I 171JAI t V, -ATL LL I -A -:LI j IIII - 4 CI I' -I Ul 1 - 0 l~ ~IV *~- A\~;,([~~~\,:~\~ 2\ _r _ v ~ t 'fi __= t ASTOR^ | +C: 01' 10 —I ll- \ A 'C UT \' iIi ^ i MICHIGAN, ~ l l WITf | 'W M ||SILSTjMHTlU) AND BlOUW^lfl SMlHTE S| I Bousfield, A. E..................... Bousfield, R. E.................... Bousfield & Co..................... Boutell, Gilbert.................... Boutell, Daniel.................... Boutyette, Henrv.................. Braddock, H. D.................... Braddock, E. B.................... Braddock & Bateman............... Braddocks, The.................... Bradford, James N.. Bradford, Charles.... Bradley, N. B........... Bradley, Edward...... Bradley, John E.. Bradley, F. E. & Co............... Bradley, N. B. & Sons............. Braldley, H. MI..................... BSradley, Charles H............... <.64.35.64 23.42 33.33 '00 '56 33 '29 '77 173 144;44 62 17.53 252 135 237 207 203 245 143 96 167 156 234 155 130 168 263 266 136 257 264 50 68 69 13() 205 117 117 265 163 164 157 139 207 208 1644 199 132 13'2 132 239 135 13() 134 183 133 134 200 240 83 278 279 48 49.136 136 I I I i I -I -, I - 0, M. I. -N -- - I\" V 7l -— J? a q - -!,- I - - CONTENTS-CONTINUED. 3_ I I Braley, Luman M................ 254 Braman, Jesse A.................. 201 Braumoeller, Conrad................ 155 Brawn, De Witt C.................. 162 Briggs, E. E....................... 146 Briggs, Geo. W.................... 157 Brigham, John Sr.................. 201 Brigham, Aaron G.................. 202 Brigham, John Jr............ 202 Brigham, Samuel L................. 202 Briscoe, R. J................ 50 Brock, Martin W................... 180 Brock, W m. M..................... 151 Brown, Darwin.................... 168 Brown, Frederick E................ 149 Brown, Lafayette N................. 164 Brown, Peter...................... 253 Brown, Samuel M................. 265 Browne, Frederick P................ 98 Brunner, August................... 206 Buchanan, J. G................ 131 Buckingham, A. E........... 153 Buckley, John..................... 141 Bullock, John...................... 268 Bump, Orrin.................... 99 Bump, Charles M.................. 99 Burch, Geo. F.............:....... 158 Burnham, S. E.................... 206 Burton, Baptist.................... 154 Burr, DeWltt.................. 266 Burr, Eugene...................... 202 Burrington, Capt. Riley M............ 151 Burroughs, E. E................... 143 Butterfield, G. W................. 2 88 Byerly, Adam.................... 1G6 Cady, George G................ 204 Callaghan, Patrick.................. 203 Callender, W. E.................... 198 Calvin, Daniel S.................. 157 Cameron. John R................... 204 Campau, F. X...................... 129 Campan, Henry.................... 199 Campbell, George.................. 137 Campbell, Henry M................. 49 Campbell, James.................. 202 Campbell, Robert J................. 148 Campbell, S. S.................... 65 Card, W ilder B..................... 159 Cardy, David B..................... 204 Carney, Richard G.................. 147 Carney, Thomas, Sr................ 75 Carney, William E.................. 152 Carrier & Co....................... 50 Carrier, Edwin G................... 50 Carrier, H.................... 130 Carriere, Emery................... 156 Carscallen, George............. 245 Carter, W alker..................... 155 Casey, Freeman G.................. 156 Cate, Charles W.................... 152 Catlin, A. D........................ 132 Catlin, Israel...................... 72 Catlin, W. B....................... 131 Catlin, W illiam.................... 76 Catlin, W illiam P.................. 151 Chamberlin, H. A................... 121 Chapman, Bidwell................. 138 Charboneau, Pascal B............... 144 Charlan, John..................... 158 Charlton, Leonidas B................ 253 Chase, Homer P................ 202 Chillson, C. C. C..................172 Church, Hubbard H................ 145 Chute, Bina...................... 273 Chute, Freeman................ 139 Clark and Cobb.................... 130 Clark, D. P........................ 206 Clark, Newcomb................... 171 Clements, W. S..................... 149 Cliff, Thomas H.................... 271 Clouston, William R................ 246 Cobb, George P.................... 122 Cole,. Andrew J.................... 243 Cole, Capt. Darius.................. 59 Cole, Elisha G..................... 258 Cole, Frank...................... 247 Collier, John H...................... 164 Collins, C. L....................... 124 Collins, John F..................... 161 Comstock, John.................... 163 Conklin, Benson................... 158 Cook, W illiam..................... 208 Cooke, Aaron J..................... 105 Coon, John H...................... 156 Corbin, C. F....................... 179 Corbin, David...................... 179 Corbitt, Jam e s...................... 295 Coryell, John...................... 152 Cottrell, C. B............., 75 Courtwright, Alvin M............... 161 Courtwright, Dainiel................ 162 Coyle, H ugh...................... 206 Craft, W. 0....................... 180 Crampton, W illiam................. 129 Crana(e, Thomas, J r.......... 119 Crane, Albert A..................... 194 Culver, Lemon L................... 151 Culver, W. H...................... 140 Cunning, Au ldr-:.................. 149 Crepit, Johll WA......... S......... 236 Cuiren, John...................... 159 Currey, Daniel R................... 143 Currey, William W................. 140 Curry, C. M.............. 129 Cusson, Edward.................... 154 Cusson, Joseph................... 137 Daglish, Dr. William................ 116 Daily, Michael.................... 29 Daly, Andrew....................... 163 Danforth, James C.................. 207 Danforth, M. C...................... 203 Davidson, James................... 162 Davidson, Capt. James............. 194 Davidson, William C................ 207 Davis, Jerome B.................... 277 Day, Solomon..................... 154 Dease, Charles W.................. 150 Decker, Horace.................... 246 Decker, James J................... 277 Decorte, Edward................... 151 Decorte, Joseph................... 163 De Courval, J. P................... 236 Dell, Joseph....................... 256 Deland, Capt. Leander............. 139 Demars, John B.................... 238 Denison, E. B...................... 119 Denkhaus, Henry.................. 130 D etroit, M ill....................... 50 Devlin, Joseph E.................. 162 Diehl, Charles.................... 264 Dingman, William.................. 244 Dolsen, Chapin & Co................ 50 Dougherty, John F................. 131 Dow, Hrenry S...................... 118 Drago, Charles..................... 158 Drake, John....................... 77 Drake, S.......................... 123 Drummond, Peter................. 279 Dunbar, E. L...................... 109 Dunham, Nathaniel................. 149 Duplanty, Frank.................. 162 Eddy, Avery and Eddy.............. 49 Edldy Bros. & Co................... Eddy, Charles A.................. Eddy, John F...................... Eddy, Joseph...................... Eddy, S......................... Eddy, Warren H................... Elliot, Joseph..................... Elliott, Daniel D................... Elliott, John H................... Emery & Garland.................. Emery, Henry F.................... Emery, Hiram A................... Emery, J. G...................... Emery, Nicholas..................... Engelhardt, Michael.............. Erwin, Dr. R. W................... Essex, J. T......................... Essex, Ransom P................... Evans, W illiam D................. I-ymer, George................... Fl.rquharson, John............ F.iy, W. L........................ Fcat'_ierly, John W.................. Fc:crt, John....................... t 1.C.er, Amo...................... Fcrguson, GeorgeH.................. Fcrguson, Walter.............. Ferris, Thomas.................... Filnn, Frederick C................ Fisher, C. D...................... Fisher, Spencer 0............... F isk, E. E........................ Fisk, Legrand H................... Fitch, E. S......... Fitch, W illiam.................... Fitzhugh, Charles C................. Fitzhugh, Dr. D. H.......... Fitzhugh, D. H., Jr................. Fitzhugh, Frank.................. Fitzhugh, William D........... Fitzhugh, William H................ Folsom and Arnold................ Ford, C. S......................... Ford, George...................... Forsyth, O. F...................... Fowler, E...................... Fowler, John.................. Fox, Thomas..................... Fox, Joseph S..................... Fox, William.................... Francis, Capt. Gregory............... Fran-is, Griffith H................. Frank, Ernst........................ Fraser, Hugh A..................... Fraser,, James.................. Freeland, Alonzo B................. Freeman, Chester H................. Fuller, Ferdinand.................. Fuller, W arren B.................. Furman, Lemuel................... Gaffney, John..................... Gaffney, William....................Galaneau, Thomas................... Galarno, W illiam................... Gallagher, Francis................. Gallagher, James................... Garber, John B................... Garland, M........................ Garrison, John................... Gates, Dr. E. H.............. Gates, S. G. M..................... Gayllainow, Louis.................. Gies, John........................ Gifford, Henry A............ Gilbert, L. A. L.................... Gilbert, Nelson R.................. 50 122 49 233 51 154 160 257 257 132 236 203 132 200 233 187 233 233 253 259 248 78 140 266 236 278 272 156 163 95 183 238 239 142 273 68 68 68 68 68 142 50 168 149 123 122 160 160 158 149 146 203 123 144 66 155. 61 259 199 160 240 229 157 148 273 244 237 132 263 121 48 198 247 153 139 152 - IV A&- ---- -- I+ r CONTENTS CONTINUED. Gilkey, Evander B...................... 168 G illett, H. M.......................... 124 Glaser, Charles........................ 198 Goeschel, Louis.......................... 126 Golden, John.......................... 199 Gordon, Joseph....................... 152 Gordon, W illiam...................... 150 Gorie, Geo. L......................... 245 Gorrie, William L................ 246 Grabowsky, S......................... 130 Gray, James.......................... 141 Gregory, Homer...................... 162 Gregory, John.................. 149 Green & Stevens...................... 51 Green, James A....................... 51 Green, Capt. Jerry F.................. 150 Green, Sanford M..................... 60 Green, W. B......................... 263 Green, W m. M........................ 181 Grier, T. C.............................. 62 Griffin, L. H.......................... 130 Grimore, James....................... 258 Groat, Jacob M........................ 277 Grow Bros.................. 124 Gullette, Louis........................ 233 Gustin, Frederick K................... 124 Haering, Frederick C.................. 141 Hagadorn, A. F.................... 203 Hall, Fred E........................ 236 Hall, George M...................... 236 H all, J. R........................... 236 Hallock, D aniel....................... 264 Hamet. O. F......................... 121 Hamilton and McGregor............... 48 Hamilton, Joseph..................... 158 Hamilton, Philip S.................... 141 Hamme, Frederick................... 161 Hammond, William D.............. 206 Hancock, Samuel...................... 156 H anlon, Peter........................ 272 Hannah, George...................... 206 Harder, J. M.......................... 130 Harding, Thomas K.................. 131 Hargrave, E. J. & Son................. 51 H argrave, E. J........................ 51 Harmon, Charles E.................... 204 H arqnell, J. L......................... 96 Harrier, Robert...................... 134 Harris, Lnman S...................... 246 Harrison. George...................... 180 H art, B. B................ I.......... 73 H art, Julius B......................... 73 H artranft, J B........................ 131 Hastings, Thomas W.................. 170 Hatch, Herschel H.................... 63 'Hatton, W illiam H................... 273 Hawgood, Capt. H. A................. 201 Hawkins, Thomas P................... 182 Hay, But an & Co.................... 50 Hayward(, W. B....................... 264 Haywood, J....................... 168 Hazen, James S........................ 246 Hazen, Joseplhu.l B................... 266 H eike, John........................... 153 H einzmann, C.......................... 78 H elbig, G.......................... 155 Hellmath, Henry...................... 160 Hemmtingway, Williaml............... 254 Hemstreet, George A.................. 157 Henriot, Peter A...................... 159 Heumann, Chas. C..................... 145 Hiesordt, Dr. F. D................... 142 H ess, H enry........................... 263 Hess. Samuel D................ 148 Hewitt, Calvin A............. 149 Hill, W illiam A...................... 258 Hinchey, Alonzo...................... 159 Hine, G ustave......................... 146 Hine, Theodore....................... 153 Histed, Rev. Tholm;s.................. 265 Hitchcock, J. R...................... 49 Hodder, W. J........................ 273 Hogle, James S....................... 152 Hogle, James W....................... 263 Holley, John H....................... 158 Holly, Frederick H.................. 150 Hollywood, John..................... 148 H ooper, E. J......................... 145 Hoover, Josiah........................ 141 Hopler, Henry W..................... 243 Hopp, Ferdinand...................... 162 Horn, Augustus....................... 243 Hotchkiss, L. L., & Co.................. 53 Hough, John A....................... 207 Howard, George, L.................... 207 Howe, Alexander..................... 253 Howel l, N............................. 133 Hubbs, Benjamin W................... 153 Huckins, Joseph D.................... 141 Hudson, Joseph...................... 233 Huff, Adam.......................... 151 Huff, Stewart A........................ 149 Hufnagel, Michael.................... 203 Hughes, Daniel....................... 154 Hulbert, Dr. H. B...................... 142 Huskens, CorDeliius............... 239 Hutchinson, Warren N................. 154 Hyman, Abraham..................... 129 Jackson, G. K..................... 144 Jackson, J. D......................... 132 Jacobson, Jons..................... 252 Jay, C. A............................ 122 Jean, Dominick....................... 200 Jean, Paul D.......................... 208 Jennings, Silas........................ 269 Jennings, William George............ 269 Jennison, Charles E................... 76 Jewell, Leonard...................... 148 Johnson, Charles M................... 279 Johnson, F........................... 52 Johnson, Swan...................... 201 Johnston, Edward..................... 279 Johnst'on, J. Madiszon.................. 138 Jones, David........................ 244 Jones, Hiram T...................... 277 Jones, John.......................... 239 Jones, Philip H...................... 244 Kaichen, Samuel..................... 124 Kaiser, Frederick A.................... 249 Karter, John......................... 15') Katthain, Benno A..................... 145 Kealy, Ricllard....................... 140 Keen, William....................... 147 Keenev, George W..................... 259 K eith, Alfred......................... 152 Keith, Capt. WillitmLn................ 128 Kelley, John.......................... 155 Kellogg, Oscar F.................. 131 Kelly, Thomas........................ 153 Kelton, Ephraim J................... 168 Kelton, John M....................... 168 Kemnpter, George F.................... 160 Kennedy, Daniel J.................... 147 Kenney, Thomas..................... 130 Kent, Andrew......................... 246 Keppe', George....................... 151 Kerr, Capt. James..................... 203 Keystone L. & S. Mfg. Co............. 52 Kiesel, John George................... 247 Kilduff & W right..................... 131 Kilduff, John.......................... 142 Kilduff, Pairick...................... 148 King, George A....................... 277 King, Capt. George W................. 167 King, Rebecca......................... 181 Kingston, Susan Triudo.................. 274 Kinney, Orrin........................ 137 Kittredge, C. L........................ 125 Klemmn, Conrad A..................... 201 Knaggs, Freedom W.................. 159 Knaggs, J. W......................... 124 Knecht, Caspar....................... 264 Knecht, Louis...................... 264 Knight, Nathan....................... 233 K noblatch, J,(~o, '....................... 148 K och, H enry.......................... 153 Koliler, John.......................... 204 Kolb & W estov A irl r-44 I c co N N r<^H j.: a~ h 6.1 T l - I. - I I : ~ -- -- Q (a ci I8 iK k i I 5 I 4 I 6 I I *I 4 117il4a I it., -i -"-r to - w — i /I, 1 N[ 1/ >c: i ~ i Xiid i 4 ii. o" 0J —. I -~ U - -- -- P j~; P~h 1~ " N m~TB 1~ (O c r,4 /- 9 r _ II M _ * _4 _- ~ I- -- I " ' '1_ sK * l 5.11 I I I If If t! ~ VI II Ln -I o.1 ckl I ii%,,I ----— I --- —- — — --- —r - -. --,, lr - -- IVsp cl " Ng IDI U;; It j < ^;i t;w. S; S $ 1 T^ 1 Sfl ^3E^ 19 % *: IW^ Pi s I~ ^.. iZJ. I -1 I-1 ce3 1 4i:-E $N I M +r —l I H, I r-4 Cli, -1 M. I I I -Idt O cr, c -1 All I + C11.1 r;q:LP flff~iv^..,,,,)N '.., -I. - -...I.H 1 1 II r-q -w 1-11 c ~ I L r-I,: ij 1-.-4 I-4tz i r- +!a - J CA M, - E r,, 3_ -"it" H. I l I it I i Go N\ C) // o QO r N I I ell _ C ~ 1s, _ A e,, I I r 1 -' *I t O~ ) co,, 1., pq 24 -1 pl I -- - -— ---I. - '.. -I.. ~P 1 r Ir r r 1 1: I ~ r CZ 4L Nct 4.10. 41 4c.h. