, 400. Census of 1870: Population, 816; dwellings, 166; families, 167; farms 113; voters, 172; number of acres of improved land, 3,408; number of horses, 166; pounds of wool sheared, 3,529; pounds of butter made, 31,143; pounds of cheese made, 580; bushels of wheat raised, 7,416; bushels rye, 96; bushels of corn, 4,942; bushels of oats, 9,409; bushels of potatoes, 9,546; tons of hay, 1,208. Population in 1880, 1643. Total equalized valuation of real and personal property in 1882, $575,390. Number of farms in 1881, 167; acres improved, 7,073. Bushels of wheat in 1880, 33,542; of corn, 65,455; tons of hay, 1,459. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR. SUPERVISOR. CLERK. TREASURER. COMIIISSIONER HIGHW-AYS. 1883. John J. Rogner. James N. Taylor. Reuben Alexander. Fred. Wirth. 1882. John J. Rogner. James N. Tavlor. Reuben Alexander. Fred. Wirth. 1881. John J. Rogner. James N. Taylor. LesterM. Sherwood. Fred. Wirth. 1880. Charles R. Selden. James N. Taylor. Carl C. J. Schultz. Fred. Wirth. 1879. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. Fred. Wirth. 188. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. John J. Rogner. Fred. Wirth. 1877. Charles R. Selden. George Buehner. John J. Rogner. Fred. Wirth. 1876. Charles R. Selden. George Buehner. John J. Rogner. Fred. Wirth. 1875. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. Fred. Wirth. 1874. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. John Persing. 1873. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. Fred. Wirth. 1872. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. Reuben Alexander. 1871. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. John Persing. 1870. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. Fred. Wirth. 1869. Charles R. Selden. Samuel Persing. Carl C. J. Schultz. Reuben Alexander. 1868. Charles R. Selden. T. H. Smith. Carl C. J. Schultz. Dean Smith. 1867. Charles R. Selden. T. H. Smith. George R. Degroff. Fred. Wirth. 1866. Charles R. Selden. T. H. Smith. Daniel Robinson. Reuben Alexander. 1865. Charles R. Selden. E. G. Doud. Daniel Robinson. John A. Wilson. 1864. Charles R. Selden. E. G. Doud. Daniel Robinson {Fred Wikinson. 1863. Charles R. Selden. E. G. Doud. Daniel Robinson. 1862. James Sanders. E. G. Doud. Daniel Robinson. Zelotes Martin. 1861. James Sanders. E. G. Doud. Daniel Robinson. John G. Edelnan. 1860. James Sanders. Charles R. Selden. E. G Doud. Matthew Wilkinson. 1859. James Sanders. Charles R. Selden. E. G. Doud. Fe amuelGarner. iSamuel Garner. 1858. James Sanders. Charles R. Selden. E. G. Doud. Andre Wilkinson. t Fredl. Wirth. 1857. James Sanders. E. B. Hayes. Henry Atwood. John A. Haves. 1856. Joseph Selden. E. B. Hayes. Charles R. Selden. Henry Carr. 1855. Joseph Selden. E. B. Hayes. Frederick Schultz. Fred. Wirth. j John A. Hayes. 1854. Joseph Selden. Charles R. Selden. J. B. Thompson. - John E. Freeman. - Michael Groover. VILLAGE OF REESE. This village is situated on the west boundary of the town of Denmark, at the junction of the Detroit and Bay City Branch of the Michigan Central Railroad, and the Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron Railroad. The history of the village extends back to the year 1865, when R. K. Rogers purchased land of Jesse Hoyt for actual settlement. In June, of that year, Mrs. Louisa Woodruff and Daniel Woodruff, her son, built the first house and occupied it as a home. The following November Mr. Rogers built the second house in the place. In the fall of 1865 a survey was made for a State road from East Saginaw to the county line, and work upon the same was commenced in the winter of 1868-9. In 1867 Mr. Rogers opened his dwelling for a hotel and called it the County Line House. In 1870 the State road was planked to the county line by a company organized for that purpose, and known as the Saginaw and Watrousville Plank Road Company. In 1871 the road was completed to Watrousville, and a mail and stage route established by A. W. Gates, a stage proprietor of East Saginaw. The stage and express office were kept in Mr. Rogers' hotel. The postoffice was also first kept in the same building, and was named Gates, in honor of the stage proprietor, who was instrumental in getting it established. In the fall of 1871 Daniel Woodruff opened a grocery and provision store across the street from the hotel, and about the same tinie Archie Scott and George Melatt opened a blacksmith shop. The elements of a village were now collected, and in September, 1872, Asenath M. Rogers platted eleven acres and designated it by the name of Gates. The survey was made by E. W. Gerrish, of Caro. In 1873 the Detroit and Bay City Railroad was built, and Hudsonl B. Blackman platted a tract of land adjoining Gates, and named it Reese, in honor of G. W. Reese, Superintendent of the railroad. Mr. Blackman also donated the right of way and depot grounds. In May, 1875, A. M. Rogers' first addition to the village of Gates was surveyed and platted. The name of the railroad station being Reese, the village and vicinity finally canhe to be known by that name. The first school meeting was held at Reed E. Stark's, in April, 18C6. R. K. Rogers was director, W. B. Stark, moderator, and William H. Mathews, assessor. The first school was taught by Caroline Ellis, of Tuscola, in a lumber shanty, in the spring of 1866. The principal in 1883, is E. D. Dimond; Bell E: Lane, assistant. There are 200 children of school age in the district. The present postmaster is James N. Taylor, who has held the office since 1878. METHIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. At the third quarterly conference of Denmark and Gates Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Denmark, May 16, 1873, the following persons were elected trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Reese, viz.: George White, Josiah Mosher, James Ward, Robert K. Rogers, George W. Chapin, John C. Weller and Daniel J. Wakeman. This was the beginning of this church as a legally incorporated body. Its first pastor was Rev. Frederick Strong, succeeded by Revs. J. H. Cornalia, James Withey, J. H. Cornalia again, P. J. Wright and H. Palmer, the present pastor. In 1874 a church building was erected at a cost of about $1,500. It is 32x50 feet in size, with a seating capacity of 300. The membership is forty-two. The Sunday-school has a membership of over 100, and an average attendance of about sixtyfive. Services of the church have been -held every Sunday since its organization. -it [ 19 -- j r-D r * -,,. i % ad 108 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I ~I F'REE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. October 6, 1869, Elder L. L. Andrews organized a church of this denomination, at a school-house about a mile from Reese. It was called Oak Grove Free-will Baptist Church, and consisted of eight members. An extensive revival in the winter and spring of 1869 added largely to the membership of the church. In April, 1874, a reorganization of the church was made under the pastorate of Rev. L. McElroy, and a house of worship erected in the village. Rev. John Tree has for the past four years been pastor. The membership is now thirty-five. The trustees are William B. Stark, B. F. Chamberlain and Frank Ayers. The Sunday-school has an average attendance of fifty. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. A church of this denomination was organized in April, 1881, by Elder A. Weeks, with fifteen members. Meetings are held every Saturday, that day being the recognized Sabbath of this denomlination. Prayer meetings also are held during the week. CATHOLIC CHURCH. Services are held once a month by Rev. Father Krembs in an unfinished edifice, about one and a half miles southwest of the village. A subscription has been raised, lots secured and preparations are being made for the erection of a house of worship in the village. LATTER DAY SAINTS. The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, of the Latter Day Saints, has an organization in the village of Reese, established in 1877 by Elder Robert Davis, with twelve members. It now numbers twenty-three members and is under charge of Elder Edward Delong. Meetings are held at private houses. The president of the district is Wmi. H. Kelley. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. Reese Lodge No. 1316, was instituted in December, 1878, with the following as charter members, viz: D. C. Braman, T. A. Brown, O. Hubbard, Wm. Parks, L. M. Sherwood, Wm. B. Stark, J. A. Teters, D. J. Wakeman, P. J. Wright, L. A. Parks, Daniel Cartright, Dr. R. Morris, Alex. Casebeer, Orvil Gillett, A. G. Miller, Geo. B. Rowe, V. D. Starr, J. N. Taylor, H. Van Petten, Samuel Ward, John Newberry, Abraham Jessup, A. H. Guiesbert and Thomas Guliver. The first assessment, No. 52, amounting to $29.20, was paid January 7, 1879. The present officers are as follows: Dictator, Wm. Parks; vice-dictator, Geo. B. Rowe; assistant dictator, John Newberry; reporter, J. N. Taylor; treasurer, L. M. Sherwood; financial reporter, Alex. Casebeer; chaplain, H. Palmer; guide, 0. Hubbard; past dictator, D. J. Wakeman. GOOD TEMPLARS. A Good Templars' lodge with twenty-seven members was organized at Reese, in July, 1883. The officers elected were as follows: W. C.,-Towns; W. V.', Jennie Hopkins; W. S., Manuel Markhart; W. T., Gertie Towns; W. A., Frank Thomas; W. I. G., Carrie Towns; W. O. G., W. C. Wilcox; R. H. S., Mrs. Jane Towns; L. H. S., Stephen Leonard; W. C., H. Palmer; W. A. S., Jennie Markhart; W. F. secretary, Chas. Leonard; deputy marshal, Mrs. Mina Griggs. BIOGRAPHICAL. WM. B. STARK was born in Rushville, Yates County, N. Y., in 1881. In 1887 his parents moved to Canada, where he remained until about twenty years of age, learning and working at the trade of wool carding and cloth dressing. He then shipped as cabin boy and cook on a sailing vessel and sailed Lakes Erie and Ontario during the summer of 1852. In October, 1853, he married Jane E. Tryan, of Onondaga County, New York. During 1854 and 1855 he was mostly engaged in boating on the Erie Canal and its tribu taries. In 1856 he moved to Sheffield, Berkshire County, Mass., and followed farming until 1862. In July of that year he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers. The regiment was assigned to the Eighth Army Corps and served under Sigel, Hunter, Sheridan and others in the Shenandoah Valley. Was with Hunter in his famous starvation raid through the Alleghenies, and fought at Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek and most of the engagements of the valley. Mr. Stark was slightly wounded at Piedmont, Virginia, June 5, 1864, but continued with his regiment, which was transferred in December, 1864, to the Twenty-fourth Army Corps, before Richmond. They were in five days' almost continuous fighting at Hatcher's Run, Petersburg and Richmond, and witnessed the surrender of Lee's army. He was mustered out at Richmond, Virginia, and discharged July 6, 1865, at Boston, Massachusetts. In October, 1865, Mr. Stark moved to Denmark, Tuscola County, and settled in the dense forest. But two families were anywhere near them and they were living in tents. Wolves, bears, wild-cats and deer were plenty, and occasionally the cry of a panther startled them. Six brothers of the Starks and a sister came into the neighborhood within a year or so. In 1870, in company with two other families, they went to Kansas, traveling in covered wagons, taking nine weeks for the journey. He remained in Kansas until July, 1875, when he returned to Denmark and took up his residence in the village of Reese, where he now resides. GEORGE ROBINSON was born in Dryden, Lapeer County, Mich., in 1846, and nothing of particular interest occurred in his life until 1864, when he enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, in Company E., and served till the close of the war. He was taken prisoner in the Stoneman raid and was incarcerated in Andersonville' prison, where he experienced the inhumanity of the enemies of his country, being reduced by exposure and starvation to nearly a skeleton; on reaching Detroit he weighed but eighty-one pounds. In 1878 he went to Imlay City and in 1880 came to the township of Denmark, where he took charge of the Detroit Iron Company's business at their coal kilns in Reese. He was married in 1867 to Miss Carrie Iugles, of Memplis, Michigan, and has three children. Mrs. Robinson was born in 1849. M. G. GARDNER was born in Yates County, New York, ill 1844. His education was obtained in the common schools and the Eddytown Seminary, where he graduated, after which he taught school winters and worked on a farm summers. In 1874 he engaged in mercantile business, which he continued till 1878, when he came to St. Charles, Saginaw County, where he was in the stove business till the next year, when he came to Reese and formed a partnership with F. Hood, under the firm name of Hood & Gardner, for the manufacture of staves and heading and doing a general mercantile business. Mr. Gardner was married in 1878 to Miss Emma Hood, who was born in Dresden, New York, in 1858, and has two children. LESTER M. SHERWOOD was born in Ontario County, New York, in 1843. He was raised on a farm, working summers and attending school winters till the fall of 1859, when he entered the Ypsilanti Union Academy, where he remained two years. In 1862 he went to Jackson and was ticket agent in the office of the Michigan Central Railroad, and agent for the American Express Companytill 1871, when he came to Denmark and engaged in lumbering on a lot he purchased on section 3. He cut the timber and lumber for the railroad station at Reese and in 1879 opened a general store there, which he sold in 1882 and is now (1883) engaged in buying and shipping grain. Was married January 10, 1877, to Miss Ella Wakeman, of Reese, and has one child. ALEXANDER CASEBEER, one of the early settlers of Denmark, was j w= b I ' - - -- - zXVo - I - - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 109 I 0 born in Johnstown, Allegany County, N. Y., in 1830. While a child he moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvalnia, with his parents, where they died, leaving him at nine years of age to do for himself. He worked for the farmers until 1850, when he came to Tuscola County and worked in a saw-mill three years. During that time he bought eighty acres of land in the township of Denmark, and in 1853 commenced to clear it, keeping bachelor's hall for a time. In 1854 he married Miss Elizabeth Woodward, of England, by whom he has had four children. Mr. Casebeer enlisted in his country's service during the rebellion and served a year and a half, when he was discharged on account of disability. After his return he engaged in farming until 1880, and mercantile business till 1882, when he sold his store to Mr. Wakeman, of Reese, since which time he has been engaged in raising bees, being considered good authority on bee culture. When Mr. Casebeer first came to the township there were just men enough to fill the offices; the collector's fees for that year amounted to fourteen cents -per day. He endured all of the hardships incident to pioneer life-working hard and faring poor-and at first had to carry his provisions on his back from Vassar. At one time he and a neighbor found some musty meal in a deserted shanty, and enjoyed it as a great luxury. There were no roads for several years, except such as they made by driving through the woods, always carrying an ax to clear the way. HENRY VAN PETTEN was born in Sterling, Cayuga County, N. Y., October 25, 1830. His early life was spent according to the customs of the time, working on the farm summers and attending to the district school during the winter. In the fall of 1850 he came to Vassar, Tuscola County, and engaged in lumbering, which he continued one year, when lie returned to New York for eighteen months, coming at the end of that time to Denmark, where he still resides. He was married in 1853 to Miss Rebecca Terwileger, of Wolcott, Wayne County, N. Y., and has nine children. When he first went to Vassar it contained but about one dozen board buildings and the country around the little village was a dense forest, there being but five or six families above Vassar in the county. In December, 1863, Mr. Van Petten enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, Company D, and served one year and ten months. He was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and other places where danger was imminent. The land he purchased in Denmark was in its primitive state, and his first work was to clear a space large enough to build a shanty upon. The snow at the time being two feet deep, shows the determination of himself and wife to overcome every obstacle and reach success, if possible. He now owns a farm containing 150 acres of improved land-a striking contrast compared with the time when he had to carry supplies upon his back from Vassar, a distance of ten miles, often in water over his boot tops. JA1MES N. TAYLOR was born in Richmond, Va., February 8, 1848, and lived at home till 1860, when he went to Washington, and was in the employ of the government during the four years of the war. He then returned to Richmond, and in 1872 came to Michigan, residing in Saginaw County till 1873, when he came to Reese. He was married July 12, 1878, to Miss Eva M. Overton, of East Saginaw, and has two children. In 1879 Mr. Taylor had the misfortune to lose the greater part of his property by fire, but has succeeded in recovering his loss to a great extent. He is a notary public, has held the office of township clerk three years, and has been agent for the American Express Company, and postmaster at Reese, since 1878. REV. L. L. ANDREWS, an early settler of the township, was born in Vermont, October 22, 1822, and moved with his father to Tioga County, N. Y., where they resided until he was twelve years old. Removing then to Canada lie remained there until about twenty years of age, when he returned to the State of New York, and lived in St. Lawrence County, where he was married in 1844 to Miss White. In that year he returned to Canada and located near the Rideau River, where he resided ten years. He then removed to Dover, Norfolk County, Ontario, residing there six years, when he went to Round Plains, township of Windham. In 1864 he sold out and came to Michigan, stopping awhile in Bridgeport, Saginaw County, and in 1866 purchased his present farm on section 7, which at that time was wild land, and he was obliged to camp until he could erect a house. Now he has a good home, the result of his industry and economy. About 1853 he was licensed to preach in the Freewill Baptist Church, and about a year thereafter was ordained a regular preacher at the Norfolk quarterly meeting. After his arrival in the wilds of Tuscola he continued to exercise his gifts as a preacher, and during the winter of 1869 a great religious revival was commenced and carried on in the township of Denmark chiefly through his instrumentality. Its effects were widespread, and there are many now living who date their religious experience to that time. A church of eight members was formed in 1867 and Mr. Andrews was chosen pastor, and at the close of the revival forty or fifty people were added to the society, including his three sons. JOSEPH STARK was born in Rushville, Yates County, N. Y., June 4, 1828. In 1837 he went with his parents to Waterloo County, Ontario, where his father engaged in carding and cloth dressing, and he worked in the shop. In 1839 they removed to Norfolk County, where they continued the same business until lie was eighteen years of age, when he engaged in farming. In 1862 he came to Saginaw, Mich., and engaged in the manufacture of soap and potash. In 1866 he came to Denmark and purchased a piece of timber land on section 8, and commenced lumbering. He returned to Saginaw and was there till 1871, when he went to Vassar, and had the running of the stage between that place and Saginaw for nearly two years. In 1873 he came to Reese and opened a hotel. He was married October 5, 1858, to Miss Betsey McIntosh, of Port Dover, Canada, and has three children —Almlira Christie, born November 27, 1859; William Henry, born July 15, 1861, and Celia A., born February 4, 1864. When Mr. Stark first came to Reese there were but three families in the place-his brother William, Mr. Rogers, and Mr. Woodruff. The forest stood in all its wildness around the place, and there were no roads except the State road, which had been chopped through, but had grown up to bushes. The first clearing in the neighborhood was made by Mr. Stark, who had the only horse team within three miles of Reese; and the first school meeting was held under a tree and a school board organized, the first school being opened in a shanty on his place. EARNEST SCHULTZ was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1846, and emigrated to America with his parents in 1850. After landing in New York they came to Detroit, where they remained two and one-half years, when they came to Tuscola County and settled on section 30 in Denmark. His early life was spent in attending school and at work. In 1870 he married Miss Rachel Voss, of Denmark, formerly of Germany, by whom he has two children, one living. CHARLES Voss was born in Detroit in 1851. Came with his parents to Tuscola County, where his father purchased a farm which was one-half of section 19. This has since been divided, Mr. Voss receiving eighty acres of it for his share. In 1872 he was married to Miss Matilde Kool, of Bloomfield, and has three children. CHARLES MOORE was born in the township of Yarmouth, Elgin County, 1837, and was brought up on a farm. At sixteen years of age he went to learn the carriage trimmers trade, which he followed as a business in Pontiac and Ann Arbor till after the war. In 1882 1 __ u* -- tc; - (ID l --- 6I.V - I 14 I 110 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. he came to Denmark and settled on section 15, where he purchased a farm. He was married in the fall of 1861 to Miss Melissa. E. Baron, of Oakland County, the daughter of David Baron, one of the first settlers of Tuscola County, and who took up the farm where Mr. Moore now resides. Mr. Moore has a family of seven children, ffve sons and two daughters. FRANK WILCOX was born ill Buffalo, N. Y., in 1844, where he resided until twelve years of age, when he came to East Saginaw and attended the old academy on Hoyt Street. In July, 1866, he was licensed as all engineer in the Eighth District of Michigan, and followed that business till 1874, when he came to Reese and bought a saw-mill which he is still running. He was married ill 1866 to Miss L. A. Hill, of East Saginaw. She was born in Orleans County, N. Y., in 1845, and when about tell years old, came to Michigan with her parents. She has one child, a daughter. WALTER WOODARD was born ill Jefferson County, N. Y., July 25, 1845, worked on a farm until twenty-one years of age, and came to Michigan in 1870. In February, 1881, he came to Tuscola County, and was in the employ of the Detroit Iron Company till the spring of 1882, when he took charge of the company's kilns at Reese. The kilns were built in 1879 and have a capacity of 25,000 bushels per month. He was married in 1870 to Miss Edith Nutting, of Jefferson County, N. Y., and has three children. JACKSON C. CORNWELL was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1850, attended the law department of the Michigan Unliversity, from which he graduated in 1876 and was afterward with Messrs. Mills, Barker & Co., of 176 and 178 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. In 1878 he went to Wisconsin and fromn there came to Tuscola County and engaged in the furniture business. He afterward purchased a stock of groceries of J. J. Gies, and now carries on the combined business of an undertaker, furniture dealer and grocer. SILAS HAIGHT, an early settler of the township, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1839. His early life was spent on his father's farm, where he worked summers, and was sometimes threshing in the fall. About 1860 he came West and stopped two years in the city of Marshall, after which hie came to Denmark and commenced work on a farm his father had previously purchased onl sections 27 and 28. In 1867 he married Miss Elizabeth Loss, of Vassar, who died in 1875, and the following year he married Mrs. i Electa Thompson, of Otisville, Genesee County, formerly of Brighton, Canada, and by whom hle has three children. When Mr. Haiglit first came to Denmark he had to contend with the hardships of pioneer life. As the forest covered the land, hlie had to clear away the timber to make room for his shanty. His sister kept house for him, and they were determined, if possible, to overcome all difficulties. The roads were cut out, but not worked, and they were almost impassable, except in the dryest time in summer and when frozen in winter. As he had to go to Flint, a distance of forty miles, for his. supplies, the hardships of the trip can be imagined. The first year he had an ox team, but afterward used horses. He was on his place about five years before he could raise his bread, during which time lie had to depend upon the money he could earn working in saw-mills or rafting logs on the Cass River, and in other kinds of work. SAMUEL GARNER, one of the pioneers of Tuscola County, was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 31, 1824. He emigrated to America in 1849, and engaged in farming in New York, that being his previous occupation in England. He afterward came to Michigan, and carried on farming in Milford, Oakland County, seven years. In 1857 he came to Denmark and purchased land on section 35, and has since been a resident of the township. He was married in 1850 to Miss Ann Gaunt, of Lincolnshire, England, who was born in 1822, and by whom he has had ten children, seven of whom are living. William was born July 15, 1852, married October 18, 1882, to Miss Lucy E. Whidden; Elizabeth A. was born February 11, 1854, married to Thomas Wilson, October 28, 1874; Mary Eliza was born September 19, 1856; Samuel, born February 11, 1861; Ida M., born January 10, 1863; Merrel, born February 28, 1865; Agnes E., born September 12, 1867. JOSEPH WELLS, a native of England, but an early settler of Tuscola County, was born in Lincolnshire in 1816. Came to America in 1836 and landed in New York, from whence he came to Michigan and located in Milford, Oakland County, where he worked by the month on a farm for seven years. He married Miss Deborah Haines, of Milford., formerly of Stanstead, Stanstead County, Ontario, October 30, 1843, and has nine children. After his marriage he worked at blacksmithing for several years, and in 1854 came to the township of Denmark and purchased a farm on section 35. The first year he chopped five acres and the next year built a shanty, and moved into it May 4, 1856. He brought with him a year's provisions and a team, but in common with other early settlers suffered many privations and hardships. DIEDERICK GERSTEIN was born in Rheda on the River Ems, Province of Westphalia, Prussia, April 18, 1828, and emigrated to America in 1850, reaching the United States July 4. He first settled in the town of Bloomfield, but afterward purchased a farm on section 29 in Denmark. In 1854 he married Miss Caroline Huss, of Zilwaukee, Saginaw County, who was born in Westphalia in 1835. They have a family of nine children. Mr. Gerstein is the son of a lawyer of Westphalia, in easy circumstances, and knew nothing of hard work until he came to America. He attended the gymnasium of Dartmound nine years, and when the war broke out between Denmark and Prussia, better known as the SchleswigHolstein war, he went as a private soldier and at its close returned to the city of Dartmound and studied mathematics. December 5, 1848, the two leaders of the republican party were arrested, whereat a mob assembled to liberate them, and as he was in sympathy with it was taken prisoner and kept in confinement at Harem until his trial came off July 23 and 24, 1849, when he was acquitted. He then went to the city of Bonn and studied natural philosophy, but could not content himself there, as he felt lie was under the espionage of the police, and decided to leave his native country and go to America. This he did as above mentioned and worked and roughed it in the woods of Tuscola County as best he could, and has by his own labor cleared 180 acres of land. In 1864 he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry and served about one year. WILLIAM PARKS, one of the early settlers of Tuscola County, was born in Brownstown, Wayne County, N. Y., August 23, 1835, and resided in that county until eighteen years of age, during which time he learned the watchmaker's trade. He enlisted September 19, 1861, in Company A, Second Michigan Cavalry, and served two years, being discharged for disability. During his service he participated in the battles of Corinth, New Madrid, and other engagements. Mr. Parks has spent the greater part of his life in Tuscola County, and in 1875 engaged in keeping a general store. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Mr. Little and opened a drug store and jewelry store in Reese. He was married in 1863 to Miss Ellen Wilcox, who was born in Washtenaw County in 1844. They have eight children. JAMES B. THOMPSON, one of the early settlers of Tuscola County, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., April 26, 1820. At the age of six years his father died and he had to do for himself as best he could. He first visited Michigan in 1836, and about 1841 came to Lapeer County and remained there about nine years. In the fall of 1853 he came to Tuscola County and purchased land in the J (9i I W - - - l , ry " I P. -7 -co a. eN Alan, CA fig 1" Alto ZE NO. e Harris A luu T.t; Ca Nt Nit 39 'MA ol C.) C.) t r CA. Z VV- LI Z w: 41 Wli -IN 14 il, I "A I I I t MN 0 cr LU I -.1 ,~ i - a lx " 6;A1 LL: L: L: L -- HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. Ill I~ township of Gilford, which he afterward sold, and about 1855 returned to Lapeer County. On the 7th of May, 1859, he again went to Gilford and purchased a farm on section 36. From this time until 1867 he moved several times, but finally settled on section 4. In 1882 he sold his farm and moved into the village of Reese, where he opened a dry goods store in partnership with his son, Frank Thompson. Mr. Thompson married Miss Eunice Winslow, of Dryden, Lapeer County, who was born in the State of New York' in 1829. They have two children. Frank, who was born April 10, 1853, has been with his father most of his life, and married Miss Delgracia Gillet, of Denmark. They have one child. THSE TOWN OF ALM-IER. Almer embraces township 13 north, of range 9 east, and is bounded north by Columbia, east by Ellington, south by Indian Fields, and west by Fair Grove and Akron. The first settlers found a township of comparatively high land, having an undulating surface, and covered for the most part with beech, maple, ash and oak timber. The soil is mostly clay loam. Caro is the market place of the town. This village is situated so near the south line of the township that all the people of the town are at a convenient distance; consequently, since the fall of Richland, no business center has ever sprung up within the township. ENTRIES OF LAND PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 13 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST. SECTION 1. Derias H. Gould, February 26, 1855. John Patterson, November 1, 1855. Daniel Pattison, August 12, 1857. Sault St. Marie Canal Co., May 25, 1855. SECTION 2. iWm. W. Sherman, July 5,, 1855. David McMichael, August 12, 1856. Philip Chant, September 19, 1856. T. North, no date. SECTION 3. Jas. Cleaver, November 26, 1854. David Plewes, November 20, 1854. Jas. Cleaves, July 26, 1855. SECTION 4. WVm. Griggs, June 10, 1851. Thos. Coverdale, November 20, 1854. Jacob D. Klein, May 30, 1855. Geo. Smith, December 20. 1855. Geo. Smith, December 19, 1855. Geo. L. Klein, June 23, 1856. SECTION 5. Jonas Hayman, May 30, 1855. John B. Edgar, May 30, 1855. Geo. L. Klein, May 30, 1855. John Hate, October 3, 1855. Geo. L. Klein, June 23, 1856. SECTION 6. Hermon Camp, June 9, 1854. Daniel Marvin, August 26, 1854. Stott E. Colley, May 1, 1855. to Levi Fritz, April 28, 1856. SECTION 7. Oscar W. Corbin, April 26, 1854. Hermon.Camp, June 9, 1854. Jesse Westfall, December 20, 1854. Alfred S. Richards, September 22, 1855. SECTION 8. Thomas Chapman, May 4, 1855. John Hate, October 3, 1855. SECTION 10. James H. C. Blades, August 18, 1853. John L. Ireland, August 13, 1856. SECTION 11. James Cleaver, June 15, 1853. Owen Simmerson, December 12, 1854. Laurence Roelofson, November 10, 1856. Sault St. Marie Canal Co., May 25, 1855. SECTION 12. David H. Andrews, April 28, 1853. Wm. Richards, Jr., and John Richards, August 22, 1853. John Richards, August 22, 1853. Jas. Andrews, January 20, 1854. David IH. Andrews, April 7, 1854. Derias H. Gould, November 25, 1854. David H. Andrews, December 11, 1854. SECTION 13. William McPhail, November 15, 1852. William W. Wilber, April 28, 1853. Benjamin W. and John A. White, May 2, 1853. William A. Heartt, January 13, 1853. James Andrews, April 28, 1-853. George Brownell, April 23, 1853. George Brownell, May 5, 1853. Ralph C. Smith, June 20, 1850. John-Richards, August 22, 1853. William E. Sherman, October 13, 1853. SECTION 14. William McPhail, November 15, 1852. George Cleaver, June 15, 1853. Ralph C. Smith, June 20, 1853. James H. C. Blades, August 18, 1853. SECTION 15. Joseph A. Hamilton, December 30, 1854. James Ennis, September 25, 1855. William S. Belden, September 25, 1855. Harvey Belden. May 2, 1856. William S. Belden, May 2, 1856. James Ennis, May 15, 1856. Isaac J. Hartshorn, May 26, 1856. SECTION 17. Calvin Gallop, October 8, 1855. John Clobridge, December-14, 1857. SECTION 18. David J. Pulsipher, April 11, 1854. Hermon Camp, June 9, 1854. Calvin (Gallop, October 3, 1855. Edmund Dolton, May 3, 1856. SECTION 19. Edmund Dolton, May 3, 1856. SECTION 20. Alfred Harrison, June 14, 1856. SECTION 21. Polly Ann Court, February 6, 1857. C. M. Cameron, April 13, 1859. C. M. Cameron, March 22, 1859. SECTION 22. Sylvester Smith, May 15, 1854. William Delling, October 7, 1854. Travis Leechb, October 20, 1854. Samuel P. Shearman, May 29, 1856. Ransom L. Ferrin, September 27, 1859. C. M. Cameron, April 18, 1859. Jared R. Lathrop, June 4, 1856. Samuel P. Shearman, December 2, 1856. C. M. Cameron, March 29, 1859. John C. Cameron, November 21, 1859. SECTION 23. Peter Davis, November 15, 1852. William E. Sherman, December 3, 1852. J acob Eshleman, January 24,!;;. Ralph C. Smith, August 15, 1853. Samuel P. Shearman, December 24, 1853. William E. Sherman, May 3, 1854. Inman J. B. McKinney, June 5, 1854. - --------—. t wFf I G ty 44 - -1 a t --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 112 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. P - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reuben Hitchcock, July 6, 1854. Sault St. Marie Canal Co., May 25, 1855. SECTION 24. Henry Parks, September 8, 1851. Jacob Sherman, September 8, 1851. Samuel R. Dudley, September 8, 1851. Richard H. Speed, September 8, 1851. Christopher Callan, November 15, 1852. William W. Wilber, April 28, 1853. Sumon Wittum, August 18, 1853. Willimin Richards, Jr., August 22, 1853. SECTION 25. Paschal Richardson, September 7, 1847. J. Eldridge and C. Emerson, November 11, 1847. Paschal Richardson, February 21, 1848. Granville Nichols, April 26, 1852. George M. Dewey, March 14, 1853. George M. Dewey, March 19, 1853. SECTION 26. Paschal Richardson, February 21, 1848. Artemlas Knowles, November 11, 1851. Benjanmin Rynders, September 8, 1851. Clark Waring, September 8, 1851. Joseph Tibbits, September 8, 1851. Christianl Shadley, April 17, 1852. Granville Nichols, June 2, 1852. Edgar Sheldon, October 20, 1852. SECTION 27. Cladius S. Roberson, August 17, 1852. Christopher Howard, April 21, 1852. Charles M. Deiling, September 17, 1852. Samuel P. Shearman, August 26, 1854. Peter Fox, December 12, 1854. Solon Burgess, January 13, 1855. SECTION 28. Charles M. Delling, September 7, 1853. Edward Belmer, November 1, 1853. Samuel Lake, January 24, 1854. John Beach, February 11, 1854. John Beach, March 1, 1854. William Palmer, April 6, 1851. Silas S. Bliss, May 22, 1854. Lewis Richards, November 16, 1854. Alexander Belmner, August 31, 1855. A. Trumbull, March 19, 1859. C. Dean, March 19, 1859. SECTION 29. Peter Raymer, July 23, 1855. SECTION 31. David H. Andrews, November 2, 1853. John L. Ireland, August 13, 1856. Burton Tillotson, August 13, 1858. SECTION 32. Edgar Sheldon, October 20, 1852. Edgar Sheldon, December 13, 1852. Lucius Marvin, July 13, 1853. Lucius Marvin, June 6, 1854. James Dorr, July 25, 1855. John H. Richardson, October 19, 1855. Peter D. Bush, July 5, 1856. SECTION 33. Edgar Sheldon, September 27, 1852. Patrick Archer, September 23, 1852. Aaron Dickinson, November 1, 1852. William E. Sherman, December 3, 1852. Samuel P. Shearman, December 24, 1852. Samuel Lake, January 24, 1854. SECTION 34. Levi A. Rapplege, March 20, 1850. Josiah Taylor, January 10, 1851. Leonard L. Witbeck, Septemlber 27, 1852. Isaac N. Craine, October 8, 1852. SECTION 35. Lorenzo B. Curtis, and Samuel Hubbard, June 5, 1847. Paschal Richardson, September 7, 1847. D. & S. Johnson, September 14, 1847. Paschal Richardson, October 14, 1847. Daniel and Solomoln Johnson, February 18, 1851. Artemas Knowles, November 6, 1851. Samuel Ingersoll, April 17, 1852. Joseph Roberson, June 30, 1852. Ken-ne wap-be, March 19, 1855. Robert Law, May 1, 1855. SECTION 36. Paschal Richardson, September 7, 1847. Samuel T. Atwater, July 1, 1854. Horace T. Parsell, September 8, 1854. James S. Ketchum, June 23, 1859. C. M. Cameron, April 13, 1859. FIRST SETTLEMENT. The first actual settler in the present town of Aimler, was Christian Shadley, who settled with his family on section 26, in October, 1852. Mr. Shadley was born in Switzerland in the year 1813, and emigrated to America in 1833. Immediately after arriving in this country he enlisted in the regular army and remained in the service sixteen years. He was in the Florida and Mexican wars, and saw more active and hard service than is usually experienced by members of the regular army. In 1849 he received his discharge at Detroit, where he remained about a year. He then married and went into Oakland County. Early in 1852 he came into Tuscola County, and located 160 acres of land in section 26. He worked that summer at lumbering for the firm of North & Edmunds, of Vassar. In the fall he returned to Oakland County and made preparations for moving. Loading his wife and sorme household articles into a lumber wagon, they set out with a pair of oxen for their new home. After a journey of four days they reached their destination, in the wilderness of what is now Alimer, and the settlement of the town began. At the time Mr. Shadley and wife arrived a bachelor, named Levi A. Rapplege, was living alone in a little shanty about where the county poor-house now stands, and was making some improvements on the land. In March, 1850, this man Rapplege, had entered some land in section 34, and for some time he was the only occupant of the township. He did not, however, make a permanent location, and after a little while mocved away as he camealone. When Mr. Shadley and his wife arrived upon the site of their new home it was untouched by the hand of man. There was no shelter provided except such as was afforded by the wide spreading branches from which the golden leaves of autumn were falling. Placing the stove against a tree, a kitchen was extemporized; the wagon was converted into a bedroom, and the whole township constituted the balance of their suite of apartments. During the few days that followed they lived in this way, and Mr. Shadley put together a hastily constructed log cabin, which they moved into when completed, and the first home with a woman at its head, was erected in Almer. The next building in the township was put up by William McPhail, who came in the fall of 1852, a few weeks after the arrival of Mr. Shadley. He was accompanied by Christopher Callan and another man who stayed only a short time and then went awav. Mr. McPhail entered land in sections 13 and 14, and Mr. Callan in section 24. The three men had come together from the State of j J I L __ I; IIi 4I - HIISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I 113 New York, and during that winter lived together and kept bachelor's hall. They were soon followed by Dr. Dickinson, C. M. Delling, James Andrews, George Cleaver, David June, Henry D. Hamilton and John Court. The first marriage in Almer was that of Henry D. Hamilton and Julia Callan. The ceremony was performed by Christian Shadley, who was justice of the peace, as well as a functionary in numerous other capacities. The first death was a child of Peter Fox. It was buried in the burying ground first bought of Mr. Shadley. It was afterward removed to the new burying ground. The first wheat raised in the town, was by Mr. Shadley, who was obliged to go to Flushing to get it ground. The mills at all nearer points had been obliged to stop running on account of low water. The first frame house in the town was built by Mr. Shadley in 1857. BLOOM AND BLIGHT OF RICHLAND. In the southeast corner of Almer, on the north bank of the Cass River, may still be seen the decaying skeleton of a saw-mill, which evidently has but one more duty to perform and that is to entirely disappear. Such relics are always monuments of past activity, always industrial, sometimes prosperous, and ofttimes disastrous. This one seems to be clinging to its original foundation until record can be made of the metropolis that once was promised should surround it. Brief as the glory that hero earns, is the story of the projected village on the Cass, that was christened Richland. About 1859 Horace Parsell and E. P. Randall platted forty acres bordering on the Cass River, in sections 35 and 36, and named it Richland. The State road had been opened two years previous and this was thought to be a favorable location for a village. The situation was in every way desirable, and the project would seem to have been fraught with promise. In 1861 they succeeded in getting a postoffice established under the name of Burnside, there being another office in the State by the name of Richland. This office furnished the mail for Centerville for several years. E. P. Randall was the first postmaster, and kept the office in his log house. He kept the office for about three years and then turned it over to Dr. Orr. During the last years of the war, the newspapers would be taken from the office over to the school-house, where the people of the neighborhood would assemble about once a week, and listen to the reading of the news by some one of the number present. The postoffice was continued until the summer of 1866, when Centerville, having distanced its rival in the race for metropolitan fame, secured the postoffice and the one at Richland was discontinued. About the time the Burnside postoffice was established E. P. Randall and Justus Blakely started to build the mill already mentioned. They got out the timbers, but on account of the war, did not proceed further with the work. A few years later it was sold to Alfred Weldon who finished building and operated it a short time, when it was abandoned, and has since been going to decay. The projectors of Richland failed to get the wheels of their enterprise in motion, and the village was never built. Since the discontinuamce of the Burnside postoffice, there has been no postoffice in Almer, most of the inhabitants being patrons of the office at Caro. INDIAN GRAVES. Several years ago remains of Indians were frequently found upon a portion of Alfred Weldon's farm, in this township, and everything indicated its use as a burial place by the former inhabitants of the country. It is situated on a lfigh piece of ground near Cass River, and the earth having been washed away by the high water, parts of skeletons were brought to view. In the center of this piece of ground was a high knoll which often attracted attention and aroused the curiosity of some to know why it was made there and what it contained. Otis W. Leonard resolved to fathom the mystery, and commencing work with a spade, he had not dug more than three feet before he discovered the secret. From a hole about two and one-half feet in diameter and at the depth above mentioned, he succeeded in taking out half a dozen skulls and a, great quantity of bones belonging to different parts of the human frame. Digging in different parts of the knoll he found the same, everything indicating that the bodies were placed in a sitting position and always facing the east. The knoll was about twenty-five feet in diameter and about three feet high. On this knoll or a little on one side stood a large pine stump that must have grown after the remains were deposited there, as a number remembered a part of the tree standing, and always in an upright position. The roots ran in such manner into the ground as to leave no doubt that it had grown after the knoll was made. The Indians are supposed to have belonged to the Chippewa tribe. Some Indians were questioned in regard to the place, but nothing could be learned from them. Their only reply would be, "Don't know, may be bad Indian." It seems probable that tl:his point is where a battle occurred at an early day. Such a tradition existed among the earlier inhabitants of the Indian village on the Indian fields. RELIGIOUS. The early preachers in Almer were Revs. Warren and I. J. B. McKinney. Meetings were held first in private houses and. afterward in school-houses. From the records we learn that at a meeting held by the Cass River circuit at the church in the township of Almner May 29, 1863, the following were elected as trustees of the Methodist Protestant Church of the Cass River circuit in the township of Almer, viz.: Christian Shadley, S. Botsford, H. D. Seeley, Peter D. Bush, and Henry D. Hamilton. This church continues its existence in the town, holding meetings in school-houses. The present pastor is Rev. E. B. Sutton. At a meeting held in the town of Almer June 10, 1878, for the purpose of incorporating a Free Methodist Church, Chauncey G. Slayton, Alford Hall and Alex. McNeil were elected trustees to be known as "The Trustees of the Caro and Novesta circuit of the Free Methodist Church." This was the first legal organization of the society. Subsequently a neat church edifice was built in the northeast portion of the town, in which services are regularly held.. The Caro and Almer Free Methodist Church embraces an appointment in Wells and Akron and two appointments in Almer. The charge was organized about six years ago. The membership is about twenty-seven. The present pastor is Rev. W. H. Iles. At an early day a building was begun by the late Samuel P. Sherman, for a Universalist Church. It was situated in the south part of the town and was never completed. At the time the county seat was located at Centerville, the frame was moved down and used in the construction of the court-house. SCHOOL MATTERS. The first school inspectors of Almer were Aaron Dickinson and Edward Belme:-. Their first meeting was held September 15, 1855, at which time they organized School Districts Nos. 1 and 2. School District No. 3 was organized in October, 1856. The first teacher's certificate recorded in the clerk's book is dated December 8, 1856. It sets forth that "The board of inspectors having personally examined Otis W. Leonard and having ascertained his qualifications in respect to moral character, learning and l ability to instruct a primary school, do hereby certify that he is l 1 C. I 9 1. -40 I I K-90 - \__ sty-..a 3 - N! ' I.1 - j ~~) I A I k. — _ _ I - 114 EIISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I - duly qualified for that service, and accordingly licensed to teach primary schools in said township for two years," etc. School District No. 4 was organized December 16, 1856. The second teacher's certificate recorded was issued to Lydia A. Richards, May 16, 1857. July 11, 1857, Aaron Dickinson delivered the first purchase of books for the township library, amounting to $50, he having been authorized to make the purchase. In 1859 the question as to whether the library should be continued a township library or made a district library was submitted to a vote at the annual election, and decided in favor of the latter by a vote of thirty-nine to four. At a meeting of the board of school inspectors held April 16, 1859, a division of the books and money belonging to the library was made as follows. No. District. No. Children. No. Volumes. Amt. Money. 1 25 19 $16.46 2 24 18 17.80 3 6 8 4.10 4 17 13 11.64 Total, 72 58 $50.00 The report of the school inspector of the town of Aimer for the year ending September 4, 1882, shows that the directors for the ensuing year were E. R. Cookingham, A. J. Dale, H. D. Hamilton, W. W. Kline, Hiram S. Lewis, Thomas Imerson. There were six school districts and the same number of school buildings, two of which were of brick. Number of children of school age, 385; number of children that attended school during the year, 287. CIVIL HISTORY. The town of Aimer was set off from Indian Fields by the board of supervisors at a meeting held October 11, 1854. The territory organized was described as being townships 13 and 14 north, of ranges 9, 10 and 11 east. Subsequently the boundaries of Almer were changed by the organization of Elkland, Elmwood, Columbia, Ellington and Novesta. The first annual town meeting was held on the first Monday in April, 1855, at the house of Christian Shadley on section 26. The inspectors of election were William Wilcox, Christian Shadley and Aaron Dickinson. The greatest number of votes-cast were as follows: For supervisor, 20; for school inspectors, 40; for constables, 60. The following ticket was elected: Supervisor, William Wilcox; clerk, Christian Shadley' treasurer, Horace Parsell; school inspectors, Aaron Dickinson and Edward Belmer; overseers of poor, Aaron Dickinson and Horace Parsell; assessors, Aaron Dickinson and Horace Parsell; justice of the peace, Jonathan White; commissioners of highways, Eliott Burnett and William McPhail; constables, William McPhail, Eliott Burnett and David June. The following named persons were elected by viva voce as overseers of highways: Edward Belmer, Christian Shadley, William McPhail, Eliott Burnett and Almon White. At this meeting it was voted to raise the sum of $250 for the improvement of highways. The first meeting of the township board was held at the clerk's office November 6, 1855. William Wilcox, S. P. Sherman and Christian Shadley were present. The only business transacted was the auditing of accounts. For the year 1856, $250 were raised for the improvement of highways. The town treasurer was allowed four per cent on all moneys collected by him. At the close of the second year the treasurer's report showed a balance of cash on hand amounting to the sum of $54.09. I March 30, 1858, the treasurer reported a balance of cash on hand to the amount of $48.74, and the year following the cash balance had increased to $267.93. November 26, 1859, the salary of the township clerk was fixed at twenty dollars for the ensuing year. At the meeting held this date, Aaron Dickinson was authorized to go through the town and vaccinate all such persons as, in his opinion, required it. March 27, 1860, the balance of cash in the hands of the treasurer amounted to $138.15. At a special meeting of the board November 3, 1860, it was voted to raise $100 for a contingent fund, and eighty dollars for the purpose of fencing the burying ground purchased of Horace Parsell. March 26, 1861, the balance in the hands of the treasurer was $201.11. The annual town meeting of April, 1861, was held for the first time in the school-house in School District No. 1. Peter D. Bush, who was elected clerk at that election, did not qualify, and Christian Shadley was appointed to fill vacancy. In 1863 the salary of the township clerk was increased to thirty dollars. At a special meeting of the board, December 22, 1863, a petition was presented signed by seventeen electors, requesting the board to call a special meeting for the purpose of raising money to procure volunteers to fill up the quota of the township required by the next draft. The meeting was held January 6, 1864, at the school-house in School District No. 4. A resolution was adopted authorizing the board to issue bonds against the town of Almer, to an amount not exceeding $1,300, bearing an annual interest not exceeding ten per cent, and redeemable within four years from date of issue, as a bounty fund. It was also voted that the sum of $300 be paid to each volunteer or drafted man to fill the quota in that district. February 18, 1864, two bonds of $300 each were issued, and March 29 following, two more bonds of $250 each were issued. April 2, 1864, two bonds of $100 each were issued all to recruits credited to Almer. In 1804, fifty dollars was raised to be expended in improving the burying ground. At the annual town meeting in April, 1864, the amount of bounty to volunteers was fixed at $100. At a special meeting held August 15, 1864, for the purpose of encouraging enlistments, a resolution was adopted asfollows: "Resolved, that we pledge our faith for the payment of $200, by subscription or otherwise, to each volunteer who is mustered into service and credited upon the quota of this township, under the present call of 500,000 men, made by the president of the United States. At another meeting held on August 17th, it was voted to raise the sum of $200 on the taxable property of the township, in addition to the $100 authorized by law as a bounty, provided such action should be legalized by the legislature. The quota of Aimer under that call was nine men, and was filled by eight volunteers and one substitute. The names of the volunteers are as follows: George Cargill, E. P. Randall, Andrew Desmonde, Albert Perry, Orlando White, John McConnell, John Wright and Henry Vangilden.. November 11, 1865, it was voted to allow township officers $1.50 a day for services in their respective offices. April 5, 1868, the board passed a resolution forbidding the county to bury any more of the county poor in the Almer burying ground, and requesting the removal of those already buried there. It was also voted that $125 be raised for purchasing land in the northwest part of the town for a burying ground. At the annual April meeting in 1876 the board voted to raise $150 for the purpose of building a town house. A building committee consisting of R. M. Ross, Hiram Streeter, James D. Sutton I Ir jI 7ri <* ',d I - f4 I - -f 7-: Of -I ' ----- HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 115 I and Otis W. Leonard was appointed. It was also voted that the next election be held at the new town hall. The hall was built during the year and the election of 1877 held in it as ordered. The records of Almer have been neatly and carefully kept from the organization of the town and are in much better shape than is usually the case. OFFICE HOLDING. In sudden bursts of patriotism the idea of the "office seeking the man" is sometimes advanced, but is usually considered with suspicion. However, in the early days of Almer, a condition'of this kind appears to have existed. The electors were few and the various offices had to be filled, consequently the shoulders of a few men were loaded down with the burden of public affairs. For four years Mr. Shadley was supervisor and elerk, and a portion of that time justice of the peace and constituted the entire town board. When first organized Almer comprised six townships, covering the entire northeastern portion of the county. In making an assessment Mr. Shadley fitted himself out with compass and provisions as if for an exploring expedition, and tramped through the woods, camping out wherever night overtook him. The time required to make a tour of the town was about two weeks. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR. 1883. 1882. 1881. 1880. 1879. 1878. 1877. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871. 1870. 1869. 1868. 1867. 1866. 1865. 1864. 1863. 1862. 1861. 1860. 185I9. 1858. 1857. 1856. 1855. SUPERVISOR. John Bastone. John Parsell. John Bastone. E. R. Cookingham. John Bastone. John Bastone. John Bastone. E. R. Cookingham. E. R. Cookingham. E. R. Cookingham. E. R. Cookingham. John Parsell. John Parsell. John Parsell. James D. Sutton. James D. Sutton. John Parsell. David Orr. James D. Sutton. James D. Sutton. James D. Sutton. John B. Edgar. Christian Shadley. Christian Shadley. Christian Shadley. Christian Shadley. Christian Shadley. Christian Shadley. William Wilcox. COMMISSIONER CLERK. TREASURER. HIGHWAYS. Otis W. Leonard. J. P. Westfall. G. F. Parsell. Otis W. Leonard. J. P. Westfall. Hugh Watson. Otis W. Leonard. Chas. Mudge. J. P. Westfall. Otis W. Leonard. Chas. Mudge. J. P. Westfall. Otis W. Leonard. John Parsell. J. H. Streeter. Wm. Imerson. John Parsell. D. Macomber. Otis W. Leonard. John Parsell. Hiram Streeter. James D. Sutton. David E. Gordon. E. P. Randall. James D. Sutton.' David E. Gordon. John Bastone. James D. Sutton. D. E. Gordon. J. P. Hackett James D. Sutton. David June. i John Darbee. 7 L. Russell. Otis W. Leonard. David June. J. Sweet. E. R. Cookingham. David June. Josiah Kinyon. Otis W. Leonard. David June. W. W. Parsell. William Deyo. David June. John Darbee. ( R. M. Ross. William Deyo. David June. Geo B. Hunt. Richard Clifford John. Edgar Peter P. Kline. I Levi Dickinson. Isaac Tompkins. A. P. Cooper. E A. ndarr. E. P. Randall Christian Shadley. Wm. McPhail. H. D. Hamilton. Christian Shadley. Wm. McPhail. Chas. Farlee. H. D. Hamilton. Christian Shadley. Wm. McPhail. Horace Parsell. Otis W. Leonard. Aaron Dickinson { Willlam ^PhailP.(Benj. Haman. Peter D. Bush. Aaron Dickinson. John Burrows. Christian Shadley. Aaron Dickinson. George Cleaver. Christian Shadley. Aaron Dickinson. { John Burrows. James D. Sutton. Christian Shadley. Aaron Dickinson. James Ennes. Otis W. Leonard. Aaron Dickinson- ames ArKingcher. Christian Shadley. Aaron Dickinson. I W. S. Belden. i John Beach. 'Christian Shadley. Horace Parsell. i Eliott Burnett. H William McPhail. cows, 72; number of sheep, 335; number of swine, 180; pounds of wool sheared, 1,066; pounds of butter made, 24,260; bushels of wheat raised, 8,739; bushels of rye, 64; bushels of corn, 4,653; bushels of oats, 4,773; bushels of potatoes. 7,293; tons of hay cut, 846; number of saw-mills, 1; feet of lumber cut, 1,300,000. Census of 1874: Population, 745; males, 402; females, 343; number of horses, 181; number of cows, 246; bushels of wheat, 12,804; bushels of corn, 9,788; bushels of apples, 1,180; bushels of potatoes, 4,634; tons of hay, 879. Population in 1880, 1,181. Total equalized valuation in 1882, $454,147. Number of farms in 1880, 187; acres of improved land, 7,715. Bushels of wheat raised in 1880, 46,586; of corn, 58,233; tons of hay, 1,190. BIOGRAPHICAL. ALEXANDER P. COOPER was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., where he lived until he came to Tuscola County, in 1853. He first located at the forks of the Cass River, now called Cass City, afterward coming to that part of the township of Almer, adjoining the northern limits of the corporation of the village of Careo, where he is now engaged in farming. Mr. Cooper has also been extensively connected with lumbering operations and was also at one time a member of the firm of Woodward & Cooper, dealers in drugs, medicines, etc., in the village of Caro. Is married and has a family of three children, one of whom, a son, is in the mercantile business at Cass Citv. BENJAMIN F. RICHARDS was born at Malone, Franklin County, N. Y., from where his family moved to Niagara County. He worked on a farm and also at the carpenter and builder's trade until he came to Michigan in 1856. When he first came to this State he worked for Cooper & Wright, who were lumbering in Tuscola County. Was afterward in the employ of William A. Heartt, of Wahjamega, but at the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Infantry. At the battle of Glendale, during General McClellan's seven days' retreat, he was wounded in three places and was on the field two days and nights before he received assistance. Was in Libby prison some nineteen days, when he was paroled and sent to David's Island, in Long Island Sound, and was there two months, also two months at Fort Hamilton. The next place he was sent to was Fort Banks. at Alexandria, Va., and in September, 1863, he was discharged on account of disability caused by gunshot wounds. On his return he again went into the employ of William A. Heartt, working for him in all about eight years. Was the first sheriff of the county after the removal of the county seat to Caro. Has also held the offices of constable, justice of the peace and school director for District No. 1, Almer. For a number of years he has been a building contractor, and among some of the buildings he has had the job of erecting, the following may be mentioned: Sabin Gibb's residence, John Staley, Jr.'s, C. P. Black's, the store of Miss J. Ryan, two brick school-houses in Almer, etc. He is now (1883) engaged in farming. Married and has one child, a daughter. JAMES L. SUTTON, son of J. D. Sutton, was born on the homestead in the township of Almer, Tuscola County, Mich., in 1860, and has since resided there. He purchased the homestead, which contains 160 acres, of his father, in 1882, it being the same tract taken up from the government by his uncle, and subsequently sold it to his father, who cleared the land, improved it and resided upon it till the spring of 1883. In 1881 he took the premium for. the banner farm of the county. Mr. Sutton was married in October, 1882, to Miss Jennie E. Hindley, of the township of Ellington, Tuscola County, Mich.; her birth place was in Nebraska. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860.: Population, 263; number of families 43; number of dwellings, 46; value of real estate owned, $50,265; number of farms, 40; number of acres improved, 1,054; number of horses, 15; number of cows, 71; number of sheep, 26; bushels of wheat raised, 2,164; bushels of corn, 2,210; bushels of oats, 1,522; bushels of potatoes, 2,684; pounds of butter made, 6,075. Census of 1864: Population, 343; males, 173; females, 170; number of marriages preceding year, 7; number of deaths preceding year, 8; number of acres of taxable land, 5,915; number of acres of improved land, 872; bushels of corn raised preceding year, 3,370; bushels of wheat raised preceding year, 2,697; bushels of potatoes raised preceding year, 3,044; tons of hay cut, 306; pounds of butter made, 3,491; number of horses, 65; number of cows, 113. Census of 1870: Population, 671; number of acres of improved land, 3,037; number of dwellings, 141; number of families, 141; number of farms, 87; number.of horses, 113; number of J -A '*5& **.*0;.;^.^ *^?i^ ~ ''~~^;?^^ ^ - ^ ' './~18 8 ~ ~~.^l~lj^%:^^;!;ilS^|| ^~^ 77777777 1 777777 1. 7,777 77-7771 , 4 I- I. y::':,t^."1;X:: 2 ''*-0,. 0. I% Jl r f E ^ U il RES.& FARM OF..1 -I.. u WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP. RES. & STORE QF I.T.DA N, MILLINGTON TUSCOLA CD Al I --- -. ~ __ 125 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. _1_ _ POSTOFFICE. In 1853 a mail route was established between Clarkson and Bay City, and Amos Wolverton appointed postmaster, in the town of Millington. His successors in office have been Jacob H. Hoover, D. N. Blocher, Samuel Atwood, Roger Rathbun, A. DeWitt, and again D. N. Blocher, who was appointed August 27, 1883. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Millington was organized in 1864. Its legal incorporation was several years later, the record being as follows: "At a quarterly conference held on the Tuscola and Millington Circuit, held at Millington, December 17, 1870, the following persons were elected, to be known as the trustees of the Millington Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Church, viz.: Marcus Tetesworth, Samuel Atwood, Alfred Foster, Alfred Johnson, Jacob H. Hoover, Homer H. Beach, Theodore Burnham, Daniel N. Blocher and Francis W. Brown." In 1875 a house of worship was erected. The membership of the church at the present time is about 100. Rev. M. H. Davis is pastor. The Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition, numbering about 100 members. FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. This society is among the earliest religious organizations of the county. Its first pastor was Rev. Mr. Comstock. It was not, however, incorporated until 1877. Its incorporation was as follows: "November 22, 1877, the duly qualified members of the First Free-will Baptist Society, of the village of Millington, met at the office of W. F. Riggs, in the village of Millington, for the purpose of incorporating themselves as a religious society. David Atwood was made president and W. H. Valentine, secretary of the meeting. The following trustees were elected, viz.: William H. Valentine, Christopher Dewitt, John Carlton, S. A. Comstock, Benjamin F. Long and D. N. Blocher; and it was determined that tha church and society should be known as the First Free-will Baptist Society of Millington." In 1880 a neat, comfortable and commodious house of worship was erected. The present membership of the church is sixteen. The pastor is Rev. Mr. Schnell. A union Sunday-school of about sixty members is held in connection with the church. EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. This church was organized in 1878. It comprises about thirty families. Services are held every' six weeks at thd school-house two and a half miles west of Millington. Rev. Henry Pardenfielder is pastor. Efforts are being made, and with good prospect of success, to erect a church edifice. GOOD TEMPLARS. Millington Lodge No. 54 was chartered February 10, 1878, with forty-one charter members, R. C. Cope being W. C. T., The lodge is in a flourishing condition and holds regular weekly meetings every Tuesday evening, in which much interest is manifested, additions being made to the membership at nearly every meeting. SONS OF TEMPERANCE. Garfield Division No. 187, of the Sons of Temperance, was chartered February 24, 1882, with nineteen members. The society is prosperous, having a good attendance at its meetings, which are held every Monday evening. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. Enterprise Lodge No. 1195 was organized September 6, 1878, with sixteen charter members. Its regular meetings are held on the first Fridav in each month. The present officers are: B. B. Ream, past dictator; D. L. Phipps, dictator; A. Bostwick, vicedictator; A. Hopkins, assistant dictator; Thomas Macy, reporter; A. D. Walterhouse, financial reporter; A. DeWitt, treasurer. The membership is sixteen. KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES. DeWitt Tent No. 69, of this order, was instituted December 26, 1882, with eighteen charter members. Its present membership is twenty-four. Meetings are held the first Wednesday evening of each month. The present officers are: Melvin Cobb, Past Sir Kt. C.; J. M. Torrey, Sir Kt. C.; Lemuel Everts, Sir Kt. L. C.; A. DeWitt, financial K.; D. L. Phipps, recording K. CHOSEN FRIENDS. Prosperity Council No. 51 was organized February 6, 1883, with thirty-three members. Meetings are held every Thursday evening. Officers: George C. Thompson, P. C.; D. C. Davis, C.; Mrs. Martha A. Tower, V. C.; D. P. Richardson, secretary; A. DeWitt, treasurer; Mrs. Rhoda Henry, prelate. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 285; families, 64; dwellings, 64; number of occupied farms, 55; number of acres improved, 922; number of horses, 14; number cows, 80; bushels of wheat, 918; bushels of rye, 235; bushels of corn, 2,978; bushels of oats, 756; bushels of potatoes, 2,360; pounds of butter made, 7,955; tons of hay cut, 168; saw-mills, 1; feet of lumber sawed, 500,000. Census of 1864: Population, 400; number of acres of taxable land, 8,215; number of acres improved, 843; bushels of corn preceding year, 1,079; bushels of wheat preceding year, 1,091; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 2,323; tons of hay preceding year, 409; pounds of wool sheared, 358; pounds of butter made preceding year, 6,352. Census of 1870: Population, 613; families, 124; dwellings, 129; farms, 93; voters, 144; number of acres improved, 2,289; pounds of wool sheared, 1,708; pounds of butter made, 14,635; bushels of wheat raised, 4,732; bushels of corn raised, 4,740; bushels of oats raised, 2,358; bushels of potatoes raised, 5,796; tons of hay cut, 707. Census of 1874: Population, 949; number of horses, 231; number of cows, 284; bushels of wheat raised, 6,000; bushels of corn raised, 11,169; bushels of apples, 1,390; bushels of potatoes, 9,507; tons of hay, 1,094. The report for 1879 shows 158 farms and 5,286 acres of improved land. Bushels of wheat for 1878, 21,374; corn, 15,576 bushels; hay, 1,235 tons. Population in 1880, 1,633. Total equalized valuation in 1882, $452,275. Bushels of wheat raised in 1880, 20,089; of corn, 35,129; tons of hay, 768. Number of farms in 1881, 112; acres of improved land, 4,474. SCHOOL MATTERS. The annual school report of the town of Millington for the year ending September 4, 1882, shows that the directors for the ensuing year were Frank Crippen, C. Dewitt, B. Youngs, Walter White, R. R. Atwood, Eli Lester and Wesley Case. There were five whole and two fractional districts and seven frame schoolhouses. Whole number of children of school age, 516; number that attended school during the year, 460. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR. SUPERVISOR. 1883. William A. Lenox. 188'$2. George C. Thompson. 1881. Henrv A. Bishop. 1880. Ira A. Sprague. 1879. Daniel N. Blocher. 1878. Ira A. Sprague. 1 877. Ira A. Sprague. CLERK. William N. Riker. WeltonVanwagnen. A. D. Walterhouse. Henry A. Bishop. Henry A. Bishop. Henry A. Bishop. Henry A. Bishop. TREASURER. Daniel L. Phipps. Francis Rhodes. Francis Rhodes. Christopher Dewitt. Christopher Dewitt. Henry Wolfe. T. H. Burnlham. - I 9 ed -; -;r I \1 I I I I I 12G HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. -_ YEAR. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871. 1870. 1869. 1868. 1867. 1866. 1865. 1864. 1863. 1862. 1861. 1860. 1859. 1858. 1857. 1856. 1855. SUPERVISORS. T. H. Burnham. John G. Smith. John G. Smith. T. H. Burnham. Richard R. Atwood. Richard R. Atwood. T. H. Burnham. Richard R. Atwood. Richard R. Atwood. Hiram Remich. Hiram Remich. Hiram Remich. John G. Smith. John G. Smith. Bernard Beal. John G. Smith. C. Gordon. John G. Smith. Joshua Merrill. Bernard Beal. Amos Wolverton. Amos Wolverton. CLERK. R. Rathbun. R. Rathbun. WeltonVanwagnen. WeltonVanwagnen. David Rogers. WeltonVanwagnen. WeltonVanwagnen. WeltonVanwagnen. WeltonVanwagnen. Samuel Atwood. L. W. Cardwell. L. W. Cardwell. A, W. Greene. D. N. Blocher. D. N. Blocher. D. N. Blocher. D. N. Blocher. D. N. Blocher. George Turner. Samuel A. Comstock. Jay Rice. Jay Rice. TREASURER. Ira A. Sprague. Ira A. Sprague. Ira A. Sprague. Ira A. Sprague. William L. Tenney. Ira A. Sprague. A. DeWitt. A. DeWitt. A. DeWitt. S. A. Comstock. D. N. Blocher. D. N. Blocher. ID. N. Blocher. Jeremiah Youmans. Jeremiah Youmans. Jeremiah Youmans. Wm. Richardson. Wmn. Richardson. Wm. Richardson. Jonah Parker. Edwin E. Brainerd. H. Patterson. I - BIOGRAPHICAL. JOEL BECKWITH was born in the State of New York, but was brought up in Vermont, where he learned the trade of a machinist. Came to Michigan in 1855. Located first at Flint, where he worked in McFarland's saw-mill. Built and run the first shingle-mill in that city. Afterward lived in Richfield Township, 'Genesee County, where he run a shingle-mill. Came to Millington in 1863 and cleared up a farm. Has held the offices of justice of the peace, highway commissioner, etc. Is married and has five children living. DANIEL N. BLOCHER was born in Clarence, Erie County, N. Y., where he was a farmer. Came to Michigan in 1851 and farmed it for some years in Genesee County. Bought land in the township of Millington in 1855, but did not settle on it until 1859, and on which he now farms it. Has been a lumberman and also run a shingle-mill in 1864-'65. Has held the offices of justice of the peace, supervisor, treasurer, county superintendent of the poor, etc. Has been justice twenty years. Was postmaster of Millington from 1861 to 1866, and again appointed in August, 1883. Is senior member of the firm of Blocher & Rathbun, druggists, etc. Married twice and has three children. OLIVER P. GOULD was born in Colden, Erie County, N. Y. He was brought up on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools and at the academy at Springville. He came to Michigan in 1861, and for a number of years was a clerk at Orion and Pontiac. Was in Gunn & Locke's establishment in Detroit in 1864-'65. Was in business at Metamora, Lapeer County, Oakwood, Oakland County, and Ortonville, Genesee County. Came to Millington in 1875. Was at first in partnership with his brother, but bought him out in 1878. Is in the general mercantile trade; also carries on a furniture and undertaking business. Was president of the village for two years. Has been married twice, the first wife only living two years. -Was married to his present wife, who was a Miss Mary C. Welles, in 1871. They have two children. AMARIAH P. IRELAND was born in Otsego County, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1852, settling on a farm in Groveland, Oakland County, where he remained until 1856, when he removed to what is now the township of Millington, Tuscola County. Has been justice of the peace, highway commissioner, constable, etc. Enlisted in Company A, Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, serving with the regiment until it was mustered out at Murfreesboro, Tenn., September 6, 1865. He is a stone mason by trade, but now follows farming. Married and has a family of eight children living. Mr. I. has been and is now a very powerful man, capable at one time of lifting 900 pounds. He relates as a reminiscence of the early days in Millington that he had to go to Goodrichville for flour once. The distance was twenty-five miles. He brought home with him fifty pounds. The condition of the roads was such that he could only carry i I twenty-five pounds at a time. This he would carry about two miles and then leave it and go back for the other twenty-five. By so doing he finally got the whole fifty home. That was "earning your bread by the sweat of your brow," and no mistake. GEORGE C. THOMPSON was born in Kendall, Orleans County, N. Y. For some time before coming to Michigan he was in the grain and produce trade at Spencerport and Holly, N. Y. Was also in G. W. Burbank's flouring establishment at Rochester, N. Y., for two years. In December, 1868, he located in Arbela township, Tuscola County, where he bought land and made a farm. In March, 1881, he purchased the Millington House in the village of Millington, and has since kept that popular hostelry. In Arbela he was school director five years and moderator two years. He was appointed supervisor for that township, holding the office for five years by election. A vacancy in the same office occurring after he came to Millington, he was appointed in the fall of 1882 to fill it. In addition to farming he has lumbered also. Is married and has two children. DANA B. RICHARDSON, attorney, is a native of Tuscola County, having been born in Tuscola township. He is a son of the wellknown and popular Colonel John H. Richardson. He was educated at the State normal school, Whitewater, Wis., and at the Michigan State University, from which he graduated in 1874. Was admitted to the bar at Saginaw City the same year. He was deputy clerk of Saginaw County for a time, and since coming to Millington has held the office of township superintendent of schools and village assessor. Married to Miss Alice V. Burnham in 1876. They have two sons. DAMON BROTHERS. —Isaac T. Damon was born in Lake County, Ohio. Lived for a number of years in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. In 1870 bought a farm in Arbela, Tuscola County. Commenced business in Millington in 1876, and rents his farm. Deals in hardware, tinware, etc. Married Mary Reed, of Ohio, in 1865. They have three children. During the war he served three years, being a member of the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. Was wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, and was sixteen months in hospital. John A. Damon was also born in Lake County, Ohio, and went with his family to Wisconsin. Was educated at the State University at Madison. Has taught school. Commenced to learn the druggist's trade at Beloit, Wis., in 1872, in which city he remained four years. Came to Millington in 1876 and opened a drug store. Has been village treasurer and superintendent of schools. Married to Ella G. Jewett, of Beloit, Wis., in 1873. They have two children. ANTHONY DE WITT, postmaster of Millington, was born in Holland and came to the United States in 1849 with his parents. He lived in New York State for about a year and then came to Michigan, locating at first in Oakland County. Came to Millington, Tuscola County, in 1854, and bought a farm in section 10, town 10 north, range 8 east, which he afterward sold. Enlisted in Company D, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, and served through the war without receiving a wound. Has been township, also village treasurer. Has been in the general mercantile trade since 1867. Has a wife and one son. THEODORE H. BURNHAM is a native of Madison County, N. Y., and was born in 1842. He came to Tuscola County in 1868 and located in the township of Millington on section 4, where he has since resided. He cleared up his farm from the wilderness, and although his location is on the borders of the sandy plains, has demonstrated the fact that the soil is fruitful and will give generous returns to those who will cultivate it intelligently. Mr. Burnham has filled many of the township offices, including that of supervisor three terms, justice of the peace, treasurer and school inspector. iI i i i i e aCc. f -,I -p e I.d. I -s - L V9 -q -I r ist I i e, I o: - _ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 127 He was married in 1870 to Miss Elizabeth Maguire and has three children. DAVID ROGERS, M. D., was born in Broome County, N. Y.; near Binghamton, in 1833. In 1866 he came to Michigan and located in Millington, where he has since resided. He studied medicine with Messrs. Jackson & Burr, of Binghamton, and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1866. Soon after his'arrival in Millington he built the Millington House, which he conducted until March, 1881, but at the same time practiced his profession. He has held the office of town clerk, and was postmaster for many years, resigning in favor of the present incumbent. He married Miss Jennie Begle, of Otisville, Genesee County, and has two children. IRA A. SPRAGUE was born in 1838 in Lawrence County, N. Y., and in 1844 came to Livingston County, Mich. In 1852 he moved to Tuscola, and in 1861 came to the township of Millington and settled on section 7, where he now resides. Has cleared over one hundred acres of his present farm. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry and served to the close of the war, being discharged in July, 1865. Was with Generals Sherman and Thomas in all the important engagements in the Western Department. WILLIAM S. LENNOX, deceased, was born in the State of New York in 1815, moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1858, and came to the township of Millington in 1862, where he settled on section 7 and remsined until his death in 1878. He ma:rried Miss Eleanor Logan and had a family of nine children. JOH'N LENNOX was born in St. Mary's, Canada, in 1852, and came to Millington with his father in 1862. In October, 1877, he married Miss Josephine C. Betz and has two children. v CHARLES WEBSTER was born in Connecticut M-Iy 26, 1805, and moved to Niagara County, N. Y., in 1819. Hie came to Macomb County, Mich., in 1829, and in 1855 to Millington, settling on section 30, where he now resides, and where he has cleared up a farm of 160 acres. Was married in 1826 to Miss Hope Brainerd, of Connecticut, and raised a familv of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. DAVID LANE was born November 3, 1823, in Ontario County, N. Y., and came to Genesee County, Mich., in 1836. In 1859 came to the township of Millington and located on section 9, where he now resides. With his father's help he cleared up four hundred acres of land in Genesee County, and has cleared up a large farm in Millington. He married Miss Saphronie Gravel in 1845 and has a family of ten children. JOSHUA MERRILL, deceased, was born in Windham, Maine, October 17, 1806, and came to St. Clair County, Mich., in 1852. In 1855 came to Millington, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1869. He was married in 1836 to Miss Mary Rackliff and had a family of ten children. He endured many of the hardships incident to pioneer life, and helping to clear utip a new country was engaged in lumbering for several years prior to his death. J. F. MERRILL was born in Maine, March 7, 1839, came to Michigan with his father, and has been a resident of the township of Millington since 1855. He was married June 27, 1866, to Miss Mary Jane Guthrie, and has a family of five children. He is engaged in farming on section 10. JOHN G. SMITH was born in the county of Cornwall, England, July 28, 1814; came to Canada in 1832, and in 1835 to Michigan, while it was yet a territory, and remained a year. In 1849 he moved to the State and resided in Wayne County until February, 1855, when he came to Millington arid commenced clearing a farm of 450 acres, on section 23. He helped to organize the township in the spring of 1855, which then embraced the present township,. of Watertown, and polled but thirteen votes. He was married January 1, 1837, to Miss Elizabeth Prothers, who was born in South Wales, in 1819. They have raised a family of twelve children. TOWAVN OF AKRON Township 14 north, of range 8 east was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held December 31, 1855, and designated by the name of Akron. The first township meeting was held on the first Monday in April, 1856, at the house of Alvin Waldo; and Charles H. Beach, Lucius H. Waldo and Edward Van Demark were inspectors of election. The signers to the petition for the organization of Akron were: John G. Beck, Ransom Briggs, Josiah H. Trusdell, Alvin Waldo, Lucius H. Waldo, Edward Vani Demark, Daniel Sumner, James Demarest, Andrew J. Tobias, John Nicholson, Thomas Nicholson, Richard Stark. As now organized the town of Akron comprises most of the former town of Geneva. The town of Geneva was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held January 11, 1860, and comprised the territory of fractional township 15 north, of range 8 east. In 1879 the legislature of Michigan passed an act to disorganize the township of Geneva and to change the boundaries of the township of Akron, and attach the territory comprised therein to Columbia and Akron. This act provided that section 36, of the township of Geneva, and section 1, of the township of Akron, be detached from their respective towns and attached to the township of Columbia; and all of the township of Geneva, except section 36, be attached to the township of Akron. ENTRIES OF LAND. The following entries of land were made prior to the year 1860. TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST. SECTION 2. Charles H. Cortright, May 3, 1854.. Leonard W. Kile, October 23, 1854. Abrahamn Van Demark, November 14, 1854. Abraham Van Demark, March 8, 1855. Lodawick Hover, October 30, 1855. SECTION 3. John Royer, October 22, 1855. Albert Luther, December 11, 1858. SECTION 4. Abraham Van Demark, March 8, 1855. Abraham Van Demark, December 15, 1855. Johnson Betts, May 9, 1856. Erastus Randall, May 9, 1856. Erastus Randall, March 19, 1859. D. Sumner, March 19, 1859. SECTION 7. William C. Counrod, October 28, 1854. SECTION 9. Abraham Van Demark, December 15, 1855. SECTION 10. John Royer, October 22, 1855. Gamnaliel E. Trusdell, October 30, 1855. Comstock Brown, October 4, 1856. William R. Woodman. November 5, 1856. SECTION 11. Charles H. Cortright, May 3, 1854. James H. Preston, November 14, 1854. Leonard Kile, July 7, 1854. SECTION 12. Anna Maria Layer, December 6, 1853. Levi Rumpel, March 20, 1854. John Nicholson, March 23, 1854. John Nicholson, April 1, 1854. David Clark, April 24, 1854. I I i t I - j11 i) A W — WV ---M' I ---r -I ( )Ir P _ _.6 l -I I,- 1- I I 128 HIISTORY OF TUSCOL A COUNTY. r 128 Edward Van Deimark, May 3, 1854. Lymain Sperry, July 5, 1854. Edward Van Demark, December 6, 1854. SECTION 13. Henry Kring, May 8, 1854. Francis T. Nichols, November 4, 1854. Orson Nichols, November 4, 1854. William A. Hayes, October 10, 1855. SECTTON 14. William Donovan, October 11, 1854. Josiah Trues-dell, November 8, 1854. Emery D. Cook, September 3, 1855. Rowland Norton, September 29, 1855. SECTION 1 5. Joseph A. Daniels, November 8, 1854. Rowland Norton, September 29, 1855. Harvey P. Hobart, October 18, 1855. James Coltson, October 10, 1855. Alfred Ives, December 8, 1855. SECTION 18. Archibald Black, November 22, 3854. SECTION 21. William B. Albro, October 17, 1855. Philo and Cyrus Gilbert, October 10, 1856. SECTION 22. George Friend, May 15, 1854. James P. Demarest, November 8, 1854. Joseph Thomson, October 10, 1855. James Coltson, October 10, 1855. John P. Maxwell, September 20, 1856. SECTION 28. Frederick Freeman, October 12, 1852. David Sumner, October 24, 1852. Andrew Tobias, October 24, 1852. Lucius H. Waldo, October 25, 1852. Samuel Bell, March 6, 1855. Samuel Bell, July 7, 1855. SECTION 24. Aaron Pennell, June 28, 1852. Ira Rider, April 10, 1854. Henry Kring, May 8, 1854. Lyman Corbin, August 5, 1854. Lewis K. Van Gieson, August 24, 1854. John G. Van Gieson, October 12, 1854. Abraham Van Gieson, January 2, 1855. Stephen Woodman, December 17, 1855. SECTION 25. Lyman Corbin, August 5, 1854. Cyrus Hess, June 18, 1855. Daniel Marvin, July 16, 1855. Andrew Damond, October 17, 1855. Samuel W. Gibson, December, 15, 1855. SECTION 26. Charles H. Beach, March 14, 1854. Alvin Waldo, October 25, 1854. Jacob Woodman, November 27, 1855. Samuel McMillen, November 27, 1855. Albert Damond, August 13, 1856. SECTION 27. Charles H. Beach, March 14, 1854. Joseph Linton, October 24, 1854. Robert Smith, October 24, 1854. Cornelius P. Abbott, July 27, 1854. Charles D. Cook, September 3, 1855. John Orser, October 16, 1855. Edmund H. Hazelton, March 26, 1856. SECTION 28. Cornelius D. Abbott, October 27, 1854. Henry Mead, October 19, 1855. William Partlo, October 16, 1855. John Orser, October 16, 1855. William H. Stewart, January 19, 1856. Samuel S. Weaver, September 25, 1856. SECTION 29. George Pitt, Aplil 26, 1856. Benjamin Oakley, May 6, 1857. SECTION 30. Waiter Lambert, August 7, 1854. SECTION 32. Jacob Bell, October 24, 1854. William H. Morey October 17, 1855. Benjamin Oakley, September 25, 1856. SECTION 33. Ransom Briggs, April 19, 1854. Richard Ladow, June 14, 1854. Albert Van Voorhies, September 4, 1854. Cornelius P. Abbott, October 25, 1854. Albert Van Voorhies, November 27, 1854. George W. Black, Ootober 23, 1854. Henry Mead, October 19, 1855. SECTION 34. Archibald Black, December 7, 1853. John McFarland, August 18, 1854. Albert Van Voorhies, September 4, 1854. Cornelius P. Abbott, October 25, 1854. Charles H. Beacli, October 28, 1854. Charles McDuffee, November 9, 1854. Samuel Woodman, November 3, 1855. Charles Shannon, November 3, 1855. Samuel Woodman, November, 17, 1855. SECTION 35. Charles McDuffee, November 9, 1854. Francis Pearson, July 6, 1855. John Kerr, September 11, 1855. John W. Chamberlin, October 30, 1855. Isaac Santee, September 1, 1856. SECTION 36. David Marvin, August 26. 1854. James M. Adams, November 21, 1854. Benjanmin Moreland, November 21, 1854. William King, June 5, 1855. James Pamlment, November 3, 1855. TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RA.NGE 8 EAST. SECTION 9. Abrallaml Van Demark, August 10, 1858. SECTION 10. Ab)rahlam Van Demlark, August 10, 1858. SECTION 16, P. McMurray, December 1, 1855. SECTION 17. Alanlsoln E. Pierce, July 30, 1858. SECTION 20. Jacob H. Little, December 29, 1858. Alanson E. Pierce, July 30, 1858. SECTION 24. I. S. Stone, February 3, 1859. SECTION 25. Wa-sa-an-a-quet, October 14, 1839. Gottlieb Layer, September 30, 1852. Daniel Marvin, Julne 5, 1855. Abraham Van Denmark, August 10, 1858. S. A. Baur, March 19, 1859. SECTION 26. Wa-sa-an-a-quet, October 14, 1839. Daniel Marvin, November 5, 1855. Daniel S. Marvin, January 15, 1856. Jacob Layer, January 15, 1856. W. B. Fuller, February 13, 1859. SECTION 29. Harvey Williams, June 20, 1853. SECTION 30. Harvey Williams, June 20, 1853. SECTION 31. Harvey Williams, June 20, 1853. King Allen, October 7, 1856. SECTION 32. Nathan Luce, August 14, 1858. SECTION 34. Daniel S. Marvin, January 15, 1856. Daniel S. Marvin, July 11, 1856. Albert Luther, December 15, 1856. SECTION 35. Horace C. Rounds, June 5, 1855. James T. Kile, July 7, 1855. Daniel S. Marvin, January 15, 1856. It is supposed that the first settler in the township that was formerly Geneva, was Peter Graverott, a Frenchman, who had a squaw for a wife. He had formerly been an Indian trader in tle Saginaw 115 - - - ad~ -I, I tw1 (a — L HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 129 Valley. They had a large family of children, some of whom are still living where they first settled, on the shore of Saginaw Bay. In 1853 Gottlieb Layer, his mother, brothers and sisters, settled there. Then come Daniel Marvin'and Hugh Willson. The assessed valuation of property in 1860, was $13,500; in 1870, $21,084; in 1875, $21,617. In April, 1865, five votes were polled, and in 1875 the number was seventy-five. The first town meeting in Geneva was held April 2, 1860, at the house of Gottlieb Layer, Sixty dollars was voted to be raised for township expenses. The following officers were elected: Supervisor, Lucius Marvin; clerk, Lemuel S. Stone; treasurer, Warren B. Fuller; justices of the peace, Hugh Willson, Benjamin Gardner, Daniel Marvin, Ephraim Briggs; highway commissioners, Daniel S. Marvin, Gottlieb Layer, Charles Anthony; constables, Warren B. Fuller, Charles Anthony, Samuel D. Everett, Jacob Layer; school inspectors, Lucius S. Marvin, Lemuel S. Stone; overseers of the poor, Daniel Marvin, Benjamin Gardner; overseers of highway, Hugh Willson, Daniel S. Marvin. Of the original town of Akron about two thirds was wooded land, one-third in the west part of the town being prairie. Of Geneva about two and one-half sections, in the southeast corner, was wooded, the rest of the township which is fractional being prairie. The surface is uniformly level, the prairie being low and much of it too wet for cultivation. It is, however, being gradually reclaimed, the State ditch affording a basis for drainage which is rapidly rendering the lands arable. The clearing out of Squaw Creek, which crosses the town from southeast to northwest, would undoubtedly redeem a large extent of low, worthless prairie. The natural growth of the wooded portion of the town is hickory, elm, beech, maple, basswood and different varieties of oak. Speaking of the early days of the town Hugh Willson, who came into Geneva in October, 1854, says, that where there are now waving fields of grain he has waded through the water up to his knees. Nothing can show the rapid redemption of the low lands more than this. EARLY EVENTS. The first settler in the original town of Akron was undoubtedly Martin W. Cramer, an Indian half-breed. His entry, which was in the ncrtheast quarter of section 1, was made November 10, 1852. He, however, sold his place to Samuel B. Covey, shortly after the latter came to the town. Following him came Edward Van Demark, in July, 1854. The Coveys, L. Hover, Richard Clark, the Waldos, C. P. Abbott, Charles Beach. The first services of the Christian religion were in 1856. A funeral service was held by Elder Santee, at the house of Francis Hover, and Elder Klump held services at the house of Robert Kile. At the latter the three families who composed the congregation, filled the house. This latter service was in December, 1856. In the following winter a protracted meeting was held and a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church formed. At the first town meeting in Akron which was held at the time and place designated, Edward Van Demark was chosen moderator and Lucius H. Waldo, clerk; C. H. Beach and James P. Demarest, inspectors. Alvin Waldo was chosen overseer of highways. Fifty dollars was voted for contingent expenses. The whole number of votes cast was twenty. The following were elected, viz.: Supervisor, Edward Van Demark, receiving twenty votes; treasurer, C. P. Abbott, receiving twenty votes; clerk, L. H. Waldo,- receiving twenty votes; school inspector for one year, J. Covey, receiving seventeen votes, three being for S. Merrill; inspector for two years, James P. Demarest, receiving twenty votes; overseers of the poor, S. Merrill, receiving seventeen votes, and T. F. Nicholson, receiving nineteen; commissioners of highways, John Nicholson, C. Brown and Charles H. Beach, each receiving twenty votes. Ransom Briggs and T. F. Nicholson were elected constables, the former receiving eighteen and the latter twenty votes. Archibald Black, James P. Demarest, Cornelius P. Abbott and Richard Clark were elected justices of the peace. The number of farms in Akron in 1881 was 202; acres of improved land, 4,475. There were raised in 1880, 19,422 bushels of wheat, 31,575 bushels of corn, 861 tons of hay. VILLAGE OF AKRON. This village, lying in the southern part of the town on its southern line, is but little more than a year old, dating from its first business enterprise. It is a result of the new railroad, the Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron. In the spring of 1882 G. W. Crane selected this as a desirable point for trade and built a store on the Fair Grove side of the line. Since then have been added Simmons & Young's store, J. A. Liken & Co's lumber and stave bolt mill, Charles Dowker's saw-mill, the cheese box factory of Mallory & Stetson, six dwelling-houses, and one in course of construction. Timber is being framed for a blacksmith and wagon shop. The village was platted in 1882 by Samuel Lynn. Akron postoffice was first established at the house of Samuel B. Covey in section 1, with Mr. Covey as postmaster. The first year of the war it was moved to the house of Lucius Waldo, about seven miles southwest of Unionville, who was appointed postmaster. In the fall of 1882 it was moved to Akron village, or Beach's Corners, with George Simmons as postmaster. SCHOOL MATTERS. According to the report of the school inspector for the year ending September 4, 1882, there were six whole and four fractional school districts in Akron. Names of directors for the ensuing year: George W. Smith, Samuel Bell, Delos Mead, Myron H. Vaughn, John McLaren, H. King, Arnold McCoy, D. W. Leonard, Alfred Petit, Josiah Bell. Number of school children in the town, 578; number that attended school during the year, 455. There are in the town ten frame and one log school-houses. i I i I r TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR. SUPERVISOR. 1883 —Samuel Bell. 1882 — Samuel Bell. 181 —Samuel Bell. 18 80-S. W. Hubbell. 1879)-S. W. Hubbell. 187 —S. W. Hubbell. 1877 —William Dolph. 1876 —John Staley, Jr. 1875-John Staley, Jr. 1874-John Staley, Jr. 1873-John Staley, Jr. 187'2-John Staley, Jr. 1871 —Wm. E. Dolph. 1870 —Wm. E. Dolph. 1869 —W. H. Covey. 1868 —Wm. E. Dolph. 1867-Wm. E. Dolph. 18t6- - 'ames P. Demarest. 1865-James P. Demarest. 1864-James P. Demarest. 1863-James P. Demarest. 1862-James P. Demarest. 1861-James P. Demarest. 1860 —Wm. B. Waldo. 1859-Edward Van Demark. 1858 —E dward Van Demark. 1857-Edward Van Demark. 1856 -Edward Van Demark. CLERK. John L. Evans. John L. Evans. George J. Dart. John L. Evans. R. W. Durkee. R. W. Durkee. R. W. Durkee. R. W. Durkee. R. W. Durkee. George J. Dart. Wm. B. Waldo. Wm. B. Waldo. W. H. Covev. Eli Woodman. Eli Woodman. D. W. Leonard. D. W. Leonard. L. H. Waldo. L. H. Hudson. L. H. Hudson. L. H. Hudson. J. G. Vangiesern. James P. Demarest. James P. Demarest. James P. Demarest. L. H. Waldo. Wm. B. Waldo. L. H. Waldo. TREASURER. CONMlISSIONER HIGHWAYS. C. Knickerbocker. JohnL. Smith, F. Achenbach. Curtis Luther. F. Achenbach. J. Westphal. C. Knickerbocker. R. Waldo. C. Knickerbocker. John L. Smith. John Nicholson. L. Phelps. John Nicholson. John L. Smith. John Nicholson. Geo. S. Clark. John Nicholson. Geo. S. Clark. John Nicholson. John Smith. John Nicholson. C. MIarvin. John Nicholson. Geo. S. Clark. John Nlcholson. L. Phelps. John Nicholson. E. A. May. John Nicholson. Jos. Holland. Wm. B. Waldo. Francis Hover. John Nicholson. E. A. May. John Nicholson. Jos. Holland. John Nicholson. ( Francis Hover. ) Enos Oakley. John Nicholson. E. A. Cook. Jn c.Milo Randall. John Nicholson. ] John G. Bick. John Nicholson. - Enos Oakley.n S J. G.VanCiesen S. B. Covey. Francis Hover. G. Merry. S. B. Covey. Albert Luther. C. P. Abbott. W. Woodman. C. P. Abbott. J. Woodman. C. P. Abbott. J. Nicholson. (J. Nicholson. C. P. Abbott. i C. Brown. C. H. Beach. BIOGRAPHICAL. CHARLES H. BEACH, farmer, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., July 3, 1827. He came with his parents to Washtenaw County, Mich., in his childhood. From there they removed to Branch 1 I i - -I __ 130 HISTORY OF TUSGOLA COUNTY. p _ County, where his father, Samuel Beach, was a pioneer settler. In this county he spent his youth and early manhood engaged chiefly in agriculture. On June 3, 1853, he was married to Miss Martha Bryant, also of Branch County. She was born in Russell, Ohio, December 5, 1833. They have nine children, Elva E., Adella A., Elmor H., Alice I., Elizabeth E., Orena E., Nelson C., Charles Milan and Carrie P. They came to Akron, Tuscola County, in March, 1854, and were tile first family to settle in that township, which of course was then an unbroken wilderness, and had as yet no municipal organization. From Tuscola village onward toward their place the road was a mere trail among the trees. They erected a log dwelling 16x20 feet outside, roofed it with shakes and floored it with puncheons, and made window casings from the pieces of a dry goods box. He bought a door of another shanty from a settler, but for some time they needed this for a table, and used a blanket for a door. One neighbor, in order to knock at the blanket door, brought a chip in his hand on which to rap. They cleared eight acres the first season and sowed five with wheat. Soon, however, they sold this their first forest home and bought in section 34, where they now reside. They now have forty-five acres of land and their son has thirty-five. They have thirty-five under cultivation, with an excellent fruit-bearing orchard and good buildings, constituting for them' an inviting home. The first barrel of flour he bought and brought into Akron cost him $11 and nearly four days' work with the team bringing it home, and through a part of one swamp he had to hoist it end over end by hand for a long distance, the oxen being done out with fatigue. Mr. Beach served as clerk in the organizing of the township. When he first served as overseer of highways he had two men in his beat, Mr. Davis at Unionville and Mr. Black on Hickory Island, eight miles away. He was the first school inspector and the first commissioner of highways in his township, but evaded office almost as soon as others could be found to serve. The church of their choice is the Methodist Episcopal Church. THE PLAGUE OF MICE.-The first season that Mr. and Mrs. Beach lived in Akron they were almost overrun with mice. They devoured their garden beans, and ate their tallow candles, and gnawed hole after hole in the solid hardwood head of their flour barrel; and when they suspended their candles from the peak of the roof in the house by a small cord some of these invaders followed by this to the candles. They once poured twenty-one dead mice from a gallon jug of molasses, out of which the cork had been eaten by them, and one live one ran dripping away. Mrs. Beach caught fourteen live ones in a bowl of meal with a pair of fire tongs. One man caught seventy mice in one evening in a dead fall. Numbers of them were found drowned in crocks of preserves, others nesting in satchels and muffs, and others swimming in pans of milk, and others creeping into every available place of refuge and sustenance. WESLEY HOVER, farmer, was born in Candor, N. Y., February 8, 1844. He came with his parents to Akron, Mich., in September, 1856. They settled in section 11, where Mr. Hover now resides, and he spent his youth mostly in improving their pioneer home and its surroundings. Later, however, he worked as a carpenter and joiner in Bay City and elsewhere. He and Miss Melissa Streeter, of Akron, were married May 17, 1863. She was born in Oakland County, Mich., April 14, 1845. They have had six children: Hattie, Gertrude, Loren, Bertha (deceased), Ernest and Chloe. Mr. Hover has in his farm home eighty acres of land with sixty under cultivation. I-e has apples, pears, plums, cherries and other small fruits, a commodious dwelling and other buildings, and is about to make still further additions, thus increasing the conveniences of their already pleasant home. JOHN NICHOLSON, farmer, was born in England, August 2, 1819. He came to New York June 2, 1844, and thence to Detroit, Mich., where he remained some six years. Later he spent five years in Ann Arbor, engaged in farming. He came to Akron, Tuscola County, Mich., October 26, 1855, and with his brother, Thomas Nicholson, settled on 160 acres of land which they had bought in 1853, in section 12. The only road then in the region was a winding trail among the trees of the forest, since known as the Watrousville and Sebewaing road. They at once began clearing the broad acres of their unbroken forest, and now, where then the lofty trees waved in their brushy grandeur, they have fertile fields and fruitful orchards, and where the mighty hoot of the owl once greeted their ears, they now listen to the shrill hoot of the railway whistle in the evening hour. The two brothers have lived and worked together ever since they came to the place, and hold their estate in undivided title, and have elegant farm buildings and an inviting home. Mr. J. Nicholson's marriage was to Miss Jane M. Wade, of Crawford County, Penn., who now shares with him the rewards of their former toils and encounters. Mr. Thomas Nicholson lost his partner, Mrs. Jane Nicholson, by death, in 1863, but endures his loss with hope that by and by they shall meet where parting shall be no more. EMERY D. COOK, farmer and dealer in real estate, farming implements and machinery, was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., January 21, 1835. He was bereaved of his father at the age of fourteen years, and three years later he came to Oakland County, Mich., and spent some two years in farming enterprise. He went thence to Saginaw County and entered the employ of John A. Westerfelt, Esq., at $14 per month. Five months later he became an overseer at $35 per month. He remained there until nearly of age, and accumulated in all some $700. In 1855 he bought 240 acres of land in Akron, in sections 14 and 21, and soon after returned to his native place, spent over three years, chiefly in lumbering, and accumulated about $1,000, which was nearly all lost in the panic of 1856. After this he returned and paid his land tax in Akron, but had only $3 left. He next engaged in stock raising and continued the enterprise for several years with good success. On January 14, 1860, he was married by B. W. IIuston, Esquire, of Vassar, to Miss Jennie E. Waldo, of Akron. She was born in Genesee County, N. Y., February 26,1838. She came with her parents from Bainbridge, Ohio, to Akron in 1856. The first township meeting held in Akron was held at the residence of her father, Mr. Alvin Waldo, and she selected the name for the township. Shortly after Miss Waldo taught one of the first three schools in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have had six children. Emery and Freddie are deceased. Emery was the first person buried in the Akron cemetery. The living children are Wilbert, Lucius, Ada and-Carrie. Later Mr. Cook sold his Akron estate and made a tour in the west, but soon returned, and bought eighty acres of land in section 31, Columbia, at $1,600, and resided there until the winter of 1883, when he sold that property for $3,200, and bought 440 acres in Akron. On one occasion Mr. Cook started to take four bushels of corn to mill and one ox gave out when yet six miles from the mill. Mr. Cook left hiim with a settler, and lie and the other ox drew the grist to the mill, which he found broken. He waited one week for his grist and earned five bushels of oats, which, with the grist and some seed corn, he and the ox drew back the six miles to where the other ox had been left. Mr. Cook has been six years highway com missioner, and justice of the peace twenty-one years, and has never had an official judgment reversed by the higher courts. CHARLES D. COOK, farmer, was born in Orleans County, N. Y., February 22, 1830. He was reared and educated in his native State, and came to Eaton County,'Mich., in.the spring of 1852. He had been married to Miss Lucinda J. Ferren, also of Orleans, on May J, e l A r A - b. RES.& STOCK FARM OF DR.WWM.JOHNSON VASSAR MICH. 5M, w to,~ ",! no ~~ ~,~:::;~oil s ~g~jAA" ~ ~~i~~s~-P~e~" 6:- 4 "x~rt *I 9-A ' - -, I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 131 I 6, 1850. On September 19, 1853, Mr. Cook was bereaved of his beloved wife, and eleven days later he lost an infant son. Shortly after this he returned to his native place, and on November 12, 1854, he and Miss Philena Hammond, also of Orleans, were united in marriage. She was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., May 6, 1833. He has now two children, Philena J. (now Mrs. George W. Davis) and Charles R., also two adopted children, Lettie (now Mrs. A. Loucks), and Frankie M. In November, 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Cook came to Oakland County, Mich., and about one year later they settled in section 27, in Akron, where he had bought eighty acres of land on which they still reside. His land was 50 cents per acre. There was then no township organization, and they had 'to underbrush a trail some distance among the trees to reach their chosen spot. Mrs. Cook remained five miles from their place while he made a small opening in the woods and prepared a dwelling, then she came and joined her husband in the pioneer experience of those early days. Their nearest postoffice was Vassar; but the waving forest has disappeared, and they have in their farm home 120 acres of land, with eighty acres improved, and with ample supplies of large and small fruits and inviting home comforts. Mr. Cook also owns eighty acres of other lands, and property in Caro and at Akron Station. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, Company D, and in a few months received a personal injury and was honorably discharged and returned home. Some time after he recovered, and again enlisted in the Twentyninth Michigan Infantry, Company A, and served until liberty and the Union triumphed over slavery and rebellion. Religiously Mr. Cook belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Politically he is a straight Republican. HENRY H. GILBERT, farmer, was born in Genesee County, Mich., August 12, 1842. He was bereaved of his father at the age of ten years. In 1855 he went west to Illinois, and remained there until the outbreak of the late rebellion. On September 12, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixty-sixth Illinois Infantry, Company C, and served his country until discharged January 24, 1864, by reason of general disability. His first engagement was in the midst of darkness. When marching to meet a band of guerrillas the advance scouts suddenly turned and came dashing back. As the scouts passed the lines, a general fire was ordered, and was followed by a most fearful braying from a herd of peaceable farm mules without any riders, over 100 of which in the morning were found dead or disabled in the road where they had met with and followed the horses of the advance scouts. Mr. Gilbert fought at Fort Henry, Fort Donalson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, second battle of Corinth and Vicksburg, and other minor engagements. He received three sabre thrusts and five gunshot wounds; the severest of which was received while on picket duty. Thirtythree buckshots and a mass of fine shot were afterward taken from his person, and one buckshot still remains, having been for twenty years firmly lodged in the rear part of the head a little below the skin. On being discharged he returned to Livingston County, Mich., and on March 14, 1865, he was married to Miss Lois Carr, of the same county. They had three sons, one of whom is dead. Those living are Birtzell H. and Alfred C. They settled in Wisner in November, 1867, and prepared them a pioneer home on the prai rie. The country was wet and without roads or conveniences for transportation, except by boats or canoes. On April 1, 1873, Mrs. Gilbert died of bronchial affection. Mr. Gilbert's second marriage was to Miss Emma Leonard, of Geneva, December 25, 1874. They have one son, Levi Leonard. In 1882 Mr. Gilbert sold his Wisner estate, of eighty acres, for $3,000, and has now a farm of twenty acres in Akron, formerly Geneva, which will be their future home. Mr. Gilbert has been postmaster in Wisner seven years and super visor six years. He belongs to the Northern Star Lodge of F. & A. M., and he and Mrs. Gilbert are members of the regular Baptist Church. ALBERT L. HEMSTREET, farmer, son of Daniel and Rosina Hemstreet, was born in Will County, Ill., May 22, 1845. He with his parents removed to Pennsylvania when seven years of age, and ten years later they came to Tuscola County, Mich., and settled in section 4 in Akron. They at once engaged in preparing them a pioneer home. There were then six children in the family, Albert, Harriet (now deceased), Delia, Calvin, Sarah and Lura. Grant, the youngest son, was born in Akron. They came by way of Saginaw, and arrived at their place on February 10, 1863. They then had 120 acres of land, mostly prairie, to which they have added forty more. Most of the surface when they came was a sheet of ice. They attempted to bring in one cow, but she fell on the ice and could not possibly recover her standing position; had to be drawn by hand to a land surface, gotten on her feet and left two weeks, until the ice left the surface of the prairie. In those pioneer days Mr. Hemstreet's sister fell sick of typhoid fever. No good physician could be obtained. She died, and no minister could be secured to preach a funeral sermon, and her remains were laid in the earth without funeral obsequies. Now, however, thev have overcome those scenes of sadness and disadvantage, and have about sixty acres under improvement, a good dwelling and other farm buildings, and an inviting home. Mrs. Hemstreet, the mother, is a member of the church of the United Brethren in Christ. Mr. Hemstreet has been five years a school assessor in his district. The father, Mr. Daniel Hemstreet, was a Methodist Episcopal exhorter, and was the first to hold stated religious meetings in the neighborhood. He was the first to move in the organization of the school district, and he was a leading person in the other improvements in the place, in Sabbath-school and for social good. He died of paralysis October 8, 1874, beloved and regretted by all around him. AARON BRODERICK, blacksmith, was born in Canada, November 17, 1856. He spent his youth in his native country, and learned his trade there. In March, 1881, he came to Akron, Mich. For a short time he worked by the month at his trade. Later he rented a shop and opened business, and has since bought the shop for his own use. He has also purchased a beautiful situation at Akron Station, and has now a pleasant dwelling and an increasing custom, requiring already hired help to accomplish the work. demanded. On November 22, 1882, he was married to Miss Hattie Hover, of Akron. Their inviting home is situated immediately in view of the station, and adjacent to the business blocks of the rising village. TOWN OF FAIR GROVE. Fair Grove is said to embrace one of the best townships of farming land in Tuscola. The surface of the township is very nearly level with a slight descent toward the northwest. There are several small creeks which assist in the work of drainage, but before a thorough system of ditching was inaugurated the land was decidedly wet, and the mud of Fair Grove had a county reputation. The soil is alluvial and exceedingly rich. The timber is beech, maple, elm and basswood, and before the work of clearing was begun, the township was covered with delightful groves, from which fact the town derived its name. There is no waste land in the township and scarcely an eighty acre tract that is not occupied by the owner. J Is -- ` --- t e.-!1 Is ----— ~- - c ^ I 132 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY EARLY HISTORY. The history of progress in Fair Grove dates from June, 1852, and the first settler was Amzy Clay, now a resident of the town of Ellington. Mr. Clay gives the following account of his family and their pioneer experience: " The first family that settled in the present town of Fair Grove was composed of my father, Henry Clay, myself, my sister Elizabeth, and a niece, Martha Ann Schofield. My father was born in Sussex County, N. J., September 25, 1783, and was consequently in his sixty-ninth year when we first came into the woods to make a home for ourselves. My sister Elizabeth was born December 4, 1820, and was in her thirty-second year. I was born October 17, 1828, in the town of Hardyston, Sussex County, N. J. My sister was born in the same county in the town of Sparta. Martha Ann Schofield was born in the town of Wantage, Sussex County, May 13, 1844. " My mother died in 1845 at the age of sixty, leaving a large family of children. My father died July 6, 1871. "On the 4th of May, 1852, we left Port Jervis, N. J., for Michigan, coming by the New York & Erie Railroad to Dunkirk, and thence by steamer to Detroit. At Pontiac we hired Joshua Terry to take us and our baggage to White Lake, Oakland County. After a few weeks' visit with relatives there, I started on the 31st of May in search of a home in the wilderness. After a short and unsatisfactory visit to Shiawassee County, I reached McGlone's, in what is now Juniata, and with him as guide went out to seek for a desirable location. Having selected the southwest quarter of section 15, township 13 north, range 8 east, I returned to Flint, and on the 9th of June entered my land with land warrant. June 16, my father, sister, niece and myself started for McGlone's. Leaving my sister and niece at Ira Tappan's, in Tuscola, my father and myself started on foot for McGlone's, reaching there about noon of the 18th. The next day we commenced chopping out the road known as the Sebewaing road, which had been laid out' a few weeks before I made my entry. Two and a half miles were to be cut out in what was then the town of Rogers, and three miles in township 13, range 8, now Fair Grove. It is to be remembered that on the 19th of June, 1852, the first blow was struck for the permanent opening of the old Sebewaing road running from WMatrousville, in the town of Juniata, to Sebewaing, in Huron County. We were aided in this work by Jacob Winchell, Erastus A. Marr, David Gorter, a Mr. Blank, Joseph R. McGlone and Patrick MecGlone, the latter using his team in logging out. We succeeded in clearing out about one and a half miles that day, so we had a good wagon track for that distance, stopping that night just to the northeast of the little creek crossing the road in the hollow southwest of the present residence of Simeon F. Wright, in Juniata. The 19th being Saturday, we stopped over Sunday with Patrick McGlone. The morning of the 21st we commenced alone to cut out road. The work being new to us was slow and tedious; and when we got on the low ground, the mosquitoes were very thick, and we had to fight them continuously; every little while placing our hands on the back of our necks we would kill hundreds of them, and our hands would be covered with blood; our faces and hands were bitten until they were sore and bloody, and still we worked on. Our progress was slow, being little more than half a mile per day; but by perseverance the work was completed Saturday night. Five o'clock found us twenty rods north of the quarter post between sections 15 and 22, every day having been a repetition of the first. The logs were cut off, the small timber cut and turned out of the way, and a good wagon track opened for five miles, three miles of which was in what is now Fair Grove. This was the first road by several months that was cut into that town. The logs were afterwards hauled out of the road by P. McGlone according to promise. "The next work was to chop and clear a spot to build a house upon, and this we had intended to commence the next week. Had my arrangements been carried out much time and money would have been saved; but we cannot look into the future and see what is in store for us there. On the 27th I started for Tuscola, having to go there on business, and before leaving requested father not to go down to work until I returned, fearing he might get lost in a country so different from that we had come from, as he was very easily turned around. There we had ridges, valleys, creeks, mountains, etc. Here we had a level country with no running streams at that time, as they were all dry or nearly so. He promised me he would not go, but being eager to hasten on the work, which was in fact delayed on account of this act of his, he started out alone on Monday morning, and before ten o'clock was wandering through the woods wild with excitement. When I'returned from Tuscola and learned that he had gone to work I hastened out, but when I arrived upon the ground he, in his efforts to find his way out, was tramping deeper and deeper into, the forest. He had his ax with him, and had he begun chopping as soon as he found he was lost I might, being guided by the sound, have found him without trouble. As it was he was obliged to spend five days and four nights in the woods, suffering from hunger, thirst and fear, and from the immense swarms of mosquitoes that filled the woods day and night. A good deal of rainy weather also during the week kept his clothes wet about all the time. When he discovered that he was really lost he attempted to find the road leading from McGlone's to Vassar, but traveled in the wrong direction. He was in the midst of a wilderness many miles in extent, and became so confused as to lose all idea of the points of compass. Every day he kept walking and at night rested as best he could. During all the time he was in the woods he subsisted on berries, roots and bark. Sometimes after walking for hours he would find himself back at the very point from which he started. At such times he would feel that further effort was useless and death inevitable, but after resting for a time would start forward. One night he dug a hole in the trunk of a rotten tree large enough to admit his body and crawled into it, but his clothes being wet he became chilled, and having no matches he chopped all night in order to keep himself warm. "During this time search was being made, but without avail. On the fifth day several men, among whom were Joseph Selden, Charles R. Selden, Ezra and Jonas Belknap, William Jameson, John Morse and a Mr. Freeman, were working on the road near the present line between Juniata and Denmark; while thus engaged they heard sounds issuing from the woods, and knowing that Mr. Clay was lost, John Morse started out to see from whence the sounds came. A short distance away he saw a man wandering about and soon learned that he was the lost man. He was taken to the house of Ezra Belknap, where he was given the attention which his critical condition required. After a few days he returned home, but it was a long time before he recovered from the hardships endured during those five days." The foregoing circumstance narrated by Mr. Clay has become one of the traditions of the county, and if space would warrant, the incidents of those five days' wanderings would make up a chapter of thrilling interest. The big elm tree in which Mr. Clay dug for himself a couch stood by a small stream in what is now Gilford township, which was afterward named Clay Creek, and is still designated by that name. In September, 1852, Edward Howel came in, but remained only until about the following Christmas, when he returned to his former home in Wayne County. _J L - l, - -- X - -lI -" o J J j.Ic C __ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 1; There was no further settlement in the town until about the There was no further settlement in the town until about the 5th of October of the same year, when Zephaniah Wilber and family arrived. The day after came David P. Hinson and family, his brother-in-law, Nelson Vickery and family, and Mrs. Hinson's father. In the fall of 1852 Robert McFarland and his son John entered land, and the next spring Mr. McFarland and his son Andrew and step-son Charles E. Fonda came in and commenced improvements. The first marriage that was solemnized in the town was that of Miss Elizabeth Clay to John P. Wilber, son of Zephaniah Wilber, at the house of the bride's brother, Amzy Clay, November 2, 1853, the ceremony being performed by Lucius S. Marvin, Esq. In the spring of 1854 Mathias Ringle and his wife settled in section 21, and his brother-in-law, Romanzo E. Goodnough and wife, in section 28. September 22, 1854, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ringle a son, David, believed to have been the first birth in the township. The second birth was October 2, 1854, William, son of John P. and Elizabeth Wilber. The first death was Mr. Calhoun, living on section 16. The first school district organized was No. 5, or Hinson District, which was organized while the township was attached to Rogers. A school-house was built in this district in the spring of 1856, and the first school was taught in it that summer by Caroline E. Stoddard, of Rogers, and during the next winter school was taught by Amzy Clay, as also during the winter term of 1857-'58. In June, 1856, Amzy Clay received his commission as postmaster of Fair Grove. ENTRIES OF LAND. The following list is of land entries made prior to the year 1860: TOWNSHIP 13 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST. SECTION 1. Charles Knickerbocker, October 28, 1854. Ebenezer Warn, October 28, 1854. Mason T. Barker, October 28, 1854. Nathan Clifford, January 5, 1855. Norman Harvey, September 22, 1855. Lysander J. Lewis, December 21, 1855. SECTION 2. Charles MIcDuffee, November 9, 1854. George Fairfield, November 25, 1854. Joseph Newbold, February 19, 1855. Norman Harvey, September 22, 1855. Benjamin Billington, October 8, 1855. SECTION 3. Robert McFarland, November 1, 1852. John MicFarland, November 1, 1852. Austin Atchison, February 16, 1853. Harriet Ann Fonda, September 9, 1853. William Fairfield, Jr., March 30, 1854. William Burton, June 8, 1854. Charles McDuffee, November 9, 1854. Ransford S. Bryant, November 28, 1854. Robert Patrick, December 23, 1854. Birdsey Perkins, December 25, 1854. SECTION 4. Albert Van Voorhies, September 4, 1854. James R. Phillips, October 24, 1854. Lvman J. Corbin, November 23, 1854. John Francis, December 12, 1854. Lyman J. Corbin, February 2, 1855. Robert Butler, June 15, 1855. SECTION 5. Chester Baxter, November 29, 1854. Thomas MicGrady, June 5, 1855. Michael Buchanan, June 5, 1855. Jesse Stone, August 20, 1855. Owen Kunkel, September 6, 1855. Norman Cone, September 11, 1855. MIichael Buchanan, September 9, 1855. David F. Steele, September 9, 1855. SECTION 6. Webster H. Jones, January 13, 1855. Jesse Stone, September 24, 1855. John Jacob Richter, October 3, 1855. WVilliaml Gotwalt, October 23, 1855. John Simott, December 10, 1855. SECTION 7. Chester Baxter, November 29, 1854. Thomas MIcGrady, June 5, 1855. Michael Buchanan, June 5, 1855. David F. Steele, June 9, 1855. Michael Buchanan, June 9, 1855. Jesse Stone, August 20, 1855. Owen Kunkel, September 6, 1855. Norman Cone, September 11, 1855. SECTION 8. Albert Roe, October 25, 1854. David F. Steele, June 9, 1855. Jesse Stone, August 20, 1855. Norman Cone, September 11, 1855. Jesse Stone, September 24, 1855. John G. Thlroop, August 27, 1856. SECTION 9. Philander Hazen, May 4, 1855. Robert Butler, June 15, 1855. Wallace R, Bartlett, July 27, 1855. Jesse Stone, September 24, 1855. SECTION 10. Aaron Seaver, July 14, 1852. Hermon Camp, November 12, 1852. William Atwater, December 1, 1852. Charles H. Summers, January 12, 1853. Eli A. Eddy, June 17, 1854. George Bryant, October 28, 1854. Alonzo Fairbanks, October 25, 1855. SECTION 11. Henry G. Sherman, SMarch 16, 1855. Thomas Graham, September 12, 1855. William Fairfield, August 12, 1856. George W. Black, September 7, 1858. SECTION 12. David J. Pulsipher, April 11, 1854. Edward R. Clifford, November 2, 1854. Valentine Coats, January 5, 1855. Henry G. Sherman, March 16,1855. William P. Convis, March 16, 1855. Henry G. Sherman, July 5, 1855. James Van Valkenburgh, July 9, 1855. James Van Valkenburgh, September 11, 1855. Mason S. Samson, October 9, 1855. SECTION 13. Thomas Graham, October 30, 1854. Anthony Harmon, November 6, 1854. Morensi M. Sherman, March 16, 1855. SECTION 14. Virgil L. Wilcox, October 17, 1854. Thomas Graham, October 30, 1854. Richard R. Jackson, April 3, 1855. MI. W. Sampson, March 19, 1859. David Cutler, October 16, 1855. SECTION 15. Elon Virgil, June 9, 1852. Amzy Clay, June 9, 1852. Henry Clay, June 16, 1852. Hermon Camp, November 10, 1852. Richard Pater, July 6, 1854. Romanzo E. Goodnough, November 27, 1854. 33 f -ft i d ~ ~_ I k " 1 - j IIe I I 134 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. - Virgil S. Wilcox, July 27, 1855. James J. Roberts, October 9, 1855. John Lee, October 9, 1855 SECTION 16. David Cahoon, May 23, 1855. Amos Holmes, March 21, 1856. Ann E. Cranston, June 24, 1856. George W. Smalling, June 24, 1856. Nathan Luce, March 19, 1859. Leonard Smith, April 1, 1859. David E. Cranston, June 24, 1856. SECTION 17. William Cooper, June 6, 1853. Orvil Otis, December 27, 1853. Ira Tappan, August 4, 1854. Alfred Benton, November 4, 1854. Jonas Bellinger, May 22, 1855. SECTION 18. David L. Steele, August 20, 1856. Joseph R. McGlone, November 5, 1856. Reuben Hitchcock, July 19, 1854. James Otis, January 9, 1854. Peter Honsinger, September 18, 1851. Franklin Fairman, May 28, 1860. George Burgess, August 2, 1860. SECTION 19. Aaron Burdick, September 23, 1856. Charles Patterson, October 15, 1856. Reuben Hitchcock, July 19, 1854. William Parks, March 12, 1855. James A. Stowell, January 13, 1852. Charles C. Mallory, October 16, 1856. SECTION 20. Hugh Campbell, October 13, 1851. Lucius Craul, April 28, 1852. James A. Tice, May 6, 1853. Charles White, June 26, 1854. Harmon Streeter, November 8, 1854. Benjamin Dennis, December 20, 1854. John Demnnis, December 20, 1854. George Degroff, March 7, 1855. SECTION 21. Hugh Campbell, May 3, 1852. David Rengle, August 22, 1853. James Wood, November 14, 1853. Hermon Camp, March 20, 1854. Aaron Watrous, Jr., August 21, 1854. Harmon Streeter, November 8, 1854. George Degroff, November 7, 1854. SECTION 22. Elon Virgil, June 9, 1852. Asa Stoddard, June 7, 1852. Benjamin Greene, June 7, 1852. Daniel Chapman, June 14, 1852. Lysander J. Lewis, November 29, 1853. William C. Pratt, September 10, 1854. SECTION 23. Virgil S. Wilcox, October 17, 1854. Duifee Chase, July 25, 1855. David A. Salisbury, August 31, 1855. SECTION 24. Patrick Sheridan, September 4, 1855. Obed Wright, September 4, 1855. Alva Spaulding, December 7, 1855. William J. Rawson, July 5, 1856. SECTION 25. Daniel R. Sortwell, December 19, 1853. Herman Andrews, October 24, 1854. Samuel Moreland, January 18, 1855. Herman Andrews, February 6, 1855. Ezra Heath, August 20, 1855. Elihu Arnet, November 1, 1855. SECTION 26. Carlton Wilber, November 25, 1853. Lucius S. Marvin, January 21, 1854. Joshua N. Heath, March 15, 1854. Simeon Dailies, March 24, 1854. Ralph Hollingworth, January 26, 1855. Carlton Wilber, May 11, 1855. Ambrose Mathews, August 27, 1855. Oliver A. Dickinson, August 29, 1855. Peter Bowen, September 4, 1855. SECTION 27. Leonard Canfield, June 9, 1852. William Hanna, October 21, 1854. Bela B. Blakslee, December 5, 1854. Watson Luther, December 11, 1854. Oliver B. Wilcox, June 29, 1855. Oliver A. Dickilnson,. August 29, 1855. Peter Bowen, September 4, 1855. SECTION 28. John P. Maxwell, July 24, 1852. David Ringle, August 22, 1853. John S. G. Bodge, March 24, 1854. Hermon Camp, March 20, 1854. Daniel D. Dewey, May 5, 1854. James H. Streeter, Julne 21, 1854. SECTION 29. David P. Hinson, May 11, 1853. Marvin Hinson, October 10, 1853. George Whitehouse, February 7, 1854. John Houghtaling, March 8, 1854. William Abell, March 13, 1854. Madison J. Marsh, April 17, 1854. Samuel Hinman, June 17, 1854. Elijah Phillips, June 23, 1854. James H. Streeter, December 12, 1854. SECTION 30. Edward Packer, February 8, 1855. Samuel W. Dexter, March 30, 1854. Edwin Jacobs, October 30, 1851. James M. Edmunds, September 10, 1851. SECTION 31. James Spencer, January 26, 1850. John Atkin, February 16, 1852. James Spencer, May 3, 1853. Albert Haner, October 8, 1853. Samuel M. Booth, July 6, 1854. Patrick Connelly, August 11, 1856. SECTION 32. David P. Hinson, April 28, 1852. Levi Read, August 26, 1853. James Bennett, November 7, 1853. William Burton, June 8, 1854. William Burton, June 26, 1854. Thomas Streeter, November 13, 1854. David P. Hinson, January 13, 1855. Bela B. Blakslee, January 17, 1855. SECTION 33. David P. Hinson, April 28, 1852. Thomas M. Knight, June 13, 1853. James Bennett, November 7, 1853. Hermon Camp, March 20, 1854. Elijah Phillips, June 22, 1854. Charlotte Luther, December 11, 1854. Hermon Camp, December 16, 1854. Squire B. Crawford, January 10, 1855. George Whitehouse, May 18, 1855. Albert Arnold, July 5, 1855. SECTION 34. Thomas M. Knight, June 11, 1853. Storms S. Arnold, August 24, 1853. James Rideout, September 23, 1853. Albert Luther, December 11, 1854. Henry Winchell, April 17, 1855. I I I - i I -4 I I I!L 4 7 - I i-04 -r ,I M a I-I' 1 1 I i (k 1*. — I 9 a HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 135 - I Henry Brusie, July 2, 1855. Peremilly Brusie, July 2, 1855. SECTION 35. Carlton Wilber, November 25, 1853. Michael Hiller, December 19, 1853. Aaron Watrous, Jr., December 17, 1853. Daniel Dunn, April 6, 1854. Daniel D. Dewey, May 3, 1854. Michael Hiller, February 21, 1855. Carlton Wilber, May 11, 1855. Warner Vandusen, October 23, 1855. Aaron Watrous, August 5, 1858. William King, August 12, 1858. SECTION 36. Daniel Kinyon, July 10, 1852. John R. Root, September 14, 1852. David Dunn, July 16, 1853. George P. Root, August 13, 1853. Daniel Kinyon, December 8, 1853. Lewis R. Vangieson, August 24, 1854. Willard Moreland, November 2, 1854. Samuel Moreland, January 18, 1855. CIVIL HISTORY. At a meeting of the board of supervisors held December 31, 1855, a resolution was adopted to organize township 13 north, of range 8 east, and that it be designated by the name of Fair Grove. The application was signed by P. B. Wilber, Thomas Graham, James Moreland, John Kelsey, Willard Moreland, Elihu Arnet, Ezra Heath, O. Wright, James H. Streeter, James H. Bennett, James S. Wood, Lyman J. Corbin, Robert McFarland, William Fairfield, Amzy Clay and Henry Clay. The application designated the name of Mont-Ville, and in case that should not be deemed admissible, suggested the names of Ladore, Forest Home, New Lebanon, Fair Grove, North Spy, New Durham, New Lisbon, North Farms, Middle Town and New Berlin. According to notice given by order of the board of supervisors the citizens of Fair Grove assembled April 7, 1856, at the residence of D. P. Hinsof on section 29, township 13 north, of range 8 east, for the purpose of holding the first annual township meeting and perfecting the organization of the town. R. E. Goodnough and Robert McFarland having been previously appointed inspectors of election by the board of supervisors and D. P. Hinson having been appointed moderator, they proceeded to business. W. R. Bartlett was by vcita ctocce vote elected clerk of election; also by the board of election R. E. Goodnough was chosen assistant clerk. The inspectors and officers of election having been sworn in, it was voted to adjourn to the school-house near by, which was done. It was voted that a committee be appointed to select candidates, and T. btreeter, L. J. Corbin, J. Moreland, Philip Honsinger, Robert Butler and W. R. Bartlett were appointed. This committee reported the following list of candidates: For supervisor, D. P. Hinson; clerk, W. R. Bartlett; treasurer, L. J. Corbin; school inspectors, Charles E. Fonda, Webster H. Jones; directors of the poor, Z. Wilber, N. Northrop; commissioners of highways, R. Butler, J. Heath, T. Streeter; justices of the peace, R. E. Goodnough, Philip Honsinger, Thomas Graham, Robert McFarland; constables, Jasper Fox, James H. Bennett, Obed Wright. The meeting then adjourned for one hour, after which the first elected were Thomas Streeter highway overseer in Road District No. 12, and Elihu Arnett overseer in Road District No. 13. The result of the vote was as follows: For supervisor, D. P. Hinson was elected by forty-four votes; no opposition. For town clerk, W. R. Bartlett received forty-four votes and was declared elected. For treasurer, Lyman J. Corbin received forty-two votes and John Kelsey two, and Lyman J. Corbin was declared elected. For school inspectors, Charles E. Fonda and Webster H. Jones each received forty-three votes, and were declared elected. For overseers of the poor, Zephaniah Wilber 'and Noah Northrop received each forty-four votes, and were declared elected. For commissioners of highways, Robert Butler received thirty votes, Joshua A. Heath and Thomas Streeter each forty-four votes, and Amzy Clay thirteen votes; the three first were declared elected. For justices of the peace, Thomas Graham received forty-one votes, Robert McFarland forty votes, R. E. Goodnough thirty-nine votes, and Thomas Streeter four votes; the first four were declared elected. For constables, Jesse Fox, James H. Bennett, Obed Wright and George Bryant received each thirty-three votes, and were declared elected; Thomas Graham, Robert McFarland, R. E. Goodnough and Philip Honsinger received each one vote. It was voted unanimously to raise the assessment on 1 mld for the benefit of highways instead of voting a direct tax for highway purposes. It was voted unanimously that the town raise $50 for contingent and incidental fund to put the treasury in a situation to keep town orders par. This amount to be raised in addition to the demands of the present season. It was voted unanimously that the next annual town meeting be held at the school-house near D. P. Hinson's. July 7, 1856, the township boards of Rogers, Fair Grove and Akron met in Watrousville for the purpose of effecting a mutual settlement, making a division of moneys, credits, library books and indebtedness. The rule was adopted that the several townships mentioned should receive of moneys and credits and pay off indebtedness in the following proportion, viz.: Rogers, 9, Fair Grove, 1270, and Akron,,5, which arrangement appears to have been satisfactorily carried out. At a meeting of the town board held October 11, 1856, it was decided that the office of town clerk was vacant on account of the removal of the clerk from the township, and Amzy Clay was appointed. At the annual town meeting of- 1859 the result of a vote upon the question of town or district libraries was fifty-two to one in favor of township library. At the annual meeting in 1861 it was voted that the treasurer make a demand on the town of Juniata for moneys due, and that if refused the proper officers take legal steps to collect. It was voted to raise one-half of one per cent on the valuation for roads and bridges. In February, 1864, at the written request of fifteen electors a special town meeting was called to meet on the 25th for the purpose of raising a township bounty for volunteers, not exceeding $200 per volunteer, in order to fill the quota assigned the township and thus avoid a draft. At this meeting the town board was instructed to pay all volunteers who have enlisted or may enlist under the call for 300,000 men the sum of $200; and to those who enlist under the last call for 200,000 men $100 each, and that bonds, orders or other evidences of indebtedness bearing 7 per cent interest be issued as required, and that volunteers under the last call receive $100 more, provided those under the first call receive $100 from the State. Also that the town board be authorized to enlist volunteers out of the township if necessary. Similar action was also taken at the annual meeting in 1864. The town board on the 5th of April, 1864, issued four bonds to pay bounties as follows, viz.: To Mason S. Samson, $200; to L. C. Miller, $200; to George W. Dutcher, $200; and to one not mentioned, $100. - t. N I V T - a 11111. 