F 77777 7777777 WIN ,77777777 to AN .~,,,,,I Iiu II" ii i i U ""-= relr l"l(I!i;:i ii ir;i aultLI"''C':r!d L"nYRij%l~a.Prr —arUL —-Blylll tftLtW~Tllli;B:PII1 1I#a~lFii`iciiso3bit:EY$ i;filPYi3JYlrZBI;AE:: itL iltf ijtli: iiil;i, t iisriBE1JEj";l'rhlgSfi""lra ~bFB ii [;i~~ liri iii 9? 16ii,i,, i; iifiiltfW ig 'i liiii8 i gi """ 1; 1~; I ii(:: ii i;i::: i iiSii:i';~ s;.:i;','!. ii" ii~i ;rii i ':i 1;;,,:i:: "' liiiiii 'i "il '~ i; i;: B11;j.,i I: ai. it; L:I rl ii:,i -;I!n~i I;;;r riti iii i:i;r; I,;,:r:,::::i; I ~ i: j:i ~(: ii,iim i~;~ iili:il.~. i '~r:;il iiU " if 'I, ilii i''j ii ii:..: i 'i P it I;:i.C ~"" ~-, i;:ii?;::":~I-ri: ill. li;ii-J ii 1 ~riii it i, 1;1 i:;I ri i: i iin,,., ~ ~: r ii~m i ~I ~w I:; i ~i, i iiii ua ~~: i i 1; iir ~~: r~ i 1 I:i~:t iiii Silij;ni:i i?ji;i ~~I: ji;i ii81 Nlf;: i r:ili ~I i:jil iii:' i~:i x 1:i;; ~: iit i;i;il ii IBIEgsla'ii~aill~ -rrsFttMdPsr'lcnss? sE1 ijf ~~;-~::; " ~I;~ I: i r9 ii; ii ii it:..,~i i::::ris~`:: iii at:! I ii:it -i,7:i:i,, ir-:iii:i i;,;riL "-i ii':i ~:r i ~ia il:i rl-:;;u; il!i;~ i;;! I;i: i;i i: ?i ~~I I Qlihi 'ii;'ii ' i;ili i!;i:ii r fi ii'ii: 1..~13 i i; ii:: t Piijir;i i?!i ii ~- iii i; i!a ii ii~~ i- I u: i;r ";ri:~: i ii I ~::,~:i ~ i 'i.rI: ~iirl i. ii iir:: -~i r:; 2 U:: 'ir i ii i! ~i ii;:!~1: jt I: ":'";,i ii Ul;ii'ii li~i I:~-i iii C::i nue!. i '::::ii:i *,:wi; lr '-!i:I!:in ii r; I; r:ri: nl:!; Oi:i;i." I iii; pi[ i):,1 ~i:; i;i;ii ni:n~,i;i i I ':~: ii;~i;lil i; f::i ii I':i:lili, ill;~ 1' ~'i j: B;Y: I ' m(rctinarJlr:ii '';~ii i! di ii;;I ii irl (iii.:::ii i I.liiiY iii ii;iii: ii,!:i ii ii:i I!i I:i ii: I;iiji? iii!li i:? '' t i~i:i; ~; ri ii ii: -I;;;il; i':'i i; i ii i'-" ii t;; 'Biis, iii ~!I ~ ~.: Li. — i.i ii i:ii'.iil!ili i 111 1 illiil ii i:i i r -~ iliiU fli i; ij ii i i; ~ i:I ii i: ii i!::;ii i, i:;:~ ~:' i, ri r i i: 'r:.ii ':ir:::: i i~: I II -t I;::-v f: r'ii I! I~~ii:: -ri ' 'ii i',U c ~i i; i.:i! r~;:r ii i; ii- -I? i~ i'.:: i~ ~i i';;; i II! + ji: I:I 1 i -illBDIPINUI; alr L in v 1 I iijj ~" I, i;: ~- II!;~:i" ~; "!;:;; i:. rl i:.; r!/j ~;:i::;ii;; i iii i;i ~!: I: r*;i r;; i;i ?::-~ t~l:';:iT~~i,I-I - i: i!i~ i:n iiliYIL.: i;lln il " I' ':j I '~ ':U J:i i' i:: ti:ii ii i:~~ 1- ijiiii:.i-: iii I~,, r ii! if;i,i: i: i ii:::.I ii;: Lii ii ii I ri i:i.:I ~t- I i;i li~' i;i I' ':I '''~'":'u,i iii: ";! " ul~f ~~i:i, i?' ~' "'',ri~:i' f;i!'I ii I: ii! r~::i;~~ i:. rj-c 'li';ti.'i ii i; i:I; i: I:i! II ir ~ii i iir i it nii ii:i:1:1,~i r, ri! rt ii li. i~i~ n;irii i;:i i i: ci i;r:~ i it i~!'i i r i; " i~!i;:ii iilr?i iii;I~ii:I; ii I:I Ut 'I iii ii:;~1;i`:i',i!';L~ii~i;i'!~i r' i ~i:i:: i':i Ir rI:iii ":I -j' iin li:li i;;i;; i: r tiri;Ir; ii-1 i I;:ii: iii; "!' 1 ii i;::i ii: -i"ii i:i n~ ~ ~;;~~;iiifiii i iI;~:;E-!n u!~;_.. iii ' - ii' ~~! 1 - i ' ' 1;-ae:?1PUrlOii::.' ii iii ~i:~:,- ~ i:l I i ii r I:: ' I::!nii -~ i: i;;:ii iliii ii 1 ii:: 19 i ~~j;I ilii! ii `i ii i:i~:~ ~i i:;~ j: k "" ~I:ilr (i";I: ill,~i ii:-~9j ri:: i:I~i;::: i i i I~)-.R1 iil -li-i ii iln i;~;n iI:, iI ti I, ii:~i ~I!1 'i~ r:, i;; i~i::S iii':::i i 1 ii:i:: I: i;I:_r,i-t i"; ~in,I I):n '` % i ~:i I I_ I A _-. AIZ A. 1 I Z 1 1. ' 1 V h:::: < i < Q G <::<0t0:: f: \: ff:;f X ff 0 I It. I' n X4-c1c, IM,~~? WON ",26' I f. o I CHICAGO: 4q. PR. F^lkc. x C 1883. i 'I- — '" I I'I L x ^ ^ _ ^^ ^ ^ ^ —^- ^ ^ ^ -^ < -l ^ -g ^ ^->-^?- -&r:: *< *-tIfe 5-^\<^\^.~?_ U-S-*-~-, B"-^^"'^" ^ '^ ^~~/^'/^; _ _ __ = __ _-/ sIN", g.ss'<9'-.'."\'<&sx\B. sxQM >9 \,\'%, \"\\%" 4MV "MN,,- — 7, --- - _ j ---- -...I. - I........ I J I * r 11 6 1-0 44 - I.d *A ]:: ' S a?:fff::00 S t::: 0 t; i: ft:? 00::? S:;:::; 0:::E::::S 0:::::::::: f:::: X::: ' 0:: t f: 0:::: I;j i: ~i:L::L::; #S:: - - I - _ - I 0 '00 ^P l MP HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY..... 9 Introductory.......................... 9 Indian Traditions and Treaties.......... 9 Indian Stoicism and Courage............ 13 Early Traders and First Residents....... 14 First Symptons 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 0 nty and Township Organization...... 34 Sawmills, Logs and Lumber............. 38 Logging Operations.................... 45 aftting Operations..................... 46 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 First Mayor of Bay City................ 83 City Officers........................... 83 Present City Officers.................... 83 Present Mayor of Bay City.............. 84 Churches and Church History........... 84 Schools of Bay City....................92 Bay City Postoffices.................... 94 Bay City Newspapers...................95 Banks and Banking.................. 97 Fires and Fire Protection............... 100 Fire Department....................... 103 Fire Limits...........................103 Secret and Benevolent Societies.........103 A Pioneer Business..................... 105 The Public Library....................106 Street Railway................... 106 Burial Grounds....................... 106 Bay County Divided....................107 HISTORY OF THE SHORE......108 Recalling the Past....................108 Review of 1866........................108 Review of 1867....................... 109 Review of 1868........................110 Review of 1869.........................111 Review of 1870.........................112 Review of 1872.......................114 Review of 1873.........................114 Review of 1875.....................115 Product of 1876.......................116 Product of 1878-79.....................116 Product of 1880.......................116 Product of 1881................. 116 Product of 1882.......................117 Fisheries.............................. 117 The Shore Region in 1871...............118 The Shore Mail Route..................120 - -: f HISTORY OF IOSCO COUNTY... 121 First Proceedings of Supervisors........ 121 Township] Organization................. 122 County Seat...........................124 Agriculture..................... 125 Descriptive............................ 126 Statistical.........................129 Aggreogate Valuations...................129 Detroit, Bay City & Alpena R. R.........130 County Agricultural Society.............130 The Salt Interest......................131 Inland M ills...........................132 County Officers.........................133 Present County Officers................ 133 Village of Tawas City................. 134 Churches.............................. 137 Schools................................138 Societies............................. 138 Principal Fires.........................139 Tawas City in 1877............... 139 Tawas City Mills.......................142 Tawas City in 1880.................... 142 Biographical........................... 143 East Tawas Village.................... 147 Postoffice..........................147T Churches.............................148 Schools...............................149 Early Comers......................... 149 East Tawas in 1872.....................152 Societies......... 153 loseo County Gazette................ 155 B anking..............................155 Hardware Business.................. 155 East Tawas Sawmills...................155 East Tawas in 1880..................... 156 Biographical............... 158 Au Sable and Oscoda...................161 Au Sable in 1873.......................161 Au Sable Village................ 162 Early Reside ts........................ 165 O rganic................................ 167 The National Hotel....................169 Michigan Transportation Co............169 Biograpl)ical..1................. 171 Oscoda Village.........................174 Church History.......................174 Societies...............................176 Pioneer Residents.....................177 Oscoda Postoffice.......................178 Biographical........................... 179 Sawmills..................... 183 Boom and Improvement Companies......189 HISTORY OF ALPENA COUNTY. 191 O rganic...............................193 County and Township Officers...........196 Judicial...............................197 L egislative............................. 197 Hydrographical........................ 197 Alpena County Farming................ 199 Alpena City.................*........03 Personal Reminiscence.. 2'06 Alpena in 1864........................210 Stray Paragraphs......................211 Alpena Postoffice....... 214 Church History........................215 Scbools............................. 218 Lodges and Societies................... 219 Pioneer Physicians.....................221 Newspapers................... 222 Alpena Hotels..........................224 Early Settlers.............. 226 City Government.......................230 Principal Fires........................ 233 Alpena Magnetic Spring............ 237 Banking............................. 238 Alpena Lime Works....................238 Warren & Macdonald...................239 Crippen Foundry and Machine Shop....239 Lumbering............................. 241 Mills and Mill Owners..................242 Business at Alpena in 1882.............. 245 Biographical...................-..... 246 HISTORY OF AICONA COUNTY.255 Descriptive........................... 255 Hydrographical................. 256 Early Historyv..........................256 First Actual Settler.....................258 Agricultural Society....................262 Dock Company........................ 264 Backward Glances......................265 Civil History..........................267 County Officers in 1883.................267 Alcona Township...................... 268 Curtis Towns hip....................... 268 Black River Village.............:.269 Greenbush Village......................270 Springport..................270 Harrisville Village...................... 271 Harrisville in 1877.....................271 Harrisville in 1878..................... 271 Schools...............................272 Churches............................. 272 Civic Institutions.....................272 Weston, Colwell & Co..................274 Biographies of Bay County. Andrews, M. M......................... 99 Avery, John H................ 49 Barclay, J. S........................... 74 B arney, C............................. 28 Beckwith, Luther.......................62 Bennett, Edwin T.............. 96 Birdsall & Barker...................... 50 Birney, James G....................... 68 Birney, Judge J................... 69 Bradley, N. B.......................... 83 Bradley, F. E. & Co.................... 48 Bradley, N. B. & Sons............. 49 Briscoe, R. J.................. 50 Browne. Frederick P................... 98 Bump, Orrin.........................................99 Bump, Charles M......................99 Campbell, Henry M..................... 49 Cqmpbell, S. S......................... 65 Carney, Thomas, Sr.................... 75 Carrier & Co.......................... 50 Carrier, Edwin G...................... 50 Catlin, Israel........................... 72 Catlin, William......................... 76 Cole, Capt. Darius..................... 59 Cooke, Aaron J........................ 105 Cottrell, C. B........................ 75 Daily, M ichael......................... 29 D etroit M ill............................ 50 Dolsen, Chapin & Co................... 50 Drake, John.......................... 77 II VI -l I.m Tr.:L I = m -~ - - I k_ 9 n*- — I -... CONTENTS- CONTINUED. I~ Eddy, Avery & Eddy................ 49 Eddy Bros. & Co.......................50 Eddy, John F......................... 49 E ddy, S............................... 51 Fay, W. L.......................... 78 F isher, C. 1).......................... 95 Fitzhugh, Charles C.................... 68 Fltzhugh, Dr. D. H..................... 68 Fitzhugh, D. H., Jr.................... 68 Fitzhugh, Frank....................... 68 Fitzhugh, W illiam D.................... 68 Folsom at Arnold................. 50 Fraser, Jam es.......................... 66 Freeman, Chester H.................... 61 G ates, S. G. I......................... 48 Green & Stevens...................... 51 Green, James A....................... 51 Green, Sanford M...................... 60 G rier, T. C............................ 62 Hamilton & McGregor.................. 48 Hargrave, E. J. & Son.................. 51 H argrave, E. J......................... 51 Harquell, J. L.......................... 96 Hart, B.;B............................. 73 H art, Julius B......................... 73 Hatch, Herschel H..................... 63 Hay, Butman & Co..................... 50 H einzmann, C.........................78 H itchcock, J. R........................ 49 Hotchkiss. L. L. & Co................. 53 JennisoD, Charles E.................... 76 Johnson, F............................. 52 Keystone L. & S. Mfg. Co............... 52 Laderach Bros......................... 52 Laing. Jam es.......................... 50 L ewis, C. E............................ 52 Lewis, George......................... 100 Lewis, George F.......................... 96 Lord, G eorge.......................... 77 McCormick, James................... 22 McCormick, James J...................26 McCormick, Wm. R.................... 27 McDonell, Archibald.................... 62 McEwan, Alexander.................... 48 ' McEwan, John.................... 78 M cEwan, John......................... 48 McEwan, William.....................78 MeEwan, William A.................... 48 McKay, Alexander.................... 75 McLean, S. Son & Co................. 49 Malone, W. H. & Co................... 53 M arsac, Capt. Jos. F.................... 29 M arston, Isaac...................... 62 Maxwell, Andrew C.................... 62 M iller, Albert......................... 48 Milller & Br s.......................... 51 Miller, Judge Albert................... 18 M il er, Jesse M......................... 76 M iller & Lewis....................... 48 M unger, Curtis......................... 73 Murphy & Dorr........................51 Myers, 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...................... 8 Rogers, Thomas................ 27 Romer, Jesse F...................... 105 Rouse Bros............................ 53 Rust, A. & Bros........................ 50 Sage, H. W. & Co...................... 51 Sherman, W. L........................ 61 Sim on, 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 Tromn bley, Joseph...................... 78 Tronmbley, Medor....................... 16 W alker, Theodore...................... 70 W arren, Byron E...................... 98 W atson, James....................... 75 Weadock, Thomas A. E.................. 84 W elch, John........................... 52 W estover, F. L......................... 95 W estover, W illiam...................... 99 W ight, J. Ambrose..................... 88 Willson, Capt John S.................. 30 Young, George H...................... 100 Biographies of Iosco County. Adams, Charles F...................... 150 Adam s, J. C........................... 150 Allen, Alfred.........................178 Allison, L................... 160 Allison, Tho as........................ 182 Alley, Capt. James......................152 Anschutz, R. G........................ 152 Armstrong, G. F....................... 173 Barlow, Jam es........................ 177 Benner, George B...................... 167 Bennett, J. W.......................... 183 Bonefant, Alex.........................173 Bourbonnais, Alfred.......................178 Bowker, Benjamin...................... 164 Boynton, Lewis..................... 181 B uell, Scot........................ 173 Campbell, Donald N.................... 172 Carpenter, Oren N...................... 159 Carriveaux, Antoine.................... 161 Cherryman, F. A....................... 181 Chevrier, J. A. C....................... 182 Chilson, Samuel W..................... 150 Chisholm, D. & Co............. 180 Clough, W. H........................ 159 Crippen, Chancey...................... 179 Curry Br(,s.......................... 146 Curtis, Peter & Co.....................173 Curtis. Peter.................173 Cutcheon, Otis E. M....................179 Davidson, Robert.......................173 Diet z, Cornelius.................. 166 Dimmick, Joseph...................... 158 Donohue, D.................... 151 Dudgeon, Joseph...................... 180 Dudgeon, Mrs. Margaret................ 178 Duell, George Hulett...................163 D uell, Jesse............................ 164 Duncan, James S....................... 169 Dupraw, N. B.......................... 146 East Tawas Salt & Lumber Co........... 155 Em ery M ill............................156 Emery,Temple......................... 159 Esmond.Clark......................... 133 E sson, J. J............................. 160 Faulkner, Isidore..................... 183 Ferris, J. W........................... 179 Foley, Michael........................146 Forrest, James E.......................165 Fournier, Henry........................152 Gabriel, Charles W.................... 150 Garlock, S............................. 152 Gates, Dr. T. 0........................ 160 Glennie, John William................. 170 Goodale, Dr. H. A......................158 Gordon,Alexander...................... 150 Graham, J. F...........................173 Gram, John C..........................188 Grant, John A..........................152 Green, Nelson..........................120 Grise, Dennis & Bro.................... 146 Guiley, D. E........................... 133 Gunsolley, James......................161 H ale, C. D.............................143 H all, A. J..............................180 Hamilton, James....................... 145 Hanfor, C. H..........................180 H anlon, James......................... 171 Harvey, M. E...............173 Hawkins, John.......................182 Hennigar, Noah......................... 177 Henry, Charles R......................168 H ervey, R. D..........................187 H ewlett, H. N..........................183 H icks, C. V............................180 H ill, D aniel............................ 182 H ill, Granger.......................... 179 H ively, W. N...........................173 Holmes, Edwin F...................... 188 H orner, M. I...........................173 Horton, WVilliam D..................... 165 H ough, E............................. 171 Hubbell, Charles H.....................146 H unt, Charles......................... 137 Huston, John............... 146 Innes, A. J............................ 172 Jackson, (C. R.......................... 155 Johnson, J. B......................... 181 Joslin, Charles M....................... 150 Kelley & Sawtelle...................... 171 Kelley, Charles........................172 Kelley, F. H........................... 172 K elly, W. A............................145 K elly, W. B............................145 Kennedy, Thomas H. D................ 174 Kerwin, James........................173 King, H enry C.........................178 King, John W......................... 159 K ing, R. P.............................180 La Berge, James........................159 La Clair, M. L....................... 181 La Clare, L. V........................ 183 Laird, S. B........................... 138 Lanktree, J. W........................172 Lee, Robert T......................... 183 Lipscomb, Nelson......................171 L ocke M ill............................156 Locke, William M......................149 L oud, A. R............................184 Loud, Edward F.......................156 Loud, Henry M........................184 Iowe, D. G............................160 Mi Bean, George A..................... 183 M cCoy, James.......................... 166 McDonald, Angus F.................... 167 McDonald, D. A....................... 172 McDonald, Donald B................... 172 McDonald, Hugh....................... 151 McDonald, John C..................... 166 McDonald, John C. P...................172 M cDonnell, A. J.......................167 McFarlane, Malcolm....................167 McFarlane, William.................... 173 McGarrity, James.. 166 M cIvor, James......................... 146 McKay, George D...... 178 McKenzie, Donald...................... 171 McLeod, Roderick..................... 178 M arvin, C E........................... 179 M ackin, J. F........................... 160 M ason, O. S........................... 182 Mather, Ephraim...................... 166 M iles, John............................ 166 M ilen, John...........................181 M iller, E li............................. 166 M ills, W illiam.......................... 132 Miner, Joseph................... 151 M iner, M.............................. 143 Moore & Tanner....................... 188 M ount, J. F........................... 182 Mudge, Sylvester...................... 182 Muncey, Jesse & Isaac.................. 164 M urphy, Patrick........................ 166 M yers, A..............................150 Nightingale, H. O...................... 160 Nisbet, William........................145 Oakes, B. F............................16 0 Ortlh, George.......................... 171 Osborn, Reuben........................ 151 O'Toole, Felix.........................164 Pack, George W....................... 188 Pack, Greene.......................... 188 Parfit, Archibald.......................150 Pearson, R. P.......................... 174 Pellette, William L.................... 178 Penoyar Bros.......................... 185 Penoyar, W. C.........................185 Penoyar, W. V............185 Phillips, Alfred................180 Phillips Bros.........................170 9 j \ (e r. ----— 1 A n: ia el he A::I::: a 7I::: 0::I I:: 4 CONTENTS-CONTINUED. — W 0 7 I Phillips Bros...........................170 Phillips, H. G..........................170 Phillips, Lu e..........................170 PrattBR............................. 159 Prescott, C. H.........................143 Quackenbusb, S. L................... 159 Quinn, James.......................... 166 Bamage,N. & W......................146 Reeves, Dr. James................. 154 Richards, Benjamin......................155 Richards, R. A.....................180 Rix. William H...................178 Robinson, Joseph L.................... 152 Uockwo d, E..........................181 -bethke, Alexan'der.....................174 ogers, Anthony......................177 Bogers, Jnstes......................... 166 Bssell, H~enry.........................174 S te, J. E........................ 172 Sawyer, Solon..........................151 Schaiuadan, Thomas.................... 172 Schieffeler,J. A.F.....138 Schmeck, J. H.........................148 Schofield, Fred........................179 Scholtz, Daniel......................... 183 Sharkey, John......................... 182 Shien, Peter.......................... 177 Sim on, T..............................146 Simpson, W. H.........................171 Smith, George P....................... 156 Smith, Lyman B....................... 143 Smith, L H................ 181 Smith, Phineas......................... 160 Solomon, Selig........................ 169 Spileman, E. B........................145 Stoats, J. B........................... 155 Stanley, John K.......................182 Stevens, William C0..................... 158 Stockman, Horace D.................... 164 Sutherland, Dr. F. L....................179 Tanner, Charles....................... 188 Tawas Iron Works......................155 Taylor, Sibley Or....................... 133 Thomas. Rev. B. H.....................144 Thompson, T. F.............185 TomlinSon, W. A...........172 Tremain, E. A........................ 181 Tuttle, Hon. J. B....................... 124 Urquhart, A. J.........................160 Vanonck, Charles....................... 182 Van Patten, John.......................159 VanW ey, A. 0.........................145 Vaughn, S.............................177 Penners, Henry W............... 173 eyseyFe, Fred.................... 174 WT alker, John.......................... 155 W ard, Henry..........................182 W arren, J. L..........................182 W arren, W. H......................... 151 Waterbry, J. M.......................160 Watson, James H.....................145 W ebster, A M........................ 149 W eckerly, J. A.........................145 W entz, J. H...........................181 White, Dr. J. V........................ 172 W6hite, Robert...............................158 Whittemore, Charles H.................36 Whittemore, Gideon 0................. 135 Whittemore, James 0................. 136 Whittemore, William B.................1.R7 W hitters, J. J...................... 180 W iddifield, J. W.......................169 Wilber, Marvin.................. 152 Wilcox & ichards...................... 180 W ilcox, C. E............................ 180 Williams. E. E.................. 133 Willson, Thomas.......................174 Wilmot, Henlry A................. 160 Wonzer, J. W..........................152 Woods, John C.......................173 Woods, John L.......................188 W orth, John.......................... 173 Yockey, Philip................ 172 Zeiter, A. F......................... 147 Zie, H......................... 173 4 L I I I - I~ Biographies of Alpena County. Aikens, Andrew......................... 254 Ansell, J. H........................... 253,Ash, Joseph........................... 229 /Lvery, E. 0.........................244 ^Barlow, Rev. F. N.....................217 Barrett, Robert........................251 Beach, H. G,..................... 248 Beck, John............................ 250 Beebe, Henry........................ 229 Bewick, Comstock & Co................244 Billings, Henry D........................244 ingham, J. B..........................254 Zingham, Moses.......................206 IBlakley, A. R.......................... 227 Bloom, Henry..........................253 Bloom, W illiam.......................253 Boggs, James A.........................250 MBoggs, Samuel............... 207 Bolton & McRae.......................226 Bostwick. John T......................223 Boulton, W illiam.......................222 Bovle, W illis L........................250 4Bradford, George D....................249 Brebner & Johnston.................... 224 1Brebner, Isaac......................... 224 ABroadwell, Hillyard................... 209 *vBnck, W illiam......................... 250 4Buker, Dwinal P....................... 228 Bnrnham, Victor C..................... 247 Burrell, 0. T..........................229 Burthwick, Jackson T.................. 248 Butterfield & Crable....................242 Butterfield, G. A......................242 Byer, E. C.............................252,Campbell, D........................ 227 Campbell, R A........................ 248 -Carpenter, Seth L......................232 %C arter, Daniel.........................204 Carter, Horace......................... 253 Carter, Steph en........................ 251 VCase, James A........................ 226.yChisholm, John C......................209 ft rlnrch ill, H. D........................ 243 v hurchill, W. L................. 243 Clayberg John B......................247 Connell, James.................... 253 ornell, Charles N.....................249 Crlable, J. H.......................... 242 iCreighton, John W.....................223 Crippen, David....................... 239 Crippen, Edwin.................39 D avis,G. H.............................207 D enton, J. E.......................... 197 Dewey, franklin S......................247 vDounelly, R. MI........................233 Dorgan, Timothy.......................250 taEaton, H. J..........................227 Emerick, Hon. Frank................. 246 Fenson, James......................... 229 -F ield & Gray............... 249 Fletcher, A. F......................... 209 Fletcher, George N............... 203 Fleteher House.......................225 Fletcher,'Pack & Co...................243 Fockler, J. C.......................... 252 Folkerts'& Masters................... 244 Folkerts, F. C.................................. 245 Gaffney, A. H..........................251 Genrow, Joseph....................... 251 (Gibbons, P............................228.Gilchrist, F. W. 3.. ^.............. 243 VGolling, Charles........................ 225 Go lling, John...........................252 G ordon,H...........................229 Gorman, John 0.....................250 Oreely, Charles B...................... 197 Hltamilton, Johnston................... 232 H arding, E. J.......................... 253 Harshaw, A.............................247 iHawkins, George W....................229 (Hayes, John F.........................252 iHazell, W illiam.......................... 52 H eald, Z...I..........................253 Henderson, W. A.......................250 fItitchcock, Deacon Samuel E............. 216 Hitchcock, W. D....................... 227 Hoey, W. J...........................229 olmes, Frank C..................... 251 H olmes, J D...........................246 'Hopper, Abram..................... 207 Hughes, Roland...................253 k Hunt, Maj. Thomas H.............247 Hutton, Edward........................ 250 Jermin, Thomas........................ 229 Jolhnrowe & Donnellv.................. 250 Johnrowe, A.......................... 250 Johnson, William H....................249 a`ohnston, James M.................... 224 Joslin, D. R...........................222 VKelley, John F......................... 197 Kerr, James H...............................249 vtfesten, John............................ 227,Kimball, C. L.......................... 248 Kimball, H. A......................... 249 Kline, Lewis T.........................252 vRlock, Monroe......................... 248. K neal,J. J......................... 253 Lamorre, Alex.........................251 Lapine, Gilbert......................... 251 Lawson, A. J........................... 239 Le Blanc, D. A..................... 254 vLester, George S.......................239 -Lockwood, James K.................... 203 L owe, C. E............................. 253 viLuce, Benjamin F...................... 226 5McDade. Patrick....................... 229 Macdonald, F. M....................... 239 AMcDonald, A. R........................228 MIcDonald, D. R....................... 229 Jh cDonald, James.......................252 McDonald, Janmes A.................... 198 McDonald, Jobn A........................ 198 McDougall, Alex........................252 M cGillis, R........................... 2 9 McGuire & Rollinson.................251 vMcGurn, Dr. J. S............249 McKay, John F....................252 MclMaster, William....................227,McTatvishl, Dr. James.............. 222 'Miaddl ox, C. B.......................... 254 JMaiden, Dr. William Perry..............221,M altz, George L.......................238 Mauion, W illiam..................... 250 WiMason, C. E........................... 243 Mason Lnmber Company.............. 243 01"asters, G orge........................ 245 Mather, John A........................ 250 vMather. Ozias..................... 227 M ead, E........................... 251 M ellen, Hugh R........................ 252 M, iller, J. K........................... 209 -M-inor, John S......................... 247 Minor Lumber Co...................... 244 %,Minton, Martin H..................... 227 vM irre, W illiam........................ 248 Mundorff, Jacob........................251,Murray, Thomas..................... 208 Murtaugb, Eugene..................... 251, Naylor, Richard........................ 228 vNicholson, John.......................207 Nicholson, W illiam.....................208 O'Brien. M cha e.................197 VOliver, David D........................191 sOliver, Sperry.........................228 fPack, Albert...........................243 tPangborn, S. H........................248 Parish, C. W...........................253 Paxton,John W........................193 Persons, Capt. A E...................... 208 v Phelps, W. H...........................238 Phillips, P................... 253 Plough, David.........................208 Jotter, Edward I.................206 Potter, James J................. 223 Potter, John D........................ 223 Potter, W. H. & E. K..................242 {Potter, W. HE........................... 242 WrPotvin, Julius.............................. 224 Prentiss Lumber Co.................... 244 it -R ri~ 9 I~ I 5-:?I ':_ I k- _ - - (i I I i f I I CONTENTS —CONTINUED. Prince, H. WV...........................253 Pugsley, David......................... 228 ViReynolds, C. H......................252 Reid, James.....\.................244 Rice, Albert C........................ 228,ice, Cbarles H...................... 226 Rice, J. M.....:..................... 247,'Richardson. Charles W..................244 Robbins, Dr. F. N.....................250 Robinson, A. N......................252 vyRogers, W. E......\...\............. 249 Ross, Robert...........................250 vScott, Douglass....................... 228 ~.; eage, H. S................. 248 JShannon, G. A JL(. t. t~\. \.\ 3......250 Sheally, John D................. 249 Shelton, Dr. G. H................ 248 JSleator, George H...................... 197 - Sm all, J. H............................251 Smith, J. W...........................219, Smith, Obed...........................209 v Spencer, Silas......................... 251 ~ Sprag ue, E. G..........................209 Spratt, A. N.......................... 226 Stevens, S. W........................208 J Stone, Robert..........................252 / Stout, Ira..............................230 'Tefft, A. C.............................222: Thompson, David...................... 253 Todd, W illiam.........................252;i Townsend, Ambrose................... 251 Trask, Charles W.....................214 JTroden, Jam es.........................228 Trumbull, William E................... 249 Tuggey, George........................253 Turk, Thomas..........................191 -4 Turnbull, James D......................246 Turner, Robert.......................253 "-Van Dusen, J......................... 251 Venue & Fremont.....................252 Viall, John C.......................... 222 ~ W agoner, B........................... 252 WVagoner, Henry S..................... 251 Warner & Davis.......................245 W arner, Seth A. L...................... 245 Warren & Macdonald......................239 W arren, C. B...........................239 'AVestgate, Rev. A. W....................216 Westrope, Sylvester.................... 249 iJWhalen, James........................229 jVW hite, Thomas........................248 Wilson, Dyer,..........................254 W ilson, John W........................251 Wilson, Thomas M.....................253 Winchester, Dr. W. M..................249 Yott, Fred............................ 250 Young, B. R.......................... 223 Biographies of Alcona County. Alger, Smith & Co.....................269 Balch, George W'.......................274 Beardl, F. E...........................268 Beard, James & Co.....................268 'Boardm an, L...........................268 Bryant, George A......................278 Buchanan, John........................ 277 Colwell, B. S...........................276 Colwell, H. F..........................277 Colwell, George L......................276 Colwell, George W.....................273 Colwell, L. A........................... 273 Colwell, McGregor & Co................ 273 Cowlev, B. P...........................268 Curtis, E. D............................277 Depew, W. E...........................267 Duggan, Thomas.......................273 Effrick, Peter J........................ 277 Em merson, George W................... 277 Evans, Joseph..........................268 Fair, J. E.............................267 Fraser, John...........................279 Freer, Andrew J......................279 Harrisville Review......................274 Hendrie, John......................... 280 Hill, W illiam........................278 Hoffnann, Joseph,......................278 H oughtoln, A...........................274 Jameson, C. E........................... 268 Johnson, Robert..............-........ 279 Kennedv, Ferguson.................... 277 Lamp, Michael H................ 278 Leach, Robert S........................ 278 Lund, C. A............................ 274 McArthur, Duncan J...................279 McDonald, James A.....................279 M cGrath, P...........................273 McGregor, Duncan..................... 273 McGuire, John...................... 278 Madden, Michael S....................277 M illen, John...........................278 M illigan, Ellison.......................278 M iller, Charles.......................... 273 M itchell, Dr. D......................273 Morrison, H R..........................273 Mudgett, D. B.........................276 Mulholland, David...................... 277 Neilson, Alexancler..................... 279 Nevin, D avid.................................. 277 Noyes, A. & Bro.................274 Pritchard, James R..................... 278 Pyne, Jam es........................... 279 Reed, Abram.................276 R eed, R obert..........................277 Reynolds, Charles P........................279 R ice, W. E............................279 Ruston, George.......... 267 St. Lawrence House.................... 274 Shaw, Jesse.......................... 279 Silverthorn, Perley................ 260 Smith, James E........................ 278 Smith, William R.......................279 Storms, D. E.............................. 268 Sweitzer. H............273 Van Buskirk, Joseph................... 270 Van Wagner, Lewis.....................277 W ard, George.......................... 277 Weston, Colwell & Co.................. 274 Wilson, Calvin........................ 276 Young, John B......................... 280 I i I I I AL Lr I I ILLU STRATION S. Alcona County Court-house............. 256 Alcona County Jail.................... 260 Alger, Smith & Co. Mill Property.....268-9 Alpena Central School Building.........218 Alpena County Court-house............ 218 Alpena H ouse......................... 238 An Early Co tage..................... 71 Au Sable Lumber Co................. 182-3 Averell Block.......................... 100 Averell, C. M., Residence............... 100 Bank Block......................... 97 B arclay, J. S.......................... 74 Bay City in Fall of 1838................ 65 Birney, Judge James................... 59 Bolton & McRae Block..................226 Broadwell, Hillyard.....................209 Campbell, S. S......................... 34 Carpenter, Seth L......................232 Central School Building............... 93 Colwell, George L., Mill Property.......274 Cowley, B. P., Residence................272 First Baptist Church...................88 Fletcher, George N.................... 203 Fletcher House........................224 Fletcher, Pack & Co. Mill..............243 FraseY, James...................... 66 Gilchrist, F. W., Mill.................. 226 Glen-Alger Rifle Range................264 Golling House........................225 Harrisville Driving Park................264 Iosco County Courit-house......'.........142 McCormick, W. R....................... 22 Miller, Albert, Residence............... 48 Mitchell & Boutell's Tugs............... 40 Mudgett, D. B., Residence...................279 National Hotel......................... 142 Opera-House Block.....................238 Pierce, Benjamin F....................86 Pierce, Benjamin, F., Residence......... 86 Reynolds, C. P. Residence.............. 279 Richards, Benjamin.....................155 Rogers, J. A........................... 165 Rutson, George, Resience............. 272 Van Buskirk, J., Mill and Residence.....270 Warren & Macdonald's Foundry........ 226 W atson Block......................... 162 Whittemore J. 0.......................134.e.e — =~6; _ __ ___ ~~~- -: = -I I I I 'I I i I I I I 11 RANGE III EAST —, RANGE IV EAST RANGE V EAST - ' I -- - 94 I I — - -- A. It -' -1 I 'I I43- 1 4 I a I} - \L - 4 - N I 6 *nI 7 18 _ XM 5 17 _0^ 1 I. I1.. 12 AT 5). i it 2 1 8 9 ' 10 ' 1 ' I a e]Ie T i - i I t7 0 14 1 8 I 9 j I I I I f I M- II I II I _ L x ' i I {. I 11 1 -I.=- _ Y E =. I I _, - — =- - - r. 20 N F 22 fells D4q f I * ---- "4 d f-13~ 1 1 5- 8 1,, A T I Z -1L 1 1t I I1 I j 2 1 1 6 5 II II 0 A L 12 j 7 8 - __ __ —:_,,, 15 -\4 13 >V3 17 r I Y- -q I " I 22 a23 2! 3~l ---_92 2~< 26 2 -5! 30 2.9 I I - dbp i II I 1- 1 4 _! ~ L. _z f= —~ I -- _- -_ I l ^h i9 ASI e 30 2 2.5 30 29 W_| ^ 1 --- I I 21 I 2 _ _ I 2 2-7 L- - __ 26 _ _ _ _ Il I I -I- -- - - Phi I _ l~ - — T 30 31 6 _ __._ 7 '1I r IC 8 & -17 987 _033 1 9.9 / 27 \4 3 5 10 15 26.-M 25 ' 3b^.It Y 36 1 31 I "I W-. X I AI 29 -4 k I I. l ir_ l i -v. --— A --- 35 1 2 — I I -- 3 i- ] eltag| 36; UIt 32 33 _o 431 1 X1 I —E.... 'I 12 ' 7 8, 9 1.0,^3S^ 'T-i 16 1.5 35 _. 32\ 3 2t, a- t '35 2 ri -; It | '31 I-. Fw) I f 3a --- 32 5 RANGE VI EAST 4 3 2 9 10 11 16 15 14+ 2& 252 23, 28 7 26 33 37 - 35 4- 3 | | O K 21 a 23 _. _= to_ tk 3!l3oi 3 2+2 5 X I 6__ 30 4 20.H ] 32 _S 1 1.2 1 13 If 1i at - -— i i I I - i i --- i i RANGE VII EAST 6 7 18 iT 21 I._1 28 I-T 33 - 3 5 6 8! / 9 I6-:: I - 1X- — t II 22 ' 27 3-N 3+ 3 23 E i I. 2" I/ I i ~ 1 ' ^ ~,~i/~jL/fll "A/-'ii//,, t I I1 t- -- I l I - - - --- — i~ —:r ---- 7 —, -- ~ 7.. t-k --- l1 l - - - i fl 11 1 12, _ 1 I > _1,. -- l v i i -. I... — 14 -\ A ]R-t I X! WIY-ir r.19 N' I i -+ i i -; I I-I I ' 1' 19 30 29 T; JE I R 01 21 22 23 e 24, I._,__ _.A -_ Sgeril ~L~~__~ei -..el S8 2 26 \ J^ ^~'I 1 I - j -* I - AT - - -. L I t iK ' " — = - i -, IN, X X I,, -I 'C - - m. ix, IF4 IIs?,4 ' -io Ia 30,\S i/3~vr ^~ 21 2^ ^ 24"; 19 i~i h e 1: r iv - eT? I P1 20 Jf - k i --- -- I- l _ I t -II 2 2 | 27 26 25 30 '"4"S/ Dle en et? y I.r Ifr * ------- 7t ---;- -- - 7 - -- 27 i -i L;; --- -- - O..r.aF, --- —-41 * ---— I-,..,1;. I -_ I ie o ~ e i i ) - z I9: I '31 I 6 1 7 32 _ */ - -- 31. h/ r-3 -. 31 S_ We I 9. 4 10 x I "^ 1 12 8 8 4t f F 9 - WL I I Il i I --- l l 18If L7 I 5c,la - I.-O Jandi 10Ul 10 " Ilr n35 i 1! 6 12 'i7 32 I 339 9 3, 26 30 -ret-ac, I irJn\ r- 1: X - f-IN 29 II: SF' ~- M. -I '~ - 2 5;u!,/_r ~_~~-...1 ~ _ ~~,..,~/..,:/ / ~ — -_-! ~h~"..~'!ii'?li....... 1i F 1ip A _ I / I -t,,x \ '' \\ \" ",, I~...; - "I N "C " i13 M i / '. 8.1N --- -- ----— r I -i 22 23! 17 20 Zo - -1 16 21 28. - rs22 p!3 27 ~/ 34; 3- v 30 v 2 V 2 26 25 31 33 3. _,6 - Si ^ ^ 2 1 1 I -+ ---- --- - or 10 I11 I 12 i 7 5 1' fnlte Fathe f —g", 10 I'o s I Ia 16 1. 14 -).___ I. - 2 19 X 20/,' 24 l I / 1< k 91- --. i i -F _._.. s18 7 I16 *, 17 &~-k, I -rr T.17 AkT I 'I - i -- i - 1 -; —:- -^-! -A-"l I I iS o20 1: 22 1 23 1 24 | 19 H e... 'p:.. l1 I I f 5 =I t I, f;X is-;'a I k I I I ''^^g-^-g IF. i i, N~ I I I , i.., I,- I.. -!,- -1.. i. - ~. 8 7 26 i W7 5:C 9 ~- ~ - i - I - I I a~-~-~- ~ / i~. i~ cP i/^ T.16 N T. 15. 1 T.-1 N. -e 30 \ 20 ~29 _____1 28 41 11 22; I I i: - I.: i 'L^-33 34 I I'... k ---.;-4 — k;C)~:~ —.... —., ^t6 7 18 Bj 5 17 IE 9 16 i I II -1 3 10 41, - 'd 35.__ 26 r A 23 m i 1 c 24 ' --- I -— I *I --- 1C) ] J! 36 31 32 17 4 216 20 ~'21 ~25 30 28 41 i.. I i - — l F - 11.11 11 I — T,-.. I I. II, I IF — l:=: I 2s 28 33 75 1 ~TW -p 23 2 -/ I 7!1 I Z 6 I --...... — ~- --— I r --- — I I COUNTIES* 9.9 13 H_ I f! 7 t-i 6 a| 4 16 -.4n 12 13 E4 I i %;i- i j. -- il - i - - i kI LII _I_ I F I 19 it) 20 it 21.....n I O 27 - 23 kL 1 24! * 9 I 5 ] 30 i1 - - 20 29 - - 26 27 ( IFI:!i 5 II \ \\ i,'% L L r 3 31 3 3- 3 6-"\3 31 3 33 34 5 36 31.,. --- —-- K:-' — -— i ~-yr, r w NI it 6 5 4 /j 3 11 2 It:? i I 5 ~it~ I +:3 _1 ' ~ ~ ~'t --- —-1 ----— ~f f-+-~- I -- 4 i - -~ --..... ---~ - - -- - 7 8 18 -17 W"TI II 9 1 II I o I 1. 35~ I i n. M i4 21 13 L s-] i 18 817 16 -LT 9 16 r^ 2I 15 27 tt Ii 26~.T, Nr, I I ~ Ii I. - I L I\_ —l ---1LII-~ — ---rj ~IET I.Zat I 30 29 28 i 27 26 25 -I 30 I! 29t II 25 tt 31 X 32 33 t 34 l 33 36 -^i r 32 - 34! 35 36 I -- I - I -- I — I — I- -- i., I,,,,,,,,,,, %. I A 4:18 IL7:T 17 25 30 29 28 1 26 5 16 17 J 15 r:30 1 89 35-PaWc;JIG |I: ar )cX3 1 //? T. 13 — I "Tk-w I I I!t _A f. I-' H. R. PAGE & C~, CHICAGO _ ___ _ _ m -0 W I - 1 I - ----- imd "'A f o I i 6 X I I I -— HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. INTRODIUCTORY. 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 thle 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 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 1881, 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;f i J -a!-1.-0. I ] 10 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. THE SKULL ISLAND MASSACRE. in which the Sauks were nearly exterminated by the Chippewas, occurred on an island situated a short distance above where 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 the 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 vicinity of the 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 another 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 numberi 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 Sauk 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 Sauk 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 Saunk 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 t i - "^F:P ___ I I 4 - -qr i I IC i! I i I I i I - II;:.- -l HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 11.6 I dant. IFinally it was converted into what would be termed among civilized nations a, penal colony;' every Indian who conhmitted a crime would flee, or be banished, to the haunted hunting grounds (Sag~inaw Valley) to escape punishment, for the Indian laws were more severe and strict than now. 'This was lono, before we became degrazded by comino, in contact- with the whites,' said the Indian. The Chippewas becoming the most numerous, finally their language prelomrin-ited, and to the present time the Indians in the Saginaw Valley do not speak in all respects the same as the Chippewas on L.1ke Superior, from which they originally sprang; showing that the mixing of different nations in the Saginaw 'Valley has been the cause of the same. Put-ta-gaua-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 assured to and made perfect in us. With that exception, the title to the south-easterly p~art of our state wvas 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 Sag~inaww River and its principal affluents, the- Flint, the Cass, etc., entirely unaffected by the provision of that treaty. This portion of the state remained I in Indian possession, wvith the rights of the nativesi intact and -tnaffected, until the treaty -of Saginaw of 1819. In that treaty thze 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 byai 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 dif and death thinned their ranks. Nau-qua-chic-a-me, the chief of the Chippewats, after the death of hi's father finally took h~is band to Bau-g~tn-ing, and there diied in October, 18.74.' James Cloud, the Indian clergyman of Indiantown, on the Klawkawlin River, has been pastor there for fifteen years, receiving barely nothing for his la~bors. Fifteen years ago, he says, there were as many as 1,600 Indians A I F) i I i i I.,-. f P J...b m.-.O 14 -' 4 - I I T A - 1I 12 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. in the Saginaw Valley, while now there are scarcely 900 in the aggregate. REMINISCENCE OF O-GE-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, 0-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 fully lost 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 0-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 hereditaLry chieftain. These chiefs formed a council which governed the nation and elected the ruling 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 afternoon 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. McCormick 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., J -C= k. *cp" — "Iz, r -C - - -- __.1 "'ll 4 -- ) a - i j II - -- I - I —" - - -..- I - _ ~ _.~_....I 10 HTISTORY OFi 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 aceidental 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 cofftin was badly decayed, —nothitig remaining but a few pine knots. The colonel's uniform, presented to him by the President of the United. States, and in which he wats buried, was found to be -in a remarkable stalte 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 baqly demoralized by rust, and the medal was not to be fotund; 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 in-:censed at what they regarded as an indignityv to a great man, and requested Mr. McCormick to, takie possession of the remains and have them decently buried. Mr. McCormickI, 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 After this event he removed to Kaw~kawlin, where he remalined until his wounds were nearly heatled. When he came up to Satginaw in a cano, with his wife, to dfo some trading at the Indian trading post of thje American Fur Company, which was then operated by G. D. tand E. S. Williams, he was not yet a le to get out of his canoe and go to the tra~ding post, which was but a few rods from the river, without the aid of his paddle to lean upon. B. 0. W~illiams, 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 Gand 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-goo was still b~y his canoe standing on the bank of the river leaning on his paddle. He was told. by the Messrs. Williarrs to get into the canoe with his family and go down the river. This be refused to do, sayiiig be was no coward, but likre a, brave man pa-' tiently 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 krnew his business and that he must now give up his knives. He reluctantly drew his krnife~from his sheath and handed it to B. 0. 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 be had concealed down his back. They then askeed 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. Mir. 'Williams clinched him, and with th~e assistance of B. 0. W;illiatms, 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. his hand were encamped. After the bloody deed Neh-way-go crossed 'over' 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 Saiginaw. H3e preferred to trust himself on the same side of 0(1 1 9 L .4- I A l I [ BI 3~ % PI _ 14 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. - I - I r 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 tlie 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 hiseway 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 bimself 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 sc(ne 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 - 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 farmer." 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 he 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 davs 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 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, but returned again a few years later. One Masho, a Frenchman, who had married a lass of the forest, had a log cabin where tlie Wooden Ware Works now ta.nd 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 isa natural curi % w : - f w I Jl I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 15 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 garden. 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, Alr. 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 potatoes 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. Trombley, 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 an 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 above 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:_ ~ N L — -- - -k f I6 V I.III 6 Ji -a 2 I 16 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. X__ - - 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 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 was 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 lhe 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 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 or 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 addition to farming, he was also engaged in the fishing business, continuing in it until a few years ago. His sons Joseph and Theodore 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 and 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 I 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. i Trombley had built two years previous. After Mr. Trombley had taken possession of his land, hle 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 would 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. I -INCIDENTS OF JOSEPH TROMBLEY. W. R. McCormick relates the following incidents of Joseph Trombley's earlylife. He says: -"Mr.Trombleywasthefinestspei cimen 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 mocI casins 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. 1! /T 7 - -------- IL I i HIISTORY OFi 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 Siaginaw 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, andi 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 manl he had heard so much about. He was introduced to Mr. Trombley, whom he challenged to a trial of strength and &kJill in wrestling. Mr. Trombley said he was no wrestler, but would try him running either for one mile or fifty, for $100O. Mr. Simpson weighed about two hundred pounds, was six feet two inches high, without an inch of waste flesh about him-all sinew and inusele, —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 atll 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 takenr hold of an ox, he was so, strong, but after a long while, by a dexterou's effort I threw him on his back. This did P7ot suit the crowd, as they had bet heavily on their favorite. He appeared to be much chagrined, but to retreive Iris character lie said he would try me back hold, a fazvorite way of Indian wrestling, wYhich I had been accustomed to from boyhood, with the Indianls, —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 M~r. Simlpson's (Lexaboga's) wrestling; for, said he, 'I will never wrestle aganin,'atnd he never did. This is to show the wonderful endurance and strength tile man 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 alccomplisfi. I have seen Mr. Trombley when a young man take a large wolf out of the trap, put a crotched stickr over his neck, tie his mouth and legs, put him on his shoulders and bring him home alive." FIRST SYMPTOMS OF TOWNS.. THE F'EVER OF SPECULATION. By 183R6 the spirit of land speculation, that bad 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 thei vaults of the latter, which President Jackson encouraged the batnks to loan to individuals by say~ing 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 thlat they should have the use of the money to facilitate one operations of their business. But by this hint to the banks they were not particulalr as to the- business which the parties were engaged in who desired loans, and almost anyone who wats thought shrewd enough to makae 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 Satm 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 Wiest. A heavy emigration from New York and the New Enaland 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 thoughtt it beyond a doubt that if they should forestall those immigrants and purchase the land from the United States, they would receive a large advatnce 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, seekzing 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 tize heart of the peninsula and the branches of the broad river spread out in every direction like tile branches of an enormous tree, the base of which is the medium through which the sap flrows, as the outlet of the river is for the trade and commerce of a large portion of Norfthern Maichigan. 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 themaselves into a line and awatited their turn to -present their minutes; but a favorect few found access by way of the back door or through a windowy, and would get their locations secured athead 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 thee office, but some partie's 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 ail occurrence, some years after it happened, in which he was interested. He sa-id 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 landi he intended to purchase. In the morning the man was Ivery riuch disappointed to find the land lie 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 lacnd, that so far exceeded the first selection in value that lie was amply paid for his first disappointment. He incautiously gave him the description of his second intended purchase, and when he went to Ithe land offi,3e the result was the same as on the first appication, — 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 largeetract of vacant latnd of equal value with his selection. When he met the speculator after his third application at the lanzd office it was not with the disappointed appearance of~ former occasions, but with a pleased and Isatisfied 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 tr i -I - I I 40 #4 (9 r- i --- —---— ~-~ — -~~~ --- —------- lr-I - - l - I 4l — a -It I __fl t_ 18 HISTORY OF BAY COUTNTY. 18 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 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 Meridan, 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 Spring 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 r- op — _i. —.~~a~-~ --- -1 -~a —m --- —;I --- - -~ - -I ~ — ~ '4- i il ___ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 19 I _ 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, Enlg. 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 Summer 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 shorld be given in this connection, especially as the history of this company has frequently been incorrectly told: ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. 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. Schooleraft, 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 more 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 sum 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 1( Fr - #X. —O.0 WHEREAS, The lands and premises in the deed hereunto an I I: I - K- 00 -F A (t I I I a 20 HISTORYO R OF BAY COUNTTru TY. stock of said company, shall be divided into thvo 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 shalll be transferable, which certificate shall be registered in a book kept for the purpose, signed by the president andl counterssigned 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 hlolder thereof to the shares of stock therein mentioned, and the bjenefit and profit to result therefrom; and eachi and every stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock, which be may own, on all business relating to said company. ARTICLE 5. The first regular meeting of the stockholders of this company shall be holdien on the first Tuesday of January, 1837, I for the election of directors to serve one year, aind shall annually thereafter meet on thle 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. M/ason3 Frederick - H. Stevens, Andirew T. McReynoldls, Horace Hallock,7 Electus Backus, Henry R. Schoolcraft anzd John Hulbert sh~all be, and are hereby constituted directors. At all meetings ea'ch owner may appear and vote, ill person or by proxy, with written authzority. Should any cause prevent a meeting on the day above specified, or should a special meeting for that or-any othler purpose b~e requisite, it mnay be called by anly person or persons owning or representing fifty shares of the capital stock of saidt company, by gi~ving notice for ten days previous in anly paper printed in the city of Detroit. ARTICLE6g. At any such meeting a majority of the wbhole stock shall form at quorum for doing business. ARTICLE 7. All shares in said company shall be deemed personlal property. ARTICLE8s. No act of the directors shall be binding on the conapany 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 therebyy given to said diirectors or trustees. ARTICLE 10. That as soon as there shnall 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 th~e said board of directors shall declare and make a dividend among the stockholders ther~eof in proportion to th~eir respective shares and interest therein, until saidl 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, andl 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 H~ulbert and Electus Backus. are declared to be co-trustees to act in case of the death, inability, or refusal of the said Frederickr H. Stevens to sign, seal and deliver and acknowledge the said deeds aforesaid, provided that the said co-trustees sha~ll 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 net 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 tbirty-seven, between Stevens T. M4ason, Frederick Hf-. Stevens and Abby E., his wife, Electus Backus and Mary L., his wife, H~orace Hallock and Elizabeth, his wife, Henry R. Schoolcraft and Jane J., his wife, J'ohn H-ulbert and Maria E., his wife, James Fraser and Elizabeth, his wife, Andrew T. McReynzolds and Elizabeth M., his wife, Henry K. Sang~er 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. Whereals, the said parties of the first part stand seized and possessed as Tenants in common of all that certain pieces or parcel of land krnown and described as follows: —Beginning~ on the east bank of the Sagrina River at the northwest corner of the John Riley Reservation, being also the southwest corner of tile Nabobash Reservation; thence east boy the north line of said Riley Reservation 35.82 chains; thence south three degrees west, so far that a line runningl 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 individuatl proportio~ns and shares, respectively, to wit: —The said Stevens T. Mason. of twosixrteenths, Frederick H. Stevens of four-sixteenths, Electus Backus of one-sixteenth, Horace Hallock of one-sixteenth, Henry R.. Sjchoolcraft and John Hulbert of one-sixteenth, James Fraser of olle-sixteenth, Andrew T. McReynolds of four-sixteerztlis, H~enry K. Sanger of one-sixteenthl and Phineas Davis of one-sixteenth, andd Ilave aureed to associate tlhemselves together and form a company under the namre and style of the Sagina Bay Company, for laying out a town on said tract, andl 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 coiliplet~ion thereof, and more fully to carry into effect their intentions as set forth in said Articles of Associa~tion, have severally named, constituted and appointed the said Frederick H. Stevens and Ellectus Backus as trustees, to act in behalf of all the above parties of the first part, in holding, managing andi 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 tile premises and object herein before declared and the agreements, conditions atnd limitations aforesaid, and iin further considerattioll 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, balrgained, sold and conlveyed, andl 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 tile survivor of themr and to such persons, his or their successors or assigns or the survivor of 'theml, may at any time 2lereafter be constituted or appointed pursuant to the Articles of Association hereinafter set forffi~ 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 demuand of the said partie's of the first part, and each of them therein and thereto respectively. To have and to hold, the said bargained prem~ises and every part thereof as -aforesaid u~nto tile said parties of thze 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 suecessors as aforesaid, their and his successors and assigns forever, in trust for themselves and the said parties of tile second part, snlbject to aznd upon the trust, limitations alideonditions fOllowing, alid to no other use, intent, or purpose. That is to say: the said Frederick H~. Stevens, John Hulbert and Electus Backus, the survivors J, - 4 I_ e, O I I' I1" -'It I (b) CIL A. I~s,t - ' -gi -—.. —l --- ll~ Ie "- I - __ __ HISTORY OF 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 fully 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 assuranaes as aforesaid, sh'll be 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 said 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 capital ists 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," BAY COUNTY. 21 I I_ 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 I" 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 II 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 t" 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 smal vessel, commanded by Capt. Stiles, and commenced the work which -*' I - 0. i + A ---:: s> lV z — " r - - -** W 9 22 I _ 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 ELECTrION. Prior to 1843, this entire region was included in the township I 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 " 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 1855 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, help ing to clear the farm, until he was twenty-four years old, when lihe married Miss Ellen Garratt, daughter of Robert Garratt, of Otsego County, N. Y., one of the old pionee.rs 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 fewhours 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 $800 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 mv 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 had. "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. 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 I W. Stevens, anll 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 i 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 Government 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 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I J (R) L -0 i lb. I t I j-x I -- I I i I I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 23 i i east side of what is now Saginaw Street, now the First Ward pf 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 I 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 onl 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 name 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 worims 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 banf 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 fiat 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 -1! l — r 14 I I M6l I I -— I 0)1 ~ I .6 - i i - I -b I1 I 24 HIISTORY OF BAY COUNT~Y. I I -come down the river home. It usually took us four days to go to mill and back, camping out every g gh, an h ads idof work at that. This work always fell on iny brother James and myself, for though a boy, I could steer tile 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 muuch. When Winter carve on it was impossible to go to mill, as there was no road, so in the Winter. eveninas we all took turns pounding corn in a mortar —made in the end of at log, sawed about three feet long with a hole in one end to poulld corn in, similar to what the Indians used to pound corn in in those days.,,Many of the old settlers of Sag~inaw 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 Saginzaw where they could stay over night with To show that a gardener Once thrived on this plain. And in those fine days, F'er a snake could deceive, How happy here lived Old Adam and EEve. "The natives we saw here, Were forced from this plain ~ I By a curse, which they say i I On it yet does remain; Andl in all their looks We can plainly perceive, That these are descendants Of Adani and Eve. "H~ere the cherubimns stood With their wings widely spread, Lest Adam shouild enter, Anld eat of ~thatt, bread. Here the wildt sporting deer Yet the hunters deceive, That once furnished bacon For Adam andi E~ve. "Here the lofty black walnut, Withz its boughs spreading wide, And the elm and backrberry HARD YEAR 7S LABOR G;ONE. - The next year the Indians were terribly afflictedl 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 Poinzt, at tile mouth of the Tittabawazssee, several were left i I i i I I r I i a) I I — ol I& r I.4 I (9 11 & q 4-u: r F &! I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 25 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. " My father continued to supply them with food until they recovered and could provide for themselves. This favor they never forgot, for, said they, ' if it was not for our white brother,'as they used to call my father, 'we should have all starved to death.' Soon after this they called a council of the chief and head men and made a new 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, in presence of Judge Devenport and others, as witnesses. 4( 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. " Soon after this Henry R. Schoolcraft, the superintendent of Indian affairs, was sent on 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. Schoolcraft 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., This Mr. Schoolcraft, the government commissioner, refused to do. Then, said the chief, Ton-dog-a-ne, and his head men, ( 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. Schoolcraft, through his interpreter, Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, notified Ton-doga-ne and his band that he would purchase their reservation subject to the terms specified. With this understanding the chief, Ton-doga-ne, and the head men, signed the treaty, with full confidence that Mr. Schoolcraft 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? James McCormick 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 lower 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, Mrs. 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 Master called them hence e'er they gathered the fruit! "(An honest man is the noblest work of God!" Judge Albert Miller also writes as follows:- " I knew James McCormick from the time 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 remember 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, having left Albany when a boy, in 1831, for Kentucky, xhere he was a heavy contractor for many years. He died in Kansas some years since. SARAH, the third daughter of James McCormick, is the wife of Medor 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 same 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 in the Fifty-second Illinois Regiment, and was promoted to orderly sergeant. At the battle near Island No. 10, he was promoted to second lieutenant. At the' battle of Stone 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 recovered and with his company filled with new recruits, he reported for duty, and joined the army on its march to Atlanta. At the bat 3 I I I I S*~,A. I 1 -- -0) I - S a I: I 1 26 HISTORTO RY OF BAY~i COUNTY. ule of Kenesaw Mountain the enemy had a masked battery which was making sad havoc with our troops. Glen. ~Bradley sent for Capt. McCormick to take thazt battery, saying he took the battery at Stone River and he knew he would take that. H~e tooki the battery, but fell on the breastworks, pierced with1~ seven balls, at 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 TowYnship of Taymouth, Saginawv County, Deceniber 20, 1836. In 1854 lie went to Illinois and commenced faryuing. He also enlisted in the Union army and served until just before its close, when he was wounded-and retired from the service. H~e is now a wealthy farm~er in Kansas. ELIZABETH, the,r-econd daughter of James MlcCorm~ick, married Orrin Kiinney, 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, with~in the present limits of Bay City, surrounded by their ellildren and grandchildren. JAMES J. MZe CORIMICK. The following biographical sketch of the late James J. MccCormick is by Judg~e Albert Miller, who was his intimate friend for forty years"James J. M~cCormuick, th~ird son of James McCormick, wsas born near Albanzy, N. Y., in January, 1817, and was in the fifty-sixth year of his age at the time of his death, which occurred in Bay City, November 25, 1872. "My fiLrst 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 drasft 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. Ewvings, 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 purch~ase thle land I was anxious to secure. ~Mr. M~cCormick'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 th~e 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 roadl on that journey with James J. McC~ormick, a familiar acquauzintance was formed, whtich ripened into a strong friendship for each other, which lasted whl: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., beinlg the eldest son at home, bore the brunt of the hardship 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 FElint or Saginaw, sometimes in a canoe, sometimes on horseback, and at other times, wYhen neither of the above mentioned modes were available, th e men were obliged to carry them on their own backs. James early evinced a good business talent, and f or some time previous to becoaming of age, transacted all his father's business. While the family resided at Pewanagowink, James J. went to Kientucky, where he was engaged with an elder- brother on a railroad contract. W~hile there lie became acquainted with Miss Jane Shelton, an amiable young lady of prepossessing appearance, whom he married and brought with him on his retain to Miichigatn. After his return he resided a short time at 'Pewanagowink, before removing, in 1841, to Portsmout~h. At that time there were but few families residing in this vicinity; but the business enterprise of the MCessrs. McCormick soon made a change in the appearance of the place. They repaired the old Portsmouth mill, and commenced the manufacture of lumuber, 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 u-sed up considerable of thzeir lumbner. They erected buildings for James G. Birney, Joseph Trombley, M~iedor Trombley and Cazpt. Joseph~ F. Marsac. The ground upon which J. J. McCormlick built his pallat~ial residen~ce was purchased, w~ith a small house upon it, from Capt. Marsa~c, and paid for buy erecting buildings for the Captain on other latnds. In 1846, James McCormick, Sr., died at Portsmouth; and after that James J. carried oil business for bimrzseif, till 1848, wben. th-e wvriter bovught an interest with him in the old mill, and we were connected in business till thle Spring of 1849. ('It was during th~e last mentionedi period that tile writer becamee more fully acquainted with- tlhe indlmstry, inltegrity, and sterling m~anhood of the late deceased. Du~ring the whole course of our intimate business relations thlere was never an unzpleasantt word pass-ed between us. We labored then with our own hzands, each taking our turn at the saw w~ itll our employes, andt attending to our bousiness matters while thley were asleep; but thlere was never at time when MLr. M~icCorm~ick was not willing to beatr his full shlare of the burden, neither do I kinow of an instance whlere he desired to appropriate more of the proceeds of our joint labor to himwself than he was willin(- to concede to me. M~r. McCormick. was ambitious, and when the news of the discovery of gold in California f~irst realched himU, hee becamle anxious to participate in the golden harvest that awaited those wvho would brave the dangers and undergo the Ilardships nlecessatry to be endured by those who would reap it. Tile danlgers, privations and hardships of thle journey hzad no terrors for him, his only miscriving being in leaving his wife and children behinld; but, after making provision for their support during his absence, he procured all outfit, consisting of a yoke of oxen aild a wagon, on wh'rich was loadied the necessary articles to be used on his journey, which h~e ferried across the Saginawv River on a raft of ~fla~ttened timber, about the middle of Milarch, 1849~, and thus started alone to traverse the thenz almnost unknown. track across the continent to the Patciftic Slope.. He joined some acquaintances on thze way, with whom, he journeyed a portion of the distance, but was separated from therrl before reaching their destination, one of -whom, Mir. Alfred Goyer, of Genesee County,. lie 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 for - mer residences, wheii they learned eachn other's identity. "'After that I believe thev remrainled together, and returlrled home in each other's company after an absence of two years and a half, or thereabouts. I know but little abonzt M~r. MicCormickr's Success in the mines. I know he brought home some money with him, withz which? he commenced the lumber business, building; a mill near his late residence, -at which he has been successfully engaged in thee manufacture and sale of lumber till about the year 1871, whlen he sold his mill to Mr. Webster. Mr. McCormick's first wife died in 1854, leaving three children, one daughter and two soils, 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. M~cCormick's eldest son, at the breaking out of thle Rebellion, entered the army of the Union, where his health was impaired, in consequence of which he died, in 1867. Mr. McCormick muarried, -for his second w~ife, Miss Matilda Wayne, who diedt in 1880.,,Mlr. McCormick was a member of the first Council of Bay City, and wals mayor of the city in 1869. In 186j8 lie erected the McCormick: Block, on Water Street. He was also part owner of the I I, ------- _._I 4 7 I-l- ---py —"- —C__ ~_ls —--rr —i- —i.il — 1-~ --- —--— _ __l__^______a___r__-~-_. - - - —.. --- —. Cf).