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. l INTRODUCTORY. All American history, whether local or general, opens amid similar scenes, and its pictures have a common back-ground. Dense forest fills the space, and the moving figures are the savage and the brute. The lakes, the plunging rivers and the placid streams are unruffled save by the bark canoes of savage wanderers, and the storms of heaven. Then there comes a time when the rays of advancing civilization begin to penetrate the gloom. The approaching footsteps of the.pioneer fall with equally ominous sound upon the ears of the savage and the brute. The contest that follows is sometimes brief, though oftener protracted; but the interests of civilization, the destiny of a great republic, are at stake, and in the Providence of human affairs ultimate triumph must some time come to the founders of homes, the builders of cities and of states. Then "Toil swings the axe and forests bow, The fields break out in radiant bloom; Rich harvests smile behind the plow, And cities cluster round the loom." The spot where civilization struggled with barbarism for the supremacy is the Mecca of the historian. Thither he repairs with hurried step, to rescue the traditions of returnless centuries and of tribes fast disappearing. In nooks and caves and scattered mound3 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 the statistician grow bewildered with the results of years that have been few but fruitful. Prior to about half a century ago, this valley in its primitive grandeur had been the habitation 'of wild beasts and wilder men. The sound of the woodman's axe had never helped to swell the music of the woods, and the solitude of the centuries was upon land and river, neither of which had ever felt the encroachments of even the rudest civilization. When, in 1831, the French traveler and savant, De Tocqueville, visited America, he sought the wilds of what was then the "Far West," and selected the lower portion of the Saginaw Valley from which to make observations. In his ( Democracy in America," he wrote of this country with the pen of true prophecy when he said: " In a few years these impenetrable forests will have fallen; the sons of civilization will break the silence of the Saginaw; the banks will be imprisoned by quays; its current, which now flows on unnoticed and tranquil through a nameless waste, will be stemmed by the prows of vessels. We were perhaps the last travelers allowed to see the primitive grandeur of this solitude." Charmed by the scene spread before him, and his vision rendered discerning by a well grounded philosophy, he might have been able to say, " I hear the tread of pioneers Of nations yet to be, The first low wash of waves, where soon Shall roll a human sea. The rudiments of empire here Are plastic yet and warm; The chaos of a mighty world Is rounding into form." But even the imagination of a De Tocqueville could not have forecast the changes of fifty years. The "( silence of the Saginaw " has been broken by a chorus of industry that has rung in the ears of all the commercial world, and the forests of the valley have been transformed into vigorous and beautiful cities. INDIAN TRADITIONS AND TREATIES. The Saginaw Valley derives its name from an Indian word, O-sauk-e-non, meaning " the land of the Sauks." Three hundred and fifty years ago the Sauks were a warlike and powerful tribe of Indians who held undisputed sway throughout all the region of country now known as eastern Michigan. The Saginaw Valley was the most attractive portion of the lake region. Even as late as twenty years ago the high ground now within the limits of West Bay City was a favorite camping ground of the Indians, and was as charming a spot as the eye ever rests upon. Game of all kinds abounded in the valley. The buffalo, elk and moose roamed throughout the forests, and fish abounded in the rivers and lakes. ~ 'QPI., - II - I -l r J.: fe! MI tZ A: ~ ] l k9 _ __ _ ____ I - K T l ] THE S ULL SLAN MASACRE 10 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. r 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 call 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; lie 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 lie 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 w ith 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 Portsmouthlferry. 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 Stole'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 number of mounds filled with bones, which can be seen at the present day. They then came down the river and fought another battle on the bluff about a mile above the present village of Flushing, on the farm formerly owned by a Mr. Bailey. Here there is also a large number of mounds yet to be seen; if you should dig them open, as I have, you will find them filled with human bones. The next battle was fought about sixteen miles below Flushing, on the farm formerly occupied by the late James McCormick. There were several battles fought on the Cass, at what is now called the Bend, or Bridgeport Center, where there was a fortification of earth-work, which was plainly to be seen fifty years ago. The next important battle was fought on the Tittabawassee, just above the farm on which the late James Fraser first settled when hlie 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 extermifiation of the whole nation, with the exception of the twelve families before spoken of, a council of the allies was then held to know what should be done with them. Some were for torturing and killing, others for sparing their lives. Finally it was agreed they should be sent west of the Mississippi, and an arrangement was made with the Sioux that no tribe should molest them, and the Sioux should be responsible for their protection, which agreement was faithfully kept. The conquered country, of which the present Saginaw Valley is a part, was then divided among them all, as a common hunting ground. But a great many who came here to hunt never returned nor were ever heard of. It became the opinion of the Indians that the spirits of the dead Sauks still haunted their hunting grounds and were killing off their hunters, when in fact it was a few Sauks, who had escaped the massacre and still lingered around their hunting grounds, watching for straggling hunters and killing them whenever an opportunity occurred. Ton-dog-a-ne, an Indian chief who died in 1840, told me he killed a Sank while hunting, wh en a boy. This must have been over one hundred years ago, and up to a few years ago ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ V the"~ Illi n stil beleve there wa a S k in th icniy ago the Indians still believed there was a Sauk in the vicinity. They had seen the place whe re he had made h is fires and slept. I have known them to get together and not hunt for several days, for the reason, they said, there was a Sauk in the woods; they had seen where he had slept. I used to laugh at them, but it was of no avail; you could not make them believe otherwise. But to go back to the Indian tradition: The country was considered as haunted, and no more Indians came here to hunt, although game was abnn * -A(p Ad — I1 n _"- X M- & HIISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 11 I dant. Finally it was converted into what would be termed among civilized nations a - penal colony;' every Indian who committed a, crime would flee, or be banished, to the haunted hunting grounds (Sa~ginaw Valley) to escape punishment, for the Indian laws were more severe an~d strict than now. 'This was lono, before we became de~grded by coming in contact Tyith the whites,' said the Indian. The Chippewats becoming the most numerous, ftinally their language predominated, and to the present time the Indians in the Saginaw Valley do not speak in all respects the same as the Chippewas on Lake Superior, from which they originally sprung; showing that the mixing of different nations in the Saginaw Valley has been the cause of the same. Put-ta-gua-sa-mine said his grandfather told it to him. when he was a boy, which was ninety years before, and that it had been handed down to his gratndfather from his ancestors, and it wats a~custom with him to repeat it often to his people, so that the tradition or history should not be lost; and a successor was always appointed in case the traditionist should die, that the history of the nation should not be lost, and be handed down from generation to generation. I have talked with two other old Indianzs on the same subject, and their tradition is precisely the same, word f~or word, with one exception: they say the battles on the Flint were foug~ht by the army coming from Detroit. I have no doubt the above is a correct narrative-as much so as if it had been written at the -time andl handed down to us as a matter of history." Inz conzfirmation of the foregoing theory regarding the Sauks, Maj. Long, in his expedition to the sources of the St. Peters River, in 1823, on an exploring expedition by order of tile Un~ited States Government, when he came amongst the Sauks on that river, says of their origin that the Sauks have not always resided where they aie at the present time. Their tradition is that threy formerly lived upon.Saginaw Bay, of Lake Huron. They consider the name of their nation to be connected with that of Sag6inawBay, and probably derived from it. They have no account of any former migration, but entertain the opiinion t~hat the Great Spirit created them in that vicinity. It has been claimedi that the Sauks were totally exterminated in this massacre, but the preponderance of evidence is in favor of the account as piven by Mir. McCormick. The Chippewas remained in undisputed possession of the Saginaw Valleyr until the treaty of 1819. TREATIES WITH THE INDIA.NS. The first treaty of importance, which was made for the extinguishmuent of the Indian title to the soil of what now comprises the state of Michigan, was the one entered into bry William Hull, then governor of Michigan. as at terr~itory, and ex-officio superintendent of Indian afftairs, wvith tha natives at Detroit, in 1807, whlen a tract of land in the south-eastern part of the state was ceded by them to our government. Detroit and a belt of land adjacent to it, lying along tile river and lake, six miles in width, were not affected by this grant, we having before that succeeded to the possessorvv rights of Great Britain to tile District of Detroit, so called, which she had held for a series of years, co-extenzsive with the claims of her predecessor, France; and which by the treaty of Greenville, made by General Wayne, on behalf of' our government, in 1795, had been reassured to and made perfect in us. With that exception, the title to the south-easterly patrt of our state was obtained from the natives by the treaty of 1807. The northerly line of this gratnt included only small portions of what are now the counties of Lapeer and Genesee, and was a little north of their southern boundaries, thus leaving Saginaw River and its principal affluents, the Flint, the Cass, etc., entirely unaffected by the provision of that treaty. This portion of the s3tate remained in Indian possession, with the rights of the natives intact and unaffrected,, until the treaty of Sagintaw of 1819. Iu that treaty thet 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 flourish~ing valleys of the Satginaw and its tributaries. General Cass was commissioned to act as the agent of the general government in securing to it this important addition to our territory. He appeared upon the Saginaw,, upon the site of what is now Saginaw City, September 10, 1819, accompanied by a staff of interpreters and assistant. The conference lasted ten or twelve days, and witnessed many stormy scenes, but the terms of treaty were at length calmly discussed, and aorreed to. The harmonious adjustment of their differences was reached chiefly through the illstrumentality of Stephen V. R. Riley, an Indian trader, who married a squaw, and Jacob Smith, another trader. In the treaty agreed to, the Indians ceded to the United States all but 40,000- acres of their territory, reserved for the benefit of the tribe in common. Mr. Riley's children were regarded by the Indians as natives of the forest. During his residence among the Chippewas Mr. Riley exercised greatt influence over- them, and such was his power over them that it was found necessary on the part of the United States to conciliate him. before a favorable treaty could be made'. That was done by allowing himu to select six hundred and forty acres for each of his three sons, named respectively John, Peter, and James. He located his eldest and favorite sont, John, on a -tract one mile square, now included in the limits of Bay City. The 40,000 acres reservation for the benefit of the tribe in common was upon the west side of the river, on a portion of which WMest Bay City is built. From this it would seem that the region of country about the mouth of the Saoinlaw River was a favorite locality of the Indians. There were othler reservations for the benefit of different persons, including Mr. Riley's two other -soils, and the 11 Alf-breed children of Jacob In 1837 anothier treaty was m,,-de with the Indians, in which they ceded to the United States the 40,000 acres belonging to the tribe in common. Accordino, to the terms of this treaty thze government was to cause the land to be surveyed and put into market at $~5.00 per acre, and held at that price for a certain length of time, and thlen what remained unsold should be reduced to a minimum of $2.50 per acre, and the Indians to receive tile avails of thle sales after dleducting the costs of survey atnd sale, and a latrgre amount advanced to them with whichn to pay their debts. The chiefs who visited WC~ashington to perfect this sale were 0-are-ma-ke-ga-to, Ton-dog-a-iie, Sha-e-be-'no-se, Wos-so, Mose-gaskink, Ma-sha-wtly and Nati-qua~-chic-a-mue. The wshite men were Henry 0. Connor, Capt. Joseph F. Miarsalc, and Charles Rodd,, a half -breed, as interpreters, and Gardner D. and Benjanmin 0. Willianis. The result of this visit was thazt MSr. Schoolcraft was ordered to call a meeting at Flint, for the purpose of concluding the treaty, which was done. It was during this visit that President Jefferson presented O-ge-ina-ke-gat-to with the colonel's uniform, in which lie was buried, as described in the reminiscence concerning him. After 1837 the original proprietors of the soil in the valley-gradually decreased in number. Many went to the reservation at Isabella, and deathl thinned their ranks. Nau-qua-chic-a-me, the chief of the Chippewazs, after the death of his father finally took his band to Bau-gsin-ing, andl there died in Oct~ober, 1874. James Cloud, the Indian clergyman of Indiantown, on the Kawkawlin River, has been pastor there for fifteen years, receiving barely nothing for his labors. Fifteen years ago, he says, there were as many as 1,600 Indians i.1 &I,_~~ L G r m~ —o ,~4" " all. I 12 HI STORHY OF BA;Y COUNTY. I in the Saginaw Valley, while now there are Scarcely 900 in the ag~gregate. REMINISCENCE OF O-GE-MA-KE-GA-TO. The followrcing interesting reminiscence is taken from the Bay City Tribunze, of August 15, 1877: -"The discovery of the rgmains of the celebrated Chippewa chieftain, 0-ge-ma-kie-ga-to, was noted inI the Tribune of Thursday last. On Sunday afternoon we visited the residence of WF;illiam R. McCormick, and tooki 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 Judae 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 g,itherino, of 1,000 Indians on the Flint River, and du rino, all that time his hearers sat apparently spell- bound. At the time Gen. Cass was negotiating thle treaty of 1819 0-ge-make-ga-to, although only twentyv-five years of due, wats 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 tile later years of his life hle was often seen intoxicated, he never fully lost a look of conscious dignity wlhich 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 Tittabawasssee, and like Red Jacket he wore upon his breast a superb government inedal. THIS MEDAL b~ands, each governed by a hereditatry chieftain. These chief s formed a council which governed the nation and elected the ruling chief annually. 0-ge-ma-ke-ga-to was not a chief by blood, bu t 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 be 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 th~e later years of his life, when be became chief of the Tittabawassee band, to which he belonged. His power of oratoryv made him a great favorite with his people, and the fame of O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to spread far and wide. Subsequently, at tile ratifying of the reservation treatyv, 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 tlie Indians had become reconciled to the encroachment of the w~hite mail, 0-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 whichl surpass belief. 1Mr. M~cCormick says that about 1835 two members of the Tittabawassee band had a disaureement while under the influence of liquor, and drew their kinives for a settlement of the difficulty, accordling to the aboriginal code. 0-ge-ma-kie-ga-to, who was standing~ near them, immediately 'umped between the combatants and received a knife thrust in his side. The cut was so large anzd deep that a portion of h~is Eiver protruded, and in this condition he lay for several days. One afternoron he took a knife flag staff. As thle years rolled by this grave cover became dilapidated, and finally Mr. Thomas Stevenson, who built his house close 1by, obliterated it, entirely. When lie was buried there was nothing 1but an Indian trail along~ the bank, and after tile little house was torn down all trace of the grarve was lost, and as the land became;tilled it was plowed over. I 1) L,9, __11_1 __ ___1___________1________________________ JR ---m -.wl - 1 1 I ~R -S' ( -- - -- 0 I - I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 13 I I _i Search had been made for the last two or three years to find it, by Mr. McCormick and others, but always unsuccessfully. Its accidental discovery while digging a cellar, has revived memories of the old aboriginal monarch, and many persons have visited Mr. McCormick's residence to interview him upon the subject. The coffin was badly decayed,-nothing remaining but a few pine knots. The colonel's uniform, presented to him by the President of the United States, and in which he was buried, was found to be in a remarkable state of preservation. It was by this uniform that the remains were identified as being those of the noted chief. His little kettle was bottomless and badly demoralized by rust, and the medal was not to be found; but his tomahawk, knives, pipes, etc., were by his side. The remains were taken possession of by the man who was digging the cellar, and kept by him on exhibition for some time. His descendants, and other Indians in the vicinity, were much incensed at what they regarded as an indignity to a great man, and requested Mr. McCormick to take possession of the remains and have them decently buried. Mr. McCormick, who talked their language fluently, complied with their request, and buried the remains in his- own door yard. Mr. E. B. Denison, of Bay City, has presented him with a stone which marks the last resting-place of the once noted chief of the Chippewas. INDIAN STOICISM AND COURAGE. BY W. R. iMe CORMICK. For the particulars of the following tragic story I am indebted to Hon. E. S. Williams. It occurred while he was trading with the Indians at Saginaw, some time before De Tocqueville's visit, and about two years before I came to the Saginaw Valley. The event was witnessed by Messrs. Williams, Judge Jewett, Colonel Stanard, and others, and strangely illustrates the peculiarities of frontier life and of the Indian character. Neh-way-go was a young Saginaw brave, living, in his earlier life, at Green Point, which is at the mouth of the Tittabawassee River, and in his later years upon the shores of the Saginaw Bay. He is described as a model of native strength and grace. While living at the former place he killed a son of Red Bird, who lived on the Tittabawassee River. The relatives demanded satisfaction, and by Indian laws his life was the forfeit. He presented himself at the chief mourner's wigwam, where the warriors of the family of the deceased had assembled, and informed them that he had come for them to strike at his heart. He bared his bosom and took his position for the selected number to pass by him and inflict the knife wound. They passed and inflicted, as they hoped, the mortal thrusts. That done, and Indian usage being satisfied, he was making the best speed he could, with his streaming wounds, to his own wigwam, when he was struck in the back by a cowardly Indian, inflicting a severe stab, but, as it appears, like the other blows, not fatal. He was yet enabled to reach his own wigwam, some distance off, where his young wife was waiting, not expecting ever to see him alive again. She received him and bound up his wounds. He was restored after fearful suffering. After this event he removed to Kawkawlin, where he remained until his wounds were nearly healed. When he came up to Saginaw in a canoe, with his wife, to do some trading at the Indian trading post of the American Fur Company, which was then