136 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. At the general election in November, 1874, thle vote of Fair Grove upon the question of woman suffrage, then submitted to the people, was sixteen votes in the affirmative and sixty-seven in the negative. At the annual town meeting in 1877, 184 votes were cast. It was decided to purchase a site for a town hall and to raise $400 in yearly installments of $100 each to build a town house. John Francis, Thomas Graham and John S. Moor were appointed a building committee. It was voted to raise money to build a bridge across Squaw Creek in section 16. About the month of May, 1879, there appears to have raged in the town of Fair Grove a canine epidemic among the sheep, judging from the numerous reports, affidavits and appraisals of values of sheep slain. In May, 1879, the board decided to purchase a site for a town hall, as ordered by the annual town meeting in 1878, and appropriated $40 for that purpose. They further directed S. C. Wilder to get up plans and specifications and to advertise for bids. The contract was subsequently let to Albert Shel]ito, and in September, 1879, a very neat and convenient town hall was, after view, accepted as built according to the specifications, and there the next annual town meeting was held. The number of voters at that meeting was 238. The townl hall was by subsequent action of the board put in charge of the town clerk, and he was authorized to open it for literary, political and religious meetings free of charge, a charge, however, being made for the use of thie building whenever anll adlnittanlce fee was collected. TOWN OFFICERS, YEAR. SUPERVISOR. 1883. James Kirk. 1882. James Kirk. 1881. James Kirk. 1880. John Francis. 1879. Edward J. Putnam. 1878. William B. Waldo. 1877. William B. Waldo. 1876. William H. Rose. 1875. William H. Rose. 1874. William H. Rose. 1873. I. N. Loomis. 1872'. I.N. Loomis. 1871. I. N. Loomis. 1870, C. C. Stoddard. 1869. C. C. Stoddard. 1868. D. P. Hinson. 1867. John Francis. 1866. D. P. Hinson. 1865. D. P. Hinson. CLERK. F. W. Harris. F. W. Harris. W. F. Stoddard. L. C. Wilber. L. C. Wilber. L. C. Wilber. F. W. Harris. F. W. Harris. F. W. Harris. F.W. Harris. D. E. Cranston. D). E. Cranston. N. L. Parmater. H. N. Gotham. H. N. Gotham. D. E. Cranston. L. C. Wlber. L. C. Wilber. Price Campbell. Amzy Clay. C. E. Fonda. C. E. Fonda. C. E. Fonda. C. C. Stoddard. C. C. Stoddard. G. Smalling. Amzy Clay. TREASURER. R. C. Burroughs. H. N. Gotham. H. N. Gotham. L. F. Hinson. L. F. Hinson. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. John Francis. Watson Luther. L. F. Hinson. L. F. Hinson. L. F. Hinson. Watson Luther. Watson Luther. J. A. Heath. John Francis. J. A. Heath. L. J. Corbin. L. J. Corbin. COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS. William Kirk. William Kirk. William Kirk. James Kirk. John S. Moor. Watson Luther. John S. Moor. John S. Moor. John Francis. Moses Mitchell. Philip Honsinger. William P. Convis. John Francis. Alonzo Cooper. Philip Honsinger. J. B. Graham. John Francis. Orvil Otis. George W. Black. Storms Arnold. - J. M. Petershaus. E. R. Clifford. I W. P. Convis.! Orvil Otis. George Smailing. Ezra Heath. Orvil Otis. John McFarland. ~ S. Fairbanks. Jerome B. Wilber. C. Knickerbock'r. R. Butler. j R.E.Goodnough. C.Knickerbock'r. Robert Butler. Joshua A. Heath. Thomas Streeter. Census of 1874: Population, 1,056; bushels of wheat raised, 5,900; bushels of corn raised, 17,747; bushels of potatoes, 10,774; tons of hay cut, 1,580. Population in 1880, 1,609. In 1882 the number of acres assessed was 22,706; total equalized valuation of real and personal property was $476,815; number of farms in 1881, 242; acres of improved land, 8,222; bushels of wheat in 1880, 39,582; of corn, 67,643; tons of hay, 1,204. SCHOOL MATTERS. From the annual school report of the town of Fair Grove for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained: Directors for the ensuing year, John M. Petershaus, George Inglis, Bert Shellito, F. W. Harris, James Kirk, Philip Honsinger, J. S. Vandemark and John P. Reed. Number of school districts, eight, of which seven are whole and one fractional. Number of school houses, eight, seven of them frame and one log. The number of children of school age is 596, of whom 476 attended school during the year. FAIR GROVE VILLAGE. This is an unincorporated village in the town of Fair Grove, located in the east half of southeast quarter of section 17, and west half of southwest quarter of section 16. No plat of the village has been filed, and descriptions of lots sold have been made necessarily by metes and bounds. Some ten years ago a small store of general merchandise was kept here by D. Lane and sold subsequently to S. N. Aldrich, who has largely extended the business. This was about all of the village until the year 1881, when the advent of the Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron Railroad gave this point prominence as a center of trade for the surrounding country.- Since then the growth of the village has been rapid, numbering at present thirty houses, with others in course of construction. Its business enterprises consist of the sash factory of Liken & Bach, flouring-mlill of Roby & Wylie, planingmill of Trimble & Dougherty, wagon shop of Mitchell & Stanard, blacksmith shop of George Biles, general stores of S. N. Aldrich, R. C. Burroughs and R. Wakeman, drug store of Sprague & Stoddard, furniture, tinware and notion store of F. A. Rogers, agricultural implement warehouse of M. L. Aldrich, Charles Puffer's meat market, J. D. Burlingame's livery stable, and J. S. Streeter's hotel. Just south of the village and undoubtedly at no distant day to be included within its limits, is the church of the United Presbyterians. The Methodist Episcopal society and the United Brethren are preparing to build houses of worship. Twenty-six years ago a postoffice was established at Fair Grove Centre with Amzy Clay as postmaster. In March, 1881, it was removed to Fair Grove village, and D. E. Cranston, the present postmaster, was appointed to the office. CHURCH HISTORY. About the year 1861 a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Fair Grove by Elder Bancroft. The services of the church have been held with general regularity to the present time. There are now two classes holding services in the schoolhouses. A formal organization for incorporation was made at the fourth quarterly conference of the Watrousville circuit held at Watrousville June 12, 1875, when the corporate name of "First Methodist Episcopal Church of Fair Grove" was adopted, and the following trustees elected, viz.: William H. Rose, Edmund McCready, S. N. Aldrich, Charles Partlo and E. W. Johnson. Preparations are being made for building a hiouse of worship in the village of Fair Grove. 1864. 1863. 1862. 1861. 1860. 1859. 1858. 1857. Watson Luther. C. C. Stoddard. C. C. Stoddard. Amzy Clay. Thomas Graham. D. P. Hinson. D. P. Hinson. D. P. Hinson. 1856. D.P. Hinson. W. R. Bartlett. Lyman J. Corbin. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 867; families, 91; dwellings, 91; number of occupied farms, 87; number of acres improved, 1,898; number of horses, 15; number of cows, 114; bushels of wheat raised, 1,396; bushels of rye raised, 48; bushels of corn raised, 1,363; bushels of oats raised, 1,082; bushels of potatoes raised, 1,325; pounds of butter made, 5,940. Census of 1870: Population, 928; number of farms, 128; voters, 185; pounds of wool sheared, 3,345; pounds of butter made, 48,790; bushels of wheat raised, 6,677; bushels of potatoes raised, 8,489; tons of hay cut, 1,233; bushels of corn raised, 4,726; bushels of oats raised, 7,175. j I I %W 0 u m 0 C.) -4 -i a C.) W:3 I — m U) z 3:: 0 -.4 0 L) CA:3 I — z 0 C-0 0 CC x L) ric 0 LIL 0 w Ir 0 CO ob 2 0:.4 LA. x Q 0 1C-0 6.w Ix I: A -j -T.*- I:! I V ___ - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. -, I 137 I I A church of Seventh Day Adventists was organized in 1865 by Elder Van Horn with six or eight members. It was formally organized for incorporation March 12th, 1869, articles of association being signed and the following trustees elected, viz.: Christopher Cramer, David Ferren and and B. Perkins. The church has now thirty members with a Sabbath-school of forty members. Elder William Ostrander is the preacher assigned to this circuit. The church building, situated two and one-half miles north of the village of Fair Grove is unfinished, though occupied for religious services. Juhe 22, 1883, was incorporated the "Board of Managers of the Fair Grove Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church," by which'act the powers of the corporation were vested in the ruling elders, deacons and the pastor. This was done in conformity with the requirements of law, and to enable the congregation to hold property. Its original organization, however, dates back for several years. In 1882 a house of worship was completed at a cost of about $2,000. The membership is about fifty-five. The Sunday-school numbers 110, with an average attendance of fiftyfive. Services and Sabbath-school are held every Sunday. The pastors of the church have been Revs. Shanks, Hill, and the present incumbent, J. R. Wylie. At a quarterly conference of the United Brethren in Christ, held at Fair Grove September 16, 1871, a board of trustees was elected consisting of Richard T. Hunter, David E. Cranston and Amos Huntington, with authority "to build a parsonage-house," and to hold the same house and property for the benefit of the said church. The membership of the church was about twenty-five; the pastor, Rev. William Price. There are now two classes in the town, one to the west, and the other to the north of the village of Fair Grove. Rev. W. H. Drake is pastor, and holds services with each class every Sabbath. Grounds have been secured and material collected in Fair Grove village for a house of worship, which it is hoped and intended will be soon erected. Articles of association were entered into May 10, 1875, by John E. Cragg, James Gaunt, J. G. Gaunt, Phebe Gaunt, Mary Gaunt, Phebe A. Gaunt, Mary Yeomans, Esther Williams, Sarah Yeomans and C. D. Petershaus, "of the denomination called the Methodist," for the purpose of forming a body corporate. The name of Fair Grove mission or circuit was adopted, being located in the townships of Fair Grove and Gilford. This was the formal organization of the church under the laws of the State. Their house of worship is in the southwest corner of the town. Services are held every Sunday. BIOGRAPHICAL. D. P. HINSON settled in Fair Grove in the year 1852, and died May 4, 1882, at the age of eighty-four. He was born in the State of Connecticut. Married in the State of New York, February, 1821, to Miss Sarah Vickery. Settled in Michigan in 1827, and in Fair Grove in 1852. He was one of the oldest Masons in the State, and was connected with all the important events of the county of Tuscola. DAVID E. CRANSTON, postmaster, merchant and notary public, was born in Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., June 16, 1813. At the age of fourteen years he removed with his parents to Wayne County, N. Y. He spent some four years there, and then returned to his grandfather's in his native county. Here, in 1833, he commenced teaching school, and continued steadily in that profession until 1845. He was married December 20, 1835, to Miss Mary Davis, of Marbletown, N. Y. They had four children, Ann M., Thomas C. (killed in the army), Elizabeth O. (now Mrs. Will iam Partlo), and Mary I. (afterwards Mrs. M. Murphy), deceased in April, 1879. Mrs. Mary Cranston died August 11, 1844. Mr. Cranston's second marriage was to Miss Ann E. Smalling, of Goshen, N. Y., May 4, 1845. She was born on Long Island, October 4, 1817. They have four living children, Frances (now Mrs. D. Bussing)., Henry, Eliza (now Mrs. C. Dutcher), and Emma (now Mrs. F. Rogers). Mr. Cranston came to Tyrone, Mich., in May, 1845, and resided there until 1856, when he sold his estate there and came to section 16, in Fair Grove, where he now has a pleasant home. He has also a store of drugs, groceries, etc., in Fair Grove village, where in connection with the po3toffice he conducts a steadily increasing business. On January 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, when he was over fifty years of age, and served his country until the Confederacy was quashed. He had in the war one son, two brothers-in-law, two sons-in-law, and seven nephews. His son was killed; one nephew was starved to ieath in Andersonville prison; and another came home from Danville prison with his mind perfectly demented. Mr. Cranston has served as township clerk in Livingston County four years, and in Tuscola County he has served as county surveyor eight years, justice of the peace four years, and as notary public some ten years —and to that office he has just received another appointment. He has been a local preacher among the United Brethren in Christ since 1871. FRANCIS W. HARRIS, farmer and mlechanic, was born in Chardon, Ohio, September 23, 1842. He was reared and educated in his native State, and in 1865 he went to Madison, Ohio, from whence in 1872 he came to section 22 in Fair Grove, Mich. He had been married to Miss Ellen Foster, also of Madison, October 23, 1867. She was born there December 16, 1842. They have one daughter, Mary C. They have eighty acres of land, with nearly thirty acres improved, a fruit-bearing orchard of various fruits, and pleasant home conveniences. Mr. Harris has been school moderator eight years, and is now school director. He has been township clerk nearly five years, and deputy clerk two years. Religiously they are Episcopal Methodists, and he is a steward in that church. JASPER STREETER, hlotel-keeper, was born in.Oakland County, Mich., March 9, 1843. He came with his parents to Tuscola County when nine years old. His time has been spent chiefly in farming and butchering, and dealing in meats. He was married March 8, 1866, to Miss Augusta Luce, of Fair Grove. She was born in Steuben County, N. Y., October 8, 1852. They have two children, Carrie and Carey. Mr. Streeter opened his hotel in Fair Grove village in September, 1881, and his patronage ever since then has increased steadily. Almost every day his tables and rooms are all occupied, and to his present accommodations, already large, he intends forthwith making further additions. His good barn furnishes warm shelter for teams in winter, and cool shade in summer. He also conducts a well-supplied meat market, thus furnishing the citizens of their rising village and flourishing township with the luxury of fresh meat all the year round. Mr. Streeter carried the mail through from East Saginaw by way of Vassar and Elkland to Forestville on Lake Huron the first time it was taken through. SYLVANUS N. ALDRICH, merchant, was born in Ontario, N. Y., February 8, 1836. He was reared and educated in his native State, and spent his early time mostly in mercantile employment. He came first to Fair Grove, Mich., in the spring of 1857, and in 1861 he and his family came and settled in section 32, and at once began to open up a home in the beautiful forest. He had been married to Miss Maria L. Haggerty, of Lewiston, Niagara County, N. Y., November 13, 1859. She was born there February 5, 1842. They have four children, Helen L., George N., Charles M., and Sylvanus Brice. Mr. Aldrich has devoted some time to farming in his Mich-. -tj * +-W I_,- -_- -401, A ] - - I 138 13b HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. igan home, but has had to return occasionally to his native place for the benefit of his health, and while there has engaged ill mercantile life. In 1874 he opened a mercantile enterprise in Fair Grove, consisting of dry goods, groceries and general merchandise. His patronage has increased regularly with the rise of this flourishing township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Caro Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. His motto is: Brotherly love, relief and truth. EBENEZER WEST JOHNSON, farmer and dealer in real estate, was born in Plymouth, Ohio, April 3, 1834. He came to Tuscola County, Mich., in April, 1854, and shortly after engaged in working for Mr. Ira Tappan for one year at $100. With those earnings he bought eighty acres of land in what is now Fair Grove, then a part of the township of Rogers. In 1856 he chopped ten acres of land where the rising village of Fair Grove is now being built. When he became of age he and Lavias Hinson were the only young men i the township. He assisted in organizing Fair Grove Township. David P. Hinson named the township, and was its first supervisor. Mr. Johnson helped to erect the first barn built in Rogers (now Juniata and Fair Grove). He also attended the first national celebration held in Rogers, going with others of the settlers on foot to Watrousville. Mr. D. P. Hinson was the reader and speaker of the day. Mr. Johnson's time for a while was spent partly in Fair Grove and partlyin Ohio. On January 1, 1860, he was married to Miss Julia M. Shaw, of Sheffield, Ohio. She was born there May 11, 1842. Their children are Elmer L., Lillian M., Oliver T., Adelia A., Rowena M. and William Foster. Elmer was born in Ohio. All the rest were born in Fair Grove. In September, 1861, Mr. Johnson enlisted in Company E in the Seventh Michigan Infantry, at Camp Monroe, and went directly to Washington, and when in camp near there was seized with typhoid fever, but, recruiting a little, he accompanied his regiment to near Poolsville, Maryland. Here he soon became very ill, and after some three months severe suffering, he was honorably discharged because of disability arising from heart disease brought on by the hardships and excitement of camp life. From this ailment Mr. Johnson is still a sufferer. In November, 1862, he and his family came from Ohio to settle in their Fair Grove home. From Fentonville to Vassar they brought their goods with a hired team through a track in places almost impassable, and through the last three miles Mr. Johnson literally led the horses by their bridle-bits in the dark, through the mud and among the stumps; and when he arrived he greatly resembled a monument of mud. From there they came through a desperate road in an ox cart to their destination. They have now about sixty-one acres of land in section 17, having sold part of the estate in town lots for the village now rising rapidly just where their fields formerly were. They have also an excellent fruit bearing orchard of various fruits, having some apple trees of their own growing, now one foot in diameter. Mr. Johnson was the superillntendent of the first Sabbath-school in Fair Grove. He has been overseer of highways, and is now assessor in his school district. He and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has frequently been leader of the class and Sabbathschool superintendent and teacher, and is now one of the building committee for the erection of the new Methodist Episcopal Church. MILTON L. ROBY, of the firm of Roby & Wylie, was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 23, 1838. He received his early cult ure in his native State, and in the fall of 1863 he settled in Branch County, Mich., and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He had been married to Miss Nancy Fulton, also of Logan County, February 7, 1859. She was born there in May, 1837. They have had eight children: Thomas, now deceased, Margaret J., now Mrs. E. C. Becker, Susan A., Sarah B., Rhoda M., Jessie M., Elton L. and Nellie A. They came from Branch County to Fair Grove in March, 1880. He has eighty acres of land in section 27, about forty of which are now under cultivation. Mr. Roby is a partner -in running a steam threshing machine, and also in the flouringmill in Fair Grove village. The mill has been built at an expense of some $8,000, with a capacity for grinding about eighty barrels of flour in twenlty-four hours. They have a steadily increasing amount of custom work, sometimes crowding their convenience for doing their own grinding. Mr. and Mrs. R oby are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. JOSEPH S. WYLIE, of the firm of Roby & Wylie, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, January 4, 1854. He resided there until August, 1880, when he came to Tuscola County, Mich. His early employment was chiefly farming. He engaged in his flouringmill enterprise in Fair Grove village about the first of October, 1882, and with his partner is sharing profitable returns from their investment. In 1879 Mr. Wylie was married to Miss Martha Tate, but she was taken from him by death July 16, 1880, and one week later was followed by their infant babe. Mr. Wylie is the youngest heir to his father's estate, his share of which is due him in 1884. Religiously he is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. MRS. E. WARD, formerly Mrs. E. Cutler, came with her former husband, Mr. Cutler, from Ohio to Fair Grove, Mich., August 31, 1857. The old Sebewaing road was then the only one in the township. She thinks there were not then a dozen houses between Pine Run and Tuscola village. They were three days coming from Fentonville and changed teams twice, and then finished the trip on foot and carried two children on their backs. Some years later Mr. Cutler and his son (by a former wife), both left their pioneer homes to help quash the rebellion, and both lost their lives, leaving Mrs. Cutler alone to grapple with the hardships of a new country in war time, with three children to provide for, one of whom was blind. She records hard times, but has never suffered for want of food. They have now some twenty acres cleared on their farm home, and enjoy a comfortable situation. PHILIP HONSINGER, a farmer, was born in Alburgh, Vermont, April 21, 1819. He spent his youth and early manhood in his native State, mostly in farming. On August 28, 1842, he was married to Miss Almira Mott, also of Alburgh. She was born there October 6, 1823. They had two children, Albert and Celia. In 1843 they went to Bangor, N. Y., spent seven years there, then sold their estate and came and settled in Oakland County, Mich., in the fall of 1850. In September of the next year he visited Tuscola County and bought 160 acres of land in what is now Fair Grove, then a part of Rogers. He thinks his was the first deed given of lands in Fair Grove. They came to their new place in August, 1855, and opened them a home in the dense but beautiful wilderness, which was almost all solid woods from Watrousville to their place. They came in by the way of Watroursville, by an underbrushed track cut by Messrs. Otis some time before when coming in as choppers. Mr. Ira Tappan had made a beginning three miles from Watrousville in Rogers. Mr. H. had chopped eight acres before his family came. Three acres of this he cleared, sowed with wheat and got a crop of twenty-seven bushels. This he cleaned with a hand fan of his own making before taking it to mill. In the summer of 1856, he went out south and earned $40 to aid their family finances. Thus they pioneered their course. Their eldest son when small had to go three miles through the woods to school, and other aspects of their surroundings were equally wild, but by dint of earnest effort the disadvantages of those early days were overcome and a pleasant and comfortable home secured. Mrs. Honsinger died May 6, 1856. On February 'fI * f r 9N _J L 9 ^ l e _ ____ 1 ' 1 (R #. mf.r. I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 139 I V I A I I 7, 1858, Mr. H. was married to Miss Almina Oakley, of Akron. She was born in the State of New York, June 10, 1828. They have five children, Harrison, Alice, Frank, Mary and Adeline. Some time ago they sold the pioneer estate, and they have now eighty acres of excellent land in section 19, seventy-five of which are under cultivation. They also have an orchard of apples, cherries, crab-apples and small fruits, an elegant dwelling, and other farm buildings, rendering their farm home a most inviting situation. Now, instead of the hooting of the owl in the near forest as of old, they have the shrill hoot of the railway whistle, as the train comes puffing across their fields from Sebewaing or Saginaw. Mr. H. has been highway commissioner five years, and three years justice of the peace, and is now in his eleventh year as school director in his district. He has belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church twenty-two years, and was the first leader of the class organized in the woods. Mrs. H. has belonged about twelve years. JAMES C. LUCE, farmer, was born in Monroe, Penn., August 12, 1827. He went with his mother to Greenwood, N. Y., in childhood, and resided there until 1852. His father had been accidentally shot when James was about two years old. Mr. Luce was married to Miss Betsy Gardner, of Scio, N. Y., September 11, 1850. She was born January 31, 1833, in the house in which she was afterward married. Their children are, Augusta, Shubel N. (now deceased), Celie, James, Ida (now also dead), Joel, George and Rose. In the spring of 1852 they came to Vassar, and shortly after settled in Gilford. He took up eighty acres of land, cleared a small piece, erected a log shanty and covered it with shakes, but twice had the roof blown off from over the family within. The lands near them were taken up but not settled for some years. Mrs. Luce spent nearly four years with no neighbors but Indians, except one white settler who lived over four miles away. She often remained at home while he went away from home to work. She once got in contact with a bear, partly tamed, and had her clothing torn from her person, but escaped without serious injury. Mr. Luce has at times carried their provisions from Vassar, sixteen miles, to their home on his back, carrying fifty pounds at a.load. By steady work at home and abroad they gradually overcame! the hardships of those early days, and became comfortable in their pioneer home. On March 2, 1859, they came to section 21 in Fair Grove, and again prepared them a pioneer home. Here they repeated many of their former toils, but had less disadvantages than in Gilford. In September, 1864, Mr. Luce enlisted in the Twentyninth Michigan Infantry, and served until mustered out of the service in 1865, after the close of the war. He now has eighty acres of land, seventy of which are under cultivation, He has also an excellent fruit bearing orchard and pleasant home surroundings. He has served as school director twelve years, and fifteen years as overseer of highways. Mrs. Luce died in peace, of congestion of the brain, November 11, 1881. She had been religious over twenty years. The son and daughter also died of the same disease. Mrs. Luce had served as midwife at the birth of 104 children in Tuscola County, and once attended five births in forty-eight hours. EZRA HEATH, farmer, was born in Williamsfield, Ohio, November 3, 1827. He came from his native State and settled in section 25, in Fair Grove, in May, 1860. He had bought his land in February, 1856. On August 5, 1859, he was married to Miss Malinda Collar, of Fair Grove. She was born in Kendall, N. Y., November 14, 1834. They have two children, Mary L. and Leonard G. They came to their place when all around them was a dense forest, except a few small clearings south of their place. Their first dwelling was made of poles and boards; was 12x16 feet in size, and was covered with boards. Their bedstead was made of poles. They had stools for chairs, and they used a cross-legged home-made table, but never suffered for food or clothing, and now, where the lofty forest used to wave they have fertile fields, remunerative crops, delicious fruits and increasing home welfare. They have 160 acres of land with about 100 under cultivation. They have also a thriving orchard of apples> peaches, 'plums, pears, cherries, grapes and other small fruits, an excellent dwelling, good farm buildings and plenteous home comforts. Mr. Heath states that one Alva Spaulding, formerly of Ohio, came to Fair Grove in the fall of 1856. He took up forty acres of land on section 23, and worked out most of the time to support a large family. He often went and chopped hard all day for provisions for his family, and had only bran bread for his breakfast, dinner and supper. He also had to back in their provisions from Watrousville to their home, a distance of six miles. JOSHUA A. HEATH, farmer, was born in Williamsfield, Ohio, February 7, 1821, and spent his youth and early manhood there, chiefly in farming and mechanical employments. Some twentyeight years ago he came to Tuscola County, Mich. He was married July 10, 1858, to Miss Cynthia F. Butler, of Andover, Ohio. She was born there July 30, 1842. Their children are Emerson, Selah, Eddie (now deceased), Clarence and J. C. (now also deceased). They have a quarter section of land in section 26, bought directly from the government. He has about seventy acres under cultivation, an orchard of apples and plums and an inviting home. He has served as highway commissioner and as treasurer of his township. Mrs. Heath is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. MRS. NANCY HILLER was born in Rome. N. Y., June 10, 1819, and came to Genesee County, Mich., in November, 1847, with her husband, Michael Hiller. Resided there about ten years. Settled in section 35, in Fair Grove in June, 1856. There was then not even an underbrushed road to their place. Mr. Hiller was killed by a falling tree October 26, 1858, and Mrs. H. was left (with her son) to provide then for ten children, and a few months later for eleven. Afterward three sons went to the army, three others of the family died of fevers, one son returned home and died, and thus the task and troubles of the pioneer mother increased more and more. She and her children have lived a whole week at a time with only the milk of one cow for the whole family to drink to sustain life; and they have lived forty-eight hours at a time without any food, the little ones patiently saying, "0, ma, I'm so hungry!" but no food could be obtained. One winter Mrs. H. was for two months unable to get a dress. Five cent calico was 40 cents a yard. But these sufferings have passed away. They have now 120 acres of land with about sixty improved, and with a fruit bearing orchard and a comfortable home. PETER MAXWELL, farmer, was born in Duanesburgh, N. Y., June 24, 1828. He came to Jackson County, Mich., in 1859; removed to Livingston County in the fall of 1865, and came to Tuscola County in the fall of 1868. He had been married, July 3, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth M. Wheaton, of Newfane, N. Y. She was born in Seneca County, July 14, 1833. They have had eleven children. Those living are Burt D., Carrie B., Tillie A., Arthur T., Sarah J. and Walter E. Those deceased were George A., William H., Edwin H. and Franklin L. and Francis L., twins. On July 23, 1862, Mr. Maxwell enlisted in the Twentieth Michigan Infantry, Company F, and served his country in the late civil war until discharged May 12, 1865, for disability, caused by a gunshot wound in the right hand and wrist, received in front at Petersburgh. They have now forty acres of land in section 20, in Fair Grove, with about thirty acres improved, and with a thriving orchard and an inviting home. They have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1858. He is at present a steward, leader and Sabbath-school superintendent in that church. I I -,-T r 14 - I - Z-'1 .~l~~ - "40 140 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. NATHAN SHERMAN, farmer and carpenter, was born in Vermont, August 4, 1812, and came with his parents to Newfane, N. Y., when about eighteen years old. Later he returned to Vermont and learned his trade, and on September 7, 1839, he was married to Miss Polly Thompson, of Vermont. She was born in that State August 9, 1821. They have four living children, Nelson B., Duane, Loella and Benona. William, the second son, died at the age of thirty-three, in great peace, leaving a wife and one child. Mr. Sherman and family came to Fair Grove, Mich., in the spring of 1860, and settled in section 20. The place was a forest. The land was wet. The water in the creek was knee deep, and abounded with fish. They have given $5 for having a barrel of flour brought from Watrousville, when the price of the flour itself was only $5. It took the man about two days to bring it and return. They have now nearly eighty acres of land, all under cultivation, and pasture. They also have an orchard of apples, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes and other small fruits, and an inviting home. They are members of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. NELSON B. SHERMAN, farmer, was born in Vermont, February 2, 1841, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1860. On February 18, 1862, he enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, Company C, and served his country in quashing the late rebellion. He fought three days at Gettysburgh and was in the battles of Winchester, Cold Harbor, Travillion Station, Thoroughfare Gap and numerous other conflicts. After the close of the war he'served in guarding the overland stage route over the Rocky Mountains from the attacks of Indians. During his service he was promoted to the rank of corporal in his regiment. He was honorably discharged from the service September 28, 1865. Shortly afterward he returned to Michigan. He was married October 14, 1868, to Miss Helen J. Cook, of Hartland, Mich. She was born there December 14, 1840. Their children are Raymond, Elroy and Orrisa. They have 140 acres of land in sections 17 and 19, in Fair Grove, and have thirty acres under cultivation, with a good dwelling and other farm buildings. Their church preference is for the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Sherman has been a member therein ever since the age of fifteen years. W. E. H. GAYLORD, architect, builder and painter, was born in Painted Post, N. Y., November 17, 1822. He went with his parents to Ohio when about thirteen years of age, and afterward resided a while in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and came to Fair Grove, Mich., in 1868. He had been married to Miss E. L. Hutchins, of Perry, Ohio, March 26, 1846. They have had nine children, Marion E., Margaret E., Myraette E., George W., Mary E., Minetta E., Charles H., May E. and Minerva E. Mrs. Gaylord died July 20, 1869. Three of the children still reside with their father in the village of Fair Grove. Mr. Gaylord serves as township school inspector, has been justice of the peace about six years, and is also a notary public.,On October 8, 1861, he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and served his country in suppressing treason, until discharged in February, 1863, for disability caused by a gunshot wound in the right arm, received at the battle of Shiloh. GEORGE W. CRANE, merchant, was born in Oakland County, Mich., February 2. 1850. He removed from there in his youth to Genesee County, and later went to Saginaw County, where he resided several years, employed as saw filer and foreman in lumbering, in both of which he enjoyed profitable success. On August 23, 1881, he opened a commercial business in Sebewaing, in Huron County; but just one year later he transferred his business to Akron Station on the Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron Railway, where he had invested in lands suitable for a village enterprise, believing that business facilities thele offered pleasing inducements. He soon realized the correctness. of his former estimate, as there is already one saw-mill running and two more in course of erection; one store also beside his own has been opened; also two blacksmith shops and a postoffice. There is also a hotel in prospect in the near future, and most of this on ground where a few months ago the forest was unbroken. Mr. Crane conducts a well furnished store of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes and general merchandise, with a steadily increasing custom, and has almost daily requests for lands for residences and business plats in the rising village, of which he has thus become the founder. On March 9, 1882, he was married to Miss Dora Mast, of Sebewaing. She was born in Unionville, Mich., March 18, 1862. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Crane stood six feet in height and weighed 155 pounds, and had assisted in clearing a farm of 120 acres; but he then betook himself to his trade and to various studies, thus qualifying himself by dint of earnest effort and toil both socially and financially for the success in business enterprise which he and his companion now enjoy. He started business with $2,700, and in eighteen months has increased to $4,500. SPENCER L. JUDD, farmer, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, December 16, 1844. He received his education and early culture in his native State, and in early life became accustomed to agricultural pursuits and dairy work. He was married August 29, 1866, to Miss Mary R. Foster, of Madison, Ohio. She was born December 15, 1847, in the dwelling in which she was afterward married. They have four living children, Charles A., Nellie M., Roy S. and Edith Louise. They came to Fair Grove, Mich., in April, 1872, and settled in section 2. They have 120 acres of land, with about.100 acres under cultivation and pasture. They have a young orchard of various fruits, good buildings and a pleasant farm home. One fine orchard has been destroyed by borers. Mr. Judd's barn and out-buildings are especially commodious and convenient. Others may do well to imitate them in building. The barn proper is 34x50 feet, with twenty feet posts, and with elegant windows to light the threshing floor. The drive room, 20x28 feet, has sixteen feet posts. The horse stable and granary are under the main body. The stable for cattle is a part of the shed, which has one part sixty-nine feet long and eighteen feet wide; it also has a wing sixty feet long and sixteen feet wide, and all built with fourteen feet posts; and the whole supplemented with adornments and appurtenances both beautiful and useful at a cost of some $2,000. Scarcely any of the settlers raised wheat enough for their bread when Mr. Judd first came to the place, but he prepared about six and one-half acres and sowed it with wheat, and he received about twenty-five bushels to the acre. His second crop on the same ground averaged about thirty, and the third about fortysix bushels to the acre. This aroused almost all in the place to at once engage in wheat raising. Mr. Judd has now on one of his fields the eleventh successive crop of beautiful wheat. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Judd are Episcopal Methodists. THE TOWN OF COLUMBIA. Township 14 north, of range 9 east, was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held December 31, 1855, and designated by the name of Columbia. The first township meeting was held at the house of David Clark on section 18. The in spectors of election were Wesley Hess, Andrew Marshall and Horace Marvin. This township had formerly belonged to Indian Fields. It belongs to the north tier of townships and is bounded on the north by Huron County, east by Elmwood, south by Almer and Akron. and west by Akron. - e e, be L ~ to 5 11 A - '.4 — A 1 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 141 - - Its boundaries were slightly changed in 187.9 by the annexation to its territory of sections 36 of Geneva and 1 of Akron, which included the site of Unionville. Owing to the absence of the town records from 1856 to 1866, inclusive, the proceedings of town meetings and of town boards during those years cannot be given. It is known, however, that at the first town meeting there were thirteen voters present and fourteen offices to be filled. Allen Brewer was chosen supervisor; H. C. Marvin, treasurer; Almon Achenbach, clerk. At the annual town meeting of 1883 the number of votes cast was 270. ENTRIES OF LAND. The following entries of land were made prior to 1860: TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST. SECTION 1. Martin W. Cramer, November 10, 1852. Charles E. Fonda, September 21, 1853. Charles E. Fonda, October 18, 1853. Michael F. Wurster, December 6, 1853. Levi Rumpel, March 20, 1854. Edward Van Demark, May 3, 1854. Levi Bluer, May 3, 1854. Leonard W. Kile, October 23, 1854. Samuel B. Covey, April 23, 1855. TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 8 EAST. SECTION 36. Wa-ba-ta-wance, March 27, 1840. Christian Krepp, July 20, 1852. Waterman Burlingham, November 10, 1852. Horace C. Marvin, October 14, 1854. Robert Kile, October 23, 1854. Richard Goodwin, March 2, 1855. Asa Butricks, July 11, 1856. TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST. SECTION 3. Philip Krickbaum, May 30, 1855. Philo Harvey, October 3, 1855. SECTION 4. Allen Brewer, April, 1855. Philip Krickbaum, May 30, 1855. Philo Harvey, October 3, 1855. SECTION 5. Jacob Theobald, August 26, 1853. John Mast, August 26, 1853. Mathias Bizer, December 2, 1853. Samuel B. Covey, April 18, 1853. Mathias Bizer, June 12, 1853. SECTION 6. John Van Demark, May 3, 1853. Mac-ca-koosh, October 10, 1842. Wa-ba-ta-wance, October 10, 1842. SECTION 7. Daniel D. Dewey, August 26, 1854. Daniel Marvin, August 26, 1854. John Dunlnovin, November 8, 1854. SECTION 8. Daniel D. Dewey, August 26, 1854. Daniel Marvin, June 5, 1855. John Covey, February 17, 1856. Abraham H. Farver, October 13, 1856. SECTION 9. Michael Culligan, October 27, 1856. James McDonnell, November 6, 1856. SECTION 10. John McDonall, November 1, 1856. James McDonnell, November 6, 1856. SECTION 17. Daniel Marvin, June 5, 1855. Abner S. Lamond, January 24, 1857. SECTION 18. David Clark, February 26, 1855. David Clark, March '2, 1855. Hosea A. Waldo, June 20, 1855. William Y. Phillips, October 16, 1855. John Woods, March 6, 1856. John Woods, March 19, 1856. SECTION 19. Almon Achenbach, December 20, 1854. Jacob Gould, April 17, 1855. Aaron Hagenbach, June 14, 1855. SECTION 20. Frederick Farver, May 30, 1855. John Staley, May 30, 1855. Jacob Hill, June 14, 1855. John Shawll, October 13, 1855. SECTION 21. Joseph Coiling, June 5, 1854. Horace C. Hutchins, December 5, 1854. William Bird, April 17, 1856. Charles Conner, April 29, 1856. SECTION 22. Joseph Colling, June 5, 1854. William Abke, November 24, 1858. William Abke, March 23, 1859. SECTION 23. Joseph Colling, June 5, 1854. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. William Abke, November 24, 1858. SECTION 25. Edward W. White, November 22, 1856. SECTION 26. Henry H. Loomis, October 19, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Duane Gillmore, October 16, 1856. John Kelley, March 8, 1858. William Hubbell, June 2, 1858. James H. Cumings, June 2, 1858. SECTION 27. Thomas olling, June 5, 1854. John Cleaver, June 5, 1854. SECTION 28. Thomas Colling, June 5, 1854. John Cleaver, June 5, 1854. Henry E. Gidley, November 4, 1854. Raymond P. Case, November 15, 1854. SECTION 29. Alinas Cole, October 26, 1854. Jackson Gifford, November 16, 1854. Jacob Hill, June 14, 1855. William S. Albertson, September 29, 1855. William King, August 15, 1856. SECTION 30. Almon Achenbach, December 20, 1854. Wesley Hess, April 26, 1855. Joseph King, June 5, 1855. Aaron Hagenbach, June 14, 1855. SECTION 81. Wesley Hess, July 14, 1854. Daniel Marvin, August 26, 1854. Benjamin G. Allegen, October 14, 1854. SECTION 32. Matthew Tuman, September 7, 1854. Ira Greenfield, October 11, 1854. Alson Greenfield, October 11, 1854. Silvester Smith, April 17, 1855. SECTION 33. Willard Greenaus, June 10, 1854. James Cleaver, November 6, 1854. Thomas Jackson, November 6, 1854. James Cleaver, July 26, 1855. SECTION 34. John Coverdale, November 6, 1854. James Cleaves, November 6, 1854. Thomas Jackson, November 6, 1854. SECTION 35. Samuel Tedford, November 19, 1855. Charles Mallory, November 19, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Ceylon M. Kelly, December 30, 1857. Nathan J. Kelly, January 2, 1858. SECTION 36. 'Edward W. White, November 22, 1856. Nathan J. Kelly, January 22, 1858. l t1 j e) _ __ __ J I - I&1 14 142 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 11 EARLY SETTLEMENT. The first settlement of Columbia was made in 1854 by H. C. Mar-vin and Andrew Marshall. The northern part of the county was then all new; no roads were laid out, but a little underbrush had been cut, and the settlers picked their way slowly through brush and over logs. The nearest postoffice was at Vassar, where also was the nearest grist-mill. Sometimes they went to Saginaw City to mill, but oftener to Vassar, traveling frequently nearly all night. When short of flour they often ground corn through the coffee-mill, taking turns at it, and grinding all the evening. Old boot legs they saved to half sole boots with, doing their own cobbling. The nearest railroad was at Pontiac. Traveling was done chiefly on foot. A great many Indians were camped in different parts of the county. Mr. Marvin, in speaking of early times says: "In 1854 I came from Ohio to Michigan. After we left Farrandville, there was no public conveyance, and I walked from Farrandville to King Allen's, three miles above Watrousville, in one day. The next week in company with King Allen and Andrew Marshall I went to Sebewaing. We spent the night with one of the old settlers, Frederick Schillillg, and the next day started back. Coming to an Indian sugar-camp after we had traveled some eight miles, we rested, bought some of their sugar, and took a good view of the Indians, their way of living, etc. We then started to go through the woods south so as to strike the Allen neighborhood. We followed section lines part of the way, Mr. Allen leading until nearly sundown; then, as he was tired and wished me to, I took the lead, through a large cedar swamp covered with water. I was unacquainted with the country, but watched the sun closely, and after it became dark took the fixed star for my guide, and also felt the moss which always grows on the north side of trees. My companions felt certain that we were on the wrong course, and would have to lie in the woods all night. After traveling a considerable distance further we came to a chopping. Mr. Allen did not know where we were, but approaching a house that stood in the little clearing he knocked at the door, which was opened by one of his neighbors, Mr. John Kelsey. We had reached the desired destination of our journey. "My first building in Columbia was made of hewn timber in the form of a block-house 22x32 feet in size. I did the work, assisted by Andrew Marshall. The shingles were made from sapling pine in the winter by throwing the blocks on the fire in our shingle shanty to draw out the frost. We made them up, sap and all, and they still remain on the roof of a part of what is now called the Shellito House. What lumber I used for floors, doors, etc., was hauled through the woods from Watrousville and Wahjamega, costing me $25 per thousand feet. In the spring I cleared all the land I could, working early and late, planting corn and potatoes as late as June 16th, and sowing oats ten days later. My crops were good. I cut and sold prairie hay at $4 per ton. Oats sold for 5 cents a bundle. I often walked to Vassar, Flint or Saginaw. Have walked to Vassar between noon and dark and to Saginaw in less than a day, by way of Watrousville Junction. I came into this wilderness because I thought the country was good, and I have not been disappointed. The soil is rich, the climate healthful, and the rising generation will find desirable homes made so by the toil of the fathers." The first school in Columbia was taught in the winter of 1858 -'59 by Mrs. Fonda. The school was taught in the first schoolhouse built in the town, and was located on section 6. The first sermon preached in the town was by Rev. Mr. Klumph at the house of Samuel B. Covey, in the fall of 1855. The postoffice of Columbia was established about 1877, and Ruolph Nemode was postmaster. Present incumbent, N. B. White. At an early day the settlers in Columbia received their mail at the Akron postoffice, which is now Unionville. Among the early settlers were Isaac Santee, R. P. Case, W. S. Albertson, David Clark, Allen Brewer, W. J. Davis, E. Staley, Wesley Hess, Almon Altenbach, John and Mathias Bitzer. FARMING. Although the settlement of this section dates back about thirty years, the farming era commenced some years later. It is a well known fact that Cass River cork pine was a valuable commodity for years, and lumbering was carried on on a scale that gave employment to hundreds of sinewy men and sustenance to their families. Settlers found lumbering paid better than farming, and so for years agricultural development was a thing that obtained no lodgment in the minds of the pioneer toilers. The almighty dollar was the incentive to labor in those days, as now, and the quickest way to earn the dollar was adopted as the means of livelihood. A change came one day, however, and the fact that the vast forests of pine had succumbed to the ruthless advance of the lumberman was graven on the minds of those who had taken up homesteads or purchased farms. The soil must be tilled for a livelihood, but before the tilling must come the clearing and burning. The pioneer farmer is a resolute specimen of the.fenu.s homo, and when he began his warfare upon the forest each year marked a considerable advance toward its ultimate subjugation. For a time the progress was slow, as the number of farmers was small and thle hardships they had to endure were sufficient to make even a brave man shrink from the task. Gradually the holes in the woods grew larger and more frequent, and the" log cabin gave way to more pretentious dwellings. But the forest was not the only enemy the farmers in Columbia had to contend with. The land is low, and in wet seasons much trouble was experienced. THE COLUMBIA SWAMP. From three to four sections in the northeast part of the town are covered by what is known as the Columbia Swamp. Previous to the fire of 1871 it was covered with a heavy growth of black ash, cedar and tamarack, and an occasional ridge of hemlock. The fire of 1871 burned over the surface, consuming the resinous cones and foliage and loosening the grip of the trees upon the soil, so that the hurricane which followed laid nearly the whole forest prostrate. In 1881 the fire found here the best of fuel, through which it swept with a force and intensity unparalleled in other sections of the country. The soil of this swamp is sandy loam and vegetable mold. Systematic drainage would undoubtedly render this as valuable as any portion of the town or county, and it is only a question of time when this result will be reached. EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. Services were for several years held in private houses in the ' town by Revs. G. Speckhart and J. L. Hahn. February 14, 1876, the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Unionville met at that place and adopted a constitution, providing in section 1 that the name of the congregation should be "The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, of Unionville." January 22, 1877, a meeting of the male members of the church of full age met at their place of worship in the town of Unionville and elected three trustees, viz.: Gottfried Schultz, John Leger and Mathias Bitzer, thus legally organizing and incorporating the church. The number of members was nine; the pastor, Rev. J. L. Hahn. A small building and grounds were bought in the following year, and in 1881 a church was built two miles distant from the village of Unionville, in the town of Columbia. It is 26x40 J - ~d - I — ~ I,~i~~iiiiI m,. s.i s:1. tr:::w~j'54 iiiin: r.~a 'I~ ~ x,:16 -:f" 51 fii O.~c 1 ~, 8s::~-el O;'~~: 1.s 1:-:r~ ~In O:~"':g ~ O ::I U) ]e`:~T;:": 4n L:Il::i: I ~P. f) I: ~1;:_3 4:::::; a:;rfQ ~- ~I I —'.'~ a ii. Tb( i )1 i, ~I:EEi;d Irt i 5 ~:: 1-~::::: s -~:te~r Z 1 I-j ii I~n-;i; i:~-~ i —::::,,.i; rilj a O U) t" IK ~,-; it1 O.p, ali-L8;i -i ajj: s::: ~4:::9 -.:::~:::3 )I; I ~s:atrg ~~::::. :t:t,:~~; -:i - ci: ~` -.k Pt ~"':4: i~ ii a: rl:~::::::;hi W.~: i:I~-~~i a. "fZ~is-i s.~? L 11: o ilii1.3: u; a U.i r/-i ~,~ co 46 - 43 __ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 1I I I feet in size and has a seating capacity of three hundred. Rev. Mr. Hahn is still pastor, but, having the church at Sebewaing and others under his charge, holds services here but once in three weeks. Arrangements are being made for a settled pastor, and a Sunday-school is to be organized. The trustees of the church are Christian Schutz, Reuben Bach and Gustav Streiter. Clemens Martini is clerk. SCHOOL MATTERS. According to the report of the school inspector of the town of Columbia for the year ending September 4, 1882, the school directors for the ensuing year were William Hamlin, Frank C. Edgar, Fayette Haynes, R. A. Lyman and William J. Davis. There were four whole and two fractional districts and five schoolhouses. The total number of children of school age was 401; number attending school during the yvear, 303. STATISTICAL, Census of 1860: Population, 94; families, 22; dwellings, 24; number of occupied farms, 18; number of acres improved, 494; number of horses, 1; number of cows, 42; bushels of wheat raised, 529; bushels of rye raised, 129; bushels of corn raised, 663; bushels of oats raised, 365; bushels of potatoes raised, 769; pounds of butter made, 2,800; pounds of cheese made, 500; tons of hay cut, 71. Census of 1870: Population, 424; families, 93; dwellings,, 93; farms, 53; voters, 94; number of acres of improved land, 1,572; pounds of butter made, 14,650; bushels of wheat raised, 2,715; bushels of corn raised, 914; bushels of oats raised, 2,170; bushels of potatoes raised, 2,125. Census of 1874: Population, 538; bushels of wheat raised, 4,041; bushels of corn raised, 8,890; bushels of potatoes, 4,657; tons of hay cut, 639. Population in 1880, 1,196. In 1882 the number of acres assessed was 22,769; total equalized valuation of real and personal property, $394,824; number of farms in 1881, 137; acres of improved land, 3,673; bushels of wheat raised in 1880, 1,823; of corn, 27,220; tons of hay, 1,168. Marvin, and to this additions have been made by others. Its growth has been gradual, though for the last few years more rapid than at first. GLIMPSES OF UNIONVILLE. In a description of Unionville, made in the fall of 1872, we find the following: "Unionville is a growing village, in the northwest portion of Tuscola County. It contains a number of fine buildings, recently erected, with not a few in process of completion. The Merry House is a fine wooden structure, with ample accommodations for the present and future growth of the town. The residences of some of the citizens are excellent specimens of good taste; Mr. Marvin's, when completed, will be one of the finest in the county. "During the past year the Moravian denomination built a commodious church. The Methodist people held a church which had been for two years in a state of incompletion. The society had become thoroughly discouraged and disheartened, until at their recent quarterly meeting, held November 10, when the Rev. Mr. Perrin, presiding elder of the Saginaw district, succeeded in raising $500, the required amount for the completion of the edifice. The contract has been let and the work begun. Great praise is due this feeble society, struggling so hard for this devoted object. The interest taken in the movement by the leading citizens, as well as members of other churches, merits the highest commendation. The largest subscription was given by Mr. Marvin, the leading mer chant of the place. He was seconded by Dr. Granger, R. Whiteside, Mr. White, Mr. Merry and others. Daniel Preston, of Detroit, had pledged $50. The whole community were very much elated at the success. Under these favorable auspices, and the faithful labors of their energetic pastor, Rev. S. J. Brown, we predict a prosperous year for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Unionville. "From a material standpoint, the outlook of this thriving village is very encouraging. The country around is heavily timbered, and the soil rich and fertile. Remote from any competing town, with facilities of ingress and egress, it cannot fail of becoming a place of considerable importance." Unionville in the fall of 1880 was mentioned as follows: "The buildings are of a much better class, generally speaking, than one expects to see in an inland village of three or four hundred inhabitants. There is also an air of neatness about the village that favorably impresses a stranger and renders his visit all the more pleasant. The Merry House, a leading hotel viewed from the standpoint of size and external beauty, is a very fine looking and commodious building, such as would be creditable to a place of much greater size. The Unionville Hotel is also a large hostelry prepossessing in appearance and capable of furnishing good accommodations to local and traveling guests. Of churches there are three, Baptist, Methodist and German, all neat and quite commodious sanctuaries. The mercantile business is well represented by live and enterprising firms who not only have neat store rooms, but display as large and neat assortments of goods as could be expected in a place of its size. The residences are generally of a good class, and some of them elegant. H. C. Marvin, John S. Coy and Captain Greenfield occupy dwellings that would be ornaments to any city in northern Michigan. In many instances the grounds surrounding the better class of houses are in excellent order, and small orchards loaded with fruit abound on every hand. Unionville is a pretty and thriving place, but its progress has been retarded for some years by the lack of shipping facilities. Sebewaing has robbed it of its prestige as a wheat and produce-market, but the business men and inhabitants are hopeful of a turn in the tide at no far distant day, when bands of iron will link the village to the outer world, and the puff of the iron horse will be heard in its streets.". YEAR. 1883. 1882. 1881. 1880. 1879. 1878. 1877. 1876. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871. 1870. 1869. 1868. 1867. TOWN SUPERVISOR. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. E. Staley. E. Staley. E. Staley. E. Staley. E. Staley. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. Alson Greenfield. E. Staley. E. Staley. OFFICERS SINCE 1866. CLERK. Perry A. Marshall. R. H. Russell. James W. Stiner. Roswell Surine. Griffin Covey, Jr. Francis A. Stiner. Francis A. Stiner. Augustus Greenfield. Roswell Surine. 9 Roswell Surine. Roswell Surine. Roswell Surine. John Russell. P. C. Coy. George H. Granger. George H. Granger. S. Ale. TREASURER. John S. Coy. D. C. Marvin. Andrew Marshall. Andrew Marshall. Herman Archibald. Andrew Marshall. Andrew Marshall. Andrew Marshall. Andrew Marshall. P. C. Coy. J. J. F. Auch. H. C. Marvin. H. C. Marvin. H. C. Marvin. H. C. Marvin. H. C. Marvin. H. C. Marvin. UNIONVILLE VILLAGE. Twenty-seven years ago, in the spring of 1856, Samuel B. Covey and William J. Davis brought to their home at the present site of Unionville a small stock of general merchandise, perhaps $500 or $600 worth. Taught by experience the wants of the community, they included a liberal stock of mosquito netting. They did not open a store, but kept the goods at Mr. Covey's, for the convenience of the settlers. On their engaging in milling at Sebewaing, Horace C. Marvin succeeded to the merchandising business. After a year or two he commenced accommodating the traveling public. The hotel part of his establishment, a blockhouse sided up, is now the north wing of the Unionville House. This was the beginning of Unionville, this point being thus established as a center of trade. The first platting was made by Mr. 'A 4 r --- Ib -_ --- --.1ie 144 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. INCORPORATION. Unionville was incorporated as a village by act of legislature, approved April 1, 1879, which provided that the following described lands should constitute a village corporate: "The northeast fractional quarter of section 1, township 14 north, of range 8 east, the same being in the town of Akron; the southeast quarter of section 36, township 15 north, of range 8 east, the same being in the township of Geneva; and all that part of the southwest corner of section 6, in township 14 north, of range 9 east, described as commencing at the southwest corner of said section, thence running east 140 rods on the section line; thence north sixty-six rods, be the same more or less, to the north line of H. C. Marvin's land; thence west nineteen rods to the southwest corner of William Brady's land; thence north 105 rods to the northeast corner of land owned by John Gall; thence west 121 rods to the township line; thence south on said line 171- rods to the southwest corner of seetion 6, the place of beginning; also the northwest fractional quarter of section 7, and west one-half of northeast quarter of section 7, in township 14 north, of range 9 east, and a strip of land joining the last description named on the south, described as commencing at the quarter stake on the west side of section 7, above referred to; thence running east on the quarter line 128 rods, to the southeast corner of the west half of the northeast quarter of section 7; thence south twenty rods; thence west 128 rods to the the township line; thence north twenty rods to the place of beginning; the same being in the township of Columbia." At the first meeting of the council, held May 1, 1879, D. C. Marvin was elected marshal and Isaac Keller engineer of the fire department. Rules having been adopted for the government of the council, the civil career of the village was fairly inaugurated. Prompt attention was given to the streets and walks and the erection of a pound for the detention of stray cattle-an ordinance which stands upon the records as No. 1 prohibiting stock from running at large within the village limits. A pound master was also appointed. The national game of ball playing was peremptorily shut down upon. by the city fathers, so far as concerned its practice on the business streets. Also the shooting of fire-crackers. The laws of license for the sale of liquors were, and have subsequently, been strictly enforced. The ground being level, though neither low nor swampy, early I attention was paid to drainage and the removal of stagnant waters, and the streets of Unionville are now inll excellent condition. Tlh3 village having made purchase of a tract of gravel, and made liberal use of the same, the streets are in excellent condition. Sidewalks also have been laid and kept in good repair, to all parts of the village. There are as yet no adequate means of extinguishing fires, but the question is being actively canvassed, and undoubtedly this lack will soon be supplied. In the winter of 1881-'82 the Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron Railroad was built through this section of country. At Unionville it had the strong inducement of a subsidy of from $4,000 to $5,000 raised by subscriptions of citizens of the village and vicinity, and right of way, and it was completed into the village in the spring of 1881. With its coming a new start has been taken, and the village is rapidly growing. POSTOFFICE. Until 1857 the mails had been brought from Watrousville by the settlers themselves, taking their turns to go once a week for the mail of the settlement. July 1, 1857, was an eventful day in the history of the towns of Columbia, Akron, Geneva and to the north, for on that day a United States mail carrier first made his appearance, and for a year he came through once a week, on foot, from Vassar to Sebewaing. Samuel B. Covey was appointed postmaster; the office was in his house in the portion of section 1, township 14 north, range 8 east, now included in the village of Unionville, and was called Akron postoffice. Mr. Covey and Amzy Clay, of Fair Grove, who was appointed postmaster in that town, were chiefly instrumental in having the route established. The first year of the war Lucius Waldo was appointed postmaster and the office was removed to a point about eight miles southwest of Unionville on the Watrousville road, where it is still continued. A new office was established at Unionville with H. C. Marvin as postmaster. Mr. Marvin's successors have been Stephen Russell, John Staley, Jr., J. S. Coy and George J. Hill, the present incumbent. UNIONVILLE CHURCHES. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Services were held in the fall of 1855 and succeeding winter by Elder Klump in the house of Samuel B. Covey, in the town of Akron, and in Robert Kile's house, in the town of Geneva. And thereafter services were held with considerable regularity iln the neighborhood. In the winter of 1857 a protracted meeting was held and as the immediate result, a class was formed in Thomas Nicholson's house. Frank Nichols was class leader. Services were held at private houses and finally in the school-house. At the first quarterly meeting conference of Sebewaing circuit, Flint River District, held at North Akron, October 9, 1867, the following persons, viz.: Thomas Nicholson, Hugh Willson, Henry W. Hess, Francis T. Nichols, Andrew Marshall, Horace C. Marvin and George E. Merry, were elected as the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Unionville. A church building was commenced about that time, but its completion was delayed for about six years, by lack of funds. For about ten years, however, it has been occupied. The church numbers about 100 members, and has a Sundayschool of an average attendance of eighty. The following have ministered to the church: Reverends Klump, L. Mitchell, J. Hamilton, A. Herrick, A. P. Lee, J. B. Russell, J. J. Gurnee, L. L. Houghton, A. Whiteomb, R. M. Hickey, J. A. Dunlap, W. H. Osborne, W. J. Bailey, J. H. McCune and Rev. B. C. Moore, the present pastor. MORAVIAN CHURCH. After due notice as required by law, the Moravian Congregation of Unionville met on the evening of June 14, 1870, for the purpose of organization and incorporation. The following were duly elected as trustees: John Bitzer, Christian Hahn, G. Layer, M. Bitzer and J. G. Hoelyle. This organization was effected under the direction of Rev. Edward Regeness with about twelve families in connection with the church. A parsonage was built about the same time, the lower floor of which was used as a place of worship, the upper being occupied by the pastor and his family. In 1872 their house of worship was built at a cost of $2,000. It is pleasantly located in the edge of the village, and is a neat, plain building, having a seating capacity of about 250. The church numbers 140 communicants, comprising about forty families. The Sunday-school has an average attendance of fifty. Rev. Mr. Regeness was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Peter Gutensohn, and he by Rev.- Mr. Lehman, the present pastor. The trustees are William Prady, John Lang, Gottlieb Layer, Martin Lohrer and George Kaven. The elders are Martin Zimmer and Philip Gutensohn. Services are held every Sunday. BAPTIST CHURCH. April 26, 1875, the members of the Baptist Church of Union I; - l. /% -.J I L I j V K,::: \:: . ' fI -I &A —1 A i le) - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 145 I - l I I I I ville formed a body corporate under the laws of the State by adoption of a constitution and election of trustees. The following were elected, viz.: Charles D. Currey, Norman Merford, Samuei jB. Covey, Roswell Surine, Horace C. Marvin and William J. Davis. The deacons of the church were Samuel B. Covey and Charles D. Currey. The corporate name adopted was "The First Baptist Church of Unionville." This organization was, however, suffered to lapse. For two years services were held in the school-house by the Rev. W. D. Potter. Subsequently Rev. A. A. Mead became pastor and reorganized the church. In 1877 a church building was completed and dedicated in July. The following description of the church and its dedication was made at the time: "The First Baptist Church at Unionville dedicated their commodious house of worship, economically erected at a cost of over $2,500, on Sunday last. The morning sermon was preached by Rev. J. L. DeLand, of East Saginaw, and the evening sermon by Rev. W. H. Osborne, pastor of the M. E. Church, Unionville. The pastors of the Unionville churches, with Rev. J. L. Reid, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Vassar, and Rev. I. B. Nunn, of Unionville, assisted in the dedicatory services. A sufficient amount had been raised and paid to leave an indebtedness of but a little over $1,000 to be provided for at dedication, which amount was received in cash or substantial pledges. The church numbers about forty members, and have secured as pastor Rev. D. W. Leonard, an old resident of the county, who has lately entered the ministry." The present membership of the church is about forty. Its trustees are W. J. Davis, Roswell Surine, James Surine, Cyrus Morford, John Covey and W. N. Covey. Rev. Mr. Mead's successors in the pastorate have been Revs. Currey, I. B. Nunn, D. W. Leonard, Taylor, and the present pastor, Rev. George Binnie. SCHOOLS. A union school was established some seventeen years ago for the towns of Columbia, Akron and Geneva, and a school-house completed about 1869. In 1877 this was made a graded school under the charge of A. E. Cook. "At the annual school meeting held on the 9th of July, 1883, a financial report was read showing the total cost of the schools to be for the year, $773.91; total number of pupils attending school during the year, 193; total cost of education per capita, $4.01; total receipts, $1,536.46, leaving a balance of $762.55 unexpended; amount of library money received, $26.62. George E. Merry and B. S. Tolland were elected trustees for three years. The sum of $195 was voted for repairs to the school-house, etc., and $15 as director's salary for the year. "At a meeting of the school board on Wednesday evening Samuel H. Wilson was elected moderator, R. S. Tolland, director, and William J. Davis, assessor. Charles D. Petershaus was engaged as principal and his wife as teacher in the primary department." THE PRESS. The Unionville Suni, a five column folio, is what every community requires, a lively, newsy, local paper. It was established April 14, 1883, by Robert S. Tolland, who is its editor and pro prietor. It is furnished at the low price of 60 cents per year; has a circulation of 675. It was started as an experiment, but has realized the hopes of its founder, and has not only been a success financially, but is aiding materially in the development of the country. ROBERT S. TOLLAND was born in Columbia, South Carolina. same State, his father having served as a sergeant in Marion's famous corps. At the commencement of the war of the rebellion his mother, being of Northern birth and training, brought her family North. His father, following his convictions, went into the Confederate army; was killed in battle. After a long term of active service in the Union army Mr. Tolland came to Michigan, and, being then but twenty years of age, established the Alpena Pionteer, in 1867. This venture proving a failure he was for nine years engaged in the capacity of foreman and city editor on the papers of Bay City; then as city editor of the Saginaw Courier. He afterward established the Caro Citi-zen, but on account of ill health, due to the hardships and exposures of the war, he sold out and went to Vassar. He there, as representative of a stock company, established the Times. Being obliged again to relinquish editorial labor on account of ill health, he returned to the Bay City Tribtue as foreman. In April, 1883, he went to Unionville and established the Unionville Sun. He finds the location and work conducive to health and generally satisfactory, and his new venture becoming a financial success, as it deserves by the faithful, intelligent and efficient work put upon it. Mr. Tolland still suffers from disease contracted in his military service, and is the recipient of a small bounty. MASONIC ORDER.. Northern Star Lodge No. 277, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered February 24, 1870, with the following charter members: Hon. George H. Granger, W. M.; Charles F. Sees, S. W.; John C. Santee, J. W.; Isaac Santee, secretary; Albert T. Cook, treasurer; Alonzo Whitcomb, S. D.; Jacob Gould, J. D.; M. P. Randall, tyler. The lodge room and furniture were consumed by fire in the fall of 1871, and progress was stayed thereby for a time, but on November 9, 1872, through the efforts of Brother Granger, the lodge was reorganized, and has been prosperous ever since. They have now nearly forty members, including some of the best and noblest of the community. The officers for 1883 are as follows: Hiram Cobine, W. M.; John Russell, S. W.; M. H. Vaughn, J. W.; John Covey, treasurer; C. F. Sees, secretary; Rev. D. W. Leonard, S. D.; E. A. Durkee, J. D.; Alva Moore, tyler; George H. Granger. E. C. Shannan, stewards. Only two, Brothers K. Allen, Jr., and I. Keller have been transferred to the death roll. KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES. Justice Tent No. 75 of this order was organized February, 2 1883, with sixteen charter members. Its principal officers are Hiram Cobine, Sir K. C.; Henry G. Dozer, Sir K. L. C.; Robert H. Russell, finance keeper; W. H. Standart, record keeper; Dr. Geo. H. Granger, examining surgeon; B. C. Moore, prelate; Geo. Cobine, 1st M. of G.; E. A. Durkee, 2d M. of G.; Myron Vaughn, Past Sir K. C. VILLAGE OFFICERS. I/ r _1 ) r YEAR. 1 S83. 1882. 1 S80. 1879. PRESIDENT. Hiram Cobine. George J. Hill. Andrew Marshall. Geo. H. Granger. Horace C. Marvin. CLERK. TREASURER. ASSESSOR. Daniel Schad. John S. Coy. Alson Greenfield. D. E. Dozer. John S. Coy. Alson Greenfield. Robert W. Durkee. Jas. W. Stiner. Alson Greenfield. D. E. Dozer. Jas. W. Stiner. Stephen C. Hayes. D. E. Dozer. Andrew Marshall. W. N. Covey. TRUSTEES. 1879.-George E. Merry, Charles F. Sees, Hiram Cobine, Martin Lohrer, William H. Standart, George J. Hill. 1880.-John Russell, James F. Wilson, Lorenzo Phelps. 1881.-W. H. C. Standart, Clemens Martini, Isaac Springer. 1882. —Charles F. Sees, Arad B. Town, James O. Oakley. 1883.-Clemens Martini, George E. Merry, R. H. Russell. His father, grandfather and great grandfather were natives of the I I 06 - I, rle FlW -V -V -~ ) Iy 1~t - -' - __ _ Cr L 146 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. BIOGRAPHICAL. GEORGE H. GRANGER, M. D., was born in Wayland, Steuben County, N. Y. He first came to Michigan in 1863. In 1863 he went to Washington as a medical cadet, and in 1864 was an acting assistant surgeon in the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth New York Infantry, serving nine months with that regiment, it being mustered out in June, 1865. He was with his regiment, and was present at Lee's surrender. His literary education was acquired at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., and the Genesee College, now merged into the University of Syracuse. After leaving the army he went to the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and in 1867 graduated from the medical department of that institution. He at first commenced practice in Bay City, but in August, 1867, moved to the village of Unionville, where he located permanently. He is known as one of the most skillful and accomplished physicians in Tuscola County, and socially as a very genial and enjoyable gentleman. He has represented his country in the State legislature two terms, having been elected in 1879, and re-elected in 1881. Was president of the village of Unionville, and has held the position of county coroner and several other minor township offices. Is a married man. JOHN S. COY, banker, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 8, 1845, but was reared and educated in Port Huron, Mich. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, Company A, and served his country in the late struggle for liberty and the Union, until discharged January 20, 1864, for disability caused by six gunshot wouuds. One of these was in the right shoulder, one in the right arm below the shoulder, one in the head, one in the left hand, and one in each leg. They were received in the battle of Gettysburg. He had previously fought in the second battle of Bull Run, and in those of Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, and several other conflicts. By these wounds he was utterly disabled from all work for three and a half years, and permanently disabled from most kinds of employment. He has had fifty-two pieces of bone removed from the wounded shoulder. On his return he remained a while at Port Austin and came thence to Unionville in March, 1868, and engaged for a time' in dealing in hoops. He was married to Miss Flora L. Marvin, of Unionville, March 5, 1871. She was born in Andover, Ohio, September 14, 1851. They have one daughter, Gracie M., born in Unionville, November 16, 1875. Mrs. Coy came with her parents to where Unionville now is in 1854, when the trees of the lofty forest held unrivaled sway, and when water and frost seemed to defy the approaches of improvement and agriculture. But she has seen these recede before the invincible power of pioneer resolution and industry, and in their place there has arisen a beautiful and thriving town surrounded by fertile fields, fruitful orchards, and blooming gardens and affording unmeasured facilities for social and personal entertainment and delight. Mr. Coy, shortly after his marriage, bought an interest in the mercantile enterprise conducted by the firm of H. C. Marvin & Co., Unionville, and continued in mercantile life until September, 1882, in the latter part of that time conducting the entire business alone. On December 5, 1881, he opened the Unionville Exchange Bank, in which he has an increasing and remunerative patronage. He also invests in building dwellings for tenants in their rising town. Mr. Coy has served as supervisor of Geneva two years, is serving his second term as treasurer, and has been ten years postmaster of Unionville. ARAD B. TOWN, carpenter and joiner, was born in Villanova, N. Y., March 21, 1844. When about, seventeen years of age he went to Chicago, Ill. Thence lie went to Minnesota, where he remained three years; then revisited his native State; later went to Ohio, and from there came to Lapeer County, Mich. In 1868 he canme to Unionville, where he now resides. On November 14, 1869, he was married to Miss Moina Wilson, of Geneva. She was born in Espyville, Penn., in August, 1849. They have a pleasant home on East State Street, and Mr. Town, in connection with his mechanical labors operates a cider manufactory at his village residence. HIRAM COBINE, mason, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., November 21, 1844. He grew to manhood and learned his trade in the home where he was born, and came from there to Unionville, Mich., in the spring of 1872. He at once resumed his former occupation, and has received from the first a liberal and increasing patronage. On November 18, 1877, he was married to Miss Maggie Thomas, of Columbia. She was born in Canada, August 6, 1852. Their religious choice is the regular Baptist Church. Mr. Cobine has always taken a cheerful and unabating interest in the progress and improvements of his town. He was one of the first board of Unionville trustees. He is W. M. of the Northern Star Masonic Lodge No. 277, and is a member of the Caro Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is commander of the Order of the Knights of the Maccabees; and at the charter election of 1883, he was unanimously elected president of the thriving village of Unionville. DAVID E. DOZER, of the law firm of Dozer & Dozer, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 28, 1849. He attained his majority in his native State, engaged partly in agricultural pursuits and partly in school teaching. He took a commercial course in Zanesville Business College, Ohio, and later a law course in Ann Arbor, Mich. Here he graduated March 25, 1875. In the following April he came to Unionville and opened a law office, and at once received the patronage of the citizens of the place. On February 8, 1872, Mr. Dozer was married to Miss M. Frances Baughman, of Deavertown, Ohio. She was born there December 12, 1847, and was one of ten living sisters, and had three brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Dozer have one daughter, Vida E., born in the State of Ohio, November 8, 1872. He has been village clerk three years, and two years township supervisor. Religiously they are members of the English Lutheran Church. In 1878 Mr. Dozer's brother, H. G. Dozer, came and engaged in the study of law under his instructions. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, September 19, 1857. He remained in his native State until coming to Unionville. Later he took a partial course of lectures at Ann Arbor, after which he still prosecuted his studies diligently and successfully in their own office, and was admitted to the bar May 7, 1881. After being admitted he entered the law office of Black & Quinn, of Caro, and remained until April, 1882, when he and his brother organized the law firm, in which they are now partners. They have not sought to kindle or fall the flame of sudden popularity, but they enjoy a large and steadily increasing practice in the pursuit of their profession. FRANCIS BRYDLE, clothier, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, January 18, 1851. His youth was spent chiefly in Ohio and Pennsylvania. On April 22, 1874, he settled in Fair Grove, Mich., and engaged in engineering, which had been then for some time his occupation, and also gave some attention to agriculture. He had been married September 2, 1871, to Miss Exenie Butler, of Andover, Ohio. She was born there February 18, 1852. They have two children, Frantie Ray and Dedie May. Mr. Brydle came to Unionville March 18, 1882, and with Mr. H. A. Still opened a store of readymade clothing, boots and shoes, which they are conducting with an increasing custom and unanticipated success. Mr. and Mrs. Brydle have been for some six years members of the Methodist Protestant Church. He also belongs to the order of the Knights of the Maccabees. j., L,,f I kN : 4 -I J e) HISTORY OF TUc HENRY A. STILL, clothier, was born in Fairport, Monroe County, N. Y., July 31, 1852. He spent his youth partly in farming, partly in mercantile work, and partly in railroading. He came to Fair Grove, Mich., in the spring of 1874, and engaged in agriculture in section 36. He and Miss Edna L. Beilby, of Pittsford, N. Y., had I been married May 23, 1871. She was born in Monroe County, N. T., February 15, 1851. They have six children, Fred C., Frank L., Albert and Alfred, twins, Arthur and Henry A. Mr. Still came to Unionville in March, 1882, and joined his finances with Mr. Brydle under the firm title, " Brydle & Still, clothiers, etc." Mr. and Mrs. Still are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. CHARLES F. SEES, dealer in furniture and undertaker, was born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., January 15, 1845. He came with his parents to Detroit, Mich., in 1850, and six years later went with them to Bruce County, Ontario. They returned to Detroit in 1862. In the fall of 1867 he came to Unionville. His employment in youth had been chiefly agricultural labor; but he had also given some attention to mechanical work, and on coming to Unionville he engaged in carpenter and joiner work as his chosen calling. On January 7, 1872, he was married to Miss Mary V. Kline, of Almer. She was born in Erie County, Penn., December 15, 1852. They have two children, Lewis D., born in Almer, October 25, 1872, and Vida A., born in Unionville September 25, 1880. On January 3, 1879, Mr. Sees opened his present enterprise in furniture and undertaker business, and since then has increased from an annual business of $450 to one of $2,800. Mr. Sees has served as justice of the peace since 1877. He has been school moderator two years and a member of the school board five years. He was a member of the board of registration for the first village election, and a member of the first board of trustees, and is serving in his second term in that office. He has also served one term as street commissioner. Fraternally Mr. Sees is a Royal Arch Mason, and secretary of Blue Lodge No. 277. Mrs. Sees is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. CAPTAIN ALSON GREENFIELD, supervisor of Columbia, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., January 16, 1833. He removed with his parents to Ohio when about seven years old, where he received his education and early culture, attending school two terms with James A. Garfield, late president of the United States. He first came to Tuscola County, Mich., in the fall of 1854, and bought lands in what is now Columbia. From this time he taught school in Oakland County some two years, after which he settled on his lands. At that time, what is now Fair Grove, and one of the banner townships, seemed to be all swamp and unfit for agricultural purposes. Columbia was also very wet and unpromising in appearance. He has seen the water three feet deep in the road track along where the Main Street of Unionville now presents its beautiful road surface to the gaze of the citizens. In 1856 or 1857, Mr. Greenfield was elected supervisor of Columbia. The entire number of votes cast that year was twenty-five. He has served many years as supervisor, and has twice been chairman of the board of supervisors. He has served about four years as county treasurer, and two years as representative to the State legislature. He is justice of the peace and assessor of Unionville. On August 4, 1864, Mr. Greenfield received authority to raise a company for the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry. He raised Company A, the first in the regiment in a short time. He went as captain with his company to the service of his country, and remained until mustered out of the service September 6, 1865; after the Union had triumphed over slavery And treason. His first lieutenant was Captain E. P. Allen, now of Washtenaw County. Mr. Allen left a remunerative situation in Vassar and Mr. Greenfield left his situation as county treasurer. They toiled in the strife side SCOLA COUNTY. 147 by side, and their military relations were mutually interesting and pleasant. CLEMENS MARTINI, manager of the business firm of John C. Liken & Co., at Unionville, Mich., (the said firm consisting of John C. Liken and Richard Martini, of Sebewaing), was born in Germany, April 20, 1853. He came to Sebewaing, Mich.,in the spring of 1870, and at once engaged in the employ of Muellerweiss & Liken, of that place. In the spring following that firm dissolved, and he entered the employ of Mr. John C. Liken. In 1874 he went as manager of the business of J. C. & Co., to Kilmanagh. He remained there until December, 1877, when. he came and took charge of their mercantile business at Unionville. Their business investments and interests have since then enlarged immensely. They have there now, beside their large and well furnished store, an extensive flouring-mill and grain elevator in successful operation, furnishing 6,000 barrels of flour and 500 tons of mill feed, beside their extensive custom work; and in company with Mr. Frederick Bach, of Sebewaing, under the firm name of Liken & Bach, they have a stave-mill, heading-mill and saw-mill, with a capacity sufficient for the manufacture of ten millions staves and twelve millions heading per annum. The whole enterprise furnishes employment for at least fifty men, and includes a capital of not less than $60,000. Liken &Bach also have a stave, heading and saw-mill, in the village of Fair Grove, with a capacity similar to those in Unionville. They are also preparing to erect a saw-mill at Akron Station, as an auxiliary to their stave and heading-mill at Sebewaing. In that prosperous village they have an extensive mercantile enterprise, conducted in a beautiful and commodious brick block, also a flouring-mill, and a grain elevator holding, when full, 25,000 bushels of grain. They have also a cooper's shop, and a large saw-mill for the manufacture of lumber. Mr. J. C. Liken is the owner of the Bay City, Sebewaing, Caseville & Port Austin Steamboat Line, and also of the Sebewaing & Oszoda Line. Mr. Martini records a pleasant and interesting business life thus far, and contemplates a bright future for this part of the county, especially in view of the inexhaustible fertility of the soil on which the general success and future wealth of the community chiefly depend. WILLIAM H. STANDART, hardware merchant, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, November 3, 1848. He removed with his parents to Attica, Ind., in childhood, and at the age of nine years came with them to Adrian, Mich., and remained there nine years, employed chiefly in farming. From there he went to Detroit as clerk in a hardware store, and later acted as traveling salesman for the firm of Standart Bros., for some five years. While in that employment he was married November 5, 1873, to Miss Mindwell Cook, of Adrian. She was born in Hudson, Mich.. July 7, 1853. They have three children, Sarah A., Nellie and Rose. Mr. Standart came to Unionville March 1, 1876, and bought the hardware stock of A. B. C. Comstock, and opened the hardware enterprise, which he still conducts on Main Street. He has awell selected stock, worth some $6,000, accurately adapted to the demands of the citizens, and he has had from the beginning a growing trade. With Mr. E. D. Cook, he also deals extensively in agricultural implements. Last year they sold eighty-two of McCormick's mowers and reapers and self binders. He also has a tin shop in connection with his hardware store, from which he supplies all kinds of tin, copper and sheet iron furniture for his stoves and for customers. He has on Bay Street one of the most elegant dwellings in the place, worth some $2,000. It is about forty feet square in its largest part, with a front extension, and other appurtenances affording most inviting home conveniences and entertainments. The home occupies an acre of ground, and is situated in an ex I \? I - I * 04 -at\ dX l I!~ -1 -V r — I ` HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 148 14I tremely pleasant part of the rising town. In fraternity Mr. Stalldart is a member of the Northern Star Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. JAMES W. STINER, druggist, was born in Columbia County, Penn., November 7, 1854. He came with his parents from his native State in 1867, and settled on section 29 in Columbia, Mich. His time was spent chiefly in agriculture. In August, 1875, he engaged as clerk in the store of Greenfield & Bell ill Unionville, and remained about four years. In November, 1879. he engaged as clerk with his brother, F. A. Stiner, in his drug store, and they added a stock of dry goods and groceries. In August, 1882, Mr. J. W. Stiner and his father, Henry Stiner, bought the entire stock of drugs and goods, and since then Mr. J. W. Stiner has conducted the business, which increases in proportion with the rapid progress of the town and surrounding country. In 1880 Mr. Stiller was elected treasurer of Unionville by the entire vote of the citizens. In 1881 he served as township clerk of Columbia, and also served again as village treasurer. In 1879 he was appointed a notary public, and is now serving in his second term in that office. TIMOTHY LOWTHIAN, physician and surgeon, was born in Princeton, Ontario, May 7, 1848. His youth was spent in his native country. In 1872 he came to Caro, Mich., and spent some five years il the drug business. In 1876 he engaged specially in the study of medicine under the supervision of William Morris, M. D. T. C. D., of Caro. He took his first course of lectures in the University of Michigan in 1878 and 1879. He graduated in the University of Buffalo in 1880, and in his attainments was one of the first in a class of fifty-six. He settled in Unionville in June of that year, and has built up a flourishing and steadily increasing practice in that prosperous town. He was married April 3, 1872, to Miss Margaret Morris, second daughter of Dr. William Morris. She was born in Florence, Canada, August 24, 1853. They have three children, Mary Sophia Morris, Henrietta Annie and William George DeMontmorency. Religiously, Dr. Lowthian and his lady are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. GEORGE E. MERRY, hotel-keeper, was born in Oswego County, N. Y., June 3, 1828. He came with his parents to Pontiac, Mich., when fourteen years of age, and learned the carpenter and joiner trade with his father. At nineteen he commenced for himself, and continued in that business fourteen years in that place. He was married when about twenty-two years of age to Miss Emily Dewey, of Pontiac. She died in 1854, leaving one infant son, Edgar. Mr. Merry's second marriage was to Miss Nancy M. Dewey, also of Pontiac, January 1, 1855. She was born near Pontiac, October 11, 1835. They have three children, Frederick, Charles and Frank. In the fall of 1860, Mr. Merry came to Tuscola County and located. land on Hickory Island. He settled his family there in 1861, and he came to Unionville and engaged in building for Mr. H. C. Marvin. He, with other help, built first a barn, then a bridge, then a store, and then another bridge, all in one season. In 1862 he brought his house from Hickory Island to where Unionville now is. He bought thirteen acres of land, onehalf of it cleared, for $20 per acre, finished clearing it, and set out an orchard south of where State.Street now is, and also continued working at his trade. He went and worked in Bay City in the summer of 1864, until harvest time, then came home and harvested twenty-one acres of frosted wheat, but only got about forty bushels,in all. The season previous he raised over forty-six bushels to the acre. In the fall of 1864, he took his family back to Pontiac, and he went out, as a government employe, to Duvall's Bluff,, Ark., and began working at his trade, first for a few days at only $45 per month; soon his pay was advanced to $75 per month, and in about three weeks it was raised to $100 per month-and he was made second superintendent of the building department of government works. One pleasant day in February while there he went up White River on a boat with a large number of others to visit a certain farm. He and a comrade, Mr. Moore, were left on shore by the steamer, and hired a soldier to take them across in a small boat. When in the midst of the river, while the waves were dashing fiercely, the boat filled with water and swamped. Mr. Merry and his comrade attempted to swim ashore. Mr. Merry with great difficulty swam across a heavy current in the river, reached a fallen tree toward shore, and looking back saw Mr. Moore in the current. He cried out to him. "Moore, pull for your life!" Moore answered, "Merry, I can't make it!" Merry shouted, "You can make it!" but just then Moore sank and drowned. Mr. Merry swam and waded onward into the overflowed cypress swamp some distance, found a partial support by a tree, and called loudly for help; and by the hired soldier who had now reached shore and emptied the boat, he was heard and rescued, but had nearly perished from exhaustion and cold. In the season following he returned to Unionville and opened a store of general merchandise, in which he continued some five years, when he sold that, and soon after opened a hotel on the site he now occupies. About that time he suddenly lost a dwelling and contents worth some $1,500. He occupied his hotel some three years, then rented it for over two years, since which time they have occupied it steadily. The hotel is a fine three-story building beautifully situated in the center of the town with good sample rooms, and first-class accommodations for boarders and travelers, is furnished with commodious barn room for teams, and is conducted by kind and cheerful attendants, and with a steady view to the greatest comfort of the guests. Mr. Merry as a citizen is interested heartily in county and local prosperity, and is serving in his second term of office as a member of the board of trustees for Unionville. ASA BURK was born in Ontario County, Canada, in 1829. There he remained until 1859, when he came to Michigan and settled in Lexington, Sanilac County, where he engaged in farming. After three years' residence he removed to Lapeer County and engaged in lumbering and farming, continuing until 1878, when he bought a hotel at North Branch, Lapeer County, which he operated about a year. His health failing, he was obliged to give up business and went to California where he so far recovered as to be able to resume business. In May, 1883, he bought and took charge of the Merry IIouse, a new and commodious hotel in Unionville, Tuscola County. In 1851 Mr. Burk married Nancy Schell, a native of Canada. They have had ten children, of whom nine are living. ROBERT H. RUSSELL, druggist and grocer, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., August 12, 1843. He was reared in his native State. His employment was chiefly agricultural, but he also wrought at the carpenter trade. On December 31, 1868, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Scheerder, also of Delaware County. In the fall of 1869 they removed to Missouri and spent three years; then they came to Unionville, and shortly after went back to Delaware County, N. Y. In the fall of 1874, Mrs. Russell died, leaving one daughter, Carrie E. In the spring of 1876, Mr. Russell returned to Unionville, and spent some time in carpenter work. On January 1, 1879, he entered the employ of Mr. J. S. Coy, and served in his store of drugs and groceries some four years. His second marriage was to Miss Ella J. Durfee, of Bay City, on January 13, 1880. She was born in Bay City January 12, 1862. They have two children, Cora Amilla and Elsie May, both born in Unionville. On September 15, 1882, Mr. Russell boughllt the mercantile enterprise of Mr. J. S. Coy, and since has conducted the business in groceries, drugs, paints and oils, varnishes and medicines, with increasing patronage and gratifying success. Mr. Russell has been assistant postmaster l "6"4 k - 0 (i I — "A ICL x Oj z:3 (1) Prl Ir isi 65 c; lo: : X(t~ c9 I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 149 since 1879, and is serving as clerk of Columbia, and is a member of the board of trustees of Unionville. He also belongs to the order of the Knights of the Maccabees. STEPHEN C. HAYES, farmer, was born in Oakland County, Michigan, April 7, 1833. He spent his youth chiefly in his native county. He first visited Tuscola County in 1850. Vassar then had only three or four dwellings and one boarding shanty. From there he went to Saginaw, then, later, to Thunder Bay River, when the site of Alpena was not yet underbrushed. He spent some time there in fishing, and remained there alone, watching the fish and fishing apparatus for six weeks, and only saw four persons in the entire time, and, like Selkirk,,from center all round to the sea, he was lord of the fowl and the brute." The rest of the season he fished on Thunder Bay Island. Next he spent nearly two years more in Oakland, and after this nearly nine years in Saginaw, variously employed, and then settled in Wisner, Tuscola County. On July 12, 1864, he was enrolled in the fifth Michigan Veteran Volunteers, Company D, served his country until the close of the war, and was discharged July 19, 1865. He was only a few rods from President Jeff. Davis when that Confederate dignitary was captured. Here turned to Wisner in 1866, and on Feb. 20, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary J. Woodman, also of Wisner. She was born in Canada, Jan. 19, 1845. Their only son, Willie C., born Oct. 9, 1871, died.of diphtheria Dec. 3, 1881. In 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Hayes came to Unionville, where they still reside. Very much of his time since then has been spent in the employ of H. C. Marvin, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. GEORGE FORD, road master of the Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron Railway, was born in England, Jan. 16, 188,3. He left his native country at the age of eighteen years and came to New York, and thence to Ohio and engaged in the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company on the track department. He spent some seven years on that and other roads, and later, was about two years on the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Road. After this he served as foreman on the grade of the Flint & Holly Road, and then as foreman ill the track department. Thus he worked his way upward in the employ of the F. & P. M. Company and later became road master on a part of the Grand Trunk Road. After this he returned to the employ of the F. & P. M. Road and served as foreman of the track department, laying the track and ballasting the road from Coleman to Mount Pleasant. He also laid a large portion of the steel on the western division of the F. & P. M. Road. Next he engaged as foreman on the grade of the S. T. & H. Road. and broke ground three days before any other person, with a very small force the first week, but afterward ran up to as high as fifty men and ten teams, and so onward till the grade was nearly completed. He was then appointed to superintend the laying of the track, and twice afterward to ballast the road. This he has done so finely that the traveling public claim that the road is not excelled in smoothness and firmness by any road in the State. All this work, from the beginning of the laying of the track has been done under the supervision of C. S.McMillan, Esq., superintendent of the road. At the same time Mr. Ford's steady employment and timely promotion by the company gives fitting expression of his skill, industry, integ rity and trustworthiness in his chosen calling. He has literally worked his way up from the shovel to the responsible position of road master, which he now occupies. His present residence is in the pleasant and thriving town of Unionville. EDWARDVAN DEMARK, farmer, was born in Tioga County, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1824. He was reared in his native state. His employment was chiefly farming. He came to Tuscola County, Mich., in the spring of 1854, and settled in what is now part of Columbia, thlen a part of Rogers. He had been married to Miss Margaret Bluer, also of Tioga County, Sept. 14, 1848. They have had eight children, six sons and two daughters. From Sebewaing to their place they came by a mere winding trail, with a hired ox team. Where Unionville now is, there was one log house. It was vacant and Mr.V. went into it with his family. There were about two acres chopped there but not cleared off. Thus, in those pioneer times, Mr. and Mrs. V. began opening a home in the forest for themselves and family, undergoing all the hardships and disadvantages incident to such brave undertakings. Mrs. M. Van Demark died in June, 1855. Mr. Van Demark's second marriage was to Miss Cordelia Wilson, of Unionville, June 6, 1856. She was born in Espyville, Penn., June 24, 1833. They have three sons and two daughters. Mrs. C.Van Demark also was a pioneer in Akron, and has shared the pleasures, the encounters, the romances of forest life and times,from 1856 onward. Mr. Van Demark has 120 acres of land, with about seventy under cultivation. He also has a fruit-bearing orchard, an excellent dwelling and other buildings and inviting home-comforts. Mr. V. has been a school officer some fifteen years, and school inspector about nine years. He was one of those who organized the township of Akron, was its first supervisor and has served four years. He records that in 1854 the place was nearly overrun with mice. He has once seen one and a half bushels of mouse bones in one heap, where they had been drowned in a kettle. He killed seven in one night that ran up his arm as he lay in bed. His best mouser that season was an owl, who used to catch them, skin them with his beak and devour their carcasses. WILLIAM A. HAYES, farmer and carpenter and joiner, was born in Burton, Ohio, May 25, 1829. He was raised in his native State; learned his trade in his youth. He came to Bay City in 1856, and engaged in building dwellings among the trees then still standing where the business blocks of the city are now located. One year later he came to Tuscola County, and settled in what was then section 7, in Akron. He had been married Sept. 28, 1852, to Miss Sarah Baird, of Franklin, Ohio. They have had five children, Charles, George, John, Eliza, deceased, and Austin. When they first came to the place the only road was a narrow, underbrushed sleigh track. Wagons were not then in use. They, at times, had to walk logs and fences to keep out of the water. Mr. Hayes has worked devotedly at his trade since coming to the county. He has sometimes carried his tools five miles before breakfast to engage in -the work of the day. He was the first carpenter in the place, but has not kept a record of his work as a builder. On August 10, 1864, Mr. Hayes enlisted in Company A, in the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, and served his country in the suppression of the late rebellion, until discharged, in August, 1865, after the close of the war. During his service he suffered severely from typhoid pneumonia, but by the use of a self-selected remedy he finally recovered. Mrs. Hayes found it very afflictive and difficult to manage the home and family alone, but she and they braved the encounters nobly, and worked outside and raised corn and garden products for their sustenance and comfort. Mr. Hayes tlow has thirty-five acres of land, with twenty-eight under fine cultivation, a large, thriving orchard and an inviting home. He has refused $60 per acre for his lands. Mr. and Mrs. Haves are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. HENRY W. HESS, carriage maker and farmer, was born in Co lumbia County, Penn., Aug. 18, 1824. His grandfather, Henry W. Hess, Sr., was a soldier in the revolutionary war. His father, Christian Hess, and Lis father's brothers, were soldiers in the war of 1812. His maternal grandfather, Mr. Bisher, was a maker of violins. Mr. Hess left his native State in 1847 and went West to Chicago before Chicago had a railroad. fIe spent two years in the V..,) l: J I.4-I - on~ -Z(.) r (lla L: ------- L_ 150 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. West and over ten years in the South. Later he visited Tuscola County, Michigan, and in October, 1861, he enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, Company F, and served his country over three years. In the winter of 1861 he took part in the campaign through Kentucky under General Thomas and fought in the battle of Mill Springs. He returned to Louisville, went thence to Nashville, thence to the battle of Shiloh and took part in the siege of Corinth. The rest of his time after this he was with the Western army. He and his comrades were discharged at Atlanta, Ga., but continued under arms until they came to Nashville, Tenn. They came to Michigan for final settlement. In December, 1864, Mr. Hess bought lands in section 1, Akron, now a part of Columbia, Mich. He cleared up his farm, beginning March 30, 1865. Later he was married to Miss Mary Ambruster, of Sebewaing. She was born in Ohio, Nov. 28, 1847. They have eighty acres of land, all under cultivation and pasture. They have a fine thriving orchard, all planted by his own hands. He has excellent buildings and a truly delightful home. He has on his farm a notable flowing well, over 104 feet deep, which when first opened, discharged several barrels of bituminous coal, and attracted large numbers of visitors from Saginaw, Vassar, Bay City and various other places. He has been overseer of highways several terms, and has served as school assessor for nine years. Religiously, he is an Episcopal Methodist. Mrs. Hess belongs] to a German church in Sebewaing. In his travels and services in the Union Mr. Hess has visited Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Indian Territory, Kansas and Texas. He has been in the principal cities of the Union. He has visited the Mammloth Cave in Kentucky, and slept in the house where President Polk was born. This rare entertainment he enjoyed when on his trip to the World's Fair in New York in 1853. SAMUEL B. COVEY, retired farmer, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., November 7, 1800. He spent his youth in his native State. On January 5, 1817, he and Miss Nancy Nowlin were united in marriage. Mr. S. B. Covey's children are Albert S., Hannah M., Jane, Betsy, John, Griffin S., Clarinda and Melinda, twins, Samuel E. and William N. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Covey located 940 acres of land in what is now Columbia, Mich. His family arrived in the fall following. They settled where Unionville now is. They came to their place, not by roads, but through the woods by blazed trees. They had to go to Vassar to mill and for their mail. Mr. Covey erected the first frame house and barn built between Watrousville and Sebewaing. In 1857 a mail route was established. Mr. Covey was the first postmaster of Akron postoffice, and served six years. Mr. P. Ricker was the first mail carrier. Mrs. N. Covey died November 23, 1866. Mr. Covey's second marriage was to Mrs. Lois Hudson, of Akron, July 3, 1867. Mr. Covey has distributed his lands among his children. He has been justice of the peace twelve years and township treasurer two years. He has belonged to the Baptist Church since 1821, and Mrs. Covey has belonged about forty years. Mrs. N. Covey, also, was a member of that church. JOHN COVEY, farmer, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., May 4, 1827. He was reared in his native State and came to what is now the township of Columbia, Mich., before it was organized. In 1855 he began opening for himself and family a home in that dense but beautiful forest. He had been married February i5, 1850, to Miss Mary S. King, of Gilford, N. Y. She was born in that State June 13, 1828. They have two children, Griffin and Linnie, now Mrs. James Hinmon. They came to their place by way of Bay City, when it was just commenced, and when $5,000 would have bought the whole village, now the third city in the State. The land in their location was wet, but very rich. Oxen and sleds had been driven through from Sebewaing to Watrousville by a blazed trail. There was then no other road. Many articles of clothing and some of their provisions they had to bring all the way from Flint. They erected first a board shanty and lived in it five years, but he erected a frame barn, the first in the town, and had it ready for his first crop of wheat. His frame house was one of the first two built in the township. He assisted in organizing the township when there were only thirteen voters in it. He has 400 acres of land in sections 5, 8 and 14, with about eighty under cultivation, a thriving orchard of the best varieties of fruit, excellent buildings, and a truly pleasant home. Mr. Covey states that deer and other game were very plentiful in those early days. His gun secured the most of their supply of meats. He has killed 150 deer, two bears, and some other game. One of the bears he killed with his knife, while the bear held a large dog firmly in his teeth, never loosing his hold until he bled to death. Once Mr. Covey shot four deer with a single barreled rifle without stepping out of his position. Mrs. Covey, also, is skilled in using the gun. She has shot one large deer and various small game. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Covey are members of the Baptist Church. Politically he has been a life long Democrat, and fraternally he is treasurer of the Northern Star Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. He has served as a school officer and justice of the peace. WILLIAM BRADY, farmer, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., June 20, 1839. He came with his parents to Sebewaing, Mich., in 1854, and lived there until he attained his majority, employed in farming and other industrial pursuits. On May 6, 1862, he was married to Miss Catharine Baur, also of Sebewaing. She was born in Germany July 30, 1835. They have had six children, Rosetta, George, Simon, William H., Sylvester, deceased, and Charles S., also deceased. Mr. Brady and family cleared up a large farm in Sebewaing and resided there until 1875, when he bought 146 acres in sections 5 and 6 in Columbia; and they have now about 110 acres under cultivation. They have over five acres of thriving orchard of apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes and small fruits, an elegant dwelling and commodious farm buildings. Mr. Brady is raising the Percheron Norman breed of horses, imported from Illinois. He finds them a very superior breed, and has already six fine young animals, and hopes to soon place some on the market. Several Percheron stallions have been purchased by the United States Interior Department for the improvement of stock in the interior. Mr. Brady has also dealt largely in agricultural implements in his township. He has been highway commissioner and school director in Sebewaing and highway commissioner and justice of the peace in Columbia, and is a member of the school board in Unionville. HUGH WILLSON, retired farmer, was born in Washington Township, Penn., August 29, 1802. He spent over half a century of his life in his native State, employed partly in farming and partly in blacksmithing. In October, 1854, he came to where Unionville now is, then a forest with Indian trails instead of roads, and began preparing a shanty for his family. In June, 1855, six members of his family arrived, and took possession of their new home. Mr. Willson had been married in 1829 to Miss Ann Collins, of Chenango, Penn. She was born there May 6, 1810. Their children are Cyrus, Cordelia, Andrew, Matilda, deceased, Sarah, also deceased, Isaac W., Samuel H., James F., Mina, and Edward L., who is also d?ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Willson have battled bravely and successfully with the privations and hardships of pioneer life, and with forest trees and water and frost; but they have lived until a beauti ) v ~9 -~. J & BK — J17 b.T — HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 151 e r ful and thriving town has arisen in their midst, sustained by fertile country all around, and affording all the advantages of modern culture and religious privilege. They have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church about thirty years. He has been class leader six or seven years, and over three years superintendent of Sabbath-schools. He has also been supervisor of Geneva. In politics he is a Republican. His four sons, Cyrus, Andrew, Isaac and James, all fought in the suppression of the late rebellion. Cyrus was wounded in the neck, in the shoulder and in the arm, and now receives a pension for his services. ISAAC W. WILLSON, farmer, was born in Crawford County, Penn., April 26, 1842. He came with his father's family to Tuscola County, Mich., in June, 1855, and worked on the parental home lands until about twenty-two years of age. In 1863 he bought 120 acres of land just west of Unionville, and cleared and put in sixteen acres of wheat. On June 10, 1864, he was enrolled in the First Michigan Infantry, Veteran Volunteers, Company A, and served his country until discharged July 9, 1865, after the Confederacy had been annihilated. He fought in tihe battles of the Yellow House, Hatcher's Run, the siege and capture of Richmond, and eight other engagements, closing up with the capture of General Lee and the Confederate army. He arrived at home from the service July 18, 1865, and later suffered about one year of severe illness, seemingly induced by his exposures in the service. On February 22, 1866, he was married to Miss Anna M. Pierce, of Sebewaing. She was born in Pontiac, Mich., April 18, 1837. They have three children, William E., Eben I. and Alanson C. Mr. Willson bought his land all on credit, and had only a steer, calf and an ax. The calf ran away and was lost, but the ax played slash with the forest. They began without a door in their dwelling or a table in their room, but by persistent effort and rigid economy they have secured for themselves cultured fields and fruitful orchards, a good dwelling, and a most inviting situation. During these pioneer efforts they have lost a barn by lightning, containing fourteen tons of hay and 300 bushels of wheat, besides other grains and valuable farming utensils, worth in all over $1,000, only receiving $554 insurance. Politically Mr. Willson is a Republican. Religiously they are Episcopal Methodists, and serve as official members in that church. They find their highest gratification in personal piety and social and religious progress. RAYMOND P. CASE, farmer, was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., February 12, 1822. He was reared and educated in his native State, employed chiefly in agricultural enterprise. On December 9, 1851, he was married to Miss Adliza Weed, also of Saratoga Springs. She was born in Greenfield, Saratoga County, May 7, 1834. They have had two children, George, now deceased, and Francis Emmanuel. In the fall of 1854 they came to Genesee County, Mich. In the fall of 1855 they came to Watrousville, on their way to section 28 in Columbia, where he had previously bought 240 acres of land, but the country was so intensely wet and muddy that they were compelled to remain there until February, when they reached their new home in the forest, where there was not as yet a single clearing made. They moved into a vacant shanty near their lands, and prepared a shanty on their own place roofed with boards, and moved into it without any doors or windows, and finished it afterward. They had to bring the straw for their beds all the way from Watrousville. Mr. Case gave his watch for the bringing in of one load of his goods from that place. His last cent of cash he had paid out as taxes. They themselves, in coming in, rode on an ox sleigh as far as Mr. Santee's place. Two days were spent in getting that far. The next morning Mr. and Mrs. Case took their trunk on a hand sleigh and made their way through the woods by blazed trees to their own place, over two miles distant. They earned their living and paid for their lands by dint of hard labor and strict economy. I They lived thus in the forest seemingly alone, yet they were not lonely. They record that they enjoyed life as well then even in the midst of pioneer disadvantages and encounters, as they do now in the contrasted situation which they enjoy at present. Mr. Case now has ninety-five acres of land, with about fifty-six under cultivation and pasture. He has a thriving orchard of excellent varieties of fruit, an elegant dwelling worth some $1,500, and commodious out-buildings constituting a beautiful farm home. He assisted in the organization of the township, but has persistently declined all municipal office. Mr. Case has served several years as leader, and several as steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. EMANUEL L. STALEY, farmer, was born in Columbia County, Penn., September 25, 1835. He came from his native State to Columbia, fMich., just before he attained his majority, and with his father opened an improvement in section 20, and afterward resided there until 1878. They came by rail to Holly, by stage to Bridgeport, and on foot by the way of Tuscola, Vassar and Watrousville, and by a sled road from Morland's through the woods to their place. Once in coming from Sebewaing with oxen and wagon, a cooking stove and furniture and other goods, he had to ford the Wiscoggin Creek, when the water flowed over his boot-tops as he stood on the stove in the wagon. The team swam and drew the load after them, and all came through unharmed. On March 12, 1863, Mr. Staley was married to Miss Mary E. Kline, of Almer. She was born in Columbia County, Penn., August 3, 1844. They have had seven children. Those living are Wallace B., Marvin B., Sarah J., Clara, Louisa and Effie May. Two little loved ones are deceased. Mr. Staley now has eighty acres of land in section 32, and forty acres in section 28, where he now resides. He has in all nearly sixty acres of improvement, a large fruit-bearing orchard, good farm buildings, and a truly entertaining home. He has chopped over 100 acres of land in Columbia. He sold his former farm which he had improved by his own labor, for $4,000 ten years ago. He has been highway commissioner four years, and supervisor about fifteen years; and has served as chairman of the board of supervisors. He has also been three years superintendent of the poor for the county; and county surveyor four years. Politically Mr. Staley is an active Republican. Fraternally he is a member of Northern Star Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and glories in "Brotherly love, relief and truth." REV. ISAAC SANTEE was born in Shickshinny, Penn., November 20, 1816. He received his education and early culture in his native State, worked some years as a blacksmith, and came to Tuscola County, Mich., in 1855. He bought nearly sixty acres of land, and settled in section 30, in Columbia, then a wet and frosty forest. In building his shanty they had to carry all the logs by hand and put them up without a team. They covered it with elm and black ash barks, and moved into it. He had been married December 10, 1837, to Miss Sarah A. Hess, of Columbia County, Penn. She was born there July 8, 1818. They have had seven children, two sons and five daughters. They cleared the first three acres on their place entirely by hand. The first corn he planted was with an ax to open the ground he covered the hills with his foot. When he brought his family and baggage in from Watrousville, he had to leave the wagon stuck fast in the mud the first night of the journey, and also the second. Finally they carried the luggage the last forty rods by hand to get it to their place; yet he paid $8 dray bill. He often backed in their provisions from Sebewaing to their place. He has carried eighty-four pounds of supplies at one load. Mrs. S. A. Santee died of heart disease January 16, 1878, having been for many years a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. -- - -— e ells. — 0 - -s - - 1 152 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. AIr. Santee was converted Febrllary 24, 18ax0, and was SOOll after Mr. Santee was converted February 24, 1840, and was soon after an assistant leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He became leader in 1842. He was licensed as an exhorter in 1844, and was licensed to preach by Rev. T. B. Sargent in 1853. He was ordained a local deacon by Bishop Janes in 1867, and local elder by Bishop Ames and others in 1872. He preached the first sermon ' ever preached in Akron at the first religious gathering in the township. It was the funeral of a child, and was held at E. Van Denlark's. Mr. Santee was guided through the woods to the place by a dog in pursuit of his master, who had gone in advance to the funeral. Since then he has married fifty persons, and has attended about 125 funerals. Thus he has braved the toils and encounters of social and religious pioneer life in his community; but now, stated religious services are held in sight of his dwelling, and he has seen the waving forest change to fields of rare fertility, orchards of delicious fruit, and gardens blooming and beauteous. In h's own pleasant home he has forty acres of improved land and ample supplies of fruit; and though infirm in health, he still labors for the good of others, waiting for the call of the Master to the home beyond the river. He has served as township clerk, and also as justice of the peace. JOHN G. VANGIESEN, farmer, was born on Crusoe Island, N. Y., July 11, 1832. He came with his parents to Wayne County, Mich., in 1836. His youth was spent partly in farming and partly in rafting. He first visited Tuscola County in 1854. The next year he bought 160 acres of land in section 24 in Akron, and had some opening made soon after, and about the fall of 1858 he built a shanty, and began making further improvements. On January 1, 1867, he and Miss Samantha Santee, of Columnbia, were united in marriage. She was born in Columbia County, Penn., July 15, 1848. They have had three children, Hattie, now deceased, Medora and Sadie. They now have ninety acres of land, with about fifty under cultivation, a fine fruit-bearing orchard of various fruits, and inviting home comforts. He has been highway commissioner and township clerk, and is school assessor in his district. In politics he is a thorough-bred Greenbacker. In his labors as a hunter and trapper he has killed some 500 deer, about a dozen wild cats (one of which was over five feet long), and not less than 100 foxes, beside a number of mink and of martens. WESLEY HESS, farmer, was born in Columbia County, Penn., November 24, 1824. His youth and early manhood were spent in his native State. He was employed chiefly as miller and farmer. He was married to Miss Melinda Kile, of Columbia County, in March, 1849. They had one son, Coenburg, born December 18. 1849. Mrs. M. Hess died in February, 1852. -Mr. Hess and Miss Laura A. Piper, of Monroe, Penn., were married July 20, 1854. She was born in Berkshire County, Mass., April 13, 1835. They have had three daughters, Melinda A., the first child born in Columbia, Mich., now Mrs. I. Burger; Martha L., afterward Mrs. G. Smith, now deceased; and Mary E., now Mrs. H. Reed. Mr. Hess came to Columbia, Mich., in April, 1855, before the township was organized. He paid $100 in gold for the bringing in of his family and 400 pounds of baggage from Pontiac by stage to his place. He bought 200 acres of land in section 31, at ten shillings per acre. They cleared some forty-five acres and prepared them a comfortable home, and on February 10, 1863, he was enrolled in the service of his country, but was discharged in July, 1863, because of epileptic fits. These fits brought on sore eyes, which continued five years. -This was followed by an accident.which resulted in a permanent stiffness of one leg since 1868. In those early days Mr. Hess secured preaching in his dwelling for some three years by Rev. Mr. Crane and others of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He assisted in organizing the township and gave it its name; held the first election and was one of the first justices in the township. He served some five years as justice of the peace, and has been supervisor several terms. In politics he is a Democrat. In his sportsmanship he has killed over 700 deer, one bear, some wolves, a host of coons and numbers of small game. -Ie has sold $74 worth of furs and skins in one season. ALONZO W. WOOLEY, farmer, was born in Rutland, N. Y., September 10, 1844. He came with his parents to Genesee County, Mich., in 1854, and on April 1, 1869, they came to Akron and bought 110 acres of land in section 36, having about $1,200 of capital, and opened a home in the dense but delightsome forest. On August 16th, of that year, he was married to Miss Matilda Chapman, of Watertown. She was born in Handy, Mich., December 31, 1849. They have two sons and three daughters. They built a small shanty on their place among the trees, and had to push the nearest trees with pike poles when felling them, to prevent them from falling on the dwelling. They braved the toils and hardships of pioneer life steadily and energetically, and by their own labor secured about sevenlty-five acres of improvement, enclosed with excellent fences, and on this a large fruit-bearing orchard of apples, pears, cherries, plums and small fruits, a good dwelling, two large barns and truly pleasant home enticements, which they have lately sold for $4,000. Their present home is in section 31, Columbia, where they have eighty acres of land, with seventy under cultivation, with good farm buildings, a plentiful supply of excellent fruits, and a most inviting situation, for which he gives $3,200, leaving a handsome cash margin for other investments. AUGUSTUS GREENFIELD, teacher and farmer, was born in Russell, Ohio, adjoining the birth-place of the late President Garfield, November 19, 1840. He was reared and educated in his native State. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in the Ohio Infantry, and served with the three months' troops in guarding rebel prisoners on Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bay, and was discharged at the end of his three months' term. In 1863 he was commissioned as first lieutenant of the Second Geauga Militia. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio National Guards, called out by Governor Todd for 100 days, and served until again discharged. He returned home sick, but soon recruited, and in the following fall he came to near Watrousville, Mich., and spent the winter with his father. In the spring of 1865 he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, and served until September following. when he received his final discharge, after the Confederacy had been quashed. In the following winter he taught school in Juniata. Next spring he bought 160 acres of land in section 33, Columbia. Onl March 3, 1867, he and Miss Latona B., Kline, of Almer, were joined in marriage. Their children are Byron and Mary Lulu. His place when he bought it was in a wild condition, and his improvements have been made by dint of labor and economy. Much of his time is spent in teaching, but he has about forty acres of his farm improved;; has a thriving orchard and a pleasant home. He has served one year as township clerk, and several years as township superintendent of schools. He is also chairman of the Tuscola County Committee of the National Greenback Labor Party. HENRY KING, farmer, was born in Luzerne County, Penn., May 3, 1834. He came from his native State to Columbia, Mich., in the spring of 1856, and bought eighty aares of land in section 31. He cut the first stick on his place, and erected the first frame house in the township. He hewed the studding and rafters, and split out the lath, made the shingles himself and drew the lmunber from Heartt's mill, at Wahjamega. He occupied his home some six years without a companion, but on April 26, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Hayman, of Portsmouth. She was born in 04 1 - A,4 ~ - b 53.. \ aI I I I i I I I 7 F1 1 I I I i I I I I i I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 1 Columbia County, Penn., February 25, 1847. They have had seven children; Ida S., Alice A., Lillie M., Lizzie J., Della A., and Latona E. are all living; little Bessie A. is now deceased. They continued the pioneer enterprise of clearing and building and improving their forest home, doing most of the work with their own hands; and now the forest has disappeared, and they have about seventy-five acres of their land under fine cultivation, about three acres of thriving orchard of apples, pears, plums, cherries and small fruits, an elegant dwelling and commodious barns, constituting a most delightful farm home. When they first came to their place they had to cut their roads on the ridges or high strips of land. It took about two days to go to Sebewaing with an ox team and return; and the same to Watrousville, then their nearest postoffice. Mr. King is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been commissioner of highways four years, township clerk one year and school director, six years. In politics Mr. King is an active Democrat. TOWN OF ELLINGTON. This town embraces township 18 north, of range 10 east, and is bounded on the north by Elmwood, east by Novesta, west by Aimer and south by Wells. It lies on both sides of the Cass River, which divides it into two nearly equal parts, running from the northeast to the southwest. The character of the portion north and west of the river is generally rolling. The soil, a clay loam, except near the river, where it is more sandy yet of an excellent quality and very productive. The natural growth of tifs portion of the town is beech, oak, maple, basswood, elm, etc. South and east of the river the land is more level and comprises more swamp, its timber being generally pine, hemlock and cedar; the soil, a sandy loam, with a clay subsoil. The land having been generally entered for its pine, was of later settlement. ENTRIES OF LAND PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 13 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST. SECTION 1. Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853. George H. Sanford, October 21, 1858. William C. Beach, September 16, 1858. William C. Predmore, November 23, 1859. James L. Travis, November 30, 1859. Martin Watrous, January 30, 1858. George H. Sanford, October 25, 1858. SECTION 2. Samuel G. Hathaway, June 14, 1851. William H. Green, August 30, 1850. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Joseph H. Bugbee, April 15, 1854. Charles Pomeroy, June 6, 1854. Anson Rudd, October 29, 1855. Alexander C. Watrous, July 3, 1856. Martin Watrous, February 22, 1869. Martin Watrous, December 22, 1869. Martin Watrous, February 5, 1869. SECTION 3. William H. Green, August 30, 1850. William Winspear, June 26, 1852. William E. Shearman, March 24, 1854. Daniel D. Dewey, September 7, 1854. Samuel P. Shearman, October 4, 1854. Anson Rudd, October 29, 1855. SECTION 4. Hiram Beach, August 1, 1854. Inman J. B. McKenney, October 12, 1854. Tristam Rogers, November 25, 1854. I.I iI Riley Nash, February 20, 1.855. Joseph White, June 12, 1855. SECTION 5. Washington O. Donoughue, July 9, 1853. Joseph Hartman, March 7, 1855..Henry Day, April 1, 1856. William C. Beach, April 10, 1856. Henry A. Frink, February 5, 1859. Sault St. Marie Canal Co., May 25, 1855. SECTION 6. Josiah Higley, June 28, 1853. Martin Watrous, April 18, 1854. Martin Watrous, May 5, 1854. Seth Beeman (second), May 7, 1855. James Andrews, July 5, 1855. SECTION 7. Eliza Andrews, April 28, 1853. Rachel Andrews, April 28, 1853. William Metcalf, May 23, 1853. William Willcox, June 27, 1853. James Andrews, November 4, 1854. James Andrews, November 8, 1854. Simeon Botsford, December 26, 1855. SECTION 8. Martin Watrous, October 23, 1852. Mary Ann Botsford, March 25, 1854. Marshall N. Robinson, March 25, 1854. George R. Smith, May 15, 1854. Simeon Botsford, March 16, 1855. William R. Robinson, March 16, 1855. William C. Beach, May 12, 1856. Joseph M. Dodge, May 6, 1856. SECTION 9. Curtis Emerson, February 5, 1850. Curtis Emerson, June 8, 1850. William H. Green, July 16, 1850. Maurice Morin, January 22, 1852. Loiza Baker, September 10, 1852. Martin Watrous, October 23, 1852. William W. Gorton, July 13, 1853. William W. Gorton, January 28, 1854. David Keslar, April 5, 1854. Martin Watrous, June 14, 1854. Wakeman Goodsell, August 8, 1854. Asahel Disbrow, April 6, 1857. SECTION 10. James Morgan Baldwin, May 13, 1851. William Winspear, June 24, 1852. James M. Edmunds, May 22, 1854. Edmund H. Hazelton, February 26, 1857. Martin Watrous, January 30, 1858. SECTION 11. William H. Green, June 19, 1850. Martin Watrous, February 5, 1858. SECTION 12. John H. Hodges, January 1, 1853. Willard Barker, May 8, 1854. William H. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. Henry D. Braddock, November 14, 1855. SECTION 13. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. SECTION 14. James Morgan Baldwin, May 13, 1851. William Winspear, June 26, 1852. Willard Parker, April 24, 1854. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. Henry D. Braddock, Nov. 26, 1855. Samuel W. Yawkey, July 9, 1856. SECTION 15. Asher Tyler, June 14, 1851. William H. Green, June 19, 1850. I!/ C. E~ I I I -- 4Ts, I r II m —N w 154 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I Curtis Emerson, February 23, 1851. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Stephen D. Sayer, February 11, 1854. SECTION 16. William W. Gorton, December 31, 1856. James Andrews, February 25, 1858. SECTION 17. Edgar Sheldon, October 20, 1852. George G. Anderson, May 11, 1853. William W. Gorton, July 12, 1853. William C. Beach, December 12, 1855. Lorenzo D. Welch, December 13, 1855. SECTION 18. Edgar Sheldon, October 20, 1852. Myron H. L. Tyrrell, November 27, 1852. Benjamin W. and Jonathan A. White, May 2, 1853. SECTION 19. Samuel G. Hathaway, June 14, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin, May 15, 1851. Cyrus Haven, May 11, 1853. William Willcox, June 25, 1853. William Willcox, _June 27, 1853. SECTION 20. D. and S. Johnson, September 14, 1847. Paschal Richardson, October 14, 1847. Thompson, Whitney & Coit, October 12, 1850. Ira Kibbee, October 9, 1851. John C. Casler, April 13, 1854. SECTION 21. D. and S. Johnson, September 14, 1847. Paschal Richardson, Otober 14, 1847. Thompson, Whitney & Coit, February 28, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin, May 13, 1851. Ira Kibbee, October 9, 1851. John H. Richardson, October 19, 1856. Henry A. Braddock, November 14, 1855. SECTION 22. Thompson, Whitney & Coit, January 24, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin, May 13, 1851. Lewis J. Davis, September 3, 1856. SECTION 23. James Morgan Baldwin, May 3, 1851. SECTION 24. Delia A. Baldwin, July 28, 1853. Vallorous A. Paine, July 14, 1859. SECTION 25. Martin Watrous, November 16, 1858. SECTION 26. Delia A. Baldwin, July 28, 1853. Alfred H.' Wright, May 4, 1855. Henry Hayden, February 8, 1858. James L. Ketcham, December 7, 1858. SECTION 27. Abijah H. Thompson and Thomas Whitney & Coit, October 12, 1850. James Morgan Baldwin, May 12, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin, December 10, 1852. James M. Baldwin, August 9, 1853. Martin Watrous, May 5, 1854. Alfred H. Wright, May 4, 1855. James J. McCormick, November 17, 1856. Ebenezer A. Higgins, November 28, 1856. Robert H. Weideman, October 26, 1857. Alfred H. Wright, May 26, 1858. Martin Watrous. January 30, 1858. SECTION 28. Abijah H. Thompson, October 12, 1850. Thomas Whitney and F. E. Coit, October 12, 1850. Thomas Whitney and F. E. Coit, February 3, 1851. Andrew M. Orvis, October 9, 1851. James Cleaver, November 6, 1854. George Cleaver, February 19, 1856. Ebenezer A. Higgins, November 28, 1856. SECTION 29. Artemas Thayer, January 29, 1852. Samuel Lake, June 24, 1852. James M. Baldwin, August 9, 1853. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. George Judson, May 6, 1856. Edmund H. Hazelton, July 7, 1856. SECTION 30. Thomas Whitney, June 29, 1852. William Willcox, June 9, 1854. William Willcox, October 18, 1854. William Willcox, December 30, 1854. William Willcox, January 8, 1855. George Judson, May 6, 1856. William Willcox, June 18, 1856. William Willcox, July 4, 1856. SECTION 31. Curtis Emerscn, February 5, 1850. Samuel T. Atwater, July 1, 1854. Samuel T. Atwater, July 5, 1854. William Willcox, January 26, 1855. William Willcox, March 24, 1855. SECTION 32. James Morgan Baldwin, May 15, 1851. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. William Willcox, July 4, 1856. SECTION 33. James MI. Baldwin, May 13, 1851. William F. Whitney and Edmund H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. James Cleaver, November 6, 1854. Alfred H. Wright, May 4, 1855. Alfred H. Wright, October 3, 1856. SECTION 34. Alfred H. Wright, October 3, 1856. Alfred H. Wright, February 1, 1859. SECTION 35. James M. Baldwin, April 30, 1853. James M. Baldwin, August 9, 1853. Alfred H. Wright, October 5, 1858. James J. McCormick, February 1, 1859. SECTION 36. James M. Baldwin, April 30, 1853. Alfred H. Wright, October 1, 1856. Alfred H. Wright, October 5, 1858. FIRST SETTLEMENT. The settlement of this town dates back to 1854. The first settlers were William Medcalf, Jonathan White and his sons, B. W. and Almon, I. J. B. McKenney, William Robinson, Simeon Botsford, J. M; Dodge, William Wilcox, James Andrews and Elliott R. Burnett. Of these, Jonathan White, William R. Robinson and William Wilcox are dead; others have moved away. Mr. Botsford relates that his journey from Oakland County was made with a horse team largely by lumber roads, which, owing to the purpose for which they were constructed, were necessarily winding and indirect. His horses he was obliged to return and sell, a pioneer settlement furnishing but little food for their support. The night of their arrival was spent in Mr. Medcalf's small shanty, twenty persons occupying the one small building. The next day Mr. Botsford commenced work on his shanty, and the following forenoon at eleven o'clock the family took possession. This house was in section 8 on the site of the present village of Ellington. The first child born in Ellington was a son of William Medcalf, and was named George Ellington Medcalf. Rev. I. J. McKenney was the third settler in Ellington and a pioneer in the religious work of Tuscola County. He remained a resident of Ellington until his death, which occurred October 15, 1880. His widow still continues to live at the old homestead near the village of Ellington. Having spent twenty-six years of his life in the Christian ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1, ft"% , V, I XII --. I I - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 155 a I twenty-five of it in connection with the Genesee conference of New York State, he in 1854 took a superannuated relation to that conference and came with his family to Michigan in the fall of 1854 to make a home for his old age. Though adopting the employment of farming and with other pioneers bending his energies to subduing the forest and clearing the soil, he yet did not forget the earlier employment and service of his life. He at once resumed labor in the ministry of religion and preached from time to time in different parts of the county, holding the first service ever held in what is now the town of Ellington in the spring of 1855, and also about that time preaching in what is now the town of Indian Fields the first sermon preached in that town, being thus one of the I J. B. McKenney, Samuel Miller and Ozias Hutchinson, of the town of Ellington. The church has a house of worship in the village of Ellington, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Benson, of Caro. The church edifice was completed in 1874 and dedicated July 18th of that year. The event was one of interest, and was mentioned at the time as follows: "The dedicatory sermon by Rev. 0. J. Perrin, P. E., was received with great satisfaction, and listened to with profound attention by a large and imposing audience. "At three o'clock in the afternoon the church was again filled to overflowing to witness the solemn and beautiful ceremony of '/;/,J ii I/f/I 'i'//jlt~tl,;,~.! 1;./,, ",.~Irriii,', p~,l~rll jIri/,,.,,,, ','/ '~ '//l:. ",..;./,,,.!'/!,.,',,iii I... "'fi /'I IMPORTED COW ROSA BONHEUR AND CALF, MILK RECORD IN TWO YEAR OLD FORM, 13,411 LBS. 4 OZ. PROPERTY OF WM. WESTOVER, BAY CITY. pioneer preachers as well as one of the pioneer settlers of Tuscola County. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first services of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Ellington were held in the spring of 1855, when Rev. I. J. B. McKenney preached to the few settlers the first sermon tozwhich they had listened in their new home. About 1858 the Ellington class of the Caro and Ellington Quarterly Conference was organized by Elder Klump with twelve or fifteen members. Its legal organization and incorporation was effected at a quarterly conference held on the Cass City circuit March 19, 1870, when the following persons were duly elected and appointed a board of trustees to be known and called the "Trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of the Township of Ellington," viz.: James D. Sutton, of the town of Almer, William Medcalf, Inman dedication as conducted by Rev. Mr. Perrin, assisted by Rev. Messrs. McKenney and Ashford. This service was followed by a children's meeting, addressed by Rev. Messrs. Perrin, Gee and Maywood. "The building is a modern structure, completed in modern style and neatly furnished. Though not large, it meets the wants of the community in which it is situated. "The success of the enterprise is largely due to the enterprise of the pastor, Rev. Joseph Ashford, and the industrious ladies of the church. Great credit is due to Miss E. L. Bowen, through whose agency means were obtained to supply the furniture of the church. The day passed off pleasantly, richly enjoyed by those present, and will long be remembered with gratitude by the good people of Ellington as a new epoch in their history." METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. About the year 1858 a class of the Methodist Protestant J I 7 --: - - -&,V t V v v 0 6 1 I 156 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. by a majority of follr; treasurer, Benjamin W. White by a unani Church was organized at the house of Simeon Botsford under Rev. A. M. Warren with four members, viz.: Simeon Botsford and wife and William R. Robinson and wife. To this class Mr. Warren preached about three years, services being held at school-houses. He was succeeded by Rev. C. D. Covill. The first quarterly conference, embracing nearly all of Tuscola County, was organized as the Cass River circuit at a meeting held at the Bourne school-house, ~in what is now Ellington, in 1862; Rev. X. O. Smith was chosen pastor and Simeon Botsford, secretary. From this circuit as originally organized new circuits have from time to time been formed, viz.: Fair Grove, Cass City, Prairie and Tuscola. Cass River circuit now embraces Almer, Columbia, Elmwood and Ellington. The pastors from the time of its original organization have been Revs. X. O. Smith, A. Omans, John F. Witherell and wife, Father Bradshaw, John Robertson, Mrs. N. J. Remington and E. B. Sutton, the present pastor. A special meeting of the legal members of the Ellington class of Cass River circuit of the Methodist Church was held at the school-house of District No. 2 of the town of Ellington May 11, 1868, for the purpose of electing trustees and effecting a legal organization. The following were elected trustees: Simeon Botsford, William R. Robinson, John W. Ostrander, John Patterson and A. Wilcox. The trustees were then duly elected a building committee. The name of the church as organized was the "Methodist Church of Cass River Circuit." In 1871 a church building was erected a mile and a half west of Ellington village, and known as the Sutton Church. It is a neat, plain edifice, worth about $2,000. A comfortable parsonage was built about thirteen years ago, to which additions have been made from time to time. The total value of the property is about $8,000. CIVIL HISTORY. The town of Ellington was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held December 31, 1855. The territory comprised townships 13 and 14 north, of ranges 10 and 11 east, under the jurisdiction of Almer. The names signed to the petition are as follows, being of freeholders of the townships to be organized: Eliott Burnett, A. P. Cooper, William Wilcox, Simeon Botsford, Inman J. B. McKenney, William Robinson, W. Goodsell, W. John, James Andrews, J. M. Dodge, Joseph White, W. C. Beach, P. Higley, Jonathan White, J. A. White. At a meeting of freeholders, inhabitants of township 13 north, of ranges 10 and 11 east, held at the house of Simeon Botsford Dec. 19, 1855, for the purpose of selecting a name for the town, Simeon Botsford being moderator and William R. Robinson clerk, on motiofn of Wm. C. Beach the name of "Eden" was selected by a unanimous vote. Simeon Botsford was chosen delegate to represent the town before the board of supervisors, and he was directed, if the supervisors would not grant the name selected, to then apply for the name of "Paradise." It appears, however, that neither name met the approval of the board, as the name "Ellington" was selected. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1856, at the house of Simeon Botsford. Simeon Botsford, William C. Beach and William R. Robinson, having been appointed by the board of supervisors inspectors of election, the meeting was organized by the appointment of William C. Beach, moderator, and Elijah S. White, assistant clerk. The polls were opened at ten o'clock and closed one hour at noon, and finally closed at three o'clock and fifteen minutes. The result of the election was as follows: Supervisor, Inman J. B. McKenney by a majority of two; town clerk, Simeon Botsford by a majority of four; treasurer, Benjamin W. White by a unanimous vote of twenty-four; justices of the peace, Hugh F. Cooper by a majority of twenty-three, William R. Robinson nineteen, Joseph M. Dodge fifteen, Jonathan White fifteen; school inspectors, Inman J. B. McKenney twenty-two, Elijah S. White twenty-two; commissioners of highways, Joseph M. Dodge for three years by a majority of twenty-three, Benjamin W. White for two years by a majority of twenty-three, William Edger for one year by a majority of twentythree; constables, Alexander Cooper by a majority of nineteen, Jonathan A. White by a majority of nineteen, James Andrews by a majority of twenty-two and Elijah S. White by a majority of twenty-four; directors of the poor, Simeon Botsford by a majority of twenty-two, Inman J. B. McKenney by a majority of twenty-two. It is recorded that upon the same day the ballot box in use was presented to the town by the inspectors of election. The meeting further voted unanimously to raise $200 for highway purposes, and $130 for incidental purposes It was moved by James Andrews as a by-law that swine should not be free commoners from the tenth of May. The vote being by the usual sign there was a dispute as to the result, and on a division of the house, the motion was lost. The terms of the justices being determined by lot, William R. Robinson was chosen for four years, Joseph M. Dodge for three years, Hugh F. Cooper for two years and Jonathan White for one year. The report of the town treasurer for the year 1856 was as follows: For roads, raised by vote of town..................... Incidental expenses............................. Road tax on non-residents....................... Mill taxes for library and school................... Rejected tax re-assessed.......................... Dr. $200.00 130.00 443.20 68.77 70.00. $911.97 Added to this is four per cenit for collecting........... 48.24 Also for State and county tax.................... 292.64 Also, if all is collected, an excess of taxes......... 58.51 $1,311.36 To this should be added for building of school-house in district No. 1, and to come out of excess of tax....... 27.'387 $1,338.73 All of which was covered by receipts, orders and cash on hand. The first meeting of the town board appears to have been held May 3, 1856, at the house of Simeon Botsford, the only business transacted being the appointment of Wm. C. Beach as highway commissioner, to fill vacancy for one year. At the town meeting held April 7, 1857, it was voted to raise $500 for highway purposes and $150 for incidental expenses. In April, 1859, the electors of the town voted to raise $250 for highway purposes, $125 for contingent expenses, and to appropriate one half of the two mill tax to the purchase of a town library. The vote on the question of township or district library, was fourteen for town and twelve for district. The appearance of small-pox in various parts of the county is indicated by a meeting of the board of health Nov. 21, 1859, and arrangements made for vaccination, for the expense of which it was voted to raise a tax of $50. At the town meeting held April 2, 1860, $25 of the two mill tax was appropriated to the purchase of a library, $500 for highways and bridges and $150 for incidental expenses. The year 1860 appears to have been a fruitful one, in town meetings. On account of local differences several special meetings were held but no action taken which changed the results of the annual meeting. J -I - -— \ b ^-' I I... I RESIDENCE OF E. J.CARPENTER, ELLI NGTO N,TOWNSH I P. PROPERTY OF H. C. LA FLAMBOY,J R. DEALER IN FURNITURE & UNDERTAKING GOODS, GAGETOWN, TUSC:OLA, CO., MICH. " " -,,':Ve.a d.-....:......:., I a: — - -:. I - L 1t,! hi i ~:-;:::1 ~~ -- - ~ -~~'1:;~:~:~ ~-'; ~ ~-_ I::' 7 d A I: -l '..:.~-::~: *l- U \ C z v:;. - i 2 t-Belv; as ': S i > ': -:* of: i '0> n:::: \:::: 003:6 u { s 3 N Ni l! 157 [I' - A HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. -I At the annual town meeting April 6, 1863, it was voted that $150 should be raised to refund the bounty of volunteers; $700 was voted for highways. At a meeting of the town board of Almer and Ellington Dec. 23, 1863, it was agreed that $300 should be raised for each volunteer procured in those townships or drafted, the question to be submitted to a vote of the people at a special election; Almer to raise $660 and Ellington $540. The election was held in Ellington Jan. 9, 1864, and there were nine votes cast, all in favor of raising the money. The tax roll for 1863 was as follows: State tax... County tax............ $ 81.28........... 521.12 Non-resident highway............................... Township highway.................................. M ilitary bounty.................................... Contingent fund............................... School District No. 1.............................. Two mill tax District No. 1......................... School District No. 2, contingent...................... Two mill tax District No. 2........................... Mill tax unorganized territory......................... Collector's fees..................................... 290.00 700.00 150.00 194.43 46.24 16.60 24.00 20.54 46.31 83.63 $2,174.15 At a special town meeting held March 3, 1864, the total number of votes cast being nine, it was decided by a vote of eight to one to raise a bounty of $100 for each volunteer under the last call of the President or any future call. In 1864 at the annual town meeting an ordinance was passed restraining swine from running at large; $1,000 was voted for highways. The total number of votes at this election was thirtyeight. The vote on removal of county seat from Vassar to Wahjamega was thirty-eight in favor, none against. The board of health met June 10, 1865, and to prevent the spread of small-pox, ordered all schools and public meetings stopped, and to stop travel on certain roads. The number of votes cast in 1866 was fifty-five, showing a material increase. It is evident that not every man owned a dog, for the list of taxable canines is but twenty-one. The number of votes at annual town meeting in 1868 was sixty-six. Four years later it was seventy-two. In 1871 provision was made for a bridge over Cass River by an appropriation of $500. In 1872 $200 was appropriated for the purchase of a burial ground. The town of Ellington appears to have kept the even tenor of its way, nothing of particular moment appearing in the records. The last report of the treasurer February 16, 1883, shows debits to the town of Ellington as follows: State tax...............................$ 339 01 County.......................... 678 02 Contingent fund...................... 300 00 To pay outstanding orders............. 125 00 General highway tax, 1882,.............. 150 00 Non-resident highway tax............... 150 40 School District No. 1.'............. 290 95 Ellington and Elmwood Fractional No. 2.. 174 93 Ellington and Elmwood Fractional No. 6. 9 20 Ellington and Alma Fractional No. 3..... 140 65 Dog tax................................ 62 00 Received from Elmwood................ 72 65 Received from Alma................... 79 24 Excess of roll........................ 13 74 Received from W. Ostrander, April, 1882. 546 41 Total.............................. $3,304 64 Principal school money...................$ 255 44 Library money........................ 6 38 Board of health money................. 8 00 $3,574 46 CREDITS. Orders returned....................... $3,444 44 Orders remaining on hand.............. 130 02 $3,574. 46 At the last annual meeting, held April 2, 1883, the whole number of votes cast was 109. The money voted for township purposes was $300 for contingent fund and $150 for general highway purposes. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR-SUPPERVISOR. CLERK. TREASURER. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS 18 83 —Hiram R. Perry. Robert Wilson. Andrew J. Turner. William Campbell. 1 882-James Brooker. Samuel Elliott. John Deitz. Charles Wickware. 1 881 -James IBrooker. Samuel Elliott. John W. Ostrander. Hiram R. Perry. 1SS0 —Hiram R. Perry. R. P. Henderson. John W. Ostrander. W. W. Peck. 1 K,79-Hiram R. Perrv. Samuel Elliott. Wesley W. Peck. John May. 1 78-Hiram B. Perry. Samuel Elliott. Wesley W. Peck. John Deitz. 1 s77-James Brooker. Ozias Hutchinson. Darius H. Gould. John Deitz. 1S76-J. M. Deitz. A. N. Hatch. Darius H. Gould. Wesley W. Peck. I s75-William Medcalf. Absalom Hatch. Darius H. Gould. Wesley W. Peck. 1 t74-E. J. Carpenter. Henry G. Bailey. Darius H. Gould. John McKenney. i Christian Shadley. 1 X,73-E. J. Carpenter. Nathaniel Dunn. Darius H. Gould. J James Andrews. (J. P. Hendricks. 1872-Joseph M. Dodge. Nathaniel Dunn. Darius H. Gould. John Deitz. 18U71 Joseph M. Dodge. Ozias Hutchinson. Darius H. Gould. Andrew Campbell. 1870-James Brooker. Ozias Hutchinson. Darius H. Gould. Andrew Turner. 1869 —James Brooker. Samuel Miller. Darius H. Gould. James Andrews. 1868i-William Meclcalf. E. J. Carpenter. E. R. Burnett. A. H. Smith. 1.867-Joseph M. Dodge. E. J. Carpenter. William Medcalf. J. P. Hendricks. 1866f-Joseph M. Dodge. Duncan Clark. James Dorman. James Andrews, 1.865 —William Medcalf. Duncan Clark. Ozias Hutchinson. i J. P. Hendricks. I John May. 1864-Benj. W. White. James Andrews. John W. Ostrander. Jonathan A. White. 1,S63-Joseph M. Dodge. i. J.B. McKenney. Benj. W. White. J. A. Sherman. 1 862 —Joseph M. Dodge. Nathaniel Dunn. Benj. W. White. j S. C. Beecher. 1 J. Ostrander. 1861-Joseph M. Dodge. E. R. Burnett. James Andrews. Nathan Ash. 1 6() —T. J. B. McKenney. Simeon Botsford. Benj. W. White. Wm. Medcalf. 1859-Duncan Clark. Jonathan White. James Andrews. Sherman C. Beecher. 1858-I. J. B. McKennev. Simeon Botsford. Nathaniel Dunn. Lucius Bardwell. 1857-I. J. B. McKenney. Simeon Botsford. Wmin. C. Beach. Elijah S. White. J. M. Dodge. 185(-I. J. B. McKenney. Simeon Botsford. Benj. W. White. iBenj. W. White. MWm. Edger. SCHOOL MATTERS. September 11, 1856, the school inspectors of the town of Ellington organized a school district consisting of sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, township 13, range 10; and south half of sections 32 and 33, township 14, range 10, to be known as District No. 1. At the first annual meeting of the district, Waterman Goodsell offered a site for a school-house in the west half of northwest quarter of section 9, township 13, range 10, which was accepted. It was voted to raise $25 for material for a school-house; that a three months school be had, beginning January 1st, and that the school officers employ a woman teacher. Miss Myra Selden, now Mrs. John Johnson, of Vassar, was employed, and the following winter taught the first school in Ellington, in a small log building, near where the village now is. From the annual school report of the town of Ellington for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts were obtained: Directors for the ensuing year, V. W. Mallory, B. F. Eayrs and Joseph.W. Crea. The number of districts is three, one whole and two fractional, with one brick, and two frame schoolhouses. Whole number of children of school age, 222; number attending school during the year, 173. ELLINGTON VILLAGE. This is an unincorporated village, situated near Cass River, in section 8, town of Ellington. The first house was built by Simeon Botsford. About 1864 Darius H. Gould built the house now occupied by Ozias Hutchinson, and started a general merchandise store. This was the nucleus of the village of Ellington, or, Ellington Corners. While lumnbering operations were brisk on the Cass i 4 - L - -x ----_ d -!.J do n 15b HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. River, Ellington was prosperous, and drew trade and travel from a large extent of country. The lumber supply being exhausted, and the permanent settlement of the country having resulted in the establishment of other markets,e he trade of Ellington has gradually narrowed. It has now two stores, seven or eight houses, a Methodist Episcopal Church and other buildings. The postoffice was established about 1861, and located a mile from the present village, with I. J. B. McKenney, as postmaster. About 1865 it was moved to the "Corners," and Ozias Hutchinson was appointed postmaster, which office he has held ever since, with the exception of one year, in 1878-'79. The office receives two mails a day by stage from Caro and Cass City. GOOD TEMPLARS. The Good Templars Lodge at Ellington, was organized in the fall of 1879, with thirty charter members. It has kept up its -regular Saturday evening meetings with increasing interest, and has now upward of 100 members. Great good has resulted from the presence and influence of this lodge in the community. TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE. August 31, 1881, Rev. E. B. Sutton was appointed by the Michigan State Temperance Alliance as its agent in Tuscola County. By his invitation Capt. J. C. Banticue, the state agent, visited the county and organized the first branch at Ellington on the evening of January 9, 1881, with twenty-three charter members, Nelson Hatch, president and Mrs. Lois Brooker, vice-president. The membership has steadily increased and now numbers fifty. The meetings are held the first Monday evening of each month without fail. Lectures are delivered at each meeting; the attendance is large, and the interest deep and constant. The present officers of this branch are: Nelson Hatch, president; Mrs. Lois Brooker, vice-president; Nelson Mallory, secretary, and Samuel Elliott, treasurer. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 92; families, 11; dwellings, 10; value of real estate owned, $24,482; number of occupied farms, 15; number of acres of improved land, 480; number of horses, 7; numnber of cows, 19; bushels of wheat raised, 957; bushels of corn, 720; bushels of oats, 450; bushels of potatoes, 967; pounds of butter made, 1,900; tons of hay cut, 60, Census of 1864: Population, 203; males, 100, females, 103; number of acres of taxable land, 2,979; number of acres improved, 644; bushels of corn preceding year, 1,416; bushels of wheat preceding year, 1,394; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 1,440; tons of hay preceding year, 184; pounds of butter made, 2,875; number of horses, 23; number of cows, 50. Census of 1870: Population, 452; families, 88; dwellings, 88, number of farms, 56; number of acres of improved land, 2,072; number of horses, 76; number of cows, 104; pounds of butter made, 14,200; pounds of wool sheared, 987; bushels of wheat raised, 7,923; bushels of corn, 3,040; bushels of oats, 4038; bushels of potatoes, 4,289; tons of hay, 599; number of sawmills, 1; feet of lumber cut, 300,000. Census of 1874: Population, 465; males, 258; females, 207; number of horses, 112; number of cows, 155; number of sheep, 561; bushels of wheat raised, 10,656; bushels of corn, 7,907; bushels of apples, 1,592; bushels of potatoes, 2,539; tons of hay, 654. Population in 1880, 723. Total equalized valuation in 1882,. 258,790. Number of farms in 1881, 116; acres of improved land, 4575. Bushels of wheat in 1880, 31,169; of corn, 35,510; tons of hay, 51,364. BIOGRAPHICAL. JAMES P. HENDRICKS was born in Madison, Lake County, Ohio, in 1838, and lived in that State, with the exception of a few years spent on the lakes, till 1864, when he came to Michigan and bought forty acres of new land on section 2, in the township of Ellington, Tuscola County, which he cleared up and improved and upon which he has since resided. He has held the offices of school inspector and highway commissioner about four terms each. He was married in 1860 to Miss Sarah M. Bugbee, of Ashtabula, Ohio. They have four sons, Edward H., Egbert S., Adelbert F. and Franklin J. His father (Joel T. Hendricks) was a native of Vermont, but settled in Ohio at an early day, and at present is a resident of the township of Ellington. Mr. Hendricks has, for the past eight years, been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, and is doing quite an extensive business in that line. JAMES ANDREWS, farmer, was born in Burton, Geauga County, Ohio, July 14, 1827. He left his native State when about twentytwo years of age, and resided nearly five years in Wyocena, Wisconsin. From there he came to Juniata, Michigan, then called Rogers, and from there he went to Indian Fields, and while there he scorehacked the large timbers for the saw and grist-mills in Wahjamega, and then removed to Ellington in 1853. He had been married to Miss Eliza Stone, of. Claridon, Ohio, Dec. 5, 1847. She was born there Sept. 3, 1832. They had five children, Mary E. (now deceased), Charlie, Cornelia E., James H. and Frank E. Mrs. E. Andrews died Dec. 24, 1876. Mr. A.'s second marriage was to Mrs. Alice E. Russell, of Newburg, Ohio, May 9, 1878. They have one daughter, Mary Alice. They have now over 130 acres of land in Almer and Ellington, with 105 under cultivation. They have a fine fruit-bearing orchard of apples, pears, peaches, cherries and small fruits, and an excellent dwelling and other farm buildings, where, a few years since, the forest seemed to bid defiance to the purposes and courage of coming pioneers. He himself has chopped and cleared over 150 acres of land, doing very much of the work while barefoot. On Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, Company D, and served his country in the late civil war until honorably discharged, Feb. 19, 1863, because of disability from sickness. Some years ago he and one son fitted, logged, plowed, fenced and sowed twenty-six acres of fallow in one season, besides doing their other work on the place. He had to prepare a good deal of the track from Indian Fields toward his home, and the last four miles had all to be underbrushed and opened. The nearest hut was over four miles away. He was then farther up the river than any other settler. Several years ago he went with a Mr. Kesler, over eighty-two years of age, to show him some lands at or near the forks of Cass River. Mr. K. located the lands and afterward the place was derisively named "Moonshine." The county seat was located there and a log court-house was built, but an injunction was served against the removal of the county records to "Moonshine," and the county seat was changed to Caro. He has not been a hunter, but he one day in the woods found a large bear and two cubs, and with no weapon but a pocket-knife he rushed within arms' length of the three bears. The two cubs he frightened up trees, but while watching the one the other escaped. Soon, a neighbor, hearing him shout, came and watched while Mr. A. got a long cord from his house, and, ascending the tree nearly eighty feet with the cord and a forked stick, he caught Bruin in a noose of the cord, choked him from the tree, and then went and adjusted the cord on his neck, getting bitten through his hands in the act; after which he led him home to be tamed, but getting a pair of new pants torn off himself one day by Cuffie, he sold him shortly after to a Jew for another pair of pants. Mr. Andrews has served as highway commissioner nine years, township clerk one year and township treasurer three years, and is now in his twelfth year of service as justice of the peace. JAMES BROOKER, farmer, was born in Canada, March 26, 1832. _ go T.VI - ____ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 159 - - I He received his education in his native country, spent five years in mercantile business and two years ill a law office, and built sixteen miles of the Grand Trunk Railway. Later he spent two years in New York City in hardware business, and still later about five years in Iowa, dealing in horses for transportation West. He also assisted in locating the line of road for the Pony Express from Iowa City to California. At this time he was called to Canada by the death of his father, James Brooker, Sr. On April 9, 1859, he was married to Miss Lois Thompson of Escott, Canada. She was born in Young, Can.ada, June 1, 1841. They have seven children, Nina J., Addie E., James D., Alphena Z., Lottie, Lois M. and Myrtle May. Mr. B. settled in Ellington, Michigan, Nov. 10, 1864. He now has 521 acres of land, 185 of which are improved, with a thriving orchard of apples, plums, peaches, pears, cherries and small fruits, and also with farm buildings and other home comforts. He has served as school director ten years, health officer three years and justice of the peace sixteen years, and is now serving in his sixth term as township supervisor. JOSEPH M. DODGE, farmer and lumberman, was born in Essex County, N. Y., January 27, 1828. He went with his parents to Ohio when eight years of age. He received his education and early culture there, and spent part of his time in agricultural work. He came to Tuscola County in August, 1854. He bought land in Tuscola, and at once cleared some on it and built a dwelling, but soon sold it and bought in what is now Ellington. He had been married July 4, 1848, to Miss Arvilla M. Stone, of Claridon, Ohio. She was born there November 2, 1829. They have one son, Henry A.. born January 15, 1850. Mr. Dodge and his son have 400 acres of land, 150 of which are under cultivation. They also have excellent buildings and inviting home comforts. They have also spent some time in hunting during parts of the season. Mr. D. has killed 218 deer, two bears and one elk. His son has killed at least 250 deer. Thirty-six of them he killed in the last season in twenty days. He killed five in one day. They came to Ellington in March, 1855. William Medcalf, S. Botsford, Rev. I. J. B. McKenney and E. R. Burnett came the same winter. William C. Beach came a little later. Jonathan White and his two sons had cone the season before. These were all the settlers there were for two years. Mr. Beach when he came began clearing lands, and also started a general store. He was so kind and liberal and obliging among his fellow settlers that he rendered more help to the early settlers than any other man in Tuscola County. The site of Caro at this time had not even been lumbered. The only road the settlers had was a lumber road from Tuscola to the forks of the Cass River. Mr. Dodge has carried fifty pounds of flour on his back from Watrousville, seventeen miles, to his home. The Vassar saw-mill was running when they came, but, the stones for flouring wheat had not yet been put in the grist-mill part. MIr. and Mrs. Dodge baked and ate biscuits from part of the first bushel of flour ground in Tuscola County. It was ground on Sunday and eaten at breakfast on Monday, and was nearly as black as a stove. The nearest postoffice they had at first settling in Ellington was Watrousville. The neighbors took turns in going for 'the mail up to 1862. Soon after this they got the Ellington postoffice. Mr. D. has served as highway commissioner one term and four years as justice of the peace, and he has been nine years supervisor. GEORGE S. GAGE, farmer, was born in Canada June 10, 1838. He camne to Tuscola County, Mich., in May, 1859. He bought some lands and located some in Ellington and Elmwood, and at once engaged in clearing the shaded acres 'of the new forest possessions. On Augnst 14, 1862, he enlisted il the Twenty-third Michigan Infantrv, Company D, and served his country in the suppression of the late rebellion. He served in General Schofield's command in the western arlmy, commanded by General Sherman. He fought in the battles of Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, and all along the line of conflict in that State. As they were nearing Atlanta there came an order for the transfer of a large number of len from the army to the navy. Mr. Gage was transferred, and remained in the naval service until the close of the war. Being then mate on his vessel he remained with her until August, 1865, and did not receive his final discharge until October, 1865. The vessel on which he thus served as mate was an ironclad, the Benton, a flag ship of the squadron, commanded by Rear Admiral Porter. She carried sixteen 100 pound guns. She had run the blockade at Vicksburg before Mr. Gage went on board of her. Mr. Gage was married to Mrs. Dorothy A. Beach, of Caro, October 15, 1866. She had then four children, William E., Mike C., Sylvia A. and Joan Beach. Mr. Gage has 206 acres of land, with 160 under cultivation. He has a thriving fruit-bearing orchard of excellent varieties of fruit, an elegant dwelling and commodious farm buildings. Their religious preference is the Universalist Church. WILLIAM C. BEACH, Mrs. Gage's former husband, was born in Troy, Mich., January 19, 1823, and came with his family to what is now Ellington in the fall of 1855, and engaged in preparing them a home in the forest, and also in furnishing the early settlers and the Indians with goods and supplies. He also dealt in lands. He enlisted in the service of his country in August, 1861, and served until the retreat from Richmnond. In October, 1862, he died in the hospital at Washington, and his remains were brought to Highland, Oakland County, MIich., and interred in the family cemetery. REV. INMAN J. B. MCKENNEY WAS born in Scipio, N.Y., December 2, 1803. He experienced religion when only thirteen years of age, and began itinerant labor as an Episcopal Methodist preacher in his twenty-fifth year. He was an effective minister in the Genesee and East Genesee conferences twenty-five years. In 1854 he became superannuated and came to Tuscola County, Mich., arriving in Tuscola in October. On November 25, 1854, they settled in section 4, in what is now Ellington. There were then no settlers nearer them than two miles. They had then no road except a lumber trail along the Cass River. When he arrived at his place he at once commenced hewing out a home among the lofty trees of the forest around him. Their nearest postoffice then was Vassar. They brought in their provisions mostly from East Saginaw, which was then just becoming a village. Mr. McKenney soon raised the banner of the cross in the new country, and preached the first sermon ever preached in Ellington. He continued his pioneer farm labors until he had nearly ninety acres under cultivation, with good buildings, an excellent fruit-bearing orchard, and inviting home comforts. He had been married to Mrs. Paulina Leach, "of Canisteo, N. Y., October 22, 1849. She was born in Howard, N. Y., January 22, 1810. They have two children, Edward and Paulina. Mr. McKenney died of congestion of the lungs November 15, 1880, after suffering severely for six weeks. His death was a scene of resignation and Christian triumph. His last words were: "It is gain for a good man to die." He remained a member of the conference till tile time of his death. Mrs. McKenney, also, has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church fifty-six years. Her son and daughter are also both members of the same church. They all still occupy the home farm, making such improvements as they can from time to time. They have at present 200 acres of land, and the improvement now is 120 acres. SAMUEL ELLIOTT, farmer, was born il Young, Canada, June 12, 1835. He was reared and educated there, and his early manhood was spent in farming, mercantile work, and other industrial pursuits. k9 - 1r - S - 6- I! --- —- t,R" I I i 160 HISTORY OF TU SCOLA COUNTY. r He was married to Miss Mercy Wickware, of Young, October 21, 1863. She was born there May 9, 1838. Their children are Sherman L. and Charles Frank. They came to Ellington December 18, 1869, and bought land in section 9, where they now reside. He has forty acres of land all under cultivation, with a fruit-bearing orchard of apples, plums, cherries, peaches, pears and small fruits, and comfortable buildings. He has served as justice of the peace one term and as deputy town clerk one year, and is serving his fourth term as clerk of the township. JOHN DEITZ, farmer, was born in Germany, December 11, 1838. He came with his parents to America when about eight years of age. On the voyage they encountered a dreadful storm, which so damaged the ship that it drifted to the Azores Islands, where they obtained repairs, and then made the rest of the trip. He came to Michigan ill the fall of 1856, and worked for a time in lumber camps and at farm work. On October 23, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Michigan Infantry, Company F, and served until discharged, January 5, 1863, for disability-from epilepsy, caused by a gunshot wound in the head, received at the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. He had previously fought in the siege of Yorktown, at the battle of Williamsburg, and in other encounters. He suffered much fromn the wound for about eight years, and received a pension during this time, but his disability ceased, and he voluntarily reported the fact and gave up his pension; and received compliment as being the first soldier who had been known so to do since the war. He settled in section 17, in Ellington in the spring of 1866. He was married to Miss Malvina Mallory, of Ellington, May 12, 1867. She died April 24, 1868. She left one son, Daymond S. Mr. Deitz was married May 1, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Mallory, who died August 21, 1877, leaving three children, James B., Lucy E. and John H. His third marriage was to Miss Mary L. Davis, of Caro, February 1, 1880. She was born in York, Mich., August 7, 1849. They have 121 acres of land, about seventy of which are under cultivation. They have also a thriving orchard of the best varieties of fruit, and he is about to erect a new dwelling to perfect their home comforts. He has been school moderator, highway commissioner and justice of the peace, and is now serving as treasurer of his township. The funeral of Mrs. E. Deitz was conducted by Hon. Judge Wilder, of Watrousville, and was the first spiritual funeral ever held in Ellington. HIRAM R. PERRY, farmer, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., May 22, 1834. He was.eared and educated in his native State, and spent his time partly in teaching and partly in farming. He was married December 29, 1859, to Miss Phebe A. Leach, also of Steuben County. She was born there September 26, 1833. Their children are Hattie M., Charles B., Thomas H., Loyd Albert and Dorr; also Paulina, who is now deceased. Mr. Perry came to Ellington in March, 1868, and purchased 120 acres of land in section 5, where they now reside. They now have about eighty-five acres improved, and a fruit-bearing orchard of apples, cherries, plums, peaches, pears and mulberries. They have good buildings, and increasing home comforts. In fraternity they are Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Perry has served as highway commissioner and township superintendent of schools, and has been three years supervisor. ROBERT T. SMITH, gang-saw filer, was born in England, July 8, 1829. He came with his parents to Canada when three years of age. Some years later he sailed, spending three years in American employ. For three years or more he resided in York State, but on September 23, 1863, he came to East Saginaw, from Canada. He had been married December 31, 1850, to Miss Rose Ann Fowler, of Ogdensburg, N. Y. She was born there June 19, 1830. They have had seven children, Mary E., now Mrs. Henry Bigelow, Amelia E., Lois S., afterward Mrs. George Medcalf, (deceased April 8, 1882), R. Fowler, and Carrie Jane, afterward Mrs. Robert J. Hutchinson, deceased December 28, 1880. Two of the children died in early infancy. Before coming to East Saginaw they had lost their property by fire, and when they paid their freight and some other expenses after their arrival, they had only seventy-five cents left; and they had then a family of five children to support. Mr. Smith, however, engaged at once in working in Jesse Hoyt's little saw-mill at $1.50 per day. A little later he was allowed $3.50 per day, and later still for filing he has received $4.50 per day. He served in the employ of Mr. Hoyt over eight years. He has filed in all some thirteen years. Mrs. Smith in the meantime had engaged in needle work and other industries, and finally in keeping boarders, and continued in that enterprise five summers. Though the labor was severe and often the task a heavy one, she, withbthe blessing of God, has had excellent success, and has cleared on an average some $800 each season by that means alone. With the funds thus variously secured, they in 1867 bought eighty acres of land in section 6 in Ellington, where they now reside. They have over forty acres under cultivation. They have also a thriving orchard, and an excellent house which Mrs. Smith has built and furnished with her own savings; and their home is thus rendered a most inviting situation. Religiously Mrs. Smith is an Episcopal Methodist. Fraternally they are Patrons of Husbandry. Their son, R. F. Smith, conducts the farm with gratifying success. Last season he had 385 bushels of wheat on eleven acres of ground. EDWARD J. CARPENTER, farmer and lumberman, was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., December 15, 1832. He left his native State when about nineteen years of age, and spent some two years as an overseer of men in the building of the Great Western Railway. He afterward took part in building the Utica & Black River Railroad, and later was a conductor on that road. On December 10, 1855, he was married to Miss Mahala Denslow, of Boonville, N. Y. She was born there January 28, 1838. They have had five children, Lester J., Fred E., Albert D. (now deceased), Edward J., Jr., and Jennie Mahala. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter started for the West, and located on the Elkhorn River. The summer of 1859 Mr. Carpenter spent in traversing the Rocky Mountains, and that fall they returned to their native place. They next came to Ellington, Mich., July 3, 1862, and settled in section 19, where they now reside. Mr. Carpenter has 213 acres of land, about 160 of which are under cultivation. He has two thriving orchards of the best varieties of apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes and small fruits, beside numerous other enticing home comforts and luxuries. Mr. Carpenter has spent most of his winters in lumbering, and with good success. He has frequently' found it a more pleasant employment than farming. He has conducted his lumbering business mostly without a partner, yet the enterprise has reached at least ten million feet. Mr. Carpenter has been township clerk two years, and two years supervisor. TO TN OF FREMONT. BY HON. ALONZO B. MARKHAM. This town is bounded on the north by Indian Fields, east by Dayton, south by Watertown and county line, and west by Vassar and Juniata. According to Indian traditions, this township was once an important portion of the hunting grounds of the Chippewa Indians, an-i there are abundant evidences of sanguinary conflicts between hostile tribes of these natives of the soil. I - 0f - I f=f 1' ^ 9 - v L- -M I - a r HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 161 -_ The first lands located in this township were on Houghton Creek, and selected by the late Professor Douglass Houghton. ORGANIZATION. The town of Fremont was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held January 6, 1857. The territory comprised township 11 north, of range 9 east. The names of the freeholders of the above described township who signed the application are as follows: C. B. Mills, Ezra Tripp, Calvin Fox, James Wells, Wilson Kitchen, James Mead, A. B. Tripp, James Roberts, Joseph Mead, S. Spencer, Leonard Fox, R. B. Smith, David Fulton and L. C. Scherm'erhorn. The first township meeting was held at the house of James Wells, on section 26, the 6th day of April, 1857. There were six votes cast, and every voter was elected to one or more offices. It is related that at this town meeting an inventory of the cash on hand was taken, which resulted in an exhibit of $2.50. LAND ENTRIES. The following list shows the entries of land made prior to the year 1860: TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST. SECTION 1. William J. Cornell, September 25, 1852. Henry P. Roberts, et al., November 1, 1852. Henry P. Roberts, November 1, 1852. Daniel D. Dewey, April 23, 1853. James M. Baldwin, August 9, 1853. Samuel Bessy, December 4, 1856. SECTION 2. William J. Cornell, September 25, 1852. Henry P. Roberts, November 1, 1852. Henry P. Roberts, August 25, 1855. William Turver, November 15, 1855. John F. Brown, November 24, 1855. SECTION 3. Jonathan Orser, December 5, 1855. John-McMahon, December 13, 1855. SECTION 4. Edward K. Collins, Jr., May 26,1856. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 5. Enos Merrill, January 23, 1856. Edward K. Collins, Jr., May 26, 1856. SECTION 6. Enos Merrill, January 23, 1856. Edward K. Collins, Jr., May 26, 1856. SECTION 7. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Woodbridge Spencer, January 22, 1856. SECTION 8. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. William A. Heartt, July 15, 1852. Charles B. Weaver, January 22, 1856. Rowland Tefft, January 22, 1856. Woodbridge Spencer, January 22, 1856. SECTION 9. William A. Heartt, July 15, 1852. William A. Heartt, November 13, 1852. Jonathan Wells, February 28, 1853. Charles B. Weaver, January 22,1856. Rowland Tefft, January 22, 1856. Jonathan Wells, March 1, 1853. SECTION 10. William A. Heartt, July 15, 1852. William A. Heartt, November 13, 1852. John R. Woodford, November 24, 1855. Royal C. Remick and Charles Merrill, December 5, 1855. SECTION 11. John F. Brown, November 24, 1855. SECTION 12. Charles Merrill and Charles D. Farlin (or Foster), December 15, 1855. SECTION 13. James L. Ketchum, June 25, 1852. Thomas M. Anderson, August 25, 1856. Josiah Elliott, September 8, 1856. SECTION 14. Thomas M. Anderson, August 25, 1856. SECTION 15. William A. Heartt, November 13, 1852. Charles Merrill, November 19, 1855. John De Lafayette Minor, December 6, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 17. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. William A. Heartt, November 13, 1858. Jonathan Wells, February 28, 1853. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 18. Douglass Houghton, May 10, 1836. Charles Merrill, November 19, 1855. Charles Merrill and Royal C. Remick, March 25, 1856. Charles Merrill and Royal C. Remick, October 8, 1856. SECTION 19. Charles Merrill, November 19, 1855. Charles Merrill and Royal C. Remick, November 11, 1856. SECTION 20. Royal C. Remick, July 24, 1856. Henry Knibbs, November 15, 1859. SECTION 21. Richard Stuck, November 16, 1855. Eutychus F. Godfrey, June 14, 1859. Henry Knibbs, November 15, 1859. SECTION 22. Charles Stuck, November 16, 1855. Richard Stuck, November 16, 1855. SECTION 23. Royal C. Remick, November 15, 1854. Franklin R. Beck, September 21, 1855. William Turner, November 19, 1855. William Turner, October 21, 1856. SECTION 24. Franklin K. Beck, September 21, 1855. John Brooks, October 21, 1856. Horatio N. Wheat, August 22, 1859. Edgar Sheldon, September 17, 1859. SECTION 25. John O. Conner, October 12, 1854. James Wells, March 1, 1854. Leonard Fox, April 2, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 21, 1855. Michael Ryan, October 16, 1855. John Taylor, October 16, 1855. SECTION 26. Charles G. Southworth, June 4, 1852. Martin Watrous, June 4, 1852. Calvin Jewett, October 16, 1854. James Mead. October 18, 1854. Josepli Mead, October 18, 1854. Royal C. Remick, November 15, 1854. James Wells, April 19, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 21, 1855. SECTION 27. Charles Merrill, October 16, 1852. S. Spencer, October 18, 1854. John Mead, October 16, 1854. Roswell Wilsie, May 12, 1855. Roswell Wilsie, July 19, 1855. Winton L. Morey, September 14, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 21, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. Nathan F. Scott, October 24, 1855. Calvin Manwell, November 14, 1855. SECTION 28. Charles Merrill, October 16, 1850. Frederick B. Leonard, June 10, 1854. Franklin K. Beck; September 21, 1855. I 1 I 9 - X l - I - l.r[ 1 - 6 1 1 i i i I I I i I i i i I I i i I I i II I I IJ i 162 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. James Roberts, November 19, 1855. SECTION 29. Charles Merrill, November 19, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 30. Charles Merrill, November 19, 1855. Hezekiah W. Whitney, June 10, 1856. Ralph Forbs, July 19, 1856. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION -31. Elbridge G. Allen, January 24, 1856. Reuben McCreerey, July 12, 1856. SECTION 32. Charles Merrill, October 16, 1852. Isaac H. R. Snider, December 27, 1855. Elbridge G. Allen, January 24, 1856. Nathaniel Nelson, July 5, 1856. SECTION 33. Charles Merrill, October 16, 1852. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. Calvin Fox, July 28, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 21, 1855. SECTION 34. Charles Merrill, October 16, 1852. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. Jonathan Wells, February 28, 1853. Duncan Campbell, November 27, 1854. Oliver P. Smith, April 16, 1855. Roswell Wilsie, May 12, 1855. SECTION 35. Ezra Tripp, January 5, 1855. Walter E. Smith, April 4, 1855. John S. Ryno, September 5, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. William Hamilton, October 8, 1855. SECTION 36. Norman Cone, June 12, 1854. Charles B. Mills, January 22, 1855. James Boyd, March 21, 1855. Leonard Fox, April 2, 1855. EARLY HISTORY. Glancing back through the historical past something more than twenty years-a short time, truly, in comparison with other events we find, on the 26th day of April, 1855, an unbroken forest covering all the area of our beautiful township, for the march of civilization had not then touched it with a withering hand. The deer, unalarmed, pursued his way through the forests, slaked his thirst at the babbling brooks or laid himself down for peaceful repose, joint tenant of the mighty wilderness with the Indian, whose advent antedates history and almost tradition. Heretofore none had risen to question their supremacy to those beautiful lands and the more beautiful forests, but the onward flight of civilization was fast approaching, and before the meridian sun of the 27th day of April, 1855, had shed its refulgence over the graceful elms and mighty pines of these forests, a new epoch was reached. At about the hour of twelve, noon, on that eventful day, a man who had braved the terrors and hardships of a long unbroken trail, stood near the spot where the house of Jacob Maier now stands, on section 26, owner of the soil beneath and the trees above him, the sole resident of the township, the first who had dared to stake his fortune on the endeavor. This was James Wells, who brought with him his wife and children and has ever since been a resident of the town. Soon the sound of the ax is heard, the forest patriarchs bow their heads to the heavy blows and soon fall mightily to the earth, subservient to the will of man. Civilization has commenced, a new epoch is reached and the stepping stone for this beautiful township of ours is laid. That same afternoon the foundation for a house was laid, and that night Mr. Wells and his family slumbered beneath the fair canopy of heaven; miles from the nearest settlement, and pioneers of the wilderness. Before noon on the 28th the house was completed and roofed with basswood logs, the firstvwhite habitation in the township. ~ or rather the area that subsequently was made into Fremont. From that time forward till January following Mr. Wells might be considered as the only resident. During the summer he planted corn and potatoes and in the fall wheat, covering it with a hoe. In Januarvy, 1856, William Turner moved in from Canada, bringing a span of horses and sleigh, and settled on section 23, on the farm now owned by James B. Crosby. He had the first team but afterward exchanged them for a yoke of cattle. From that time forward the settlement was quite rapid, for in March following, Calvin and Leonard Fox, Wilson Kitchen and David Fulton moved in with their families, also from Canada, bringing teams, mechanical tools and implements of husbandry and settling upon the places they now occupy. In the summer of 1856, James Wells harvested the wheat he had so nicely hoed in among the logs the fall before, and the first of it was ground in a large coffee-mill owned by him, the balance was taken to Teller's mill, in Millville, four miles from Lapeer, a distance of twenty-four miles through the wilderness, the journey occupying four days. And thus was the embryo of the township formed. On the 9th day of April, 1856, Rev. C. B. Mills, a Free-will Baptist minister, moved from Ohio into the town with his family, he being the first minister of the gospel, and preached the first sermon on Sunday,' April 21, 1856, to the very few people who were then settled in the neighborhood. On June, the 22d, following, Cynthia, daughter of the Rev. C. B. Mills, was born, being the first white child born in the township. This township -was then attached to Vassar and had been assessed by their supervisor, for many descriptions of land were owned by non-residents before the first settler had arrived. During the summer and fall of 1857, many settlers came into the township, many houses were put up, everybody was everybody else's neighbor; good feeling, good health and good times were these, and the people were happy. To be sure they had no luxuries, but their neighbors had none, so they were content. They had no mills or stores; they either had to go to Lapeer or some other distant point, laboriously, with cattle, but that was romantic and more happy. Wolves howled about their houses at night but they were brave. They had no locks or fastenings for their doors, but they were honest. During the spring fruit trees were planted by most of the inhabitants and preparations were made for future luxuries. This was the state of things upon the closing in of winter. Hitherto nothing had occurred to mar the peace and quietness of the pioneers, but on the 21st of January, 1858, death came among them. The victim was L. C. Schermerhorn, father of N. R. Schermerhorn, of this town. Those few people got together and mournfully performed the last sad rites to their neighbor and laid him peacefully to rest in the ground now occupied as a cemetery, on section 25, this being the first death that occurred in the township. This was the beginning of sorrows. Either the fall before or early in the spring of 1858, a schoolhouse was built on the land of Calvin Fox, nearly across the street from the house of Dr. C urtis, on section 36, and Margaret Kinney, a young lady of good qualities and estimable character, taught the first school in the township, and this continued to be THE school for some time, till at the present writing over 380 children are reported and six school-houses are built, five frame and one log, and have a school term of at least three months in a year. Going back to the 4th day of April, 1857, we find that on that day at the dwelling of Leonard Fox the Free-will Baptist Church was formed, of which C. B. Mills was chosen pastor, which organization has since remained. And this was the first church organization in the township. On the next day five persons were confirmed to-that religious faith, and were baptized in the brook in the woods north of Leonard Fox, on section 25 by the Rev. C. B. Mills. The 1I II;`: - - _;""jefB"'~3a ' h hE ItE-l --;. - — —~;:II O ffgi k LJ " V1 "" 110 1111111 a: O 1 7 IritiW 3.11%81 3 I ii: I ErJ 1 isii64E31 ~fifllllll 11 111111 11 c ji I i:;a l:r:l:-:.-l:-_-:::::-i I illt r\SJ:kLLi Jr ~.iI: :i l'i:,~ -~?-.,-i Q, r,i 3: O 'i TZ: iLi 1 ~ rsL — I;-_ h t J~ ".6 tl ~ O " ~: i:~s r0 Cfl ~-rrjl CI:: r:;jij V) i'i~ i d;f 1;,, D: O ~I::-~ r;:: i,;!a O i:j to Ilj i I i: I - - ~ i I I Y LIJ O i I:1:~~I.r ii ' I II) 3~i e~i~ a3 :: t ii a: w ii c ia:1 =r tj a-:i r" ai c' O v Ir ~; - 6':ii PPZir:~J3Frn.PI I u ~~s. i -~~:-i-, ~'~.~ O;i*.ii ~- ~~ Zr 1;:C LL rri I:1,:5:;' *'~ ~:Yr~ -~~~~~ ~;;. it W;i~~':i-~~:.:-? r Ls i — ~ iS W.:;L Q ~~.x~31;-11 -LL~" 51.i;-:''r~~~ i;: ~~; t: oZ ~i~~ Iz:IL:i(::::::9 1-,, s'& LC,:i:~; "~" m L --- I --- — I 10 -.\ L - -: HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 163 _ __ I I persons at that time confirmed were Calvin and Leonard Fox and their wives, and. Alford B. Tripp, all residents of the township. On the 28th of November, 1857, a deed conveying eighty acres of land on section 14, was made from one Anderson to L. C. Schermerhorn, and was the first conveyance executed in the township, the same land now being owned -by Rudolph Frenzel. The first marriage wis solemnized by Rev. C. B. Mtills in the spring of 1857, between William Hamilton and Mary Ann, daughter of James Wells, at his house on section 26, in this township. Nothing further of importance occurred in the years 1858 and 1859 worthy of mention in history. MILITARY HISTORY. On the 12th day of April, 1860, Fort Sumpter was fired upon by order of General Beauregard, and the key-note for war was sounded. Shortly after the president's proclamation sounded to the four corners of the country asking for aid. Nor was Fremont backward in answering to the many patriotic calls that were made to the young men of the country. With a population then of not more than forty-two or forty-three persons liable for military duty, the township furnished as volunteers (most of whom went in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry), -twenty-one men of the nerve and sinew of the then struggling township-almost one-half of the men at that time liable for military duty. Their names are historical, and must be mentioned here because they are honored heroes. The most of them fought with Sherman in his victorious march to the sea. Their names are: William Wells, Asa Foote, Alford Tripp, Allison Bryant, Lailson Bryant, William Graubner, Leonard Fox, F. H. Kitchen, Eli Brooks, John Turner, William Turner Elisha Kitchen, Welcome Innman, John Schermerhorn, George Shultz, Peter Lauber, Gustavus A. Frenzel, David Butricks, Samuel B3essey and Shaw and VW. C. Schermerhorn. Of these twenty-one men who went forth at the call of the president, nine paid the tribute with their lives, and their graves, if unknown, are hallowed by the thought that they died heroes battling for their country and its flag. The names of those who fell are: Williamn Wells, Alford Tripp, John Schermerhorn, Asa Foote, Welcome Innmasn, Lanson Bryant, Elisha Kitchen, Peter Lauber and Walter Schermerhornl. The first mail route was from Lapeer to Vassar through Fremont once a week, and Ezra Tripp was postmaster. Tile route was established in 1860, and a man by the name of Hays was the first person to carry the mail through the township. At about the same time Ezra Tripp opened a small grocery store on section 34, and was the first person engaged in the mercantile business. In the year 1864 a hotel was opened on section 30, known as Kelley's Tavern, now Juniata Station, and was the first house opened for the public. The first death of a native resident was a child of James Mead, but I have been so unfortunate as not to gain the date thereto. I have been waiting patiently and earnestly to be able to recount the marriage of a born resident, but up to this moment I believe that happy circumstance has not arrived. Alas! for natural progress of our beautiful townsbip. The first steam engine brought into and used in the township was that of Rosell and Rosenberger on section 27 about the year 1866. Farming and stock raising has been the chief product of the township, though in former years large amounts of pine were handled. The first church built in this township was on the northwest quarter of northeast quarter of section 23, and was dedicated on the 15th day of September, 1867, by Presiding Elder Miller, and was named the Zion's Church of the Evangelical Association of North America. e t G. The first Fourth of July celebration occurred in the year 1862 on section 27, at the quarterly meeting of the Methodist Protestant Church. The orator was John Leach, presiding elder of the circuit. Politically sneaking, the township of Fremont is Republican, and has ever been so. Four years ago at the presidential election it cast 128 Republican votes and no Democratic, and was known as the banner town through the Republican papers of the State for that year. We claim now over 900 inhabitants, and have 180 registered voters. RECAPITULATION. 1855. April 27, James Wells settled; the first settler, the first house built April 28, 1855. 18*56. C. B. Mills, first minister, April 9, 1856; preached first sermon April 21, 1856; June 22, Cynthia Mills first child born. 1857. January 6, township organized; April 4, first church society formed, C. B. Mills pastor; same spring William Hamilton married; first marriage; November 28, first deed made, Anderson to Schermerhorn. 1858. January 21, L. C. Schermerhorn died; the first death; first school-house built, school taught by Margarette Kinney. 1859. First saw-mill built on Houghton Creek by William Hamilton. 1860. First postmaster and grocery, Ezra Tripp. 1861-62. Twenty-one soldiers enlisted, nine of whom died. 1862. 1865. 1866. 1867. 1868. 1-870. 1872. 1873. 1876. 1881. First Fourth of July celebtration. First house built in Mayville by H. K. Critterzden. Hotel and store built by Tubbs & Coffeen. Coffeen's store burnled late in December, 1867; German Church dedicated September 15, 1867. March 31, village platted. Methodist Episcopal Church built. November 1, grist-mill burned, owned by Horace Fox. June 19, great conflagration il the village. First centennial celebration. Railroad finished September, 1881. IG i -j — o I VILLAGE OF MiAYVILLE. January 15, 1865, the first bill of goods ever sold in Mayville was sold by H. K. Crittenden to a lady, low Mrs. George Crampton. His place of business was east of the village proper and a few rods east of the house of William Hamilton, and the building now stands a living landmark of the first commercial mart. At that time Mayville wasn't thought of-the idea of its birth had not begun to grow. There was no Romulus to plow a furrow and say, "Here shall be builded a city." The winds sighed through the towering trees and the sun looked down on an unbroken forest. Here the pioneer merchant opened his doors and exposed to view his wares. He had only just returned from the war, and was doing a small business in groceries. and, general backwoods stock. He kept the store there until the following September, when he built the long, low building, so well remembered, a part of which now forms the rear of D'Arcy's drug store. THE FIRST POSTMASTER. Mr. Crittenden was appointed postmaster of Mayville, July 19, 1865, and kept the office in the new building finished a week or ten days after he received his commission. He had no drawers, no boxes, no case. For all intents and purposes he might have carried his mail in his hat. His salary was munificent, and together with perquisites amounted to $9.50 per quarter. The mail was carried by a Mr. Pierson, who carried it every Thursday from Piersonville __ - - M k- w - lLr ,4 l a 164 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. through May to Vassar and return. It is sad to relate we had no money order office then, postal cards or narrow gauge railway. We did not pay for lock boxes, and as a sequence did not have to pay for a lock if we lost the key. The mail was carried on horseback, and no vehicle was used for years afterwards. The first building of any kind in the village was the one referred to, and was built and owned by H. K. Crittenden. During the winter of 1865-6 he lived alone in the place; not a sound of habitation was heard or a sight of civilization seen. He was in the center of a howling wilderness as deep and dense and dark as can be woven in the warp and woof of fiction. This was a store in the wilderness, an oasis in the desert. Civilization sprung up around him, the trees were felled, and the glorious sunshine soon made the clearing smile. Mr. C. thinks the first child born in the village was a daughter of E. A. Shepard, born in the building where Mr. Crittenden first opened his store, but he cannot enumerate those that have followed. In the spring of 1866 Walter Tubbs built the hotel and Curtis Coffeen built a store, which was destroyed by fire in 1867 and soon afterward rebuilt. MIAYVILLE IN NOVEMBER, 1867. In Noverber, 1867, a visitor to the place made the following notes: "A little more than a year since, where the little village of Mayville now stands, the forests had just been leveled and not a single human tenement marked the locality. At that time no one had suspected that a little town would spring up on the corners where the heavy timber eumbered the ground just as the woodman's ax had left it. Now, however, the appearance is changed. A commodious hotel oil one corner solicits the weary traveler to participate of a liberal hospitality which for moderate fare is provided for himself and beast. The proprietor, Walter Tubbs, provides ungrudgingly, moves among his guests with an easy and congenial manner I which makes you feel at home, and on leaving resolve that you will come again some time. Directly south from the hotel and ol the opposite corner stands the first building erected here. It is a store owned by Mr. Crittenden which contains a fair assortment of goods, and the postoffice, himself being postmaster. "The largest amount of trade, however, is at C. Coffeen's on the corner east from Crittenden's. Here Mr. Coffeen has a neat store, and just now it is well stocked with a good selection of goods. We were surprised ol being told by Mr. Coffeen that he; very frequently retailed over $400 worth of goods in one day, and that there had scarcely been a day during the fall in which his sales had not overgone $10(). He deals in produce, and in another part of this paper will be found the selling and purchase prices of the staple articles in which he deals. It is chiefly through the efforts of this enterprising gentleman that the improvements at Mayville have been made. "Dr. E. A. Shepard, M. D., a graduate from Ann Arbor, is erecting, and has nearly completed, a drug store and office, and will in a few days offer a stock of drugs to the public. A boot and shoe store, the property of A. J. Simpson, is just completed, in which four men are employed manufacturing custom work. "In front of a shop, new, and as yet unpainted, we observed a lumber wagon perfectly complete to the last coat of varnish on the lend board,' on which was painted, 'A. Lockard, Maker, Mayville.' "There are two blacksmith shops, one paint shop, one shop for all work, one photograph room, and eight or ten dwellings. It is expected that a cabinet-ware room will be opened this fall, and a grist and shingle-mill to be run by steam will be established another' spring. "The surrounding country presents an attractive surface, and is destined to furnish some of the very best farms of our county, and as an agricultural district it is not surpassed by any region of similar extent. Manly farms embracing hundreds of acres begin to wear the appearance of age and a high degree of culture. Numerous and beautiful wheat fields, thrifty young orchards, meadow lands, and substantial buildings meet the eye in all directions. These things plainly foreshadow the future of this part of Fremont." March 31, 1868, William Turner and Leonard Fox platted the village, which leas had a steady growth from that time to the present. SWEPT BY FIRE. June 19, 1873, Mayville was visited by a destructive fire, of which the following account was given at the time: "As near as can be determined the fire originated at about 1: 30 o'clock in the morning, between the hardware store of N. Schermerhorn and the dry goods store of C. B. Stuck, in an alley less than four feet wide. Arthur Veitch was, perhaps, the discoverer of the fire, having just got up to prepare to go to the circus at Vassar. His first impression was that some of Mr. Stuck's family were up, but soon he became alarmed, and upon going to the place saw flames rapidly spreading toward the roof of Mr. Schermerhorn's hard-ware store, and before lie could get any water they were beyond control. He immediately gave the alarm, but before assistance was at hand the larnes had communicated with the walls of both buildings, and it became a certainty that the block was beyond redemption. In an almost incredible short space of time the dwellinghouses of B. G. Harris and George Fowler, and the shoe shop of the latter, hardware store of Schermerhorn and store of C. B. Stuck, were one mass of flames, those buildings being in a solid block. The wind being very mild in the southwest, Allison Bryant thought his store, standing seventy feet north of Stuck's, could be saved; and could the men have held out five minutes longer that could have been accomplished, but human power cannot always last, and the heat was intense. A heavy column of flame rolled over the space, and Bryant's store was soon counted, among the things that were. Soon the flames leaped the distance of one hundred feet and enveloped the drug store of John Veitch & Son, and immediately thereafter the store of W. A. Clark was consumed with most, if not all, of the contents. The time consumed in its destruction did not exceed twelve minutes. In somewhat less than two hours $30,000 worth of property had been swept away and five families made homeless. The heroism and coolness of the ladies was truly wonderful. Charles Reynick was a power within himself, but worked beyond his strength and fainted. He was carried to the office of H. R. Thormlas and cared for. B. G. Harris saved only a part of his household goods, among which was not a spoon, plate, knife or fork, and worst of all, what money he had was consumed in his vest left hanging on the bed-post. George Fowler saved only a small portion of his household goods and nothing to eat. N. Sohermerhorn saved a small part of his hardware, with no insurance on the rest. C. B. Stuck carried a large portion of his goods across the street, only to be consumed there, none of his household goods being saved, neither he nor his wife saving a change of raiment. Allison Bryant saved a goodly portion of his dry goods, but lost all of his household goods, and his clerk, E. G. Fox, lost all his wear ing apparel, even to his shoes, and was seen in the street barefoot, working heroically. It was with difficulty that the houses of W. B. Trend and Abralm Lockard were saved, but thanks to the surrounding rain barrels they were. Fourteen buildings in all were burned, and the total loss foots up $28,500, with an insurance of $12,500. Tle names of the principal losers are B. G. Harris, -1 I - Il 1 - ~\ - - M - -A D I I j BI I 19 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. -d 165 George Fowler, Barker & Ripley, N. Schermerhorn, C. B. Stuck, Allison Bryant, W. A. Clark, Veitch & Son and W. B. Trend. MAYVILLE IN 1882. A glimpse of Mayville, at a recent date, may be obtained from the following which was written in 1882: "We found a little village located upon a slope of land receding to the north, and in the heart of as rich an agricultural region as Michigan can boast of. There are Farms to the right of them, Farms to the left of them, Farms in front of them, Farms without numlber; and all good farms too, where the owners have become well off, and in many instances, their sons likewise. It is this rich surrounding region that has given Mayville its life and strength, and which will continue to build it up in an enduring manner. "Tile morals of a town is told largely by the character of its schools and number of its churches. In Mayville we find both these corner stones of the republic prosperous. The average number of pupils attending the public school is 100, the principal being Frank Doying, of Cass City, a gentleman, by the way, who is one of the rising young men of Tuscola County, if we mistake not. He is assisted by Mrs. Ada Shepard. "There are two church edifices in the place, the Baptist, of which Rev. W. D. Potter, is pastor, and the Methodist Episcopal, Rev. J. H. McCune, formerly of Unionville, being the pastor. Both have excellent congregations, good church edifices (the former being provided with a fine bell in its belfry), and both are evidently exerting an excellent influence in the community. "The Port Huron & Northwestern Narrow Gauge Railroad gives the people of the town communication with the outside world, and a busy little road it is, too. The agent of the road is J. F. Turner. "There are two elevators here, one owned by J. H. Hollenbeck, for whom N. K. Lawrence does the purchasing, and another by Horace Fox. "A. L. Bryant has a grist and saw-mill that is one of the institutions of Mayville. There are already 2,000,000 feet of logs on hand ready to saw out. In this connection it might not be amiss to mention that 400 car loads of timber were shipped from this point during the year past. Mr. Bryant also has a shingle-mill in connection with his other milling business. "There is also a planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory, of which Mr. Hilliker is the proprietor. A cheese factory is also located about sixty rods east of the elevators, which is successfully managed. A carding-mill is also located here, but not rulning at present. A good foundry is run by Wadley & Kelley. "A. B. Markham, Esq., who is well known to the people of the county, and who has served several terms as circuit court commissioner, has a monopoly in the line of law. He has a pleasant office, connected by telegraph line with the station, and soon to be connected by telephone with his home. Mr. Markham is well liked, is a good lawyer, and proposes to 'hold the fort' in Mayville, for years to come. "The sick of the village and vicinity have their wants ministered to by Drs. W. B. Curtis and Benjamin D'Arcy, two physicians well known to the profession of the county, as unusually successful practitioners. They are held in high esteem by the community. BUSINESS HOUSES. "The mercantile establishments of Mayville are such as the town may well feel proud of. There isn't a poor or slovenly kept one in the lot, though nearly all handle a general stock. One of the fore most merchants is E. G. Fox, Esq., register of deeds for this county. He has a large brick store, forty feet front by sixty feet deep. Stepping inside, one is struck with the neat, methodical appearance of everything. The motto seems to be 'a place for everything and everything in its place.' It would seem difficult to arrange a stock of dry goods, groceries, crockery, boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, hats and caps, carpets, etc., so that all would harmonize and look well, but it is done here. Mr. Fox's business is carried on by his father-in-law, Dr. W. C. Caulton, his brother, Frank J. Fox, and Mr. G. Hollingshead, and, judging frotm what we saw Saturday, neither their heads nor hands were often idle. Mr. Fox has lived in this place since 1856, and been in business for himself since 1876, commencing on a capital of $600, which he had saved by hard work for others. Just eighteen days after coming to Caro, to take possession of the register's office, Mr. Fox's store burned to the ground with everything in it, one barrel of kerosene being the only thing saved, entailing a loss of fully $3,000, over and above the insurance. This was a severe blow, but economy, diligence and square dealing is making good the loss. Over Mr. Fox's store is located the public hall, where concerts, meetings, lectures, etc., are held. "Another extensive dealer is William A. Clark, who carries a general stock, and sells sewing machines in addition. Mr. C. has been in business here eleven years; his store is located on Main Street. "Directly across the street, in a neat new brick block, we find the firm of Clark & Hopkins, who have a complete stock of general hardware, together with groceries. The firm started in business on the 1st of last October. "H. K. Crittenden started the first grocery store in the place, and still continues in the same line of trade. His store is on Main Street, next west of Clark & Hopkins. "N. R. Schermerhorn has an immense stock of general merchandise, besides a store full of hardware. He has a large double store and carries an immense line of goods. "A. L. Bryant also carries on a general store, at the corner of Main and Turner Streets, which, taken together with his mills and an agricultural implement store, gives him quite a 'corner' on the trade of the place. "Arthur Veitch is the postmaster, and he has a nicely arranged office, in the front of which he has a complete drug store. Everything in and about the place denotes a man of methodical business habits. Uncle Sam tied to a safe man when he was chosen as postmaster. "Across the street from the postoffice is the drug store of Dr. D'Arcy, who is also a practicing physician. On the corner to the north, the Doctor has the frame up for an immense block three stories high, which, we are told, he intended to veneer with brick and finish off in good style. "Opposite this new block, on Main Street, is the Fremont House, the hotel of the town, kept in good shape by Mr. Blackmore, one of the Vassar family of hotel keepers. "G. V. Ingersoll carries on a furniture store, as successor to Walter Tubbs. He also carries on the undertaking business in connection with it. "A good meat market is kept by Arnold & Marlow; a livery stable by C. Harrington; a cabinet shop by D. Taylor; there are two shoe shops; and a bakery, selling groceries in connection. The four blacksmith shops are kept by Messrs. W. B. Trend, C. W. Weston, John Higgins and J. E. Johnson, the latter also keeping a wagon shop, as does A. Lockard. "William Johnson is a large landed proprietor, owning a farm of 200 acres near the place. Among the prominent farmers whose I * I T - 1 6 & 166 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. lands lie close to the town may be mentioned Messrs. William Turner, Calvin Fox and Leonard Fox." Since the foregoing was written Mr. Fox has erected a handsome brick building which is a credit to the village. There is a Knights of Honor Lodge in the village, organized October 15, 1879, having twenty-three members. Peter Rumph is dictator and A. B. Markham, reporter. There is a flourishing lodge of Good Templars, recently organized. POSTOFFICE. The name of the postoffice is May, it having never been changed. The "ville" was added when the village arrived at a christening age. Arthur Veitch has been postmaster since March, 1876, when he succeeded his father, John Veitch. MAY MILLS. In 1875 Cornelius Kealand built a grist and saw-mill in the village of Mayville, which, in 1876, he sold to the present proprietor, Allison L. Bryant. In 1877 Mr. Bryant added a shingle-mill to the establishment. The grist-mill has three run of stones, and has a capacity of forty barrels per day, of ten hours. It is a custom and merchant mill. The saw-mill has a capacity of 20,000 feet per day, and cuts a considerable amount of hardwood lumber, such as maple, oak, cherry, birch, ash, etc. The shingle-mill will cut 20,000 per diem. Run by steam power. BRYANT & FOX S ELEVATOR was built in 1882 by Bryant & Fox, and is alongside of the track of the Saginaw branch of the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad, in the village of Mayville. It has a capacity of 2,500 bushels, which can easily be increased to 7,000 or 8,000 bushels. RELIGIOUS INCORPORATIONS. The county records show the following religious societies to have been incorporated in the town of Fremont: At a quarterly conference held in the Dayton and Kingston circuit October 16, 1869, the following persons were duly elected as trustees to be called "The Trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in the village of Mayville," viz.: Nelson Cody, John Keefe, William Frend, William Choate, Harris Shepard and George Richards, of the town of Fremont; A. D. Hardy and John McKay, of the town of Dayton, Tuscola County, and Lewis Wilcox, of the town of Rich, Lapeer County. Articles of association having been entered into and a constitution adopted for the "Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Paulus" in Fremont Township, "the male persons of full age belonging to a church and society in which divine worship is celebrated according to the rites of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the United States" met at St. Paulus Church, "where the congregation of St. Paulus had statedly met before," and elected three trustees, viz.: Conrad Weiler, Frederick Blasius and Peter Brier. January 9, 1879, articles of association and incorporation, constitution and by-laws were adopted for the German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church and Congregation of Fremont Township, and at an election at which the Rev. John Haas presided Conrad Weiler, Sr., John Muntz, Sr., and William Ellwanger were elected trustees. At a meeting heldl in Randall's Hall in the village of Mayville January 19, 1878, for the purpose of organizing a religious society to be known as the Baptist Society of Mayville, articles of association were adopted and the following trustees elected, viz.: William Turner, Isaiah Crandall, Aaron B. Randall, Jacob Harris, W. B. Curtis, James B. Crosby and Eli Brooks. SCHOOL MATTERS. From the annual school report of the town of Fremont for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained: Directors for the ensuing year, A. Veitch, John Haas, F. H. Kitchen, Henry Knibbs, Gustavus A. Frenzel, S. B. Hovey and John Barron. There are five whole and two fractional districts, with six frame and one log school-house. Number of children of school age, 501; attending school during the year, 407. JUNIATA. This place is a station on the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad, and is situated in the western part of the town of Fremont. There are a saw-mill and postoffice, the principal business being the shipping of ties and bark. YEAR. 1883. 1882. 18 1. 18X(}. 1878. 1877. 187(6. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871. 1 87(0. 1869. 1868. 1867. 1866. 1865. 1 864. 18 63. 18162. 1861. 1860. 1859. 1858. TOWN OFFICERS. SUPERVISOR. CLERK. F. H. Kitchen. William N. Grover F. H. Kitchen. W. E. Robinson. F. H. Kitchen. J. F. Turner. F. H. Kitchen. J. F. Turner. Eli Brooks. N. R. Schermerhorn. Calvin Fox. Edwin G. Fox. Calvin Fox. Edwin Fox. Calvin Fox. Edwin Fox. Calvin Fox. Edwin Fox. Calvin Fox. Edwin Fox. Nelson Cody. Edwin Fox. Nelson Cody. John Veitch. James Turner. John Veitch. James Turner. R. Frenzel. Calvin Fox. R. Frenzel. William Turner. C. P. Wilson. E. F. Godfrey. R. Frenzel. E. F. Godfrey. R. Frenzel. E. F. Godfrey. R. Frenzel. G. W. Gilmore. James Turner. G. W. Gilmore. R. Frenzel. G. W. Gilmore. David Fulton. G. W. Gilmore. David Fulton. C. B. Mills. David Fulton. C. B. Mills. David Fulton. C. B. Mills. Calvin Fox. Ezra Tripp. David Fulton. TREASURER. Nelson Cody. Nelson Cody. B. McCartney-. B. McCartney. F. H. Kitchen. F. H. Fox. A. Bryant. A. Bryant. A. Bryant. A. Bryant. Eli Brooks. Eli Brooks. Eli Brooks. Eli Brooks. Leonard Fox. Calvin Fox. James Turner. James Turner. Calvin Fox. Calvin Fox. David Fulton. Leonard Fox. William Turner. G. W. Gilmore. Leonard Fox. Leonard Fox. Roswell Wilsie. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 96; families, 21; dwellings, 21; number of occupied farms, 15; number of acres improved, 340; number of horses, 1; number of cows, 19; number of oxen, 16; bushels of wheat raised, 670; bushels of corn, 885; bushels of oats, 278; bushels of potatoes, 392; pounds of butter made, 1,800; tons of lhay cut, 2 5. Census of 1864: Population, 231; number of acres of taxable land, 2,325; number of acres improved, 311; bushels of corn preceding year, 588; bushels of wheat preceding year, 1,090; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 1,189; tons of hay preceding year, 136; pounds of butter made, 2,821. Census of 1870: Population, 664; families, 136; dwellings, 135; farms, 76; voters, 128; bushels of wheat raised, 4,436; bushels of rye, 27; bushels of corn, 3,783; bushels of oats, 3,231; bushels of potatoes, 4,353; tons of hay, 520. Census of 1874: Population, 794; number of horses, 139; number of oxen, 184; number of cows, 212; bushels of wheat raised, 4,664; bushels of corn, 6,181; bushels of potatoes, 12,347; tons of hay cut, 586. RECAPITULATION OF THE CENSUS OF 1880. Number of inhabitants.............................. F arm s............................................ Acres in farm s..................................... Acres improved.................................... Acres unimproved................................. Acres mown....................................... Tons of hay cut.................................... Horses............................................ C ow s............................................. Other cattle........................................ Sheep........................................... Bushels of clover seed............................... A cres of corn...................................... 1,120 40 12,250 4,911 7,342 648 686 327 284 379 512 157 418 'C"Z~ - -I IZ L By J I - p HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 167 - - S Bushels of corn.................................... 17,389 Acres of oats...................................... 373 Bushels of oats.................. 11,044 Acres of wheat.....e.......................... 1,186 Bushels of wheat........................................... 21,165 Acres of potatoes................................... 104 Bushels of potatoes................................ 6,657 Value of farms....................................$270,765 Value of live stock............................... 34,101 Value of farm productions........................ 40,570 BIOGRAPHICAL. GEORGE V. INGERSOLL, undertaker and furniture dealer, was born in Sussex County, N. J. Came to Orion, TMIich., with his father and mother in 1854. Lived there until his father's death, when the family went to Oxford, same coullty. After two years returned to Orion, and from there to Rich, Lapeer County. In 1870 went to Junction Township, Osage County, Kansas, afterward to Russell County, where he took up a homestead. Lived afterward in Liberty, Clay County, Mo., the home of the mother of the notorious James boys. Was there when Pinkerton's men are said to have thrown a hand grenade into her house, by which the old woman lost an arm. Saw her the day she had it cut off, and she was grit clear through. Came back to Michigan in 1875. Worked at farming until 1882, when he bought out W. Tubbs' furniture and undertaking establishment in Mayville. GEORGE B. MARKHAM was born in Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich. In 1856 he went to Illinois; returned in 1858. Followed farming there and in this State until 1860. Was afterward engaged in manufacturing patent corn planters, bed springs, etc. Was also for a time in the foundry of Charles Herrington, Northville, manufacturer of agricultural implements, school furniture, etc. Came to Mayville in 1870 and started a planing-mill, the first in this part of the county. Continued in the business until 1881, when he opened a hardware and jewelry store. Is now (1883) closing up his business on account of ill health. Was school assessor four years. Married to Lucy A. Husted in 1866. They have two children. He is a brother of A. B. Mfarkham, the attorney, and his aged father at present makes his home at his house. ARTHUR VEITCH, postmaster at Mlayville, Tuscola County, Mich., was born in 1850 in Embro, Oxford County, Ontario. H~e learned the trade of a printer, working for about four years in the office of the Guelph.llercuryt. In 1868 he came to Michigan, and for some months was in the store of H. K. Crittenden as a clerk. In 1868 he went to Grand Haven, Mich., working in the Nerc.s office there for some months. From there he returned to Mayville, and in company with his father engaged in mercantile business. June 19, 1873, their establishment was totally destroyed by fire. The firm was dissolved by the death of his father, May 17, 1875. The business which they carried on was formerly owned by H. K. Crittenden, and was purchased from him when he went to California. In company with his father-in-law the building now occupied by him was built, and they did a general mercantile business for about a 'year under the firm name of Choate & Veitch, when Mr. C:. retired from the firm. He now deals in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, stationery, books, wall paper, shelf groceries, etc.' Was married to Miss Mattie C. Choate in 1871. They have two children, both sons. WALTER TUBBS was born of American parents in the township of Blenheim, Oxford County, Ontario. The father brought his family to Michigan in 1842, and went to farming in Macomb County. Removed from there to Oakland County; and later to Rich, Lapeer County. The son, Walter, came to Mayville in 1867, and built the hotel now known as the "Fremont Holuse." Sold it in 1869 and went to Kansas. Farmed it there; also kept a country store in Junction Township in Osage County. In 1876 returned to Mayville and followed butchering for some time. In 1878 he engaged in the undertaking and furniture business; sold that in 1882; was deputy sheriff for four years under John McPherson; married to Elizabeth Ingersoll in 1857. Tley have three children living. BENJAMIN D'ARCY, M. D., is a native of County Wicklow, Ireland. The D'Arcy family, according to tradition, on his father's side, have always been farmers, and on the mother's, either medical men, clergymen, or farmers. The doctor emigrated to Upper Canada il 1851, living for a number of years in Durham and Huron Counties, while in the township of Harwich, in the last named county, he taught school and also studied medicine. In 1864 he attended the normal school at Toronto, Ont.; also the literary department of Victoria University, at Cobourg, Ont. Matriculated in 1866. In 1868-'69 he went to the University of Miehigan, and in 1809 also went to the Detroit Medical College, at Detroit, graduating in that year. He then came to Mayville, Tuscola County, and commenced the practice of his profession. In addition to practicing he also carries on a drug store, dealing in drugs, groceries, notions, stationery, tobacco, cigars, etc. He has now (1883) in process of erection a brick veneered building, 54x62 feet, and three stories high, with a basement, on the corner of Main and Fulton Streets, il the village of Mayville. Was married to Miss Ellen McKay, a native of Ontario, in 1871. - They have a family of four children. NICHOLAS R. SCHERMERHORN was born of American parents in Blenheim, Oxford County, Ont. His father was a native of New York State, coming from near Schenectady. The family came to Tuscola County in March, 1856, where the father bought land, clearing up a farm in what is now Fremont Township. The son, Nicholas R., in 1858 left here and went across the plains to California. WVhile il that State he worked at the blacksmith trade; also was a miner. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fifth California Infantry, in which regiment he served five years, lacking a few days, being in the service some sixteen months after the war closed. In his company he was first duty sergeant. His regiment saw service in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. After his discharge he remained in Sailta Fe, New Mexico, until 1867, when he returned to Tuscola County. For two years he followed blacksmithing, and then went on a, farm. In 1873 he engaged in mercantile trade, was burned out the same year, losing everything. Resumed business, however, and is an extensive dealer in dry goods, groceries, hard-ware, tinwvare, stoves, boots, shoes, clothing, notions, etc. Was township clerk, and also officially connected with the district schools. Married to Miss Harriet Lawrason, of Oxford County, Ont., in 1867. They have three children living. ALLISON L. BRYANT was born in Kirtland Township, Lake County, Ohio. His father moved with his family to Fremont Township, in August, 1861. The son enlisted in Company G., Twentythird Michigan Infantry, in 1862, and served through the war with his regiment. Last two years was quarter-master's clerk. Mustered out in 1t865, at Salisbury, N. C., returned to Fremont, and in 1867 went into business at Mayville. Was burned oult in the fire of 1873. Built his present store, corner Main and Fulton Streets, after the fire. Does a general merchandise business, runs a grist-mill, saw-mill, shingle-mill, and buys cedar and other timber. Is a member of the firm of Bryant & Fox, grain dealers and proprietors of an elevator. Held the office of township treasurer six years. Married and has a family of three children. HORACE Fox, partner of A. L. Bryant in the grain trade, is a well-known farmer from Rich, Lapeer County. Cane to Michigan in 1856 from Canada. He built the first steam grist-mill in Tuscola County. It was burnt down in 1866. Another was built on the same site by C. Kealand, in 1875. In 1882 he rented his farm i i - k w 6 r, I. G I I I I j I a 168 HISTORY OF TU in Rich and moved to Mayville. Is married, and has a family of six grown-up children. In Lapeer C unty he held a number of public positions. Was supervisor for Rich Township seven years, highway commissioner six years, and town treasurer two years. ALONZO B. MARKHAM, attorney, was born in Plymouth, Wayne County, Mich., June 19, 1845. His father was a farmer. He received his education at the high school in Northville, the Agricultural College at Lansing, and the Michigan University, graduating from the law department of the latter institution in the class of 1870. He was admitted to the bar at a term of the Supreme Court held at Detroit the same year. He commenced practice in July, 1870, in the village of Mayville, Tuscola County. Combined with his legal business he is also a real estate dealer and insurance agent. In the fall of 1870 he was elected circuit court commissioner, holding the office four years. Re-elected in 1880, continuing in office until January 1, 1883. Has also been a justice of the peace, township clerk, deputy clerk, and connected with the management of the schools. During the war of the rebellion he was a member of Company C, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, serving nearly three years, being with the regiment during the term of its enlistment and until the close of the war. He was present at all of the engagements in which the regiment had a share, and it saw some very severe service. He was married in 1873 to Mary Van Riper, of Fowlerville, Livingston County, Mich. They have one child, a daughter. Mr. M. has in his possession the original patent, signed by President John Quilicy Adams, certifying that Abraham B. Markham, his father, had paid for and granting to him eighty acres of land in what is now the township of Plymouth, Wayne County. It bears date of April 1, 1826. This was the homestead on which he was born. HARMON K. CRITTENDEN was born in 1839 in Washington County, N. Y. His father came with his family to Michigan in 1855. They lived in Springfield, Oakland County until 1859, when they removed to Fremont, Tuscola County. In 1861 the son, Harmon K., enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and Mecllanics, serving with that regiment three years, and participating in a number of engagements. On one occasion four companies of his regiment, of which his own was one, numbering about 200 men, held four regiments of Wheeler's rebel cavalry in check for a whole afternoon, for which piece of gallantry they were highly complimented by Major General W. S. Rosecrans, and a corps flag presented them. At the close of his term of service he returned to this county, and in 1865 put up about the first building in what is now the village of Mayville. Was postmaster of the village from 1865 to 1868, also held the office of school inspector for a term. He is engaged in a general merchandise business. In 1869-'71 he spent some eighteen months in California. Married October 5, 1867. Has a family of five children. LEONARD Fox was born in Attica, Genesee County, N. Y. From there his parents went to Canada in 1831, living for a numof years in the townships of Blenheim and Dumfries, in Oxford County, Ontario. They were farmers, and he was brought up as one. In March, 1855, they left the province and came to Michigan, locating in Tuscola County in 1856, in what is now the township of Fremont. Mr. Fox bought the farm which he now tills from the United States Government. It is in section 25, town 11 north, 9 east. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, serving with that regiment until the war closed, being mustered out at Salisbury, N. C., in June, 1865. He participated in all the engagements in which the regiment took part in the West, and also when it was transferred to the East, escaping without a scratch. In the township of Fremont Mr. Fox has held a number of offices, having been treasurer a number of terms, highway com SCOLA COUNTY. I I i I I - missioner and pathmaster. Was married in 1856 to Eliza Vermilyea, of Brant County, Ontario, and they have a family of six children. Besides wheat and other cereals. Mr. Fox is also much interested in fruit raising, having a fine orchard of apple trees, and a young and promising peach tree, one of several hundred trees which are commencing to bear this (1882) year. In coming into this township the early settlers, of whom Mr. Fox was one of the first, came by way of Marathon, Lapeer County, and the way through the wilderness had been traversed by only one settler previous to the families which came in at the time lie did. There was no grist-mill in this part of the county then, and they were at times compelled to grind their corn in coffee-mills. It made pretty coarse meal, but the pioneers, judging from their personal appearance to-day seem to have thrived cn it. BYRON MCCARTNEY, farmer, was born in Wayne County, Mich., in 1836, in Plymouth Township. Was educated in the district schools. In 1858 he went to California by the Isthmus of Darien route, and remained there for twelve years, with the exception of a. visit home in 1866-'67. While in that State he was a miner a portion of the time. Worked in a wooden-ware factory, and teamed for four years between Sacramento and Virginia, and Gold City in Nevada. On the death of his father, February 15, 1871, he returned to Plymouth, having been appointed administrator of his estate. In February, 1874, he removed to Fremont Township, Tuscola County, and went on a farm. Married to Mrs. Harriet Burgess January 9, 1872> They have three children. In 1853 he came to Watertown, in this county, with his brother James, but only remained a short time. The brother still lives in that township. Mr. McCartney was treasurer of Fremont Township in 1881 and 1882. WILLIAM TURNER, farmer, was born February 2, 1822, in Yorkshire, England. His parents emigrated to Canada when he was an infant, locating in one of the parishes near Quebec, where his father died. He then came West with his mother to Oxford County, Upper Canada, now Ontario. In January, 1856, he came to what is now Fremont, Tuscola County. At that date there were only two other settlers in the township, James Wells and James Mead. He purchased land in section 23, town 11 north, range 9 east, afterwards settling in section 36, where he now resides. In the early days it was a difficult matter to get grain ground, mills being distant and roads at some seasons impassable. One year he and his neighbors were compelled to grind corn in a large-sized coffee-mill he owned. He has held a number of township offices, having at times been supervisor, treasurer, justice of the peace, highway commissioner, pathmaster, etc. In 1848 was married to Catharine Spencer, a native of England. They have four children. WILSON N. KITCHEN, farmer, was born in 1817, in New Jersey. His father, who was also a farmer, left that State when the son was about two years old, and moved to the county of Oxford, Upper Canada, living in the township of Blenheim, and afterwards Dumfries. Came to Michigan in 1855, and to Tuscola County in 1856, locating in what is now the township of Fremont. At the time of his settlement in the township there was only one acre of land cleared, and that was a part of the land owned by James Wells, and opposite the farm now occupied by Mr. Kitchen. Mr. K. has not been an office-seeker-the only public position he ever accepted having been that of highway commissioner. Has been married twice, the present Mrs. Kitchen being a native of Canada. Her maiden name was Charlotte Ann Hamilton. Their marriage took place in 1859. In all he has had nine children. Two of his sons were members of Company D, Michigan Twenty-third Infantry. Lewis L. died in hospital at Chattanooga, and the other, Freeman H., is now a farmer in Fremont Township. i I I -1 Pi.. I I I I - 9 I x I 'A ri F-. Lovira P. Hart. I '69 jI I I i I I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 1 I I FREEMAN H. KITCHEN, farmer, was born in Blenheim, Oxford County, Ontario. His father was a native of New Jersey, and was also a farmer. His family came to Michigan in July, 1855, remaining at Flint until March, 1856, when they removed to Tuscola County, locating on section 36, township 11, range 9, at that time a part of Vassar Township, but now in Fremont. The son and subject of this sketch bought land in sections 35, 27 and 14, in township 11, range 9, where he now has a farm of about 140 acres. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, serving with it through the war, and was mustered out at Salisbury, N. C., in 1865. He saw service with the regiment in the Western, and also in the Eastern departments. Was absent only eight days from his command from the day of his enlistment until his discharge, and escaped unwounded. In this township he has served as township treasurer two years, highway commissioner three years, and school director eleven years. In 1880 he was elected supervisor, and re-elected in 1881 and 1882. Was married in 1867 to Frances S. Root, of Rich, Lapeer County. They have a family of five children living. REV. CHARLES B. MILLS was born in York County, Maine, May 5, 1823. He was brought up on a farm. He was educated at a neighboring academy and at Whitestown Seminary, in the State of New York. He was educated for the ministry, and began pastoral work as a Free-will Baptist clergyman, in 1849. September 18, 1851, he married Ann M. Morrison, of Sanford, Maine. They have eight children living, and have buried two. In 1854 he was preaching in Maine, and had been in poor health for several years. He was told by his physician that he must abandon mental labor before he could regain his health. With a view of securing cheap land he finally purchased 200 acres in the present township of Fremont. In the spring of 1856 he moved his family to this new country. At Pine Run he hired a team to bring them to Wolverton's, in the present town of Millington, and there got an ox team to transport them the remainder of the journey. They were two days going the last thirteen miles. They arrived upon the site of their new home in April, 1856, and first occupied a house that had just been built by David Fulton, one mile south of the present village of Mayville. He immediately built a log house, going a circuit of twelve miles to get men enough to raise it. Having studied navigation in his younger years, and finding that the services of a surveyor were needed he procured instruments, and for several -years did all the surveying in that part of the county. He was also preacher, doctor and counselor. In the fall of 1860 he was elected probate judge, and held that office eight years. He was a member of the State senate at the session of 1868-'69, and the extra session of 1870, and a member of the house in 1876-'77. In August, 1877, he removed to Hillsdale, having accepted the office of treasurer of Hillsdale College, a position lie still retains. Very soon after entering upon the life of a pioneer his health was restored, and for seventeen years he was pastor of the Baptist Church, in Fremont. Mr. Mills has always been very popular with the people of Tuscola County, and has contributed largely to its reminiscences and traditions, as well as to its fame. JAMES TURNER was born in England, in 1814, and came to Quebec, Canada, in 1823. In 1856 he came to Tuscola County, and settled on a farm on section 23, in the township of Fremont, where he has since resided, and has cleared up a good farm, making himself a comfortable home. He was married in 1839, to Miss Jane McNicoll, and has raised a family of ten children, two of his sons serving in the late war. Mr. Turner has held many of the township offices, including that of supervisor, justice of the peace, treasurer and clerk. E. F. GODFREY was born in Clarence, Erie County, Ohio, in I I 1818. In 1859 he came West, and settled on section 21, in the township of Fremont, and cleared up a farm upon which he now resides. He has served as justice of the peace twenty-three years, and supervisor, three years. Was married in 1843, to Miss Rhoda C. Clapp, and has a family of three children. ELI BROOKS was born in England, in 1837, and came to the township of Fremont, in 1857. He settled on section 24, but soon thereafter removed to Tuscola, Tuscola County, where he remained until 1860, when he returned to Fremont, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years he served in the late war. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, and was in the Western Army till the close of the war. Was with Generals Sherman and Thomas in all the prominent battles in that department. He was married in 1859, to Miss Anna Turner, and has four children. Mr. Brooks has held several important township offices, including supervisor, one year; commissioner of highways, six years, and treasurer, four years. JOHN A. MORGAN was born in New York, in 1833, and came to Washtenaw County, Mich., with his parents, in 1834. February 9, 1851, he came to Vassar, which, at that time contained but five buildings, and engaged in lumbering until 1879. He then came to Frenmont and purchased a farm on section 28, upon which he now resides. October 2, 1862, he was married to Miss Maria Hall, a native of Yates County, N. Y., and has five children. NELSON CODY was born in Canada, in 1831, and came to Lapeer, Lapeer County, Mich., in 1859, thence to the township of Fremont, in 1864, where he located on section 35, and engaged in farming and fruit raising, having a fine orchard of about 450 apple trees, about 150 plum, pear and cherry trees, and 300 peach trees. He was married in 1857, to Miss Emily Swift, of Lapeer, and has six children. Mr. Cody has served as supervisor and treasurer of the township. W. B. CURTIS, M. D., was born in Wayne County, in 1839, and in 18X1 graduated from the Medical University, at Ann Arbor. He practiced his profession in Wayne, Wayne County, till 1876, when he came to Mayville, which he has since made his home, and where he is having a successful practice. He was married June 19, 1870, to Miss Mary A. Tong, who died October 30, 1881, leaving two children. REV. JOHN HAAS was born in Switzerland, in 1831, and in 1856 was sent as a missionary to Africa, where he was located on the Gold Coast. In 1861 he returned to Switzerland, and the following year came to America. At first he preached in Allegan, Mich., a short time, then removed to Bay City, where he remained until 1865, following which he was in Adrian until 1869, and thereafter till 1877, at Owosso. He then came to Fremont and settled on section 26, since which time he has been a farmer and preacher. He has been twice married, first in Africa, in 1859, to Miss Eliza Stoll, by whom he had five children, and second to Miss Mary Krauss, in 1874, who also has five children. JOHN MEAD, deceased, was born in England, 1826; came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1853, moved to Indiana, in 1855, thence to Canada in 1856 and came to Fremont in 1860, where he settled on section 27, and remained until his death, in 1865. He was married in 1849, to Elizabeth Shivers, and had two sons and one daughter, John, Jr., Henry C., and Elizabeth Ann. Mrs. Mead survives her husband. EZRA TRIPP was born in New York, in 1795, and came to Lapeer County, Michigan, in 1830. In 1856 he came to Fiemont and settled on section 35, where he resided till 1874, when he removed to Lapeer County and resided there till 1876. He then came to reside with his grandson, Harry H. Miller, in Fremont. Mr. Tripp was the second settler in Fremont; was the first postmaster and e (I::: 00 -f L I I __ I " c" o -:~ - c url &- M f- - -- i - 170 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. George Foote, October 27, 1856. merchant, and held the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace for several terms. HARRY H. MILLER was born in Metamora, Lapeer County, Michigan in 1840, came to Fremont in 1877, and settled on section 20, where he now resides. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry and served under General Rosecrans in Tennessee, was discharged in 1863 for disability. He was married in 1866 to Miss Anna Dawson. DAVID FULTON was born in Clarion County, Pa., in 1820, and in 1844 went to Wisconsin, thence, in 1,852, to Canada, and in February, 1856, came to the township of Fremont and settled on section 36, being one of four of the first settlers. He cleared up a fine farm, and has represented the township in the offices of treasurer, clerk and commissioner of highways. He was married in 1845 to Iiss Susan Roberts, who died in 1848; was a second time married, to Miss Jane Griffith, in 1853, who died in 1854, and a third time to Miss Nancy Schermerhorn, April 7, 1855; and has four children. TOWN OF DAYTON. Dayton was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held January 6, 1857. It comprised territory taken from Vassar and described as follows, to wit: Township 11 north, of range 10 and 11 east. The first township meeting was ordered held at the house of G. W. Spencer, and James Weaver, G. W. Spencer and William Mead were inspectors of election. The names of the freeholders in the above described townships are as follows: William Mead, G. W. Spencer, Joseph Crawford, J. P. Weaver, James Hiester, L. Hurd, Geo. Bellamy, Benjamin Docker, Daniel Lynch, M. Shay, J. Lynch, Geo. Green, Joseph Green, William Hamilton, John R. Hamilton. The first town meeting was held April 6, 1857, at the house of G. W. Spencer, in section 33. G. W. Spencer, J. P. Weaver and Wm. Mead constituted the board of inspectors. Fifteen votes were cast, and the following are the names of the officers elected and the number of votes given for each: Supervisor, Lorenzo Hurd, fifteen votes; clerk, Jonas P. Weaver, fifteen votes; treasurer, George W. Spencer, fifteen votes; justices of the peace,Wm. Mead, fifteen votes, David Clinesmith, fifteen votes; Lorenzo Hurd, fifteen votes, Joseph Crawford, fifteen votes; highway commissioners,Wm. Mead, fourteen votes, Dennis Harmon, thirteen votes, Geo. Bellamy, fifteen votes; school inspectors, Lorenzo Hurd, fifteen votes; John Hamilton, fifteen votes; constables, Dennis Harmon, thirteen votes, Geo. Bellamy, fifteen votes; directors of the poor, Dennis Harmon and Joseph Crawford, each, fifteen votes. $250 were voted for highway purposes. At the town meeting in 1858, twenty votes were cast; $500 were ordered raised for highway purposes. In 1859, thirty-one votes were cast; $500 were voted for highways. The total vote in 1860, was forty-six. LAND ENTRIES PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST. SECTION 1. Daniel D. Dewey, April 23, 1853. Walter O'Bryan, November 3, 1856. Stephen Clark, June 25, 1859. Joseph W. B. Clark, June 25, 1859. SECTION 2. Seth Mapes, June 24, 1852. Brewster Helmes, June 24, 1852. John Forgerson, June 24, 1852. George Foote, October 27, 1856. Walter O'Bryan, November 3, 1856. Henry Hack, May 2, 1857. Herman J. Curtis, June 11, 1857. James L. Hitchcock, October 7, 1858. B. A. Wightman, March 19, 1859. SECTION 3. Solomon Owen, June 24, 1852. James Mulford, June 24, 1852. Thomas Helm, June 24, 1852. Nathan Miers, June 24, 1852. Lorenzo Hurd, August 21, 1856. George Green, October 28, 1856. Lorenzo Hurd, August 24, 1857. SECTION 4. Isaac Kietchum, June 11, 1852. Henry P. Roberts et al., June 11, 1852. Allen Nichols, June 24, 1852. James Mulford, June 24, 1852. Lorenzo Hurd, August 21, 1856. Charles N. Beecher, August 25, 1856. James P. Weaver, September 25, 1856. William Sugden, September 24, 1856. William Putnam, February 11, 1857. SECTION 5. Barnabas Horton, June 24, 1852. Samuel Millspaugh, June 24, 1852. Ralza M. Cooley, June 20, 1856. Sarah Hyde, October 13, 1856. Dennis Harmon, October 16, 1856. SECTION 6. Benjamin C. Decker, November 3, 1856. James L. Ketchum, April 5, 1859. SECTION 7. James L. Ketchum, April 13, 1859. SECTION 8. Julia A. Beaks, June 24, 1852. Ralza M. Cooley, June 20, 1856. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Amos Cartwright, June 1, 1858. SECTION 9. Henry P. Roberts, et al., June 11, 1852. Amzy Mapes, June 11, 1852. George McIlheny, December 24, 1855. Robert Garner, June 10, 1856. Alonzo Valentine, May 20, 1859.. SECTION 10. Henry P. Roberts, et al., June 11, 1852. William Wallace, November 17, 1855. Charles H. Cohoon, November 29, 1855. Charles H. Cohoon, December 22, 1855. James Ripley, July 9, 1856. SECTION 11. Henry P. Roberts, et al., June 11, 1852. Robert Garner, June 19, 1856. James Ripley, July 9, 1856. SECTION 12. Robert Garner, June 2, 1856. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Charles Merrill, October 30, 1856. SECTION 13. James Ripley, July 9, 1856. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 14. David C. Smith, November 14, 1855. Andrew Hill, April 3, 1856. Joseph Green, June 2, 1856. Michael Shay, June 4, 1856. SECTION 15. George S. Goodell, October 30, 1855. Jesse Fox, November 30, 1855. William A. Cohoon, December 27, 1855. Samuel A. Axtell, January 2, 1886. James Ripley, July 9, 1856. Hugh McMillan, July 9, 1856. SECTION 16. Thomas Edsall, March 19, 1859. Aq - I AV s P, O n i-D I - I a HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 171 I SECTION 17. Abraham Vail, June 24, 1852. James L. Ketchum, November 30, 1853. Amos Cartwright, June, 1858. Amos Cartwright, February 24, 1859. SECTION 18. James L. Ketchum, June 25, 1852. William J. Cornell, September 25, 1852. James L. Ketchum, November 30, 1853. SECTION 19. James L. Ketchum, December 5, 1853. William Hamilton, October 11, 1855. Ralza M. Cooley, June 20, 1856. SECTION 20. James L. Ketchum, June 25, 1852. Ralza M. Cooley, June 20, 1856. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 21. James L. Ketchurm, June 25, 1852. Jesse McQuigg, August 14, 1854. William McAlister, November 1, 1855. SECTION 22. Jesse McQuigg, August 14, 1855. Jefferson B. Clark, September 3, 1855. George Bellamy, October 24, 1855. George Howdin, October 24, 1855. Hiram Alesworth, September 25, 1856. Orrin Alesworth, September 25, 1856. SECTION 23. Jefferson B. Clark, September 3, 1855. Vincent Whitney, September 3, 1855. Daniel C. Smith, November 14, 1855. Marcus S. Norris, December 20, 1856. SECTION 24. William M. Axford, October 24, 1854. Benjamin Hall, February 20, 1857. William Bailey, December 8, 1857. SECTION 25. William M. Axford, October 24, 1854. Edward H. Thomson, March 6, 1856. Edgar Sheldon, October 17, 1856. SECTION 26. Abraham Branchflower, July 3, 1855. William Branchflower, July 3, 1855. Vincent Whitney, September 3, 1855. John Beamish, December 14, 1857. SECTION 27. John A. Westervelt, January 28, 1854. Edward P. Branchflower, July 3, 1855. Jesse McQuigg, August 14, 1855. Ethan Brown, October 12, 1855. Foster A. Brown, October 17, 1855. Sault St. Marie Cana l C o., May 25, 1855. SECTION 28. Martin Fox, April 2, 1855. Jesse McQuigg, August 14, 1855. Ethan Brown, October 12, 1855. Foster A. Brown, October 17, 1855. SECTION 29. Matthew Lewis, M arch 29, 1855. Martin Fox, April 2, 1855. John Hamilton, April 22, 1856. Hiram Allen, October 20, 1856. John Hamilton, Octo ber 14, 1856. SECTION 30. William Mead, October 21, 1854. Henry Rounds, May 16, 1855. William Hamilton, Octo ber 10, 1855. Henry Rounds, May 13, 1856. William Holmes, October 7, 1856. SECTION 31. Theodore E. Belding, June 16, 1853. Richard H. Clark, March 29, 1855. SECTION 32. Theodore E. Belding, June 16, 1853. Mark Morrison, October 16, 1854. Elias Streeter, Jr., January 4, 1855. Matthew Lewis, March 29, 1855. SECTION 33. Daniel Lynch, October 16, 1854. i Joseph Crawford, March 20, 1855. George W. Spencer, April 12, 1855. Edmund McLees, April 16, 1855. Edmund McLees, June 14, 1855. SECTION 34. Daniel Lynch, October 12, 1854. Wilson Kitchen, July 28, 1855. George Washburn, September 4, 1855. Alpheus D. Stone and George Plumb, September 22, 1855. John M. Wright, October 7, 1885. William D. Oviatt, April 21, 1859. SECTION 35. John A. Westervelt, January 28, 1854. Aaron D. Emery, December 27, 1855. Edward H. Thomson, March 6, 1856. James Hiester, August 26, 1856. Wilson D. Oviatt, April 21, 1855. SECTION 36. Edward H. Thomson, March 6, 1856. Edward H. Thomson, May 7, 1856. The location -of Dayton is on the south line of Tuscola County, with Koylton upon the east, Wells to the north, and Fremont to the west. The surface of the country is generally rolling, in places hilly, and the soil varies from heavy clay to sandy loam, giving in different parts nearly every variety of soil. It is, however, generally productive, portions very much so, and none entirely worthless. The town was named in honor of the candidate for the vicepresidency, on the Free Soil ticket, in 1856. The town was organized the following year, and in the selection of a name the fact was commemorated that in the previous presidential election every vote in the town was cast for Fremont and Dayton; men walking in seventeen miles in some cases to deposit their votes. The first settlers in the town were Geo. W. Spencer and Joseph Crawford, known as "Little Joe," who came in in the spring of 1856. Following them came Daniel Lynch and his sons, Michael and Jeremiah, Matthew Lewis, William Mead, Henry Rounds, Richard Clark, William and John R. Hamilton, George Bellamy, Benjamin W. Hall, Joseph Green, Michael Shay, Robinson, Rufus Gilham, David Clinesmith, Lorenzo Hurd, J. P. Weaver, Dennis Harmon, George Green, Stewart Goodell. Settlement commenced in the south part of the town. The first sermon was preached by Rev. C. B. Mills in May, 1856, at the house of William Mead, in section 30. The first school was taught in a log school-house in the southwest corner of the town. The year 1857 was known in Dayton and adjoining towns as the "year of famine." In addition to other causes the woods and fields swarmed with chipmunks, mice and other vermin which destroyed the crops, devouring the corn, and even digging up, carrying away and destroying the potatoes. So great was the destitution among some of the settlers that even starvation would in some cases undoubtedly have resulted, had it not been for relief sent in from more favored localities. As late as 1858 the country was yet but poorly supplied with roads, only the north and south center road being cut out through the town, though others had been surveyed. Most of the supplies came from Lapeer, it being impossible to reach Vassar by team, costing for bringing in about three times the first cost. N. D. Phelps, who came in in February, 1858, for three years packed all his supplies from Vassar, his usual load being fifty pounds. On one occasion, having worked five days twelve miles below Vassar, he walked to Vassar in the forenoon, ate his dinner, and taking fifty pounds of flour on his back, walked home through the woods, carrying his load sixteen miles, with but one or two rests. Now, few, if any, towns in the county have better roads than Dayton. re3 -1I — t 9L i -4 - -117 I: (a L-!, -_ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 172.. —. —...., - - 4 CHURCHES. A class of the Methodist Episcopal Church holds services at the school-house in District No. 2, preaching being by Rev. Mr. Allman. Services are also held at the school-house at Hurd's Corners. A church edifice was commenced several years ago near Hurd's Corners, which, however, has never been completed. The Protestant Methodists also have services at the school-tlouse in District No. 2, Rev. Mr. Robinson officiating. The Free-will Baptists meet for religious services at the Smith school-house. SCHOOL MATTERS. From the annual school report of the town of Dayton for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained: Directors for the ensuing year, S. B. Perkins, Robert Wood, G. B. Felton, James Garner and Lyman Belknap; number of children of school age, 453; number attending school during the year, 314; number of whole districts, 4; of fractional districts, 1. There are five frame school-houses in the town. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 129; families, 28; dwellings, 28; number of farms, 18; number of acres improved, 514; number of horses, 1; number of cows, 25; number of oxen, 25; bushels of wheat raised, 707; bushels of corn, 1,635; bushels of oats, 395; bushels of potatoes, 1,340; pounds of butter made, 1,550; tons of hay, 25. Census of 1864: Population, 326; number of acres of taxable land, 5,800; number of acres improved, 762; bushels of corn raised preceding year, 1,570; bushels of wheat, 1,608; bushels of potatoes, 1,618; tons of hay, 148; pounds of wool sheared, 182; pounds of butter made, 10,100; pounds of cheese made, 100. Census of 1870: Population, 660; families, 129; dwellings, 129; farms, 57; voters, 134; number of acres of improved land, 2,800; bushels of wheat raised, 6,384; bushels of rye, 103; bushels of corn, 5,121; bushels of oats, 4,685; bushels of potatoes, 8,093; tons of hay cut, 718; pounds of wool sheared, 2,396; pounds of butter made, 15,510. Census of 1874: Population, 789; number of horses, 153; number of cows, 250; number of bushels of wheat, 9,985; bushels of corn, 5,308; bushels of apples, 1,053; bushels of potatoes, 7,294; tons of hay, 812. Population in 1880, 1,039. Total equalized valuation in 1882, $344,240; number of farms in 1881, 136; acres of improved land, 5,341; bushels of wheat in 1880, 29,455; of corn, 44,953; tons of hay, 653. THE VILLAGE OF HURD'S CORNERS. This village lies on both sides of the line between the towns of Dayton and Wells. Its origin as a village was in the general merchandise store of George Sorter. He was succeeded in business by Lorenzo Hurd, from whom the name of the village was derived. A glimpse of Hurd's Corners in the fall of 1867 may be obtained from the following sketch written at that time: "Hurd's Corners is located between the townships of Dayton and Wells, on the south line of the latter township, and on the Port Sanilac and Bridgeport State Road. "Three years ago there was but a single residence at this place, that of Mr. Hurd's, from whom the appellation (Hurd's Corners) is derived. Now there are a number of buildings, some of them valuable, substantial, and a thriving little business is sustained. "G. W. Sorter has a fine store, 40x20, two scories high, which is adorned with a finer appearing front than any building in the county, and is claimed to be one of the best stores this side of Saginaw. It is well stocked with a good general assortment of goods. "This past summnier Mrs. Curtis Hall erected a substantial hotel 56x42 feet, with a hall above, 42x20 feet. "Franklin Goodale, a soldier in the late war who lost a leg in his country's service, is doing a living business in a boot and shoe store. "A company, just in from Ohio, have erected a portable sawmill at the Corners which is now in complete operation. The mill owners intend to erect several dwelling-houses the coming summer. "Another store, built by J. Johnson, which has heretofore been occupied as a dry goods and grocery store, is now vacated, but will doubtless scon be used again. This store is 30x18 feet. A fine white school-house is close at hand, and altogether the place wears the appearance of a healthy prosperity. "The post office is as yet called 'East Dayton,' but we understand that it is the purpose of the inhabitants to have it changed to the name of the place. G. W. Sorter is postmaster, and the office is in his store." Being comparatively remote from railroad communication, and therefore not being a point of shipment nor to any considerable extent of manufacture, Hurd's Corners is simply a point of supply for the adjacent country, to which it also furnishes mail facilities. TOWN OFFICERS. YEAR. S1SS3. 