#I-, I ^- -: - HISTORY OF B. f Opera House. Few men had more personal friends, and his death Sf left a vacancy difficult to fill. He was a prominent member of the of Masonic Order, and had received the highest degree possible in this C, country. ' s WMLIAMi R. MCCORMICK, another son and one of the very early pion- tl eers of the Saginaw Valley, and Bay City, was born near the city of Al- w bany, N.Y., August 16,1822. He came with his parentsto Michigan e, in 1832, and first settled at Flint, Genesee County. In 1834 his par- tl ents removed to Saginaw County and settled near the Indian village of lk Pewanagowink, where he helped his father on the farm up to 1837. tl For a short time after his parents removed to this place there were j( two other settlers, a Mr. Hayden, and Mr. Nelson, but they soon o removed to Saginaw; then their nearest neighbors were Messrs. s Charles and Humphrey McLeans, of Pine Run, some fifteen miles C off. a So all the playmates William had when a boy were the young Indians. He often joined them on their hunting excursions, and i became so familiar with their language, that, in the Fall of 1837, he I was employed by Messrs. Coburn, Dixon, and others, as Indian in- v terpreter and clerk in their store, at Green Point, at the mouth of t the Tittabawasse River, for trading with the Indians for furs, in op- c position to the American Fur Company at Saginaw. While at this a point he read everything of book kind he could find in that outpost 1 of civilization, and while here he improved all his leisure time he t could, to 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 i John Jacob Astor, of New York City. After the company had failed he returned home to help his father onl the farm another ye.r, 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 objected. 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. Hie 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 Ports mouth, 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. AY COUNTY. 27 alt water was found at the depth of 600 feet, and the manufacture f salt was soon commenced. This was the first salt well in Bay ounty. Afterwards Mr. Me Cormick turned his attention to the inpection of lumber, which he followed up to 1878, when he was offered Le deputy state salt inspectorship, which he held up to 1882, since rhich timne he has turned his attention to the care of his real state. No man is better known in Bay County than Mr. McCormick, he oldest pioneer living in the Saginaw Valley, except Judge Albert liller. He has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, to he entire satisfaction of the state and county, and is yet a hearty, ovial old gentleman. He has lived to see Bay County grow from ne house to a population of over twenty thousand inhabitants. He till resides at the old home he built many years ago, corner of Mc]ormick and Twenty-third streets, surrounded by his children nd grand-children, with the comforts of life around him. In 1832 Mr. McCormlick made a journey from Flint to Saginaw, n 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 promeeded 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 morning. 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 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 had 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 ani 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 >. -I I~ i 1 I I t *^^^_ -- Jll 6;,l - -:: - _ IF - _ t -.9 hi --.0 -I i I * 0 - I 28 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 28 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 he 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 1837 or 1838. 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 hard 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 hay, 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. I 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 lier 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 1837-'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. She 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. Iu 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 thankfully. Your humble servant 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 Salzbvrg 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 ks I -4 - _ k k: ~e - I 4 — 1 I 4 0 I - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 29 I removed to Warren, R. I., where he lived five years. Mr. Barney was by occupation a 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 at Warren, 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 Saginaw Valley would be eventually,as then there was the most pine in that region. So he started on foot for Saginaw. When 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 in what is now Bay County, late wife of Alfred G. Sinclair, of Bay City. Mr. Barney continued to live in this block house some 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 his 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 November 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 iust the man 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 TRADERS. 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 $5 a month. After working some time, he saw the necessity of getting an education, and he went to live with Capt. Malden, 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. Maiden 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 Mackinaw, 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 he 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, "O! 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 Hamtramack. 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. Marsac'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. Marsac 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 Marsac, 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 commanding general wanted to send some dispatches to the garrison at Detroit. He called James Grosebeck, a manil 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 an4 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. I I I I I - f n.-, 9 II It!- - _ Iq n -)1 1 I 1_ Y- 0 30 HIISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I Soon after this, Capt. Marsac and his company were sent to Fort Gratiot to work upon the fort, and from there to Fort Malden, where he remained until the time of his enlistment expired, when he returned home to assist his father oil thne farm. In 18163 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, Hear where Niles now stands, he traded his pony with the Indians for corn, which lie loaded in canoes, with wfhich lie proceeded down the St. Joseph River to its mouth, and then around the south shore of Lake Michigan to Chicago, where he remzained in the employ of the fur company some time. After his time had expired he returned to Detroit on foot. In.1819 hie was called by Gen?. Cass to go with him to Saginaw she lived, and no woman wvas more dearly loved by the early settlers, for her motherly kindness eliciieled them~ all. Her house was~n a resort for the poor and afflicted; her chief aim was to alleviate the sufferings of others. None knzew lier but to love lier. She died at thle old homestead in South Bay City, August 9, 1881, deeply mounted 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 WCILSON. Calpt. John Wilson, one of the early pioneers of the Sa-ginawr Vaslleyv, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., September 30, 1804. In Iris younger days be followed the occupation of sailing and fishing. In 18.37 be left his fa~mily for the season to engage in the fishing business at Thunder Bay Islands,in Lake Hluron, where he -removed the same year. While he was there be had occasion to visit Saginaw for supplies and was so well pleased with the country that he determined to make it his future home. H~3e soon made preparations to remove his family to Lower Saginaw, as it was then called, (now Bay City), which he did, November 16, 18410, after a cold and tempestuous voyage, none too soon, as the river froze over the next nialit after his arrival and remained frozen all Winter. He removed his family into a little log house on the river banki in Portsmouth near whiere Albert Miller's upper salt works now stand. This Winter hie spent in hunting and trapping, and was very Detroit, which place they had left six weeks before. Here they received assistance, anid agazin started on foot for Siigin~aw, as there were no conveyances in those days, and they were necessitated to travel very slow, as their feet were very sore. On reachin Sagginaw thev were received with great joy, as they had long been given up ats lost. To add to Capt. Wilson's distress, his eldest daugrhter had i I I IR -7 I -., I In,. I - -i. (. 6. r. BAY COUNTY. 1 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 31 died in his absence. He now settled down and commenced improving his land and set out a fine orchard, of which he took great care, little dreaming that in after years it would be cut down to make room for the buildings and streets that cover his old homestead at the present time. Capt. Wilson and his amiable wife were much respected by all the old pioneers. He was very hospitable, and would never owe a man a dollar if it was in his power to pay it. His word was as good as his note. By his frugality and the advance of property he accumulated a competency for old age. C apt. Wilson had fourteen children, of which seven are living, viz: Mrs. J. A. Wansey, of Marine City; Mrs. G. L. Howard, of West Bay City; Mrs. H. Laraway, Mrs. Wm. Gordon, James D. Wilson, Mrs. E. T. Bennett, of Bay City, and George B. Wilson, of Chicago. Capt. Wilson died at the old homestead in Bay City, August 21, 1879, and his amiable wife soon followed him. Their remains lie in the Pine Ridge Cemetery, and a suitable monument has been erected to their memory. INDIAN HOSPITALITY. In December, 1833, Judge Miller went to Midland upon some errand, and while returning to his home along the highway of the Tittabawassee, passed through an experience which he relates as follows: "When I started for home, about sunrise in the morning, I put oni my overcoat and thought a few vigorous pulls at the oars would warm my blood so that I should be comfortable the rest of the day. I had just pulled far enough to get into deep water, when my oars slipped from the rowlocks, I lost my balance, and plunged heels over head into the icy fountain of the Tittabawassee. After much ado, I got on board the boat again, but the prospect for a comfortable day was not very flattering. Twenty-five miles of rowing before me, to get home, and sixteen before I should come to a house where I could warm myself or dry any of my clothes. After passing down the river two or three miles I saw an Indian wigwam on the bank, where I landed, and being able to converse in the Indian tongue, I told the woman of my mishap and requested the privilege of warming myself and drying some of my clothes. She made up a rousing fire and furnished the best facilities she could for me to dry my clothes. When I first went in she sent a little girl to the river with an earthen plate to wash; after the plate (which was an unusual piece of furniture in a wigwam), was made clean, she took some meat that was cooking over the fire, placed it on the plate and offered it to me to eat; but I told her I was not hungry, and she put it back in the kettle. Presently a neighboring Indian woman came in, and after learning why I was there, and not seeing any signs of my having partaken of any food there, she inquired of her neighbor with much surprise if she had not given me anything to eat; the woman told her she had offered me something but I had told her I was not hungry. That circumstance and all my experience in my contact with the red man led me to believe that the virtue of hospitality was never wanting among them. My experience was, that whenever I was at an Indian's camp, so far away from home that I could not get there at meal time, I was invariably offered the best they had to eat; and if I wished to stay all night, the best place in the camp for sleeping was allotted to the white stranger, and for that reason, though their begging propensities are sometimes annoying, I can never have the heart to turn them empty away. After getting my clothes partially dried, I returned to my boat, and soon after leaving the Indian's camp, had an exciting chase after a deer that was swimming in the river; so I got home without experiencing so much inconvenience as I antici Iae hnIwsbmigm ea gis h otmo h pated when I was bumping my head against the bottom of the boat, endeavoring to find the end so that I could climb into it." ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. " I have mentioned in a subsequent article having a stock of cattle and horses feeding on the rushes of Quanicassee in the Winter of 1835-'36, with a camp near for the convenience of the men who cared for the stock. At the breaking up of Winter, when it was no longer practicable to get supplies to the camp, it was broken up, and the cattle and horses, for the time being, left to themselves. One bright morning in April, 1836, I started from my home, near Crow Island, accompanied by B. F. Trombley, to cross the prairie and timber, to the point where the stock was kept. The water on the prairie averaged about ten inches in depth, but the weather was warm, and we passed along without much inconvenience from it, and crossed the Cheboyganing Creek on a fallen tree, and at night arrived at an Indian camp, near our place of destination, where we remained during the night. The next day, during a heavy rain storm, we spent in looking after the stock. We found the cattle all doing well, but some of the horses had died, after the men had left the camp. At night the rain still continued to fall, and we encamped without any shelter on the driest spot of ground we could find near the Quanicassee prairie, preferring that to traveling three or four miles out of our way to reach one. The rain continued until about twelve o'clock, when there came such a change in the weather as is known in but few localities outside the Saginaw Valley. In the morning, our blankets that we had slept under, were frozen hard, and all. our clothes being saturated with the recent rain, we were not in a very good plight to encounter the fierce northwest wind that swept over the prairie, but after partaking of a scant breakfast, we started for home, and when we got to the prairie, we found that the rain had greatly increased the volume of water, and before we got across the Quanicassee prairie, we sometimes had to wade waist-deep in the water, but when we reached the timbered land we had four or five miles of comparatively comfortable traveling; but when in the afternoon we reached the Cheboyganing prairie, the prospect was rather disheartening for tired pedestrians; the wind was blowing a fierce gale, accompanied by frequent snow squalls. The water on the prairie was a foot deep, covered by ice that would bear us about every tenth step. There was five miles of that kind of traveling, and the Cheboyganing Creek between us and home; and it was presumptuous for us to undertake to perform it under the circumstances, for we could have built a fire in the timbered land, and subsisted till a change came in the weather; but we thought of nothing but to push ahead, and started out. Trombley wore moccasins which the ice soon cut in pieces. He then tied his mittens on his feet, and walked in my tracks, so as to protect his feet as much as possible. Our limbs soon became completely benumbed with the cold, and our movements seemed mechanical, and we passed along in great suffering till, at the dusk of evening, we reached the Cheboyganing Creek, the volume of which had been greatly increased by the recent rain; and nothing could be seen of the bridge that had carried us over safely two days before. I walked into the water till I could progress no futrther, when, without any motives or thoughts of why I did so, I sent forth a shrill Indian whoop or yell, which was immediately answered by an Indian, and in a moment a canoe hove in sight, paddled by an Indian who had been out on the creek hunting for ducks. He came and rescued us from our perilous situation, and in a few minutes landed us on a dry spot of ground on the opposite side of the creek, where he had encamped that day with his family, preparatory to making maple sugar. We were so much exhausted that we could hardly walk from the canoe to the wigwam, but the In i n I - - -- - - -- - 4 ' —~- I'-r i1PUI — il~pI -T7 ViR^ - A t _: aL sT h - - f - 1 32 HISTORY OF 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. e 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 McCoimick 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 an 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, Barney 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 Street 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, which was quite soft with the exception of about an inch from the point, which was so hard that a file would scarcely make an 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 from old settlers that there were a 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 BAY COUNTY. 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 canoe, 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 Linn 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, with 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 Sauk 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. Then 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 mound 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, that this 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 of the river, was full of broken stone which had been through the action of fire." r * — _- I w -A -G U -r j I HRISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 33 I "'There are also four forti~fications 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 vet 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 raine opened one of these mounds and took from it at skeleton of 6, larger size than an ordinary person. He says he also saw: several large mounds on the Au Sable River. "I h~ave thus given the reader an idea of how these mounds appeared 'before the hand of mall 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 e.Weptioil of the Fraser, Fitzhugh and MccCormick Mounds. "And to prove that the last thlree 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, w~hich had taken th~e ~worki of years. "Again, the soil on the mounds differs from the soil arounzd them, with the exception of thle low places referredl to,from where tile earth was taken; and finatlly, the most convincing proof of all is that you can dig down until you come to the original surface, and will ~find various kiinds of stone implements, broken. pottery, and great~ quantities of stone broken by the action of fire. And in no part of the valley willl you find those relies except in those mounds. "The main objection to my theory is, how could such large ele-, vations and of such 'extent as the Fitzhugh, Fraser and MicCormick Mbiounds 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 wjere heated and then put into the vessels to cookr their food, which occasioned tlheir breakiing to pieces when they came in contact with thle water. "Michael Daley, an Wlc Indian trader of the Saginaw Valley, in speaking -of the Indian mounds on the rivers flowing into the Sagi found in the mounds where they have been opened or graded down at the present time." LEGEND OF TH3E "LONE TREE."' BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER. Soame old landmarks in the vicinity of Bay City are remembered only by the early settlers- for instance, there was the Ilone tree,' I t I I 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 otber 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 F-iLtening Post, and copied into a great many papers in diff~erent parts of the United States. The conception of the poem was an Indian legend, statilaq that the owl was the Good 'Spirit that watched over and guided the destinies of their tribe or race in the Saginaw Valley; that 'as5 long as the tree stood, and the Spirit continued his vigils, their tribe would remain and prosper, but when the Spirit in the shape of 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. Somne ten years ago the late Hon. Artemas Thayer, of Flint, related to the writer the circumstances of his weddin~g tour, from Flint to Lower Saginaw, in a sleigh, accompaznied by Miss MIath~er, of Flint, a young lady friend of the bride. They sa~v the white owl perched upon the lone tree, and on their return to Flint M~iss Mather wrote the poem that attracted so luucll attention. M~iss Matlier subsequentlyv went to New York, and at the residence of Horace Greeley sudldenly 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 left leafless; but 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 melauccioly picture, that death-bed scene in the wilderness. At 416 -I I I - I 3 r I I "A I4 131) kg -. 4- -E 1 - 0 T ] 34_ 34 HISTORY 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 my 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 I 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 ineluding the Saginaw, Kawkawlin, Pinconning, Pine, Rifle, AuGres, and Quanicassee Rivers emptying into the Saginaw Bay. This territory was organized into Bay County inll 1857. Then but two townships were in full organization in the county. Hampton and William s had been organized in 1848 and 1855, as already stated. The first election of county officers was held onl the first Monday in Junle, 1857, under the act to organize the county, and elected Wm. Simon, sheriff; Elijah Catlin, 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 STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE. The history of the memorable 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, 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 inll the prime of life, with I 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 aA 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 i 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 opponlents 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 eight was to be allowed, and not at once conceded'! The argument genlerally submitted to by the indifferent and urged by our oppolnenlts,-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 conmmlittee 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. I 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, 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 I 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 L A I a- F -~~- — ' M- sW -1 'I S 4 - z - 5 - -! - I A I I 8j L- e:.^e I. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 35 I p o f d a d ta eo y m - 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 I ' Third House' and the members for Saginaw and Midland Coun- l ties, by the efforts find 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, 1 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 Arenac, in which territory at that time, aside from Indians, perhaps not ten voters resided. THE BEGINNING OF THE STRUGGLE. i "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: " 4That the following territory [described] 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 entitled.' "The original set 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 theq 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 in the bill, and Section 2 was added, which became the bone of future contention. "This said section, when first added, originally read at the commencement and ending as follows: -This act shall be submitted 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.' "The honorable member from Saginaw 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 Midland 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 purpose offered an amendment to said section, by adding immediately after the words 'Saginaw County' the words 'Midland and Arena" 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 in 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 election was held on the first Monday in June, 18.57. 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 Counties was counted, but not otherwise-Saginaw and Midland now claimed that the act was not approved,' and that therefore it never took effect, 'and 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, i;t 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 such act had never been passed, claiming that the same was null and void, for it had failed to be approved by the votes of Saginaw, Midland 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 in 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-and we may say the principal of themadvised an acquiescence in the claim of Saginaw. And allow me here to say that a very fortunate thing it was for Bay County that Mr. Freeman had 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 now, 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 posi tion more vehemently and persistently than ever, and a few,and I believe I am justified in saying a very few,-partly to encourage him and stay his hands, and partly because they saw no 1 other hope of success, gave him encouragement, hoping against hope that he was right, yet doubtful of the correctness of his po| sition, still willing to give him all the encouragement they could | until a final decision of the Supreme Court might settle the matter. i I [ - — 90:0 I s> L 9 L r t -- L- O c - Q L 1 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'dommittee 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 somein 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 he 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 on 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 J f+, I. ^7. L J i - -, I k F- - - ~ R 6 VT -IN I II j Pi I -4 H3ISTORYT OF 'BAY CO~)UNT Y. 37 perjury, said to have been comm~itted 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 incide~nt 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 M~r. Freeman did not attend thee Supreme Court on the argument of this case, for the reason that a few days -before the case was to come on f or argument, Mr. Freeman was confined to his bed with a fever, and was quite as insensible of whast was going on in the case as 'Rip Vail Winkle,' except that thle suit was uppermost in his wild and feverish head. Now, Mrs. Freeman comprehended the situation, and kriew 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 thatt it was. The first time Mir. Fenton met Mr. Freeman after the case was decided, hze said to himr that when he arrived in Detroit several of the most prominent lawyers, (giving names), advised him to give up the sunit, and. not expose himself to ridicule, but to let Mr. Freeman alone, to fall, etc..H[e informed them that Mrr. Freemnan was sick and could not be there, and iMrs. Freeman had requested h~im to see to the suit, and he had written her thazt 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 shouldl soon call theirs to the same points. He had not gone far in the argument wchen it was conceded that his premises in the c~ase were correct. The case was submitted. and the next morning the court upon opening gave the daecision, whichz may be found commencing on page 114 of Fifth Michigan Reports-cFirst, Cooley —sustaining the plea and thus declaring Bay County organized. I"The next morningg 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 someti mes steamboat by the river in the season, and by skates andl sleighs on the ice of the river in its season, but not any road for general travel nearer than East fSaginaw, on this side of the river, and Zilwaukree on the other. There being no cannon here, and 'no mrilitary 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 I imon, bad removed from the county, and the vacancy was filled by the appointment of B. F. Partridge. FIRST SUPERVISORSI MEETING. The first meeting of the Bay County Board of Supervisors ocAure Agust 10, 1858. Thae Board was composed of Sydney S. Campbell from Hampton, and George W. Smock 'from Williamsfl and every member was present. Sydney S. Campbell was elected chairman by a unanimous vote. At thzis meeting the Board allowed and paid fourteen wolf certificates, eleven of which were to Indians, total amount, $112; total consitable. 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.l Total assessed valuation of tlze 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. HIart. At the first meetinc, 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 lunan — imous vote.' But these twvo supervisors put bn record a resolution that the chairmlan should be (entitled to vote on all questions before thle Board.' They paid the prosecuting attorney $50 a year, and othler 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 Dazniel Shaw the Board of Inspectors, Peter Marksman being elected the ~first supervisor. But Peter Marksman resioned and M. D. Bourasso was appointed and took his seatt. At a special meeting held in March, 1859, the Board erected the town of Portsmouth. J. M. Miller, A. Stevens and Wifliam Daglish 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. Sa ler was the first ~supervisor. So that the Board consisted of George E. Smith, of Harnpton, chairman, and four others at the bar meeting in 1859. The State Legislature constructed the townvlship of Beaver in February, 1867, b~y detaching territory from Williatms, 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 firrst supervisor to the Board. The township of Monitor was made a township by an act of the Legislature in 1869, and Willialm H. Needham was elected the first supervisor, and in 1870 the Board took a slice from the town'ship 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 distributed nearly all over the colunty, and other territory was being settled so fast that the inhabitants were driven to seek new organization of towns in order to construct roads andl bridges for their use in getting in and out of this vast wilderness, and in 1871 the old Itown 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 i 4(." Il: 4 11Q j I - " —Qb T7 —v - O - - 61 I. - 38 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I 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 representation, was the town of Fraser, which the Legislature authorized to organize in 1875, sending William Mitchie 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 exofficio 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, and allowed to send its recorder as ex-officio member, the Board consisted in 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 membership of thirty-four. The township of Frankenlust 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. In 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 the 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 accommoda 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 same 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 $75,000. 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 side 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 1863 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 Michigan, 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 amount 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 ( 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, without a thought on the part of the consumers that the supply was ever to be exhausted. The supply of-pine timber on the banks of the Connecticut River was I 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 were cut. If the man is not now living, 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 J - L"I J | %,,. 1* _ 4. A t (lb --- -- ~ ---- - ------ -- - ----- j a, .1 -1 ar I i I i i 't 11 I _ HISTORY OFi BAY COUNTY. 39 thereky impoverish it and lessen its value for future cultivation. It-~ must: be admitted that said proprietor was not a skillful woodsman, nor an exzperienced agriculturist, he being an En lish sea captain. I mention this reckless destruction of a commodity which time and cirreumstances 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 circum — stance 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 Jin Michigan, of whatever kind, is of more value'to the proprietor than the ashes it will make, after bestowving much labor to convert it into that commodity. If more land is reqluired for cultivation, let it be -supplied by the boundless prairies of the West, but let our M~ichig~an forests remain till the timber is required for some useful purpose, and then lef the land be put into the highest state of cultivation. But to re above the present location of the, Threa+F Mills.' That mill wvas run a portion of eatch year for several yearsq but w~ithout M1uch profit to the owner. The supply of pine logsY was procured from the pinery heretofore mentioned, the pinery being wfithin about twoo miles of the last mentioned muill. The first raft of lum~ber that ever floated on the tributaries of the Saiginaw was manufalctured at this mill, and haluled across to Flint River and floated down that stream. Ther w a 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 suf~fered 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 Willia~ms bad previously been engaged in'Detroit in building the engines of the steamboat I Michigan,' which in her dav was the finest boat that had ever floated on the western lakes, atnd 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. W~illiams, erected in 1835 the mill at Saginaw City, which was the fi~rst 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 -which ~would detract from thie value of that pazrticular location. iA military looking gentleman standing by, who was a, stranger to me, volunteered a minute description ~of every point on the Saginaww River from~ its mouth to the point where it is formed by the junction of the Sbiawassee and Tittabawassee. I wondered - CI ~ j _____1__11___1_1___1___ U L v -~ - " I c CD - Fr r Q r lw_ — 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 at 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, and 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 the rest 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 severarmen 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 jourlney to Portsmouth by water, as my health was so much impaired byexposure 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 the river, 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 the Flint. The next day I arrived at Mr. Jewett's, at Green Point, where I might have remained to recuperate my exhausted body after the exposure and fatigue it had endured, had not my anxiety about my 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 1 -1 - w 1'jelb F I r I - -- - - I — to z t3 U4) -- I O. LL We..( CD (AI ".J J I3.0 Z I.. E / I Oh- - ': 1 - -- ;< W I A — r J 5 - - - - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 41 - 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 1846, when James McCormick died. James J. McCormick 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. Tils 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 mill 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 I Moore & Smith...................... 7,000,000 Kaw-kaw-lin........................ 5,000,000 Total..................... 118,445,000 MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT FOR 1867. 0. A. Ballou & Co., Kaw-kaw-lin....... Moore, Smith & Co., Bangor........... William Crossthwaite, "4........... Taylor & Moulthrop, 4'........... Keystone Salt & Lumber Co., Bangor... Drake's Mill, W enona................ Sage, McGraw & Co., Wenona.......... Huron Salt & Lumber Mfg. Co., Salzburg John Arnold & Co., " G. W. Hotchkiss, Williams............ A. Packard, <(............ 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., Samuel Pitts & Co., J. McEwan, Dolsen & Walker, Folsom & Arnold, A. Rust & Co., Smith & Hart, C. S. Marton & Co., Pa A. Stevens & Co., Watrous & Southworth, A. & A. Miller, Hitchcock, Lewis & Peter, A. C. Rorison,.... ((* ((..........a.i... ~... oortsmouth....... ~........... ~.... 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 -1 -A& I-I A Total.......................... 186,641,031 product of each for the year 1865: BAY CITY AND PORTSMOUTH. Watrous & Southworth................ Y oungs............................. M iller & Post........................ Peter & Lewis.................. J. J. M cCormick..................... J.-F. Rust & Co...................... Watson........................... N. B. Bradlev........................ W illiam Peter...................... M iller & Co.......................... H. M. Bradley....................... Catlin & Jennison.................... Fay & Gates......................... Jam es Shearer....................... Sam uel Pitts........................ Dolsen & Walker..................... McEwan & Fraser.................... Braddock's M ills..................... WENONA, BANGOR AND KAW-KAW-LIN. Huron Salt & Lumber Co.............. Sage & McGraw...................... D rake M ill.......................... 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 9,000,000 3,000,000 5,500,000 6,000,000 SOME OF THE CHANGES OF TWENTY YEARS. The following is from the pen of Georae 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 300,000,000 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 cost the 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 udiciously swayed to a clearance of the saw blade, with a view to k, I ' - 7 - A e I k CIL I I 42 H3ISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. as little sawdust and as much lumber as possible. A large proportion of the mills run gangs, in which the waste of satw-kerf is reduced to a minimnum, and the old idea of a, circular saw hnaving 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 ex~ploded 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 bqgide. The thange in this respect is notable. In 1853, 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 2lad 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 workr 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 wont his wager, his edging table had to run hatlf 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 with thie 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 lhave 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 trvy to reach its limit of speed and capacity by the use of the mangy cur which formerly required its back to be boroken with a heavy mnallet before it would take hold and bite into the timnber. 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. Eddy, Avery & Co................... S. H. Webster............. Archibald & Bradley......... Jamees Shearer & Co......... Pitts & Cranage........... J. McEwan.............. PDolsen & Tanner........... Folsom & Arnold............ A. R-Lst & Co............. Ames Bros............... J. M. Rouse.............. PORTSMOUTH. M1. Watrous & Son........... Watrous Bros. & Co................... Albert Miller............ Hitchcock & Ingraham........ William Peter............ Richards, Miller & Co......... John McGraw & Co.......... F. F. Gardner &s Soil.......... Whlipple & Parmely......... Stevens & Shailer........... Total. LUMBER PRODUCT OF BAY COUNTY FOR 187, 1877. 0. A. Ballou & Co., Kq-%vkawlinn......nt ru-n. 103 M~oore, Simith & Co., West Bay City:....11,000,000 11 Taylor & M2loulthrop, '', 7,500.000 Ke-ystone Salt & Lum. Co., Wlr. Day Cit~iy. 2,000,000 16 E. Cl. Litchtle-ld,, 2.300,0()o H. W. Sage & Co... -.25,248,590 23 L. L. Hotchkiss & Co.,,..13,000,000 12 Laderach Bros,, ". 4,000 000 3 W. H Malone & bo",..10,065,900 8 J. M.Rouse BayCity 4,000,000 Do lsen, Chapin & Co., Biay Ciy.... 13,000,000 11 John Carrier & Co.,,,...... 8 909.725 4 John MlcEwan,,........ 10.500,000 6 Ch apin &S Barber, ~(........ 11,250,000 81 Fiolsom &t Arnold, (,........15,600,000 14~ Pitts & C ranag~e,......155.000 000 12, Gates &F Eay,....,....11,000.000 12, Eddy3, Avery &~ Co., L( ~.. ~.17,500,000 16. William Peter,........15,1i23,017 14. N. B. Bradley &~ Co.,........13,350 000 14, Hav, Butman &t Co.,........ 10,078,951 90 A. Rust & Co., 1 11,000,000 1 1 S. H. We~bster......... 9,000,000 S. MYcLeann & Son, I '........ 12,915,000 11L Albert Miller,.'........ 10000,()00 10 Watrous Bros. &e Co.,.... 4,000.000 4, Jo~hn McGra~w &~ Co,........ 1.8,000.000 40 W~atrous & SoD s,.....Not run. i Totals. 315,341,183 0-93,~ 8,509,764 8,250,000 4,000,000 10,251,310 9,300,000 9,000,000 83,250,000 12,000,000 9,700,000 5,000,000 1,100,000 4,318,000 3,500,000 13,200,000 4,5i00,000 4,614,115 10,190,000 6,500,000 3,200,000 4,000,000 4,500,000 289,029,683 '5-'76-'77-. 1876. 1875. D,000.000 10,000,000 L,700, 000 10,300.000 3,000.000 3,688,606 22.223,9 14 Z,000,ou0 8,000,000.500,000 3.500,000 3.000,000 6,750,000 L,500,000 1,800,000 1,700.000 14,035,643 t,000.000 10,140,000 3,000,000 5,700,000 3,000.000 11.250,000 0718.860 13,6'11,591,000,000 13,850,0000 1,000.000 10,000, 000,.500. 000 15,000,0000:.200,000 11,86i2,000,,000. 000 1,6,1 ),000,000 9,587,0600 1.900,000 11,000,000 s 000,000 9,000,000 L,271,755 10,501,014 ),000,000 l12,000.000 0550.000 3.500,0 00 ),2L56,000 30, 123,472 got rUD. 2,250,000,585,221 269,047.833 I MANUFACTURERS OF BAY COUNTY AND PRODUCT OF 1872. The following table shows the lumber manufacturers atnd duct of eachu for the year 1872: pro KAWKHAWLIN.. 0. A. Ballou & Co....,................ BANGOR. Moore, Smaith & Co.................. Taylor, Moutlhrop & Co.............. K~eystone Salt and Lumber Co... WENONA. FEET. 8,700,000 8,141,000 10,200,000 13,000,000 E. C. Litchfield...................... 3,6051200 H. WT. Sage & Co........... 15,000,ooo SALZBURGH. Charles M.. Smith & Co............... 4,500,000 Brookrs & Adams..................... 10,0009000 Laderach Bros.................... 500,000 MBalone & Gardner.......... 1,500,000 MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT FOR 1879. WEST BAY CITY. FEET. R. J. Briscoe....................... 7,000,000 E. J. Hargrave.......,..,........... 12,650,000 L. L. H-otch~kiss....................., 12,500,000 Murphy & Dorr...............,,...... 11,500,000 Laderach Bros....................,... 4,000,000 W. H. Malone..............,,........ 12,000,727 HE. W. Sage & Co.................. 29,388,976 B. W. Merrick..............,,........ 1,000,000 K~eystone Salt and Lumber Co........ 14,000,000 M~Ioulthrop......................... 10,000,000 Smith & Son...........,............ 12,500,000 Total. 126,539,703 ESSEXVILLE. Carrier & Co............... I......... 13,175,000 Rouse Bros.............,,............ 7,000,000 John Mc1Ewan.......................,, 11,500,000 Total. 31)675,000 BAY CITY. Dolsen, Chapin &r 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 BAY CITY. Chapin & abr John Carrier &E Co........... Gates & Fay............. H. M. Bradley & Co.......... William Peter....I.... N. B. Bradley........... Ha&y, Butman & Co................ 14,650,000 12)250,000 5 420,611. 7,300,000 10,919,765 11,000,000 8,459,918 j I e) - IY %16;~ r IN " 1 "ly I *F --- i1 I i;YL 1 7# HIISTORY'- OF BAY COUNTY. 43 c~1 Gates & Fay....................... F. E. Bradley..................... Eddy, Avery & Eddy..~~~~., Wil~liatm Peter, ~~~~~~~~~~ N. B. Bradley (Trustee).............. H~ay, Butman I& Co...................~~ ~ ~ A. Rust & Co. ~~~~~~~~~~ S. H. 'Webster..~~~~~~~~~~ S. McLean & Son, ~~~~~~~~~ M~iller & Lewis. ~~~~~~~~~~~ J. R. Hitchcock..................... W~atrous Bros ~~~~~~~~~~~ A. Chesbrough...................... T. 11' 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 17,500,000 6,26-0,000 3,500,000 4,500,000 33,954,169 264,568,438 422,783,141 z Grand Total. AT THIE CLOSE OF188s2. The'following comprehensive review of the season of 1882 was made by the Iumrnberman's Gazxette, 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 foresh2adows the fact and is brilliant and abundant with hope that this prosperity will continue throuah 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 B3ay City with the other valley cities have expanded and advancedl by leaps -and bounds of industrial and comm~ercial 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 fullly -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 water 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 m~ill men on the SaginawtT~ 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 seaso.11s labor, which enabled them virtually to control the' market, able to expect a repetition. The grave fears expressed by some ve-ry cautious operators at the commencement of the season, that the success of the preceding year, added to the unusual -activity whichhad 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 inclreased, it mnust,be remembered that the demand has fully kept pace. The natural increase of population in the territory to which our lumber is tributa'y 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 connzection with the fact that we have a large amount of lumber crosspiled on the dockrs it will be well to consider that other fact that shipments by rail the past season have been heavy, and are still ment. Abundant crops have crowned his labors and blessed his store. This is an important fact for conzsideration in connection with the lumber trade, and must necessarily have an important bearing thereon, at least during the season. of 1883. The effects of the past season's prolific crops have riot yet reached the lumber indus Ii I i -A 4-I In I - t I x 1K 0 I -"I -e,) , A I 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." LP3RODL'CT OF1 1381 —'87 Lumber Lumber Latih Lumber Lumber Lumber Lo,gs in NAME AND LOCATION. cut cut 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 11,536,000 6,892,535 1,000,000 George O. 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.......... 900,000 400,600 500,000......... Miller & Lewis........................................... 19,219,000 19,750,000......... 9,000,000......... 9,000,000 750,000 S. McLean, Son & Co................................... 15.547,984 14 000,000........ 5,423,000.......... 5,423,000 300,000 Hamilton & McGregor.................................... 12,280,000 15,000,000......... 4,500,000 4,500,000......... 200,300 A. Rust &Bro........................................... 14.500000 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..................................... 21,000,000 2",500,000..... 5,000,000 1,000,000 4,000,000 6.000,000 William Peter........................................... 18,600,000 16,500,000......... 4,500,000..........4,500,000 500,000 Eddy, Avery & Eddy...................................... 21,500,000 26,800,000 4,200,000 6,500,000 500,000 6000,000 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 15,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000.......... 4.000,000 1,000,000 Pitts & Cranage.......................................... 21,300,000 23,000,000 2,000,000 6,300,000.......... 6,300,000 2,250,000 R. J. Briscoe............................................ 20,000,000 16,500 000 5,300,000 7,400,000 1,400,000 6,000,000 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. & Co......................................... 15,500.000 17,750,000 1,500.000 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..........7,000,000 800,000 6,200,000 600,000 Rouse Bros............................................... 10,000,000 10,000,000..........5,000,000..........5,000,000 200,000 Carrier & Co............................................ 15,000,000 15,000,000.......... 5,000,000......... 5,000,000.......... Slater & W oodworth...................................... 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.................. W atrous Bros. (mill burned 1881)........................... 4,500,000........................ E. J. Hargrave & Son.................................... 16,250,006 14.000,0002,000,0005,000.000 4,00,0001,000,600 500,000 L. L. Hotchkiss & Co..................................... 13,000,000 20,000,000 700,000 2,750,000 750,000 2,000,000.......... Murphy & Dorr........................................... 17,500,000 19,200,000 6,277,00-1 4.535,000 3,355,000 1,180.000 3,000,000 Laderach Bros............................................ 7,160,000 6,500,00.......... 2,265,0002,265,000 200,000 M iller & Bros........................................... 12,200,000 14,000,000 4,000,000 4 500,000.......... 4500,000.......... W. H. Malone & Co....................................... 17,591,302 19,200,000 500,000 7,500,000 7,500,000 700,000 H. W. Sage & Co......................................... 30.121,264 31,500,000 5,000,000 9,000,000 7,000,000 2,000.000 3 000,000 John W elch.............................................. 4,000,000 12,000,000...4.000,000...... 4,000,000 200,000 Keystone Salt & Lumber Company.. -..................... 20,153 840 16,000,000 2,500,000 1,000,000......... 1 000,000 Charles E. Lewis.......................................... 11,192,209 12,500,000.......... 3.000,000 3,000,000.......... Smith Bros.............................................. 15 500,000 15,000,000 441,650 5,000,00 0. 5, 000,000......... In addition to the above are inland mills which manufacture about 20,000,000 feet of lumber a year. SHINGLES. STAVES AND HEADING. Staves. H. H. & A. N. Culver.... Borison & Co.......... J.R. H all............. 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. R. 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.......... 2,506,610 Geo. C. Myers............ 200,000 Miller &. Lewis............ 1,850,000 S. McLean, Son & Co....... 1,000,000 Hamilton & McGregor...... 1,200,000 William Peter............. 750,000 Eddy, Avery & Eddy....... 1,300,000 F. E. Bradley & Co......... 1,500,000 Pitts & Cranage........... 825,000 Folsom & Arnold.......... 650,000 Eddy Bros. & Co........... 500,000 Dolsen, Chapin & Co........ 1,500,000 McEwan Bros.............. 1,625,000 Rouse Bros................ 300,000 L. L. Hotchkiss & Co....... 1,000,000 Murphy & Dorr,................... Laderach Bros............. 300,000 W. H. Malone & Co........ 1,100,000,H. W. Sage & Co........... 1,500,000 Keystone Salt & Lumber Co. 60,000 Chas. E. Lewis............ 400,000 Smith Bros................ 652,696 R. M. Bradley & Co................. Total................ 20,719,306 Heading sett. 174,766 90,000 125,000 60,000 50,000 125,000 40,000 50,000 54,500 20,000 100,000 80,000 40,000 10,000 300,000 18,333 17,215 27,000 65,000 16,000 50,000 22,593 72,000 1,607,407 I.i;I i ll JL_:," __.1 rr -A.-jst " OR-f q4 1. -K l: S HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 45 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 61,844,000 246,411,000 8,869,000 1,110,000 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 30,380,000 1,200,000 400,000 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..,.., 260,000......... 1,780,000......... 271,000......... Total...... 581,877,000 111,281,000 21,995,000 000; 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. Branelh roads are built leading to the main roads in all directions. Trees are cut up according to the number of logs they will cut. Some trees will make three sixteen-foot 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, 40 ED) I l]-, I -7f" - ti ',1S I% _ 41- 1 I 46 HISTORT RY OF BAY COUNTY. logs and a twielve-foot log; some more. It is calculated that a chopper will trim, measure and get timber ready for the sawyer. The Itote' tearAn is kept on the roadi between the camp pand the place where supplies are got, drawinzg supplies into the camp. As soon as snow comes inz 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, andi they hold immense loads of logs, loads being drawn scaling all the way from 3,000 to 6,000 and 7,000 feet, making so many trips each dfay. Teamsters have to get up about 3 o'clock A. M., toO 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 intio 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 wor~k a long; tin hlorn about five feet lon(Y is used to call them to dinner. When th'te roads are being packed to hauxl on, and when they have beg~un haulillg, a,sprinkler' is run all night every night during cold weather, which poled down the river and out; five miles into the bay, and then put on board of vessels. At thrl'"A time there was about four and a llalf feet of water on tile Carrolltocn Bar. A LOAD OF LOGS. road, February 24, 1883. The team weighing about 2,860 pounds, was driven by a man called "Black Tom Burns." The load was liauled 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 followvs: First sleigh. feet. Second sleigh. feet. One log................~~ 736 One log................ 736 it................ 736 it............... 8(00 r(................ 710 it...... I........ 876i................ 876 it............... 1,0688 i(.................. 800........., 2 it................ 876 '............... 736 it.............. 923............... 1,120 it................. 710 i............... 1,068 6................. 710 46............... 657 236,000,000 feet. The amount furnished this season, however, exceeds any previous ye~r. The Bad River Boom Company rafted out 20,000,000 feet of logs in 1865, and 23,000,000 in 1806. The KEawkawlin, Rifle and Au Gres Boom Companies were subsequently organized. A detailed statement for the past ten years shows as follows::?j single Po 1 QD 'PI' -oad of logs, said to have been the largest ever hauled by a atir of horses, was hauled at a camp on'the Pinconning Rail -- I - L ,t IsiZEt i C HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 47 47 1872. 1873. Tittabawassee............................................. 310,216,000269,508,74 Bad8........................................................99113,915100,458,140 B ad............................................... 18,284,621 37,137,384 Rifle..................................................... 61,000,000 80,872,607 Au Gres. 23,870,742 62,281,236 Kawkawlin...............:..........27,000,000 33,573,354 A u Sable.................................................. 105,000,000 96,148,000 644,485,278 680,979,461 -' 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 343,814,365 309,908,517 341,000,000 422,500,000 328,228,810 455,667,800 580,290,610 499,846,850 40,000,268 56,003,470 18,000,000 22,029,160 6,500,000 11,168,000 5,481,260 12,913,720 26,000,000 41,854,894 36,000,000 28,000,000 17,000,000 5,000,000 9,568,139 6,874,000 58,687,083 92,128,200 61,000,000 70,274,295 72,112,114 82,000,000 79,314,651 92,856,000 38,723,688 10,948,620 49,229,472 32,645,493 57,240,750 70,846,786 95,719,614 83,116,000 22,000,0000 19,000,000 22 500,000 15 319 00;) 15,000,000 17,500,000 15,000,000 16,000,000 52,000,000 55,000,000 47,150,000 60,800,000 62,000,000113,000,000138,500,000160,232,347 581,225,404 584,843,7011574,879,472 651,567,948 558,081,674 755,182,5861923,874,274 871,838,917 1882. 611,862,670 5 000.O0 5,a2:2,625 115,9,< 00 95,247,334 25,001,060 2u0,86),300 1,058,585,929 I 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........... 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. Ten 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 come to Saginaw River mills. During the month of December the Flint & Pere Marquette hauled 11,964,532 feet of logs, of which 5,040,370 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..............8328,228,810 1873.............269,508,740 1879..............455,667,800 1884.............343,814,365 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 COU NTY SANW 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 'P I - - --- --- ---------------------------------—..^w --- —----------------—...~~,,. -- I -s l_. 4_.. 4 I i I i i i I i i I I I L/- -- 48 HIISTORY OFF BAY CITY M'ILLS. S. G. M. GATES owns the mill, formerly owned by the firm of Gates & Fay. T~he first saw mill built in what was then Lower Saginaw, wats 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 Dunla~p, of Chicago. and still later to Burns & Wheeler. In 1859 it became the property of Grant &~ Fay, and 'in 18163 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 M~r. Fay retired and Mr. Gates continues the business, employing about sixty men andl cutting annually about 15,000,000 feet of lumber. TH-E MC:EWAN MILL and the following year he purclnased the property. H~e operated it alone until the Winter of 1866-'67, when Angus Miller purchased an interest, and thle 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 at season, and representing an investment of $~50,000. They operated thle mill two years, and from that time until 1879, Albert Miller was alone. In 1879, Mr. George Lewis purchased' a hlalf 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. BAY COUNTY.. I I I I ALBERT MILLER is an old resident of Baay City, - having come here from St. Clair County, in 1855. For a time after coming here he worked in the mills and so latidi the foundation of a successful business career. B~y 1863 be had reached a point when he consid' ered it safe to do something on his own account, and ]eased a mill whichli e 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 leadino, members of the Freniont Avenue Methodist Episcopal Society, and fromt the first has been one of its liberal supporters. M~r. Lewis is mrentioned in connection with the Bay City Baink, of which he is president. GEORG;E C. MYERS. In 1851, the firin of W~atrous, rSouthwmorth &t Co. built a mill oil the site of thze present Myers Mlill, corner of Thirty-eighth andl lowing Fall Mr. Baug~hman disposed of the property to Mr. Hubbard, of Detroit, who soon afterward sold to the late Satmuel Pitts, of Detroit. In 1857 the capacityv of the mill was inzcreased to -4,000,000 a sea~son. In~ 1865, Samuel Pitts & Co. succeeded Samuel Pitts, and about that time the capacity of the mill was againl increased. In April, 1868, Samuel Pitts died, and the firm be i i II - 49 L I kE -k — I I _,E) I li, -k 491 - — A I 4 I 5 " I _ I _ -I i 171, ~"I6,: ofr RES. OF ALBERT MILLER, BAY CITY. MICH. 11 t., I I a A^ <: I I -- ': - - - EHISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I 49 I 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 t.lie present mill built immediately after. Tle 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 feat 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 hlaving been in their employ for nearly twenty years. Mr. Alexander Culbert, their book-keeper, has been in that position since June, 1863, and has rendered twenty years of faithful and valuable service. There are about 150 men employed in 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 hack 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 ci cular 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 im., provements, 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, John F. Eddy, of Bay City, and the heirs of Newell Avery, represented in the business by John H. Avery, a son of the late Newell Avery. JOHN F. EDDY, who resides in Bay City, is a son of the late Jonathan Eddy, who was a lumberman in the state of Maine, and came Weal at an early day, and became extensively engaged in lumberinfg in Michigan, and was one of the firm of Eddy, Avery & Co., at t fis point. In 1866 Mr. John F. Eddy came here from Maine, and since that time has been actively engaged in lumbering and other interests. In 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, it prominent lumberman who died in 1877. Since his death the heirs have been represented here by John H. Avery, who now resides in 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 mill 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 e _ ---.... -..:. —. the season. In 1858 Mr. N. B. Bradley took charge of the mill, doing sawing by the thousand. In 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 has 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. Mc 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 he 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 M. 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 the 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 he has 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 ten men; it had two upright saws. That firm run it until 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 cut was as follows: The first plank was 38 inches wide. 10 inches thick..... 506q feet. (< second t An 36 t t 8 a ( 384 third <' A 36 ( " 5 " a 240 Total.................................. 1,1303A 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 I I i I a r - no - I -.l L k (i F", -- IK. 4-e I-, HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. of Connecticut. In 1866 be 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 loca~ted 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 anad batrrclls. 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. SMIITH, superintendent of the mill, carve 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~eompetent, and attends to the business intrusted to bim with fidielity. HAY, BUTM~AN & CO. The mill now owcned by this firm was built by M~ir. Ja~mes Watson in the Fall of 1863, andl comm~enced~ operations the following season with a circular saw. Cutting capacity 3,000,000 for the season. In 1866 Mr. Wattson was joined by Mir. O'Brien, of Chicago, when the mill was enlarged, and its capacity doub~led. In 1871 the property was purchased by Hay, Brttman & Co., the present owners. The present capacity of the mill is about 14,000,000 feet of luml-er a season, and employment is given to about sixty-five men. 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 wheir 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. EDwm~ G. CARREIER, Of the firm of Carrier & Co., was born in Jefferson County, P9., February 14, 18139, whnere be reinained until 1877, engaged in lumbering. He then removeed to Bay City, where he again engaged in the lumber balsiness, 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 dangghters. His residence is corner of Fourth and Fatrragut Streets, Bay City. BIRDSALL & BARKER. This firm are the present proprietors of the McGraw ~Mill, one of the most noted mills in all the lumnberingi regions. The late John Mc1Graw, who was so widely kno vvi in connection with Cornell University, and as one of the most extensive lumbermen of h~is time, was first engazged in tile mayufacture of lumber with Mlr. H. W. Sagre, at Wenona, where in 186;3-'64 thley built a mill of monster proportions. In 1868 M1tr. IMcGrawv sold h~is interest in that mill, and built one at Portsmouth, which was destroyed by fire in 1872. The mill was immediately rebuilt oil a rnnch larger Sca~le. It was said to be thle largest mill in th~e world. It cut one season 55,260,000 feet of lumber. The mill site covered about one hundred acre~s, wh-ich has been thickly dotted with bnuildings 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 saltblockis is about 125,000 barrels. After the death of John McGraw, Mr. Thomas McGraw, a nephew livings at Poughkeepsie, New York, prising and energetic lumbermen of the valley. EDDY BROS. & CO. This mill was built by S. H. W~ebster, and was purchased by the present firm in the Sprilng of 1881, of Chapin & Barber. The salt block was rebuilt in the Wjinter of 1882. The cu') of the mill is 1 IIIr Jl i (9- v I_ ----- ---- - - -- - - --,I kcr -~~"~~-i-~~.u~~.rz-_. -~4=~~F~ ~-~; —. ----;~-r~l-Y ---_-~~ F 117 '& HISTORY OF -BAY COUNTY. 51 r 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 ml-enufacture of lumber and the business interests of the firm. GREEN & STEVENS. The mill of this firmn 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 il the lumber trade; then moved to Bay City and remained three years. From Bay City he went to Kansas and remained one year. Ice 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, be 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 C:onnecticut, 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 ill 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 Slalf -in - terest in the Stone Island Mill, since known as the Green & Stevens Mill, which he still owns and operates. The capacity of the concerts 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 bulilt in 1873 by Whipple, Palmer & Clo. In'the Spring of 1877 it was p-nrchased 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 tive of England. He came to Bay City in 18366, 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. MI. 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 uthe' 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 pl rchased the interest of Mr. John McGraw, and the firm was changed to H. W. Sage & C~o., 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 '3, 1867, was recorded at the time by the Bay City ~oulrval: " 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 mluley 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, bead 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 19 Ipp-~l. * Ai i I I 52 HISTORY OFi BA`Y COUNTY. rousing cheers. During the whole day no accident to either men or machinery occurred." James Corbett is still sawyer in the same mill; Abbott Plum — mner is lumbering, and lives in West Bay City; John G. Emery is now of the firm of Emery & Garland, dealers in millU matchinery.and supplies; M. H3aggazrty 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. 0. Craft is keepin- saloon in West Bay Cityv, and N. Emery is present foreman of the samie mill. The following table gives the product of this mill for each year since it commenced rnnning: YEAR. FEET. 1865................... 9,048,000 1866.................. 20,225,000 1867.................................22,952,957 1868......................,...........31,388,940 1869............................... 28,697,871 1870......................,.......... 34,450,972 1871............................... 22,442L,571 1872................................ 12,940,519 1873...................20,370,670 1874...................25,111,595 1875................................ 2'2,223,944 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 Tayrlor, Moulthrop & Co., and in 1881 by Mr. Charles. E Lew~is- the present proprietor. The mill employs about sixty men and i~ut last year 12,500,000 feet of lumber. CHARLES E. LEWIS was born in Cuyahoga County, in the "Western Reserve" part of Ohio. In 1851 he, in company with his hatlf-brother, the late J. W. Whittaker, came to this part of Michigan, and was engaged in working at his trade, that of a millwright. H~e 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 late John McDowell in his foundry and machine shop. Still later was a member of the firm 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, 6f East Saginaw, bought Mr. Moulthrop's interest, and the business wPas carried on unrler 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, at girl. JOHN WTELCH. This is the mill krnown for many years as the "Drake Mill." It was built in the Winter of 1851-'52, by Dratke'Bros., and in 1853 sold to Kibbee, W7hittemore & 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 f~eet of lumber. KEYSTONE LUMBER AND SALT MAN IF)G COMPANY. This mill was formerly known as the Lord Afill, having been built by Mr. George Lord in 1854. Its capacity then was atbout 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 mill is about 20,000,000 feet of lumber a season, and number of Men employed about 130. The officers of the company are D. Noble, president, Philadelphia; C. S. Riley, vice-president, Philadelphia; F. Jollnson, superintendent, WIest Bay City. F. JOHNSON, superintendent of th~e Keystone Mill, was born in Salemn Co., N. Y., in 1831. In 1847 removed to Maryland with his fathler, where they 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 be sold out and came to West Bay City, taking the position which he now holds with the Keystone Lumber &Pr Salt Manufacturing Co. H. J. &t 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 &t Co., and in 1862 they enlarged its capacity to 10,000,000 feet a season, giving employment to thirtyfive men. In 1878 the mill pazssed into possession of the firm of Peter Smith & Sons. In November, 1880, Po~ter Smith died, and his two sons, Henry J. and Charles J. Smith succeeded to the business. The averagre cut of their mill is now f20,000,00)0 a season, and about eig~hty men are employed. Tile 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, Jatcob, Rudolff, Charles, Samnuel and John. In 1861 they built a stave mill and cooper shop at Salzburgh, andl engaged in the manufacture of barrels; the salt business, then in its infancy, creating a demand for that kiind of package. After running their stave mill for 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. Talman 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 knzown as a "kettle block," but the present mode of manufacture is by the "steam process."" LADERACHBRIOTHERs are five in number, and are all natives of Switz;erland. The who'le family, consisting of father, mother, seven brothers andl four sisters, emigrated to the United States in 1851, and settled on a farm in St. Clair Co., Mich. The father, mother and the two younaer 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 181i1 the~y all removed to that part of the township of B angor which was af terward known as Salzburgb. 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 D~istrict No. 3, Bangor. I RUDOLFF LADERACH married ~Miss Catherine C. 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 Switz~erland. His family consists of one boy and two girls. i I I I I i 111 e I i -"w r I SAMUEL and JOHN LADERAC firm, are unmarried. It,: I i I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 53 H, the remaining members of the I I 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 employve. 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 Gr.lnd 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: I I I-T I:;: < <; 0 0~ IIIf co r IV _ 0 tl f 1- >-,2 IV -A 1% 11 -lif-e - it ~ ir~ i 1 54 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. SALT STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1864. FIRM. LOCA.TION. INVESTMIENT, B&RRELIS. 0. A. Ballou. & Co................... Katwkawlin. $.40,0)00 3,000 F. A. Kaiser......................... ".. 20,000 6,000 F. Lloyd............................ Bangor.... 20,000 1,800 Beckwith, Moore & Smith............... 16,000 700 Leng, Bradfield &~ Co............... (... 20)000 49000 Taylor & Moulthrop.......................... 10,000 600O Moore. Smith & Co........................... 5,000 C. C. Fitzhugh...................... Satlzburg~.. 20,0)00 17,000 W.~V S. Talmann........................... 13,000 6,000 Fisk & Clark........................ "... 20,000 2,000 Chicago & Milwau~kee Salt Co......... 64..... 6i5,000 13 500 H. B. Patrmelee....................... 64.... 34,000 11,500 Gi~pola Works........................ Baty City..... 40,000 12 ' 000 Atlantic Salt Co..............,,....... 4....40,000 119000 Saginaw Bay Salt Co................... 15,000 8,500 Sarato-m Salt Co......................... 30,000 1,306 Fowler & Tucker.......................... 30,000 1,300 Dolsen & WSalker......................... 15,000 6,000 Lower SaginawT Satlt Co............... ''..... 27,000 7,595 Bay City Salt Mlfg. Co..................... 26,000 11,000 Samuel Pitts............................. 251000 5,500 N~. B. Bradley......................... 15,000 11,527 A. Stevens &-~ Co..................... Portsmouth.. 6,000 8,000 Hayden & Co........................... 20,000 3,500 New York Salt Co.................. 25,000~ 8,000 Portsmouth Salt Co....................25,000 3,000 Total........................~........... $622,000 167,332 8 PRODUCT OF 1867-'68. business, -and the other where it is a mere parasite of the lumber mnanuufac ture.. 6 At the start all the conzditions seemed to favor the 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 squar e miles of territory; and for fuel, the dense original forest of Northern Miclnigan. 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 that the investments were not all judicious, and that in the inception of this, as of most new enterprises, some losses were incurred from waut of experience; but this was less the case in this instance than usually happens, as the model on which the origrnal Sagijnaw Salt Works were built existed at Syracuse, N. Y.9 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 tile manufacture, though not as good as it is Row9 was a fair article. It hzad to be sold everywhere alongside the product of the New York works, which bad bad the benefit of more than a half century's experience; it must, therefore, have compared not veryr disadvantageously with Onondaga~ salt, in order to command nearly the same price, whichl 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 facturers avail themselves of their advantage in this respect; indeed, the entire manufacture of the Sagrinaw 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 manangem~ent, their refuse is sold at a small figure or given away to the nearest salt works, which a~re thus enabled to run at a reduced expense; in fact, little or no cordwood is now usedi for fuel at any of the salt works of the Saginaw Valley." -a. 1867., N. B. Bradley & Co, Bay City............ 9 520 Saluuel Pitts &- Co., 66........... 8,150 Titus Duncan, 44....................... 6,155 S~mith & HIart, C9............. 7)000 Bay City Salt Mfg. Co., "......................~~ 5,369 Doisen &I Walker,............5,500 Lower Saginaw Co.,.......................~.~~ 8,500 Atla~ntic Salt Co.,...........10,200 A. Stevens & Co., Portsmouth............ 6,634 A. C. Braddock, ((...................... 7,000 Portsmou~th Salt Co., Taylor & Moulthrop, Bangor............... Leng & Bradfield, 66............101000 Keeystone S. & L. Co., C 0 Moore, Smith &~ Co.9 6........... F. Fitzhugh, Salzburg.................1,400 Hill & Son,................. ~ Johnsron & Walsli, Salzburg............. 2,000 Huron Salt & Lumber Company, Salzburg....... 7.500 O;~'A. Ballou, Kawkawlin............... 9,786 186i8. 91500 10,000 3,000 4,000 13,000 7,000 8,500 12,000 11,000 M1800) 3,505) 5,100 15MOO0 8,000 400 4,000 7,000) 3.000 10,000 109000) 118)820 155,800 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 follow~s: "The salt manufacture of the -Saginaw Valley has had an existence of about tenl 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 II L 9:eJ f 6 ---+ 4 41- P O I HISTORO RY OFIi BAY U COUNTY. 55g M\IANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT A. Rust&R C. 3Bousfield & C......., H. WT. Sage & Co............ Keystone Salt & Lumber Co.. W. H. Mln......, L. L. H3otchkiss & Co...... Moore, Smith & o.... WillUiam Peter.... N. B. Bradley, (trustee)...... Albert Mle........~ MicGraw QC.... S. H. Webster................. S. McLean & Son...,........ Hay, Butman & C...... N. W. G. &s Water Pipe Co.... A. Chesbrough............ Vr 29 2 65 11 22 34 7 18 37 35 51 26 39 19 18i FOR 1877-78-79.9 877. 