operated by G. D. rand E. S. Williams, he was not yet able to get out of his canoe and go to the trading post, which was but a few rods from the river, without the aid of his paddle to lean upon. B. O. Williams, who was there at the time, describes him as a walking skeleton. Some Indians were there at the time. They soon sent word to O-sou-wah-bon's band at Green Point, some two miles distant, that Neh-way-go had arrived at the American Fur Company's trading post. The Messrs. Williams were well aware that if they met there would be a dreadful tragedy. They therefore placed persons to watch if any Indians came from that direction. It was not long before O-sou-wah-bon and two Indians were 'seen approaching, while Neh-way-go was still by his canoe standing on the bank of the river leaning on his paddle. He was told by the Messrs. Williaws to get into the canoe with his family and go down the river. This he refused to do, saying he was no coward, but like a brave man patiently awaited the attack. E. S. Williams went and met O-souwah-bon and told him he must go into the store, as he wanted to see him. After he was inside the door was closed and he was told that they knew his business and that he must now give up his knives. He reluctantly drew his knife from his sheath and handed it to B. O. Williams. They asked him if he had any more, and if so to give them up or they would search him. He finally pulled out another which he had concealed down his back. They then asked him if he had any more. He said "No," when E. S. Williams said they would have to search him, which he refused to submit to. Mr. Williams clinched him, and with the assistance of B. O. Williams, now of Owosso, and some others, after a severe struggle, as O-souwah-bon was a very powerful man, they threw him on the floor. While B. O. Williams and some others were holding him, E. S. Williams commenced the search, and inside of his leggin they found a large knife, a very formidable weapon, and as sharp as a razor. When Mr. Williams drew it from his leggin he caught it by the blade and refused to give it up; the result was, before they could wrench it from his grasp it had nearly severed his hand in two. They then let him up and dressed his wound. While this proceeding was going on B. O. Williams and another person slipped out of the back door and found Neh-way-go still standing on the shore leaning on his paddle, awaiting the attack, while his wife was sitting in the canoe crying. They told him to get into his canoe and be off, which he refused to do, repeating he was no coward. They then took him by main force, put him into the canoe with his wife, and shoved it from the shore and ordered his wife to paddle him home, and not to come back again. He returned to his home on the Kawkawlin, where he soon after fully recovered from his wounds. Afterwards, finding upon his hunting ground the coward who had inflicted upon him the wound in the back, he summarily visited him with Indian vengeance,-death. Soon after the Indians were assembled in large numbers at Saginaw at an Indian payment, when an altercation ensued between Black Beaver, an Indian of considerable note, and the brave Neh-way-go. The former reproached him with the outrage he had committed upon the Indian who had struck him in the back. Neh-way-go defended the act as just and brave; the reproof was repeated, and upon the instant he slew Black Beaver. This was at the upper end, where the city of East Saginaw stands, nearwhere the upper bridge crosses the river, in the vicinity of the old Curtis-Emerson mill. Black Beaver and his band were here encamped. On the west side of the river, on the open plain near where the residence of E. J. Ring now stands, Neh-way-go and his band wvere 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 bya friend, secreted himself in the woods upon what is now the site of the city of East Saginaw. He preferred to trust himself on the same side of! 14- -v- r,; 14 HISTORY OF~E BAY COUNTY.Y the river with the tribe whose leading warrior he had stricken down than to endure the mortification of Iarrest and punishment of the w~hite' man's laws. He sent word to two of his white friends, Antoine Campau and Ephrainn S. Williams, desiring them to cross the river and come to the woods in which he. was secreted, when by giving a signal be would come to them. They did so and he soon made his appearance. H3e informed them that he had sent for them f or advice; that the white man's punishment (imprisounient) 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 aff air take the course warranted by Indian usage. The arrest bv the officer was waived and he presented himself at his own campp openly. The hour for thle burial of Black Beaver arrived. An immrense number of Indians, from two to three thousand, were present —as it was Indian-payinlent at Saginaw at the time —as mourners and spectators. The place of burial was 'ust below the old Campau house ing ground in a personal encounter wvithl a relative of one of his victimns. 1792, a grandfather of Joseph Trombley, of W~est BLay City, and Medor Trombley, of South Bay City, was a trader along these shores, and became a victim at the bands 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 smatll 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 circumustances: — 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 tile spearmlaker was stabbed in the back, and had to take to one of his boats, in which he set sail f or Detroit. On his way there he fell or was knzocked overboard, being wounded and weaki, and was drowned. After he was gone the Indians destroyed his remaining vessel-, which was on the stocks uncompleted, and made way with his effFects. Gassette Trombley, an uncle of Joseph and Medor Tromnbley, was also a trader here, about the same time, and was (,it one time " Indian farmer." An Indian farmer was one employed by the government to teach Indians how to cultivate their land. This was South Bay City, along in 1831-'32. He was also a trader. FIRST RESIDENTS OF BAY COUNTY.. Who the first settler of any given locality may have been, is not of itself a matter of material or historic value, that the question should be determined with exactness. But there is a natural, cun — I li S' I G7 — EARLY TRADERS A~ND FIRST RESIDENTS. The Saginaw River was visited by white men, long before anyy lodgment was made within the present limits of Bay County. In r -— L 4 - M? Corm ck-Residence. -Cor24& Water Sts. Bay City. FIRST FRAME HOUSE IN BAY CO. BUILT 1836. RES. OF W. R. MC CORMICK ESQ. BAY CITY - 107 MC CORMICK ST. I CO LI 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 iu 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 s"horny-handed sons of toil." After he had built his house and cleared his half acre he planted a patch of potatoes in order to have some for his next Winter's supply at hand. On leaving for Detroit, where his family lived, he made arrangements with an Indian and his squaw to hoe and take care of his potatoes through the Summer of 1831. In the Fall, on arriving at his house with his family, Mr. Trombley discovered, to his astonishment and great disappointment, that the potatoes had not been hoed or cultivated at all, and mourned over the instability of character of the red man and his want of the expected supply of potatoes, and paid but little attention to them for some time. After getting well settled in his home it occurred to him that there miglht 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 it 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 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 Trombleyhas 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 *: X: I[ i IIi i I I i i j i i 4 Ii i I I i i i I i 41 I i i i I I I I,v I- ----- 4 11r-0 I(9 '5 16 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 he entered the lands, Maj. Causley being United States land agent at that time. Michigan was then a territory, and Gen. Lewis Cass the governor. This land was afterwards a part of the township of Portsmouth, and is now within the corporate limits of Bay City. From 1830 to 1835 he was in the employ of the American Fur Company, as a fur buyer, and in the prosecution of which business 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 fronting on the river. In 1845 he built a frame house upon his last purchase, which is still standing near the Wooden Ware Works in South Bay City. August 26, 1847, he married Miss Sarah McCormick, daughter of James McCormick, a well known pioneer. They were married according to the simple style of those days, and their wedding tour was the journey of life, which they are still continuing. They commenced keeping house in the home Mr. Trombley had built two years previous. After Mr. Trombley had taken possession of his land, he proceeded to look it over, and found it mostly swamp, and, as it looked to him then, just about worthless. After going out of trade he turned his attention to hunting and fishing, more especially the latter. Subsequently he gave some attention to farming, and as the settlements began to thicken, his land came to have a value which has been increasing ever since. For many years he has devoted his attention to the management of his real estate interests, which are still large. Mr. Trombley has been one of the hardy pioneers. In his younger days few men would care to compete with him in physical exertion, and even now, though seventy years of age, the recollection of younger days will sometimes quicken his step, and he will walk a half mile at a rate of speed that 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. INCIDENTS OF JOSEPH TROMBLEY. W. R. McCormick relates the following incidents of Joseph Trombley's early life. He says: "Mr. Tromubley was the finest specimen of a man, when I first became acquainted with him, fortyfive years ago, that I ever saw. He was about six feet, weighing about 190 pounds, and at that time was considered one of the most athletic men in northern Michigan. "Among, the Indians at this time athletic sports were held in high esteem, and he who could travel the greatest distance in a day, was considered a great man. Mr. Trombley had been brought up with the Indians and had followed the life of an Indianll trader from boyhood. There was not anll Indian in the tribe that he could not out-runll, 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 manll, he started from his home eight miles above Detroit, with a pack on his back and with moccasins on his feet, and arrived at Flint at four o'clock of the same day, with no road after leaving Pontiac but an Indian trail,-a distance of seventy miles. The next day he arrived at his uncle's at Crow Island, just as the family were sitting down to dinner-a distance of thirty-six miles on an Indian trail. "Here is another incident in Mr. Trombley's life: — Mr. Thomas Simpson, who in his after life was called by the early settlers, Lexa-bo-ga, had been editor, printer and lawyer, was first editor of the Western Emigrant, published at Ann Arbor, in 1829, afterwards editor of the Oakland Chronicle, published at Pontiac, in 1830. Mr. Simpson was one of the most athletic men I ever saw. I J (Qj I ---- 0 -"S. An. i;1 t * i i: 1 i~S 19 I P) lb.. HECISTORYli OF BAY COUNTY. 17 He used to boast that be was never put on his back in his life. He had the name of being the smartest man in northern Michigan, in athletic sports in those early days. Soon after coming to Saginaw he said he would like to meet that man Trombley, he had heard so much about. An. opportunity soon occurred. Joseph Trombley came up to Saginaw one day, to do some business with the American Fur Company. It was soon noised around the little hamlet thlat Joseph Trombley was in town, and that there would be some f-Lm. Mr. Simpson, alias -texaboga, was informed, and soon made his appearance at the American Fur Compay's store, to meet the main he had heard so much about. He was introduced to Mr. Trombley, whom he challexlged to aR tria~l of strengtrh and sulill i; wrestling.r Mr. Trombley said he was no wrestler, but would try him running either for one mile or fifty, for $100. Mr. tSimpson weighed about two hundred pounds, was six feet two inches high, without an inch of waste flesh about him —all sinew and muscle, —while Trombley only weighed one hundred atnd ninety pounds,aild stood about six feet high. Trombley was afraid to take hold of so powerful a man. By this time most all the inhabitants had come to see the fun But ifI did not w~restle with him the people would laugh at me,' said Trombley. 'I took hold of him and I might as well have taken hold of an ox, he was so strong, but after a long while, by a diexterous effort I threw him on his back. This did -.-ot suit the crowd, as they had bet heavily on their favorite. He appeared to bemuch chagrined, but to retreive 2lis character he said he would try me back hold, a favorite way of' Indian wrestling, w~hich I hadi been accustomed to from boyhood, with the Indians,-wmhich pleased me much, for I was afraid he would challlenge me again at arms length. I readily con — sented- to take himt ba~ck hold. We took hold and I threw him four times before he gave up.' Thus ended Mr. Simpson's (Lexaboga's) wrestling; for, said he, 'I will never wrestle again,'and he never did. Tlhis is to show the wonderful endurance and( strength the mail possessed i~n his youngn days, who could go from Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, to Flint, and returng thle same day, on an In3dian trail and afoot, a distance of ninety miles. beating his opponent on horsebackr over thirty-four miles-a- feat tha 't Very. few men in America could accomplish. I have seen. Mr.. Trombley when a young man take a large wTolf out of the trap, put a crotchedi stick over his neck, tie his mouth and legs, put hi127 on his shoulders and bring him homre alive." FIRST SYMPTOMLS OF TOWVNS. THE FEVER OF SPECULATION. By 1836i the spirit of land speculation, that bald 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 tile United States to be withheld from the old United States Ba,-ik and depositedl with the state banks, large amounts accumulatted in the vaults of the latter, which Presidient Jacks~on encouraged the banks to loan to individuatls by saying that it was by means of the trade of the merchants in paying the import duties on their merchandise into the treasurv thalt the money bad accumulatedl, and it was no more than right that they sllonld have the use of the money to facilitate the operations of their business. But by this hlint to the bankss they were not particulrlr as to the business whichl the parties were engaged in who desired loans, andn almost anyone who was thoughtt shrewd enough to make a good speculation by investing money could obtain loans. After the money was borrowed thle point was to make a profitable investment of it, and nothing looked. more attractive than the virgin soil of the W~est, where Uncle Sarn possessed millions of broad acres which he would dispose of i 1 C!el of forty acres or in other subdivisions of sections+;at the rate of $1.25 per acre. Michigain was then, in 1836, considered the El Dorado of the West. A heavy emigration from New York and the New England States had for three or four years previously directed its course to the beautiful peninsula, so that at the time above mentioned parties having money to invest thought it beyond a doubt that if they should forestall those immigrants and purchase the land from the United States, they would receive a large advance on their purchases, from thlose wvho 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 Miclligan, seeking a point within its borders for a place to make their investments, would overlook the Saginaw country, where the deep indentation of the ~Saginaw Bay penetrates the heart of the peninsula and the branches of the broad river spread out in every direction like the branches of an enormous tree, the base of whlich is the mJedium through which the sap flows, as the outlet of the river is for the trade and commerce of a large portion of Northern iMichigan. INCIDENTS OF THE LAND CRAZE. During the Spring and Summer of 1836 the land in this region was sub'ect 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 Rtegister wats situated on Jefferson Avenue, just above thle Biddle H~ouse, andt so great was the rush for land in business, that parties w~ishing to locate lands formed themselves into a line and awazited their turn to present their mninutes; but a favored few found access by way of the back door or through a window, and would gett thepir locations secured ahead of the crowd. Looking land and furnishring minutes was a lucrative busines's and furnished employment to many of the early settlers. The description of the land selectedl was usually kept a secret until it was located at the office, but some parties comring from the East were not so cautious. Judge Albert MZiller relates all instance of this kind, as follows: — "A Gentleman largely interested in the purchase of government lands told me of an occurrence, some years after it happened, in which he was interested. He sa~id lie 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 at farm, which lie intended the next morning to locate for that purpose. The speculator said that in a friendly conversation hie got him to describe tile land lie intended to purchase. In the morn ing tlhe nian was very munch disatppointed to find the land lie wanted hatd 'ust been locatted, but not being diiscouragred he started again to select more land, and after ab few days returned and met 2lis friend the speculator, and disclosed to h-im the fact that lie had selected other land, that so far exceeded the first selection in value thlat lie was amply paid for his first dlisappointment. He incautiously gave him the description of his second intended purchase, and when be went to the land offi —e the result was the same as oil tile first application, — the land hnad 'ust been tatkenz. He lef t Detroit this time, probably, somnewhat wviser thatn before, and oil returning with his third set of mainutes met 2lis old friend, as usual, and disclosedt to him tlhe fact that this time be had found some land. so much superior to either of the otller selections thlat he shouldl purchase double the cruantity that he first intendedl to, and confidentially disclosed the location of it andl the fact that it was surrounded by a larg~e _tract of vacant land of' equal value withl his seleation. WheYI he met the speculator after his third application at the land offce it was not with the disappointed appearance of former occasions, but with a pleased a~nd satisfied expression said to him, 'W~ell, old fellow, I guess you have g~ot swamped this time.' The sequel proved' that the last minutes described lands in tile center of an extensive swamp, dond the spec I I I I I.11 - I i.4 -4% co L I ~-':: _I ~ I1~lp- - N A - - 18 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. ulator had purchased a large tract of land that was entirely worthless. The name of the narrator of the incidents related above has passed from my memory. I knew him about twenty-three years ago. He said he was operating with money furnished by a bank, in which his uncle was an officer. When he got through with his purchases he turned all the land over to the bank and took up his paper and saved himself from bankruptcy." After the land office was removed to Flint that place was thronged with land speculators. Purchases of government lands were then made with gold and silver. "Bill Gifford" kept a small hotel at Flint, and