18S2. 18(1. I SO(. 1S79. 1 S7S. 1874. IS73. 1872. 1871. IS 170. 1 69. 1867. 1S66. 1S65. 1S64. 1 S63. 1S62. 1860. 1 S59. 1857. SUPERVISOR. CLERK. Frank L. Wait. James Garner. William McKay. James Garner. William McKay. James Garner. William McKay. James Garner. William McKay. John H. Bates. William McKay. John H. Bates. D. Jarvis. Samuel B. Perkins. Lorenzo Hurd. Samuel B. Perkins. Samuel B. Perkins. Milford M5. Jarvis. Samuel B. Perkins. John Snover. Lorenzo Hurd. Hiram V. Manser. Lorenzo Hurd. Samuel A. Perkins. Lorenzo Hurd. Franklin A. Goodell. Lorenzo Hurd. Franklin A. Goodell. Lorenzo Hurd. Daniel L, Philpps. Lorenzo Hurd. Daniel L. Phipps. Lorenzo Hurd. Daniel L. Phipps. Lorenzo Hurd. Daniel L. Phlipps. No Record. No Record. A. B. Clark. Nelson D. Phelps. B. A. Wightman. Nelson 1). Phelps. William Hamilton. Michael Lynch. Lorenzo Hurd. Michael Lynch. Lorenzo Hurd. Edward Goodell. Lorenzo Hurd..Jonas P. Weaver. TREASURER. Jesse Hunt. F. L. Wait. F. L. Wait. Jesse Hunt. William G. Frisbie. William G. Frisbie. William G. Frisbie. William Randall. William Randall. William G. Frisbie. William G. Frisbie. William G. Frisbie. Lym-an Belknap. Lyeman Belknap. Lyman Belknap. Lyman Belknap. Lyreman Belknap. John R. Hamilton. John R. Hamilton. John R. Hamilton. John R. Hamilton. George W. Spencer. George W. Spencer. BIOGRAPHICAL. DANIEL T. BATES, deceased, was born in Vermont in 1822, and came to Detroit in 1837. He learned the mill-wright's trade, and was also a civil engineer. Removed to Canada in 1844, came to Dayton March 10, 1861, and built a saw-mill and grist-mill on section 17, which he operated until his death, January 4, 1874. He was married in 1846 to Miss Sarah E. Putnam, and had one child. Mrs. Bates died in 1848, and in 1849 he married a second time-Miss Clarissa Brown, by whom he had one son and one daughter —now Mrs. Frances E. Baker, whose husband is at present running the saw-mill. A. S. SNOVER was born in Oakland County, Micll., in 1849, and came to Dayton in 1879. He located on section 24, where he has since resided. In 1880 was married to Melinda Snover. ALFRED FRYERS was born in the Province of New Brunswick in 1828, moved to Canada in 1856, and came to the township of Dayton in 1865, locating on section 20, where he cleared up a farm upon which he has since resided. He was married in 1853 to Miss Sarah Walker, and has six children. Mr. Fryers is a justice of the peace. j l - -I 1;v I 0 0 0. i U) z 1 -0) CCj L) C/) JI 111 E 1 OS: LL o:_ cr. [L: 0I 11 i 0 F - w lk U0 w I -j z.j 4r clL 0 (n w IFE Z U) LI (n _I f~ o I.. u 2~.14 Z IZt 0: 2 LO W z crl Dr F or IL 7- - Ll<(1) wi 173 L -X! J Jl..,^,,~ I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. LYMAN BELKNAP, farmer, is one of the first settlers in the township of Dayton. He was born in Savannah, Wayne County, N. Y. Came to Michigan in 1858 and bought land in section 15, town 11 north, range 10 east. For the first two years was a hunter and trapper, but after that devoted his time to clearing up and cultivating his farm. Since his residence in this county he has killed sixty-seven wolves, 104 bears, and countless other wild game. Held the office of township treasurer three years and director of the schools for fourteen. Was married to Elizabeth Dodge in March, 1852, who died in 1879. A family of six children survives her. WILLIAM MEAD was born in England in 1824, and in 1851 came to Michigan and had charge of a gang of men on the construction of the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad. He came to the township of Dayton in 1855 and settled on section 30, where he has since resided, being the first person who purchased a farm in the township. He was married in 1846 to Miss Martha Chapman, who died in 1867, and by whom he had five children. Was again married in 1868 to Miss Esther Emmett. Mr. Mead served in the war of the rebellion in the Army of the Tennessee, participating in several engagements, and was wounded at Decatur, Alabama. LYNES L. RrCE was born ill Wolcott, Wayne County, N. Y., in 1828, and came to Dayton November 20, 1859. Moved to his farm MIarchl 20, 1860, where he has since resided, and which he has cleared up from the forest, not a stick hIlaving been cut previous to his purchasing it. July 12, 1849, he was married to Miss Cordelia Whitbeck, and has three children. Mr. Rice has held the office of township clerk and school director. JAMES R. PERRY was born inll Berkshire, England, in 1844, and emigrated with his parents to Erie County, Pa., in 1847. In 1864 he came to Dayton and purchased a farm on section 21, where he now resides. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary E. Phelps, and has four children. Mr. Perry enlisted April 17, 1861, at Erie, Pa., and served three months, when his time expired. After being discharged he re-enlisted in the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, I and was wounded at the battle of Gaines Hill, Va., June 27, 1862. Was in Bellevue Hospital, New York City, until February, 1863, when he was discharged; but again re-enlisted in the Veteran Reserve Corps, and received his final discharge November,5, 1864. RUSSELL GILoIORE was born in Stamford, Vermont, in 1808, moved to Wisconsin in 1858, and came to the township of Dayton in 1860. He purchased land on section 16, and has cleared up a good farm. He married his first wife, Miss Ehnira Corbit, in 1842, by whom he had four children. She died November 23, 1853. Married his second wife, Miss Elizabeth J. Whitbeck, April 17, 1854, by whom he has two living children. GEORGE WOOD WaS born in Scotland March 23, 1812, and came to Canada in 1833. He resided in Prince Edward County, Ont., till 1861, when he came to Michigan and located at Grand Blanc, Genesee County, remaining there until ]864, thence to the township of Fremont, Tuscola County, and in 1878 to Dayton to reside with his daughter, Mrs. Stokes. During his residence in Fremont he cleared up a fine farm, held the office of justice of the peace four years, and commissioner of highways ten years. He was married in 1837 to Miss Elizabeth J. McTaggart and raised a family of ten children. ROBERT WOOD was born in Canada in 1838, came to Genesee County in 1860, and to the township of Dayton in November, 1874. He settled on section 20 and cleared up the farm where he now resides. He has been twice married, first to Miss Abigail Gardiner, who died May 14, 1877, leaving a family of six children; and second, to Miss Rebecca A. Cone, January 24, 1878. She was a native of Royal Oak, Oakland County. E. W. GOODELL is a native of Conquest, Cayuga County, N. Y., and was born March 20, 1832. In the spring of 1856 he came to Marathon, Lapeer County, Mich., and the following year to the township of Dayton, when he located on section 15 and remained until 1864, when lie removed to his present home on section 17. Mr. Goodell is engaged in farming and carrying on a nursery, and has put out eight hundred trees on his place for an orchard. He was married in 1852 to Miss Laura Jane Rice. They have had nine children. He was the first township clerk in Dayton. STEWARD GOODELL was born in Conquest, Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1836, and came to Dayton in 1855, purchasing the farm he now lives upon for 50 cents per acre. It is located on section 16 and contains upwards of 100 acres of cleared land, the result of Mr. Goodell's labors, which is but a smlnall part of the land he. has helped to clear since coming to the township. He was married in 1860 to Miss Amelia Smith, and has twelve living children. N. D. PHELPS, the subject of this sketch, was born in Homer, Cortland County, N. Y., in 1820, and moved with his parents to Canada in 1827. Came to Sanilac County, Mich., in 1856, and removed to Dayton in 1857. He settled on section 16, where he has since lived, having cleared up the land and built thereon a substantial stone house. He has held the office of township clerk. Was married in 1846 to Miss Rebecca Ostrander, a native of Canada, and has ten children. JABEZ B. RICHENS was born in 1842, and is a native of England. He emigrated to America with his parents in 1845, stopping first in Erie Colunty, Pa., thence to Kalamazoo County, MIich., and in June, 1866, to the township of Dayton. He engaged in farming and lumbering till 1870, when he purchased the farm he now resides upon on.section 32. He was married in 1870 to Miss Clarissa Phelps, and has two children. Mr. Richens enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Militia, and served in the Army of the Potomac three months. ANDREW BELLES is a native of Canada, born in 1830, moved to Illinois in 1860, and came to the township of Dayton inll 1863. He settled on section 26, where he now resides; but lived ten years on section 22. Since coming to the State he has been engaged in farming and lumbering, and has just finished cutting and hauling the last pine timber in his section of the country. He was married in 1857 to Miss Lucinda Bailey, who died in 1861, leaving a family of three children. Was again married in 1865 to Miss Annie Hall, a native of Canada, by whom he has two sons. Mr. Belles enlisted in 1864 in the Tenth Michigan Infantry, and served to the close of the war. He has held the office of commissioner of highways several years. RoBERTE. PEET was born in Canada August 14,.1841, and came to Dayton in 1870. He settled on section 15, where he has cleared up a farm and has since resided. He was married in 1864 to Miss Anna Bennett and has two children. S. McLEES was born in Canada in 1836. He came to Dayton in 1856 land looking, and in 1857 moved to his present farm on section 33, of which he now has eighty-five acres cleared, and upon which he has erected fine buildings. For several years after his arrival he coull kill deer in the vicinity of his house with very little trouble. He is now quite largely engaged in keeping bees, having now upwards of eighty swarms. In 1861 he was married to Miss Emily Whiteside, and has eight children. D. W. SNOVER was born in Oakland County, Mich., in 1848, and came to Dayton in 1877. He settled on section 23, has cleared fifty acres of a fine farm, set out an orchard, and otherwise improved it. He was married in 1877 to Miss Emaranrda Miller, and has thlree children. WILLIAM H. MYE:RS was born in Ohio in 1841, and came to Dayton in 1.868. He owned and operated a saw-mill in the town iE D T 01i0: 0 I -Jo ^ r v:: s X \:: S S f::::: f:00:: ff;:00:::: 0 S; ' 0::: ( _ - - - I:: - I __ 174 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. __ ship for twelve years, settled on section 10 in 1878, and is clearing up a fine farm of 120 acres. He married Miss Elizabeth Dryden in 1868, and has six children. SAMUEL B. PERKINS was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1812, and came to Dayton in 1869. He has lived at East Dayton since that time, of which he has been postmaster about twelve years. He has served the township in the capacity of supervisor two terms and clerk several years. Was married to Miss Mary Sholto, and they had seven children. S. A. PERKINS was born ill Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1842, came to Dayton October 6, 1880, and is engaged in running a sawmill on section 3. Has been twice married, first to Miss Maggie Allison in 1865, by whom he had four children; and second to Miss Martha Gibney in 1880, by whom he has one child. S. M. SNOVER was born in Sussex County, N. J., in 1844, and came to Oakland County, Mich., with his parents in 1847. March 7, 1882, he moved to Dayton and purchased the farm on section 27, where he now resides. He was married in.1870 to Catherine Snover. JAMES GARNER was born in White Lake, Oakland County, Mich., in 1841, and in February, 1866, came to Dayton. He settled on section 22, cleared up a farm, and has since resided upon it. Has held the office of justice of the peace fifteen years, township clerk three years, and director of schools several years. He married Miss Mary Dibble, of Genoa, Livingston County, March 12, 1863, and has six children. S. M. ROBINSON was born in New York in 1838, and came to Barry County, Mich., with his parents, in 1842. In 1852 he came to Dayton and settled on section 26, but now resides on section 23; has cleared a large farm, and speaks of having slashed twenty acres of heavy timber in twenty-eight days, and at another time fifty acres in one hundred days. He was married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Gilam, and has a family of five children. J. F. SNOVER was born in Sussex County, N. J., July 7, 1840, and came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1847, with his parents. He removed to Dayton February 14, 1869, and settled on section 25, where he has since resided, and has cleared up a fine farm. He was married April 15, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth E. Austin, and has one child. Mr. Snover has been township clerk and school inspector. JAMES M. FRISBIE, deceased, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., in 1809. He came to Oakland County, Mich., in 1836, and to Dayton. in the spring of 1864, where he purchased a farm on section 26, remaining there until his death, which occurred in July, 1879. He married Miss Ann Gardiner, December 30, 1831-they had five children. Mrs. Frisbie died April 11, 1881. WILLIAM G. FRISBIE was born in Pultney, Steuben County, N. Y., in 1832, came to Oakland County, Mich., with his parents in 1836, and to the township of Dayton in 1863. He settled on section 11, and cleared up a farm, remaining there till 1879, when he purchased a grist-mill or section 17, where he has since been engaged in milling business. He was married in 1854 to Miss Parmelia Baker, and has four children. Mr. Frisbie has held the office of township treasurer nine years, and commissioner of highways three years. JOSEPH BANBURY was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1834, and in 1843 came to Canada with his parents. In 1860 he came to Dayton and settled on section 27, removing in 1864 to section 33, where he has since resided. Since he came to the township he has chopped the timber from 100 acres of land, beside cutting 4,000,000 feet of pine logs. He was married August 12, 1860, to Miss Eliza Mitchell, and has a family of five children. WILLIAM RANDALL, deceased, was born in Canada in 1815, and came to Dayton in 1865. He purchased a farm in section 29, where he resided until his death, which occurred November 8, 1882. He made great improvements on his farm, which contained 160 acres, and was a man universally respected by all who knew him. He was married in 1850 to Miss Harriet Penrose, and had four children. H. 0. RANDALL Was born in Canada in 1863, and came to Dayton with his parents in 1865. Since his father's death he has managed the farm. OBADIAH B. WAIT was born in Ohio in 1822, and in 1867 came to Dayton and settled on section 2, where he has cleared and otherwise improved a fine farm, and has also been engaged in the practice of medicine and lumbering. His farm contains 520 acres in a body, lying on sections 1 and 2. Mr. Wait was one of the early settlers of Dayton, there being but few people in the township at the time of his arrival. Years before making Michigan his permanent residence, he frequently visited the State for the purpose of hunting bear, deer, and other wild game. He was married in 1843 to Miss Melinda Carpenter, who died in 1875. They had seven sons. F. L. WAIT was born in Summit County, Ohio, May 9, 1854. Came to Dayton with his parents in 1867, remaining until 1870, when he returned to Ohio, and the following year went to California. In 1872 he again returned to Ohio, and in 1875 to the old home in Dayton, where be has since resided engaged in farming and wool growing. His present flock of sheep contains 370 head of fine wools. An incident worthy of remark occurred to Mr. Wait in the fall of 1880. Returning from market in the dusk of the evening where he had sold his wheat he was stopped in the road near his home by two men who presented revolvers and demanded his money. As resistance was useless, he submitted to their demands, and delivered into their hands $600 in cash, and his watch, which was never recovered, as no trace of the robbers was ever found. Mr. Wait is the present township treasurer, and has held the office of superintendent of schools. Was elected supervisor spring of 1883. He was married November 1, 1873, to Miss Adeline Webster. His second marriage occurred April 22, 1877, to Miss Charlotte Moyer. They have one child. TOWYN OF W- ATERTO \WN. Watertown was set off from Millington by the board of supervisors at a meeting held January 6, 1857. The first election was ordered held on the first Monday of April, 1857, at the house of Jethro Johnson, and Andrew Fitz-Gerald, Nathan M. Berry and Curtis Coffeen were named as inspectors of election. DESCRIPTIVE. The articles describing the physical features of Watertown and its early settlement are from the pen of Hon. Enos Goodrich, a wellknown citizen of the town. "Watertown is designated by the government surveys as town 10 north, of range 9 east. It occupies a position midway between the village of Vassar on the northwest and the city of Lapeer on the southeast, and is on the summit between the waters of Flint and Cass Rivers. According to the minutes of survey of the once contemplated East Saginaw & St. Clair Railroad, made in 1873, under the superintendence of William B. Sears, chief engineer of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, the highest elevation crossed between Flint and Cass Rivers is on the northwest quarter of section 28 in Watertown, and a few rods north of Cedar Lake, when the altitude was found to be 300 feet above the Saginaw River at South Saginaw. Cedar Lake on the same quarter section was found to be 270 feet above the water of the Saginaw. t I 11 4~ * r A::: iS I:E I - -I' 1 7.5:~ i I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 1 JL K r;;STREAMS AND SPRINGS. "In consequence of its location on the divide between Flint and Cass Rivers, Watertown has no large streams of water, but this deficiency is made up by an abundance of small, pure and rapidly flowing spring brooks. The northwest part of the township is drained by the small tributaries of Goodwin's Creek, a stream for many years celebrated as the scene of extensive lumber operations of Avery & Murphy, and out of which they have floated some of the choicest pine timber that ever grew on Michigan soil. Out of this small stream, by the aid of dams to treasure up the water for the time of need, these enterprising men have driven into the Cass River as high as 13,000,000 feet of logs in a season. "The pine has nearly all departed and gone out to seek the markets of the outside world. Those who are familiar with the nature of the pine (which, by the way, is the emblematic tree of our State) have learned that the best of pine never grows on poor land. Poor sandy soil in many cases produces a great growth of pine in quantity, but on such land the timber is very liable to be 'punk rotten' and defective. But where the soil is rich and produces (as it does here in Watertown) a thrifty growth of beech, sugar maple, basswood and rock elm timber, interspersed with pines, we find what is known among lumber dealers as the 'cork pine,' the trees being very large, tall and remarkably free from limbs. Various instances have occurred, where from seven to nine thousand feet of saw logs have been taken from a single tree. Formerly Avery & Murphy had nearly one hundred million feet of pine in Watertown, but the quantity has now been reduced to about five millions. That the reader may judge of its superior quality it need only be stated that in the spring of 1872 Avery & Murphy sold at one sale to a large dealer of Detroit, Mr. Merrill, twenty-five million feet of logs, a large part grown in Watertown, for the round sum of $300,000, being twelve dollars a thousand feet in the log. In the southeast part of Watertown also once stood a choice tract of pine timber, which has all disappeared. It was here that E. J. White, of Lapeer, and Mr. Brockway, of Saginaw, sold in the spring of 1871, to the late Gov. Crapo, 1,200 acres of pine lands for $62,500. When it is considered that a haul of five miles is necessary to reach the waters of the Flint River, the value of the timber from this tract of land may be better appreciated; and, if we are not misinformed, Thomas Foster took ten thousand feet of saw logs from one tract and fifteen millions from the whole tract. But the monarchs of the forest are gone from Watertown, and with the exception of almost five million feet standing in the southwest part of the township, there is none left. "The soil is varied, as is usually the case in every township in the State, but the prevailing surface soil is dark gravel, and the whole township may be said to be underlaid with a clay subsoil. Here and there the clay crops out upon the surface, and in some cases it sinks to the depth of four or five feet, but over a large part of the township it is deposited at the bottom of the furrow, where it can be brought up with the plow and mixed to suit the taste of the cultivator. The gravelly surface soil above alluded to is varied in its character, sometimes loamy, sometimes aluminous, but in most cases the silicates predominate. Clover luxuriates upon it, and in no place this side of Kentucky does the blue grass flourish more luxuriantly or adhere more tenaciously when it once gains a foothold. An inherent moisture almost everywhere pervades the soil, even on the highest ground which renders it proof against drouth, except in the most extreme cases. "AGRICULTURE is rapidly taking the place of the lumbering interest, and, let no one think, that in a town of so much good pine there could be no good farming land. On the contrary, many whole sections were almost exclusively- timbered with beech, maple and basswood, and even where the scattering pine grew we find some of the choicest of farming land. As an illustration of this fact I would state that the enterprising Thomas Foster, widely known as a breeder of blooded horses, and one of the owners of the world renowned 'Mambrino Gift,' is opening up a farm on the Crapo pine land, which bids fair to become one of the finest in the State. This farm, besides possessing the choicest of soil, is watered by Elm Creek and a large number of never failing springs. "The 'Spring Hill' farm of Avery & Murphy on sections 28, 29 and 33, is also looming up into large proportions, and will perhaps ultimately be the largest farm in the township. "THE HOME OF THE BEAVERS. "Among the relics of antiquity, the beaver dam is frequently to be met with in a remarkable state of preservation. Elm Creek, which heads in Cedar Lake and flows in a southeasterly direction to the Flint River, abounds in these ancient remains. In one place, upon the farm of the writer, is to be found one of these beaver dams distinctly traceable, fifty-six rods in length. But the beavers and the red men have departed. The deer, the wolf, and the panther have no longer a home among us. Man, the 'lord of creation,' is unscrupulously appropriating to himself those privileges which for countless ages have belonged to the beasts of the forest. "For my own part I confess that it is not without some feelings of regret that I look out from year to year and behold the primeval forest fading away before the woodman's ax. I have been an active instrument in producing this cha,.ge, and yet at times I feel as if there was something sacrilegious in this waging a war of extermination upon the works of nature. Often has my heart thrilled to the sentiment of the poet Ossian, where he says: " 'The murmur of thy streams, 0, Lora, brings back the memory of the past. The sound of thy woods, Garmallar, is lovely to my ear.' "There is no place like the woods for day musings and profound contemplation. If it be true, as Fenimore Cooper remarks, that, 'To admire the works of nature is to worship the Being who created them,' then have I been a devout worshiper from childhood to youth, and from manhood to age. M'y earliest recollections are associated with the woods, and in after life from scenes of amusement-from the halls of legislation-from the haunts of crowded cities my thoughts and feelings and sympathies have reverted back to the primitive scenes of nature. From the heartlessness and ingratitude of 'a stormy and unstable world' it is sweet to flee away to the woods, the lakes and the streams; and, lying down upon the mossy bank, to cast far upward a gaze upon the deep blue sky, and contemplate the beauty of that Being 'whose house is not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' " LAND ENTRIES PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 10 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST. SECTION 1. Sarah R. Patterson, November 1, 1853. Vincent H. Lewis, May 6, 1854. John Turner, May 16, 1854. Ira S. Begel, November 11, 1854. Chas. Dickerson, December 6, 1854. Wm. H. Leggett, December 20, 1854. Alexander Carr, January 5, 1855., John Smith, April 3, 1855. SECTION 2. John Turner, May 16, 1854. Featherston Colling, November 20, 1854. Jas. A. Rogers, December 6, 1854. I-,!It -.&!i j - - v 6 - I G I 4 ~. 176 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I I I i t 71' Benjamin Fox, July 28, 1855. SECTION 3. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. John A. Grant, November 14, 1854. Featherston Colling, November 20, 1854. Joseph Colling, November 20, 1854. Jas. L. Carr, January 5, 1855. Henry Fox, July 17, 1855. SECTION 4. Royal C. Remick, August 13, 1852. Franklin Wright, February 9, 1856. Alphret J. Glvnn, June 26, 1856. SECTION 5. Royal C. Remick, August 3 and 13, 1852. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. Thos. Duncan, October 10, 1855. Royal C. Remick, April 11, 1859. SECTION 6. Royal C. Remick, August 3 and 13, 1852. Roval C. Remick, November 6, 1855. Royal C. Remick, November 1, 1859. SECTION 7. Royal C. Remick, August 3 and 13, 1852. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. Charles Merrill and Royal C. Remick, March 25, 1856. SECTION 8. Royal C. Remick, August 13, 1852. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. Thomas Duncan, October 10, 1855. SECTION 9. Royal C. Remick, February 7, 1853. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. Benjamin Decker, March 5, 1854. Orial Inman, April 10, 1855. Samuel P. McNeal, October 30, 1854. SECTION 10. Anson Read, April 18, 1854. John Turner, May 16, 1854. Moses Bradley, July 3, 1854. Erastus A. Wood, July 3, 1854. James Dockerty, November 10, 1854. Joseph Colling, Novenmber 20, 1854. SECTION 11..Elijah W. Way, February 20, 1854. Adorno Johnson, April 14, 1854. John Turner, June 3, 1854. Franklin A. Wright, October 26, 1854. Nahum N. Wilson, January 27, 1855. SECTION 12. John Punderson, February 15, 1854. Lewis Sweitler, November 11, 1854. Andrew Fitzgerald, December 25, 1854. James McCartney, December 25, 1854. Hiram Greenman, April 3, 1855. Walter Fitzgerald, April 4, 1855. SECTION 13. John Punderson, April 18, 1854. Edmund Elward, September 25, 1854. Jacob W. Brown, October 12, 1854. Patrick O'Neill, November 1, 1854. Jacob W. Brown, September 1, 1854. Nathan Potter, March 5, 1856. SECTION 14. William W. Turner, May 16, 1854. Marinda G. Manwaring, June 8, 1854. David C. and Sam'l Goodsell, September 27, 1854. Charles Turner, April 4, 1855. SECTION 15. Chester Baxter, March 9, 1852. Nahumn N. Wilson, June 8, 1852. Anson Read, April 18, 1854. Wm. W. Turner, May 16, 1854. Joseph Moon, December 2, 1854. James Decker, September 3, 1855. SECTION 16. A. L. Kinney, May 15, 1855. J. Sheffield, June 16, 1855. C. Sheffield, June 16, 1855. A. L. Kinney, June 16, 1855. D. Laymon, July 2, 1855. Preserved Sweet, April 14, 1856. John H. Markell, May 26, 1856. SECTION 17. Christopher Gugerty, December 25, 1854. Jacob Decker, June 16, 1855. David J. Traver, August 15, 1855. Edward H. Thompson, May 10, 1856. SECTION 18. Edward H. Thompson, May 10, 1856. SECTION 19. Chester Baxter, August 29, 1853. Merial Henry, May 6, 1857. SECTION 20. Samuel Parker, February 17, 1852. Chester Baxter, November 24, 1853. John Patterson, July 2, 1855. Wmn. Fitz Simmons, April 9, 1856. SECTION 21. John McCartney, October 18, 1851. Ira Davenport, May 6, 1854. John Turner, May 16, 1854. Roswell D. Miller, July 2, 1855. Samuel Pendill, August 11, 1855. SECTION 22. Chester Baxter, March 9, 1852. Chester Baxter, August 29, 1853. Joseph Moon, December 2, 1854. Robert B. Conklin, January 2, 1855. SECTION 23. Chester Baxter, February 17, 1852. John N. Wilson, April 25, 1853. Enoch J. White, May 7, 1853. Silas Murch, December 2, 1854. Robt. B. Conklin, January 2, 1855. Geo. Turner, April 4, 1855. Edmund Turner, March 5, 1856. SECTION 24. Chester Baxter, August 29, 1853. James H. C. Blades, March 8, 1854. Geo. Turner, April 4, 1855. Nathan Potter, February 1, 1856. Nathan Potter, March 5, 1856. SECTION 25. Enoch J. White, December 15, 1852. Enoch J. White, January 5, 1853. Enoch J. White, April 18, 1853. Albert Crosby, July 27, 1855. Nathan Potter, February 1, 1856. SECTION 26. Enoch J. White, December 17, 1852. Nahum N. Wilson, June 8, 1852. Enoch J. White, January 5, 1853. Enoch J. White, May 7, 1853. Chester Baxter, August 29, 1853. Enoch J. White, July 25, 1854. Nathaniel M. Berry, October 24, 1854. SECTION 27. Chester Baxter, February 17, 1852. Nahum N. Wilson, September 22, 1852. Chester Baxter, August 29, 1853. Ira Davenport, May 6, 1854. Enos Goodrich, September 24, 1855. Enos Goodrich, February 7, 1856. SECTION 28. Chester Baxter, February 7 and J7, 1852. Chester Baxter, August 29, 1853. Horatio Belcher, August 3, 1855. Anthony Walling, September 5, 1855. SECTION 29. Chester Baxter, February 7, 1852. Samuel Wilson, March 9, 1852. Nahum N. Wilson, June 8, 1852. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. I i I - la "4 —L 7 I:.I L i Ir ~ a fi31:~,~r;.9.W O ""4 I kC c i:19 ~, s CP:'~....:::.. -., ':::j:: C:_::$grij',,l,,.,,i o U U d :"ti-i u, ~~: ~; 3 C (I i-rl 9 ~B::id i i; I`i~;"T. 5 i".'~Ei:, ~~ 'zld ':i qA(~.-..4yr::1:;i. ~~ NI a~:_; ~ie j jl i~ -i O;e4 I i:: I-~: " iz ~-i~ i' jl 9:ti,j -1:::: si a: — WX:;r:;b:: ii::-: ~::::.;; ji-i P"" 'i:i:.;:.:*h ~a~,~ iii''.t~:~~: i~; ~-;~;::t sF t,:: I;;8" ~i~ i:c~; 1.~~ 5:~ iii r_.:.;;75 u:~i;; Z ii: r;: ~slp ::;Rf O:-::': i:; i FB iii;.6.:51 "-.-L: B id:-~-~":. ~-::li~i;~r;:-,,;~~~,r-~-n I~:::.::; (D R-:a 1:;~ i; Is:i~?- j~,~::-r-,;::;S ::::: 19:k;:1 -j -$i'~.~ r.~ i:li; iL:r :j: ~:i 5~- - li-;~~: 3~arsi W I.I: Pi ~i v,: li~::4 R :55j ~:1 ~ i:;~ il;~ ~';P _5 8:~ Ikl *r I-si'il:: :-i W X':" lu:F4,,,,r Vr -t C:.-; ag:~ir~:= i::::;r: V) Ir-l~g~.: i::::::: O ir; ::. j; 'd ~ Ilb LL iiP: ::: ~btl;: 'iii r~: Bi: 8;~~~~:I,:I 1, r:ii 9 iii:J~ _:_~-z c'?;: j~~ n i ~7..:- rr ~:~:~ d;B-,-1 r Ejte O i;1;1 -.:i:::i j= ~,~: ir: i i u~ii,*, a::1:1 - (L,I o li;~'`p ir Z C ~: ~;:~ :~ :fii;s: W si ci:: -~`-::::_;;~1; - g 1: 4: jr: gq,:jr~~. al ia;ioBbi 04 I~iLT ":: ii ~:r,i;Z ~r.. f ac ": (1:;1 5 Q ~'?:iW-~?-:~;~;~J 5;~~~:;, ti LL..'.:..i 16:9.-~;-*, ~. ~:~~.: ~;. U -~ I 7 IL I I -7 - HISTORY OF L~ TUSCOLA COUNTY. 177 fi I SECTION 30. Chester Baxter, August 29, 1853. SECTION 31. Chester Baxter, August 29 and 31, 1853. SECTION 32. Calvin C. Waller, December 19, 1836. Chester Baxter, October 6, 1853. SECTION 33. Calvin C. Waller, December 19, 1836. Alva Bishop, January 23, 1837. Chester Baxter, February 7, 1852. Chester Baxter, May 21, 1852. Nahum N. Wilson, June 8, 1852. SECTION 34. Samuel P. Snow, February 17, 1852. Chester Baxter, May 21, 1852. William W. Turner, May 16, 1854. Isaac Davis, August 28, 1855. Enos Goodrich, September 24, 1855. James Day, December 20, 1855. Dwillis M. Johnson, April 27, 1859. Jasper Jlohnson, September 20, 1859. SECTION 35. Enoch J. White, July 25, 1854. Augustus Welch, October 7, 1854. Enos Goodrich, September 17, 1855. Curtis Coffeen, September 26, 1855. James Congdon, October 27, 1855. SECTION 36. Enoch J. White, December 15, 1852. Enoch J. Wrhite, January 5, 1853. Jesse HE. Barber, December 20, 1853. Enoch J. White, February 11, 1854. Augustus Welch, October 7, 1854. Samuel Sabin, June 8, 1855. Curtis Coffeen, September 26, 1855. Jeremiah Chapman, October 20, 1855. John Schuman, January 26, 1856. FIRST SETTLEMENT OF WATERTOWN. The passage of what is known as the Graduation Law, in the summer of 1854, was the means of stimulating the first settlement of Watertown. Many were the booked "pre-emptions" and settlements on paper by faint-hearted pioneers and those actuated only by a spirit of speculation, which it will not pay to notice. But the township was first invaded by actual settlers between the 20th and 25th of Septemnber of that year. The expedition was fitted out from Goodricll, in the county of Genesee. Several individuals, having signified a desire to make for themselves homes in the wilderness, a team was procured, and the emigrants and their outfit proceeded as far as,Farrel's Mill," a point more recently known as the site of the Hemmingway M/Iills, in the north part of Marathon, in Lapeer County. Here we had reached the point where we must,take to the woods." To prepare for the exercises before us, we here partook of a substantial lunch, indulged il a little "target practice," in which Nathaniel M. Berry was champion and the writer came out second best, and then shouldered our outfit of tent. implements and provisions, and set our faces to the northeast. The day was far advanced when we reached the Cedar Swamp on sections 27 and 34. Toiling our way through the tangled recesses of the swamp with our heavy loads, we at length struck upon Elm Creek, a small stream which passes through the present village of Fostoria, carry ing the waters of Cedar Lake to Flint River. Following down this stream it was near nightfall when we emerged from the swamp and entered upon a beautiful rolling tract of rich land timbered with beech, maple, rock-elm and basswood. WVe pitched our tent about ten rods south of the quarter post between sections 26 and 35. A bed of hemlock boughs, overspread with at blanket and a buffalo robe, and a lolazillg fire at the tent door, made us comfortable for the night. Day dawned, and after partaking of our morning's repast, our company scattered through the woods; and finally when the second night came more than half our company had experienced all the frontier life they could well enjoy at one installment. They took i I i i i I j up their line of march for home, without leaving even a lock of hair by which to be remembered. The third night found us with plenty of room in our previously crowded tent. By this time we could get down to a solid night's rest, for it is a fact that for the first night or two the bed of boughs will feel a little harsh; but about three days of active wood exercise will make it "feel soft as downv pillows are." As a sequel it resulted that Nathaniel M. Berry located by pre-emption the northwest quarter of section 35 and became the first settler of Watertown. Thomas Donahue pre-empted the southeast quarter of the same section, but after a few months' experience as a pioneer he decided to abandon his new home, sold out his "chance" to Curtis Coffeen, and returned to the haunts of civilization. Augustine Welch pre-empted the south half of the northeast quarter of section 35 and the south half of northwest quarter of 36, but soon sold out to Samnuel Crandall and followed his predecessor, Donahue. A few others booked their claims, but left them to return no more, without ever sleeping upon them the first night. Such is life in the wilderness. For ten succeeding nights the tent served as a lodging place for those of us who were left of the little invading army. At this time Mr. Berry, having built his shanty and 'moved in," began to put on airs, and assumed a more aristocratic style of living. But alas, how transitory are all things human. No trace is now left of that primitive habitation. As I look out from my window a rank growth of wheat now waves over the memorable spot. It was a little west of south, and twelve or fifteen rods distant from the quarter post between sections 26 and 35. In dimensions about tell feet wide from east to west, and perhaps fourteen feet long from north to south. Its shed roof, sloping from east to west, was covered with "shakes," roughly and hastily split out of "Uncle Samuel's" pine. The quarter section thus occupied by Watertown's first settler is now the homne of Enos H. Goodrich, whose comfortable and commodious farm buildings now overlook the village of 'ostoria and the railroad that connects it with the outside world. Mr. Berry did not long reside on this piece of land; having purchased eighty acres joining it on the north, he built there a comfortable log house, cleared a small farm, planted and reared a fine orchard, and remained a quarter of a century. He had married his second and present wife soon after settling here, and his soil, Enos G. Berry, was born here on the 9th day of December, 1856. Nathaniel M. Berry, Watertown's first settler, was born in Royalton in the county of Niagara and State of New York, May 27, 1817, and removed from there to Michigan in the year 1841. He was elected one of Watertown's first magistrates, a position to which he was repeatedly re-elected. Recently he has removed to a new farm on section 6 in this township, where he now resides. The labors of life have borne heavily upon him, and he feels his infirrities; but he still takes a laudable pride in being our first settler, and a lively interest in whatever pertains to the welfare of Watertown. From the period of Watertown's first settlement, which, as I have shown, took place in September, 1854, the immigration was rapid, and at the expiration of the first six months a score of families were scattered through its woods. So little did these pioneers know of each other's operations, and so scattered are they at the present day, that it is impossible in all cases to determine exactly which has the precedence. So suddenly, so quietly and so unexpectedly did they come that the sound of an ax, the barking I I,lI. Ir I r-% I:: — --- rL & —4 N- 9~ - r- - r %- L-: 7 6 178 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. of a dog, or the tinkling of a cow bell, was frequently the first notice a man would receive of the arrival of his neighbor. In many cases it is difficult, even with all the facts before us, to fix the exact date of a man's settlement. For instance, a man would come in, put up a shanty and build a few brush heaps, and go back to his family, returning with them at the expiration of several weeks or months. This was the case with several who made their first beginnings in the last months of 1854, and went away to return with their families the following spring. For reasons thus stated, if our efforts to chronicle the advent of these settlers in their exact order should not be crowned with entire success, it will not be strange. With these preliminary remarks we will proceed. "Trait" Crosby, who was probably the second actual settler of Watertown, took up his abode on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 25, where Henry Kincaid now lives, in November or December, 1854, but returned to his former residence in Oakland County the following season. Franklin Wright and Alpharet J. Glynn came together. They emigrated from the State of Ohio late in the autumn of 1854. Leaving their families with some friends in Arbela, they struck out for the woods, and pitched their tents on section 4, Mr. Wright taking the southwest quarter and Mr. Glynn the southeast quarter of that section. They built their "shanties" in November, 1854, and moved on with their families the following spring. Samuel McNeil and his son, Samuel P., or "Perry" McNeil, as he was and still is familiarly called, followed close upon the heels of Wright and Glynn. They settled on the same land where Perry now resides, being the northeast quarter of section 9. They made their first break upon the wilderness late in November of 1854, but left their cabin unoccupied until the 28th day of the following April, when they perfected their formal settlement, and were a few days in advance of Messrs. Wright and Glynn, who, with their families, had wintered in Arbela. John and Ira Patterson (brothers) settled upon the east half of the northeast quarter of section 20. Their settlement was simultaneous with that of Messrs. Glynn and Wright and the McNeils, as near as can now be ascertained. Mr. Peronel at or about the same time settled on the west half of northeast quarter of section 21. The Pattersons and Peronel remained but a short time. Roswell Miller about the same time settled on the northwest quarter of section 21. George Turner and his son George settled on the west half of the southwest quarter of section 24 (where Erastus Sperry now lives) early in the spring of 1855. This man, George Turner, Sr., died alone in tile woods on the northeast quarter of section 26 in the month of April, 1857, and is supposed to be the first white man that ever died in Watertown. A coroner's jury, the first ever impaneled in the township, pronounced his disease apoplexy. Edmund Elwood settled on the west half of the southwest quarter of section 13, land now occupied by Charles Bolton, early in the year 1855. He has been gone for many years. Patrick O'Neil settled on the northeast quarter of section 13, also, early in 1855, and still lives on the same farm. Amos L. Kinney settled in the south half of southeast quarter of section 16 about the same time. Short and useful was Mr. Kinney's life in Watertown. He was an intelligent citizen, an industrious and energetic pioneer, and was elected as first town clerk at the organization of the town, and subsequently held the office as long as he lived. And his official books now in the archives of the town bear testimony to his accuracy and correctness as a business man. His widow still resides with her son Andrew on the same farm at Watertown Center. Other sons, George, John and Charles, are all prosperous and successful farmers of Watertown; and still another son, Dr. Kinney, is established in the practice of medicine at Ortonville, in the county of Oakland. THOMAS D.UNCAN settled on the northeast quarter of section 8 on the second day of June, 1855, where he has resided continuously for over twenty-eight years, during which time he has held several offices of public trust in the township, particularly those of supervisor anud justice of the peace, for many years. CURTIS COFFEEN also came in the year 1855, in summer, or early autumn, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 35. This tract had been claimed and pre-empted by Thomas Donahue, of Goodrich in Genesee County, who had managed to hold the land since the preceding September, when he came in with Mr. Berry, the first settler. Mr. Coffeen converted it into a farm, but after. ward removed to Mayville and embarked in the mercantile business, and was subsequently found running the first steam brick machine at Vassar, but now resides on his farm in the town of Rich, in Lapeer County, just over the Wabertown line. The farm is still owned by Henry Coffeen, of Vassar, who with commendable energy succeeds his father in the brick business. Of the foregoing settlers most are supposed to be still living; but out of the number George Turner, Samuel McNeil, Amos P. Kinney and Alpharet J. Glynn have passed from the scene of their earthly labors, and their bones repose in the soil of their adopted township. Other settlers followed in rapid succession, and possibly some cotemporary or even prior to those here mentioned; but it is not deemed necessary to pursue the subject further, as this article was simply intended as a sketch of the first settlement of Watertown. FIRST SAW-MILL. The first saw-mill in Watertown was built by Enos Goodrich, on section 26, and was raised in July, 1867, and began cutting lumber about the close of that year. It was an upright and muley mill, with a capacity of about 10,000 feet of lumber in twelve hours. There was a shingle-mill in connection with the saw-mill. In April, 1873, the mill was burned, and rebuilt during the following summer. In 1876 it was sold to Walter Carr, and run irregularly by the Carr Brothers until the spring of 1883, when it was purchased by E. B. Schott & Co., of Otter Lake, by whom it is now operated. AN EARLY INCIDENT. In the first years of settlement in Watertown a man brought his wife and child from Ohio, and settled here to make themselves a home. He had cut his way through the woods to the site he had selected, and encountered all the trying situations that were incident to pioneer life. His wife was in feeble health, and soon was obliged to return to Ohio, where she could have the comforts and care that could not be provided in their isolated situation. She went, leaving the husband and little boy to live by themselves, and continue the work that had been begun. The society of the child cheered his loneliness, but how heavily the anxiety for his wife weighed, none but those similarly situated can tell. One day there came to him the message that his wife lay dying, and that he must hasten to her side, if he would see her once more alive. He was many miles from a railroad, and there was not a dollar in his purse. Closing the door of the cabin from out of which the light of home had departed, and taking his little boy by the hand, they set forth upon a tiresome and lonely walk through the pathless woods. To him it seemed a race with death, and the uncertain issue of the contest made suspense torturing in the extreme. Reaching Pine Run, his situation became known, and friends supplied him with money to pay traveling expenses. They pushed on, and reached the bedside of the wife and mother while she was yet alive. While her 11 U ~ I - - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 179 life lasted they remained, and when death came, laid her in the grave, then returned to the cabin and the clearing to renew the battle of pioneer life. THE LONG HILL. At an early day in Watertown a father and a son had been helping a neighbor get in his hay, and frequent draughts at the "little brown jug " visibly affected the minds and bodies of both. At the close of the day's work they started for home, which was quite a distance off. They had an ox team and lumber wagon. Putting a bunch of hay into the wagon for a pillow, they laid themselves down, and started the oxen for home. During the progress of the journey the rear wheels came off, letting the back end of the wagon drag on the ground. In this way they went for some distance, the travelers riding with their feet elevated at an angle of forty-five degrees, while their heads were bumping along in close proximity to the ground. At last it seemed to dawn upon the muddled brain of the father that their position had changed, and he managed to mutter to his son that he didn't remember that long hill when they went over in the morning. The son raised himself up and discovered that two wheels were missing. They got out, hitched their oxen to a tree, and camped there until morning, when they recovered the missing wheels, and thus restored the original level of the road. SCHOOL MATTERS. According to the annual school report of Watertown for the year ending September 4, 1882, the directors for the ensuing year were Thomas Coverdale, John Kinney, Delos Smith, and Joseph Wood. There were four school districts, and the same number of frame school-houses. Whole number of children of school age in the town, 381; number that attended school during the year, 228. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860. Population, 208; families, 45; dwellings, 46; number of farms, 33; number of acres improved, 833; number of horses, 5; number of oxen, 45; bushels of wheat raised, 852; bushels of rye, 80; bushels of corn, 1,808; bushels of oats, 444; bushels of potatoes, 1,425; pounds of butter made, 4,200; tons of hay cut, 9. Census of 1864: Population, 322; number of acres of taxable land, 5,656; number of acres improved, 877; bushels of corn preceding year, 1,543; bushels of wheat preceding year, 1,101; bushels of potatoes, 1,721; tons of hay, 290; pounds of wool sheared, 422; pounds of butter made, 6,850. Census of 1870: Population, 684; families, 138; dwellings, 140; farms, 103; voters, 130; number of acres of improved land, 2,972; bushels of wheat, 9,192; bushels of corn, 6,549; bushels of oats, 4,982; bushels of potatoes, 6,882; tons of hay, 720;. sawmills, 2; feet of lumber cut, 500,000. Census of 1874: Population, 804; number of horses, 54; number of cows, 304; bushels of wheat raised, 9,682; bushels of corn, 8,682; bushels of potatoes, 6,988; tons of hay, 940. Population in 1880, 1,094. Total equalized valuation in 1882, $410,795; number of farms in 1881, 108; acres of improved land, 5,450; bushels of wheat raised in 1880, 29,995; of corn, 39,364; tons of hay, 708. FOSTORIA. This is a business center at the terminus of the railroad, and is located on sections 25, 26, 35 and 36. The beginning was made by Thomas Foster, who carried on extensive lumbering operations, and subsequently farmnning. His farm, containing 320 acres, is becoming one of the finest in the county. A fine view of it is given in this work. The postoffice and village takes its name from him. BIOGRAPHICAL. THOMAS DUNCAN was born in Ireland in July, 1828, and came to Canada in 1846; thence to Watertown in 1855, and settled on section 8, where he has since resided, having a good farm of 240 acres, 150 acres of which is. improved. Since coming to Michigan be has been engaged in farming and lumbering. When he first came to Watertown there were no roads in the township; has helped to cut roads, clear up the country, and is an enterprising citizen. He has held the offices of supervisor nine years, justice of the peace twenty-two years, commissioner of highways several years, and is the present county superintendent of poor. In 1853 he married Miss Jane Hamilton, and has two sons and four daughters. S. H. DWELLEY was born in 1811 in Machias, Maine, and came to Saginaw in October, 1864, were he was engaged in lumbering till 1867. He then purchased a farm on section 15 in Watertown, and in 1871 removed to his present home on section 21, being engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Maine Infantry, and served in the Western army under General Banks. Was discharged in 1863. In 1866 was married to Miss Betsey Harris, and has two children. FRANKLIN WRIGHT was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1832, and moved with his parents to Ohio in 1835. In 1852 he came to Watertown and settled on section 4, where he remained till 1856, when he removed to White Lake, Oakland County. He remained there until 1875, when he returned to Watertown and purchased a farm on section 16, where he has since resided. He helped to cut the road through Millington to his farm, making eight miles of new road he helped to open. He married Miss Louise Hall, of Springfield, Oakland County, in 1855, and his second wife (Erzilla Parish), October 15, 1863, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. His third and present wife was Miss Mary E. Hall, to whom he was married January, 1878, by whom he has had one child. The present Mrs. Wright tended the first postoffice, kept the first store, and built the first hotel in the township. JACOB W. BROWN was born in 1807 in East Nottingham, Maryland, and came to Michigan in 1834, while it was yet a territory. In 1835 he removed to Ohio, where he remained until 1854, when he came to the township of Watertown and settled on section 13, where he has since resided. He helped to cut the timber to make the roads in the township, and with the help of his sons has cleared up a fine farm. He was married in 1835 to Miss Harriet M. Hyde, who died in 1853, leaving five children. Mr. Brown enlisted in November, 1861, in the Third Ohio Cavalry, and served in the Army of the Cumberland. Was discharged for disability in 1862. JOSEPH H. BROWN was born in Ohio in 1842, and came to Watertown with his parents in 1854. He returned to Ohio in 1858, and remained there until 1862, since which time he has been a resident of Watertown, his farm being located on section 13. He was married in 1866 to Miss Harriet M. Kincade, and has three children. THOMAS FOSTER was born in Canada June 24, 1827. He came to Saginaw, Mich., in 1858, and lumbered on Sucker Creek, Tuscola County till 1862. Since he came to the State he has lumbered in Tuscola, Genesee and Lapeer Counties, and put into the Flint River during the winter of 1882-'83 upwards of 12,000,000 feet of pine logs. His residence is in the city of Flint, but he owns and manages a large farm at Fostoria in the township of Watertown. He is an extensive breeder of thoroughbred stock, and has a fine herd of Herefords, from which he ships large numbers yearly to Kansas, Nebraska, Montana and Colorado. During the season of!l I w M - - a s., L A a — 6 - _ — Iw6 - I i ii i I I i I i i i i I 180 HIST ORY OF TUSCOLA -COUNTY. I 1882 he sold seventy head of cattle for $8,000. He is also breeding largely of Mambrino and Hambletonian horses, Cotswold, Southdown and Shropshiredown sheep and Berkshire hogs. Mr. Foster was married to Miss. Mary Ann Conklin, and has one adopted son. THOMAS W. BRIGGS was born in Junius, Seneca County, N. Y., in 1827, moved with his parents to Ohio in 1834, and came to the township of Watertown in 1857, and settled on section 14. At that time there were no roads cut within nine miles of his home. During his residence in the township his occupation has been that of a farmer and merchant. He was married il 1848 to Miss Rebecca Kent, who died in 1860, and they had one child. His second marriage to Miss Imogene Frost was in 1864, and they have two children. Mr. Briggs has held the offices of supervisor and treasurer several years, and is the present postmaster at Fostoria. JOHN MYERS was born in Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., in 1830. Came to Redford, Wayne County, Mich., with hiis parents in 1832, and removed to Marathon, Lapeer County in 1854. The roads were that bad, that it took him two days with an ox team to go three miles, and return with a load of lumber to build his house. In 1863 he came to Watertown and located on section 34, but afterwards changed to section 14, where he now resides. He was married in 1857 to Miss Roxie Merrill, and has six children. GEORGE W. JEWELL was born in Painesville, Lake County. Ohio, January 18, 1833. Came to Watertown in 1864, and purchlased a farm on section 10, which was at that time a perfect wilderness; but which he has cleared and improved, and upon which he has erected fine buildings. He enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Infantry, and served under Generals Rosecrans and Sherman in the Army of the Cumberland; was wounded Oct. 8, 1862, in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, and was discharged in August, 1863, being unfit for duty, in consequence of his wound. He was married in 1858 to Sarah Mitchell, and has one son. Mr. Jewell is at present commissioner of highways. ALMON MCNINCH was born in Conesus, Livingston County, N. Y., in 1843. He learned the trade of a painter at Smithtown, N. Y. HIe followed his trade until 1862, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighth New York Infantry. He served with that regiment until he was taken prisoner at Frederi'cksburg, Va. He was paroled and came North. Worked at his trade in Hamilton, Ont., from 1864 till 1866. In that year he bought sixty acres of land in Tuscola County, in section 2, township of Watertown, where hefarms it and also follows his trade. He was married in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth Colling, a native of Holton County, Canada. They have had six children, four sons and two daughters. The eldest, a son, was killed in 1881, by a log rolling upon him. N. M1. BERRY was born May 27, 1817, in Niagara County, N. Y.; came to Genesee County, Micl., in 1840 and to the township of Watertown in September, 1854. He took up a farm on section 26, which he cleared and lived upon until the spring of 1882, when he sold out, and purchased his present farm on section 5. Mr. Berrv was the first settler in the township and helped to cut the first road. In 1862 he enlisted in the Tenth Michigan Infantry ard served one year, when he was discharged for disability. His eldest son was killed in battle near the James River in Virginia. On November 10, 1839, he was married to Miss Margaret Updegraff, by whom he had five children, and his second marriage was to Miss Mary Jane Howland, June 7, 1855, and by whom he had two sons. Mr. Berrywas the first justice of the peace in the town ship, and held the office for several years. ENOS GOODRICH. The following review was furnished the publishers of this history by Mr. Goodrich with the request that they select from it some of the leading points and write a brief sketch. The review, however, containing many interesting items of pioneer life in different places, the publishers have taken the liberty of inserting it in his own words. I was born in the town of Sempronius, county of Cayuga and State of New York, at a place called Owosco Flats, on the 11th day of August, 1813. In the month of February, 1815, and before my recollection, my parents removed to the towl of Clarence, in the county of Erie in same State. The country was then very wild and as our advent into it was succeeded by two or three of the frostiest seasons of the present century, there was a good deal of suffering and destitution among th-e early inhabitants, but as the settlers then had no rich country to back them, as had those of Kansas in grasshopper times and our burnt districts in the time of the great forest fires, the settlers of the Niagara Frontier, as the region was then called, were compelled to make the best of their own resources. My father built an ashery and by converting the heavy forest around him into pot and pearl ashes was enabled to keep famine from his own door and that of a large circle of neighbors by whom we were surrounded. I learned to wield the ax and the rifle at an early day. The first rifle of my experience was an old United States musket. Our opportunities of education were very limited, and but for the fact that father and mother had both been school teachers would have been still more so. But appreciating the value of education they spared no opportunity of instructing their children at home. The first day's schooling I had was in a log house, where my father was thne teacher. The scholars sat ol benches made of split logs set oil two-inch poles like sled stakes, for legs. No desks were seen or thouglht of in that school. It was in the dead of winter and many of the scholars went with their feet wrapped in rags for shoes. But I could then "read in readings," having been taught by my parents at home. Muy first book was called the New York Reader. How old I was then I can't tell, but for a few years I attended school by spells, as my time could be spared from home duties. At fourteen I was taken from school and set to driving an ox team, hauling logs to the mills. The oxen seemed like elephants-each one must have weighted a ton, but they were kind and gentle. One month's schooling, a few years after, was all I had, but it was worth more to me than any four months previous, for I began to know the value of time. My constitution was strong and I learned to love work. From eighteen to twenty years of age I weighed something over 190 pounds, and my breast girth was forty-two incches. Arriving at my majority in August, 1834, I remained home until the fall's work was done, and then went to the prairies of Illinois, where I spent the winter twentytwo miles beyond Chicago, at a place called Meacham's Grove. One clear, frosty, moonlight night I was traveling on foot from what little there then was of Chicago to Des Plaines River. It was a sea of dead prairie grass covered with sparkling frost; no houses in sight, and the road only a track in the grass. It branched and I took the wrong track which led me up the south branch of the Chicago River, among the lime quarries. I could not well afford to retrace my steps and so struck off across the trackless prairie, where for many miles I had no guide but the polar star. I had always been kept close to home, and as I was groping over the prairie at dead of night and wolves howling in the distance, I felt as if I was a good ways from my mother. The night was far spent when I reached Walker's Bridge, on the Des Plaines River. I was then half way to Meacham's Grove, and was bound to go through, which I did with blt a short halt. Spring came. I had made a claim and cut and hauled timber to fence a field. Like Lincoln, I split my own rails, but before I could lay them up I was taken with fever. I was then boarding with Dr. Silas Meacham. He soon q- -A i — 1% — I" A I IC) m L) -j co zz 43: ir w IT. co 0 w L Er I — cc iii a. 0 cc D. -A. _.- -- ' NJL I 7k - - --- _ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 181 broke up my fever. I went six miles to Dunckley's Grove to hire a cross cut saw to make. "shakes" to cover a house. I waded Salt Creek twice and brought back the fever. I had intended to return home at the East in the spring, so as soon as my health would admit I started, leaving Meacham's Grove May 27, 1835. From Chicago ten days on board the schooner "Austerlitz," (Captain Robinson) took me to Detroit, and two days by steamer thence to.Buffalo. Arriving home my parents, having a large family, had decided to sell out their Holland purchase claim and go West in a body rather than see the family divided. In September, 1835, my oldest brother, Moses, and myself were sent out to hunt a home for the family, and purchased about 1,200 acres of land in the township afterward named Atlas, then in Lapeer but now in Genesee County. The grounds comprised the present site of the village of Goodrich, and farms still occupied by several members of the family. Moses and another brother, Levi, came through Canada with a team in February of that same winter of 1836, the family following by steamer across Lake Erie, reaching our new home on May 20, of that year. It was a wild country, and the work was great, but at the end of the second summer we had 150 acres under the plow, the land being plains and timbered openings. While we were making these improvements everything was high, but. when settlers began to have something to sell prices became ruinously low. We needed mills and a market. The Goodrich saw-mill had been built and started in April, 1837. In 1845 my brother, Reuben, and myself built the Goodrich flouring-mill. I had built an ashery and now followed cooper shops, tannery, shoe shop, tin shop and countless other enterprises, which, with several farms, made us a busy life. I was elected to the house of representatives in 1846 and at the ensuing session of 1847, was deeply interested in the removal of the capital to Lansing, and as one of a special committee of five to whom the subject was referred, submitted a report which will be found in the house journal of that year. After the first new capitol was built I was elected over a strong Whig majority to the senate of 1853, where I served as chairman of the committee on incorporations, with Fielder S. Snow, of Lenawee, and Henry Fralick, of Wayne, as my colleagues. I found the legislature the best school I ever attended in my life, and formed many pleasing acquaintances. While we were building up the town of Goodrich our work was very hard. Out in the morning packing flour at two or three o'clock, during the day everywhere, and at night posting books from nine to eleven. It was thus that my brother and I had accumulated a fortune of a hundred thousand dollars, all to be swept away by the crisis of 1857. It was this which took Reuben to Traverse City and brought me to Watertown. Here I found a rich soil, stately timber and congenial employment. I have cleared three hundred acres of heavy timbered land, built a saw-mill in 1867, had it burned in April, 1873, involving a loss of some six thousand dollars, rebuilt the following autumn, and after running five years sold out. It would be impossible to compute the work done by the mills in the ten years of their running, but fifteen million feet of lumber and six million shingles would be a fair estimate. For the last five years farming and stock raising have been my employment. In reviewing my past life I desire to say by way of conclusion that the most laborious period was while we were building up the little town which bears our family name. During that period I was in the prime of life, and the guiding star of hope' was bright before us. The most wretched period was the few years succeeding our failure in business. It was not the loss of property, for I could laugh over that while health and energy remained; but it was that others, among whom were confidential friends, were liable to be involved with us in our misfortunes. The earnest wish and prayer that life might be spared until they were protected was substantially answered. The most tranquil period of my life is that which I have spent in the wilds of Tuscola County. Perhaps this tranquility of mind may, in some degree, be owing to the tempering influences of time, experience and adversity. The experiences of my life have been such as to call into action all the limited stock of philosophy I could call to my aid, and without such aid I have many times felt that life would not be worth enjoying. It is that which gilds the darkest clouds of life and makes its "Indian summer" more tranquil and pleasing than the meridian of its noonday splendor. TOWN OF EL:KLAND. This town, comprising township 14 north, of range 11 east, lies in the northeast corner of Tuscola County, having Huron County upon the north, and Sanilac on the east. The town of Elmwood bounds it on the west and Novesta on the south. The north branch of Cass River flows across the southeast corner of the town, about fourteen hundred acres lying south of the river: viz., all of section 36, and parts of sections 13, 24, 25, 26, 34 and 35. The surface of the country north of the river is generally rolling; the soil a clay loam, with more of a gravelly and sandy character along and south of the river. Tlie natural growth is beech, maple, elm, basswood, and along the river pine and hemlock. The pioneers of civilization in this town were Messrs. Cooper and Wright, whose logging operations brought in those who, pleased with the character of the country and its apparent healthfulness and fertility, located lands and alternated their labor in the logging camps in the winter, with the chopping, logging and clearing of their lands in the summer. Among the earliest settlers of the town.were Andrew Walmsley, Hugh Seed, William Edgar, John H. Bird, William Jacobs, Charles W. Smith, David Winton. Of these, Walmsley, Seed and Bird, are still residing in the town, Edgar, Jacobs and Winton are dead, and Smith removed from Elkland several years ago. HUGH SEED, is a native of Down County, Ireland. He came to this country when a young man, and made his first residence in Oakland County, being there employed at farm work. His first visit to Tunscola County was in 1854, drawn here as were hundreds of others of the first settlers by the lumbering operations, then becoming active throughout this county. He spent two winters in the logging camps of Cooper & Wright, in what is now Elkland, working on the farm in the summer. In May, 1855, he selected and entered a piece of land in section 27, and soon after commenced chopping and clearing. A brief experience having no doubt satisfied him that single blessedness, so-called, was, in the wilderness, simply solitary misery, he went to Pennsylvania, where he married Esther Orr, of Huntington County, and brought her with him to his forest home. At that time there were no roads, except the "tote" roads and logging roads, and such few tracks as the settlers made to connect with them. Supplies were mostly brought from East Saginaw, by the lumberman's teams. Grain must be taken to Wahjamega or Vassar for grinding. During one week Mrs. Seed was out of flour; she had corn, but no coffee-mill even with which to grind it. If nezessity is the mother of invention, necessity is born of pioneer life. The difficulty was solved with a towel for a bag, a flat-iron for a pounder, and a vigorous application of muscle: the result was meal enough for a " Johnny-cake." Twentysix years have seen great changes, and a portion of the village of Cass City is now on land then owned by Mr. Seed, and where then was unbroken forest, are now well tilled farms. lit,JL I Oh.1 L! 3i'5 -^" ,4 'N I I." I _ ___ I 18b2 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. __ I The same month that Mr. Seed bought his land, entries were made by Andrew Walmsley and William Edgar, who also shortly after commenced work on their lands, Mr. Edgar's land being located in sections 11, 14 and 15, and Mr. Walmsley's further south, in sections 26 and 27. Mr. Walmsley, who is a native of Down County, Ireland, had his first view of Tuscola County and the town of Elkland in 1854, coming in to work in the logging camps. HIe, Mr. Edgar, and Mr. Seed, making their entries of land the same month, May, 1855, went to work about the same time, and being what then would be called near neighbors, exchanged labor, working alternately on their different tracts, clearing and putting up shanties. Mr. Walmsley's sister kept house for him a portion of the time, he being then unmarried. To come in from Vassar four days' time was required. Axes were carried to open out the roads, and repair the wagon. They had a span of horses and a yoke of oxen to one wagon, and two yoke of oxen to the other.. The same journey can be made to-day in a half day. WILLIAM JACOBS entered his land also in May, 1855, and came in subsequently with John H. Bird, who also entered land in the northeast part of the town. They had to cut their road through from the point where now is Cass City, a distance of about six miles. Their wagon could not be taken through the swamp, and whatever was carried in or out must be packed on their backs. Their families were left at Watrousville until houses could be put up and preparations made. The land was heavily timbered with beech and maple, and the labor of clearing severe. The loneliness of their life is shown by the fact that at one time they did not for three weeks hear the sound of other human voices. Among other settlers coming about the same time, were Charles W. Smith, and William H. Winton and sons. The first religious service in the town was held by Rev. John Baker, of the Watrousville Circuit, Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1860, at the log house of Andrew Walmsley, one Sunday evening. Notice had been sent by Mr. Baker, that service would be held, and the fact being made known generally, the settlers came in from a circuit of seven miles around, and the house was filled. Arrangements were made by Mr. Baker to preach at the same place once a month, Rev. Mr. McKenney, of Ellington,once a month; and from that time services were held every two weeks, by these and others, first at Mr. Walmsley's for about a year, then at John Striffler's, afterwards at the school-house, standing where is now the Cass City Hotel. This school-house was the first built in the town, and here the first school was taught by Mrs. William Meredith, whose husband was at the time in the employ of Mrs. Walmsley. The first wedding was of Andrew Walmsley, to Eliza Orr, in 1861, at the house of Mr. Seed. The ceremony was performed by Rev. McKenney, who walked from his home in Ellington, through a deep snow, to officiate. The first manufactory, in the town, except saw-mills, was the grist-mill now in operation in Cass City, which was built in. 1869 by Howell and Ale. The first saw-mill was built by Jesse Fox, on what is now the Weaver place. LAND ENTRIES PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST, SECTION 1. David Ward, January 2, 1854. William Jacobs, May 4, 1855. Phebe Leach, October 17, 1855. John Bird, January 19, 1857. SECTION 2. William Jacobs, May 24, 1855. - Joseph White, September 12, 1856. Stephen G. Pickle, October 13, 1856. William S. Moore, November 28, 1856. Hiram McDowell, November 28, 1856. James Foster, November 28, 1856. SECTION 3. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. Stephen G. Pickle, October 13, 1856. Robert Gamble, October 13, 1856. Benjamin Downing, November 26, 1856. William Wilcox, August 14, 1857. SECTION 4. James C. Edgerly, May 26, 1856. John Reader, October 13, 1856. Chester Whitacker, 2d, November 22, 1856. David McDowell, November 28, 1856. David McDowell, December 23, 1856. SECTION 5. David Ward, August 21, 1854. William H. Winton, April 18, 1856. James C. Edgerly, May 26, 1856. Edward Campbell, December 7, 1858. William H. Winton, January 27, 1859. SECTION 6. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. SECTION 7. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. SECTION 8. David Ward, January 21, 1854. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. James Grant, February 8, 1857. James Hopkins, December 7, 1858. SECTION 9. Homer Gear, November 22, 1856. David McDowell, December 23, 1856. Merit M. Greenfield, September 12, 1856. Abram Bolton, June 21, 1856. James N. Rowley, August 80, 1856. SECTION 10. Charles W. Smith, November 1, 1855. John A. J. Walker, June 20, 1856. Merit M. Greenfield, June 11, 1856. Merit M. Greenfield, September 12, 1856. Lorenzo Teachout, September 4, 1856. Burton H. Hines, April 8, 1858. SECTION 11. Peter Gregor, May 24, 1855. William Edgar, May 29, 1855. Zalmon L. Goodsell, May 24, 1856.' Joseph White, September 12, 1856. John Anyon, September 25, 1856. John Hanna, May 19, 1857. SECTION 12. James H. C. Blades, June 23, 1854. James H. C. Blades, June 27, 1854. Peter Gregor, May 24, 1855. Darius S. Cadwell, July 4, 1855. SECTION 13. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Darius S. Cadwell, July 4, 1855. Zalmon L. Goodsell, May 24, 1856. Ezra Pease, January 6, 1858. SECTION 14. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. William Edgar, May 29, 1855. Zalmon L. Goodsell, May 24, 1856. John Anyon, September 25, 1856. John Hanna, May 19, 1857. SECTION 15. Henry Lehrna, October 21, 1854. Martin Watrous, February 28, 1855. William Edgar, May 29, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Samuel Bradley, February 4, 1858. SECTION 18. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. - A61 -0.j I — Ob O" I I I w x 6 l /A A A. - I P S __ - -_ I __ HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 183 William S. Moore, November 28, 1856. SECTION 19. Ethan A. Dickinson, Jr., November 25, 1856. William S. Moore, November 28, 1856. SECTION 20. Z. Washington Wright, April 20, 1855. Edward Randall, July 29, 1856. Z. Washington Wright, December 15, 1856. Hiram Bailey, May 6, 1857. Z. Washington Wright, July 13, 1857. SECTION 21. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. William F. Whitney, October 28, 1854. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Hermon Camp, January 9, 1857. Sault Canal Company, May 25, 1855. SECTION 22. Joseph Kurs, October 21, 1854. Edmund H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. Charles W. Smith, October 12, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 23. William Winspear, June 24, 1852. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Charles W. Smith, October 12, 1855. J. Colman, July 30, 1858. SECTION 24. William H. Hayes, May 11, 1854. M. B. & George G. Hess, April 13, 1859. T. R. Colman, January 15, 1859. SECTION 25. T. R. Colman, January 15, 1859. SECTION 26. William H. Green, July 15, 1850. James Morgan Baldwin, May 15, 1851. Andrew Walmsley, May 11, 1855. Truman R. Colman, January 15, 1859. SECTION 27. William McKie, July 1, 1851. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Richard M. Smith, February 24, 1854. William H. Hayes, May 11, 1854. Hugh Seed, May 11, 1855. Andrew Walmsley, May 11, 1855. SECTION 28. William McKie, July 1, 1851. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Hiram Burk, January 28, 1854. William F. Whitney and E. H. McQuigg, October 28, 1854. Z. Washington Wright, April 18, 1856. SECTION 29. Dwight Herrick, September 18, 1855. Edward Randall, July 29, 1856. Z. Washington Wright, November 20, 1856. Sault Canal Company, May 25, 1855. SECTION 30. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. SECTION 31. Dwight Herrick, September 18, 1855. Travis Leach, March 19, 1859. T. Leach, November 16, 1858. SECTION 32. Samuel G. Hathaway, June 14, 1851. James Morgan Baldwin, May 15, 1851. Dwight Herrick, September 18, 1855. SECTION 33. William H. Green, July 15, 1850. William McKie, July 1, 1851. William Winspear, January 2, 1852. William Winspear, April 7, 1852. Job Halsted, January 1, 1852. Hiram Burk, January 28, 1854. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. James McMath, December 6, 1856. SECTION 34. William McKie, July 1, 1851. William Winspear, June 24, 1852. William H. Hayes, May 11, 1854. - - - - Alexander P. Cooper, May 15, 1856. John Casler, July 14, 1856. David G. Slafter, May 5, 1853. SECTION 35. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Samuel Lewis, March 27, 1854. Samuel Lewis, April 1, 1854. Samuel F. Jones, May 2, 1854. John D. Smith, James M. Baldwin and David G. Slafter, May 24, 1854. Samuel Lewis, January 5, 1856. Samuel F. Jones, May 2, 1854. SECTION 36. David G. Slafter, May 4, 1853. Samuel F. Jones, May 2, 1854. Jay S. Curtis, June 22, 1859. CIVIL HISTORY. The town of Elkland was organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held October 14, 1857, and comprised the territory of townships 13 and 14 north, of range 11 east. The names of the freeholders of the township to be organized, who signed the petition, are as follows: —Hiram Bailey, Alden Bird, H. F. Cooper, A. Walmsley, William Edgar, Hugh Seed, J. W. Saulsbary, William Jacobs, William H. Winton, David Winton, John Bird, A. P. Cooper, Lorenzo Teachout, Burton Himes. At a special town meeting held at the house of H. F. Cooper, June 23, 1858, Charles W. Smith was chosen moderator, William H. Winton and Andrew Walmsley, inspectors; H. F. Cooper, clerk; and John H. Bird, assistant clerk. The meeting then proceeded to election of town officers. The total number of votes cast was fourteen, and the following was the result of the election:-Supervisor, John H. Bird; clerk, Charles W. Smith; treasurer, Andrew Walmsley; school inspectors, John H. Bird and H. F. Cooper; overseers of the poor, David Winton and William Jacobs; commissioners of highways, Charles W. Smith, S. P. Ramsdell and William H. Winton; justices of the peace, John H. Bird, Hugh Seed, Andrew Walmsley, David Winton; constables, Robert H. Winton, S. P. Ramsdell, Lorenzo Teachout, William Edgar. Charles W. Smith was chosen overseer of Road District No. 1, and David Winton of District No. 2. It was voted to divide the town into two road districts, north and south, through the center of the town, the east half to be designated as District No. 1, the west half as No. 2. The sum of $600 was ordered to be expended on roads designated, and $150 to be raised by tax for township purposes. The treasurer was allowed four per cent on all taxes collected by him. It was voted that the next annual town meeting be held at the house of Charles W. Smith. The voters present at this town meeting were William Edgar, William Jacobs, Burton H. Himes, John H. Bird, Andrew Walmsley, David Winton, Robert H. Winton, S. P. Ramsdell, Charles W. Smith, Hugh Seed, Lorenzo Teachout, William H. Winton, H. F. Cooper and A. P. Cooper. The first recorded meeting of the town board was held December 21, 1858, the only business transacted being the auditing of various bills to the amount of $84.50. At the annual meeting of the board the following March the accounts of Andrew Walmsley, treas urer, were audited as follows: —Money received, $260.63; paid out, $250.11; collecting fee, $10.42; receipt from county treasurer for $1,284.53; cash on hand, ten cents. The amount charged to the treasurer was $1,587.83. At the annual town meeting for 1859 it was ordered that $100 be raised for opening the State road east of the line of sections 14 and 15, or 10 and 11, to the county line of Sanilac County; also I - I r A.6i I r- 10 J —4D 2l so, -);I - -I lv 1 I 184 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. - - $100 for a road between sections 27 and 28, and 27 and 22; also $100 for a road from the southwest corner of 27 to the corner of 5; and $100 for contingent expenses. The number of voters at this election was fifteen. At the annual election in 1860 the poll list showed ten voters. At a meeting of the school inspectors, held at the house of John Anyon, April 16, 1860, School District No. 1 was designated, comprising sections 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34 and 35, and a meeting of qualified voters of the district for the purpose of electing officers and choosing a site for a school-house. The second district comprising the northeast nine sections was formed April 23, 1860. The inspectors of election in 1861 met at the house of Charles W. Smith, but adjourned the town meeting to "the building known as the 'County Building' " on the southwest quarter of section 34, of township 14 north, range 11 east. The register being missing, and supposed to be stolen, the supervisor, John Anyon, demanded a search warrant, which was issued by John 1d. Bird. Mr. Anyon, assisting the constable in the performance of his duty, found the missing record in his own coat pocket. The whole number of votes cast at this election was nineteen. Considerable progress was made in the direction of opening and improving highways, $800 being appropriated for that purpose. The board of registration, meeting April 5, 1862, was presented with the names of George Katahkecoons, Joseph Katahkecoons and Jacob Wandahbetong, but from the fact that they were Indians who had come into the town simply for the purpose of hunting, and not "civilized" within the meaning of the statute, they were not allowed the privilege of voting. It appears, however, that one Indian, whose name is not given, perhaps from the difficulty of spelling it, did swear in his vote at that election. An appropriation of one-half of the two mill tax was made for town library purposes. The whole number of votes cast at this town meeting was twenty-nine. In April of this year District No. 3 was organized, comprising the northwest quarter of the town. At a meeting of the town board September 3, 1862, Hiram Bailey was elected supervisor of the town, and Travis Leach highway commissioner. Mr. Bailey in the following November resigned the office of supervisor At the annual town meeting in 1864 it was decided to raise $400 for a volunteer bounty fund, and at a special town meeting held the following September it was voted that "a volunteer bounty fund of $100 a head be raised for all volunteers accredited to the township since January 1, 1864, or that may hereafter be raised or accredited to said township." The annual town meeting in 1866 adjourned to the schoolhouse in District No. 1, the school-house in District No. 4 having been burned. $200 was appropriated for a bridge at the forks of Cass River. The town meeting of 1868 appropriated $1,000 for highways and $300 for contingent expenses. The whole number of votes cast at this election was sixty-one. September 13, 1869, the town boards of Elkland and the newly organized town of Novesta met at Cass City to apportion moneys and credits belonging to Novesta. It was determined that the amount of money due that town was $1,150. The claim of $343 from the two mill tax was left for the decision of the prosecuting attorney. At a special town election held in August, 1870, it was unanimously voted to issue the bonds of the town to the amount of $500 for the purchase of a burying ground to be selected by the board of health. Grounds were selected in the northeast quarter of northeast quarter of section 34. The records of town meetings in 1872 and 1873 appear to be missing. December 17, 1873, the town board elected Sylvester Ale supervisor, to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Travis Leach. In November, 1874, Samuel Miller was appointed town clerk to fill vacancy. At the annual town meeting in 1875 it was decided to raise no money for highway purposes. Four hundred dollars was appropriated for contingent fund. In September, 1876, John Randall was by the town board appointed township superintendent of public schools. In February, 1878, Homer E. Gordon was appointed town clerk to fill vacancy. By treasurer's report for that year there was a balance of $1,058.61 in his hands. The number of votes on the registry list in March, 1878, was one hundred and fifty-five. In June, 1878, Homer E. Gordon resigning as town clerk, Robert Tennant was appointed to fill vacancy. In May, 1880, Samuel C. Armstrong was appointed town clerk to fill vacancy, caused by the resignation of A. G. Houghton. In June the same year Peter H. Gage was appointed drain commissioner. November 16, 1880, a special town meeting was held to vote on a proposition to bond the town in the sum of twenty-six hundred dollars for the purpose of building a town hall. There were ninetyfive votes cast, sixty-one in favor of the loan, and thirty-four against. At a meeting of the town board held December 11, 1880, the size and character of building was determined on. A building committee, consisting of S. Ale, S. C. Armstrong and J. C. Laing, was appointed, and S. C. Armstrong was directed to get up plans and specifications. Subsequently thirty-eight feet off the west side were offered by J. L. Hitchcock as a site for the hall, and were accepted by the board. In due time the building was completed,' a substantial brick, 80x30 feet, and two stories in height. The first floor is used as a hall and offices for town purposes, and furnishes a convenient hall for public meetings and entertainments. The second floor is occupied by the Cass City Enterprise and the Odd Fellows Hall. Up to the year 1860 the town of Elkland lacked the facilities of a U. S. mail. Mail had been brought by private individuals from time to time from Watrousville and Wahjamega. In that year a weekly mail was established from East Saginaw, by way of Watrousville and Wahjamega, thence up the river and to Forestville, mail being carried sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot. A postoffice was established at John Winton's, Mr. Winton being appointed postmaster. In 1868 the village of Cass City was platted, and the following year the postoffice was removed to Cass City, and John C. Laing appointed postmaster, holding the office until 1874. The incumbents of the office since then have been Warren Weydemeyer, Dr. Deming, H. E. Gordon, and again Warren Weydemeyer, the present postmaster. At one time during the county seat controversy a point in the town of Elkland, between the site of Cass City and the river, was designated by the county board of supervisors as the county seat, and given the name of " Moonshine." The exact object and significance of this act is somewhat uncertain. It probably was not a bona fide designation. A log building for county purposes was, however, commenced, and the body of it completed, but the roof not put on. The fire of 1871 was, as compared with that of ten years later, but little disastrous to the town of Elkland. The conditions were less favorable to a great conflagration; there was less down timber and dry and combustible material. And there was less of property to be destroyed. A number of families were, however, burned out, I I i r i — p i l! I L __ 1 qdm II I I L' - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 185 r I and considerable suffering would have resulted but for the prompt and humane relief accorded by neighbors and by other parts of the county. This fire was, however, a preparative for the subsequent one, leaving, as it did, so much dead and fallen timber as food for the flames. THE GREAT FIRE OF 1881. This terribly ruinous conflagration, which laid parts of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola Counties in ruins, was described at the time, from the standpoint of Cass City, as follows: " Ten years ago a conflagration swept through this region, leaving in its wake a) charred and blackened country; but with all its hideous horrors it was not so destructive of property and life as the fire of this week, for the very good reason that there was not so much to destroy. "It is utterly impossible at this time to form any intelligent estimate of the amount of damage done. In the sacrifice of human life it is simply overwhelming. From all directions reports of the finding of the blistered and charred remains of men, women and little children continue to come in, until it is thougilt that within the burned district no less than three hundred lives have been destroyed. The thought of the untold sufferings accompanying these deaths from burning, suffocation and starvation is too awful to think of. No mind can conceive, nor pen portray one-tenth of the sickening sights presented to the eye in traversing the desert of destruction, and looking upon the realm of the dead. Mothers were found cold in the embrace of death, with their little children clasped in their blistered and blackened arms, bearing eloquent testimony to the genuineness of their parental fidelity and the almost superhuman efforts which they made to save from the jaws of death those who were dearer to them than life. Well authenticated stories are told of tile devoted heroism of the husband in his utter abandonment of self and the sacrifice of his own life to save that of his wife, who may truthfully write over his grave, I He died for me.' " For two weeks past the fires have been burning with more or less fury, but not until last Sunday, September 4th, was the real danger apprehended. It was then that the winds began to fan the smoldering embers into hot and hissing flames, and by daylight Monday morning thirty townships were enveloped in fire. All day Monday and Tuesday the fiend was bravely fought by both men and women, who labored without food or sleep to save their little homes from ruin. But it was a struggle against fearful odds, and utterly in vain; and one by one they were driven off. Many fell exhausted by the way or, overtaken by the rapidly advancing monster, were consumed with hardly a moment's warning. " During Sunday and the two following days the excitement in Cass City was terrible. During every moment of that time we were in imminent danger. It is only because of our abundant water supply, and the most heroic and persistent efforts on the part of our citizens that our name is not added to the long list of the consumed. The fire approached with unaccountable rapidity from the south and west, and it seemed again and again as if no human power could beat back the great roaring, hissing mountains of flame. But undaunted the brave men fought on, hour after hour, without food or sleep, and to look back over those three days of struggle, it indeed seems more like a dream than reality. Finally, however, hard work won the clay, and Wednesday morning the danger was past. "Richard Meredith was brought in Tuesday night horribly burned, having been found by the side of the road near Mrs. Laplee's, on the State road, where he lay for twenty-four hours. Over forty persons are reported burned in the single town of Paris, Huron County. In Argyle twelve or fifteen were burned. In the vicinity of Port Hope twenty-four lives were lost, principally from the township of Bloomfield. "In Austin the wife of Morris Welch and three children were lost. Ira Humphrey, mail carrier between Marlette and Bad Axe, perished sixteen miles this side of Marlette, the buggy and mail being consumed, the horse only escaping. "A pathetic story is told of a poor man in Sanilac, who fought fire until one of his arms was nearly burned off, returned to his home where his two little children were nearly suffocated, and realizing that he could not save them both, had to choose which one to carry off with the arm he had left. He hesitated in bewildermenlt for a moment, and then as the hot flames were already blistering him, picked up the older child and escaped, while the younger was burnled to a crisp." The following is a list of losses in the town of Elkland: T. E. Morse, everything; J. L. Hitchcock, two barns and house; George Hawkins, house and barn; John Little, house and barn; S. M. Woods, cooper-shop; H. Y. Depew, brick kiln and house; Edmund Brotherton, house and barn; William Withey, house and barn; Andrew Seegar, house and barn; Edgar Davis, barn; Elder Deming, house and barn; Clark Travers, house and barn; Seth Myers, house and barn; John Eno, house and barn; William Wyers, house and barn; Donald Kennedy, house and barn; H. C. Downing, house; E. R. Hunt, barn; S. Strickland, T. Strickland, J. Bradshaw, George Kolb, Fred Burk, J. E. Wright, I. Striffler and George Houghton, everything; P. Carr, H. Ball, G. Gray and Ella Jacobs, losses from $300 to $500; Daniel MeClore.y, wagon and hay; C. W. Lynds, house and barn; William Russell, barn. Tile organized, systematic relief which came so spontaneously from the whole country largely prevented here, as in other towns of the county and adjoining counties, the suffering which would naturally result. And for the thrifty, enterprising, hard-working farmer but a short time was required to recover from the blow, and soon the last traces of the great disaster will disappear, and the blackened stumps which stand here and there as reminders of the fire will give place to cultivated fields. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 51; families, 13; dwellings, 12; number of occupied farms, 9; number of acres improved, 228; number of horses, 2; number of cows, 12; bushels of wheat, 158; bushels of corn, 415; bushels of oats, 170; bushels of potatoes, 551; pounds of butter, 1,125; tons of hay, 19. Census of 1864: Population, 1241; number of acres of taxable land, 2,880; number of acres improved, 201; bushels of corn, 274; bushels of wheat, 671; bushels of potatoes, 705; tons of hay, 80; pounds of butter made, 1,557. Census of 1870: Population, 511; families, 108; dwellings, 108; farms, 51; voters, 99; pounds of wool sheared, 64; pounds of butter made, 8,050; bushels of wheat raised, 6,366; bushels of corn raised, 1,762; bushels of oats raised, 8,401' bushels of potatoes raised, 3,626. Census of 1874: Population, 726; number of horses, 114; number of cows, 203; bushels of wheat raised, 10,312; bushels of corn raised, 5,155; bushels of apples, 553; bushels of potatoes, 5,815; tons of hay cut, 716. Population in 1880, 1,250. In 1882 the number of acres assessed was 21,253; total equalized valuation of real and personal property, $370,201. TOWN OFFICERS. CLEIK. TREASURER. YEAR-SUPERVISOR. 1883-George S. Farrar. 182 —George S. Farrar. 1881 —Sylvester Ale. 1l80-Sylvester Ale. 1 87{9-William Medcalf. 1378 —Sylvester Ale. H. S. Wickware. H. S. Wickware. H. S. Wickware. A. G. Houghton. W. H. Winton. H. E. Gordon. J. W. Adamson. J. W. Adamson. John C. Laing. John C. Laing. Sylvester Ale. John C. Laing. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS. Edwin Doying. George Tennant. T. E. Morse. W. T. Schenck. George Farrar. GeorgePetershaus. I ' — -- I e! - - r 0 - 18( - 6 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA. COUNTY. i!I YEAR-SUPERVISOR. 1877-Sylvester Ale. 1876 —P. R.Weydemeyer. 1875-Sylvester Ale. 1874 —Sylvester Ale. 1873-Travis Leach. 1872-Travis Leach. 1871- Travis Leach. 1870-Travis Leach. 1869-Nathaniel Clark. 1868-Travis Leach. 1867-Travis Leach. 1866-William Edgar. 1865-John Anyon. 1864-John Anyon. 1863-Hiram Bailey. 1862-W. A. Winton. 1861-John Anyon. 1860-John Anyon. 1859-John H. Bird. 1858 —John H. Bird. CLERK. Henry C. Hills. Henry C. Hills. Henry C. Hills. S. C. Armstrong. L. A. DeWitt. L. A. DeWitt. L. A. DeWitt. Joel D. Withey. Levi S. Alwood. R. H. Warner. W. Houghton. Levi S. Alwood. Levi S. Alwood. Levi S. Alwood. John Anyon. John Striffler. John Anyon. C. W. Smith. C. W. Smith. TREASURER. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS. John C. Laing. George Farrar. John C. Laing. George Tennant. John C. Laing. George Tennant. John C. Laing. James Doying. John C, Laing. John C. Laing. John C. Laing. Franz Karr. John Striffler. 1 George B. Hunt. i Joel D. Withey. John Striffler. i Levi S. Alwood. John Striffler. i W. H. Winton. John Striffler. Franz Karr. George A. Kolb. T. McQuilling. A. Walmsley. George A. Kolb. A. W'almsley. William Edgar. A. Walnrsley. Levi S. Alwood. L. P. Ramsdell. A. Walmsley. Eli Baxter. A. Walmsley. George Muntz. William Jacobs. i John Striffler. C. W. Smith. William Edgar. Robert H. Winton. A. Walmsley. William Edgar. ( Charles Wk'. Smith. A. Walmsley. S. P. Ramsdell. W. H. Winton. - i SCHOOL MATTERS. From the report of the school inspector of Elkland for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained: Directors for the ensuing year, George Predmore, A. E. Boulton, James Gage, Andrew Walmsley, P. R. Weydemeyer, Amos Bradshaw. There were five whole and one fractional districts, and six schoolhouses, one having been burned in September, 1881.. Number of children of school age, 439; number that attended school during the year, 373. The schools of Cass City occupy two buildings, and are under the superintendence of Professor Beach. They are in a prosperous condition, and are keeping pace with the progress of the village. Up to the present time they have remained under district organization. THE VILLAGE OF CASS CITY. Eighteen years ago on the site now occupied by the Cass City Hotel, stood a small log school-house, one of the first built in the town of Elkland. It had witnessed the toils and trials of the early settlers, the gradual disappearance of the forest and the opening up of farms; and within its walls the minds of many who are now active business men and farmers had received their early training. It soon disappeared, and in its place is a thriving village. About the year 1866 Nathaniel Clark started a store in a small board shanty on the spot where now stands the store occupied by Wilsey & Stewart. This establishment he shortly after sold to Jesse Fox, and he in 1867 to Laing & Weydemeyer, who for some time continued business in the same building. This was the origin and nucleus of the village, which was platted in 1868 by the estate of John C. Seegar, and called Cass City. The same year a hotel was built by Jesse Fox, and dwelling-houses, stores and other buildings gradually gathered around. GLIMPSES OF CASS CITY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. The reader may obtain a glimpse of Cass City, in the fall of 1870, from the following sketch made at that time: "Cass City is a stirring little village in the township of Elkland. Messrs. Weydemeyer & Laing have a commodious store, and are the only dealers in dry goods and general merchandise in the place. Mr. Samuel Miller has a grocery and provision store, just built. Mr. George Tennant, of the Cass City Hotel, has made decided improvements about his premises. The old hotel building has been moved back, andl on the corner where it formerly stood he is erecting a large building for a new hotel. There are two shoe shops; i i Ii I I I i i i i i I I i I I I I i one by Thomas Rowell, and the other by G. Ahr. The new schoolhouse, nearly finished, is an ornament to the place, and speaks well for the enterprise of its people. There is a steam saw-mill doing a good business. Mr. Jesse Fox is putting up a new saw and grist-mill, that will probably be ready for business some time during the winter. Dr. Webber is the only physician in the place. There is no lawyer in the village. There is a furniture shop by L. A. De Witt, and a blackmith shop by George B. Hunt. At the forks of the Cass River a steam saw-mill is in operation, but the machinery is soon to be taken out and put into the new mill already mentioned. A new bridge is being built across the Cass River at this point." Again in 1879 the following description was made: "Our village has grown a good deal in the past year, and a good many substantial improvements have been made. "The Presbyterian society have erected a commodious and comfortable church, the first in the place. The late Rev. Mr. Reid, of Vassar, was the first to advocate the building of the church, and great credit is due the pastor, Rev. J. Kelland, and to our liberal citizens for the successful completion of so fine a structure. "Addition has been built on our school-house for the primary department. Our school is in a very flourishing condition, with Homer E. Gordon as principal, and Miss Sarah J. Dickson as assistant. There is an average attendance of eighty. "The new dwellings recently erected are M. J. Sills, J. C. Laing, Oscar Lenzner, Jr.,R. A. Lutze, John Cassel and the Seegar boys. All good, comfortable frame buildings. "The business interest of our village is increasing. The following is a list of our business houses and professional men: "James L. Hitchcock, dealer in hardware, tinware and general merchandise. He is enlarging his store and dwelling to accommodate his increasing trade. "J. Rowell, boot and shoe shop. "A. Smith, harness maker. "Wilsey & Co., dealers in general merchandise, in Tennant's block, do a good and safe business. The success of this firm is due to the managing partner, C. W. McPhail, a Caro boy. "Mrs. R. E. Gamble, in the same store, has a full stock of millinery and fancy goods, and is doing a good business. "In the same block Mrs. Jillson and Miss Spitler are engaged in millinery, fancy goods and dressmaking.,"The Cass City Hotel, George Tennant, proprietor, has been all refurnished, and offers.No. 1 accommodations to everybody. "J. C. Laing, dealer in general merchandise, the pioneer merchant of the village, is doing a larger trade this season than ever before. His gentlemanly clerks, Jim Tennant and J. W. Adamson, are kept busy from morn till night, and his road agent, "Scott," has all he can do to keep enough goods hauled to keep them going. "Dr. D. P. Deming is doing a fine trade in drugs, notions and cigars. He is also postmaster. I"G. Ahr, boot and shoe shop, is a fixture, and lasts well, being the first shop in the village. p"John Bader, general blacksmith and carriage trimmer. David Spitler, carriage maker, in the same building. "Lew P. Hall, livery and sale stable. "Oscar Lenzner, Sr., manufacturer of all kinds of furniture and fancy wood work, organ maker and full of music. His- sons, Oscar, Johin, Frank and Sam, are all excellent workmen. "Wickware & Dewitt, planing-mill, sash and door factory, and dealers in all kinds of furniture. "Nash, Laing & Co., Cass City grist-mill. Have an excellent run of custom work. "John E. Smith has erected a new shop and dwelling. I - VI. k( la i I L S> - — 1 __ __ I — "pY r i '::~;:::-:: i: 0' +: fi::: \ iI ~ ic- I!! iT - l. "of^-4^^^: ---.^ W ^ Y:., = - COY BLOCK- ERECTED 18i G. RH. SrANDART, F. G. R. DuR K E E, HAR DWA R E DRY GOODS. & STOVES. UNIONVILLE. B3 BY JOHN C.RYDLE, CLOTHING - House. S. CoY. R. H.RussELL, DRUGGIST & GROCER. RES. OF JOHN KELLAND, CASS CITY, Tuscola Co.MICH. Ail s~i|||^^^^^||^ "... - f,^.v ^..* ^"^* ^ *^ y fl ^''ife *^yya ' iI!a I iz.I L — 1'"' ' ''' '^ a,jiM.- *< ~< ''.1^*,"'," ' i —.'. *~'I '-'E - sbj~ RES. OF E. B. LANDON, ELKLAND TP. TUSCOLA CO. RES. OF J. B. PETERSON, CASS CITY. I ^- ~)1 l1 6>t3L 0 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 187 "Wickware & Waldon, carriage makers, blacksmith shop and "Wickware & Waldon, carriage makers, blacksmith shop and contractors. 'R. A. Lutze, general blacksmith, carriage maker and trimmer. "George W. Hawkins has bought the saw-mill and planer of Wickware & Waldon, and moved it to the river, where it will be in operation in a few days. "Our professional men are numerous and good. Rev. John Kelland, Presbyterian; Rev. J. G. Sparling, Methodist Episcopal; Rev. J. Lougher, Protestant Methodist; Rev. James S. Deming, Christian. Our staff of physicians are healthy men: Dr. William H. Greene, N. L. McLachlan and D. P. Deming. All appear to be kept busy. "We have a brass band just organized." In June, 1881, an account of Cass City was given as follows: "This thriving little town, situated sixteen miles northeast of Caro, is not yet incorporated, being still under township government. Despite some drawbacks, in relation to some of the land on which the village is located, there has been a great deal of building during the past year, and quite recently an addition of village lots was platted and put in the market by J. L. Hitchcock. The main street is unusually wide, being six rods, is well gravelled, and, in most instances, the buildings are a few feet back of the street line, thus giving the merchants an opportunity to display their goods without encroaching on the property of the public. "As yet Cass City has no brick building, but there will be several erected before the season is over. In order to meet the demand for brick, H. Y. Depew has opened a yard on the point of land between the north and south forks of the Cass River, and expects to burn his first kiln of 100,000 bricks about the 1st of July. He has already been asked to send brick out side and will do so as soon as his business is in smoothly running order. The first product of Mr. Depew's yard will be used in the erection of a town hall, 30x80 feet in size, and two stories high. The plans and specifications are in the hands of Wickware & Waldon who have contracted to do the work for about $3,000. The foundation has also been laid by C. E. Hinkle for a new store, which is to be veneered with brick. BUSINESS HOUSES. "One of the best known merchants in the northern part of Tuscola County is J. C. Laing, who for fourteen years has been a successful business man in Cass City. Besides his business of general merchandising, Mr. Laing also owns the only flouringmill in the place, now under the management of Oscar Briggs, formerlv of Caro. "Adjoining the grist-mill is the large planing-mill, sash, door and blind factory, furniture and undertaking establishment of L. A. Dewitt.' Mr. E.. Davis has a shingle-mill in operation in the rear of Mr. Dewitt's factory. Next comes the general store of William Wickware, then the wagon and blacksmith shops of William Bentley and Charles Spitzler. P. R. Weydemeyer is engaged in the hardware business; A. D. Gillies, general merchandise; S. C. Armstrong, furniture; J. F. Hendrick, jeweler. The postoffice is located in the drug store of Gordon & Weydemeyer. Wilsey & McPhail are extensive merchants in the center of the village, and adjoining are the livery stables of R. Clark and L. Hall. Next come the tin shop of F. E. Austin and the general store of J. L. Hitchcock. W. B. Anderson, also, has a general store. The only meat market in the place is kept by Schwaderer Bros. Thomas Rowell has a shoe shop, and the only hotel in the village is kept by George Tennant. Adamson & Fritz have purchased the drug store of Dr. Deming. Wickware & Waldon have a wagon shop, and R. A. Lutze and John Bader have each a blacksmith shop. The latter also carries on wagon making. Oscar Lenzner has a cabinet shop and F. H. Hunt has a grocery and notion store. There are also a photographic gallery, millinery store, barber shop, etc. "Cass City has a good school under the charge of Prof. Gordon, who is also postmaster and senior partner in the firm of Gordon & Weydemeyer. There are two church buildings, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian. A Baptist society has just been organized. The Methodist society, with only twenty-six active members, has erected a neat and commodious house of worship. The Presbyterian Church building is one of the attractive features of the place. The society is in a flourishing condition under the ministration of Rev. Mr. Kelland. "Cass City has taken several steps forward during the past year. It is a very peaceable place, and this fact may be the reason why no lawyer has ventured to pitch his tent here. The three physicians of the place are Drs. Deming, Smith and Green. As yet the town has no bank, and as the postoffice does not issue money orders the financial transactions of the place are not attended with as much convenience as might be desired." Since the above was written, a long step forward has been taken by the village. The crowning event in its history, and the one on which glowing anticipations of future growth and prosperity are based, was the advent of the first railroad, the Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin Railroad. Under the inducement of a handsome bonus of $6,000 and right of way contributed by public spirited citizens of the town and village and liberal aid from other localities along the projected line of the road, the work of construction was commenced about two years ago, and after a period of anxious waiting and longing expectation the sound of the track-layer's sledge and the whistle 6f the locomotive were heard. November 18, 1882, was an eventful day in the history of Cass; City and one of general rejoicing among the people, who for the year last past had been anxiously expecting a railroad. This day was to bring them the track and the first engine of the Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin Railroad. About 9 o'clock A. M. the engine appeared in sight around the bend to the north and west of the village, track laying going on in advance of it. An hour later the locomotive crossed the east and west road. A committee of ladies and gentlemen appointed at a meeting held a few days previously had made preparations for a grand reception and entertainment of their welcome guests, and at noon Messrs. P. R. Weydemeyer and W. L. McLachlan, on behalf of the citizens, invited the men employed on the construction to dinner. A procession was formed, and, headed by the band, marched to the town hall, where a bountiful repast awaited them. When the railroad men had satisfied their appetites, the crowd who had assembled to celebrate the day gathered around the tables, over three hundred people dining in the hall. Before returning to the work, the men formed in line in front of the hall and gave three hearty cheers for "the ladies of Cass City," three for the "prosperity of Cass City," and three for "the band." That day track was laid to the depot grounds. A flag was displayed during the day on the fiag-staff of the town hall. Business was generally suspended, and all gave themselves up to the celebration of the auspicious event. Under the impetus of this new connection with the outer world opening up new facilities for traffic and business enterprise, a "boom" has commenced, not only spirited, but bidding fair to be permanent. Many new buildings, both business and dwelling houses, have been constructed; many others are under way, among them several business blocks of brick; two new churches, viz., of the Baptist Society and the Evangelical Association, are in course of construction, and on every side is heard the sound of the ax, hammer, and other tools of the workman. I OR.i — -1t~ r 1 = — & E, I& 1) I 188 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I i THE "ENTERPRISE." The Cass City fEntelprise, published at Cass City, has entered upon its third volume. It was established by Berry Bros., who were succeeded by Kelland & Laing, the present proprietors. The Enterprise is liberally sustained and is ably conducted. CHURCH HISTORY. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first preaching in the town of Elkland was by a clergyman of the Methodist Church, Rev. Mr. Baker, at the house of Andrew Walmsley, as elsewhere described. Shortly after this a class was organized at Mr. Walmsley's house by Rev. Mr. Greenlow. The exact number is not known, but probably there were seven or eight members. Services were continued, usually once in two weeks, until the time of the regular organization of a church. At a quarterly conference of Watrousville circuit held at Centerville in January, 1869, the following persons were elected as trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cass City: Andrew Walmsley, Hugh Seed, Jacob Schenck, Alonzo Dewitt, John C. Laing, to be known and called "The Trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Cass City." This was the legal organization and incorporation of the church at Cass City made necessary by the laws of the State. The Cass City circuit was, to use the language of Rev. Mr. Withey, "born at the fourteenth session of the Detroit conference held at Detroit September 1 to 8, 1869." Rev. J. E. Withey was the first appointed preacher in charge. The circuit was duly organized with appointments at Cass City, Ellington and Almer on one Sabbath, and at Gagetown, Bird's and Cass City on another, with wee]k night meetings at Columbia, Bingham's and Novesta. A Sunday-school and Thursday evening prayer meeting were at once started at Cass City. The society having been presented by Brother Hugh Seed with two lots, a parsonage was built, into which the pastor's family moved in January, 1870. Services were held in the school-house, but with a view to securing a permanent home. At the first Quarterly Conference, held at Cass City, Oct. 25, 1879, the subject of a church-building was called up by the pastor, and, after discussion, A. Walmsley, J. Schenck and L. A. DeWitt were elected a building committee. The next year the building was erected. The laying of the corner stone was an interesting event in the history of Cass City, and was described as follows: "As the people assembled, the I. O. O. F., led by the Cass City cornet band, marched from their hall and took seats in regular order to assist in the ceremonies. The audience was called to order by the pastor, Rev. H. Palmer. Music was discoursed by the band. The opening services of the ritual were read by Rev. I. J. B. McKenney, of Ellington, who preached the first sermon ever delivered in Cass City. Prayer was offered by Rev. G. H. Field, of Caro, and after a reading of the Scripture lessons by the pastor, Rev. O. J. Perrin, of Monroe, (a few years ago presiding elder of Saginaw district), was introduced and delivered an interesting address. As he closed he gave opportunity for any to add their names to the subscription list before it, with other things, was deposited in the stone, or, as he said, to become "charter members" of the concern, and $205 was added to the subscription fund, although it was not the intention to try to raise money on this occasion. The corner stone, bearing the legend, "M. E. Church, 1880," was from Parker's yard, in Caro, and was put in position by Mr. Deming, the builder, and the contents of the box were deposited by Mr. Perrin. These consisted of the county papers, Citizen, Pioneer and the Aidc'vertiser, Bible, hymnal, disci I I pline, copy of subscription list, names of trustees and building committee, history of the village by Robert Tennant, names of scholars attending school, names of the band, copy of Grange and Good Templars' record, including Cass City and Elkland lodges. The Odd Fellows then assisted with the beautiful ceremonies of their order, and made a deposit of a record of their encampment, after which the audience, after a prayer, were dismissed with the benediction. " Succeeding the Rev. J. E. Withey, came Revs. Ira H. Camburn, Joseph Ashford, Jas. A. Dunlap, J. G. Sparling, H. Palmer and Benj. Reeve, the present pastor. The present membership of the church is fifty-six. There is a flourishing Sunday-school, the usual aid society and also an association of young ladies, formed about a year ago at the suggestion of Mrs. Reeve, and bearing the mystic title of the "K. T. I." Club. The purpose of the Club is the financial help of the church, working to that end by means of social entertainments, fairs, etc., and doing effective work in lifting the church over those rough places which are occasionally met with in the financial history of all religious societies. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. There had been, up to 1877, occasional preaching in Cass City by clergymen of the Presbyterian denomination, viz: by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, who pursued the occupation of farming in Huron County, and by the Rev. Mr. McClelland, a missionary preacher. June 25, 1877, an organization was effected at a meeting held in Cass City, Rev. Reid presiding. There were admitted by letter Mrs. Hugh Seed and W. S. Work and' wife. W. S. Work was ordained ruling elder and also elected clerk. The first settled parson was the Rev. J. Kelland; Rev. Mr. Beecher having, however, supplied the pulpit for the first six months. From this small membership of three the church grew rapidly, receiving many members during the succeeding year, both by profession of faith and by letter. The first trustees under the formal organization of the "First Presbyterian Society of Cass City" were James L. Hitchcock, Hugh Seed, Sylvester Ale, John C. Laing and Robert G. Orr. A subscription had been started before Mr. Kelland's arrival, to raise funds for a church building, but little had been practically accomplished. Through his vigorous efforts with the efficient aid of his church and society the necessary funds were raised and the building erected. At a meeting of the board of trustees Feb. 11, 1878, a committee of three was appointed to advertise for bids for the building of a church edifice. At subsequent meetings plans were agreed upon, a contract for construction let to George Tennant and lots 1 and 3, block 4, of Seed's Addition to Cass City, selected as a location. The foundation work was done by the society; the superstructure by the contractor. It was completed in the fall of 1878, and dedicated in October, dedicatory services being conducted by Rev. Wm. Grandy, assisted by Rev. E. P. Clark, of Vassar. The building is in Gothic style, of very neat construction, having a bell-tower on the corner, through which is the main entrance to the church. The seating capacity is three hundred or over. The membership of the. church is about forty. A flourishing Sunday-school is connected with it. About a year ago Rev. Mr. Kelland retired from the pastorate and, subsequently, engaged in editorial work, taking charge of the Cass City Enterprise. - At present the church has no settled pastor. A ladies' aid society was organized in connection with the church the year after their house of worship was built. The officers are, Mrs. Kelland, president; Mrs. Crosby, secretary, and Mrs. Dr. McLachlan, treasurer. i I I I I I i V I II -r 3 i e i 7 A. co J4 do X- =J... I HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 189 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. A class of this church which is commonly known as the German Methodist, was organized in the town of Elkland about the year 1866, by the Rev. Stephen Henne in connection with the Sebewaing mission. The class numbered about fifteen members. It has had regular services from that time to the present, and a regular succession of pastors. Services being held in the school-house, one mile north and one-half mile east of Cass City. In the latter part of 1882, a formal organization was effected at Cass City, and steps taken for the construction of a house of worship, which is now in course of construction. The earnest zeal of the members and their individual labors and contributions of material have reduced thie estimated cost of the building to about $1,500. The pastor of the church at the present time is the Rev. B. F. Wade, who resides on his farm in the town of Elkland. The membership is about fifty. There is a flourishing Sunday-school connected with the church. There is preaching every second Sunday; prayer-meeting and Sunday-school every Sabbath. The trustees of the church are, John Benkelman, Fred. Krapf, Oscar Sencner, Levi Muntz and Adam Benkelman. BAPTIST CHURCH. In January, 1880, the first religious services of the Baptist denomination were held in Cass City, Rev. James McArthur officiating. In April a church organization was effected, with Rev. James McArthur as pastor. The church under his pastoral care has increased largely, numbering, now, fifty members. About one-half of these have received the rite of baptism here. They are mostly the fruit of two revivals, with which the church has been favored. April 29, 1882, the church met at their regular covenant meeting, and, in order to become a corporate body, elected three trustees, viz: Rev. James McArthur, R. H. Lewis and R. Webster. At a covenant meeting held May 17, 1882, articles of association were adopted and the name of the society established as "The First Baptist Church of Cass City." In the following summer lots were bought and a building committee appointed, consisting of Harrison Lewis, Wesley Barker, B. McEwing, Philip Cresser, D. D. McArthur and the pastor. In the spring of 1883, work was commenced upon the building, which is now under construction and is to cost about $1,400 besides the furnishing. LODGES AND SOCIETIES. MASONIC. Tyler Lodge was organized under dispensation, dated June 19, 1873, with nine members, two more being added by limit at the first meeting. The first officers were: Samuel C. Armstrong, IW. M.; Alexander B. McCullough, S. W.; George B. Hunt, J. W.; A. A. Polly, Sec.; John J. McKinney, Treas.; Travis Leach, S. D.; Alfred Davis, J. D.; Lonson Wilcox, T. The lodge was chartered January, 29 1874. Its present membership is fifty, and its officers: Samuel C. Armstrong, W. M.; E. Brotherton, S. W.; T. E. Morse, J. W.; C. J. Lowrie, Sec.; John J. McKinney, Treas.; Travis Leach, S. D.; Alfred Davis, J. D.; Lonson Wilcox, T. Meetings, Saturday evenings on or before the full moon in each month. ODD FELLOWS. Cass City Lodge No. 203, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized under dispensation February 22, 1873, the original and charter members being Robert Tennant, H. S. Wickware, J. H. Camburn, Warren Weydemeyer, and P. R. Weydemeyer. Its first officers were: J. H. Camburnm, N. G.; Robert Tennant, V. G.; P. R. Weydemeyer, Rec. Sec.; J. C. Laing, Per. Sec.; George Tennant, Treas. The present membership of the lodge is fifty; its time of meeting, every Wednesday night: and its officers:' P. R, Weydemeyer, N. G.; J. Deming, V. G.; Jas. Tennant, Rec. Sec.; N. L. McLachlan, Per. Sec.; J. D. Withey, Treas. GOOD TEMPLARS. Cass City Lodge No. 559 was organized in July, 1883, with twenty-.seven charter members. There was a lodge of this order in Cass City, about three years, which, however failed to maintain its organization. Interest has however been revived, as this new organization indicates. The officers elected were: I. A. Fritz, W. C.; P. P. Cressor, W. V. C.; J. A. McLean, W. Sec.; J. A. McArthur, W. T.; J. Eno, W. I. G.; O. Kelley, W. O. G.; F. Belles, W. marshal.; J. McDougall, W. F. Sec. WOMAN S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. A branch of this organization was formed in May, 1883, with fourteen members; Mrs. J. Kelland, president; Mrs. S. C. Armstrong, secretary; and Mrs. I. R. Beach, treasurer. Regular meetings are held every two weeks on Saturday evening, and arrangements have been made for monthly union meetings on Sunday evenings. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. The Knights of Honor Lodge No. 2762, of Cass City, was instituted May 25, 1882, by Wm. B. Lewenberg, D. G. D. There were twenty-eight charter members, and the following officers were elected to serve until January 1, 1883; Dictator, S. Ale; vicedictator, W. Weydemeyer; assistant dictator, D. Spitler; reporter, King S. Work; financial reporter, Frank E. Austin; treasurer, T. H, Fritz; chaplain, J. R. Beach; guide, Jos. H. Winegar; guardian, H. Hirshberg; sentinel, J. Brown; medical examiner, Dr. McLachlan; trustees, W. McKinzie, D. C. Ross, T. E. Morse; past dictator, S. C. Armstrong. The present membership is sixteen. Present officers; S. C. Armstrong, D.; H. S. Wickware, V. D.; T. E. Morse, A. D.; James Tennant, Rep.; F. E. Austin, F. Rep.; T. H. Fritz, Treas.; John R. Beach, chap.; Joseph H. Winegar, guide; H. Hirshberg, guardian; William McKinzie, Sen.; John C. Laing, James Tennant and A. L. Muzzy, trustees. KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES. January 27, 1883, Cass City Tent No. 74, of K. O. T. M. was organized at Cass City with seventeen charter members, and the following officers; P. S. K. C., Henry Butler; S. K.C. Angus D.Gillies, S. K. L. C., Henry S. Wickware; S. K. R. K., William Walker; S. K. F. K., Edward Keating; prelate, George A. Cooper; physician, A. W. Carey; sergeant, W. B. Anderson; sentinel, L. W. Bogert. Regular meeting first Friday evening in each month. INCORPORATION. The act of the legislature, which provides for the incorporation of the village of Cass City defines its corporate limits as follows: the southwest quarter of section 27, the southeast quarter of section 28, the northeast quaxter of section 33, and the northwest quarter of section 34. P. R. Weydemeyer, J. C. Laing and William Walker, were constituted a board of registration. Pursuant to their call an election was held April 30, 1883, at which ninety-six votes were cast, and the following officers, elected, viz., Henry Butler, president; Samuel C. Armstrong, clerk; Theodore H. Fritz, treasurer; Sylvester Ale, assessor; James L. Hitchcock, James W. Adamson, H. S. Wickware, James D. Crosby, Philetus R. Weydemeyer, Robert G. Orr, trustees; W. Scott Brotherton, street commissioner; A. J. Williams, constable. The first meeting of the village council was held May 3, 1883, the result of the election being declared and oath of office being j 1 -I -- I da -I -.A- 0 190 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I I duly administered the tie vote between Hugh Seed and Henry S. Wickware, being decided by lot in favor of the latter, N. S. Work being appointed clerk pro tern., in the absence of the clerk elect, and the council being duly organized for business, the official life of the village was inaugurated by a resolution, that "the bonds for retail liquor dealers in the village of Cass City be fixed at $3,000," and "the bonds of druggists at $1,000." After which the council adjourned until evening. The further records of the council show that early attention was paid to the good order of the village, the prevention as well as repression and punishment of crime, and the improvement of the streets and walks. BIOGRAPHICAL. JAMES L. HITCHCOCK was born and educated at Oriskany Falls, Oneida County, N. Y., and is a son of Hiram and Lucinda Hitchcock. When he became of age he learned the tinsmith's trade, with Amos M. Hitchcock, a practical workman and dealer in hardware. September 10. 