1878. ),000 29,113;,,698 i,609 67,752.,047 11,426.1,522 21,367 1,278 30,397 r,543 14,099 3,933 34,874 r1047 47,549 i,536 57,094 1,135 27,794 ),290 26,336 ),189 41,469 ),121 31,492 1879 34,018 61,304 22,202 23,935 35,364 1,788 36,306 62,803 63,713 37,263 37,074 25i,744 11,070 11,972 59,522 L. L. Hotchkiss........................... Laderach B ros............................ W. H. M~alone...................... HE3. W~. Saae & 6o................................... J. D. K etcham.............................I K~ey~stone Salt & 1Lum. Co............ Burt,& Lewis...................... ~~~ ~~ ~~~ C. E. Lewis............................... Smith & Sons.................... ~M cGraw &~ Co................................~ ~ ~~ ~ Bird~sall &t Barker........................ A. Chesbrough........................... G. C. M~yers............................... Murphy & Dorr..................... MViller & Lewis.......................... S5. M~cLean. Son & Co.................... 54,860 17,2`17 -281665 64,352 5,697 31,593 3,006.23,888 28,018 29,239 70,508 580 17,662 37,300 54,0799 24,930 Total.................... 707 THE SALT DISTRICTS. The salt prodiucing territory of the state is divided into seven districts, having a manufacturing capacity as follows: District, No. 1, Saginzaw County. —Employs four deputy salt inspec'tors, has fifty-six salt companies, with forty-three steam, eighteen pan blocks, and 4,000 solar salt covers, having a manzufacturing capacity of 1,400,000 barrels of salt. District No. 2, Bay County. —Employs three deputy salt inspectors, w~ith 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, WI'th five steam and eight pan blocks, with a manufacturing capacity of 400,000 barr~els of salt. District No. 4, Iosco County. —Employs two deputy salt inspectctrs, has eight salt companies, with eight steam blocks, having Total.......................,... 1.1.58279 SHIPMENTS BY WATER FOR 1882. April........................................ 53,937 May......................................... 87,722 June.................. -........ 47,194 July.......................................... 32.311 A4ugust.................................... 6'2,831 Septembler................................... 37.629 October....................................... 68.225 November.................................... 50,147 Total.................................... 439,996 The shipmrents 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. 0 The total salt product of the state in 1869 was 560,818 barrels ad- - q - l ---- ------ -- --- -- --- -. —. ---— 7 --- toit - : He; 56 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I ____ 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 the 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 for the salt product during a series of years show as follows: Average price per barrel, 1866..............................$1 80... 1867.............................. 1 77... 1868.............................. 1 85. 1869.............................. 1 58 1870.............................. 1 32... 1871.............................. 1 46.. 1872.............................. 1 46.. ( 1873.............................. 1 37.. c 1874.............................. 1 19.. C 1875.............................. 1 10 1876............................. 1 05 187............................. 85, 1878.............................. 85.... 1879.............................. 1 02.. 1880.............................. 75.. c 1881.............................. 8323.. 1882.............................. 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 Cranage, 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. R3mington, 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 Oszoda. 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. The affairs of the association are managed by the Board of Directors, who are all lmanufacturers 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 ea-ch 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 salt solely 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 Midhigan," 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 LIay 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 Yeal necessity for an organization. A number of salt manufacturers in the Saginaw Valley hatd 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 Is I w ;i' q- -- ~.L. J ~j 4 Ct i i i I i I _ __ ___~1__1 __;___ _~__~_A _ IHISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 57 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 oil 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 was 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 o'f 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 Iribune 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. The large 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 Grow 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 Biiffalo 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 Wm. Lewis' and 'R. J. Carney,' were the last regular lumber traders to leave for Buffalo. The tug Albert J. Wright' and barges 'Mills' and IW. 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 sCheney' 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," "Iesman," "Grace W1hit1ey., " "Melbourne," "G. W. Bissell," "J. S. Austin," "Amaranlth," "Win. Treat," "T. G. Lester," "J. L. Ketchum," "L. B. Crocker."-34. 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," "Coia 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 -.46 1 I -0 - r F v o Or-. I It V 58 HIISTORY 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 Smithl in 1846 —'47. She was built at Satginaw and named the "Ju~lia Smith," than being the name of the proprietor's only daualiter. At that tim- theeCLrrollton bar wasali obstrui: - tion to the navigation of the river, and this vessel was modeled to adapt itself to that difficulty. It was of a7bout seventy tons burden and when loadedl drew four and a half feet of water. In 1848, when Judge Mliller removed his family from Saginatw to Portsmouth, they made the trip on this vessel in about two days. The "Julia Smith"1 left thne Sa~rinawr trade about 1850, and as late as 1871 was sailing on Lake Michigan, and was staunch and sound. The first vessels of any importance built near the mouth of the river were built by the Braddocks, at Portsmouth, in 1857-'58, and were the,Essex" and "Bay City." The latter is still afloat. The floated on the waters of the Saginaw. The 'Governor Marcy' made regula~r 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 knuown 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 entire~ly 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 gro;Lnd, paid no attention to him. He was superseded in the command before the season wasl out. 4FIRST STEAMBOAT BUILT ON THE RIVERi "InH 1817 the business of the Sagainaw Valley had beg-Ln to revive somewhat; th~e lumber business was carried on in a small way, and at that time a great want was felt for a better means of com — munica~tion betwreen different points on tile Saginaw River, and for some modie of navigating the streams thathR~t fonrm the said;c river. It must be remembered that at the tim~e above mentioned every man had to pazddle hirs 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. Ad~ison Mowry, a native of Pittsbulrgh, who was well acquainted with the navigation of the shoal waters of the upper portion of tile Ohio River, conceived the idea that a steamboat modeled after those ruianing on the Ollio, would not only serve for the wants of the Salginaw River, but could be made useful in natvigrating th~e streams above. At the SAGINAW, BAY CITY AND ALPENA' STEAiMERS. other parties entered into the project of building such at boat as has been mentioned; and in the Summer of 1847, Mr. Fraser and Da~niel ]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 CODstrUCtion was carried on near Emersoll's mill, at Saginaw, on the east side of the river, for tile convenience of getting sawed lumber at the mill. The work on tile hull had progressed considerably Mr-~ ing 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 responsibidity of providing the materials and superintending the building of the boat was assigned to Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., and notwithsitanding the many difficulties attending that duty, they were all over come, 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 Portsmout~h, was engineer. The BRuena Vista,' notwithstanding her awkwazrd alppeazrance. with her stern wheel, answered the purpose for which shle was constructed, with the exception of 411 ele -- -u-_1- ~;,,~ II __ _ __ --- —- ----- ----------- -— ~ --- —- --- ------------- ------- kV --- ~_I :-,-...1.-; a:: j ~s~..: ~- :I L: I:~fi':~: I~t; ~-bj98'aC'~WZF-lfF;l\nll -~i —;~ s,,,B :?;I:~ ".I '"bw IRksa.-~;-i.. ~ii4 'Z:T:':::? P:-t L 7s — $ dl)rl it:~nP1:.ij18:* irS" ~1? -1:- i'~:]].il ~-i ii, r:.:::::,;: '~LJ:~ I;ajr~I~Il ~~tii': --Gc/Ld PC2IQ- '3 aI -A F I I H~iISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 59 ducelvas 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 MWr. Gould, of Owosso, came to Saginaw in the Summer of 1849, and when they got ready to return home, i~t was determined, in order to show the fealsibility 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 oil 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 mornling under favorable auspices, expeecting to be back at Saginaw by a little past noon, so no provisions for the comfort of theeinner 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 Shiawa~ssee and entered -the Bad River. That river was so narrow and -crooked in places that it was with diff~iculty that we made any progress; in a short turn in the river the length of th~e boat was so great that it would rub both banks at the same time, and she had to exercise all the power of her'e-ugines to squeeze through. It was near night when we reached a ipoint in the river where the navigation was attended with less diiiculty, when a strange whistlinzg sound proceeded from the engines, arid the engineer was walking in th~e watter 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 wasbbeing propelled by heated gas. Had the engineer sue - ceeded in letting water into the boilers whnen 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 wats 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 Sa~ginaw, 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 part ook of the bountiful supply of provisions, which they brought to the crowd about one O'clock: in the morla` ng, and which the good ladies of Saginaw City had supplied them with, by emptying tlleir larders of cooked provisions. The next day the excursionists exercised their muscles in performing a, pedestrian tour through the wcilderness, by way of Swan Creek and the Tittabawassee to Sagainaw. The 'Buena Vista' 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 'W~olcott.' 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." "LCAPT. DARius COLE is one of the pioneer vessel men of Michigan, and particularly of the Saginaw Valley. H~e was born in Wales, Erie Col., N. Y., October 11, 1818. As early as 1835, before Michigan became a state, be came West to Detroit, and afterwards helped to survey the territoryt 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 be came to Lowier Saginaw, now Bazy 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 "Columzbia" 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 lie now has three boats and operates a line between Btty City and Alpena. Captain Cole is a, genial gentleman and is a well stocked encycloppedia of early reminiscence and events. He has had a successful business career and amassed a handsome property. He owns considerable real estate in B~ay 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. B RID GE S. Previous to 1865 tile only means of transit across the Saginaw River was by row-boats lor 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 buridge was 1,900 feet in length $iid 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 tinie 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 Salzburgb. The bridge of the Detroit and Bay City Railroad was built in 1873. TH1E 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 expounzded, justice administered, and other krinds of business, too numerous to mention, transacted. The justice of the peace who presided over the principal court of the early days, wats necessarily a being of varied attainments, at least in theory if not in fact. It was his business to unite in holy bonds of matri 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 17T01, the peop, le 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, I -1 0 I -i r j 4-2 I - I '- v. -4 -F ^Q bl L-mJ A 1 - 60 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. i 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, Ioseo, Bay and Alpena. June 25, 1857, John Robertson vs. HIarvey Williams was the first suit in the Bay County Circuit Court, W. L. Sherman, attorney for plaintiff; May 81, 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 ermpaneled 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 Vaa 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. r 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 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 1848 he removed to Pontiac, and there hle 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. He 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 J i 4 I I i I I I P;e:: 3 r 0:;::::0:0;:0: Of:::. In f; S:Xt DSt:00,,:; f::0::) l;:00:d:: ':,.,.tOffs in' f it' f:f:X; C; 0 if:n000 0 A::;:; I _: D: f -of:Q0.: f:fi:;t Of;:.:f: t..D C. A:: C:S? f:D.(f; -as i:i; - 00000zSr:: Tti: t;z:'by:::; ):. WAYS L:v,\ a I 1 j I co p13 - - - - '"0110- - -- - ---- i -—.4! ----1 ---- -— ~,~~-g- sii -.. ---- Y — 1 0.~-r HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 61 _ ~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. Fieeman, 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 cof 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, before 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 1837 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 O. 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 mast 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 property notwithstanding 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 IJ _ _ _____ - I- a 622 HISTORY OF~ o BAY COUNTY. roads in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are the leading members and supporters of the Emanuel Reformed Episcopal Church at South Bay City. Mr. Freeman's name must always remain associated with the early history of Bay County, in the interest of which he has rendered great servic~e. James Birney is mentioned in another part of this worki. Stephen W~righ~t went to California, where he died. James Fox remained only a short time, ANDREW C. MAXWELL canie here in March, 1857, from Lapeer, Mich. He wats born in Onondaga County, N. Y., July 11, 1831. When thirteen years of~ age be removed to Aichigan with Iris parents, who settled in Oatkland County. He was brought up on a farm, and studied law at Pontiac. In June, 1853, he was admitted to the bar and settled in Lap~eer, where lie begann the practice of law. December 28, 1853, lie married Satrall M. Halt, who belonged to the pioneer family of Lapeer County. While there he held the office of prosecuting- attorney one term. In March, 1857, he settled in Lower Saainaw, where he has been in continuous practice longer than any other attorney now here. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1870-'71, and from 1876 to 1880, when he resigned... In 1881 he was again elected and re-elected in 1882 and 1883. H~e was a member of the Legislature in 1865 and in thte Fall of 1882 was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Tenth district. In 1872 he built a block on Wt-Ater Street, known as the Maxwell Block. MJ3r. Maxwell 2las had more to do with the affairs of Bay County than anly other man in it on account of his longS service on the Board of Supervisors and his recog~nized ability as a lawyer. He also took ant active paxt in the organizlttion of the county. As a lawyer M4r. Maxwell long ago had acquired a state reputation, and for upwards of twenty years has had1 a very extensive practice in the courts of Nuorthern Michigan. To those whlo know him it would sound exceeding~ly tame to say that "Maxwell is An inveterate joker," when for a quarter of a century accounts of his acts of generosity and interestedness in others' aff a~irs upon auspicious occasions, have been the current anecdotes in this part of the state, several of which are recorded in another part of this work. THEOPHILIUS COTTON GRIER, judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, from 1870 to the time of his death in 1872, was in his day a prominent member of the Bay County bar. Judge Grier was born on the 2nd of Janu-iry, 1834, and he wats consequently in his thirty-ninth year at the time of his death. His parents resided at was frequentl~y elected to offices of trust and lionor. In 18360 lie was elected prosecuting attorney and Circuit Court commissioner for the counlty- In 1862 he was, however, not fortunate, and wats defeated in the election for tile saute offices. In 1865 he was the attorney for the city, and in 18367 was elected representative to the Legislature from this district. While filling this office lie disting~uished himself both as a debator and good working member. In 1870, by unanimous request of his legal brethren of the Bay City bar, and without opposition, lie was chosen judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. LUTHER BECKWITH is one of the early members of the Bay County bar, Ilaving settled here in the Fall of 1860. He is a native of Washtenaw County, and a graduate of the University of iMichigan. HEe was admritted to practice in 1860, and began practice in Bay City. He held the office of prosecuting attorney from 1863 to 1867, and has also been aldermalla of the city. He is well known and has a good reputation as a lawyer. ARCHILBALDD cDONELL settled in Bay City in June, 1861. He was born in St. Andrews, Nova Scotia, January 1, 1838. He received a grammar school training and taught in his native province about three years. In 1859 lie entered the law department of Michigann University,aud graduated in the Spring of 1861. TllefollowinggJune he entered upon the practice of his profession in Bay City. He has held several local off~ices, aniong which were those of mayor of the city, supervisor, circuit court com~missioner, city attorney and alderman. ~Mr. MScDonell h~as been very successful, both as a lawyer and business mail, and ranks among the wealthy men of Bay County. He is a member of the hardware firm of Logan, Bialy & McDonell, and has large real estate interests in the city and county. ISAAC MARSTON, late associate of the Supreme Court, has recently engaged in the practice of law at Detroit, but it is impossible to separate his name from the history of progress in Bay City and County during the past twenty years. H~e was born in Ireland, _)anuary 2, 1839, his father being a small landed proprietor of Enzglish descelzt. His mother maintained and educated~ the children after their father's death. He determinled to take his chances in the busy world on this side of the water, and in 1856 came to America, where he began his career by working upon a farm in Oakland County, where he attended school for two months. He was here with no advantages save his inzdomitable will and fixed determination to make the best use of the talents given him, yet he has far outstripped the thousands whose surroundings made easy the way to success. In 1859 he entered the law department of tile University of Michigan, and graduated in 1861. During a portion of the time he was in the employ of Judge Cooley, with whom lie afterwards sat upon the Supreme Bench. scientious regard to the duties and responsibilities of his position as Ilas characterized him in the higher honors to which lie has since bneen called. In April, 1875, he was elected justice of the Supreme Court, to fill tile vacancy caused b~y the election of Judge Christiancy to the United States Senate, and remained upon the bench until his resignation in February last. He Ilas been a power in promoting LI!" IC" 0 O: i A If4 _ O __ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY, 63 I the growth and development of the county, and his services are appreciated by its' citizens. HoN. HERSCHEL H. HATCH, of Bay City, member of Congress from the Tenth Congressional District, was born in Morrisville, Madison Co., N. Y., February 17, 1837. The experiences of his early life were similar to those of the average American youth of that day. He was naturally studious and ambitious, and received the best education a boy could secure from the public schools of his native village and from the instruction of his father. When he came to decide upon a life pursuit,he chose the law and was admitted to the law department of Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 1859. He then opened an office and began the practice of law in his native village, where he remained until 1863. In March of that year he came to Bay City, and the same month became associated with Isaac Marston in the practice of law. The next year James Birney was admitted to the firm, which then became Birney, Marston & Hatch. In about a year Mr. Birney retired, and the firm of Marston & Hatch continued, and was recognized as one of the leading law firms in the state. This firm was dissolved by the election of Mr. Marston to the Supreme Bench in 1875. Mr. Hatch was one of the first aldermen of Bay City, being elected to that position on the incorporation of the city in 1865. In the Fall of 1868 he was elected judge of probate of Bay County, and held the office until 1872. In 1874, the Legislature having directed Gov. Bagley to appoint a commission to revise and amend the constitution, and Mr. Hatch having gained a state reputation as a lawyer, he was selected by Gov. Bagley as one of the eighteen commissioners to perform the work, Gov. Jerome being his colleague from the Saginaw district. In 1881 he was one of the five commissioners appointed by the Governor, under the bill passed by the Legislature to revise the tax laws of Michigan. The present tax law is the work of that commission, of which Mr. Hatch was a leading and influential member. He has held various other positions of trust and influence, and especially in educational matters he has always taken an active interest and has done much toward their advancement. While Mr. Hatch has been almost continuously in public service,he has never been considered a politician in the commonly accepted meaning of that term. His ambition and energies have been directed to his profession, in which he is recognized as one of the leading lawyers of Michigan, and has been associated with some of the most important cases that have arisen in this part of the state. He is a man of great energy,and is a hard worker, both as a student and practitioner. He possesses many marked characteristics, promi nent among which are decision of character, and directness of speech and action. In the Fall of 1882 he received the nomination of Representative in Congress, from the Republicans of the Tenth District, and was elected by a majority as surprisingly large as it was satisfactory to himself and political friends. He was married, in June, 1864, at Morrisville, N. Y., to Miss Eliza E. Houghton, of that place. They have four children. Their family residence is on the corner of Tenth and Washington Streets. James R. Cooke practiced here awhile. He is now in one of the departments at Washington. R. McBrookins was associated with A. C. Maxwell a year or so, and in 1862 went into the army. C. H. Denison, a brilliant lawyer, was here from about 1863 till 1879. He is now in New York City. Cushman K. Davis studied with A. C. Maxwell in 1864. He was afterwards governor of Minnesota. Samuel Maxwell, brother of A. C. Maxwell, and now one of the supreme judges of Nebraska, was admitted here and went into the army in 1861. Archie Stevenson studied with A. C. Maxwell in 1858, and was admitted. He went West and became prominent as a lawyer. He died about 1874. E. W. Andrews, a minister, came here about 1870 and was admitted to the bar. He practiced a short time and went away about 1875. Dr. William Daglish was also a member of th$ Bay County bar. He is mentioned in another place. Those mentioned were the pioneer lawyers of Bay County. Among the older lawyers who came after those named were George P. Cobb, T. F. Shepard, J. W. McMath and S. T. Holmes. Following are the present members of the bar:-E. Anneke, L. Beckwith, John Brigham, Jr., Samuel L. Brigham, George P. Cobb, Fatio Colt, Edgar A. Cooley, F. B. Clark, C. L. Collins, M. A. Dowling, Henry Fenton, C. H. Freeman, G. H. Francis, S. P. Flynn, Isaac A. Gilbert, H. M. Gillett, J. C. Greening, Frederick K. Gustin, S. T. Holmes, H. H. Hatch, John Hlyde, John Hargadon, A. H. Ingraham, A. M. King, A. P. Lyon, Henry Lindner, A. C. Maxwell, J. W. McMath, A. McDonell, George W. Mann, Daniel Mangan, W. J. McCormick, M. J. McHugh, L. McHugh, H. W. Newkirk, Frank S. Pratt, Edward W. Porter, C. E. Pierce, E. W. Rider, T. F. Shepard, W. Scofield, John L. Stoddard, John E. Simonson, E. R. Slawson, H. Selleck, R. B. Taylor, H. M. Wright, T. A. E. Weadock, F. L. Westover, Thomas E. Webster. j L-e ___ _e loI ^-X i i j = — - la HISTORY OF BAY CITY. The identity of Bay City can be traced back as far as the Spring of 1838, and its history, therefore, covers a period of fortyfive years. Upon preceding pages have been described the early conditions of this region; the luminous advent of the Saginaw Bay Company in 1837, its spasms and speedy strangulation. March 1, 1838, Sydney S. Campbell and family arrived upon the site of Lower Saginaw and established themselves permanently in a home and business. This was the first permanent settlement made in Lower Saginaw and in the line of Bay City's development and history. So numerous and varied have been the accounts of the early settlement of Bay City, that the confusion of the reader is liable to be still further increased unless the earliest movements are described in this chapter with greater minuteness than would otherwise be deemed necessary. Back of 1838 no plan took shape that was preserved and became a part of the organism of Lower Saginaw, which developed into Bay City, while the village of Portsmouth, although first projected, maintained a separate municipality until 1873, when it ceased to exist and became an addition to Bay City by annexation. The interests of the two places were so much in common that a detailed history of each would necessitate a repetition. To avoid this as much as possible, we will briefly summarize the early movements in the VILLAGE OF PORTSMOUTH. The fame of Portsmouth consists chiefly in priority of existence, having been, as already described, the first town projected near the mouth of the river. When returning life began another struggle in this region, Portsmouth also led the way for a few years, in the way of first enterprises. Joseph and Medor Trombley became first settlers by remaining here contrary to their first expectations. Nearly fifty years have rolled round since they halted in the wilderness, and both are still in the county. The Center House had been built here; Judge Miller had laid out a town, and built a mill. In February, 1887, the Portsmouth Company was organized. Among its members were Henry Howard, the state treasurer; Kensing Pritchet, secretary. of state; John Norton, the cashier of the Michigan State Bank; John M. Berrien, of the United States Army, and Gov. Stevens T. Mason, who individually purchased all the land subsequently included in the Portsmouth plat. These formed the stock company and caused the same to be re-surveyed and re-platted in 1887 by John Farmer. A portion of this plat of Portsmouth was re-surveyed and replatted by A. Alberts surveyor for William Daglish, in 1855, under the name of Daglish Addition to Portsmouth. The first postoffice in the county was established here in the Winter of 1837. The first physician in this region, Dr. J. T. Miller, located here in 1836. The second physician, Mrs. Thomas Rogers, of sainted memory, also located here with her husband. She was truly a ministering angel of comfort and aid. The first blacksmith, after the Indian blacksmith in this region, was Mr. Rogers. The first lumber manufactured in this region after 1837, was in the Portsmouth mill by James McCormick & Son, in 1841. They also shipped the first cargo of lumber out of the Saginaw Valley.. The first school in the county, or in the territory afterwards Bay County, was in Portsmouth. The first salt was made here and the largest saw mill in the valley was built here. The first vessels built on this part of the river, after the "Java," were the "Essex" and "Bay City," built by the Braddocks at Portsmouth in 1857 and 1858. The coming of the McCormicks, in 1841, was the first revival of business, but there was no marked improvement for several years. Capt. Marsac had located here in 1838 and Capt. Wilson in 1841. In 1848 Judge Albert Miller came to reside permanently, and occupied a house built by John Rice, on what is now Fremont Avenue, near Water Street; the first school being taught in this building. Judge Miller operated the mill in company with James J. McCormick for a short time. C. L. Russell and Capt. Lyman Crowl came about 1849 and formed a copartnership with Judge Miller, under the firm name of Russell, Miller & Co. In the Winter of 1850 they built a mill on the present site of the Miller & Lewis Mill. They built several houses to accommodate their workmen, and opened a store. In 1850 they hired a minister, and erected a small building for a church. This building was afterw ards fixed over for a school house. The first hotel was the "River House," kept byDaniel Chappel, in the building known afterwards as the "Center House." In 1850 Jesse M. Miller came and afterwards carried the mail between Lower Saginaw and Saginaw City. Medor Trombley had also built a house, still standing near the pail factory. Portsmouth as first platted extended north to the present line of Twelfth Street, and south to a line between Thirty-Second and Thirty-Third Streets. When the village of Bay City was incorporated it to6k in Portsmouth as far south as the section line, and finally to Twenty-Fourth Street, and in 1873, by annexation, acquired the whole of Portsmouth village. Several additions had been made, among them being Medor Trombley's, Dr. Daglish's and Ingraham's. The various elements that entered into the growth of Portsmouth are necessarily given elsewhere, and it is therefore needless to repeat a history of them here. As enterprising men as ever came into the valley composed the bone and sinew of the village, and promoted its growth. Some remain, but the number who have ceased from life's activities is comparatively very large. The history of Portsmouth recalls such names as Trombley, Miller, McCormick, Marsac, Wilson, Braddock, Stevens, Daglish, Southworth, Beckwith, Watrous, Wilmot and Kinney. Of this force but a remnant remain. __ _ -4 —:....t-_ -4 Z ME I I I II I HISTORY RU. OF BAY COUNTY.T U 6 5 (BAY CITY IN 1837" was& attempted to be recalled by an artist in 1874, and the result of the effort has since done duty as the frontispiece of a local and very creditiable publication. The scene pictured is quite romantic and attractive. The serene repose that pervades the spot reminds one of a New England Sabbath in June. The intense stillness, however, has a depressing influence tipon the future prospects of the place, somnewhat damaging to its material interests. The two fishermen upon the dock are waiting reverentially for a "bite,"' and a bark canoe, containing a pair of Indians in war paint, is being propelled through the water of the river with noiseless strokes of their oars. Judge Campbell is seen issuing from the front door of the Globe Hotel to take his accustomed seat in the shade, but no other. evidenzce of life is visible in all the realm. The effect of the picture, however, is somewhat marred by the fact that the cluster of Co., N. Y., February 29, 1804. In 1830 he emigrated to Michigan and settled at Pontiac, whence be removed to Catss River Bt;ridge in the Spring of 1836. Here he laid out a town and called it Bridgeport; his partner in the business being Mr. G. D. Williams. A postoffice was established and Mr. Caimpbell was appointed postmaster. But Bridgeport was blighted by the hard times, and in the Winter of 1838 he was induced by Mr. Fraser to remove to the new city on the Sag~inaw, and start a hotel. Some of his Saginaw friends who kinewv his love of ease when not on a chase for deer, said that " Syd" was too frequently disturbed while at Bridgeport by travelers comaing along and requiring entertainment, and that he had opened a tavern at Lower Saginaw where he would not be disturbed in that way. However, he removed here with his family in the Spring of 1838 and opened the Globe Hotel, as related elsewhere in this work. He arrived here on the firAt day of March, 4 I j (v I - -S BAY CITYJ IN FALL OF 1838. N "I.\,-%,. - -, -, - - I -l; I - -: ~i - - i- - - - - - - - - - --- -- --- ----..- - - DWELELING. ARN. DWELLING C. S. S. CAMPBEIL ~S BUILDING LEON TROMBLIEVS HOUSE. ICE HOUSE. HOTEL. BUILT FOR SIL40KE HOUSE. WILD CAT BANK.. buildings represented did not exist in the year nlamel. Even the Globe Hotel had not Vaen taken shape, and Judge Campbell was a refiident of Bridgeport. A correct picture -of Lower Saginawv, at Masrch 1, 1838, would represent a clearing extending from the present line of Third Street, south to a point just beyond Center Street, and from the river east to about the present line of Saginaw Street. There were two or three log houses and the block house built by the Sagma~w Bay Company, near the present corner of Fourth andl Water Streets, for a boarding-house. The Globe Hotel building wats in process of construction, Aind CIromnwell Barney was at work upon it. A mile or so to the south were the big house of the Trombleys, andl a deserted saw mill. Such was the birth an d birth-place of B1ay City. The future has few secrets more securely locked up than those which pertained to the destinies of this germ of enterprise. SY DNEY S. CAMPBELL, or Judge Campbell, as he i s generally called, was -unquestionably and tile following day killed a large buck on the opposite side of the river, the last one that he saw for five years. That month, March, 1838, is described by Mr. Caunpbell as being as warm as is usual for the month of June. In addition to the lot on which th~e Globe Hotel wats built, and still stands, lie plurchasedt several other lotss which he was wise enough to keep. He had married, March, 1830, Miss Cathtarine, J. McCart, of Schenectady, N. Y. Thev have had three children, two of whomn are still lirving. Edwardc M. Campbell, whoo died in 1879, was the first boy born in Lower Sag — inaw, or in what is now Bay County. He was the first supervisor of Hampton Township, and held the office for several years. He was probate judge of the county for sixteen years after its organization. In 1873 hebuilt a brick business block just north of the G~lobe Hotel, on Water Streeet, which he rents. He and his wife now live on Woodside Avenue, and twice every day he visits the Globe Hotel, which he has owned for forty-five years, though it t a I 700 - Md. I ------—; -—; rlw-= O [.R,m __ 66 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I been a witness of the changes which, in history, link the bustling metropolis of the present with the desolate opening in the wilderness nearly half a century ago. Upon arriving here the 1st of March, Mr. Campbell's family occupied the block house for a short time until the "Globe" was finished, when they took possession and opened the first tavern in Lower Saginaw. In those days supplies were not ordered through telephone, nor yet by stepping out to some market place a block away, and often Mr. Campbell would paddle a canoe sixteen miles to Saginaw for a pound of tea. In 1862 the old hotel building was enlarged to its present size, and endowed with the name "Globe Hotel." A year or two after settling here, Mr. Campbell borrowed the government oxen, and plowed a piece of land near where Folsom & Arnold's saw mill now stands, which he sowed with buckwheat. When the time came to gather it he would take his canoe, his wife accompanying him, and go down to the field. On the way he would shoot ducks for their dinner. Spreading a sail cloth upon the ground, Mrs. Campbell would bring the bundles of buckwheat together, and he threshed it out on the sail cloth. After winnowing it with a shovel it was put in bags and taken in his canoe to the hotel, where it was emptied into a bed-room up-stairs. The following Winter there was a scarcity of flour, and in February the supply in Lower Saginaw became exhausted. None could be had at Saginaw or Flint, but people in those days did not starve. In this instance Mr. Campbell's harvest of buckwheat was opportune. Fred Derr, who lived in the "Wild Cat" building opposite the "Globe," had a big coffee mill, and it didn't take the settlers long to study out a way to get flour. Each one as he needed would visit the buckwheat pile, and taking what he needed, grind it in Mr. Derr's coffee mill. In this way, the only flour used in the settlement for three weeks was made, and it is not recorded that the avoirdupois of the place diminished, or that the bloom of health was dulled. "Yankee" Brown, as he was called, kept boarders in'the block house, and Cromwell Barney was living in the old log house, previously occupied by Leon Trombley. Fred Derr was working with Cromwell Barney, while the Globe Hotel was being built. He afterwards married Miss Clark, who taught school a short time near where William Peter's mill now stands. They were the first white people in Lower Saginaw to unite for better or worse, but they went to Saginaw City to get the solemn sentence pronounced. She died in about a year after they were married, but he is still living East. Mrs. Derr was the second person buried in the burial place selected for that time, as described elsewhere. The first white child born in the county was Elizabeth, daughter of Cromwell Barney, and the late wife of A. G. Sinclair, now of Bay City. She was born in the log blouse in May, 1838. During 1838, the bank building was built nearly opposite the Globe Hotel, on what is now the corner of Water and Fifth Streets. The reasons why this building was never used for a bank have already been given. The warehouse also was built on the river. During the Summer Mr. Campbell borrowed the government oxen of Leon Trombley and plowed a piece of ground, but the operations of the place were not extensive, and the hotel business did not exceed the facilities. With 1838 the operations of the SagL'aw Bay Company ceased. Its affairs went into chancery, and Lower Saginaw was under a shadow more dismal than that of the surrounding wilderness, for two or three years. There is a story told in connection with the wreck of the Saginaw Bay Company that illustrates the ups and downs of life. At the time of the crash, Theodore Walker was a tailor in the city of Brooklyn, and had a claim against one of the bankrupt stockhold ers of the company. Having nothing else left at his disposal, he turned over to Mr. Walker a strip of land in Lower Saginaw. It was not supposed to be of any value, either in reality or expectancy, but Mr. Walker accepted it because nothing better was to be had. He kept it, and some years later came to Lower Sarinaw, and died here, but not until after his worthless land had become very valuable. Mr. Walker used to tell this circumstance during his residence here. Judge Campbell kept the Globe Hotel for three or four years, and then moved into a house still standing on Water Street, just below Third Street, that James Burly had built, but lightning dashed into the clearing one day and gave an exhibition on that building, leaving it in tatters. Judge Campbell fixed it up and occupied it is a residence. The Globe then had several proprietors. Col. Garrett kept it for a while, then Capt. Benjamin Pierce, who came here on the schooner "Maine," and afterwards a man named Tait. About 1841 the forces that were to enter into the future development of the place were being gathered together. It was about this time that the scrip for most of the land owned by the Saginaw Bay Company came into the possession of James Fraser, Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, James G. Birney and Theodore Walker. In 1840 Dr. Fitzhugh had purchased several parcels of land bordering on the river, opposite Lower Saginaw and Portsmouth. So that practically the PROPRIETORS OF LOWER SAGINAW were James Fraser, James G. Birney and Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, of whom we make the following biographical sketches. THE PROJECTOR OF BAY CITY. James Fraser's business career is inseparably intertwined with all the important features of a history of Lower Saginaw and Bay City. The former he founded, and developing into the latter has become the monument of his sagacity and unfaltering courage. We shall attempt in this connection only an outline of his life, as the history of his business relations, and the results of his efforts,necessarily appear in other places in this work. Mr. Fraser was born at Inverness, Scotland, February 5, 1803. His father in early life was a soldier in a British regiment, and in 1796, in the war with the French, lost a leg at the Island of St. Luce, and was afterwards a pensioner of the government. His mother spent the last year of her life in the family of her son James and with daughters at Lower Saginaw. Her death occurred in 1850. When quite young Mr. Fraser engaged in business for himself,and accumulated several thousand dollars,which he brought with him to America. He had no advantages of early education or fortune, beyond what his own unaided energy secured. In the after years of his wealth he never forgot his origin or desired others to forget it. The contrasts of the different circumstances of his life he neither boasted of nor sought to conceal, though he often referred to the scenes of his youth, when lie waded bare-legged through the snow to carry a message for a ha'penny, or his taking daily a brick of turf under his arm as a contribution to the fire of the village school. He emigrated to America in the year 1829, bringing with him the few thousands of dollars he had accumulated. His first business experience was temporarily disastrous, though, perhaps, ultimately profitable. In company with two or three of his fellow countrymen an attempt was made to build a saw mill near Rochester, in Oakland County. They spent the Winter in making preparations, paying exorbitant prices for material and supplies, and in the Spring their funds had run so low that the enterprise was abandoned. Mr. Fraser found his capital reduced to less than $100, and with this j eJ L "q?i- I_..,,1 - i b:il ii i i I,!,;tlX14EIJaPi ~ I~::JiN' a ::::::~ii:- ~i:1 -n -;~ liu:im`~ ~ i -:::. r!:i:I 1'~"'";- iiii::: A* j fl I I i I 0 11 I-p fib 61 II I - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I i I remnant he wient to Detroit. There he established a small grocery and made money rapidly. In 1832 he married Miss Elizabeth Busby, a, young English lady of more than ordinary personal abt-' "tractions, who, with her parents, had emigrated from London the year previous. In the Autumn of 1.833 he determined to move to Saginaw, and occup~y a tract of land he had previously purchased on the Tittabawassee River. All that time there was only an Indian trail between Flint and Sagginaw; the usual mode of travel being on hiorseback. The distance was thirty-eight miles, and Mrs. Fraser having a young child must have some easier vehicle than the saddle. Mr.Lr Fraser's resources were equal to the emergency, and he had a rude ox sled made with a, comfortable seat upon which Mrs. Fraser rode, while her father and mother accompanied Mr. Fraser on horseback to their new home. Soon after getting his family settled, he returned to Detroit to purchase some cattle for his farm, and while driving in on foot,,, between Flint and Saginaw, his cattle got wild and would not keep the trail. He chased them until he got tir-ed, when he took off his coat and after carrying it a while,and getting near the trail once more, as he supposed, he hung it on a tree in order to head off the cattle. In doing so, he lost the location where he left his coat and he could never find it. Mlr. Fraser used to say in after yeais, when he was worth nearly a million,- that "this was the greatest loss he ever had in his life, as hits pocket contained $~500; all the money he had in the world was in that coat pocket." There was great hunting for that coat, but it was never found. Undoubtedly the wolves pulled it down and destroyed it. He cleared some la~nd and planted an orchard that was afterwards noted as being the most Nourishing in this part of the state. at Kawkawlfin, and began the manufacture of lumber. During the next three vears he was interested in the building and operation of two steam saw mnills on the Saginaw River, and later in a steam mill on the Kawkawlin River. He succeeded Judge Riggs as Indian agent, and that was the only office with any emolument that he was ever induced to take. In 1848 Mrs. Fraser died, leaving a family of three sons and three daughters. October 28, 1850, he mairried Miss Susan Moulton, of Westport, Conn., a woman of beautiful character, whose spirit of Christian benevolence has made her life one of great usefulness. The union was one of mutual happiness and blessing. It was the law and custom of Connecticut in those days, to "cry out the bans" in church, and to escape this publicity, they were married in New York City. The fruit of this marriage was one daughter. In 1857 they removed to Lower Saginaw, and here in his commodious mansion was dispensed a most liberal bospitality. Here his great energies were directed, not'aloue to his private enterprises, but to public improvement and the general development of the county. About the last enterprise of his life was the erection of the large brick block that now bears his name, "The Fraser House," at the corner of Center and Water S~treets, but which he did not live to see completed and occupied. The church edifice on Washington Street, in which the Baptist Society first worshipped, was almost entirely a gift from him. In 1864 he began to feel that he would like a more quiet life, and with his family went to Brooklyn for a few months and thence to Westport, Conn., where he continued to reside until his death, although much of his time was spent in Bay City. His last sickness commenced with an ordinary cold, which developed into typhoid pneumonia, and resulted in his dieath January 28, 1866. The announcement of his death produced a profound impression in Bay City, and the event received appropriate public recognition by the citizens of this place. His remains were buried at Westport. Of the children, only four are living: -Mrs. William McEwan and Mrs. E. B. Denison, of Bay City; Mrs. A. B3. Paine, of Saginaw, and. Mrs. George T. Blackstock, of Toronto, Canada;. Mrs. Fraser is hear a horse thunzdering at full speed across the bridge, and would say the next morning that James Fraser had gone in or out, as the case might be. An acquaintance, speaking of Mr. Fraser, says: — "The first glimpse I ever had of him was in the trail bet~ween Flint and Cass in 1836. The mud was knee deep, and water was above the mud, but he passed through at speed with merely a shout. Hee was without alhat, and covered with mud, his head being bound with.I I -1 7 L 19 --- 1. I 4 - II3 I..... I —....... l[.. I J 68__ 68 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. r treaty of 1837 he purchased several parcels of land bordering on a handkerchief. On meeting him afterwards I learned that he had been all night in the woods, having lost his way, and afterwards his hat, but he was going to Detroit to enter some land at Lower Saginaw, and his errand brooked no delay." In the Spring of 1850, his eldest son was sick at Detroit. Growing suddenly worse, his fatller's presence was desired as quickly as possible, and a messenger was despatched to inform him. Mr. Fraser was in Saginaw when the intelligence reached him. Instantly ordering his famous horse "Fair Play," he was soon in the saddle and away. It was in the month of March, and the roads of those days were worse even than usual, if such a thing were possible. But a better pair never started upon a race for life, even under the graphic colorings of fiction, than James Fraser and his pet, "Fair Play;" and in eight hours and forty-five minutes from the time of starting, the distance of nlinety-five miles had been traversed and Mr. Fraser was at the bedside of his dying son, having changed horses two or three times on the way. Instances similar to the foregoing, of the feats performed by this man, are numerous enough to fill a volume. The horse, "Fair Play," was an animal of great beauty and endurance, and known throughout all this region. But horse and rider long since halted at the end of life's journey. The wilderness through which they plunged by day and night has disappeared; the trails they followed have become highways of mighty industries, and the stations at which they stopped are populous centers of activity and thrift. In his intercourse with the world Mr. Fraser was one of the most genial and pleasant of men. The fervor and enthusiasm of his social qualities are well remembered traits of his character. In his home he was truly hospitable, his house being for a long time headquarters for strangers who came to the valley. It has been truly said of Mr. Fraser that as a business man he was a class by himself. For many years his head was his ledger and his hat was his safe, yet, with a memory clear and tenacious, even to the smallest details, he transacted his affairs with the utmost exactness. When his affairs extended entirely beyond his capacious mental grasp, he was forced to employ the usual agencies for doing business, but even then he was inclined to continue his primitive methods to a certain extent; methods that had brought him a fortune of nearly or quite a million dollars. Mr. Fraser was never a member of any church, but during the last years of his life gave his attention to religious matters and observances. He became an industrious student of the Bible and conducted family worship, and at the last met death calmly and peacefully. Such is an imperfect outline of the character and career of the man whose mighty activity flashes across all the changing scenes through which Bay City has passed. One who knew him well says truly that the biographer who could have caught and combined the story of James Fraser's life as it frequently fell from his own lips in his own racy and graphic language during moments of free social intercourse, might have given the world a most amusing and instructive book. To the student of human nature it would have presented some new and interesting combinations of the threads and colors which enter into the warp and woof of human life. THE FITZHUGHS. DR. DANIEL H. FITZHUGH, one of the proprietors of Lower Saginaw, was born in Washington County, Md., April 20, 1794. He studied medicine, but becoming interested in real estate ventures, he never engaged in the practice of that profession. In 1816 his parents removed to Livingston County, N. Y., where the family home has since been. As early as 1884, Dr. Fitzhugh came into the Saginaw Valley for the purpose of investing in land, and his first purchases were in the vicinity of Saginaw City. After the treaty of 1837 he purchased several parcels of land bordering on the river, where West Bay City now stands, and still later became one of the proprietors of Lower Saginaw, as elsewhere stated. He was never a permanent resident here, but the association of his name with this region, extending throughout its history, is continued by his sons. Dr. Fitzhugh died in the Spring of 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. CHARLES C. FITZHUGH was born in Livin ngston County, N. Y., in 1821. In 1841 Ihe came to Saginaw in connection with the land interests of his father. The following year he returned home and married a Miss Jones, of Mount Morris. They came to Saginaw, where they remained three years, and then settled on a farm ab t the forks of the Tittobawassee River. He rem aired there until about 1855, when hie came to Lower Saginaw to take care of the real estate interests of his father, and has resided here since that time. Mr. Fitzhugh is not a demonstrative man, but has always been regarded as one of the reliable men of the county. He has extensive real estate interests both in the city and country. He has for many years been trustee of the old Saginaw Bay Company. DANIEL H. FITZHUGH, JR., is also a native of Livingston County, N. Y. He first came to Lower Saginaw in 1847 and built a house on the corner of Third and Water Streets. It was the seventh dwelling house in what was at that time the corporate limits of the town, and was a very pretentious dwelling for that time. It was afterwards occupied by his brother, William D. Fitzhugh, until destroyed by fire. He remained about three years and returned East, and was eng aged in thae brokerage business in New York for some years. In 1870 he again came to Bay City for a permanent residence, and is engaged in attending to real estate interests. Mr. Fitzhugh is quite a noted sportsman, and was the first to discover the habits, and caused to be properly classified, the fish known as grayling, which is now a famous fish, and quite abundant in the waters of the northern portion of this peninsula. WILLIAM D. FITZHUGH came to Lower Saginaw in 1850, and in 1851 builtr a dwelling house at the corner of Tenth and Washington Streets, at that time in the midst of the forest. Before building this house he lived in the one built by Daniel Fitzhugh, Jr., until it was destroyed by fire. He remained here until 1856, when he returned East to reside permanently. During his stay here he was very active in promoting public interests. He and his wife were the founders of Trinity Church, and various other enterprises were liberally encouraged by him. In 1873 he donated to the city a tract of twenty acres of ground, for a public park, and which has been improved for that purpose. Mr. Fitzhugh was one of the early salt manufacturers of the valley, as appears in the history of that industry. FRANK FITZHUGH settled in Wenona, now West Bay City, in 1863, his father having extensive real estate interests on that side of the river. Wenona at that time had but one or two houses. He continued his residence there until September, 1882, when lie removed to Bay City, where hese now resides. Like his brother, his business consists of. managing real estate interests which he has on both sides of the river. Henry M. Fitzhugh, another brother, is a resident of Baltimore. THE BIRNEYS. The name and fame of James G. Birney have long since passed into history, and the connection in which he appears in this work is only a trifling incident in his life, although the name of Birney has been associated with all the progressive operations of Bay County for a quarter of a century. James G. Birney was a native of Danville, Ky. His early life was surrounded with all the comforts and advantages which wealth could command. He received a finished education, graduating at Princeton, N. J., in 1810, and afterwards l v 7 - ' - k -ts -1 ZA..._ _. --- ~ ~~- ~ ~- - ~ 0- -- Ll,j, - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 69 pursuing the study of law. He began the practice of law at Danville, his native place, and soon after was elected a member of the Legislature of Kentucky. His next field of labor was Huntsville, Ala., where he attained distinction as a lawyer, and was elected solicitor-general of the state. In 1828 he was one of the presidential electors selected by the Whig party of Alabama. About this time he made a profession of religion and became an influential member of the Presbyterian denomination. By inheritance and purchase he became the owner of slaves, and had a cotton plantation carried on under his direction. Soon after this his mind became engaged upon the subject of slavery as a question of morals, which resulted in an espousal of the doctrine of immediate emancipation. Carrying at once into practice the belief he adopted, he executed deeds of manumission for each and all of his slaves. From this time on he battled for the emancipation of a race, and to free his country from disgrace and disaster. Bravely enduring the insults of his fellowmen, and the thick dangers that beset his pathway, he prosecuted his work withl courage and vigor. The impression which his noble and courageous conduct made at that time was fitly described by Dr. Cox, of New York, who said:-''A Birney has shaken the continent by putting down his foot; and his fame will be envied before his arguments are answered or their force forgotten." In 1839 his father died, leaving a large estate, consisting of land, money and slaves. His sister and himself were the only heirs. He requested that all of the negroes might be computed at their market valuation as a part of his share. This was assented to, and he immediately emancipated all of them. In 1840 he visited England as one of the vice-presidents of the World's Convention, and in May of that year was nominated for the Presidency by the Liberty party, and at the election received 7,000 votes. It can be readily understood that Mr. Birney's large fortune had become greatly reduced in his conflict with a great but popular wrong. About 1840-'41 he became one of the owners of Lower Saginaw, and wishing to look after his interests here, and also to find retirement for a time, he decided to remove to this place. In the Fall of 1841 he arrivedat Saginaw City, where he remained during the Winter. At this point we quote from the recollections of Judge Albert Miller, as follows: "6 I first saw Mr. Birney in the Summer of 1841, when he and C. C. Fitzhugh, Esq., made their first visit to Saginaw, accompanied by Dr. Daniel IH. Fitzhugh, who at that time knew well and highly estimated the advantages possessed by the Saginaw Valley. Some time after they returned to their homes, I heard Mr. Fraser say he had just received a letter from Dr. Fitzhugh, in which the Doctor stated that Mr. Birney's friends were all endeavoring to dissuade him from taking up his residence at Lower Saginaw, but Mr. Birney had fully made up his mind to settle here with his family, and that at a certain time they might be expected to arrive. At the time of Mr. Birney's arrival with his family at Saginaw City in the Fall of 1841, at so low an ebb were all the business interests of the valley that the Webster House, one of the largest hotels in Michigan at that time outside of Detroit, built in 1837, was no longer required to accommodate the traveling public or the people of the city, but had for some time been standing unoccupied. Mr. Birney and his family occupied the Webster House as a private dwelling during their residence at Saginaw City, which I think was about one year. Previous to this time, Mr. Birney,Dr. Fitzhugh and Mr. Fraser had purchased the stock of the Saginaw Bay Land Company, which company owned the John Riley reserve, and had laid out the town of Lower Saginaw, and they became the successors of that company, and the title was conveyed to Mr. Birney, and he acted as trustee till a division of the property was made between the stockholders. On the 4th July, 1842, while Mr. Birney resided at Saginaw City, a few of the inhabitants gathered at Jewett's Hotel and had a dinner, and while discussing the question of doing something in honor of the day, it was proposed to invite Mr. Birney to give us an address. The late Norman Little and the writer were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Birney, and extended the invitation to him. On performing that duty, Mr. Birney replied that he could say or do nothing to honor that as the anniversary of the birthday of American Independence and Freedom, for that day would not have arrived till the release from bondage of the three or four millions of American citizens who were then held to service by their oppressors. We invited him to come, and he chose his own theme for a discourse. He came and addressed us eloquently on the subject of emancipation, which he at that time considered of so much importance that he spent the best part of his life and fortune to promote it, and which has since proved to be of more importance to the people of the United States than perhaps he ever anticipated, for it brought on a war which convulsed the country from ocean to ocean, and caused mourning in almost every family in the land. "After removing to Lower Saginaw in the Spring of 1842, Mr. Birney, aside from looking after the interests of the Saginaw Bay Company, for which he was trustee, engaged in stock raising and agricultural pursuits generally. He brought here a fine herd of blooded cattle from the stock of Mr. Sullivan, of Ohio, which has been celebrated for its purity. That importation has served greatly to improve the grade of stock in Saginaw and Bay Counties. Mr. Birney was a kind neighbor and a benevolent man. %Some parties in Bay City are much better off now than they would otherwise have been had it not been for the assistance rendered by Mr. Birney in securing to them real estate in the early settlement of the plat. During the latter part of Mr. Birney's residence here, after his health failed, he mingled very little in society, and he finally left for the East, where his earthly career was terminated before his earlier anticipation with reference to the growth and importance of Lower Saginaw were realized, and before the day arrived which he would have considered the birthday of American Independence." Mr. Birney's residence here was the building that was originally the block house that the S.iginaw Bay Company built on the corner of Fourth and Water Streets, and was fixed over for Mr. Birney's use. In 1843 Mr. Birney was again nominated for the Presidency, and at the election in 18-14 received 62,300 votes, and in 1845 received 3,023 votes for Governor of the state of Michigan. As elsewhere stated, Mr. Birney used to conduct religious service in the little schoolhouse, and this practice was continued until others came in to carry on the work. In 1855 he returned East to Englewood, N. J., for the purpose of educating his son, Fitzhugh Birney. He remained there until his death, which occurred November 23, 1857, at the age of sixtyfive years. He did not live to see the triumph of the great cause to which his life was devoted, but another generation have witnessed it and given his name its proper place. One of his biographers says of him:-, No man ever more mildly spoke the words of truth and soberness than he. He reviled no man. A rule which uniformly guided his own conduct, and which he habitually urged upon his own household, was to speak evil 'of no man.' Often he has been known to rebuke a disparaging remark concerning his bitterest opponent. His sin was that he was a generation in advance of his day." Mr. Birney's successor in Lower Saginaw was his oldest son, now Judge James Birney, of Bay City. He purchased the interests of his father at Lower Saginaw, and also made large purchases of land from the government. Mr. James Bimey is a native of Dan-:i -: - f - -- ~ (a 4L -.4. I I i I i I f 70 HISTORY~t OF BAY COUNTY. ville, Ky. His collegiate education was obtained at Centre College, Kentucky, and at Miami University, Ohio. At the latter iiastitution be graduated in 1836, and during the two succeeding years was employed in the University as professor of the Greek and Latin languages. During the next two years he attended the law lectures of Judge Storm and Prof. Hitchcock, of the LawY School of Yale College, at New Haven, Conn. He subsequently removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered upon the practice of law. He devoted himself to this business, and became distinguished as a, successful practitioner. While in New Haven Mr. Birney married Miss Moul — ton, step-daughter of Nathaniel Bacon, of that city. Of this marriage there were five children, only two of whom are living. In 1856 Mr. Birney came to Lower S3aginaw to look after his real estate interests, and in the Summuer of 1857 removed his family here, and at once interested himself iii the development of the town and county. His first important public service in the interest of the new settlement was to procure the passage of a; bill in 1857 -changing the name to Bay City. 'He was elected a state senator in 1858, being nominated by th~e Republican Senatorial Convention more as a compliment than otherwise, the district, which extended to the Straits of Mackinaw, being Demnocratic. The portion of Saginaw embraced within Bay had always been regardled as the Democratic stronghold, but Mr. Birney received all the votes of the county but five given for the regular Democratic candidate, and a few scattering votes for a stump candidate. The volume of session laws of 1859 contains som4$ fifty acts he presented for his district, every one of which was adopted. One of the measures which has had an important bearing upon the interests and development of the Saginaw Valley and the Tenth District, which Mr. Birney secured the passage of, was the bill giving a bounty for thze manufacture of salt. The bill proposed the payment of 5 cents a bushel, -but Mr. Birney presented its merits in such favorable light thaB 10 cents was granted. In 1860 Mr. Birney was nominated by the Republicanl State Convention for lieutenant-governor, and elected by over 20,000 majority. ~He was received with great favor as president of the Senate. of Bay City, and has done all in his power to promote its growth and welfare. Few public improvements have been made thlat lie has not aided. He was promineatly connected with the enterprise of securing the first railroad, and also the state and other public roads in the county. He is a gentleman of the broadest culture, and rainks high as an orator. The eldest son, James G. Birnely, distinguished himself in the army as capta~in of the Seventh Michigan Volunteers, and died while an officer of the regular army in 1869. Arthur Birilev conducted the 61t~ronicle for several yeatrs, but after it was merged in the Tiribune, be retired from journalism, and in 1879 accompanied his father to Europe. After an absence of eight months be returnedl, and went to Montana, where he died in Ja,-.uary, 1882. THEODORE WALKER was a tailor in Brooklyn, N. Y., and came to Lower Saginaw17 about t860 from Long Island, where he ~ had been living for some time. His only business here was to look after his real estate. He was a very eccentric mail. H~e continued a resident of Bay City until his death, which occurred a~bout 1870. FROM 1842 TO 1848. Life in the new settlement during the six years following 1842 was rather mlonotonous. There were a few arrivals, but a transient visitor was a severe tax upon the larder of the place. The little settlement was hemmed in by swamps and forests, and often there was but a handful of meal in the barrel, but that -was common property to all who were liungry. The settlers knew the true meaning of the word "neighbor," and no Lazarus ever fed upon crumbs on the floor while there was bounty on the tabule. In 1842 Frederick Backus broug~ht a stock of goods and opened a store. In the Spring of 1842, Hon. James G. Birney arrived with~ his family. In 1843 the chief event was the organization of Hiampton Township, and the first election was held at the Globe Hotel. W. R. McCormick's hat was the ballot boxr, and its dimensions were ample for the thirteen votes that were polled. In 1844 the first school house was built, near where the Detroit and Bay City Passenger Depot now stands. After Mlr. ~Birney came, he used to conduct religious services in this buildinzg on Sundays, and the irrepressible Harry Campbell officiated as-chorister. He was anl excellent singer but could not be always relied upon to makie a judicious selection of tunes. It sometimes happened that after four or five stanzas of a good old Presbyterian hymn had Ibeen reeled off,, Harry, with an expression of countenance as intensely solemn as a his anvil held firmly until loosened by an unseen hand. In the S ring of 1846, Hon. James Birney paid a visit to his father. H~e was thlen living in Connecticut, and came to Detroit and thence to Flint..There he took tile stagre, wvhicln was a wagon without springs drawn by a pair of ponies. The roads were either, mud or corduroy, and each was worse than the other. Arriving at I I i i I ii i i i I I I i I IA -",Wq ' Il 6 - a;. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 71 I Saginaw he waited two days for some way of getting to Lower Saginaw. Finally, he hired an Indian for seventy-five cents to bring him down in a canoe. When he arrived here he found his father fixing a fence, about where St. Joseph's Church now stands, and the mud and water was ankle deep. There were no streets, and but little use for any. There was not a wagon and but one saddle in the settlement. There was not much about Lower Saginaw to charm a stranger, and he little thought then that he would, in a few years, erect his domestic altar upon its site, and live to see standing here the third city in the state. In the Winter of 1847, Mr. H. W. Sage came to Lower Saginaw to negotiate with Mr. Birney for his interest in the plat of the village. Mr. Sage was accompanied by Deacon Andrews and Jarvis Langdon, of Elmira, and Joseph L. Shaw, of Ithaca, N. Y. They arrived here on Saturday, coming in a sleigh from Saginaw City. They put up at Judge Campbell's tavern, although the Judge was not keeping it at that time. They found Mr. Birney sick and unable to attend to any business, but it was too late in the day to return to Saginaw. When it came time to go to bed they found the only accommo the drooping clouds, and even the great sanctuary of nature was as a barren waste to his vision. Stumps and buildings cropped out above the snow, presenting great similarity of expression and dimension, and the current of the river was hidden beneath a roof of ice. There was a far away look toward Saginaw in the Deacon's eyes as he turned back into the tavern. A conflict between duty and inclination was raging fiercely in the Deacon's mind, and he groaned inwardly as he observed with sinful satisfaction that duty had "taken to the woods" and that the team for Saginaw was at the door. With regretful accent he told the party that, "being so poorly," perhaps it was unwise for him to remain here longer, and it was noticed that the Deacon was the first one of the party to reach the sleigh. Thirty-six years later, one of the party-the one who slept on the floor-related to the writer the facts of the incident as given. The Deacon has long since gone to that country whose fields are "dressed in living green," and "where Sabbaths never end." The old tavern still remains, though changed in form, while about it have grown up the beautiful busy cities, divided by the river, grown to a great highway of commerce, whose traffic is an exhibit of the mighty industries along its course. It was during 1847 that Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., arrived and built what was then thought to be an extravagant house on the corner of Third and Water Streets. FROM 1848 the prospects of the settlement began to brighten, although it cannot be said with truth, that the arrivals were sufficiently numerous to seriously disturb the quietude of those already here. Curtis Munger and Edwin Park arrived heavily laden with pioneer experience; Thomas Carney and wife arrived in pursuit of a pleasant and healthful abode; J. S. Barclay and wife settled here about that time. Life in Lower Saginaw about this time was not altogether a barren waste. The female society was composed of Mesdames Catlin, Rogers, Barney, Cady, J. B. Hart, Carney, Campbell, Barclay, and perhaps two or three others. All belonged to "our set" and kept perpetual open house, and disseminated the local news with conscientious promptness and diligence. A serpentine footpath dodged along among the stumps near the bank of the river, and furnished an ample thoroughfare for the equipages of that time. The greatest activity, however, prevailed during the mosquito season. The Lower Saginaw mosquito is represented in tradition as being an animal of prodigious size and ferocity, and of a hardy variety. The average fish story of the present day is made to appear exceedingly insignificant when a robust pioneer unfolds one of his favorite mosquito legends. Baking day, however, was the picnic season of these colonized torments. It was the custom of the housewife to "shoo" out the kitchen, and securely fasten the doors and windows before beginning the exercises of the day. Then, heaping a pile of brown sugar upon the hot stove, she prepared her bread for the oven, unless driven from her fortress by the smudge of the burning sugar. It is nowhere alleged that these defensive measures ever interfered with the operations of the mosquitoes, but they had all the elements of formidable demonstration, and were therefore comforting to reflect upon in after years. J. L. Hibbard came in the Fall of 1848, and for a long time was in the Munger store. He is still a resident of Bay City. The boarding house for the Hopkins, Pomeroy & Fraser mill was finished in 1849, and early in 1850 Mr. and Mrs. Carney moved into it. AN EARLY COTTAGE. dations at their disposal consisted of a small bed room containing one bed. There were four in the party, and while three might manage to crawl into the bed, four would be entirely beyond its capacity. One must sleep on the floor, and to decide who should have the more spacious but rather uncomfortable berth, they cast lots, and Deacon Andrews drew the floor. He was the eldest of the party and in poor health, so Mr. Sage, being robust and accommodating, induced the Deacon to take the bed, and he wrapped himself up on the floor. Sunday morning Mr. Sage revolved the situation in his mind and concluded he didn't care to spend another day, and particularly another night, in Lower Saginaw. His longing for salt pork was appeased and he had seemingly exhausted the restful qualities of his bed on the floor. He announced his intention of returning to Saginaw, and all agreed willingly to the proposition but.Deacon Andrews. He said he could not travel on the Lord's day. Mr. Sage replied that all days were the Lord's, and he should improve that particular one by going to Saginaw. The good Deacon couldn't reconcile the idea of traveling on Sunday with his notions of right, and opposed the arrangement. Finally he went out into the holy calm of a Winter's Sabbath in Lower Saginaw. There were no chimies of Sabbath bells, no murmurs of anthems stealing softly upon the ear, no procession of hymn books moving reverentially toward a place of worship. Not even a church spire pierced J ~ & I I ~........... CD -- p - i I I 72 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. r Alexander McKay and family came in 1849. J. W. Putnam came about this time, and built a house on Water Street near Third Street. 