during the Autumn of that year there were nights when, it is said, more than $40,000 in specie was laying in different parts of the house, which had been brought by guests who were waiting their turn to do business at the land office. About this time an incident occurred that illustrates the will of men intent upon securing a prize. The facts as gathered are related by Gen. Partridge, of Bay City, as follows:-Joseph Trombley and Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh took a fancy for the same piece of land at the same time, neither knowing that the other wanted the land. At noon Joseph Trombley learned that Dr. Fitzhugh was to start for Flint from Saginaw to purchase the said land, which was on the west- side of the river. On the next morning early, Trombley being then at Portsmouth, collected his gold and started in his canoe, and rapidly sped his way to Flint, expecting to overtake Fitzhugh on the road, who was to start on horseback, but found nothing of him. Arriving at Flint on a good smart run, he entered his land, took dinner and started on his return to the Saginaws. On his way back he met Mr. Fitzhugh, who was greatly astonished to meet him going toward Saginaw, and suggested that he, Trombley, had bought certain land, when Trombley showed his certificate of purchase. Dr. Fitzhugh, seeing there was no use in going further, returned. Trombley kept company awhile, but finding that the Doctor was too slow even with his horse, left him and arrived at Saginaw City, at a store owned by one named McDonald, where he had left his canoe. Trombley told his story about his getting the start of Fitzhugh, but McDonald disbelieved him even after seeing his certificate, and bet a gallon of wine that Trombley had not been to Flint that day. Now the mail-carrier,,was on his way from Flint to Saginaw on horseback, and Trombley met him before arriving at Flint, and then overtook and passed him on his way back. So they waited a few minutes for the mail-carrier, who verified Trombley's statement. Trombley treated out his gallon and took his canoe for home, arriving there before 10 o'clock at night of the same day. Mr. Trombley says no man, not having an iron frame and constitution, could stand the strain to run that distance as he had to run. PORTSMOUTH AND ITS PROJECTOR. A large trade in village property had also sprung up. Parties would select land with some advantages of location that would commend it to the public, lay out a town, and go into the market to sell either interests in the whole tract, or lots in the village. Owing to difficulty of access, Saginaw had but a small population at the commencement of the year 1836, but it had attained some notoriety. Saginaw City had been platted four or five years previously, and was supposed by many to be the only point on the river where a town was likely to be built. But others who were aware of the difficulties of ascending the river with heavy laden craft, and anticipating the vast commerce which the products of the valley must eventually induce, conceived the idea of starting a town nearer the mouth of the river. With this in view, Judge Albert Miller, who had become familiar with this entire region, purchased a tract of land of the Trombley's in July, 1836, and in the same month had the village of Portsmouth surveyed and platted. This was the first attempt to start a town'within the present boundaries of Bay County. This whole region was then in Saginaw County. Judge Miller, the first to project a town near the mouth of the Saginaw River, is now a 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, thr6e 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 Merid-cn, 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 1828. 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 -A i - I L.-N " XIDGE,-,ALf3ERT tvVILLER. 0 -_A I I I I 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 th e Saginaw River, and laid out the town of Portsmouth, which now constitutes the Sixth and a part of the Fifth and Seventh Wards of Bay City. This was the first effort made in building a town in that vicinity. In 1836-'37 he with two partners erected a steam saw-mill on said tract, which was the second saw-mill put in operation on the Saginaw River. He was a stockholder and director in the company that put in operation the second salt manufactory. Judge Miller was influential in securing to Bay City the first railroad. He takes a great interest in all matters relating to the early history of Michigan, and is an active member of the State Pioneer Society, having been its first president. He is now president of the Saginaw Pioneer Society. He was the first postmaster of Portsmouth, having received the appointment, in 1837, from Amos Kendall, postmaster-general under Jackson. Judge Miller married, at Detroit, on the 6th of February, 1838, Miss Mary A. Daglish, a young lady who had recently emigrated with her parents from London, Eng. They united with the Presbyterian Church the same year. He has been an elder in the church at Bay City for more than twenty years, and has three times been a delegate from the Presbytery of Saginaw to the General Assembly. He was a Jackson Democrat until the Republican party was formed, since which time he has given it his hearty support. Judge Miller has bravely endured the hardships of pioneer life, and is at present strong and active. He is well acquainted with the history of the valley, and his fine memory, combined with great originality of expression, renders his narration of early experiences very entertaining. He has contributed interesting and important information to this publication, and in various ways aided in the work of gathering various material for its contents. BLOOM AND BLIGHT OF LOWER SAGINAW. At this time the whole of the west bank of the river, from the mouth of the Kawkawlin to Willow Island, was an Indian reservation. John Riley's reserve was the only other eligible point on the east side of the river, near its mouth, for a town. The late James Fraser, who had become one of the most noted land speculators of this region, was living at Saginaw; or, rather his family were, while his home was in the saddle. He was quick to find out property from which money could be made, and after the Portsmouth project was started he matured a plan for purchasing the Riley Reservation, upon which to lay out a town. His plan was to purchase the reservation, and organize a stock company which should lay out and build a town. John Riley, who was then living near Port Huron, was applied to for the purchase. His father had always advised him not to sell until he could get a large price for his land, and he refused to make sale upon any terms without the advice and consent of his father, who was then, and had been for many years, postmaster at Schenectady, N. Y. The elder Mr. Riley was sent for, and late in the 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 shovld be given in this connection, especially as the history of this company has frequently been incorrectly told: ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. WHEREAS, The lands and premises in the deed hereunto an I i i i i I I I I I nexed, are held by Frederick H. Stevens, Electus Backus and John Hulbert, as trustees for the use and benefit of the following owners of said lands in the shares and proportions mentioned in said deed, viz.:-Stevens T. Mason, Frederick H. Stevens, Andrew T. McReynolds, James Fraser, Horace Hallock, Electus Backus, Henry R. Schoolcraft, John Hulbert, Henry K. Sanger and Phineas Davis, and, whereas, it is the object, design, desire and intention of the said parties named to form a joint stock company in reference to sald 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 I such times and to such persons and with such covenantsand 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 'o 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 I U - w I j iI i l I I i I I Ii I II 1I 1 i II I i I I II I i i I Ii ii i i i I -4 - -qr i (6 ~.. "I - a L=Aw 1\ 6 _I ___1 20 'HISTORY OFi~ BAY COUNTY.TU stock of said company, shall be divided into two hundred -,,.id forty shares, and the evidence shall be a certificate, particularly describingi the shares of the holder and the manner in which thne same shall be transferable, wYhich certificate shall be registered in a book kept for the purpose, signed by the president and countersignedl byvthe 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 shatll entitle the holder thereof to the sh~ares of stock therein mentioned, and the benefit and profit to result therefrom; and eachl and every stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock, which lie may own, on all business relating to said company. ARTICLE 5. The first regular mueeting of the stockholders of this company shall be holden on the first Tuesday of January, 1837, for the election of directors to serve one year, and shall annually thereafter meet on the first Tuesday of January for the election of directors, and to transact such other business as may be necessary to be done, and until the election for 1838, Stevens T. M~ason,, Frederick H. Stevens, Andrew T. McReynolds, Horace Hallock,, Electus Backus, Henry R. Sellooleraft and John Hulbert shlall be, and are hereby constituted directors. At all meetings each owner may appear and vote, in person or by proxy, with written authorityShould any cause prevent a, meetinzg on the day above specified, or should a special meeting for that or ally other purpose be requisite, it may be called by anly pprson or persons owningi or representing fifty shares of the capital stock of said company, by giving notice forI ten days previous in any paper printed in the city of Detroit. ARTICLE 6. At any such meeting a majority of the whole stock shall form a quoruml for doing business. ARTICLE 7. Allshares in said company shall be deemed personal property. ARTICLE 8. NoO act of the directors shall be binding on the company unless four of the board concur therein. ARTICLE9~. Two-thirds of the stockholders shall have power at any time to restrain, enlarge, or entirely abolish the power thereby given to said directors or trustees. ARTICLE 10. That as soon as there shall be in the treasury of said association a surplus of $6i,000 or upwards, after payment of all claims and liabilities against, incurred by or made by said company by reason of the premises, and half-yearly afterwards the said board of directors shall declare and make a dividend' among the stockholders thereof in proportion to their respective shares and interest therein, untif said trust is wound up, which dividends shall be made playable at the Michigan State Bank, in the city of Detroit, of which they shall. give notice from time to time. ARTICLE 11. And it is hereby further declared that for the more convenient transaction of business, Frederick H. Stevens is, and shall b~e, the acting trustee of said company, having full power to the said parties whose names are herein inserted as by their legal representatives or assigns they have severally affixed their seazls'and set their bands, the day and year first above written. Executed February 9, 1837. DEEDI IN TRUST. This Indenture, made this twenty-third day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, between Stevens T. Mlason, Frederick H. Stevens and Abby E., his wife, EIlectus Backus and Mary L., his wife, ~Horace Hallock and Elizabeth, his wife, Henry R. Schoolcraft and Jane J., his wife, John Hulbert and Mlaria E., his wife, James Fraser and Elizabeth, his wife, Andrew T. McReynolds and Elizabeth M.,, his wife, Henry K. Sanger and Caroline, his wife, Phineas Davis and Abigail, his wife, of the state of Michigan, of the first part, and F. H. Stevens, John Hulbert and Electus Backus, of the state aforesaid, of the second Ipart. Whereals, the said parties of the first part stand seized and possessed as Tenants in common of all tha-t certain pieces -or parcel of land kinown and described as follows: —Begiiining on the east bank of the, Sagina River at the northwest corner of the John Riley Reservation, beingi also the southzwest corner of the Nabobash Reservation; th~ence east by the north line of said Riley Reservation 35.82 chains; thence south three degrees west, so far that a line runningy thellce north eighty seven degrees west and thence northerly by thle courses of river to the place of beginning shall contain two Ihundred and forty acres in the followring individual proportions and shatres, respectively, to wit:-T'he said Stevens T. M~ason of twosixteenths, Frederick H. Stevens of four-sixteenthns, Electus Backrus of one-sixteenth, Horace Hallock of one-sixrteenth, Henry R. ~Schoolcraft and John Hulbert of one-sixteenth?, James E'raser of one-sixteenth,, Andrew T. McReynolds of four-sixteentlis, Henry K.. Satng~er of one-sixteenth? and Phineas D~avis of one-sixteenth, and llave agreed to associate themselves together and form a company under the name and style of the Sag~inat Bay Company, for laying out a town on said tract, and for other purposes under the conditions, limitations and agreements set in the Articles of -Association hereunto annexed, the said articles being hereby declared a part and parcel of this indenture for the completion thereof, and more fully to carry into effect their intentions as set forth in said Articles, of Associattion, have severally named, constituted and appointed the said Frederick H. Stevens andi Electus Backius as trustees, to act in behalf of all the above parties of the first part, in holding, managing and conveying all the real estate belonging to them, Now this indenzture witnesseth that the said several parties of the first pf,-rt, for andlin considieration of the premises and objectherein before declared and the agreemuents, conditions and limitations aforesaid, and in further consideration of thze sum. of one dollar, to them wFell and truly paid, by the party of the second part, and receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have severally, according to their respective estates, herein granted, bargained, sold and co~nveyed, and by tlnese 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 andd to suchz persons, his or thleir successors or assigns or the survivor of them, may at any time hereafter be constituted or vivor of them and unto such others and additional trustee or successors as aforesaidi~ the~ir and 3lhis successors and assigns~.~;nn forever, in trust for themselves and the said parties of thee secolzd part, subject to and upon the trust, lirmitations and eonditions fOllowing, andl to no other use, intent, or purpose. That'is to say: the said. Frederick H. Stevens, John H3ulbert and Electus Backus, the survivors eI-) I L 19 li __ __I "q I, r - ll T~ 6 I J HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 21 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, shrall 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 assurances as aforesaid, shall be t!aken an-i 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 capitalists to invest in this new city by building a dock and warehouse, and a large hotel was framed and lumber provided for its completion, and yet the plans projected were but partially developed. The finance bubble had swollen to the fullest extent about this time all over the West and East; the wild mania for speculation had culminated in the suspension of specie payment, because of the run upon all the banks for the specie with which to purchase the United States lands. This company were unable to "stand from under," and were thus crushed in all their dreams of wealth, in the greatest crash in the finances this country ever knew. About the only one of the original company who survived, was James Fraser,whose race with Lower Saginaw was not yet run. After 1838 no further active operations were carried on by the company as first organized. At Portsmouth, several sales of village lots had been made, and during the winter of 1836-'37 a saw-mill was built by Judge Miller, B. K. Hall and Cromwell Barney, 'and a postoffice established. The financial revulsion visited the same fate upon this place as befell its neighbor and the glowing prospects of both were enveloped in darkness. From this time on the operations at these two points are told in the history of Bay City. After the great financial crash the Legislature of Michigan passed a general banking law, afterwards known as the ';Wild Cat" system, which was intended to bridge over the "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 "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 LANGUISHING. During the interval between 1838 and 1844, all was quiet along the Saginaw. The movements concerning Lower Saginaw and Portsmouth, as towns, are given in the chapter of their history. The two hamlets were emphatically waiting for something to " turn up." There were a few new comers. Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh purchased several parcels of land where West Bay City now stands, about 1840. In 1842, James G. Birney came in pursuit of solitude, and found it. During the Winter of 1838-39, Gen. Rosseau was engaged with his brother, Capt. Rosseau, and his uncle, Dr. Rosseau, in the performance of a surveying contract with the government, their work being the subdivision of townships in this vicinity. Other surveying was done by Louis Clawson, who arrived in the Spring, having a contract to survey territory up the shore. In July, 1839, Stephen Wolverton arrived, commissioned to build a light house at the mouth of the river. He came on a smah vessel, commanded by Capt. Stiles, and commenced the work which I - I - ------ -- — f G)~ l. I I I I I 22 HISTORY OF B3AY COUNTT TY. I was afterwyards finished by Capt. Levi Johlnson, of Cleveland, Ohio. It was during this year that John Hulbert, th~e Indian paymaster, came to Lower Saginaw to make the last payments to the Indians 1 for the purchase of their reservations There were 1,700 Indlians camped in the vicinity of the Globe Hotel. Thney remained about two weeks and received $80,000. TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION AND ELECTION.' Prior to 1843, this entire region was included in the'townsbip of Saginawi. In the W~initer of 18413 the township of Hatmpton was erected, and included the Lower Saginaw region, and territory north I as far as Mackinaw. The name 11 Hampton "' was selected by James G. Birney, thazt being the name of his wife's country seat in Newv York State. The township was organized in the Spring, and the first election held at the G~lobe Hotel, April 1. 1843. Th~is was an important meeting, —a supervisor had to be elected. There is no0 tradition of any caucuses, iio stuffng of th~e ballot-box, no intimnidation at the polls. Party spirit evidently ran high, for the contest was a close one. There were thirteen votes polled, of whlich S. S. qamnpbell received seven and James G. Birney six; anid Mr. Ca~mpbell was declared July elected, to attend meetings of the county board at Saginaw, and pa~ddle his own canoe both ways. The expenses of the township for the first year were about $6.0. In 1855 ) the town of Williarns was organized by the, MIidland Board, and comprised Towns 14, lo-, 16, north~, Range 8 east, and all of Arenac County. INDICATIONS OF RETURNINUG LIFE. With tlhe beginning of thle year 1844 thlere appeared faint indications of returning life to the Lower Saginaw~ region. A start in the manufacture of lumber had been ma~de by James McCormick I Sont at Portsmouth, andl in the Winter of 1844 James Fraser and Cromw~ell Barney built, a mill at, Kawkawlin, and other mills fol Imarried Miss Ellen Garratt, daughter of Robert Garratt, of Otsegoo County, N. Y., one of the old pioneers of that county, and founder of Garr'attsville. His father had promised to give Ifim a farm out of his 700 acres, whenz he married, but he recatnted andi said a hereti~c should have none of his properfty, as James McCormick had previously left the old Scotch Presbyterian Church and joined the I i i I i I I Universalists. This was a sin the old gYentleman could never forgive, until a few hours before his death, when the last words be said were, "~I cannot die in peace, I have wronged my son James; I have never given him. anytbing, ard he has done more for me th~an all my boys."