1858, he purchased from the government 120 acres of land in what is now known as the townships of Koylton and Dayton, Tuscola County. February 2, 1859, he purchased his first bill of goods in the State of Buhl & Ducharme of Detroit, and moved on his land. He built a log cabin which he covered temporarily with sheet iron and which he afterwards made into camp kettles, and sold to the Indians and a few white settlers. He was the pioneer hardware man of central and northern Tuscola, his tin shop being located in a dense forest, which abounded in deer, wolves and other wild animals. He built the first frame house in the township, and manufactured tinware which he traded with the Indians. He was married September 14, 1862, to Miss Carrie M. Turnbull of North Jackson, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Margaret Turnbull. She attended Hiram College when James A. Garfield was its president, and completed her education at the Female Seminary in Steubenville, Ohio. She taught school two years in Tuscola County, after she was married, walking two miles to and from her school night and morning. March 21, 1864, he moved to Wahjamega, and built a store and dwelling, and while he worked at his trade his wife acted as clerk. He resided there upward of eight years, and September 6, 1872, he removed to Cass City, where he his since been engaged in mercantile business and farming. A. D. GILLIES was born in Elgin County, Ontario, February 22, 1855, and remained on his father's farm until 1873, when he went to the village of Duart and engaged in mercantile business. In February, 1881, he came to Cass City and opened a general dry goods store, which he is conducting under very favorable circumstances. He was married May 16, 1883, to Miss Anna E. Walmsley of Cass City. REV. JOHN KELLAND was born in County Devon, England, November 21, 1830. He received a common school education, and at the proper age was apprenticed to the printer's trade. After serving his time he came to America in 1855, and for a year and a half worked in the Citizen office in Flint. He then entered the university in Detroit from which he graduated in 1861, and also took a full course in the Auburn Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1864. His first pastoral charge was the Presbyterian church in Angola, Steuben County, Ind., from which he went to Omro, Winnebago County, Wis., thence to Lawton, Van Buren County, Mich., and in 1871 returned to England on a visit. After his return to the United States he took charge of the Presbyterian churches at Southfield and Franklin, Oakland County, Mich., where he spent five years. He then went to Flushing, Genesee County, and in 1878 came to Tuscola County and located in Cass ii I I I I i I I I I i City as pastor of the Presbyterians there. At the time there were three adherents but no church edifice of any kind in the place. A subscription had been circulated to raise funds to build a church edifice, but nothing had been done practically. He at once took hold of the matter earnestly and energetically, and the edifice was built under his direction and dedicated in October, 1878. In February, 1883, he purchased the main interest in the Cass City Enterprise, and is its editor. He has purchased five acres of land within the corporation, upon which he has erected a fine dwelling. He married Miss Fanny E. Sharland, of County Devon, England. She was born in 1829. P. R. WEYDEMEYER was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1837, and came to the State of Michigan with his parents in early life, and settled in Oakland County. He resided there about twenty years, and then moved to the township of Elmwood, Tuscola County, and settled on section 36. In 1861 he enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry and served over four years. In 1867 he entered into partnership with J. C. Laing, for the purpose of carrying on a general mercantile business in Cass City, which he continued until 1877, when he went to Texas and engaged in the cattle trade until 1879, when he returned to Cass City and opened a hardware store. He was married in 1864 to Miss Mary E. Nash, of Elmwood, a native of Wayne County, Mich., and has four children. ALFRED W. CAREY, M. D., was born in Lambton, Ont., in 1853, and like most children in Canada, where an excellent school system prevails, attended the district school and afterward the Baptist College at Woodstock. He afterward taught school in Kent County for three years, when he went to Detroit and studied in the Michigan College of Medicine, from which he graduated in 1881. He then went to Columbiaville, Lapeer County, and in February, 1882, came to Cass City and established himself in business. March 7th, of that year, he entered into partnership with Dr. J. H. McLean, and is having a first-class practice. He married Miss Phoebe C. Brown, of Kent County, Ont., and has two children. GEORGE TENNANT was born in Leeds County, Ont., November 11, 1838, residing in that county until he was twenty-four years. of age. He left there in 1863 and came to Tuscola County and settled in the township of Indian Fields. In the fall of 1869 he sold out and removed to Cass City, where he purchased a hotel and engaged in that business. He afterward purchased a farm near the village, and has been engaged in lumbering. In 1877 he bought a saw-mill in the township of Colfax, Huron County, which has a capacity of 10,000 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Tennant is a thorough, practical, enterprising citizen, and keeps a good house. He was married in 1870 to Miss Maria Utter, of Caro, and has three children. FRANK HENDRICK was born in Saybrook, Ashtabula County, Ohio, January 7, 1851. He spent his boyhood days at home on his father's farm, and had the advantages of a common school education. In September, 1867, he came to Tuscola County and located in the township of Ellington, on section 1, and helped to clear eighty acres of land. In the spring of 1871 he came to Cass City and worked with James E. Withey at the watch-maker's trade. He afterward took the business which he continued for a while, when he went back to the farm in 1873, remaining there till 1877, when lie again came to Cass City and opened a jewelry store, which he has since continued. He keeps a large stock and an assortment that would do credit to a much larger town. He was married in 1873 to Miss Margaret A. Higgins, of Elmwood, formerly' of Hagersville, Haldimand County, Ont., where she was born in 1852. They have had one child, Cora Viola, born April 28, 1875, and died March 28, 1881. HENRY WICKWARE was born in Millington, Leeds County, Ont., I I I Ir.., Al I Q0 P — <. I ----t, HISTORY OF T USCOLA COUNTY 191 - - - June 22, 1849, and when nine years of age moved with his parents to Abinger, Addington County, where lie remained till 1868. He then came to Tuscola County and resided in Caro a year when he came to Cass City. Mr. Wickware is a carpenter and builder by occupation and has established a wagon making business in Cass City, employing several men. In the fire of 1881 he lost a saw-mill and 75,000 feet of lumber, beside having his farm swept clean of all improvements. September 7, 1873, he married Miss Vanie Alvers, of Cass City, formerly from near London, Ont., where she was born. They have one child, Oracle, born June 28, 1881. EDGAR DAVIS was born in Island Pond, Essex County, Vt., in 1843, and when old enough to carry a slab, began work in a sawmill, and has since followed the business. In fact he is proficient in every department of saw-mill work, having had experience in every capacity connected therewith. In 1864 he came to Genesee County, Mich., going from there to Saginaw, where he was with William A. Heartt six years. In 1872 he bought a piece of land on section 34 in the township of Elkland, Tuscola County, and is running a saw-mill at Cass City. JOHN B. PETERSON was born in York County, Ont., in June, 1831, and is by occupation a carpenter and joiner. He followed his trade in Canada till 1865, when he went to Iowa and settled in Sac Cityv, where he engaged in building, remaining there fifteen years. He then came to Tuscola County and located near Cass City, buying land on sections 21 and 26, township of Elkland. He has since purchased land in the corporation of Cass City, upon which he has built a residence, and is about engaging in market gardening and the raising of small fruits. In 1854 he married Miss Jane Beebe, of York County, Ont., and has nine children. NORMAN L. MICLACHLAN, M. D., was born in township of Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, November 26, 1854, and moved with his parents to Argyle, Sanilac County, Mich., when seven years of age, remaining there till the spring of 1864. He then returned to Canada and attended the Kent Bridge School two and one-half years; then came home and attended school summers, working winters in the woods. He lumbered a while on his own account, and when twenty years of age came to Cass City and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Graves, remaining in his office about nine months. In the fall of 1875 he went to Toronto, Ontario, and studied wich Dr. John McConnell till spring, then went to Watford, where he was with Dr. Harvey. The next fall he became a student in the University of Michigan, from which he graduated, from its medical department, March 27, 1878, but in the mean time had spent six months in Dr. Harvey's office. IIe then visited Cass City, with no intention of locating there, but being persuaded by his friends did so, and June 1, 1878, commenced practice. The doctor is in every sense a self-made man, and has succeeded beyond his expectations, standing high in the ranks of his profession with an increasing business. He was married in November, 1878, to Miss Emma Jackson, of Blenheim, Ontario, and has one child. TRAVIS SCHENCK was born in Steuben County, N.Y., September 15, 1856, and when twelve years of age came to Tuscola County with his parents and settled in the township, where they purchased land on sections 21 and 28. Mr. Schenck has seen the forests disappear by the hand of the sturdy pioneer, and fruitful fields succeed the dense forest, shanties give place to more commodious dwellings, domestic animals feeding in green pastures, where wild animals previously prowled in trackless jungles, trackless wilds now intersected by wagon roads and railroads, and the wilderness once roamed over by savages, now teeming with busy, energetic and enterprising men. He was married October 2, 1878, to Miss Hattie Eno, of Elkland, and has two children. ROBFERT G. ORR was born in County Down, Ireland, in September, 1847, and came to America in the spring of 1860. He landed in Philadelphia, and went to Central Pennsylvania, where he remained till the spring of 1863, when he went to Ohio and lived in Cincinnati till the spring of 1864. He then came to Tuscola County, and worked in the lumber woods and on a farm till the next spring, when he purchased land in Elkland on section 27, and the next year commenced clearing. When he first came to the township he had to go to Vassar and Wahjamega to mill and for his supplies, and where Cass City now stands was almost an unbroken wilderness. He was married in 1870 to Miss Jennie Davidson, of Erie County, N. Y., who died January 16, 1871, and was again married to Miss Emma Pettit, of Cass City, in 1878. She was born in Middlesex County, Ontario. E. B. LANDON, one of the enterprising farmers of Elkland, was born in Oakland County, Mich., January 31, 1842. He received a common school education, and in 1859 commenced his studies at the Oxford Academy, which he attended several terms until 1863. In 1860 he commenced teaching school, and when not so employed was working on a farm. During the winter of 186o he attended the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and in the spring of 1878 passed an examination at Caro, and was admitted to the bar. The same year he purchased a farm on section 21, in Elkland, and moved to Cass City, where he opened a law office and commenced the practice of his profession. He was married March 25, 1878, to Mrs. Lydia A. Johnson, whose maiden name was Smith; she was born April 11, 1850, and was a resident of Oakland County; was married first to A. Johnson, of Dryden, August 5, 1868, and who died February 23, 1870. She has two sons, A. Johnson and Richard Landon. JAMES W. ADAMSON was born in Lorain County, Ohio, June 15, 1850, and about 1856 moved with his parents to Fulton County, where he remained until 1871. He then came to Cass City and taught school three terms, when he made an engagement with J. C. Laing, merchant, remaining in his store two and one-half years. In 1875 he went to East Saginaw and worked in a store till 1878, when he returned to Cass City and again worked for J. C. Laing about two years. In 1881 he purchased a store and stock of drugs of Doctor Deming, and opened business with Theodore Fritz. The partnership continued till February, 1883, when he bought Mr. Fritz's interest and formed a partnership with his brother. He was married October 10, 1877, to Miss Amelia Meartz, of East Saginaw, and has one child, Edward, born September 23, 1879. He has held the office of treasurer for Elkland two years. CHARLES J. LOWRIE was born in 1856 at Russell, Geauga County, Ohio. His father's farm was about three miles from where the late President James A. Garfield was born, and with whom Mr. Lowrie enjoyed a personal acquaintance. A part of his education was acquired at the National Normal School at Lebanon, and the schools at Chagrin Falls, Ohio. In 1879 he commenced reading law in the office of D. W. Canfield, at Chardon, in Geauga County, teaching school in the winters. Was admitted to the bar at Cass in 1882, and commenced practice at Cass City. Is unmarried. GEORG(E F. SHERWOOD, of Cass City, was born in Norwalk, Fairfield County, Conn., in 1838. In 1848 his parents moved to Ohio. He remained at home until 1856, when he went on to the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad as fireman, and in 1857 commenced running an engine on the same road. He continued in that business until September, 1861, when he enlisted in the Third Ohio Cavalry, and remained with his regiment in the Army of the Cumberland until the fall of 1862, when he was sent home on sick leave. He was discharged for disability in the spring of 1863. Came to Novesta, Tuscola County, in 1870, and settled on eighty acres of land in sec - Is He~L . 4 6. i I i.1 s i i I I N 192 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I I I I I I I tion 16. There he remained until tile spring of 1883, when he moved to Cass City, his present residence. He was married in 1866 to Caroline Knapp, a native of Ohio. They have five children. L. A. DEWITT, of Cass City, was born in New York in 1838. He remained at home until September, 1861, when he enlisted in the Eighty-sixth New York Infantry, and served in the Army of the Potomac until July, 1865. His regiment belonged to the famous Third Army Corps, commanded by General Daniel E. Sickles. Mr. DeWitt was twice badly wounded at the battle of Clhancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. In 1869 he came to Elkland and bought a farm on which he lived one year, after which he moved to Cass City, and worked at carpenter and cabinet work until December, 1875, when he bought a half interest in the planing-mill. In 1880 he bought his partner's interest, and since that time has carried on the business alone. In addition to the planing-mill he also manufact~ures sash, doors and blinds, and is also engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. He was married January 1, 1866, to Mary E. Schenck. WILLIAM E. RANDALL was born in Canada in 1848. He remainied on his father's farm until he was twenty years of age. In 1868 he went to Mayville, Tuscola County, Mich., and was there employed at farmnning. In 1869 he moved to Elkland and settled on section 29, on land which his father had bought in 1856. 'This farm he cultivated most of the time until the spring of 1882, when he moved to his present home on section 8, where he owns 320 acres, of which 100 are under improvement. He married in 1873 to Mary E. Pillen. They have six children. TOWN OF TILFORD. The board of supervisors at a meeting held January 12, 1858, adopted a resolution organizing the town of Gilford. The territory comprised township 13 and fractional township 14 north, of range 7 east. The first township meeting was held at the school-house on section 36, in township 13 north, of range 7 east. Inspectors of election were E. B. Hayes, Hamilton Hobart and E. Battille. The application was signed by the following freeholders of the territory described: E. Battille, John D. Hayes, James C. Luce, S. M. French, M. B. French, John Morse, Benjamin Griswold, Joseph L. Cooley, E. B. Hayes, H. Hobart, John A. Hayes, E. French, Jane Gaunt, George Wilkinson, Joseph Spencer and A. Spencer. At the first election eighteen votes were polled, and every elector in the town voted. The following officers were elected: Supervisor Hamilton Hobart. Clerk —E. B. Hayes. Treasurer-E. Battille. School Inspectors-Johni D. Hayes and Joseph L. Cooley. Directors of Poor —Joseph L. Cooley and Hamilton Hobart. Highway Commissioners Joseph L. Cooley and Samuel M. French. Justices of the Peace Joseph L. Cooley and E. Battelle. Constables-Joseph Spencer and John D. Hayes. ENTRIES OF LAND. The following is a list of entries of land made prior to the year 1860. i i I i i iI i i i I i i i I George H. Lyon, September 29, 1854. SECTION 13. Samuel W. Dexter, July 8, 1854. Reuben Hitchcock, July 19, 1854. Caleb Clark, January 12, 1857. SECTION 14. Theodore Hunter, February 10, 1857. SECTION 15. Jonathan B. Taylor, June 27, 1851. SECTION 19. James C. Luce, October 24, 1855. bECTION 20. James Grant, January 25, 1853. James C. Luce, October 24, 1855. Truman M. Weaver, October 24, 1855. SECTION 21. Ebenezer W. Perry, February 18, 1850. James Grant, January 25, 1853. Josiah Clark, October 2, 1852. 'William W. Champlain, November 23, 1850. SECTION 22. Ebenezer W. Perry, February 18, 1850. Theodore Hunter, February 3, 1857. SECTION 28. Caleb Clark, January 12, 1857. George and Oscar Mapes, November 9, 1849. E. W. White and Harvey Harrington, Februalry 3, 1857. Nathan Willits, January 26, 1856. SECTION 24. Gardner Lebring, March 5, 1851. Ephraim Beebe, April 17, 1851. Ebenezer W. Perry, February 19, 1850. Donald Mclntyre, February 19, 1853. Samuel W. Dexter, March 30, 1854. Reuben Hitchcock, July 19, 1854. William Butler, March 5, 1855. SECTION 25. Elias J. Baldwin, June 11, 1851. George W. Bullock, February 18, 1850. James B. Foote, Junle 25, 1851. Amanda Spencer, March 23, 1851> Elijah Clark, November 9, 1849. Cyrus Perkins, January 24, 1850. Gordon D. Williams, January 13, 1850. SECTION 26. Ebenezer W. Perry, February 18, 1850. Elijah Clark, November 9, 1849. Benjamlin Griswold, November 9,1849. John Snow, November 23, 1852. Gordon D. Williams, January 13, 1853. William P. McAllister, August 21, 1851. George W. Bullock, October 9, 1852. SECTION 27. Elizabeth I. Guttery, September 7, 1850. Ebenezer W. Perry, February 18, 1850. Donald McIntire, February 10, 1857. William Burton, August 23, 1854. Jonathan B. Taylor, June 27, 1851. SECTION 28. Elisha Granger, October 8, 1856. Theodore Hunter, February 3, 1857. Elizabeth North, February 15, 1856. SECTION 29. Yates Douglas, October 15, 1852. SECTION 31. Samuel Hendry, September 20,1856. Daniel Cooley, September 23, 1856. Aaron Watrous, August 5, 1858. Daniel Cooley, October 28, 1858. SECTION 32. Theodore Hunter, February 10, 1857. Peter D. Vescelius, January 26, 1856. SECTION 33. Jacob Hepfer, September 3, 1855. Joseph S. Cooley, September 12, 1855. Reuben A. Miller, September 10, 1855. Martin V. Kellogg, February 7, 1856. Elbert N. Vescelius, February 7, 1856. I i I i I i f I i i I I iI I 1 I I I I I - - t I, I I 11 SECTION 1. SECTION 11. SECTION 12. TOWNSHIP 13 NORTH, RANGE 7 EAST. Ann Noble, March 6, 1856. Silas Crosby, March 6, 1856. Theodore Hunter, February 10, 1857. William McCreary, August 29, 1854. i9 I In ,+ Is, -j -~~ ~ -~ I I i i - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 193 SECTION 34. Theodore Hunter, February 10, 1857. William Burton, August 21, 1854. Isaac R. Wood, April 27, 1855. Jacob Bain, May 22, 1855. SECTION 35. Chauncey B. Gould, January 24, 1850. Marcus M. Atwood, October 12, 1855. Marcus M. Atwood, December 10, 1855. Henry P. Atwood, January 17, 1856. Henry P. Atwood, February 13, 1856. William Burton, August 21, 1854. Charles Wilkins, January 25, 1856. SECTION 36. George M. Dewey, March 6, 1850. John Hays, November 9, 1859. Hamilton Hobart, November 29, 1859. Chauncey B. Gould, January 24, 1850. Samuel W. Dexter, March 30, 1854. Samuel W. Dexter, April 13, 1854. Sylvanus Beardsley, February 13, 1850. EARLY HISTORY. By referring to the list of land entries, it will be seen that land was located in the present town of Gilford, as early as the year 1849, by Elijah Clark, George and Oscar Mapes and Benjamin Griswold. The wilderness, however, was allowed to remain undisturbed by the encroachments of civilization for about two and onehalf years longer. Mr. Clark and wife were stopping at Levi Rogers' house, in Juniata, in the spring of 1852. He was ambitious that his wife should be the first white woman in the town that was to become their home, and, hearing that Samuel French and family were on their way to the township, that is now Gilford, he resolved to push ahead and secure the coveted honor for his wife. Joseph Selden was at that time located in his new home, only a short distance from Mr. Rogers, and had two teams. Mr. Clark engaged Charles R. Selden to take their ox team and move his family and worldly effects to the site of their future home. There were no roads, and it was at the general breaking up time in the spring. Part of the way there was snow, but a greater part of the distance mud was deep and water deeper. The modern teamster would have mired his team and abandoned the undertaking, but the pioneer journeys were not made along highways, and neither trackless forests nor bridgeless streams were appalling or unfrequent. Late in the afternoon, one Friday, they arrived at their destination. A house was partially built, but had no roof, and putting a few boards up against one side of it, they fixed shelter for the night. The next day Mr. French and family arrived. The day following being Sunday, it was spent in a visit of the old-fashioned sort, such as two families in the wilderness, the only inhabitants of a township, would be likely to have. Mr. French bought his land of Daniel Haines, of Arbela. During the summer that followed these two families were monarchs of all they surveyed, and a good deal more, for they were the sole inhabitants of the township, and the range of their vision was circumscribed. Mr. Clark's family appears to have been emphatically pioneer, not only as regards first settlement, but in its contribution to first events. In May, less than two months after their arrival, Mrs. Clark presented her husband with a son, and Winsor Clark headed the list of births in Gilford. The first marriage in Gilford was that of James Spencer and Marcia, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark. In the fall of 1852 Jesse Mapes, his sons Oscar and George, and his son-in-law, Quintus Foster, settled in the township. Soon after the number of inhabitants was increased by the arrival of Joseph, Emanuel and James Spencer. They came in January 1853. In February, John A. Hayes came with his family and moved into the house with Mr. Clark's family as had also the Spencers. About this time Hamilton Hobart, an enterprising farmer and a worthy Christian, arrived with his family, and was an active member of society until his death in 1867. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Griswold moved with his family into the house with Mr. Clark, Mr. Hayes and the Spencers having previously moved into dwellings of their own. James B. Thompson and Henry Van Patten came during this year.. In 1854 H. P. Atwood, now of Caro, became a resident of Gilford. His health had become so feeble that he was unable to continue the study of law and he went to Gilford to try farming. He had been a resident of Ingham County and had made up his mind to try farming. Mr. Hobart, who had already settled in Gilford, was a brother-in-law and had several pieces of very choice land. Mr. Atwood made a trip up there and being favorably impressed with what he saw, purchased 160 acres, and went back after his family. From Vassar they made the trip with an ox team. It was in June and mud was deep and flies terrible. When within five miles of Mr. Hobart's the oxen laid down from sheer exhaustion, the blood streaming from their nostrils, so vicious were the attacks of the flies. Leaving their team and wagon load of household articles in the woods Mr. Atwood took their babe in his arms, and, followed by his wife, they continued their journey on foot. When about a mile from Mr. Hobart's they were met by him, he having heard that they were on the way. Mr. Atwood began farming, but being a lawyer, although not yet admitted to the bar, most of his time was occupied in legal business and assisting in town affairs. In the fall of that year lihe was elected to the legislature, and the next winter was spent in Lansing. The summer of 1855 he stayed upon his farm and the next fall sold out to Mr. E. Battille and moved to Vassar. Mr. Battille moved into the township in the winter of 1856 and: remained in that part of the township until 1860 when he moved to the north part of the town. The first Sunday-school was organized in the spring of 1856, and Mr. Battille was its first superintendent, in which capacity he continued until he moved from that part of the town. A Sunday-school had been taught previous to that time by Mrs. Hobart. The first death in the town was that of Jesse Mapes. There was not a minister within reach to preach a funeral sermon. A hymn was sung, a prayer offered by Hamilton Hobart, and the dead was buried. The widow of Mr. Mapes died soon afterward. Mrs. Sophronia Hall, daughter of the late John A. Hayes, was the first female child born in Gilford. The date of her birth is December, 1853. The earlypreachers in Gilford were Elders Klumpll, Andrews and Warren. SCHOOL MATTERS. The first school district in Gilford was organized in 1854, and the school-house was built in the fall of that year. The first school was taught in the winter of 1854-55 by Miss Mary E. Leach with nine pupils. In the spring of 1860, Messrs. Battille, Randall, Whittemore and one or two others, having settled in the north part of the town, MIrs. Randall was engaged as teacher, and with eight scholars, she passed the ensuing summer, in the back room of her own dwelling, in "teaching the young idea how to I - 4 t 1 I - - I R-*: N* -I - - a 194 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. - - shoot." This was the humble beginning of School District No. 2. They have now a substantial frame school-house and a flourishing school. So schools followed closely upon the advent of the settlers, and the schools of Gilford, at the present time, are a credit to the town. From the annual school report of the town of Gilford for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained. Directors fQr the ensuing year, Andrew Kirk, L. H. Whitmore, A. P. Barden, A. H. Guisbert, Sampson Ward, John M. Ellison, and James D. Lane. There are four whole and three fractional districts with five frame and two log school-houses. Number of children of school age, 344; attending school during the year,.74. V GOOD TEMPLARS. A lodge of Good Templars was organized at Gilford, April 18, 1883, with the following officers: W. C. T., Mathias Burk, W. V. T., Libbie Bears, W. T., James Youmans, W. M., Ira W. Slade, W. A. M., Ida Park, W. A. S., Mrs. Paul, W. C., D. P. Pomeroy, W. S., John Paul, W. F. S., W. H. Beal, W. I. G., Maggie Burk, W. 0. G., Henry Dowd, R. H, S., Mrs. Burk, L. H. S., Nellie Oliver. The officers installed August 1, 1883, were as follows: John Paul, W. C., Libbie Beals," W. V., Henry Jessup, W. S., John Warren, W. T., C. W. Dawley, W. M., D. P. Pomeroy, W. C. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 114; families, 21; dwellings, 21; number of occupied farms, 22; number of acres of improved land, 345; number of horses, 5; number of cows, 30; bushels of wheat raised, 155; bushels of rye, 87; bushels of corn, 420; bushels of oats, 150; bushels of barley, 27; bushels of potatoes, 434; pounds of butter made, 1,300; pounds of cheese made, 300; tons of hay, 27. Census of 1864: Population, 186; males, 102; females, 84; number of acres of taxable land, 12,777; number of acres improved, 599; bushels of corn preceding year, 637; bushels of wheat preceding year, 340; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 1,171; tons of hay preceding year, 159; pounds of wool sheared, 219; pounds of butter made preceding year, 4,505; pounds of cheese made preceding year, 650; number of oxen, 52; number of cows, 75. Census of 1870: Population, 353; dwellings, 68; families, 68; farms, 42; number of voters, 67; number of acres of improved land, 954; number of horses, 56; number of cows, 78; pounds of wool sheared, 1,158; pounds of butter made, 9,585; pounds of cheese, 261; bushels of wheat raised, 1,148; bushels of corn, 1,442; bushels of potatoes, 2,040; tons of hay cut, 329. Census of 1874. Population, 512; number of horses, 79; number of oxen, 81; number of cows, 169; bushels of wheat, 1,737; bushels of corn, 5,473; bushels of apples, 178; bushels of potatoes, 5,207; tons of hay, 475. Number of acres of land assessed in 1882, 22,538; total equalized valuation of real and personal property, $222,413. Number of farms in 1881, 1'17; acres of improved land, 3,596. Bushels of wheat in 1880, 18,301; of corn, 38,952; tons of hay, 874. TOWN OFFICERS SINCE 1877. YEAR-SUPERVISOR. CLERK. TREASURER. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS. 1883-Franklin M. French, Joshua B. Going, John E. Cragg, Thomas Murphy, 1882-Franklin M. French, Marcus Hobart Alfred Miller Thomas Murphy, 1881-Adam Haines, F. M. French, Alfred Miller, Dan. M. Cartwright, 1880 —Adam Haines, F. M. French, John E. Cragg, W. P. Moor, 1879-Adam Haines, F. M. French, John E. Cragg, Dan. M. Cartwright, 1878-Adam Haines, F. M. French. Geo.Wilkinson, Dan. M. Cartwright. BIOGRAPHICAL. HAMILTON HOBART was born in Cortland County, N. Y., Jan. 25, 1811, and in his younger years served an apprenticeship in the machinist's trade, which he followed the greater part of his life. He was married Nov. 18, 1840, to Miss Perley C. Atwood, of Groton, Tompkins County, N. Y., who was born April 13, 1816, by whom he had six children, three of whom are now living, Lucy, born August, 1843; H. Everets, born May 21, 1852, married Sept. 16, 1876, to Miss Mary E. Ganet; and Marcus M. Hobart, born July 8, 1856. MARCUS M. HOBART is a young man of good abilities and character. He left his native place in the spring of 1844, and went to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he remained eight years. In February, 1853, he and family came to Gilford, and settled on section 36 on a piece of land he had taken up some years before. * He built a shanty, and commenced to rough it in the bush, but as he had brought supplies with him, did not suffer for provisions, as some of the early settlers did. Nevertheless he passed through many of the unpleasant features of pioneer life. He was the first supervisor of Gilford, and has also been township clerk. F. M. FRENCH was born in the township of Ray, Macomb County, July 6, 1845, and while young went with his parents to the State of New York, where he remained until twelve years old. In the fall of 1858 he came to Tuscola County, and in 1864 enlisted in Company B, Twenty-ninth Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. He then purchased land in Gilford, on section 24, which he has cleared and otherwise improved, until he now has a fine farm. Mr. French has held the office of township clerk seven years, and supervisor one year. He was married in 1871 to Miss Mervada Hand, of Clinton County, N. Y., formerly of Yates County, N. Y., where she was born July 26, 1849; they have two children. EBENEZER BATTILLE was born in Pittsfield, Mass., March 23, 1816, and when but a child moved with his parents to Schaghticoke, N. Y., where he remained till the spring of 18i4. He then removed to Washtenaw County, Mich., and settled in the town of Sylvan, remaining there till February, 1856, when he came to Tuscola County and settled in Gilford, on section 36. Four years thereafter he sold out, and purchased a farm on section 13. Mr. Battille did not escape the hardships of pioneer life, but nobly surmounted them all, and has made out of the wilderness a comfortable home. He was married in March, 1842, to Miss Olive Fairman, of Schaghticoke, formerly of Springfield, Mass., where she was born Jan. 1, 1818. Mr. Battille has served his township in the offices of supervisor, assessor, treasurer, highway commissioner, and justice of the peace, still retaining the latter-named. ALFRED MILLER was born in Fulton County, Ohio, May 11, 1845,.and lived at home until he was sixteen years of age. In 1861 he went to California to join his two brothers, who had preceded him eight years before, and were engaged in mining. He remained there four years, and saved $3,000 as his share of the earnings. He then came to Tuscola County, and bought a farm in Gilford, on section 36. Feb. 21, 1868, he married Miss Wealthy Hayes, of Gilford, formerly of Brighton. Livingston County, where she was born in 1819. Mr. Miller has held the office of township treasurer two years, and justice of the peace twelve years LEMUEL A. PARKS was born in Wayne County, Mich., in 1844 and resided there till he was seven years of age. He then came to the township of Juniata, Tuscola County, and in 1855 went to Vas sar, where he remained about one year; thence to Fairgrove, where he lived until eighteen years of age. He was afterward in Bay City three years, and in Genesee County five years, and in 1870 bought a farm in Fairgrove on section 31, which he sold in 1878, and purchased his present place in Gilford, on section 26. He was married in 1866 to Miss Annette Phillips, of Genesee County, who j Il I --- I RES OF CHAS. MONTAGU E, CARO, MICH CARO EXCHANGE BANK. CARO, MICH. RES. & STORE OF D.N. BLOCHR.,P.M. M I LLI N GTON. (I I I I ) I 195 I I I I - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. died in 1873, leaving four children. Was again married in 1877 to Miss Rhoda Steel, of Fair Grove, by whom lie has one child. J. J. OLIVER was born in Oakland County, Mich., in 1842. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Second Michigan Cavalry, and served to the close of the war. After his discharge he went to Saginaw, and was in the fire department there about one year, when he engaged in mercantile business for about the same period of time in Ohio. He then returned to Saginaw, where he was on the police force six years, and in the spring of 1879 came to Gilford, and.opened a general store. In 1881 he bought a saw-mill which he is now operating. He was married in 1863 to Miss Jestine Merril, of Memphis, Macomb County, and has four children. JOHN PAUL was born in the township of Blenheim, Ont., November 14, 1835, and when two years of age came with his parents to Michigan and located in Cass County. He returned to Canada in 1846, and in 1852 again came to Michigan and settled in Calhoun County, where he followed the shoemaker's trade, having served an apprenticeship in Canada. He worked in Calhoun County and other parts of the State until 1877, when he came to Gilford and purchased property, where he has since been engaged in business. A postoffice was established in Gilford in 1878, and in 1880 he was appointed postmaster and the same year was elected a justice of the peace. In 1856 was married to Miss Jane Ferrin, of Ypsilanti, and has two children. TOWN OF WELLS. Townships 12 north, of ranges 10 and 11 east were organized by the board of supervisors at a meeting held October 14, 1858, and designated by the name of Wells. The first township meeting was held at the house of B. A. Wightman, April 4, 1859, and Joseph Wells, James Wright and Alanson R. King were inspectors of election. The officers elected were as follows:-Supervisor, B. A. Wightman; clerk, G. W. Sorter; treasurer, Joseph Wells; justices of the peace, John Olney, James Wright and A. King. The total number of votes polled was ten. Total amount of taxes on the first tax roll, $1,041.51; amount of first valuation, $24,947. Wells is situated north of the Port Sanilac and Saginaw State road and about midway between the two. It has an area of 5,760 acres. The town was named in honor of its first settler, Joseph Wells, who is still a resident of the town. The first child born in the town was Franklin, son of James Wright. The first settlement was made in the south part of the town, and in the year 1860 the whole number of families in the town did not exceed twenty. The township was covered with a heavy growth of beech, maple, hemlock, ash, cherry, birch, basswood, and scattering pine of large size, on the high land, and tamarack, cedar and sapling pine on the low or swamp land, the latter of which covered more than half the township. At a former and no very remote period a dense growth of pine stood where now only huge stumps and roots remain. From 1860 to 1870 great quantities of cork pine were cut and delivered on Sucker and White Creeks, run into Cass River and thence to the Saginaw Mills. For a number of years the cutting and hauling of pine during the winter months afforded the early settlers profitable employment from which they derived their principal means of support. In the fall of 1871 forest fires spread over the entire area of the town and killed vast quantities of timber, particularly hemlock, which afterward was prostrated, leaving in the central and northern parts of the town a burned and nearly bare surface. During the past few years settlers have come in quite rapidly and located on.the State and government lands in the south part of the town. These lands are now nearly all taken. The first religious services were held about the year 1860 by the Protestant Methodists, and the first preachers were the Revs. Smith and Baker. Soon after that date the Methodist Episcopal denomination, formed a class. The United Brethren have a church on section 33. The first school-house was built in the year 1871, on section 14. There are now five school districts in the town of Wells, one of which is fractional. The school directors for the ensuing year are: J. F. Staples, John S. Curry, E. B. Lumley and Jacob Stevens. There are two frame and two log school-houses in the town. Whole number of children of school age, as reported September, 1882, 136; number that attended school during the year, 102. The fires of 1881, elsewhere described in this work, swept over the northwest portion of the town and did a large amount of damage. ENTRIES OF LAND. The following is a list of entries of land made prior to the year 1860. TOWNSHIP 12 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST. SECTION 1. Martin Watrous, January 3, 1859. A. H. Wright and Jas. J. McCormick, April 7, 1859. George Cleaver, October 26, 1858. H. Hayden, et al., October 30, 1858. SECTION 2. George Cleaver, October 26, 1858. SECTION 4. Paul Brown, November 22, 1855. SECTION 5. Paul Brown, November 22, 1855. John H. Yawkey, May 28, 1856. Chailes Merrill, October 8, 1856. C. M. Cameron, March 29, 1859. SECTION 6. James L. Ketcham, November 30, 1853. James L. Ketcham, April 12, 1858. James L. Ketcham, June 24, 1858. SECTION 7. James L. Ketcham, November 30, 1853. James L. Ketcham, April 12, 1858. James L. Ketcham, June 24, 1858. James L. Ketcham, December 7, 1858. James L. Ketcham, April 5, 1859. John C. Cameron, November 20, 1858. SECTION 8. John H. Yawkey, May 28, 1856. Charles Merrill, October 8. 1856. James L. Ketcham, April 5, 1859. SECTION 11. Henry A. Frink, February 5, 1859. Martin Watrous, November 16, 1858. SECTION 12. Robert H. Weideman, December 8, 1858. SECTION 13. Valentine Reynolds, November 17, 1858. SECTION 17. Edgar Sheldon, September 29, 1852. Charles Merrill, July 14, 1856. Moses Sutton and James A. Bailey, August 27, 1856. James L. Ketcham, April 12, 1858. James L. Ketcham, December 7, 1858. John C. Cameron, March 4, 1858. SECTroN 18. Edgar Sheldon, September 29, 1852. James L. Ketcham, November 30, 1853. James A. Bailey and Moses Sutton, December 8, 1855. Id - k - a* —; 71 I: Orc j!ejo~ q, ---- ---- ~ 196 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY 196 James A. Bailey, October 15, 1856. Samuel Pitts, October 30, 1856. SECTION 19. Edgar Sheldon, September 29, 1852. James A. Bailey and Moses Sutton, December 8, 1855. Charles Merrill, July 11, 1856. SECTION 20. Edgar Sheldon, September 29, 1852. James L. Ketcham, November 30, 1853. Charles Merrill, July 14, 1856. James L. Ketcham, April 12, 1858. James L. Ketcham, June 3, 1858. James L. Ketcham, September 25, 1858. James L. Ketcham, December 11, 1858. SECTION 21. John B. Oligney, June 24, 1859. SECTION 22. John Henry Hobart Starkey, December 25, 1858. Henry Hayden, January 13, 1859. James Wright, November 28, 1859. SECTION 23. Robert H. Weideman, April 16, 1859. SECTION 28. Nathaniel C. Stone, November 15, 1856. Ethan Brown, December 22, 1856. John B. Oligny, June 24, 1859. Henry Cornor, June 25, 1859. SECTION 29. James L. Ketcham, June 25, 1852. Henry P. Roberts, June 25, 1852. James L. Ketcham, June 25, 1852. James L. Ketcham, December 13, 1853. James L. Ketcham, December 7, 1858. John B. Oligny, December 3, 1859. SECTION 30. James A. Bailey and Moses Sutton, December 8, 1855. Samuel Pitts, October 24, 1856. Jonathan F. Clark, October 3, 1857. James L. Ketcham, June 24, 1858. SECTION 31. James L. Ketcham, November 30, 1853. William H. H. Gane, October 24, 1856. Joseph Wells, April 14, 1857. Jonathan F. Clark, October 3, 1857. SECTION 32. James L. Ketcham, June 25, 1852. Joseph Wells, April 14, 1857. James L. Ketcham, September 25, 1858. SECTION 33. Daniel Cronin, February 7, 1857. John E. Voorhies, October 31, 1857. Polly Powell, December 24, 1857. SECTION 34. David Gilaspie, September 30, 1856. David Gilaspie, Jr., September 30, 1856. George Foote, October 27, 1856. James Wright, December 2, 1856. Daniel Cronin, February 7, 1857. SECTION 35. George W. Sorter, July 8, 1858. SECTION 36. Daniel D. Dewey, April 23, 1853. Martin Waters, November 16, 1858. STATISTICAL. Census of 1860: Population, 72; dwelling-houses, 11; families, 10; occupied farms, 5; number of acres of improved land, 133;. value of real estate owned, $10,590; number of cows, 7; bushels of wheat raised, 120; bushels of corn, 520; bushels of oats, 150; bushels of buckwheat, 10; bushels of potatoes, 660; pounds of butter made, 650; tons of hay cut, 43. Census of 1864: Population, 66; males, 32; females, 34; number of acres of taxable land, 1,162; number of acres of improved land, 78; bushels of corn preceding year, 140; bushels of wheat preceding year, 69; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 395; tons of hay preceding year, 32; pounds of butter made, 940; number of horses, 1; number of work oxen, 11; number of cows, 17. Census of 1870: Population, 295; voters, 46; number of acres of improved land, 558; number of dwellings, 40; families, 40; farms, 24; number of horses, 20; number of cows, 35; pounds of butter made, 3,225; bushels of wheat, 985; bushels of rye, 77; bushels of corn, 1,050; bushels of oats, 160; bushels of potatoes, 2,333; tons of hay, 123. Census of 1874: Population, 305; males, 162; females, 143; number of horses, 30; number of oxen, 44; number of cows, 74; bushels of wheat, 1,182; bushels of corn, 3,133; bushels of apples, 227; bushels of potatoes, 1,274; tons of hay, 179. Population in 1880, 441; total equalized valuation in 1882, 151,877; number of farms in 1881; 66; acres of improved land, 1,649; bushels of wheat in 1880, 5,697; of corn, 7,513; tons of hay, 360. TOWN OFFICERS SINCE 1877. YEAR. SUPERVISOR. 1883 —John H. Jarvis. 1882-J. L. Stevens. 1881-J. L. Stevens. 1880-J. L. Stevens. 1879-Jonathan Berry. 1878-J. L. Stevens. CLERK. Angelo C. Berry. Angelo C. Berry. John H. Trisch. John H. Trisch. Angelo C. Berry. John H. Trisch. TREASURER. Henry H Sorter. Henry H. Sorter. F. L. Wittenbrook. F. L. Wittenbrook. Harvey C. Palmer. James Byington. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS. N. P. Stewart. N. P. Stewart. James Byington. Richard P. Wright. Richard P. Wright. Anson Ashley. BIOGRAPHICAL. ROBERT WILMOT, deceased, was born in England in 1820. At the age of seventeen years he emigrated to America and lived in Canada and Bridgeport, Connecticut, until 1860, when he settled in the town of Wells. He was the second clerk of the township, and held several other local offices during his life. His death occurred July 16, 1882. He left a wife and six children. He was a man highly esteemed by all who knew him. HENRY H. SORTER was born in Ovid, Branch County, Mich., March 30, 1839, and came to the township of Wells in August 1867, when he purchased his present farm, located on section 35. He has cleared thirty acres, putting out a good orchard, and otherwise improving it. Is at present treasurer of the township, and assessor of the school district. Was married April 7, 1877, to Miss Mary A. Green, and has one child. JONATHAN BERRY was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1821, emigrated to the United States, and lived one year in New York, one year in Illinois and Wisconsin; thence to Spencer, Mass., in 1845, where he was engaged in the manufacture of wire until 1865, when he came to Michigan and settled on a homestead of 160 acres on section 14, township of Wells, where he is now engaged in farming. He has held the office of supervisor three terms. Was married in July, 1848, to Miss Frances Piper, and has six children, Angelo C., John J., Rachael P., Jonathan A. F., Mary A. and Sarah E. JAMES L. STEVENS was born in Prattsburg, Steuben County, N. Y., in 1835, where he lived with his parents up to 1859, when he came West and taught school in Monroe County, Mich., during winter of 1859-'60, and the following spring went to Iowa, and was in different parts of the West until July, 1861, when he enlisted in the Seventh Iowa Infantry, Conipany D, and served until 1863, when he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Seventh United States Colored Artillery, which was afterward called the Eleventh United States Colored Regiment; was wounded at the battle of Corinth by a fragment of shell striking him in the shoulder. He was discharged September 12, 1865, and returned to New York, and soon thereafter came with his father's family to Michigan and settled in the township of Wells, Tuscola County, and took up from the government 160 acres of land. which he owned up to 1880, when he sold it and purchased another farm of 280 acres on ] l - __ l ~jI -_ -- A te wl U ]T HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 197 af __ sections 3 and 17, same township. He was married in 1874 to Miss Eliza Wilmot, of Wells, who died in January, 1877. As a township official he has served as supervisor seven years, treasurer two years, and justice of the peace eleven years. TOAWN OF ELMWOOD. The territory comprised in the town of Elmwood is, by government survey, designated as township 14 north, of range 10 east. The surface of the country is generally rolling, some portions, however, especially in the western part being level. The soil is a clay loam, a portion gravelly. Maple, beech and hemlock are the prevailing natural growth, the last named predominating in the western sections of the town. Among the earlier settlers were Joseph White, George H. Wilcox and sons, Amos Predmore, John C. Laing and Warren Weydemeyer. The earliest settlement dates from June 4, 1855, when Joseph White, his wife and five children, settled on section 33. Mr. White was a native of Chenango County, N. Y., and at the time of coming thus to make for himself a new home in the wilderness of the West, was already an old man, being about sixty-four years of age. They came by boat from Detroit to Saginaw, thence by team to Elmwood. The journey from Saginaw took two days' time. The only road for the last eleven miles was a "tote" or lumberman's, which, however serviceable when snow is on the ground, and thus "the rough places made smooth," are but a poor apology for a road in June. The last mile and a half they had to cut out themselves. It was well for them that they were strong for labor and hardy of heart and will as well as of arm, for they had their full measure of the toils, privation and discouragements inevitable in the life of a pioneer in the woods. Sometimes they could get neither flour -nor pork nearer than Saginaw, and the supply often ran low. The nearest store and mill was Aaron Watrous', of Watrousville. It took five days for a trip to Saginaw and return with supplies. Flour cost $10 per barrel in Saginaw and pork $20, and it cost $2 per barrel for delivery at a point one mile north of Caro. A barrel of flour was at one time sent them by way of Sebewaing, and the trip to bring it in from there took two and a half days. The water was sometimes into the wagon box. Mr. White died in 1880, aged eighty-nine years and four months. His widow is living with her daughter in Juniata at the age of eighty-five. Of the children who came with them, Elijah S. lives on the old homestead; Mrs. James King resides in Juniata; Mrs. Frederick Rayner lives in Reed City; Andrew died in the army, and Caroline, wife of Amasa Faulkner, died in Caro. Another son, Inman, is living in the State of New York. The first marriage in the town was solemnized at the house of Joseph White in March, 1856, Rev. I. J. B. McKenney officiating. The contracting parties were Frederick Rayner and Robie White. In 1857 B. F. and Tiffany Nettleton put up on Joseph White's place a frame barn, being the first frame building in the county above Caro, the lumber being brought from Wahjamega. The first child born in the town was Anna Powell, in September, 1857. The first Fourth of July celebration in the town was held in 1860, near where now is Elmwood postoffice. Rev. A. N. Warren was chaplain; John C. Laing, reader; Andrew 0. McDonald, orator; and Simeon Botsford, marshal. There were about one hundred persons present. Mail facilities until 1862 were anything but facile. A club was formed of the families in the neighborhood and a formal agreement entered into by which every man was to take his turn in going to Watrousville and subsequently to Wahjamega for the mail, and of course this trip was made an occasion for shopping and the transaction of business. This continued until 1862, when a mail route was established from Watrousville via Wahjamega to Forestville. Dick Patty, of Watrousville, was the contractor. The mail was carried once a week, on horseback usually, sometimes on foot. The establishment of this mail route was as great an event to the people along its line as is now the completion of the first railroad. The postoffice was established at J. C. Laing's house, and Mr. Laiug was appointed postmaster. The office was subsequently removed to Elmwood village, or, as it has been nicknamed, "the shebang," where it is now located. The first sermon preached in the town was by the Rev. George Graham at the house of Joseph White in the year 1862, and the first church was organized by Rev. X. O. Smith in the winter of 1864, the church being of the Methodist Protestant denomination. The first school was taught by Lydia White in the first schoolhouse built in the town, in section 35. The first lawsuit was before Joseph Gage, justice of the peace, in tile year 1864, John McGee being plaintiff and Simon Campbell, defendant. The first death was of Theodore B. Myers, which occurred in March, 1865. The town of Elmwood suffered severely in the forest fires of 1871 and 1881, yet to a much less extent than many other towns. The fire had not gained the intensity and rush which it attained as it advanced farther east. In 1871 the fire had burned for about three weeks, when on the 9th of October a hurricane came on, blew down the timber which had been undermined, and carried the fire into the clearings. In 1881 the destruction of property was greater, from the fact of so much down and dead timber being left by the previous fire to furnish fuel for the flames. The worst of the fire was in the western part of the town, where the hemlock and other resinous woods were in greater abundance. The following is a list of losses: Charles Andrews, house and contents; Joe Vallad, hay, straw and stable; Nelson Barse, oats, orchard; Robert Blouk, wheat; Daniel Evans, fodder, orchard; William Fournier, horse, harness, William Ware, hay, straw, stable, shed, orchard, lumber; J. B. Nicholson, hay, straw, fences, oats, furniture; Richard Pardo, fences, buckwheat; S. B. Bourn, barn, hay, grain, straw; Frank Seeley, fodder, wood; Al. Freeman, wheat, clothing; W. H. Mills, clothing, bedding; John Benedict, wheat, oats, tools; David Baucus, buckwheat, plow, wagon. The fire had one good result, that it helped to clear and to bring under cultivation lands which were considered almost worthless, but are now found to be among the best in the town. There is still a large area of good land awaiting settlement, and offered for sale at reasonable prices. ENTRIES OF LAND. The following are the entries of land prior to 1860: TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 10 EAST. SECTION 1. James Cleaver, July 26, 1855. SECTION 2. Horace Bradley, March 19, 1857. Dexter F. Mitchell, &pril 14, 1857. SECTION 3. Horace Bradley, March 19, 1857. Robert McFurlan, March 19, 1857. Dexter F. Mitchell, April 14, 1857., Jonatlan Vandyne, June 24, 1857. SECTION 4. Horace Bradley, March 19, 1857. SECTION 7. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. SECTION 8. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. e JTI ~. —, J - _- I 4 At CD -A. -.10 - - '01 = —M -- A I Ir _ _I VD - 19b HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. SECTION 9. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. SECTION 10. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. SECTION 11. Franklin K. Beck, SeDtemlber 22, 1855. SECTION 12. James Cleaver, July 26, 1855. Eliot Burnett, July 27, 1859. SECTION 13. James Cleaver, July 26, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. Eliot Burnett, July 27, 1859. SECTION 15. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. SECTION 17. James Cleaver, June 19, 1856. Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856. Horace Bradley, December 30, 1856. SECTION 22. Peter Fuller, August 23, 1856. Horace Bradley, December 30. 1856. SECTION 23. Samuel P. Sherman, April 10, 1856. Peter Fuller, August 23, 1856. Mary Ann Wilcox, March 17, 1857. SECTION 24. David Walker, September 17, 1855. Weston Palmer, September 17, 1855. John Palmer, September 17, 1855. David B. Decker, September 17, 1855. SECTION 25. John Palmer, September 17, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. SECTION 26. Martin Watrous, June 16, 1855. Franklin K. Beck, September 22, 1855. Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856. SECTION 27. Martin Watrous, January 5, 1853. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Martin Watrous, May 5, 1854. Samuel P. Shearman, December 10, 1856. Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856. Mary Ann Wilcox, December 3, 1856. Mary Ann Wilcox, December 30, 1856. SECTION 28. Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856. Lina M. Wilcox, December 3, 1856. SECTION 29. MartinWatrous, January 30, 1858. SECTION 31. Dexter F. Mitchell, September 29, 1857. SECTION 32. Martin Watrous, March 3, 1855. Martin Watrous, March 2, 1855. Martin Watrous, April 17, 1855. Elijah S. White, August 28, 1855. James M. Van Campen, April 1, 1856. Thomas H. Williamson, December 15, 1856. Martin Watrous, January 30, 1858. SECTION 33. Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853. Daniel D. Dewey, September 22, 1853. Seth Hughs, November 25, 1854. Joseph White, August 28, 1855. John Palmer, September 13, 1856. Horace Bradley, December 10, 1856. SECTION 34. Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853. Martin Watrous. November 21, 1853. Lewis C. Beach, October 3, 1854. James M. Loud, November 24, 1854. William H. Swift, November 25, 1854. Daniel D. Dewey, February 23, 1855. Thomas E. Rathburn, October 23,1855. SECTION 35. Martin Watrous, August 2, 1853. Martin Watrous, April 18, 1854. Martin Watrous, June 14, 1854. Bela B. Blackslee, July 4, 1855. Thomas E. Rathburn, October 23, 1855. Walter Walters, April 18, 1856. Joshua D. Smith, March 10, 1857. Robert McFarlan, March 19, 1857. SECTION 36. Andrew Crofoot, November 13, 1854. John C. Laing, November 13, 1854. Amos Predmore, November 13, 1854. Jane Laing, November 17, 1854. Franklin K.Beck, September 22, 1855. Robert McFarlan, March 19, 1857. PIONEER OF ELMWOOD. ELIJAH S. WHITE was born in Allegany County, New York, June 24, 1834. In 1855 he came with his parents to Tuscola County, arriving in the town of Elmwood on the fourth day of June, where his father had previously pre-empted land in section 33. He himself purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 32, on which he made improvements; he did not take up his residence upon it, however, but mnde his home with his par-. ents, and has continued to live on the old homestead to the present time. Coming of age shortly after his arrival, he took active part in public affairs, and was one of the petitioners on whose application the town was organized. At the first town meeting he was elected treasurer and held the office during the years 1860 and 1861. In 1862 he was elected supervisor which office he held for eight years in succession and again, after one year's interllission, for four years in succession. Mr. White wa:s married August 9, 1833, to Nancy A. Smith, daughter of Joseph Smith, one of the first settlers of the town of Columbia. Mrs. White was the pioneer teacher of Akron and also taught school subsequently in Elmwood. They have two children, one having died. The first 1 umber brought into the town of Elmwood was rafted in Wahjamega, poled up the river to Caro by Mr. White, his brother Andrew, Simeon Botsford and William R. Robinson, and thence by land to Mr. White's place, where it was used in the construction of a barnl, which is still in good preservation and constant use. The family suffered many hardships; money was anything but plenty with them; the flour and pork barrels often ran low and the wild fruits formed frequently a welcome addition to their fare. When, however, their increased clearing furnished a surplus of products, a ready market for their sale was found in the neighboring lumber-camps. TOWN HISTORY. The town of Elmwood was organized in pursuance of a resolution adopted by the board of supervisors at a meeting held January 11, 1860. The territory comprised township 14 north, of range 10 east. The signers to the application were William L. Miles, Geo. H. Wilcox, John C. Laing, William S. Miles, John McGee, Amos Predmore, A. O. McDonald, P. R. Weydemeyer, B. Prevo, E. S. White, Joseph White. First township meeting was ordered held at the house of Joseph White. The town was first called Waterloo, which name it retained until 1863, when it was changed to Elmwood by act of legislature, approved March 14, 1863. At the first annual town meeting of the town of Waterloo, held April 2, 1860, at the house of Joseph White, George H. Wilcox -was chosen moderator, Amos Predmore, clerk, and Theodore B. Myers, assistant clerk of the board of inspectors. The whole number of votes cast was eleven, and the following were the officers elected, viz., supervisor, George H. Wilcox, clerk, John C. Laing; treasurer, Elijah S. White; school inspectors, Andrew O. McDonald, Amos Predmore; high V I - ft _ Po _ es I Iq r-...._ I, PIg i 9 46 _ A "A I j) wr rr K _~ - w - __ HISTORY OF: TUSCOLA COUNTY. 199 I i I way commissioners, Philet-us R. Weydermeyer, Elijah S. White, Amos Predmore; justices of the peace, Theodore#B. Meyers, Joln H. Wilcox, Andrew 0. McDonald, John C. Laing; constables, Andrew White, Philetus R.Weydemeyer; a unanimous vote was given in favor of district instead of town libraries. Five hundred dollars was voted for highway purposes, and one hundred and fifty dollars for contingent expenses. The inspectors at this election were George H. Wilcox, Elijah S. White and Amos Prednrcre. The first meeting of school inspectors was held in the following August, and School District No. 1 formed to consist of sections 23, 24, 25, 26, 35 and 86. A meeting of the town boards of Waterloo and Ellington was held November 17, 1860, at the house of Joseph M. Dodge, in the town of Ellington, for the purpose of a settlement between towns; which resulted in the town board of Ellington giving to the town of Waterloo an order on the county treasurer for $798.01 and an order on the treasurer of the board of school inspectors for $ 50.87. At the annual town-meeting in 1861, fifteen votes were cast. The treasurer's statement shows the following as the tax-roll for 1861: State tax.......................................... $ 53.25 County tax.......................................... 180.17 Township tax....................................... 1,050.00 Highway tax....................................... 191.70 School-tax........................... 149.84 Excess of roll...................................11 Total..................................... 1,627.07 August 21, 1861, the town board appointed Emery Nash as supervisor to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of George H. Wilcox. The annual town meeting for 1862 was held at the schoolhouse in District No. 1. Two hundred and fifty dollars was voted for highways, $75 for contingent expenses and one-half the two mill tax for library fund. June 20, 1862, the town board appointed George F. Higley highway commissioner, to fill vacancy. At a meeting held October 8, 1862, Joseph White was chosen treasurer to fill vacancy, and Theodore B. Myers, highway commissioner, to fill vacancy. At the annual town meeting in 1863, it was voted to raise $55 for each volunteer. The number of votes cast at th s meeting was thirteen. At the annual town meeting in 1864, the voters were eighteen. A special town meeting was held June 27, 1864, for the purpose of raising money for volunteers in the military service in the Unite'd States. The town board was authorized to issue bonds in the sum of $100 each for payment to each person who should volunteer or furnish an accepted substitute; and that $100 be paid Lewis P. Ramsdell on the transfer of his certificate of election, being transferred to the town of Elmwood. In August, 1864, the town board appointed Nelson Higley, clerk, and E. S. White and George W. Sumner, highway commissioners, to fill vacancies. From 1865 to 1870, tie records of town meetings and of the town boards, are missing. The number of votes at the town meeting in 1870 was fifty-one. The records of town meetings and town board for 1871, are missing. In 1874 the number of votes at the town meeting was ninetythree. Five hundred dollars was voted for contingent fund, and $285 for cemetery fund. In 1875 the number of votes cast at.the annual town, meeting was 101. I.t was voted to raise-for the old orders, in the town of Elmwoocd, $700, for highway fund, $500. In 1878 $1,000 was voted for highway purposes, and $300 for contingent fund. September 5th, the town board appointed Daniel Price.clerk, to fill vacancy. At the annual town mepting in 1880, a resolution was adopted to build a town hall, as near as possible to the center of the town. The next year $200 was voted for a town hall, and the next town meeting was appointed to be held as near the center of town as possible. The hall was subsequently built, and has been, occupied by one town meeting. SCHOOL MATTERS. From the annual school report of the town of Elmwood, for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained. Directors for the ensuing year: Roswell Webster, Robert Miller, N. A. Waugh, Louis Fournier, George Carolan and W. W. Hargrave. There are four whole and two fractional districts, with six frame school-houses. The number of children of school age is 398; attending school during the year, 310. STATISTICAL. Census of 1864: Population, 100; number of acres of taxable land, 2,580; number of acres improved, 341; bushels of corn raised preceding year, 765; bushels of wheat raised preceding year, 662; bushels of potatoes raised preceding year, 561; tons of hay cut preceding year, 73; pounds of butter made preceding year, 1,925. Census of 1874: Population, 565; bushels of wheat raised, 7,554; bushels of corn raised, 2,465; bushels of potatoes raised, 3,530; tons of hay cut, 367. In 1880 the population was 1,017; in 1882 number of acres assessed, 22,830; equalized valuation of real and personal property, $280,325. THE VILLAGE OF GAGETOWN. In 1869 Joseph Gage built a mill and store on his land in section 1, of the town of Elmwood. In 1871 he platted a village near the center of the section, on the west side of the north and south quarter line, to which William Cleaver subsequently platted an addition. Mir. Gage also, the same year, built a hotel and two years after a grist-mill, which burned in 1876. Trade came in and a gradual increase of population and.business. Two years ago a grist-mill was built by Randall Bros. But the village lived a rather retired life until 1882, when the prospect of a railroad and finally its coming, gave renewed life to the place. The following description of Gagetown was given in January, 1882: "Sixteen miles northeast of Caro is a village of 200 inhabitants, with one church, one school-house, one grist-mill, with three run of stone, and one saw-mill, one sash, door and blind factory, one shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one shingle-mill, one livery stable, one planing-mill, one drug store, one hotel, four general stores, one hardware store, with tin shop in connection, postoffice, mail three times per week, one doctor, William Morris, one minister of the gospel, Rev. T. B. Krebs, pastor of the Roman Catholic Church. There is a new church under construction, which will be completed in the spring. It will be known as Grace Church and will be erected by the Episcopalian Society. Gagetown is located in the town of Elmwood, or, according to United States survey, township 14 north, range 10 east. Five highways center at this point; the Cass River & Bay City road running east and west, the Wild Fowl State road running north to the bay, and the. i_ I — 90 40 (Rr i --- -- --- -- IV 1 - - I I -%/I %el I ( OF G I 15 200 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. Caro, Gagetown & Bad Axe road running northeast. Tile village is located on a fine elevation, 200 feet above the level of Saginaw Bay. The summit of the Pontiac, Oxford & Caseville Railroad is at this point. The railroad is now under construction, and will be ironed from Caseville to Gagetown within sixty days. There is a good opening for all branches of business; a good iron foundry is much needed; and there is plenty of water for steam purposes, as there are two never failing springs, free from lime. "This part of the county is being rapidly filled up with a good class of citizens from the Canadas and the United States. The land is generally rolling, with a good soil and a growth of beech, maple, etc. Wheat, corn, oats, peas, potatoes and grass do well. Wheat, ten to forty bushels per acre; oats, thirtv to fifty bushels; potatoes, 100 to 200 bushels; hay, one to three tons. Apples, plums, pears, peaches, cherries and small fruits of all kinds do well. Wild land can be bought from $5 to $10 per acre. The richness and durability of the soil cannot be surpassed in the State." Since the above was written, considerable additions have been made. Another drug store, meat market, hotel, brewery, planingmill, general store, harness shop, hardware store and another physician. Of stores, shops, dwelling-houses, etc., about twenty have been added to the buildings of the town. And a considerable number are now in course of construction. The population is about 300. There is a tri-weekly mail to Elmwood, connecting with the mail between Caro and Cass City. It is expected thatregular trains will soon be running on the railroad, when mail and travel facilities will be materially improved. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. May 5, 1878, a class of the Methodist Protestant Church was organized at Gagetown, by Rev. Mr. Lockyer, with fourteen members. Services are held every two weeks at the school-house. Rev. Father McGee succeeded Mr. Lockyer in charge of the church. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. England, of Cass City. Hopes are entertained of building a cilurch, and funds are being collected for that purpose. There is also a class in the south part of the town, under the same pastoral care. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. About four years ago Rev. Mr. Wilson held the first services of the Episcopal Church in the town of Elmwood, and organized a church. Services were held on the last Sunday in each month. Mr. Wilson was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Todd, who continued the monthly services about a year. Rev. Mr. Beaulieu was then in charge of the church for a few months. Rev. Mr. Anderson is now rector. Through the efforts of Rev. Mr. Wilson, a subscription was started for the purpose of erecting a house of worship. The building was commenced under his successor, but not completed. The present pastor is endeavoring to secure its completion, with good prospect of success. There are in Gagetown and vicinity, about twelve families of the Episcopal faith. Services are held in the school-house. CATHOLIC CHURCH. In July, 1879, Rev. Father Krebs organized a Catholic church at Gagetown, with twenty-five families. Services were held once a month until lately, and now twice a month. The present membership comprises about sixty families. In 1881, a church building was erected, being used, for the first time, October 9. A sanctuary has lately been added. The seating capacity of the church is about 300. Father Krebs has also missions in Sebewaing and Sheridan, besides several other smaller missions. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. There is no regular organization of this denomination in Elmwood, but it is the intention to organize. There was formerly an organization here, but it was discontinued. Services are held every Saturday at the house of Wm. Lockwood. There is occasional preaching by Rev. Wm. Ostrander and others. There are five families and twelve members of this faith in the town. YEAR. 1883. 1882. 1881. I180. 1879. 1878. 1 876. 1875. 1874. 1873. 1872. 1871. 1870. 1869. 1 868. 1867. 1866. 1865. 1864. 1863. 1862. 1861. 1860. SUPERVISOR. Frederick Eyre. Frederick Eyre. Simeon B. Bourn. Simeon B. Bourn. Simeon B. Bourn. Simeon B. Bourn. Joseph Gage. Joseph Gage. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Amos Predmore. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. Elijah S. White. George H. Wilcox. George H. Wilcox. TOWN OFFICERS. CLERK. TREASURER. COMR. HIGHWAYS. Daniel Price. Isaiah Waidley. H. W. Youmans. Daniel Price. Thompson McAfee. H. W~. Youmans. Daniel Price. Thompson McAfee. N. A. Waugh. Daniel Price. N. A. Waugh. Joseph A. Adams. Daniel Price. N. A. Waugh. Hugh Leonard. Ed. C. Albertson. Wm. Gage. Joseph Gage. Frederick Eyre. Wm. Gage. Byron Bingham. Frederick Eyre. Wm. Gage. Geo. Refenbach. Daniel Price. H. D. Seeley. John Colley. Daniel Price. H. D. Seeley. Robt. H. Palmer. Abram Young. James Bingham. Wm. Hawkins. Abram Young. Simeon B. Bourn. Lonson Wilcox. Simeon B. Bourn. George Harper. Fred.W. Oesterle. Joseph Gage. Fred.W. Oesterle. Joseph Gage. Fred.W. Oesterle. Joseph Gage. Fred.W. Oesterle. Joseph Gage. Nelson Higley. Joseph Gage. G. F. Higley, i J. Doying. Theo. B. Myers. Joseph Gage. Daniel Turner. Theo. B. Myers. Joseph Gage. Geo. H. Higley. Theo. B. Myers. Lucius Bardwell. Geo. S. Gage. John C. Laing. Elijah S. White. A. 0. McDonald. ( P. R. Weydemeyer. John C. Laing. Elijah S. White. Elijah S, White.! Amos Predmore. BIOGRAPHICAL. JOSEPH GAGE, the oldest settler of the village of Gagetown, was born in the township of Toronto, Ontario, Jan. 17, 1833. He, in company with a brother, came to the township of Elmwood the last day of April, 1860, and took up 120 acres of land on section 26, built a shanty and commenced to chop twenty acres, which they continued until completed. Their bed was composed of hemlock boughs, and their nearest neighbors were five miles to the south and two and one-half miles to the east, while all about theml was an unbroken wilderness. In 1869, he built a steam saw-mill in what is now the village of Gagetown, and in 1871 he platted the town which was named after him. He was married in 1867 to Miss Sarah Bush, of Caro, who was born in Oakland County in 1847, and died in 1872, leaving two children. He was again married in 1876, to Miss Nelson, of Elmwood, formerly of Brockville, Ontario, and by whom he has two children. In 1870, he opened a general store, which he continued until 1882. At the present time he is the owner of 1,500 acres of land, and runs a saw, shingle and planingmill. Mr. Gage has held all the offices in the gift of the township. HENRY C. LAFLAMBOY was born at Niagara Falls, N.Y., Aug. 27, 1854, and in December, 1864, moved, with his parents, to Oakland County, Mich., where they engaged in farming. He worked on the farm summers and attended school during the winter months. When twenty-one years of age he went to learn the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed the greater part of the time. Feb. 21, 1882, he came to Gagetown and opened a furniture store and undertaking establishment-the first in the place. He was married in 1877, to Miss Elizabeth J. Autin, of Oakland County Michigan. JAMES BINGHAM was born in Wentworth County, Ontario, Aug. 18, 1821, and resided with his parents until twenty-six years of age. April 15, 1847, he married Miss Charlotte Gage, of Haldimand, formerly of the vicinity of Hamilton, where she was born Dec. 2, 1824. His father gave him fifty acres of land in Glanford, upon which he settled, but sold out in 1856, and moved to Norfolk County, where lie purchased land near the mouth of Clear Creek. In the spring of 1866, he came to Elmwood and purchased land on section 13, which was entirely new. He moved his family into a house near by and worked out for wages that summer, and the next winter worked in the lumber camps for Joseph Gage. In the spring of 1867, he moved into a small board house he had erected on his place, and commenced clearing the land, but had, previous to this, C 1 i ______t________________ -------- - ~9 1111 ----~1111-~11~~-1I I I _I MI - je_ i el3 - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 201 in 1866, cleared eleven acres. In 1871, he bought 100 acres more land on section 24, and owns in all, 280 acres. He and his boys have cleared 120 acres and he has given two of them farms of eighty acres each. Ile has had six children, of whom four are living: Byron, born Nov. 29, 1848; married Miss Sarah Cline, of Almer, in December 1871. Augusta, born August 25, 1850; married Amasa Coon, of Houghton, Canada, Nov. 30, 1871. Jordon, born Dec. 15, 1852; married Miss Chloe Hutchinson, of Ellington, Dec. 25, 1872. Collin, born April 29, 1856; died Aug. 29, 1861; Henry, born May 12, 1858, died Aug. 22, 1861. REV. CLEMENT T. B. KREBS, the incumbent of Saint Agatha's Roman Catholic Church in Gagetown, was born at Dorsben, province of Westphalia, Germany, July 25, 1851. He studied at the College in his native town till 1873, beginning his course in 1866. In 1873 he came to America and entered Saint Mary's Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordained a priest in Sandwich, Ontario, June 7, 1879. From here he was sent to Gagetown by the Right Reverend C. H. Borgess, bishop of Detroit, and was at that time the only Catholic priest in Tuscola County. Upon his arrival in Gagetown he purchased land of Joseph Gage and gave him a contract to erect thereon a church and dwelling, which were completed in 1881. His congregation in 1879 was small, but has largely increased, and he intends to build a school-house and open a school during the next three years. JOHN CALLEY was born near Smith's Falls, Canada, Jan. 13, 1832, and when seven years of age moved, with his parents, to the township of Southwold, Elgin County, where he remained until 1858. He then came to Flint, Michigan, going from there to Saginaw City, and in 1866 came to Tuscola County and took up land in Elmwood, on section 2. Mr. Calley was one of the early settlers and found but few roads in going to his land after crossing swamps as best he could. He arrived with his goods and family in November, in the midst of a rain-storm and everything presented a discouraging aspect. After a few months Mr. Calley's health failed and he could do but little work for several years, but notwithstanding adverse circumstances surrounding him, has succeeded in making himself and family a good home. He was married in July, 1853, to Miss Mary Benson, of Aldborough, Elgin County, Ontario, who was born June 10, 1833. They have had eleven children, of whom six are living. DAVID E. Ross was born in the township of Burlington, Bradford County, Pa., Aug. 17, 1832, and moved with his parents to the township of Springfield, where he resided until 1869. He then came to Michigan and settled in Caro, and in 1882, moved to a farm he had purchased in 1881, on section 14, in Elmwood, where he has made a good home for himself and family. He was married, Oct. 29, 1856, to Miss Lydia Maria Bailey, who was born in the town of Hadley, Middlesex County, Conn., July 13, 1838. They have five children, Clara Elizabeth, born Sept. 10, 1857, married, May 23, 1873, to James Sanborn; Etta A., born Sept. 20, 1860, married Oct. 15, 1879, to William Gibbs; Lodency G., born Sept. 22, 1863; Letta, born Sept. 14, 1865, and Bell, born April 15, 187i. THOMPSON MCAFEE was born in Solon, Ohio,'in 1853, residing there till eighteen years of age, when he came to the township of Ellington. In 1876 he purchased eighty acres of land on section 12 in Elmwood, upon which he has since resided and to which he has since added eighty acres, besides owning two 40-acre tracts on sections 11 and 12. He was married in 1875, to Miss Ida C. White, of Ellington, whose parents were among the first settlers there. H. D. SEELY was born in Allegany County, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1827, and when about six years of age moved with his -parents to the town of White Lake, Oakland County, Mich. He resided there twenty-five years, one year'in Wayne County, a short time in Oak - land and Lapeer Counties, when he came to Elmwood in 1860, and bought a farm on section 27. Mr. Seely had to endure some of the privations of pioneer life, but can look back to the time of his coming to the wilds of Tuscola with more pleasure than regret. Nov. 12, 1851,'he was married to Miss Mary Ferguson, of Pontiac, formerly of Wayne County, N. Y., and has had nine children, three of whom are living. JOSEPH PERRY was born in Walton, Somersetshire, England, July 14, 1844, and was on a farm until twelve years of age. He then left home, and went to Wales where he worked in the iron mines and coal mines five years, and in 1866 shipped on board the ship "British Empire " at Liverpool for Bombay. They loaded with coal which was discharged at destination, and then sailed for Callao, South America, and from thence to the Chincho Islands for guano, where they were four months loading, and lost twenty men. They returned to Callao, and from there sailed for Queenstown, but were wrecked on the Irish coast, and the Captain was lost. He then shipped on a coaster bound for the north of England, and from there went to Cardiff, Wales, where he shipped on the ship " Tartar " for Martinique, in the West Indies, loaded with coal; from Martinique sailed for Antigua, loaded with sugar, molasses, cotton seed, and cotton, and sailed for Liverpool, where he was discharged April 1, 1868. He then returned to Walton, where he remained five years. He then went to Bristol, and worked two years on the Evansmouth dock, from there to Bath, where he worked in an iron foundry, and thence to Wales, where he engaged as a brakeman on the Toffally Railroad. He then enlisted in the British Army, and in 1874 came to America, and located in Clarkson, Oakland County, and after working for different parties caime to Elmwood, and took up a homestead on section 19, where he has cleared a fine farm. He has been twice married, first to Miss Sophia Bobbitt, of Somersetshire. England, in June, 1863, who died in April, 1870, leaving one daughter, who now resides in England. Second to Miss Amanda Mallory, of Ellington, formerly of Hutchinson, Canada, and has three children. DANIEL PRICE was born in Surrey County, England, Oct. 16, 1836, and remained at home and attended school until he was sixteen years of age, when he came to America, bringing quite a fortune ia English gold. He traveled around, boy-fashion, until his money was exhausted, and found himself in Toronto, Ont., where he hired out as a coachman to the Hon. Henry Sherwood, M. P., with whom he remained six months, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade, and finally went to Bruce, and took up a piece of land which was jumped while he was in Toronto on business. He then went to Southampton, anl finally shipped on a schooner for the north shore of the lake, where the captain was going to trade with the Indians, and remained with him three months, when he formed a partnership with him, which was dissolved the following spring, and he purchased the schooner, and commenced carrying freight to and from ports on Lake Huron, and was wrecked in the fall of 1855. He then engaged in teaching, and in 1857 purchased a farm in Bruce County, which he sold the following year, and then came to Michigan, and located in the city of Saginaw, where he remained until 1863. He then went to Chicago, and enlisted in the U. S. naval service for three years, and- shipped on board the Monitor Kickapoo, at Cairo, Miss. After the close of the war he came to Tuscola County. and bought a farm on section 34, in Elmwood, where he has since resided. Has held the office of township clerk seven years, and justice of the peace seven years. Mr. Price is one of a family of twenty-one children, all full brothers and sisters. He was married in 1860 to Miss Hippolitte Valad, of Bruce County, Ont., who has had twelve children, ten of whom are living. FREDERICK EYRE was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1833, J f1 -j — 4 - - - - I I t - la- r .j t h lH4. HISTORY OF TUSCOL& COUNTY. 202 and served an apprenticeship at the wagon maker's trade, which he followed four or five years afterward. He came to New York in 18.56, and worked in that city about one year, then went to Hamilton, Ont., and was there about two years. He afterward worked in Port Dover, N. Y., and Walsingham ten years, when he went to Midland City, Mich., and engaged in business, where he lost everything by fire. His next business venture was in West Bay City, where he again lost by fire to the extent of $3,000, and then removed to Unionville, Tuscola County, where he carried on a shop two years, going from there in the fall of 1874 to Gagetown, and two years later to Cass City. In 1876 he purchased a farm on section 2 in Elmwood, and in the spring of 1878 moved upon it, and has since resided there. He has the confidence of his towns-people, and has held many of the township offices. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Mitchell, who was born in Lincolnshire, England in 1841. They have had nine children, of whom seven are living. TANCREDA C. MAYNARD was born July 30, 1860, in the city of Montreal, Canada, and when six years of age commenced attending St. Peter's School, where he continued five years. and from which he entered the Massan College, of Terrebonne, where he remained till January 8, 1874, when the building was destroyed by fire. He then returned home, where he remained until the 18th of April, 1876, when he went to Bay City where he had a sister, Mrs. Dr. J. P. Gariepy, and through the influence of the doctor he secured a position in a drug store, and afterwards went to Caro, where he was with Job F. Street. Nov. 25, 1880, he came to Gagetown, and opened a drug store for himself, and is having a growing trade. He also repairs clocks, watches and jewelry-the only place in Gagetown where the above articles are cleaned and repaired. ROSWELL WEBSTER, of Elmwood, was born in Macomb County, Mich, in 1843. In 1848 his parents moved to St. Clair County. His father died in 1860, and his mother in 1863, leaving him without a home. For seven years he worked in the lumber woods in the winter, and on a farm by the month in the summer. In 1870 he moved to Tuscola and bought eighty acres of wild land, which he commenced clearing for a farm. There he remained two years, and then moved to Elmwood, where he bought his present farm of eighty acres on section 35. He was married August 25, 1872, to Lucy Ann Wilson, a native of Canada. They have four children. ISAIAH WAIDLEY was born in McKean, Erie County, Penn., in 1849. In 1868 he went to Ohio, where he remained during the summer, and came to Elmwood in August of that year. He settled on section 35, where he has eighty acres of land. He has just built a fine house, and has an excellent farm. Mr. Waidley is treasurer of the town of Elmwood. He was married October 10, 1868, to Phebe A. Ware. They have lost two children by death. TOWN OF TKOYLTO-N. Koylton was organized by the board of supervisors, at a meeting held October 11, 1859. The territory comprised township 11 north, of range 11 east. The first annual meeting was ordered held at the house of William Allen. The names of freeholders in the township to be organized, who signed the application, are as follows: James L. Hitchcock, Allen Hubel, James McAdam, James A. Cross, Levy Koyl, Donald McKenzie, James McKenzie, John McKenzie, Joseph Morris, John Cameron, Jr., Thomas Jeffrey, John Cameron, Sr., Thomas McAdam, Anthony McMangle, Peter Koyl, Sr., A. Ducoln, Henry Murdick, and Orvil Koyl. This town occupies the southeastern corner of the county, and is bounded north by Kingston, east and south by the county line, and west by Dayton. In 1860 the population of the town was 60, and in 1880, 869. In 1864 the population was 142, and the number of acres of taxable land, 3,846,; number of acres improved, 276; 320 bushels of corn, and 637 bushels of wheat were raised. In 1874 the population was 580; number of horses, 64; number of cows, 180; bushels of wheat raised, 4,497; bushels of corn raised, 4,615; bushels of potatoes, 4,064; tons of hay cut, 588. Population in 1880, 869. In 1882 the number of acres assessed was 22,185; total equalized valuation of real and personal property,, $288,890. Number of farms in 1881, 74; acres of improved land, 4,095. Bushels of wheat raised in 1880, 17,291; of corn, 17,727; tons of hay, 818. LAND ENTRIES PRIOR TO 1860. TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST. SECTION 1. Zimri Warner, February 4, 1857. William Callis, October 15, 1857. Robert Johnston, June 1, 1858. SECTION 2. James McTavish, April 25, 1857. Kas-re-wah, April 25, 1857. John Deo, July 13, 1857. John Richardson, August 22, 1857. Abram Backus, June 16, 1858. SECTION 3. Lorenzo Swartwout, July 28, 1857. Lorenzo Swartwout, October 15, 1857. Willard Cole, November 23, 1857. Seth Pettibone, November 23, 1857. John Veit, November 9, 1858. SECTION 4. Hezekiah W. Whitney, March 17, 1857. Robert WT. King, November 5, 1859. SECTION 5. Adam Schneider, July 6, 1857. Norman Barrows, November 16, 1858. Robert W. King, November 5, 1859. SECTION 6. Daniel D. Dewey, April 23, 1853. Patrick McKeon, May 26, 1857. James L. Hitchcock, October 7, 1858. SECTION 7. Charles Merrill, October 30, 1856. SECfTION 8. Charles Merrill, October 30, 1856. Sault St. Marie Canal Co, May 25, 1855. SECTION 9. Hezekiah W. Whitnevy, March 17, 1857. Sault St. Marie Canal Co, May 25, 1855. SECTION 11. John Cameron, November 23, 1858. John McKenzie, January 5, 1859. SECTION 12. Erwin H. Bartholf, October 28, 1857. Donald McKenzie, January 5, 1859. SECTION 13. Catacoba, October 6, 1856. Henry Cergill, November 7, 1856. Joseph Morris, August 22, 1857. Thomas Murray, September 8, 1857. SECTION 14. Oph-toh1-no-quam, July 27, 1857. Thomas Jeffrey, December 14, 1857. John Squanow, February 22, 1858. James Scott, February 1, 1858. John McKenzie, January 5, 1859. SECTION 15.. James Ogemas, February 22, 1858. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 17. Charles Merrill, November 22, 1856. Sault Canal Co., May 25,1855. - 1 -;rY I ~I i.*t- 1,s :::-::-:::::: 1 ij:rI I A, $1% \,': ':- -.' r:. ^BS~ ^t ii 4 D.'.r.GES.S DD. INGELS _ CARO_ ESTABLISHED 1868. STARK'S HOTEL, REESE, TUSCOLA CO. 1 I - IF I I - HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 203 I - I SECTION 18. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Charles Merrill, October 30, 1856. Charles Merrill, November 22, 1856. SECTION 19. Charles Merrill, November, 22, 1856. John Henry Abbott, July 1, 1857. James McAdam, November 27, 1857. John Hart, November, 14,1859. Louis F. Fritz, November 14, 1859. John Hart, October 25, 1860. SECTION 20. Charles Merrill, November 22, 1856.. Archibald W. Corkindale, May 30, 1857. SECTION 22. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. SECTION 23. James Scott, April 1, 1858. SECTION 24. Ma-ma-Quige-wonk, May 6, 1858. Arnold B. Clark, October 3, 1857. Robert A. Dowling, December 17, 1857. SECTION 25. John Miller, July 7, 1856. Lorenzo Swartwout, March 14, 1857. SECTION 26. Samuel Nicholl, February 17, 1857. Horace D. Bronson, December 16, 1859. -SECTION 27. Horace D. Bronson, December 16, 1859. SECTION 28. Archibald W. McCorkindale, May 30, 1857. Elijah Hubel, April 15, 1858. SECTION 29. Luke Peaslee, April 17, 1856. Almon Blodgett, September 3, 1856. Orville Koyl, May 13, 1857. Archibald W. McCorkindale, May 30, 1857. Willard Blodgett, September 4, 1857. SECTION 30. Almon Blodgett, September 3, 1856. Orville Koyl, May 13, 1857. Willard Blodgett, September 4, 1857. Thomas McAdam, November 27, 1857. William Teller, December 16, 1859. SECTION 31. Franklin K. Beck, September 21, 1855. Almon Blodgett, September 3, 1855. Allen Hubel, November 2, 1856. SECTION 32. Almon Blodgett, September 3, 1856. Peter Koyl, October 13, 1856. Lyman H. Gearfield, May 11, 1858. James A. Cross, January 12, 1859. SECTION 33. Luke Peaslee, April 17, 1856. Francis Keene, April 17, 1856. Elijah Hubel, April 15, 1858. SECTION 34. Caleb Hayes, October 22, 1858. SECTION 35. John Miller, July 11, 1856. Lorenzo Swartwout, March 14,1857. Henry L. Jones, September 2, 1857. Elisha W. Gearfield, October 15, 1857. SCHOOL MATTERS. From the annual school report of the town of Koylton, for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained. Directors for the ensuing year, James M. Whittaker, Judson Van Sicklen, Clark Harris and John B3. Curtis. There are three whole and one fractional school districts, with four frame school-houses. Number of children of school age, 364; attending school during the year, 222. I - seventy acres of his farm during the past fifteen years, besides spending thirteen winters at work in the lumber woods. He enlisted in September, 1861, in the Sixtieth New York Infantry, and served three vears and nine months. Was with the Army of the Potomac till after the battle of Gettysburg,oand subsequently was under General Hooker in the Western Army, and was wounded twice at Atlanta. In 1866 he married Miss Rachael Harrington and has five children. CYRUS HENDRICK was born in Colden, Erie County, N. Y., in 1845, moved with his parents to Ashtabula County, Ohio in 1854. Came to Koylton in 1868, and settled on section 30, where he now resides. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and served in the Army of the Potomac, being in all the battles of his regiment Was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, and was discharged in the fall of 1863. He was married in 1870 to Miss Eliza Campbell, and has five children.:TOWNV OF KINGSTON. This town occupies the middle position in the eastern tier of towns of Tuscola County, having Sanilac County as its eastern boundary, the town of Novesta on the north, Wells on the west and Koylton on the south. The Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin R. R., passes through the township from north to south. The town takes its name from Alanson K. King, one of its first settlers. At a meeting of the board of supervisors held October 10, 1860, a resolution was adopted, ordering that township 12 north, of range 11 east, be erected into a township to be known and designated by the name of Kingston. The first township meeting was held at the house of Alanson K. King. The petition was signed by the following freeholders in the township: Jacob Shaw, Alvin Watson, Henry Hatherby, W. B. King, P. L. King, Oscar Watson, Alexander G. Corbet, David Fuller, J. L. Hatherby, M. Vites, G. Meidlein, Thomas Whitfield, A. K. King and G. R. Nelson. The first town meeting was held at the house of Jacob Shaw, April 1, 1861, when the following officers were elected: viz: supervisor, A. W. King; clerk, Oscar Watson; treasurer, P. L. King; justices, George Nelson and J. L. Hatherby; commissioners of highways, George Nelson, H. E. Hatherby and W. B. King; school inspectors, A. K. King and George Nelson; constables, A. K. King, H. E. Hatherby, W. B. King and Jacob Shaw. ENTRIES OF LAND PRIOR TO 1861. TOWNSHIP 12 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST. SECTION 1. Daniel F. Pickering, May 7, 1856. William Sanborn, April 15, 1857. John Bings, February 25, 1859. SECTION 4. Martin Watrous, June 9, 1860. SECTION 5. Jas. H. Bacon and Amasa Rust, May 24, 1859. Martin Watrous, June 9, 1860. SECTION 6. Henry Hayden, November 10, 1857. Robert H. Weidmann, November 10, 1857. J. H. Bacon and A. Rust, May 24, 1859. SECTION 7. Henry Hayden, December 8, 1857. SECTION 9. David G. Slafter, August 9, 1858. David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. SECTION 10. Henry Hayden, December 8, 1857. James H. Bacon and Amasa Rust, May 24, 1859. David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. SECTION 11. Daniel F. Pickering, May 7, 1856. i i W. - i aL 0 - LEWIS LANWA' County, N. Y., ant j settled on section ' BIOGRAPHICAL. Y was born January 29, 1843, in St. Lawrence d came to the township of Koylton in 1867, and 29, where he has since resided. He has cleared I u - [ -. . II. - t - 204 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. - - - David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. SECTION 12. Daniel F. Pickering, May 7, 1856. David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. SECTION 13. Daniel F. Pickering, May 6, 1856. David G-. Slafter, August 9, 1858. David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. SECTION 14. Daniel F. Pickering, May 6, 1856. Martin Watrous, May 18, 1858. Martin Watrous, June 10, 1858. David G. Slafter, August 9,, 1858. David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. SECTION 15. Daniel F. Pickering, May 6, 1856. Martin Watrous, August 2, 1858. Amasa Rust and James H. Bacon, May 22, 1859. SECTION 17. Henry Hayden, November 10, 1859. Martin Watrous, January 30, 1858. SECTION 18. Valentine Reynolds, November 2, 1858. SECTION 19. Daniel D. Dewey, April 23, 1853. David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. SECTION 21. Martin Watrous, May 5, 1854. James M. Edmunds, May 10, 1854. Thomas Constable, November 12, 1857. Thomas Constable, December 22, 1857. Alexander G. Corbet, November 22, 1860. Sault Canal Co., May 25, 1855. SECTION 22. Martin Watrous, May 5, 1854. James M. Edmunds, May 10, 1854. David G. Slafter, August 9, 1858. J. H. Bacon and A. Rust, May 24, 1859. David G. Slafter, May 30, 1858. Joseph Colman, January 15, 1859. Amasa Rust, March 19, 1860. SECTION 23. Martin Watrous, November 20, 1858. Martin Watrous, February 22, 1859. Stephen H. Farrington, May 7, 1859. Martin Watrous, November 16, 1858. George Wallace, February 22, 1859. SECTION 25. Martin Watrous, May 18, 1858. Martin Watrous, June 3, 1858. Joseph Colman, November 2, 1858. SECTION 26. Martin Watrous, May 21, 1858. Martin Watrous, June 3, 1858. Caroline Dunton, August 31, 1859. Royal C. Remick, August 6, 1852. SECTION 27. James M. Edmunds, May 10, 1854. Amasa Rust, June 3, 1859. SECTION 28. James M. Edmunds, May 10, 1854. Oscar Watson, September 17, 1860. SECTION 30. Nathan Raymond, April 28, 1858. SECTION 31. Daniel D. Dewey, May 2, 1853. Daniel D. Dewey, April 23, 1853. James Gillespie, September 12, 1860. Charles Featherly, September 12, 1860. SECTION 32. Alanson K. King, November 9, 1857. Rebeckah Shuman, May 15, 1858. SECTION 33. James M. Edmunds, May 10, 1854. Martin Watrous, July 8, 1857. George Meidlein, January 3, 1860. SECTION 34. Pembroke S. Chapel, September 5, 1857. John T. Clark, October 6, 1857. Silas Murch, March 13, 1858. Jacob Shaw, June 24, 1859. David Fuller, June 15, 1860. SECTION 35. John Deo, July 13, 1857. Silas Murch, March 13, 1858. William Walker, May 11, 1858. Caroline Dunton, August 31, 1859. SECTION 36. Samuel Barstow, June 17, 1854. Dennis Burch, February 2, 1858. Martin Watrous, May 18, 1858. Thomas H. Whitfield, March 7, 1859. EARLY SETTLEMENT. In the fall of 1857 William Walker settled in section 35 and built a log house, and in December following moved his family in. He came from Canada, and cut his road through the woods from a point on what is now the Almont and Cass River State road, in Sanilac County, to his house, a distance of about five miles. He remained until the following June, when he returned to Canada, coming back again in 1871. Alanson King, with his son, Philo L., took up the south half of section 32, in the fall of 1857. In January, 1858, they came in and built a log house, and on the 5th of March, following, Mr. King moved in his family. They came from Ohio and stayed with George Green in Dayton from January until March. In coming in they cut their own road for four miles to their home. They remained there until the winter of 1861-'62, when they removed to Juniata, returning to Kingston in 1870. In the fall of 1857 Thomas Constable bought the southwest quarter of section 21. In the fall of 1858 he did some chopping on his land, and in December, 1860, moved in with his family. Jacob Shaw with his family settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 34 in the fall of 1858. In the spring of 1859 came Alvin Watson, and in the fall of the same year his brother Oscar Watson. Joseph L. Hatherby took up the east half of northwest quarter of section 34, in 1858, and in December, of the same year, moved in. Henry E. Hatherby moved into the town in 1859, and in 1860 George Nelson and W. B. King. In the spring of 1860 came Elder Burgess; commenced preaching at once, and organized a class of the Methodist Church. He continued preaching until the fall of 1861, when he moved away. These were the first religious services in the town, and the commencement of the Methodist Episcopal Church here. From the fall of 1861 to ths spring of 1863 there was no preaching in the town. Then Elder E. J. Doyle, a Free-will Baptist minister, commenced preaching here, and continued to preach in the vicinity for ten years. January 2, 1865, Rev. George Lee, preacher in charge of North Branch Circuit, appointed the following trustees, viz.: Thomas Constable, Samuel Youngs, Alvin Watson, Oscar Watson, and Henry Seaman, to be described, known and incorporated as "The Kingston Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church." The first white child born in the town was George Shaw, the son of Jacob Shaw. His birth was on the 21st of February, 1860. The first death in the town was the young daughter of Joseph L. Hatherby. Her death was in September, 1860. October 6, 1862, Oscar Watson and Sarah Youngs were married by the bride's father, Samuel Youngs, J. P., this being the first wedding-in the town. The first school district was organized May 14, 1864, and the first school was taught by Miss Crawford in the summer of 1865. The first school-house was built in 1865, and the first school taught iu it was by C. Depew, in 1866. The early settlers in this region had to go to Wahjagmega, Vassar, or Lapeer, to get their milling done, or else do their grinding by hand. Many of the first settlers had to pack in their provisions.T 46I- b I 1 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. "D~OUT.Fulriputnupabakmtshpanaloadelg 205 I0 on a blazed trail from Wahjamega, Vassar, or some other point outside. Jacob Shaw was the great packer of the region. He packed fourteen bushels of potatoes from Dayton to his place, a distance of about ten miles. He would start with one bag on his shoulder and another under his arm, and carry them until he was tired; then drop one and carry the other some distance, returning for the first and bringing it up to the other; then carry the two for a while, and so on until he reached home. At one time he supplied a camp of seventeen men, on Sucker Creek, with provisions from Wahjamega, a distance of ten miles, making the trip every day, and carrying fifty pounds of flour and fifty pounds of pork at a load. The only roads through then were trails through the woods, impassable for a team much of the time. FIRST MAIL ROUTE. The first mail route through this section of country was established in 1857, from Vassar to Port Sanilac, about seventy miles, and back once in two weeks. George Sorter, of Wells, was the first carrier: but in 1858 A. K. King took the route, and he and his two sons carried the mails for several years. It was a hard and lonesome route most of the way through the woods. In many places for a long way it was simply a blazed trail, without any settlers near; some of the way through swamps, where they would have to wade in water up to their arm-pits, holding the mail bag above the -head; and in some seasons breaking the ice before them. Mr. King carried the mail, and provisions for his family, from Vassar, twenty-six miles. Most of the supplies for his family were brought in, in this way, on his back. Mr. King died September 4, 1878, at the age of sixty-eight years. He left a family of seven children, all settled in comfortable homes. His wife preceded him in death nearly two years. THE VILLAGE OF NEWBURY. In the summer of 1866, John Kingsbury and sons bought the southeast quarter of southeast quarter of section 32, and made preparations to build a saw-mill, which they got to running early in the spring of 1867. In the fall of 1866 Elder Johnson put up a small building on this same tract, near the section corner, and opened a store, with James Perry as clerk. This was the beginning of the village of Newbury. Sometime the next winter P. L. King bought the store. In April, 1868, Joseph A. Pepoon, M. D., came to Newbury from Ohio. Up to this time the people of this region had been obliged to go to Watrousville or North Branch, when in need of medical aid. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Newbury, was dedicated February 11, 1873, and is the only church building in the town. The first and only grist-mill in the town was built in 1874. The village of Newbury was described in the fall of 1867, as follows: "Newbury is the name given to a place, recently sprung up in Kingston, a town that has improved as rapidly in the past two years as any in the county. At Newbury, P. L. King has a store 24x20 feet, with a wing 24x16 feet, the latter doubtless furnishing a residence for his family. The store is two stories high, and at present contains a stock of boots and shoes, groceries, dry goods, Yankee notions, etc., etc. "J. Kingsbury & Son have a saw-mill which is doing a good business. During the past six months it has sawed 600,000 feet of pine lumber. The same firm will soon erect a grist-mill, to be run in connection with the saw-mill. A part of the timber for the purpose is already out. They have also a planing-mill, now on its way from Ohio, to which they will attach a matcher, and run the whole in connection with their other machinery. "D. Fuller is putting up a blacksmith shop, and also a dwelling house. A man by the name of William Depew, a cabinet maker, is at present prosecuting his trade at his dwelling, but will soon build a shop for the purpose.,"The postoffice here bears the same name as the place-Newbury, and is kept in King's store. The postmaster is John Kingsbury. "The surrounding country is being very rapidly cleared up, the woods giving place to fine farms, and the unregenerated wilds to pleasing improvements. The population is increasing very rapidly, emigrants arriving in no part of the county in greater numbers." The village lies on both sides of the line between the towns of Kingston and Koylton, in sections 82 and 33, of the former, and sections 4 and 5, of the latter. It is the center of trade of an excellent farming country, and being a station on the Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin Railroad, is destined to become an important point for shipment of grain and other products. The population of the village is about 200. It has three general stores, one hardware establishment, one drug store, one harness shop, one meat market, one saw-mill, one grist-mill, an elevator under construction, a millinery store, postoffice, two hotels and a livery stable. There are two church organizations, the Methodist Episcopal, under the pastorate of Rev. William Allman, and having a house of worship, and the Baptist, under the care of Rev. Mr. Rogers, meeting at the school-house. STATISTICAL. Census of 1864: Population, 47; number of acres of taxable land, 5,832; number of acres improved, 97; bushels of corn raised preceding year, 165; bushels of wheat raised preceding year, 418; bushels of potatoes, 395; pounds of butter made preceding year, 655. Census of 1870: Population, 324; families, 63; dwellings, 63; farms, 33; voters, 56; pounds of butter made, 4,290; bushels of wheat raised, 612; bushels of corn raised, 695; bushels of oats raised, 205; bushels of potatoes raised, 2,676; tons of hay cut, 75. Census of 1874: Population, 383; bushels of wheat raised, 973; bushels of corn raised, 989; bushels of potatoes, 3,921; tons of hay cut, 212. In 1879 there were 87 farms, and 1,802 acres of improved land. For the preceding year 4,742 bushels of wheat, 2,950 bushels of corn and 387 tons of hay. Population in 1880, 649. In 1882 the number of acres assessed was 22,890. Total equalized valuation of real and personal property, $233,196. SCHOOL MATTERS. From the annual school report of the town of Kingston, for the year ending September 4, 1882, the following facts are obtained. Directors for the ensuing year: James B. Beverly, H. S. Youngs, Martin B. Luce, Andrew Osborn and George B. Rossman. There are four whole and one fractional districts, with five frame schoolhouses. Number of children of school age, 297; attending school during the year, 222. BIOGRAPHICAL. JOSEPH A. PEPOON, M. D., was born in Ohio, in 1843, studied medicine at Ann Arbor, Mich., graduated from the medical department of the Western Reserve College, in Cleveland, Ohio, and came to Kingston village in 1868, where he has since practiced his profession. He was married in 1873, to Miss Louise L. Simmons, and has one son. w I - I - ------ ^-4 ^ II Pl - - ~-L 206 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. I I I I J. A. TESKEY was born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1835, and came to Kingston in 1862, and located over 700 acres of land. He now owns 310 acres on sections 7, 8 and 17, and resides on section 7; has fifty acres improved. MIr. Teskey is the present county surveyor, which position he has held two terms, and was deputy two terms; has also been supervisor five years, and justice of the peace sixteen years. He was married in 1868, to Miss Eleanor Jeffrey, and has four children. TOVATNT OF AVISNER. This town comprises fractional township 14 north, of range 7 east, and occupies a position in the northwestern part of the county bordering on Saginaw Bay. All that portion of the township lying upon the bay and extending back for a considerable distance is prairie. The best farming land is in the southeast corner of the township. The town was organized by act of legislature in 1861. The first town meeting was held in April of that year at the residence of Hiram Thomas. The inspectors of election were N. H. Terry, W. B. Ormsbee and Elijah Gibbs. LAND ENTRIES PRIOR TO 1865. TOWNSHIP 14 NORTH, RANGE 7 EAST. SECTION 1. Townsend North, November 15, 1861. SECTION 11. AUgUStus Lull, July 25, 1861. Harvey Dunham, February 19, 1862. SECTION 12. W. P. Jewell, -- -, 1860. Townsend North, November 1-5, 1861. William Jewell, August 25, 1864. William P. Jewell, July 31, 1862. Charles G. Learned, December 2, 1863. SECTION 13. Archibald Black, January 9, 1855. Joshua Terry, July 10, 1855. Elijah Gibbs, December 3, 1858. Townsend North, September 17, 1862. Henry Beebe, December 11, 1863. SECTION 14. Joshua Terry, July 10, 1855. Townsend North, July 20, 1861. Henry B. Shurtleff, February 3, 1863. Augustus Lull, June 19, 1861. SECTION 15. Grannis and Clark Moulthrop, April 7,,1859. Grannis and Clark Moulthrop, July 30, 1858. Townsend North, December 8, 1860. Townsend North, July 20, 1861. SECTION 21. Green Bird, July 24, 1854. Townsend North, February 4, 1862. SECTION 22. Hiram Thomas, May 5, 1862. Townsend North, December 8, 1860. Townsend North, September 17, 1862. SECTION 23. Russell Lapree, June 4, 1860. Hiram Thomas, May 5, 1862. SECTION 24. Simeon S. Carson, September 29, 1863. SECTION 25. Henry Beebe, August 24, 1860. Alexander Borland, April 19, 1862. Townsend North, January 28, 1864. SECTION 27. Isaiah Jester, May 15, 1855. Isaiah Jester, September 12, 1855. John Rees, October 7, 1864. SECTION 28. Joshua S. Briggs, May 7, 1855. Joshua Terry, October 11, 1853. Joshua Terry, September 17, 1853. Townsend North, July 20, 1861. Townsend North, December 8, 1860. William B. Ormsbee, January 1, 1862. SECTION 32. Nathan H. Hewitt, August 16, 1855. Matthew Little, January 22, 1863. SECTION 33. Almon MoTerry, March 19, 1859. Townsend North, July 20, 1861. Matthew Little, February 8, 1863. TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 7 EAST. SECTION 36. Townsend North, February 4, 1862. Harriet S. Gibbs, May 31, 1865. TOWN OFFICERS SINCE 1877. YEAR. 1883. 1882. 1881. 1880. 1879. 1878. SUPERVISOR. G. A. Lark. G. A. Lark. R. M. Lapree. S. Drake. R. M. Lapree. R. M. Lapree. CLERK. H. Mathews. H. Mathews. H. Mathews. H. Mathews. H. Mathews. G. Garer. TREASURER. S. Maddaugh. S. Maddaugh. C. S. Conger. C. S. Conger. C. S. Conger. S. Maddaugh. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS. G. Gager. C. S. Conger. T. Barrett. T. Barrett. S. S. Carson, C. S Conger. STATISTICAL. Census of 1864: Population, 93; number of acres of taxable land, 680; number of acres of improved land, 70; bushels of corn preceding year, 381; bushels of wheat preceding year, 60; bushels of potatoes preceding year, 530; tons of hay cut preceding year, 305; pounds of butter made preceding year, 3,095; pounds of cheese made preceding year, 200. Census of 1870: Population, 165; families, 32; dwellings, 32; farms, 17; voters, 41; number of acres of improved land, 220; number of horses, 32; pounds of wool sheared, 625; pounds of butter made, 10,400; bushels of corn raised, 226; bushels of oats raised, 140. Census of 1874: Population, 190; bushels of wheat raised, 150; bushels of corn raised, 815; bushels of apples, 511; bushels of potatoes, 724; tons of hay cut, 21; number of horses, 56; number of cows, 78. Population in 1880 was returned with Gilford, and cannot be accurately determined. In 1882 the number of acres assessed was 11,907; total equalized valuation of real and personal property, $67,745. Number of farms in 1881, 28; acres of improved land, 1,011. Bushels of wheat raised in 188.0, 5,072; of corn, 4,701; tons of hay, 233. SCHOOL MATTERS. The town of Wisner has two whole and one fractional school districts. The directors are Warren A. Thomas, C. P. Johnson and John McLaren. For the year ending September 4, 1882, there were reported ninety-five children of school age in the town, and four frame school-houses. BIOGRAPHICAL. GEORGE GAGER was born in York County, Ontario, in 1831. When a mere boy he went to Lincoln and from there to Huron County, thence in 1864 to Flint, Mich., where he resided until 1872. He then came to Tuscola County and settled in the township of WTisner on section 28. In the fall of 1877 he purchased a hotel on the Ray City and Cass River State Road, which he kept for several years. In 1882 he formed a partnership with A. W. Barney and built a steam saw-mill on section 82. He was married in 1859 to Miss Margaret Morrison, of Huron County, Ont., who was born in Scotland in 1830 and came to America in 1844. Mr. Gager has held the office of township clerk three years and that of justice of the peace seven years. E. P. JONES was born in the township of Durham, Oxford I. i I I i 1( I i - LI e I - A lk ON - -J:-!4: Jo Re!P 1 II HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 207 I twelv yer fa e et e o e t h o n hp o _h m County, Ont., September 24. 1846, where he resided till he was twelve years of age. He then moved to the township of Bayham, Elgin County, and in 1880 to Bay City, Mich. In 1882 he came to Wisner and rented a hotel of George Gager on the State road, of which he is now the proprietor.. He was married in 1865 to Miss Nancy Jane Weeks, who was born in South Dorchester, Elgin County, Ont., January 5, 1846, and has three children-Charley Edward, born November 9, 1866; George Arthur, born August 25, 1868, and Clarence Whitfield, born March 14, 1880. TOWN OF NO VESTA. On the east line of Tuscola County, next south of Elkland, east of Ellington and north of Kingston, lies the town of Novesta. Cass River and its south branch flow through the north tier of sections, separating from the rest of the town about 1,900 acres. White Creek flows through the southern part of the town. The soil in the northern part is a gravelly loam; in portions, especially further south, appears more of a clay loam. Along White Creek' in the river bottoms the land is a black loam or muck, of a very rich and productive character. The natural growth is beech, oak, maple, cherry, basswood, pine and hemlock, with more of the latter two, than in towns to the north and east. This town was one of the last in the county to be reached by the advancing tide of settlement, which extended generally over the county from 1850 to 1860. For this there were several reasons; the primary reason was that logging operations had not to any extent reached the interior of the town. The pine within short hauls of Cass River was cut, and the character of the county to the south judged from that along the river where more of a sandy soil is found. That the country was little thought of, if not actually in disrepute, is shown from the incident related of the earliest settler in the town who settled on the southwest quarter of section 10 in 1864. Making his way out one day to the river, traveling by compass and by the blazed section lines, he came out upon a "tote" road near the river and met a lumberman who inquired whence he came. Being informed, he asked, "Have you killed anybody?" Mr. Bridges answered that he had not. "Then what in h-11 are you down there for?" Another hindrance to the settlement of the town was the lack of means of communication with other settlements. Streams had not been bridged, and the only means of reaching the line of travel to the north of Cass River was by boats and rafts. David M. Houghton, one of the early settlers of the town going in,in 1868, relates that having occasion to take a pig across the river he could find no means of crossing except a log, the boats and rafts having been carried away by the June freshet. Cutting a pole with which to propel his craft he put the pig on in front of him and crossed in safety, for though this was piggy's first experience in river driving, it was not Mr. Houghton's who was an expert in the handling of such craft. John Bachman, November 7, 1867. SECTION 2. Stephen D. Sayer, January 28, 1854. Samuel Lewis, April 1, 1854. Stephen D. Sayer, May 19, 1854. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. Anson G. Miller, February 6, 1865. William C. Yawkey, 1865. John Bachman, October 7, 1867. John Bachman, November 7, 1867. SECTION 3. Samuel Lewis, March 27, 1854. Henry D. Braddock, November 14, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. William Finch, April 15, 1863. Anson G. Miller, February 6, 1865. George Wyckoff and Samuel Samson, 1865. Francis Palms, December 22, 1866. Ephraim Farr, November 14, 1867. David M. Houghton, May 27, 1868. SECTION 4. Henry D. Braddock, November 14, 1855. Henry D. Braddock, October 8, 1856. Z. Washington Wright, December 18, 1856. David Wright, January 9, 1860. Townsend North, January 9, 1861. Francis Palms, December 22, 1866. SECTION 5. William H. Green, July 15, 1850. Eurotas Morton, M arch 8, 1853. Henry D. Braddock, Auigust 3, 1855. George H. Sanford, October 30, 1858. Martin Watrous, November 16, 1858. William C. Yawkey and Joseph Lawrence, February 7, 1865. Josiah Grant, February 13, 1864. Francis Palms, December 22, 1866. Martin Watrous, - SECTION 6. Paschal Richardson, November 2, 1848. Henry D. Braddock, August 3, 1855. George H. Sanford, October 21,' 1858. Martin Watrous, January 3'), 1858. George H. Sanford, October 25, 1858. Townsend Nortli, M ay 18, 1 861. William C. Yawkey and Joseph Lawrence, February 7, 1865. SECTION 7. William H. Green, July 15, 1850. Volney Chapin, June 9, 1851. Eurotas Morton, March 8, 1853. Thomas Aymer, March 7, 1861. William C. Yawkey, February 13, 1865. B. B. Briggs, September 12, 1864. SECTION 8. George H. Sanford, October 30, 1858. A. Stevens, March 19, 1860. Francis Palms, December 22, 1866. John J. Hubinger, June 20, 1867. SECTION 9. Job Briggs, July 20, 1866. Francis Palms, December 22, 1866. Henry P. Atwood, March 13, 1867. Warren T. Sheffer, January 29, 1868. John L. Woods, November 4, 1867. John G. Hubinger, June 20, 1867. L. K. Bridges, March 17, 1865. SECTION 10. James lM. Baldwin, May 18, 1853. Samuel Lewis, March 27, 1854. Alexander C. Watrous, July 28, 1856. George H. Sanford, March 19, 1860. Shortly after Mr. Bridges came Reuben A. Mosher. Few settlers followed until 1866, when the first considerable logging operations commenced. Here as in so many other towns the lumber camps were the advance posts, the vedettes of civilizationand like vedettes their work being done they fall back. ENTRIES OF LAND PRIOR TO 1869. TOWNSHIP 13 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST. SECTION 1. Martin Watrous, May 19, 1853. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. William Final, February 4, 1865. l M' I-: IV,- ( - 4r : - i. 208 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. Warren T. Sheffer, January 29, 1868. William Hought and S. P. Randall, January 6, 1868. L. K. Bridges, March 17, 1865. SECTION 11. William H. Green, August 30, 1850. James M. Baldwin, June 16, 1853. Samuel Lewis, April 21, 1854. George H. Sanford, January 21, 1860. Oliva C. Black, 1864. William Finale, December 22, 1866. James Talbert, November 27, 1868. William Finale, December 2, 1863. Seymour Watson, March 18, 1864. SECTION 12. James M. Baldwin, June 16, 1853. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. A. H. Gates, March 19, 1860. Charles E. Starling, January 21, 1861, Sault Canal Co., May 25, 1855. Seymour Watson, March 18, 1864. SECTION 13. Samuel Lewis, March 27, 1854. Samuel Lewis, April 21, 1854. Samuel F. Jones, May 2, 1854. Alfred H. Wright, May 4, 1855. Hermon Camp, August 4, 1856. William Finale, December 18, 1860. SECTION 14. James M. Baldwin, June 16, 1853. M. Watrous,- - John G. Hubinger, May 24, 1864. E. Eddy, S. and N. Avery, January 2, 1866. David G. Slafter, February 21, 1867. Seymour Watson, March 18, 1864. SECTION 15. James M. Baldwin, August 9, 1853. Isaiah Warren, November 11, 1856. Rhoda C. Beach, May 23, 1857. William A. Heartt, April 4, 1867. John S. Woods, November 4, 1867. J. G. IIubinger, February 24, 1866. SECTION 16. G. W. Dennis, January 31, 1868. Traverse Leach, December 14, 1868. R. H. Warner, December 30, 1868. Thomas McQuillan, January 31, 1868. SECTION 17. Frank P. Sears, September 21, 1859. - H. M. Youmans and A. Welden, March 7, 1867. John G. Hubinger, June 20, 1867. SECTION 18. Townsend North, December 8, 1860. Alfred Welden and Henry Youmans, January 8, 1867. H. M. Youmans, October 21, 1867. SECTION 19. Delia A. Baldwin, July 28, 1853. William Pinkerton, November 19, 1866. Martin Watrous, May 19,1859. M. M. Parker, November 19, 1859. John Hubinger, -- -, -- Martin Watrous, May 10, 1859. T. North, December 8, 1860. SECTION 20. Martin Watrous, December 24, 1863. John Emmens, November 7, 1867. Ralph C. Smith, October 27, 1868. B. F. McHose, November 8, 1866. SECTION 21. John G. Hubinger, August 8, 1866. Wil. A. Heartt, April 4, 1867. John S. Woods, November 4, 1867. Henry Sheffler, November 9, 1867. John G. Hubinger, December 21, 1867. SECTION 22. John G. Hubinger, February 24, 1866. -'-'i' J. J. McKenney, April 16, 1867. J. L. Woods, November 4, 1867. Wm. A. Heartt, June 15, 1868. SECTION 23. Samuel Lewis, April 17, 1854. Thomas W. Palmer, May 20, 1864. J. G. Hubinger, February 24, 1866. J. G. Hubinger, August 20, 1866. Edwin Eddy, August 30, 1867. M. Miller and Wm. Thompson, October 29, 1867. E. Eddy, December 2, 1867. J. M. Lamb, September 18, 1867. Sault Canal Co., May 25, 1855. SECTION 24. Isaiah Warren, November 11, 1856. E. Eddy and S. and N. Avery, January 2, 1866. Sault Canal Co., May 25, 1855. SECTION 25. Thomas W. Palmer, May 20, 1864. J. G. Hubinger, August 6, 1866. E. Eddy, August 30, 1867. R. H. Wells, November 4, 1867. J. S. Woods, August 4, 1867. Wolcott Wilcox, April 12, 1868. SECTION 26. J. G. Hubinger, February 24, 1866., J. G. Hubinger, August 6, 1866. J. S. Woods, November 4, 1867. Thomas H. Hunt, March 22, 1859. SECTION 27. W. Woodson, et al., August 16, 1866. Joshua Manwaring, April 2, 1867. B. F. Hillicker, March 17, 1866. J. IM. Lamb, September 18, 1867. Thomas H. Hunt, March 26, 1859. Otis Van Tassel, March 3, 1858. SECTION 28. Townsend North, November 15, 1861. B. F. McHose, January 7, 1862. John G. Hubinger, August 15, 1866. H. H. Van Tassell, December 18, 1867. John G. Hubinger, December 21, 1867. SECTION 29. Martin Watrous, May 10, 1859. Townsend North, February 4, 1867. B. F. McHose, January 7, 1862. William Tennant, March 1, 1866. Franklin D. Curtis, November 7, 1867. SECTION 30. Martin Watrous, March 19, 1853. Delia A. Baldwin, July 28, 1853. William Fenner, October 20, 1860. Benj. F. McHose, October 27, 1860. Benj. F. McHose, February 12, 1862. SECTION 32. David G. Slafter, July 30, 1858. David G. Slafter, January 30, 1858. Robert O. Curtis, Jr., November 7, 1868. SECTION 33. James,0. Valentine, January 14, 1868. Robert O. Curtis, Jr., November 7, 1868. William H. Wills, May 11, 1868. Benajah W. Turner, September 1, 1859. SECTION 34. Alanson C. Valentine, January 14, 1868. Thomas H. Hunt, March 22, 1859. SECTION 35. Amos F. Hubbard, September 2, 1858. J. G. Hubinger, August 6, 1866. J. Manwaring, April 27, 1867. A. F. Hubbard, August 22, 1867. J. S. Woods, November 4, 1867. Thomas H. Hunt, March 22, 1859. SECTION 36. Robert Davis, July 3, 1857. J. Manwaring, April 22, 1867. I 9 -- — v Ie I AI -I - | HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 209 - - - - 1 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. 209 A special town meeting held May 21? 1870, authorized the issue of bonds to the aluollnt of $1,000 for a bridge over (lass River Reuben A. Mosher, April 10, 1867. John L. Wood, November 4, 1867. Jeff. A. M. Green, December 18, 1867. J. G. Hubinger, August 6, 1866. Thomas W. 1Palmer, May 23, 1864. The township having for town purposes been attached to the township of Elkland from the first, steps were taken in 1869 for a separate organization. Upon application made by the required number of freeholders the county board of supervisors ordered an election, appointed a board of registration and inspectors, and designated the name of the new town. It is said that some members of the county board being assembled in Farley Craw's store at Centerville, the question of name for the new town canme under discussion. Mr. Craw, pointing to a stove in the room, the name of which was "Vesta No. -," suggested that the words be reversed to form the name "Novesta." The suggestion was adopted. A caucus was held at the house of David M. Houghton and officers nominated. The registry shows the following legal voters in the town of Novesta April 3, 1869, viz.: Levi H. Bridges, Thomas McQailling, David M. Houghton, James Farley, Charles H. Hardy, Abram G. Houghton, Franklin D. Curtis, Robert O. Curtis, Warren T. Sheffer, James 0. Valentine, William H. Brown, Robert H. Warner, Albert K. Bridges, Alanson C. Valentine, Henry Sheffer, Samuel R. Brown, David M. Houghton, Ephraim Farr. The first township meeting was held at the residence of Levi K. Bridges April 5, 1869. It was unanimously voted to raise the following moneys: For highway purposes, $500; for contingent expenses, $250; for school purposes, $250. The total number of votes cast was fifteen. It is evident that there was but one ticket, and that every candidate modestly refrained from voting for himself, for every candidate elected received fourteen votes. The officers elected were as follows: Supervisor, Robert H. Warner; clerk, James* Farley; treasurer, James McQuilling; justices, Levi K. Bridges, Abram G. Houghton and Robert O. Curtis; commissioners of highways, Levi K. Bridges and Alanson Valentine; constables, Warren T. Sheffer, Henry Sheffer, Franklin D. Curtis and James O. Valentine; school inspectors, Charles H. Hardy and David M. Houghton. A special town meeting held July 3, 1869; William H. Brown was elected supervisor to fill vacancy. A meeting of the town boards of Elkland and Novesta was held Septemlber 13, 1869, for the purpose of apportioning the property of the former town. of Ellkland, from which Novesta was formed. A settlement was effected by giving the town of Novesta an order on the county treasurer for $1,150. School tax to the amount of $343.11. August 28, 1869, the school inspectors of Kingston and Novesta met and organized fractional District No. 1. The treasurer's report for 1869 shows debits as follows: Amount of town tax.................... $6903.09 School tax............................... 173.81 School tax 173.81 Highway tax......................... 162.59 State and county tax.................. 190.76 Returned tax........................ 40.50 $1,470.75 Credits as follows: Amount of county treasurer's receipts.... $1,260.59 Error in assessment....................... 8.14 Town orders.................. 24.54 Cash on hand..................... 69.48 Amount of collector's fee............00 $1,470.75 A special town meeting held May 21, 1870, authorized the issue of bonds to the amount of $1,000 for a bridge over Cass River on the section line. At the annual town meeting in 1874 thirty votes were cast. It is noticeable that large sums of money have from time to time been expended on highways and bridges, not less than $7,000 having been spent on the latter. The citizens evidently recognized the fact that liberality provided the means of intercommunication and of reaching markets. This they have accomplished under great discouragements, their bridges having been frequently damaged or totally destroyed by fire and flood, to be as often rebuilt. The fire of 1871 was not nearly so destructive in the town of Novesta, as that of ten years later. Not only were there fewer settlers but the fire does not appear to have been so extensive. The fire was most in the pine and slashings, where dry fuel was found. On the low ground the muck took fire, and burned with a smouldering flame. David M. Houghton was the only person who failed to escape to the river. This was owing to the sickness of his wife. They were supposed to be lost, until the second day after the fire, when friends arrived and assisted in carrying Mrs. Houghton out. Their barn, sleigh, corn, fences and other property were destroyed; their house escaped. The fire of 1881 was much more general and much more destructive, though unattended with loss of life. The following is a list of losses: John Dickerson, house and barn; John Van Kaughnet,house and barn; Archibald McPhee, barn; Charles Curles, hay; William Hartwick, hay; William Marsh, household goods, hay; Edward Deneen, hay and straw; James Abeal, barn, wheat, implements; Roswell Allen, hay; James Bruce, house and barn; James Phillips, house, wheat; W. A. Yorke, house, straw; Edward Balch, house and lumber; Aaron Huffman, house; A. Phillips, house; Archibald McArthur, house and barn; H. B. Hubbard, tools and implements; Orlando Strickland, house; A. G. Houghton, stable, lumber; John Scriver, house, stock; Michael Race, hay; John McLean, barn; Silas Woods, cooper shop, stock, household goods; Warren Barry, household goods; Martin Anthus, house; William H. Brown, hay; M. H. Quick, cut lumber; James Mattoon, house and barn; Daniel McClory, hay; A. R. Thompson, hay; Morrison Jones, two houses, hay; H. C. Downing, house, grain; Ogden Atwell, household goods; Chester Hall, house; James Wilson, saw-mill, tools; William Balch, house, barn, implements; M. Devall, household goods; H:. Firman, household goods; Dugald McArthur, house, wheat; Silas Huffman, barn: T. Spenser, barn; H. H. Wilson, barn; S. Slack, barn; Alexander McCullum, stock, implements; John Joynt, house, barn, hay; S. D. Snyder, house; George Tyler, barn; Patrick Nelson, implements; Adam Parker, fodder; Johnston Elweil, lumber; Reuben Mosher, house, barn, hay, tools; Andrew McTine, Marion RParker, barn; R. H. Lewis, rails; John Blades, barn, straw, hay; William Cooper, hay and lumber; David Harris, barn, hay; George Hanshaw, house, barn, hay, mill damaged. As a general rule, the destruction of buildings, especially barns implied the loss, also, of contents, and that the crops, whether garnered or in the field, were destroyed, fences burned, valuable standing timber ruined; in short, the shelter and food of family and stock, if any of the latter were left, was swept away. That the suffering through the fall, winter and spring that suc ceeded, was not greater, was due to the generous benefactions which poured in from the whole country, and not least, from neighboring towns. Of this hearty sympathy and these noble charities, doubt not the angel of mercy has made due record. The recovery from the effects of this great disaster has been rapid. Houses and barns have been rebuilt; a fruitful soil has 1 And -OW -11I I I \V. /1 ,A i-L v f 6 I 210 HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. yielded its increase, and signs of renewed prosperity are seen everywhere. The charred timber is being sawed into lumber by the mills in the town, and the traces of fire are gradually disappearing. The bridge across Cass River, to connect with Cass City, the market town, was rebuilt in 1882. It is a combination bridge, strongly built of iron and wood, with heavy stone abutments, and cost about $3,500. The construction of the Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin through the town, tnd the establishment of a station, will give improved facilities for marketing produce, and bring in new settlers to improve the large area of yet unsettled territory. The first school district, Fractional No. 1, was organized in August, 1869, in connection with the town of Kingston. The annual school report of the town of Novesta, for the year ending September 4, 1882, states that the directors for the ensuing year were Reuben Mosher, Levi S. Atwood, M. H. Quick, Hiram H. Wilson. There were four school districts, and the same number of frame school-houses. Whole number of children of school age, in the town, 164; number that attended school during the year, 147. There is no church edifice in the town, but occasional services are held by the Free Methodists in the school-house, in the north part of the town. YEAR-SUPERVISOR. 1883-J. R. Lewis. 1882-J. R. Lewis. 1881-Fred. C. Lee. 1880-G. '. Boughton. 1879-R. H. Warner. 1878-R. H. Warner. 1877-R. H. Warner. 1876-R. H. Warner. 1875-Wm. H. Brown. 1874 —Wm. H. Brown. 1873-Wm. H. Brown. 1872-Wm. H. Brown. 1871 Wm. H. Brown. 1870-Wm. H. Brown. 1869-R. H. Warner. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. CLERK. A. G. Houghton. A. G. Houghton. A. G. Houghton. J. R. Lewis. J. R. Lewis. J. R. Lewis. Josiah R. Lewis. Josiah R. Lewis. C. H. Hardy. C. H. Hardy. Silas Huffman. Silas Huffman. C. H. Hardy. C. H. Hardy. James Farley. TREASURER. W. A. Yorke. J. Hamilton. J. Hamilton. C. C. Ashby. C. C. Ashby. James Bruce. James Bruce. James Bruce. T. McQuilling. T. McQuilling. L. Spencer. L. Spencer. R. H. Lewis. T. McQuilling. T. McQuilling. COMMISSIONER HIGHWAYS. J. Hamilton. A. R. Thompson. A. R. Thompson. M. H. Quick. Levi S. Alwood. Wm. W. Balch. Jefferson Green. Silas Huffman. Wrn. H. Brown. G. F. Sherwood. R. A. Mosher. R. A. Mosher. W. T. Sheffer. R. H. Warner. J Levi K. Bridges. } A. C. Valentine. worked a farm five years. They then returned to Oakland County, Mich., and settled in the township of Oxford, where they remained four years, then (1870) came to the township of Novesta, and took up a homestead on section 9, where they now reside. Mr. Dickson and family have passed through many of the hardships incident to pioneer life, having come to the township when there were no roads and but few neighbors, and have succeeded, through great privation and suffering, in establishing themselves in a comfortable home. During the devastating fires of 1871 and 1881, they lost everything of a perishable nature, and were, for the time being, rendered homeless and destitute. Their fortitude and energy, under the most trying circumstances, are wMrty, of emulation, and are records to which they can point with becoming pride. ABRAM G. HOUGHTON was born in Bennington County, Vt., in 1843. When five years of age, he moved with his parents to Ontario County, N. Y., where they resided about four years, then came to Oakland County, Mich., and settled in the township of Springfield. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, and served to the close of the war. Was with General Sherman in his memorable march to the sea, and was in sixteen general engagements, receiving one wound. Returning from the war, he engaged in lumbering in Ogemaw County till 1878, when he went to Cass City. In 1880 he moved to Novesta, and settled on section 3, and helped to organize the township, and has since held the office of clerk. He was married in 1866, to Miss Alice N. Rock, whose father is a well-known resident of Flint. They have four children. R. H. WARNER, one of the early settlers of the township, was born in Macomb County, July 3, 1836, and remained at home with his father until twenty years old. He had the advantages of a common school education, and after leaving home taught school six years, up to the spring of 1864, when he married Miss Almeda M. Houghton, of Groveland, Oakland County, formerly of Bennington County, Vt. Dec. 2,1864, Mr.Warner enlisted in the Second Michigan Infantry, Company F, and served to the close of the war. In the battle of the Wilderness he was severely wounded, and was discharged June 25,1865. In August of the same year he came to Tuscola County and settled on a farm he had purchased on section 3, township of Ellington. This he sold the following year, and lumbered for two seasons on the north branch of the Cass River. In 1869 he purchased a farm in Elkland, which he kept one year, when he sold it and came to Novesta, and took up a homestead of 120 acres on section 17. He was one of the organizers of the township, and was its first supervisor, holding the office six years, and has held all other township offices except clerk. When organized, there were but five families and seven voters in the township. In 1882 Mr. Warner, in company with George N. Houghton, built a steam saw and shingle-mill; but sold his interest in July. Mr. Warner is a man of enterprise, and has amassed a good property. His six children are: Myrtle L., born Oct. 1, 1865; Walter, born Dec. 7, 1867; Olive May, born Dec. 25, 1873; Robert, born Sept. 28, 1874, and Mary E., born May 4, 1880. J. R. LEWIS was born in the township of Bruce, Macomb Co., Mich., Oct. 22, 1842, and when seven years of age moved with his parents to Dryden, Lapeer County. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and was in active service three years. In the battle of Stone River his horse's head was shot off, and he was wounded, at the battle of Shelbyville, below the left knee in a saber charge, which has made him a cripple for life. He was discharged on a general order, July 7, 1865, and returned home where he was married Sept. 22, 1866, to Miss Minerva Jane Rease. of Metamora, Lapeer County. In 1873 he went to Sanilac County, and was elected clerk of the township of Sanilac, and served STATISTICAL. Census of 1870:. Population, 105; families, 24; dwellings, 24; farms, 2; voters, 29; number of acres improved, 18; number of cows, 2; number of oxen, 4; pounds of butter made, 300; bushels of wheat raised, 12; bushels of potatoes, 125. Census of 1874: Population, 171; number of horses, 11; number of oxen, 11; number of cows, 30; bushels of wheat raised, 416; bushels of corn, 640; bushels of potatoes, 1,356; tons of hay, 34. Population in 1880, 356. Total equalized valuation in 1882, $137,370. BIOGRAPHICAL. JOHN DICKSON, one of the oldest settlers of the township of Novesta, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, February 4,1825. When about seven years of age, his mother and family came to America, and after landing in New York, went directly to Port Stanley, Ont., and settled in the northern part of the township of Yarmouth, in the county of Elgin. When fourteen years of age he was bound to a farmer until he was twenty-one. After serving his time he went on the lakes, as a sailor, for four seasons, and then worked at various occupations till 1857, when he married Miss Catherine McCallum, of Yarmouth, who was born January 12, 1836, and is the mother of eight children. Sarah Jane, born July 15, 1859; Archibald Alexander, born May 3, 1860; Catherine Margaret, born January 31, 1863; Daniel, born April 6,1865; John, born May 14, 1868; George Washington, born October 2, 1870; Flora Janett, born August 20, 1873; and Edith, born October 20, 1879. In the spring of 1858 Mr. Dickson and family went to Oakland County, Mich., and stayed two years, when they returned to Canada, and j 1 I%!