1850-'51 witnessed a number of arrivals and the introduction of new industries. Dr. George E. Smith introduced the healing art, and James Fox opened a law office. William and Alexander McEwan came and built a mill; also Henry Raymond and James Watson. Charles E. Jennison came and went into the mercantile business with James Fraser in a building where the Fraser House now stands. J. S. Barclay built the Wolverton House, still standing in an enlarged form, on the corner of Third and Water Streets near the bridge, and owned by Mr. Barclay. The tug "Lathrop," owned by Capt. Benjamin Pierce, made its appearance just before this, and was the first tug on the river. Among the others-who came about this time were Henry Hero, E. Stanton, Thomas Whitney, Clark Moulthrop, George Carpenter, the Drake brothers, and J. W. Putnam. Capt. Cole was also interested in river navigation. 1852 was marked by the visitation of cholera, which prevailed to a distressing extent, especially among the mill laborers. Upwards of seventy deaths occurred, among whom were Thomas Rogers and Mr. Monroe. Men would suddenly disappear from their posts of labor and the next known of them would be that they were dead. This dread visitor found easy victims among the foreign population that had come in here to work in the mills and were living under circumstances calculated to invite disease. In 1853 the Methodist Church was built "way out" in a swamp, on the present line of Washington Street. Its location was thought to be the means of more boat riding on the Sabbath day than was in harmony with scriptural teachings. Some time in 1855 or 1856, B. F. Partridge purchased land of James Fraser on what is now the corner of Center and Van Buren Streets. He cleared off -the timber and built a house. It was about half a mile from Water Street, and was reached by a crooked path through the woods. People could not understand why he wanted to start a hermitage in the depth of the forest when there was plenty of room and mosquitoes in town. About 1854 a schooner was built by J. A. Weed and George Carpenter. It was called the '"Java," and was fitted out for the fishing trade. Mr. Charles B. Cottrell located here this year. In 1856 James Fraser came here to reside permanently. Judge Birney also arrived this year. The foregoing is only a brief synopsis of some of the movements during the period named. The history in detail of the various interests is given in the various departments of the work. In 1855 or 1856 a well known character named Dodge built a small hotel near the present corner of Saginaw and Third Streets. This locality at that time was a swamp. The hotel was called the "Farmers' Home," though it is not remembered that it ever had a farmer for a guest. The young folks used to have occasional dances here, and when there was a shortage of girls, a shawl would be wrapped about an Indian who would be pressed into service as a belle of the ball. In 1857 kerosene oil and lamps were first introduced by the Cottrell's, who had a store at the corner of Water and Second Streets, and from that time the glory of tallow candles gradually departed. Still other settlers and interests came in during those years as appear in the several departments. The next important event was the change of name from Lower Saginaw to Bay City. CHANGE OF NAME. As the resources of the Saginaw Valley began to be developed in earnest, and the fame of this region widened, it was felt that the village near the mouth'of the river should have a title by which it could be more easily and readily distinguished. Accordingly, in the Winter of 1857, Hon. James Birney drafted a bill and presented it to the Legislature. The bill was passed, and the act approved February 10, which provided, "That the name of the village of Lower Saginaw, in the Township of Hampton, State of Michigan, be, and the same is, hereby changed to Bay City." SOME OF THE EARLY COMERS. In the classification of subjects, some of the early settlers and their experiences are mentioned elsewhere in this work. The following biographical reminiscenses are of others who were connected with the early history of Lower Saginaw: ISRAEL CATLIN was one of the early comers to this region. He was born in Schuyler County, N. Y., in 1814. His chosen trade was that of carpenter, which he followed for several years, during which time he went to sea as ship's carpenter, and was absent about two years. In 1844 he came to Lower Saginaw, and was engaged by Fraser & Barney in building and superintending the running of a mill at Kawkawlin. His first meal in the region was obtained at the house of Harvey Williams, at the mouth of the Kawkawlin River. He remained at Kawkawlin about two years, and then came to Lower Saginaw, and in company with the late James Fraser built a steam saw mill, which he operated a few years, when lie sold out. He afterwards formed a copartnership with Mr. Arnold, of West Bay City, and they carried on an extensive business in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. His health failed, and for several years he has been unable to do any business. Mr. Catlin has filled an honored place in the community wherem he has lived so many years. He was postmaster of Hampton from 1850 to 1853, and was one of the first aldermen under the village charter. He has held various positions of trust, and was one of the founders, and has always been one of the leading members, of Trinity Church. Mr. Catlin still resides in Bay City, a much respected citizen. PATRICK J. PERROTT is a well known pioneer of the Saginaw Valley. He was born in Ireland in the year 1827. In 1842 he emigrated to this country with his father, O. A. Perrott. In 1845 Mr. Perrott arrived in Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, his father having come here in 1843. He was then an intelligent Irish lad of eighteen years, small in stature, but active and resolute. His first occupation was that of cooper, which he followed for a time, making fish barrels. Not being able to make money fast enough at coopering, he abandoned it and engaged in fishing, which he followed until about 1860. From 1860 to 1870 he was sheriff and acting sheriff, and for several years past has been deputy sheriff. From 1875 to 1877 he was comptroller of the city, and has been a member of the Board of Public Works since in 1881. Mr. Perrott is an untiring worker, and one of the men who accomplishes whatever he undertakes. He is thoroughly versed in local affairs, and having a correct memory, is excellent authority upon matters of pioneer history. The compiler of this work is indebted to him for many historical facts of great value. Mr. Perrott was married February 4, 1850, to Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Leon Trombley, the first resident of Lower Saginaw. Mrs. Perrott was the first white girl that came to the lower part of the Saginaw Valley, having come here in 1833. A school was started some eighteen miles up the river, taught by Albert Miller, now Judge Miller, of Bay City, 1 -< 1 I I - - I i I i~:? I t X:: f: ng020fo f;f: 0 0: g::t05ar f; e...............................~J............................. II... _ -1 ,A - fa I~_ fo I _ _ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 73 _/ 7 f which Miss Trombley attended. She is now the only pupil of that school living. 'Mr. Perrott and Miss Trombley were married at the house of Daniel S. Chapell, who lived in the vicinity of where the Peter Mill now stands. The ceremony was performed by George Raby, a justice of the peace, a functionary who did the most of the marrying in those days. Mr. Perrott's father died in May, 1858. JULIUS B. HART will be long remembered in connection with the early days in Lower Saginaw. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1816. In 1833 he emigrated to Michigan, and in 1846 came to Bay City with his brother, B. B. Hart. They established a trade with the few whites who were here, but dealt more extersively with the Indians. In early years they were extensively engaged in the fur and fish trade. There are few persons in this region who have not heard of "Jule" Hart's red letter day in the muskrat skin trade, in which lie was so ably assisted by George Lord. This occurrence is narrated on another page. Mr. Hart continued in various business enterprises, but never allowed business to interfere with an opportunity to play a joke upon anyone who chanced to come along. In 1875 he retired from active business, and died in Bay City, in November, 1877. With all his fondness for fun, Mr. Hart was emphatically,a humane man, and as willing to 6do an act of kindness as to play a joke. B. B. HART continued in business with his brother until about 1850, when they dissolved. Subsequently he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber and salt with Dr. George E. Smith, and still later they were in the grocery trade until about 1874, when they sold their business to other parties. Mr. Hart is now a resident of Minneapolis, where he has been engaged for two or three years in the coffee and spice business. CURTIS MUNGER was born in Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., March 20, 1820. Came to Michigan in 1840, and settled in Oakland County, where he learned the trade of cooper. In the Fall of 1846 lie, with some others, went to the Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron, in the coopering and fishing business, catching whitefish for the Eastern market, where he remained until the latter part of November, 1848, when, with his party, he intended to take one of the down steamers from Chicago to Detroit, and return home. Several steamers passed the island, but so far off in the lake that they could not see their signals. It was getting very cold, and they had got out of provisions, so the party took turns sitting up nights keeping signal fire to hail any passing vessel to take them off. After waiting eight or ten days without any hope of relief, and to add to their suffering their provisions were all gone. The party consisted of Curtis Munger, James Beebe, Edwin Park, and Michael Daily, who yet reside in Bay City, and W. H. Hunter and Joseph Parkerson, who have left the country. A heavy snowstorm from the northeast set in, and what to do they did not know; to remain would be folly, as the Winter had commenced, and they were getting hungry, as they had finished their last provisions two days before. A council was held as towhat should be done. Joseph Parkerson proposed they should start in their open fishboat for Lower Saginaw, as Bay City was then called, and if they could reachl there he knew an old lady by the name of Mrs. McCormick, who lived in the largest house there, with whom he had lived when a boy, and whom he called mother. If they could only reach there she would take good care of them. This Mrs. McCormick was the wife of the late James McCormick, one of the first settlers of the Saginaw Val ley, who died two years before, in 1846, and was the mother of the late James McCormick, and also W. R. McCormick, who still lives in Bay City. They finally made up their minds to start for Lower Saginaw. They put six half-barrels of fish in the boat for ballast, then went to the lighthouse and saw the keeper, Capt. Malden, but could get no provisions, as lie was nearly out himself. He gave them one good square meal, and they started in their open boat for Lower S:Aginaw. None of them had ever been over the route before except Michael Daily. The storm was blowing a hurricane from the northeast, accompanied with snow. They had to keep bailing their boat to keep her afloat, in which they took turns during the night. After much suffering they reached Point Au Gres. The wind died away, so that they were obliged to take to the oars before reaching the point. A gale sprang up from the south; they landed on the north side in the smooth water; went ashore, cut some cedars, and made a place to lay down to sleep, without anything to eat, tired and worn out. In the morning the ice had frozen on the north side of the point, where their boat lay several rods from shore, and the wind blowing a gale from the southwest, so that it was impossible to leave. Towards night, Parkerson said he was going to have some supper. They asked him where he was going to get it. He said: —"I will show you." He un-,headed one of the half-barrels of fish, and took an old bailing dish he had in the boat, which had a hole in the bottom, put the fish in it, and put it on the fire, but in a few seconds the water had all run out, which also extinguished the fire. He tried this several times. "At last he cried out to the boys that supper was ready, but when we tried," says Mr. Munger," to eat,we found that it was scarcely warmed through, so we ate it raw. It did not do me much good, for in a few minutes I vomited it all up." On the second day, towards night, the wind changed to the northeast, blowing very hard, increasing every minute. They went for the boat and found her pounding on the rocks, and in a little while she would have gone to pieces. They got her off after a long time by wading in the water; got her around the point to the south side out of danger. They now got ready to start, as the wind was fair, but the wind increased to such a gale that they were obliged to wait until morning, or until the gale went down. They laid in their boat in their wet clothes until morning. Says Mr Munger:-"I never slept a wink,but nearly froze to death." When the morning came, the wind had somewhat abated; still there was a heavy sea running. They then hoisted sail, and started for the Saginaw River. When they reached the mouth,- Michael Daily left them, and started for old Uncle Harvey Williams', at the mouth of the Kawkawlin River. After proceeding up the Saginaw River two miles, they came to a little house on the side of the river. when Mr. Munger asked Parkerson who lived there, when Parkerson replied, "Trombley." They had not gone far before they came to another house, when Munger again asked who lived there, when Parkerson replied, "Trombley." They soon came to another, where the village of Banks now stands, when Mr. Munger says to Parkerson: ---"This is a comfortable looking house; I guess we can get something to eat here. Who lives here?" when Parkerson replied: —l"Trombley." "My Lord," says Mr. Munger, "is there no one but Trombley's in this country." They proceeded on up the river, and soon came to the house of Mother McCormick's, as Parkerson called her. This house is still standing, and is now called the Center House, on the corner of Twenty-fourth and Water Streets. Mr. Munger says:"When we landed I was in my stocking feet, as my feet were so swollen by exposure that I could not get on my boots; so I say that when I first came to Bay City I was in my stocking feet; this was December 1, 1848. We were hospitably received by Mrs. McCormick, who- did everything in her power to alleviate our sufferings, and whose kindness I shall never forget " While here, Edwin Park and Mr. Munger took a contract for making fish barrels during the Winter after their return from Detroit, where they had to go to get their returns for their fish, which they had shipped from Thunder Bay Island. So they left Mrs. McCormick, and started for Detroit on foot. They crossed the Saginaw River on the ice at the elbow, and stArted up the bank of the river over the prairie, the snow aind t,? - - -L — VI I I C- ~ - -?- P 4 X p IF J 74 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 74 water two feet deep most of the way to Zilwaukee, where they stayed all night. Mr. Mungersays:- "This was the hardest day's work I ever did; I never was so tired in all my life. The next day we started for Flint early, as there was not much of a road between Flint and Saginaw at this time. We met but one person this day between Flint and Saginaw, which was the mail carrier, with an Indian pony, with the mail strapped onil his back. I called the attention of my comrade, Edwin Park, to see how nicely that pony would walk a log to keep out of the mud. We arrived that night at Flint. The next day we reached Pontiac, and the next day Detroit." After settling his business in Detroit, he returned with Edwin Park to Lower Saginaw, and made it his home with Mrs. McCormick, and went at his contract with Edwin Park, making fish barrels. He continued working at the cooperage business for about two years. In the year 1850, Mr. Munger went into the grocery business on Water Street, between First and Second, under the name of Park & Munger, up to 1854, when Mr. Munger's brother came on, joined the firm, when they enlarged their business, and went into a general stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., under the name of Munger & Co. In 1861 Mr. Edwin Park retired from the firm, and went into the hotel business. Their business became so large that they were obliged to build a more commodious building. They joined James Shearer in building the Shearer Block, corner of Water and Centre Streets, and moved into their new location in 1866, and commenced the exclusive business of dry goods. This building in a few years became too small for their increasing business. They then commenced the erection of the Munger Block, on the corner of Saginaw and Centre Streets, with double stores for extensive dry goode, into whichthey removed in 1873. In 1874 they sold out to Messrs. Cooke & Co., and retired from active business, since whidh time Mr. Curtis Munger, with his brother, has devoted his time to taking charge of his large real estate. Mr. Munger has held many public offices in Bay City. He was the first president of the village council for two consecutive years. Was for two terms elected county treasurer of Bay County, and many other offices of public trust, all of which he'has filled with the entire confidence of the public. There are few men that are more identified with the growth and prosperity of Bay City than Curtis Munger, and who are so invariably respected. EDWIN PARK, one of the early pioneers of the Saginaw Valley, was born in Tioga County, N. Y., November 15, 1822, where he lived until 1842, when he came to Michigan and settled at Marengo, near Battle Creek, where he followed his trade of cooper. After working there for some time, and business getting dull, he went to Chicago, where he found work at his trade. He stayed there until January, when he went to Ottawa, on the Illinois River, where he worked at his trade until late in the Spring of the same year. Work getting scarce, he started on foot for Pontiac, Mich., where he found work at his trade until the following December, Work getting dull again, he went to Franklin, Mich., whete he worked at his trade until 1846. He then went to Thunder Bay Island, on Lake Huron, to make fish barrels during the Summer of the same year. From thence he went to Au Sable, and in order to build a shop he had to go to Devil River to procure lumber. This was the first building erected at the place. Here he worked until late in the Fall, when he, with five others, took their open sail boat and started for Detroit, as they could not stay all Winter in that isolated place, as there were no provisions to be had. They arrived in Detroit after a long and tedious voyage, being nearly ship-wrecked twice. It was a hazardous undertaking for five men in an open sail boat to cross the Saginaw Bay and down Lake Huron at that season of the year. Mr. Park said thirty-six years after that it was the hardest time he ever saw, and that he never expected to reach land alive. He stayed in Detroit until the Spring of 1847, when lie returned to the Au Sable, where he remained until the Fall, when he came to Lower Saginaw and with Mr. C. Munger went into the coopering and fishing business. During this time, he and his partner, C. Munger, made their home with Mrs. McCormick, widow of James McCormick, the old pioneer who had died the year before, whose residence, on what is now the corner of Twenty-fourth and Water Streets, is still standing, and is what is called the Center House. Soon after this, he and C. Munger built a small store on Water Street, between Third and Fourth Streets, and went into the grocery trade in con nection with their cooperage business. It was not long before they found their little store was too small to accommodate rapidly increasing trade; they then had to build a larger store which they filled with a general assortment of hardware, dry goods, groceries, liquors, and drugs, when he took A. S. Munger as a partner. This was in 1854, and from that time the firm of Munger & Park was changed to Munger & Co., up to 1861, when Mr. Park withdrew from the firm and went into the hotel business as landlord of the Wolverton House, up to 1862. Previously he had lnade a contract for making the first salt barrels in Bay County, and he refrained from hotel business in order to fulfill the same and other contracts. Some time after, he with C. McDowell purchased the corner of Third and Water Streets and erected a fine brick block. They then went into the wholesale liquor trade for eight years, when he sold out and went into the tug and barge business in carrying lumber fromnt the Saginaw Valley to eastern and western ports. JONATHAN SMITH BARCLAY, more familiarly called Uncle John, I was born in Northumberland County, Penn., August 8, 1808. I When sixteen years old he went to Mauch Chunk, where he learned I the trade of mill-wright. When twenty-two years old he went to Tamaqua, -Schuylkill County, to build railroad. From there he went to Pottsville, where he worked at his trade six or seven years; thence to Lycoming County to build a furnace. When finished he started for Rochester, N. Y., hearing there was a great demand for mill-wrights at that place. Here hlie stayed two years, helping to build some of the largest flouring mills there. At this time the war between Texas and Mexico was raging, so hle with a party of young men started as volunteers for Texas, but when they reached Cleveland, Ohio, news came that Santa Ana was taken and had surrendered to the Texans. At this time, the Toledo war had broken out concerning the boundary line between Ohio and Michigan, so instead of going to Texas, he with sixteen others took a boat for Monroe. When they landed, Gov. Mason was removing his troops. After the review was over, he with his party of sixteen went to the Governor and offered him their services, which he declined, saying he had nothing to feed them, and no arms to arm them with. He then started for Detroit, where he stayed a few days and started on foot for Jackson and from there to Albion, looking for work, but found none. He then went to Tekonsha where he took a contract to build a saw mill and afterwards a hotel. He stayed there three years, when he returned to Albion to help build the first flour mill, and tended it for five years. While here lie was elected justice of the peace, which duty he attended for years, besides occasional pettifoging suits. He was also appointed agent for the Michigan Central Railroad, which position he held four or five years. During this time he married Miss Sarah Ann Sweeney; he then moved to Detroit and kept the Michigan Central Eating House in the depot for the accommodation of passengers. He then went into company with a man by the name of Hiram McKaint, in a general assortment for a country store, which they were to start at Lower Saginaw, now Bay City. Threy purchased their stock and started for Lower Saginaw, where they arrived the 20th of December, 1849..-R,cJ 3~ i 1i 0 -- I-il;1:3,: a.-4 .I I I Gi L I - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 75 __ I I This was the second store in Bay City. They had not been long in the business when he and his partner dissolved, Barclay taking the groceries and his partner the dry goods. After a while his business increased so that he had to build a larger store, when he sold his store and goods to Park & Munger, and commenced building the Wolverton House, on the corner of Third and Water Street, which he kept fifteen years, during which time he was very extensively engaged in the fishing business on the Saginaw Bay. In 1856 and 1861 was sheriff of Bay County; afterwards he devoted a great deal of his time to his large grape yard and peach orchard on the Bay shore. At an early day Mr. Barclay traded extensively with the Indians, as many of the early settlers in this new country were in the habit of doing. He also run a stage between Lower Saginaw and Alpena, and experienced all the hardships incident to pioneer life. He and his wife- are still living in Bay City, hale and hearty and surrounded bv children. Mr. Barclay has always been one of the foremost men of Bay City; always upright in his dealings with his fellow man; his word is as good as his bond. THOMAS CARNEY, Sr., was born at Landport, England, 1814. In 1833 he emigrated to America, and until 1862 was sailing on the lakes. In 1837 he was married, in Canada, to Miss Mary Roach, a native of Canada. In 1849 they settled in Bay City. In 1850 Mr. Carney built a house on the corner of Wsahington and Fifth, at that time the only house on the street. They lived in that house for twenty years. Mr. Carney bought village property, lbuilt houses and speculated quite extensively in real estate for several years, and still owns city property which he rents. In 1862 Mr. Carney left the lakes, and since that time has occupied himself chiefly with his property interests. He has occasionally taken contracts for public improvements, such as the Tuscola and State plank roads. Mrs. Carney is a most estimable woman, and at an early day, her kindness -of heart was often manifested in times of sickness and suffering. Mr. Carney is an enthusiastic supporter of the temperance eause, and is one of the leading members of the Red Ribbon Club. They have had six children, only two of whom are now living, R. J. and W. E. Carney,. both lumber dealers in Bay City. ALEXANDER McKAY settled in Lower Saginaw in 1849. He was born in Inverness, Scotland, September 16, 1816, and emigrated to this country in 1849. He was in the clothing business until 1853, and after that time was in the employ of the late James Fraser, assist-. ing in superintending his vast lumbering operations until 1863. He was then in the employ of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad Company for some time, but for a long time has not been in active business. When he came to what is now Bay City,'it was a comparative wilderness. He helped clear the land where the city now stands, make the first streets and build the first sidewalks. He built the residence he now occupies on the corner of Sixth and Monroe Streets, in 1863, when all that lo3ality was stump land. He was married February 9, 1838, at Inverness, S.otland, to Ann Fraser, daughter of Alexander Fraser, of that place, and sister of the late James Fraser, of this city. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. CHARLES B. COTTRELL first visited Lower Saginaw in 1850, and settled here in 1854. He was born in Cottrellville, St. Clair Co., Mich., July 31, 1829. His grandfather was one of the earliest pioneers of that region, and from him the place took its name. Charles remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he went away to provide for himself. He lived for a time with an uncle at Port Huron, attending school Summers and teaching Winters. Afterwards he attended the Romeo Academy for two years. About 1850 he went as clerk on the steamboat "Columbia," and that year saw what has since become Bay City, for the first time. From 1852 to 1854 he kept books for the late Capt. E. B. Ward, in Detroit, and was going as clerk on the steamer "Detroit," but while on his way to meet the boat it sank, and he came back to Bay City as Capt. Ward's agent. After locating here lie formed a partnership with Julius B. Hart, and they kept the warehouse and were agents for the line of boats. The warehouse stood on the present site of the Maxwell Block. In 1855 he went out of the warehouse, and, in company with his brother, kept a general store. In 1859 they removed to Sebewaing, Huron Co., and continued business about a year. Charles then sold to his brother. He was elected register of deeds of Huron County, and held the office two years. Was then appointed to transcribe the records of Sanilac and Tuscola Counties. Was elected county treasurer, and held the office for eight years. Upon his retiring from the office, the Board of Supervisors passed the following resolution, by a unanimous vote: "Whereas, a few evil-disposed persons have, from sinister motives, circulated reports derogatory to the reputation of the present county treasurer of this county, and "Whereas, such reports have been, by a close scrutiny, rigid investigation and full report of the condition of the county treasury, branded as false and unfounded; "Therefore, be it resolved, that we hereby express our full approval of the honest, faithful and able manner in which C. B. Cottrell has discharged the duties of the office of treasurer of this county for the term of eight years last past, as a just tribute to an able official." In 1868 Mr. Cottrell was elected county superintendent of schools. In 1873 he resigned that office and returned to Bay City, and engaged in insurance, which he still continues, doing a very large and prosperous business. He is a very prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the oldest Masons in the city. He was married May 27, 1869, to Miss Bettie Rogers, daughter of the late Thomas Rogers, one of the early pioneers of Bay County. Their family residence since 1875 has been on the corner of Eighth and Farragut Streets. Mr. Cottrell is something of a linguist, speaking quite an assortment of Indian dialects, and is said to be the best story-teller in the Valley. COL. HENRY RAYMOND was one of the early lumber manufacturers, and for many years a prominent citizen of Bay City. He was born at Woodstock, Vt., in 1802. After spending two or three years in the vicinity of Detroit, he came to Bay City in 1849, and the following year associated himself with Mr. James Watson, and they built the saw mill afterwards owned and operated by James Shearer. He was connected with various business interests and was the first representative of Bay County in the Legislature. During the war he was one of the provost-marshal's staff, and for several years was collector of internal revenue. In 1870 his health had so far failed that he was obliged to seek a different climate, and since that time he has been a resident of California. Col. Ravmond was married August, 1827, to Miss Mary Alvord, of Massachusetts. Six children were born to them, four of whom are still living-Mis. Benjamin Whipple, Mrs. Frank Crandall and Mrs. H. C. Moore of Detroit, and Col. Henry S. Raymond, of Bay City. The latter has been a resident of Bay City since 1851. In 1862 he went into the army with Company F, Twenty-Third Infantry, and served with distinction until the close of the war. He enlisted with the rank of captain, and by promotion reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He held the office of postmaster from 1861 to 1870. Since 1862 he has been in the news and stationery business. His store is now at 810 Water street. He has a wife and two children. JAMES WATSON also came in 1850. He had long been known as a merchant of Detroit of the firm of J. & J. Watson, and determined to seek a location for his business in soime of the new prospective cities of the state. In seeking a point at which to locate, his steps - 75 -, I r - Ct IK I I I I 1 - q,- v - 1 76 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I I were directed to the Saginaw Valley. He came to Saginaw City, where he met his old time friend, James Fraser, who, being desirous of securing an acquisition to the business interests of the Valley, descanted freely on all the advantages that town possessed; for at that time Saginaw City was the only town in the Valley where there was any show for business. After looking the ground over at that point, they came together to this part on the river. Mr. Watson's remarks were few but his foresight keen. After satisfying himself and selecting such pieces of property as he desired to purchase, he told Mr. Fraser he had determined to locate here if he could make such terms as he proposed. Mr. Fraser being agreeably surprised to hear such a determination expressed, readily acceded to Mr. Watson's terms, and a bargain was soon consummated. With other property Mr. Watson purchased the dock and warehouse which was then standing at the foot of Center Street. The warehouse was soon converted into a store and filled with one of the largest stocks of goods that had ever been brought into the Valley. This was late in the Fall of 1850, and some of Mr. Watson's friends expressed surprise that he should have purchased so large a stock of goods for such an out-of-the-way place, but before the breaking up of Winter Mr. Watson had to send six teams to Detroit each to bring a load of goods to supply the demand. (It must be remembered that at this time in Winter the only method of transporting merchandise to points north of Pontiac, was by teams.) About this time was the first revival of business in the Valley, after the great depression in 1837 and 1838. A large amount of furs were brought to market, the fishing business was carried on quite extensively and the lumber business was just commencing. Mr. Watson was interested with Col. Henry Raymond in the lumber business-their mill being that afterward owned by James Shearer & Co., it having been built by Col. Raymond in 1850. Mr. Watson retired from the mill and carried on other branches of business, never forgetting to purchase real estate whenever an opportunity presented itself. By that means and through his indomitable energy and excellent business qualifications, he was one of the leading men of the Valley. DR. GEORGE E. SMITH Was the first male physician who settled at Lower Saginaw and remained in practice for any considerable length of time. He came to Saginaw in 1837, where he learned the printer's trade. His health failing hle tried sailing with his brother, Capt. David Smith, and received a satisfactory amount of experience by being shipwrecked on the Canada shore. He then returned to Saginaw and studied medicine witlh'Dr. George Davis, and finally graduated at the Cleveland Medical College. In 1850 he came to Lower Saginaw and was for a time the only physician in the vicinity. He continued in practice until about 1861, when he turned his attention to other branches of business. He was engaged in the mnanufacture of lumber and salt, and in the grocery business with B. B. Hart. He kept the first drug store in the place, and was postmaster from 1853 to 1861. It was during his administration that the name of the office was changed from Hampton to Bay City. In 1878 he retired from business and resumed the practice of medicine as his health would permit. He is still a much respected citizen of Bay City. JESSE M. MILLER, one of the well known men in Bay City, is a native of Pennsylvania, and settled in Bay City in 1850. He had a brother-in-law living in Oakland County, and first went there and stopped with him. From there he wandered into the Saginaw Valley and stuck fast in the unpromising locality, since transformed into a beautiful city. At an early day he bought a tract of land jusi east of the present city limits, and cleared it up. It became a valuable farm, and he held it until 1881, when he sold it. When lihe first came to this region he says he worked for six or eight shillings a day and laid up something. He carried the first regular daily mail between Lower Saginaw and Saginaw. Inl the Fall he would take his pony and ride to a squatter's hut a little distance from the village. There he would leave the pony, and taking the mail on his back, would proceed on foot to Saginaw, and from there return in the afternoon. It was no easy task in those days to make the journey onil foot in the Fall, when the traveler would sink nearly to his knees inll the half frozen nmud; but the early settlers were inured to hardships, and accomplished many things that almost stagger the belief of people in these latter days. Mr. Miller had the contract for carrying the mail until 1862. From 1874 to 1882 he held the office of justice of the peace, and has always beenll prominent in public affairs. He has been an active advocate of temperance, and of all social and political reforms. In the Fall of 1882 hle was the candidate for Congress on the Greenback ticket, and made an active canvass of the district. He now devotes'his time to looking after his private interests, and to matters of public reform. CHARLES E. JENNISON is another of the pioneers of 1850. He was born in Louisiana inll 1829. Came North in 1834, and his parents lived in Brooklyn until 1841, when they removed to Danville, Penn. Inl 1850 Mr. Jennison came to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, to go into the mercantile business in company with the late James Fraser. After continuing in the partnership for about eighteen months he purchased Mr. Fraser's interest, cand continued the business alone till 1854, at which time he was joined by his brother, the late H. W. Jennison. After that the business was enlarged and carried on under the name of C. E. Jennison & Bro., till the death of the brother, which occurred in 1861. He was cut off in the vigor of hisl manhood and usefulness, and the people of Bay City felt that they had been called upon to part with one of the most useful and prominent members of society. Mr. Jennison continued to be more or less interested in the hardware and stove business until about 1870, when he was burned out, and has not been activelyinterested in mercantile pursuits since that time, though lihe is at present a member of the hardware firm of Tousey & Jennison. During the continuanme of his successful mercantile business he was wise enough to invest all the surplus profits in real estate, which has made him one of the most successful business men in the Saginaw Valley, and perhaps the wealthiest inll Bay City. Mr. Jennison's sterling business qualifications have served greatly to promote the interests of the city, and it is hoped they will long contmue to do so. He was president of the Bridge Company for several years, and is vice-president of the Pipe Works. He built the Jennlison Block on Water Street inll 1870. Inll 1851 he built a dwelling house onl the corner of Center and Washington Streets. At that time there were no improvements inll that part of the town, and beyond where the Court House now stands was thick forest. He rebuilt his house inll 1864, and at the present time is building one of the finest residences inll the city, on the corner of Ninth and Jackson Streets. He has made three additions to the city, and is interested in one other. He devotes his entire time to the management of his large real estate and other interests. He has a family consisting of a wife and six children. Mrs. Jennison is a daughter of the late Hon. James G. Birney, of national fame. Mr. Jennison is one of the men whose faith in a prosperous future for Bay City has been strong from the very first. He began early to invest in real estate, and always advised men in his employ to do the same with what means they could save. The correctness of his judgment has long since been demonstrated. WILLIAM CATLIN, deceased, was born February 26, 1817, in the town of Catharine, and what was then Chemung County, N. Y., and in May, 1849, hlie, with his family, started for Lower Saginaw, (as it was then called), Mich. They came by water to Detroit, expecting to take a boat at that place and come the rest of the way, i - h h- ko -a) K CZIi #6 — __j m U. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 77 la but after waiting a few days, decided to take the cars, which only brought them eighteen miles, when they took the stage as far as Pontiac, where they hired a private conveyance to bring them through to Upper Saginaw, the roads being so rough the men were obliged frequently to lift the wagon wheels out of the ruts to get along at all. Upon arriving at that place they made their way to a hotel kept by Mr. Jewett, where they remained a day or two, when they again proceeded on their journey, taking passage on the first steamboat running on the Saginaw River-and that as yet unfinished. Upon arriving at their place of destination they were met by his brother, Israel Ciatlln, and were taken to his home, where they enjoyed a good rest after a tiresome journey, and as soon as a house could be got in readiness, moved into a home of their own, situated where the Muuger Block now stands. Mr. Catlin being a good sawyer, he soon found employment in a mill owned by Hopkins & Co., and afterwards worked in a mill at Portsmouth, for McCormick & Miller. But himself and family were sick a greater part of the time, and after remaining a little over a year, at the earnest solicitation of friends East, they returned to their former home in the state of New York. After the war broke out lie, like thousands of other loyal men, felt it his duty to take up arms in defence of his country, and enlisted in Company A, Fifth Regiment, New York Volunteers, was wounded in battle and went home, remaining with his family several weeks, when being so much improved, he returned to the hospital in Annapolis, Md., but after a few weeks was taken sick with pneumonia, and died January 18, 1865. In 1872, his widow, with her children, came to Bay City, where they now reside, with the exception of her daughter, wife of W. W. Hodgkins, who died August 24, 1882. JOHN DRAKE is one of the early mill men of Bay County. He is a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in 1834. In June, 1851, he started with his brother James and a hired man, from Delaware, near London, (in Canada West, the Province was then called,) and came to Port Huron, where they purchased a small sail boat, hired a boatman to manage it, provided themselves with a tent and supplies, and commenced a coasting voyage along the shores of Lake Huron and the Saginaw Bay, Lower Saginaw being their point of destination, at which place they arrived after six days' sailing, with many narrow escapes from capsizing their little craft, which proved to be a crank affair, and afterwards caused disaster to others by capsizing in the river. Mr. Drake's object in coming to Michigan was to engage in the lumber business, and on his arrival at Lower Saginaw he landed his boat at the dock of the Dunlap Mill, (now Gate's & Fay's) 'and the first person lie encountered on the shore was the late James Fraser, who, under the circumstances, was the very man lie should first become acquainted with in the Valley, Mr. Drake being a native of Scotland, which was of itself sufficient to interest Mr. Fraser in his behalf; but when the object of Mr. Drake's coming to the Saginaw Valley was made known, Mr. Fraser became doubly interested, as he was always on the alert to induce capital and business to center in this locality. Mr. Drake spent some time in viewing the different localities on the river, making several trips to the towns on the upper portion of the river where many tempting offers were made him of property for a mill site, but he rejected them all, and finally selected the point (now in West Bay City) where the well known Drake Mill now stands. In two different negotiations he purchased from Mrs. Birney, wife of the late James G. Birney, the forty-four acre tract which is contiguous to the mill, with eighty rods of river front for about $1,400, not a bad bargain when we take into consideration the present value of the property, which would probably be estimated at $150,000. He completed the mill and operated it until 1853, when hle sold it to Kibbie, Whittemore & Co. Mr. Drake removed his family to Lower 'Saginaw (now Bay City) in November, 1852, and has been a resident of this locality since that time, except two years, which he spent in Detroit.. Not being satisfied to give up the lumber business entirely, Mr. Drake run the Zilwaukee Mill during the years of 1856 and 1857, and the little mill at Portsmouth during 1857. Since Mr. Drake's retirement from the lumber business he has held positions of trust and honor under the government of the United States, and has been engaged most of the time in the insurance business, and is now in that occupation. Since his residence here he has been identified with the material interests of the place, and enjoys to a high degree the esteem and confidence of the community. GEORGE LORD, one of the pioneers of Bay County, and one who has done much to advance its prosperity, settled in Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, in the Winter of 1854. He was born in Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., March 17, 1815. Attracted by the lumbering interests of the Saginaw Valley, he emigrated westward, and reached this then wilderness in February, 1854. He built the mill known as the Keystone Mill on the west side and operated it until 1860, when he sold out and went into the drug business on the corner of Center and Water Streets, which lie continued until burned out in 1865. After the fire he started another store which he continued a fewyears, when he sold out and went into the insurance business. Subsequently he became ticket and passenger agent of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, and continued irn that capacity until the present year. His present business is insurance. He was supervisor of the township of Hampton before Bay County was organized. The township of Hampton at that time comprised what is now Bay City, West Bay City and all the shore counties as far north as the Sable River, so that his constituency was scattered over quite an expanse of territory. After Bay City was incorporated he was elected comptroller, which office he held for five terms; was chairman of the Board of Supervisors four terms, and mayor of the city one term. At the expiration of his term of office as mayor, he was nominated on the Democratic state ticket for commissioner of state land office, but was defeated with the rest of the ticket. He was also candidate for state senator against Hon. D. H. Jerome, since Governor, but was again defeated. Mr. Lord was married in 1840 at Hamilton, N. Y., to Miss C. D. Fay, sister of W. L. Fay, of Bay City. They have three children living, two boys and one girl. Mr. Lord was one who entered into the pioneer life in all its phrases with great activity. There are few records of jokes ani lively experience in the early times in which he does not appear as a participant. Some of these appear in another part of this work. But while enjoying these episodes of life he has ever been an active participant in the industries and prosperity of the city and county. PHILIP SIMON is a native of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1818. After stopping about a year at Syracuse, N. Y., lie came to Bay City, or Lower Saginaw as it wa3 then called. This was in 1819. After settlingc here lie worket in the mills for about a year, and then started a meat market, the first permanent market started in the place. It was located on the ground where Mr. Kittridge's shoe store now stands, at the corner of Center and Saginaw Streets. He built a frame dwelling, using part of it for his market, and the remaining portion lie used as a hlotel, which was called the B.y City House. He afterwards engaged in the mercan tile business in tile same blozk. He continued in the market until about 1857, and in thle store until 1868. He built and still owns the block of buildings on Center Street, extending west from Sagiulaw Street. IIn 1861 he built his present residence at the corner of Twvelfth.nful Mi disxI Streets. When in the meat business lie purcIL'-lseI twenty-five a1re3 of laulJ in th'at loa:lity at a nominal s: - 0 I~ I I~ J 1 (I I 78 HIISTORY OF BAY COUUtNT Y. I price, for his slaughter house. When he built his residence, it was in a wild region just bordering upon a swamp. The nearest buildings were a few shanties on Watshington Street. Now, however, it is located in a delightful part of the city, and his property is very Valiiable. He still owns a large number of lots w~hich are a. part of the original purchase. By his industry and prudence, assisted by a good Tvife, lie acquired a handsome property during his business career. ]For several years he has not been engaged in active business, but has occupied Ilimself with his property interests. For some time he has been out of health auld unatble to get atbout. His family eoilsists of a wife and twelve chlildren. CHRISTOPHER HEINZMANN is a native of Germanv. When lie was about fif teen years of age his paritits emigrated to America, and settled in Ann Arbor, where, they remained -until their death.. Ill tile Winter of 1849 Christopher came to Bay City, or Lower Sagina~w, as it was then called. At first lie -wiorked in the 1-fills, then he bought land and cleared it, and then went, into business. He went first iiato:~he meat business, atnd was very successful. At ail eatrly dcay he built a -frame hotel calledi the Forest C'itty House, oil tile corner of Saginaw and Sixth Streets, where Sh~ermnan's livery statble ilow stands. - That building was afterwards burned. The present Forest City House, oil Washing~ton Street, he boughtt when the building was mnuch sm~aller.than now, and usedi for a boa2rding Ilouse. He put the property ill excellent shap~e for hlotel purposes, and liept it until the Winter of 1882. His present residence at the corner of Twelfth and Miladison Streets I-e built in 1872. H'e hass several houses which lie refits, and nowr busies himself looking after atnd enjoying the property he accumulated during the active years of his life. He has helped build up the city, andl has wyitnessed all the wonlderful changes that have taken place. THE ML EWIIANS. 'WILLIAM M~cEWAN is: olie of the pioneers of 1850. He was b-orn in G~lasgow, Scotland, in the year 1823, and emigrated to this country in 1848. In the Fall of 1850 lie settled in Lower Satginaw. His brother, Alexander, had come with him, and they built a mill, since known as the McEwaian Mll, and still in operation upon the original site near the northern limits of the city. In 1851 another brother, John, came and went into business with them.n In 1~853 Alexander died, and the business was continued by William and John. Muir. Wrilliamn McEwvan continued in the lumber business until within a few years, when he retired to give. attention to his extensive- real estate interests. In 1858 lie married MIiss Annie F. Fraser, daughlter of James Fraser. In 1.859 be built their present -residence on Center Street. At that time the site, now so attractive aLnd delightfuxl, was desolate enough, being covered with stumps,,through which wound a tortuous path to the forest just beyondl. M/r. MicEwvan and his brother blxilt aznd operated thle first grist mill in Alhe Saginazw Valley. Mr. M~IcEwan hazs been active in building up 'the city. In 1869 he built a brick business block oil Water Street, another on Center Street in 1875, annd still another oil Washington Street in 1881. The latter is an especially hanndsome bu-lding. Aside from~ these he has extensive real estate interests in the ciiy and county. He bas been con nected with niost of the public,~ im — provements that have been made in the county. He is president of the Bay City Gas Company at the present time. JOHN McE.WAN died in Bay City, January 26, 1882. He was born in Glasgnow, Scotland, in the year 1825. In 1846 he married MP~iss Myaroanret Pollock, who still survives him. In 1848 they came to this country with thle two brothers, William and Alexa~nder. Upon reaching New York, he had an opportunity to take a voyage as engineer on tile stea-sship " Unicorn, " then about to start for Cali. fornia. Hle azccepted the position, and was absent about two years. I Ii I I i i i I I i i I i i i I Ili 1-851 lie settled in Lower Saginaw~, Iis wife having come with William and Alexander. He then went into business as already stated, and continued it until 2lis death. His wife and six children survive him. He -was a prompt andl successful Ibusiness man. The business is continued by three sons, Willialm, John and Alexander, who are young men of excellent business habits, and successful in their -operations. W. L. FAY settled in Lower SaginawTT iu 1854, coming from New York State. Upon coming here be took an interest with M\/r. George Lord in the lu~mber business, but in a short time went int ' the mercantile business with B3. B. Hart. In 1860 lie engaged in the manulfacture of lumber with C. WT. Grant, tile firml being Grant & Fay. This ~firm continued -until 1863, wThen the mill burned. M;r. S. GI. M.. Gates then purchased Mr.. Grant's interest in the real estate, and tile firm becaule Gates &t Fay. The mill was rebuilt alnd the firm continued until about, a year ago, when Mlr. Fay, having acccumullated a fortune, retired. MVr. Fay was president of th~e village in 186>1, mayor of the city in 1868, and has held several other locall offices. He is a native of Hamilton, Mad~ison Co., N. Y. R iCHARD PADLEY was born in E~ngla2nd in 1824. Emigrated to the United States in 1852, coming direct to Bay City. T-Te at first worked in saw mills andl on a pile driver. In 1857 lie bougrht a farm on the TuscolaL plaznk road, which he wvorkied, but did not live oil it, residing in the city. Selling the farm, he went into t e shinale business with the late -Theodore Walker, continuing in it four or five years. He then again went itito farming in the township of Bangor. He has built a liumber of I-ouses in Bay City. Was one of tl-.e founders of Trinity Episcopal Society.. Has been an alderman two terms, on school board two years, and a supervisor for seven1 years in all. Has a family of a wife and one ('la-Lghter. JOSEPH TROMBLEY is a native of Quebec, and settled in Bay City in 1819. W~hen a youngg mail he learned the carpenter trade, and hlas followed it since con-iini here. II1 1861 he built a framee dwellingy on Center Street where the Craznagye Blocki now stands,and in 1862 built five dwelling houses on Woodside Avenue. Mr. Trombley is of French descent- and has accumulated considerable property during his residence in Bay City. In 1874 lie b~uilt a substantial brick block on th~e corner of Third and Monroe Streets, which he still owns. He has been ail industrious mail, and by his labuor has contributed liberally and materially to the growth of the city. He owns several buildings in the city which are rented for dwellingrs and business purposes. He has a~ wife and four children.. One of his daialihters is all artist, of considerable talent. PIONEER PASTIMES. If the coming generations of Bay City are led astray into a belief that their ancestry in the early days led a life of dreary moiiotony, said posterity will be mistaken. Tile region was desolate and uninviting enough to have inoculated the most robust system with melancholy, but the people who came in here were not of a despairing hind. Playing jokes, interspersed with a little fishing, would seem, from the traditions, to have been- a, leading industry. A mail who hadn't ithe ingenuity to devise a jokie of fair calibre might better move on to the next settlement than attempt to mingle with the activities of Lower Saginaw twenty-five or -thirty years ago. The few remaining -pioneers, whose hairs are already wYhitened, will even now renew their age in going over the humors of th~ose tilues, while the names of "Jule" Hart and Harrty Campbell stand out in bold relief in all the remziniscence of the early settlement. The following will serve to show tile spice with which, pioneer life was flavored: la i I I I I -r I -& j -I Fl-2 - ---— L I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 79 __ HOW LORD GOT EVEN WITH HART. George Lord and Julius B. Hart owned fisheries on the Bay Shore contiguous to each other, where in proper seasons of the year, they caught and shipped to Detroit and other points, the results of their endeavors often realizing large amounts of money from successful seasons, and at other times enjoying (?) the discomforts of "fishermen's luck," generally. Both enjoyed, and each knew how to give and take a joke. One cold bright morning in the Fall of 18, the two met near the foot of Third Street, and after passing the compliments of the morning turned to separate, when Hart exclaimed, "By the way, Lord, I'd nearly forgotten; I was down to the shore this morning and Joe FLord's foreman at the fishery told me to tell you that the fish were running like blazes, and he wanted you to send him down a lot of dressers [men to dress and pack fish,] salt and barrels." "Thunder!" shouted Lord, "is that so?" and away he sped to pick up all the adepts in dressing fish he could find, and in an hour his large boat was loaded with fish barrels, salt and men, ready to start for the shore, with Lord along to enjoy the rich harvest in prospect awaiting hilm. Just as the boat was shoved away from the dock to start on her trip, Hart came hurriedly to the dock with "Hold on, Lord, I've just heard from the shore again; the fish have just stopped running, and Joe don't want anything more than he's got." Lord saw that hlie was sold; the boat was hauled to the dock and was unloaded, and with vengeance in his eye Lord went home studying revenge. Weeks passed by and the joke was almost forgotten by all who had enjoyed a hearty laugh at Lord's expense. Not so with the chief victim, however. His opportunity came at last. The saloon in the basement of the Wolverton House was the fashionable resort of that day, and looking in at the door one afternoon Lord spied Hart at the table with some friends, playing an innocent game of "penny ante." While he looked, an Indian entered with three muskrat skins, a commodity in which Hart dealt. "Ugh!"saidLo,"Jule Hart you buyum skins?" "Yes," was the response, "give you ten cents; throw them over in that corner; here's your money." The Indian took the money, threw down the skins, and departed, at which Hart returned his attention to the game, which was becoming interesting. The skins were thrown back of Hart and directly under the window, which was near the floor. Lord reached in and carefully pulled out the skins, and just then another man came along who was owing Hart "one." Lord explained to him the situation and he at once got a Frenchman, who stretched the skins on shingles and took them down to Hart, who paid for them as before and ordered them thrown under the window. Lord was ready to fish them out, and his companion was hunting up parties to sell them again to Hart. It was but a few moments before a young boy entered the saloon and sold Hart a rat skin, throwing it into the corner as directed, and receiving his pay. The game went on, interrupted every few moments by a rat skin trade. Skins came in stretched on shingles, and on doubled twigs, and unstretched. Hart bought them all. At last the day was drawing to a close, and the game came to an end. Hart rose from the table remarking, "I've lost at the game, but I've bought a thundering pile of skins this afternoon," and he threw his gratified eye over toward the corner where his skins had been deposited. "Whew!"' was his exclamation as but three skins met his vision, "who in thunder stole my skins!" Lord at the instant edging toward the door,remarked,"It has been almost as good a day for rats, as that morning was for fish, Jule." Hart saw that he was sold; he had paid out about five dollars on three rat skins, and Lord was made disbursing officer, to see that the price of those skins was duly appropriated for the general good, in the manner common to those days. GETTING A CHEAP HORSE. One time when Hart was coming down on the boat hlie noticed a stranger on board, who was dressed with unusual nicety, and who was evidently a stranger in this country. Hart managed to getinto conversation with him, and soon they came in sight of a herd of Indian ponies feeding not far from the river. The stranger inquired who owned all those ponies. "O!" says Hart, "they belong to any one who will take the trouble to catch them." "What!" said the stranger, "can any one have one who wants?" "Certainly; all that is necessary is to go out and pick out what you want." The stranger thought hlie had indeed struck a fine country, and, after being assured by Hart that with the aid of two or three boys he could capture one, hlie settled down to the conviction that'he would become the possessor of a steed. After landing he hunted up some boys and they proceeded to corner the ponies, but their Indian owners happened to be around and came near killing the too credulous stranger. He escaped with his scalp, but concluded, ie had better not have a horse in that way. A LAWYER'S DONATIONS. In early days when hotels were scarce, new comers to the state of Michigan were forced to ask favors of the older settlers, which in these days would be looked upon as the height of presumption. There was a young lawyer residing in the then small village of Lapeer, having but recently taken to himself a wife and commenced housekeeping. There was no hotel in the place, and travelers ofttimes made use of the lawyer's barn, sometimes without so much as saying "by your leave." He had decided to remove to Bay City, and was making preparation to do so, when his barn was appropriated by a new comer to the neighborhood, who put a load of hay into the loft, and drove a cow into the yard to eat the hay. The evening before he left for Bay City, the lawyer was in "the store" of the village, and met the Rev. Mr. Smith, a Congregational minister (afterwards settled in East Saginaw), who had but recently taken charge of the little flock about Lapeer. As'[they conversed, Mr. Smith remarked, "I wish I could buy a good cow." "Do you want a cow?" said the lawyer. "I'mglad you mentioned it, for there's one utip at my barn which I can't take awav with me. You can have her, if you-will, and there's a load of hay in the barn to feed her with." Profuse were the thanks of the reverend gentleman at so munificent a bequest. "But," said the lawyer, "I must tell you about her. She is the most peculiar cow you ever saw. She must be mnilked before five o'clock in the morning or you can't get her to Rive down a drop of milk, "Well, I am an early riser," said the dominie, "I can milk her before five, as well as after." The lawyer moved to Bay City, and the minister was careful to milk his cow "before five o'clock" each morning. and a noble mess of milk she gave, and with liberality was the hay fed to her. Things went well for several days, until while milking one morning, the parson's ears were shocked with the profane expletives of a voice which called him a thief, a robber. and sundry other pet names which to a minister was simply horrifying. "I've caught you at last, you hypocritical, thieving parson; preaching honesty to the people, and robbing your neighbors of their milk. I'll break your — - head," etc., etc. Rising from his milking stool the parson faced the irate farmer, who for a time would give him no chance to get a word in edgewise. "But it's my cow," at last got in the parson; "the lawyer made me a present of her, and of the lhay in the barn, the night before he left." Explanations ensued, aud as both realized the sell, both eijoyed a hearty laughl, 'and were good frienlds. The lawyer has become a prominent member of the Bay County bar, and has contributed liberally upon I I I= - - I4 A - _ _ ' 6 ] z I et I 80 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. the m nneraforsaid sundry occasions, to preachers and churches in Bay City, after the manner aforesaid. One Winter he had a few cords of mixed wood piled in a field not far from the city, and an officer of one of the churches was doing some Winter begging, and knowing about this, asked the lawyer if he wouldn't let them have some for the minister. "Wlly, yes, of course, you can have all you want. But I will tell you; there's another pile of nice hard wood in the next field, and you may have the whole lot if you'll draw it off right away, for I want it out of the way." Now the pile of wood in the next field belonged to a well-to-do farmer, but the churchman didn't know that, and so pleased was he with the donation that he had it hauled to the minister's yard, forthwith. After a time the farmer went to haul the wood to market, but it had disappeared, and when he came to institute a search lie found what the lawyer's burst of generosity had cost him. His zeal in the promotion of religious interests did not seem to abate. At one time some EAstern parties had a lot of lumber piled up on the bank of the river. A new church was in process of construction, and one of the trustees meeting the lawyer one day, asked him if lie wouldn't give them something toward building it. "Why, certainly," said he. "Now, there's a pile of lumber down on the river," describing the pile referred to, "and you may have the whole of it; but you must get it right away." Of course the trustee was delighted, and it wasn't long before that pile of lumber was upon the church grounds. When the owners came to look after their lumber it had been dedicated as well as appropriated; but whether they got trace of it or not, we do not linow. A BIG JOB OF DENTISTRY. Squa-conning Creek empties into the Saginaw River but a short distance above Bay City, and further than to say that at its mouth is a creek of considerable size, we give no further description of it. Harry Campbell resided in e arly days at Saginaw City, and was noted as an inveterate wag and practical joker. Having returned from a visit to the Judge, of Bay City, Harry met a traveling dentist, who in his peregrinations had stumbled into the Saginaws, and was operating upon the mouths of the scattered settlers. "Doctor," said Harry, "I've just come up from the mouth of the river, and Squire Conning wanted me to send you down to fix up his mouth. It'd,. thundering big mouth and hasn't got a tooth in it." Elated with the prospect of a good job, the dentist jumped into a canoe (the only means of transit between the two places) and paddled to Portsmouth (now Seventh Ward, Bay City). Reaching there after eighteen miles of paddling, h e made diligent inquiry for "Squire Conning," and his disgust may be better imagined than described, when he found that he had passed the Squire's mouth some miles up the river. ALBE LULL'S LOON DINNER. It is nowhere recorded that the flesh of a loon was ever made tender by the process of boiling, nor by any other process known to the science of cookery. Albe Lull, however, did not know this fact when lie came to Portsmouth, and soon after ihe came, some of the epicures of the place incidentally nmentioned to him that loons were choice eating,.and very plenty. He told his wife one morning that they would have boiled loon for dinner that day, and lie went out to the river and marketed a fine one. About 10 o'clock it was put over to boil, and not unwilling to share a good thing with his friends, invited a neighbor to "come over" and have dinner with them, as they were going to have loon. The neighbor was sorry le couldn't accept, but said he was going away and wouldn't be back in time. Noon came and Mr. Lull went to din ner, but his wife said that loon "wasn't anywhere near tender." Mr. Lull wasn't in much of a hurry and waited until about three o'clock, but still the loon was like adamant. Then he said they would have it for supper. Night came, but the loon was as complacent and tollugh as when it began boiling in the morning. They had something else for supper, and concluded it must be an old one and would need more boiling. The next morning the kettle was placed upon the stove again and the boiling renewed. When lie got home at noon and found no change, a great wonder grew upon him as to whether lie wasn't "sold." He went quietly out in pursuit of enlightenment. By that time it was generally known in the neighborhood what was going on in the culinary department of Mr. Lull's household, and he soon learned that if there was any impossibility greater than another in this world, it was to cook a loon. It was never again attempted in that household. STEVENSON S IMPORTED WHISKEY. There was a mnian living here at an early day, whom "Jule" Hart was always playing his tricks upon, and vice versa. He lived up near what is now the corner of Twenty-third and Water Streets, on the mound which was quite an elevation in those days, but has since been graded down. His name was Thomas Stevenson. He was very fond of his whiskey, which lie always bought by the barrel, as he used large quantities of it. On one occasion his barrel got empty and lie was obliged to go to his friend "Jule" to get his jug filled with "Jule's" Indian whiskey. One day he came to "Jule" and said h e did not want any more of his Indian whiskey as it was nothing but Sagillaw water, so lie ordered a barrel from Detroit. In due time he got a letter saying the whiskey had been shipped to Lower Saginaw, (as Bay City was then called) in care of Julius B. Hart. Old Tom used to go down every day to see if his barrel of whiskey had come, but no whiskey was then to be found. In the meantime, "Jule" had old Tom's barrel of whiskey h id away in the back part of the warehouse, and had it tapped and was treating his friends. "Jule" told him lie would give him all the whiskey he wanted for nothing until his barrel came. Finally, old Tom could stand Indian whiskey no longer, and lie wrote to the parties in Detroit telling them his whiske-7 haad never come, they answered him tha t they had Julius Hart's receipt for its deliver y at h is warehouse. Down he went with blood in h is eye to see "Jule." "Well," says "Jule," "I m ight have overlooked it, but you come dow n town in an h our or two and I will l ook t hrough th e wa reh ouse and try and find it." Away went Tom up town to play penny ante. It was not long after ite had gone b efore the accustomed crowd came down to take a swig out of old Tom's bar rel, when a council of war was h eld how to get out of the scrape, as old Tom would be bac k soon. F inally, "Jule" took an empty whiskey barrel and filled it with water, and marked on the ead, "Thomias Stevenson, Lower Saginaw. " He had scarcely got it finished and had Strown something over it, when down comes old Tom swearin g that t he knew t hat th e whisk ey was there, when "Jule" met him at the door and said he had looked the warehouse over but could not find it. Tom said he knew better; he wo uld go and look the warehouse over him self. He had b not looked long beforehe came across the barrel of water, marked | Thomas Stevenson, Lower Saginaw, when his rage knew no bounds, when he commencend at Jule, calling him an old fool. "Here," says he, "is my barrel of whiskey all the t ime, and I have been drinking your poor Indian whiskey enough to kill me." So, off he went to get a team to take it to his house, a mile and a half off. There were no drays in those days. He finally, after some trouble, got it drawn up to his house, but how to get it down cella r was the next thing. He finally got some help, telling the m lie w ould give them something good to drink —"no Saginaw water." They finally got 4 —73 ---.-l - It I... 1 I t IS HISTORY OF it down cellar and tapped it, when old Tom drew a glass full and handed it to one of them. When the fellow had tasted it, he asked old Tom if he called that whiskey. "Yes, you have drank Saginaw water so long, you fool, you don't know what good whiskey is!" "Well, try it yourself!" Tom tasted, and threw it on the floor, glass and all. Then there was trouble; the first thing he said was, "- Jule Hart." Then he went to work, got the barrel out of the cellar, put it on the wagon and started back for the warehouse, swearing all the way there, saying he would kill "Jule." In the meantime, the crowd had taken their last drink out of old Tom's barrel, and filled it up with water and rolled it out where Tom could see it when he came back. The next thing was to hide "Jule" away, or old Tom would kill him. It was not long before old Tom came back determined to kill "Jule," but they told him "Jule" had just gone down on the Bay to his fishery. "Well," says old Tom, "it is a lucky thing, or I would have killed him, sure!" It was a long time before peace was declared between old Tom and "Jule." TOO BIG A CHARGE FOR THE GAME. There was plenty of good bear hunting in the woods where a large portion of Bay City now stands, twenty-five or thirty years ago. In those days Harry Campbell was a frequent and lively visitor. One time he came down to see the Judge, and have a little fun with the boys; he had not been here very long when the Judge rushed into the house where Harry sat, toasting himself by the fire, and exclaimed to him: -"Quick, Harry, there's a big bear just out in the woods!" Guns were always in readiness for sport, and it was but a few moments before Harry, led by his brother and one or two other friends, was hurrying through the stamps of the clearing which extended almost to Washington Street. Cautiously feeling their way through-the woods, they reached a point not far from the present site of the court house, when Harry was shown the bear, which proved to be a very large coal black hog, belonging to the brother, his pilot. After a good laugh, the party wended its way back to the house. Harry watched his chance, by the way, to separate from the rest, and placed in the gun a charge of about six inches deep. On reaching the house the gun was carelessly placed in the corner, and the company about the fire indulged in a series of jokes and the enjoyment -of a good time generally. Presently Harry left the house and. went down to the river bank, about in the rear of the present Jennison Block, returning presently with the carelessly imparted information that there was "a thundering flock of ducks just settled in the river." "We'll have some for supper," exclaimed his brother, seizing the gun from the corner, cautiously picked his way to a favorite log on the river bank, behind which he was accustomed to lay in wait for the feathered tribe. Harry and the rest of the company followed behind, and watched the sport. With the breech to his shoulder, and the barrel resting on the log, sportsman blazed away at the innocent ducks. It was hard to tell which end of the gun killed most. Sportsman fell back on the ground with his left hand to his right shoulder, in his agony, asking between paroxysms of pain, "What the thunder had got into that gun." "Why, you foolish fellow," said Harry, "you've been trying to shoot ducks with a bear charge." All pres ent saw the point of the joke, and it is said joined in attempting to relieve the sufferer, by copious applications of whiskey internally and externally. FIGHTING JACK FROM CANADA. "I can lick any man in this city," said the bully, Jack Robinson, as he strode into Gonder's place, where Park Block now is, in the Spring of 1860. "I am fighting Jack; I am from Canady; I have fought my way all around, and there is no heathen in this BAY COUNTY. 81 l 3 __ __ country that can wallop me." Just then old Amos Culver,of Monitor, came over the river on the ferry with a load of charcoal. "Jule" Hart, knowing Culver's talents, and that he had in early life sailed on the raging canal, pointed out the famous Canadian to him and told him that Jack wanted to see him. Culver went up to the belligerent Canuck,and says, "Do you want to see me,sir? I've got nothing but coal, but it is just fresh burned and all from the best of dried hard wood, nothing but body beech and maple. It is an extra lot. Never was such coal brought to market before. Want to buy? Will haul it to any part of the city. Sell cheap; only two shillings a bushel; will let you have another load if you want it." 