? James bought a farm adjoining his father's, where he accumulated a handsomne fortune for a farmer in those 'days. In 1830 lie went on bonds with some friends to the amount of $16,000, which he hatd to pay, and bad to sell his fine farm to pay his obligations. After settling up he had but $300 left, with a large fan-ily to support. In the meantime, two of his brothers 2lad 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 W~est, as it was then called. He left Albany the 1st of M~ay, 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 Kentuclrv. Sa~ys William: "Well do f recollect that memorable journley. MLy 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. BUut 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, andl a pleasant time we children had. 66At Buff alo we were transferred to the steamboat " Superior, " and liy fatheer bought a steerage passage for his family to Detroit, including a horse and wagon we had brought with us, for which be paid $50O. When the boat left the wharf hundreds of people stood on the sbore waving handkierchiefs and bidding their frienids adieu. There were but three steamboazts carrying passengers on the lakies at this time. We were three days and nights in reaching contract of the government to build the ~bridge across the Flint River. He employed my fath~er and brotlher 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 fatller 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 I I I -1. Wr -W L k9 P11 — (9t-.A1!h.. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 23 east side of what is now Saginaw Street, now the First Ward of the city of Flint, but could find no house for his family, as there were but two houses there at this time, one occupied by John Todd, on the south bank of the river, and the other the old Indian log trading house of Jacob Smith, on the north bank, some twenty-five rods below where Lyman Stow, afterwards Judge Stow, of Genesee County, then lived. So my father got a small log building near the Thread River, one and a half miles south of Flint River, for his family until he could build on the land he had bought. He then sent my brother James J. back on the Indian trail to Grand Blanc to get the horse and wagon, and remove the family from Detroit to Flint. My father got a young man by the name of Miller to go with him, as James J. was then only fifteen years old. This man Miller is now the Hon. Judge Albert Miller, of Bay City, and late president of the State Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, who, prior to this, had come up from Saginaw to teach a school for the little settlement at Grand Blanc. They arrived in Detroit on the third day, as the roads in those days were almost impassable. We all went to work, packing up our little household goods. My mother hired a man by the name of Mosher with his team to carry a load to Grand Blanc for $25. There was great excitement in our little family to see our new home among the Indians. "We started from Detroit for Flint River, some riding and some walking, and all walking where the roads were bad. This must have been the fore part of July, for I recollect the 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 coimprises 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 worms ate their corn as it sprouted from the ground, which they attributed to the wrath of the Great Spirit. They left it, and made new corn fields farther up the river. On my father's return home he said to my mother that he would sell his place the first opportunity, and remove down the river on the Indian fields, where he could raise more extensive crops, as the soil was much richer. Finally, in 1834, my father sold his place for $600, and thought he was making a great speculation, as he had only given $125 for it two years before. "He then negotiated with Ton-dog-a-ne for a lease of 610 acres, including the Indian fields, for a term of years, for the nominal price of twenty-five bushels of potatoes and twenty-five bushels of corn, per year. "These Indian fields were within the reservation of the Indian chief, Ton-dog-a-ne, of the Flint River band of Indians, which comprised over 7,000 acres. "We then moved down the river to the Indian field spoken of before, and arrived at that place the second day, unloading our canoes after dark. We had no place to stop, but we went to work and built a large fire, and made a tent of blankets for my mother and the children. I recollect a circumstance that night which made me feel very bad, and which I cannot even now recall without a sense of pain. My mother was sitting on a log close by the fire, crying. We asked her what was the matter. She said ' she never thought she would come to this-no roof to cover her and the babes ' -for at this time some of the children were quite small. She had known better times, as they say. My father had been the owner of a handsome estate near Albany, and the house over which my mother presided was as delightful as any which at that time graced the banks of the noble Hudson. It was a fate which a mother's heart could not easily bear, to see that beautiful home sold to satisfy the demands of a New York broker for whom my father had undersigned; to see the toils of a lifetime brought to ruin; to see the hopes of the future all struck down by a rude and cruel blow; and to turn her face and steps toward the wilderness of the great West, there to seek, with such strength as might be left, to partially retrieve the fortune that had been so suddenly wasted to redeem another's name and obligation. Hard, hard indeed, was it for her when the darkness of that memorable night surrounded her in the great forests, and she wept because there was no roof to shelter her babes from the weather. "The next morning we all went to work, and on the second day we had quite a comfortable shanty to live in. We then began the construction of a log house, which we soon finished, when we took down our shanty and moved into the house, where we lived many years. There was a black walnut flat just above the fields, of beautiful timber, which we made into rails, and fenced the 150 acres with black walnut rails;-a rather expensive timber for rails at the present day. Our first year's crop was excellent. The second year we sold 1,000 bushels of corn to the American Fur Company, to be taken to Lake Superior for the Indians. The only drawback we had was in converting our grain into flour. A grist mill had been built at the Thread, one and a half miles south of Flint. We had to take our grain, in a canoe, up the river some thirty-five miles, and then get it drawn to the mill and back to the river and then I (0 --- Yi~ ". -: i 7: Lrnl~- - -, 24 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. come down the river home. It usually took us four days to go to mill and back, camping out every night, and the hardest kind of work at that. This work always fell on my brother James and myself, for though a boy, I could steer the canoe and my brother would tow it over the rapids with a rope. Our feet used to get very sore walking in the water so much. When Winter came on it was impossible to go to mill, as there was no road, so in the Winter evenings we all took turns pounding corn in a mortar-made in the end of a log, sawed about three feet long with a hole in one end to pound corn in, similar to what the Indians used to pound corn in in those days. "Many of the old settlers of Saginaw will recollect how, in coming down the river, they made their calculations to reach our house to stay all night without camping out, and how happy they were when they got there, for at that time it was the only place between Flint and Saginaw where they could stay over night without camping out. There was nothing but a TRAIL OR BUSH ROAD BETWEEN FLINT AND SAGINAW, and part of the year it was impassable, especially for ladies; consequently most of the travel went up and down the river in canoes and skiffs. "In 1835 my father went back to Albany, his native place, and was eleven days in reaching his destination. He considered it a quick passage. This was before the age of railroads. When he returned, he brought a mill, something like an old-fashioned coffee mill, but five times as large; the hopper would hold about a peck, and had a handle on each side. This was a great thing in those days, for with it we could grind a bushel of corn in an hour. We now threw away the old mortar and stopped going to mill, as we had a mill of our own. "This year we had two neighbors, and they used to come in the evenings to grind their corn at our mill, which was worth its weight in gold to that little settlement. "A circumstance happened at this time that I will give, if you will have the patience to hear me. My father being of a poetical turn of mind, the day after he came from the East, sat down on the bank of the river and composed the following verses, which I have taken from his note book of poems: "Down the banks of Flint River, This beautiful stream, Where my cottage remains, I've returned home again. And who, in his senses, Can help but believe That this was the garden Of Adam and Eve. "Here the fields yet remain, With the corn hills in view, And the bones we dig up Which Cain no doubt slew; And the soil is so fertile, We can but believe That this was the garden Of Adam and Eve. "Some apple trees here yet As relics remain, To show that a gardener Once thrived on this plain. And in those fine days, E'er a snake could deceive, How happy here lived Old Adam and Eve. "The natives we saw here, Were forced from this plain By a curse, which they say On it yet does remain; And in all their looks We can plainly perceive, That these are descendants Of Adam and Eve. "Here the cherubims stood With their wings widely spread, Lest Adam should enter, And eat of that, bread. Here the wild sporting deer Yet the hunters deceive, That once furnished bacon For Adam and Eve. "Here the lofty black walnut, With its boughs spreading wide, And the elm and hackberry Grow side by side; And a mound gently rises Whereon we perceive, That once stood the altar Of Adam and Eve. "But far from this place Have those characters flew, And we bid them a lasting And farewell adieu, In confidence thinking, And still shall I believe That this was the garden Of Adam and Eve." "In 1836 (this was wild cat times) the country was overrun with persons looking land;-in fact, the people had gone land crazy. My father's house was crowded with land speculators. As there were only three rooms in the old log house, it was necessary to make what is called a ' field bed' before the old-fashioned fire-place, which would hold from ten to fifteen. On one occasion we had got out of flour, so my father started my brother James and myself to Saginaw in a canoe for some. At that time there were three ' drift woods ' in the river, one sixty, one thirty-five and one twelve rods long. Around these we had to draw our canoe and carry what we had. At Saginaw we purchased two barrels of flour for $18 per barrel. On our return it commenced raining and rained all day. We paddled till late in the night up the Flint River to find land high enough to permit us to build a fire and dry ourselves and lie down; but we did not sleep long, for in the middle of the night the water raised so that our camping ground was under water.."We had to take to our canoe and sit in it until daylight, so we could see to go ahead. We soon arrived at the drift wood. Here we had another obstacle to contend with. How to get our flour around was a question, as the mud and water were about four inches deep, and carry the barrels we could not. There was no other way but to roll them around in the mud and water. We arrived home that night with our two barrels of flour covered all over with a coating of mud. "s The next Winter my father sold his crop of corn to parties in Saginaw for $1.50 per bushel. As usual, my brother James and myself drew it down on the ice to Saginaw, and got our pay in bills on the Flint Rapids Bank. A few days after our return home my father started for Flint, and found, after his arrival, that the Flint Rapids Bank was a wild-cat concern and had failed a day or two before. Thus was all our HARD YEAR S LABOR GONE. " The next year the Indians were terribly afflicted with smallpox; forty-seven of them died at the Indian village above my father's house, and all through the country they were dying by scores. At Green Point, at the mouth of the Tittabawassee, several were left J a. 6-:: — ~I W I ;-r '' " — 1`~~~ ""' I': -~ z 'f ~;::1~~ -:,:,, ~!~~~~ ~ If I I i I I I F HTISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 25i I I unburied, and were eaten up by the bogs. To add to the horrors of sickness~cr and death, the were starvingrV~n~ as there were not well ones enough to hunt for the rest. II 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, pumpkrins, 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 fathler continued to supply them with food until they recovered'andi could provide for themselves. This favor they never forgot, for, said they, I if it was not for our white brotber,'as they used to call my father, I we should have all starved to dea~th.' Soon after this they called a council of the chief and bead 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 Izinetynine years. This lease was signed by the chiefs and head men of the nation, in presence'.of Judge Devenport and others, as witnesses. II This was done in gratitude for what my father had done for them, whzen they bad the small-pox and were starving; which corroborates an old saying, and a true one, that an Indialn never forgets a favor, which I have in a great many instances experienced. ((Soon after this Henry R. Scboolcraft, the superintendent of Indian affairs, was sent on by the government to make a treaty with the Indians to cede t~he several reservations lying on the Flint, Sbiawassee, Tittabawassee and Cass R~ivers to the United States government. II 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 reS~rvation on the Flint River, unless they sold subject to a lease they had given to James I- McCormrick, of a section of land, 640 acres, on the lower end of the reser-~e w-here be thien lived. (This M~r. Schooleraf t, the government colum~issioner, refused to do. Then, said~i the chief, ToPn-doo-aR-ne, and hisi head; men, I W 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. Subseqyue'itly, MSir. Schooleraft, through his interpreter, Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, nzotified Ton-doga-ne and his band that he would purchase their reservation subject to the terms specified. With this understanding the chief, Ton-do,a-iae, and the head men, signed the treaty, w-ith full confidence that Mr. Schooleraft had done as be agreed, aiid thi-t their white brother was provided for. This afterwardls proved not to be the fact, as be hrad left it oat of thle treaty altogether. The Governmrent atfterwards sold the land occupied by Mr. MC~cCormick, to which bie thought lie had a just title by the treaty, and he was e'ected therefrom.. In 1841 James McCormick removed to Portsmouth, Ilow Southl Bay City, and in compaLny with his son, James J. Mcc~ormicki, purchasedi B. Ki. H,01's interest in the old Portsmlouth steam mill, formerly built by Judge Albert Miller andl others, atnd conlmenced tile manufacture of lumber. This was the second mill built on the Saginaw River. James MicCor~mick shippedl 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 thousa~nd-one-t~hird down, and the balance on time. The vessel was the" Old Conneaut Packet, "Capt. G~eorgee Rab~y, and tile cargo consisted of 40,000 feet. Clear lumber was~ th~en selling at tile mill for $~10 in store trade, as there was no money ill the country. So yousee 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, tile privations and the hardships of these early pioneers? 3aames M~cCormick and his son, James J., continued the man — ufacture of lumber up to the year 1846, when James MicCormickz died. He died at the old hlomestea~d, April 2, 1846, deeply regretted by all the old pioneers. His wife continued to live at the old homnestead, 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 un~til 1854, wh~en her children insisted she should break up housekeeping and live withl tbem. the rest of her days, which she did. She died at her daughter's, Mrs. John MaI~lone's, in the township of Ta-ymouth, Saginaw County, July 22, 1862, beloved by all who knew h-er. Her remains, together with her husbanzd, James MicCormick, have been removed to Pine Ridge Cemetery, where at suitable monument has been erected by friends to those old pioneers' memory, with th~e following inscription: TO THE MEM/PORY OF JAMEES AND ELL~EN MlcCORMICK,~ Pioneers of thle Saginaw Valley. They pitched their tent in the Wilderness in 1832, and planted a vineyard; but the Master called themn hence e'er t2hey gathered the fruit! II An honest man is the noblest work of God!"' Judge Albert Moliller also writes as follows:-, I I knew James McCormicki from the time he came to Michiga~n until'he died, and upon perusal find the foregoing skretch to be a correct review of his life. He was a man who possessed rare natural gifts, and intet-ritv and boenevolence were conspicuous traits of his character. I have reason to remember himr kindly for his many acts of kindness, and noble traits of character."' ROBERT MCCORM3ICK, eldest son of James MicCormick, is yet living, and is a farmer ill Illinois. JOSEPH, the second son, was never identifieil with the Saginaw Valley, baying left Albany when a boy, in 1831, for Kentucky, wIhere hie was a healvy contractor for many years. He died in Kansas some years shice. SARAtiH, the thlird daughter of James MlcCormick, is the wife of Medlor Tronibley, of South Bay City, one of the pioneers of Michigan, I havina been born in the state; also of Bay Coun ty, having settled ill what is now Bay City, in 1835. ANN, tile fourthl child uf James MlcCorulick, married John Matlone, a farmer of Taymnoutb, Saginaw~c County, and resides on the samie lai-i, le enltered from the government, nearly fifty years ago, ten miles from E~ast Sagiinaw. ARCHIBALD L. MIICCORMICK, who was thne first white matle child born northwest of Glrand Blanc, Oct. 31, 1832, was tlie fifth son of IJames M/cCormick. He remnovedi to Illinois, anld went into the merca~ntile bu-siness. After the breakting out of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the Fifty-second Illinois Regimient, and was promoted to orderly sergeant. At the battle near Island No. 10, hie was pronioted to 'second lientena~nt. At tile batttle of Stoue River lie took command of his comprany, atnd for bravery on the battle field in catptulring a ba~ttery, he was promnotedl to calptain. He was soo11 after taken prisoner, bu~t was exchatnged,, after fearful suffering. He came back and reported for duty.. He asked leave to go home to recruit