~ ----- 3 --- —--------------------- IIIIM i F F p I j (.) A -- -:: [ I MICHAEL HENRY QUICK was born in the town of Jasper, Steuben County, State of New York, on the 20th day of February, 1849. His father, Ira C. Quick, was a native of Caroline, Tompkins County, New Jersey, and with his wife, whose maiden name was Elvira Norton, of Bennington, Vermont, settled at an early day in the county of Steuben, New York. Of their four children but two survive, Michael Henry and Benjamin. The subject of this sketch descended from English and German stock on the paternal side, noted for the industry and push characteristic of the settlers of the State a century ago. Upon the maternal side the descent was directly English, and the line traces back into the period of the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, Captain Norton, was found among the Green Mountain boys who stood before the proud army of Prescott at the battle of Bunker Hill. Young Henry, with but little money and scant education bade farewell to the paternal roof at the early age of eighteen, and bent his steps westward seeking the elixir of youth in the land of promise, the land of boyish dreams and imaginations. Directing his course to the Peninsular State, and to Tuscola county, he sought and explored its newest portion, and made a fine selection of land at the center of the township now known as Novesta, and five miles from Cass City. In 1871 he had an opening of about four acres surrounded on all sides by dense forests. Here he moved with his young wife just previous to the great fire of that year. The raging element approached him on October 8th, at 12 M., with deafening sound and terrible darkness, licking up all his standing crops, corn, potatoes, and all rapidly became a mass of smoking cinders. Heroically did the lone two wrestle with flames all that afternoon and night to protect and save their house from the devouring element when other hearts would have quailed and fled in terror. With true courage and manly purpose, though somewhat disheartened, he struck anew upon the ashes of his summer's labor and rapidly added acres to the fields that now make his happy rural home. In the summer of 1881, the great fire that swept over so large a portion of northeastern Michigan, visited him with all its horrors to the destruction of fences and other valuable property, but the same determined energy that saved his house ten years before saved his ce 5 ^,;4,4 #0e buildings in this terrible ordeal, while a half score of his neighbors' buildings melted down with the devouring element. A charter member at the organization of his township he took a position as one of its officers, and his fellow townsmen have honored him with the gift of their suffrages each year, till he has served them in most of the offices within their gift. He has served his county as an able and honored juror, and represented'it in the conventions for the nomination of State officers. Active in the measure of the drainage of a large tract of land, his influence was given to the State legislature and an appropriation was made by the State to open what was known as the "lost channel" of White Creek, thereby opening for settlement a large portion of his own township and that of Kingston adjoining. The construction of this work was given him by a commission from the governor. He has been active in educational enterprises for education of the youth growing up around him, nor has he neglected his own culture. Surrounded with the current literature of the day, he has found time to so apply himself to study that he has mastered well the elements of the English language. Religiously he is a Disciple, choosing the liberal views of that rapidly growing denomination so largely predominating in the Western States, preferring the New Testament of Christ as a religious guide, rejecting all human formulas. ELLEN JULIA QUICK, wife of M. H. Quick, is the second daughter of Dr. S. J. Smith, of Fair Grove, who is a graduate of Cleveland Homeopathic College of Medicine, and a minister of the Disciple Church; was born in Aroostook County in the State of Maine, and received her education in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, graduating from the academy at Salem, Ohio, and began teaching, and followed her chosen profession till her marriage. She is the mother of four children: The eldest died soon after its birth; Clarence Stanley Quick, born Nov. 18, 1874; Clyde LeRoy, born June 7, 1877; Ginevra Claronelle, born May 9, 1881. In 1873, about the first of February, Mrs.Quick was taken sick with the erysipelas which affected the brain and she for a time lost her reason, and was taken to her father's in Fair Grove, under whose treatment, in conjunction with Dr. L. N. Parmenter, she has fully recovered. Mr. Quick spent all his means in his wife's sickness, and when she recovered he began on a new farm, and is now in prosperous circumstances. j I I - - 7 7 1,4 - I k - 0 - P - -11 -T l it 1 Is F HISTORY OF TUSCOLA COUNTY. i.L.I one year. March 31, 1875, he came to Tuscola County, and resided for a while in Cass City, removing on the 14th of November to Novesta, where he located on section 9. In 1876 he was elected township clerk, and held the office five years. November, 1881, he was appointed supervisor, and the following spring was elected to the office which he has since held. When he first came to the township, he had few neighbors, no roads or clearing on his place. His first work was to build a shanty which he covered with boards and "( shakes," ankl which had no doors or windows. He assessed the township that year, and had to buy a pair of rubber boots to wade through the water to accomplish his work. GEORGE N. HOUGHTON was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1836, and while young moved to Bennington County, Vt., where he resided until thirteen years of age, receiving the rudiments of an education. He then went to Yates County, N. Y., where he attended the common schools, and in 1861 enlisted in Company C, Fifth Regiment of General Sickles' Independent Brigade, and served six months, when he was discharged for disability. He then returned to Yates County, and in 1862 came to Jackson, Mich., where he engaged in farming three years, then ran an engine one year in Genesee County. In the fall of 1865 he came to Tuscola County, and bought 240 acres of land on section 24 in the township of Elkland, and engaged in farming and lumbering till the fall of 1881, when he sold one-half of his farm, and bought 40 acres on section 16 in Novesta. In the spring of 1882 he formed a partnership with R. H. Warner, and built a steam saw and shingle-mill, having a cutting capacity of about 2,000,000 feet per annum. Dec. 27,1864, he married Miss Sarah Tinney, of Genesee County, formerly of Syracuse, N. Y., and has seven children. Mr. Houghton has had a large and varied experience in pioneer life; but has struggled through his many difficulties, one of which was his heavy losses in the fire of 1881. WILLIAM A. YORKE was born in the township of Yarmouth, Elgin County, Ontario, July 27, 1845. When nine years of age his father died, and he remained at home until sixteen years old, after which he worked around for three years, when he came to Michigan, and was back and forth for the three succeeding years. In 1867 he purchased a small farm in Middlesex County, Ont., which he retained three years, when he sold out and bought a farm of fifty acres in the township of Caradock, upon which he resided eight years. In 1879 he came to Tuscola County, and purchased 160 acres on section 36 in the township of Novesta, where he has since resided. He was married June 10, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Sells, of Middlesex County, Ont., and has three children-Lewis A., born Sept. 28 1869; David F., born Jan. 12, 1872, and Alma Etta, born April 18, 1879. Mr. Yorke suffered largely by the fire that swept through Tuscola and Sanilac Counties in 1881, but has recovered from his losses. He was elected justice of the peace in 1881, and is at present township treasurer. ROBERT 0. CURTIS, one of the oldest settlers in the township, was born in the township of Dryden, Lapeer Co., Mich., February 1,1843. After he was eighteen years of age he commenced business for himself, working on a farm, in a saw-mill, and in the lumber woods till the fall of 1868, when he took up a homestead in what is now the township of Novesta. During the winter of 1869 he worked in the woods, and the following spring finished his house. His father and brother helped him carry a cook stove three miles through the swamp to his place, where he began keeping bachelor's hall. He remained on the place, as the law required, to make good his claim; and having realized $160 from the sale of some personal property, he purchased 160 acres of land. He was married May 28, 1878, to Miss L. V. Cooper, formerly of Augusta, Granville County, Ont. Mr. Curtis suffered somewhat in the fire of 1871 and in that of 1881 lost all of his farm fences. He has seen some of the hardships of pioneer life in Tuscola, and also rapid improvement and development of the surrounding country. Was one of the organizers of the township, of which he has since been a resident. WILLIAM H. BROWN was born in Ontario County, N. Y., September 1, 1825, where he attended the common schools and acquired a fair education, becoming in after years a teacher. In the spring of 1843 he came to Wayne County, Mich., with his father, and in the spring of 1869 came to Novesta and settled on section 6. He was married in 1846 to Miss Nancy Fisk, of Brandon, Rutland County, Vt.. and has had eleven children-seven of whom are living. Mr. Brown came to the county with a family of eight children, and with but $20 in his pocket, two months' provisions, a yoke of oxen and a cow. Previous to bringing his family he had built a house, but in order to support his family was obliged to get out pine which he could convert into the necessaries of life, his little boys going to Cass City by boat after supplies. Sometimes their stock of provisions would become exhausted and they would then have to subsist on wild fruits. Mr. Brown was appointed supervisor the first year of his residence in the township, and held the office six years, and has also held the office of highway commissioner. JOHN MCLEAN was born in the township of Clark, Durham County, Ont., Nov. 2, 1847. When three years of age his parents moved to Elgin County and located on lot 9, in the seventh concession of the township of Allborough. He acquired some property there which he sold in 1879, and came to Novesta, where he settled on section 2. Nov. 10, 1871, he married Miss Eliza Patterson, of Allborough, formerly of Trafalgar, Canada, and has three children: Maria, born Sept. 22, 1872; Margaret Jane, born January 27, 1873, and John William, born July 24, 1877. Mr. McLean had but a poor chance to get an education, being put to work at an early age, but by industry and frugality he has succeeded in securing a good home. LEVI S. ALWOOD was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1826, and whi'e quite young moved to Fulton County with his parents. He had the advantages of a common school education, and resided there until 1861, when he came to Tuscola County and settled in Elkland, on section 34. In 1870 he removed to Indian Fields and lived on a farm near Caro, where he remained until 1873, when he sold his property and went to Tennessee. He settled in Coffee County, remaining there until 1876, when he removed to Illinois, where he resided about two and one-half years. In 1879, he returned to Tuscola County and, in 1880, purchased eighty acres of land, which he traded for property in Cass City, and in the fall of 1881, traded that for land in section 10, in Novesta. He was married in July, 1849, to Miss Delilah McQuilling, of Fulton County, Ohio, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1830, by whom he has ten children, of whom nine are now living. Mr. Alwood has been a hard-working, industrious man, working in the woods winters and on the farm summers. He kept the hotel now occupied by George Tennant, in Cass City, and has held all the township offices except those of supervisor and justice of the peace. I — I r 1 L Jl. I - V- Fs '671. - I tq, I,, -— Iw I I 11 I| I a, _ __ __I I ___ RANGE ill EAST' —. RANGE IV Fft.T RANGF V ASr!AA vIir i cl-AcT" IMshA W ^l Elio % II, A C uIT VL ~. 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'1 i - 4?I.l ~ ------- -- I, - --- ----- I 7! f- ll71:1T1:-11 'm il A M-A 04`I IC ~h IH -IL I 1~ ' I L ---- Or - I - T Ah — A I I_1 I I 11 —;n s 0 m3 I i It COr.f - ..'- T.....t iI'I- f If * ~"*O ~ 1' — 1- -;- -" -—: -- PI-,' - - mn ti (D:L t c a I mit _ I I a~ I 11 44 N I o I I I I I n cl i C4 ir I ~ 1 I — I Ni Nu ctl 0 th t, 141 Q N m J. - -.P 0.rl I -- I I. J f: " I I W. H go) cq A — w 1 - Q~,a r,rqc 11 1 I I II~ — - - - -~I I I.~I 0 N, / O" - - -- cu P4 " t; N / i - -- -- 1 r q -.. I /1 0 i I t t soft - I t' QO 0 ri- co 11.4 I 12., I I I I I - -.-, -1 I -, I - - - I i km PI! 9 — F-4 E-1 C r I lw.4 — A HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. INTRODUCTORY. All American history, whether local or general, opens amid similar scenes, and its pictures have a common back-ground. Dense forest fills the space, and the moving figures are the savage and the brute. The lakes, the plunging rivers and the placid streams are unruffled save by the bark canoes of savage wanderers, and the storms of heaven. Then there comes a time when the rays of advancing civilization begin to penetrate the gloom. The approaching footsteps of the pioneer fall with equally ominous sound upon the ears of the savage and the brute. The contest that follows is sometimes brief, though oftener protracted; but the interests of civilization, the destiny of a great republic, are at stake, and in the Providence of human affairs ultimate triumph must some time come to the founders of homes, the builders of cities and of states. Then "Toil swings the axe and forests bow, The fields break out in radiant bloom; Rich harvests smile behind the plow, And cities cluster round the loom." The spot where civilization struggled with barbarism for the supremacy is the Mecca of the historian. Thither he repairs with hurried step, to rescue the traditions of returnless centuries and of tribes fast disappearing. In nooks and caves and scattered mounds he finds a multitude of characters that speak in a voiceless language of a past out of which no other tidings will ever come. Starting from the spot dedicated to the future by the heralds of civilization, of social refinement and civil authority, history begins to deal with characters and scenes belonging to its foreground. A knowledge of the past is necessary to an intelligent understanding of the present, and a wise preparation for the future. An inheritance, whatsoever its form, is most truly prized and wisely guarded by the heir who is best acquainted with its cost. Without struggle there is no triumph, without toil no harvest, without sacrifice no blessing. Civil liberty might seem to be an inherent right; but human experience teaches that it has been purchased and preserved at a fearful cost. Material importance and grandeur are also wrought out by severe process. Every ladder, no matter how high it may reach, has its lowly rounds which weary feet have pressed. The beautiful cities that throng and adorn this fair land to-day may each trace its genealogy to humble parentage and lowly birth; and from that spot leads a tangled path, along lowly ways, from which the early conquerors of waste places have carved out the great highway upon which the world is traveling to-day. We stated, at. the beginning, a general truth in relation to American history; but, it is also true of local history that there are degrees of interest and importance fixed by the characteristics of the locality treated; and this country has few localities more fruitful of inviting material for a writer's use than the far-famed Saginaw Valley. The romancist might revel amid its traditions and reminiscences, the scientist find a field worthy of his attention, and ^.r --- --- ---- --- _ --- —------- i, F.: i d0:;f:::0000:d:f:.:00 St A::.: t 0 SE. f:2:,: \. \ X fFf ASS00 0, 0,. t f E An, S: 5::0;;,; t:.0$:0's 00S;S00007;i#; the statistician grow bewildered with the results of years that have been few but fruitful. Prior to about half a century ago, this valley in its primitive grandeur had been the habitation 'of wild beasts and wilder men. The sound of the woodman's axe had never helped to swell the music of the woods, and the solitude of the centuries was upon land and river, neither of which had ever felt the encroachments of even the rudest civilization. When, in 1831, the French traveler and savant, De Tocqueville, visited America, he sought the wilds of what was then the "Far West," and selected the lower portion of the Saginaw Valley from which to make observations. In his " Democracy in America," he wrote of this country with the pen of true prophecy when he said: " In a few years these impenetrable forests will have fallen; the sons of civilization will break the silence of the Saginaw; the banks will be imprisoned by quays; its current, which now flows on unnoticed and tranquil through a nameless waste, will be stemmed by the prows of vessels. We were perhaps the last travelers allowed to see the primitive grandeur of this solitude." Charmed by the scene spread before him, and his vision rendered discerning by a well grounded philosophy, he might have been able to say, " I hear the tread of pioneers Of nations yet to be, The first low wash of waves, where soon Shall roll a human sea. The rudiments of empire here Are plastic yet and warm; The chaos of a mighty world Is rounding into form." But even the imagination of a De Tocqueville could not have forecast the changes of fifty years. The " silence of the Saginaw " has been broken by a chorus of industry that has rung in the ears of all the commercial world, and the forests of the valley have been transformed into vigorous and beautiful cities. INDIAN TRADITIONS AND TREATIES. The Saginaw Valley derives its name from an Indian word, O-sauk-e-non, meaning,' the land of the Sauks." Three hundred and fifty years ago the Sauks were a warlike and powerful tribe of Indians who held undisputed sway throughout all the region of country now known as eastern Michigan. The Saginaw Valley was the most attractive portion of the lake region. Even as late as twenty years ago the high ground now within the limits of West Bay City was a favorite camping ground of the Indians, and was as charming a spot as the eye ever rests upon. Game of all kinds abounded in the valley. The buffalo, elk and moose roamed throughout the forests, and fish abounded in the rivers and lakes. I ----------- -- -1196 .0; (4 *.m N — O. 10 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. THE SKULL ISLAND MASSACRE. in which the Sauks were nearly exteiminated by the Chippewas, occurred on an island situated a short distance above whlere the McGraw mill, at South Bay City, now stands. The best traditionary history of this event we have been able to find is from the pen of William R. McCormick, of Bay City, one of the early pioneers, and one who is considered excellent authority upon matters of early local history. Mr. McCormick writes as follows: "My father emigrated to the valley when I was but ten years old. My associates were mostly among- the Indians, which language I became almost as familiar with as my own, and for a great many years was engaged in the fur trade. During this time I used to go up the different tributaries of the Saginaw to buy furs, and on nearly all such occasions I found indications that the Saginaw Valley was inhabited by a 'different race of people prior to tile present Indians. On nearly all the tributaries can be found mounds filled with human bones. I have opened those mounds for my own satisfaction, and found bones lying in all directions, showing they were thrown together without any regularity; upon which I became satisfied they were killed in battle. This awakened in me a curiosity to find out what people they were, and where and what had become of them. I often questioned the Indians in regard to it, but they would invariably say that there were two or three very old Indians living on the bay that could tell me all about it: telling me their names. Accordingly, in one of my journeys to the bay, I sought out one of the Indians in question. I think this was in 1835. I found him a very old man. I asked him his age; he said he thought he was a great deal over one hundred years old. His faculties were as bright as those of a man of fifty. I told him I understood he could give me the tradition of his race. He said he could, as it was handed down to him by his grandfather, who, he said, was older than he was now when he told him. For fear I should not get it correct, I called to my aid an educated man, who was part Indian,-Peter Grewett, a man well known by the early settlers as an Indian trader, and who had spent his life with the Indians in the fur trade, and was for many years in the employ of the American Fur Company. The old Indian commenced as follows: -The Sauks occupied the whole of the country along the Saginaw River, and its tributaries, extending from Thunder Bay on the north to the head of the Shiawassee on the south, and from Lake Michigan on the west to Detroit on the east. The balance of Michigan was occupied by the Pottawatomies, and the Lake Superior country was occupied by the Chippewas and Ottawas, while the Menominees were at the head of Green Bay in Wisconsin, and another tribe west of the Mississippi which he called the Sioux. The main village of the Sauks stood on the west side of the Saginaw River, just below the recent residence of Mr. Frank Fitzhugh, and opposite the mill of the Hon. N. B. Bradley. The Sauks were always at war with their Chippewa neighbors on the north and the Pottawatomies on the south, and also with other nations in Canada, until at last a council was called, consisting of the Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Menominees, Ottawas and Six Nations, of New York. At an appointed time they all met at the Island of Mackinaw, where they fitted out a large army and started in bark canoes and came down the west shore of Lake Huron. They then stole along the west shore of Saginaw Bay by night, and lay concealed during the day until they arrived at a place called Petobegong. Here they landed part of their army while the rest crossed the bay and landed to the east of the mouth of the Saginaw River, in the night. In the morning both armies started up the river, one on each side, so as to attack both villages at once. The army on the west side attacked the main village first, by surprise, and massacred nearly all. The balance retreated across the river to another village, which stood near where the Center House now stands, near the old Portsmouth ferry. At this time that part of the army that had landed on the east side of the river came up and a desperate battle took place in the vicinI ity of tile residence of William R. McCormick, that being the highest land and where they had attempted to fortify themselves. At the present time by digging in this hill you will find it full of human bones, the remains of those killed in that battle. Here they were again defeated. They then crossed the river and retreated to Skull Island, which is the next island above what is now called Stone's Island. Here they considered themselves safe, as their enemies had no canoes, and they could fortify themselves. But the next night after their retreat to the island, the ice froze thick enough for the allies to cross, which they did, when apotller massacre ensued. Here they were all exterminated, with the exception of twelve families. From the numbers of skulls found on it in after years, this, island has received the name of Skull Island. The allies then divided, some going up the Cass, some up the Flint, others up the Shiawassee, Tittabawassee and so on, where there were different bands located. But the largest battles were fought on the Flint; one about half a.mile below the present city of Flint, on the bluff. Another Indian traditionist says another re-enforcement met them here, coming through from Detroit. Here there is a large number of mounds filled with bones, which can be seen at the present day. They then came down the river and fought another battle on the bluff about a mile above the present village of Flushing, on the farm formerly owned by a Mr. Bailey. Here there is also a large number of mounds yet to be seen; if you should dig them open, as I have, you will find them filled with human bones. The next battle was fought about sixteen miles below Flushing, on the farm formerly occupied by the late James McCormick. There were several battles fought on the Cass, at what is now called the Bend, or Bridgeport Center, where there was a fortification of earth-work, which was plainly to be seen fifty years ago. The next important battle was fought on the Tittabawassee, just above the farm on which the late James Fraser first settled when he came to the Saginaw Valley. Here there is a difference, as the remains of the slain were all buried in one mound, and it is a very large one. After the extermination of the whole nation, with the exception of the twelve families before spoken of, a council of the allies was then held to know what should be done with them. Some were for torturing and killing, others for sparing their lives. Finally it was agreed they should be sent west of the Mississippi, and an arrangement was made with the Sioux that no tribe should molest them, and the Sioux should be responsible for their protection, which agreement was faithfully kept. The conquered country, of which the present Saginaw Valley is a part, was then divided among them all, as a common hunting ground. But a great many who came here to hunt never returned nor were ever heard of. It became the opinion of the Indians that the spirits of the dead Sauks still haunted their hunting grounds and were killing off their hunters, when in fact it was a few Sauks, who had escaped the massacre and still lingered around their hunting grounds, watching for straggling hunters and killing them whenever an opportunity occurred. Ton-dog-a-ne, an Indian chief who died in 1840, told me he killed a Sank while hunting, when a boy. This must have been over one hundred years ago, and up to a few years ago the Indians still believed there was a Sank in the vicinity. They had seen the place where he had made his fires and slept. I have known them to get together and not hunt for several days, for the reason, they said, there was a Sauk in the woods; they had seen where he had slept. I used to laugh at them, but it was of no avail; you could not make them believe otherwise. But to go back to the Indian tradition: The country was considered as haunted, and no more Indians came here to hunt, although game was abun j V........... T,S^v" ---- —............ --- Pt I I I I - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 11 dant. Finally it was converted into what would be termed among civilized nations a 'penaJ colony;' every Indian who committed a, crime would flee, or be banished, to the haunted hunting grounds (Saginaw Valley) to escape punishment, for the Indian laws were more severe and strict than now. 'This was long before we became degraded by coming in contact with the whites,' said the Indian. The Chippewas becoming the most numerous, finally their language predominated, and to the present time the Indians in the Saginaw Valley do not speak in all respects the same as the Chippewas on Lake Superior, from which they originally sprung; showing that the mixing of different nations in the Saginaw Valley has been the cause of the same. Put-ta-gua-sa-mine said his grandfather told it to him when he was a boy, which was ninety years before, and that it had been handed down to his grandfather from his ancestors, and it was a custom with him to repeat it often to his people, so that the tradition or history should not be lost; and a successor was always appointed in case the traditionist should die, that the history of the nation should not be lost, and be handed down from generation to generation. I have talked with two other old Indians on the same subject, and their tradition is precisely the same, word for word, with one exception: they say the battles on the Flint were fought by the army coming from Detroit. I have no doubt the above is a correct narrative-as much so as if it had been written at the time and handed down to us as a matter of history." In confirmation of the foregoing theory regarding the Sauks, Maj. Long, in his expedition to the sources of the St. Peters River, in 1823, on an exploring expedition by order of the United States Government, when he came amongst the Sauks on that river, says of their origin that the Sauks have not always resided where they aie at the present time. Their tradition is that they formerly lived upon Saginaw Bay, of Lake Huron. They consider the name of their nation to be connected with that of Saginaw Bay, and probably derived from it. They have no account of any former migration, but entertain the opinion that the Great Spirit created them in that vicinity. It has been claimed that the Sauks were totally exterminated in this massacre, but the preponderance of evidence is in favor of the account as given by Mr. McCormick. The Chippewas remained in undisputed possession of the Saginaw Valley until the treaty of 1819. TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS. The first treaty of importance, which was made for the extinguishment of the Indian title to the soil of what now comprises the state of Michigan, was the one entered into by William Hull, then governor of Michigan, as a territory, and ex-officio superintendent of Indian affairs, with the natives at Detroit, in 1807, when a tract of land in the south-eastern part of the state was ceded by them to our government. Detroit and a belt of land adjacent to it, lying along the river and lake, six miles in width, were not affected by this grant, we having before that succeeded to the possessory rights of Great Britain to the District of Detroit, so called, which she had held for a series of years, co-extensive with the claims of her predecessor, France; and which by the treaty of Greenville, made by General Wayne, on behalf of our government, in 1795, had been reassured to and made perfect in us. With that exception, the title to the south-easterly part of our state was obtained from the natives by the treaty of 1807. The northerly line of this grant included only small portions of what are now the counties of Lapeer and Genesee, and was a little north of their southern boundaries, thus leaving Saginaw River and its principal affluents, the Flint, the Cass, etc., entirely unaffected by the provision of that treaty. This portion of the state remained in Indian possession, with the rights of the natives intact and unaffected, until the treaty of Saginaw of 1819. In that treaty the Saginaw region was particularly interested, for the cession of lands then made by the natives, with the reservations therein provided for, include the rich and flourishing valleys of the Saginaw and its tributaries. General Cass was commissioned to act as the agent of the general government in securing to it this important addition to our territory. He appeared upon the Saginaw, upon the site of what is now Saginaw City, September 10, 1819, accompanied by a staff of interpreters and assistant. The conference lasted ten or twelve days, and witnessed many stormy scenes, but the terms of treaty were at length calmly discussed, and agreed to. The harmonious adjustment of their differences was reached chiefly through the instrumentality of Stephen V. R. Riley, an Indian trader, who married a squaw, and Jacob Smith, another trader. In the treaty agreed to, the Indians ceded to the United States all but 40,000 acres of their territory, reserved for the benefit of the tribe in common. Mr. Riley's children were regarded by the Indians as natives of the forest. During his residence among the Chippewas Mr. Riley exercised great influence over them, and such was his power over them that it was found necessary on the part of the United States to conciliate him before a favorable treaty could be made. That was done by allotwing him to select six hundred and forty acres for each of his three sons, named respectively John, Peter, and James. He located his eldest and favorite son, John, on a tract one mile square, now included in the limits of Bay City. The 40,000 acres reservation for the benefit of the tribe in common was upon the west side of the river, on a portion of which West Bay City is built. From this it would seem that the region of country about the mouth of the Saginaw River was a favorite locality of the Indians. There were other reservations for the benefit of different persons, including Mr. Riley's two other sons, and the hlilf-breed children of Jacob Smith. In 1837 another treaty was made with the Indians, in which they ceded to the United States the 40,000 acres belonging to the tribe in common. According to the terms of this treaty the government was to cause the land to be surveyed and put into market at $5.00 per acre, and held at that price for a certain length of time, and then what remained unsold should be reduced to a minimum of $2.50 per acre, and the Indians to receive the avails of the sales after deducting the costs of survey and sale, and a large amount advanced to them with which to pay their debts. The chiefs who visited Washington to perfect this sale were 0-ge-ma-ke-ga-to, Ton-dog-a-ne, Sha-e-be-no-se, Wos-so, Mose-gaskink, Ma-sha-wly and Nau-qua-chic-a-me. The white men were Henry 0. Connor, Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, and Charles Rodd, a half-breed, as interpreters, and Gardner D. and Benjamin O.Williams. The result of this visit was that Mr. Schoolcraft was ordered to call a meeting at Flint, for the purpose of concluding the treaty, which was done. It was during this visit that President Jefferson presented 0-ge-ma-ke-ga-to with the colonel's uniform, in which he was buried, as described in the reminiscence concerning him. After 1837 the original proprietors of the soil in the valley gradually decreased in number. Many went to the reservation at Isabella, and death thinned their ranks. Nau-qua-chic-a-me, the chief of the Chippewas, after the death of his father finally took his band to Bau-gin-ing, and there died in October, 1874. James Cloud, the Indian clergyman of Indiantown, on the Kawkawlin River, has been pastor there for fifteen years, receiving barely nothing for his labors. Fifteen years ago, he says, there were as many as 1,600 Indians I "96 - a -— w (9 P11 - __ L.. Nr t~-L 1t & l --- - -— V - -- 12 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. in the Saginaw Valley, while now there are scarcely 900 in the aggregate. REMINISCENCE OF O-OE-MA-KE-GA-TO. The following interesting reminiscence is taken from the Bay City Tribune, of August 15, 1877: -"The discovery of the remains of the celebrated Chippewa chieftain, O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to, was noted in the Tribune of Thursday last. On Sunday afternoon we visited the residence of William R. McCormick, and took a look at the skeleton of one of the most noted Indian characters of his day. There are a number of residents of this city who well remember the chief, and many reminiscences have been related to us since the publication of the item on Thursday last. Mr. McCormick knew him well, also Judge Albert Miller, of this city. The former says there were no bounds to his eloquence. He heard him speak (some forty years ago) for two hours to a gathering of 1,000 Indians on the Flint River, and during all that time his hearers sat apparently spell-bound. At the time Gen. Cass was negotiating the treaty of 1819 O-ge-make-ga-to, although only twenty-five years of age, was head chief of the Chippewa nation, and as such was THE CENTRAL INDIAN FIGURE at the council. He was over six feet in height, and in his bearing graceful and handsome; and although in the later years of his life he was often seen intoxicated, he never fullylost a look of conscious dignity which belonged to his nature as one of the original lords of the soil. In true eloquence he was probably hardly surpassed by the Seneca chief, Red Jacket. His band lived at the forks of the Tittabawassee, and like Red Jacket he wore upon his breast a superb government medal. THIS MEDAL was of an oblong shape, fully five inches in length and one quarter of an inch thick, and was composed of pure silver. On one side was the figure of an Indian chief in full dress, and on the other what was intended to represent the president of the United States, with the following inscription:-'Presented to O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to by Thomas Jefferson.'" THE TREATY OF 1819 was a very important one, as this portion of the state was then in Indian possession, and the object of the government was the cession by the natives of the vast tract in which was included the rich and flourishing valleys of the Saginaw and its tributaries. The chief speaker for the Indians was O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to, and he opposed the proposition of Gen. Cass, with indignation. Said he: " You do not know our wishes. Our people wonder what has brought you so far from your homes. Your young men have invited us to come and light the council fire; we are here to smoke the pipe of peace, but not to sell our lands. Our American father wants them. Our English father treats us better. He has never asked for them. You flock to our shores; our waters grow warm; our lands melt like a cake of ice; our possessions grow smaller and smaller. The warm wave of the white man rolls in upon us and melts us away. Our women reproach us; our children want homes. Shall we sell from under them the spot where they spread their blankets? We have not called you here; we smoke with you the pipe of peace." The treaty was finally made, and the Indians returned to their lodges. The Chippewa nation was then comprised of ten or twelve bands, each governed by a hereditary chieftain. These chiefs formed a council which governed the nation and elected the ruling I chief annually. O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to was not a chief by blood, but his remarkable intellectual qualities, as well as his undaunted courage, made him a power among his dusky people, and at the early age of twenty-five he was the leading spirit. Gen. Cass was surprised at the remarkable brain power of the man, and remarked that he was " the smartest and most eloquent Indian he had ever met." His administration of the affairs of his people was so satisfactory that for over THIRTY CONSECUTIVE YEARS he was annually re-elected to the position of head chief. He never ruled a single band until in the later years of his life, when he became chief of the Tittabawassee band, to which he belonged. His power of oratory made him a great favorite with his people, and the fame of O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to spread far and wide. Subsequently, at the ratifying of the reservation treaty, at Detroit, many learned and able lawyers were present, not one of whom, after hearing his great speech interpreted, dared to accept his challenge to discuss the questions affecting the Indians' welfare with him. After the treaty of Saginaw had been ratified and the Indians had become reconciled to the encroachment of the white man, O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to was quite friendly, and like an honorable man endeavored to fulfill his obligations to the new comers under the treaty. MANY ASTOUNDING STORIES are told by the old settlers regarding his bravery and fortitude, some of which surpass belief. Mr. McCormick says that about 1835 two members of the Tittabawassee band had a disagreement while under the influence of liquor, and drew their knives for a settlement of the difficulty, according to the aboriginal code. O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to, who was standing near them, immediately jumped between the combatants and received a knife thrust in his side. The cut was so large and deep that a portion of his liver protruded, and in this condition he lay for several days. One afternorn he took a knife laying by his side, and in the presence of several Indians, sliced off a portion of his own liver, threw the piece on the coals and roasted it, and then ate it. Turning to those present, he said:-"If there is a braver man in the Chippewa Nation than I am, I should like to see him." This story, incredible as it is, Mr. Mc(ormick says can be well attested by Joseph Trombley, E. S. Williams, of Flint, and Peter Grewett, now of Gratiot County, all of whom were Indian traders at that time. Judge Albert Miller, now of Bay City, also recollects the circumstance at the time. As we have stated, O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to ruled the Chippewas until 1839 or 1840, when death stepped in and robbed the dusky nation of its wisest, most eloquent and bravest member. HE DIED AT SALZBURG, and was buried in the mound in front of Mr. McCormick's residence. At that time lumber was scarce in the Saginaw Valley, and a board was of more value then than now. Joseph Trombley was building the Center House, yet standing on the corner of Twenty-fourth and Water Streets, the lumber for which was all brought from Detroit. Mr. Trombley liked the old chief, and made the family a present of a single board, out of which was constructed a rough box coffin, and the burial took place with more pomp and splendor than had previously fallen to the lot of an Indian corpse. HIS GRAVE WAS MARKED in after years, when lumber became more plenty and consequently cheaper, by erecting over it a small wooden house, surmounted by a flag staff. As the years rolled by this grave cover became dilapidated, and finally Mr. Thomas Stevenson, who built his house close by, obliterated it entirely. When he was buried there was nothing but an Indian trail along the bank, and after the little house was torn down all trace of the grave was lost, and as the land became tilled it was plowed over. I j j. LL...i I 'lr' e; i - D HISTORY OF. BAY COUNTY. 13 Search had been made for the last two or three years to find it, by Mr. McCormick and others, but always unsuccessfully. Its accidental discovery while digging a cellar, has revived memories of the old aboriginal monarch, and many persons have visited Mr. McCormick's residence to interview him upon the subject. The coffin was badly decayed,-nothing remaining but a few pine knots. The colonel's uniform, presented to him by the President of the United States, and in which he was buried, was found to be in a remarkable state of preservation. It was by this uniform that the remains were identified as being those of the noted chief. His little kettle was bottomless and badly demoralized by rust, and the medal was not to be found; but his tomahawk, knives, pipes, etc., were by his side. The remains were taken possession of by the man who was digging the cellar, and kept by him on exhibition for some time. His descendants, and other Indians in the vicinity, were much incensed at what they regarded as an indignity to a great man, and requested Mr. McCormick to take possession of the remains and have them decently buried. Mr. McCormick, who talked their language fluently, complied with their request, and buried the remains in his own door yard. Mr. E. B. Denison, of Bay City, has presented him with a stone which marks the last resting-place of the once noted chief of the Chippewas. INDIAN STOICISM AND COURAGE. BY W. R. Me CORMICK. For the particulars of the following tragic story I am indebted to Hon. E. S. Williams. It occurred while he was trading with the Indians at Saginaw, some time before De Tocqueville's visit, and about two years before I came to the Saginaw Valley. The event was witnessed by Messrs. Williams, Judge Jewett, Colonel Stanard, and others, and strangely illustrates the peculiarities of frontier life and of the Indian character. Neh-way-go was a young Saginaw brave, living, in his earlier life, at.Green Point, which is at the mouth of the Tittabawassee River, and in his later years upon the shores of the Saginaw Bay. He is described as a model of native strength and grace. While living at the former place lie killed a son of Red Bird, who lived on the Tittabawassee River. The relatives demanded satisfaction, and by Indian laws his life was the forfeit. He presented himself at the chief mourner's wigwam, where the warriors of the family of the deceased had assembled, and informed them that he had come for them to strike at his heart. He bared his bosom and took his position for the selected number to pass by him and inflict the knife wound. They passed and inflicted, as they hoped, the mortal thrusts. That done, and Indian usage being satisfied, he was making the best speed lie could, with his streaming wounds, to his own wigwam, when he was struck in the back by a cowardly Indian, inflicting a severe stab, but, as it appears, like the other blows, not fatal. He was yet enabled to reach his own wigwam, some distance off, where his young wife was waiting, not expecting ever to see him alive again. She received him and bound up his wounds. He was restored after fearful suffering. After this event he removed to Kawkawlin, where he remained until his wounds were nearly healed. When he came up to Saginaw in a canoe, with his wife, to do some trading at the Indian trading post of the American Fur Company, which was then operated by G. D. and E. S. Williams, he was not yet able to get out of his canoe and go to the trading post, which was but a few rods from the river, without the aid of his paddle to lean upon. B. O. Williams, who was there at the time, describes him as a walking skeleton. Some Indians were there at the time. They soon sent word to O-sou-wah-bon's band at Green Point, some two miles distant, that Neh-way-go had arrived at the American Fur Company's trading post. The Messrs. Williams were well aware that if they met there would be a dreadful tragedy. They therefore placed persons to watch if any Indians came from that direction. It was not long before O-sou-wah-bon and two Indians were seen approaching, while Neh-way-go was still by his canoe standing on the bank of the river leaning on his paddle. He was told by the Messrs. Williams to get into the canoe with his family and go down the river. This he refused to do, saying he was no coward, but like a brave man patiently awaited the attack. E. S. Williams went and met O-souwah-bon and told him he must go into the store, as he wanted to see him. After he was inside the door was closed and he was told that they knew his business and that he must now give up his knives. He reluctantly drew his knife from his sheath and handed it to B. O. Williams. They asked him if he had any more, and if so to give them up or they would search him. He finally pulled out another which he had concealed down his back. They then asked him if he bad any more. He said "No," when E. S. Williams said they would have to search him, which he refused to submit to. Mr. Williams clinched him, and with the assistance of B. O. Williams, now of Owosso, and some others, after a severe struggle, as O-souwah-bon was a very powerful man, they threw him on the floor. While B. O. Williams and some others were holding him, E. S. Williams commenced the search, and inside of his leggin they found a large knife, a very formidable weapon, and as sharp as a razor. When Mr. Williams drew it from his leggin he caught it by the blade and refused to give it up; the result was, before they could wrench it from his grasp it had nearly severed his hand in two. They then let him up and dressed his wound. While this proceeding was going on B. O. Williams and another person slipped out of the back door and found Neh-way-go still standing on the shore leaning on his paddle, awaiting the attack, while his wife was sitting in the canoe crying. They told him to get into his canoe and be off, which he refused to do, repeating he was no coward. They then took him by main force, put him into the canoe with his wife, and shoved it from the shore and ordered his wife to paddle him home, and not to come back again. He returned to his home on the Kawkawlin, where he soon after fully recovered from his wounds. Afterwards, finding upon his hunting ground the coward who had inflicted upon him the wound in the back, he summarily visited him with Indian vengeance,-death. Soon after the Indians were assembled in large numbers at Saginaw at an Indian payment, when an altercation ensued between Black Beaver, an Indian of considerable note, and the brave Neh-way-go. The former reproached him with the outrage he had committed upon the Indian who had struck him in the back. Neh-way-go defended the act as just and brave; the reproof was repeated, and upon the instant he slew Black Beaver. This was at the upper end, where the city of East Saginaw stands, near where the upper bridge crosses the river, in the vicinity of the old Curtis-Emersonl mill. Black Beaver and his band were here encamped. On the west side of the river, on the open plain near where the residence of E. J. Ring now stands, Neh-way-go and his band were encamped. After the bloody deed Neh-way-go crossedover to the west side of the river amongst his own people. A warrant was at once issued by Colonel Stanard for his arrest, acting as justice. Neh-way-go fled back to the east side of the river, and, accompanied by a friend, secreted himself in the woods upon what is now the site of the city of East Saginaw. He preferred to trust himself on the same side of I I I I 3 \ r_ --- —-1 l i - *. -,% ry I ,4;;:4 A 7T - ~~~ I 1 * I 14 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. the river with the tribe whose leading warrior he had stricken down than to endure the mortification of arrest and punishment of the white man's laws. He sent word to two of his white friends, Antoine Campau and Ephraim S. Williams, desiring them to cross the river and come to the woods in which he was secreted, when by giving a signal he would come to them. They did so and he soon made his appearance. He informed them that he had sent for them for advice; that the white man's punishment (imprisonment) was only fit for cowards; death by the hands of his own race was glorious in comparison, if any relative of Black Beaver should choose to make it a cause for vengeance. They advised him to cross back to his own camp, present himself to his people and let the affair take the course warranted by Indian usage. The arrest by the officer was waived and he presented himself at his own camp openly. The hour for thle burial of Black Beaver arrived. An immense number of Indians, from two to three thousand, were present —as it was Indian payment at Saginaw at the time as mourners and spectators. The place of burial was just below the old Campau house on the brow of the hill, west of where A. W. Wright's planing mill now stands and near where Neh-way-go and his band were encamped. The body had been placed in the coffin. The relatives, with their faces streaked with black, had gathered about it. The few white settlers then in the valley were all there as spectators. The fearful outrage so near their own doors had absorbed and engrossed the attention of all. While the solemn Indian rite was in progress over the remains of their favorite warrior, Neh-way-go was seen approaching from his camping ground. He was dressed in full and careful costume, tomahawk and knife in his girdle and a small canteen of whisky at his side, his whole appearance imposing and gallant. He made his way with a lofty and majestic step to the center of the mourning group. Walking with a measured step to the side of the coffin, he placed upon it his tomahawk and knife. He filled his calumet with kinakanick, composedly and with dignity. After smoking from it himself first, he passed it to the chief mourner, who declined it. He passed it to the next, and the next, 'with the same result. He passed his canteen of whisky with the same formality, and with the same result. They declined to partake. He then undid the collar of his hunting shirt, and bared his bosom, seating himself with calm dignity upon the foot of the coffin. He turned his face full upon the chief mourners, and addressed them: "You refuse my pipe of peace. You refuse to drink with me. Strike not in the back. Strike not and miss. The man that does dies when I meet him on our hunting ground." Not a hand was raised. Upon the dark and stoical faces of that cloud of enemies by whom he was surrounded, no feeling found expression except that of awe; no muscle moved. He. rose from his seat on the foot of the coffin, and towering to his full, fine height, exclaimed, "Cowards! Cowards! Cowards!" As composedly as he had taken them out, he restored, unmolested, the tomahawk and knife to his girdle, and, with his canteen at his side, walked away from the strange scene as lordly as he came. He had awed his enemies, and was evidently master of the situation. Removing soon after to the bay shore, away from the scene of his early feuds and fearful exploits, he fell ultimately upon the hunt ing ground in a personal encounter with a relative of one of his victims. EARLY TRADERS AND FIRST RESIDENTS. The Saginaw River was visited by white men, long before any lodgment was made within the present limits of Bay County. In I I i I Ii I I i I i I I I I 1792, a grandfather of Joseph Trombley, of West Bay City, and Medor Trombley, of South Bay City, was a trader along these shores, and became a victim at the hands of the Indians. He was a goldsmith by trade, and made silver medals and ornaments for them, and also worked at various other trades. He built two small vessels for coasting in, as he carried a small stock of goods which he bartered for furs and game. He is said to have perished under the following circumstances: -Having made a muskrat spear for an Indian, who thought it was not quite as good as one previously made for another Indian, a quarrel ensued, during which the spearmaker was stabbed in the back, and had to take to one of his boats, in which he set sail for Detroit. On his way there he fell or was knocked overboard, being wounded and weak, and was drowned. After he was gone the Indians destroyed his remaining vessel, which was on the stocks uncompleted, and made way with his effects. Gassette Trombley, an uncle of Joseph and Medor Trombley, was also a trader here, about the same time, and was at one time "Indian farmner." An Indian farmer was one employed by the government to teach Indians how to cultivate their land. This was more than fifty years ago, and yet, even to this day, Indians as a class are but indifferent farmers. Jacob Graverot, sometimes called "Old Grave-rod," was another trader in the valley. Some have named him as being the first white settler in Bay County, but the statement is not correct. His wife was said to be a daughter of a chief called Kish-kan-ko. They roamed over the valley, planting their wigwam wherever there was a favorable place for hunting, fishing or trading with the Indians. He was a well known character to every one who came into the valley while ne lived. During the latter portion of his life he had charge of an Indian trading post at the " Forks," established by the American Fur Company. He was then a very old man and claimed to have been a trader for John Jacob Astor, in the early days of Astor's business as a fur trader. He was of Dutch descent, and many amusing stories used to be told of his sayings in broken i English. One is related of his being in a court of justice, where information was desired from a letter he had formerly written. The lawyers tried in vain to decipher its contents, and passed it to him to read. "Me read it," he said, " how do you suppose I can read it if you learned lawyers can't make it out?" At another time he was railing against the half-breeds, in the presence of two respectable persons of that class, and not wishing to be personal in his remarks, attempted to explain by saying, "I don't mean you, Charley, nor you, Pete, but I mean de whole lot of you." That, of course, made plain the rule of exception that applies to "present company." This last anecdote has been harnessed to nearly every eccentric individual who has lived in this region during the past fifty years, but Graverot was the real author of it. Upon this fact we have the testimony of Judge Miller, who was present and heard him utter it. In 1829 Joseph Trombley was along the Saginaw River from Saginaw City to the bay, in pursuit of land, but being told that he could not locate any land near the mouth of the river, as it was an Indian reservation, he went away, btrt returned again a few years later. One Masho, a Frenchman, who had married a lass of the forest, had a log cabin where the Wooden Ware Works now stand in South Bay City, along in 1831-'32. He was also a trader. FIRST RESIDENTS OF BAY COUNTY. Who the first settler of any given locality may have been, is not of itself a matter of material or historic value, that the question should be determined with exactness. But there is a natural curi I1 - - O 11 j J I I l (H rl f (1)!6 — I- -,, --- —, FI i I - __ 4 1 1, HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 15 I I osity, not to be despised,-a fondness for reminiscence and things associated with early days-that causes characters and events to be rescued out of the past and transmitted to posterity. Divesting history of its romance, we have revealed the procession of events, headed by the missionaries who have penetrated the waste places upon some errand that is designed to result in benefit to the world, whether it be to humanize the savage, or to discover some new field for the advantageous exercise of human industry or genius. Then follow the elements that combine to develop and utilize resources hitherto untouched, and to plant centers of business. It is of no credit to any man that he was a pioneer, unless his axe was laid at the root of some tree, or his shoulder put to some wheel to aid the labored movements of struggling progress. The first person to settle and reside permanently within the present limits of Bay County,was Leon Trombley, an uncle of Joseph and Medor Trombley, and father of Mrs. P. J. Perrott and Louis Leon Trombley, of Bay City. He came early in 1831 and erected a small log house on the bank of the river at a point now about the middle of Water Street, and just south of Fourth Street. About half an acre of ground was cleared for an Indian camp ground, and for a gardeu. Mr. Trombley was the professional agriculturist employed by the government to instruct the Indians in the practical science of raising corn instead of scalps, and of becoming,"horny-handed sons of toil." After he had built his house and cleared his half acre he planted a patch of potatoes in order to have some for his next Winter's supply at hand. On leaving for Detroit, where his family lived, he made arrangements with an Indian and his squaw to hoe and take care of his potatoes through the Summer of 1831. In the Fall, on arriving at his house with his family, Mr. Trombley discovered, to his astonishment and great disappointment, that the potatoes had not been hoed or cultivated at all, and mourned over the instability of character of the red man and his want of the expected supply of potatoes, and paid but little attention to them for some time. After getting well settled in his home it occurred to him that there might be a few small pltatoes that would do to plant the next year, and he proceeded to secure them; but on digging them found to his great astonishment and happy disappointment, that he had an abundant supply of nice large potatoes, the first crop of potatoes raised in the limits of Bay County. Mr. Trombley interspersed his lessons in agriculture with fur trading, thus making his stay one of usefulness and profit. He continued to occupy that house until after the town of Lower Saginaw was laid out by the Saginaw Bay Company. Mr. Tronmbley, however, did not come here with any intention of permanent settlement. Soon after coming here he was offered a section of land upon which Bay City now stands in exchange for a horse he owned which he considered worth three hundred dollars; but he wouldn't trade. As he afterwards said, who would then have thought that a city would one day stand where there was nothing but swamp, with long grass, in which a man could stand and be hid-where there was scarcely'at opening in the woods around it, in which wolves howled continually? In 1834, John B. Trudell, who married a daughter of Benoit Trombley, built a log house at a point near where the late James Watson lived, in the Fifth Ward. Mr. Trudell continued to live there until about 1850, when he removed to the west side of the river. Some time during 1834 Benjamin Cushway arrived, having been sent here by the United States government as blacksmith for the Indians. It may be presumed from this that agriculture had by this time.reached such an advanced stage as to render the introduction of skilled labor an imperative necessity. Mr, Cushway built a log house and blacksmith shop on the west side of the river, not far I from where the Twenty-third Street bridge now is, and for many years did the Indian blacksmithing, and assisted traders in their traffic with the Indians. JOSEPH AND MEDOR TROMBLEY. The name of Trombley has been associated with that portion of the Saginaw Valley now included in Bay County for more than threequarters of a century, and while none of those yet mentioned came here expecting to locate permanently, yet the two named aboxe, and several other Trombleys became permanent settlers, and are now the oldest residents of this part of the valley, having resided here continuously since 1835. In the Spring of 1835 Joseph Trombley left the employ of the American Fur Company and turned his attention to some land he had previously entered in what was afterwards the township of Portsmouth. He and Medor, his brother, were to open a store here for the purpose of trading with the Indians. After selecting a stock of goods, to be shipped on board the "Savage," he started for his new location, and Medor was to follow with some cattle. Joseph arrived here in July and erected a log store near what is now the corner of Water and Twenty-fourth Streets, in Bay City. This spot was selected as being the most advantageous point for the purpose intended. The land lay high and dry, and was sheltered by trees which grew not too thickly to spoil the picturesque, and yet dense enough for shade. It was a romantic looking spot, and a choice camping ground for the Indians, who had their place of burial near by. It commanded a good view of the river and the arrival and departure of canoes. His experience in building a store was illustrative of pioneer life. It was built of pine logs flattened on two sides. The foundation was made of oak, and the lumber with which it was finished was brought by boat from Detroit, the freight upon it being $4 per thousand. The lumber was clear stuff, and was manufactured at Black River, now one of the exhausted pine streams. The price paid for the lumber was $16 per thousand. Then the timber had to be hewn, shingles split, and part of the lumber whip-sawed. The building was 25x30 feet in size. It is still standing in the rear of the Center House, on Water Street, Bay City. About September Medor Trombley arrived with the cattle. The goods had been shipped to Saginaw, as there was no place here to take care of them before the store was finished. The flour and pork that were shipped had been confiscated at Saginaw, as there was great scarcity of provisions. They got their store open in time to attend the Indian payment in the Fall. They continued in trade for some time, and did a prosperous business, dealing in fur and pioneer experiences. FIRST FRAME HOUSE. In 1837 the twin infants, Portsmouth and Lower Saginaw, were battling for places upon the map and in history. The Trombleys had prospered, and were inclined to have a more pretentious habitation, and commenced the erection of a frame building. It took the carpenter, a Mr. Case, one year to do the inside work. For a long time it was known as the "Big House," and when built was considered the finest residence in the Saginaw Valley. For many years it has been known as the "Center House." This was the first frame building erected in what is now Bay County, and for several years was the home of James McCormick. A very correct view of this building is given in this work. JOSEPH TROMBLEY was born in the city of Detroit in the year 1809, where he remained until his twentieth year. His uncle, Gassette Trombley, who had been an Indian trader, as well as what was known as an "Indian farmer," had in his travels been in this part of the state, and he advised young Joseph to go up to the Sag I I I I I r 4 I 4 - f F ---OR 1 lf 16 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. -I H - - - - - - - - inaw country and buy some land, and if he was not suited there to go to Sebewaing, on the east shore of the bay. Taking his uncle's advice, he accordingly made a trip up here in the year 1829. At that time there was a turnpike road only as far as Royal Oak, about fourteen miles from Detroit, and from there to Pontiac a sort of an unfinished wagon road. From Pontiac to Saginaw he had to make j his way on foot through an unbroken wilderness, following an Indian trail. Saginaw at that time was the site of a government fort, or block house, being the point at which the Indians received their annual payments and had their supplies given out to them. At Saginaw he hired two Indians as guides-their names were Wash-wa and Be-chance-who accompanied him to Sebewaing and back, the trip being made in a canoe. At what is now Bay City, he learned that there was no land to be had, it being an Indian reservation-at least, he was so told. On arriving at Sebewaing, he found what is now called the Sebewaing River to be a river without any water in it. Like all other Frenchmen of that day, in locating a home he wanted it on the banks of a running stream. So he returned to Detroit. On this trip, with the exception of a few vegetables purchased from a man named Ensign, who had a small farm near what is now called Carrollton, he and his guides had to depend for food upon what he shot. Game wvas plenty, however, in those days, and with an old gun he borrowed from one of the Indians, he managed to supply their larder. The house in which the man Ensign lived was built by Gassette Trombley in 1819, —the year that the "Saginaw Treaty" was made with the Indians living in this part of Michigan. On his return to Detroit he learned at the United States land office that there was a piece of land with about a mile front on the river, which he could enter. Some two or three years after he entered the lands, Maj. Causley being United States land agent at that time. Michigan was then a territory, and Gen. Lewis Cass the governor. This land was afterwards a part of the township of Portsmouth, and is now within the corporate limits of Bay City. From 1830 to 1835 he was in the employ of the American Fur Company, as a fur buyer, and in the prosecution of which business I he had to travel, mostly on foot, to various parts of the territory, the greater portion of which was then a wilderness. When he left the employ of the Fur Company, he turned his attention to the land he had purchased on the Saginaw River. His operations for the next ten years have already been given. In 1844 -r 1845 he removed to the west side of the river, where he had purchased two thousand acres of land, and has remained there until the present. On some of this land he commenced making a farm, and his mode of plowing and dragging the land, planting and hoeing his corn, produced so much larger crops than his Indian neighbors did in their crude style of cultivating the soil, that they | used to say, "It takes a white man to make corn grow." In addi- | tion to farming, he was also engaged in the fishing business, con- l tinuing in it until a few years ago. His sons Joseph and Theodore l succeeded him in the business, and are known as successful fishermen. In 1837 he was married to Miss Sophia Chapaton, daughter of Eustache Chapaton, of Detroit. They have a family of four boys ands one girl, all grown up and now living in the First Ward of West Bay City. That part of Mr. Trombley's land which lies in the First Ward of West Bay City has been divided up into building lots, and the rapid increase in the value of real estate for the past few years has made him what might be called a very well-to-do man. He has earned it, however, for in the early days the "pioneers" had many privations to endure and much hard labor to make a living. The dwelling occupied by Mr. Trombley and family is a fine two-story brick residence, and was the first brick building erected in the First Ward of West Bay City. MEDOR TROMBLEY was born in Detroit, November 16, 1813. His father was Thomas Trombley and his mother was a daughter of the trader "Tebo," already mentioned in this work. He remained on the farm until 1835, when he came to what was afterwards Portsmouth, and engaged in trade with Indians, as already narrated. He had entered a tract of land which he afterwards sold to the Portsmouth Company; also another tract south of that, and also fronting on the river. In 1845 he built a frame house,upon his last purchase, which is still standing near the Wooden Ware Works in South Bay City. August 26, 1847, he married Miss Sarah McCormick, daughter of James McCormick, a well known pioneer. They were married according to the simple style of those days, and their wedding tour was the journey of life, which they are still continuing. They commenced keeping house in the home Mr. Trombley had built two years previous. After Mr. Trombley had taken possession of his land, he proceeded to look it over, and found it mostly swamp, and, as it looked to him then, just about worthless. After going out of trade he turned his attention to hunting and fishing, more especially the latter. Subsequently he gave some attention to farming, and as the settlements began to thicken, his land came to have a value which has been increasing ever since. For many years he has devoted his attention to the management of his real estate interests, which are still large. Mr. Trombley has been one of the hardy pioneers. In his younger days few men would care to compete with him in physical exertion, and even now, though seventy years of age, the recollection of younger days will sometimes quicken his step, and he will walk a half mile at a rate of speed that wonld leave many younger men far in the rear. For the last fifty-five years he has never been sick enough at any time to prevent his going about his business. Mr. and Mrs. Trombley now live in a commodious home on South Center Street. Of their seven children, two daughters are married, one to John Greening, and the other to L. F. Rose, both of Bay City. INCIDENTS OF JOSEPH TROMBLEY. W. R. McCormick relates the following incidents of Joseph Trombley's early life. He says: -" Mr. Trombley was the finest specimen of a man, when I first became acquainted with him, fortyfive years ago, that I ever saw. He was about six feet, weighing about 190 pounds, and at that time was considered one of the most athletic men in northern Michigan. "Among the Indians at this time athletic sports were held in high esteem, and he who could travel the greatest distance in a day, was considered a great man. Mr. Trombley had been brought up with the Indians and had followed the life of an Indian trader from boyhood. There was not an Indian in the tribe that he could not out-run, out-jump, or throw, and he could travel further in a day than any Indian or white man in the country. On his first visit to Saginaw, in 1828, then a young man, he started from his home, eight miles above Detroit, with a pack on his back and with moccasins on his feet, and arrived at Flint at four o'clock of the same day, with no road after leaving Pontiac but an Indian trail,-a distance of seventy miles. The next day he arrived at his uncle's at Crow Island, just as the family were sitting down to dinner —a distance of thirty-six miles on an Indian trail. "Here is another incident in Mr. Trombley's life: —Mr. Thomas Simpson, who in his after life was called by the early settlers, Lexa-bo-ga, had been editor, printer and lawyer, was first editor of the Western Emigrant, published at Ann Arbor, in 1829, afterwards editor of the Oakland Chronicle, published at Pontiac, in 1830. Mr. Simpson was one of the most athletic men I ever saw. 3 9q r 4- I l IrI 4 74 t —~-~ —~~ ~ —~ ~~ -- - -- ----- `-~1- ~ I- ---- -------------- ~ -- k - N .A u (I-) I l -?< A - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 17 He used to boast that he was never put on his back in his life. He had the name of being the smartest man in northern Michigan, in athletic sports in those early days. Soon after coming to Saginaw he said he would like to meet that man Trombley, he had heard so much about. An opportunity soon occurred. Joseph Trombley came up to Saginaw one day, to do some business with the American Fur Company. It was soon noised around the little hamlet that Joseph Trombley was in town, and that there would be some fun. Mr. Simpson, alias Lexaboga, was informed, and soon made his appearance at the American Fur Compay's store, to meet the man he had heard so much about. He was introduced to Mr. Trombley, whom he challenged to a trial of strength and skill in wrestling. Mr. Trombley said he was no wrestler, but would try him running either for one mile or fifty, for $100. Mr. Simpson weighed about two hundred pounds, was six feet two inches high, without an inch of waste flesh about him —all sinew and muscle,'-while Trombley only weighed one hundred and ninety pounds,and stood about six feet high. Trombley was afraid to take hold of so powerful a man. By this time most all the inhabitants had come to see the fun. 'But if I did not wrestle with him the people would laugh at me,' said Trombley. 'I took hold of him and I might as well have taken hold of an ox, he was so strong, but after a long while, by a dexterous effort I threw him on his back. This did not suit the crowd, as they had bet heavily on their favorite. He appeared to be much chagrined, but to retreive his character lhe said he would try me back hold, a favorite way of Indian wrestling, which I had been accustomed to from boyhood, with the Indians,-which pleased me much, for I was afraid he would challenge me again at arms length. I readily consented to take him back hold. We took hold and I threw him four times before he gave up.' Thus ended Mr. Simpson's (Lexaboga's) wrestling; for, said he, 'I will never wrestle again,'and he never did. This is to show the wonderful endurance and strength the mailn possessed in his young days, who could go from Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, to Flint, and return the same day, on an Indian trail and afoot, a distance of ninety miles. beating his opponent on horseback over thirty-four miles-a feat that very few men in America could accomplish. I have seen Mr. Trombley when a young man take a large wolf out of the trap, put a crotched stick over his neck, tie his mouth and legs, put him on his shoulders and bring him home alive." FIRST SYMPTOMS OF TOWNS. THE FEVER OF SPECULATION. By 1836 the spirit of land speculation, that had been rising for some time in the country, had reached its highest pitch. After Gen. Jackson, in 1833, caused the deposit of the surplus revenue of the United States to be withheld from the old United States Bank and deposited with the state banks, large amounts accumulated in the vaults of the latter, which President Jackson encouraged the banks to loan to individuals by saying that it was by means of the trade of the merchants in paying the import duties on their merchandise into the treasury that the money had accumulated, and it was no more than right that they should have the use of the money to facilitate the operations of their business. But by this hint to the banks they were not particulatr as to the business which the parties were engaged in who desired loans, and almost anyone who was thought shrewd enough to make a good speculation by investing money could obtain loans. After the money was borrowed the point was to make a profitable investment of it, and nothing looked more attractive than the virgin soil of the West, where Uncle Sam possessed millions of broad acres which he would dispose of in parcels of forty acres or in other subdivisions of sections at the rate of $1.25 per acre. Michigan was then, in 1836, considered the El Dorado of the West. A heavy emigration from New York and the New England States had for three or four years previously directed its course to the beautiful peninsula, so that at the time above mentioned parties having money to invest thought it beyond a doubt that if they should forestall those immigrants and purchase the land from the United States, they would receive a large advance on their purchases, from those who wished to make actual settlements. In view of the above mentioned facts it was not likely that those speculators, in casting their eyes over the map of Michigan, seeking a point within its borders for a place to make their investments, would overlook the Saginaw country, where the deep- indentation of the Saginaw Bay penetrates the heart of the peninsula and the branches of the broad river spread out in every direction like the branches of an enormous tree, the base of which is the medium through which the sap flows, as the outlet of the river is for the trade and commerce of a large portion of Northern Michigan. INCIDENTS OF THE LAND CRAZE. During the Spring and Summer of 1836 the land in this region was subject to sale at the Detroit land office. The office was removed to Flint in September or October of the same year. The office of the Register was situated on Jefferson Avenue, just above the Biddle House, and so great was the rush for land in business, that parties wishing to locate lands formed themselves into a line and awaited their turn to present their minutes; but a favored few found access by way of the back door or through a window, and would get their locations secured ahead of the crowd. Looking land and furnishing minutes was a lucrative business and furnished employment to many of the early settlers. The description of the land selected was usually kept a secret until it was located at the office, but some parties coming from the East were not so cautious. Judge Albert Miller relates an instance of this kind, as follows: — "A gentleman largely interested in the purchase of government lands told me of an occurrence, some years after it happened, in which he was interested. He said he was staying at one of the hotels at Detroit when a man came in from the country, very much elated with his good luck in finding some excellent land for a farm, which he intended the next morning to locate for that purpose. The speculator said that in a friendly conversation he got him to describe the land he intended to purchase. In the morning the man was very much disappointed to find the land he wanted had just been located, but not being discouraged he started again to select more land, and after a few days returned and met his friend the speculator, and disclosed to him the fact that he had selected other land, that so far exceeded the first selection in value that he was amply paid for his first disappointment. He incautiously gave him the description of his second intended purchase, and when he went to the land office the result was the same as on the first application, — the land had just been taken. He left Detroit this time, probably, somewhat wiser than before, and on returning with his third set of minutes met his old friend, as usual, and disclosed to him the fact that this time he had found some land so much superior to either of the other selections that he should purchase double the quantity that he first intended to, and confidentially disclosed the location of it and the fact that it was surrounded by a large tract of vacant land of equal value with his selection. When he met the speculator after his third application at the land office it was not with the disappointed appearance of former occasions, but with a pleased and satisfied expression said to him, 'Well, old fellow, I guess you have got swamped this time.' The sequel proved that the last minutes described lands in the center of an extensive swamp, and the spec I I f I - L; l- J t f — aw - -- - 112 X ' r 'Y - 1 - I 18 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. __ ulator had purchased a large tract of land that was entirely worthless. The name of the narrator of the incidents related above has passed from my memory. I knew him about twenty-three years ago. He said he was operating with money furnished by a bank, in which his uncle was an officer. When he got through with his purchases he turned all the land over to the bank and took up his paper and saved himself from bankruptcy." After the land office was removed to Flint that place was thronged with land speculators. Purchases of government lands were then made with gold and silver. "Bill Gifford" kept a small hotel at Flint, and during the Autumn of that year there were nights when, it is said, more than $40,000 in specie was laying in different parts of the house, which had been brought by guests who were waiting their turn to do business at the land office. About this time an incident occurred that illustrates the will of men intent upon securing a prize. The facts as gathered are related by Gen. Partridge, of Bay City, as follows: -Joseph Trombley and Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh took a fancy for the same piece of land at the same time, neither knowing that the other wanted the land. At noon Joseph Trombley learned that Dr. Fitzhugh was to start for Flint from Saginaw to purchase the said land, which was on the west side of the river. On the next morning early, Trombley being then at Portsmouth, collected his gold and started in his canoe, and rapidly sped his way to Flint, expecting to overtake Fitzhugh on the road, who was to start on horseback, but found nothing of him. Arriving at Flint on a good smart run, he entered his land, took dinner and started on his return to the Saginaws. On his way back he met Mr. Fitzhugh, who was greatly astonished to meet him going toward Saginaw, and suggested that he, Trombley, had bought certain land, when Trombley showed his certificate of purchase. Dr. Fitzhugh, seeing there was no use in going further, returned. Trombley kept company awhile, but finding that the Doctor was too slow even with his horse, left him and arrived at Saginaw City, at a store owned by one named McDonald, where he had left his canoe. Trombley told his story about his getting the start of Fitzhugh, but McDonald disbelieved him even after seeing his certificate, and bet a gallon of wine that Trombley had not been to Flint that day. Now the mail-carrier was on his way from Flint to Saginaw on horseback, and Trombley met him before arriving at Flint, and then overtook and passed him on his way back. So they waited a few minutes for the mail-carrier, who verified Trombley's statement. Trombley treated out his gallon and took his canoe for home, arriving there before 10 o'clock at night of the same day. Mr. Trombley says no man, not having an iron frame and constitution, could stand the strain to run that distance as he had to run. PORTSMOUTH AND ITS PROJECTOR. A large trade in village property had also sprung up. Parties would select land with,some advantages of location that would commend it to the public, lay out a town, and go into the market to sell either interests in the whole tract, or lots in the village. Owing to difficulty of access, Saginaw had but a small population at the commencement of the year 1836, but it had attained some notoriety. Saginaw City had been platted four or five years previously, and was supposed by many to be the only point on the river where a town was likely to be built. But others who were aware of the difficulties of ascending the river with heavy laden craft, and anticipating the vast commerce which the products of the valley must eventually Induce, conceived the idea of starting a town nearer the mouth of the river. With this in view, Judge Albert Miller, who had become familiar with this entire region, purchased a tract of land of the Trombley's in July, 1836, and in the same month had the village of Portsmouth surveyed and platted. This was the first attempt to start a town within the present boundaries of Bay County. This whole region was then in Saginaw County. Judge Miller, the first to project a town near the mouth of the Saginaw River, is now a i resident of Bay City, and still engaged in active pursuits. We append a brief biographical sketch of him as follows: ALBERT MILLER was born in Hartland, Windsor Co., Vt., May 10, 1810. His father, Jeremy Miller, was a native of Middletown, Conn. His mother, Sarah Miller, was a native of Hartland. The ancestors of Judge Miller on his mother's side were among those who landed at Plymouth Rock, in 1620. A plate, now in the possession of the family, was brought over in the "Mayflower," by Sarah Clark, whose name it bears. It is to this woman that Judge Miller traces his ancestry. His father belonged to an old English family that settled in Massachusetts in 1640. Judge Miller is the youngest of a family of four children, three of whom are still living. When he was seven years of age his father died; his mother living until 1863, when she died at the advanced age of eighty-four. At a very early age Judge Miller was obliged to provide for himself, his mother having but limited means. At the age of ten he engaged with his uncle, who gave him his board and a pair of boots, in return for his Summer's work. From the time he was eleven years old until he was fourteen he lived with another uncle, who gave him his board and clothing and allowed him the privilege of attending the district school during the Winter. The next year and a half were spent at home on the farm; the following three Summers in farm labor; and the Winters, until he was eighteen, were spent in school. After that, two Winters were passed in teaching a district school in his native town. About this time Mr. Miller resolved to fit himself for Dartmouth College, and entered Kimball and Union Academy, at Meridcn, N. H., in 1830, with this intention. Shortly after entering the academy, he was prostrated by a severe illness, which compelled him to change his plans; and in the Fall of 1830 he started for the West. It was the first time he had traveled more that twenty miles from home; and every day's progress had the charm of adventure and novelty. He went by stage and canal to Buffalo, at which place he took boat for Detroit. The latter city, at the time Judge Miller passed through it, contained two thousand two hundred and twenty-two inhabitants. In the Spring of 1831, his mother and sisters having arrived from Vermont, he settled with them at Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., Mich. Here he remained until the Fall of 1832, when he visited Saginaw, and purchased a tract of land at the junction of the Shiawassee and Tittabawassee Rivers, to which he removed February, 1833. Judge Miller, during his stay at Grand Blanc, taught school, and finished the second term that was ever taught in Genesee County. During the Winter of 1834-'35, he taught in a building which was occupied by the United States troops in 1823. This was the first school taught in the Saginaw Valley. In the ISpring of 1833 Mr. Miller was elected to an office that constituted him one of the inspectors of elections for his township; during his residence there of fifteen years he was a constant member of the 'board of inspectors, and was never absent from an election. Upon the organization of Saginaw County, in 1835, he was appointed judge of the Probate Court, by Stevens T. Mason, then acting governor of the territory; this office he held for nine years. He was a justice of the peace for the township of Saginaw for thirteen years. In 1847 he represented the county of Saginaw in the state i eV 1-4 - -- - ------ ------— ~ --- k- -— ~ --- —----— + ' 9 v 7 IN?s r -' I — ~1111111111111111111111111111111111111 il 7 DII i - 19 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. __ - -- I Legislature; at this session the capital was removed from Detroit to Lansing. In 1836 Judge Miller purchased a tract of land near the mouth of the Saginaw River, and laid out the town of Portsmouth, which now constitutes the Sixth and a part of the Fifth and Seventh Wards of Bay City. This was the first effort made in building a town in that vicinity. In 1836-'37 he with two partners erected a steam saw-mill on said tract, which was the second saw-mill put in operation on the Saginaw River. He was a stockholder and director in the company that put in operation the second salt manufactory. Judge Miller was influential in securing to Bay City the first railroad. He takes a great interest in all matters relating to the early history of Michigan, and is an active member of the State Pioneer Society, having been its first president. He is now president of the Saginaw Pioneer Society. He was the first postmaster of Portsmouth, having received the appointment, in 1837, from Amos Kendall, postmaster-general under Jackson. Judge Miller married, at Detroit, on the 6th of February, 1838, Miss Mary A. Daglish, a young lady who had recently emigrated with her parents from London, Eng. They united with the Presbyterian Church the same year. He has been an elder in the church at Bay City for more than twenty years, and has three times been a delegate from the Presbytery of Saginaw to the General Assembly. He was a Jackson Democrat until the Republican party was formed, since which time he has given it his hearty support. Judge Miller has bravely endured the hardships of pioneer life, and is at present strong and active. He is well acquainted with the history of the valley, and his fine memory, combined with great originality of expression, renders his narration of early experiences very entertaining. He has contributed interesting and important information to this publication, and in various ways aided in the work of gathering various material for its contents. BLOOM AND BLIGHT OF LOWER SAGINAW. At this time the whole of the west bank of the river, from the mouth of the Kawkawlin to Willow Island, was an Indian reservation. John Riley's reserve was the only other eligible point on the east side of the river, near its mouth, for a town. The late James Fraser, who had become one of the most noted land speculators of this region, was living at Saginaw; or, rather his family were, while his home was in the saddle. He was quick to find out property from which money could be made, and after the Portsmouth project was started he matured a plan for purchasing the Riley Reservation, upon which to lay out a town. His plan was to purchase the reservation, and organize a stock company which should lay out and build a town. John Riley, who was then living near Port Huron, was applied to for the purchase. His father had always advised him not to sell until he could get a large price for his land, and he refused to make sale upon any terms without the Advice and consent of his father, who was then, and had been for many years, postmaster at Schenectady, N. Y. The elder Mr. Riley was sent for, and late in the Sulmmer of 1836 he met John at Detroit and advised him to sell. Mr. Riley at this time was over seventy years of age. The purchase was made by several prominent men in Detroit, the consideration being $30,000. Subsequently, the stock company was organized, as first contemplated, and was known as the "Sagina Bay Company." The agreements and members of this company are set forth in the following instruments, which we copy in the belief that they should be given in this connection, especially as the history of this company has frequently been incorrectly told: ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. WHEREAS, The lands and premises in the deed hereunto an I I i I I i i i I i ' nexed, are held by Frederick H. Stevens, Electus Backus and John Hulbert, as trustees for the use and benefit of the following owners of said lands in the shares and proportions mentioned in said deed, viz.: ---Stevens T. Mason, Frederick H. Stevens, Andrew T. McReynolds, James Fraser, Horace Hallock, Electus Backus, Henry R. Schoolcraft, John Hulbert, Henry K. Sanger and Phineas Davis, and, whereas, it is the object, design, desire and intention of the said parties named to form a joint stock company in reference to said real estate, to improve the same, and lay out the town upon said land, and to dispose of lots therein. Now, therefore, be it known, in order miore effectually to carry into successful operation the object and intention of said owners, to secure to each his just rights and privileges, and to promote harmony and facilitate the general operations of said company, we do hereby adopt the following articles of association for the government of said company, hereby mutually binding and pledging ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, to the faithful performance thereof, as follows: ARTICLE 1. The name and style of said company shall be the " Sagina Bay Company." ARTICLE 2. The entire business, management and control of said company shall be, and the same is hereby entrusted and submitted to the management and direction of a board of seven directors, one of whom they shall elect president, who shall be stockholders in this company, and shall be elected by the stockholders as hereinafter provided; who shall hold their offices for one year, and until their successors be chosen; four of whom shall form a quorum for the transaction of business; who shall have power to survey and lay out a town on said lands, and to cause the survey to be signed and acknowledged and recorded by the trustees, and to make such improvements on said real estate, or any part, as to them may seem advisable, and to sell lots in said town when so laid out; also for us and in our name, to call upon the trustees aforesaid to convey all or any of said premises in such divisions or subdivisions, and at such times and to such persons and with such covenants and agreements as they may think proper and may direct; also to appoint an agent or attorney who shall at all times act under the immediate directions and control of said directors, and at their pleasure to revoke said power or agency and appoint another in his stead; said directors shall also appoint a treasurer, who shall be under their immediate control and direction, who shall give bond with approved security in the penal sunm of $25,000. Conditions, that said treasurer shall keep a faithful and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements and pay over all moneys when required to do so for the purpose of distribution or expenditure. It shall be their duty, and they are hereby authorized, empowered and required to employ some suitable person as secretary, whose duty it shall be to record in a book provided for that purpose, all acts and doings of said directors, or the stockholders of said company, and all transfers of shares in the joint stock, which said book shall be preserved and be open to the examination of all persons interested. Said directors shall also have power to fill any vacancy that may occur in their board by death or otherwise, which appointment shall continue until another shall be elected to fill the vacancy by the stockholders. ARTICLE 3. The said trustees and their successors shall act in all respects according to the direction of said board of directors. In case any one or more trustees shall decline or omit to act in conformity with such directors he shall be deemed to have resigned, and all vacancies occurring by death, resignation to act, otherwise, shall be filled by the board of directors at their next regular meeting or at any special meeting for the purpose called. ARTICLE 4. The property above described being the capital 9 - 0,, —I Ir!.-. 2a1 I - 1 I ( IP I: 20 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. stock of said company, shall be divided into two hundred and forty shares, and the evidence shall be a certificate, particularly describing the shares of the holder and the manner in which the same shall be transferable, which certificate shall be registered in a book kept for the purpose, signed by the president and countersigned by the secretary, and shall be assignable by an endorsement, and bear date and time when the same shall be made. After being registered by the secretary, it shall entitle the holder thereof to the shares of stock therein mentioned, and the benefit and profit to result therefrom; and each and every stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock, which he may own, on all business relating to said company. ARTICLE 5. The first regular meeting of the stockholders of this company shall be holden on the first Tuesday of January, 1837, for the election of directors to serve one year, and shall annually thereafter meet on the first Tuesday of January for the election of directors, and to transact such other business as may be necessary to be done, and until the election for 1838, Stevens T. Mason, Frederick H. Stevens, Andrew T. McReynolds, Horace Hallock, Electus Backus, Henry R. Schoolcraft and John Hulbert shall be, and are hereby constituted directors. At all meetings each owner may appear and vote, in person or by proxy, with written authority. Should any cause prevent a meeting on the day above specified, or should a special meeting for that or any other purpose be requisite, it may be called by any person or persons owning or representing fifty shares of the capital stock of said company, by giving notice for ten days previous in any paper printed in the city of Detroit. ARTICLE 6. At any such meeting a majority of the whole stock shall form a quorum for doing business. ARTICLE 7. All shares in said company shall be deemed personal property. ARTICLE 8. No act of the directors shall be binding on the company unless four of the board concur therein. ARTICLE 9. Two-thirds of the stockholders shall have power at any time to restrain, enlarge, or entirely abolish the power thereby given to said directors or trustees. ARTICLE 10. That as soon as there shall be in the treasury of said association a surplus of $6,000 or upwards, after payment of all claims and liabilities against, incurred by or made by said company by reason of the premises, and half-yearly afterwards the said board of directors shall declare and make a dividend among the stockholders thereof in proportion to their respective shares and interest therein, until said trust is wound up, which dividends shall be made payable at the Michigan State Bank, in the city of Detroit, of which they shall give notice from time to time. ARTICLE 11. And it is hereby further declared that for the more convenient transaction of business, Frederick H. Stevens is, and shall be, the acting trustee of said company, having full power to sign, seal, deliver and acknowledge all deeds for the use and benefit of said company, and the said John Hulbert and Electus Backus are declared to be co-trustees to act in case of the death, inability, or refusal of the said Frederick H. Stevens to sign, seal and deliver and acknowledge the said deeds aforesaid, provided that the said co-trustees shall first execute to the said Frederick H. Stevens a power of attorney authorizing him to act as sole trustee for the purpose aforesaid. In witness thereof and of the faithful performance and observance of the foregoing articles of association, as well by the said parties whose names are herein inserted as by their legal representatives or assigns they have severally affixed their seals and set their hands, the day and year first above written. Executed February 9, 1837. DEED IN TRUST. This Indenture, made this twenty-third day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, between Stevens T. Mason, Frederick H. Stevens and Abby E., his wife, Electus Backus and Mary L., his wife, Horace Hallock and Elizabeth, his wife, Henry R. Schoolcraft and Jane J., his wife, John Hulbert and Maria E., his wife, James Fraser' and Elizabeth, his wife, Andrew T. McReynolds and Elizabeth M., his wife, Henry K. Sanger and Caroline, his wife, Phineas Davis and Abigail, his wife, of the state of Michigan, of the first part, and F. H,. Stevens, John Hulbert and Electus Backus, of the state aforesaid, of the second part. Whereas, the said parties of the first part stand seized and possessed as Tenants in common of all that certain pieces or parcel of land known and described as follows: —Beginning on the east bank of tile Sagina River at the northwest corner of the John Riley Reservation, being also the southwest corner of the Nabobash Reservation; thence east by the north line of said Riley Reservation 35.82 chains; thence south three degrees west, so far that a line running thence north eighty seven degrees west and thence northerly by the courses of river to the place of beginning shall contain two hundred and forty acres in the following individual proportions and shares, respectively, to wit: —The said Stevens T. Mason of twosixteenths, Frederick H. Stevens of four-sixteenths, Electus Backus of one-sixteenth, Horace Hallock of one-sixteenth, Henry R. Schoolcraft and John Hulbert of one-sixteenth, James Fraser of one-sixteenth, Andrew T. McReynolds of four-sixteenths, Henry K. Sanger of one-sixteenth and Phineas Davis of one-sixteenth, and have agreed to associate themselves together and form a company under the name and style of the Sagina Bay Company, for laying out a town on said tract, and for other purposes under the conditions, limitations and agreements set in the Articles of Association hereunto annexed, the said articles being hereby declared a part and parcel of this indenture for the completion thereof, and more fully to carry into effect their intentions as set forth in said Articles of Association, have severally named, constituted and appointed the said Frederick H. Stevens and Electus Backus as trustees, to act in behalf of all the above parties of the first part, in holding, managing and conveying all the real estate belonging to them. Now this indenture witnesseth that the said several parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the premises and object herein before declared and the agreements, conditions and limitations aforesaid, and in further consideration of the sum of one dollar, to them well and truly paid, by the party of the second part, and receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have severally, according to their respective estates, herein granted, bargained, sold and conveyed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said parties of the second part, and to the survivor of them and to the successors and assigns, of said parties of the second part, and to the survivor of them and to such persons, his or their successors or assigns or the survivor of them, may at any time hereafter be constituted or appointed pursuant to the Articles of Association hereinafter set forth and referred to, all the above described pieces or parcels of land, premises and every of them, together with all privileges hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and all the right, title, interests, properties, and demand of the said parties of the first part, and each of them therein and thereto respectively. To have and to hold, the said bargained premises and every part thereof as aforesaid unto the said parties of the second part, and the survivor of them, their, and his, successors and assigns and the sur vivor of them and unto such others and additional trustee or successors as aforesaid, their and his successors and assigns forever, in trust for themselves and the said parties of the second part, subject to and upon the trust, limitations and conditions following, land to no other use, intent, or purpose. That is to say: the said Frederick H. Stevens, John Hulbert and Electus Backus, the survivors _ _ ___ 4 -i v — *- O. s~ I a= HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 21 I of them and such successors of them as aforesaid, and the survivor or successors of them, shall hold the said described lands and premises and other, hereby conveyed as trustees for themselves and the other several cestui que trusts as aforesaid and their legal representatives, according to their respective shares and interests therein, under the subject to the several provisions, agreements, limitations and,conditions contained within said Art'cles of Association which are hereunto annexed as part of this indenture, and shall do and perform all legal acts, of every kind, conformable to the said articles, and necessary to carry into effect the provisions thereof and make and execute all deeds and conveyances of sale of any part of the aforsaid lands and premises, pursuant to the requirements of the board of directors in said articles contained. And it is hereby declared all the aforesaid lands and premises shall be deemed joint stock of said company to be held and subject, and under and in conformity with the present articles of association with all amendments and alterations to be made therein and thereto, pursuant to the provisions in that behalf contained. And it is further declared and agreed that the said trustees, as well as those hereby created by this indenture, their successors and survivors of them and those hereafter to be chosen, shall derive no estate nor title to the said lands and premises by reason of this or any future conveyance, beyond a mere legal estate for the purpose of giving effect to the resolutions of the said board of directors, and that the said trustees, the survivors or survivor of them and their successors and assigns and said all other trustees, their successors or assigns, the survivors or survivor, shall be bound to do all such legal acts and make and execute all such legal assurances of any part of the property belonging to said company, as the said board at its proper costs shall require. Provided the members of the said company shall be held bound for every personal covenant made or liability incurred in the execution of said trust, in pursuance of the articles aforesaid, and it is fually understood that the refusal of all or any of the trustees now or hereafter to be appointed, their successor or successors, assign or assigns, to perform such acts or make such assurannes as aforesaid, shall bs taken and deemed as a resignation, and the legal estate heretofore vested in him or them shall forever cease and determine, and be vested in the survivor of the said trustees, and in case of vacancy occurring from time to time among the saiq trustees, by death or resignation, or otherwise, the survivor or successor of them shall in all such cases hold the estate'hereby created and conveyed, and be capable of doing legal acts until a new trustee is named, pursuant to the provison in that behalf in said articles of association contained, and until such new trustee or trustees shall be appointed. The foregoing instrument was executed February 11th, 1837. This company caused 240 acres of this purchase in the northwest portion on the river to be surveyed and platted for a town, and named it Lower Saginaw. The boundries of this embryo city were the present Woodside Avenue, the Saginaw River, a line about 400 feet south of and parallel with Tenth Street, and a line 100 feet east of and parallel with Van Buren Street. It would seem that this formidable company had dreams of wealth as great as the fabulous price they paid for the land, for they commenced making extensive improvements to induce capitalists to invest in this new city by building a dock and warehouse, and a large hotel was framed and lumber provided for its completion, and yet the plans projected were but partially developed. The finance bubble had swollen to the fullest extent about this time all over the West and East; the wild mania for speculation had culminated in the suspension of specie payment, because of the run upon all the banks for the specie with which to purchase the United States lands. This company were unable to "stand from under," and were thus crushed in all their dreams of wealth, in the greatest crash in the finances this country ever knew. About the only one of the original company who survived, was James Fraser,whose race with Lower Saginaw was not yet run. After 1838 no further active operations were carried on by the company as first organized. At Portsmouth, several sales of village lots had been made, and during the winter of 1836-'37 a saw-mill was built by Judge Miller, B. K. Hall and Cromwell Barney, 'and a postoffice established. The financial revulsion visited the same fate upon this place as befell its neighbor and the glowing prospects of both were enveloped in darkness. From this time on the operations at these two points are told in the history of Bay City. After the great financial crash the Legislature of Michigan passed a general banking law, afterwards known as the " Wild Cat" system, which was intended to bridge over the " chasm," but it only plunged the people into a deeper one. There were two banks projected to be organized under the law above referred to, and located within the present limits of Bay City, to-wit:-The Commercial Bank, of Portsmouth, to be located at Portsmouth, and the Saginaw County Bank, to be located at Lower Saginaw. A banking house was built for the Saginaw County Bank, and bills were engraved for each of the banks, but none were put in circulation except some of those of the Saginaw County Bank that were stolen while in transit from the engravers in New York, and the names of fictitious officers signed to them. However, they were just as good as if they had been regularly issued under the law. The name "Wild Cat" was given the currency by an old fur dealer in Detroit, who, in assorting his furs, was accustomed to select his choice furs, and the refuse and unsalable portion, composed, in part, of wild cat skins, he would throw aside and call the pile "wild cat." After the bills issued under the law of 1837 became a circulating medium, in assorting his money he would select the Eastern money and the issues of the banks with special charters, and the other he would put into a parcel and label it (" Wild Cat," and from that the name became attached to that particular currency. After every effort to keep the bubble inflated had failed, the people became more interested in devising means by which they could obtain a livelihood than they were in building towns or making land speculations. Many, who a few months before were considered in affluent circumstances, found themselves without available means of support. The class that suffered least in the financial troubles were the farmers, which afterward induced many to turn their attention to that business, and they prospered finely along the rich alluvial bottom lands of the Saginaw. SIX YEARS OF LANGUISHTNG. During the interval between 1838 and 1844, all was quiet along the Saginaw. The movements concerning Lower Saginaw and Portsmouth, as towns, are given in the chapter of their history. The two hamlets were emphatically waiting for something to " turn up." There were a few new comers. Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh purchased several parcels of land where West Bay City now stands, about 1840. In 1842, James G. Birney came in pursuit of solitude, and found it. During the.Winter of 1838-39, Gen. Rosseau was engaged with his brother, Capt. Rosseau, and his uncle, Dr. Rosseau, in the performance of a surveying contract with the government, their work being the subdivision of townships in this vicinity.* Other surveying was done by Louis Clawson, who arrived in the Spring, having a contract to survey territory up the shore. In July, 1839, Stephen Wolverton arrived, commissioned to build a light house at the mouth of the river. He came on a small vessel, commanded by Capt. Stiles, and commenced the work which j i M 4 21 It %z -,: 1,11, - iQ - 22 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. was afterwards finished by Capt. Levi Johnson, of Cleveland, Ohio. It was during this year that John Hulbert, the Indian paymaster, came to Lower Saginaw to make the last payment to the Indians for the purchase of their reservation. There were 1,700 Indians camped in the vicinity of the Globe Hotel. They remained about two weeks and received $80,000. TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION AND ELECTION. Prior to 1843, this entire region was included in the township of Saginaw. In the Winter of 1843 the township of Hampton was erected, and included the Lower Saginaw region, and territory north as far as Mackinaw. The name (I Hampton "'' was selected by James G. Birney, that being the name of his wife's country seat in New York State. The township was organized in the Spring, and the first election held at the Globe Hotel, April 1. 1843. This was an important meeting,-a supervisor had to be elected. There is no tradition of any caucuses, no stuffing of the ballot box, no intimidation at the polls. Party spirit evidently ran high, for the contest was a close one. There were thirteen votes polled, of which S. S. Campbell received seven and James G. Birney six; and Mr. Campbell was declared duly elected, to attend meetings of the county board at Saginaw, and paddle his own canoe both ways. The expenses of the township for the first year were about $60. In 185.5 the town of Williams was organized by the Midland Board, and comprised Towns 14, 15, 16, north, Range 3 east, and all of Arenac County. INDICATIONS OF RETURNING LIFE. With the beginning of the year 1844 there appeared faint indications of returning life to the Lower Saginaw region. A start in the manufacture of lumber had been made by James McCormick & Son at Portsmouth, and in the Winter of 1844 James Fraser and Cromwell Barney built a mill at Kawkawlin, and other mills followed as narrated in the chapter of lumber history. In 1847 an Indian Mission Church was erected on the Kawkawlin River. This was the first church built within the present limits of Bay County. PIONEER LIFE ILLUSTRATED. In the following biographical reminiscences will be found an interesting and faithful portrayal of pioneer life in the Saginaw Valley. THE Mc CORMICK FAMILY. JAMES MCCORMICK, one of the very early settlers of the Saginaw Valley, was born near Albany, N. Y., May 25, 1787. His father, Archibald McCormick, was born in Galloway, Scotland, in the year 1757. When he became of age, he left his paternal roof and went to Ayreshire, where he married a Scotch lassie by the name of Mary Cummings, and rented a small farm near the birth-place of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns. He emigrated to America in the year 1778, where the subject of this sketch was born. Here he purchased an old Norman patent of 700 acres of land, four miles southwest of the city of Albany, on the Normanskill Creek. Here James McCormick received his early training, working on the farm in Summers and going to school Winteis. Here he worked, helping to clear the farm, until he was twenty-four years old, when he married Miss Ellen Garratt, daughter of Robert Garratt, of Otsego County, N. Y., one of the old pioneers of that county, and founder of Garrattsville. His father had promised to give him a farm out of his 700 acres, when he married, but he recanted and said a heretic should have none of his property, as James McCormick had previously left the old Scotch Presbyterian Church and joined the Universalists. This was a sin the old gentleman could never forgive, until a few hours before his death, when the last words he said were, <"I cannot die in peace, I have wronged my son James; I have never given him anything, ard he has done more for me than all my boys." James bought a farm adjoining his father's, where he accumulated a.handsome fortune for a farmer in those days. In 1830 he went on bonds with some friends to the amount of $16,000, which he had to pay, and had to sell his fine farm to pay his obligations. After settling up he had but $300 left, with a large family to support. In the meantime, two of his brothers had got their father to deed them all his real estate, cutting James off without a dollar. This exasperated him so, that he determined to go to the far West, as it was then called. He left Albany the 1st of May, 1832, with his large family, consisting of Robert, James, Ann, William R., Elizabeth and Sarah. Joseph, the second son, had previously gone with a friend to Kentucky. Says William: "Well do I recollect that memorable journey. My boyish life was full of anticipations of the future. It was the happiest day of my life when we went aboard of the canal boat to go West. But my mother was sad. No doubt she was thinking of the beautiful home she had left, and the misgivings of the future, with her large family to commence anew in a new country. We were seven days in reaching Buffalo, and a pleasant time we children cad. "At Buffalo we were transferred to the steamboat " Superior, " and my father bought a steerage passage for his family to Detroit, including a horse and wagon we had brought with us, for which he paid $50. When the boat left the wharf hundreds of people stood on the shore waving handkerchiefs and bidding their friends adieu. There were but three steamboats carrying passengers on the lakes at this time. We were three days and nights in reaching Detroit, with a fair wind all the way, and as the steamboats carried spars in those days, this increased our speed very much.' It was published in the papers at the time, that it was the quickest time that had been made between Buffalo and Detroit. "At Detroit my father hired some rooms for his family. This house was situated near the river bank, in an old pear orchard, and in rear of where the Biddle House now stands, and as we had brought no furniture with us we took our meals from the top of a large chest. i Detroit at this time contained about 3,300 inhabitants. "After my father had got his family temporarily settled, he, with brothers Robert and James J., took the horse and wagon we had brought with us, and started in the country to look for a farm. In his walk around the city he had met and formed the acquaintance of the late John R. Williams, who advised him to go to Saginaw. "They finally started for Saginaw. They went as far as Grand Blanc, where they were obliged to leave the horse and wagon, as there were no roads any further. So they hired pasture of Rufus W. Stevens, an Indian trader, for the horse, and started on foot on the Indian trail for Saginaw. They went as far as Flint River, where they stopped with a man by the name of John Todd. Here they stayed a few days, as they liked the country very much, and decided to locate here. "The United States Government at this time had commenced building a United States military road from Detroit to Saginaw, as Michigan was a territory and under the control of the General Gov ernment at this time. A man by the name of Davis had taken the contract of the government to build the bridge across the Flint River. He employed my father and brother Robert to work on the bridge, while brother James J. planted some potatoes. This must have been some time in the month of June, 1832. Soon after this my father purchased of a Mr. Ewing a "half-breed" title to one hundred and twenty-five acres of land on the north side of the river, and on the j Ji Iv L -l7 --- n r 0V -e C9 r k ^k "XI 1-11.,-,-Iln,, 0 I 0 -I --- ON - - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 23 ___ east side of what is now Saginaw Street, now the First Ward of the city of Flint, but could find no house for his family, as there were but two houses there at this time, one occupied by John Todd, on the south bank of the river, and the other the old Indian log trading house of Jacob Smith, on the north bank, some twenty-five rods below where Lyman Stow, afterwards Judge Stow, of -Genesee County, then lived. So my father got a small log building near the Thread River, one and a half miles south of Flint River, for his family until he could build on the land he had bought. He then sent my brother James J. back on the Indian trail to Grand Blanc to get the horse and wagon, and remove the family from Detroit to Flint. My father got a young man by the name of Miller to go with him, as James J. was then only fifteen years old. This man Miller is now the Hon. Judge Albert Miller, of Bay City, and late president of the State Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, who, prior to this, had come up from Saginaw to teach a school for the little settlement at Grand Blanc. They arrived in Detroit on the third day, as the roads in those days were almost impassable. We all went to work, packing up our little household goods. My mother hired a man by the name of Mosher with his team to carry a load to Grand Blanc for $25. There was great excitement in our little family to see our new home among the Indians. "We started from Detroit for Flint River, some riding and some walking, and all walking where the roads were bad. This must have been the fore part of July, for I recollect tile celebration of the 4th was a few days before we left, at the old capitol building, which was then away out on the common, having been built in 1825, and was located some.little distance northwest of where the soldiers' monument now stands. At any rate, there were no buildings near it. But to proceed with our journey. The roads were very bad, and we only got across the Swamp to Royal Oak the first day. That part of the country laying between Royal Oak and Detroit was in those days called the Swamp, and of all roads I ever saw I think this was the worst. The next morning we proceeded on our journey. The country become more broken, and the roads better, and that night we reached a little log house on the bank of a pretty lake, where a man by the name of Fuller had settled. This is now Springfield. We started early the next morning and at night reached Grand Blanc, and stayed all night with a man by the name of Rufus W. Stevens, who kept an Indian trading house, or store, for trading with the Indians for furs. Our father and oldest brother had come up from Flint River to meet us, and how glad we were to see them. Here Mr. Mosher, the teamster, left us, as he could go no further, this being the end of all wagon roads. From here to Flint was nothing but a narrow road cut to let sleighs pass through in Winter, but not wide enough in many places for a wagon. We started early with our one horse wagon, my mother and the larger children walking, while my father and elder brother went ahead to clear the road. We worked hard all day, and at night, tired and worn out, we reached the Thread River, six miles from where my father had prepared a temporary abode for his family. Consequently, this was the first wagon that had come through to the Flint River. "We lived here a short time until my younger brother, Archibald, was born, October 31st, he being the first white male child born between Grand Blanc and Mackinaw. My father soon built a house on the land he had bought, which now comprises the First Ward of the City of Flint, where he soon removed. After getting his family settled he began to look around for provisions for the Winter. There was plenty of venison to be had of the Indians, but there was no pork in the country. ''Finally, he and a man who had moved into the country, by the nI ame of George Oliver, started down the Flint River in a canoe for Saginaw, to buy pork for their families. On their way down the river they encamped on the old Indian fields about seven miles south of what is now Bridgeport, and about fourteen miles from Saginaw, by the road, and twenty-five by the river. "My father took a great fancy to this old Indian field, which contained about 150 acres, without a stump or a stone, and all ready for the plow. "Here he could raise enough to support his family. The Indians had abandoned it years before, because the grub worms ate their corn as it sprouted from the ground, which they attributed to the wrath of the Great Spirit. They left it, and made new corn fields farther up the river. On my father's return home he said to my mother that he would sell his place the first opportunity, and remove down the river on the Indian fields, where he could raise more extensive crops, as the soil was much richer. Finally, in 1834, my father sold his place for $600, and thought he was making a great speculation, as he had only given $125 for it two years before. "He then negotiated with Ton-dog-a-ne for a lease of 610 acres, including the Indian fields, for a term of years, for the nominal price of twenty-five bushels of potatoes and twenty-five bushels of corn, per year. "These Indian fields were within the reservation of the Indian chief, Ton-dog-a-ne, of the Flint River band of Indians, which comprised over 7,000 acres. "We then moved down the river to the Indian field spoken of before, and arrived at that place the second day, unloading our canoes after dark. We had no place to stop, but we went to work and built a large fire, and made a tent of blankets for my mother and the children. I recollect a circumstance that night which made me feel very bad, and which I cannot even now recall without a sense of pain. My mother was sitting on a log close by the fire, crying. We asked her what was the matter. She said ' she never thought she would come to this-no roof to cover her and the babes ' -for at this time some of the children were quite small. She had known better times, as they say. My father had been the owner of a handsome estate near Albany, and the house over which my mother presided was as delightful as any which at that time graced the banks of the noble Hudson. It was a fate which a mother's heart could not easily bear, to see that beautiful home sold to satisfy the demands of a New York broker for whom my father had undersigned; to see the toils of a lifetime brought to ruin; to see the hopes of the future all struck down by a rude and cruel blow; and to turn her face and steps toward the wilderness of the great West, there to seek, with such strength as might be left, to partially retrieve the fortune that had been so suddenly wasted to redeem another's name and obligation. Hard, hard indeed, was it for her when the darkness of that memorable night surrounded her in the great forests, and she wept because there was no roof to shelter her babes from the weather. "The next morning we all went to work, and on the second day we had quite a comfortable shanty to live in. We then began the construction of a log house, which we soon finished, when we took down our shanty and moved into the house, where we lived many years. There was a black walnut flat just above the fields, of beautiful timber, which we made into rails, and fenced the 150 acres with black walnut rails;-a rather expensive timber for rails at the present day. Our first year's crop was excellent. The second year we sold 1,000 bushels of corn to the American Fur Company, to be taken to Lake Superior for the Indians. The only drawback we had was in converting our grain into flour. A grist mill had been built at the Thread, one and a half miles south of Flint. We had to take our grain, in a canoe, up the river some thirty-five miles, and then get it drawn to the mill and back to the river and then J &i '- -n m11nr ---1 -- He.IV c' p ^ I '" _II rl I -. 24 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. come down the river home. It usually took us four days to go to mill and back, camping out every night, and the hardest kind of work at that. This work always fell on my brother James and myself, for though a boy, I could steer the canoe and my brother would tow it over the rapids with a rope. Our feet used to get very sore walking in the water so much. When Winter came on it was impossible to go to mill, as there was no road, so in the Winter evenings we all took turns pounding corn in a mortar-made in the end of a log, sawed about three feet long with a hole in one end to pound corn in, similar to what the Indians used to pound corn in in those days. "Many of the old settlers of Saginaw will recollect how, in coming down the river, they made their calculations to reach our house to stay all night without camping out, and how happy they were when they got there, for at that time it was the only place between Flint and Saginaw where they could stay over night without camping out. There was nothing but a TRAIL OR BUSH ROAD BETWEEN FLINT AND SAGINAW, and part of the year it was impassable, especially for ladies; consequently most of the travel went up and down the river in canoes and skiffs. "In 1835 my father went back to Albany, his native place, and was eleven days in reaching his destination. He considered it a quick passage. This was before the age of railroads. When he returned, he brought a mill, something like an old-fashioned coffee mill, but five times as large; the hopper would hold about a peck, and had a handle on each side. This was a great thing in those days, for with it we could grind a bushel of corn in an hour. We now threw away the old mortar and stopped going to mill, as we had a mill of our own. "This year we had two neighbors, and they used to come in the evenings to grind their corn at our mill, which was worth its weight in gold to that little settlement. I"A circumstance happened at this time that I will give, if you will have the patience to hear me. My father being of a poetical turn of mind, the day after he came from the East, sat down on the bank of the river and composed the following verses, which I have taken from his note book of poems: "Down the banks of Flint River, This beautiful stream, Where my cottage remains, I've returned home again. And who, in his senses, Can help but believe That this was the garden Of Adam and Eve. "Here the fields yet remain, With the corn hills in view, And the bones we dig up Which Cain no doubt slew; And the soil is so fertile, We can but believe That this was the garden Of Adam and Eve. "Some apple trees here yet As relics remain, To show that a gardener Once thrived on this plain. And in those fine days, E'er a snake could deceive, How happy here lived Old Adam and Eve. "The natives we saw here, Were forced from this plain By a curse, which they say On it yet does remain; And in all their looks We can plainly perceive, That these are descendants Of Adam and Eve. "Here the cherubims stood With their wings widely spread, Lest Adam should enter, And eat of that, bread. Here the wild sporting deer Yet the hunters deceive, That once furnished bacon For Adam and Eve. "Here the lofty black walnut, With its boughs spreading wide, And the elm and hackberry Grow side by side; And a mound gently rises Whereon we perceive, That once stood the altar Of Adam and Eve. "But far from this place Have those characters flew, And we bid them a lasting And farewell adieu, In confidence thinking, And still shall I believe That this was the garden Of Adam and Eve." "In 1836 (this was wild cat times) the country was overrun with persons looking land; in fact, the people had gone land crazy. My father's house was crowded with land speculators. As there were only three rooms in the old log house, it was necessary to make what is called a ' field bed' before the old-fashioned fire-place, which would hold from ten to fifteen. On one occasion we had got out of flour, so my father started my brother. James and myself to Saginaw in a canoe for some. At that time there were three ' drift woods ' in the river, one sixty, one thirty-five and one twelve rods long. Around these we had to draw our canoe and carry what we had. At Saginaw we purchased two barrels of flour for $18 per barrel. On oar return it commenced raining and rained all day. We paddled till late in the night up the Flint River to find land high enough to permit us to build a fire and dry ourselves and lie down; but we did not sleep long, for in the middle of the night the water raised.so that our camping ground was under water. "We had to take to our canoe and sit in it until daylight, so we could see to go ahead. We soon arrived at the drift wood. Here we had another obstacle to contend with. How to get our flour around was a question, as the mud and water were about four inches deep, and carry the barrels we could not. There was no other way but to roll them around in the mud and water. We arrived home that night with our two barrels of flour covered all over with a coating of mud. " The next Winter my father sold his crop of corn to parties in Saginaw for $1.50 per bushel. As usual, my brother James and myself drew it down on the ice to Saginaw, and got our pay in bills on the Flint Rapids Bank.. A few days after our return home my.father started for Flint, and found, after his arrival, that the Flint Rapids Bank was a wild-cat concern and had failed a day or two before. Thus was all our HARD YEAR S LABOR GONE. " The next year the Indians were terribly afflicted with smallpox; forty-seven of them died at the Indian village above my father's house, and all through the country they were dying by scores. At Green Point, at the mouth of the Tittabawassee, several were left j4 I L:_ Ie ~ ~ - - — ~-CI- --— I - -I__ _ ~ _,42; OF - A abNJle l- i -I I -A;, r: an i HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 25 I unburied, and were eaten up by the hogs. To add to the horrors of sickness and death, they were starving, as there were not well ones enough to hunt for the rest. ( My father sent word to the Indian village above him, that they must not starve, but to bring down their canoes to the upper end of the field, above the house, where they would find plenty of potatoes, corn, beans, pumpkins, squashes, etc., piled up on the bank of the river, and when they wanted more, come to the upper end of the field and shout, and they could have all they wanted. Mr My father continued to supply them with food until they recovered and could provide for themselves. This favor they never forgot, for, said they, I if it was not for our white brother,'as they used to call myfather, Iwe should have all starved to death.' Soon after this they called a council of the chief and head men and made a lew lease to my father of one section of land, 640 acres, where he then lived, on the lower end of the reservation, for the term of ninetynine years. This lease was signed by the chiefs and head men of the nation, il presence of Judge Devenport and others, as witnesses. Am This was done in gratitude for what my father had done for them, when they had the small-pox and were starving; which corroborates an old saying, and a true one, that an Indian never forgets a favor, which I have in a great many instances experienced. is Soon after this Henry R. Schoolcraft, the superintendent of Indian affairs, was sent oil by the government to make a treaty with the Indians to cede, the several reservations lying on the Flint, Shiawassee, Tittabawassee and Cass Rivers to the United States government. The chiefs and head men of the different bands of each reservation were notified by Mr. Schooleraft to meet him in council at Flint, to negotiate for a sale of their reservations. A treaty or sale was made to the government of all the reservations except the Flint River Reservation. Ton-dog-a-ne and his band refused to sell their seven thousand acre reservation on the Flint River, unless they sold subject to a lease they had given to James McCormick, of a section of land, 640 acres, on the lower end of the reserve where he then lived. AdThis Mr. Schoolcraft, the government commissioner, refused to do. Then, said the chief, Ton-dog-a-ne, and his head men, I We will not sell our lands unless our white brother is provided for; we will not sign the treaty.' The treaty was then broken up in regard to the Flint River Reservation. Subsequently, Mr. Schooleraft, through his interpreter, Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, notified Ton-doga-ne and his band that lie would purchase their reservation subject to the terms specified. With this understanding the chief, Ton-doaa-ue, and the head men, signed the treaty, with full confidence that Mr. Schooleraft had done as he agreed, and that their white brother was provided for. This afterwards proved not to be the fact, as he had left it oat of the treaty altogether. The Government afterwards sold the land occupied by Mr. McCormick, to which he thought he had a just title by the treaty, and he was ejected therefrom. In 1841 James McCormick removed to Portsmouth, now South Bay City, and in company with his son, James J. McCormick, purchased B: K. Hall's interest in the old Portsmouth steam mill, formerly built by Judge Albert Miller and others, and commenced the manufacture of lumber. This was the second mill built on the Saginaw River. James McCormick shipped the first cargo of lumber that ever went out of the Saginaw River. It would run 60 per cent uppers, and he sold it in Detroit to the late James Busby, brother-in-law of the late James Fraser, for $8 per thousand-one-third down, and the balance on time. The vessel was the" Old Conneaut Packet, "Capt. George Raby, and the cargo consisted of 40,000 feet. Clear lumber was then selling at the mill for $10 in store trade, as there was no money in the country. So you see lumbermen did not get rich in those days. They only opened the way for those that came after them to make their fortunes. The early pioneers came into the valley twenty years too soon to get rich. But then, again, what would our beautiful Saginaw Valley have been to-day but for the perseverance, the privations and the hardships of these early pioneers? 