'Oh you d-d fool," said big Jack, "I don't want to buy any coal, but I want to fight." "Oh," said Culver, "Mr. Hart told me you wanted to buy coal." "Who's Hart," said Jack, "let me see Hart. I do want to see that man that sent that coal peddler to me." But Hart was no where to be found. Culver took up his whip and was about to start off with his oxen and load of coal, when the bully returned and says, "You find Hart for me before you proceed." "Why, how you do talk," said Culver, starting up his oxen. Thereupon Canada Jack undertook to stop him, but Culver broke away from him and drove on. The fighter was encouraged to follow him, and did so, bragging and threatening all manner of hurts to poor Culver. He finally got in front of him, when crack, crack, went Culver's fists in his face. The bully was knocked down and kicked till he was used up, and then dragged himself to the side-walk, and sat down, trying to stop his nose from bleeding. When Culver took up his whip to drive off, he shouted to him, "Young man sit there till you learn better manners." PULLING A TOOTH. One day a stranger came into the settlement, and entering a place where were gathered a few of the early philanthropists, enquired if there was a doctor about who could pull a tooth. His face was swollen and he appeared to be suffering severely from toothache. They told him there was not a doctor around. But just then one of the party caught sight of some one of the professional tricksters, and told the stranger to wait a minute as the doctor was just coming. Calling the joker in, it was not difficult to make him understand what was on the programme. Assuming a wise expression of countenance, he told the stranger to sit in a chair that stood there. Then looking at his tooth, pronounced it a bad case, and he said he would have to tie his hands to the chair, as he was frequently troubled by patients seizing hold of the instrument. Making his hands secure to the rounds of the chair, he then took his pocket knife and ploughed around the tooth,curing the tooth-ache by inflicting greater pain. He then took a piece of wood and crowded it between the patient's jaws to keep his mouth open, as he explained that they frequently would shut their jaws together on his instruments. Having securely gagged and bound the unsuspecting victim, the pretended doctor said he would have to run up stairs and get his instruments. Off he went, and there being back stairs leading from the second story, he made his exit and visited another part of town. One by one the occupants of the place had sauntered out, and the prisoner was left alone to wait and think. The result of his thinking was, in the course of time, a conclusion that he had been victimized. Tradition says, in a general way, that he got mad and finally broke loose, but did not afterwards seek the services of a Lower Saginaw dentist. A volume might be filled with early day jokes, but the foregoing will give the key to the music of life among the early settlers. Separated from surrounding civilization, they constituted a world by themselves; and while privileges have multiplied with development, it would be difficult to convince a pioneer that his real enjoyment, J 11 - k I" |5 F —~ -t I 1 i 82 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I 3 has been increased. The hearty ringing laugh has dwindled away to a feeble though artistic smile, and the vigorous shake of the hand has been superseded by a languishing touch of finger tips. Manifold have been the changes both in the physical features of the place and in its social life. Unseemly-shapes have been rounded into artistic figures, and tortuous lines have become graceful curves. Most of the old landmarks are gone, and soon the stories of those early scenes will no longer be told by any who participated in -them. MUNICIPAL' ORGANIZATION. Bay City was incorporated as a village in the Winter of 1859, by an act of the Legislature. A number of saw mills had been established and the dawn of still greater prosperity was just breaking. The physical beauty of the place, however, was but little improved. The place was well supplied with churches and schools. The population of the village, at the date of its incorporation, was abbut 700 souls, the United States census of 1860 showing a population in tlleentire of Bay County, of only 1,519. This population was engaged principally in lumbering and fishing, this latter industry comprising a no mean proportion of the exports from the village, while the excellent adaptation of the soil of the county to agricultural purposes, had not yet attracted very general attention or interest. The first election under the village charter occurred on the 2nd day of May, A. D., 1859, at Birney Hall, on Water Street, Calvin C. C. Chillson and Doctor Lewis Fuchsius, being judges of the polls, with Albert Wedthoff, clerk of the Board. At this election 155 votes were cast for the office of president, Curtis Munger being elected by ninety-two votes, against sixty-three cast for George Lord, and J. S. Barclay. Charles Atwood was elected to fill the office of recorder; John F. Cottrell, as treasurer; Albert Miller, James J. McCormick, Henry Wi. Jennison, Israel Catlin, Henry. M. Bradley and Harmon, A. Cham-i berlin, trustees. The first meeting of the council was held in a room over the store of Jennisonl Bros., at the foot of Fifth Street, on May 6, 1859. At a meeting of the Board on the 23rd of May, John A. -Weed was appointed village marshal; Henry M. Bradley, street commissioner, and Algernon S. Munger and William Daglisb, assessors. Among the first acts of the village trustees was the ordering, of sidew alks on Washington Street, ftom First to Tentll Street, and the opening of Jefferson and Madison Streets, north of Center Street. At a meeting held May 30th, both of the gentlemen who had been appointed village assessors having declined to act, A. G. Sinclair, and Charles D. Fisher were appointed; Mr. Sinclair deelining,Mr. Henry Raymond was appointed in his place Jllne 6thl. At a meeting June 3d, the salary of the village attorney was fixed at,$75 per year, and James Birney was appointed as the legal adviser of the Board. On J-Lne 27thl, a general tax for village purposes of $1,047 and a highway tax of one-llalf of 1 per cent was certified to by the assessors. Onl December 19, 1859, a committee on -fire department was institulted, consisting of Israel Catlin,H. M. Bradley and H. A. Chamberlin, who on January 4, 1860, were instructed "to rent a sufficient amount of leather hose to use until Spring, and to procure a triangle for the use of the hose house." This seems to have been the germ whence sprang the present excellent fire departmenet. The following are the principal village officers for the several years: 1859, president, C. Munger; recorder, C. Atwood; treasurer, J. F. Cottrell. 1861, president, W. L. Fav; ret order, S. S. Campbell; treasurer, B. Witthauer. 1862, president, James Watson; recorder, J. L. Monroe; treasurer, August Kaiser. 1863, president, C. Munger; recorder, N. Whittemore; treasurer, C. Scheurmanu. 1864, president, C. Munger; recorder, N. Whittemore; treasurer, C. Scheurnani. 1865, president, J. B. Hart; recorder, P. S. Hiesordt; treasurer, E. Frank. A CHARTERED CITY. The year 1860 called into existence new elements of prosperity and new forces combined to work out the problem of development. At the beginning a census was taken, which fixed the population of Bay City at 810. It was in the Spring of this year that steps were taken toward the manufacture of salt. The BayCity and Tuscola plank road was completed a distance of twelve milts, and became a highway of great importance to Bay City. The next four or five years were attended with great prosperity, and by 1865 the population. had increased to 3,359. In the Winter of 1865 a city charter was granted by the Legislature,and the organization of the city was accomplished in the Spring, the city being divided into three w ards. A charter election was held on the first Moonday of April, and the following officers elected: -Mayor, Nathan B. Bradley; recorder, 'William T. Kennedy,- Jr.; treasurer, Ernst Frank. The board of aldermen consisted of the following named citizens: -First Ward, George W. Hotchkiss, and Jerome B. Sweet; Second Ward, Alexander M. Johnson and Jeffrey R. Thomas; Third Ward, James Watson and Herschel H. Hatcl. On April 11th the bonds of the treasurer were fixed at $3,000. Thomas Carney, Sr., was elected street commissioner; Theophiilus C. Grier was elected city attorney; C. Feige, city marshal; Andrew Htlggins. city surveyor. The new council rapidly got themselves into working order, but no event of moment is found o.-l the records lentil September 12th, when, in accordance with the decision of the citizens expressed at a special election, a Silsby steam fire engine wvas ordered to be purchased, which was done-the steamer b~einCy accepted bay resolution, adopted November 18, 1865. On Septembler 30th, the council determinedthat-the soul of $1,997.47 would be needed for city purposes for the ensuing year.. The valuation of city property on the assessmenet roll of this, the first year of the city organization, was $633,000. BOUNDARIES. Accordlina to the original plat of Lower Saginaw, tile boundaries were the Prairie Road tiiow Woodside Avenue) oil the north; a line 40)0 feet south of Tenth Street on the south; Vanl Buren Street on the east, and the Sa~gillaw River on the west. W~hen the 'village of Bay City was incorporated, the southern boundary was changed to the section fine, which is near Twentythird Street. This was evidently a bulunder, for a, narrow strip of land was left between that line and the north boundary of Portsmouth, that was without a municipal habitation. This was afterwards remedied by extending the southern boundary of Bay City'to Twenty-fourth Street, and there it remained until Portsmouth was annexed to Bay City in 18753. ffffi:-:: 0 . ho Act *Z - I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 83 r? FIRST MAYOR OF BAY CITY. NATHAN B. BRADLEY was born in the town of Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., May 28, 1831. Like many other representative men of Michigan, he is descended from one of three brothers who emigrated from England at a very early day, and settled in Massachusetts. William Bradley, the father of Nathan Bradley, was born in that state, and carried on the tanning business there up to the year 1835, when he removed with his family to the state of Ohio, and settled on what was called the Western Reserve. Here Nathan attended the common schools, and worked on his father's farm until he was sixteen. At this time he learned the trade of a customL clothier; but after three years of hard work, believing he could engage in something that would prove more lucrative, he abandoned it. In the year 1849 he went to Wisconsin and found employment in a saw mill in the pine regions, where he was engaged for one year. He returned to Ohio in 1850, and in the following year, in connection with an older brother, built a mill, which they run with satisfactory results until 1852. Mr. Bradley then removed to Lexington, Mich., believing that that state afforded better advantages for the manufacture of lumber. He was engaged at Lexington for three years, until he had cut the pine land which he had purchased. In 1855 he removed to the Saginaw Valley, and settled at St. Charles, where he was engaged in managing the affairs of Frost & Bradley, manufacturers of lumber. In 1858 he went to Bay City, purchased a mill, and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber until 1864. In that year he erected works, and commenced the manufacture of salt, which he has since carried on in connection with his lumber interests. Mr. Bradley has always taken a lively interest it: all public enterprises of this city. In the Winter of 1864-'65 he, in behalf of himself and others, made application for a charter to build a street railway. He was successful in obtaining the right, and filled the position of secretary, treasurer, and managing director for several years. In the year 1865, when the city received its charter, Mr. Bradley was elected first mayor. In the Fall of 1866 he was elected to the state Senate, and served faithfully for one term. The interests of his district were so well served that he was offered a renomination, but, on account of his increasing business, was compelled to decline. In the Fall of 1872 he was elected to the Forty-third Congress. He served on the committee on public lands, and was eminently successful in obtaining appropriations for dredging the channel of the Saginaw River and harbors in his district, two very important measures. He well deserves the honor accorded him for the vigilance and labor he bestowed in getting these appropriations. He was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress, and served on the committee on claims. His congressional record during both terms was one of honor. Mr. Bradley secured the friendship and kind regards of the members, and also the commendations of the public for the distinguished ability with which he served his district during the exciting contest at the last session of the Forty-fourth Congress over the electoral count. Although taking no active part in the discussion upon the pending question, he watched its progress with deep interest, and when the electoral bill was reported from the joint committee, was the first of the Michigan delegation to declare himself in favor of the measure. He adhered to this decision, and voted for its passage, believing it to be the only peaceful method for settling the important question. Many of his colleagues differed from him, and voted against the bill. During the existence of the Saginaw and Bay City Salt Company he was a member of the executive committee, a director of the Michigan Salt Association. In January, 1867, he associated himself in partnership with B. E. Warren, in the banking business. When the First National Bank of Bay City was to be re-organized he became one of the principal stockholders, and was appointed its vice-president, which position he held for a number of years. Mr. Bradley joined the Masons in 1853; he is a member of the Bay City Commandery of Knights Templar; and a charter member of Bay City Lodge and Blanchard Chapter; he is presiding officer of each. He attends the Presbyterian Church. While no politician, in the narrow sense, he takes an active interest in public affairs, finding in the creed of the Republican party the expression of his views. Mr. Bradley possesses many of the true elements of success, with great force of character, business integrity, and benevolence. He has the esteem and confidence of the entire community, and has acquired an ample fortune. CITY OFFICERS. The following are the names of the city officers for each year since the incorporation of the city: MAYORS.-1865, N. B. Bradley; 1866, James Watson; 1867, James Watson; 1868, W. L. Fay; 1869, J. J. McCormick; 1870, A. S. Munger; 1871, G. H. Van Etten; 1872, G. H. Van Etten; 1873, G. H. Van Etten; 1874, A. Stevens; 1875, A. Stevens; 1876, A. McDonell; 1877, A. McDonell; 1878, George Lord; 1879, John H. Wilkins; 1880, John H. Wilkins; 1881, John H. Wilkins; 1882, John H. Wilkins. RECORDERS.-1865, W. T. Kennedy; 1866, W. T. Kennedy; 1867, N. Whittemore; 1868, N. Whittemore; 1869 N. Whittemore; 1870, N. Whittemore; 1871, I. G. Warden; 1872, I. G. Warden; 1873, I. G. Warden; 1874, I. G. Warden; 1875, I. G. Warden; 1876, I. G. Warden; 1877, I. G. Warden; 1878, T. A. Delzell; 1879, T. A. Delzell; 1880, T. A. Delzell; 1881, T. A. Delzell; 1882, T. A. Delzell. TREASURERS.-1865, E. Frank; 1866, E. Frank; 1867, E. Frank; 1868, E. Frank; 1869, I. G. Warden; 1870, August Kaiser; 1871, L. S. Coman; 1872, L. S. Coman; 1873 L. S. Coman; 1874, L. S. Coman; 1875, C. S. Braddock; 1876, C. S. Braddock; 1877, Charles Supe; 1878, E. Wood; 1879, Jacob Knoblauch; 1880, Jacob Knoblauch; 1881, Joseph Cusson; 1882, Joseph Cusson. COMPTROLLERS.-1865,; 1866,; 1867, --; 1868, --; 1869, R. McKinney; 1870, George Lord; 1871, George Lord; 1872, George Lord; 1873, George Lord; 1874, George Lord; 1875, P. J. Peirott; 1876, P. J. Perrott; 1877, W. H. Fennell; 1878, W. H. Fennell; 1879, C. F. Braman; 1880, C. F. Braman; 1881, C. F. Braman; 1882, C. F. Braman. PRESENT CITY OFFICERS. Under the new charter the mayor is elected for two years; comptroller, four years; recorder, two years. CITY OFFICERS FOR 1883-'84.-Mayor, Thomas A. E. Weadock; treasurer, Charles Babo; recorder, T. A. Delzell; city attorney, John E. Simonson. ALDERMEN.-W. B. Clark and William Kennedy, First Ward; R. P. Gustin and John McEwan, Second Ward; G. Hine and George E. Aiken, Third Ward; Samuel Kaichen and Edward Wood, Fourth Ward; H. M. Wright and J. L. Reid, Fifth Ward; W. H. Trombley and Henry Selleck, Sixth Ward; W. A. Beebe and D. J. Kennedy, Seventh Ward. L S s - Kii __ A - `ITF '.J. I J 0l - I - - - A 84 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. l I PRESENT MAYOR OF BAY CITY. THOMAS A. E. WEADOCK, present mayor of Bay City, was born at Ballygarret, Ireland, January 1, 1850. His parents emigrated to America in 1850, and settled at St. Marys, Ohio, where his father died in 1863, and his mother iln 1876. His early education was acquired at the district and union schools in St. Marys. In 1871, having earned some money at school teaching, he entered the law school of Michigan University, where he graduated Bachelor of Laws, March 26, 1873, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Courts of Michigan and Ohio the same year. In 1874 he began practicing law at Bay City, Mich., and soon after married Mary E. Tarsney, of East Saginaw, in this state. In 1877 he was appointed prosecuting attorney for Bay County by Judge Green, and served with credit to himself until 1879. In 1880 he was elected a member of the American Bar Association. As a lawyer he has a good practice, and his reputation for ability, industry and integrity is excellent. In politics he has always been a Democrat; but previous to his nomination for mayor he had never been a candidate for any political office. Ireland, her history, and the oppressions she has suffered, have always interested him. At the organization of the Bay City Land League he was elected president, and has held that office since by successive elections. He was a delegate to the Irish National Convention at Chicago, and he is president of the St. Patrick's Society. CHURCHES AND CHURCH HISTORY. "The groves were God's first temples; ere man learned To hew the shaft and lay the architrave And spread the roof above them; ere he framed The lofty vault to gather and roll back The sound of anthems." REMINISCENCES BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER. "Fifty years ago there were about 100 inhabitants between the northern limits of Oakland County and the Straits of Mackinaw. At that time my residence was in the settlement of Grand Blanc, better known then by its French pronunciation 'Graw Blaw,' (Big White,) the name given by the French settlers of Detroit on account of its having formerly been the place of residence of a big white savage. "The first sermon I heard in Michigan was delivered by a presiding elder from the Ohio Conference. His name was Gilruth, —a large, portly man, with all the characteristics of an old-time Methodist minister. That was in 1831, and I think the first sermon preached in that settlement. In 1832 Charles and John Butler resided in the southern part of the Grand Blanc settlement, (they had been connected with a Congregational Church in Western New York,) and in the Summer of that year the people gathered onil Sabbath afternoons at the house of one of the brothers to hear a sermon read and prayer offered. In the Summer of 1833 Rev. James F. Davison, of the Methodist connection, preached occasionally in the settlement. During that same Summer a Congregational Church was organized, which was the first church organization between Pontiac and the Straits of Mackinaw. "In 1833 I removed from Genesee Countyto Saginaw, but I believe the first church organization after the one at Grand Blanc was a Congregational Church in 1836, at Mount Morris, six miles north of Flint. The place was then called the Coldwater settlement, on account of the strict temperance principles of the people. About that time a Presbyterian Church was organized at Flint. The Methodist Episcopal Church had a preaching station at Flint, but I believe no church organization till after the ones above referred to. - "In the Summer of 1833, the Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference attempted to establish a missionary station among the Indians at Saginaw, and also to furnish preaching for the white settlers at that point. They sent out a smart young minister named Frazee, well educated, a fluent speaker, and who was fond of a good horse, as I believe most Methodist ministers are. Mr. Frazee met with a rather cool reception among the Indians; the traders did not encourage them at all in the matter of having teachers among them, telling them that their business was hunting, not looking at papers, as they expressed the art of studying. At one time, after preaching onl a Sabbath at a white settlement on the Tittabawassee, Mr. Frazee was inquired of as to his congregation. He said there were some women present, but the men he believed had all gone hunting. After visiting Saginaw once or twice, he found that the besetting sin of a portion of the people was selling whiskey to the.Indians, and oni one occasion in his sermon he boldly denounced such practices, which caused as great anl uproar, in a small way, as Paul's preaching at Ephesus did; for like Demetrius and his followers, they knew that 'by this craft they got their wealth.' During the night, after the sermon, certain lewd fellows of the baser sort' entered the stable where the minister's horse was kept, and sheared the hair from the animnal's mane and tail. In passing through the country on his return the horse displayed a prominent sign of the depravity of human nature. The next minister that came to the Saginaw Circuit, was the Rev. William H. Brockway, a young man particularly well adapted to his work, and subsequent years have shown him well adapted to other positions in life than a pioneer missionary. Mr. Brockway mingled freely with the people, assisting them in whatever labor they were engaged in. He would rebuke every sinful practice that came within his knowledge, in such a way as to give no offence, thereby gaining the respect of the people and doing much to check the evils of profanity, drunkenness and Sabbath breaking. I recollect on an occasion of a quarterly meeting he preached in the 'messhouse,' attached to the American Fur Company's trading house, to a congregation of about twenty, not one of whom was a professor of religion, and the collection amounted to $17. Mr. Brockway left Saginaw early in 1836, and his immediate successors did not fill his place. After the Indian title to the land in the vicinity of Saginaw had been extinguished, and before it was offered for sale by the United States Government, the locality was visited by Dr. Charles Little, of Avon, N. Y. He was greatly pleased with the country and had great faith in the future of the Saginaw Valley. Dr. Little made some choice selections of land in the vicinity of the Fort, at Saginaw, and on his return to Detroit left money at the land office to purchase land when it should be offered for sale. "Rev. H. L. Miller, who married a daughter of Dr. Little's, came with his family inll 1836, to reside permanently at Saginaw. There was a great accession to the population during that season, and in the Fall a Presbyterian Church was organized, which was presided over for the next two years by Mr. Miller as pastor, during which time a marked improvement was made in the religious and social status of the people. "In December, 1838, a series of meetings were held at Saginaw by the Rev. O. Parker, un(ler the auspices of the Presbyterian Church. There were a number of conversions and several acces sions to the church at the next communion season. Among the number were the late Dr. George Davis and wife, myself, wife and wife's sister. Rev. C. C. Foote preached for the church during that Winter. There were times when the church was without a minister, but when there was no preaching, worship was kept up by reading a sermon on the Sabbath, and I believe the Sunday-school was a live institution from its organization. Rev. Harvey Hyde supplied the church in 1842 and 1843, or thereabout. He was a strong Congre "I 1 p I JI. — a I l, I! I a-L: l_ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 85 I I I gationalist, and prevailed on the younger members of the church to change its government and connection from Presbyterian to Congregational. I well remember that Hiram L. Miller, who was present when the vote was taken, refused to unite with the new organization, and stated that he felt that it would be his duty to organize a Presbyterian Church as soon as one could be sustained. The church remained in the Congregational connection for a time, but did not prosper much. About the same time I took another move away from church and social privileges-coming to Portsmouth to reside, when there were only four or five families within a mile of us. There were a few families living then at Lower Saginaw who had so far advanced in civilization as to build a small schoolhouse about twenty feet square, which, I believe, now stands connected with another building near the corner of First and Washington Streets. A successful mission among the Indians had been established, and as a result many Indians had been converted from heathenism to Christianity. I recollect an incident in my travels in 1846, while far up the Tittabawassee looking for pine land. I had started from my camp at daylight, and while paddling my canoe down the river, about sunrise, my ears were greeted with music, and I was never more charmed by its sound than while listening to a familiar hymn tune sung in the wilderness by a family of Indians at their morning devotions. -The Rev. Mr. Brown, the Methodist missionary at Kawkawlin, preached occasionally in the little schoolhouse at Lower Saginaw, when the people at Portsmouth had the privilege of attending religious worship by walking two or three miles over a rough road, which privilege some of them almost invariably availed themselves of. The first church that was built in the Valley and dedicated to the worship of God was the missionary church at Kawkawlin. "In 1860 and 1851, the firm of Russell, Miller & Crowl were engaged in the lumber business at Portsmouth, employing a number of men, many of whom had temporary residences for their families. The resident members of the firm desiring some religious privileges for their families and for those in their employ, in the Fall of 1850 hired Rev. B. N. Paine, a young man belonging to the Wesleyan Methodist connection, to come to Portsmouth and preach. His first sermon was delivered in the cabin of a propeller that had come to that point for lumber. Soon afterwards a rough building, 20x30 feet on the ground, was erected and formally dedicated to the worship of God. The building was afterwards enlarged and improved for a schoolhouse, and was used for school and religious purposes till the new schoolhouse (the one that was burned) and the Baptist Church were built. Mr. Paine did not remain long at Portsmouth, and after he left, the house above referred to was open for all denominations to preach in, and was for some years a regular preaching station for the Methodists. During the revival of 1857-'58 it was the scene of many rich spiritual blessings. In the Spring of 1851 I was staying over night at the Northern Hotel, at Flint, where the office of thle Flint and Saginaw stage was kept. In the evening a very fine looking young man came in and engaged a passage for the next day to Saginaw, saying that he would be found at Mr. Atterbury's, the Presbyterian clergyman. At that time triweekly stages were able to do all the passenger business between Saginaw and the outside world. The plank road was not completed, and a passage from Flint to Saginaw was anything but pleasant; and it was a wonder to some of his fellow passengers what should call the young man to Saginaw at that time when the roads were so bad. It was suggested to him on the way that there must be some female attraction at Saginaw. I afterwards became acquainted with the young man, (who was none other than the Rev. D. M. Cooper,) and knew'him long as the beloved pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Saginaw." I I The conclusion of Judge Miller's reminiscence relates particularly to the organization of the Presbyterian Society, and appears in that connection. After the first schoolhouse was built, just south of where the Detroit & Bay City passenger depot now stands, religious services were held there, conducted by Hon. James G. Birney, who was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. Methodism in Bay City held its first organized class in 1837, consisting of Mrs. Belinda Barney, Mr. and Mrs. Raby, and J. Crutchfield. Of these the first named yet retains an honored place in the church. Occasional preaching services were held here before that date, and for some years after by ministers from Flint and the Saginaw mission. FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BAY CITY.-In 1852, at the annual conference held in Niles, Bishop Levi Scott presiding, George Bradley was assigned to Lower Saginaw. He was the first Methodist minister appointed to this charge. During his ministry in 1852-'53 the society was fully organized, and the present church building erected on Washington Street. This has been enlarged and modified from time to time, and with such improvements as were imperatively called for, has faithfully served its purpose as a place of worship for thirty years. The economy of the church in its methods of pastoral oversight has required several changes, but has not allowed the succession of yearly appointments to be broken. Since the pastorate of George Bradley above named, there have been the following:In 1853-'54, Isaac Cogshall; 1855-'56, T. J. Joslin; 1857-'58, William Benson; 1859, E. Klumph; 1860-'61, J. C. Wortley; 1862, E. E. Caster; 1863,.H. 0. Parker; 1864-'65, William Fox; 1866-'67, R. S. Pardington; 1868, George I. Be'ts; 1869-'70, J. H. Burnham; 1871-'72-'73, John Kelly; 1874, T. G. Potter; 1875-'76-'77, J. Venning; 1878-'79-'80, J. Atkinson; 1881-'82, J. McEldowney. On the 5th of September, 1859, William Benson recorded in the county clerk's office the appointment of Calvin C. C. Chilson, Henry M. Bradley, Henry M. Stillman, John J. Nichols, and A. G. Sinclair trustees in trust for the Methodist Episcopal Church. This is the first board of trustees of which there is official record. Difficulties, many of them peculiar to the early settlements of the Saginaw Valley, others common to all localities, have been encountered and overcome in the years past. The church has steadily gained in strength and numbers. Within the territory formerly occupied by this charge there are now four Methodist churches, each working in its own sphere. Ten years ago this charge reported 145 members. If none had died or removed or backslidden there would to-day be 506,but deaths,removals, with and without letters, and other causes have reduced this to 230. The present officers of the church are as follows:-Presiding elder, Rev. J. S. Smart; pastor, Rev. John McEldowney; trustees, Frederick E. Bradley, James Seed, R. W. Erwin, William Foale, Louis Goeschel, S. N. Henion, Henry Holmes, J. Mansfield, J. W. Shorey; stewards, C. W. Parish, E. J. Hargrave, H. M. Bradley, L. R. Russell, Frederick Hargrave, S. C. Wilson, E. C. Hargrave, D. A. Ross, Walter P. Moore, Jr.; leaders, H. M. Bradley, B. Moore, E. J. Hargrave; E. C. Hargrave, recording steward; L. R. Russell, church treasurer. The church pays its pastor a salary of $1,800, and the last year its total disbursements amounted to $2,793.95. Whole number of teachers and pupils in the, Sunday-school, 290; receipts and expenditures for last year, $416.95. THE GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH of Bay City dates back to 1857, when Rev. Jacob Krehbil visited Bay City, or Lower i -1 I; P e I 9L I — 9 I Do O r tS ~ - 86i HISTORT RY OFIi BAY I COUNTI TY. Safrinaw as it then was, and held religious service. In 1858 he was succeeded by Rev. John Horst, and his colleague, Rev. Jacob Braunl who continued their labors until the cldse of 1859. Rev. H. Ma~lnz hadi charge of the field in 1860-'61, and. thren Rev. A. M~ayer offic~iated from 1862 to 1864. Various, other pastors followed, and the society grew in num~bers and strength, and about 1867 a church edifice-was erected on Adams Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets. This society has shared the general growth and prosperity of the city in which it i~s located, and has a large membership. The present pastor is Rev. John Scllneider. THE FREMONT AVENUE M~ETHIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in 1864, although religious services were held at Portsmouth several years before. As early as 1855, Rev. Isaac Cogshall used to preach in Lower Saginaw and Portsmouthz. In 1865 thee present church edifice was dedicated. The church was built under the superintelzdence of Rev. Willia'm Fox. The present pastor is Rev. 0. J. Perrin, and the membership is 115. The Sunda~y-school has a membership of abolxt 200. John Simons is superintendent. During the last three years about $1,500 have been expended in repairs on the buildiing. The present official board consists of Albert Miller, George Lew~is, Nelson Merrit~t, J. MclKinnmey, Hiram Marbol, M~. A. Rose, C. D. Fislier, John Simnons, and J. S. Smart, Jr. THE WVOODSIDE AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in 1873, and Rev. A. B. Clough was the first pastor. This society was organized to accommodate members of this denomination living in the north part of the city. The church edifice was erected in 1876, but was not dedicated until the present year. The membership is twenty-eight. Preser~t pastor, Rev. H. G. Persons. During this inter regnum the few chunrchmen w~ere not idle. One of the best plats allotted by the original patentees to flie church was Iselected, and through the efforts of Mlessrs. Israel Cantlin, Charles Fitzhugh,, and H~enry Raymond, a church edifice was erected, and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Samnuel A. M/cCoskey, May 110, 1860. During the 'same month, Rev. Edward M~agee took charge of the pazrisll, giving it every other Sunday, and receiving $i300 per year as salary. Next year Mr. Mag~aee devoted 2lis entire time to this parish. His ministry of a year and a, half shows at record of fourteen baptisms, six confirrmations, one marriage and two buria;ls. Thle number of communicanlts at this time was twenty. For a year after this date, or until November 24, 186i2, the pazrish was again vacant, and then Rev. Gilbert B. Haven came to its charge. During his ministry seven were confirmed, and tenl were received fromt abroad, making the number of communica~nts August 1, 1863, about thirty-seven. Rev. A. M. Lewis was called to the rectorship October 1, 1863. He remained two years, during wvhich the church buildincy was enlarged, at a cost of $1,200, and fifty-four were baptized, twenty-six were confirmed, seven were married, and there were thirteen burials.S From abroadi, twenty-four were received into the church, makring the nuluber of communicants sixty-five. On the 19th of January, 1866,, the Rev. Fayette Royce was called to the rectorsbip, entered upon the duties. at the latter end of the M~arcll followingr, atnd resigned November 1, 1868. Rev. Jolln Wright became rector April 11, 1869. The church had previously -undergone a third extension at aii expense of $2,100. Gas hatd been introduced, the chancel enlarged, a library room added, and the interior of thle building thoroughlly renovated. The expense was paid mainly by the Ladies' Aid Society, whic11 raised in one year $i1,200. M~ir. Wright resigned January 25, 1874, and removed to B~oston-, Mass. In the Winter of 1874 thle church was suppliedwith a new organ, at a cost of $3,150. Rev. George P. Schetky, D. D)., became rector in June, 1874. The parish has supported various missions, and has been on e Society of Lower Satginaw, byv Rev. J. Ehrhardt, who was the first pastor of th~e church. H. C. Hg~ge, I. T. Westpeinter aiid H. Moller were chosen~ and ordained presiding elders. The society consisted at first of only ~fifteen members, aind worshipped in various public places. In flize Winter of 1856, a J 0 -- -4 "I I 5 I - II _- I i !,;i:; ^Iiii%& i~i -.~~ 'S;ai^A~..I llSff!1 o ee I. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 87 small church building was erected and dedicated by Rev. C. Volz in March, 1856. This building was soon afterwards enlarged. Mr. Volz resigned in 1859, and the society was without a pastor until 1861, when Rev: F. W. Spentler came and remained until 1863. Rev. John Haas was his successor, and he resigned in June, 1865. His successor was the Rev. W. Reuthler, who took charge September 11, 1865. In the Spring of 1866, a new church was built and the first building was removed to the rear, behind the parsonage. The new church was dedicated June 16, 1867. The old building was used as a parochial school, attended to by Rev. W. Reuther. In June, 1871, the church was supplied with three bells. October 25, 1871, the church building and schoolhouse were destroyed by fire. This hard misfortune induced thle congregation to sell the old church ground and to buy the present place, three lots on the corner of Madison and Eighth Streets. A lbeautiful brick church was erected on this place. Thle dimensions of the building are 95x42 feet, with a steeple 150 feet high, supplied with two finetoned bells. In connection with the church a new parsonage was built as a dwelling for the pastor of the church. The new church was dedicated November 25, 1872, by Rev. WV. Reuther, and officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Michigan and other states, of which body the congregation is a member. Rev. Mr. Reuther remained pastor of the church until about a year ago, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. O. W. Wiest. The society is in a very prosperous condition. THE GERMAN LUTHERAN EMANUEL CHURCH dates back to the year 1854, Rev. F. Sievers, of Frankenlust, the pioneer of Lutheran ministers in this section, being the founder. By him the little flock was served in connection with St. Paul's Society at Frankenlust for a period of eleven years. In 1865 Rev. I. C. Himmler took charge of the society, then numbering about twenty voting memb, rs. In the Autumn of 1867, Rev. Himruler severed his connection with the society by accepting a call to another field of labor. When he left there were about twentyfive voting members, and the property of the society consisted of the lot oln the northwest corner of Sixth and Madison Streets, with a small church building of 18x30 feet and a schoolhouse upon it. In July, 1868, 'after a vacancy of nine months, the charge was filled by the present pastor, Rev. I. H. P. Partenfelder, a graduate of the Lutheran Concordia Seminary at St. Louis, Mo. The number of voting members at present is about one hundred. In 1873, the church building having become too small, an addition 22x30 feet was made. The building is now lighted by gas, contains two bells and a pipe organ. Besides this, the society has a property on the southeast corner of Sixth and Monroe Streets, two lots with a valuable parsonage and a schoolhouse upon them. It also supports its own school teacher. The form of church government is congregational, like that of the General Lutheran Mission Synod, whereof Emanuel Congregation is a member. Rev. I. H. P. Partenfelder is pastor. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church began its life of work and worship in May, 1856, under the following circumstances as related by Judge Albert Miller: "In 1855 the population of Lower Saginawv and Portsmouth had increased so much that it was thought advisalble to make a move towards hiring a Presbyterian minister to locate at Lower Saginaw. A subscription paper was circulated and $300 was subscribed towards supporting a minister for one year, expecting the Home Missionary Society would pay the balance of a necessary salary. The late Mr. William Jennison, father of Charles E. Jennison, was the prime mover in starting the subscription. One or two parties had looked the ground over in 1855, but no one had accepted the proposition of the people. In the Spring of 1856, while at East Saginaw on business, I was introduced to the Rev. L. I. Root, who had been invited to visit that town with a view of organizing a church. In conversation with Mr. Root, I learned that he could not entertain the proposition of the people of East Saginaw for a moment, the people there desiring a Congregational Church, and lie could only work in Presbyterian harness. I invited him to Lower Saginaw to look over the ground there. In a day or two he came, accompanied by Mr. Cooper. After weighing the matter carefully and prayerfully, he determined to come; and about the first of May, 1856, hlie arrived with his family, and commenced his labors. September 5, 1856, the church was formally organized under the title of the "First Presbyterian Church of Lower Saginaw." The original members of this church numbered eight, as follows:Albert Miller, Mary Ann Miller, Abigail Smith, Frances T. Root, Jesse Calkins, Angeline Miller, Mary E. Trombley, and Nancy M. Hart. Of these persons, Albert Miller, Mary A. Miller and Abigail Smith are still members of this church.- Albert Miller was chosen and ordained deacon, and in December, 1857, Leon Trombley, Jr., was chosen to the same office. The church was without a session until June, 185S. At that time Albert Miller and Scott W. Sayles were elected and ordained as elders. During its twenty-seven years the church has had two pastors, and one stated supply. Mr. Root wvas installed by the Presbytery of Saginaw in November, 1858, and resigned in February, 1860. Rev. E. J. Stewart acted as stated supply from June, 1861, to December, 1863. The church worshipped during its first years in the schoolhouse, which stood at the north end of Washington Street, where all public meetings were for many years held. Afterwards its meetings were in a public hall, and for a timie in the court room. In 1861 an edifice was erected, and in the midst of a communion service, soon after its dedication, it took fire and was consumed. A new edifice was at once entered upon, and the present building was completed, and its dedication took place on the 25th of December, 1863. The church is of woo(l, and was originally 40x70 feet in size upon the ground and afforded sittings for 400 persons. Mr. Stewart closed his labors with the church in September, 1864. Rev. J. Ambrose Wight, D. D., was called as the pastor of the church in April, 1865, and commenced his labors on the first Sabbath of May following. He was installed by the Presbytery of Saginaw, on the 23d of November of the same year. The bell was placed in the church tower in August, 1866. The lecture room was built in the Autunm of 1868, and the main building wits enlarged, with a tier of pews on each side, in the Autumn of 1872. The pews now Dumber 116, and with the orchestra will seat 650 persons. Tile church grew, while it had a minister, from the beginning. In the first nine years of its life it had enrolled ninety-four members, of whom fifty-six united upon profession of their faith. At the close of the nine years its members, as returned to the General Assembly, numbered eighllty. Its resident membership was about forty. In 1870 thle chapel, at Twenty-Third Street, was built at a cost of $1,500, and has since been enlarged and furnished at an expense of $500 more. In 1875 the organ was purclhased and other ilmprovements added. ^t — JQ-Ak 88 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. The whole number of members is 516. Of these thirty-three have died and 157 been dismissed, leaving a present membership of 826. J. Ambrose Wight, D. D., the present pastor, is a man who has had, and still bears an important part in the religious and educational work of his time. He was born at Floyd, Oneida County, N. Y., September 12, 1811. His parents were poor, and his struggle with the world began at the age of six years, when he first left home. He worked his way in the world, and at the age of eighteen years, began the study of law at Bennington, Vt. While there he became converted and determined to enter the ministry. In 1836 he graduated from Wulliams College, and in 1841. was admitted to the practice of law at Rockford, Ill. From that time until 1855 lihe was engaged in editorial work, a portion of the time on the Chicago 7T'ibune. In April, 1855, he was licensed to preach, and entered upon minaisterial labors. In 1865 he settled in Bay City, as already stated, and here he has built up a strong and harmonious church. In 1876, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Williams College. His contributions to the press have been frequent and able. As a writer and thinker he has come to occupy a prominent position. BAPTIST SOCIETIES. THE FREMONT AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH is the successor of the First Baptist Society in what is now Bay City. The society was organized at the house of Jesse N. Braddock, long since dead, in 1858, and was called the First Baptist Church of Portsmouth and Bay City. There were fourteen constituent members of whom seven were Braddocks. From the first the history of this society has been one of heroic struggle, and but for the Christian zeal of a few of its members, would not have survived. The first deacons were Jesse N. Braddock and W. H. Currey, and the former was the first superintendent of the Sabbath-school. The first clerk was E. B. Braddock, and the early records of the church were destroyed when his store was burned. For several years services were held alternately at Portsmouth and Bay City. In 1859 the present church edifice was built. The names of pastors who have served the society are Revs. Handy, Cornelius, Johnson, Hooker, Robinson, Whittemore, Holmes, Fraser and the present pastor, Rev. J. C. Rooney, who began his labors with the society in the Spring of 1880. Early in 1863 the population of Bay City had so far increased that the members of the society living there felt inclined to have a church of their own, and a division of the society was made which greatly weakened the original organization. The present membership is reported at 103, and the present deacons are Elias Stevens and E. H. Reynolds. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Bay City was organized at Birney Hall, in July, 1863, by twenty-seven members who had withdrawn for that purpose from the society at Portsmouth. Services had been held in the court house and Birney Hall, and these were continued until the following August, when a neat church edifice was built on Washington Street, and almost entirely the gift of James Fraser, wits finished and dedicated. The first pastor was Rev. Franklin Johnson, who resigned in 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. S. L. Holman, whose brief pastorate was succeeded by the ministry of the lamented Patterson, who labored very successfully until April, 1869, when failing health compelled him to leave the ministry. It was under his eloquent and genial ministration that the church entered upon the prosperous career it has since known. Rev. J. A. Frost succeeded Mr. Patterson, and he by Rev. Z. Grenell, Jr. The society outgrew the little church on Washington Street, and in April, 1867, a committee was appointed to consider the question of securing enlarged facilities for worship. They recommended building a new church. The old church property was worth about $7,000, and John I. Fraser, who had recently died, bequeathed the society the sum of $8,000. It was finally decided to build a new house of worship, and the corner-stone was laid in the Summer of 1869, and dedicated February 9, 1873. A litigation in which the title to the site was involved, delayed its construction. The total cost of the structure was about $75,000. The extreme length of the building is 140 feet, and its greatest width seventy-two feet. The audience room is 54x94 feet, finished in black walnut and ash, the seats made comfortable with hair cushions, covered with crimson rep, and the floor covered with a Kidderminster carpet, made to order at that celebrated factory in England. The windows are of stained glass, arranged in highly ornamental designs. The ceiling is frescoed in soft tints. An organ of nearly 1,400pipes, above and in the rear of the pulpit, adds greatly to the general good FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, BAY CITY. effect, both upon the eye and ear of the worshipper. In the rear of audience room are church parlors, kitchen, robing rooms, lecture and Sunday-school rooms. Its two spires rising, one to a height of 130 feet, the other 180 feet, are visible, not only from all parts of the city, but attract the eye from a range of three or four miles beyond. The trustees who were charged with the responsibility of the work were Rev. D. B. Patterson and C. McDowell,-both of whom died before its completion-H. A. Gustin, E. B. Denison, C. M. Averell, William Westover, W. H. Currey, H. Griswold, D. Culver, Luther Westover, Samuel Drake. Capt. C. M. Averell had the supervision of the work. The present pastor is Rev. James W. Ford. Membership 818. The officers are W. I. Brotherton, treasurer; O. W. Booth, clerk; J. M. Balentine, H. A. Gustin, W. I. Brotherton, E. B. Denison, F. B. Clark and A. Maltby, deacons; the trustees are William Westover, C. M. Averell, E. B. Denison, W. I. Brotherton and F. B. Clark. The society also supports a mission chapel on Barney Street. With the bell in the tower of this church there is associated a bit of history, well deserving a place in the annals of the city. The late Mrs. James Fraser, now Mrs. William McMaster, of Toronto, a _A A --- I In —sp. ,, I --- —, b * HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 89 I lady already introduced to the readers of this work, is not only an enthusiastic but a liberal member of the Baptist Church, and was especially munificent in her gifts to the society in Bay City. Upon the completion of the present church edifice, she had already presented the society with the church organ costing about $6,000, and paid for building the fence around the lot, besides paying $10,000 in- money towar the buildOg.. But she conceived the idea of making the society a present of a church bell, and at the same time treat the community to a surprise. Capt. C. M. Averell had superintended the erection of the church edifice and was an intimate acquaintance of the Fraser family. In September; 1873, as Mrs. McMaster was about to return to Toronto, from a visit to Bay City, she had an interview with Capt. Averell and said she hed some work for him to do, provided he would promise absolute secrecy, not even reserving the privilege of telling his wife. The Captain being a cautious man felt reluctant to take such a responsibility, but, upon being assured that the work required was within his ability to perform, and that if performed in perfect -secrecy would be beneficial to the society and the community, hlie finally promised to comply with her request. She then acquainted him with her wishes, which were that she desired to make the society a surprise donation of a church bell, and would do so provided one could be procured of the same tone as one belonging to the city that had melted in a fire that destroyed the engine house, and provided further that this one be placed in the tower of the church without anyone knowing of the affair until the bell should ring for church service on a certain Sunday morning. It was an undertaking beset with seeming impossibilities, but Capt. Averell, having been a sailor for many years, was well qualified to perform the-task. The bell was ordered from Troy and directions given to ship it to Saginaw, in a sealed car, and there remain until wanted. When the time arrived at which the Captain designed to hoist the bell, he had the car forwarded to Bay City. He first arranged to put it up on Friday night, but a balky horse belonging to a drayman, "balked" proceedings, and he was obliged to adjourn until the next night. The following night he had timbers and everything necessary to the work in readiness, and a crew of men in his employ at the lime works, engaged. About 10 o'clock in the evening they transported the bell from the car to the church and the bell-raising was begun. The difficulties can hardly be imagined. 'The darkness of the night, unfinished condition of the tower, inexperienced men, and the strictness of secrecy all combined to prevent a successful termination of the Undertaking. But by use of timbers, tackle, horses and a good deal of ingenuity, when 6 o'clock came the next morning, the bell was in its place and ready to peal forth its advent. No one had discovered the secret. One peacefully inclined citizen, living near by, had heard disturbance of some kind, and bolted out in the middle of the night, armed with a revolver, to meet the enemy, but failing to discover anything, retired still perplexed but no wiser. Another man living in the vicinity remarked the next morning that " they made a good deal of noise about that church the night before," but he did not divine the cause. The Captain was the greatest sufferer from the secrecy which enveloped his actions. Being a gentleman of domestic habits, and uniformly at home evenings, his wife was greatly surprised at his being out so late the first night, but when he returned home Sunday morning after an all-night absence without a word of explanation, the domestic tranquility that had pervaded the household for so long was seriously threatened. Before leaving the church in the morning the Captain had sent for the janitor of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Gordon, and engaged him to ring the bell at the proper time, leaving him locked in the tower until that duty was performed. The astonishment produced when the ringing peals of a bell issued from the tower of that church cannot be. I described; and it is uncertain whether worship or wonder occupied the larger place in the thoughts of the congregation that assembled there that Sunday morning. But the secret was explained, the church got a bell, and harmony was restored to the household of the Captain. THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. The First Universalist Society of Bay City, Mich., was organized some time in the year 1864, under the labors of Rev. William Tompkins, who preached in Bay City every alternate Sabbath during six months of that year. He first called the Universalists of Bay City together and developed their strength. But at the close of his engagement, which was made for six months only, it was thought the interest was not sufficient to warrant the continuance of his labors. Thus matters rested until the Summer of 1865, when Rev. Z. Cook visited the city, and preached to the society every Sunday for one month, as a candidate for settlement. But the interest was not considered sufficient to warrant his engagement. Matters rested again until early in the Spring of 1866, when Rev. C. P. Nash, afterward pastor, having been brought into correspondence with Mr. N. Whittemore, was encouraged to visit the society. Mr. Nash had but recently returned from the army, in which, for about two years and three months, lie had served as chaplain in the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, and was seeking a settlement. He came to Bay City, but withl the assurance beforehand that circumstances did not favor the settlement of any pastor over the society. It was thought that nothing could be accomplished by way of establishing permanent meetings until a church edifice could be erected. But so great and unexpected was the interest manifested upon his first visit that he was invited to renew it, and in the meantime a subscription was started to secure his services. The necessary amount was pledged, and on the first Sunday in April he entered upon the discharge of his duties as pastor of the society. The society, however, from having been so long destitute of regular meetings, had well nigh dissolved; and hence a meeting was called on the evening of April 10, 1866, at which it was legally reorganized, and its organization entered upon the records of the county according to law. At this reorganization, C. Munger, N. Whittemore, T. C. Phillips, T. C. Grier, H. A. Chamberlin, and E. Smith were elected trustees; T. C. Grier, clerk; T. C. Phillips, treasurer, and J. C. Thomas, collector. In May a Sabbath-school was organized, which has been in operation ever since. The necessity of a church edifice being apparent to all, in June the pastor commenced agitating that subject, and to circulate a subscription for that object. The work of raising money was attended with great difficulty, and the work of building was not begun until October. The building was dedicated the first Sunday in January, 1867. The ladies of the society managed to furnish the church with everything except the stoves. Owing to financial troubles meetings were suspended from January, 1868, to the following May, when anl arrangement was entered into for preaching half the time. The Sabbath-school, however, did not suffer interruption. After a tinme the society recuperated and enjoyed a more prosperous condition. In 1877 the building was destroyed by fire, and the lot was then exchanged for one on the corner of Seventh and Madison Streets. Thile following year the present church edifice was built. The present membership is about 100, and the pastor is Rev. R. S. Crane. The trustees are J. F. Eddy, S. Eddy, J. R. Hall, I. A. Shannon, E. E. Spaulding, R. B. Taylor; clerk, A. L. Stewart; treasurer, George Carney. THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The first meeting in the interests of a Congregational Chlurch in Bay City was held in Gool Templars Hall, Juno 13, 1875. Rev. I ot F\ r Ti- r ^ —I-a~, "y W I I 7, 90 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. J. B. Dawson preached morning and evening. On the 29th of June a meeting was held at the residence of Mr. F. H. Blackman to consider the practicability of organizing a Congregational Church and Society. It was decided to effect such an organization and articles of association were adopted and officers elected. Regular Sabbath services were held in Good Templars Hall for a month, after which the use of the court house was procured, where, onl the 25th of July, 1875, the church was organized in due form. Twenty-five members composed the new church, five cf whom united on profession of faith, and twenty by letters from other churches. On the following Sabbath a Sunday-school was organized under very encouraging auspices. Church prayer-meetings were also appointed, being held from house to house. In August, Rev. S. P. Barker, of Ionia, was engaged temporarily as pastor, and at the end of three months his resignation was accepted. In October, the trustees of the German Luthteran Church kindly proffered the use of their house of worship on Sabbatlls for one preaching service and also for Sunday-school. Shortly afterwards the Good Templars' Hall was secured, where the regular church services were held until the new house of worship on the corner of Sixth and Van Buren Streets was finished. From November, 1875, until February, 1876, the pulpit was supplied temporarily, much of the time by Dr. Joseph Hooper, whose ministrations were kindly given, and were received with much acceptability. His sudden illness and death, which occurred February 27, 1876, terminated a useful and devoted life. A movement was made immediately after the organization of the church and society towards the erection of a house of worship. Through the persevering efforts of the board of trustees and the liberality of members and friends, the building committee were enabled to begin the woik December 1, 1875. The church edifice was completed and dedicated April 20, 1876. About the 1st of February, 1876, the church and society extended a call to Rev. J. Homer Parker to become their pastor. The call was accepted, and Mr. Parker entered upon his duties March 12, 1876. At the expiration of a year he was regularly installed. On June 28, 1879, Mr. Parker was compelled to tender his resignation on account of ill-health. A unanimous call was extended to Rev. J. G. Leavitt, of New "Gloucester, Me., who accepted the same, and he commenced his pastorate under very favorable auspices December 7, 1879. Failing heallth, however, compelled him to tender his resignation in October, 1880, and the church was again without a pastor. An invitation to the pastorate was given to Rev. W. W. Lyle, of Duxbury, Mass., which was accepted, and on January 2, 1881, he commenced his labors, which have been very successful. The present membership is 200. The officers of the society are: —Trustees, T. F. Langstaff, L. A. L. Gilbert, William Smalley, George F. Hood, M. M. Andrews, and George Ford: president, T. F. Langstaff; secretary, George F. Htood; financial secretary, L. P. Sperry; treasurer, M. M. Andrews. The average attendance at the Sunday-school for 1882 was 101. THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION was organized in 1875 by some of the German citizens cf Bay City. The association has a membership of about seventy-five, among whom are some of the leading Germans of the place. The church is on Monroe~ Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets. The present pastor is Rev. J. G. Haller. The trustees are W. F. Meisel, X Herman Meisel, C. Lindner, Frederick Meier, George Hegar, E. Meisel, Henry Meisel, F. Koch, and F. Wiesenberg. HEBREW SOCIETY. ANSHEI CHESAD, HEBREW REFORM CONGREGATION, of Bay City, was organized in September, 1878. Services are now held in the 1. O. B. B. Hall. The pastor is Rev. Wolf Landau. Officers, William Seumpliner, president; S. Grabowsky, vice-president; I. Grabowsky, secretary; L. Freidman, treasurer; William Wolsky, trustee. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Roman Catholic missionaries had visited the Saginaw Valley as early as 1829-the first residents, after the Indians, being French people of that persuasion. Prior to about 1852, Lower Saginaw was visited from time to time by priests from different parts of the state, most frequently by those resident in Flint and Detroit. Mr. John Hyde, editor of the Catholic Chlronicle, writing upon this subject in 1875, says: -"Among those who most frequently came here, prior to 1848, were Fathers Kundig and Louis, and Father Peter Kindekens, the vicar general of tlie diocese. Between 1848 and 1852 priestly visits became more frequent. Father Monayhan, then the pastor of Flint, made frequent trips to Saginaw City, and on most occasions would get some good Frenchman or Indian to paddle him down the river to Lower Saginaw. Occasionally, too, Father Joseph Kindekens, brother of the Father Peter above mentioned, and Father Kilroy, now pastor of Emmett, St. Clair County, would be assigned to the duty of visiting the Catholics of the valley, and would be watched eagerly from the shore, as lie approached in canoe or on the ice, carefully holding the pack containing his altar vestments and vessels. In 1848 there were eight Catholic families here, most of whom were French. By 1851 the number had increased to fourteen, besides a few young, unmarried men, who had ventured in to help prepare the lands for their future wealthy occupants. Among tile 'old heads' there were the Trombles, the Trudells, the Longtains and the Marsacs, and among the men of the younger blood there were James L. Herbert, the brothers Cusson, William Ferris and others. I have said that most of the Catholics were Frenchmen, but what spot of earth can one look at without finding there an Irishman? Lower Saginaw at that time was no exception. Here too there were Irishmen. Osmond A. Perrott, the father of our present fellow citizen, P. J. Perrott (who was then a 'broth of a boy') was then residing here, and had resided here since 1842. Also Mr. Bernard Cunningham, whose memory is revered by all the older residents of Bay City. About this time, too, our present wealthy and respected fellow citizen, Mr. James Watson, moved here from Detroit, bringing with him, on his father's side, the spirit and traditions of the Kentucky riflemen, and on his mother's side the memory of the good Gabriel Richard, priest and member of Congress. In 1850-'51, the Catholics of Lower Saginaw considered themselves numerous enough to attempt building a church. The munificence and forethought of the men who laid out the village plat had provided building sites for the different Christian denominations whose members might settle here. The Catholics were the first to avail of the bounty, and as the most convenient to the settled portion of the village, the site of the present St. Joseph's Church was selected. There were no architects here then, but there were many who had assisted at every 'raising' that had ever occurred here, and knew just what a building needed to make it last long. The men went into the woods to chop and square the timber, and each helped to put the pieces in their places in the edifice. The men were few, however; none of them were rich then (though many of themn are now) and most of them had to support families besides building churches. The work consequently progressed but slowly, so much so, that when the Rev. H. J. H. Schutjes arrived here in 1852, not much of a church was to be seen. But they had now at least at their head one who could V -C r (5. ) -., I i rn- P :=00000:::: DD: W:: f::::::: 0.'\'04 000; 0 0 f; \:l ' 't' X f C 0 f,.: _: ad X fA' fu.' f't0000 0:020Su00f,400:: X, aN: WA:S'0 -t'V$fE X (: i ' p::: fffTV tSi:03 '::.0i'S - 0 \:y X ' S iN, \:S..: ':\: E ' 0 S < f:: ':r; d' ' ' f;'S;'' Ct000S 0 i trNA: f S f S ' A ':S 0 ii.:a:: f:0::z0: \::: ff,: D00:;fF; g S;' 0 ' f::.: f: f::.L: 3'd i' 0 f: 'S,::::0: fE::: 0 '.: C:t:::: S u,; S:. ' ' ':.00:.:: f 0::::'f\'i CA). Vi 0 '., S X 0 - \ 0:E:Xf:::: f \ 0:+*: A\f:SS:XS 0 X L.::;. ' X:::. S, | A:f: S f. \: ',: f f? V': ', W: fift 0:::: \ S000;0f'0 t: ff:0.\ k,,0_ V..ag fi:Wt:3:: 0' t:d ACy:: i: ' f. S 0 'i ' W.\:: C. S At.: U S i Dd 0d':f A D:;0:::? W: S ' f f:D,00 D;XV:: f:S:\ (:?. \: ff0S,;0:"SS. " i ':. \ iViRiA' iVd ff r: S:... S: j:_00.0 -S:t0':' ff: t:if:;: f -d y Wk., f9, f: 0S:.: -:. *:!5': D C' 'l t t000:i:S:::: i: S ';S fi. 7 t: i y \.d;di::- i. C'? WatSid i ': f: A TV i d:0:: S;E 0, ' t70 f iE C: ' S X S: f t. \ t;::i CoD: f > _ \::t' i' y V. T -,. X a X;y f::S:: \ S W?,: 0'.: f D't0t'-'t-'0000 0,: f: V i;?' S.00 - -N. f f. f _ ~ 0:;:S i; 0 i: -'I f;:0 1-002S0 i HISTORYT OF BAY COUNTY. 91 encourage and direct them; and after some time, by his efforts and their own-will, the building gradtually assumed shape, and Father Schutjes was soon able to perform divine service in it. It was a long time, however, before a pastoral residence was built. During this time Father Schutjes resided sometimes in the family of Mr. Watson, and sometimes in the old pioneer hote], the Wolverton House, and he now often speaks of the kindness and good nature of the worthy hostess Mrs. J. S. Barclay. Those were the good old primitive times of Bay City, when saw-mills were few and far betwneen, and banks and newspapers were not even in the mind of the plophet. Besides Lower Saginaw, Father Schutjes was pastor of the entire 'Saginaw Valley. He had to divide his time between the people at this end of the river and those in the upper towns. Every alternate Sunday he spent in SaginawV City and East Saginaw, and in the Spring and Fall, when the ice was bad and there were no roads, he often had great difficulty and many hair-breadth escapes, in coming to and from those places. But the growvtl of commerce and manufactures brought increase in population. The number of Catholics kept pace with the general prosperity, and by the year 1863 they were numerous enough to require the appointment of pastors for each of the cities of Saginaw and East Saginaw. Father Sehnltjes was then enabled to devote his attention to the wants of his people in Bay City. Soon the little church of St. Joseph became too small for the increasing congregation. Frenchmen came from Canada, and Irishmen camne from everywhere. Besides those, there were many stalwart Hollanders and Germans, so that Father Schutjes had to speak many languages to 'get along' with his people. French and English being, however, the prevailing languages in the congregation, he preached alternately in those two tongues, until the year 186-7. At this period it was discovered that not one-eighth part of the congregation could get into St. Joseph's Churcl, so it was resolved at once to commence the building of a new cllurch. Ground was selected on the present site of St. James Churcl, and before the close of September of that year, the new church was dedicated, under the patronage of St. James the Apostle. This Church continued under the charge of Father Schutjes until June of 1873, when he was called to Detroit to assist the Bishop in the affairs of the diocese. His place was filled by the appoinltment of Rev. Thomas Rafter, a native of Monroe Coulity, in this state. "Before the departure of Father Schutjes the Catholics on the west side of the liver lad increased so muuch in number that the Bishop had ordered the setting off of that territory as a separate parish, and had appointed the Rev. M. G. Cantors as pastor, with authority to at once commence the building of a church. Father Cantors at once commenced the erection of a building to serve as a chapel until it would be convenient to build al clurch, and whlich, wvhe the church should be built, would serve as a schoolhouse. This chapel was completed in the early part of 18374, and is now too small for the congregation. Father Van Stralm was appointed to the charge of St. Josepl's Church, which has been, since the year 1867, devoted to the exclusive use of the French Catholics of the city. Those of all nationalities other than French, on the east side of the river, are under the charge of Father Rafter, and attend St. James Churcll. "The Germans and Poles have, however, lately become so nlumerous that the Bishop has deemed it proper to' set them off under pastors who speak their own languages. Accordingly, the Catholics of these nationalities have lately commenced the erection of new churches, the Poles on the corner of Twenty-seconld and Farraglt Streets, and the Germans on Lincoln Avenue, b~etween Eighth and Ninth Streets. As the seating capacity of the different churches is entirely displop ortioned to the number of members-only a com paratively small proportion being able to get pews to rent-the pastors can give only an approximate estimate of the actual numbers of their congregations. It is supposed that the numbers will be rather within the figures if those on the -Bay City side are set down at from 5,000 to 6,000, and those on the Wenona side at from 1,500 to 2,000. "It would not be proper to close this sketch of the history of Roman Catholic matters in Bay City, without alluding to the excellent parochial school of St. James Church. The erection of the building for this school was commenced boy Father Schetjes, but completed by the present pastor, Father Rafter. It is built from designs by Porter & Watkins, architects of Bay City and Buffalo, and is a very handsome frame building, divided into two stories. It is 105 feet long by 36 wide. The lower story is divided into three large class rooms, the upper story being a hall with a movable partition in the centre so as to divide it into two class-rooms. The school was opened in September, 1873, under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, from Cincinnati, with an attendance of 120 scholars. At tile close of the first year the number in attendance was nearly 400." The present pastor of St. Joseph Church is Rev. Mederic Ulric Thibodeau, and the membership about 500 families. The school is in a prosperous condition. Rev. Thomas Rafter is still pastor of St. James Church, which has a membership of at least 2,500. The school hlas upwards of 600 pupils. St. Bonifazius Church was built as above stated, in 1875-'76, and the society has grown to large dimensions. The present pastor is RIev. Joseph Ebert. St. Stanislaus Kots-ka Church was built in 1874, and has a membership now of upwards of 6d00 families. Tile present pastor is Rev. Augustus Sklorzik. About 1872 an extensive Polish immigration began, which was greatly aided by Mr. L. Daniels, now a mzerhllant tailor in Bay City. In "Dows' History of Bay City," publisled in 1875, the organization of Poles is mentioned as follows: "Tle fact that the Polish language is spoken lby none b~ut Poles, and few of them having any knowledge of Englisl, rendered it necessary that as soon as their numbers would justify the step, an attempt should be made to build a separate place of worship for them. This design was fostered by Mr. Daniels, and to secure the organization necessary to accomplish the object, he induced his countrymen to form themselves into a society. This association was formed on the 8thh of February, 1874, with Blr. Daniels as president, each member agreeing to pay a certain sum each month to form a fund for the building of the contemplated church. But this would have taken a long time to accomplish, while in the meanwhile their number was increasing. Accordingly Mr. Daniels set to work to build a church at once. He procured subscriptions from most of our prominent fellow-citizens; and Mr. William D. Fitzhugh, with the liberality in such matters for which be and his father and brothers are so noted, gave a site for the church consisting of eight lots on the corner of Linoln Averue anLdl Twenty-second Street. A contract for the building of the church was let last July, to Mr. Neil Mahoney, after pllans by L. A. Pratt, architect, both of this city. The buildling is now conu-.pleted, and will be! consecratted by Rt. R,3v. Calsper H. Borgess, bishop of Detroit, on Sunday, the 13th of December next, (1874.) The building till cost about $4,000, is a very ileat aind tasteful edifice, and is located on a very fine site, and convenient to those who sill worship there. Mr. Vaniels has had the entire control and responsibility of the work, and of providing the money for it, and his collitr~ymen in Bay City owe hilll a very great debt of gratitude. I I *1 L 4rl I L 1. i a-.