his hlealthl, as lie was alumost a walkzing skeleton, and also to get recruits to fill up his comapany, which was granted. ~He soon j recovered and with his corupany filled with new recruits, he reported for duty,, and 'oined the army on its march to Atlanta. At the bat *2_ 1I -- -- II it. b A,1 i U. I - 9 1 26 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. business enterprise of the Wfessrs. NlcCortnick soon macle a change tie of Kenesaw Mountain the enemy had a masked battery which was making sad havoc with our troops. Gen. Bradley sent for Capt. McCormick to take that battery, saying he took the battery at Stone River and he knew he would take that. He took the battery, but fell on the breastworks, pierced with seven balls, a martyr to his country. ANDREW V. MCCORMICK, the youngest child of James and Ellen McCormick, was the first child born in what is now the Township of Taymouth, Saginaw County, December 20, 1836. In 1854 h e went to Illinois and commenced farming. He also enlisted in the Union army and served until just before its close, when h e was wounded and retired from the service. He is now a wealthy farmer in Kansas. ELIZABETH, the second daughter of James McCormick, married Orrin Kinney, a farmer, a well-known citizen of the Saginaw Valley, and an old pioneer, being identified with all of its early developments. They still live on their farm, within the present limits of Bay City, surrounded by their children and grandchildren. JAMES J. Me CORMICK. The following biographical sketch of the late James J. McCormick is by Judge Albert Miller, who was his intimate friend for forty years: "James J. McCormick, third son of James McCormick, was born near Albany, N. Y., in January, 1817, and was in the fifty-sixth year of his age at the time of his death, which occurred in Bay City, November 25, 1872. "My first acquaintance with Mr. McCormick happened in this wise: —In the Summer of 1882 I started on foot, from Saginaw, for a journey to Detroit, having with me a draft on James Abbott, of Detroit, upon which to raise money to purchase some land from the government; but when I arrived at Flint, I learned that my draft had not been properly endorsed, and that I should have to return to Saginaw and get the endorsement before I could raise the money on it. While at Flint I was introduced by the late E. R. Ewings, Esq., to Mr. James McCormick (father of the late J. J.), who, although a stranger, kindly volunteered to loan me the money, so that I could proceed to Detroit and purchase the land I was anxious to secure. Mr. McCormick's family at that time resided in Detroit, and he was about sending his son, James J., to Detroit, with a one-horse wagon, and I was offered a free ride, which, under the circumstances, was highly appreciated; for at that time there was no public conveyance on any portion of the road between Saginaw and Detroit. In passing over the road onl that journey with James J. McCormick, a familiar acquaintance was formed, which ripened into a strong friendship for each other, which lasted wi'le time lasted, with him, and the severance of which is a great grief to myself. Afterwards tLhe family removed to the Flint River, and engaged in farming. James J., being 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 either from Flint or Saginaw, sometimes in a canoe, somnetimes on horseback, and at other times, when neither of the above mentioned modes were available, the men were obliged to carry them on their own backs. James early evinced a good business talent, and for some time previous to becoming of age, transacted all his father's business. While the family resided at Pewanago wink, James J. went to Kentucky, where he was engaged with an elder brother on a railroad contract. While there lie became acquainted with Miss Jane Shelton, an amiable young lady of prepossessing appearance, whom he married and brought with him on his return to Michigan. After his return he resided a short time at Pewanagowink, before removing, in 18'41, to Portsmouth. At that time there were but few families residing in this vicinity; but the business enterprise of the Messrs. McCormick soon made a change in the appearance of the place. They repaired the old Portsmouth mill, and commenced the manufacture of lumber, and not finding a ready sale for it, they erected buildings for different persons in this vicinity, on contract, furnishing all the materials, and by that means used up considerable of their lumber. They erected buildings for James G. Birney, Joseph Trombley, Medor Trombley and Capt. Joseph F. Marsac. The ground upon which J. J. McCormick built his palatial residence was purchased, with a small house upon it, from Capt. Marsac, and paid for by erecting buildings for the Captain on other lands. In 1846, James McCormick, Sr., died at Portsmouth; and after that James J. carried on business for himseif, till 1848, when the writer bought ani interest with him in the old mill; and we were connected in business till the Spring of 1849. "It was during the last mentioned period that the writer became more fully acquainted with the industry, integrity, and sterling manhood of the late deceased. During the whole course of our intimate business relations there was never an unpleasant word passed between us. We labored then with our owe n hands, each taking our turn at the saw with our employes, and attending to our business matters while they were asleep; but there was never a time when Mr. McCormick was not willing to bear his full share of the burden, neither do I know of an instance where le desired to appropriate more of the proceeds of our joint labor to himself than he was willing to concede to me. Mr. McCormick was ambitious, and when the news of the discovery of gold in California first reached him, he became anxious to participate in the golden harvest that awaited those who would brave the dangers and undergo the hardships necessary to be endured by those who would reap it. The dangers, privations and hardships of the journey had no terrors for him, his only misgiving being in leaving his wife and children behind; but, after making provision for their support during his absence, he procured anl outfit, consisting of a yoke of oxen and a wagon, on which was loaded the necessary articles to be used on his journey, which he ferried across the Saginaw River on a raft of flattened timber, about the middle of March, 1849, and thus started alone to traverse the then almost unknown track across the continent to the Pacific Slope. He joined some acquaintances on the way, with whom he journeyed a portion of the distance, but was separated from them before reaching their destination, one of whom, Mr. Alfred Goyer, of Genesee County, 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 formrer residences, when they learned each other's identity. "After that I believe thev remrained together, and returned home in each other's company after anl absence of two years and a half, or thereabouts. I know but little about Mr. McCormlick's success in the mines. I know he brought home some money with him, with which he commenced the lumber business, building a mill near his late residence, at which he has been successfully engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber till about the year 1871, when he sold his mill to Mr. Webster. Mr. McCormick's first wife died in 1851, leaving three children, one daughter and two sons, two of whom survive their father,-the daughter,who is now the wife of Mr. Bassett, of the firm of Bassett, Seed & Co., and the youngest son. Mr. McCormick's eldest son, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, entered the army of the Union, where his health was impaired, in consequence of which he died, in 1867. Mr.' McCormick married, for his second wife, Miss Matilda Wayne, who died in 1880. "Mr. McCormick was a member of the first Council of Bay City, and was mayor of the city in 1869. In 1868 he erected the McCormick Block, on Water Street. He was also part owner of the 1.4 -k - --- a I -. -D HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 27 — I e I a I I i Opera House. Few men had more personal friends, and his death left a vacancy difficult to fill. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Order, and had received'the highest degree possible in this country." WILLIAM R. MCCORMICK, another son and one of the very early pioneers of the Saginaw Valley, and Bay City, was born near the city of Albany, N. Y., August 16, 1822. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1832, and first settled at Flint, Genesee County. In 1834 his parents removed to Saginaw County and settled near the Indian village of Pewanagowink, where he helped his father on the farm up to 1837. For a short time after his parents removed to this place there were two other settlers, a Mr. Hayden, and Mr. Nelson, but they soon removed to Saginaw; then their nearest neighbors were Messrs. Charles and Humphrey McLeans, of Pine Run, some fifteen miles off. So all the playmates William had when a boy were the young Indians. He often joined them on their hunting excursions, and became so familiar with their language, that, in the Fall of 1837, he was employed by Messrs. Coburn, Dixon, and others, as Indiai interpreter and clerk in their store, at Green Point, at the mouth of the Tittabawasse River, for trading with the Indians for furs, in opposition to the American Fur Company at Saginaw. While at this point he read everything of book kind he could find in that outpost of civilization, and while here he improved all his leisure time he could, lo acquire an education. After remaining here for some time, the company failed, not being able to compete with the extensive firm of the American Fur Company, which was backed up by John Jacob Astor, of New York City. After the company had failed he returned home to help his father on the farm another year, when he wanted to do for himself. He wanted to go to Illinois to his brother's, as he had got tired of living in the wilderness, where he could not get an education or make any money; but his father objected, saying it was a long journey and he would have to stage it most of the way. So, to compromise with him he got a place in Saginaw, with Maj. Mosley, who lived in one of the block houses inside the old fort, where he was to do chores night and morning for his board, and go to school through the Fall and Winter. In the Spring of 1838 he returned home again to help his father on the farm. In June, 1839, after the Spring work was all done, he again asked his father to let him go to his brother's in Illinois, and he again 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, lie got his clothes, put them in a pack on his back, and with what little money he could raise he started on foot. He went to Detroit, and then took the old Chicago road, which he followed as far as Laporte, Ind., when he left it and turned south to Valparaiso, when his money gave out and his feet became so sore traveling that he could go no further. Here he went to work until his feet got well, when he started again for Vincennes, Ind., near where his brothers lived. This was a long tramp. The next Winter his father made his sons a visit, and William returned home with him with a span of horses and a wagon. It took eighteen days travel for the return trip home. He remained with his father on the farm until 1841, then with his father removed to Ports mouth, now Bay City, where lie remained until 1846, when he was offered a situation with a wealthy uncle East, where he married a Miss Angelica Wayne, of Albany Co., N. Y., and after some years returned to Bay City, where he has since resided. In 1860 a company was formed in Portsmouth, of which Mr. McCormick was one of the stockholders, to bore for salt. Mr. McCormick was elected superintendent and secretary, with full power to proceed with the work to see if salt water could be found. It proved to be a success. I I i i Ii I I i I i Salt water was found at the depth of 600 feet, and the manufacture of salt was soon commenced. This was the first salt well in Bay County. Afterwards Mr. Me Cormick turned his attention to the inspection of lumber, which he followed up to 1873, when he was offered the deputy state salt inspectorship, which he held up to 1882, since which time he has turned his attention to the care of his real estate. No man is better known in Bay County than Mr. McCormick, the oldest pioneer living in the Saginaw Valley, except Judge Albert Miller. He has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, to the entire satisfaction of the state and county, and is yet a hearty, jovial old gentleman. He has lived to see Bay County grow from one house to a population of over twenty thousand inhabitants. He still resides at the old home he built many years ago, corner of McCormick and Twenty-third streets, surrounded by his children and grand-children, with the comforts of life around him. In 1832 Mr. McCormick made a journey from Flint to Saginaw, in company with one Col. Marshall. During this trip the Indian propensity for fire-water was illustrated by a young son of the forest, who assisted them in getting their canoe across a shallow place in the river, and in return for his kindness was given a pull at the canteen. The party proceeded with their journey, and after going a distance of about twelve miles, halted for dinner. Just as they had settled down to their meal up came the Indian who had assisted them in the morning. Upon inquiry it was found that he had come the distanse 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 wb s a small log house on the bank of the river, near where the Wooden Ware Works now stand, at South Bay City. This was occupied by a Frenchman named Masho, who had married a squaw, and 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 anJ 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 daughI ters, 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 I north of Toronto, where Thomas learned the trade of blacksmith I 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 1 i F -(I -t 2 li l:; - (i r ts __j L 41 — et --- r 28 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. fort as prisoners of war, or rebels. Shortly after, one of the adequate to do her justice. It would take a better pen to portray her luany acts of benevolence, her Inany acts of womallly devotion fort as prisoners of war, or rebels. Shortly after, one of the brothers scaled the fort and made his escape to the United States. Shortly after, the two other brothers were released and returned to their homes. Thomas, the subject of this sketch, came to Michigan in 1836 or 1837. At Detroit h e met our old fellow pioneer, Harvey Williams, now of East Saginaw, who employed him to go to Saginaw to help put the machinery in a mill that the Messrs. Williams were then building at Saginaw City, which was the first mill on the Saginaw River. After working here for some time, Mr. Rogers was employed to go to Portsmouth, now South Bay City, to put the machinery in a mill that was then building there by Judge Miller, now of Bay City, B. K. Hall, and others. This was in the month of October, but what year it was we have no record, but think it was in 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 IcCormick 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, Bcttie, John A., Ellen and Thomas J. Peter L. is at Deadwood, D. T; Hial B. died in 1867; Ester is the wife of Capt. Riley M. Burrington, of Bay City; Bettie is the wife of Charles B. Cottrell, of Bay City; John A. is at AuGres, Mich., engaged in the shingle and mercantile business; Ellen is the wife of F. W. Lankenau, of West Bay City; and Thomas J. is now in Texas. And now in regard to this noble man's wife! I fear I am inadequate to do her justice. It would take a better pen to portray her many acts of benevolence, her many acts of womanly devotion to suffering humanity and to the pioneers and their families in the hours of sickness and death in those early days that tried men's souls. Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, wife of Thomas Rogers, was the daughter of an eminent physician, Dr. Wilcox, of Watertown, N. Y., who afterward moved to Toronto, Canada. She was born November 12, 1809. When a young girl she attended her father's offic e 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 tile 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 ioble 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. CROMIWELL 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.4 IK 10 I* 00 * )v I 9)-,,ev KD 4 4 - HISTORY OF 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 just 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 no'ble 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. Maiden, who kept a tavern in the old block house, corner of what is now Court and Hamilton Streets, originally the barracks where the soldiers were quartered while building the fort. He was to do chores nights and mornings for his board, and go to school. He continued to live with Capt. Maiden until 1843, during which time'he had picked up a good deal of the Indian language. He was BAY COUNTY. 