3ames cIcCormick and his son, James J., continued the manufacture of lumber up to the year 1846, when James McCormick died. He died at the old homestead, April 2, 1846, deeply regretted by all the old pioneers. His wife continued to live at the old homestead, dispensing her hospitality to all who came, as there was but one public house in the lowtr end of the valley, at this time. She lived here until 1854, when her children insisted she should break up housekeeping and live with them the rest of her days, which she did. ' She died at her daughter's, Mirs. John Malone's, in the township of Taymouth, Saginaw County, July 22, 1862, beloved by all who knew her. Her remains, together with her husband, James McCormick, have been removed to Pine Ridge Cemetery, where a suitable monument has been erected by friends to those old pioneers' memory, with the following inscription: TO THE MEMORY OF JAMES AND ELLEN McCORMICK, Pioneers of the Saginaw Valley. They pitched their tent in the Wilderness in 1832, and planted a vineyard; but the Ma'ster called therm hence e'er they gathered the fruit! A( An honest man is the noblest work of God!" Judoge Albert Miller also writes as follows:-"KI knew James McCornick from, the timne he came to Michigan until he died, and upon perusal find the foregoing sketch to be a correct review of his life. He was a man who possessed rare natural. gifts, and integrity and benevolence were conspicuous traits of his character. I have reason to rememlber him kindly for his many acts of kindness, and noble traits of character.'' ROBERT MCCORMICK, eldest son of James McCormick, is yet living, and is a farmer in Illinois. JOSEPH, the second son, was never identified with the Saginaw Valley, lhaving left Albany when a boy, in 1831, for Kentucky, where he was a heavy contractor for many years. He died in Kan-! sas some years since. SARAH, the third daughter of James MIcCormick,'is the wife of Mfedor Trombley, of South Bay City, one of the pioneers of Michigan, having been born in the state; also of Bay County, having settled in what is now Bay City, in 1835. ANN, the fourth child uf James McCormick, married John Malone, a farmer of Taymouth, Saginaw County, and resides on the salme land he entered from the government, nearly fifty years ago, ten miles from East Saginaw. ARCHIBALD L. MCCORMICK, who was the first white male child born northwest of Grand Blanc, Oct. 31, 1832, was the fifth son of James McCormick. He removed to Illinois, and went into the mercantile business. After the breaking out of the Rebellion, he enlisted il the Fifty-secolnd Illinois Regiment, and was promoted to orderly sergeant. At the battle near Island No. 10, he was pro\moted to second lieutenant. At the battle of Stoue River he took command of his company, and for bravery on the battle field in capturing a battery, he was promoted to captain.' He was soon after taken prisoner, but was exchanged, after fearful suffering. He came back and reported for duty. He asked leave to go home to recruit his health, as he was almost a walking skeleton, and also to get recruits to fill up his company, which was granted. He soon Irecovered and with his company filled with new recruits, he reported for duty, and joined the army on its march to Atlanta. At the bat-.VI I I 3 -Ia I.A I __ t~ t ---- -- -- - ---- -- ---------—: — -------- i I k 61 A I.3. 1 Il I ___ 26 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY tie of Kenesaw Mountain the enemy had a masked battery which was making sad havoc with our troops. Gen. Bradley sent for Capt. McCormick to take that battery, saying he took the battery at Stone River and he knew he would take that. He took the battery, but fell on the breastworks, pierced with seven balls, a martyr to his country. ANDREW V. MCCORMICK, the youngest child of James and Ellen McCormick, was the first child born in what is now the Township of Taymouth, Saginaw County, December 20, 1836. In 1854 he went to Illinois and commenced farming. He also enlisted in the Union army and served until just before its close, when he was wounded and retired from the service. He is now a wealthy farmer in Kansas. ELIZABETH, the second daughter of James McCormick, married Orrin Kinney, a farmer, a well-known citizen of the Saginaw Valley, and an old pioneer, being identified with all of its early developments. They still live on their farm, within the present limits of Bay City, surrounded by their children and grandchildren. JAMES J. Me CORMICK. The following biographical sketch of the late James J. McCormick is by Judge Albert Miller, who was his intimate friend for forty years: "James J. McCormick, third son of James McCormick, was born near Albany, N. Y., in January, 1817, and was in the fifty-sixth year Dxf his age at the time of his death, which occurred in Bay City, November 25, 1872. "My first acquaintance with Mr. McCormick happened in this wise:-In'the Summer of 1832 I started on foot, from Saginaw, for a journey to Detroit, having with me a draft on James Abbott, of Detroit, upon which to raise money to purchase some land from the government; but when I arrived at Flint, I learned that my draft had not been properly endorsed, and that I should have to return to Saginaw and get the endorsement before I could raise the money on it. While at Flint I was introduced by the late E. R. Ewings, Esq., to Mr. James McCormick (father of the late J. J.), who, although a stranger, kindly volunteered to loan me the money, so that I could proceed to Detroit and purchase the land I was anxious to secure. Mr. McGormick's family at that time resided in Detroit, and he was about sending his son, James J., to Detroit, with a one-horse wagon, and I was offered a free ride, which, under the circumstances, was highly appreciated; for at that time there was no public conveyance on any portion of the road between Saginaw and Detroit. In passing over the road on that journey with James J. McCormick, a familiar acquaintance was formed, wlfich ripened into a strong friendship for each other, which lasted wh le time lasted, with him, and the severance of which is a great grief to myself. Afterwards the family removed to the Flint River, and engaged in farming. James J., being the eldest son at home, bore the brunt of the hard-. ship in supplying the family with the necessaries of life, every article of which, that was not produced from their own farm, had to be transported eithler from Flint or Saginaw, sometimes in a canoe, sometimes on horseback, and at other times, when neither of the above mentioned modes were available, the men were obliged to carry them on their own backs. James early evinced a good business talent, and for some time previous to becoming of age, transacted all his father's' business. While the family resided at Pewanagowink, James J. went to Kentucky, where he was engaged with an.elder brother on a railroad contract. While there he became acquainted with Miss Jane Shelton, an amiable young lady of prepossessing appearance, whom he married and brought with him on his return to Michigan. After his return he resided a short time at Pewanagowink, before removing, in 1841, to Portsmoutil. At that time there were but few families residing in this vicinity; but the business enterprise of the Messrs. McCormick soon made a change in the appearance of the place. They repaired the old Portsmouth mill, and commenced the manufacture of lumber, and not finding a ready sale for it, they erected buildings for different persons in this vicinity, on contract, furnishing all the materials, and by that means used up considerable of their lumber. They erected buildings for James G. Birney, Joseph Trombley, Medor Trombley and Capt. Joseph F. Marsac. The ground upon which J. J. McCormick built his palatial residence was purchased, with a small house upon it, from Capt. Marsac, and paid for by erecting buildings for the Captain on other lands. In 1846, James McCormick, Sr., died at Portsmouth; and after that James J. carried on business for himself, till 1848, when the writer bought an interest with him in the old mill, and we were connected in business till the Spring of 1849. "It was during the last mentioned period that the writer became more fully acquainted with the industry, integrity, and sterling manhood of the late deceased. During the whole course of our intimate business relations there was never an unpleasant word passed between us. We labored then with our own hands, each taking our turn at the saw with our employes, and attending to our business matters while they were asleep; but there was never a time when Mr. McCormick was not willing to bear his full share of the burden, neither do I know of an instance where he desired to appropriate more of the proceeds of our joint labor to himself than he was willing to concede to me. Mr. McCormick was ambitious, and when the news of the discovery of gold in California first reached him, he became anxious to participate in the golden harvest that awaited those who would brave the dangers and undergo the hardships necessary to be endured by those who would reap it. The dangers, privations and hardships of the journey had no terrors for him, his only misgiving being in leaving his wife and children behind; but, after making provision for their support during his absence, he procured an outfit, consisting of a yoke of oxen and a wagon, on which was loaded the necessary articles to be used on his journey, which he ferried across the Saginaw River onl a raft of flattened timber, about the middle of March, 1849, and thus started alone to traverse the then almost unknown track across the continent to the Pacific Slope. He joined some acquaintances on the way, with whom he journeyed a portion of the distance, but was separated from them before reaching their destination, one of whom, Mr. Alfred Goyer, of Genesee County, he met, after having been in California a year, at a spring, where they were both watering their horses. They did not recognize each other till after inquiries were made as to their former residences, when they learned each other's identity. "After that I believe they remained together, and returned home in each other's company after an absence of two years and a half, or thereabouts. I know but little about Mr. McCormick's success in the mines. I know he brought home some money with him, with which he commenced the lumber business, building a mill near his late residence, at which he has been successfully engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber till about the year 1871, when he sold his mill to Mr. Webster. Mr. McCormick's first wife died in 1854, leaving three children, one daughter and two sons, two of whom survive their father,-the daughter,who is now the wife of Mr. Bassett, of the firm of Bassett, Seed & Co., and the youngest son. Mr. McCormick's eldest son, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, entered the army of the Union, where his health was impaired, in consequence of which he died, in 1867. Mr. McCormick married, for his second wife, Miss Matilda Wayne, who died in 1880. "Mr. McCormick was a member of the first Council of Bay City, and was mayor of the city in 1869. In 1868 he erected the McCormick Block, on Water Street. He was also part owner of the Di L i J - _~_ ~l r, - - I-\. I +,~,.. ^ 11 : I I - r f-.. CC:) - T ' II I I i i HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 27 I Opera House. Few men had more personal friends, and his death left a vacancy difficult to fill. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Order, and had received the highest degree possible in this country. " WILLIAM R. McCoRMICK, another son and one of the very early pioneers of the Saginaw Valley, and Bay City, was born near the city of Albany, N. Y., August 16, 1822. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1832, and first settled at Flint, Genesee County. In 1834 his parents removed to Saginaw County and settled near the Indian village of Pewanagowink, where he helped his father on the farm up to 1837. For a short time after this parents removed to this place there were two other settlers, a Mr. Hayden, and Mr. Nelson, but they soon removed to Saginaw; then their nearest neighbors were Messrs. Charles and Humphrey McLeans, of Pine Run, some fifteen miles off. So all the playmates William had when a boy were the young Indians. He often joined them on their hunting excursions, and became so familiar with their language, that, in the Fall of 1837, he was employed by Messrs. Coburn, Dixon, and others, as Indian interpreter and clerk in their store, at Green Point, at the mouth of the Tittabawasse River, for trading with the Indians for furs, in opposition to the American Fur Company at Saginaw. While at this point he read everything of book kind he could find in that outpost of civilization, and while here he improved all his leisure time he could, 'o' acquire an education. After remaining here for some.time, the company failed, not being able to compete with the extensive firm of the American Fur Company, which was backed up by John Jacob Astor, of New York City. After the company had failed he returned home to help his father on the farm another year, when he wanted to do for himself. He wanted to go to Illinois to his brother's, as he had got tired of living in the wilderness, where he could not get an education or make any money; but his father objected, saying it was a long journey and he would have to stage it most of the way. So, to compromise with him he got a place in Saginaw, with Maj. Mosley, who lived in one of the block houses inside the old fort, where he was to do chores night and morning for his board, and go to school through the Fall and Winter. In the Spring of 1838 he returned home again to help his father on the farm. In June, 1839, after the Spring work was all done, he again asked his father to let him go to his brother's in Illinois, and he again object-ed. This worked on his mind so much that he determined to go, let the consequences be what they might. So in his father's absence, he got his clothes, put them in a pack on his back, and with what little money he could raise he started on foot. He went to Detroit, and then took the old Chicago road, which he followed as far as Laporte, Ind., when he left it and turned south to Valparaiso, when his money gave out and his feet became so sore traveling that he could go no further. Here he went to work until his feet got well, when he started again for Vincennes, Ind., near where his brothers lived. This was a long tramp. The next Winter his father made his sons a visit, and William returned home with him with a span of horses and a wagon. It took eighteen days travel for the return trip home. He remained with his father on the farm until 1841, then with his father removed to Portsmouth, now Bay City, where he remained until 1846, when he was offered a situation with a wealthy uncle East, where he married a Miss Angelica Wayne, of Albany Co., N. Y., and after some years returned to Bay City, where he has since resided. In 1860 a company was formed in Portsmouth, of which Mr. McCormick was one of the stockholders, to bore for salt. Mr. McCormick was elected superintendent and secretary, with full power to proceed with the work to see if salt water could be found. It proved to be a success. I I i I I i I I I i i i 1I 1 I iI I I Salt water was found at the depth of 600 feet, and the manufacture of salt was soon commenced. This was the first salt well in Bay County. Afterwards Mr. Me Cormick turned his attention to the inspection of lumber, which he followed up to 1873, when he was offered the deputy state salt inspectorship, which he held up to 1882, since which time he h as turned his attention to the care of his real estate. No man is better known in Bay County than Mr. McCormick, the oldest pioneer living in the Saginaw Valley, except Judge Albert Miller. He has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, to the entire satisfaction of the state and county, and is yet a hearty, jovial old gentleman. He has lived to see Bay County grow from one house to a population of over twenty thousand inhabitants. Ie still resides at the old home he built many years ago, corner of McCormick aud Twenty-third streets, surrounded by his children and grand-children, with the comforts of life around him. In 1832 Mr. McCormick made a journey from Flint to Saginaw, in company with one Col. Marshall. During this trip the Indian propensity for fire-water was illustrated by a young son of the forest, who assisted them in getting their canoe across a shallow place in the river, and in return for his kindness was given a pull at the canteen. The party proceeded with their journey, and after going a distance of about twelve miles, halted for dinner. Just as they had settled down to their meal up came the Indian who had assisted them in the morniing. Upon inquiry it was found that he had come the distance of twelve miles for another drink of whiskey. While at Saginaw, Col. Marshall wanted to go to the mouth of the river, and Mr. McCormick accompanied him. Of this trip, he says: "As we proceeded down the river, in our canoe, we found great quantities of ducks; the river was fairly black with them. We met an Indian who had killed thirty-seven at seven shots with a ' squaw gun.' The first house we saw after leaving Saginaw was a twostory log house below where Carrollton now stands, called the Mosby House. The next house we came to was S a small log house on the bank of the river, near where the Wooden Ware Works now stand, at South Bay City. This was occupied by a Frenchman named Masho, who had married a squaw, and h ad a large family of children. We continued down the river two or three miles, and came to a little clearing on the bank of the river, where we found a log house standing near the present corner of Water and Fourth Streets. This was where Leon Trombley lived. These were the only two houses where the city of Bay City now stands." Mr. McCormick has devoted a great deal of time and careful attention to the collection of early history pertaining to the Saginaw Valley. He has a large portfolio of manuscript, which he has prepared at leisure, and which contains a large amount of valuable and interesting history relating to the Saginaw Valley during the last fifty years. A number of his sketches are given in this work, and will be found faithful andl interesting representations of pioneer life. He has six children, all living in Bay City. H. W. McCormick is a lumber dealer and inspector, and has been in business here aboutfourteen years. W. J. McCormick is a lawyer, in good practice, and Louis H. if a lumber inspector. The eldest daughter, Matilda, is the wife of Mr. F. B. Chesbrough, an extenseve lumber manufacturer; and the two other daughters, Hattie and Addie, live with their parents. THOMAS ROGERS was born in Scotland, October 16, 1804. His father emigrated to Canada in 1818, and settled some five miles north of Toronto, where Thomas learned the trade of blacksmith and machinist. Here he married Miss Elizabeth Wilcox, November 13, 1828, where he lived until the Patriot war broke out, when he and his brothers espoused the side of the Patriots. His brothers were arrested and taken to Kingston and put in confinement in the tl C - -- g ----— I L -,N 'O r I I I I 28 R O An now_ inrgr oti ol answf erIa n 28 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.:" fort as prsnr fwr rrbl. hrl feoeo h fort as prisoners of war, or rebels. Shortly after, one of the brothers scaled the fort and made his escape to the United States. Shortly after, the two other brothers were released and returned to their homes. Thomas, the subject of this sketch, came to Michigan in 1836 or 1837. At Detroit h e met our old fellow pioneer, Harvey Williams, now of East Saginaw, who employed him to go to Saginaw to help put the machinery in a mill that the Messrs. Williams were then building at Saginaw City, which was the first mill on the Saginaw River. After working here for some time, Mr. Rogers was employed to go to Portsmouth, now South Bay City, to put the machinery in a mill that was then building there by Judge Miller, now of Bay City, B. K. Hall, and others. -This was in the month of October, but what year it was we have no record, but think it was in 1887 or 1888. The next July he started back for his family and removed them to Portsmouth, where he moved them into a little log house on the banks of the river, which stood where Albert Miller's upper salt works now stand. After running the mill a short time, the ]lard times came on, and the mill was shut down as there was no sale for lumber, and the mill remained still for some time, when B. K. Hall sold his interest to James McCormick & Son. When Mr. McCormick removed his family from his farm above Saginaw and commenced running the mill, again, Mr. Rogers was employed to put the machinery in order and to do the blacksmith work. Prior to this, Judge Miller had got a mail route established between Portsmouth and Saginaw, and the mail came once a week. Judge Miller was postmaster and Mr. Rogers was deputy. Mr. Rogers did the machine work in the mill besides carrying the mail once a week to and from Saginaw. He was to have the proceeds of the office for carrying the mail, which did not consist of over three or four letters and two or three papers at a time. In the Summer he went in a canoe and in Winter he carried it on foot, walking on the ice, making about twenty-eight miles travel to and from Saginaw, which was not a big paying contract. Nevertheless, it was kept up for years, until settlers became more plenty, when Mr. Rogers was relieved and the government established a regular mail route to connect with the regular Winter mail to and from Sault St. Marie and Mackinaw, which was brought to Lower Saginaw with dog trains over two hundred miles, by half breed Indians. After James McCormick bought the mill Mr. Rogers continued carrying the mail and doing what little blacksmith work there was to be done for the few settlers. Mr. Rogers removed from Portsmouth to'Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, in 1842, and built a small house on what is now the corner of Center and Water Streets, where the Shearer Block now stands, and built a blacksmith shop on the opposite side of Water Street, where the Griswold Block now is, where he worked at his trade many years. In the Summer of 1852, Mr. Rogers went up alone on the prairie some three or four miles above Bay City to cut prairie hay, and was there taken sick with the cholera, where he would have soon died had not Orrin Kinney and Archibald McCormick, who were returning home from cutting!ay, found him. They soon made a litter of two poles and a blanket and brought him home, but he only survived a short time. He died August 9, 1852, much respected by all the old pioneers who had shared with him in his joys and sorrows, and in the trials they had all passed through. Mr. Rogers was a sincere Christian in the latter part of his life. He left a wife and seven children, viz.: Peter L., Hial B., Ester, Bettie, John A., Ellen and Thomas J. Peter L. is at Deadwood, D. T; Hial B. died in 1867; Ester is the wife of Capt. Riley M. Burrington, of Bay City; Bettie is the wife of Charles B. Cottrell, of Bay City; John A. is at AuGres, Mich., engaged in the shingle and mercantile business; Ellen is the wife of F. W. Lankenau, of West Bay City; and Thomas J. is now in Texas. And now in regard to this noble man's wife! I fear I am inadequate to do her justice. It would take a better pen to portray her many acts of benevolence, her many acts of womanly devotion to suffering humanity and to the pioneers and their families in the hours of sickness and death in those early days that tried men's souls. Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, wife of Thomas Rogers, was the daughter of an eminent physician, Dr. Wilcox, of Watertown, N. Y., who afterward moved to Toronto, Canada. She was born November 12, 1809. When a young girl she attended her father's office and filled his prescriptions. She became a great student, and to such an extent did she pursue the study of medicine that at the age of eighteen she was often consulted by her father on different cases, and it was that which fitted her in after years to be of such great benefit to the settlers of the Saginaw Valley. At the age of nineteen she became the wife of Thomas Rogers. After residing for a time near Toronto, she came with her husband to Michigan in 1887-'38 and settled in Portsmouth, now South Bay City. From 1837 to 1850 she was the only practicing physician to the early settlers. At all hours of the day or night, when called upon, you would find her at the bedside of the sick and dying. Through storm or snow, rain or shine, it made no difference to her. Sometimes on horseback, sometimes on foot through woods. She felt it to be her duty, and like an angel of mercy, she did it, and would have continued to do so, but as settlers began to come in, also doctors came. Shle still visited the sick of a few old settlers, for they would have none other but her. There was scarcely a birth for twenty years but what she was present. In that dreadful year of the cholera, which swept off so many of the inhabitants, she was at the bedside of the sick and dying, administering assistance and comfort without money and without price. Yes, without any remuneration, for she made no charge., She felt it a duty she owed her fellow creatures, and nobly did she do it. Oftentimes the settlers would send her something, and she would accept it thank fully. Your humble servaut was once taken with the cholera. She was immediately sent for, and but for her I might not now be here to pen these few lines as a tribute to her memory. Some time since, in conversing with the old lady, she said, "How things have changed." "Yes," I answered, "we have seen Bay City and its surroundings rise from three or four families to a population of 20,000." "No," she said, "I do not- mean that; but there are no such noble hearted men and women now, as among the early pioneers. It seems almost as if God had chosen such men and women to make the beginning here, or it never would have been done." I thought she was right. She said, "When we first came here,we lived in a little log house on the bank of the river, and the wolves howled so at night we could not sleep. I have looked out of my door many a time in the middle of the day, and have seen a pack of wolves playing on the opposite side of the river where Salzburg now stands." One day two Indians who had been drinking came to her house while her husband was away to work some miles from home. She fastened the door. They demanded admittance and told her if she did not open the door they would break it down. They went to the wood pile, got the ax and began breaking in the door. She seized an iron rake, opened the door and knocked the first Indian senseless; the other ran off. This is only to show what a courageous woman she was. When circumstances required, she was as brave as a lion, and when her sympathies were called into action she was as tender as a child. Mrs. Rogers died in Bay City, July 16, 1881. CROMWELL BARNEY was born in Swansea, Mass., September 9, 1807, was married to Miss Belinda Peirce, January 3, 1830. The first year they lived in Swansea, when Mr. Barney I ^ - m __ __ __________ I w-. X- 1 r Q Al L Is- V I r I f (F I I i i i j I --- 1 - HISTORY O-F BAY CO-UNTY. 29 - - - r_ removed to Warren, R. I., where he lived five years. Mr. Barney was by occupationsa millwright, and being tired of the life he was then following, and having no prospects of bettering his condition where he then was, he determined to go West. He made provisions for his wife and child and they were to remain atWarren', R. I., while he would go West to try and better his condition. He started in 1836 for Michigan; arriving at Detroit he inquired in what part of the Territory there was the best prospect of lumbering, as he wanted to get work as a millwright, and was told that the Sagillaw Valley would be eventually,as then there was the most pine il that region. So he started on foot for Saginaw. WThen he arrived there he could find no employment at his trade, but was told that parties had commenced a mill at Portsmouth. Mr. Barney obtained work here and followed it one year. The next year he returned to Rhode Island for his family, and brought them to what was then Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, and moved into the old Indian trading house of Leon Trombley, which stood on the bank of the river near the corner of Water and Fourth Streets, near where the large hardware store of Forsyth & Pierson now stands. This Indian trading house was a small affair,- too much so for the comfort of his family. He moved into the block house near by. Here their daughter Mary E. Barney was born May 22, 1838, the first female child born ill what is now Bay County, late wife of Alfred G. Sinclair, of Bay City. Mr. Barney continued to live in this block house somne four or five years, when he sold out to the late James G. Birney, who was afterward candidate for the Presidency, in 1844, on the Abolition ticket. While Barney lived in this old block house he had occasion often to go to Detroit in Winter for supplies for himself and others, which would take him nine days to make the trip. What a difference from the present time! Now we can go and do our business and return the same day. Mr. Barney then bought a farm and moved on to it, which was situated where Dolsonville now stands, comprising what is now the First Ward of Bay City. The old farm house is still standing, and the fields he once tilled are now covered over with streets and buildings. After residing on liis farm for a few years, he went into partnership with the late James Fraser,in building the Kawkawlin Mills, and in lumbering on the Kawkawlin River, where he soon after removed with his family, and where he lived until his death, which occurred Novernber 30, 1851. He left a noble record after him for uprightness and fair dealing with his fellow men; he was one of the most industrious men I ever saw; he never could be still while there was any thing to do. He was just the lean James Fraser required to assist him in carrying on that extensive business. His widow is still living with her son-in-law in Bay City, at the age of seventyfive, one of the few noble pioneers that are left. ONE OF THE INDIAN TRADjERS. Among the well known characters in the Saginaw region at an early day was Michael Daley, who now lives in Bay City. Stories of his extraordinary feats of pedestrianism in his younger days are still upon the lips of the old settlers. Mr. Daley was born in New York City, May 24, 1825. He came to Saginaw in 1837, then a boy of twelve years old. He soon procured work in a tannery, grinding bark by horse power, at the salary of $ a3 a month. After working some time, he saw the necessity of getting an education, and ho went to live with Capt. Maiden, who kept a tavern in the old block house, corner of what is now Court and Hamilton Streets, originally the barracks where the soldiers were quartered while building the, fort. He was to do chores nights and mornings for his board, and go to school. He continued to live with Capt. Malden until 1843, during which time he had picked up a good deal of the Indian language. He was then employed by Harvey Williams to go to the mouth of the Kawkawlin River to trade with the Indians at his trading post, and also to attend to his fishing business, where he soon learned to speak the Indian language fluently, and he felt competent to go into business on his own account. In 1846 he started in business for himself and was very successful up to 1855. He had previously purchased real estate in Bay City, where he built a nice residence in 1857, and married a Miss Longtin, an old pioneer's daughter. He has kept on buying and selling real estate up to the present time, Mr. Daley has been a great sufferer for years with rheumatism, caused by hardships and exposure, fishing and trading with the Indians in his younger days. He has often taken his blanket and pack on his back in the Winter,as this was the season for buying up fur,and started on the ice from the mouth of the Saginaw River and followed the west shore as far north as Maclina~w, picking up all the fur he could on the route. On one of these excursions he came from Lake Superior to Mackinaw just as the dog train was starting with the mail for Saginaw, accompanied by two Indians or half-breeds on snow shoes. He said he would go with them. They told him it was of no use, as no white man could keep up with them, as they calculated to go over fifty miles a day. He said be would try it. So they started, the half-breeds doing their best. Mr. Daley kept up with them for over 150 miles, when he left them and came into Saginaw some time ahead. When they arrived they made- inquiries for the little white man. When they were told who he was they replied, "0! we have heard the Indians tell about the little white man that beats all the Indians traveling or running.' Mr. Daley is living in a neat residence on Washington Street, enjoying the fruits of his labors. CAPT. JOSEPH F. MARSAC, one of the original pioneers of Michigan and the Saginaw Valley, died at the old homestead in Bay City, June 18, 1880, aged about ninety years. 'No man was better known in the Saginaw Valley or more universally respected by all classes for his amiable qualities as a gentleman of the old school. Capt. Marsac was born five miles above Detroit, in the township of Hamntramack. His exact age cannot be ascertained, as the records have been lost. But at the battle of the Thames, in 1812, he commanded a company, and must have been at least twenty-one years old. In conversation with Mr. King, an old gentleman of West Bay City, in regard to Capt. Marsae's age, he said:-( I was born in Detroit in 1800, and consequently I was a boy of twelve years when the army left Detroit to pursue Proctor, and I distinctly recollect seeing young Marsac at the head of his company, as at that time I knew him well." These facts make it certain that at the time of his death Capt. Marsae was ninety or more years of age. He told me a short time before his death that he thought he was ninety-two years old. His ancestors originally came from France. The original name was De Le Marsae, and his was originally one of the noble families of France. The army was pursuing Proctor up the Thames before the battle was fought; the commnanding general wanted to send some dispatches to the garrison at Detroit. He called James Grosebeck, a maln well acquainted with the Indian character, to be the bearer of the dispatches. The Indians being all around them, Grosebeck declined to go unless young Marsac would go with him. Finally Grosebeck and Marsac were dispatched. They had to skulk around and travel nights to avoid straggling parties of Indians. They finally reached Detroit and delivered their dispatches and started to return, when they met couriers bringing the news that the battle had been fought and won. " Then," said the captain, " I was mad, for I had lost a good fight:" Although, no doubt, he had done a greater service for his country. rl A i -~ l e .4: I II I - - I --: -30 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. Soon after this, Capt. Marsac and his company were sent to Fort Gratiot to work upon the fort, and from there to Fort Maiden, where he remained until the time of his enlistment expired, when he retulned home to assist his father on the farm. In 1816 he was employed by Kinzie Prichard and others to go to Chicago as interpreter and sell goods to the Indians. Chicago then consisted of five houses, including the trading post. He started on horseback on an Indian pony and took the Indian trail for Chicago. At the Indian village on the St. Joseph River, near where Niles now stands, he traded his pony with the Indians for corn, which he loaded in canoes, with which he proceeded down the St. Joseph River to its mouth, and then around the south shore of Lake Michigan to Chicago, where he remained in the employ of the fur company some time. After his time had expired he returned to Detroit on foot. In 1819 he was called by Gen. Cass to go with him to Saginaw to make a treaty with the Chippewa Indians of northern Michigan. He accompanlied Gen. Cass on horseback to Saginaw, while a small schooner had been dispatched around the lakes with a company of soldiers to protect them at the treaty, for some of the Indians still preferred war to selling their lands. After the treaty Capt. Marsac returned to Detroit in the vessel that had brought out the troops. Gen. Cass and Capt. Marsac were always the greatest of friends, and to this the latter was indebted for the many offices of trust he held for many years under the Government, which he always filled with the strictest integrity. During many years he was engaged ill the custom house in Detroit and other public offices. At the breaking out of the Black Hawk War he received a captain's commission from Gov. Porter, and raised a company of Indianll fighters and started for the seat of war, with his company, on foot, as there was no other conveyance in those days. When they had nearly reached Chicago, news came that Black Hawk had been captured, and a courier was dispatched by Gov. Porter, ordering Capt. Marsac, with his company, to return. In 1836 or 1837 he was employed by the government as Indian interpreter, to assist in making a treaty with the Indians of the Saginaw River and its tributaries for the sale of their reservations to the United States Government, which took place where the city of Flint now is. In 1838 he emigrated to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, where he was appointed by the Government Indian farmer for the Saginaw River and its tributaries, which position he held for many years; until he was superseded by the late James Fraser. No man in the Saginaw Valley was so well known as the late Capt. Marsac for his unbounded hospitality and fund of anecdote, and no man is so missed from the community in which he lived. He has left a record that his children may well feel proud of: " An honest and noble mnan, respected by all who knew him. THERESA REVARD, wife of the late Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, was born at Grosse Point, above Detroit, July 22, 1808, and in 1829 was married to Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, of Hamtramack, by whom she had six children, viz: Charles, Octavius, Mrs. Leon Trombley, Mrs. William H. Southworth, Mrs. Thomas J. McClennen and Mrs. George Robinson, all of whom now live in Bay City. Mrs. Marsac was a remarkable woman for the times in which she lived, and no woman was more dearly loved by the early settlers, for her motherly kindness enciicled them all. Her house was a re sort for the poor and afflicted; her chief aim was to alleviate the sufferings of others. None knew her but to love her. She died at the old homestead in South Bay City, August 9, 1881, deeply mourned by all the pioneers, and through her death earth lost a noble woman-heaven gained a saint. Her memory will be sacredly treasured in the annals of the Saginaw Valley pioneer life. REMINISCENCE OF CAPTAIN WILSON. Capt. John Wilson, one of the early pioneers of the Saginaw Valley, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., September 30, 1804. Ini his younger days he followed the occupation of sailing and fishing. In 1837 he left his family for the season to engage in the fishing business at Thunder Bay Islands,in Lake Huron, where he removed the same year. While he was there he had occasion to visit Saginaw for supplies and was so well pleased with the country that he determined to make it his future home. He soon made preparations to remove his family to Lower Saginaw, as it was then called, (now Bay City), which he did, November 16, 1840, after a cold and tempestuous voyage, none too soon, as the river froze over the next night after his arrival and remained frozen all Winter. He removed his family into a little log house on the river bank in Portsmouth near where Albert Miller's upper salt works now stand. This Winter he spent in hunting and trapping, and was very successful, as game was very plentiful in those days. He continued to live in this little log house until he bought a piece of land of Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, lying between what is now Eighteenth and Twenty-first Streets, on the river, comprising twenty-seven acres, where he removed in the Spring of 1842, to make room for Mr. McCormick, who had purchased the property where he had lived. In the Winter of 1842-'43 he superintended the rebuilding of the little schooner "Mary," of forty tons burthen, at Saginaw, for Smith & Little, and the next Spring took command of her in trading between Detroit and Saginaw. Thllis was the first regular trading vessel to the Saginaw Valley, and he continued in command of her j until the Fall of 1844. When on his way from Detroit to Saginaw, late in the Fall, laden with goods for the few white settlers and Indian traders, he was caught off the mouth of Saginaw Bay in a terrible storm, and his little vessel was driven across Lake Huron to the Canada shore, and was wrecked. It being late in the season, snow falling heavily, and the vessel covered with ice, Capt. Wilson and his crew suffered untold hardships. At Saginaw there was great excitement, for they knew that the little vessel could hardly withstand that terrible storm, and moreover all the provisions and goods for the few settlers for the Winter were lost, and there would be much suffering. Anxiously for weeks did the settlers watch for that little craft and her crew, until all hope failed, and Capt. Wilson and his crew were given up as lost. But fortunately this was not so. Capt. Wilson, seeing no other method of saving himself and crew, determined to beach her. She struck a rock, however, some distance from shore, and went to pieces, the captain and crew being washed ashore on part of the wreck on the Canada shore some eighty miles north of Goderich. There were no inhabitants there at this time nearer than Goderich. They finally procured a fire and built a small hut with such materials as they could get together from the wreck that had washed ashore, and commenced picking up such portions of the cargo as came ashore intact, especially the barrels of flour, in order to save as much as they could for the owners. When they had secured all they could, they left one of the crew in charge and started for Goderich on foot along the beach. They had saved a package of socks and they put on four or five pairs each, believing they could get through snow and water better, although the most of them had their feet frozen. After several weary days they reached Goderich, but being unable to procure conveyances, they started on foot for Detroit, which place they had left six weeks before. Here they received assistance, and again started on foot for Saginaw, as there were no conveyances in those days, and they were necessitated to travel very slow, as their feet were very sore. On reaching Saginaw thev were received with great joy, as they had long been given up as lost. To add to Capt. Wilson's distress, his eldest daughter had t lw r L r i? Ei, — M._IL- --..I — q ", — -- r-' — -r- -- - - I -,I f y I I - Pr I li __i 32 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I __ I dians made a good fire for us, and after a good supper we soon revived. After spending the night with our kind Indian friends, we proceeded to our home, which was about two miles from the wigwam, but so great had been the sufferings of that day, that we presented the appearance of convalescents from a severe illness." MONUMENTS OF THE PAST. BY W. R. Mc CORMICK. "On the Saginaw River, towards its mouth, when we come to what is now the corner of Twenty-fourth and Water Streets,, in Bay City, where the Center House now stands, we find the site of the old McCormick homestead. Here were two large mounds in the garden, which my father plowed and scraped down. They contained a number of skeletons, stone axes, knives, and quite anl amount of broken pottery. Some thirty rods below, on Water Street, between Twenty-second and Twenty-third Streets, is an elevation, the highest on the river, on which are located the Bay City Brewery, Barnly Hotel, the residence of W. R. McCoimick and other residences, comprising nearly two acres. I wish to describe this elevation as I saw it, in a state of nature, fifty years ago. For many years it was considered to be a natural elevation of the land, but subsequent excavations have proved it to have been constructed by some remote race of people, "When I first became acquainted with the location it was covered with a dense growth of timber, with the exception of the mound, and about an acre and a half in the rear of it, where the earth was taken from to build the mound. It was then a duck pond, with water three feet deep, grown up with alder bushes. In grading Twenty-second Stieet through the north end of this mound, some years since, we found, at a depth of eleven feet, three skeletons of very large stature, with large earthen pots at the head of each. In excavating for the cellar of the Bay City Brewery, we found, at the depth of four feet, the remains of Indians, in a good state of preservation, with high cheek bones and receding forehead, while below these again, at the depth of four or five feet, the remains of a more ancient race, of an entirely different formation of skull, and with those burned stone implements and pottery were found. I have been unable to preserve any of these skulls, as they crumbled to dust when exposed to the air. I found one skeleton in a sitting position, facing the west, with a very narrow head, and long, as if it had been compressed. I laid it aside in hopes to preserve it, but in a few hours it had crumbled to pieces. "This mound is full of the remains of ancient pottery and small stones that have been through the action of fire. A friend of mine found an awl made of copper, Lehich was quite soft with the exception of about an inch from the point, which was so hard that a file would scarcely make anl impression on it. This seems to me to show that the mound builders had the art of hardening copper. We also find that they had the art of working in metals, as we will show. This comprises the mounds on the east side of the Saginaw River. "We will now pass over to the west side, near the mill of H. J. and C. J. Smith. There was here, nearly fifty years ago, a mound just above the mill, about 100 feet across, in a circular form and about three feet high. Originally it must have been much higher. I have never. examined this mound, but have understood fromu old settlers that there were tl great many stone implements found in it. The plow has nearly leveled it, so that it is scarcely noticed any more. "The mound which was located near the west end of the Detroit and Bay City Railroad bridge, for reference I will call the Birney Mound, as it was located on the lands of that great philanthropist, the late Hon. James G. Birney. This mound was not so large in circumference, but much higher than the one just noticed. In this were also found human bones, in a much better state of preservation than any of the rest. I procured from this mound a skull with a hole in it just above the temple bone, produced by a sharp instrument, which undoubtedly. caused death. This skull I presented to J. Morgan Jennison, of Philadelphia. It was of an entirely different formation from the Indian skull of the present day, as it did not have their high cheek bones nor their receding forehead, but a very intellectually developed head, showing that it was of a different race of people from the Indian. Some years since some boys were digging in the side of the mound, as they had often done before, to get angle worms for fishing, when they came across a small silver canloe, about five inches long. A gentleman who was fishing with them, offered them fifty cents for it, which they accepted. After cleaning it up, he found it to be of exquisite workmanship, with the projecting ends tipped with gold. "A rough copper kettle of peculiar shape and make, having been wrought into shape by hammering, without any seam, was also taken from one of these mounds, and is now in the State Capitol amongst Mr. Jennison's collections of antiquity. "The next mound was about half a mile up the river, and formerly stood in the center of Linln Street, West Bay City, but has'been graded down many years since. I was not there at the time, but was informed by others that it contained human bones and stone implements. Charles E. Jennison, a pioneer of Bay City, informs me that he dug up two skeletons, many years ago, in the side of this mound. He found, witlh the skeletons, two copper kettles, which he has still in his possession. I am inclined to think these were not the remains of the original mound builders, but a race of a subsequent period. "We now proceed a half mile more up the river, to the rise of ground in the rear of Frank Fitzhugh's grist mill. This elevation, fifty years ago, when I first saw it, was the most picturesque spot on the Saginaw River. Here was also a beautiful spring of cold water, and it was a favorite camping ground of the Indians. It was also, according to Indian tradition, the original site of the Sank village, and where the great battle was fought when the Chippewas exterminated that nation. This I will call the Fitzhugh Mound, as it is on the lands of Frank Fitzhugh. "This elevation, comprising two or three acres, was always thought to be natural. But I am satisfied from recent excavations, and a low place to the southwest, that the earth had been taken from this point to raise the mound higher than the surrounding land, and that it is, therefore, mostly artificial. Theha again the land adjoining on the north is a yellow sand, while on the south the land fell off abruptly, and from where the earth was taken is composed of the same kind of soil as the nmound-black sand and loam. I am now speaking of this mound as it appeared fifty years ago. Since then, the railroad company have excavated a part of it for ballasting up their road, and many other excavations and alterations have taken place, so that it has not the same appearance it had when I first saw it. Some years since, Mr. Fitzhugh, or the village authorities of Wenona, now West Bay City, excavated a street through this mound, which brought to light many relics, and proved, beyond a doubt, thatthis eminence was a mound built in remote ages. A great many skeletons were exhumed, together with a great many ornaments of silver, broken pottery, stone implements, etc., and, like the McCormick Mound on the opposite side pf the river, was full of broken stone which had been through the action of fire." iR I I I -- ll 33 r 9 - F HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I "There are also four fortifications on the Rifle River, in Township Twenty-two north. They comprise from three to six acres each, containing several mounds of large size. They are also situated on the bluffs. The walls can yet be traced, and are from three to four feet high and from eight to ten feet wide, with large trees growing upon them. A friend of mine opened one of these mounds and took from it a skeleton of a larger size than an ordinary person. He says he also saw several large mounds on the Au Sable River. "I have thus given the reader an idea of how these mounds appeared before the hand of man had destroyed and leveled them down. Many of them can yet be seen, but the plow has helped to level many of them, with the exception of the Fraser, Fitzhugh and McCormick Mounds. "And to prove that the last three are artificial and not natural, is the fact that in the rear of all these are low places showing where the earth had been taken from to build the mounds, which had taken the work of years. "Again, the soil on the mounds differs from the soil around them, with the exception of the low places referred to,from where the earth was taken; and finally, the most convincing proof of all is that you can dig down until you come to the original surface, and will find various kinds of stone implements, broken pottery, and great quantities of stone broken by the action of fire. And in no part of the valley will you find those relics except in those mounds. "The main objection to my theory is, how could such large elevations and of such extent as the Fitzhugh, Fraser and McCormick Mounds and the more extensive works found in Butler County, O., be built by so primitive a people. I account for so much small broken stone being in these mounds by the manner in which they cooked their food. As their pottery was not made to stand fire, the stones were heated and then put into the vessels to cook their food, which occasioned their breaking to pieces when they came in contact with the water. "Michael Daley, an old Indian trader of the Saginaw Valley, in speaking of the Indian mounds on the rivers flowing into the Saginaw Bay, says: —'On the Rifle River, some distance from the mouth, there is a regular ancient fort with mounds inside. This fort is located on the bluff, where it had a commanding view of the surrounding country and was a very strong location. The outer walls and mounds were overgrown with large pine trees three to four feet through.' He also at another time crossed from the head waters of the Rifle to the headwaters of the Au Sable with a party of Indians purchasing fur. On their journey they camped near a beautiful little lake where they found a very large mound on its bank. One of the party wanted to open it, but the rest of the Indians were very superstitious and did not want it done. He however commenced the work; he had not dug long before he came to a large skeleton of immense size. Mr. Daley says it was seven feet long, and the skull was nearly twice as large as an ordinary person's. "On seeing it the Indians became more dissatisfied at what had been done and wanted it reburied, which was done. The next day they came to two beautiful little lakes close together and divided by a high piece of ground, on the top of which was a large mound, the position of which was almost impregnable,but they did not stop long to examine it. Mr. Daley also says while he was fishing on Duck Island, in Lake Huron, many years ago, he found large quantities of broken pottery, consisting of bowls, kettles, etc., the same as are found in the mounds where they have been opened or graded down at the present time." LEGEND OF THE "LONE TREE." BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER. "Some old landmarks in the vicinity of Bay City are remembered only by the early settlers; for instance, there was the 'lone tree,' which, as near as the writer can recollect, stood on or near the ground that Thomas H. McGraw has recently improved for a race course on his prairie farm. It was an ash of vigorous growth, about eighteen inches or two feet in diameter, and during the season of foliage presented a bright green appearance. The name is obvious from its having stood in the open prairie completely isolated from all other timber. In early days all travel was on the river, and by that route the lone tree was estimated to be two miles from Portsmouth and four from Bay City. Travelers passing at any season of the year almost invariably saw a white owl perched upon the top of the tree. Some time about the year 1840, a very interesting poem was published in the Philadelphia Fvening Post, and copied into a great many papers in different parts of the United States. The conception of the poem was an Indian legend, stating that the owl was the Good Spirit that watched over and guided the destinies of their tribe or race in the Saginaw Valley; that as long as the tree stood, and the Spirit continued his vigils, their tribe would remain and prosper, but when the Spirit in the shape o.f the owl should depart, their tribe would be scattered and eventually pass away. It was a wonder to many who knew the locality, who the poet could be who had conceived an Indian legend, and so beautifully woven it into a poem. Some ten years ago the late Hon. Artemas Thayer, of Flint, related to the writer the circumstances of his wedding tour, from Flint to Lower Saginaw, in a sleigh, accompanied by Miss Mather, of Flint, a young lady friend of the bride. They sawv the white owl perched upon the lone tree, and on their return to Flint Miss Mather wrote the poem that attracted so much attention. Miss Matller subsequently went to New York, and at the residence of Horace Greeley suddenly expired, while packing her trunk preparatory to a voyage to Europe. There is something of a coincidence in the relations of the poet and the subsequent history of the Indians. During the Summer of 1838 the waters covered all the low lands of the Saginaw Valley,killing vast amounts of timber skirting the river and low prairies, and during that season the lone tree received its death blow, and soon was leftleafless; but the owl still continued his vigils, perched upon the dead branches. But when the roots decayed and the tree was prostrated, the owl was seen no more. In 1837 the Indians sold their reservations to the United States Government, and about the same time their numbers were diminished one-half by the scourge of small-pox. The remnant lingered a few years about their old hunting grounds but were compelled to retire before the march of civilization; and by the time the lone tree was prostrated and the owl departed, but few of the aborigines were seen about their old haunts, where but a few years before they were the owners and only occupants of the land." The owl was shot and killed about 1842 by James J. McCormick while out with a party on a hunting expedition up the river. More minutely, the legend is as follows:-Many, many long years ago, before the white man's foot had left its impress upon this valley, Ke-wah-ke-won ruled his people with love and kindness. He was a patriarch among them, and beloved for the gentleness of his manners, and the mildness of his government. He had been a great warrior in his day; but his youth had departed, and the languid pulse and feeble footstep told, alas, too plainly, that he would soon lie treading the hunting grounds of the Great Spirit. The good old man felt that he was indeed passing away dying-and he was desirous of seeing once more his tribes in council, to bestow upon them his last blessing, and impart to them his dying admonition and advice. The old chief lay upon his death bed, and around him were gathered, in mournful silence, his beloved people, eager to catch the first and last words that would drop from the lips of their dying chieftain. It was a mournful and melancholy picture, that death-bed scene in the wilderness. At I I - I I I I i J j 4 L ra r I- W Ai I i ii 34 HISTORYt OF BAY COUNTY. length the chief spoke, while the fire of his youth seemed kindled again in his dim eye, and his voice, though weak, was calm and clear. " My children," said he, " the Great Spirit has called me, and I must obey the summons. Already is the tomahawk raised to sever the last cord that binds me to my children; already mly guide stands at the door to convey me to the hunting grounds of my fathers in the Spirit Land. You weep, my children, but dry your tears, for though I leave you now, yet will my spirit bird ever watch over you. I will whisper to you in the evening breeze, and when the morning comes you will know that I have been with you through the night. But the Good Spirit beckons me, and I must hasten. Let my body be laid in a quiet spot, with my tomahawk and pipe by my side. You need not fear that the wolf will disturb my rest, for the Great Spirit, I feel, will place a watch over me. Meet me in the Spirit Land, my children —farewell! " And the old chief slept the sleep that knows no waking till the end of time. They buried him in a lone spot in the prairie, near the beautiful river, with his face toward the rising sun. His remains were never disturbed by bird or beast; for it would indeed seem that so the Great Spirit had ordered it. Time passed on, and a tree arose from his grave, and spread its branches over it, as if to protect it, and a beautiful white owl took possession of it. The Indians tell 'us that the ' lone tree' marked the last resting place of Ke-wah-kewon, and that the white owl was the spirit bird sent to watch over it. COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. ORGANIZATION OF BAY COUNTY. The territory comprising Bay County was originally a part of Saginaw, Midland and the whole of Arenac Counties. Arenac being attached to Midland for judicial purposes, including all the territory in Towns Thirteen north, Range Six east, and all the north half of the Town Thirteen north, Range Five east that lies east of the Saginaw River, and all of Fourteen north, Range Three, Four, Five and Six east, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen and Eighteen north, Range Three, Four and Five east, and all of Town Nineteen and Twenty north, Range Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight east, and also the Charity Islands in Saginaw Bay. This county lies around the shores of Saginaw Bay, and including the Saginaw, Kawkawlin, Pinconning, Pine, Rifle, AuGres, and Quanicassee Rivers emptying into the Saginaw Bay. This territory was organized into Bay County in 1857. Then but two townships were in full organization in the county. Hampton and Williams had been organized in 1843 and 1855, as already stated. The first election of county officers was held on the first Monday in June, 1857, under the act to organize the county, and elected Wm. Sinmonll, sheriff; Elijah Gatlin, clerk; James Watson, treasurer; Thomas M. Bligh, register of deeds; S. S. Campbell, judge of probate; C. H. Freeman, prosecuting attorney; Stephen P. Wright, Circuit Court commissioner; Benjamin F. Partridge, surveyor; Wm. C. Spicer, coroner. And these officers were duly qualified and were ready for business, but Saginaw County pro tested against any such unwarranted proceedings. The organization having been disputed by Saginaw and Midland Counties, who assumed all judicial power over the entire county, paralyzed the operation of the courts and the collection of taxes till the Supreme Court decided a case arising in Bay County, the jurisdiction of which the Saginaw Circuit claimed, which decision was that Bay County was duly organized. THE STRU(TGLE FOR EXISTENCE. The history of the memlorable struggle for an existence, which! attended the efforts to organize Bay County, has been admirably written by Gen. B. F. Partridge, of Bay City, and was published in 1876, by direction of the Board of Supervisors. It constitutes an important part of a history of Bay County, and we quote from Gen. Partridge's paper as follows: " Of the first efforts I only know in part; from others I glean the rest. The first efforts for its organization were made in 1855, I when the Hon. J. S. Barclay, who was elected a member of the Legislature from Saginaw County, in November, 1854, and who resided in Lower Saginaw, then a part of Saginaw County, now Bay City, presented a favorable opportunity for the scheme and with hope of success. The Hon. Judge Albert Miller and the irrepressible Daniel Burns (Mr. Burns was then in the prime of life, with a bright future before him, more so than the common lot of man), were sent to the ' Third House' for that purpose; and two more fitting men at that time, and at that juncture, could not have been selected for such a' mission; but such was the opposition to the bill at that early and first effort that, although the bill came near passing, yet it was defeated by a small majority. " The opposition to the bill in the ' Third House ' was strong, numerous, and influential. The indifferent yielded to their influence and importunities. " At this time Lower Saginaw was hardly known, save to our ( up town ' neighbors (those above Carrollton bar), and was their bugbear and coming rival, and East Town and Saginaw mere in all their glory and prosperity; and the then ' Little Giant,' Lower Saginaw, was struggling for an existence against odds that seemed superhuman to overcome, but with will and dare to do it, finally succeeded. " Also at that time the indifferent allowed the claims of its opponents that the matter was too premature, —' wait and see,' and if necessary the organization, if hereafter it should be deemed proper, could be allowed. Just as if a right was to be allowed, and not at once conceded! The argument generally submitted to by the indifferent and urged by our opponents,-those whose interests opposed our organization, or thought their interests were so opposed, -claimed they could defeat all subsequent bills of the kind. The effort, although it failed, was not without its effects. It brought the matter somewhat before the public, and the indifferent ones began to inquire more particularly in regard to the same, and many of them admitted the justice of the claims for our organization. "Again, in 1857, the Hon. James Birney, Col. Henry Raymond, B. F. Partridge, and some others, were selected as a committee to the ' Third House,' to press the matter of our organization, and if possible to procure the passage of an act for the same. The Hon. T. Jerome, of Saginaw City, representative from Saginaw County, and Henry Ashman, from Midland County, who were elected in November, 1856, in that session of the Legislature, both of whom, as they undoubtedly supposed their interests demanded and their supporters required of them, opposed our organization. They undoubtedly acted conscientiously in their opposition, and consistently with their pledges before election, but I will say here, I do not know, i and it is not charged, nor ever has been to our knowledge, that either of them did anything in their opposition dishonorable or unmanly. I give them credit that they acted, without doubt, as they thought their duty demanded. The Legislature at this time, one may say, was the same as unanimously Republican, and those sent to the ' Third House' to represent our interest and organization were wholly so, we hoping thereby a (fellow feeling' might arise, and thereby the former opposition might abate somewhat. Such j J l l _ - l 1 - - a - li j - # - - W - - HISTORY OF:I was the general effect. After a great deal of effort on the one side to secure our organization, and on the other to oppose and defeat it, a compromise was finally settled upon by the members of the ( Third House' and the members for Saginaw and Midland Counties, by the efforts and advice of the friends of the several parties interested; and it was a local matter, and the members of the counties interested therein finally approved of the bill, it passed the Legislature, and was approved by the Governor, February 17, 1857. "The territory of Bay County at that time contained but few voters compared to Saginaw County, for Bay County only took a small part from Saginaw County. Its largest territory came from Midland County, viz.: the unorganized County of Arenae, in which territory at that time, aside from Indians, perhaps not ten voters resided. ((THE BEGINNING OF THE STRUGGLE. "As long, stormy, and arduous as the efforts were to get the bill for our organization through the Legislature, yet more difficult and arduous were the labors to firmly determine and consummate the same,-that is, our sure and settled organization. Section 1 of the act organizing Bay County reads as follows: "'That the following territory [describedj shall be organized into a county, and shall be known and called Bay County refer to the act of organization for the description, etc.], and the inhabitants thereof entitled to all the rights. and privileges to which by law the inhabitants of the other organized counties of this state are en- I titled.'? "The original act presented, or to be presented, to the Legislature was drawn by C. H. Freeman, then and now of Bay City, and practicing law. The description of territory was made by B. F. Partridge, and had that bill passed as then drawn no question would ever have arisen as to the legality of our organization as a county, but the opposition to it was so great that the compromise heretofore spoken of was effected, and changes were necessarily made il the bill, and Section 2 was added, which became the bone of future l contention. "This said section, when first added, originally read at the colllmencement and ending as follows:- 'This act shall besubmitted m to a vote of the electors of Saginaw County, at the township meetings to be holden in said county 'here providing how the vote should be taken, and the section ending,, and in case a majority of the said votes upon the approval of this act shall be in favor of such approval, then this act shall take effect upon the 20th day of April, 1857; but if a majority of said votes shall be against such approval, then this act shall not take effect, but shall be'void. ''Tlie honorable member from Saginawt County was perfectly satisfied that the act should pass in this shape, provided it was left to his constituents to say whether they should oppose it or not, or kill it and relieve him of the unenviable honor, as that would' remove the contest from the Legislature to his constituents, who would kill it at once, for it was well known that there would be ten against to one for the act, if Saginaw County people had any right to vote on the question. Therefore the member for Saginaw, and others who opposed the organization, ceased their opposition to the bill in the Legislature, expecting to kill the whole thing at the polls; but ere the bill passed, there came in this good fortune for Bay County, if so It may be called. The member for Midlancl County thought Saginaw County should not have all the honor of slaughtering in its embryo the future organization of this county, but thought, and perhaps justly so, that his constituents also should, have a hand in the game of killing the 'Little Giant,' while yet its nurse was trying to dress it in its swaddling clothes; and for such BAY COUNTY. 35 purpose offered an amendment to said section, by adding immediately after the words Saginaw County' the words 'Midland and Arenae Counties,' so that the act as passed reads: '; 'This act shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of Saginaw County, Midland and Arenac Counties, at the township meeting to be holden il said county.' "The said vote was taken on the said first Monday of April, as provided for in the act, Saginaw and Midland also voting thereon. In the territory comprising Bay County, the vote was almost unanimous in favor of organization, there being 204 for, to 14 against; but in Saginaw and Midland Counties it was largely against, so much so as to be essentially unanimous against us. Great was the rejoicing of those opposed to the organization of Bay County, especially in Saginaw City, as the county seat was there. About onethird of the cases in the Circuit Court hailed from this part of Saginaw County, and necessarily contributed largely to their prosperity. "Mr. Freeman always claimed that the act only left the vote of its approval to the voters of said county-that is Bay County, and he now more vehemently than ever, as he saw from the opposition from the upper towns that the truthfulness of his position was the only probable chance of success, set the'same forth as the only true construction of the act, and advised the election of county officers to take place as provided in the act of organization. Accordingly, the electionwas held on the first Monday in June, 1857. All the officers elected qualified. "As I have heretofore said, the bone of contention was Section 2-or, I should say, its true construction was such-and as the approval of the act, incident upon the vote of Saginaw and Midland Counties, was largely against its approval-that is, if the vote of Saginaw and Midland Cbounties was counted, but not otherwise-Sa ginlaw and Midland now claimed that the act was not Approved,' and that therefore it In-ever took effect, land was void,' and claimed jurisdiction severally of that portion of Bay County set off from them; and more especially so did Saginaw County, for its interests were greater, and in proportion to the magnitude of its supposed or real interests, it set forth its claim. It set the same forth, and claimed jurisdiction over that portion of Bay County taken off, as described in the act, the same as if j such act had never been passed, claiming that the-some was null and void, for it had failed to be approved by the votes of Saginaw, MIidland and Bay Counties, and the writs from the Circuit Court of that county continued to be issued by their county clerk, and to be served by the sheriff thereof, the same as if Bay County did not il fact exist, in all the territory taken from Saginaw County, including that in Bay County. "The citizens of Bay County saw the dilemma and confusion matters were getting into on account of the conflict of jurisdiction, and many of them —andl we may say the principal of themadvised an acquiescence il the claim of Saginaw. And allow me here to say that a very fortunate thing it was for Bay County that Mr. Freeman llad an undying and irrepressible belief in his position,-that is, that the intention of the Legislature was to submit the approval of the act to the electors of Bay County only,-and who low, in this crucial time of our existence (for as a fact we did then exist, although it may be it was in a doubtful state, yet, as a fact nevertheless true), put forth and argued his position more vehemently and persistently than ever, and a few,I and I believe I al justified in saying a very few-,-partly to encourage him and stay his hands, and partly because they saw no other hope of success, gave him encouragement, hoping against, hope that he was right, yet doubtful of the correctness of his pot sition, still willing to give him all the encouragement they could I until a final decision of the Supreme Court might settle the matte~r. I i. 1L b r - k I I t - I I -i k- 0 - ? ---%-: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. __ "Some of the more prominent persons of the upper towns who opposed our organization, as I have always understood, consulted quite a number of the best lawyers of the State on the question, and all were of but one opinion, and expressed but one, and that was that the vote was left to Saginaw, Midland, and Arenac Counties (Arenac was then an unorganized county, and was attached to Midland for judicial purposes), and that the vote was in the negative of the act of organization, and that therefore the same was not 'approved,' but was 'null and void.' "Thus matters drifted, with clash of jurisdiction, and confusion was getting worse, when an opportunity was presented to test the question in a suit, wherein Mr. Freeman was attorney for the defendant, and Hon. John Moore, prosecuting attorney of Saginaw County, was for the prosecution. For the opportunity to so test this question Mr. Freeman had long been waiting, and as he knew some such case must come, he patiently bided his time, as I shall narrate very soon. The late Hon. William M. Fenton was associated with Mr. Freeman as counsel, and when he was retained by the defendant, pronounced at first sight, as all others had done, against the organization of Bay County; but when his attention was called more particularly to the wording of the act, and a few of the plain rudimentary principles of the construction of statutes, he saw at once his error, and entered into the spirit of the case. From that moment Mr. Freeman had a powerful assistant, true and faithful. ANOTHER FUTILE EFFORT. "Before going on with this case further, I will return to the Winter of 1858, when there was an extra session of the Legislature. Mr. Freeman and Mr. Daniel Burns were sent to the 'Third House' of that short session to see what could be done in settling the organization of Bay County, and if possible to get the county definitely and permanently organized by the Legislature. Mr. Jerome, of Saginaw, and Mr. Ashman, of Midland, now as strongly as ever opposed us, or any act tending to legalize the organization. They saw the confusion matters were in, but said it was all ourselves and our figuring that had brought it about, by pretending to organize when we ought not to have done so. But on this point they were informed others differed with them, and as there were differences of opinion, even if nearly all were one way (here I will mention the fact that the chairman of the committee on towns and counties believed that Section 2 could have no other construction than such as Mr. Freeman gave to it, and he felt the necessity of something being done in the matter), yet the few had some right to demand respect. This they admitted, but still set themselves against anything like an organization. Many members of the Legislature, however, after they were shown how matters stood, thought that if we were not a county we ought to be one, and had shown ourselves worthy and well qualified to have an organization; but then as it was a rule, although an unwritten one, that all local matters should be left to the members representing the district to be affected thereby, they did not wish to interfere, but they thought something should be done to settle the matters that were in litigation, by appeal or otherwise, and they were willing to assist in such a way. "The chairman of the committee on towns and counties was in favor of our organization, and assisted greatly in getting the bill through the Legislature. "Quite a number of suits had been commenced in the township of Hampton. Some laid their venue in Bay County, and some in Saginaw County, just as the caprice of the plaintiff might suggest. The most of these suits were commenced in justice courts,and in most cases the defendant in the case, where judgment was rendered against him, appealed to Bay or Saginaw County, knowing that if it were! Bay County, the appeal to Saginaw would end the suit, and vice I versa; and the record shows that nearly all the suits were appealed, and a few cases had been commenced in Bay County Circuit Court. "Mr. Freeman had carefully prepared three bills before he started for the 'Third House.' These bills were approved by those interested for Bay County, and it was understood that if the members from Bay County to the 'Third House' could not get the one through that they wished, then they were to do the best they could. "The chairman of the committee on towns and counties readily approved bill number one, that had been prepared, which would, if passed, at once settle our organization. But Messrs. Jerome and Ashman had to be consulted. They could not be induced to be silent, should either of these bills be offered to the Legislature, and then the Governor would only recommend such a bill as all parties could agree upon, as general business demanded their attention before local bills. However just the Governor may have supposed hie was, it only had the effect to give the members from Saginaw and Midland more power to kill the efforts made by our members to the 'Third House.' But the latter went to work with a will, and Mr. Freeman then made an effort to prepare such a bill as the members from Saginaw and Midland would not oppose, if they could not approve. So, after several days, it was accomplished. "The bill provided that the circuit judge of the district in which said County of Bay was situated should hold court in Bay City, in said territory, and should hear, try, and determine all suits commenced in said Circuit Court, in said territory, and all appeals to the same, etc., with other sections confirming jurisdiction in said territory. "This bill meeting the approval of the members for Saginaw and Midland Counties, was duly recommended by the Governor and passed unanimously. The Governor had promised to approve the bill, but it having passed on Friday, too late to be approved by the Governor before he left the capitol, he did not receive the bill until the next week. Messrs. Freeman and Burns left the capitol for home oli Saturday evening, well satisfied. When the Governor received the bill for approval he saw at once its force, I understand,-that is, that the bill really established the organization of Bay County,-and he sent for Messrs. Jerome and Ashman, as I am informed, and drew their attention to this fact, and wished to know if they desired him to approve the bill. Mr. Jerome did not wish the bill approved, and it was not approved, although several other members urged the Governor's promise that the bill should be approved. "Here it will be proper for me to say that one great objection raised to our organization was that it would be a Democratic county. But all joined in the assurance that such was nothing like a certainty, and that the probability was that a Republican member from Bay County would be in the person of James Birney, and Mr. Freeman stated that under the circumstances Mr. Birney would be his choice. This was the last effort ever made through the Legislature toward an organization. Mr. Freeman and his friends saw that any-further effort must be through the courts, based upon the act of 1857, and acted accordingly, and resolved to fight it through on that line, and the war went on. "Mr. Freeman and Mr. Wright arranged a suit to be sent up to the Supreme Court for a decision. But the suit upon which the question was finally settled had been commenced in good faith. I now give the parties, as well as the attorneys, in this suit, and they were all interested on either side equally,as to the organization of Bay County, and the battle must now be fought on that line. It was Bay County or no Bay County. All parties prepared for action, each sure of the case in his favor. "The case was one of great significance. The late Dr. Dion Birney was the complainant vs. Daniel Burns. Burns was charged with A I I1 I -- 4 -I.-- ~ u -a d, q4 1 j 4 - I -A HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 37 perjury, said to have been committed June 29th, 1857, at the township of Hampton. The defendant filed a plea of abatement, alleging that 'the said supposed offense, if any was committed, was committed within the jurisdiction of Bay County, and not within the jurisdiction of this court'-meaning the jurisdiction of the Saginaw County Circuit Court. Upon this plea issue was taken, and a case was made and certified to' the Supreme Court, and was heard at the May term, 1858, at Detroit. Mr. Freeman had staked his reputation as a lawyer upon the result of this suit, and he prepared a full and exhaustive argument in the case, and whoever may read the same will come to the same conclusion. "A little incident in the passing events of the suit I feel called upon to relate quite fully, as it tends to show the opinion of the legal profession on this question, and the worth and character of the late Hon. William M. Fenton, of Flint, perhaps as no other thing could do. And this is my apology. "It was well known that Mr. Freeman did not attend the Supreme Court on the argument of this case, for the reason that a few days before the case was to come on for argument, Mr. Freeman was confined to his bed with a fever, and was quite as insensible of what was going on in the case as 'Rip Van Winkle,' except that the suit was uppermost in his wild and feverish head. Now, Mrs. Freeman comprehended the situation, and kr.ew that Mr. Freeman could not possibly recover to be in Detroit to argue the case, so she sent all the papers with the argument prepared (in writing) to Mr. Fenton, informing him of the situation of her husband. Mr. Fenton replied to her, 'All shall be attended to,' and the result shows that it was. The first time Mr. Fenton met Mr. Freeman after the case was decided, he said to him that when he arrived in Detroit several of the most promineqt lawyers, (giving names), advised him to give up the suit, and not expose himself to ridicule, but to let Mr. Freeman alone, to fall, etc. He informed them that Mr. Freeman was sick and could not be there, and Mrs. Freeman had requested him to see to the suit, and he had written her that he would; that he was of their opinion till his attention had been called to some of the words and language of the act, and he should soon call theirs to the same points. He had not gone far in the argument when it was conceded that his premises in the case were correct. The case was submitted, and the next morning the court upon opening gave the decision, which may be found commencing on page 114 of Fifth Michigan Reports —First, Cooley-sustaining the plea and thus declaring Bay County organized. "The next morning after the decision was made, the news was received here by the Detroit boat, that being the most reliable and shortest route we had. There was a route by rail, stage, and canoe, and sometimes steamboat by the river in the season, and by skates and sleighs on the ice of the river in its season, but not any road for general travel nearer than East Saginaw, on this side of the river, and Zilwaukee on the other. There being no cannon here, and no military company with fire-arms, with which to sound the glad tidings of the reality of Bay County, the only anvil in the county was pressed into service; and such cannonading would drown, and did drown, the sleepy ideas of some of the sleepy people of this infant city, and send them along the path to prosperity and to wealth. The news brought the people to their right senses, and the city and county have rushed along the rough track of building up, and burning down, and rebuilding in more substantial style." When the decision upon the question of organization was rendered, the county officers were yet in power,but the sheriff, William Simon, had removed from the county, and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of B. F. Partridge. FIRST SUPERVISORS' MEETING. The first meeting of the Bay County Board of Supervisors occurred August 10, 1858. The Board was composed of Sydney S. Campbell from Hampton, and George W. Smock from Williams, and every member was present. Sydney S. Campbell was elected chairman by a unanimous vote. At this meeting the Board allowed and paid fourteen wolf certificates, eleven of which were to Indians, total amount, $112; total constable bills, $70.43; total justices' bills, $66.61; giving notice of election, claimed, $10, allowed, $5; total amount of A. Kaiser's bill for boarding prisoners was $1. Total assessed valuation of the county in 1858, as equalized by the first Board, was $530,589. This Board levied $1,165. county tax. The first superintendents of the poor were E. N. Bradford, Israel Catlin and J. B. Hart. At the first meeting of the Board, October 10, 1858, the county treasurer's report showed county orders paid to the amount of $78.14, leaving in the treasury $2.85. Thus it will be seen that the county expenses were extremely light, and all the bills allowed are recorded as having been allowed by a 'unanimous vote.' But these two supervisors put on record a resolution that the chairman should be 'entitled to vote on all questions before the Board.' They paid the prosecuting attorney $50 a year, and other officers in proportion. TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. At a special meeting of the County Board, in February, 1859, the township of Arenac was erected into a township, with Daniel Williams, N. W. Sillibridge, and Daniel Shaw the Board of Inspectors, Peter Marksman being elected the first supervisor. But Peter Marksman resigned and M. D. Bourasso was appointed and took his seat. At a special meeting held in March, 1859, the Board erected the town of Portsmouth. J. M. Miller, A. Stevens and William Daghsh were the first Board of Inspectors. Appleton Stevens was elected the first supervisor. In 1859 the town of Bangor was also erected into a township, and Scott W. Sayler was the first supervisor. So that the Board consisted of George E. Smith, of Hampton, chairman, and four others at the bar meeting in 1859. The State Legislature constructed the township of Beaver in February, 1867, by detaching territory from Williams, and the town elected Levi Williard, one of the oldest and most intelligent men in the town, its first supervisor. The Board of Supervisors, in January, 1868, passed an act to organize the town of Kawkawlin from the territory of Bangor, and Alexander Beard was the first supervisor to the Board. The township of Monitor was made a township by an act of the Legislature in 1869, and William H. Needham was elected the first supervisor, and in 1870 the Board took a slice from the township of Arenac and formed the town of Au Gres, which sent the young lawyer, W. R. Bates, who had settled there, as their first supervisor to the Board, and in the same year another town was created from Arenac, called Clayton, and one of its hardy pioneers, William Smith, one of the most upright and intelligent men in the county, was its first supervisor. It will have been seen ere this that the county had rapidly advanced in population, and that they were dis tributed nearly all over the county, and other territory was being settled so fast that the inhabitants were driven to seek new organization of towns in order to construct roads and bridges for their use in getting in and out of this vast wilderness, and in 1871 the old town of Portsmouth was divided and the town of Merritt constituted and Henry F. Shuler was first supervisor. In March the charter of Bay City was so amended that it covered the village of Portsmouth, leaving a small amount of land without the limits of any town or * L 9 -A 0 d -9 I.. q - (a -L -0 - 1 1" —6 6 P - - 38 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. s - a ma city. So that the present town of Portsmouth was carved out of that part left, and a portion of Merritt and a portion of Hampton, and created into a town called Portsmouth,by an act of the Legislature, in March, 1873, and the town was fully organized the-next week, B. F. Partridge being elected their supervisor, and he has been re-elected ever since, holding the office of chairman of the Board. In the year of 1873, the towns of Deep River, Standish, and Pinconning were organized by act of the Legislature, and they sent from Deep River, John Bullock, known all over the country as an intelligent gentleman; from Standish, Menzo Havens, whose father moved to the town years before from Ohio, from Pinconning, that old pioneer, Joseph U. Meech, as first supervisors to the Board. Still further north the country was settling, with the true men of the nation, the soldiers of the late rebellion, upon the rich Government lands, and in 1874 the townships of Moffat and Mason knocked at the door of the Board of Organization, and were admitted, and the first supervisor from Moffat was Alvin N. Culver, and Henry M. Smith was the supervisor from the town of Mason, and the town from that time settled rapidly. The next in order at the door for representtation, was'the town of Fraser, which the Legislature authorized to organize in 1875, sending Williarm Mitcllie as its first supervisor. In 1866 the city sent to the Board from her three wards, Jerome B. Sweet, J. H. Little and Angus Miller, and in 1867 the Legislature had authorized the comptroller and city treasurer members esofficio of the Board, and again in the Spring of 1873, the city having acquired the village of Portsmouth and four additional wards, and being allowed four more supervisors and the city attorney and the recorder ex- officio members of the Board, the Board of Supervisors then counted a membership of twenty-eight; and then in the Spring of 1877, the city of West Bay City having been chartered with three wards, annd allowed to send its recorder as ex-officio member, the Board consisted ill 1877 of thirty-two members, and at the January session of the Board in 1880, the towns of Lincoln and Whitney were organized, which gave the county of Bay, in October, 1880, a inembership of thirty-four. The township of Frankeillust was detached from Saginaw County, and annexed to Bay by act of Legislature in the Winter of 1880-'81. The supervisor is John A. Leinberger. COUNTY SEAT. Immediately after the organization of the county, the county seat was located in Bay City. A resolution was passed at a subsequent meeting, changing it to Portsmouth, but it never went into effect, and was afterwards, at the next meeting of the board, changed back to Bay City. The two lots, where the court house and jail now stand, were set apart by the proprietors of the village for county buildings. Ill the Fall of 1858, while Gen. Partridge was sheriff, a wooden building was erected for a temporary jail, on Sixth Street, near Saginaw Street, and was used until destroyed in the fire of 1863. A wooden building belonging to James Fraser, on Water Street, was leased for a court house, and was used as such until 1868, when the present court house was built on the site before designated. After the destruction of the jail in 1863, a onestory wooden building, erected for the purpose by James Fraser, was leased until 1870, when the present jail building was erected on Center Street, nearly opposite the court house. This is an elegant modern style, two-story, white brick building, combining a residence for the sheriff, with iron lined jail in tie rear, the cells of boiler iron being two stories in height in the center of the main room, with large corridors between the gratings and the outer walls. The upper story of the building is fitted with accomrnoda tions for females and fraudulent debtors; the whole structure is furnished with the most approved modern appliances for the safe and healthy -detention of prisoners, pending their trial. Water pipes and closets are arranged with an eye to the comfort and health of the prisoners, while measures for their proper use of the sanle are fully provided for. The jail is esteemed a model one, and both it and the court house are taken as patterns by surrounding counties in similar erections. The cost of the jail building and court house was about $75,00)0. They are a credit to the county, and ornaments to the city. A view of each is given in this work. COUNTY FARM. In the year 1866, the Board of Supervisors purchased a tract of prairie land, on the east wide of the Saginaw River, near the bay, comprising about 120 acres, upon which suitable buildings have been erected, including a hospital, and retreat for mild cases of insanity, and the grounds have been thoroughly ditched, drained, and cultivated to a point, relieving the county of a large portion of expense attending the care of the few paupers who make claim as charges upon the county. In 18f63 a one story brick building was built just in front of where the jail now stands, for the use of the county offices. SAW-MILLS, LOGS AND LUMBER. EARLY HISTORY. The subject of lumbering finds a very proper introduction in the language of Judge Albert Miller, of Bay City, as follows: "' The pioneers of Michigall, who settled in the northern part of the state forty years ago, were fully aware that there were vast forests of pine timber lying around their settlements, and to the north of them, but could not have anticipated the great value which the rapid improvement of our whole country, and especially the western portion of it, has found those forests to possess. The early settlers of that portion of Michigan of which I am writing, were principally from the New England States and from New York, and when they looked back to the large &mount of pine timber they had left behind them, they did not suppose that in their life-time it would be exhausted, and that large amounts would have to be transported from a thousand miles interior to supply the Atlantic States. At that time Maine was of itself considered a i world of pine forests,' and its proximity to Boston gave that city and the state of Massachusetts a supply of cheap lumber; and passing along farther west and south we find the Connect:cut River reaching far up into the region of pine forests in northern Vermont and New Hampshire, and large quantities of pine in every shape, from the tall spar used in fitting out our Atlantic marine, down to manufactured clap-boards and shingles annually floated down its rapid current to supply western Massachusetts and the state which adopted the name of the said river, withiout a thought on the part of the consumers that the supply was ever to be exhausted. The supply of ~ pine timber oln the banks of the Connecticut River was considered by the early settlers in that region as inexhaustible. The writer has seen large quantities of pine logs near the banks of the river, not over one hundred miles from its mouth, which had been hauled from the land by the early settlers while clearing it for cultivation, rolled into a ravine and suffered to decay, which if they were now sound, would be worth more than the farm from which they nwere cut. If the man is not now livina, he has but recently passed away, who was hired by the proprietor of this same farm to fell the pine trees on a certain tract of land for no other purpose than that they should not draw sustenance from the soil and I -... - I 77, 3 - i IS -i 0 — I N`., . j HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 39 thereby impoverish it and lessen its value for future cultivation. It must be admitted that said proprietor was not a skillful woodsman, nor an experienced agriculturist, he being an English sea captain. I mention this reckless destruction of a commodity which time and circumstances have made so valuable, as a warning to prevent the proprietors of Michigan forests from permitting any waste of their timber; for in less time than has passed away since the circumstance transpired that I have related above, a good pine lumber tree will be as great a rarity in Michigan as it is now in that part of Vermont. I believe that every sound forest tree in Michigan, of whatever kind, is of more value to the proprietor than the ashes it will make, after bestowing much labor to convert it into that conrmodity. If more land is required for cultivation, let it be supplied by the boundless prairies of the West, but let our Michigan forests remain till the timber is required for some useful purpose, and then let the land be put into the highest state of cultivation. But to return to the pine forests of the Eastern States forty years ago. Passing over the Green Mountains we come to the pine region of Lake Champlain, and the waters emptying into it, which, with regions on the head waters of the Hudson, produced such quantities of 1lumber, finding a market at Albany, that that city was for a long time the great lumber mart of the United States, and she still maintains an ascendency in that trade, although the great source of supply is now in the West and Canada. We might continue and mention the regions of the Delaware and Susquehanna, as the great source of supply for the more Southern and Atlantic cities, and then pass on to western New York and look at the head waters of the Genesee and its branches. I was recently told by a pioneer of northern Michigan, that a little more than forty years ago, he was in the town of Dansville, which is situated on a branch. of the Genesee River, and that within four or five miles of that town good pine lumber could be bought at the mills for $2.50 per thousand, and paid for in almost any kind of barter, and that in 1826, after the Erie Canal was open and in use from Albany to Buffalo, pine lumber was sold in the city of Rochester for $6, $8 and $10 per thousand. In view of the circumstances related above, it cannot be supposed that at that time the idea could have been conceived of doing a profitable business by manufacturing lumber in the forests of Michigan, and transporting it to the Atlantic cities. "The first saw mill that was ever built on waters that are tributary to the Saginaw River, was the one built on the Thread River at Grand Blanc, in 1828 and 1829, by Rowland Perry and Harvey Spencer. The object of building the mill was to supply the want of that settlement, the nearest mill to it then being at Waterford, about twenty miles distant. There was no pine timber in the immediate vicinity of the mill, the nearest being a small pinery four or five miles distant, in a northeasterly direction, from which the farmers used to haul logs, to be manufactured into lumber for their own use. The mill was a poor affair, not profitable to the owners, and after three or four years was wholly abandoned, and the land which was occupied by the pond has been cultivated for over thirty years. The second mill was built by Rufus Stevens ill 1829 and 1830, on the same stream, four or five miles north of the one first mentioned, and within two miles of the Flint River, just } above the present location of the I Thread Mills.' That mill was run a portion of each year for several years, but without much profit to the owner. The supply of pine logs was procured from the pinery heretofore mentioned, the pinery being within about two miles of the last mentioned mill. The first raft of lumber that j ever floated on the tributaries of the Saginaw was manufactured at this mill, and hauled across to Flint River and floated down that stream. There was an attempt made in 1830 by Alden Tupper to build a mill on the Flint River, below Flushing, but never progressed any further than to erect a frame which was suffered to stand without covering till it rotted down. No mills were built on any of the tributaries of the Saginaw except those above mentioned previous to the building of the steam mill by Harvey and G. D. and E. S. Williams in 1835. Harvey Williams had previously been engaged in Detroit in building the engines of the steamboat ' Michigan,' which in her dav was the finest boat that had ever floated on the western lakes, and after completing his contract in winding up his business in that city, he took a steam engine and machinery for a saw mill which he transported to Saginaw, and in company with G. D. and E. S. Williams, erected in 1835 the mill at Saginaw City, which was the first steam mill erected in the Saginaw Valley, if not the first in the state of Michigan. Joel L. Day, late of Bay City, performed the mill-wright work and put in the first mulay saw that was ever used in this part of the country. During the Winter of 1835 and 1836, a fine stock of logs for the mill was provided on the banks of the Tittabawassee, near Sturgeon Creek, and run to the mill, and owing to the local demand for timber, I think the Messrs. Williams did a profitable business with their mill during the season of 1836. "When the Messrs. Williams began to operate their mill, so little was known about running steam saw mills economically, that when they commenced to build their new mill they contracted for large quantities of cord wood to be delivered for fuel with which to run it. "In 1834 there was but one saw running onl the Saginaw River. That was before the days of mulay saws, but the machinery that propelled that saw was fearfully and wonderfully made. Charles A. Lull was the sash and I was the pitman. When I was a lumberman, the season's cutting for one saw was estimated at one million feet. We fell short of that amount that year; but we did cut enough to lay the floors in Mr. Lull's log house that he built on his farm, which is now in the town of Spaulding, and which was thle first house built in Saginaw County away from the banks of the river. 'FIRST MILL IN THE LOWER SAGINAW REGION. "After purchasing the Portsmouth tract I found it would be necessary, in order to build up a town, to first erect a steam saw mill. The only one in the vicinity was the Williams'mill, at Saginaw City, and all the lumber that mill could manufacture was used up in that town as fast as it was sawed. I remember during the Summer 1836, a vessel came into the river from Chicago, and the parties controlling her offered to wait till a load of lumber could be sawed, and to pay the price that it was selling for at the mill, which was $12 per thousand feet as it run, and would give a bonus of $200 if they could be accommodated; but Messrs. Williams refused to do it for the reason that all the lumber they could make was required for use in their own town. The reason the Chicago parties were so'anxious to obtain the lumber was that they had purchased lots in that town, a part of the consideration for which was the erection of buildings on them, and if they failed in that they would forfeit their lots, which were then becoming valuable; but I do not think lots in Chicago that year sold as high as they did inll Saginaw City. In pointing out the location of Portsmouth on the map to some New York gentlemen, at the 'Exchange' in Detroit, they seemed to think well of it, but remarked that a dozen other locations on the river might be equally as valuable which would detract from the value of that particular location. A military looking gentleman standing by, who was a stranger to me, volunteered a minute description of every point on the Saginaw River from its mouth to the point where it is formed by the junction of the Shiawassee and Tittabawassee. I wondered Ds i | - I 4 -71 - -- - - -. 6 -(I' 9 rl 1 j 40 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. who it was that was so well acquainted with the formation of the land and water in that location; I afterwards learned that it was Colonel Baker, who commanded the troops while stationed at Saginaw in 1822. The mill built at Portsmouth in 1836 and 1837 was small compared with some built in these days, but when we look at the condition of the country at that time and the many difficulties to overcome in prosecuting an enterprise of that kind, we find the undertaking to be of greater magnitude than ~would appear to the reader of the present day. "At the time the building of the mill was commenced, in October, 1836, Louis Masho resided with his family of halfbreeds on what is now known as the Ingraham property. Joseph and Medor Trombley had a trading post where the Center House now stands. Neither of them had families then. John B. Trudell and family resided near where the Watson house now stands, and Leon Trombley resided near the point where the Birney Block in Bay City is now located. Those are all the families I now recollect that resided in this vicinity at that time; others came in soon after. Cromwell Barney, late of Bay City, undertook the erection of the frame of the wood-work of the mill (a house had first to be built to shelter the workmen), while I undertook the task of procuring an engine and machinery, which was no slight undertaking, when we consider the difficulties of transportation at that season of the year, anid the fact that nothing of the kind could be procured in the state of Michigan. Harvey Williams was at the same time engaged in procuring machinery for the old yellow mill that formerly stoodinthe south part of East Saginaw. We went together to Cleveland to get our mill gearing, and while there I heard of a second-hand engine at Huron, O., which I purchased, and had the whole shipped to Detroit; and then the great difficulty was to get transportation to Portsmouth. The lateness of the season and the large amount of supplies that had to be shipped from New York and Ohio, to support the large immigration into the state that year, rendered it very difficult to get anything transported to the Upper Lakes. After spending two weeks in Detroit, waiting to find a vessel that I could charter, the schooner (Elizabeth Ward,' sixty-ton burthen, arrived from Buffalo, and I applied to Gray & Gallagher, who contracted her for charter to the Saginaw River. The captain of the vessel refused to make another trip that season, but the owners told me if I would furnish my own men they would let her make the trip for $800. At the same time they recommended a person whom I could get for master, in whose charge they would trust the vessel. In the meantime, while at Detroit I had purchased a stock of $4,000 or $5,000 worth of goods, and was determined that nothing that was within my power to overcome should prevent my pushing onward the enterprise of building the mill. Before accepting Gray & Gallagher's proposition for a charter, I got a proposition from them for the sale of the vessel at $2,500, so I purchased it, believing that to be the best bargain of the two; hired the man for master that was recommended by Gray & Gallagher, got my engine, boilers, machinery and goods on board, with considerable freight for other parties. Among therest were a lot of supplies for Howard & Van Etten to be left at the Sauble River. They had at that early day commenced building a water mill at the outlet of Van Etten Lake, near the Sauble. They expended a great deal of money there, but after their dam had been carried away or undermined two or three times, they gave up the enterprise. I believe they never sawed any lumber there. High prices prevailed in every department in 1836. I had to pay $2.50 per day for common sailors, and for other labor in proportion. I had several men under wages on the vessel, employed to go to Portsmouth and assist in getting the mill to running. After getting everything and everybody on board the vessel, that I thought was necessary, I saw her sail up the Detroit River, on the 22nd day of November, with a fair wind. Immediately after that I started for Portsmouth on horseback, in order to meet the vessel on her arrival. By this time the weather had set in cold, and the mud in the road was partially frozen, which rendered the traveling very bad, but with some difficulty I arrived at Flint with my horse, and was there told by my friends that I might as well leave my horse there as to leave it in the woods on the way to Saginaw, for it would be impossible for a horse to perform the journey to Saginaw at that time. By leaving my horse at Flint I was obliged to undertake the journey to Portsmouth by water, as my health was so much impaired by exposure and fatigue in getting my vessel and making preparations for her sailing, that I dare not undertake the journey on foot. In those days I was as much at home, and almost as much at ease, in a canoe, as I am now in an arm-chair. I purchased a canoe and started on my way down Flint River, and met with no obstacle to impede my progress, till shortly after leaving Mr. McCormick's, at Pewanagowink, I encountered a jam of ice in the river, which filled it from shore to shore. I landed my canoe, and hauled it out on the bank, and started down theriver, and had not proceeded far before encountering a bayou, which after endeavoring to pass around I had to cross, breaking the ice before me with my arms, and wading in cold water to my arm-pits. I arrived that night at the house of John Farquharson, who, with his son James, was keeping bachelor's hall near the drift-wood on j the Flint. The next day I arrived at Mr. Jewett's, at Green Point, owhlere I might have remained to recuperate my exhausted body after the exposure and fatigue it had endured, had not my anxiety about lmy vessel been so great that I could not rest. I immediately pushed onward, passing down the river on the east side from Green Point to Portsmouth, and here I found the river closed with ice, and no tidings of the vessel. The ice being strong enough to walk on,I sent men daily to the mouth of the river to see if they could gain any tidings of her, but nothing could be seen or heard respecting her; At that time there was no friendly light to guide the mariner to what is now one of the greatest lumber marts in the world, and we did not know but the vessel had missed her way and was frozen in at some other point in the Bay. Whenever a mail would arrive at Saginaw, which was once a month, I would send there for letters. Once I sent two young men in my employ to the postoffice, before the ice on the river was strong enough to bear, and in crossing the prairies they got lost and remained out all night. At last I got news that the man I had put in charge of the vessel had turned out to be an unprincipled scamp, and instead of endeavoring to push forward to the Saginaw River, he had sailed the vessel to Port Huron, tied up there and sent to Detroit for his family, and was living very comfortably on board. When I received the news I started again for Detroit. The ice on the Saginaw River would not bear a horse, so there was no way to go but to walk. My tired limbs performed their office till I reached Green Point, and then exhausted nature refused longer to obey the duties of the will. I was there thrown on a bed of sickness from which I did not arise for three weeks. As soon as I was able I proceeded to Detroit, where I found a friend who had been to Port Huron, discharged the faithless captain, paid off the crew, and stopped some of the heavy expenses that were running against me. While at Detroit I deter mined to proceed with the building of the mill. I found on my arrival at Portsmouth that Mr. Barney had 'finished his -part of the contract by having it ready to receive the machinery, and during the Winter of 1836-'37 I had all my stock of goods and every pound of iron that was used in building the mill hauled in sleighs through St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland, Genesee and Saginaw Counties to Portsmouth, and we got the mill running on the 1st of April, 1837,at e 6 - iC. Av'LG A!4 0 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 41:~ a_ __ which time there was very little home demand for lumber, and there was no point to which lumber could be shipped where it would sell for enough to pay freight. The foregoing narrates some of the hardships endured, and difficulties encountered by the pioneers in endeavoring to inaugurate the manufacture of lumber in the Saginaw Valley." The mill referred to stood on the present site of Albert Miller's upper salt block. For reasons already given, it was operated but a short time and then shut down. In 1841 it was purchased by James McCormick, and his son James J. They shipped the first cargo of lumber from the Saginaw River. This was shipped to Detroit and sold for $8 per thousand, one-third cash, balance at eight and ten months; the lumber running 60 per cent. uppers. It was carried by the Conneaut packet, commanded by Capt. George Raby. They operated the mill until 1816, when James McCormick died. James J. MIcCormick continued the business until 1849, when he went to California. The mill was destroyed by fire in 1862. The lumber business languished for several years. The. general depression crowded prices below cost of manufacturing, and the work of developing the vast lumber resources of this region was delayed until 1844. In the Winter of 1844-'45, Messrs. Cromwell Barney and James Fraser erected a water mill at Kawkawlin. This work was done under the supervision of Mr. Israel Catlin, who is still a resident of Bay City. Mr. Catlin superintended the running of the milk for about two years. In 1845-'46 Messrs. Hopkins, Pomeroy and Fraser erected the first mill built in what was then lower Saginaw. It stood on the present site of the mill owned by Mr. S. G. M. Gates, on Water Street, a short distance south of Center Street. In 1847, Catlin & Fraser built the mill known afterward as the Jennison & Rouse Mill. Its original capacity was 6,000 feet of lumber a day. It was located on Water Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, and was finally destroyed by fire, and not rebuilt. In 1850 building began in earnest, and some twelve to fourteen mills were built during the next four years, as will be seen in the history of the mills. In 1857 there were fourteen mills in Bay County, cutting from 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 each. MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT OF 1865. The following table shows the lumber manufacturers and Moore & Smith..................... 7,000,000 Kaw-kaw-lin...................... 5,000,000 Total..........................118,445,000 MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT FOR 1867. O. A. Ballou & Co., Kaw-kaw-lin....... Moore, Smith & Co., Banagor........... William Crossthwaite, "........... Taylor & Moulthrop, "........... Keystone Salt & Lumber Co., Bangor... Drake's Mill, WVenona................ Sage, McGrawv & Co., Wenona.......... Huron Salt & Lumber Mfg. Co., Salzburg John Arnold & Co.; " G. W. Hotchkiss, Williams............ A. Packard, I............ Gates & Fay, Bay City........ H. M. Bradley, & Co., -......... Wm. Peter,........ N. B. Bradley & Co.,........ Watson & O'Brien, ".. Eddy, Avery & Co.,. James McCormick, "........ Jennison & Rouse,......... James Shearer & Co., "t......... Samuel Pitts & Co., "......... J. McEwan, "......... Dolsen & Walker, I......... Folsom & Arnold,........ A. Rust & Co.,....... Smith & Hart, ". C. S. Marton & Co., Portsmoutllh.... A. Stevens & Co.,....... Watrous & Southworth,...... A. & A. Miller, "...... Hitchcock, "...... Lewis & Peter,...... A. C. Rorison, "...... 10,000,000 6,400,000 400,000 6,500,000 8,169,617 3,500,000 22,952,051 7,540,000 4,000,000 1,850,000 650,000 5,300,000 5,815,000 7,000,000 8,000,000 5,000,000 7,800,000 4,551,000 4,200,000 8,009,786 8,200,000 8,500,000 3,513,000 4,700,000 6,070,577 4,500,000 2,020,000 1,500,000 1,800,000 8,500,000 3,000,000 5,500,000 1,200,000 product of each for the year 1865: BAY CITY AND PORTSMOUTH. Watrous & Southworth................ Youngs.............................. Miller & Post....................... Peter & Lewis.................. J. J. McCormick..................... J. F. Rust & Co...................... Watson............................ N. B. Bradlev........................ William Peter................ Miller & Co............... H. M. Bradley....................... Catlin & Jennison................... Fay & Gates.......................... James Shearer....................... Samuel Pitts.......................... Dolsen & Walker.................... McEwan & Fraser.................... Braddock's Mills..................... WENONA, BANGOR AND KAW-KAW-LIN. Huron Salt & Lumber Co.............. Sage & McGraw...................... Drake Mill.......................... Bolton............................. Taylor & Moulthrop.................. FEET. 3,000,000 1,250,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 4,400,000 4,000,000 3,000,000 6,800,000 7,200,000 6,000,000 4,000,000 3,500,000 4,500,000 6,815,000 6,800,000 1,500,000 6,000,000 3,000,000 3,180,000 9,000,()00. 3,000,000 5,500,000 6,000,000 Total..........................186,641,031 SOME OF THE CHANGES OF TWENTY YEARS. TLe following is from the pen of George W. Hotchkiss, secretary of the Chicago Lumberman's Exchange, and a former resident of Bay City. Speaking of the mills of 1860 he says: "The saw mills of those days all used gate, muley and circular saws. I think there was but one gang on the river, and the manufacture of timber amounted to about 300,000,000 feet of lumber and 300,000,000 cords of sawdust yearly. This latter estimate may be a trifle exaggerated, but the circular saws of that day were mostly of about six-gauge, swayed to four gauge, and the saw-dust heap rivaled the lumber pile. When the late Joseph E. Shaw arrived in the valley, proposing to build a saw mill, he remarked to me, as we stood by a circular which was cutting about a half-inch saw-kerf, ' I would like to get a contract for sawing 50,000,000 feet per year with gang saws, taking the saving in sawdust for my saw bill.' "The 800,000,000 feet production of twenty years ago has in no wise decreased, and it is the boast of the citizens that the season of 1882 will end with a record of not far from 1,000,000,000 feet production. I will at present speak simply of the changes in machinery which have enabled this enormous increase. There are not to exceed one-third more mills on the Saginaw River at this time than there were in 1860, but their capacity is fully three-fold. Where then the thick circular saw demanded a toll of pretty near one-half in kerf, and it costthe manufacturer of lumber nearly as much to get rid of his debris as to take care of his lumber, the manufacture of the present day is carried on with thin circulars judiciously swayed to a clearance of the saw blade, with a view to j 1-7Z- Add -- —..-...-.. I i A e I1 i 4 ' 42 C HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. - I as little sawdust and as much lumber as possible. A large proportion of the mills run gangs, in which the waste of saw-kerf is reduced to a minimum, and the old idea of a circular saw having hard work to hold its own in slabbing for gang, the two combined being thought to do good work if averaging 50,000 feet per day, is exploded in the realization that a circular is no great shakes which does not make a daily average of 50,000 feet, and help the gang along beside. The change in this respect is notable. In 185S, a manufacturer at Saginaw City invited me to visit his mill on a certain afternoon, as he had wagered a bottle of champagne with some of his friends that his circular saw would average 1,500 feet per hour the whole afternoon. He was not certain that he could win, but he knew that his saw had cut as high as 2,000 feet for one single hour, and he believed he could do nearly as well for half a day. Contrast this with the work now so common in circular mills which cut from 4,000 feet to as high as 9,000 feet per hour. Of course the old style mill did not have steam feed, nor yet wire-rope feed, and the rapid motion of the carriage made possible by their use could not be thought of with the old rack and pinion. When my friend won his wager, his edging table had to run half the night to clear up the sidings which so extraordinary a cut had buried it under, for the double edger of to-day was unknown. I am not sure but my friend's wager and success was what led inventive genius to study some means by which an edger could keep up vith the main saw, and thus the wonderfully effective machine, which not only takes care of all that comes to it, but whistles for more in its insatiable greed, was added to the catalogue. I have spoken of the improved blooded cattle and horses of Bay County. When the circular found its true gait, there arose an imperative necessity for a new breed of dogs, and no saw mill to-day would try to reach its limit of speed and capacity by the use of the mangy cur which formerly required its back to be broken with a heavy mallet before it would take hold and bite into the timber. Those were not days of railroad transportation, and extra weight did not count for much if it was dry lumber. Such a thing as a trimmer was unknown. I might mention many other adjuncts to modern mills, of which the ancients of 1860 were ignorant, all of which have done so much to enable the mills of the Saginaw Valley to make their record of a billion feet in one season. MANUFACTURERS OF BAY COUNTY AND PRODUCT OF 1872. The following table shows the lumber manufacturers and product of each for the year 1872: Eddy, Avery & Co................... S. H. Webster..................... Archibald & Bradley................. James Shearer & Co.................. Pitts & Cranage..................... J. McEwan.......................... Dolsen & Tanner.................... Folsom & Arnold..................... A. Rust & Co........................ Am es Bros.......................... J. M. Rouse........................ PORTSMOUTH. M. Watrous & Son.................... Watrous Bros. & Co................... Albert M iller........................ Hitchcock & Ingraham................ W illiam Peter....................... Richards, Miller & Co................ John McGraw & Co.................. F. F. Gardner & Son................. Whipple & Parmely.................. Stevens & Shailer................... Total. i LUMBER PRODUCT OF BAY COUNTY FOR 187 1877. 0. A. Ballou & Co., Kqwkawlin. not run. 10 Moore, Smith & Co., West Bay City..... l,oooooo 11 Taylor & Moulthrop, " ". 7.500.000 Keystone Salt & Lum. Co., WV. Bay City. 12,000,000 16 E. O. Litchfleld, ". *2.300,0t0 H. W. Sage & Co.. "..25,248.590 23 L. L. Hotchkiss t Co., * A..13,000,000 12 Laderach Bros., ".. 4,000,)00 3 W. H Malone & Co., 1 0..10,65,900 8 J. M. Rouse, Bay City.................... 4.000,000 1 Dolsen, Chapin & Co., Bav City.......13,000,000 11 John Carrier& Co.,....... 8 909.725 4 John McEwan, "........10,500,000 6 Chapin & Barber,........11.250,000 8 Folsom & Arnold,........15,600.000 14 Pitts & Cranage, "........15.000 000 12 Gates & Fay,........11,000.000 12, Eddy, Avery & Co., "........17,500.000 16 William Peter, L........15,123.017 14. N. B. Bradley & Co.,........13,350 000 14, Hav, Butman & Co.,.......10,078,951 9 A. Rust & Co.,........11,000,00( 1 1 S. H. Webster. "....... 9,00.000 8 S. McLean & Son, '........12.915.000 11 Albert Miller,........ 10.000,000 10 Watrous Bros. & Co., *........ 4000.000 4, John McGraw & Co, "........ 38,000,000 40 Wa'rous & Sons, "........ Not run. N Totals. 315,3t1,183 293, 8,509,764 8,250,000 4,000,000 10,251,310 9,800,000 9,000,000 8,250,000 12,000,000 9,700,000 5,000,000 1,100,000 4,318,000 3,500,000 13,200,000 4,500,000 4,614,115 10,190,000 6,500,000 8,200,000 4,000,000 4,500,000 289,029,683 5-'76-'7 1876. ),(00.000,700,000,000,000.688,606; x,000,0(10 500.000 3,000.000,500,000,700.000,000,000,000,000,000.000,718.860,000,000,000.000, 500.000,200,00 0,00, 000.000.000,900,000 3 (000,000.,271,755,000,000 *.550.000,256,000 lot run. 585.221 7. 1875. 10.000.000 10,300.000 22,223,)44 8,000,000 3,500,000 6,750.000 1,800,000 14 035.643 10,140,000 5,700,000 11.250,000 13,611.591 13,850,000 10,000, 000 15,000,00 0 11,8'62,000 13.063.111 9.587.060 11,000,000 9,000,000 10,501,014 1 2.000,000 3.500,000 30, 123,472 2,250,000 269,047,835 I ) a I KAWKAWLIN. O. A. Ballou & Co................... BANGOR. Moore, Smith & Co.................. Taylor, Moutlhrop & Co............... Keystone Salt and Lumber Co......... WENONA. FEET. 8,700,000 8,141,000 10(),200,000 13,000,000 E. C. Litchfield...................... 3,605,200 H. W. Sage & Co........................ 15,000,000 MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT FOR 1879. WEST BAY CITY. FEET. R. J. Briscoe........................ 7,000,000 E. J. Hargrave....................... 12,650,000 L. L. Hotchkiss...................... 12,500,000 Murphy & Dorr........................ 11,500,000 Laderach Bros......................... 4,000,000 W. H. Malone....................... 12,000,727 H. W. Sage & Co.................... 29,388,976 B. W. Merrick....................... 1,000,000 Keystone Salt and Lumber Co......... 14,000,000 Moulthrop............................ 10,000,000 Smith & Son........................ 12,500,000 Total. 126,539,708 ESSEXVILLE. Carrier & Co......................... 13,175,000 Rouse Bros.......................... 7,000,000 John McEwan....................... 11,500,000 Total. 81,675,000 BAY CITY. Dolsen, Chapin & Co................ 17,500,000 Chapin & Barber..................... 13,000,000 Folsom & Arnold..................... 18,000,000 R. J. Briscoe (Detroit Mill)............ 4,250,000 Pitts & Cranage...................... 20,000,000 SALZBURGH. Charles M. Smith & Co............... Brooks & Adams.................... Laderach Bros....................... Malone & Gardner................... BAY CITY. Chapin & Barber..................... John Carrier & Co.................. Gates & Fay........................ H. M. Bradley & Co................. William Peter....................... N. B. Bradley..................... Hay, Butman & Co................... 4,500,000 10,000,000 500,000 1,500,000 14,650,000 12,250,000 5,420,611 7,300,000 10,919,765 11,000,000 8,459,918 I I ---~ --- —------------------------------------------------------------— ~~......u.,,^.u. --- —------- —, —^.,. ^^^U^.U. ---------- A. r."+ A: Ji Ij I - - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 43 Gates & Fay.......................... F. E. Bradley....................... Eddy, Avery & Eddy................. William Peter....................... N. B. Bradley (Trustee)............... Hay, Butman & Co................... A. Rust & Co........................ S. H-. Webster........................ S. McLean & Son.................... Miller & Lewis...................... J. R. Hitchcock....................... Watrous Bros...................... A. Chesbrough..................... T. H. McGraw & Co.................. Total. 13,500,000 8,700,000 18,000,000 19,250,000 20,500,000 -12,404,269 11,500,000 9,000,000 13,250,000 17,500,0.00 6,260,000 3,500,000 4,500,000 33,954,169 264,568,438 422,783,141 I Grand Total. AT THE CLOSE OF 1882. The following comprehensive review of the season of 1882 was made by the Lumberz an's, Gazette, and it covers the ground so thoroughly that we use it in this connection: " It has been a year of successful and satisfactory prosperity in all its departments, and better still, the outlook foreshadows the fact and is brilliant and abundant with hope that this prosperity will continue through the season of 1883. This unequaled prosperity has been expansive, and to a gratifying degree has affected all the other branches of trade and industry, which have been to a greater or less extent dependent thereon; and considering this fact, it is especially satisfactory to note that Bay City with the other valley cities have expanded and advanced by leaps and bounds of industrial and commercial activity and importance and general prosperity which is surpassed by few sections on the continent. "The season of 1882 commenced at the opening of navigation with the prices of lumber materially enhanced above what had been asked or even expected during the preceding Winter months, and this advance has been fully and steadily maintained up to the close. A reference to our table will disclose the fact also that the lumber cut of the Saginaw River is greater than that of any year since the commencement of the business. As the shipments by wvater have also been the largest in the history of the movement of forest products from the river, it will be readily observed that to the manufacturer it has been a year of unrivalled prosperity. Taken in connection with this the fact that the salt production of the year is the largest since the inception of the business in 1860, we are warranted in congratulating the mill men on the Saginaw River on the abundant prosperity which has crowned their efforts. It has been to them a year prolific of glorious results. It was entered upon with plethoric purses. the fruits of the preceding season's labor, which enabled them virtually to control the market, and resist any effort from whatever direction to force sales at a reduction. Indeed, this was hardly required, as the demand for their product has been steady and persistent during the entire season. It appeared to be not so much a question as to the price demanded as the ability to supply the demand, especially in the finer grades of lumber. The season opened with a good supply of logs in the booms, which witl the new crop were amply sufficient to keep the mills in constant operations, and the boom companies have exhibited unusual enterprise in pushing them forward to their destination. The mills in the aggregate have been constantly employed. No labor disturbances have interfered with the successful prosecution of business, and taken as a whole, employer and employe alike have just cause for congratulation. Of course, as is invariably the rule, there are individual cases to which general results are not applicable, but such cases are very marked exceptions. In fact, so Vniversal has been the prosperity, that it would be almost unreason able to expect a repetition. The grave fears expressed by some very cautious operators at the 'commencement of the season, that the success of the preceding year, added to the unusual activity which had characterized operations in the woods, and the great activity with which the season opened, would result in overproduction, and hasten an era of stagnation, have failed of realization. Business has been prosecuted with unusual vigor and energy, mills generally have been operated to the extent of their capacity, and the lumber cut has aggregated more than that of any previous year, but the demand and the facilities for moving the product have been equal to the emergency, and nothing has intervened to mar the general prosperity. True, we have over 300,000,000 feet of lumber on the docks, the greatest amount ever left over, a large portion of which is unsold, but it must not be forgotten in this connection that the Tittabawassee boom has only about 60,000,000 feet of logs left over against about 300,000,000 the year preceding. The lumber, therefore, on the docks is simply the usual surplus of the Tittabawassee boom converted into lumber, which at the opening of navigation will be ready for the market in at least a partially seasoned condition. While the facilities for production and production itself have been increased, it must be remembered that the demand has fully kept pace. The natural increase of population in the territory to which our lumber is tributary and the opening up of new industries demanding the Saginaw River product are constantly increasing. This is the eastern limit of lumber production among the Western States, and the Eastern demand cannot fail to be continuous and persistent so long as the production continues, and the pine timber is sufficient for the drafts made upon it. In connection with the fact that we have a large amount of lumber crosspiled on the docks it will be well to consider that other fact that shipments by rail the past season have been heavy, and are still continued, and it may therefore be reasonably expected that large inroads will be made in the stock on hand before the first lumberladen vessel leaves the river next Spring. I In our last year's review we predicted that the lumber business pioper would be less fluctuating in the future than in the past, and the reasons adduc-ed at that time are equally pertinent at present,a continually increasing demand, with a positive and certain reduction of the commoedity. Of course the lumber industry is not beyond the reach of a great financial disaster, which might send consternation and ruin into the ranks of operators, but, barring such a calamity, the outlook is of the most gratifving and assuring character. 