-. i t:s.. <'0i~ 0 fff-b n:<~ i; x:0: W.0 0:; 0: f f,1 i -S - l —, ) 92 HISTORY OF BXAY COUNTY. - - - SCHOOLS OF BAY CITY. The early settlers of Lower Saginaw and vicinity were for the most part people of education, who, ill their earlier lives, had enjoyed liberal advantages. Among them were individuals of more than ordinary culture and refinement. It is, therefore, not surprising that we find struggling attempts at schools among the earliest movements in this locality. To trace with accuracy a minute history of the first schools in the Lower Saginaw and Portsmouth region is now a well nigh impossible task. The memories of the older ones who were here then have weakened with age and lost their grasp upon dates and the order of events. The pupils of those days are now the pioneers. The only one of the first three teachers now living is Capt. David Smith, a resident of Vassar, Tuscola County, and whose health during the preparation of this work has been so much impaired, as to prevent an interview. Among the pupils of the first schools there is some diversity of recollection as to details. P. L. Rogers, one of the early pupils, and now a prominent citizen of Deadwood, has taken pains to preserve facts and data connected with this subject, and has written an interesting and truthful sketch of the first schools of Bay County. Mr. Rogers writes as follows: "In April, 1842, the first school district was organized in what is now known as Bay County. The school officers were, Thomas Rogers, moderator; S. S. Campbell, director; Cromwell Barney, assessor. They engaged a Miss Clark as teacher. She became the wife of our old townsman, Frederick Derr, Esq., in the Fall of that year, and died October, 1843. Miss Clark's school began onl the 1st of June, 1842, ending September 1st. The schoolhouse was a small frame building, 14x20 feet, one story high, built in 1839 by one William Bonnel, who occupied it for nearly two years, when he became involved in a serious difficulty and left the country without bidding farewell to his acquaintances. The building stood about 300 feet south of the gas works, and about thirty feet from the east side of Water Street. " The names of those who attended Miss Clark's school are as follows: Daniel Marsac, Margaret Campbell (now Mrs. Witthauer), Emily Campbell, Philenda Olmstead, Perry Olmstead, Richard Trombley, P. L. Rogers, H. B. Rogers, Esther Rogers (now Mrs. R. M. Burrington.) This makes the sum total of the regular attendance of Miss Clark's school. "The year following, commencing January 1, 1843, the same school officers engaged Capt. David Smith, who taught the Winter term of three months in the same building. The names of those who attended Smith's school are as follows: -W. R. McCormick, Archibald McCormick, Andrew McCormick, Elizabeth McCormick (now Mrs. Oirin Kinney), Benjamin Trombley, Lewis Trombley, Richard Trombley, Miss Abby Trombley, John Cruchfield, Daniel Marsac, Margaret Campbell, Emily Campbell, James Barney, Israel Marsac, Richard Olmstead, Perry Olmstead, Gardner Olmstead, Sarah Olmstead, P. L. Rogers, H. B. Rogers, Esther Rogers, Phoebe Wilson, Walter Wilson, several of whom were over twenty-one years old. Two of the Trombleys, Cruchfield, and W. R. McCormick, and I think Israel and Daniel Marsac were over twenty-one years old; the balance were all small. After the closing of this school matters became unsettled, or unsatisfactory to some of the district tax payers, and matters rested until November, 1844, when the same school officers, who had continued to hold their respective offices from the first, called a meeting, and reorganized a new district, or lopped off the south portion of the old one, which at that time included both sides of the river from McEwan's mill, or about there, to where Albert Miller's mill now stands on the south. The new district included both sides of the river from about where McEwan's mill now stands (Cromwell Barney lived near there, and he being one of the school officers, it was important to extend it that far) on the north, and south to about Twenty-second Street, and at the same meeting voted the building of a schoolhouse, and for a wonder agreed upon the location, which was east of Pitts & Cranage's mill, and a few rods northeast from the D. & B. C. passenger depot. Nathan Pierce, the father of our old townsman Benjamin F. Pierce, and Cromwell Barney, were awarded the contract, which amounted to one hundred and odd dollars-I do not just remember the exact amount. They immediately commenced work on the schoolhouse, and had it ready for occupancy January 7, 1845; the size of the building was 20x26 feet, one-story. During the sound of the hammer on the schoolhouse the officers were losing no10 time in looking up a teacher, and by the time the structure was completed Harry Campbell, a brother of our old townsman S. S. Campbell, was armed with the proper documents to take charge of the shooting gallery where the young idea was to be trained. Harry, by the way, was a famous ox-driver, which was his business during the Summer as well as teaching during the Winter, and I have been fully convinced on more than one occasion that he believed or imagined himself driving oxen in school, as he always used the same persuasive arguments; yet he was a good teacher, and had considerable experience as such, that having been his principal business for many years. The names of those that attended Campbell's school were as follows:-AMargaret Campbell, Emily Campbell, Syrenus Pierce, Joshua Pierce, Cordelia Pierce, Daniel Pierce, John Defo, Kate Defo, Richard Olmstead, Perry Olmstead, John Perrott, P. L. Rogers, H. B. Rogers, Esther Rogers. I cannot remember the name of the teacher for 1846; the attendance was the same. In 1847 Miss A. E. Robinson taught the school during the Winter, without any change of lnamnes or additional attendance. During the Summer term Miss Kate Robinson taught the school with the addition of my two younger sisters, Bettie (now Mrs. C. B. Cottrell), Ellen (now Mrs. Lankenow.) During 1848 Miss Martha Buckingham taught the school without any particular change as regards numbers. A Mr. Clemens taught in 1849, and Mr. Woodroof in 1850, after which time I left the valley, and did not permanently return until 1864, and therefore lost all knowledge of the matters as regards school after 1850." A REMINISCENCE. Mrs. A. E. Felt, formerly Miss A. E. Robinson, who succeeded Harry Campbell, is now a resident of Flint, Mich. In the Winter of 1882-'83 Mrs. Felt wrote in response to our inquiries, and in her sketch it will be observed there is a slight variance from the statement of Mr. Rogers, in regard to the years 1848-'49-'50; but the matter is so unimportant as to be of no consequence. Mrs. Felt writes as follows: " Thirty-six years ago this Winter I taught school in Lower Saginaw, now Bay City. The place was a little hamlet on the bank of a broad, beautiful river, and the few families scattered up and down for a distance of three miles, decided to collect the children and open a school. I occupied the position of teacher two Winters and an intervening Summer. The whole number of pupils was about thirty, and the average attendance about twenty-five. The schoolhouse, a small wooden building, stood not far from the river, in a pretty bend of the stream, and from the windows of the schoolhouse we could look up and down as far as the eye could reach. The patrons of the school were almost without exception people of education. Mr. James G. Birney was then a resident of the place, and occupied a pretty vine-clad cottage. A broad stretch of river was his foreground, and a beautiful flower garden almost surrounded his home. The latter was Mr. Birney's especial care and delight. Pictures upon the walls and a well stored library spoke of elegance i ', I h 7 > - -- v -Tl 1,4 1 1:1 I 3 14 1 J. I...-.I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 93 - and refinement within. Mr. Birney's farm one-half mile below the schoolhouse was the limit of civilization in that direction. The only street in the town followed the river not far from the Birney cottage. The river was the only avenue of ingress and egress to and from the town. Women and children as well as men paddled canoes. Upon the opposite bank of the river was as beautiful a park as any ever fashioned by art. Tall trees scattered here and there spread their wide branches from early Spring till lingering Autumn. A carpet of wild flowers extended to the water's edge; such beautiful wild flowers, and in such abundance I have never seen elsewhere. The green sloping bank of the other side was a great attraction to all. It requires some credulity, as one looks upon the unsightliness commerce has wrought, to believe that one of the loveliest of rivers found its peaceful way to the broad bay below only a few years ago. In 1854 a new building was erected on Adams Street. between Fourth and Fifth Streets, whose accommodations, calculated for the I I were put up onil these sites, and a building on Saginaw Street, between Fourth and Fifth, was rented for school purposes. At this time the aggregate enrollment of pupils was 522. March 20, 1867, the Governor approved the act of the Legislature organizing the Union School District of Bay City, and the first School Board under it was chosen the succeeding month. The new buildings in the First and Fifth Wards were opened in August of this year. In September, 1867, the contract for the high school building, a massive three-story brick edifice, was let to George Campbell at $67,350, and on the 6th of the following May the corner-stone was duly laid. In April, 1869, schools were opened in the high school building. The rapid growth of the school establishment continued during the years following those just mentioned, and the Board was constantly taxing its means to provide adequate accommodations. During the Summer of 1869, an addition was made to the Second Ward building, and next year it became necessary to put an additional room on the Fifth Ward branch building. In the Summer of 1871 a two-story addition was made to the First Ward building. On the 1st of April, 1869, the superintendency of the Bay City schools was assumed by Prof. D. C. Scoville, who at once began a most thorough work of organization and discipline. Under his able administration the schools were graded, and by his efforts and those of his assistants, the standard was brought up to a high point. The annexation of Portsmouth, in 1873, enlarged the field of labor, and the rapid increase of population since that time has called for additional facilities adequate to the demand. In the Summer of 1874, Prof. I. W. Morley, who came to Bay City with Prof. Scoville in 1869, succeeded the latter in the office of superintendent, and has continued in that capacity to the present time, with marked success. In 1875 there were six school buildings, and thirty-five teachers were employed. At the present time there are nine school buildings and forty-nine teachers. In March, 1882, the official report showed the value of school lauds and buildings to be as follows: Value of lands, buildings, etc., March 22, 1882: First W ard School............................... $ 14,000 00 Second W ard School............................. 5,000 00 H igh School................................... 40,000 00 Fitzhugh Street School........................... 1,000 00 Bowery Street School............................. 4,000 00 Sixth W ard School............................... 7,500 00 Seventh W ard School............................. 6,500 00 Fourth W ard School.............................. 25,000 00 i I - I dj 7*1 CENTRAL SCHOOL BUILDING, BAY CITY. children of the entire township, provided for the instruction of about 160. This building served the needs of the youth until 1865. But multiplication was going on so rapidly that addition became necessary. In September, 1865, the inspectors formed the "school district of Bay City," and this was regularly organized the October following. Up to that time the schools were under control of Sclhool District Number Two, of the township of Hampton. The amount of school taxes fixed for that year was $2,616.29. On the 4th of December, 1865, another school was opened in a rented building in the Third Ward, where there were fifty-six sittings and eighty-nine pupils. In January, 1866, the School Board bought the property on the corner of Adams and Eighth Streets, with the building thereon, for $3,000, and a school was opened there on the 22nd of the same month, with 120 sittings. In April of the year 1866, the project of a high school,xas agitated, and at several meetings held in May, the matter was fully discussed. The result was that the Board was instructed to buy the high school site, which is the block bounded by Ninth, Tenth, Grant and Farragut Streets. The price paid for this property was $4,400. In the October following, the site for the First Ward school building was bought for $2,400; and in November the entire block 268 was bought of James Watson for $2,800. The following year buildings Total................................... $103,000 00 During the season of 1882 the new High School building was finished. This building is located on the corner of Madison and Eleventh Streets and is an elegant specimen of architecture. A new building was also erected on Woodside Avenue at a cost of $3,800. There is nothing connected with Bay City that reflects greater credit upon its people than the pronounced excellence of its public schools. SCHOOL STATISTICS. The following table shows the comparison and later years: YEAR. NO. SCHOOL CHILDREN. 1866............................1,063 1867.............................1,270 1868............................1,533 1869............................1,941 1870............................2,102 1871............................2,225 between the early NO. ENROLLED. 576 842 1,197 1,220 1,822 1,851 I AL - - -4 - I -- - - --- -J- - -G J I -A 94 HISTORY OF BAY COUNT Y. 1872.........................~... 2428 1878.............................4,375 1879..*...............4,211 1880............,.................5,411 188t~............................5,153 1882............................ 6).318 1,906 21160 2,484 2,402 2,628 2,728 BOARD OF EDUCATION. President, H. H. Hatch; clerk, Tbomas A. Delzell; First, 'Wardl, Andrew Walton, Alexander Folsom; Second Wu7ard, Lucien S. Comall, George H. Sh~ea~rer; Third Wardrc, H. H. Hatcl?, John L. Dolsen; Fourth Ward, C. F. Newlkirk, C. F. Gibson. Fifthh Ward, J. M. Laing, William R. McCormick; Sixth Ward, George Lewis, M. A. Rose; Seventh WC7ard, J. D. Lewis, 0. A. Waters. In addition to the pulblic schools are seven miscellaneous schools, all of which are liberally sustained and maintain a high rank.. The Board of Education held a meeting in April, 1883, at which some facts and figures were presented, which we give as follows:-"Ten years ago the amount of money usedi for teachers' salaries was $17,000 for thirty-three teachers. We now employ fiftyfive teachers, and paid last year for sal aries, $1~5,000. We Ilad no training school at that time and conseqyuentlyr had to hire our teachers from other localities at higher salaries.Since the organization of our training school, in 1877, we have had applicants from the graduat~ing classes who intend to pursue teaching as a, calling, to fill up the school, and we now employ thirty-three teachers who have graduated from our high school, alid who taught one year in the training department under the direction of Omr training teacher. This department of our schools. has evidently been a success, and is still doing good work, both as to furnishing teachers and thze qjuality of the work done by these teachers. We find upon investigation that the pupils from the traininig schools pass from it to the grammar department as creditably and as quickly as they do from the primary department of the other schools. In other words, the advancement of the pupils, under the tuition of the training school teachers, is as rapidi and as thorough as that of any of the other primary schools. We have six teachers engaged in the work beside the training teachers, each one of whom receives $75 per annum, their combined salaries amounting to $1,050, including the principal, making an actual saving to the city of $1,200 per year and. dcoing equa~lly as good work. REAL ESTATE. The Board of Education now own in real estate, at cash valuation, t$36,700 and buildings and furniture, $117,848, making a totall evaluation of school property, $154,548. In 1873, the Union School District of Bay City owed. $30,000, in six bonds of $f5,000 each, since which time tliese bonds and interest have all been paid, the la~st one falling due th~is year. The money is now in the treasury for its redemaption. Tile only indebted'ness of the Board is for two school sites purchA sed last year, one ill the First Ward for $1,000, and one in the Second Ward for $5,000, leaving thze entire indebtedness of the School Board, up to this date, B~kY CITY POSTOFFICES. nA FACILITIES AT AN EAR~LY DAY. People wllo nlow wait impatiently in their comfortalble homes or places of business for the mail carrier, whoovisits thern twice each day, would feel that life was Ilardly worth its troubles if they were compelled to return to the mail facilities of forty or fifty years ago.~ Judge Albert Miller tells b~ow the early pioneers were served, as follows: ((The first postoffice estatblished north of Ponti~ac wasS at Grand Blanc, in 1830, which was, supplied with mail from Pontiac once in two weeks. Rufus W. Stevens was postmaster, andl received the gross proceeds of the office for carrying the mail, and did not get rich at that. I have heard a rkeialibor say as the mail. was passing, (TTlere goes the Grand Blance mall, and I will venture to say there is not a letter in the ni-til. ba(Y.' The postmaster could not afford to hire a person to take a trip to Pontiac every tinie the mail should go. So it was agreed among the settlers thait any one havings business in town during the week the mail shnould be carried, should transport it there and back without charge. One person having the mail in charge, not requiring IVhe whole of his wardrobe on his person, solicited thie postmaister at Pontiac to put the garment into the mail baa as tile most convenlient way of carrying it, but when. he arrived at Grand Blanc and tile mail bad was opened lie was notified by Postmaster Stevens that there was $4~ postage due oil his coat, but the matter was compromised by the mail carrier paying for the drinkrs for the company. The postmaster at Pontiac consideringr it rather a, loose way of doing business to deliver the mail to any person whzo might bring it from Grand Blanc, reqjuired any one but a sworn mail carrier to cro before a justice of the peace and be sworn before lie would deliver the lmail to himl. That would cost two shillingrs, which was a dratwback oil the free tratnsporta~tion of the mail. After awhile parties receiving the mail at Grand Blanc would be addressed by the postmaster with all oath and directed to take that Ynail to Pontiac anld return with one from thilt point without dela~y. Parties under such strong dlirections, upon being qlues - tioned by the Pontiac' postmaster as to their quazlifica~tions, would state that they ha~d been sworn before leavingy Gratnd Blaznc. 'IDDiringr the first three -years of my residence in Mi-higiln all my mail. facilities were furnished by the Gralnd Blanc postoffice. At different periods dluriugg that time I resided at Flint, Grand Blanzc, and Satginaw.-Y The accommodating postmaster at Grand Blanc wass accustornedl to forward all Saailnaw letters by travelers passing- the office and going to that point, aind run Iris risk of collecting the postage af terwards," but I thinki he never Isuffered anly loss oil that account, for the people appreciated his krindness, and promuptly paid all demaz~nds for postage whenever the opportunity presented itself journey before him in the wilderness, he would be as likely to startI at sundown as at any otherlime~ of the day. His food while oil his journey was simple, and for a stimu~llant, instead of taking the firewater thzat waas so mauch in vog~ue in t~jose dlays, he used tea, andl chewedl the dry leaves, insteadi of prepazring it by tlhe usual mode of infusions ' I I -4 i.'I 03 `tq & -?pl Ili t - —. ~ y e as — I to HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 95 removed the oxide in 1871 to commodious quarters in the Westoner FIRST POSTOFFICE. The first postoffice established in what is now Bay County, was at Portsmouth in January, 1837. Judge Albert Miller was doing business there at that time, and was obliged to send to Saginaw every week for his mail. For the additional trouble of carrying the mail for the public and attending the postoffice he could have the benefit of the franking privilege. Some of his friends in Detroit anticipating his wants, sent to Washington and got a postoffice established. Judge Miller was appointed postmaster upon the condition that the mail should be carried from Saginaw once a week for the receipts of the office at Portsmouth. After Judge Miller removed from Portsmouth early in 1837, Albe Lull was appointed deputy and had charge of the office until the time of his death, which occurred in September, 1838. After that the late Thomas Rogers had charge of the office until it was discontinued in 1839. HAMPTON POSTOFFICE. The first postoffice in Lower Saginaw was established about the year 1816, and Thomas Rogers was appointed postmaster and mail carrier. The office was named Hampton, that being the name of the township. Mr. Rogers held the office until 1850. THE POSTAL SERVICE in those days was a primitive affair, and the transportation of the mails was attended with more hardship and fewer complications. Bernard Cunningham used to go to Saginaw in a canoe or on foot and bring the entire mail for this office in his coat pocket. Mr. Jesse M. Miller, still a resident of Bay City, used to start on horseback for Saginaw, when the ice was not strong enough to bear him in safety, and after going a short distance to a squatter's cabin, would be obliged to leave his pony and proceed on foot, wading sometimes to his knees in the half frozen marsh. The dog train that used to make the trip to Mackinaw once a month, traveling on the ice, is well remembered by the older residents. A half-breed had three dogs gaily caparisoned, and harnessed to a sled, in which were loaded the mail bags. This train was operated up to about 1859 or 1860. Now gorgeously equipped mail cars rushing through space with the speed of light can hardly transport mail swiftly enough to satisfy a restless and impatient generation. In 1850 Israel Catlin was appointed postmaster, and the offieoa was kept at his house on Water Street. Mrs. Catlin used to take the week's mail in her pocket on Sundays and distribute it at church. It used to be said, indeed, that Mrs. Catlin served a doubie purpose in this way. She saved the people the trouble of coming up to her house after their mail, and she likewise saved her scrupulously neat domicile from the profanation of tobacco spittle and the like, which profanation could hardly have been escaped had the rude forefathers of the hamlet lingered thereabout waiting for the mail. In 1853 Mr. Catlin was succeeded by Dr. George E. Smith. By this time the office had grown to some importance. In 1857 the name was changed to Bay City. Dr. Smith continued in the office until 1861, and at that time the office was kept in his store, at what is now the corner of Fourth and Water Streets. In June, 1861, Henry S. Raymond received the appointment of postmaster, being the first Republican postmaster in Bay County. He removed the office to the small framne building opposite where the Campbell House now stands. Soon after taking the office, Col. Raymond went to the war, where he rendered distinguished service and earned the commission of colonel. He retained the office until 1870. In 1870 Col. Raymond was succeeded by T. C. Phillips, who removed the office in 1871 to commodious quarters in the Westover Block, where it still remains. Mr. Phillips settled inl Bay City about 1862, and from the first has occupied a leading position in the county. In 1878 Frederick W. Dunham succeeded T. C. Phillips, and held the office four years, and inll the Spring of 1882 was succeeded by the present incumbent, F. L. Westover. F. L. WESTOVER, the present postmaster, is one of the representative young men of Bay County, and is proving himself a capable and efficient public officer. He was born at Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Mass., in the year 1853. He settled in Bay City in 1866, and was admitted to the practice of law in the Summer of 1879. In March, 1882, he received the appointment of postmaster of Bay City, an important office, and one which Mr. Westover is well qualified to fill to the advantage of the service and satisfaction of its patrons. The business of the office in the sale of stamps and rent of boxes for six months ending December 31, 1882, was as follows: Box ren ts............................... $ 1,298 50 Sale of postage stamps, etc................ 11,756 11 December 1, 1882, the system of free delivery went into operation, which clothed the service in Bay City with the fullest metropolitan honors. THE PORTS3IOUTH POSTOFFICE, now at South Bay City, was re-established in 1857, the business of the place having reached a magnitude that warranted a nearer office than the one at Bay City. The first postmaster was H. D. Braddock. He was followed by Winterhlalter, Cummings, and C. D. Fisher, the present incumbent, who has held the office since 1869. Mr. Fisher is not only a veteran inll the postoffice service, but is one of the early settlers in the Saginaw Valley. He was born at Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., inll 1829. He learned the ship-carpenters' trade at an early age, and, having a brother at Flint, concluded to visit this remote part of the country. He came West in 1850, and worked one Summer on a steamer at Zilwaukee. He afterwards worked at the carpenters' trade until 1864, when he bought a farm a short distance east of Portsmouth. In January, 1856, he married Miss Alvira M. Miller, daughter of Dr. J. T. Miller, who settled in Portsmouth inll 1836, and was the first physician in what is now Bay County. He, however, remained here but a short time. In 1869 Mr. Fisher was appointed postmaster, and still retains the office. He was told before coming here that everyone who undertook to live here would die with ague, but he has waited over thirty years for it to get the best of him, and is still apparently as rugged as at first. When he came here there were but two teams of horses inll this region, and at an early day he cradled oats and cut grass upon ground that is now in the business part of South Bay City. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. One son, Albert W. Fisher, has a cigar and tobacco store inll the Dostoffice building. BAY CITY NEWSPAPERS. the first newspaper established in Bay City was in 1859, when Mr. William Bryce commenced the publication of the Press and limes. Some two or three years before that Perry Joslin, of Saginaw, issued two or three numbers of a newspaper here with the hope of securing the publication of the tax list, but failing in that, he discontinued the publication of the paper, which was called the f L - I~T I I 96 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I Bay City Press. It was not intended to be a permanent institution. The Pr'ess and Tim,es was discontinued in 1864, to be succeeded in the same year by the Bay City Jonrial, Mr. John Culbert, editor, which, in 1871, became a daily as well as a weekly publication, under the editorial management and proprietorship of Robert L. Warren, being discontinued in February, 1873, to be again reissued by the Hon. James Birney, as the daily and weekly Chronicle, ceasing as a daily in 1875; the weekly Clhronicle still continuing under the charge and proprietorship of Mr. Arthur M. Birney, son of Hon. James Birney, until it was merged into the T'ribune in 1879. The Chronicle was Republican in politics, and ably conducted. THE Lumberman's Gazette, devoted to the interests of lumber and salt manufacture, was established in 1872, by Henry S. Dow, and in 1874 was purchased by Edwin T. Bennett, under whose proprietorship it still continues. It is a very useful and prosperous publication. THE BAY CITY Tribune was instituted as an evening daily and weekly paper, independent in politics, in 1873, by a company composed of John Culbert, Thomas K. Harding, Edward Krcencke, and Griffin Lewis, who associated themselves for the purpose of doing a general jobbing, newspaper and book-binding business. The company was subsequently dissolved, Mr. Henry S. Dow becoming the purchaser of the paper. The weekly issue was suspended in 1875, the daily continuing. The Tr~ibune was published by a stock company until September, 1881, when it was'purchased by the present proprietor, Mr. Edwin T. Bennett. The Tribune is now a morning Republican paper, and the printing office the most extensive one in the city. There is a large and well equipped job printing office connected with it, which does an extensive business. The weekly edition of the Tr'ibune is published under the name of the Chronicle and Tribune. Edwin T. Bennett, the proprietor of the 7'ribune and L.umber~man's Gazette, and part owner of the,Evening Press, is one of the representative business men of Bay City. He came here from New York State in October, 1866, and worked on the Lumnberman's Gazette for a time, becoming its proprietor in 1874, as already stated. He is a business manager of more than ordinary ability, and has not only made journalism profitable, but has, at the same time, succeeded in giving to his papers positions of importance and commanding influence. THE Evening Press was started in June, 1879, by Moran & Hardwick, and shortly after was purchased by Mr. Edwin T. Bennett. In October, 1881, Mr. D. M. Carey purchased an interest and became its editor, the proprietors being Bennett & Carey. Mr. Carey came to Bay City in February, 1880, and was a writer ~n the News for a time. The Press is an independent paper, and has a large circulation. The ]Freie Presse, an independent German paper, was started in 1878 by the present proprietor, Mr. CG. Renther, who came here from East Saginaw. THE Morning Call, a Democratic daily newspaper, was started by a few Democrats of Bay City, who placed Bert Moran, a practical printer, in charge, with Leonard Cline in charge of the advertising department, and C. S. Wilson to furnish copy. Few newspaper men in the West are better qualified for a task of that kind than Mr. Wilsor, as has been abundantly attested. The first number of the Call was issued April 13, 1881. Early in May following, George F. Lewis assumed the management of the Call, and in June he assumed control as proprietor. September 12, 1881, James Gray became associated with Mr. Lewis as business manager, doing also the duties of city editor, which he continued until February 5, 1883, when George F. Lewis once more assumed full control, and Mr. Gray continued the job printing business, in which he has been I iI i I i i i i i I for several years engaged. While connected with the Call, Mr. Gray was very successful in his efforts to aid in bringing the Call up to the position it now occupies. The Call is a live newspaper, active and zealous in advancing the interests of the city and county in which it is published, and is an able and earnest exponent of the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. George F. Lewis is proprietor and managing editor, and his labors are supplemented by the usual staff of assistants. Mr. Lewis is a veteran printer and journalist, as will be seen from the following personal sketch: George F. Lewis, a pioneer journalist, was born in Harvard, Worcester Co., Mass., June 7. 1828. In 1835 his parents removed to Mount Clemens, Macomb County, where he set the first type in the office of the Macomb S'tatesmacz. In 1838 he was folder and carrier for the Mount Clemens Patriot. In 1845 he made a journey to Lake Superior with the late Gen. John Stocliton, United States mineral agent. He soon after made a journey East with specimens of ore from the Lake Superior region. In the Spring of 1846 he again visited Lake Superior, where he remained until Fall, when he returned to Mount Clemens and entered the employ of the late Thomas M. Perry, of the Mount Clemens ]Patriot, as apprentice. He remained there about a year, and then after a short interim, took a position on the Daily Cortilercial _Blletin, then just started in Detroit. He helped put in type the first news of a presidential election that ever was transmitted by telegraph —that of Gen. Zachary Taylor in 1848. In May, 1849, he entered on the publication of the Miaconmb CouLnty IIer'ald, a weekly newspaper, which he continued two years. In the Spring of 1851 he started the Port Huron Commercial, as a Whig journal, changing it subsequently to a Democratic newspaper, which he continued to publish until the Spring of 1855. In September 1855, he bought the Peninsular 4dvocate, a Democratic paper, published at Mount Clemens, and continued it until the Summer of 1859. He afterwards became associated with Maj. E. W. Lyon. In 1868, in company with three partners, he started the Daily Cour~ier. Mr. Lewis was postmaster at Mount Clemens from 1856 to 1859. In 1869 he started the Saginawian, a Democratic weekly newspaper, published at Saginaw, which paper he still owns. In 1881 he became interested in the Mlforning Call, at Bay City, as already stated. In the Spring of 1883 he removed his family to Bay City. Mr. Lewis was mayor of Saginaw from 1877 to 1879. He is a voluminous writer, and some of the best historical sketches ever made of the Saginaw Valley are from his pen. He is truly a veteran journalist, and one who performed an active and important part in the sphere in which his talents and energies have been industriously employed.;e Courrier was established in 1878 by J. L. Harquell, the present editor and proprietor. Mr. Harquell is a native of New Brunswick, and a lawyer by profession. In 1860 he entered Mason College, Canada, where he graduated. He subsequently graduated at the Military School of Canada, and in 1869 entered the Albany Law University, at Albany, N. Y., where he graduated in 1873. He practiced law two years at Albany, one year at St. Paul, Minn., and in 1877 located in Bay 'City, where he practiced law about a year. Soon after coming here he bought the Saginaw Greenbacker, which he published a short time, and in 1878 established Le Courrier, which was the first French paper in the Saginaw Valley. In 1879 he established Le Triblune at Detroit, which he sold two years later, when he started the La Alessager at Muskegon, which he still continues. Mr. Harquell has been instrumental in organizing five French societies, and is at present president of the Bay City Mutual Aid Society of Bay City. Le Patriote was established in February, 1880, by H. A. Pacaud, its present editor and proprietor. It is the largest French paper in the state, and has already attained a position of command i i i i i -i U.r 4 r) Ir li -—, S - r4 I _ __ I I j 3, -M I I IIISTORY OF BAY COU NT TY. 97 I ing influence. MPIr. Pacand was for some time pubxlisller of a daily paper in Quebec, and is at the present time proprietor of a newspaper called Le Progress, published at Detroit and Windsor. THE (,zatholio CAoIon Aicle was started in April, 1882, by its present proprietors, John Hyde andcl J. W. S. Norris. The paper is ably edited and has a wide circulation. Mr. Hyde is a lawyer by profession, and a native of Cork, Ireland. He emigrated to this country inl 1862, and settled in Bay City. He was judge of probate for the county one term, and practiced law until the Spring of 1882, since which time he has devoted himself to editorial labor. Mir. Norris is a native of Canada, and has been a resident of Bay City since 1868. A number of other newspapers have been published at different times, but were finally suspended or merged into their contemporaries. William T. Kennedy published a Democratic paper from 1864 to 1870.. The Saginaw Valley Growler was published by D. R. Currey for several years after 1869. The Xllichligctra Odd Fyellow was published by Dr. Joseph Hooper, Edward Newkirk and Clarles C. Gustin in 1874, and continued for three or four years. It was a very creditable publication. Bay City is a good field for journalism, and at the present time, the field is well occupied. The number and clalracter of the newspapers of the city are such as to reflect credit upon the enterprise and intelligence of the population. BANES AND BANi-ElNG. The year 1863 opened with flatteringg prospects for business. The two great industries of lumber and salt were being developed, and the village of Bay City had a population of from 2,000 to 2,500. This was, in many respects, an eventful year. Hitherto the business of the place had been done without the aid and convenience of banking facilities, but in March of this year, Mr. C. W. Gibson came to Bay City from Grand Blanc and opened a private bank, in a small room, in the Union House building, which was a frame structure and, stood where the Campbell House now stands oi Water Street. Tlis ilnstitution was known as the BAY BANK, and the business transacted under the firm name of C. WT. Gibson & Co. The capital of the bank was a matter of conjecture. The firm continued to do business luntil Miay, 1864, when the FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BAY CITY was organized, with a capital of $50,000. The office of the bank was removed to a building erected for it by the late James Fraser, on Water Street, and still later was removed to the Shearer Block, at the corner of Center and Water Streets. The first officers of the bank were as follows: -C. W. Gibson, president; Harvey J. Clark, cashier. The directors were C. W. Gibson, C. D. Wf. Gibson, Henry Benson, Harvey J. Clark and R. L. Warren. The capital stock was owned by the five persons named as directors. In August, 18615, the capital was increased to $100,000. In the Fall of 1866, Mr. Byron E. Warren came to Bay City and opened a private bank under the firm name of B. E. Warren & Co., which continued until the reorganization of the First National Bank. In July, 1867, the firm of William C. Green & Co., of which Mr. E. B. Denison was a memnber, purchased a controlling amount of the stock, and a new set of officers were elected as follows: -Hon. S. M. Green, president; E. B. Denison, vice-president; Harvey J. Clark, cashier; William. C. Green, assistant cashier. In February, 1868, the stock again changed hands, the capital increased to $200,000, and the following were the officers:-James Shearer, president: B. E. Warren, cashier. The directors were N. B. Itradley, C. E. Jennison, A. S. Munger, A. Stevens. In January, 1872, the capital was increased to $;250,000, in July to $300,000, and in January, 1873, to $400,000. The office remained in the Shearer Block until January, 1873, when it was removed to the elegant building buiit lby the bank, where it still remains. The building is located on the corner of Center and Washington Streets, and cost about $40,000. The charter of the First National Bank would have expired Ferulary 24, 1883, and it was deemed wise to effect a reorganization, whrich wals done in time to wind up its affairs on the 16th of January, 1883, and the following day the business was continued under the new name of the BAY NATIONAL BANK, with a capital of $5200,000. The change was merely one of form, in no way affecting the business of the bank. Of the original stockholders of the First National Bank there now remain N. B. Bradley, C. E. Jennison, C. Mouithrop; H. C. Moore, NVillialll McEwalm, Jamnles Shearer and B. E. Warren. While r -! I r BANK BLOCK, BAY CITY. the stockholders have materially changed within the past fifteen years, the auilagcenmet of the buank has practically remained in the same hands, James Sllearer having been its president until within a short timle, ashen he was forced to resign because of ill health and necessary absence froni the city. B. E. Warren, who was the first cashier of the bank, continued il that position until the date of MIr. Shearer's resignation, when he was elected president of the bank, and was succeeded by F. P. Browne, who now holds the position of cashier. During the career of the First National Bank it has filled a very Important place in the financial affairs of the city, and has contributed its full share to the prosperity of the same. While doing this it has, at the same time, made very fair and satisfactory returns to its shareholders, paying them in dividends, during the fifteen years of its existence, over $500,000. Since the organization, of the bank, tile commulnity with which it has done business has increased rapidly il size and wealth, because of which it was deemed advisable il the organization of a new bank that its stockholders should be residents of this and West Bay City, and with that object in view, subscription lists were opened and the stock promptly taken. The new board of directors consists of Simcoe Chapman, Alexander Folsom, John F. Eddy, Herschel H. Hatch, B. E. Warren, Thomas Cranage, Jr., L. L. Hotchkiss, W. H. Miller, E. Y. Williams, and Edgar Cooley. At a meeting of the directors the fol-: f L - iF -' -.7 `L1 r IR:r - - 98 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. D lowing officers were elected:- B. E. Warren, president; Frank Eddy, vice-president, and Frederick P. Browne, cashier. The stockholders of the new organization are:-C. M. Averell, John H. Avery, N. B. Bradley, F. A. Bancroft, A. E. Bousfield, F. P. Browne, Thomas Cranage, Jr., Charles B. Curtis, S. Chapman, L. S. Coman, C. I. Christman, W. O. Clift, E. A. Cooley, Michael Daily, F. W. Dunham, Dolsen, Chapin & Co., John F. Eddy, Charles F. Eddy, N. A. Eddy, Selwyn Eddy, Charles A. Eddy, Alexander Folsom, Frank Fitzhugh, Eugene Fifield, S. O. Fisher, R. P. Gustin, Harry Griswold, Louis Goeschel, B. E. Warren, F. L. Gilbert, H. H. Hatch, L. L. Hotchkiss, Gustave Hine, John Heath, G. K. Jackson, C. E. Jennison, E. Kroencke, C. A. Davis, Walter Leavens, C. Moulthrop, William McEwan, John Mulhlolland, H. C. Moore, A. McDonell, W. H. Miller, N. Nellis, Robert S. Pratt, Frank S. Pratt, Charles G. Rogers, J. F. Romer, James Shearer, John Shaw, Charles J. Smith, Henry B. Smith, Dr. W. E. Vaughn, Capt. J. O. Woolson, E. Y. Williams, J. H. Yawkey. The name of the new bank was changed to the title adopted, for the reason that in the organization of the bank under its old title the stock would have, under existing law, been allotted to the non-resident shareholders in the same proportion that they held stock in the old bank. It was believed that the credit of the bank would be very materially increased by, having its shareholders located where the bank is doing business and the. stockholders are better known to the customers of the bank; hence the change. The following is the published report of the First National Bank at the close of business, December 30, 1882: Over-drafts......................................... Due from national banks............... $43,571 52 Due fromr banks and bankers........... 1,078 65 Cash on hand, viz.: Legal tender notes.................... $23,243 00 Three per cent certificates.............. 5,000 00 National bank notes................... 8,683 00 Specie and premium funds............. 372 20 Fractional currency and coi)............ 1,407 75 Cash item s......................... 1,058 00 Revenue stam ps................................. Furniture and fixtures........................... 2,947 34 44,650 17 34,763 95 663 34 2,775 00 Totcal.................................... $321,586 02 RESOURCES. Loans and discounts............................ $724,703 75 Overdrafts...................................... 506 02 United States bonds to secure circulation............ 50,000 00 Other stocks, bonds and mortgages................. 8,856 64 Due from approved reserve agents.................. 185,075 53 Due from other national banks..................... 17,918 84 Due from state banks and bankers................. 18,791 71 Real estate, furniture and fixtures.................. 25,000 00 Current expenses and taxes paid................... 13,048 42 Checks and other cash items...................... 3,540 13 Bills of other banks............................. 16,120 00 Fractional paper currency, nickels and pennies....... 100 04 Specie.......................................... 26,382 00 Legal tender notes.............................. 38,865 00 Redemption fund with United States treasurer (five per cent of circulation)..................... 2,250 00 LIABILITIES. Capital stock....................................... 100,000 00 Surplus fund.................................... 8,000 00 Circulating notes................................ 89,500 00 Individual deposits................................. 121,135 27 Due banks and bankers.......................... 2,203 85 Profit and loss.................................. 746 90 Total...................................$321,586 02 BYRON E. WARREN, president of the Bay National Bank, was born February 23, 1836, inll Southfield, Oakland Co., Mich. His father was a native of Vermont, and his mother of New York State. His early years were passed upon a farm in Shiawassee County, but when he was six years of age his father removed to Fenton, Genesee County, and engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Warren acted as his father's assistant, and as early as 1855 became the purchasing agent of an extensive business which his father carried on at Flint. During the war he was appointed deputy revenue collector for the Sixth District of Michigan. The business and executive ability displayed by him during his occupancy of that office, attracted attention, and he was urged to locate in Bay City in the banking business. He leased an office here and in the Fall of 1866 began business as a private banker. He soon became associated with Hon. N. B. Bradley, of this city, and upon the reorganization of the First National Bank became its cashier, and finally succeeded Mr. Shearer as president. His sound judgment has contributed in a large degree to the prosperity of that institution. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the public library, and has helped to establish other local enterprises. He is a man of broad views and belongs to that class of men to whom every community is indebted for its growth and prosperity. He is a Republican in politics. He was married June 18, 1861, to Miss Jennie Elsa Ives, of Flint, Mich. FREDERICK P. BROWNE, cashier of the First National Bank, is a native of Joliet, Ill. For some timne he was connected with the Ninth National Bank in New York City, where he rendered very efficient service. In 1875 he came to Bay City and took a position in the First National Bank, and the following year was made assistant cashier, and when Mr. Warren succeeded Mr. Shearer as president he succeeded to the responsible position of cashier, but one which he is well qualified to fill. Mr. Browne is a gentleman of thorough business habits, and applies himself industriously to the interests of the institution with which hle is connected. SECOND NATIONAL BANK. This bank began business in May, 1874, with a capital of $100,000; William Westover, president, and W. L. Plum, cashier. In November, 1867, the Exchange Bank was started by William and Luther Westover, Charles F. Gibson, James J. McCormick, and H. J. Clark. In 1869 Orrin Bump effected the organization of the State Bank, with W. S. Patrick president, and Orrin Bump cashier. Soon afterwards Alonzo Chesbrough bought Mr. Patrick's interest, Total............................. $... 1,131,158 08 LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid in......................................... $250,000 Surplus fund....................................... 50,000 Undivided profits................................ 50,496 National bank notes outstandig.................... 45,000 Dividends unpaid............................... 268 Individual deposits subject to chek....$429,569 87 Demand certificates of deposit......... 193,462 95 Cashier's checks outstanding........... 2,480 58 625,513 Due to other national banks........... 101,437 30 Due to state banks and l;ankers........ 8,442 18 109,879 00 00 88 00 32 40 48 Total.................................. $1,131,158 08 It may be interesting to compare the foregoillng with the following report of the condition of the. same banlk, July 16, 1868. RESOURCES. Loans and discounts............................. $119,783 34 United States bolids deposited to secure circulation................... $,100,600 00 United States bonds on h',nd.......... 6,000 00 106,600 00 Premium account............................... 6,000 00 Local bonds.................................... 3,402 88 j ^"*^"-1 --- —---- ------------------------------— 9 12 - -- I b -- -; aI j I - -- HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. b~~CUit salnstieoeNTepienadncofnYthn.bfr 99 sadbcm reielad h aia wsicesd rm$0, and became president, and the capital was increased from $100,000 to $150,000. Upon the organization of the State Bank the Exchange Bank went out of existence. Upon the death of Mr. Plum, Mr. M. M. Andrews succeeded to the position of cashier. In May, 1878, the State Bank consolidated with the Second National, and the business continued under the charter of the latter, with William Westover president, Orrin Bump, cashier, and M. M. Andrews assistant cashier. The capital was increased to $200,000, and again, in January of the present year, increased to $250,000. This bank does the largest business of any bank in the Saginaw Valley, as the published reports show. Its officers are gentlemen of large business capacity, liberal spirit, and it is made an important factor in the business enterprise and prosperity of the city. The office is located in the Westover Block, on the corner of Center and Washington Streets. The directors of the bank are William Westover, A. Clhesbrough, H. W. Sage, Luther Westover, Orrin Bump, W. L. Smith, A. J. Cooke, A. Walton, D. C. Smalley, W. H. Tousey, and S. T. Holmes. The officers are William Westover, president; A. Chesbrough, vice-president; Orrin Bump, cashier; and M. M. Andrews, assistant cashier. A correct idea of the large business done by this bank may be obtained from the following published report of its condition at the close of business December 30, 1882: RESOURCES. Loans and discounts............................ Overdrafts.................................... United States bonds to secure circulation.......... Other stocks, bonds and mortgages............... Due from approved reserve agents................ Due from other national banks................... Real estate, furniture and fixtures................ Current expenses and taxes paid.................. Prem ium s paid................................ Checks and other cash items..................... Bills of other banks............................ Fractional paper currency, nickels and pennies.... Specie........................................ Legal tender notes......................... R edemption fund with United States treasurer (* 5 per cent of circulation.......................... 801,205 53 211 64 175,000 00 3,606 49 74,483 15 6,564 11 2,995 00 1,573 60 4,000 00 428 15 7,536 00 223 64 22,772 31 25,000 00 7,875 00 built, was a long stride of enterprise in advance of anything before attempted, but has since evidenced Mr. Westover's far-sightedness as a business man, and the liberality of his enterprise. The opera house has been of great public advantage to the place. Mr. Westt over's connection wwith the banking interests of Bay City have already been given. He continued in the lumber business only a few years after coming hare, and has since given his attention to banking business and the management of his private interests. In 1873 he began to improve 330 acres of land in Hampton Township for a farm, and which has been brought to a high state of cultiva. tion, and is an excellent illustration of the agricultural resources of Bay County. This farm is now finely stocked with Holstein cattle. One of Mr. WMestover's sons lives upon the farm, and has the management of it. Mr. Westover's family consists of his wife and three children, two sons and one daughter. No man in Bay City is more ready to contribute to the welfare of the place than Mr. Westover. ORRIN BUMP, cashier of the Second National Bank, is well known in the financial circles of the Saginaw Valley.: He is a native of Michigan, and served with distinction in the army from 1861 to the Fall of 1864. He was in a large number of battles, and was wounded three times. After leaving the army he went into a bank in Flint, remaining there until 1865, when he came to Bay City, and went into the First National Bank as book-keeper and teller. In 1869 he was instrumental in organizing the State Bank, as before stated, and has held the position of cashier since that time. He is now the oldest banker in Bay City in rank of continuous service, and is recognized as a leading financier. He is an active, thorough going business man, genial and accommodating in all his business relations, and his vigor and judgment have had much to do with building up the immense business the bank has acquired. His family consists of a wife and one daughter. M. M. ANDREWS, assistant cashier of the Second National Bank, is a native of Genesee County, and came to Bay City in 1865. He first went into this bank as book-keeper, and upon the death of Mr. Plum was made cashier, which position he held until the con. solidation of the two banks, when he took the position of assistant cashier, which place he still holds. CHARLES M. BuMp, teller of the Second National Bank, is another of its attaches who has been in continuous service for a, long period of time. He is a brother of Mr. Orrin Bump, and came to Bay City in 1870. He was book-keeper in the State Bank until its consolidation with the Second National, since which tilme he has held the position of teller. BAY CITY BANK. In 1868 the firm of George Lewis & Co. opened aprivate banking office, which they continued until 1871, when they organized under the state laws as the Bay City Bank, with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers were George Lewis, president; and George H. Young, cashier. In July, 1873, the capital stock was increased to $100,000. The present directors are William Peter, Isaac Marston, George Young, George H. Young, George Lewis. Officers: —George Lewis, president; George Young, vice-president; George H. Young, cashier. There is a savings department connected with the bank, which is a great convenience and benefit to a large number of the community who desire to lay aside small amounts in a safe place where interest may be realized. The bank is under safe and efficient management, and has always done a prosperous business. Following is a published report of the condition of the bank at the close of business, December 30, 1882: Total..................................... 1,1 3,474 62 LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid in............................ Surplus fund.................................. Undivided profits............................. National bank notes outstanding.................. Dividends unpaid.............................. Individual deposits subject to check............... Demand certificates of deposit................... Certified checks................................ Due to other national banks..................... T otal................................... $ 200,000 00 50,000 00 16,992 35 157,'500 00 495 00 699,209 26 500 00 8,778 01 1,133,474 62 The capital stock of the bank has since been increased to $250,000. WILLIAM WESTOVER, president of the Second National Bank, is one of the representative men of Bay County. He is a native of Massachusetts. In 1852 he went to Canada, where he engaged in lumbering. Subsequently he removed to Tonawanda, N. Y., still continuing his lumbering business. In 1865 he removed to Bay City, and engaged in lumbering operations here. In 1868-'69 he built the Westover Block, in which the opera house is located. This block is a structure of impobing appearance, and, at the time it was Ji.2.! I- r! t — , - 4. -ta l,. I 100 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 3 f RESOURCES. Loans and discounts............................. $551,324 Over drafts..................................... 1,726 R eal estate..................................... 6,824 Furniture and fixtures....................... 3,300 Revenue stam ps................................ 137 Cash item s.......................... $ 1,677 86 Due from banks....................... 95,414 98 Coin................................. 11,052 17 Legal tender and bank notes............ 44,449 00 35 07 64 00 26 152,594 01 Total.................................... $715,906 33 LIABILITIES. Capital.......................... $100,000 00 Surplus........................................ 20,000 00 Interest account................................ 4,849 37 Dividends unpaid............................... 100 00 Due other banks................................ 6,612 59 Due depositors................................. 584,344 37 Total.................................... $715,906 33 GEORGE LEWIS, president of the Bay City Bank, and also an extensive lumberman and mill owner, was born in Orange County, N. Y., in 1827. He was brought up on a farm and had the ordinary district school advantages afforded to boys in those days. In 1849, having determined to try the West, he came to the Saginaw Valley on account of the attractions which its forests of pine offered. He tried lumbering some, but finding that his expectations were not realized, he went to making fish barrels at Zilwaukee, and continued in that business about six years, and also had a store there. He was supervisor to the Saginaw County Board of Supervisors before Bay County was organized. In 1858, he settled in Bay City, then Lower Saginaw, and had charge of the Henry Doty mill for several years. In 1863, he formed a partnership with William Peter, and they purchased the Partridge mill. They operated this mill successfully for several years, until it burned, and they went into the banking business, the firm being George Lewis & Co. His attention was largely devoted to this business until 1879, when he purchased a half interest in the saw mill of Albert Miller, and the firm became Miller & Lewis. He has represented the county in the Legislature one term and his ward on the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Lewis is one of the Bay County pioneers whose capital to start with consisted of energy, good judgment and sagacity, and by their proper exercise have achieved fortune and honorable rank. Mr. Lewis is one of the leading men of the valley and has reason to be satisfied with what he has accomplished during his business career of thirty-four years. He has a wife and five children. GEORGE H. YOUNG, cashier of the Bay City Bank, is a native of Albany, N. Y., and son of Mr. George Young, a prominent capitalist, formerly of Albany but now of Bay City. Mr. George H. Young came to Bay City in 1870, from Albany, for the purpose of going into business with Mr. George Lewis. He had been connected with the Union National Bank of Albany for six years, where he had made an enviable record. He had been disciplined in one of the best of schools, and possessed a natural talent for the banking business. Upon the organization of the Bay City Bank, he took the position of cashier, and has successfully managed the affairs of the bank to the present time. He has a wife and two children. In addition to the incorporated banks there is a private banking business carried on by W. L. Root, which he started in 1874. Thus it will be seen that the aggregate banking capital of the incorporated banks of Bay City is $550,000, and this amount could at any time be increased to many times that sum. The surplus is $120,000 and the aggregate loans and discounts $2,077,233.63. FIRES AND FIRE PROTECTION. The fire records of Bay City do not show that the place has suffered to an unusual degree from fires. For twenty years the fire department has fully kept pace with the progressive movements of the village and city. The first fire of any considerable magnitude occurred in 1863. On Sunday, July 12th, a fire broke out on the south side of Center Street, just east of where the Fraser House now stands, and rapidly spread in all directions. The entire block between Center and Seventh Streets was laid in ashes; at the same time the fire swept across Water Street and devoured everything consumable there, including the saw mill of Grant & Fay and the sash and blind factory belonging to the Carneys. The loss occasioned by this fire was estimated to be $50,000. The gain to the city was a better class of buildings. On Sunday, October 4, 1865, a fire broke out in the Watson Block, on Water Street, and from the Griswold Block crossed Water Street, and burned from George Lord's drug store to Fifth Street, destroying the stores and places of business of the following persons:-George Lord, Decker, Lewis & Co., John Drake, T. M. Bligh, Dr. N. H. Webster, Hotchkiss & Mercer, A. Huggins, A. Lovenstein, J. J. Richardson, P. T. Devaney, H. B. Landon, Frederick Derr, United States Telegraph Co., T. C. Prosser, J. O. Brown, Western Union Telegraph Co., William Graffart, C. A. Jay, and H. Mellins & Co. The pulling down of the store of the last named concern prevented its further spread in this direction. On Center Street, the two stores owned by Capt. C. M. Averell, and occupied by W. W. Middaugh, D. Campbell, and William R. Chapman, were burned. On Fifth Street, near Water, a small building occupied by Messrs. Hoag & Corbin, was also burned. But two buildings, F. Arnold's bakery and shop, were left standing on the block surrounded by Water, Saginaw, Center and Fifth Streets, and the stores and dwelling houses facing this block on the south side of Center, east side of Saginaw and north side of Fifth, were only saved by the most strenuous efforts. Most of the establishments below Fifth Street moved their goods to places of safety, the fire at one time threatening to sweep the whole of Water Street. The following is a list of the sufferers, amount of losses and insurance:-H. Griswold & Co., loss on building, goods, etc., $25,000; insurance, $16,000 to $18,000. Decker, Lewis &Co., groceries and provisions, $14,000; insurance, $9,000. James Fraser, loss on seven stores, $12,000; insurance, $5,400. George Lord, stock of drugs, groceries, etc., $10,000; insurance, $5,000. James Watson, buildings, $3,200; insurance, $2,800. L. A. Perrault, liquors, $1,000; insurance, $800. Mueller & Simons, butcher shop, meats, etc., $800; insurance, $800. J. F. Winkler, groceries and provisions, $3,840; insurance, $2,500. Assignee of Swinscoe & Son, groceries and liquors, $2,500; insurance, $2,500. Phillips, Sullivan & Brooks, groceries and provisions, $6,000; insurance, $3,000. C. H. Dentson, law books and office fixtures, $500; no insurance. R. J. Carney, books and office fixtures, $200; insurance, $50. Dr. C. A. Maxon, dentist, tools and office furniture, $575; insurance, $300. Board of Trade, furniture and papers, $200; no insurance. J. S. Judson, cloths, etc., $200; no -insurance. J. McDermott & Co., boots and shoes, $2,500; insurance, $1,600. F. V.Walthausen&Bro., buildings, drugs, etc., $1,200; insurance, $1,600. Miss J. Hemme, millinery, $1,600; insurance, $600. L. Neumann, building and groceries, $2,000; insurance, $1,000. T. N. Zehner, jeweler, $260; no insurance. J. Arnold, butcher shop, meats,etc., $900; insurance, $400. L. Bloeden, buildings, furniture, etc., $2,000 to $3,000; insurance, $3,500 on stock. A. Lovenstein, clothing, over $6,000; insurance, -. I ki ' — RES. oF C. M.AVERELL CENTER ST.,BAY CITY, MICH. i Li A L AVERELL BLOCK, CENTER ST. ERECTED 18 67. _ _............,......., _ —..... ---— ^ —r --- - - — ~I~,u,~,~,__~_,~~~_~_ _~~~.wv-~ — ::-.. 1 - I li es L &- -dld - - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 101 $4,100.. T. Devaney, boots and shoes, $4,500; insurance, $3,000. Frederick Derr, dwelling house, $1,200; insurance, $600. T. C. Prosser, buildings, bakery, etc., $3,900; insurance, $3,000. John O. Brown, tobacco and cigars, $750; insurance, $750. H. Mellins & Co., fancy goods, and hats and caps, $1,500; no insurance. Western Union Telegraph Co., office fixtures, etc., $50; no insurance. W. Graffart, barber shop fixtures, $250; no insurance. John Drake, books and office fixtures, $150; no insurance. Dr. N. Johnson, books, medicines, etc., $875; insurance, $525. T. M. Bligh, books and office fixtures, $150; no insurance. Dr. N. H. Webster, dentist's tools and office furniture, $150; no insurance. Dr. H. B. Landon, office fixtures, $50; no insurance. Hotchkiss & Mercer, books andpapers, $1,000; no insurance. C. M. Averell, buildings, $2,000; insurance $1,200. W. W. Middaugh, furniture, $200; no insurance. D. Campbell, photographer, $200; no insurance. United States Telegraph Co., battery and office fixtures, $160; no insurance. A. N. Rouech, damage to building, $50; insured. Ernst Frank, loss by removal of stock, $50; insured. The following persons also sustained losses:-Charles A. Jay, groceries and provisions, insurance, $1,000; A. Huggins, household furniture; J. J. Richardson, barber; William R. Chapman, clothes cleaner; Street Railway Co., damage to track. Sunday morning, April 9, 1871, a fire broke out in the salt block of the New York Salt Company, at Portsmouth. A strong wind was blowing, and the fire spread rapidly to other property. The property burned and losses were as follows:- Two salt blocks belonging to the New York Salt Company and rented by Albert Miller, loss $35,000, no insurance. Mr. Miller's loss was about $4,000 and no insurance. A. C. Braddock, loss $1,500, insured. The Crampton House, $5,000; insured for $2,000. Mr. Thorp's wagon and blacksmith shop, $4,000; insured for $800. Mr. Goslaw's house, $1,000; no insurance. Mrs. John Crampton's house, $1,000; no insurance. Mr. Stewart's house, $500; insured. Mrs. Raby's house, $1,000; partial insurance. Six families were left homeless. Amount of property destroyed, about $53,000. About 10 o'clock the same morning another fire started in a pile of seasoned lumber, on Rust's dock, and about $30,000 worth of lumber burned; insured for $25,000. The propeller "Bay City," lying at the dock loaded with lumber, took fire, and had to be scuttled and sunk. The total loss from this day's fires, above insurance, was about $50,000. About half past four o'clock in the afternoon of April 11, 1878, a destructive fire occurred, which was described by the daily Tribune of the following day as follows: "At about half past four o'clock yesterday afternoon, just as the Tribune had gone to press, an alarm of fire rang out, and a dense smoke was seen ascending from the direction of Eddy, Avery & Co.'s mill, at the foot of Eleventh Street. A fierce gale was blowing at the time from the southwest to northeast, directly towards the business heart of the city. Instantly all was excitement and activity. The hose companies made quick time to the scene of the conflagration, and it seemed as if the entire population of the city were running towards the locality. ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. "So far as can be learned, Mr. E. Y. Williams was the first man that saw the flames. He is a lumber inspector, and was superintending the loading of a cargo from the dock, when, all at once, he saw a blaze spring up between two piles of lumber, about midway of the dock. The draft of the wind between the piles was strong, and they caught almost instantly, as it seemed, and a column of flame leaped high into the air. The first blaze must have caught from a spark from a passing tug, as Eddy & Avery's own tug had not been fired for some time. Mr. Fay, of the firm Gates & Fay, informs us that their tramway caught fire three times before the outbreak of the fire on the Eddy dock, by sparks from passing boats, and he sent men repeatedly to warn the managers of the River Line to keep away from the dock. By dint of stationing men with buckets of water to put out the sparks as fast as they fell, Messrs. Gates & Fay succeeded in preventing a conflagration spreading from their docks. "Higher and higher rose the flames, licking up with their red demon tongues pile after pile of lumber, and sending aloft into the air pillars of fire, which struck terror to the hearts of our citizens, along the river's edge from Essexville to Portsmouth, and eastward to the furthest city limits. A dense pall of smoke hung diagonally over the apparently doomed metropolis of the valley, reaching to its northeastern comer, and the air was filled with fiery torches and burning brands of pine and large sheets of tarred building paper, which burned fiercely and prolongedly after they struck the ground. These burning masses, some of them larger than a broad-brimmed hat, fell as far out as Johnson Street. The houses within a swath of five or six blocks, running back in the direction of the wind, were in constant danger from these devil's missiles, and all members of the family within the threatened districts, had.full occupation in extinguishing them, or in wetting down their houses with hose or buckets. For more than half a mile back from the fire the reign of terror was universal. Men and women watched the mounting mass of flames pushing sublimely, steadily and swiftly back from the river's bank, with labored breath and eyes aglow; little children clutched their parents as if overcome by some dread sense of impending doom, —for if the wind did not abate it was only a question of time when their houses, too, would be engulfed by the red destroyer. The brave firemen fought steadily and intrepidly, although it seemed as if fate was against them. Had they had an adequate supply of hose at their command, there is a possibility that they could have confined the fire to the dock where it originated. But as it was, they fought at terrible odds. "The heat was so intense that the hose men were obliged to direct their streams from behind wooden screens, where they stood and fought, literally enveloped by sheets of flame. The wind, fanned to the intensity of a hurricane by the heat, blew the water into a spray, that made no impression upon the burning lumber,and efforts were now directed chiefly towards saving the mill. The openings of the mill were closed, and its engine and hose put to work flooding the roof and exposed portions. Its salvation seems like a miracle, but it was really due to persistent and heroic work. "A tug came up to the burning dock, hitched on to a burning pile, and pulled it over into the water. The burning boards floated down to Bradley's dock, and soon the flames, as if delighted with this new prey, began to leap and dance towards Bradley's lower mill, which was soon wrapped in the destroying element. Now the progress of the flames was very rapid. The fire leaped across Water Street, from the point of its origin, and set fire to a frame building occupied as a barber shop, laundry and dwelling. It and the adjoining building, occupied by Connelly as a shoe shop, and both owned by City Attorney Daglish, were speedily consumed. From here the flames communicated to A. Grabowsky's residence on Sag inaw Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets, owned by P. J. Perrott. The adjoining house, although on fire, was saved, and the progress of the destroyer was stopped at this point. But the flying cinders communicated the flamnes to the residence of F. A. Bancroft, four blocks away, at the corner of Ninth and Water Streets, and that fine residence, with the adjoining one occupied by E. J. I 2 I -I 4 96 -9 I I i -- _I 4 - 1. 102 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY Wright, were speedily consumed. Then the Universalist Church went, then Judge Miller's beautiful residence, L. Bloeden's house on the corner of Eighth and Washington Streets, C. Brown's residence, a little in the rear, and a large number of other buildings which will be found in detail below. EXTENT OF THE DESTRUCTION. "Two blocks are swept entirely clean, and two others have only three buildings left standing between them. "It was about 8 o'clock when Judge Miller's house caught, and it was felt then that if the conflagration could not be kept from crossing Eighth Street, the best portion of the city would have to go. Just about this time aid arrived from the Saginaws, with nearly 1,000 feet of hose, and this timely reinforcement enabled the firemen to throw streams of water upon the exposed as well as the burning buildings, thus raising a hope that the progress of the devourer might be stayed. "But better still, the wind, which had been gradually abating, now subsided to a gentle zephyr, and the whole city drew a long breath of relief. There was then no further question that the remainder of the city would be saved. The devoted firemen continued all night to throw streams of water upon the embers, but the mass of citizens, except the unfortunates whose houses were destroyed, or whose furniture had been removed at the height of the alarm, went to their homes and slept, vividly realizing how blessed is the feeling of security after passing through a season of terror. The scenes on the streets during the three hours' reign of terror before the fire was under control, were by turns ludicrous and heartrending. Furniture was removed from many houses that were thought to be in danger, and some of the friends of the threatened families, in their eagerness to serve, threw marble top tables down stairs, heaved mirrors out of the windows, and carried down mattresses, as is usual in such cases. The damage by reason of broken and scattered furniture is a large element in the ruin wrought by last night's work, which it is difficult to estimate. "We saw little children going along the streets, their hands clasped by crying mothers or elder sisters, who knew not where they would find shelter for their little ones. Many families this morning were unable to find their household goods, and in a few cases children were missing, but it is hoped they will turn up during the day. "There were men with coats burned full of holes, their hair singed, and faces, necks and hands scarred from fighting the flames. There were some people who were nearly frightened out of their wits, and cut up amusing antics; and there were others who were as cool as though sitting on the point of the north pole, and made no effort to save their property, remarking that they were 'fully insured.' There is nothing like a fire to bring out human nature. "Drays and all sorts of vehicles were in great demand, and many procured the removal of their furniture who afterwards regretted it. "The tugs 'Rumage' and 'Annie Moiles' lost their lines by hitching on to lumber piles which they were unable to move, and the rapid spread of the flames made it too hot to unhitch them. LOSSES AND INSURANCE. "We give the following detailed statement of losses and insurance, which is as full and correct as can be ascert:lined at this writing: "Industrial Works on fences, docks and shed, $600; partially insured. Eddy, Avery & Co., lumber, $50,000; drill house, $1,200; cooper shop, $500; trams and docks, $15,000; salt, 8,000 barrels, $6,000; office, $500; stores and other stock, $3,000; total loss, $76,200; insurance on lumber, $17,000; salt, $700; drill house, $1,200; total insurance, $18,900. L. Q. Robinson & Co., lumber on Eddy, Avery & Co's dock; $13,000. Avery & Murphy, lumber on Eddy, Avery & Co's dock, $15,000. William Daglish, two buildings opposite Eddy, Avery & Co's office, Water Street,.