29 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, "0! we have heard the Indians tell about the little white man that beats all the Indians traveling or running." Mr. Daley is living in a neat residence on Washington Street, enjoying the fruits of his labors. CAPT. JOSEPH F. MARSAC, one of the original pioneers of Michigan and the Saginaw Valley, died at the old homestead in Bay City, June 18, 1880, aged about ninety years. No man was better known in the Saginaw Valley or more universally respected by all classes for his amiable qualities as a gentleman of the old school. Capt. Marsac was born five miles above Detroit, in the township of 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 man 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 Grosebeek 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. f4 -I. V, i I -- L —_ 4 - 30 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. - Soon after this, Capt. Marsac and his company were sent to Fort Gratiot to work upon the fort, and from there to Fort Malden, where he remained until the time of his enlistment expired, when he returned home to assist his father on the farm. In 1816 he was employed by Kinzie Prichard and others to go to Chicago as interpreter and sell goods to the Indians. Chicago then consisted of five houses, including the trading post. He started on horseback on an Indian pony and took the Indian trail for Chicago. At the Indian village on the St. Joseph River, near where Niles now stands, he traded his pony with the Indians for corn, which he loaded in canoes, with which he proceeded down the St. Joseph River to its mouth, and then around the south shore of Lake Michigan to Chicago, where he remained in the employ of the fur company some time. After his time had expired he returned to Detroit on foot. In 1819 he was called by Gen. Cass to go with him to Saginaw to make a treaty with the Chippewa Indians of northern Michigan. He accompanied Gen. Cass on horseback to Saginaw, while a small schooner had been dispatched around the lakes with a company of soldiers to protect them at the treaty, for some of the Indians still preferred war to selling their lands. After the treaty Capt. Marsac returned to Detroit in the vessel that had brought out the troops. Gen. Cass and Capt. Marsac were always the greatest of friends, and to this the latter was indebted for the many offices of trust he held for many years under the Government, which he always filled with the strictest integrity. During many years he was engaged in the custom house in Detroit and other public offices. At the breaking out of the Black Hawk War he received a captain's commission from Gov. Porter, and raised a company of Indian fighters and started for the seat of war, with his company, on foot, as there was no other conveyance in those days. When they had nearly reached Chicago, news came that Black Hawk had been captured, and a courier was dispatched by Gov. Porter, ordering Capt. Marsac, with his company, to return. In 1836 or 1837 he was employed by the government as Indian interpreter, to assist in making a treaty with the Indians of the Saginaw River and its tributaries for the sale of their reservations to the United States Government, which took place where the city of Flint now is. In 1838 he emigrated to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, where he was appointed by the Government Indian farmer for the Saginaw River and its tributaries, which position he held for many years; until he was superseded by the late James Fraser. No man in the Saginaw Valley was so well known as the late Capt. Marsac for his unbounded hospitality and fund of anecdote, and no man is so missed from the community in which he lived. He has left a record that his children may well feel proud of: - An honest and noble man, respected by all who knew him. THERESA REVARD, wife of the late Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, was born at Grosse Point, above Detroit, July 22, 1808, and in 1829 was married to Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, of Hamtramack, by whom she had six children, viz: Charles, Octavills, Mrs. Leon Trombley, Mrs. William H. Southworth, Mrs. Thomas J. McClennen and Mrs. George Robinson, all of whom now live in Bay City. Mrs. Marsac was a remarkable woman for the times inll which she lived, and no woman was more dearly loved by the early settlers, for her motherly kindness encircled them all. Her house was a resort for the poor and afflicted; her chief aim was to alleviate the sufferings of others. None knew her but to love her. She died at the old homestead in South Bay City, August 9, 1881, deeply mourned by all the pioneers, and through her death earth lost a noble woman-heaven gained a saint. Her memory will be sacredly treasured in the annals of the Saginaw Valley pioneer life. I I i i i I I I i i i I i i I I I I I I I i Ii i I I REMINISCENCE OF CAPTAIN WILSON. Capt. John Wilson, one of the early pioneers of the Saginaw Valley, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., September 30, 1804. In his younger days he followed the occupation of sailing and fishing. In 1837 he left his family for the season to engage in the fishing business at Thunder Bay Islands,in Lake Huron, where he removed the same year. While he was there he had occasion to visit Saginaw for supplies and was so well pleased with the country that he determined to make it his future home. He soon made preparations to remove his family to Lower Saginaw, as it was then called, (now Bay City), which he did, November 16, 1840, after a cold and tempestuous voyage, none too soon, as the river froze over the next night after his arrival and remained frozen all Winter. He removed his family into a little log house on the river bank in Portsmouth near where Albert Miller's upper salt works now stand. This Winter he spent in hunting and trapping, and was very successful, as game was very plentiful in those days. He continued to live in this little log house until he bought a piece of land of Capt. Joseph F. Marsac, lying between what is now Eighteenth and Twenty-first Streets, on the river, comprising twenty-seven acres, where he removed in the Spring of 1842, to make room for Mr. McCormick, who had purchased the property where he had lived. In the Winter of 1842-'43 he superintended the rebuilding of the little schooner "Mary," of forty tons burthen, at Saginaw, for Smith & Little, and the next Spring took command of her in trading between Detroit and Saginaw. This was the first regular trading vessel to the Saginaw Valley, and he continued in command of her until the Fall of 1844. When on his way from Detroit to Saginaw, late in the Fall, laden with goods for the few white settlers and Indian traders, he was caught off the mouth of Saginaw Bay in a terrible storm, and his little vessel was driven across Lake Huron to the Canada shore, and was wrecked. It being late in the season, snow falling heavily, and the vessel covered with ice, Capt. Wilson and his crew suffered untold hardships. At Saginaw there was great excitement, for they knew that the little vessel could hardly withstand that terrible storm, and moreover all the provisions and goods for the few settlers for the Winter were lost, and there would be much suffering. Anxiously for weeks did the settlers watch for that little craft and her crew, until all hope failed, and Capt. Wilson and his crew were given up as lost. But fortunately this was not so. Capt. Wilson, seeing no other method of saving himself and crew, determined to beach her. She struck a rock, however, somne distance from shore, and went to pieces, the captain and crew being washed ashore on part of the wreck on the Canada shore some eighty miles north of Goderich. There were no inhabitants there at this time nearer than Goderich. They finally procured a fire and built a small hut with such materials as they could get together from the wreck that had washed ashore, and commenced picking up such portions of the cargo as came ashore intact, especially the barrels of flour, in order to save as much as they could for the owners. When they had secured all they could, they left one of the crew in charge and started for Goderich on foot along the beach. They had saved a package of socks and they put on four or five pairs each, believing they could get through snow and water better, although the most of them had their feet frozen. After several weary days they reached Goderich, but being unable to procure conveyances, they started on foot for Detroit, which place they had left six weeks before. Here they received assistance, and assistance, and again started on foot for Saginaw, as there were no conveyances in those days, and they were necessitated to travel very slow, as their feet were very sore. On reaching Saginaw thev were received with great joy, as they had long been given.up as lost. To add to Capt. Wilson's distress, his eldest daughter had 1 0.11 w r i/ Il -- - - I I -N _ i) 0 of. I I d - ar _ ____ 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. Capt. 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: i"When I started for home, about sunrise in the morning, I put on 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 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 I 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 l as to protect his feet as much as possible. Our limbs soon became completely benumbed with the cold, and our movements seemed |nechanical, and we passed along in great suffering till, at the dusk of evening, we reached the Clleboyganing 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 further, 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 I 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 __ 'Z I- A — ----- i ft 32 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 wigwamn, 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. Me CORMICK. "On the Saginaw River, towards its mouth, when we come to what is now the corner of Twenty-fourth and Water Streets, in Bay City, where the Center House now stands, we find the site of the old McCormick homestead. Here were two large mounds in the garden, which my father plowed and scraped down. They contained a number of skeletons, stone axes, knives, and quite 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, Barn( y 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 yeavrs 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 fomation 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 mrumbled 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 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 loncg. 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 Sank village, and where the great battle was fought when the Chippewas exterminated that nation. This I will call the Fitzhugh Mound, as it is onl 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 soutltwest, 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 L (9 J1 (i X y I 6o HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 33 I "There are also four fortifications on the Rifle River, in Township Twenty-two north. They comprise from three to six acres each, containing several mounds of large size. They are also situated on the bluffs. The walls can yet be traced, and are from three to four feet high and from eight to ten feet wide, with large trees growing upon them. A friend of mine opened one of these mounds and took from it a skeleton of a larger size than an ordinary person. He says he also saw several large mounds on the Au Sable Eiver. "I have thus given the reader an idea of how these mounds appeared before the hand of man had destroyed and leveled them down. Many of them can yet be seen, but the plow has helped to level many of them, with the exception of the Fraser, Fitzhugh and McCormick Mounds. "And to prove that the last three are artificial and not natural, is the fact that in the rear of all these are low places showing where the earth had been taken from to build the mounds, which had taken the work of years. "Again, the soil oil the mounds differs from the soil around them, with the exception of the low places referred to,froim where the earth was taken; and finally, the most convincing proof of all is that you can dig down until you come to the original surface, and will find various kinds of stone implements, broken pottery, and great quantities of stone broken by the action of fire. And in no part of the valley will you find.those relics except in those mounds. "The main objection to my theory is, how could such large elevations and of such extent as the Fitzhugh, Fraser and McCormick Mounds and the more extensive works found in Butler County, O., be built by so primitive a people. I account for so much small broken stone being in these mounds by the manner in which they cooked their food. As their pottery was not made to stand fire, the stones were heated and then put into the vessels to cook their food, which occasioned their breaking to pieces when they came in contact with the water. "Michael Daley, an oll( Indian trader of the Saginaw Valley, in speaking of the Indian mounds on the rivers flowing into the Saginaw Bay, says: —'On the Rifle River, some distance from the mouth, there is a regular ancient fort with mounds inside. This fort is located on the bluff, where it had a commanding view of the surrounding country and was a very strong location. The outer walls and mounds were overgrown with large pine trees three to four feet through.' He also at another time crossed from the head waters of the Rifle to the headwaters of the Au Sable with a party of Indians purchasing fur. On their journey they camped near a beautiful little lake where they found a very large mound on its bank. One of the party wanted to open it, but the rest of the Indians were very superstitious and did not want it done. He however commenced the work; he had not dug long before he came to a large skeleton of immense size. Mr. Daley says it was seven feet long, and the skull was nearly twice as large as an ordinary person's. "On seeing it the Indians became more dissatisfied at what had been done and wanted it reburied, which was done. The next day they came to two beautiful little lakes close together and divided by a high piece of ground, on the top of which was a large mound, the position of which was almost impregnable,but they did not stop long to examine it. Mr. Daley also says while he was fishing on Duck Island, in Lake Huron, many years ago, he found large quantities of broken pottery, consisting of bowls, kettles, etc., the same as are found in the mounds where they have been opened or graded down at the present time." LEGEND OF THE "LONE TREE."' BY JUDGE ALBERT MILLER. "Some old landmarks in the vicinity of Bay City are remembered only by the early settlers; for instance, there was the 'lone tree,' which, as near as the writer can recollect, stood on or near the ground that Thomas H. McGraw has recently improved for a race course on his prairie farm. It was an ash of vigorous growth, about eighteen inches or two feet in diameter, and during the season of foliage presented a bright green appearance. The name is obvious from its having stood in the open prairie completely isolated from all other timber. In early days all travel was on the river, and by that route the lone tree was estimated to be two miles from Portsmouth and four from Bay City. Travelers passing at any season of the year almost invariably saw a white owl perched upon the top of the tree. Some time about the year 1840, a very interesting poem was published in the Philadelphia.Evening Post, and copied into a great many papers in different parts of the United States. The conception of the poem was an Indian legend, stating that the owl was the Good Spirit that watched over and guided the destinies of their tribe or race in the Saginaw Valley; that as long as the tree stood, and the Spirit continued his vigils, their tribe would remain and prosper, but when the Spirit in the shape 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. Some ten years ago the late Hon. Artemas Thayer, of Flint, related to the writer the circumstances of his wedding tour, from Flint to Lower Saginaw, in a sleigh, accompanied by Miss Mather, of Flint, a young lady friend of the bride. They saw the white owl perched upon the lone tree, and on their return to Flint Miss Mather wrote the poem that attracted so much attention. Miss Matlier subsequently went to New York, and at the residence of Horace Greeley suddenly expired, while packing her trunk preparatory to a voyage to Europe. There is something of a coincidence in the relations of the poet and the subsequent history of the Indians. During the Summer of 1838 the waters covered all the low lands of the Saginaw Valley,killing vast amounts of timber skirting the river and low prairies, and during that season the lone tree received its death blow, and soon was left leafless; but the owl still continued his vigils, perched upon the dead branches. But when the roots decayed and the tree was prostrated, the owl was seen no more. In 1837 the Indians sold their reservations to the United States Government, and about the same time their numbers were diminished one-half by the scourge of small-pox. The remnant lingered a few years about their old hunting grounds but were compelled to retire before the march of civilization; and by the timue the lone tree was prostrated and the owl departed, but few of the aborigines were seen about their old haunts, where but a few years before they were the owners and only occupants of the land." The owl was shot and killed about 1842 by James J. McCormick while out with a party on a hunting expedition up the river. More minutely, the legend is as follows:-Many, many long years ago, before the white man's foot had left its impress upon this valley, Ke-wah-ke-won ruled his people with love and kindness. He was a patriarch among them, and beloved for the gentleness of his manners, and the mildness of his government. He had been a great warrior in his day; but his youth had departed, and the languid pulse and feeble footstep told, alas, too plainly, that he would soon be treading the hunting grounds of the Great Spirit. The good old man felt that he was indeed passing away-dying-and he was desirous of seeing once more his tribes in council, to bestow upon them his last blessing, and impart to them his dying admonition and advice. The old chief lay upon his death bed, and around him were gathered, in mournful silence, his beloved people, eager to catch the first and last words that would drop from the lips of their dying chieftain. It was a mournful and melancholy picture, that death-bed scene in the wilderness. At j J4 ,00 Au Gres................................................* 23,870,742 62,281,236 38,723,688 10,948,620 49,229,472 32,645,493 57,240,750 70,846,786 95,719,614 83,116,000 95,247,334 Kawkawlin.. 27',000,000 33,573,4 22,000,000 19,000,000 00,000 150,319,00,) ]5,000,000 17,500,000 15,000,000 16,000,000 2.5,00t(,00o Au Sable............ 105,000,000 96,148,000 52,000,000 955,000,000 47,150,000 60,800,000i 62,000,000 113,000,000 138,500,000 160,332,3471 20,363,300 644,485,'78 680,979,4615 181,352,404 584,84,13,701 574879,472 651,567,948 558,081,674 755,182,586 9'23,874,274 87 1,838,917 1,058,585,929 _ _4 5:7 ] The above refers to the product of the principal streams. RECAPITULATION. Briefly summarized the rafting operations for the year designated aggregate as follows: Feet. Feet. 1867.................429,207,806 1875.......... 584 843,701 1868.................446,960,583 1876................ 572,229,472 1869.................321,350,663 1877................ 651,567,948 1870................623,327,353 1878................ 558,079,674 1871.................521,796,927 1879................ 755,181.586 1872.................645,285,278 1880................ 923,874,274 1873.................680,979,461 1881............... 871,838,917 1874.................589,225,404 1882.............:1,058,585,729 Not enumerated in the amount rafted in 1879 from the streams, 755,181,586, was 25,000,000 from the Shore Pine and Saganin, and 24,300,000 in 1880. In 1881 there was hauled to Saginaw Bay, on the Pinconning Railroad, 40,000,000 feet, all of which came to the Saginaw River, and on the Shore Pine, 10,000,000 feet. This would make the grand total for 1881, 921,838,971 feet. In 1882 there was rafted from the Shore Pine River 14,000,000 feet and Saganin 5,500,000 feet. LOGS BY RAIL. 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.............. 328,228,810 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 COUNTY SAVW 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. 1I 7..