4 The past year has been one of prosperity not alone to the manufacturer of lumber; the artisan, the mechanic, the laborer, the merchant, and the agriculturist all have felt its beneficent influence. The business of the merchant has been extensive and remunerative, and the mechanic and laborer have found ample emplo~yment generally at remunerative wages. Of -course labor troubles in other sections have to a certain extent marred the year's prosperity, but it is recognized that this might with judicious management have been avoided, and has been more the result of demagoguery than real grievances. On the Saginaw River and tributary territory, the most harmonious feeling has existed between employer and employe, nothing having intervened to mar these pleasant relations. The mill operatives generally at the close of the milling season have hied themselves away to the pineries, for the same employers, and the reciprocal feeling of consideration still remains uninterrupted. To the agriculturist nature has been grandly prolific in bestowment. Abundant crops have crowned his labors and blessed his store. This is an important fact for consideration in onnection with the lumber trade, and must necessarily have an important bearI ing thereon, at least during the season of 1883. The effects of the past season's prolific crops have not yet reached the lumber indus PI I L j PI I g I I I - - q I*'as, Q L IR n -v I 1. -: at 44 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. try to any appreciable extent. The decline in the price of cereals other industries, but it will have an especially important bearing on induced the farmer to hold back his crop and defer intended build- the lumber trade, which warrants the belief that the demand for ing improvements, which will possibly be commenced as soon as the lumber thus produced will have a strong tendency to maintain presweather permits in the Spring. This will give an impetus to all ent satisfactory prices." PiROIDLUCT OF 1 S81 —'82 Ln m ber Lumber Lath Lum ber Lumber Lunrmber Logs in NAME AND LOCATION. clit clt Manufact'd on Dock on Dock on Dock Mill 1881. 1882. 1882. at close. Sold. Unsold. Boom. BAY CITY AND WEST BAY CITY. FEET. FEET. PIECES. FEET. FEET. FEET. FEET. Birdsall & Barker......................................... 55,260,722 40,597,119 7,016,700 13.418,635 11,586,000 6,892,535 1,000,000 George C. Myers...................................... 5,200,000 6,250,000 1,250,000 2,268,000 818,000 1,450,000 400,000 J. R Hitchcock........................................... 7,500,000 3,500,000.......... 900,000 400,000 500,000 Miller & Lewis........................................... 19,219,000 19,750,000 9,000... 9,000,000 750,0666 S. McLean, Son & Co................................... 15.547,984 14 000,000........ 5,423.000 5,423,000 300,000 Hamilton & McGregor.................................... 12,280,000 15,004,500,000 4,500,000 4,50 0,000 2(10,300 A. Rust & Bro............................ 14.500 000 17,000,000 3,478,000 3,300,000 1,900,000 1,400,000 300,000 Hay, Butman & Co........................................ 13,547,470 14,075,000 4,168,350 3,000,000 600,000 2,400,000 N. B. Bradley & Sons....................................... 21,000,00() 2',500,000 5,000,000 1,000,000 4,000,000 6,000,000 William Peter........................................... 18,600,000 16,500,000 4,50,00.......... 4,500000 500,000 Eddy, Avery & Eddy.......................................21,500,000 26,800,)00 4,200,000 6,500,000 500,000 6 000,000 10,000,000 F. E. Bradley & Co...................................... 14,500,000 13,250,000.... 3,950,000 750,000 3,200,000 5,500,000 S. G. M. Gates........................................... 14,000 000 15,00f,000 3,000,000 4,000,000.......... 4 000,000 ' 1,000,000 Pitts & Cranage..................................................... 21,300,00o 000,000 20,000 6,300,000 6,300,000 2,250,000 R. J. Briscoe.............................................20,000,000 16,500000 5,300,000 7,400,000 1,400 6,00,000 4,200,000 Folsom & Arnold......................................... 18,000,000 19,000,000 1,700,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 Eddy Bros. & Qo......................................... 15,500.000 17,750,000 11,500.000 4.225,000 125,000 4,100,000 2,500,000 Dolsen, Chapin & Co...................................... 25,000,000 22:500,000 1,000,000 5.350,000 5,350,000 1,500,000 McEwan Bros............................................ 17,000,000 16,500,000.......... 7,000,000 8(0,00 6,200,00( 600,000 Rouse Bros............................................... 10,000,000 10,000,000 5.......... 5,000,000......... 5,0200,000 Carrier & Co............................................. 1, 000, 0o0 15,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000.......... Slater & Woodworth...................................... 1,200,000 8,000 000 300,000 2,500,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 Green & Stevens........................................ 10,480,960 13,000,000 3,700,000 4,500,000 4,500,000....... Watrous Bros. (mill burned 1881)................ 4,500,000.......................................................... E. J. Hargrave & Son................................... 16,250 00 14000000 5,000000 4,000 1,000,600 -500,000 L. L. Hotchkiss & Co.................................... 13,000,000 2,750,000 750,000 2,000,000 Murphy & Dorr........................................... 17,500,000 19,200,000 31,180,000,000 Laderach Bros............................................ 7,160,000 6,500,0 0 2,265,000.......... 2,265,000 200,000 Miller & Bros.......................................... 12,200,000 14,000,000 4,0)00,000 4.500,000.......... 500000 W. H. Malone & Co....................................... 17,591,302 19,200,000 500,000 7,500,000 7 0.......... 700,000 H. W. Sage & Co.........................................30.121,264 31,500,000,000 000 9,000000 7,000,000 2,000.000 3 000000 John W elch.............................................. 4,000,000 12,000,000........ 4 000,000.......... 4,000,000 '00,000 Keystone Salt & Lumber Company......................... 20,153 840 16,000,000 2,5.... 0100,000.......... Charles E. Lewis.......................................... 11,192,209 12,500,000...... 300,000 3,000,000... Smith Bros............................................... 15 500,000 15,000,000 441,650 5,000,000.......... 5,000,000o......... F) -I r VL_ In addition to the above are inland mills which manufacture about 20,000,000 feet of lumber a year. SHINGLES. STAVES AND HEADING. H. H. & A. N. Culver.... Rorison & Co........... J. R. Hall............. S. A. Hall............. H. M. Bradley & Co..... Watrous Bros.......... Birdsall & Barker....... R. J. Briscoe.......... 1882. Shingles Manufactured. 6,000,000 7,000,000 51,500,000 5,200,000 9,890,000 4,000,000 6,187,500 1,870,000 HARDWOOD LUMBER. George C. Myers.................... J. B. Hitchcock........................ Eddy Bros. & Co...................... Rouse Bros.......................... Murphy & Dorr...................... John Welch....................... Keystone Salt & Lumber Co............ Charles E. Lewis.................... Smith Bros.......................... James Davison....................... Carrier & Co.......................... 1882. Shingles on Dock Unsold. 1,900,000 1,000,000 2,088,000 624,250 1,400,000 1882. Hardwood Lumber. 400,000 4,000,000 150,000 400,000 75,000 450,000 200,000 1,000,000 1,250,000 1,500,000 250,000 Birdsall & Barker........ Geo. C. M yers............ Miller & Lewis............ S. McLean, Son & Co....... Hamilton & McGregor...... William Peter............. Eddy, Avery & Eddy....... F. E. Bradley & Co........ Pitts & Cranage........... Folsom & Arnold.......... Eddy Bros. & Co........ Dolsen, Chapin & Co......... McEwan Bros............. Rouse Bros............... L. L. Hotchkiss & Co....... Murphy & Dorr........... Laderach Bros............ W. H. Malone & Co........ H. W. Sage & Co.......... Keystone Salt & Lumber Co. Chas. E. Lewis............ Smith Bros................ R. M. Bradley & Co........ Staves. Heading sett. 2,506,610 174,766 200,000 90,000 1,850,000 125,000 1,000,000 60,000 1,200,000 50,000 750,000 125,000 1,300,000 40,000 1,500,000 50,000 825,000 54,500 650,000 20,000 500,000 100,000 1,500,000 80,000 1,625,000 40,000 300,000 10,000 1,000,000 300,000..... ~.. 18,333 300,000 17,215 1,100,000 27,000 1,500,000 65,000 60,000 16,000 400,000 50,000 652,696 22,593........ 72,000 Total.................. 20,719,306 1,607,407 I:A:\.": --- —-l bI I' r W I I -.-... -- ~- -.-I ---- 1:11~- -~ " i~ h 6 1 - HISTORY OF I SEASON SHIPMENTS. The movement of forest products from Bay City by water during the season of 1882, was as follows: Destination. Ashtabula...... Buffalo........ Black River.... Cleveland...... Chicago....... Erie.......... Duluth........ Dunkirk....... Detroit........ Fremont....... Gibraltar...... Huron........ Milwaukee..... Mt. Clemens... Marblehead.... Monroe........ New Baltimore. Racine........ Toledo........ Tonawanda.... Sandusky...... Pt. Clinton..... Lorain........ Ogdensburg.... Vermillion..... Lumber ft. 1,957,000 119,717,000 1,056,000 80,251,000 16,180,000 8,144,000 500,000 5,933,000 21,343,000 1,546,000 170,000 920,000 850,000 1,825,000 160,000 100,000 200,000 480,000 61,844,000 Shingles. 1,700,000 19,685,000 278,000 51,748,000.500,000 395,000 985,000 50,000 90,000 1,910,000 900,000 1,060,000 Lath p'es. 47,000 145,000 587,000 9,452,000....... ~ 150,000 600,000 404,000 30,000 9,515,000 875,000 190,000 246,411,000 30,380,000 8,869,000 1,200,000 1,110,000 400,000 260,000......... 1,780,000......... 271,000.........! BAY COUNTY. 45 000; Atwater Mill, 3,500,000; Gallagher Mill, 2,000,000; G. D. Williams & Son, 2,500,000; Curtis & King, 3,500,000. At Carrollton the mill of J. A. Westervelt cut in that year 4,000,000; the Johnson Mill and Fisher Mill at Zilwaukee, 4,000,000 and 1,500,000, respectively. At Portsmouth, the McCormick Mill cut 1,500,000; the James Fraser Mill 3,000,000; and three others from 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 each. There were fourteen mills at Bay City and Kawkawlin cutting from 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 each. Of the seventy odd saw mills now on the Saginaw River, the smallest cut of any is about 7,000,000 feet, and the average will probably reach 16,000,000. The mill of Birdsall & Barker, (formerly McGraw) cut in 1882 a fraction over 40,000,000 feet; that of H. W. Sage about 32,000,000 feet; and the Whitney & Batchelor Mill 31,500,000 feet. In 1881, running some nights, the McGraw Mill cut 55,260,722 feet. In 1857 there were 10,000,000 shingles manufactured on the river, and the past year the quantity will considerably exceed 300,000,000. Thus do we progress. LOGGING OPERATIONS. The wonderful results that have been accomplished in the manufacture of lumber are due, not alone to improved machinery, but to improved systems of labor, as well. In no other business are the systems and methods of labor more thoroughly organized and adhered to. From the time the towering pine in the forest is noted in the minutes of the land hunter, until in the form of lumber, lath and shingles, it is piled upon the vessel or car, there is no deviation from carefully devised plans of action. The logging operations form a distinct business by themselves, and during the Winter months create a new world which drains the manufacturing centres of quite a considerable part of their population. Thousands of people observe saw mills in operation, devouring logs with marvelous rapidity, without having any conception of the methods employed to obtain the logs. The logging camp, and the process of converting the tree into logs and placing them in the streams, are interesting factors of the lumber business. The following description has already been published, but it covers the ground so well that we give it in this connection. The writer says: "In the first place, in starting a 'camp' a foreman who has entire control of it is hired, and, with as many men as are required to 'run it,' builds the camp by notching the ends of logs together and building them the same as a log house is built, only the camps are usually one story, just high enough to admit a person, and the roof made of boards covered with tarred paper. A camp consists of the 'men's' shanty, cook shanty, barns, blacksmith shop and one or two other shanties to live in. As soon as these are erected the 'boys' begin chopping the timber down, while the sawyers saw the balance of it. The swampers are cutting the brush out of the way and logs, etc., for the skidders, who, with teams, as fast as the sawyers get out of the way, throw the logs on the skidways, two logs laid on the ground parallel with each other, and about six or eight feet apart, and pile the logs up till they look like a hay stack. When the logs get so high the men can't roll them up with cant hooks, the skidder, with team, 'decks' them by drawing or rolling them up with a long chain or rope. In the meantime a certain number of men are set to work building roads from the camps to their banking ground, by clearing a place about twelve feet wide of all stumps, roots, etc., so that when the snow comes there will be no obstructions whatever to the sleighs. Branch roads are built leading to the main roads in all directions. Trees are cut up according to the number of logs they will cut. Sofme trees will make three sixteen-foot Total...... 581,877,000 111,281,000 21,995,000 SEASON SHIPMENTS FOR A SERIES OF YEARS FROM THE RIVER. The following statement shows the aggregate shipments lumber and shingles from the opening of navigation to the close of of the years named: Lumber, ft. 1868................... 430,128,100 1869............ 474,912,425 1870................... 487,489,268 1871...... 516,629,474 1872................... 492,834,990 1873............. 452,768,562 1874................... 448,707,652 1875................... 445,149,155 1876................... 455,227,252.1877................... 539,886,047 1878................... 525,282,098 1879.................. 678,298,866 1880............... 769,573,000 1881................................832,055,939 1882...................858,344,000 Shingles. 74,141,105 86,878,500 130,448,490 142,661,500 87,204,500 38,521,500 82,164,500 117,832,500 105,743,050 162,594,250 187,699,380 222,602,731 168,145,400 149,816,000 176,376,500 It will be observed from the foregoing that the lumber shipments for 1882 were the largest in the history of the commerce of the river. COMPARISONS BETWEEN 1857 AND 1882. The following comparisons between work done in 1857 and that done by some of the mills in 1882, furnish some idea of the progress of twenty-five years: The largest cut of any one mill in 1857, at East Saginaw, was 4,500,000 feet,that of Cushing & Co. Here are a few of the others:J. Hill, 2,500,000 feet; L. B. Curtis, 3,000,000; D. G. Holland, 1,500,000; Whiting & Garrison, 3,000,000; Copeland & Co., 1,500, I — & - I-* 46 HISTORY OF' BAY Y COUNTY. logs and a twelve-foot log; some more. It is calculated that a chopper will trim,measure and get timberready for the sawyer. The 'tote' team is kept on the road between the camp and the place where supplies are got, drawing supplies into the camp. As soon as snow comes in sufficient quantities, sleighs are got out and most of the teams go to hauling. The most of the sleighs have eight or nine feet bunks, and they hold immense loads of logs, loads being drawn scaling all the way fron 3,000 to 6,000 and 7,000 feet, making so many trips each day. Teamsters have to get up about 3 o'clock A. M., to get their trips in. In skidding, a pair of tongs are used now instead of a chain, resembling a pair of ice tongs, which are hooked into an end of a log in a second and the log is under way. When the men are a half a mile or a mile away at work a long tin horn about five feet long is used to call them to dinner. When the roads are being packed to haul on, and when they have begun hauling, a 'sprinkler' is run all night every night during cold weather, which is a huge box, water-tight, holding forty or fifty barrels, set on sleighs, the same as a wagon box. A slide in the rear lets the water run out on to the road, and freezing as fast as it touches the road, soon forms a road of solid ice, which lasts until warm weather in the Spring." AN INCIDENT OF 1847. Curtis Emerson was running a mill at Saginaw, in 1847, and that Winter had a logging camp near Caro, Tuscola County. There were but four steam saw mills on the Saginaw River, one at Saginaw City, one at Portsmouth, one at Lower Saginaw, and the old yellow mill at East Saginaw, generally known as the Emerson Mill. The entire cut of these four mills for 1847 was less than 3,000,000 feet. For the season of 1847 Emerson stocked his mill with logs from the Cass River, and his lumber camp was within a half mile of Caro, now the county seat of Tuscola County. At that time,after leaving a small clearing of three or four acres, made by John Miller, a blacksmith, about a half mile out of the present village of Tuscola, then a small hamlet, the whole country of the Cass was a howling wilderness; not a blow had been struck or a tree cut by a white man. Tile only way of penetrating the vast and unsettled portion of the country was by an Indian trail. At that time Tuscola was the only organized township in the county. At the Spring election of 1817 there were only thirty-six votes cast, which represented the entire voting population of Tuscola County. In cutting his lumber roads, Emerson followed, the greater part of the way, the Indian trail, which increased the distance pome three or four miles, and made the distance from the village of Tuscola to his camp about twenty-five miles. His camp was supplied with hay from low lands about three miles below the city limits, and his men in camp supplies from the city of Flint. It took four full days to flake a round trip to his camp. Hay cost him when delivered $40 per ton, and the camp supplies in about the salme proportion. The logs got out at his camp that Winter were of cork pine, and run largely into the upper -qualities of lumber. From this lot of logs in 1847 was shipped out of Michigan the first full cargo of clear lumber. It was consigned to C. P. Williams & Co., Albany, N. Y. At this early day there were no lumber scows, steamboats, or steam tugs oln the Saginaw River. The lumber was' thrown from the docks into the river and then rafted and then poled down the river and out five miles into the liay, and then put on board of vessels. At that time there was about four and a half feet of water on the Carrollton Bar. A LOAD OF LOGS. A load of logs, said to have been the largest ever hauled by a single pair of horses, was hauled at a camp on-the Pinconning Rail road, February 24, 1883. The team weighing about 2,860 pounds, was driven by a man called "Black Tom Burns." The load was hauled a distance of one and one quarter miles, and the logs scaled 16,613 feet. The logs were loaded on two pair of sleighs, and the detailed scale is as follows: i First sleigh. One log................ feet. 736 736 710 876 800 876 923 710 710 736 Second sleigh. feet. One log............... 736 t............... 800 it........I......, 876 it................. 1,068 it................ 1,029 "............... 736............... 1,120 "t................... 1,068 "............... 657 "............... 710) Total................ 8,800 Total............... 7,813 The logs were owned by J. H. Hill & Sons, and were marked "nice," and belonged to a "gilt edged" lot, being hauled over the Pinconning Railroad to Saginaw Bay. Accordinlg to the average weight of the entire train load, these logs weighed three and one-half tons to the thousand feet, making a total of fifty-three tons in the above load. James Redy was foreman of the camp. RAFTING OPERATIONS. The streams that have furnished the logs for the Saginaw River mills, and in what is commonly termed the Saginaw lumber district, are the Cass,Flint, Shiawassee, Bad,Tittabawassee and tributaries, Kawkawlin, Rifle, Shore, Pine, Saginaw, Au Gres, Au Sable and tributaries. The great bulk of logs, however, during the past years, have been furnished by the Tittabawassee and tributaries, and when this supply commences to diminish the backbone of the log product will have been broken. The Au Sable and tributaries contribute of late but few logs to the Saginaw mills. They are manufactured at Au Sable, Oscoda and other shore points, and rafted to the lower lake points. The Au Sable contributes a portion of its stock to the Tawas mills, but the bulk of Rifle and An Gres logs come to the Saginaw River. The Cass, Bad, Shiawassee and Flint, among the first lumbered, have passed out of calculation as loo producing streamns,as a basis of supply, each contributing but a small amount. Although logs had been run out of Cass River previous to 1864, in large quantities, the Huron Log Boom Company was not organized until that year, and has since handled the product of the stream, which has diminished from 100,(00,000 feet to 5,000,000 feet the present year. The main source of supply for the Saginaw mills, as stated, is the Tittabawassee and tributaries, which are the Chippewa, Tobacco, Molasses, Pine, Salt and Cedar. The Tittabawassee Boom Company was organized in 1864, and during the first year of its existence rafted out 90,000,000 feet of logs. In 1865 the product was 180,000,000 feet, and in 1866, 186,000,000 feet were rafted. In 1867 the company rafted out and delivered 236,000,000 feet. The amount furnished this season, however, exceeds any previous year. The Bad River Boom Company rafted out 20,000,000 feet of logs in 1865, and 23,000,000 in 1866. The Kawkawlin, Rifle and Au Gres Boon Companies were subsequently organized. A detailed statement for the past ten years shows as follows: -*7 i I'l) l- - l I 6 - -. t W47t i HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 47 - 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. Tittabawassee................................... 310,216,000 ~69,508,740 343,814,365 309,908,517 341,000,000 422,5C0,000 328,228,810 Cass........................................................99113,915 100458140 40,000,268 56,003,470 18,000,000 2,09,160 6,500,000 Baad.................18,284,621. 37,137,384 26,000,000 4,854,8941 36,000,000 28,000,000 17,000,000 Rifle.................................... 61,000,000 80,872,607 58,687,083 92,128,200 61,000,000 70,274,295 72,112,114 Au Gres......... 23,870,742 62,281,236 38,723,688 10,948,620 49,229,472 32,645,493! 57,240,750 Kawkawlin........ 27,000,000 33,573,354 22,000,000, 19,000,000 22,500,000 15,319,001 15,000,000 Au Sable..................................................105,000,000 96,148,000 52,000,000/ 55,000,000 47,150,000 60,800,000 62,000,000 644,485,278 680,979,461 581,225,404 581,843,701i574,879,472 651,567,948 558,081,674 1 1.1 I I I~~b1/81:",44;~ 1879. 1880. 1881. 455,667,800 580,290,610 499,846,8t50 11,168,000 5,481,260 12,913,720 5,000,000 9,568,139 6,874,000 82,000,000 79,314,651 92,856,000 70,846,786 95,719,614 83,116,000 17,500,000o 15,000,000 16,000,000 113,000,000 138,500,000 160,232,347 755,182,586,923,874,274 871,838,917 I 1882. 611,862,670 5 000,000 5,223,625 115.b9,('00 95,247,334 25,00o,000 200,360,300 1,058,585,929 I The above refers to the product of the principal streams. RECAPITULATION. Briefly summarized the rafting operations for the year designated aggregate as follows: Feet. Feet. 1867................. 429,207,806 1875............... 584 843,701 1868.................446,960,583 1876................ 572,229,472 1869.................321,350,663 1877................ 651,567,948 1870.................623,327,353 1878................ 558,079,674 1871.................521,796,927 1879................ 755,181.586 1872................. 645,285,278 1880................ 923,874,274 1873.................680,979,461 1881................ 871.838,917 1874.................589,225,404 1882...............1,058,585,729 Not enumerated in the amount rafted in 1879 from the streams, 755,181,586, was 25,000,000 from the Shore Pine and Saganin, and 24,300,000 in 1880. In 1881 there was hauled to Saginaw Bay, on the Pinconning Railroad, 40,000,000 feet, all of which came to the Saginaw River, and on the Shore Pine, 10,000,000 feet. This would make the grand total for 1881, 921,838,971 feet. In 1882 there was rafted from the Shore Pine River 14,000,000 feet and Saganin 5,500,000 feet. LOGS BY RAIL. Tell years ago the idea of hauling pine logs by rail would not have been entertained as a profitable undertaking, but of late years it is a recognized industry. Aside from the short lines that are scattered throughout the pine forests of Northern Michigan, logs are hauled in great quantities by railroads to terminal points. The F. & P. M. Railroad handles pine logs extensively, the bulk of the product coming to the Saginaw River. The Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central has handled a large quantity of pine logs during the past two years. The Tawas & Bay County Road hauls logs to Tawas, and Saginaw Bay & Northwestern haul a good many logs to Saginaw Bay, which corme to Saginaw River mills. During the month of December the Flint & Pere Marquette hauled 11,964,532 feet of logs, of which 5,040,870 feet came direct to the Saginaw River. During the year 1882 this road hauled 95,294,620 feet of logs, of which 46,226,419 feet came direct to the Saginaw River, and 29,932,530 feet were distributed between Midland and Averill. Of these 12,595,870 feet were manufactured at Midland and 17,336,660 feet came through the Tittabawassee booms to Saginaw River mills. The balance of those not coming to the points named went to Manistee. The record of this road in loghauling during three years, shows as follows: Feet. 1880...................................... 87,475,546 1881..........................................,.105,296,530 1882............................................ 95,294,620 During November the Saginaw Bay & Northwestern Road hauled 5,305,781 feet, and in December 3,592,165 feet, making a total for the year of 86,030,768 feet. The Tawas & Bay County Road hauled during the year 38,436,570 feet and the Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central 60,000,000 feet. The aggregate for 1882 shows as follows: Feet. Flint & Pere Marquette............................ 95,294,620 Michigan Central................................ 60,000,000 Saginaw Bay & Northwestern...................... 86,039,768 Tawas & Bay County............................. 33,486,570 Total........................................ 274,820,958 BOOM COMPANIES. The Tittabawassee Boom Company was organized in 1864 and during the first year rafted out 90,000,000 feet of logs. This company has rafted more logs than any other company in the world. The season's work of 1882 was the largest in the history of the operations of the company. The record of the past ten years is as follows: Feet. Feet. 1872..........310,216,000 1878..............328,228,810 1873............269,508,740 1879.............455,667,800 1884............8343,814,365 1880................580,290,610 1875............. 309,908,517 1881..............499,846,850 1876.............341,000,000 1882............. 600,000,000 1877.............422,500,000 The present officers are: —Directors-W. R. Burt, R. H. Weideman, John Moore, Ezra Rust, Thomas Merritt, Y. Z. Dorr, James A. Remick. Officers-president, R. H. Weideman; secretary, John Moore; treasurer, James A. Remick. The Au Gres Boom Company was organized in 1867. Its officers are:-H. W. Sage, president; John Emery, secretary; Ferdinand Johnson, treasurer. The office is in West Bay City. The Rifle Boom Company was organized in 1870. The present officers are:-A. Chesbrough, president; E. T. Carrington, secretary and treasurer. The Bay View Boom Company was organized in February, 1831. Its officers are: -E. G. Carrier, president; B. E. Warren, secretary; John Heath, treasurer. The Saginaw River Boom Company was organized in 1882. The officers are: R. J. Briscoe, president; L. L. Hotchkiss, vicepresident; F. D. Pierson, secretary and treasurer. BAY COUNTY SA~W MILLS. FIRST MILL. The first saw mill, in what is now Bay County, was built on Pine River, in the year 1835, by the firm of Jones & Chapell. They operated the mill only a short time and then it passed into other hands. It was a water mill, and traces of it may still be seen. This mill does not appear in the preceding history, for the reason that it was located outside of what is known as the Saginaw River District. The coarse lumber of the Center House came from this mill, a fact that should have been stated in connection with the history of that building. j i 1. -4 - - -. - - -1 I - - Z — - - - -.. I ---- ----- ----- --------------- - - I --- —~- --- ---- ----- I - - 1. II1*I~ I re.F I~ 4-~ 1-:-j - 9 ~s i I -- - - X - - -- -- -- - - - - - -- -- -- - - - - ___ 48 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I BAY CITY MILLS. S. G. M. GATES owns the mill, formerly owned by the firm of Gates & Fay. The first saw mill built in what was then Lower Saginaw, was erected on this site, by Hopkins, Pomeroy & Fraser, in 1846-'47, with two uprights. In the Fall of 1851 it was blown up, killing the fireman and wrecking things generally. It was put in running order and sold to Hugh Dunlap, of Chicago. and still later to Burns & Wheeler. In 1859 it became the property of Grant & Fay, and in 1863 was destroyed by fire. Mr. Gates then purchased Mr. Grant's remaining interest-and the firm of Gates & Fay erected a new mill and operated it until the Spring of 1882, when Mr. Fay retired and Mr. Gates continues the business, employing about sixty men and cutting annualTy about 15,000,000 feet of lumber. THE MC EWAN MILL was built by William and Alexander McEwan in 1850, with a capacity of about 2,500,000 feet of lumber a season. It was afterwards operated by John and William McEwan, and still later by John McEwan. Since his death, it has been operated by his sons, William, John and Alexander, under the firm name of McEwan Bros. The same building is still standing that was built over thirty years ago, though the mill has been improved and its capacity increased to 18,000,000 a season. The business employs about seventy-five men. The salt block was built in 1873-'74. WILLIAM A. McEWAN, son of the late John McEwan, was born in New York City, January 1, 1849. He moved with his parents to Chicago, Ill., and in 1851 came to Bay City, where he has since resided. He was interested in the manufacture of lumber with his father, and after the death of the latter, in 1882, he carried on the business in company with his brothers. He was married September 2, 1872, to Miss Maria Cornell, of Bay City. JOHN MCEWAN, of the firm of McEwan Bros., was born in Bay City, April 10, 1852. After completing his education he engaged with his father, John McEwan, in the saw mill. He spent most of his time in the office, having the care of the books. Since the death of his father, which occurred January 26, 1882, he has carried on the business in company with his brothers William and Alexander, the name of the firm being McEwan Bros. The firm have been successful in their businbss operations. He was married January 28, 1880, to Flora Judson, of Cleveland, 0., and has one son. ALEXANDER McEwaN, son of the late John McEwan, was born in Bay County, Mich., December 2, 1856. Was married June 5, 1880, to Grace Suhr, of East Saginaw. Is living at the old McEwan estate in the First Ward. Mr. McEwan is one of the firm of McEwan Bros., lumber manufacturers and dealers, and conducts an extensive business. MILLER & LEWIS. The mill of this firm was originally built by the firm of Russell, Miller & Co., in 1851. In 1863 it was leased by Albert Miller, and the following year he purchased the property. He operated it alone until the Winter of 1866-'67, when Angus Miller purchased an interest, and the firm became A. & A. Miller. They rebuilt the mill that Winter, and made it the largest one in that vicinity, having a capacity of 12,000,000 a season, and representing an invest ment of $50,000. They operated the mill two years, and from that time until 1879, Albert Miller was alone. In 1879, Mr. George Lewis purchased a half interest, since which time the firm has been Miller & Lewis. The season cut of the mill is about 20,000,000 feet of lumber. The firm own a large amount of standing pine. ALBERT MILLER is an old resident of Bay City, having come here from St. Clair County, in 1855. For a time after coming here he worked in the mills and so laid the foundation of a successful business career. By 1863 he had reached a point when he considered it safe to do something on his own account, and leased a mill which he purchased the following year. Since that time he has ranked as one of the leading lumber manufacturers of this region. He is also interested in other business concerns. Mr. Miller is one of the leading members of the Fremont Avenue Methodist Episcopal Society, and from the first has been one of its liberal supporters. Mr. Lewis is mentioned in connection with the Bay City Bank, of which he is president. GEORGE C. MYERS. In 1851, the firm of Watrous, Southworth & Co. built a mill on the site of the present Myers Mill, corner of Thirty-eighth and Water Streets. The old mill was torn down in 1878 and rebuilt by Mr. A. Chesbrough, who sold it to its present proprietor in 1881. The mill employs about twenty men, and cut last year 6,250,000 feet of lumber. F. E. BRADLEY & CO. The saw mill of this firm is located at the foot of Tenth Street, and was originally built by Elijah Stanton, in 1852. It was first run with a small engine, but was replaced with a larger one in 1863. In 1857 Beebe & Atwood bought the mill, and two years later Mr. Stanton resumed possession and disposed of it to H. M. Bradley & Co. Its capacity at this time was 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually. In the Spring of 1860, the mill was thoroughly repaired, and the capacity increased to 3,200,000. Improvements have been made from time to time until the present capacity is about 14,000,000 feet of lumber. In 1877 Mr. F. E. Bradley, a lumber merchant of Chicago, came into possession of the property, and ran it alone until 1880, when he associated with him Mr. Russell M. Bradley, and since that time the firm has been F'. E. Bradley & Co. HAMILTON & MCGREGOR. This mill was built in 1852 by the late James J. McCormick. At that time it had an upright and an edger, and cut during the season 1,000,000 feet of lumber. In 1859 it was enlarged and its capacity increased to about 5,000,000 feet. About 1872 the mill passed into the possession of Mr. S. H. Webster and was almost entirely rebuilt by him. In 1880 the present firm purchased it. Its present cut is about 15,000,000 for the season. WILLIAM PETER. The history of this mill begins in 1852. In the Spring of that year, its construction was begun by W. P. Doty. After his death it was purchased by the present proprietor, a prominent lumberman, and a resident of Toledo. The business is in charge of William A. Young, a son of Mr. George Young, of Bay City. The cut of the mill last season was 16,500,000 feet of lumber. PITTS & CRANAGE. The extensive mill property of this firm, situated at the foot of Washington Street, may be traced back to 1853, when Messrs. Baughman & Partridge built a mill with a siding mill, two uprights and an edger, having a daily capacity of 30,000 feet. In the Spring of 1855 Mr. Partridge withdrew from the firm, and the fol lowing Fall Mr. Baughman disposed of the property to Mr. Hubbard, of Detroit, who soon afterward sold to the late Samuel Pitts, of Detroit. In 1857 the capacity of the mill was increased to 4,000,000 a season. In 1865, Samuel Pitts & Co. succeeded Samuel Pitts, and about that time the capacity of the mill was again increased. In April, 1868, Samuel Pitts died, and the firm be J -* —!g. Z.- n -.. ----| w d ^\ o —r .4 - i VI K 40 HEISTORY OF BAY- COUNTY. 49 - came Thomas Pitts & Co., which was changed in 1870 to Pitts & Cranage, Mr. Thomas Cranage, Jr., having been a member of the firm since 1865. In February, 1874, the original mill was destroyed by fire and the present mill built immediately after. Tile old mill when burned had a capacity of 12,000,000 a season, and the new mill has been built for a capacity of 20,000,000, which has been increased to 28,000,000. There are some notable features of both the mill property and the history of its management. The mill site has a river frontage of 1,630 feet, with dock room for piling 9,000,000 feet of lumber. The F. & P. M. Railroad extends along one side of the property and the Michigan Central along the other side. There are twenty-six tenement houses upon the property built in 1863 for the convenience of employes. The amount of rent charged for these houses, fixed at a nominal-sum in 1863, has never been increased. Many of the men in the employ of the firm have worked for them from their boyhood, several men having been in their employ for nearly twenty years. Mr. Alexander Culbert, their book-keeper, has been ill that position since June, 1863, and has rendered twenty years of faithful and valuable service. -There are about 150 men employed il the operation of the mill and salt works. The latter were built in 1863. The present firm is composed of Thomas Cranage, Jr., of Bay City, and Thomas Pitts, of Detroit. EDDY, AVERY & EDDY. The mill of this firm is situated at the foot of Eleventh Street, and dates back to 1854, when the firm of Rodgers & Bros. laid the foundation of this large business concern. The mill then had one upright saw, employed ten men, and cut about 7,000 feet of lumber a day. In 1856, Miller & Butterfield became its proprietors, and increased its capacity, by the introduction of a circular saw, to 26,000 feet a day. This firm continued about four years, and was then succeeded by the firm of Miller, Barnard & Co. They put in another circular saw, a new and larger engine, new boilers, and increased the capacity to 36,000 a day. In 1864 the firm of Eddy, Avery & Co. purchased the property and made still further irmprovements, so that in 1868 it cut about 8,000,000 feet in the season of seven months, and employed forty men. January 1, 1879, this firm was succeeded by the present firm of Eddy, Avery & Eddy. The present cut of the mill is about 26,000,000 feet a season. The salt block was built in 1868, and the annual product is, about 75,000 barrels. The present firm is composed of Edwin Eddy, of East Saginaw, Jo-n F. Eddy, of Bay City, and the heirs of Newell Avery, represented il the business by John H. Avery, a son of the late Newell Avery. JOHN F. EDDY, who resides il Bay City, is a son of the late Jonathan Eddy, who was a lumberman in the state of Maine, and came West at an early day, and became extensively engaged in lumbering in Michigan, and was one of the firm of Eddy, Avery R& Co., at this point. In 1866 Mr. John F. Eddy came here from Maine, and since that time has been actively engaged in lumbering and other interests. Ill addition to the manufacture of lumber he is interested in a number of mercantile concerns. He is a thorough and enterprising business man. JOHN H. AVERY is a son of the late Newell Avery, a proninent lumberman who died in 1877. Since his death the heirs have been represented here by John H. Avery, who now resides il Bay City and gives his personal attention to the business. He is also a part ner in the hardware firm of Gedney & Avery. N. B. BRADLEY & SONS. The inill now owned by this firm was begun and partially built by the firm of Hester, Carrington & Co., in 1854, and completed by Frost & Bradley, in 1855. Its capacity then was 4,000,000 feet for the season. In 1858 Mr. N. B. Bradley took charge of the mill, doing sawing by the thousand. Il January, 1861, he in company with F. E. and Charles Bradley purchased the mill, the firm being N. B. Bradley & Co. In 1874, the style of the firm was changed to N. B. Bradley, trustee for the benefit of the partners. In December, 1880, Mr. Charles Bradley died, and Mr. N. B. Bradley purchased the remaining interests. In January, 1881, his two sons, Elmer E., and Fred. W. Bradley, purchased an interest, and the firm became N. B. Bradley & Sons. Various changes and improvements have been made, increasing the cut of the mill from 4,000,000 to about 20,000,000 at present. The firm Ilas a large lumber yard at Toledo, and is heavily interested in pine lands in this and other states. They also manufacture about 75,000 barrels of salt a year. S. Me LEAN, SON & CO. This mill property dates back to 1854, when the first mill upon the site was built by B. F. Partridge. and operated by him about two years. Then James Fraser came into possession of it, and leased it to H. A. Braddock & Co. for several years. In 1863 it was purchased by Peter & Lewis, and operated by them until it burned, which was about 1868. In 1874 the present firm purchased the site, and rebuilt the mill. Last season the mill was in operation 140 days, and cut 14,000,000 feet of lumber with a force of thirtynine men. HENRY M. CAMPBELL, of the firm of Seth McLean, Son & Co., was born in New York State. At the age of five years lie moved with his parents to Genesee County, and remained about six years. They then went to Birch River,and while there his father helped to build a mill for Jesse Hoyt, afterwards working in the mill and keeping the boarding house. They were in the wilderness, their house being the only one in that portion of the country. Here they remained some four years and then moved to Pine River. There Henry MI. engaged with Seth McLean, in 1857, and has continued with him ever since as foreman of the mill. In 1874 he came to Bay City and has remained in the same mill until tie present time. In 1882 he became a partner, the firm being now Seth McLean, Son & Co. Mr. Campbell is a thorough mill man, his whole life having been spent in the business; is a genial, -pleasant gentleman and highly respected. He deserves the success hehas attained. He was married March 26, 1865, to Miss Mary Galigan, of Michigan, and has one child. J. R. HITCHCOCK. This mill is situated on Water Street, at the foot of Thirty-fifth Street. The first mill on this site was built' in 1856 by the firm of H. D. Braddock & Co. Its capacity then was 1,500,000per season, and employed tell men; it had two upright saws. That firm run it u11 -til 1865, and then sold it to H. C. Young, who, continued the business for two seasons, and then sold it to its present owner. In 1868 the capacity of the mill was increased, by putting in a circular saw, to 3,500,000 per season, and employing eighteen men. On the 22d day of August, 1868, this mill cut for A. Stevens & Co. 1,1303 feet of lumber out of one log, all perfectly clear, without sap, rot or knot, leaving still a balance. The cllt was as follows: The first plank was 38 inches wide. 10 inches thick......5063 feet. s second it 4' 36 " 8 " 384 4 third s ' 36 " " 5 " " 240 Total..................................... 1,1304 feet. In 1877 the mill burned, and was rebuilt the following season. The present cut of the will is about 9,000,000 feet of lumber a season, and employs thirty-six men. For the season of 1882 the cut was 4,000,000 feet of hardwood, and 3,.500,000 of pine. J. R. HITCHCOCK, the owner of the mill, is a native of the state 14 0) - l I — w ~ q( - '9 W Ts V |I 50 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. of Connecticut. In 1866 he settled in Bay City, and the following year purchased the mill property as above stated. Mr. Hitchcock is one of the substantial lumbermen of Bay City, and has always done a careful but successful business. A. RUST & BROS. The mill of this firm is located at the foot of Twentieth Street, and was built in 1861 by John F. Rust & Co. In 1865 the firm was changed to A. Rust & Co. The original capacity of the mill was about 4,000,000 feet of lumber a season. Its present capacity is 17,000,000 besides lath and barrels. Seventy-five men are employed about the mill. The present firm succeeded A. Rust & Co. The gentlemen composing this firm are residents of Saginaw. OSCAR B. SMITH, superintendent of the mill, came to Bay City from Canada in 1868, and has been in the employ of this firm ever since, and since 1880 has filled the position of superintendent. He is thoroughly competent, and attends to the business intrusted to him with fidelity. HAY, BUTMAN & CO. The mill now owned by this firm was built by Mr. James Watson in the Fall of 1863, and commenced operations the following season with a circular saw. Cutting capacity 3,000,000 for the season. In 1866 Mr. Watson was joined by Mr. O'Brien, of Chicago, when the mill was enlarged, and its capacity doubled. In 1871 the property was purchased by Hay, Batman & Co., the present owners. The present capacity of the mill is about 14,000,000 feet of lumler a season, and employment is given to about sixty-five men. JAMES M. LAING is superintendent of the mill, as there is no resident member of the firm. Mr. Laing is a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in 1850, and from there to the States, in 1854. In 1866 he went into the employ of Hay, Butman & Co., in charge of theiribusiness at Zilwaukee. In 1871, when they purchased the mill at Bay City, Mr. Laing came here, and has been superintendent of the business ever since. Continuous service in the employ of one firm is a testimonial that any man may justly feel proud of. DOLSEN, CHAPIN & CO. The mill of this firm was built by Messrs. Dolsen & Walker, in 1864, with a capacity of 4,000,000 a season, and employed fifteen hands. That mill was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt. The present firm dates from 1874, when it succeeded Dolsen, Chapin & Bro. The business employs about 130 hands. Last season the mill cut 22,000,000 feet of lumber. Mr. J. L. Dolsen resides in Bay City, and Arthur B. Chapin at Saginaw. FOLSOM & ARNOLD purchased their mill site in 1867 of W. L. Fay. The mill was built by the late John Fraser, in 1865-'66, and at his death the following Fall was purchased by Mr. Fay. In 1869-'70 the old mill was taken away, and a new one built. Messrs. Folsom & Arnold have been in the lumber business since 1853, and until 1867 were in business at Albany, N. Y. Mr. Arnold is still a resident of that city, but Mr. Folsom lhas resided here since 1867. The old mill used to cut about 3,000,000 feet of lumber, but the present mill cut last season 19,000,000. About ninety men are employed. The mill is situated at the foot of Belinda Street. CARRIER & COMPANY. This mill is located on the east side of the river, about two miles below the Third Street Bridge. It was built by its present owners, in the Fall of 1867, and commenced operations in the Spring of 1868. Its capacity when built was about 8,000,000 feet of lumber a season, but improvements have been made until the present cut of the mill is about double what it was at first. EDWIN G. CARRIER, of the firm of Carrier & Co., was born in Jefferson County, Pa:., February 14, 1839, where he remained until 1877, engaged in lumbering. He then removed to Bay City, where he again engaged in the lumber business, having a large mill at Essexville. He is also building a pulp mill in Wisconsin, which will be managed by his eldest son. Mr. Carrier is one of the most enterprising lumbermen of the Valley. He was married May 15, 1861, to Catherine E. Robinson, of Jefferson County, Pa., and has a family of four sons and three daughters. His residence is corner of Fourth and Farragut Streets, Bay City. BIRDSALL & BARKER. This firm are the present proprietors of the McGraw Mill, one of the most noted mills in all the lumbering regions. The late John McGraw, who was so widely kno wn in connection with Cornell University, and as one of the most extensive lumbermen of his time, was first engaged in the manufacture of lumber with Mr. H. W. Sage, at Wenona, where in 1863-'64 they built a mill of monster proportions. In 1868 Mr. McGraw sold his interest in that mill, and built one at Portsmouth, which was destroyed by fire in 1872. The mill was immediately rebuilt on a much larger scale. It was said to be the largest mill in the world. It cut one season 55,260,000 feet of lumber. The mill site covered about one hundred acres, which has been thickly dotted with buildings of various kinds, until quite a village is gathered there. The cut of the mill last season was about 40,000,000 feet of lumber. The product of the two salt. blocks is about 125,000 barrels. After the death of John McGraw, Mr. Thomas McGraw, a nephew living at Poughkeepsie, New York, was interested in the settlement of the estate, and in 1878 the firm of T. H. McGraw & Co. succeeded that of John McGraw & Co., and continued until the Summer of 1882, when the firm of Birdsall & Barker became proprietors. Mr. T. H. McGraw is still concerned in the property, and does an extensive business in pine lands, logs and lumber. His residence is at Poughkeepsie, and a portion of his time is spent in Bay City, as his interests demand. The firm of Birdsall & Barker is composed of Benjamin Birdsall and C. C. Barker, both of whom had been connected with the mill for several years. Mr. Barker has been connected with the mill since the first one was built in 1869. THE DETROIT MILL was built in 1878 by the firm of John Campbell & Co., and operated by them until 1879, when it was purchased by Edmund Hall, of Detroit, and R. J. Briscoe. The mill has been greatly enlarged and improved since it came into the possession of the present proprietors. Its capacity is about 25,000,000 feet of lumber, 5,000,000 lath and 2,000,000 shingles a season. About 150 men are employed by the firm. The salt block was built in 1880, and its capacity is 50,000 barrels a year. R. J. BRISCOE resides in Bay City, and carries on the business of the firm. He came here in 1877 from Flint, where he had been lumbering for eight years. Upon coming here he rebuilt the Stone Island Mill, and operated it until 1879, when the purchase of the Detroit Mill was made. He is also one of the firm of B. H. Briscoe & Co., proprietors of the Bay City Planing Mill, which he removed from Flint in 1877. The Saginaw River Boom Company, of which he is president, was organized through his efforts, and is one of the most important organizations on the river. During last season it picked up logs at the mouth of the river and on the bay amounting in value to over $40,000. Mr. Briscoe is one.of tile most enter prising and energetic lumbermen of the valley. EDDY BROS. & CO. This mill was built by S. H. Webster, and was purchased by the present firm in the Spring of 1881, of Chapin & Barber. The salt block was rebuilt in the Winter of 1882. The cut of the mill is i I I I I -I i J e - I I a j 1__1_________________________ -1I n - - I,- Of *I1@ r 3 11 1 %r_ I - F 1 ___ ^_ II I: HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 51 - - - I about 18,000,000 of lumber a season, and the business employs about ninety men. The members of the firm are S. Eddy and John F., C. A. and C. F. Eddy. S. EDDY, the principal manager of the business, was a lumber inspector for several years, and for five years was located at Alpena. He first came to Saginaw in 1864, and to Bay City in 1869. Since the Spring of 1881 he has given his entire attention to the mnanufacture of lumber and the business interests of the firm. GREEN & STEVENS. The mill of this firm is located on Stone Island, and was built in 1865 by John Appold. In 1880 it was purchased by the present proprietors. The mill employs about forty-five hands, and cut -last year 13,000,000 feet of lumber. JAMES A. GREEN, of the firm of Green & Stevens, was born in Washington County, N. Y., January 4, 1836. Went with his parents to Chenango County, N. Y. Was there ten years in the lumber trade. In 1859 he moved to Minnesota, where he remained until 1861. He then joined the engineer corps and was employed in the manufacture of lumber for the army, in which he continued until the close of the war. He then went to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and was three years in the lumber trade; then moved to Bay City and remained three years. From Bay City he went to Kansas and remained one year. In 1871 he returned to Bay City and engaged in the lumber trade. In 1881, in company with A. J. Stevens, son of the late Appleton Stevens, he purchased the Stone Island Mill property under the firm name of Green & Stevens. Their mill has a capacity of 15,000,000 feet of lumber yearly. Mr. Green was married May 31, 1857, to Miss Mary E. Kelly, of Connecticut, and has three children. His residence is on South Centre Street. A. J. STEVENS, son of the late Appleton Stevens, was born at Deep River, state of Connecticut. He came with his parents to Bay City, and after receiving his education he was employed by Chauncey Gibson in the First National Bank, (the first in the city,) as errand boy. He was gradually promoted to the position of bookkeeper in the same institution. He was afterwards employed in the same capacity by A. Stevens & Co., where he remained until the death of his father, the senior partner of that concern. He then engaged in the lumber business, and in 1879 purchased a half-interest in the Stone Island Mill, since known as the Green & Stevens Mill, which he still owns and operates. The capacity of the concern is about 11,000,000 feet per annum. Mr. Stevens was married to Flora Hamilton, of Ohio, in 1875, and has two children. MILLER & BROTHERS. This firm is composed of three brothers, Albert, James and Andrew Miller, the first named being of the firm of Miller & Lewis. Miller & Brothers' mill is situated on the Middle Ground, and was built in the Winter of 1880-'81. The mill employs about sixty hands, and cuts about 14,000,000 feet of lumber a season. MURPHY & DORR. This mill is located on the Middle Ground, and was built in 1873 by Whipple, Palmer & Co. In' the Spring of 1877 it was purchased by the present proprietors. About forty-five men are employed, and the mill cut last year nearly 20,000,000 feet of lumber. E. J. HARGRAVE & SON. This mill is located on the Middle Ground, and was built in 1866 by the firm of Miller Bros. In the Winter of 1879 the mill property was purchased by the present firm. About fifty men are employed, and the cut of the mill last year was 14,000,000. E. J. HARGRAVE, of the firm of E. J. Hargrave & Son, is a na I tive of England. He came to Bay City in 1866, and engaged with N. B. Bradley as foreman of the mill; which position he held seven years. He then engaged with John McGraw & Co., as foreman of their mill, remaining with them two years. In 1875 he entered into partnership with H. M. Bradley in the planing mill business; carried on that business two years and sold out. Leased their present mill for one year, then leased the Tawas Mill Co's mill for one year. December, 1, 1878, they purchased of Richards, Miller & Co., their present mill property, which has since been operated under the firm name of E. J. Hargrave & Son. The capacity of the mill is 16,000,000 feet of lumber and 2,000,000 of lath. The firm have been successful in their business. The son, Edward, is an enterprising young man, a "chip of the old block." They are both pleasant gentlemen. Their stock of draft horses is as fine as there is in the Valley. We wish them success. WEST BAY CITY MILLS. H. W. SAGE & CO. The history of this mill is so intimately connected with that of the beginning of West Bay City, that most of the facts appear in that connection. The mill was built by the firm of Sage & McGraw in 1864, and commenced running in May, 1865. It was considered at that time to be at least one of the largest saw mills in the world, and was described as being a monster of the woods-the very head of the mill family. The main building was 80x120 feet in size, two stories high, having a wing upon one side and a boiler room upon the other. Five large engines furnished the power. In 1868 Mr. H. W. Sage purchased the interest of Mr. John McGraw, and the firm was changed to H. W. Sage & Co., two sons of Mr. Sage being partners in the business. The mill property at the present time represents an investment of $500,000. The following account of the twelve hours work performed at this mill November 9, 1867, was recorded at the time by the Bay City.7-ournal: "The sawing capacity of the steam saw mill of Sage, McGraw & Co., at Wenona, opposite this city, was tested on Saturday last, the 9th instant. The amount of lumber sawed that day was greater, we have no doubt, than was ever cut in any saw mill of not larger capacity in the same number of hours. There are in the mill four gangs, one circular and one muley saw. The stock and slabber gangs, run by James Corbett and George Winter, cut 151,840 feet;' the gangs run by Adolph Trombley and John Rheim, cut 134,160 feet; the circular, which was run by Cormic Cullen, cut 59,284 feet; and the muley, run by Abbott Plummer, 25,513 feet, making 370,797 feet, most of which was one and a half and two inch stuff. The total number of logs cut was 713. Time of cutting, twelve hours. "The mill is under the charge of Mr. John G. Emery, who is one of the most thorough-going and energetic mill men in the United States. The following is a list of the leading men employed in the mill:-M. Haggarty, foreman; A. Daly, assistant foreman; C. Cullen, A. Plummer, James Corbett, A. Trombley, George Winter and John Rheim, head sawyers,; P. Sova and P. Mannix, head edgers; L. Roundsville, chief engineer; F. Beane, head fireman. The fitting and hanging of the saws was attended to by W. O. Craft and M. Page. Messrs. J. B. Ostrander and Nicholas Emery also were on hand and made themselves very useful. The whole number of men employed was 135. "At the conclusion of the day's work Mr. H. W. Sage delivered a short speech to the men, in which he cordially thanked them, and expressed his appreciation of the energy, muscle and skill they had displayed. The men then dispersed to their homes,after giving six - l - I I I - I It . 4-4 f - '1e j HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 52 - - rousing cheers. During the whole day no accident to either men or machinery occurred." James Corbett is still sawyer in the same mill; Abbott Plummer is lumbering, and lives in West Bay City; John G. Emery is now of the firm of Emery & Garland, dealers in mill machinery and supplies; M. Haggarty is now foreman of H. J. & C. J. Smith's mill, West Bay City; L. Roundsville is still chief engineer at the same mill; W. O. Craft is keeping saloon in West Bay City, and N. Emery is present foreman of the salne mill. The following table gives the product of this mill for each year since it commenced running: YEAR. FEET. 1865............................... 9,048,000 1866............................... 20,225,000 1867............................... 22,952,957 1868........................... 31,388,940 1869.............................. 28,6979871 1870.............................. 34,450,972 1871....................... 22,442,571 1872.................... 12,940,519 1873..............................20,370,670 1874............................... 25,111,595 1875............................... 22,223,944 1876........................ 23,688,606 1877....................... 25,245,990 1878......... 27,730,525 1879.......... 29,388,976 1880.............................. 25,048,987 1881....30,021,264 1882............................. 31,510,317 C. E. LEWIS. This mill was built by Whitney, Coite & Co., in 1852. In 1862 it was purchased by the firm of Taylor, Moulthrop & C o., and in 1881 by Mr. Charles. E Lewis, the present proprietor. The mill employs about sixty men and cut last year 12,500,000 feet of lumber. CHARLES E. LEWIS wag born in Cuyahoga County, in the "Western Reserve" part of Ohio. In 1851 he, in company with his half-brother, the late J. W. Whittaker, came to this part of Michigan, and was engaged in working at his trade, that of a millwright. He helped to build what was known as the "Drake" Mill in Bangor, the mill now run by Miller & Lewis at South Bay; also a mill at Carrollton, which was burned down shortly after it started up. In 1860 and 1861 was in the employ of Henry Doty, at what is now known as the "Peter" Mill. Some time afterwards was with the k~te John McDowell in his foundry and machine shop. Still later was a member of the film of Smalley Bros. & Lewis, founders and machinists. In 1876 he bought John S. Taylor's share in the saw mill owned by Taylor & Moulthrop. In 1880, Wellington R. Burt, of East Saginaw, bought Mr. Moulthrop's interest, and the business was carried on uil(ler the firm name of Burt & Lewis. In 1881 Mr. Lewis bought out Mr. Burt, and is now sole proprietor of the saw mill and salt works connected therewith. He was married in 1857 to Miss Lucina Topping, of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and they have one child, a girl. JOHN, WELCH. This is the mill known for many years as the "Drake Mill." It was built in the Winter of 1851-'52, by Drake-Bros., and in 1853 sold to Kibbee, Whittemore & Co. After that it had various owners, and was finally purchased by Mr. Welch in 1880. In 1881 the mill burned, and was rebuilt the following Winter. It. employs about forty men, and cut last year 12,000,000 feet of lumber. KEYSTONE LUMBER AND SALT MANVF G COMPANY. I This mill was formerly known as the Lord Mill, having been built by Mr. George Lord in 1854. Its capacity then was about 25,000 feet of lumber a day, and gave employment to thirty-five men. In 1866, the present company became its proprietors. The present cut of the rill is about 20,000,000 feet of lumber a season, and number of men employed about 130. The officers of the comnpany are D. Noble, president, Philadelphia; C. S. Riley, vice-president, Philadelphia; F. Johnson, superintendent, West Bay City. F. JOHNSON, superintendent of the Keystone Mill, was born il Salem Co., N. Y., in 1831. In 1847 removed to Maryland with his father, where tlfey engaged in farming and had also a saw mill. The father dying in 1853, the mill became the property of the son, who retained it till 1866, when he sold out and came to West Bay City, taking the position which he now holds with the Keystone Lumber & Salt Manufacturing Co. H. J. & C. J. SMITH. This mill was built in 1854 by the firm of Moore, Vose & Co., and at that time had two uprights, a circular and lath mill, with a season capacity of 1,000,000. In 1858 the property was purchased by the firm of Moore, Smith & Co., and in 1862 they enlarged its capacity to 10,000,000 feet a season, giving employment to thirtyfive men. In 1878 the mill-passed into possession of the firm of Peter Smith & Sons. In November, 1880, Peter Smith died, and his two sons, Henry J. and Charles J. Smith succeeded to the business. The average cut Of their mill is low -20,000,000 a season, and about eighty men are employed. The firm also manufactures about 35,000 barrels of salt a year. LADERACH BROS.' SAW MILL AND SALT WORKS. The firm of Laderach Bros. is composed of five brothers, Jacob, Rudolff, Charles, Samuel and John. In 1861 they built a stave mill and cooper shop at Salzburgh, and engaged in the manufacture of barrels; the salt business, then in its infancy, creating a demand for that kind of package. After running their stave mill fMr a number of years, they went into the shingle trade, doing a large and successful business as manufacturers. In 1873 they added a saw mill to their already large establishment. The mill has a capacity to cut from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000 per season. In 1873 they purchased from William S. Tallalli the salt works erected by him in 1863,and now manufacture from 16,000 to 18,000 barrels per annum. They were originally what was known as a "kettle block," but the present mode of manufacture is by the "steam process." LADERACH BROTHERS are five in number, and are all natives of Switzerland. The whole family, consisting of father, mother, seven brothers and four. sisters, emigrated to the United States in 1851, and settled oil a farm in St. Clair Co., Mich. The father, mother and the two younger brothers have since gone over to the "silent majority." The five who compose the firm of Laderach Bros., manufacturers of lumber and salt, came to the Saginaw Valley in 1857, living in Bay City for four years. In 1861 they all removed to that part of the township of B angor which was afterward known as Salzburgh. JACOB LADERACH married Miss Elizabeth Ehrson, -of Sandusky, Ohio, and they have five children, four daughters and a son. He was the first school director of District No. 3, Bangor. RUDOLFF LADERACH married Miss Catherine CI. Laderach, a native of Bavaria, Germany, in 1861, and they have five children, three girls and two boys. He was elected an alderman for the Third Ward of West Bay City in 1881 and re-elected in 1882. CHARLES LADERACH has been married twice; his first wife was a daughter of the late John Miller. After her death be married Miss Katrine Laderach, a native of Switzerland. His family consists of one boy and two girls. _ - -- A.- - 6 *4 I (t L l — X -. I I. Q 11 I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 53 * s SAMUEL and JOHN LADERACH, the remaining members of the firm, are unmarried. L. L. HOTCHKISS. & CO. The mill of this firm is situated a mile south of what was formerly known as Salzburgh. It was built in the year 1869 by the firm of Brooks & Adams, who operated it until 1872, when it came into the possession of the present proprietors. The whole mill property includes about thirty-six acres. They cut an average of 22,000,000 feet of lumber a season, and employ about 110 men. They have three salt wells, and produce about 55,000 barrels of salt annually. L. L. HOTCHKISS is a native of Connecticut. He came to West Bay City in 1863 and entered the employ of Brooks & Adams. On the death of Mr. Brooks, which occurred in 1872, Mr. Hotchkiss became a member of the firm, the style of which was changed to L. L. Hotchkiss & Co., which it still retains. W. H. MALONE & CO. The mill belonging to this firm was built in 1873 by the firm of Malone & Gardner, which firm was succeeded by W. H. Malone & Co. in 1873. The mill employs fifty men and cut last season nearly 20,000,000 feet of lumber. SMALLEY BROS. & CO. This mill was built in 1881, by the firm of Slater & Woodworth, and in the Fall of 1882 sold to the present proprietors. About thirty men are empioyel. The mill cut last year 8,000,000 feet of lumber. THE ROUSE MILL, ESSEXVILLE, was built by J. M. Rouse, in the Winter of 1870-'71. He carried on the business until January, 1878. It then passed into the hands of his two sons, E. F. and W. B., who have made great improvements, changing it from a circular to a gang mill, doing custom work. They also added the salt block. They give employment to about forty men, and turn out about 12,000,000 feet of lumber yearly, and ninety barrels of salt per day. INLAND MILLS. There are the inland mills of Norn & Kent at Sterling; Cross & Dyer, Deep River; John Lentz and J. P. Phillips, Pine River; John Hulburt and J. W. Culver, Moffat; Gorie & Carscallan, Omer; the Pinconning Mill and the Whitney Mill at Whitney. THE SALT INDUSTRY. When the act providing for the admission of Michigan into the Union was passed by Congress in 1836, it was among other things provided that all salt springs in the state, not exceeding twelve in number, with six sections of land adjoining each, might be selected by the state, and in pursuance of this act, the Legislature of Michigan, in July, 1836, authorized the Governor to make the selection. Most of the lands were located in the Grand River Valley, but one tract was selected on the Tittabawassee River, at the mouth of Salt River. The state geologist, Dr. Houghton, was authorized and directed by the Legislature to commence boring for salt at one or more of the state salt springs as soon as practicable. He selected one point in the southwest corner of Section Twenty-four, in Township Fifteen, on the west side of the Tittabawassee, and commenced operations about the middle of June, 1838. Many difficulties were encountered, and when the appropriations were exhausted the work was abandoned. It was Dr. Houghton's opinion from the first that the centre of the basin was along the Saginaw River, and the people of Saginaw having great confidence in Dr. Houghton, became impressed with the same belief. In January, 1859, a public meeting was held at Saginaw, and a committee appointed to petition the Legislature for aid and encouragement in the enterprise of salt manufacture. Judge Birney was in the Legislature at that time, and was active in securing the passage of a bill giving a bounty for the manufacture of salt. The original bill proposed a payment of five cents a bushel, but he succeeded in getting ten cents granted. It was this encouragement that stimulated the first efforts to manufacture salt at Saginaw and Bay City. In April, of that year, the East Saginaw Salt Manufacturing Company -was organized with a capital of $50,000. The boiling of salt was commenced the latter part of June, 1860, and the first salt packed was in July, 1860. In August, 1860, W. H. Fennell, now of Bay City, shipped the first hundred barrels of Saginaw salt that left the Saginaw Valley. OPERATIONS AT BAY CITY. As soon as the existence of salt at Saginaw was demonstrated, Bay City "came down" with the fever, and two companies were formed in March, 1860. The Portsmouth Salt Company was organized March 13, 1860, and its articles of association filed with the county clerk, March 20th. The Bay City Salt Manufacturing Company was organized March 23, and its articles of association filed May 18, 1860. The principal stockholders of the first named company were James J. McCormick, Appleton Stevens, A. D. Braddock & Co., B. F. Beckwith, Judge Miller, William Daglish, Martin Watrous, C. E. Jennison and W. R. McCormick. Their well was sunk to a depth of about 600 feet, and the first salt made in Bay County was made by them in the Summer of 1861. The well was on the present site of the McGraw Mills, and W. R. McCormick was the first superintendent and secretary. Various changes occurred in the company, and its property was finally sold to John McGraw, about the year 1868. The Bay City Company stock was mostly owned by James Fraser, D. H. Fitzhugh, H. M. Fitzhugh and Messrs. Munger. Mr. H. M. Fitzhugh afterwards became the principal proprietor of the stock. Their works were on the present site of the Michigan Pipe Company's works. Their well was sunk to a greater depth than the Portsmouth well, and they made their first salt in the early Autumn of 1861. These works were continued for several years, and were changed from the kettle to the pan block, and the property finally sold to the Pipe Works. Other works followed in rapid succession. Messrs. Harkness & Sohne sunk a well to a depth of 900 feet, and erected works with one block of kettles and one of pans, with a capacity of 100 barrels of salt in twenty-four hours. Messrs. Hayden & Co. sank a well to a depth of 1,000 feet, and established works at Portsmouth, afterwards purchased by Appleton Stevens & Co. This was a kettle block. In 1862 Mr. A. C. Braddock came here and superintended the construction of works for the New York Salt Works. The depth of the well was 1,016 feet, and the site occupied seven and a half acres with a river frontage of 200 feet. The process of manufacture was by kettles and solar covers. The Lower Saginaw Salt Company, Dolsen & Walker and the Altantic Salt Company followed in 1862-'63, and Leng & Bradfield also sunk a well at Bangor. By the close of 1864 there were twenty-six salt concerns in Bay County. The manufacturers, capital invested, and product were as follows: q _.,t - I - IR 4 - T-, iO'.q - a. 4; ~_ __ _ I ___ 54 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. SALT STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1864. 4 FIRM. LOCATION. INVE ESTMENT BARRELS. 'O. A. Ballou & Co...... i.......... Kawkawlin. $40,000 F. A. K aiser.................... " 9... 20,000 P. Lloyd.................... Bangor....... 20,000 Beckwith, Moore & Smith.................... 16,000 Leng, Bradfield & Co................ 20,000 Taylor & Moulthrop................. ".. 10,000 Mjoore, Smith & Co........................... 5,000 c. C. Fitzhugh.................... Salzburg... 20,000 V, S. Ta'Ja' man....................... ". 13,000 Fisk & Clark........................ " 4 20,000 Chicago & Milwallkee Salt Co............. 65,000 H. B. Parmelee....................... ". 34,000 Cupola Works........ Bay City..... 40,000 Atlantic Salt Co.......................... 40,000 Saginaw Bay Salt Co................. ".....4 15,000 Saratoga Salt Co.................... '..... 30,000 Fowler & Tucker..................... ".......30,000 Dolsen & Walker................... "..... 15,000 Lower Saginaw Salt Co.................... 27,000 Bay City Salt Mfg. Co............... 4..... 26,000 Samuel Pitts......................... " 25,000 N. B. Bradley........................ 15,000 A. Stevens & Co................ Portsmouth.. 6,000 Hayden & Co................. 20,000 New York Salt Co................... 25,000 Portsmouth Salt Co.................. a.. 25,000 3,000 6,000 1,800 700 4,000 600 17,000 6,000 2,000 13 500 11.500 12,000 11,000 8,500 ',306 1,300 6,000 7,595 11,000 5,500 11,527 8,000 3,500 8,000 3,000 Total................................... $622,000 l67,328 The first process of manufacture was by the kettle block, but it was not long before they had to be abandoned. Then came the pan block, and they too, in time, were found to require too much fuel, and gave way for the present system. Between 1864 and 1868 various changes occurred. Some suspended operations and new works were constructed. The manufacturers and products of 1867-'68 were as follows: PRODUCT OF 1867-'68. business, and the other where it is a mere parasite of the lumber manufacture. "At the start all the conditions seemed to favorthe production of salt as an exclusive business. There were for distribution a fine navigable river, emptying about midway in the chain of the great lakes; for saline material, an inexhaustible supply of the very strongest brine, underlying many thousand square miles of territory; and for fuel, the dense original forestof Northern Michigan. Accordingly, the business was entered upon in the fullest confidence that if salt would not be made at a profit here, it could not be made anywhere in the United States. "It must be admitted thatthe investments were not all judicious, and that in the inception of this, as of most new enterprises, some losses were incurred from want of experience; but this was less the case in this instance than usually lappens, as the model on which the orignal Saginaw Salt Works were built existed at Syracuse,. N. Y., which also supplied all the peculiar machinery and such skill as was required at a comparatively moderate expense. "It should be said that the salt produced at Saginaw, in the earlier period of the manufacture, though not as good as it is now, was a fair article. It had to be. sold everywhere alongside the product of the New York works, which had had the benefit of more than a half century's experience; it must, therefore, have compared not very disadvantageously with Onondaga salt, in order to command nearly the same price, which it always did. "However bright the prospects which induced early investments in the manufacture of salt at Saginaw, it was very soon discovered that they were delusive. The expense account of the manufacturers soon swelled to largely more than double its original proportions by the advance in labor as well as in fuel and other materials of manufacture. "The great difficulty in making salt, the tendency to overproduction, began to appear at an early period,and within four years of the commencement of the manufacture it had become a losing business to such an extent that the production largely declined, and salt property had hardly a quotable value. I can not recall a single instance in which an original, independent investment in the salt manufacture in the Saginaw Valley, has offered a reasonable profit as a result of the manufacture itself. This may seem a bold assertion in the face of the fact that the production of salt on the whole has increased, and that it has without doubt added largely to thevalue of real estate. The annual distribution of large sums in this manufacture has undoubtedly had a favorable influence on the general prosperity, but the business itself has been anything but a profitable one. "After the vast profits of the independent salt business were seen to be imaginary, it was discovered that it might be more profitably conducted as an adjunct of the saw mills. These lumber manufactories make a vast amount of refuse which must be disposed of in some way, or the mills would soon be buried in their own waste. Hence it was found highly economical to employ their slabs, edgings, sawdust and exhaust steam in the production of salt. A manufacture of this kind has low grown up which is more or less profitable in proportion to the skill with which the several manufacturers avail themselves of their advantage in this respect; indeed, the entire manufacture of the Saginaw Valley, at the present time, may be said to depend on the saw mills, because even in the cases where they have no salt works directly connected with them, and under the same management, their refuse is sold at a small figure or given assay to the nearest salt works, which are thus enabled to run at a reduced expense; in fact, little or no cordwood is now usedl for fuel at any of the salt works of the Saginaw Valley." 1867. N. B. Bradley & CO, Bay City....................... 9 5-20 Samuel Pitts &- Co.................. 8,150 Titus Duncan, "....................... 6,155 Smith & Hart,....................... 7,000 Bay City Salt Mfg. CO., "...................... 5,369 Dolsen & Walker, ".................... 5,500 Lower Saginaw Co., "....................... 8,500 Atlantio Salt Co., "...................... 10,200 A. Stevens & Co., Portsmouth....................... 6,634 A. C. Braddock,...................... 7,000 Portsmouth Salt Co., "............................ Taylor & Moulthrop, BanEgor....................... 5,100 Leng & Bradfield, " 6....................... 10,000 Keystone S. & L. Co., "....................... 9 006 Moore, Smith & Co., "........................... F. Fitzhugh, Salzburg............................... 1,400 Hill & Son, "................................ Johnson & Walsb, Salzburg......................... 2,000 Huron Salt & Lumber Company, Salzburg............ 7.500 O. A. Ballou, Kawkawlin............................. 9,786 118,820 1868. 9,500 10,000 3,000 4,000 13,000 7,000 8,500 12,000 11,000 11,800 3,500 5.100 15,000 8,000 400 4,000 7,000 3,000 10,000 10,000 155,800 REVIEW OF THE BUSINESS. In 1871 Mr. H. M. Fitzhugh, president of the Saginaw & Bay City Salt Company, prepared an article which was published for the information of members of Congress, from which we quote as follows: "The salt manufacture of the Saginaw Valley has had an existence of about ten years. Brine was discovered in 1860, but no considerable development occurred till 1861. In that year large investments were made in the new enterprise, and 'the growth of the business, stimulated by a war demand and war prices, was very rapid. "The production of salt at Saginaw may be considered in two phases; one in which it appears as a separate and independent. i ~9 44 A I I & }T I I,,~ I I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 55 MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT FOR,1877-'78-'79. 1877. A. Rust & Co.. 29,000 Bousfield & Co................. 2,698 H. W. Sage & Co.................-65,609 Keystone Salt & Lumber Co..... 11,047 W. H. Malone................ 22,522 L. L. Hotchkiss & Co.. 34,278 Moore, Smith & Co............. 7,543 William Peter........... 18,933 N. B. Bradley, (trustee)......... 37,047 Albert Miller................... 35,536 McGraw & Co.................. 51,135 S. H. Webster................. 26,290 S. McLean & Son.............. 39,189 Hay, Butman & Co............. 19,121 N. W. G. & Water Pipe Co............ A. Chesbrough..................... F. E. Bradley................. 18,885 Eddy, Avery & Co.............. 53,574 Carrier & Co................... 5,388 J. R. H all..................... 38,422 John McEwan................. 17,508 Dolsen, Chapin & Bro........... 39,688 Folsom & Arnold............... 22,918 Chapin & Barber............... 45,881 Moulthrop & Lewis............. 12,491 Laderach Bros.... 13,243 Atlantic Salt Co................ 3,538 Ayrault, Smith & Co........... 12,837 Pitts & Cranage................ 23,376 B. F. W ebster....................... Murphy & Dorr...................... Peter Smith & Sons................... Total.................... 707,697 1878. 29,113 67,752 11,426 21,367 30,397 14,099 34,874 47,549 57,094 27,794 26,336 41,469 31,492 2,947 1,481 24,439 51,304 16,076 48,824 17,888 48,864 19,695 35,747 17,677 16,811 - 3,346 2,830 43,661 792,352 1879 34,018 61,304 22,202 23,935 35,364 1,788 36,306 -62,803 63,713 37,263 37,074 25,744 11,070 11,972;ra,522 18,339 48,066 18,337 58,560 22,971 29,885 24,084 14,293 1,050 11,491 52,760 22,578 37,148 15,421 899,061 THE SALT DISTRICTS. The salt producing territory of the state is divided into seven districts, having a manufacturing capacity as follows: District No. 1, Saginaw County. —Employs four deputy salt inspectors, has fifty-six salt companies, with forty-three steam, eighteen pan blocks, and 4,000 solar salt covers, having a manufacturing capacity of 1,400,000 barrels of salt. District No. 2, Bay County.-Employs three deputy salt inspectors, with thirty-eight steam blocks, thirty-one salt companies, and 500 solar salt covers, with a manufacturing capacity of 1,300,000 barrels of salt. District No. 3, Huron County.-Employs four deputy salt inspectors, has ten salt companies, with five steam and eight pan blocks, with a manufacturing capacity of 400,000 barrels of salt. District No. 4, Iosco County. —Employs two deputy salt inspecters, has eight salt companies, with eight steam blocks, having a manufacturing capacity of 300,000 barrels of salt. District No. 5, Midland County. —Employs one deputy salt inspector, has four salt companies, with one steam and three pan blocks, having a manufacturing capacity of 100,000 barrels of salt. District No. 6, Manistee County.-Employs one deputy salt inspector, has one salt company, with one steam block now in operation, with a manufacturing capacity of 50,000 barrels of salt. District No. 7, Gratiot County. —EImploys one deputy salt inspector, has one salt company, with one pan block hlaving a manufacturing capacity of 40,000 barrels of salt. NUMBER OF BARRELS INSPECTED IN BAY COUNTY IN 1882. The following table is taken from the state salt inspector's report, and shows the amount of salt inspected during the year. This does not show the full amount manfactured: L. L. Hotchkiss............................. 54,860 Laderach Bros....................... 17,217 W. H. M alone............................... 28,665 H.. W. Sage & o............................ 64,352 J. D. Ketcham.............................. 5,697 Keystone Salt & Lum. Co.................... 31,593 Burt & Lewis............................... 3,006 C. E. Lewis............................... 23,888 Sm ith & Sons............................... 28,018 McGraw & Co.........................:.. 29,239 Birdsall & Barker............................ 70,508 A. Chesbrough.............................. 580 G. C. M yers................................. 17,662 M urphy & Dorr.............................. 37,300 M iller & Lewis.............................. 54,079 S. McLean. Son & Co........................ 24,930 Hamilton, McGregor & Co................... 25,623 A. Rust & Bro.............................. 58,418 Hay, Butman & Co.......................... 26,298 N. B. Bradley & Sons....................... 61,412 W. Peter.................................... 39,588 F. E. Bradley................................ 37,818 Eddy, Avery & Eddy........................ 59,081 Pitts & Cranage............................. 55,484 J. F. E wing................................ 13,686 R. J. Briscoe............. 32,000 Folsom & Arn old............................ 30,349 Eddy Bros. & Co............................ 31,556 Atlantic Salt Co...:......................... 4,800 Rouse Bros................................. 18,914 J. R. Hall................................... 53,569 Carrier & Co.............................. 26,583 McEwan Bros............................... 34,831 Dolsen, Cbapin & Co........................ 56,675 Total......................... 1.1.58,279 SHIPMENTS BY WATER FOR 1882. A pril........................................ 53,937 M ay......................................... 87,722 June......................................... 47,194 July.......................................... 32,311 A ugust....................................... 62,831 September................................... 37.629 O ctober...................................... 68.225 N ovem ber................................... 50,147 T otal.................................... 439,996 The shipments by rail during the year were about 500,000 barrels, making the total shipments for the year 939,996 barrels. The total number of barrels inspected in Bay County during 1881 was 1,125,290. The total salt product of the state in 1869 was 560,818 barrels. In 1881 it was 2,750,299 barrels. Most of the production now is by the grainer system. Steam blocks are used and evaporation is procured by the use of exhaust steam from the engines which drive the saw mills. The expense of fuel is thus reduced to the minimum, as were the steam not used in the salt manufacture, it would be suffered to escape without further service. This mode of manufacture has practically superseded all others, because of the economy of fuel. In 1873 the product of Bay City amounted to a little more than 352,000 barrels, which was sold at an average of $1.40 per barrel. In 1882 there were thirty-four salt making establishments, and the amount inspected was 1,193,479 barrels. The total product for the year was considerably more than that. In the early days of salt manufacture here, the prices reached as high as $3.50 a barrel. The past year the average price has been about seventy cents. YEARLY PRODUCT AND PRICE. The salt manufacture in this state commenced in 1860, and the.1r. I I I, O li ~d 0 -1 ~ ~____I~~~~s~V l-PII-I- -- - — L~-J"'''TLlliY*;i 1~ 1 I 7f 1 T IF :: 4 Q- - Lat I:;:=: __: 1 d:?ij 56 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. inspection law was not enacted until 1869. Previous to the inspection law the annual product was as follows: Barrels. Barrels. 1860.................... 4,000 1865.................... 477,200 1861....................125,000 1866................... 407,077 1862................... 243,000 1867....................474,721 1863....................466,356 1868....................555,690 1864....................529,073............................... The product since 1869, at which time th3 inspection law took effect, is as follows: Barrels. 1869................... 560,818 1870................... 621,350 1871................... 728,175 1872................ 724,481 1873................... 823,346 1874...................1,028, 979 1875...................1,081,865 Barrels. 1876................... 1,462,729 1877........ 1,960,997 1878................... 1,855,884 1879...................2,058,040 1880...................2,676,588 1881..................2, 750,299 1882...................3,037,317 AVERAGE PRICES. The average net price to manufacturers during a series of years show as follows: Average price per barrel, 1866................ " 1867............... 1868................ " 1869.............. 1870............... " " 1871................ 1872.............. " " 1873............... 1874............... 1 875................ 1876................. 1877................ " 1878................ " 1879................. " 1880................ " 1881................ " 1882............... for the salt product................ $1 80.............. 1 77................ 1 85............... 1 5 8............... 1 32............... 1 46............... 1 46............... 1 37................ 119............... 110............... 1 05............... 85............... 85............... 1 02............... 75............... 8329............... 70 ers manufactured, and such as was delivered to it for that purpose by others, and in connection therewith, the establishing of agencies for the sale of salt in principal markets, and the buying, selling and manufacture of salt. The capital stock was $500,000, of 20,000 shares of $25 each. The amount of capital stock paid in was $18,000. This company was of a few months' existence. On March 31st, in 1876, the Michigan Salt Association was formed, to exist as an organization for five years. At its first annual election following officers and committees were chosen: President, W. R. Burt, East Saginaw; vice-president, Albert Miller, Bay City; secretary, D. G. Holland, East Saginaw; treasurer, Thomas Crnlage, Jr., Bay City. Board of directors, J. L. Dolsen, H. C. Moore, J. R. Hall, H. M. Bradley, John McEwan, of Bay City; W. R. Burt, W. J. Bartow, G. L. Rsmington, Ezra Rust, Newell Barnard, G. F. Williams, H. A. Batchelor, of the Saginaws; W. R. Stafford and James Ayers, of Port Hope; E. F. Holmes, of Oscoda. Executive committee, H. M. Bradley, J. L. Dolsen, of Bay City; W. R. Burt, W. J. Bartow, N. Barnard, East Saginaw. The capital stock was $200,000, of 8,000 $25 shares. The amount actually paid in was $2 per share. This organization was probably the most successful one in the history of the Saginaw Valley. Its stock-holders numbered forty-eight, twelve of whom resided in East Saginaw, fifteen in Bay City, two in West Bay City, fourteen in Saginaw City, and one each in Port Austin, Caseville, New River, White Rock, and Port Hope. It appointed a committee consisting of Thomas Cranage, Jr., N. Barnard, and one other member, who drafted an amendment to the salt law, which was passed by the Legislature, and it is now considered the best that could be drawn, it covering all the points desired. In 1881, on March 31st, the organization expired by limitation. At that time a new combination was organized under the name of the Salt Association of Michigan. This company is in existence at the present day, and is doing effective work. Its officers are about the same as of the old associaticn. The purpose for which this organization was formed is the manufacture of and dealing in salt, and to engage in the transportation of its products to market. The capital stock is $200,000, divided into 8,000 shares of $25 each. The amount actually paid in is $2 per share. Thie affairs of the association are managed by the Board of Directors, who are all manufacturers of salt. The places for the transaction of the association's business are Bay City and East Saginaw. Any manufacturer of salt in this state is entitled to become a stockholder of the association by signing articles of association, and designating the number of shares taken, which shall not exceed one share of the capital stock for every barrel of the daily average of his manufactory on a fair estimate. From the proceeds of the salt sold, there is paid an'annual dividend of 8 per cent to each stockholder on the amount paid in, payable on the 30th days of March and September, which together with all losses sustained and all expenses incurred in handling and selling, together with the inspection fees, are charged up as expenses before a division of the proceeds of sales are made. Annual meetings of the stockholders are held on the third Thursday in January, in each year. Special meetings are held at times when the president or directors shall appoint. Every manufacturer, in becoming a member of the associa tion, is obliged to execute and deliver to it a contract for all salt manufactured by him, or a lease of his salt manufacturing property. Each stockholder makes saltpsolely on the association's account. The board of directors has power to determine the rate of advance in the price of salt, and it also has power to appoint traveling or resident agents for the sale of salt. SALT ASSOCIATIONS. The association of salt manufacturers of the salt producing counties of Michigan, organized in 1876, under the title of "Michigan Salt Association," and reorganized in 1881, under the name of,"Salt Association of Michigan," has, during its few years of existence, met with flattering success on all sides, the consumer of salt as well as the producer being profited thereby. Early in the history of the great industry, associations from time to time were organized and operated, one of these being the L ay County Salt Company, in 1865. This concern lasted two or three years, when the Saginaw & Bay Salt Company took its place. This corporation was organized about the year 1868, the most prominent salt manufacturers along Saginaw River being members. The capital stock was $200,000, with 8,000 at $25 each. The amount actually paid in was $19.25 per share. The officers of the company were as follows: President, H. M. Fitzhugh; vice-president, Newell Barnard; secretary, J. S. Judson; treasurer, N. B. Bradley. Executive committee, H. M. Fitzhugh, J. F. Bundy, N. Barnard, T. Cranage, Jr., N. B. Bradley. This association was discontinued in 1871, and from that time until 1875 there was no regular organization to take hold of and handle the saline article. The salt producer during that time saw the real necessity for an organization. A number of salt manufacturers in the Saginaw Valley had a meeting, and on the 8th of July, in that year, organized an association, known as the Saginaw Salt Company. Its purpose was the marketing of all salt its stockhold i (3 i I [ i Ill q - -- es o :: -i - A - r( ~LI 4 - m 4,-A I I _~ _ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 57T I - - I -_ RIVER NAVIGATION. The history of Saginaw River navigation extends over a period of about fifty-two years, and the exhibits of its traffic at the present time indicate to what extent the industries of this region have attained. The first craft to dispute the right of way upon the highway of this river, was a vessel or sloop called the "Savage," probably so called from its appearance rather than anything it was likely to accomplish. This craft was of about forty tons burden, and owned by the American Fur Company. It made occasional trips to the company's station at Saginaw from about 1831 to 1837 or 1838. In June, 1832, a vessel that could carry fifty tons came into the river, and after discharging some freight for the Fur Company, sailed up the Tittabawassee and took a load of potatoes from Duncan McLellan's farm, and carried them to Detroit. This was the first export of farm produce from the Saginaw Valley. In August, 1837, Capt. George Raby sailed into the Saginaw River as master of the schooner "North America." He settled his family at Portsmouth. He died about the year 1860. Capt. J. Davis Smith, brother of Dr. George E. Smith, of Bay City, commanded the "Richmond," formerly the "Conneaut Packet" for a year or two, until she was wrecked on the Canada shore of Lake Huron. Dr. George E. Smith was sailing with his brother on the boat at the time. About this time Capt. Wilson commanded a little schooner called the "Mary," which sailed between Saginaw and Detroit. She ~wvas also wrecked on the Canada shore. About 1850, the steamer "Columbia" ran weekly between Detroit and Saginaw. She was commanded at one time by George H. Cottrell, and his brother C. B. Cottrell, now of Bay City, was clerk. The "Columbia" was afterwards purchased by Capt. Cole. Then came the "Charter" and "Snow." In 1853, the tug "Lathrop" was brought here for towing purposes. In 1854, the steamer "Fox," commanded by Capt. Wolverton, ran on the river. Then came the "Ariel," "Ruby," "Magnet," and "Evening Star." In 1858 the Bay City & Alpena Line was started by Capt. Cole with the "Columbia." This line is still operated by the firm of Cole & Holt. There are three boats on the line doing a good business. About 1866 the "L. G. Mason" came here and is still running. The bar at the mouth of the river was for a long time a serious obstruction to navigation, but nothing definite about its removal was reached until 1867, when the work of dredging was commenced, and completed the following year. This work elevated the port of Bay City to rank with any on the lakes. There are now two established passenger steamboat lines the Bay City & Alpena, and Saginaw River Line of steamers. There are also a large number of tug, propeller, barge and towing lines. THE SEASON OF 1882. The Bay City 7ribune reviewed the season of 1882, as follows:,"This season of navigation on the Saginaw River has closed, and most of the crafts have gone into Winter quarters. The river is covered with ice except in a few spots, and it is doubtful if another boat can enter this port this year after to-day. The propeller 'Saginaw Valley' left Alpena yesterday for Bay City, and she is the last boat to start for this port. She was at Tawas last evening and will endeavor to feel her way in to-day. She is well ironed off, and being broad and of light draught can travel through the ice without much difficulty, if last night did not make too much of the congealed liquid. "The season opened in April with lumber freights at $2 per thousand to Buffalo and $1.75 to Ohio ports. Thelarge lumber fleet rushed into port, and by May freights had taken a drop of 25 cents per 1,000 feet. As the season advanced a further reduction of 25 cents took place, making it $1.50 to Buffalo and $1.25 to Ohio. Loads became very scarce with wages and expenses high, and the worst season on record was looked for. The lowest charter reported was a barge from Crow Island to Buffalo at $1.25, which rate was accepted in order to fill out the tow of the propeller 'Passaic.' Freights remained steady and quiet at the figures named until September 1st, when a reaction took place, an advance of 25 cents being made upon the demand of owners of lumber carriers. Another 25 cent advance speedily followed and then another, making the rate $2 to Buffalo and $1.75 to Ohio. A brisk demand for Buffalo boats sent the rate up another quarter, only on Buffalo and Tonawanda boats, however. As soon as the chilling Fall winds set, freights again increased a quarter, fixing them at $2.50 and $2, and from then until the close of the season they remained firm at those figures. Better freights were obtained, in some instances, but as a rule, those were the going rates. The steam-barge 'Ontonagon' and barges 'W.m, Lewis' and 'R. J. Carney,' were the last regular lumber traders to leave for Buffalo. The tug 'Albert J. Wright' and barges 'Mills' and 'W. A. Sherman' came here and loaded, and'they were in reality the last craft for Buffalo, where they reached safely on Monday morning last. The barge 'B. B. Buckhout' was the last craft to load for Ohio. She was towed out to Tawas by the tug 'Cheney' and from there was towed to Cleveland by the steam-barge 'Geo. L. Colwell.' "The season, on the whole, has been a very fair one for lumber carriers. All that were properly managed, made money. The season, as favorable as it was, is a surprise, when the fact that there was nearly 25 per cent increase in tonnage is taken into consideration. The past season some of the best and largest crafts have been added to the lumber marine, each carrying from 400,000 to 800,000 feet. The largest shipments of any season in Bay City's history were made the past season." The boats laid up at Bay City for the Winter of 1883, were as follows: Steamers-"Dove," "Dunlap," "Metropolis," "E. T. Carrington," "Luther Westover," "Emerald," "Sea Gull."-7. Propellers-"Arundell," "C. A. Forbes."-2. Steam barges-"Geo. King," "Baldwin," "J. P. Donaldson," "D. F. Rose," "Nelson Mills," "Mayflower," "Fred McBrier, " Sanilac," "Benton. "-9. Barges-" Brightie," "Boscobel," "Marine City," "Racine," " Jupiter,"" Leader, ""Yankee, ""Bahama, " " Tailor," "Gebhart, " "Florence M. Dickinson," "Lilly May," "Emerald," "Colorado," "Fannie Neil," "Levi Rawson," "C. L. Young," "Galatea," "Ajax," "Oneonta," "E. A. Mayes," "Nelson," "Favorite," "Roscius," "Icsman," "Grace Whitlevy," "Melbourne," "G. W. Bissell," "J. S. Austin," "Amaranth," ".Wm. Treat," "T. G. Lester," "J. L. Ketchumn, ""L. B. Crocker. "-84. Tugs-" Music," "Ella Smith," "Peter Smith," "S. S. Rumage," "A. F. Bartlett," "William Park," "Charles Lee," "C. M. Farrar," "Marian Teller," "E. V. Mundy," "Witch of the West," "W. E. Quinby,?' "W. A. Avery," "Annie Moiles," "Buffalo," "Cora B.," "E. M. Peck," "C. C. McDonald," "T. M. Moore," "Geo. B. Dickson," "E. Haight," "Maud S.," "Harley," Challenge," "Laketon," "Toledo. "-26. Steam Yachts-"Handy Boy," "Jos. Gordon," "Col. Camp," "C. B. Hull," "J. G. Hubbard," "Cora K. D."-6. I a I ov i - _ tI1 I, --- Iw 04 - — __ v; 58 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. __ SUMMARY. Steamers........................................ 7 Propellers......................................... 2 Steam-barges..................................... 9 Barges............................................34 Tugs.............................................26 Steam Yachts...................................... 6 Total.........................................84 THE FIRST VESSEL BUILT ON THE SAGINAW RIVER was built by Nelson Smith in 1846-'47. She was built at Saginaw and named the,'Julia Smith," that being the name of the proprietor's only daughter. At thattim3 the Carrollton bar was al obstrue - tion to the navigation of the river, and this vessel was modeled to adapt itself to that difficulty. It was of about seventy tons burden and when loaded drew four and a half feet of water. In 1848, when Judge Miller removed his family from Saginaw to Portsmouth, they made the trip on this vessel in about two days. The "Julia Smith" left the Saginaw trade about 1850, and as late as 1871 was sailing on Lake Michigan, and was staunch and sound. The first vessels of ally importance built near the mouth of the river were built by the Braddocks, at Portsmouth, il 1857-'58, and were the "Essex" and "Bay City." The latter is still afloat. The "sJava," a small fishing vessel was built atLower Saginaw, in 18-54. FIRST STEAMBOAT ON THE RIVER. Of the first steamboat on the Saginaw River, Judge Miller writes as follows: "Ill July, 1836, the writer of this article, accompanied by Eleazer Jewelit, the county surveyor, and ore or two other parties who were to assist in laking a preliminary survey of the site of Portslmouth, preparatory to making a plat of the village, came from Saginaw in a canoe (accompanied by the late James Fraser, who expected to meet a vessel in the river with some articles on board which he would have need of before the wind would permit the vessel to sail to Saginaw,) to the point where the village of Portsmouth is now located, and after completing a survey of the outlines for a village 'lat, proceeded dlown the river to the residence of Leon Trombley, Sr., which was then located at a point near the present corner of Fourth and Water Streets. ' While there partaking of some refreshments, Louis Trombley (who was then a lad ten or twelve years old,) came into the house crying, 'A steamboat! a steamboat!' We all rushed out of the house to see what had deceived the boy into the idea of a steamboat, when, to our great delight, we saw a steamboat proudly making headway against a south wind and the current of the Saginaw River; these obstacles had been a great detriment to the navigation of the river by sailing vessels, and seriously retarded the arrival of supplies for the citizens of Saginaw. We hailed the boat, which proved to be the,Governor Marcy,' commanded by Capt. Gorham, piloted by Capt. Rhodes, and chartered by the late Norman Little, who was acting in behalf of himself, and Mackie, Oakley and Jennison, who then owned Saginaw City, and had just commenced active operations in building up the town. Mr. Jennison, who was interested in the charter of the first steamboat that entered the Saginaw River, was the father of our respected fellow-citizen, Charles E. Jennison. With much ado, after losing some of our things in endeavoring to transfer them from the canoe to tie boat, we all got on board, and had the satisfaction of riding ol the first isteamboat that ever floated on the waters of the Saginaw. The 'Governor Marcy' made regular trips to Saginaw once in two weeks during the balance of that season. Some of the early settlers may remember Capt. Gorham who commanded her. He was a complete dandy; I have known him to change his dress three or four times after entering the river before landing at Saginaw. He would sometimes appear on the pilot house of the boat dressed entirely in white, with a broad brimmed Leghorn hat on, motioning as if piloting the boat, when the wheelsman, Capt. Rhodes, who knew every foot of the ground, paid no attention to him. He was superseded in the command before the season was out. 6FIRST STEAMBOAT BUILT ON THE RIVER. 4'In 1847 the business of the Sacyinaw Valley had begun to revive somewhat; the lumber business was carried on in a small way, and at that time a great want was felt for a better means of communication between different points on the Saginaw River, and for some mode of navigating the streams that form the said river. It must be remembered that at the time above mentioned every man had to paddle his own canoe; there was no road between the upper and lower towns on the river that any one but the late James Fraser dared to ride over. At this time Capt. Addison Mowry, a native of Pittsburgh, who was well acquainted wi.-h the navigation of the shoal waters of the upper portion of the Ohio River, conceived the idea that a steamboat modeled after those running on the Ohio, would not only serve for the wants of the Saginaw River, but could be made useful in navigating the streams above. At the suggestion of Capt. Mowry, the late James Fraser, Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, DanielH. Fitzhllgh, Jr., Emerson and Eldridge, and some SAGINAW, BAY CITY AND ALPENA STEAMERS. other parties entered into the project of building such a boat as has been nentioned; and in the Summer of 1847, Mr. Fraser and Daniel:H. Fitzhugh, Jr., went to Pittsburgh and contracted for the engines for a boat, procured a model from which to build one, and commenced in earnest the great undertaking that it then was to build a steamboat on the Saginaw River. The work of construction was carried on near Emerson's mill, at Saginaw, on the east side of the river, for the convenience of getting sawed lumber at the mill. The work on the hull had progressed considerably during the season of 1847, but the boat was not launched till 1848, when she was consigned to the element for which she was intended, and named the 'Buena Vista,' upon which occasion there were great festivities at the 'Hall of Montezuma.' I think the responsibility of providing the materials and superintending the' building of the boat was assigned to Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., and notwithstanding the many difficulties attending that duty, they were all overcome, and in due time the 'Buena Vista' was constantly employed in carrying passengers and towing vessels on the Saginaw River. Addison Mowry was her first captain, and Orrin Kinney, now of Portsmouth, was engineer. The 'Buena Vista,' notwithstanding her awkward appearance, with her stern wheel, answered the purpose for which she was constructed, with the exception of making money for her owners, and the Successful navigation of the upper streams. As an illustration of her failure in the last named point, I will give a little sketch of her first trip to the forks of Bad River. This was before the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad was built, and the people of Shiawassee County were looking for a means of conveying their surplus produce to market, by constructing a plank road to the forks of Bad River, and from that point the pro, J -1 14 - I I-;~-. ~ —i- 1;- ~ ---: ~ ---- - - -- - -. --------- -- ---- I L. - w.e16-re -, — b At K I; - - A, C L -A -D 0!-., I, F _; Om A j HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 59 duce was to be carried by the 'Buena Vista,' or some other light draught boat, to a shipping point on the Saginaw River. To further the project above referred to, a delegation from that county, consisting of Gov. Parsons, of Corunna, and Mr. Gould, of Owosso, came to Saginaw in the Summer of 1849, and when they got ready to return home, it was determined, in order to show the feasibility of the project, to take the delegation on their way, as far as the forks, on board the 'Buena Vista,' and at the same time give an excursion to the citizens of Saginaw. The writer was notified of the intended excursion and was on hand to start with the boat, upon which had congregated for the excursion, a large portion of the male population of Saginaw City, (East Saginaw then was not.) The boat started out in the morning under favorable auspices, expecting to be back at Saginaw by a little past noon, so no provisions for the comfort of the inner man were made except by those who took their rations of fire-water. The boat proceeded on her trip without encountering any difficulties, till we left the Shiawassee and entered the Bad River. That river was so narrow and crooked in places that it was with difficulty that we made any progress; in a short turn in the river the length of the boat was so great that it would rub both banks at the same time, and she had to exercise all the power of her engines to squeeze through. It was near night when we reached a point in the river where the navigation was attended with less difficulty, when a strange whistling sound proceeded from the engines, and the engineer was walking in the water by the side of the boat endeavoring to accomplish something by punching at its side. It was soon ascertained that the pipe which supplied the boilers with water had been filled with mud in dragging over the shoals, and that the boat was being propelled by heated gas. Had the engineer succeeded in letting water into the boilers when thus heated,there would inevitably have been an explosion which.would have caused great loss of life. Before reaching our destination all the metal joints in the steam pipes were melted, and so far as the propelling capacity was concerned, the boat was a complete wreck. It was then near night, and we had all fasted since morning, and the prospect for the night was not very pleasant; when Daniel L. (C. Eaton and E. F. Bird volunteered to take a canoe and paddle to Saginaw, sixteen miles, and return with provisions for the famishing crowd. They performed their duty faithfully, for which service they will always be held in grateful remembrance by all who partook of the bountiful supply of provisions, which they brought to the crowd about one o'clock in the morning, and which the good ladies of Saginaw City had supplied them with, by emptying their larders of cooked provisions. The next day the excursionists exercised their muscles in performing a pedestrian tour through the wilderness, by way of Swan Creek and the Tittabawassee to Saginaw. The 'Buena Vista' remained at the forks a few days till her steam pipes and boilers were repaired, when she returned to her duties on the Saginaw,which she performed till other boats came to take her place. "The 'Buena Vista' is described as having been a 'homely' affair, being all hold and no cabin, and supplied with rows of benches for seats. "The machinery of the 'Buena Vista' was afterwards transferred to the 'Whitney,' which was the first steamboat built at the lower end of the river. She was built at Bangor by Thomas Whitney & Co., and was commanded by Daniel Burns, of local notoriety. "The next steamboat after the 'Buena Vista,' to ply these waters, was the 'Gen. Wolcott,' brought here in 1850 by Capt. Darius Cole, to run between Lower Saginaw and Saginaw, thus forming the first river line ever operated here. "One of the incidents of the early days was a race between the 'Buena Vista' and the 'Wolcott.' Daniel Burns commanded the first named boat, and getting in too great a hurry at the outset, started all the joints in his racer before he was five miles out, thus losing the $100 stakes." "CAPT. DARiUS COLE is one of the pioneer vessel men of Michigan, and particularly of the Saginaw Valley. He was born in Wales, Erie Co., N. Y., October 11, 1818. As early as 1835, before Michigan became a state, he came West to Detroit, and afterwards helped to survey the territory of Iowa. Most of his life has been spent in the management of boating interests, and at an early day he sailed on the lakes. As early as 1848 he came to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, with a vessel, bringing supplies and taking back a load of furs. In 1850 he came here with the steamer "Gen. Wolcott" and ran it between this point and Saginaw, thus forming the first river line ever operated here. Before that the business had been done with canoes and skiffs. In 1854 he bought the steamer "Columbia" and run her between this point and Detroit. He operated the river line until a few years ago, when he sold out. In company with Capt. Holt he now has three boats and operates a line between Bay City and Alpena. Captain Cole is a genial gentleman and is a well stocked encyclopaedia of early reminiscence and events. He has had a successful business career and amassed a handsome property. He owns considerable real estate in Bay City, but his family residence has always been in Detroit. His business office is in Bay City, and most of his time is spent here, especially during the season of navigation. BRIDGES. Previous to 1865 the only means of transit across the Saginaw River was by row-boats or ferry. In 1863 a steam flat-boat superseded the rope ferry. In 1864 a stock company was formed and a wooden bridge built between the foot of Third Street, Bay City, and Midland Street, Wenona. This bridge was 1,900 feet in length and cost $35,000. It was opened for travel in 1865. In 1876 the wooden structure was replaced by the present magnificent iron bridge. The bridge company continued to the Winter of 1883, and up to that time it was a toll bridge. At that time Bay County purchased the bridge and the toll system was abolished. In 1876 another bridge was constructed from the foot of Twenty-Third Street to Salzburgh. The bridge of the Detroit and Bay City Railroad was built in 1873. THE COURTS AND BAR. One of the first institutions established in a community of pioneers has invariably been some sort of a court of justice, where law could be expounded, justice administered, and other kinds of business, too numerous to mention, transacted. The justice of the peace who presided over the principal court of the early days, was necessarily a being of varied attainments, at least in theory if not in fact. It was his business to unite in holy bonds of matrimony such as desired to be pronounced, and to separate by solemn decree of divorce such as could show just and sufficient cause. He must also apply the principles of law and justice to the whole range of offenses, from murder to neighborhood quarrels. PRESENT SYSTEM OF JUDICIARY. The present system of judiciary of Michigan is most excellent, but it has been developed through a tortuous way. From the date of the settlement of Detroit by the French in 1701, the people of the region now included in the state of Michigan have lived to the present time under various forms of governments-edicts of kings, orders of military commanders, decrees of imperial parliaments and provincial governors, ordinances of national congresses, e 4 I I I-.a L z-N. - _r, (b) I I I Jm 60 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I enactments of territorial governors and councils, provisions of state constitutions, and the laws of the state Legislature. From the coutume'de Paris to the last state constitution and enactments of the last state Legislature, the changes of 182 years have left their impress along the devious ways. THE COURTS. The Circuit Court of Saginaw County was established under an act of the Territorial Legislature Assembly, approved February 12, 1835, which provided that a term of court should be held for the county of Saginaw on Tuesday next after the fourth Monday in June, and on the second Tuesday next after the fourth Monday in January in each year. Among the first acts of the State Legislature was one dealing with the Circuit Court. It decreed that "the Fourth Circuit shall be composed of the counties of Oakland, Lapeer, Shiawassee, Genesee, Saginaw, Ionia and Kent, and the counties attached thereto, for judicial purposes." The sessions of the Fourth Circuit were ordered to be held at Saginaw on the third Tuesdays of February and July in each year. Subsequently the term was changed to May. In after years, a desire to have the Spring term of the court held in April was expressed. Among the bills passed by the Legislature during the Winter session of 1858-'59 was one changing the terms of the Supreme Court and reorganizing circuit districts. The Spring term of the Supreme Court was authorized to be held on the first Monday of April instead of May. Saginaw County was detached from the Seventh Circuit and added to the Tenth, which henceforth comprised Saginaw, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Iosco, Bay and Alpena. June 25, 1857, John Robertson vs. Harvey Williams was the first suit in the Bay County Circuit Court, W. L. Sherman, attorney for plaintiff; May 31, 1858, George Lord vs. Joseph P. Whittemore, W. L. Sherman attorney for plaintiff; June 2, 1858, Andrew C. Maxwell vs. James J. McCormick, Maxwell & Wisner for plaintiff, and James Birney for defendant. No court, however, was held in which to try cases until April, 1859, when Judge Wilber F. Woodworth presided. The Grand Jury empaneled for this session consisted of J. S. Barclay, Henry M. Bradley, John Burdon, Daniel Burns, Jonathan Burtch, Calvin C. C. Chilson, W. L. Fay, Lyman Garrison, B. B. Hart, Christian Heinzmann, Fred Keisler, Nathan Knight, Alexander McKay, Gunder Miller, John W. Putnam, Henry Raymond, Harvey Stewart, Edward Vosburg, Albert Wedthoff and Michael Winterhalter. Henry Raymond was chosen foreman. The building used for a court house stood where the south end of the new Denison Block now stands on Water Street. The first man convicted of murder in the county was Peter Van Gestle, for the murder of Peter Van Wert. The murder was committed in Bay County, January 31, 1859. The following April Van Gestle was tried, convicted and sentenced to solitary confinement for life. In 1861, Judge Woodworth resigned, and Hon. James Birney was appointed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term. He was succeeded by J. G. Sutherland, who resigned in 1870 upon his election to Congress. Then came John Moore and T. C. Grier. The latter died in 1872, and was succeeded by Hon. Sanford M. Green, who is still upon the bench. Bay County is now a part of the eighteenth judicial district. The terms of court are the first Tuesday of March, September and December, and the third Tuesday in June. SANFORD M. GREEN, circuit judge Bay City, was born May 80, 1807, at Grafton, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He is a descendant of the Greens of Rhode Island. His father was a farmer of limited estate and uneducated. He permitted his son to purchase his!! i - time at the age of sixteen years, and at that early age he left the parental roof. During the next three years he labored on a farm for wages, and applied himself to study, in the intervals of labor, under a private instructor. Up to this time he had never had any instructor in, or given any attention to, geography or English grammar. At the age of nineteen he had qualified himself to teach, though he had only attended school, and that a common school, for three months. For two years he taught school in Winter, and continued to labor on a farm through the remainder of the year. In 1828 he commenced the study of law, and in the same year, cast his first vote for President Jackson. He read law for a time with George C. Sherman, and afterwards with Judge Ford, eminent lawyer of New York; still later he pursued his reading in the office of Stirling & Bronson, of Watertown. Having pursued his studies for five years, he was admitted to the bar as an attorney at law and solicitor in chancery. He went into practice at Brownville, N. Y., and pursued it there until 1835, when he lemoved to the city of Rochester, where he became partner of the late Hon. H. L. Stevens On Mr. Stevens removing to Michigan a year afterwards, he formed a partnership with I. A. Eastman, Esq., with whom he continued until 1837. In the Spring of that year he became interested in the land on which the city of Owosso, Mich., has since been built, and went there to reside. He assisted in laying the foundation of the thriving town and continued to live there for six years. During this period he held the offices of justice of the peace, supervisor, assessor of a school district and prosecuting attorney of Shiawassee County. At the election of 1842 he was elected state senator, and served for two years. At the close of his term as senator, in 1844 he was appointed by the chancellor and judges of the Supreme Court to revise the statutes of the state, and was required to report his revision at the commencement of the legislative session of 1846. He served during this term in the Senate as chairman of the judiciary committee. As such he reported the bill providing for that revision, and for the appointment, by the governor, of the commissioner to prepare it. The bill was passed by the Senate in this form. After it went to the House the question was started who should be appointed commissioner. Senator Green was the general choice, /but under the bill which he reported, and as it passed the Senate, he was ineligible, as the then constitution prohibited the appointment by the governor of any person to an office, created by the Legislature of which he was a member. To obviate this objection, the House amended the bill so as to transfer the appointing power to the judiciary, and the amendment was concurred in by the Senate. His appointment was recommended by the entire Senate, with one or two exceptions, and by all the professional men in the House. In 1843 he removed to Pontiac, and there he prepared his revision. It was reported at the time prescribed, was adopted by the Legislature, with some amendments, and went into effect March 1, 1847. He was re-elected to the Senate immediately before making his report. On the resignation of Judge Ransom, in 1848, after his election as governor and the transfer of Judge Whipple to the third circuit to fill the vacancy, Judge Green was appointed to fill the vacancy in the fourth circuit as Judge Whipple's successor. In this position of circuit judge, and ex-officio judge of the Supreme Court, of which he was presiding judge for two years, he served until the re-organization of the latter court in 1858. After this change in the judiciary, he continued to hold the office of circuit judge of the Sixth Circuit until 1867, when he resigned. IHe immediately removed to Bay City, and thenceforth devoted himself to the practice of law until he was appointed, in June, 1872, circuit judge of the Eighteenth Circuit, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Grier. In this position he is still acting. In 1860 I I I I IR J.4 e) I s T-a j........... V I Z -*-^:L I D I __ _ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 61 - I i he prepared and published a work on the practice of circuit courts. An edition of 1,200 copies was issued, and so eagerly was it sought for by the profession that nearly every copy has been sold. The important and conspicuous part performed by Judge Green, officially and otherwise, in giving judicious form and system to the statutes and the practice of the courts of this state, and in improving its general jurisprudence is worthy of a more extended notice than is admissible in this brief memoir. The revised statutes of 1846 have remained now for a quarter of a century, and no effort has been made to supersede it by another. Two compilations have been made to bring together, in convenient form, the numerous changes made necessary by national events by the expanding enterprise of the time and the rapid development of our local resources, but the general features of that revision remain. His judicial record for over twenty years as a nisi prius judge, and for ten years in the Court of Last Resort is creditable alike to the state and to him. The opinions of the court prepared and read by him, published in the first four volumes of the Michigan Reports, are clear and forcible in style; they show a thorough acquaintance with the subjects involved, a modest deference to the current of decision by other courts, a clear perception of the ethical philosophy of the law, a constant appreciation of its great purpose and a bold adherence to recognized principles. These contain the results of his mature judgment after deliberate consideration. But he has exhibited in his long service at the circuit a wider range of judicial qualities than can be called into exercise in a purely Appellate Court. He possesses rare qualifications for the nisi prius bench, for trial of questions of fact. His analytical mind enables him at once to put aside what is foreign to the subject of inquiry, and to so classify the material evidentiary facts, as to disentangle the most intricate case, and bring order out of apparent chaos. His knowledge of the law is profound; he has mastered and digested it as a great moral science.; In the administration of it, he is ready without being precipitate, dignified without austerity, patient and attentive to arguments, and independent and uniformly impartial in his decision. He is ever serene and selfpossessed, however the bustle and excitement of important trials may affect parties, council or public. He is popular with the profession and enjoys the fullest confidence of the public. On his retirement from the bench in 1867 he was tendered a public dinner at Pontiac, and the festive occasion was emphasized by the presentation of a beautiful silver service, with toasts and speeches abounding in compliments well merited, and which had the ring of "well done, good and faithful servant." Nor is Judge Green a mere judge or justice; his reading has been extensive. He is, in short, a man of refinement and general culture, with broad and liberal views. PROBATE COURT. At the first election held in Bay County on the first Monday in June, 1857, Sydney S. Campbell was elected judge of probate. The first business transacted in his court was an application for the appointment of Michael Winterhalter as administrator of the estate of Frederick Wintermur, deceased. Mr. Campbell held the office until January 1, 1869, and was succeeded by Hon. H. H. Hatch, who served one term. Then followed J. W. McMath, John Hyde and Thomas E. Webster, the latter being the present incumbent. BAY COUNTY BAR. The first lawyers in Lower Saginaw were W. L. Sherman, C. H. Freeman, James Birney, Stephen Wright and James Fox. W. L. SHERMAN was born in Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 20, 1819; was admitted to the bar in 1837, and began the practice of law at Adams, N. Y. In 1854 he settled in Lower Sag inaw and was engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred June 30, 1865. He left a wife and two children, who still reside in Bay City. CHESTER H. FREEMAN is the pioneer member of the Bay County bar, having begun practice in Lower Saginaw as early as 1855, ber fore Bay County was organized. Mr. Freeman was born in Williamstown, Oswego Co., N. Y., February 28, 1822. His father was an extensive farmer, and a practicing physician. The subject of this sketch spent his early years assisting upon the farm and attending school. There is a tradition of his school days that he was a studious youth, and peaceably inclined, but when a weaker party was abused he made it a rule to interfere, and some one whose name was not Freeman experienced disastrous consequences. Sometimes the chastisement was visited upon another pupil and sometimes upon a teacher. In 1887 he entered Cazenovia Seminary, where he remained one year. He then taught for a time and afterwards attended school at Mexico, N. Y., about three years. He then returned to the farm, where he remained ten years. April 3, 1844, he married Ellen 0. Davis, of Williamstown, N. Y. While at school he began the study of law, which he afterwards resumed, and was admitted to the bar at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1854. After practicing about a year he came West and settled in Lower Saginaw in July, 1855. He opened an office on Water Street at the foot of Center Street. In the Fall his family arrived, and they were established in rooms in the Watson Block. In the Fall of 1856, Mr. Freeman went into the woods and purchased a lot where his present residence stands, on the corner of Third and Madison Streets, where he built a frame house which the family immediately occupied. All that area was low ground and most of the time covered with water. Mr. Freeman built a sidewalk leading to his house, which was known as "Freeman's temperance sidewalk." It consisted of planks laid on blocks, making a sidewalk about one foot wide, and elevated nearly two feet from terra firma. During a wet time this would be submerged in places. The house stood upon a little mound, which was the only redeeming feature of the locality. This was pioneer life. Mr. Freeman was a young man of more than average mental and physical vigor, and soon took a commanding position in the new country. In 1857, Bay County was organized and he was elected prosecuting attorney. Then came the fight to maintain the separate county organization. The history of this peculiar and severe struggle is faithfully portrayed elsewhere in this work. Mr. Freeman drew the bill passed by the Legislature, and when the validity of the organization was assailed, he stoutly defended it. Although he stood almost alone, he never wavered in his belief or determination to fight for it to the end. It was a most critical situation. He was a young man and of recent advent into the country. If he failed the result must inevitably prove fatal to his future prospects. He did not fail, but followed the contest to a successful issue and achieved a great triumph, not alone for himself, but for the county. His courage and ability in that struggle can never be questioned. In 1860 he was stricken with sciatica, from which he suffered intensely most of the time for nearly ten years. He has never fully recovered from the effects of it, but for the past thirteen years has been able to attend to his business. In 1872 he built the brick residence and office, which he now occupies, upon the lot before described. At the present time no trace of the swamp, or rough surroundings, remain, but broad, handsome streets, and beautiful homes are there instead. Mr. Freeman has accumulated a large amount of propertynotwithstanding the severe struggle with disease, which for nearly ten years rendered him helpless. He has built a number of dwelling houses and stores, some of which he still owns. He was for some time Circuit Court commissioner, and as highway commissioner laid out some of the most important i W-l I;-o 3 a r --