$2,500; insurance on one, $800. I. Catlin, boarding house, corner Tenth and Water Strets, occupied by Mrs. Walker, $1,000; insurance, $800. I. Collins, house occupied by M. Garland, corner Tenth and Saginaw Streets, damages $100; Garland's furniture, $250. P. Perrott, two houses on Saginaw, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets, one occupied by A. Grabowsky, $800; insurance, $600; the other by himself, damaged, $350; covered by insurance. Perrott's furniture, $1,000; insured. The Rouse mill, $10,000; lumber, $9,000; docks and trams, $2,000; salt, 6,000 barrels, $4,500; salt sheds, $1,000; barn, $1,000; office and contents, $1,000; total, $28,000; insurance, $4,000, on lumber, docks and trams. Old Eagle Brewery, Tenth and Water Streets, $300; barn and ice house, $100; and a house on Saginaw Street, $500; all belonging to same parties; total, $900. E. Stanton's residence on Water Street, between WATSON BLOCK. Ninth and Tentlh Streets, $3,500; insurance, $1,000; b1arn, $200; insurance, $5(). The residence was occupied by E. J. Wright, whose loss on furniture was covered byv insurance. Mr. Stanton had furniture in the residence, of whichl he lost $700; insured for $500. Mr. St:nton had three houses on Saginaw Street, between Ninth and Tenth Streets, loss $1,100; insurance, $400. Stanton's total loss, $4,800; total insurance, $1,900. F. A. Bancroft's residence, corner Ninth and Water Streets, and barn on Saginaw and Ninth Streets, $3,000; insurance, $2,500; furniture, $1,000; insurance, $900; total loss, $4,000; total insurance, $3,400, by Braddock & Shannon. C. C. Fitzhugh, barn, damage, $50; insured; fence, $100. C. Bruner, house and two barns, Ninth and Washington Streets, $1,000; insured, $700, Crable; furniture, $300; insured. Universalist Church, on Washington Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $3,500; insured for $2,000 L. Bloeden, two houses and one barn, Washington and Eighth Streets, $1,500; insured for $400. C. C. Wheeler, house, corner Eighth and Saginaw Streets, $600. A. Carter, two houses, Saginaw Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $3,000. Paul Greu], hotel, Saginaw Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $2,000; insured, $1,000; furniture, $300; insured. Steinbaur's old brewery, corner 1 I - I'll -- v - ,: -! I v 0 - ~ I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 103 II Ninth and Saginaw Streets, $2,000. Burbridge's shop, corner Ninth and Saginaw Streets, $1,500; tools, $500; insured, $700, Crable. Wildman's boiler shop, Ninth and Water Streets, $1,200. Mrs. F. R. S. Balen, boardinghouse, Water Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $500; insurance, $400, Pratt & Denison. Wells & Son, blacksmith shop, $500; furniture stored in the block, $700. W. H. Pusey, shop and contents, $400; on Water Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets. William Couler, store and dwelling, Water Street, near Eighth Street. I. Catlin, damage to dwelling, -corner Eighth and Saginaw Streets, $100; insured; house on Saginaw Street, near residence, $500; insurance, $800; barn, $100; insurance, $50. C. W. & H. Randall, shop on Water Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets, $100. Judge Miller's house and barn, $5,000; insured for $3,500. A. Grabowsky, furniture, $1,200; insured for $1,000. Chapman, Laforge & Co., lumber onl Bradley's dock, $3,200; insured for $1,000. Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell, damage to house, $100; insured. Mrs. J. Redmond, damage to house, $100; insured. THE TOTAL. "This will make a total loss of $178,950, and other losses not reported will probably swell this amount to $200,000, of which over $90,000 is for lumber alone. The amount of insurance to cover this Aill reach about $55,000." FIRE DEPARTMENT. At a meeting of the village council, held December 19, 1859, the question of a fire department was reached, and a committee on fire department appointed, consisting of Israel Catlin, H. M. Bradley, and H. A. Chamberlin. At a subsequent meeting of the council, January 4, 1860, this committee were instructed to rent a sufficient amount of leather hose to use until Spring, and to procure a triangle with which to alarm the inhabitants whenever the fiery darts of the fire fiend should issue forth. This was certainly a modest beginning. Then a small hand engine, by the terrifying name of "Tiger," afterwards changed to the more sonorous title of "Peninsular," was purchased, and John McEwan elected captain. In April, 1861, the growing interests of the place seemed to require increased efficiency in its fire department, and W. L. Fay was commissioned to procure an engine, and he purchased one in Chicago, known as "Red Rover." H. M. Bradley was appointed chief engineer of the fire department, and organized it in an efficient manner. There was but little use for the fire department until the 12th of July, 1868, when a fire broke out on the south side of Center Street, between Water and Saginaw Streets, sweeping both sides of Water Street for two blocks, involving in its destructive course the "Red Rover" engine and its engine house, leaving the village not only in ashes and in mourning, but as well in danger of greater conflagrations. An attempt was now made by Councilman Louis Bloeden to establish fire limits, but without success. On August 10th the bonds of the village, to the extent of $6,000, were ordered by the council for the procuring of more apparatus, and a "sufficient amount" was ordered to be expended in a steam fire engine (which, however, was not done for several years), with not to exceed $500, to repair or rebuild the "Red Rover" engine; and, at the same meeting the president and recorder were instructed to procure a site for an engine house. This committee purchased a lot on Saginaw Street, at the price of $475. An endeavor was made to organize a hook and ladder company, but failed, as had ail similar efforts to this date. In October of this year, 1863, the council purchased two hand engines from the city of Rochester, N..Y., with hose carts and other apparatus. These engines were designated as "Red Rover" No. 1, and "Protection" No. 2. These engines cost the village $1,500, and were subsequently sold by the city for nearly the same price. At a special election held September 12, 1865, it was ordered that a steam fire engine be purchased, and in accordance with that decision, a Silsby steamer was ordered, which was accepted by resolution adopted by the council, November 18, 1865. The first chief engineer was E. Y. Williams. The first engineer of the steamer "Neptune" was B. F. Ray, and he continued in that position until the reorganization in 1878, when he was made chief of the volunteer department, in which capacity he served until February, 1881, when he resigned. In 1873 the department was re-organized, and made a volunteer department, and subsequently the number of men was reduced, and it was made a part pay department. When the waterworks began operation the Holley system of fire protection was instituted. When Portsmouth was annexed to the city, their steamer, the "Alert," was added to the department, and the two steamers are now held in reserve. The present department is upon the volunteer plan, part pay. There are now four hose companies, with carts drawn by horses, and one hook and ladder company. The following are the OFFICERS AND COMPANIES: Chief engineer, Robert J. Campbell; first assistant, John Fowler; second assistant, Henry Woods. First Ward, Vigilant Hose Company and steam fire engine "Neptune," southwest corner of Fitzgerald and Belinda Streets; Second Ward, Neptune Hose Company, east side Saginaw, between Center and Fifth Streets; Fourth Ward, Rescue Hose CompaDy, east side Water, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets; Seventh Ward, Night Hawk Hose Company, northeast corner of Thirty-fourth and Taylor Streets; steam fire engine "Alert," on Middle Ground, opposite Thirty-second Street; Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Fourth Ward engine house, north Water, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets. FIRE LIMITS. Whether necessary or not, fires are inevitable and very effective as a rejuvenating agency. It usually happens in the experience of new towns that a few fires are necessary to stimulate public action in the direction of future protection against the ravages of this dangerous element. This was true with reference to Bay City, and yet few places have been more enterprising in providing for the public comfort and welfare than this metropolis. The fire of July, 1863, was a serious one for a village of 2,000 inhabitanlts,involving, as it did, a loss of $50,000. Immediately after that fire an attempt was made to establish fire limits, but without success. A second unsuccessful attempt was made in the council early in 1865, but the big fire in October of that year convinced the people that delays were dangerous, and soon after that the council established fire limits, preventing the erection of wooden buildings in the business parts of the town west of Saginaw Street. There was considerable opposition to the restrictions imposed by fire limits, although their necessity had been so expensively demonstrated. This feeling, however, soon passed away, and the natural consequence of fine brick structures has followed. The present fire limits are Second Street, north; Adams Street, east; Eighth Street, south; and the Saginaw River, west. SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. MASONIC. BAY CITY LODGE NO. 129, dates from October, 1860, when a dispensation was granted by the grand master of the state of Michigan to William R. McCormick as worshipful master, and W. A. *II W -IL 1+ 4 ~<,T _41.A - 2 - J A I - 104 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. Bryce and N. B. Bradley as wardens, with power to organize a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Bay City. As early as 1858 a meeting of Masons was held in the second story of the Jennison store, which was attended by N. B. Bradley, H. M. Bradley, J. J. McCormick, W. R. McCormick, C. B. Cottrell, John F. Cottrell, J. H. Little, and Clark Moulthrop. Possibly other meetings were held, but the organization was not effected until 1860, as stated. Upon receiving its charter ill 1861, William A. Bryce was elected master, and his successors during the few years following were N. B. Bradley, Rev. C. P. Nash, and R. J. Carney. The organization has been prosperous, and has included in its membership some of the leading men of the place. The lodge room is now in the third story of the Eddy Block. There are about 198 members. The present officers are as follows: -C. B. Cottrell, W. M.; A. L. Stewart, S. W.; C. C. Stewart, J. W.; John Rose, treasurer; G. F. Hood, secretary; F. 0. Gilbert, S. D.; J. C. Lamb, J. D.; Rev. Wolf Landau, chaplain; George W. Palmer, D. Minnie, stewards; C. S. Wells, tyler; L. A. Brown, marshal. PORTSMOUTH LODGE, NO. 190, F. & A.M., was organized by W. R. McCormick, Charles Stevens, and W. H. Southworth, in 1865. The first meeting was held in the second story of the residence of Elisha G. Allen, at Portsmouth. The charter members were W. R. McCormick, Charles Stevens, W. H. Southwortl, A. C. Braddock, Hamilton Burnett, C. D. Fisher, and Charles E. Merrell. A charter was granted in November, 1867, when George Lewis was elected master. In 1868 the lodge bought a lot and erected a building, using the second story for their lodge room, and renting the lower story for stores. The present officers of the lodge are: -J. A. Beardsley, W. M.; S. E. Williams, S. W.; H. B. Mix, J. W.; Robert McLaughlin, secretary; J. L. Gould, treasurer; H. C. Meyers, S. D.; E. A. Smith, J. D. JOPPA LODGE, NO. 315, F. & A. M., was organized in 1874. Present officers are: —F. A. Nichols, W. M.; J. C. Nottingham, S. W.; W. J. Daunt, J. W.; Louis Goeschel, secretary; O. F. Hamet, treasurer. MASONIC MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION was organized in May, 1878. W. H. Barse is president; George Lewis, treasurer; and A. L. Stewart, secretary. BLANCHARD CHAPTER, NO. 59, R. A. M., was organized October 3, 1867. January 8, 1868, a charter was granted and the following officers elected:-John S. Judson, H. P.; George C. Doughty, K.; James J. McCormick, S.; E. Wood, C. H.; R. J. Carney, P. S.; H. J. Clark, R. A. C.; N. B. Bradley, treasurer; Thomas Watkins, secretary. BAY CITY COMMANDERY, NO. 26, K. T., was organized in the Fall of 1869. Present officers:-H. A. Chamberlin, E. C.; O. F. Hamet, Gen.; C. H. Pomeroy, C. G.; Amos Crum, prelate; J. A. Wells, S. W.; J. H. Wilkins, J. W.; W. H. Bense, recorder; George Lewis, treasurer; J. R. Hitchcock, S. B.; A. Cummings, S. B.; W. H. Clark, W.; C. S. Wells, S. ODD FELLOWSHIP. BAY LODGE, No. 104, was organized at Portsmouth, in January, 1867, and was called Portsmouth Lodge. A. W. Watrous was its first N. G. The lodge did not flourish as well as was hoped for, and it was thought if it was moved to Bay City, the change would prove beneficial. The removal was effected and Good Templars hall was used for about a year. In 1869, the name was changed to Bay Lodge. Six lodges have been instituted from the members of this lodge. The lodge has a pleasant hall in the Cranage Block and a membership of about 100. The present officers are as follows: -N. G., J. R. Van Blarcom; V. G., J. H. Gould; secretary, F. G. Oatman; permanent secretary; W. A. Pettipiece; treasurer, L. Anthony. HUMBOLDT LODGE, NO. 154, was organized February 13, 1871, with eight charter members. Present officers:-Ferdinanld Hopp, N. G.; J. Ackerman, V. G.; Peter Prior, R. S.; S. Wilhelm, P. S.; Conrad Braumoeller, treasurer. VALLEY LODGE, NO. 189, was organized in 1873, and is located at South Bay City. EDEN LODGE, NO. 260, was instituted Tuesday evening, July 6, 1875, by Special Deputy Grand Master George H. Shearer. The officers were E. C. Blush, N. G.; E. C. Ward, V. G.; J. D. McKinnon, R. S.; J. O. Smith, P. S.; C. Stover, treasurer. The present officers are as follows: —Frank Felton, N. G.; O. B. Smith, V. G.; J. C. Dumoe, Sec.; W. E. Callender, Per. Sec.; James McFarlan. Treas; Representatives to Grand Lodge-James McFarlan, W. E. Callender. KANONDA ENCAMPMENT, NO. 36, was organized in October, 1872. Officers:-James McFarlan, C. P.; D. E. Erb, H. P.; Edward Smith, S. W.; John McCartney, scribe; F. C. Thompson, J. W. TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. Organized temperance effort in Bay City began with the organization of a Good Templars Lodge, November 13, 1860. The lodge was organized with twenty charter members, but this number was increased to upwards of 300. Since that time the temperance work in the city has progressed very much as in other places. The temperance societies now in active existence are Bay City Good Templar Lodge, No. 109; Portsmouth Good Templar Lodge, No. 709; Sons of Temperance, recently organized at South Bay City; RoyaI Templars of Temperance; and Bay City Reform Club. The latter club was organized by Dr. Reynolds in 1877, with a membership of upwards of 2,000. All of these organizations are in a healthy state of prosperity. and doing effective work. CENTER LODGE, No. 120, A. 0. U. W., organized February, 1882. Officers:-Henry Waters, M. W.; C. W. Maxon, J. F.; D. Jarmin, 0.; Theodore Hine, receiver; W. E. Callender, recorder; George Dicey, financier; S. Benson, guide; James Afflick, I. W.; Charles Martin, O. W.;.representative to Grand Lodge, W. E. Callender; S. Benson, C. Breslar and Joe Keddies, trustees. EXCELSIOR LODGE, NO. 52, A. 0. U.W., organized August 10, 1878. Officers: —W. A. Pettipiece, P. M. W.; Henry Hiefield, M. W.; A. Grabowsky, G. F.; Henry Galbraith, overseer; Robert Trask, recorder; C. W. Randall, financier; W. Landau, receiver; Henry Waters, I. W.; William Chase, O. W.; W. A. Pettipiece, A. Grabowsky, A. Hyman, trustees; representative to the Grand Lodge, A. Hyman. BAY CITY LODGE, NO. 832, K. of H., organized December 9, 1877. Officers:-M. V. Kellogg, D.; I. Hamburger, V. D.; R. McDonell, A. D.; O. S. Spencer, R.; O. W. Booth, F. R.; W. A. Taylor, T. BAY CITY LODGE, No. 23, K. of P., organized July 6, 1875. Officers:-William Ferris, C. C.; E. A. Radabough, V. C.; William Simpkins, P.; William Treat, M. of F.; John Coryell, M. of E.; H. A. Fraser, K. of R. and S.; John Powell, M. at A. FIDELITY COUNCIL, NO. 2, Order of Chosen Friends, meets at Odd Fellow's Hall. Officers:-Daniel Campbell, past chief councilor; W. H. Crawford, chief councilor; Charles Williams, vice I councilor; O. W. Booth, secretary; L. Anthony, treasurer; Mrs.D. Campbell, prelate; Abraham Bates, marshal; Mrs. A. Bates, warden; R. Palmer, guard; H. Gould, sentry; I. A. LouLnt, W. H. Gray, George Beard, trustees; O. W. Booth, D. Campbell, representatives to Grand Council. BAY COUNCIL, No. 37, Royal Arcanum, organized November 27, i I I I i I - I - r JI 7-*,< t. - almmmm ItI.. -. T " :. I_ r Rifle rivers are very difficult of access, on account of the shallowness of the water, vessels of average capacity not being able to come nearer the shore than three-quarters of a mile. But even if their mouths were accessible, the shape of the rivers is such that the land transportation of supplies to the pine region about their upper waters is much shorter from Tawas Bay than from their mouths, while the surface of the land is such that good roads can easily be opened over a fine rolling country. The shortest approach, also, to the main lumbering camps now on the upper Au Sable River is fromn Tawas Bay, owing to the deep indentation of the bay, and the peculiar shape of that river. The roads, also, are for the most part of the way, straight and direct, and over a high, dry, open country, where the soil is of such a character that the track is hard like a floor, whether the weather is wet or dry. The central position of Tawas Bay with reference to these large rivers and its magnificent land-locked harbor, renders it the natural depot of supplies for lumbering operations upon these streams; as soon, therefore, as lumbering commenced upon these streams, this bay was selected as the base of operations, and warehouses were erected for storing supplies and roads opened to the lumber camps. The mills now built onl Tawas Bay have a capacity of 10,000,000 to 12,000,000, and it is expected they will be well stocked this Winter. The new mill of Smith, VianValkenburg & Co., which is a first-class mill, with two gangs, a large circular, shingle machine, and grist mill attached, has demonstrated by its successful working the past season, that logs can be securely boomed onl the open shore of Tawas Bay, with but trifling expense beyond the docks necessary for shipping the lumber, which docks form the principal part of the protecting boom. ALPENA. The Alpena IPiotwter gives the following as the amount of lumber, lath and shingles imanufactured at that place, for the year 1866: "other mills," manufactured during the past season 2,000,000 feet; capacity, 4,000,000. In Township 22 north, Range 6 east, on a branch of the AuGres, is a water mill, capacity 400,000, the lumber from which is mostly sold to settlers in the vicinity. In Township 22 north, of Range 7 east, on Cold Creek, is a steam saw mill, running one circular and a shingle machine; capacity, 1,500,000 feet of lumber, 3,000,000 shingles. The product of this mill comes to Tawas for shipment. In the vicinity of this is a water mill, also running muley and shingle machine; capacity, 400,000 feet of lumber, 1,500,000 shingles; the product of this mill also comes to Tawas. One mile and a half below Tawas City, Gilbert, of single handed steamboat notoriety, has erected a shingle mill, completed the latter part of the year. At Au Sable, a new shingle mill is building, next to Burrows' mill. It will run a shingle machine. At Harrisville, Moore, Weaver & McDonald have just completed a timber mill. It is designed especially for long timber. At Alabaster is a mnill, with a capacity of 700,000 feet, the product of which is used for home consumption. AU SABLE RIVER. Only one mill of any considerable capacity having made a season of it last year at Au Sable, it is estimated that the amount of lumber shipped will only reach 18,000,000 feet of logs. Of round and square timber got out last Winter, there were over 30,000,000 feet. The surplus has been rafted to Detroit, Toledo and Tonawanda, and some to New York. Messrs. Stone & Cronkilt got out last Winter over 8,000,000 feet of round timber, a small portion only of which they had manufactured at Au Sable, the major part being rafted to Detroit and Toledo, and one of their rafts was sent through to Tonawanda, all reaching their destination in safety and without a loss worthy of note. The value of this timber at shipping point is $8,50 per M board measure. The expense per thousand of rafting logs from the Au Sable to the several points mentioned, is estimated as follows: To Tonawanda, $4.50; to Toledo, $3.00; to Detroit, $2.75. TAWAS. Timber, both round and square, is got out to considerable extent at Tawas, but the exact figures we are not in possession of. The estimatedvalue of last Winter's product, is $40,500. Tawas River and tributaries give sixty-five miles of log running streams. RIVER AU GRES. Parties were lumbering quite extensively in the river last season, Sage & McGraw doing perhaps the heaviest lumbering business. The product of this river is put at about 18,000,000 feet of logs. A boom company has been organized on this river, and piles are now being driven for booms, which will go into operation this season. LUMBER BUSINESS OF THE SHORE FOR 1867. L. M. Mason:c Co., Lester Mill, ltuber..... L. M. Mason & Co., Lester Mill, lath......... Iome Mill, lumber........................ Island MAlill, lumber......................... Water Mill, lumber......................... W ater M ill, lath............................ W ater M ill, shingles........................ Mason, Doty, Luce & Co., lumlber............ Mason, Doty, Luce & Co, lath................ Trowbridge & Bro., lumber............... Troybridge & Bro., lath..................... B. H. Campbell & Co.,lanmber................ B. H. Campbell & Co., lath.................. E. Harrington, lumber...................... E. H arrington, lath.......................... John Oldfield, lumber....................... H. Broadwell, lumber....................... D. D. Oliver, l tmber....................... Hoy & Oliver, shingles..................... 4,000,000 1.350,0(!0 2,600,000 2,2'!0,000 500.000 1,000,000 3,500,000 4,000,000 2,000,000 5,500,000 400,000 4,000,000 1.000,00o( 6,250,000 1,000,000 4,750,00() 1,500,000 1,500,000 2,100,000 Total, lumber.............................36,800,000 Total, lath.............................. 6 750,000 Totlal, shlingles........................... 5,600,000 REVIEW OF 1867. Quite a number of new mnills are being erected on the Bay Shore. At Tawas City, C. D. Hale is building a gang mill, to be completed by Spring. At East Tawas, Evans & Co. are building a large gang mill. Noyes & Co., of Buffalo, have located a site and will construct a mnill at the same place. A. D. Owens & Co., of Clyde, Ohio, are preparing to build a shingle mill at Tawas City. Whitney's mill, at Sand Point, whose cut is enumerated in Name of mill and location. Capital Lumber cut ALPENA. invested. in 1867. Mason, Doty & Luce............. $ 70,000 5,200,000 L. M. Masol & Co................ 150,000 9,750,233 E. HarriLigton & Co................. 125,000 10,000,000 B. H. Campbell & Co........... 87,000 5,795,539 J. Oldfield & Co................. 150,000 6,500,000 H. Broad well & Co.............. 8,000 1,500,000 TROWBRIDGE POINT. Jolihn Trowbridge & Co.......... 15,000 1,000,000 CORLIES. John Trowbricldge & Co........... 60,000 3,000,000 Lath cut in 1867. 2,167,000 4,403,450 2,000,000 1,518,850 3,000,000..., 1 1,50..... 0,000 t - -... - 9 I 1,0oao Is Q It_ - - 0: - - l 9-5 — I -I 110 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. Name of mill and location. AU SABLE. ir Loud, Priest & Gay............. Backus & Bro................... A. Burrows..................... TAWAS CITY. C. H. Whittemore............... EAST TAWAS. Smith, VanValkenburg &t Co.... Adamus. Swanky & Co............ HARRISVILLE. Weston, Colwell & Co............ DEVIL RIVER. D. D. Oliver.................... Other mills...................... Capital Lumber cut Ivested. in 186{7. 300,000 12,700,000 75,000 1,200,000 8,000 800,000 Lath cut in 1867. 3,294,000.............. 45,000 50,000 50,000 (60,000 36,000 84,000 3,800,000 7,100,000 1,500,000 2,800,000 700,000 6,850,000 2,000,000 2,497,606 504,867 5,000,0n0 1,000,000.......... 19........... $1,380,000........... 85,335,872........... 8,979,772........... 772 facturing point. Its present population is about 2,500. Over a hundred new buildings were erected last year, including a union schoolhouse which cost $15,000, several mills, hotels and business blocks. The supply of logs was not full, owing to the difficulty of driving in the Spring, consequently the report of shipments does not show as well as it otherwise would. A company has been organized for the purpose of boring for salt, the tower is up, engine and machinery in place, and drilling will soon be commenced with hopeful assurance that the enterprise will prove successful. Details of the general business of Alpena cand the Shore are given in tabular form under appropriate headings. LUMBER BUSINESS FOR Number of mills...................... Amount of capital invested.................. Lumber cut in 1867......................... Lumber on the dock unsold.................... lnumber of men employed................... REVIEW OF 1868. The log running and booming facilities of Rifle and Au Gres Rivers have greatly improved. Docks have been built at several points between the Lighthouse and Sand Point, where lumbering operations have been successfully carried on, and at Alabaster, the location of the plaster beds, more fully noticed elsewhere, the investment for 1868 exceeds that of all previous years combined. This remark holds good, also, in regard to Tawas City and East Tawas, where several new saw mills, a courthouse, union schoolhouse, and scores of buildings for public and private use, have been erected. The favorable situation of Tawas as a harbor of refuge, a desirable point for the location of mills, and a natural depot for supplies destined to the lumber camps on the Au Sable and the smaller streams emptying into the bay on the south, has attracted the attention of many practical business men, and the result is an enhanced value to real estate, a rapid increase of trade, manufactures and commerce, and an era of substantial prosperity, such as it never before experienced. The government appropriation for the mouth of Au Sable River is ample to make an excellent harbor, and give at all times at least a depth of ten feet of water over the bar. Inside there is always depth "and verge enough" to float at any time half the vessels on the lakes. With 3,000,000,000 feet of pine timber in the rear, -the most extensive fisheries on the lakes, cedar, hard timber, and farming lands, and these commercial facilities, Au Sable is certain to become a prominent commercial and manufacturing point, and her recent progress in this direction is peculiarly satisfactory. At Harrisville, the broad belt of farming land, which extends all along the eastern slope of the lower peninsula of Michigan, comes nearer the shore than at any other point, and as a natural result, agricultural developments in that vicinity are more extensive than in other localities, and the results are uniformly successful. At Alcona and Devil River, lumbering operations are being successfully carried on, and a little progress in agricultural matters is apparent. ALPENA. This flourishing village is located at the mouth of Thunder Bay River, which empties into Thunder Bay near its head, in the Forty-fifth degree of north latitude in Sections 23 and 24 Township 31 north, Range 8 east, according to the Government survey of the state of Michigan, and the farthest northern point embraced in our report, has also made rapid progress during the past year and is every day growing in importance as a commercial and manu ALPENA. T. Luce & Co.............. T. Luce & Co.............. E. Harrington & Co......... J. K. Lockwood & Co....... J. S. Minor............... Campbell & Potter.......... S. M. Noxon............... H. Broadwell & Co., (water).. John Trowbridge & Bro...... John Trowbridge & Bro...... Gilchrist & Co.............. HARRISVILLE. Weston, Colwell & Co....... OSSINEKE. Robinson & Hollnes......... ALCONA. John Haynes & Co.......... TAWAS. S. & C. D. Hale............ C. H. Whittemore.......... C. & J. Laidlaw............ F. & V. Pettyes............ Evans & Co................ Adams & Co................ East Tawas Mill Co......... SAND POINT. W. F. & V. Whitney........ AU SABLE. Loud, Priest & Gay......... Backus & Bro............. Moore, Stewart & Co........ Hawkin & Reese............ Eugene Smith.............. Others.................... Capital invested. 70,000 50,000 125,000 50,000 50,000 87,000 150,000 20,000 10,000 60,000 20,000 60,0(00 60,000 50,000 30,000 60,000 5,000 10,000 50,000 12,000 80,000 25,000 300,000 75,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 90,000 1868. Lumber manufactured in 1l6'S. 4,500,000 2,000,000 10,000,000 2,700,000 2,500,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 not run not run 2,,000,000 500,000 Lath cut. 2,000,000 1,500,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,200,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 1,000,000 6,500,000 2,()000,000 5,000,000 1,500,000 3,000,000 1,000,000 6,000,000 1,500,000 500,000 * 150,000 2,500,000 6,000,000 l K; 2,000,000 3,000,00() 1,(00,000 12,000,000 3,000,00( 237,313 500,00( 300,000 8,500,000 94,887,313 8,500,000 4,000,000 30,700,000 Totals................1,634,000 In the manufacture of shingles the increase has been larger in proportion than lumber, in fact almost double that of last year. A large amount of long timber was shipped from points on the Bay Shore during 1868, but the exact figures we were unable to obtain, except from the Au Sable River. The following is a statement of shingles manufactured on the west bay shore. ALPENA. Shingles Shlingles manufactured. shipped. T. Luce & Co........................ Hov & Co........................... C. Thompson & Co................... Other mills.......................... TAWAS. F. & V. Pettyes..................... F. & G. Anschutz.................... E. &. J. Laidlaw................... C. H. Whittemore..................... Others.............................. 7,000,000 6,000,000 10,000,000 2,000,000 4,000,000 2,000,000 4,000,000 1,500,000 6,500,000 7,000,000 6,000,000 10,000,000 2,000,000 4,000,000 2,000,000 5,000,000 1,000,000 5,000,000 43,000,000 42,000,000 -4 —! v l I j 17 JI I i t: I -- ~ L^j. I__ S THE LAKE HURON SHORE. lll From Tawas, Alpena and Harrisville a large number of staves, pickets, cedar posts and telegraph poles were shipped. The following is a statement of the shipments from Alpena for 1868, as taken from the Custom House records: Lum ber, feet........................... 35,193,667 Shingles............................... 22,982,000 Lath, pieces............................ 11,027,900 Pickets................................. 481,695 Cedar posts.......................... 41,249 Telegraph poles......................... 4,500 Fish packages.......................... 3,849 Shingle bolts, cords...................... 175 Besides the above, the Huron, Marine City and Metropolis took from this port about 1,000,000 shingles, and about 1,200 packages of fish under coasting permits obtained at Cheboygan, when on their return from Mackinac during their Summer excursions, of which no accurate account was kept. The following shows the amount of logs the lumbermen on Thunder Bay River have made preparations for getting out this I season: E. H arrington.......................... T. Luce & Co........................... J. K. Lockwood......................... A. W. Comstock & Co................... Morse & Richardson..................... Reade & Richardson..................... Campbell & Potter....................... F. G ilchrist............................ P. Cicero.............................. Spratts................................ Alexander McDonald.................... C. H. Cluly............................ William Jones.......................... Total............................. 12,000,000 12,000,000 6,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 4,000,000() 3,000,000 3,5000,00( 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,00,000 63,500,000 but saw nothing of His beneficent providence whereby this long stretch of unsubdued unpalatable coast has been made to teem with an earnest, enterprising population, who have uncovered and utilized the most extensive plaster bed in the world; built great mills to grind the rock and cut the timber; run long lines of permanent docks into the bay anld lake; made cities and villages which are growing with astonishing rapidity; made homes; made farms; established schools and churches and are making a commonwealth, the importance of whose trade, commerce and manufactures are known and recognized in every prominent business locality in our whole country. During the season of navigation a line of steamers run from Saginaw to Pinle River, another from Saginaw to Alpena, touching at all shore points northl of Alabaster, and connecting' at Alpena with a line to Cheboygan and Mackinaw; and a line of steamers run also from Detroit to Mackinaw, touching at Tawas and ports north. During the Winter two daily lines of stages run between Bay City and Alpena, in connection with the F. & P. M. and J. L. & S. railroads. During the past year still further improvements have been made in the log running and booming facilities of the Rifle and Au Gres Rivers, and in the docks between the Lighthouse and Sand Poinlt. At Alabaster, extensive improvements have been made, of which, and the details of the business there, a statement will be found eisewhere. TAWAS AND EAST TAWAS. Several new shingle mills hlave been built in thle vicinity of Tawas, a plank road has been completed from there to a point several miles-inland, and the general progress has been encouraging, notwithstanding thle stringency of the times. At East Tawas there has been a marked change for the better, and influences are at work which will insure thle continued rapid growth of that village. The favorable situation of Tawas Bay, as a harbor of refuge, and of East Tawas, as an accessible and peculiacrly safe point therein, as well as a desirable point for the location of mills, and a natural depot for supplies destined to the lumber camps on thle Sable and thle smaller streams emniptying into the bay on the south, has attracted the attention of many practical business men and the result is an enhlanced value to real estate, a rapid increase of trade, manlufactures and coimmerce and *an era of substantial prosperity, such as it never before experienced. On the 18th of June last, the Tawas Manufacturing Company, consisting of Col. Henry J. Noyes, of East Tawas; Orlando Hurd, of Watkins, N. Y.; and J. L. Wicks, of East Saginaw, purchased the extensive property of Smith & Westover, embracing most of the origiml plat of the village, and the extensive mill, warehouse and dock formerly owned by that firm. Since taking possession they have enlarged the steamboat dock to more than double its original size, built a warehouse 40x100 feet in extent, and made many improvements in the village. They are now building a new steam saw mill, with annual cutting capacity of 10,000,000 feet, the machinery for which is from the Commercial Iron Works of Wickes Bros., East Sagillnaw. A large planling mill has been built during the Summer by James Mitchell, and a new shingle mill by Shattuck & Newman. AU SABLE. The productive capacity of the mills at Au Sable has been nearly doubled during the past year, good progress has been made in the harbor improvement, a substantial pier has been built south of thle river near its mouth, and two extensive wharves a short dis I l - I — O REVIEW OF 1869. In all the progress made in Northern Michigan within the past years, the cities of the Saginaw Valley not excepted, there is nothing more astonishing than the wonderful development of what we term "The Shore" meanling thereby that portion bordering Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron on the west, and extending from the mouth of the Saginaw River to the head of Thunder Bay. The time is within our recollection when Tawas Bay, the most important harbor of refuge onl Lake Huron, was comparatively unknown; when sailors regarded with superstitious dread the locality of Thunder Bay; reputed as a region of shoals, thunder squalls, barren and'inhospitable shores. Ten years ago there was not in all the lake coast a more unpromising locality than Alpena, at the mouth of Thunder Bay River, a low, fiat, wet, swampy, mosquito breeding wilderness, wrapped in a tangled, impenetrable thicket of cedar, stunted tamarack, dead timber and bottomless morass. To-day it is a wideawake village of 3,000 inhabitants, with a $15,000 schoolhouse, fine churches, good society, a score of manufacturing establishments, commodious hotels, elegant private residences, a newspaper, first-class mercantile houses, lodges, societies and all the elements of a pioneer city, young but comely, and growing at the rate of over a hundred buildings a year. Then Ossineke, now a point of $200,000 yearly lumberillng operations, was an unregenerated quagmire; Alcona, a wilderness; Harrisville, a small lumber port; Au Sable, a barren fishing station; East Tawas, nothing; Tawas City, the next thing to it; Alabaster, AuGres, Pine River, Rifle River,.all a wilderness, where the "rude Indian,' it may be, "Saw God in the clouds or heard Him in the wiind," L I -I S -: atr — A 1- - i ----- O 112 THE LAKE. HURON SHORE. I~ tance north of tile river. Concerning some of tile peculiar advantages of An Sable, we quote fromll our annual statemlent of 186(8: Sable River is comparatively straight, always rapid, and being supplied by springs at its head-waters, is always full, lhence, long timber can be easily run; lumlebering, if it is desirable, can be done at any season, and tle delays and uncertainties of scant water break lups, and grounding logs from too much freshet are unknown to log drivers on the Sable. Lmunmbering can be commlenced a month earlier and continued a month later than at most points. The situation of AuSable, it being only fifteen miles off the regular track of Chicago bound vessels, is favorable for low freights and lumber; there is, an average worth, for like qualities $1,50 mllore per thousand than at any point on the Saginaw River. Frolll no point on the lakes has the rafting of logs and long timber been so successfully carried on as from the Sable. One of the reasons for thllis is the favorable situation of Sable in relation to Point An Barques, the chief point of danger in all Lake Huron towing. A short run from the Sable, which can be made at almost any season by taking advantage of the weather, puts a raft beyond the range of reefs on the points, and either in shape to go with the wind or to reach smooth water by making a lee under some of the points on the coast. At all events the rafting of logs and timber from the Sable is reduced to a matter of business as it is elsewhere, the risks are known, and the result is that logs there bring $1.50 per thousand feet more than at other points. Salt wells are being sunk both at Aul Sable and Alpena, blut complete tests have not as yet been made at either point. At Harrisville a new and substantial pier was built ltast season, and the wharf at Ossineke was substantially repaired and extended for some distance into the bay, so that vessels and steamers of the largest class can now touch at that point, and load or discharge cargoes with entire safety. LUMBER BUSINESS FOR 1869. SHINGLE PRODUJCT FOR 186(9. AL PI1 NNA. Bewick, Comstock & Co............... Haggerty, Page c& Co................... J. S. Minor & Co........................ Alexander Doty......................... C. Thompson & Co...................... Hopper, Davis & Co..................... A. F. Fletcher & Co..................... HARRISVILLE. WTeston, Colwell & Co................... Lonsbey T: VTanBuskirk.................. AU SABLE. J. & C. Parks........................... An Sable Shingle N& Lunlber Co......... TAWAS. E. & J. Laidll.aw & R. Anschutz.......... O iher M ills........................... Plaster Co., Alabaster.................... s mai 10 3 7 2 10 6 10 hllingles Shipped nufacturedl and sold. ),000,00( 10,000,000,,000,000 3,000.000 ',000,000 7,000,000 i,500,000( 2,500,000 },000,000 10,000,000;,000,000 6,000,000 ),000,(10() 10,000,000 300,000 200,000 200,000 200,000;.800,000 5,000,00( i:00,000 300,000 1.000,000 8,000,000,500.000 5,000,000 200,000 200,000 5 8 5 ALPENA. T. Luce & Co................... T. Luce & Co................... E H arrington................... J. K. Lockwood.................. J. S. Minor...................... Campbell & Potttie'.............. C. Oldfield (water)............... H. Broadwell & Co. (w~ater)....... F. W. Gilchrist.................. A. F. Fletcher & Co............. OSSINEKE. Ossineke Mill Co:.............. ALCONA. Johnson, Havnes & Co........... HARRISVIL:E. Weston, (3olwell & Co............ SPRING BROOK. Lonsbey & Van Buskirk........... AU SABLE. Loud,, Pri st & Gay.............. Backus & Bro.................. J. & C. Parks.................... BuiTows, Young & Co............ Au Sable Lumber & SLingle Co. EAST TAWAS. East Tawas Mill Co............ Adams, Swaney & Co............ D J. Evans & Co................. TAWAS CITY. C. H. W hittemore................ S. & C. D. Hale.................. ALABASTER. Alabaster Plaster Co............. SAND POINT. W. T. & S. W hitney............. O ther M ills..................... T otals..................1 Calpital Lumber maimlinvested. factured in 1 S(;!. $40,000 5,147,744 20,000 3,044,589 125 000 11 000,000 55,000 3,538,000 50,000 3,500,000 1z0,00) 6,000,00() 75,000 6,510,000 20,000 1,200,000 20,(-)00 3,400,000 35,000 1,500,000 60,000 7,000,00() 50,000 3,000,000 70,000 4,500,000 25,000 800,000 300,000 11,700,000 150,000 7,000,000 25,000 2,000.000 20,000 3,000,0cO0 14,000 10(0,00()( 45,000 6,700,000 30,000 5,000,000 50,00 5,000,000 15,000 1,875,000 30,000 6,000,000 10,000 200,000 25 000 2,500,00( 50,000 4,500,00(,529,)00 115,715,333 Lath cut. 1,500.(000 800.000 2,500,000 1,079.000 1,200.000 1,5(0(,000 1,)000,000 800,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 1,990,030 -300,000 2,0(0,000 800,000 200,000 1,000 0(00 2,500,000 26,669,030 REVIEW OF 1870. The tables giving the product of lumber and shingles manufactured at the various points on the bay and lake coast between the mouth of Saginaw River and Cheboygan, indicate considerable increase in both of these items as compared with the previous year but give no adequate idea of the general improvementl in that district, which in the way of new manufacturing establishments, wharves, warehouses, stores, churches, schoolhouses, public buildings and private residences is at least fifty per cent greater than that of any former year. ALABASTER. At Alabaster there has been considerable progress made in completing the system of dock, warehouses and manufactories planned when the erection of the new plaster mill was commenced, and the product of the plaster works —though the returns have not reached us-was, we learn, somewhat in excess of that for 1869. AT TAWAS CITY extensive additions have been made to the dock owned by C. H. Whittemore, so that the handling of outgoing and incoming freight is much more convenient, and shipping or receiving cargoes far less tedious than under the old arrangement. A plank road has been built westerly, nearly to the plains, which in the customary season for transportation always furnish a thoroughfare to the camps onl the Sable, AuGres, and Rife Rivers, and the mercantile, commercial, social and educational affairs of the "old town" have taken shape which indicates permanence, solidity and system. The Gazette published there is a useful, practical newspaper, and Mr, Hilbourne, thle editor, is a gentleman who deserves well of the people of the whole Shore. S. & C. D. Hale have greatly improved and strengthened their former line of docks, and so added thereunto that they have ample room for stacking and handling the lumber cut by their mill, and have also secure and convenient boomage for 4,500,000 feet of logs In addition to the shingle mills reported inll our table, Mr. Sadler has a small mill a short distance inland, which manufactured last year about 1,000,000 shingles. Adams & Bronson are putting utp a new shingle mill three miles back, which they expect will cut forty thousand shingles daily. In addition to products given, there was got out in the vicinity of Tawas City, last year, 100,000 feet of square timber, 1,000 cords of pail bolts and 1,000,000 feet of long timber. _ _ ------ ~V 40 -e C r A, - e I, I - - ----— f THE LAKE HURON SHORE. 113 Pi EAST TAWAS. Many creditable buildings, public and private hlave been erected at East Tawas during the past year; a banking office, the first on "the Shore" established; the extensive improvements to the saw mill of East Tawas Mill Company, projected in 1869, were completed last June, the entire length of the dock facing the bay. 1,200 feet has been rebuilt with piling, capped and filled in solidly with debris, and along the whole length of this dock and that connecting it with the mill, 1,700 feet in all, is a traimway with an iron horse truck above and a track below, also for carrying out slabs and rough material. AU SABLE. Among the improvements at Au Sable, which have been very extensive during the past season the most noticeable are: the large and elegant mercantile block of Loud, Gay & Co., the range of neat cottages built for Backus & Bro., on the north side of the river, the extensive wharves and tramway of Loud, Gay & Co., and the many private residences, public and business buildings. The Burrows & Young Mill has been rebuilt and supplied with a new engine, three large boilers and a big circular. The Saginaw Lumber & Shingle CompaLny are preparing to build a large mill on the south side of tlhe river, near their present shingle mill. OSCODA is a new village lying north of Au Sable, the division line between the two places so running as to take Loud, Gay & Co's new dock on the bay, in the old, while it transfers their mill to the new village, which is located in Township 3 north, of Range 9 east, according to Government surveys. In the town of Oscoda as organized, are embraced niine townships of land, having in all a population of 500. The village plat bordering the Bay Shore contains one-fourth section of land, is laid out in squares, has the advantages of a fine grove; already many neat dwellings are built and in progress, and a handsome $4,000 schoolhouse has just been completed. Smith, Kelley & Co., who own the property, have built a substantial pier 1,040 feet long; roadway twenty-four feet wide, and main dock sixy-two feet wide. This dock is built on Norway piles, each not less than sixteen inches in diameter, is nine feet above the water line, protected by outside piling and caps tenoned thereon, additional finder piles, runs to seventeen feet of water, and is proof against any storm, as has been amply demonstrated. They have erected on the dock a horse elevator and two storehouses, and on the land a small grist mill and an immense warehouse for storing grain. A saw mill will be built early in the Spring with annual cutting capacity of 6,000,000 feet. S. K. & Co. have a large tract of timber and ample boomage in Au Sable River, whence they have cut a canal to the lake. Wood & Pack, a strong firm, own the next mill site north, having half a mile front on the bay, and it is their design to make permanent improvements, they having also a very heavy supply of timber at the head waters of the Au Sable. Moore, Alger & Co., Moore, Stuart & Co., and A. T. & M. Young have large barns and warehouses near S. K. & Co's dock, wherein are deposited their supplies for wood operations. Loud & Gay's dock in Au Sable is 1,300 feet long; and has 3,000 feet of tramway extending to their mill. In social matters Oscoda is making fair progress, there being a good school; and a union Sabbath-school established July 4, 1869, with twelve scholars, which now numbers ninety-two scholars, with an average attendance of seventy-five. HARRISVILLE. At Harrisville, county seat of Alcona County, a new court house has been erected; also a new hotel and several business Lnildings. Excellent progress is being made with the farm improvements in the interior, the hay crop alone yielding an income of nearly $8,000 the past season. At Alcona and Ossineke there has been considerable done in the way of dock building and improvements to mills, and the farlning interests also show a decided improvement. ALPENA. For various reasons, one of which is the recent development of its extraordinary magnetic springs, Alpena has of late received far more than ordinary attention, and as its business and other advantages become known, its prosperity is thereby materially promoted. By the tables which follow may be ascertained the extent of its lumber and shingle product for 1870. There was exported in addition 73,000 cedar posts, a large number of pail bolts, lath and pickets proportionate to its lumber product, and several thousand barrels of white fish and trout it being the business center for the Thunder Bay fisheries, the most extensive and valuable on the lakes. The situation of Alpena is well understood, at the mouth of Thunder Bay River near the head of Thunder Bay, by air line seventy-five miles south from Mackinaw. Her timber resources are also well understood, there being, by a fair calculation, a supply of one hundred million feet per year, for thirty years. Owing to the small supply of logs there was less lumber cut last year than in 1869, but by private letter we learn that all the mills are assured a full supply for next season, and probably seventy million feet of lumber will be cut in 1871. LUMBER PRODUCT FOR 1870. ALPENA. J. K. Lockwood & Co......$ J. S. Minor.............. Elisha Harrington......... Campbell & Potter......... T. Luce & Co............. C. W. Richardsonl......... F. W. Gilchrist.......... Folkerts & Butterfield...... A. F. Fletcher & Co...... F. N. Barlow............. OSSINEKE. Ossineke Mill Co......... ALCONA. Jolhnson, Haynes & Co.... HARRISVILLE. Weston, Colwell & Co...... Lonsbey & VanBuskirk.... AU SABLE. Loud, Gay & Co........... Backus & Bro............ Burrows, Young & Co...... J. & C. Parks............. EAST TAWAS. Tawas Mill Co........... Iosco M ills............... Adams, Swaney & Co...... Orlando Newman......... TAWAS CITY. S. & C. D. Hale.......... C. H. Whittemore........ E. & J. Laidlaw........... ALABASTER. Alabaster Plaster Co....... SAND POINT. W. F. & V. Whitney.... Other Mills.............. Capital Invested. 40,000 15,000 125,000 75,000 85,000 40,000 30,000 40,000 35,000 6,000 60,00() 75,000 70,000 25,000 100,000 50,000 25,000 25,000 70,000 40,000 20,000 5,000 40,000 15,000 25,000 10,000 30,000 60,000 Lumbellr cut in 1S70. 4,200,000 4,000,000 8,502,000 7,000,000 5,000,000 4,000,000 4,200,000 1,526,555 1,500,000 3,000,000 7,500,000 2,500,000 4,500,000 700,000 14,000,000 5,400,000 500,000 1,000,000 7,000,000 7,000,000 3,500,000 1,000,000 8,500,000 2,200,000 500,000 200,000 2,500,000 5,000,000 116,428,555 Lath cut. 1,728,750 1,500,000 800,000 1,200,000 384,600 1,500,000 3,000,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 3,100,000 800,000 ~..... ~............ ~........ 600,000 600,000 2,000,000 20,213,350 Totals................$ 1,236,000 I. f - L1 kI"c'i -9 ----- sty J1 oL __^ a 114 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. Tlle sllillgle l)usilless of tlle Sllore is olle of c!oIlsider(ll)le ilUAlt SAJ:bX<\X' 54 " 0 ^^ /yw S7 ^ ___ __ r \ w__ __ ___ __ ) ___ __ / -^-r^. __. ^-J-.A* ~_.2 ^ =-^X_ c FK. ^. ^8 gs '' 1^a rf^^^ ^^^!^ ^v '. " a ^ s " ' Ob g^^^^ ^^: ^"^^ s el N jq^ s ^ s^? son I1^ ^ S T - ___ j_ ___ j;^ ___ ___ ___ ^ ___ H _ __ ^^ ' ^ "- ^e ~ < i B ff l y.; 1. ^ ^ ^ y g ^,,,. ^ f,, ^...,..i~ r~ n i l ------------ j T u -- - -- ----- 1 __________ ^. S C ^ M ______________ - ~ ^ - ~. ^:" " 11" ' 1y,, ^ ^ ^ ' ^ ^ y " < ^ ^ 1 * *i -~.ell* -^^^t^^_^_ ^ ^.^rfT's ^C.0c__'n^ 3" ^^tl r iT*^ ^^^^1^ "- ^ S - ^ -- ^ ^ N^ -^ ^ - - - L Lo. 11 I r^^ 4ur ac ) tY j I Ij~-, I - I ff I i l oc -! I tN,:v i -! l - ' -t Y --- —— {-f 11 I I -l.. w I - i I. I N A 0 N1 9 N mp 1 - I r '. %v -^~- *"-'"*"-^"" ^-y^ ^ -" "^~" — "~ --- —"" i" >, 4' r ".i f1 p"1 r"^ T\,"" i N H fr M;?' 3 m 1W i 53 a-f_. - t I I i I A -.e -- -9 I TR O OC CUT' In April, 1840, tile Legislature parceled out the whole territory of the Peninsula, north of Townfhip 20, into counties, andi attached them all to Ma~ckinact, which was then the principal town of Naorthern Mvichigan. In this division Iosco County was baptized with the ]Indian name Kah-no-tiu, a word of pleasant so-Lnd and doubtful meaning. In 1857 Iosco County was erected by Act of L~egislature, the main provisions of which were as follows: SECTION 1. The People of c~f the Statte of Xiichlr~yatt enac~t, That the county of Iosco shall be organized, and the inhabitants thereof entitled to all the rights, privileges and immunities to wlzich, by law, the inhabitants of otller organizedc counties of this State are entitled. SEC. 2. There shall be elected in saidi county of Iosco, on the first Tuesday ill July next, all the several countyv officers to which by law, the said county is entitled; and said election and canvass shatll, in all respects be conducted and held in the manner prescribed by law for (holdling) elections and canvass for co-Lin k anld state oftficers. Proridedutl That the canzvass shall be held on the Monday next following said election; and said county officers shall immediately be qualified and enter upon the duties of thleir respective offices, and their several terins of office shall expire at tile same time that they would have expired had they been elected at the last g~eneral election. And1t protl-idedfarnithe r~, that until such officers are elected and qualified, the proper officers of the county of Saginaw shall perform azl] the duties appertaining to the said county of Iosco, in the same manner as th~ough- this Act had not been passed. SEC. 3. Tire boardi of canvassers under this Act shall consist I of the presiding inspectors of election from each to~wnship in -aid county, who shall organize by appointing one of their number chairman and anothler secretary of said board, and slzall thereupon proceed to discharge all the duties of a board of county canvassers as in ordinary cases of election for county officers. SEC. 4. The county of losco shall have concurrent 'urisdiction upon Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay with the other counties COntigUOUS thereto. SEC. 7. The county seat of saidc county shall be estatblished by the Board of Supervisors at Ottawas Bay. SEC. 8. The inspectors of election for to~wnship officers, shall also be inspectors of election for county officers. Approved February 16, 1857. "losco" is said to be all illegitimate Inzdialr name to wyhich, Schoolcraft, the Indian agent, gave the n-waning "water of light." The first settlement made in tile county was at the niouth of the Au Sable River about 1849. The settlement on Tawas Bay was made in 1853 by Gideon 0. Whittemore. The history of these settlements is given upon following pages. The lirst election for county officers was held on the first Mlonday in July, 1857, at which the followving; officers were elected: -- Sheriff, Charles H. Whlittemnore; clerli, James 0. Whlittemore; treasurer, Chalrles P. Haywood; register, James 0. Wllittemore; prosecuting attorney, Gideon 0. Whittemore; probate judge, Gideon 0. Whlittem~ore; surveyor, Henry DaggSett. Mr. Haywood failed to qu~alify as treasurer, and Benjamin F. Pierce was appointed in his place. The two townships of Tawas and Au Sable were created by the Act which erected the county, and their township elections were hecld at tile same time as the county election. FIRST PROCEEDINGS OF SUPERVISORS. The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was hzeld November 19, 1857. There were present, Gideon 0. Whittemore, supervisor of the township of Tawas, and James 0. Whittemore, county clerk. Charles H. Whittemore was appointed county treasurer to fill a vacancy caused b~y the failure of Charles P. HaywooOd, treasurer elect, to file his officia-l oath and execute the bond required by law. The next meeting of the Boarld was held July 1, 1859, at the office of the county clerk. There were present, Isaac Wilson, supervisor of Au Sabule and Jamnes 0. Wihittemnore, of TawTias. Isaac Wilson was ch-osen chairman. Beljamin F. Pierce was appointed county treasurer to ~fill vacancy at a salary of fifty dollars per annum. The county clerki was ordered to procure necessary books for the use of county officlers. Isaac Wilson was aippointed assessor to take the assessment in the unorganizedt county of Alcona, and James 0. Whittemlore was appointedl to take the assessment in tile unorganized counties of Crawford an~d Oscoda.~ It was ordered that the room in thle second story of G. 0. Whlitteinore & Co's. store at Tatwas City be the place for holding tile Circuit Court, for losco County, there being no courthzouse in the county. Thus end'ed the harmuonious and harmless proceedings of that session.. August 23, 18593, another meeting was Ileld to re-affirm the action taken at thle previous meeting for the reason that it bald appeared that Isaac Wilson, of Au Sable, was not, at th~e time of his election, a resident of thle county. It was also ordered that the salaries of the treasurer, prosecuting attorney and county clerk be fifty dollatrs each per amium. October, 10, 1859, the annual meeetingi was held at the off~ice of the county clerk. At this meeting James O. Whittemore was present in a body and served thle county in the several capacities of chairman, clerk, member, audience alld lobby. Nothing in the iecords indicates a, deadlock at any time during the proceedings. After allowingr a bill of $285 for books, seal, etc., the Board adjourn~ed to the next day. October 11, 1859, the Board agatin met by the reassembling of MrIr. W7hittemore pursuant to adjournment. -1 "I L L 7 lo I - -.I...... M A-em 04;4;ll 122 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. I Benjamin F. Pierce presented his account as treasurer, which was as follows: Ben'amin F. Pierce, treasurer, 1859 IN ACCOUNT WITH IOSCO COUNTY. Dr. October 3, To cash on redemption certificate, No. 1.. $3.60 1859 October 10, By cash on hland to balance.......... October 10, To balance cash on hand............. $8.6O Cr. $3.60 The aggregate value of real and personal estate in the township of Tawas was determined to be $39,261.09. and in Sable, $20,511.72. It was determined that there should be raised by tax for county purposes for the year 1859, $700 apportioned as follows: To the township of Tawas, $352.50; to Sable, $184.25; and to the unorgainized county of Crawford, $163.25 September 15, 1860, a special meeting was held, at which Gideon O. Whittemore, supervisor of Tawas was present. Only routine business was transacted. October 8, 1860, the annual meeting was held, at which Gideon O. Whittemore was present and elected chairman. The total valuation of the county was determined to be $91,423.72; that of Tawas $48,653.42; and Sable $24,714.99. The amount raised by tax for county purposes for the year 1860 was $914.23. The county treasurer presented his report showing receipts for the year to the amount of $263.97, and cash on hand to the amount of $54.53. At a meeting in February, 1861, the salary of the county treasurer was fixed at $125 per annum. At a meeting in April, 1861, the salary of probate judge was fixed at $100 per annum. June 10, 1861, a meeting was held with an increased attendance, the new member being John Earl, of Sable. The same members met again in October, 1861. The total value of real and personal estate of the county for 1861 was determined to be $147,305.68. The amount raised by tax for county purposes for 1861 was $1,000, of which $250 was appropriated for the purpose of building a jail. The report of the county treasurer, for 1861 showed receipts to the amount of $325.95, and a balance on hand of $1.58. The aggregate value of real and personal estate in the county for 1862 was determined to be $145,822.43, The county treasurer's report for 1862 shllowred receipts to the amount of $1,521, and cash on hand to amount of $237.08. The supervisors for 1862 were Gideon O. Whittelllore, of Tawas, and Patrick Murphy, of Sable. In 1863-' 4 the supervisors were Charles H. Whittemore, of Tawas, and Augustus Stall, of Sable. In 1864 a fund lknown as the "Volunteers' Family Relief Fund " was established in the treasury of the county. It was also made the duty of each supervisor to call once a month upon the families of any volunteers, drafted men or their substitutes, -which might be in his town and ascertain if they needed relief. At the October meeting in 1864, $1,600 was appropriated for this fund. At a meeting held in March, 1866, a resolution was adopted making it unlawful to obstruct the free navigation of any boat or craft on the Au Sable River, from and after the 1st day of June each and every year. At a special meeting, held March 31, 1866, tile erection and organization of the township of Alabaster was authorized. At the same meeting the salary of the county treasurer was increased to $175. A resolution was also adopted to the effect that the sheriff should be allowed a reasonable sum in addition to fees fixed by statute. June 11, 1866, the number of supervisors was increased to three, by the organization of the nlow township of Alabaster. Sherman Wheeler was the first mlemlber from that town. At a meeting in October, 1866, the salary of prosecuting attorney was raised to $150 per annum. An application for the organization of a new township to be called Springfield, and a remonstrance against the salme were presented. The application was withdrawn. The salary of tile county clerk was raised to $300 per annum; that of prosecuting attorney to $200. The sheriff was instructed to procure three pairs of handcuffs and one pair of shaclles. At a meeting held March 13, 1867, the county seat was established upon Lots 8 and 9 in Block A, in the village of Tawas City. TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. The townships of Tawas and Sable were erected in 1857, at the same timle the county was organized. Tawas included all that part of the county in Townships 21 and 22, in the several ranges, and Sable included the residue of the county. The first election in each was held the first Tuesday of July, 1857, in Tawas, at the office of Gideon O. Whittemore, and in Sable at the store of Henry Daggett, at Sable settlement. The name of Sable was changed to AuSable by Act of Legislature in 1877. First officers of Tawas:- Supelvisor, Gideon O. Whittemore; clerk, George C. Beach; treasurer, James O. Whitteluore; justices of the peace, Henry W. Carey, Gabriel B. Lacorse, David F. Crawford, Alexander Munro; highway commissioners, Joseph Mattinson, Simon Andrews, Alexander Munro; school inspectors, Gabriel B. Lacor~e, Charles Hunt; constables, George (C. Beach, Charles H. Whittemore, John McCallum, Robert Campbell; directors of the poor, Thomas Whitctinct, Archibald Toner. Officers of Tawas for 1683:-Supe-visor, John Huston; clerk D. B. Dixon; treasurer, John A. Weckerly; justices of the peace, John A. Weckerly, Danforth B. Dixon, E. E. Williams, Wardwell Chase; highway commlissioner, Reuben Wade; constables, Christopher C. Smith, Adelbert S. Larabe, William Ramlage, William Phelan; school inspector, Samuel B. Laird. First officers of Sable: Supervisor, William Daggett; clerk, Henry Warner; treasurer, Leonidas J. Vincent; justices of the peace, John Earl, George H. Blust, Leonidas J. Vincent, Isaac Wilson; highway commissioners, Allen Tuey, Henry Harris, AmIos Miner; school inspector, Leonidas J. Vincent; constables, Henry Warner, Nelson Terry, Willis Roe, Deaton Selleck; overseers of tie poor, Albert Barnes, Amos Miner. Officers of An Sable for 1883: Supervisor, W. I). Horton; clerk, E. Dietz; treasurer, J. C. McDonald; justices of tle peace, Cornelius Dietz, John Worth, Malcolm McFarland, WLi. Hively; highway commissioner, D. McKenzie; constables, James Hanlon, M. Murphy, E. Hough, F. Willson. The Township of Alabaster was organized by tile Board of Supervisors, at a meeting, held March 31, 1866. Its territory was described as follows: Township 21 north of Ranges 5, 6 and 7 east. The first annual meeting was held at the store of Benjamin F. Smith, Monday, April 2, 1866. Benjamin F. Smith, Sherman Wheeler, and John Oliver were inspectors of election. First officers: Supervisor, Sherman Wheeler; clerk, John Oli ver; treasurer, B. F. Smlith; justices of the peace, James M cKiddie, Sylvester A. Smith, John H. White, George P. Fuller. Officers for 1883: Supervisor, Joseph Martin; Clerk, Benjamin F. Slingerland; treasurer, Kenney; justices of the peace, Alexander McKiddie, Richard B. Rollin, William Groff; highway commissioner, Peter Kenney; constable, John A. McDonald; school j A I L `C_ I i.; HISTORY OF IOSCO COUNTY. 123 inspector, Richaid B. Rollin; overseers of highways, John A. McDonald, John Preston, Richard Webb. The Township of Grant was organized by the Board of Supervisors, at a meeting, held January 21, 1867. The territory of Township 22 north, of Ranges 5 and 6 east, was detached from Tawas and erected into the new township. The first annual meeting was held at the house of Elias Marsh, Monday, April 1, 1867. Pardon Worden, B. F. Chappell, and William Webster were inspectors of election. First officers: Justices of the peace, Calvin J. Pine, William Savage, Andrew Ellis, William M. Webster; constables, Jabez Badgley, John W. Place. Officers for 1883: Supervisor, F. W. Latham; clerk, George A. Webster; treasurer, Barney M. Long; justices of the peace, Arthur A. Harvey, Leonard V. Bellmap, S. MI. Dillabough, Guy W. Firrister; highway commissioner, Wm. H. Bamberger; drain commissioner, Howard M. Belknap; constables, Barney M. Long, George A. Webster, Howard Belknap; school inspectors, F. W. Latham, Herman Brown; overseers of highways, George A. Webster, Barney M. Long. The Township of Plainfield was organized by the Board of Supervisors, at a meeting, held October 15, 1867. The application was made by S. W. Chilson, and twenty-four others. The territory included in the new township was detached from Sable, and was described as Township 23 north, of Range 7 east. The first township meeting was held at the house of B. M. Earl, April 6, 1868. S. W. Chilson, B. M. Earl, and Henry F. Odell were inspectors of election. First officers: Justices of the peace, William Rollo, William Lee, Anson Abbott, S,muel W. Chilson; constables, Henry F. Odell, S. J. Chilson. Officers for 1883: Supervisor, E.. Esmond; clerk, George A. Putnam; treasurer, Leander Gardner; justices of the peace JeffryVaughn, James Bain, Alonzo Knight, Thomas Carroll; highway commissioner, Thomas Read; consttl)bles, E. V. Esmond, Thomas Read. Baldwin Township was organized by Board of Supervisors, at a meeting, held March 6, 1869), upon application made by David J. Evans, W. G. Strong, and others. The territory was detached fromn Tawas and was included in Township 22 north, of Ranges 8 and 9 east, except Section 30, of Township 22 north, of Range 9 east. The first annual meeting was held at the hall over the East Tawas Mill Company's store, in East Tawas, Monday, April 5, 1869. Willard Hubbell, David J. Evans, and Charles H. Oakes, were inspectors of election. In January, 1870, territory was detached from Tawas, and attached to Baldwin as follows: Allof Sections 2, 3, 11, 12 and 13, and the northeast quarter of Section 10, and the northeast quarter of Section 14, in Township 22 north, of Range 7 east. First officers: Justices of the peace, Albert A. Gilbert, Lincoln Small, James K. French, Orlando Newman. Officers for 1883': Supervisor, Joseph Dimmick; clerk, Joseph H. Schmineck; treasurer, William H. Clough; justices of the peace, Joseph R. Staats, Samuel W. Chilson, O. N. Carpenter, Daniel E. Guiley; constables, John Britz, Jesse Ingamnalls; overseers of highways, C. L. Martin, Archie Parfit. Oscoda Township was organized by Act of Legislature, approved March 17, 1869. The territory included in the new Township was described as follows: Township 24 north, of Ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 east, and fractional Township 24 north, of Range 9 east, and the north half of fractional Section 3, and lot number 4 in said Section, and lots numnbered 3, 4, 5 and 6, in Section 4, in Township 23 north, of Rnnge number 9 east. The first election was held at the house of William Marks, on the first Monday in April, 1869. Inspectors of election were William B. Stewart, William Daggett and Edward A. Brakenridge. Officers for 1883: Supervisor, Sylvester Vaughn; clerk, John Ward; treasurer, Donald Chisholm; justices, Noah Hennigar, Henry C. King, Elmer G. Rix, Granger Hill; school inspectors, H. N. Loud, E. G. Rix; highway commissioner, James W. -Ferris. In 1872 the boundaries of the township were changed, so as to take in the Loud property, which had formerly belonged to Au Sable. Thompson Township was erected by the Board of Supervisors, at a meeting, held October 10, 1870. The application was made by T. F. Thompson, and twelve others. The territory was detached from Oscoda, and described as follows: Town 24 north, of Ranges 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The first annual meeting was held at the house of Thomas F. Thompson, the first Monday in April, 1871. Thomas F. Thompson, Alfred Goodell, and Samuel Andrews, were inspectors of election. First officers: Justices of the peace, George H. Lee, Joseph Simons, Benjamin Simmons, Alfred Goodell. Officers for 1888: Supervisor, Thomas F. Thompson; clerk, Samuel B. Andrews; treasurer, Jamles Thompson; commissioner of highways, John Butler; justices of the peace, William Patrick, John Butler, John McDonald; school inspector, William Patrick; constables, Thomas Thompson, Frank Simons. Sherman Township was organized April 1, 1878. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held October 15, 1877, application was made and granted that all the territory included in Town 21 north, of Range 6 east, be detached from the township of Alabaster, and erected ioto a new township to be called by the name of the Township of Sherman. The first annual meeting was held at the schoolhouse in School District number two, April 1. 1878. Mathias Sclhneider, Reuben Baistow and Edward O'Brien were iLspectors of election. First officers: Supervisor, Mathias Schneider; clerk, Edward O'Brien; treasurer, James Norris; justices of the peace, John McNally, Charles Wood, Otto Harrold, Reuben Barstow; commissioner of highways, William Drager; school inspector, Joseph Jordan; drain conmmissioner, Andrew Applin; constables, S. Pehllerson, Owen Trumbul; overseers of highways, John MecNally, John Bushau; school superintendent, Johnl MecNally. Burleigh Township was erected by Act of Legislature, approved May 1, 1877. The territory is that included in Township 21 north, of Range 5 east. The first election was held on the first Monday in April, 1877, at the house of Albert Rikely; and David Tucker, O. R. Croft and Albert Rikely were inspectors of election. Tiis township was erected out of territory detached from Alabaster Township. The first township officers wereas follows: Supervisor, A. W. Rikely; clerk, O. R. Croff; treasurer, Henry F. Neil; highway commissioner, David Tucker; justice, 0. R. Crofft-to fill vacancy, Robert Cruise, one year; Andrew Markle, two years; Henry Wilson, three years; superintendent of schools, O. R, Crofft; school inspector, David Relyea; drain conmmissioner, Henry F. Neil; constables, Sam. Brooks, Joseph Conway. Officers for 1883: Supervisor, Myron E. Horr; clerk, William Wilson; treasurer, Johnl Wilson; highlway commissioner, John Mango; drain commissioner, Peter Hottois; justices of the peace, James Meikle, William H. Wilson, Robert H. Martin, John D. Bullock; school inspector, David Tucker; constables, Fred. Hess, John Mango, Owen Trumbul, Jacob Stolenburg. Wilber Township was organized in April, 1878. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held February 20, 1878, the application of Alonzo Knight and twenty-four others, for the erection of a new township was granted. Tile territory was described as fol I I i --- ' t "-e SO W -I 6 I I 1 i i i i I I i i I i I I i i i I 1:.V. 1 '' I /,- - ~I 124 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. lows:-Township 23 north, of Ranges 7 and 8 was detached from the townships of Plainfield and Au Sable. The first annual meeting was held at the house of Loran Wilber, onl the first Monday of April, 1878. Nelson Stevens, E. F. Abbott and Melvin C. Falls were inspectors of election. First officers: Supervisor, Nelson Stevens; clerk, Melvin C. Falls; treasurer, Alexander Marshall; justices of the peace, Nelson Stevens, John H. Birge, Patrick D. Sullivan, George Daws; highway commissioner, Eben F. Abbott; drain commissioner, Francis Daws; superintendent of schools, George Daws; school inspector, Gilbert L. Stickles; constables, Samuel Stanl'on, August Cholger; overseers of highways, Samuel Stanton, Milo W. Stevens, Lawrence Wilber, Patrick D. Sullivan. COUNTY SEAT. The Act of Legislature by which Iosco County was erected, provided that the county seat should be located at Ottawas Bay. By anl ingenious act of pruning, the name "Tawas" was obtained, and the new settlement on the bay struggled under the title of Tawas City. Back from the shore, across the creek, is a square of ground, marked on the original plat, Union Square. It was first designed that this should be the site of the courthouse, but in 1867 the proprietors of the village offered to donate the lots now occupied by the county building, and the Board of Supervisors accepted the proposition and established the county seat upon Lots 8 and 9, in Block A. In 1874-'75 a desperate effort was made to remove the county seat to East Tawas. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, in January, 1875, a resolution was adopted to submit the question of removal to the voters of the county at the annual election in April. The proposition was voted upon April 5, 1875, and defeated. There were 444 votes for, and 557 votes against. COURTHOUSE AND JAIL. The Board of Supervisors at a meeting, held in July 1859, ordered that the room in the second story of G. 0. Whittemore & Co's store at Tawas City, should be used as a court room, there being no courthouse in the county. This place was used until the completion of a courthouse. The present courthouse and jail were built in 1867-'68, at a cost of $12,000. The building is located on high land upon the bay shore, and is surrounded by ample grounds. Uponr. the first floor are the various county offices, and the second floor is devoted to the use cf the Circuit Court. The basement of the building is occupied by the jail. The structure is of wood, and is in every respect a credit to the county. Several thousand dollars have been expended upon the building since its first construction. CIRCUIT COURT. Upon the first page of the Circuit Court journal it is written that a term of the Circuit Court, for tho County of Iosco, was commenced at the courthouse, in Tawas City, on Tuesday, the 17th day of May, 1859, The circuit judge failed to arrive, and no business was transacted until August 9th following. Court was held in the room over the Whittemore store; Judge W. F. Woodworth, presiding. The first case tried was that of Amos Miner vs. Archibald Phillips. The next court was held August 1, 1860; the case tried was that of William Daggett vs. Charles Harris. May 25, 1861, Judge James Birney held court one day. June 24, 1862, Judge Birney again held court one day. The peace and dignity of the State of Michigan and County of Iosco seem to have been held in great respect during those years, and but little business came into court. Upon what meat lawyers fed is not explained in the recorded proceedings of the court. It was the custom of the court to open inll due form at the stated time, but the Hon. Circuit Judge only appeared at long intervals. The next business done inll court after June, 1862, was upon June 13, 1866, at which time Judge J. G. Sutherland presided. This session lasted two days. In September following a two days session was hbeld. In June, 1867, Judge Sutherland held court one day, and Hon. Josiah Turner held court one day, on September 17, 1867. From this time, as the population increa-sed and civilization tightened its grasp upon this ambitious region, litigants multiplied and the cloud began to turn its silver lining toward the legal fraternity. In 1868 Judge Sutherland was present one day in May, and two clays inll October. In May, 1869, Judge Sutherland was present three days, and ill October, two days. Ill 1871 Judge Sutherland was succeeded by Hon. Theophilus C. Grier, who continued judge of this circuit until his death, inll 1872, when he was succeeded by Honl. Sanford M. Green, who held court here until the division of the Tenth Circuit, in 1877, and Iosco County became a part of the Twenty-third Circuit, with Hon. J. B. Tuttle, judge. This county is still in the Twenty-third Circuit, and inll 1881 Judge Tuttle was re-elected for another term. We give herewith a short biography of Judge Tuttle, as follows: HON. J. B. TUTTLE, judge of the Twenty-thlird Judicial Circuit, was born at Medina, Ohio, in 1841. He remained at home during his boyhood and received the ordinary educational advantages, afforded by the schools of his native village. After leaving home he attended Oberlin College, and the law college at Clevelaund, Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1862. In the Spring of 1862, immediately after leaving college, he enlisted as a private in the One hundred and Twenty-eighthl Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front. He was promoted through the several grades until he recived a captain's commission. In the Summer of 1864 he received his discharge, and being in poor hlealth from disease contracted in the service, he started north with some intention of stopping at Au Sable. When the boat arrived at that place he concluded from the general outlook that hlie would not stop, and made up his mind to return to Detroit.-Fromi Au Sable the boat went to A]pena where he went ashore, and being favorably impressed with the general appearance of the place concluded to remain until the boat made another trip. At the expiration of a week, his liking for the people and place had so increased that he decided to remain another week, and finally concluded to locate there permanently. This was in July, 1864. It is still related by the older citizens of Alpena that one day, while boats were being loaded with lumber, a stalwart looking stranger inll a capttains uniform stepped upon the pile, and without saying a word to any one began shoving lumber, and a few days later the same man hung out a sign upon which was painted "J. B. Tuttle, attorney at law." The circumstance occurred as related and it came about in this wise:-Laborers were very scarce and the gentleman with whom Mr. Tuttle was boarding had several vessels waiting to be loaded with lumber. Having nothing to do, and not at all afraid of work, Mr. Tuttle helped shove lumber for two or three days and thus rendered service no less valuable because it was gratuitous, and at the same time unconsciously added to his fame. At that time Alpena was an infant village, strtugglinlg out of the grasp of a tamarack swamp, but it was a productive field for a lawyer with the ability and sagacity which Mr. Tuttle possessed. He almost immediately found himself with all the business he could attend to, and very soon required the assisttince of a competent clerk. By com _u i I i I I i I i i II I I i I Q 1117, Ii;,r L k9. i.1 op .1 ' lJ J I D HI ISTORY OF O S C O C O U NT Y. 125 _ _ __ __ mon consent hlie led in all the public affairs in that section of the State as well as in his profession. He was the leading participant in the organization of Presque Isle County, and held the office of prosecuting attorney of the new county, and directed the management of county affairs. He was also prosecuting attorney for Alpena County, and the attorney of the principal corporation in that vicinity. In 1877 he was elected circuit judge, and in 1881 was nominated by acclamation for the twenty-sixth circuit, which had just been organized and included Alpena, but having his choice between that and the twenty-third circuit, he preferred the latter, and was elected to the position he now holds. In the Spring of 1882 he removed to East Tawas and purchased tile handsome residence upon the bay shore which lie now occupies. He has a wife. and one dalughllter. The latter is now being educated at Oberlin College, Ohio. Judge Tuttle's career thus far has been successful to anll unusual degree. He had distinguished himself as a successful lawVyer before going upon the bench, and in his judicial capacity lhas added to the reputation previously acquired. He is also largely interested inll real estate, both inll Alpena City and Iosco County, and by good business management has amassed a handsome propertyv. In politics as in other things lie is emphlatically indlelpendellt. PROBATE COURT. Tile first session of the Probate Court for Iosco County was held the first Molldaly ill March, 1859. Gideon 0. Whittemore was probate judge. Tile first entry inll the records is the application of Williiam Hill, of Alcona County, for appointllent as guardian to a minor son, nalledl Sam HFill. Gideon O. Wiittemore was succeeded in 1864 by Jalmes O. Whlittelllore. In 1868 David J. Evans was elected and he was succeededl by O. E. AI. Cutcheon in 1874. In 1876 Jamllles 0. Wlittemiore was again elected and still holds the office. PHYSICAL FEATURES. losco Counlty is bountifully supplied with lakes and streamns. Tawas Lake in Baldwin Township is quite a large body of water, and in the same township is a smalllll body of water called Crnliberry Lake. In Plainfield is. Loon Lake, and Long Lake lies botll in Thonlmpson alnd Plainlfield. Inl Grant is Sand Lake and in Oscoda is Van Etten Lake, near -which Howard & Van Etten built a saw mill in 1836. There are several otllher small lakes in various parts of the county. The principal streams are the Au Sctble, at the mouth of which the villages of Au SLauble and Oscoda are located; the brancllhes of the Au Gres and Tawas Rivers. All of these streams divide into branches which subdivide into n1umerous small streams which thread all portions of the county. Tile "Plains" cover a larlge portion of the county, taking in Oscoda anld Au Sable, the northlVest corner of Baldwin, the north edge of Tawas, a corner of Grant, a portion of Wilber, Plainfield and Tllompson. The word plains describes this territory better than ally multiplication of words canll do. Their agricultural resources are yet to be determined. The Will)er ditclh in Wilber Township is an important ilmprovement. It is three and a half miles lonlg, fourteell feet wide and three feet deep. It is to be completed by September, 1883. AGRICULTUREE. BY J. A. F. SCHEFFLER. It being sugtge ted tlhat ta canldid, fair and true statement as to agricultural resources of Iosco County, its soil, and actual chances for making farmers' lollles, be represented to the public at large, I lhave conclue(led to conmply with that request, and make a statement for the purpose of exhibiting the soil as we have it in this county, and the chances and facilities for turning what might be called a wilderness into happy homes for thousands of people who mean to be industrious, and live happy and independent lives, such as can be enjoyed only by the industrious tiller of the soil. Idlers and spendthrifts, such as live from hand to mouth, or claim the world owes them a living anlly way, had better look for a home elsewhere; this is not a congenial climate for such, nor will the soil yield ham and eggs to fill their greedy stomachs. It is this very class of people who may be heard saying, pshlaw! this is not a farming country and never will be. It may be set down as a fact, that whenever ally person claims or pretends that hlie is acquainted with the soil of this county, and states that the soil in Iosco County is too poor, that there are no chances here for making a profitable farnm, let it be understood and known, that that person is a candidate for the poorhouse, if not for the prison; at least be charitable with such, and think in your mind you are listening to the talk of an idle vagabond. Thle truth is, Iosco County has excellent soil for farming, and plenty of it, as further on will appear. The only trouble here is, and always has been ever since I came into this county, and started the first farm in reality in the woods back of Tawas Bay, where the county farm now is, that, although we have settlers, we have but few who are farmers. Such as are farmers, though they came here poor, to-day are comfortably situated if not well off; while others, though they occupy the land, yet their minds are engaged with the idea: well 'tis true we didn't make much at lumbering or shingle making, but it'll be better by and by. Now, as you have been made acquainted with the people, we will talke a look at the land and see howt you like it. It was inll the latter part of April, 1878, that my attention was c al1ed to an item published in the Sagl/insal, Curlirl (I believe it was the daily), headed "Michigan Soils," addressed "To the Lanld-owners of our State," signed by R. C. Kedzie, State Agricultural College, April 20, 1878, and was in substance as follows: "So little is known to the public of the kind anl quality of the soil inll the northern counties of the lower Peninsula, that the tide of immigration is sweeping by Mlichigan to occupy poorer lands farther from good markets. To bring to public notice the undeveloped agricultural resources of our State, I am gathering specimens of soil to be analyzed at this laboratory, and then to be exhibited at the State fair in Detroit. It is my plan to arrange the specimens of soil in large glass jars, side by side, a label attached to each jar, stating the locality from which the soil comes, the kinds of timber growing onl it, and the chemical analysis of the soil. In this way it is hoped that the persons attending the fair may directly compare soils from a large number of places inll our State. To carry out this design, I am obliged to ask the aid of persons of energy and public spirit in the various sections of our State in gathering and forwarding to me specimens of soil for this purpose. I want a fair specimen of the surface soil from each county north of tile base line. I do not want soils selected for their extraordinary properties, but only specimens which shall fairly represent the average soil of ally given county or district. It is very easy to select soils which will iLisrepresent the average quality of soil in a district, but such selection will be of very little value. In sending the soil, I want at least one bushel of surface soil to be placed ill a clean box or keg, aud marked so that 1 can identify the place from which it comes. The person sending the soil wvill please write-me at the same time, stating the locality from whichll the soil is sent, the kind of timber growing on such soil, and the route by which the package is sent. Send as freight in all cases. In counties where there is an agricultural * society, I suggest that the secretary take the matter in charge, and send on I I I I I l:z -1 D -P I 1 — _ -- - w;I ON ___ - 14 - - A I 126 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. the soil at an early date; it must be sent early to insure its analysis, because this is a slow process. Persons wishing further informnatioo in reoard to the manner of collecting and forwarding specimens, may secure such inforlation by writing to nle. If the land-owners of this State will take hold of this l-atter at once, I think something can be done to attract public attention to the great value of our unimproved lands for agricultural purposes, and secure a share of the immigration whicl now passes by on the other side." Professor Kedzie deserves thanks from the people of this State for taking such an active, practically sensible interest in behalf of the State. We in. this coulity have, and had then, all organized agricultural society, but that old lady was suffering perhaps with the mumps, and could not interest herself to assist the Professor. I was wanting to know something about our soil and what it consisted of, therefore, seeing no other way, I addressed a letter to Professor Kedzie, and he il reply wrote as follows: "Chemical Laboratory, Lansing,Ma 6, 1878. J. A. F. Scheffler:-Dear Sir-Your favor of 3d inst. is received. I am glad to receive so prompt and appreciative a response from Iosco County, and I very tlalikflllly accept your kind offer of assistance. I want a specimen of soil that will b~est represent the average agricultural ability or capacity of the most of your county. If the larger part of the land is plains, or timber land, let the specimen be gathered fron the one which properly represents the largest area and is a fair sample of its class. I only want one specimen from each county, because I could not properly handle more than one, since there are some sixty counties north of the base line. I should be very glad to receive a specimen of soil (of at least one bushel) to have marked on the package the township and county from which it comes, so that I can identify this among the large number of packages I receive, and be infornmed of the kinds of timber growing on such soil. From the kind responses I am receiving from different counties, I hope to make this effort a decided success, in awakening interest in the newer portions of our State. Very respectfully, yours, etc. R. C. KEDZIE. Iosco Coulnty, consisting of timberlands and plains, but believing the largest area to be timber land, complying with the request of the professor, I selected, as well as I could judge from the timber on the ground, what I considered to be a strictly fair average of the soil of the timber land in this county. In this I am now still more assured, from the fact that I have later come farther into the interior part of the county, and have found better soil and better timber, by far, than the locality from which I forwarded the dirt for analyzing. I took fron the wild woodland (which had been a part of the old homestead, 480 acres) as would be an average representation of the soil of the timber land in this county, about a square hole, top-soil and sub-soil, as would make a bushel, and forwarded the samne to Professor Kedzie. Later on I received through the mail, a circular, headed "Michigan Soils, and the results of their chemuical analysis; analyzed and exhibited by the Chemical Department of the State Agricultural College; " and the following is a part of the contents (referring to Iosco County) of that circular, viz.: "No. 28-Tawas, Iosco County, Section 15, Town 22 north, Range 7 east. Selected by J. A. I'. Scleffler." Timber; hemlock, pine, Organic matter, containing.10 nitrogen..... 3.18 WVater.................................. 1.90 Loss...................................85 100.00 This, then, exhibits the algrielltutral ability of the soil of the timber land in this county, according to rules of science, and here it may be said, comparing the soil of this county with soils of other counties nlamed ill that circular, this county has no reason for taking a back seat. The soil is there; all it wants is men to work and till it. Frem my owll knowiledcge and experience, having had farms in Wisconsin, Iowa, and in MIissouri, I am confident in saying, that ve have soil here that is equal to, if not better than ill either of those States. Well, says a croaker, lout you can't raise corn. To -mcll it can be said, I have raised corn here every year, ever since 186;4, and it mnatured every year. Having farmed here on but a small scale, nevertheless, besides raising other grail and feedingy stock, I have sold over a hundred bushels of -corn ill a season. It is not the fault of the soil, it is not the fault of the climate, it is the fault of manl when lie can't get corn to laature here. I have tried all the usual kinds of grain here, also tobacco, aind comnparing our harvestings here wvitl thle harvesting had in either of the three States above named, father and I, in the Fall of 1868, in com1 -paring the results of farm ing in the different States, botl cam-ne to the conclusion that Iosco Collnty was as good as aly of them. There are some plains hlere ill this county, the soil of wlicl, ls flar as I know, nlever was analyzed, though I had desired to have it analyzed, too. But these plains, though they were ill formler years settled in part never were tried as they should l ave been to find out whether they were suitabule for farming or not. Tllose that settled upoll them couldn't malke their living hadlthey been placed in paradise after Grandlmotler Eve bit into the forbidden apple. Pitchini horse shoe is a new way of faruling, but it was done by some of those very settlers, who hlave left those plains complaining that they couldn't make a living at it. Farming ill this coumty, it may properly be said, is il its infancy. It never was tried fairly and as it is tried and done il other parts of the State, but those that have stuck to their farms, made farming their sole business, are independent, happy and well off; and for that class of people there is room and land enough il this county for a good many more. DE SCRIPTIVE. In 1868, Mir. James O. Whittermlore wrote the following of the t wo townships of Grant and Plainfield: GRANT. "When tile first attempt at cultivating the plains was madle ill the Spring of 1861, there was no road made through to them. KIr. G. O. Whittemore took the old lumber road along the township line between Ranges 7 and 8, to Section 12; thence northwesterly, he cut a road through by the lands now occupied as farms by Thomas Dilworth aind John H. Tholmpson, and put ill the first crop of wheat oil the northwest quarter of Section 8, il Township 22 north, Range 7 east. In the Spring of 1862 he planted there a Spring crop of corn and potatoes, with a view to test the character of the plains for faraiing, and cut through the present rolite of the State road to the plains. In the Fall of the same year lie sowed on the same Sec-tion forty acres of wheat. "In the Spring of 18t;8, the first family that ever located upon the plains, that of Mr. George P. Vorce, made a settlement upon the farm where he now lives. WACell do we remember the morning: @:S; a) ff aft ff000:StC S aim S 00: l J 0 I ffy l f: I S: a:! 00 1 t f: l, 0 i::0::::: 9 beecb, maple. -.It e) I 4 F11; Ie Sand and Silica......................... Oxide of ironl......................... L im e.................................. Magnesia,...................... Potash............................... Soda................................... Sulphuric acid........................... Phosplioric acid....................... 76.00 3.41 1.14.49 1.80 1.16.24.83 It .4 -"* a J e ~a - - HISTORY OF IOSCO COUNTY. 127 I I when Mr. Vorce, with his household goods loaded upon a wagon and surrounded by his family, made the first start for the interior. It required considerable faith and courage to leave all neighbors behind and push into the wilderness alone, over roads that were almost impassable. Mr. Vorce, however, was an old campaigner, having seen service in the war of the rebellion, and regarded those new hardships as of small.account. Mrs. Amelia Vorce was the first white woman that ever settled upon thle plains, and it was proposed at one time to call solme of tile new townships Amelia, in honor of hey. We hope the suggestion will some day be carried out. The second house built was that of David Weckerly, Esq., alnother soldier, who had seen hard service in the Union arnly. When his house was first built, in the Spring of 1861, it was occupied for a short time by Messrs. Pardon Worden and Henry Sluyter, the pioneers of Grant, who resided in Mr. Weckerly's house while they built their own houses in the township of Grant. Mr. Worden is a venerable gentleman, of anrl age wh1licll would have discouraged ordinary men from a new enterprise; but he had a confidence in the success and future growth of the county, which no amount of croaking could shake; and, as a conseqnlence, he has seen grow up around him a large and prosperous community, with schlools, a mill, and an organized local government. About this time came into the township a young lawyer, who was a good, sociable fellow, who, with no experience in farming, and having nmade some mloney in the early days of the war, proposed to try his hand at amateur farming. He located 160 acres, hired a man, purchased a yoke of cattle, brought with him some really fine cows and younfg cattle, over a hundred lens, anld some true "Chester" pigs, a quantity of turkeys, ducks, geese, and farming ilmplements of all kinds. He rented a house in Tawuts City, aulld sent his nman out to plow up the new farm, taking one or two barlels of peas for seeding his first crop. But he soonl found that farming was not his forte, and that a man could not well prosper as a farmer, who lived twelve miles from his farm. The crops soon disappeared, the cows were parted with, here and there; it was considerable trouble to chase after and milk them; the Chester pigs made good roasts, and the fowls soon found their way into the dinner pot, and afforded good fare, while the turkeys m:atie it high festival times. When these were gone, our young friend, being thoroughly satisfied with farming, left to try his luck in some new venture. Mr. Sluyter, who came in at the same time with Mr. Worden, sold out, after a short residence, and was succeeded by Elias Marsh, Esq, who now has a fine farm and hotel, and who has a large amount of energy and enterprise, needed to develop a new country. As the road improved, settlers began rapidly to come in and fill the new township. "In the Spring of 1867, they had acquired sufficient numbers to warrant a town organization, and elected their first officers, and took the name of the distinguished captain of our armies. No lovlier scenery can be found in Michigan than that in Grant, amid the beautiful lakes, seven of which lie along the north line of the township, like a string of pearls. These lakes have water clear as crystal with high sloping banks and gravelly beaches. and around them stretch vast rolling upland plains, interspersed with groves of timber, and watered with innumerable creeks. Every one who visits them is charmed with the beauty and magnificence of the scenery. These lakes abound in fish, and many are the parties of pleasure which frequent them. We hope some day to see a well endowed institution of learning, a college or female seminary, located in this region. No more fitting spot could be found for such an institution, than the hills on the western shore of Sand Lake. But to come back from the future to the present. Mr. Stephenll Pettyes and Varnum Pettyes, with his sons, John and James H. Pettyes, have built a water mill on the Au Gres River, in this town, which has a I I capacity of 500,000 feet, and also a shingle mill, which can make 12,000 shingles per clay. "Mrs. Lucy Wakefield and Mrs. Thomas Cooper have built a hotel, which is doing a good business. Mr. Abraham Leach has also a hotel. The accommodations are made necessary by the great amount of travel into the western part of the county. They have a fine frame schoolhouse, built by Mr. John Waters, which reflects credit upon the character of the citizens. Our space will not permit us to mention the farms scattered about this beautiful region. We can only say that every year the crops are increasing very greatly in amount, and that every new species of fruit or vegetable tried, is grown with remarkable success. Clover, where sown, is doing exceedingly well. Vegetables produce abundantly and of large size. We saw a day or two since a squash, raised by Mr. Thomas Cooper, which weighed sixty pounds." PLAINFIELD. "This newest township in the county was organized and cast its first vote in April of the present year. Its progress has been very rapid for the past year; quite a number of new settlers have located farms, so that there remain only a few locations for the emigrant. This town has the same soil and general features of landscape with the northern part of Grant, and its crops the present season have been very excellent. Some tracts of clover are unusually fine. Wheat, corn, rye, vegetables of all kinds and fruit trees do well. Mr. Chilson, the pioneer settler of this township, has farmed it on quite a large scale, and, by an intelligent system of culture and close attention to his farm, has succeeded in producing crops that cannot be excelled in the southern part of the State. Some of the products of this farm have been favorably noticed in the press by visitors from other places. Mr. Chilson has labored faithfully for the encouragement of immigration, and for the success and growth of his township. His house has been very generally the stopping place for the many supply teams for the lumbering camps on the Au Sable River. We understand that Mr. J. C. Kearns is also building a new house to accommodate the increasing demand of travelers and teams. Messrs. Gray, Rolls, Earl, Abbott, Kelley, Martin, Bruce, Nisbet, Corser, Knapp, Lee, Gordon, Stevens, Clark, Rood, and others, have located farms of 160 acres each, and are all busily at work plowing up the broad plains which they find ready cleared to their hands, and many find themselves already surrounded by luxuriant crops. None, however, deserve more praise than an energetic widow lady, eighty years of age, Mrs. Elizabeth Bruce (we would print her name in letters of gold if we had them), who by working out as hired help by the week, the past Summer, earned money enough t3 locate a homestead of 160 acres in this township, and has gone there now, as she says, ' to show some of the young folks how to farm it.' Mr. John Gordon has but recently colmmenced farming here. He has this year one and onehalf acres of potatoes, and raised 100 bushels of corn. Mr. Gordon informs us that the potatoes add corn are ' the best he ever saw anywhere,' and that his neighbors' crops are as good as his." SHERMAN TOWNSHIP was described at the time of its organization, in 1878, as follows: "This new township, which will become fully organized at the coming election, embraces Town 21 north, of Range 6 east, aznd is located directly west of Alabaster. The soil is of a rich, deep loam with clay subsoil, and is of the very best quality for grass, grain and vegetables. Quite a settlement of thrifty farmers are already located, somue of whom have been there several years; others are coming and the prospects are favorable for a large increase in the population of the townslhip during the next few years. The farmers market a large part of their hay, grain and vegetables, at the! i1~ ] 7-00 0 - __ - Al fI.. -F f7 P. "i11 -) O 128 THE LAKE HURON SHORE lumber camps within and west of the townslip, and realize good prices for all they have to sell. "Among those who have made the largest improvements are Matthias Schneider, Edward O'Brien, Reuben Barstow, and several others, who have twenty to thirty acres under cultivation. Mr. Schneider hlas about fifty acres cleared, and raised forty-five to fifty tons of excellent hay last year, also 400 bushels of potatoes, 1,000 bushels of turnips, 1,000 heads of cabbage, and a large quantity of other products. He hlas seventeen head of stock, and will milk seven cows the comning season. Mr. O'Brien has about eighty acres cleared, and raises large quantities of hay, grain, potatoes, etc., which lie sells to lumbermen. Some of the crops were seriously injured by the heavy rains of last season, but a system of drainage is being contemplated which will add greatly to the value and productiveness of the low lands in that vicinity. "A good schoolhouse has been built, and good teachers are being employed. Up to the present the roads leading to this settlement have not been such as to encourage immigration, but it is expected tllt special efforts will be made soon to secure an excellent road from Alabaster through the settlemlent to the Au Gres River. "The new township will have about a score of families, and will start out under such encouraging circumstances, that a few years will, without doubt, place it among the foremost of our agricultural districts.'' ALABASTER. A descriptive and historical review of this important point was made in 1867, as follows:- " Alabaster is located on the west shore of Saginaw Bay, forty-two miles by course of steamers from the lighlthouse at the mouth of Saginaw River, six miles south of Tawas City, in Sections 21, 26, 27, and 28, of the Township of Alabaster, Town 21 north, of Range 7 east, County of Iosco and State of Michigan. It is, by course of steamers, nearly due east from Point Au Barques. "Alabaster is the only point of any pretensions 'on the shore' that does not claim pine timber as a. chief resource. Here the plaster beds are the basis of every operation and calculation, and if we understand their value aright, they will, as the country is developed, the means of transportation and communication improved and the agricultural interests of Northern Michigan advanced to anything like their proportionate magnitude, in comparison with the lumbl)ering and commercial interests, prove a most prolific source of wealth, not alone to their owners but to the great mass of those whlo cultivate the soil in all accessible situations immediate or remote. "The beds examined show anll extent of four hundred iand fifty I acres, and are so elevated above the bay that the water is drained off without difficulty. They are encumbered by only ani average of five feet of earth onl the surfaie, and have, as far as excavated, an average depth of eleven and one-half feet. Below this is a I stratum of black dirt, overlaid by four inches of lililding stone, containing fossils of rmarine f anna, of new species and very interesting to geologists. Below this is another plaster bed twelve feet in i thickness, and from the dip of the beds, twelve feet, as they recede from the shore it is probable the intervening shales will runl out, leaving the plaster in one unbroken layer of over twenty feet in thickness. The supply from thllis bed is comparatively inexhaustible, the product being limited only by the extent of the demand and the force employed. 35,000 tons have already been taken out, and tlhe extent displaced, from the upper stratum only, is scarcely perceptible. -: <"In qUal Athlis plaster is proved b)y thorough test to be the very best in tli;:market, and it is demonstrated by analysis that it is richer, purer, and better for a1ll purposes for w-hich it is required than any mined or mainufactured elsewhere. "Pine can scarcely be taken into account as an auxiliary resource at Alabaster, but 5,000,000 feet of timber is necessarily tributary to that point; but for building purposes this is made available by a small steam mill, solely to supply a portion of the home demand. "The plaster beds in the vicinity of Alabaster were first discovered by early Indian traders, who noticed their outcropping in the bay. In 1841, as soon as the lands were surveyed by the Government, William McDonald, an Indian trader in the employ of the American Fur Company, lmade an entry of a mile in extent of fractions on the shore. He subsequently sold portions of his interest to James Fraser, Harvey Williams and Alfred Hartshorn, who, supposing it to be of great value, made explorations along the beach, but they found no plaster. Hundreds of other parties explored the rolling ground in the rear, but not understanding the nature of plaster as a soluble salt, examined only in the sink holes and ravines where it had disappeared, alld they found nothing, though some of these explorers came within six inches of the plaster in their boring and excavations without discovering the coveted treasure. "In November, 1861, William S. Patricl, Esq., of Flint, Michd., conceived the idea of boring on the ridges, instead of the ravines, and found at once an abundance of plaster from two to five feet below the surface. He made the first entry of the tract now worked, which has proved to be the most valuable of any in the vicinity, which tract was purchased of him by the present proprietor, B. S. Smith, Esq., in September, 1862. "Seventy imen find constant employment in and about the plaster works at Alabaster. The propellor Edith, owned by Mr. Smith, is engaged solely in the carrying trade between that place and Detroit, where Mr. Smith has a mill for grinding plaster and an establishment also for calcimininlg;- he also has mills for grinding, at Monroe and Jackson, in this State. The facilities for handling plaster are such that 500 tons can be put on board in twenty-four hours. Mr. Smllith is doing anl amount of mercantile and other business in connection with his plaster works, but all else is, of course, merely collateral to the staple resource. "There are now in the way of building, at Alabaster, a hotel and mercantile building, 60x60 feet, three stories high, which will furnish accommodation for 100 guests; a steam mill, about thirty dwelling lhouses and the usual proportion of mnechaniics' shops, barns, etc.; there are also in progress a storehouse designed to hold 8,000 empty barrels; a cooper shop with facilities for turning out 200 barrels daily, alnd the machines for cutting the requisite staves and heading is being put up in the saw amill; a grist mill with two run of stone for grinding plaster; calcimining works, withl productive capacity of eighty barrels daily; also a large warelhouse onl the dock witli storage capacity for 15,000 barrels. As this is a favorable point for the trans-shipment of salt on vessels bound' up the lake, and it is designed this season to run a vessel between Alabaster and Wenona, it is expected a considerable carrying trade will be inaugurated in this business. "The wharf is to be extended 300 feet farther into the bay, and a railway track will be rin from the end of the pier to the plaster bed. "As soon as the improvements in progress are completed it is expected the shipments of plaster fromn Alabaster will reach a yearly aggregate of at least 30,000 tolls. "During each of the seasons of 1866 and 1867 Mr. Smith shipped from Alabaster about 10,()000 tons of plaster rock, and he has more arrangements to increase his shipments to 15,000 tons the coming season; and it is his intention to increase his shipments to 30,000 tons per annun in two years hence..-r. i I _I _ A - L- L — l --- t (a #I i. -._ __ K _ - - - HISTORY OF IOSCO COUNTY. 129 "The mean average temperature at Alabaster is 55 deg., at Kelley's Island, Lake Erie, it is 61 deg., showing but six degrees difference between these two points. This statement is condensed from accurate tables kept at each point by United States Government officials for the past three years." What was true of the works then is true now, except that improvements of various kinds have been made, and the business is extensively carried oln. THE NORTHEAST PART. In the Summer of 1878 a writer who paid a visit to Iosco County, wrote as follows about the County in the vicinity of Au Sable and Oscoda: "Contrary to the commonly entertained opinion, there are large lots of excellent farming lands back of the towns. Some excellent farms are being worked. Joseph Dudgeon has one of 500 acres, about 150 acres of which are under cultivation, on which I saw rye and oats that looked very fine. I also saw somle excellent crops on the lands of the Oscoda Salt and Lumber Company. One of the finest vegetable gardens in the State is cultivated by them. Last year they sold $1,074 worth of vegetables from two acres. There are good farming lands up the Au Sable River.. Almost the entire region drained by the Pine River is clhoice farming lands." STATISTICAL. The population of the county in 1860 was 175; in 1864, 395) in 1874, 4,575; and in 1880, 6,873. The number of school children ill the county in 1878 was 1,129, and in 1880, 1,374. In 1873 there was raised of wheat, five acres; corn, fifteen acres; hay, 546 tons; wool, 7,388 pounds. In 1874 there were 171 farms, and the number of acres in farms was 23,986. In 1876 there were 994 bushels of wheat produced from seventy-one acres. In 1880 the number of acres in the county was 371,200. In 1881 there were 1,282 farms in the county and 41,348 acres of improved land. TAWAS TOWNSHIP PRODUCTS IN 1880. The farm statistics of Tawas Township for the years 1879 and 1880 were as follows: There were 1,502 acres of improved farming lands in the township. HAY. Last year 621 acres of hay were cut, yielding 780 tons; an average of one and one-fourth tons per acre. WHEAT. 135 acres of wheat, yielding 2,021 bushels, an average of fifteen bushels to the acre. This year 234 acres of wheat are sown, anl increase of about 75 per cent. OATS.-125 acres of oats were cut last year, yielding 2,627 bushels, an average of twenty-one bushels to the acre. POTATOES. Seventy-two and one-fourth acres of potatoes yielded 6,225 bushels; an average of eighty bushels per acre. PEAS.-Sixty-eight acres of peas yielded 569 bushels. CORN.-Thirty-four acres of corn yielded 1,525 bushels. BARLEY. Seven and three-fourth acres of barley yielded 166 bushels. WOOL.-Seventy-eight sheep sheared 219 pounds of wool; an average of two and three-fourths pounds per sheep. Thiere were il the township 125 milch cows, valued at.................. $ 8,125 00 115 head other cattle, valued at............ 1,150 00 110 horses, valued at..................... 8,255 00 91 sheep, valued at....................... 271 00 81 hogs, valued at....................... 324 00 Value of Stock....................... $13,125 00 The above did not include stock under six months of age. The estimated value of farm products in 187)9 is as follows: H ay.................................... $11,700 00 Potatoes................................. 3,112 00 W heat.................................. 2,021 00 O ats.................................... 1,180 00 Corn................................... 610 00 P eas.................................... 569 00 B arley.................................. 166 00 W ool.................................. 65 00 $19,423 00 Value of Stock....................... 13,125 00 Total............................... 32,548 00 The State Census for 1874 shows that in Iosco County there were at that time 499 horses and twelve mules over one year old, fifty-nine work oxen, 244 milch cows, 102 other cattle, eighty-nine hogs, twelve sheep. Therefore the entire collunty in 1874, compared with Tawas Township in 1880, shows favorably for the progress made in farming since that time. AGGREGATE VALUATIONS. The aggregate valuations of real and personal estate in the counlty for several years have been as follows: In 1861 it was $129,250.37; in 1866 it was $1,144,123.32. For the year 1869, Alabaster, $285,105; Baldwin, $130,948; Grant, $217,945; Oscoda, $283,584; Plainfield, $61,772.94; Sable, $148,358; Tawas, $238,583. For the year 1870, Alabaster, $249,250; Baldwin, $'204,274; Grant, $232,004; Oscoda, $286,027; Plainfield, $75,930.16; Sable, $173,059; Tawas, $292,865. For the year 1872, Alabaster, $425,820; Baldwin, $178,324; Grant, $300,024.25; Oscoda, $139,956; Plainfield, $92,067; Sable,.$224,042; Tawas, $310,505; Thompson, $194,730. For the year 1874, Alabaster, $330,000; Baldwin, $180,000; Grant, $230,000; Oscoda, $250,000; Plainfield, $92,000; Sable, $210,000; Tawas, $268,000; Thompson, $210,000. For the year 1877, Alabaster, $118,000; Au Sable, $147,200; Baldwin, $144,000; Burleigh, $47,000; Grant, $89,600; Oscoda, $208,000; Plainfield, $72,000; Tawas, $121,600; Thompson, $33,600. For the year 1878, Alabaster, $70,000; Au Sable, $114,000; Baldwin, $144,000; Burleigh, $50,000; Grant, $89,600; Oscoda, $233,000; Plainfield, $72,000; Sherman, $50,000; Tawas, $121,600; Thompson $33,600; Wilber, $30,000. For the year 1880, Alabaster, $70,000; Avl Sable, $117,000; Baldwin, $160,000; Burleigh, $56,000; Grant, $96,000; Oscoda, $282,000; Plainfield, $70,000; Sherman, $56,000; Tawas, $117,000; Thompson, $34,000; Wilber, $26,000. Total valuation of the county, $1,078,000. FOR THE YEARS 1881-'82. Alabaster..................................... A n S alle...................................... B ald w in...................................... Burlgh........................................ G ran t.................................... Plainfield.................................... Tawas....................................... Thompson..................................... S herm an.................................... O sc< da.................................... W ilb er.................................... 82 000 135.000 175.000 57,000 100,000 70,000 130,000 35,000 58,000 300,000 20,000 $150,00 290,000 400,000 120,000 230,000 150,000 290,000 60,000 130,000 600,0(10 44,000 Total................................$1,162,000 $2,464,000 * F O t - >1f~ 4;ocl L.,4 I A Yp l --- - --- A 130 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. I i II I I i I I I i I i i I i I i i V()TE OF 1880. The vote of the several townships at tle presidential election ill 1880 was as follows: (;artield. Al'abaster..................................28 A u S;ile................................... 135 Baldwin.................................. 169 B.ur leigh.................................. 14 G ran t................................... 3( O scoda.................................... 217 P lainfi eld................................. 8 Slhi\or ial............................... 22 ' aw as..................................... 135 T htom pson............................... 10 Wil ber.................................. 35 T ot;il.............................. 80 ) Hancock. 20 140; 11(} 4 112 8 20 79 5 4 )513 DETROIT, BAY CITY & ALPENA RAILROAD. This road was projected by Mr. C. D. Hale, of Tawas City, as a logging road, In 1878 the Lake Huron & Southwestern Railway Company was organized with Mr. Hale as manager. Under his direction, the road was built in the Summer of 1878, from the Hale mill, at Tawas City, to Township 21 north, of Range 4 east, in Ogemaw County, a distance of twenty-one miles, at a cost of $90,000. Mr. Hale continued manager of the company until February, 1879, when the pressure of private business made it necessary for him to resign. In the Spring of 1879, the compaily made an assignment, and in October of that year, the road was purchased by Mr. C. H. Prescott, of Bay City, who had a short time previous purchased an extensive mill property at Tawas City. Mr. Prescott operated the road alone for several months, and then organized it under the name of the Tawas & Bay County Railroad. This road was mentioned in 1880, as follows: "Not tile least among the enterprises which are at present of benefit to the place, and bid fair to be the means of its future wealth, is the TAWAS AND BAY COUNTY RAILROAD. "On Monday a party of ladies and gentlemlen, composed of Mr. Prescott, the president of the road, with his wife; Superintendent Clark and wife; Mrs. John McKay and her tmother; Mrs. Johnson, of Bay City, and the writer, took possession of the only palace car on the line, and started for the western terminus of the road, drawn by a powerful little six wheeled freight engine, which has donle duty for two years without a repair, other than what has been made in a country blacksmith shop,which fact speaks to the credit of the builders and the care of those having it in charge. This road penetrates the pineries for a distance of twenty-five miles, its western terminus being in ithe southwestern corner of Section 14 of Town 21, Range 4 east, or about twelve miles from Summit, on the Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central. The extreme western portion is newly laid, and not yet ballasted, but by far the greater portion is as well ballasted as any road in the State. The superintendent, Henry Clark, is aln experienced railroad constructor and bridge builder, and he has worked the road-bed as systematically and skilfully as though intended for passenger traffic. That he has been successful is fully proven by riding over the road, as did our party, on an ordinary log track without springs, and the softest seat being a pine plank covered with a blanket. This fifty mile ride was made without fatigue even to the ladies in the party. The ballast is of superior quality, easily handled and forming a solid and impervious bed. Cross ties instead of stringers are used, and are placed nearly twice as close as ordinarily, thus compensating for light iron which, when so tied, is fully adequate to the service of a narrow-gauge road-three feet, two inches -and costs much less. "There are now two engines in use, one beingr used for makingll up the trains, and the other for hauling, running two trips each way every day. Another engine is being negotiated for, and will be on the track by the close of navigation, when the trips will be increased to fonur. Beside hauling logs to the mills, all the lumber sawed at McIvor's mill, and the product of a large shingle mill is transported to thle lake. Settlers, to a larg.e number, have already taken advantage of the.travelingl flacility afforded and taken up farms along its line. Thirty or forty men are colnstantly employed either in extension of the main line, of branches to sklidways, or in improving the road-bed. The entire work, from l,egilling to end, gives evidence that the managers contemplate not only perlnanency, but a great degree of service. THE FARMING LAND Through which the road passes is for the greater part of the way a mixture of clay and gravelly loam, of good depth, and, wherever worked, showing great fertility. When cleared of its pine it will afford the best of opportunities for those seeking homes. This railroad is now within twelve miles of Sumnmit —which was at one time considered to be a good objective point —and only about fifteen miles from Sterling, and if extended in thle line now projected, will approach the latter place by way of Maple Ridge, in Bay County, the territory around which is being rapidly settled. This route presents great inducements to Bay City, other than the transportation of pine, and is worthy more than a passing notice from those interested in the development of Bay City and County. "From conversation with business men in Tawas;1and on1 the Shore, we learned that the almost universal opinion is that the good fortune for the Shore has commenced, and that they are unanimous that the railroad is a boo00 not to be despised." In July, 1882, Mr. Prescott sold the road to Geo. P. Smith, Henry B. Smith, Gen. Alger and others. The track was extended to East Tawas, and the name chainged to thle East Tawas & Bay County Railway Co. Inl April, 1883, another change took place, by which it became the Detroit, Bay City & Alpena Railroad Co. The officers are as follows: R. A. Alger, president; John S. Newberry, secretary and treasurer; 'Milo Eastman, general superintendent. The Superintendent's office is at East Tawas. A. P. McCaul is financial agent; E. M. VanlFliet, engineer; C. C. Smith, master mechlanic. It is proposedt to extend tlhe track to Au Sable and Oscoda. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. This society dates from September, 1874. About that time parties interested in tlhe development of tlie agricultural interests of tlhe county determined to effect a county organization. August 20, 1874, about thirty leading citizens of tlhe county united in a call for a public meeting to be held at the courthouse at which, one of the subjects to be discussed should be the organization of a County Agricultural Society. The meeting was called for August 25, 1874. The mieetinlg was held, and it was decided to proceed with tlhe necessary preliminaries for organizing a society. Committees charged with various duties were appointed, and at a meeting held September 8, 1874, anl organization was effected. A constitu tion and by-laws were adopted, and thle following officers elected:President, C. H. Whittemore; vice-president, Sylvester Vaughn; treasurer, W. C. Stevens; secretary, H. E. Hoard. The next meeting was held September 22, 1874, at which subjects connected with the agricultural interests of the county were discussed, and leports presented. It was decided at this meeting to - w i,> w J L -- > fc, -E) - e-: t: id~ i:0:~ * 6 |L aI i I ei -.... - - HISTORY OF IOSCO COUNTY. 131 - postpone the consideration of holding a county fair until the next year. The next meeting was held January 11, 1875, and the meeting was so small that an adjournment was taken to the 13th instant. An election of officers resulted as follows: Plesident, J. 0. Whittemore; vice-piesident, S. Vaughn; secretary, H. E. Hoard; treasurer, W. C. Stevens. The first fair was held at the courthouse and adjoining grounds, Thursday, September 30, 1875, and was a pronounced success. In 1879 the present ground, or a portion of it, was secured and fitted up for the use of the society. The first fair on the new grounds was held in the Fall of 1879. The grounds contain eight acres, and are situated on the bay shore between East Tawas and Tawas City. The officers of the society are as follows: President, Daniel E. Guiley; secretary, Sibley G. Taylor; treasurer, John B. McRoberts. Directors:-Moses Minller, C. MI. Joslin, W. V. Penoyar, Reuben Wade, T. F. Thompson, E. YV. Esmond, James MIcvor, Nelson Stevens, R. B. Rollin, Andrew Murphy. DRIVING PARK. The losco Driving Park Association was organized in 1879, with Temple Emery as president. That Summer a third mile track was built by Mr. Emery. In the Summer of 1882 the association was reorganized and the track lengthelned to a half mile. This is said to be the best half mile track in the State. The capital stock of the association is $2,000. The officers for 1883 are, Temple Emery, president; R. E. Pratt, secretary; Robert Merrick, treasurer. THE LIFE SAVING STATION. On Tawas Point was built by the Government in the Summler and Fall of 1876, and first manned in November of that year. Tile keeper was Mr. Geo. Haskins. The station is well supplied with all thle facilities that usually belong to stations of this kind. The present captain of the crew at the station is Geo. W. Clough. IOSCO COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. This society was organized in June, 1868, at which time the following officers were chosen: President, H. M. Loud; secretary, R. B. Rollin; treasurer and depositary, James O. Whittemore. For two years previous the American Bible Society had kept a depositary at Tawnvas City in challrge of James O. Whittemore. No meetings have been held for several years, but the depositary is still continued with the treasurelr, James O. Whitteluore. The secretary is R. B. Rollin. COUNTY FARMI. In the Fall of 18,9 the supervisors purchased 320 acres of Mr. J. A. F. Schefflelr, in Tawas Township for a poor farm. One hundred acres have been cleared, and are under cultivation. Good buildings have been erected, and many valuable improvements made. POSTOFFICES. The following are the names of the several postoffices in Iosco Countv: —Acton, Alabaster, Au Sable, East Tawas, McIvor, Oscoda, Tawns City, Vine, Whittemore. SCHOOLHOUSES. Besides the schoolhouses in the villages of Tawas City, East Tawas, Oscoda and Au Sable, there are schoolhouses in the townships as follows: —Alabaster, one; Baldwin, one; Burleigh, two; Grant, three; Oscoda, one; Plainfield, two; Shermaln, one; ThompSOll, one; Tawas, two. THE SALT INTEREST. case, losco County being the only salt producing district in the range of our Shore history, we give the salt statistics in connection with the county, instead of making them a part of the general review of the Shore. The first well was put down by the firm of Grant & Son, as a test well. The block is now owned by the firm of Emery Bros. This well is said to be the best one in the State. The following report was made by State Salt Inspector Garrigues, in 1877: "The first well put down at this locality, East Tawas, wvas for Grant & Son. This well starts in the same geological horizon, as the Port Austin well, being just at the bottom of the gypsum- formation, with outcrops at Alabaster, and in the sandstone formation of the upper part of the Waverly group, and which at East Tawas is composed of sand plains. After passing through the sand formation, the borings show a succession of blue and red shales mixed with sand, until the sand rock is struck at a depth of 800 feet. Over 100 feet of this sand rock was found yielding all abundant supply of brine of eighty-five degrees by the salinometer. The capacity of the well seemed unlimited. QIA second well was put down at East Tawas by the East Tawas Mill Colmpany. This well, being only a short distance from the other well, passes through the same formations. It had about 100 feet of sand rock passing from this formation to the black shales of Ohio, which, as before mentioned, underlie the Waverly group and outcrop at Thunder Bay. This well also gives a very abundant supply of brine, actual running capacity of the well near 200 barrels of salt a day. Salinometer stands eighty-five degrees. Analysis shows great similarity to the Port Austin and Caseville brine. AU SABLE. "We now pass out of the Tawacs Bay to Au Sable, where two wells lhave been put down during the last year. The first well was put down by Smith, Kelley & Dwight. This well commences in the sand formlation similar to East Tawas, from which it is distant about thirteen miles. After leaving this there is a blue shale mixed with sand, followed by the red shales and some black shale, until the sandstone rock was struck at 960 feet, of which there were eighty feet. The supply of brine in this well is sufficient to make seventy barrels of salt per day. Brine shows salinometer strength of ninetytwo degrees. "Loud, Gay & Co. have also put down one well, and are now putting down another. The borings were as above described, but they were not so fortunate as their neighbors, and had only sixty feet of colltinuous sand rock. Thile entire depth of the well is 1,160 feet. Thile supply of brine is even less than the other well, being about sixty-five barrels of salt a, day. "These borings struck at a depth of 1,200 feet the same sand rock containing brine, which in the Saginaw Valley was found at a depth of 900 feet. The boring penetrated the sand rock about 100 feet, making the well in all 1,300 feet in depth. The strength of brine, as shown by the salinometer, was 115 degrees, but loaded with some impurites, which made the manufacture of a good commercial article one of great care. More recently a boring has been made at Manistee with results which indicate the touching of the same salt rock which has been found at Goderich, Canada. The well, however, is still incomplete, and it is too early to speak more definitely. " Again, in the Summer of 1879, he made another tour of inspection up the shore and made the following notes of his observations: "Woods, Pack & Co., of Au Sable, have just completed and put into service their new steam salt block, the capacity of which is 200 barrels per day. Dr. Garrigues says that at present the firm are producing only about 100 barrels per diem, on account of lack of brine. I 3 -11 -f -L 11 11? 3 The manufacture of salt is so closely allied to that of lumber, that ordinarily a review of both would be made together. In this I a I _ - r stm ^-A 1 - -~ 0 132 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. 132 - - SALT PRODUCT FOR 1881. They have six wells in operation, but the supply is limited to the product named. The salt bearing rock at Au Sable appears to be thinner than this valley, in some parts shoaling to fifty feet in thickness. The wells of Pack, Woods & Co. are some distance back from the lake, and Dr. Garrigues suggested that the yield might be increased by getting nearer the lake, and the firm are preparing to sink two new wells upon this suggestion. The result of the experiment will be watched with interest. "The Oscoda Salt and Lumber Company also have a fine salt block, and are turning out about 150 barrels per diem, the product of four mills. The yield of brine at these mills is better than at those of their neighbors, as they appear to have a thicker layer of the sand rock to contain brine. "At East Tawas the firm of Emery Bros. are turning out an average of 150 barrels per diem. They have but one well, and this yields an immense supply of brine, filling a tank at every ten hours of steady pumping, and it has never yet been forced to its full capacity. The lessees of the old Wicks block, Messrs. Tebo & Co., are turnfing out 100 barrels per day from one well, the supply from which is equal to that of Emery Bros. IOSCO BRINE SUPPLY AND SALT COMPANY. This company was organized in the Spring of 1881, for the purpose of supplying brine to the salt manufacturers at Oscoda from wells at East Tawas, a stronger brine being obtained from wells at the latter place. Four wells were sunk and the brine is carried in wood pipes, manufactured by the Michigan Pipe Company, at Bay City. The company is a limited organization, with a capital of $40,000. The board of managers is composed of Geo. P. Smith, Detroit; H. B. Smith, Bay City; W. C.Andrews, New York. Geo. P. Smith is chairman of the board, and H. B. Smith, secretary and treasurer. The works are located about a mile northeast from the village. Four wells furnish brine for salt blocks at Oscoda and Au Sable, and one block connected with the works, which is intended for utilizing the surplus brine and steam, and manufactures about fifty barrels of salt daily. One large tubular boiler furnishes the requisite amount of steam for running the four wells, two force pumps and the salt block. The steam is first conveyed to the drill houses through a three inch pipe, and returning through a smaller pipe is conducted to the grainers. Two men, working twelve hours alternately, perform the inside labor about the engine room and block, and in the operation of the whole works nine men are employed. Upon the premises are a large boarding house and several tenement houses. MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCT. The following tables will show the manufacturers and product for II A. McBain & Son.................... E. Tawas S. & L. Co.................. Em ery Bros.......................... Oscoda S. & L. Co.................... Pack, W oods & Co.................... G. P. & H. B. Smith & Co............. Total........................ 12,564 21,814 39,091 21,102 43,138 9,870 147,579 INSPECTORS REPORT FOR 1882. The followilng shllows the number of barrels of salt inspected in Iosco County, during the year 1882: A. McBain & Sons.................... E. T. S. & L. Co..................... Em ery Bros.......................... O. S. & L. Co........................ Pack, W oods & Co.................... G. P. & H. B. Smith & Co............. M. E. H ale.......................... J. C. Adams & Co.................... I. B.S. Co.......................... Total......................... 1,378 27,278 33,607 50,434 49,000 6,503 26,3382 14,339 2,796 211,667 INLAND MILLS. THE MILLS SAW AND SHINGLE MILLS. These mills are located in the Town of Alabaster. on the line of the railroad, about four and one half miles from Tawas City. The shingle mill was built by Alexander Henderson, in 1874, and purchased by William Mills in 1878. It was burned in 1880 and rebuilt in 1881. The mill cuts about 4,000,000 shingles a season. Machinery for sawing lumber was put in by Mr. Mills, last Winter, and commenced running the present season. WILLIAM MILLS, proprietor of the mill, is a native of Canada, and went to Alpena in 1865. In the Fall of 1867, he came to Iosco County, and engaged in lumbering. In 1878 he purchased the shingle mill as already stated. He is one of the pioneer lumbermen of this Shore. His residence is in Alabaster Township. THE Mc IVOR MILLS. The saw mill and shingle mill of James Me Ivor, are located in Sherman Township, and were built by him in the year 1878. They are located on the line of the railroad and convenient to pine. The two mills are separate. The saw mill cuts about 5,000,000 feet of lumber, and the shingle mill about 5,000,000 shingles a year. THE NEWMAN SHINGLE MILL is located in Sherman Township, and was built in 1881. The mill is now owned by Mr. E. Laidlaw, and is operated by N. and W. Ramage. The annual product of the mill is about 5,000,000 shingles. THE LAIDLAW SAWMILL - is located in Wilber Township, and was built in 1871 byLyman Spencer. It is now owned and operated by E. Laidlaw. ALVA WOOD owns a water mill, about ten miles from Tawas, which does custom work and cuts about 4,000,000 feet of lumber a season. He is building, the present season, a large shingle mill at East Tawas. THE ARN MILL is located on the railroad, about ten miles fromn East Tawas. It was built by John Arn, in the Fall of 1881. Tile product of the mill in 1882 was 5,500,000 shingles. Thepast season machinery for sawing lumber has been put into the mill. several years: FOR THE YEARS 1877-78-79. J. L. Wicks.....!........ O. S. & L. Co........... E. J. Hargrave.......... Emery Bros............ Smith, Gratwick & Co.... Frey & Tebo............ Pack, Woods & Co...... Totals:............ 1877 22,024 14,488......@ 7,206 8,835 47.. 548 47,548 1878..... 36,889 21,276 15,888 564 74,117 1879 38,688...... 11,734.... *.. 16,400 14,268 81,090 52,460 25,766 7,050 35,277 6,800 18,447 145,800 SALT PRODUCT OF 1880 Pack, W oods & Co.................. Emery Bros............................ Fray & Tebo......................... Oscoda S. and L. Co.................. A. W. McBain & Co................... G. P. & H. B. Smith.................. Total:........................ 1 (O 4 - T A4;;5 a. D I L- -- HISTORY OF IOSCO COUNTY. 1'33 I COUNTY OFFICERS. The following shows the County officers for the several terms since the organization of the County. Tlhe years of election are given: 1857. Sheriff, Charles H. Whittemore; clerk, J. O. Whittemore; treasurer, Charles P. Haywood; register, J. O. Whittemore; prosecuting attorney, Gideon O. Whittemore; probate judge, Gideon O. Whittemore; surveyor, Henry Daggett. 1858. Sheriff, Allen Terry; clerk, James O. Whittemore; treasurer, Benjamin F. Pierce; register of deeds, Horace D. Stockman; prosecuting attorney, John Persall; probate judge, Gideon O. Whittemore; surveyor, Henry Gibbons. 1860. Sheriff, -Oscar Smith, clerk, Sherman Wheeler; treasurer, Charles H. Whittemore; register of deeds, James O. Whittemore, prosecuting attorney, Gideon O. Whittemore; probate judge, Gideon O. Whittemore; surveyor, nlone. 1862. Sheriff, Patrick Murphy; clerk, James O. Whittemore; treasurer, James McGarity; register, James O. Whittemore; prosecuting attorney, Gitleon O. Whittemore; probate judge, Gideon O. Whittemore; surveyor, Allen Terry. 1864. Sheriff, William D. Horton; clerk, James O. Whittemore; treasurer, James Burton; register, James O. Whittemore; prosecuting attorney, Pardon Worden; probate judge, James O. Whfittemore, surveyor, James McGarity. 1866. Sheriff, William D. Horton; clerk, Fred Scheffler; treasurer, C. H. Whittemore; register, Fred Scheffler; prosecuting I attorney, Fred Scheffler; probate judge, James O. Whittemore; I surveyor, Alexander Nelson. 1868. Sheriff, James McGarity; clerk, James O. Whittemore; treasurer, Alexander T. Young; register, James O. Whittemore, prosecuting attorney, David J. Evans, probate judge; David J. Evans; surveyor, E. A. Brakenri'ge. 1870. Sheriff, James McGarity; clerk, James O. Whittemore; treasurer, Wmn. C. Stevens; register, James O. Whittemore; prosecuting attorney, Robert White; probate judge, David J. Evans; surveyor, E. A. Brakenridge. 1872. Sheriff, A. D. Shepley; clerk, J. O. Whittemore; treasurer, W. C. Stevens; register, W. W. Hubbell; prosecuting attorney, O. E. M. Cutchleon; probate judge, David J. Evans; surveyor, Henry G. Rothwell. 1874. Sheriff, Lymian B. Smnith; clerk, J. O. Whittemore; treasurer, W. C. Stevens; register, W. W. Hubbell; prosecuting attorney, O. E. M. Cutelcheon; probate jude, J. O. Whittemore; surveyor, Edward A. Brakenridge. 1876. Sheriff, Lymanl B. Smithl; clerk, J.O. Whittemnore, treasurer, Win. Locke; register, W. W. Hubbell; prosecuting attorney, W. H. Simpson; probate judge, J. O. Whittemore; surveyor, Alexander Nelson. 1878. Sheriff, Jolhn W. King; clerk, H. E. Hoard; treasurer, Wmin. C. Stevenls; register, Sibley G. Taylor; prosecuting attorney, W. H. Simpson; probate judge, J. O. Whittemote; surveyor, D. E. Guiley. 1880. Sheriff, J. W. King; clerk, H. E. Hoard; treasurer,W. V. Penoyar; register, S. G. Taylor; prosecuting attorney, C. R. Henry, probate judge, J. O. Whittemore; surveyor, Daniel E. Guiley. 1882. Sheriff, Clark Esmond; clerk, E. E. Williams; treasurer, W. V. Pelloyar; register, S. G. Taylor; prosecuting attorney, C. R. Henry; probate judge, J. O. Whittemore; surveyor, D. E. Guiley. win, Joseph Dimmick; Burleigh, Myron Horr; Grant, F. W. Latham; Oscoda, S. Vaughn; Plailnfield, E. V. Esmond; Shermnan, Smith Gregory; Tawas, John Huston; Thompson, Thomlas F. Thompson; Wilber, E. Laidlaw. SALARIES OF COUNTY OFFICERS. The early officers of the county received $50 a year for their services. The salaries fixed by the Board of Supervisors for the years 1883 and 1884. are as follows: Clerk, $650; treasurer, $1,000; prosecuting attorney, $800. The county also pays the jailor, $650; circuit judge, $200, and stenographer $300. PRESENT COUNTY OFFICERS. CLARK ESMOND, sheriff of Iosco County, was born in Jackson County, Mich., and settled in Iosco County in 1871. At that time he went into Plainfield Township and took up a homestead of 160 acres. For several years hlie was engaged in lumbering and farming, and still owns farm and timber land in Plainfield Township. He. was county superintendent of lpoor for seven years, and in the Fall of 1882 was elected sheriff, and removed to Tawas City to attend to the duties of that office. Mr. Esmond belongs to the democratic party, but was elected by a majority of about 400, althoughll the general republican majority in the county was upward of 300. He is a whole-souled, enterprising gentleman, and competent public officer. His family consists of a wife and three children. Mr. Esmond did good service in the army, from 1862 to the close of thle war. E. E. WILLIAMS, county clerk, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y. When about five years of age he came to Ionia, Mich., where his parents settled. At that place he studied law and was admitted to practice in 1874. Inll 1875 hle went to Oscoda and entered upon the practice of law. While there hle held several local offices, andt during 1881 and 1882 was dtputy county treasurer. In the Fall of 1882 he was elected clerk of the county and removed to Tawas City to attend to the duties of that office. Mr. Williams is only about thirty years of age, and is one of the progressive men of the Shore region. SIBLEY G. TAYLOR, register of deeds of Iosco County, is a native of Leroy, N. Y. His father was a Methodist lninister, and came into Michigan at an early day. He studied law at Alnn Arbor and graduated froml the law department of the University in 1863. Soon after graduation hle went into the mercantile business at Anln Arbor, and remained in the trade about two years. He then entered upon the practice of law which hlie continued at Ann Arbor ten years. Inll 1875 he came to Tawas City and engaged in tlh e practice of his profession in which he has been very successful. He has held the office of supervisor of Tawas Township, and is now upon a third term as register of deeds. The office of circuit court commissioner he has held ever since hle lhas been a resident of the county. He has recently finished a very neat residence of mnodern style, adjoining the courthouse grounds. Mr. Taylor is a gentleman who possesses the elements of popularity, and ranks as a successful lawyer. He belongs to the Knights of Honor, Odd Fellows and Masons. D. E. GUILEY, count y surveyor, is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and came to Saginaw in tile Fall of 1850 florl Ohio. Development in the Saginaw Valley had but just begun, and- Mr. Guiley may be properly ranked as one of the pioneers of the valley. In the Fall of 1870 hlie removed to Iosco County and settled in the township of Grant, about ninie miles west of East Tawas. He took up a homestead and made a home for his family in the woods. He was a carpenter byv trade, and lie followed that 3 (-;!A -1 w SUPERVISORS FOR 1883-'84. Alabaster, Joseph Martin; Au Sable, Win. I). Horton; Bald-.I-= i — -- -- - ^ r? __ t 9.ai i 134 THE LAKE HURON SHORE. r j~ 1 ~t~ -i-s ~ ---~ ~::::::: c~~ a portion of the time when not engaged in lumbering or farming. He remained on his farm until the Winter of 1883 when his house was destroyed by fire, and he removed his family to East Tawas, which is now his place of residence. Mr. Guiley is a prominent man in the county, having been connected with its public interests for several years. He was supervisor from Grant Township for seven years, and for several years was ellairman of the board. He is president of the County Agricultural Society, and is now upon a third term as county surveyor. He has a wife and six children. The other county officers are mentioned elsewhere in this work. VILLAGE OF TAWAS CITY. Tawas City is anll unincorporated village, situated upon Tawas Bay, in the township of Tawas, and is one of the pioneer places of the Shore. The name of the village was obtained by dropping the two first letters of the word "Ottawas," the original name of the bay. The "City" half of the village title was adopted in a sudden burst of buoyant expectation, during which the eye of faith was enraptured by glimpses of future grandeur, as it roamed the horizon. This village is the county seat of Iosco County, and contains four saw mills, two salt blocks, two good hotels, courthouse, several business blocks, three churches: Congregational, Methodist and German Lutheran, a large graded public school, a town library and several general and special stores. The county house, or poor falin is four miles from the village. It is thirty-eight miles northeast of Standish, fifty-five by water, or sixty-seven via Standish, to Bay City, and 165 north of Detroit. It is located near the northern terminus of the Detroit, Bay City, & Alpena R. R., (narrow-gauge), which extends twenty-five miles south westerly, and connects with the Mackinaw Div. M. C. R. R., twelve miles distant. During the season of navigation, steamers arrive daily from Alpena and Bay City. Lumber, shingles, long timber, lath, cedar posts, salt and fish form the shipments. THE EARLY HISTORY was sketched by Mr. James O. Whittemore, in 1868. Mr. Whittemore is unquestioned authority upon matters of pioneer history, and we quote from his historical sketch as follows: "The first settlement made at this point was by Gideon O.Whittemore & Co., in June, 1854. In June, 1853, the members of this firm made a visit of exploration to this region, and located a tract of about 5,000 acres of pine land, and secured a front of about a mile on this beautiful bay, which then lay in the solitude of nature. On this trip they landed at the lighthouse on Tawas Point, which was then just completed, having been built in 1852, and were hospitably sheltered by Capt. Colin Graham, then keeper. "One solitary hunter, Simeon A with his wife, lived at the mouth of Tawas River, in a rude shanty, dividing his time between this point and another hut on Tawas Lake, near what is called Sim's Creek, in memory of him. He was one of those men to whom civilization is a bane. His natural home was in the wildest and loneliest places, and he was feared and hated by the Indians, who always gave the one-eyed "che mokemon" a wide berth. This was not the fault of his character, however, for he was kind, honest and honorable. His wife was possessed of fine intelligence, and natural grace of form and manners, and with cultivation would have adorned ally society. "This solitary life, however, had no charms for her, and after a a yearor two, she left for a "white country," taking her infant daughter, the first recorded white child born in Tawas City. She was soon followed by her husband. There was still left, however, on the Bay, a pioneer who hllad long preceded his family. This pioneerwas Mr. Peter Hart, father of Mrs. S. Wheeler-a few scattered stones in the old garden on the west side of Tawas River, mark the spot where Mr. Hart placed his hearthstone, and reared his log dwelling; the first in Tawas City. Mr. Hart died suddenly, while sitting in his chair and in ordinary health, and lie was buried at his daughter's home in Alabaster. " The founder of Tawas City was the Hon. Gideon O.Whittemore, of Pontiac, Michigan, formerly prosecuting attorney and judge, in Oakland County, and secretary of state during Gov. Felch's administration. A Vermonter by birth, lie had all the energy of character and sound practical sense which distinguish the sons of New England. He was respected and beloved by all classes. At the close of ten years spent here in active business, he was attacked with heart disease, and died suddenly, on the 30th of June, 1863. The firm of G. 0. Whittemore & Co., purchased the site of Tawas City, and erected the first saw mill on the bay, in 1854. This mill formed the nucleus of a smalll village, which was surveyed and platted in 1855, and then included the Johnson property, so called, now owned by Mr. Gough. "The owners of the Johnson property being absent, the recording of the plat was neglected until July, 1866, when that portion owned by the Messrs. Whittemore, embracing some 300 acres, was re-surveyed, platted and recorded. In 1854, there was no road of any kind along the lake shore north of Bay City. "There were no postoffices south of Mackinaw, to which point the mails were carried in Winter, by Indians and half-breeds, on sledges drawn by dogs. In Summer, aln occasional message sent by sail boat to Bay City, would bring a few business letters, which had lain there for a fortnight, and in which the requests were out of date, and impossible te be complied with, and the information furnished in response to inquiries was always a week too late. The first postoffice opened on the lake shore, was at Tawas City, in 1856. Now there are at least tenll between Bay City and Mackinac. Through the efforts of Hon. Gideon 0. Whittemore,an Act was passed by the Legislature, in the Winter of 1857, organizing the county of Iosco, with the county seat at Tawas City, and creating two organized townships, Tawas and Sable. "The first election for county officers was held in July,1857. The whole lake shore being then entirely undeveloped-Au Sable being but a fishing station, and Alpena, Harrisville, and Alabaster not yet in existence-there being no roads to communicate with Saginaw, and none into the interior; and a steamboat once a fortnight being the rule, Tawas City grew but slowly, its population being but little more than that which its steam saw mill gathered around it. Only two years ago the town of Tawas, covering all the territory now embraced in Tawas City, East Tawas, and Grant, polled but fifty three votes, while now the population of Tawas alone is 1,000, the greatest part of which increase, has been within a year. Tawas owes its prosperity mainly to two causes. The first is its admirable situation upon a harbor which is not equaled on the lakes, and which gives it advantage for shipment over any other part of the lake shore, and makes it unsurpassed as a location for sawmills and manufactories. The second cause of its prosperity is the opening to settlement of the splendid farning lands, both timbered and prairie land, which lie back of it. To the west and southwest heavy timbered lands of the best quality, stretch back to Houghton Lake, while to the northwest spread nearly to Grand Traverse, those beautiful open plains which have proved so attractive to settlers. Innumerable lakes of the purest water, with gravelly beaches and high banks, are scattered through them, while the land is high, rolling and interspersed with young groves of oak and pine. Mr. G. O. Whittemore first realized the value of these lands for farming pur l;:; S:;::0::: an: I f ai;: He