- l 48 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. BAY CITY MILLS. S. G. M. GATES owns the mill, formerly owned by the firm of Gates & Fay. The first saw mill built in what was then Lower Saginaw, was erected on this site, by Hopkins, Pomeroy & Fraser, in 1846-'47, with two uprights. In the Fall of 1851 it was blown up, killing the fireman and wrecking things generally. It was put in running order and sold to Hugh Dunlap, of Chicago, and still later to Burns & Wheeler. In 1859 it became the property of Grant & Fay, and in 1863 was destroyed by fire. Mr. Gates then purchased Mr. Grant's remaining interest-and the firm of Gates & Fay erected a new mill and operated it until the Spring of 1882, when Mr. Fay retired and Mr. Gates continues the business, employing about sixty men and cutting annually about 15,000,000 feet of lumber. THE MC EWAN MILL was built by William and Alexander McEwan in 1850, with a capacity of about 2,500,000 feet of lumber a season. It was afterwards operated by John and William McEwan, and still later by John McEwan. Since his death, it has been operated by his sons, William, John and Alexander, under the firm name of McEwan Bros. The same building is still standing that was built over thirty years ago, though the mill has been improved and its capacity increased to 18,000,000 a season. The business employs about seventy-five men. The salt block was built in 1878-'74. WILLIAM A. McEwAN, son of the late John McEwan, was born in New York City, January 1, 1849. He moved with his parents to Chicago, Ill1., and in 1851 camne to Bay City, where he has since resided. He was interested in the manufacture of lumber with his father, and after the death of the latter, in 1882, he carried on the business in company with his brothers. He was married September 2, 1872, to Miss Maria Cornell, of Bay City. JOHN MCEWAN, of the firm of McEwan Bros., was born in Bay City, April 10, 1852. After completing his education he engaged with his father, John McEwan, in the saw mill. He spent most of his time in the office, having the care of the books. Since the death of his father, which occurred January 26, 1882, he has carried on the business in company with his brothers Williamin and Alexander, the name of the firm being McEwan Bros. The firm have been successful in their business operations. He was married January 28, 1880, to Flora Judson, of Cleveland, 0., and has one son. ALEXANDER MCEWAN, son of the late John McEwan, was born in Bay County, Mich., December 2, 1856. Was married June 5, 1880, to Grace Suhr, of East Saginaw. Is living at the old McEwan estate in the First Ward. Mr. McEwan is one of the firm of McEwan Bros., lumber manufacturers and dealers, and conducts an extensive business. MILLER & LEWIS. The mill of this firm was originally built by the firm of Russell, Miller & Co., in 1851. In 1863 it was leased by Albert Miller,. and the following year he purchased the property. He operated it alone until the Winter of 1866-'67, when Angus Miller purchased an interest, and the firm became A. & A. Miller. They rebuilt the mill that Winter, and made it the largest one in that vicinity, having a capacity of 12,000,000 a season, and representing an invest ment of $50,000. They operated the mill two years, and from that time until 1879, Albert Miller was alone. In 1879, Mr. George Lewis purchased a half interest, since which time the firm has been Miller & Lewis. The season cut of the mill is about 20,000,000 feet of lumber. The firm own a large amount of standing pine. ALBERT MILLER is an old resident of Bay City, having come here from St. Clair County, in 1855. For a time after coming here he worked in the mills and so laid the foundation of a successful business career. By 1863 he had reached a point when he considered it safe to do something on his own account, and leased a mill which he purchased the following year. Since that time he has ranked as one of the leading lumber manufacturers of this region. He is also interested in other business concerns. Mr. Miller is one of the leading members of the Fremont Avenue Methodist Episcopal Society, and from the first has been one of its liberal supporters. Mr. Lewis is mentioned in connection with the Bay City Bank, of which he is president. GEORGE C. MYERS. In 1851, the firm of Watrous, Southworth & Co. built a mill on the site of the present Myers Mill, corner of Thirty-eighth and Water Streets. The old mill was torn down in 1878 and rebuilt by Mr. A. Chesbrough, who sold it to its present proprietor in 1881. The mill employs about twenty men, and cut last year 6,250,000 feet of lumber. F. E. BRADLEY & CO. The saw mill of this firm is located at the foot of Tenth Street, and was originally built by Elijah Stanton, in 1852. It was first run with a small engine, but was replaced with a larger one in 1863. In 1857 Beebe & Atwood bought the mill, and two years later Mr. Stanton resumed possession and disposed of it to H. M. Bradley & Co. Its capacity at this time was 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually. In the Spring of 1860, the mill was thoroughly repaired, and the capacity increased to 3,200,000. Improvements have been made from time to time until the present capacity is about 14,000,000 feet of lumber. In 1877 Mr. F. E. Bradley, a lumber merchant of Chicago, came into possession of the property, and ran it alone until 1880, when he associated with him Mr. Russell M. Bradley, and since that time the firm has been F'. E. Bradley & Co. HAMILTON & MCGREGOR. This mill was built in 1852 by the late James J. McCormick. At that time it had an upright and an edger, and cut during the season 1,000,000 feet of lumber. In 1859 it was enlarged and its capacity increased to about 5,000,000 feet. About 1872 the mill passed into the possession of Mr. S. H. Webster and was almost entirely rebuilt by him. In 1880 the present firm purchased it. Its present cut is about 15,000,000 for the season. WILLIAM PETER. The history of this mill begins in 1852. In the Spring of that year, its construction was begun by W. P. Doty. After his death it was purchased by the present proprietor, a prominent lumberman, and a resident of Toledo. The business is in charge of William A. Young, a son of Mr. George Young, of Bay City. The cut of the mill last season was 16,500,000 feet of lumber, PITTS & CRANAGE. The extensive mill property of this firm, situated at the foot of Washington Street, may be traced back to 1853, when Messrs. Baughman & Partridge built a mill with a siding mill, two uprights and an edger, having a daily capacity of 30,000 feet. In the Spring of 1855 Mr. Partridge withdrew from the firm, and the fol lowing Fall Mr. Baughman disposed of the property to Mr. Hubbard, of Detroit, who soon afterward sold to the late Samuel Pitts, of Detroit. In 1857 the capacity of the mill was increased to 4,000,000 a season. In 1865, Samuel Pitts & Co. succeeded Samuel Pitts, and about that time the capacity of the mill was again increased. In April, 1868, Samuel Pitts died, and the firm be I!1 4g I I - I - I I 1) - #PI (I -"- C 0 x C.7 X: C.) m V% lk w J J E I — lk w m.j LL 0 W LLJ CC - _ l les I I - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 the present mill built immediately after. Tlhe 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 1,6830 feet, with dock room for piling 9,000,000 feet of lumber. The F. & P. M. Railroad extends along. one side of the property and the Michigan Central along the other side. There are twenty-six tenement houses upon the property built in 1863 for the convenience of employes. The amount of rent charged for these houses, fixed at a nominal sum in 1863, has never been increased. Many of the men in the employ of the firm have worked for them from their boyhood, several men having been in their employ for nearly twenty years. Mr. Alexander Culbert, their book-keeper, has been 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 back to 1854, when the firm of Rodgers & Bros. laid the foundation of this large business concern. The mill then had one upright saw, employed ten men, and cut about 7,000 feet of lumber a day. In 1856, Miller & Butterfield became its proprietors, and increased its capacity, by the introduction of a circular saw, to 26,000 feet a day. This firm continued about four years, and was then succeeded by the firm of Miller, Barnard & Co. They put in another circular saw, a new and larger engine, new boilers, and increased the capacity to 36,000 a day. In 1864 the firm of Eddy, Avery & Co. purchased the property and made still further improvements, 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 West at an early day, and became extensively engaged in lumbering in Michigan, and was one of the firm of Eddy, Avery & Co., at this point. In 1866 Mr. John F. Eddy came here from Maine, and since that time has been actively engaged in lumbering and other interests. 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, a 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 partner in the hardware firm of Gedney & Avery. N. B. BRADLEY & SONS. The mill now owned by this firm was begun and partially built bv the firm of Hester, Carrington & Co., in 1854, and completed by Frost & Bradley, in 1855. Its capacity then was 4,000,000 feet for _ - ________ — -- the season. In 1858 Mr. N. B. Bradley took charge of the mill, doing sawing by the thousand. 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 1838. 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.....5063 feet. " second" ( " 36 < " 8 i" 4 384 (" third " I 36 " <" 5 " "4 240 Total..................................... 1,1303 feet. In 1877 the mill burned, and was rebuilt the following season. The present cut of the mill 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 tile state i 1 I i jI I0-111, f4 - I '~ Il - it_ 0 - Ile - — v E & 'Ws * -- 50 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. __ of Connecticut. In 1866 he settled in Bay City, and the following year purchased the mill property as above stated. Mr. Hitchcock is one of the substantial lumbermen of Bay City, and has always done a careful but successful business. A. RUST & BROS. The mill of this firm is located at the foot of Twentieth Street, and was built in 1861 by John F. Rust & Co. In 1865 the firm was changed to A. Rust & Co. The original capacity of the mill was about 4,000,000 feet of lumber a season. Its present capacity is 17,000,000 besides lath and barrels. Seventy-five men are employed about the mill. The present firm succeeded A. Rust & Co. The gentlemen composing this firm are residents of Saginaw. OSCAR B. SMITH, superintendent of the mill, came to Bay City from Canada in 1868, and has been in the employ of this firm ever since, and since 1880 has filled the position of superintendent. He is thoroughly competent, and attends to the business intrusted to him with fidelity. HAY, BUTMAN & CO. The mill now owned by this firm was built by Mr. James Watson in the Fall of 1863, and commenced operations the following season with a circular saw. Cutting capacity 3,000,000 for the season. In 1866 Mr. Watson was joined by Mr. O'Brien, of Chicago, when the mill was enlarged, and its capacity doubled. In 1871 the property was purchased by Hay, Batmlan & Co., the present owners. The present capacity of the mill is about 14,000,000 feet of lumler a season, and employment is given to about sixty-five men. JAMES M. LAING is superintendent of the mill, as there is no resident member of the firm. Mr. Laing is a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in 1850, and from there to the States, in 1854. In 1866 he went into the employ of Hay, Butman & Co., in charge of theirlbusiness at Zilwaukee. In 1871, when they purchased the mill at Bay City, Mr. Laing came here, and has been superintendent of the business ever since. Continuous service in the employ of one firm is a testimonial that any man may justly feel proud of. DOLSEN, CHAPIN & CO. The mill of this firm was built by Messrs. Dolsen & Walker, in 1864, with a capacity of 4,000,000 a season, and employed fifteen hands. That mill was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt. The present firm dates from 1874, when it succeeded Dolsen, Chapin & Bro. The business employs about 130 hands. Last season the mill cut 22,000,000 feet of lumber. Mr. J. L. Dolsen resides in Bay City, and Arthur B. Chapin at Saginaw. FOLSOM & ARNOLD purchased their mill site in 1867 of W. L. Fay. The mill was built by the late John Fraser, in 1865-'66, and at his death the following Fall was purchased by Mr. Fay. In 1869-'70 the old mill was taken away, and a new one built. Messrs. Folsom & Arnold have been in the lumber business since 1853, and until 1867 were in business at Albany, N. Y. Mr. Arnold is still a resident of that city, but Mr. Folsom has resided here since 1867. The old mill used to cut about 3,000,000 feet of lumber, but the present mill cut last season 19,000,000. About ninety men are employed. The mill is situated at the foot of Belinda Street. CARRIER & COMPANY. This mill is located on the east side of the river, about two miles below the Third Street Bridge. It was built by its present owners, in the Fall of 1867, and commenced operations in the Spring of 1868. Its capacity when built was about 8,000,000 feet of lumber a season, but improvements have been made until the present cut of the mill is about double what it was at first. EDWIN G. CARRIER, of the firm of Carrier & Co., was born in Jefferson County, Pa,., February 14, 1839, where he remained until 1877, engaged in lumbering. He then removed to Bay City, where he again engaged in the lumber business, having a large mill at Essexville. He is also building a pulp mill in Wisconsin, which will be managed by his eldest son. Mr. Carrier is one of the most enterprising lumbermen of the Valley. He was married May 15, 1861, to Catherine E. Robinson, of Jefferson County, Pa., and has a family of four sons and three daughters. His residence is corner of Fourth and Farragut Streets, Bay City. BIRDSALL & BARKER. This firm are the present proprietors of the McGraw Mill, one of the most noted mills in all the lumbering regions. The late John McGraw, who was so widely kno Wn in connection with Cornell University, and as one of the most extensive lumbermen of his time, was first engaged in the manufacture of lumber with Mr. H. W. Sage, at Wenona, where in 1863-'64 they built a mill of monster proportions. In 1868 Mr. McGraw sold his interest in that mill, and built one at Portsmouth, which was destroyed by fire in 1872. The mill was immediately rebuilt on a much larger scale. It was said to be the largest mill in the world. It cut one season 55,260,000 feet of lumber. The mill site covered about one hundred acres, which has been thickly dotted with buildings of various kinds, until quite a village is gathered there. The cut of the mill last season was about 40,000,000 feet of lumber. The product of the two saltblocks is about 125,000 barrels. After the death of John McGraw, Mr. Thomas McGraw, a nephew living at Poughkeepsie, New York, was interested in the settlement of the estate, and in 1878 the firm of T. H. McGraw & Co. succeeded that of John McGraw & Co., and continued until the Summer of 1882, when the firm of Birdsall & Barker became proprietors. Mr. T. H. McGraw is still concerned in the property, and does an extensive business in pine lands, logs and lumber. His residence is at Poughkeepsie, and a portion of his time is spent in Bay City, as his interests demand. The firm of Birdsall & Barker is composed of Benjamin Birdsall and C. C. Barker, both of whom had been connected with the mill for several years. Mr. Barker has been connected with the mill since the first one was built in 1869. THE DETROIT MILL was built in 1878 by the firm of John Campbell & Co., and operated by them until 1879, when it was purchased by Edmund Hall, of Detroit, and R. J. Briscoe. The mill has been greatly enlarged and improved since it came into thepossession of the present proprietors. Its capacity is about 25,000,000 feet of lumber, 5,000,000 lath and 2,000,000 shingles a season. About 150 men are employed by the firm. The salt block was built in 1880, and its capacity is 50,000 barrels a year. R. J. BRISCOE resides in Bay City, and carries on the business of the firm. He came here in 1877 from Flint, where he had been lumbering for eight years. Upon coming here he rebuilt the Stone Island Mill, and operated it until 1879, when the purchase of the Detroit Mill was made. He is also one of the firm of B. H. Briscoe & Co., proprietors of the Bay City Planing Mill, which he removed from Flint in 1877. The Saginaw River Boom Company, of which he is president, was organized through his efforts, and is one of the most important organizations on the river. During last season it picked up logs at the mouth of the river and on the bay amounting in value to over $40,000. Mr. Briscoe is one of the most enter prising and energetic lumbermen of the valley. EDDY BROS. & CO. This mill was built by S. H. Webster, and was purchased by the present firm in the Spring of 1881, of Chapin & Barber. The salt block was rebuilt in the Winter of 1882. The cut of the mill is - L., — F i I I I i a a J w - - , 0.!U ~ZZG-r .4 - Is i1 I. i I I I I I F I I H3ISTORY OF BAY COUNT1Y. 51 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 I-Lmber 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 m,-.nufacture of lumber and the business interests of the firm. GREEN & STEVENS. The mill of this firm is located on Stone Island, and was built in 1865 b"T John Appold. In 1880 it was purchased by the present proprietors. The mill employs about forty-five hands, and cut last E. J. HAQRGRAVE & SON. This mill. is located on the Miliddle Ground, and was built in 1866i by the firm of Miller Bros. In the Winter of 1879 the mill property was purchased by the present firm. About fifty men are emplo~yed, and the cut of the mill lastyBear was 14,000,000. E. J. HIARGRAVE, of the firm of E. J. Hargrave &Q1 Son, is a na tive of England. He came to Bay City in 1866, and engaged with N. B. Bradley as foreman of the mill; which position he held seven years. He then engaged with John McGraw & Co., as foreman of their mill, remaining with them two years. In 1875 he entered into partnership witlh H. M. ]Bradley in the planing mill business; carried on that business two years and sold out. Leased their present mill for one year, then leased the Tawas Mill Co's m.111 for one year. December, 1, 1878, they p~urchased of Richards, Miller & Co., their present mill property, which has since been operated under the firm name of E. J. H~argrave &~ 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 The fitting and han~ging of the saws was attended to by W. O. Craft and M. Page. Messrs. J. B. Ostrander and Nicholas Emery also were on hannd and made themselves very use~ful. The whole number of men employed was 135. "At the conclusion of the day's work Mlr. H. WI~. Sage delivered a short speech to the men, in which he cordially th~anked them, and expressed his appreciation of the energy, muscle and skrill they had displayed. The men then dispersed to their homes,after giving six - J" I I I. I -P I(D I I I -t o PI' II II.. I 11 n 1 52 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. r rousing cheers. During the whole day no accident to either men or machinery occurred." James Corbett is still sawyer in the same mill; Abbott Plummer is lumbering, and lives in West Bay City; John G. Emery is now of the firm of Emery & Garland, dealers in mill machinery and supplies; M. Haggarty is now foreman of H. J. & C. J. Smith's mill, West Bay City; L. Roundsville is still chief engineer at the same mill; W. O. Craft is keeping saloon in West Bay City, and N. Emery is present foreman of the same mill. The following table gives the product of this mill for each year since it commenced running: YEAR. FEET. 1865................................ 9,048,000 1866................................20,225,000 1867................................22,952,957 1868................................ 31,388,940 1869............................... 28,697,871 1870.............................. 34,450,972 1871............................... 22,442,571 1872.............................. 12,940,519 1873............................... 20,370,670 1874................................25,111,595 1875............................... 22,223,944 1876............................... 23,688,606 1877...............................25,245,990 1878................................27,730,525 1879............................... 29,388,976 1880............................... 25,048,987 1881............................... 30,021,264 1882........................ 31,510,317 C. E. LEWIS. This mill was built by Whitney, Coite & Co., in 1852. In 1862 it was purchased by the firm of Taylor, Moulthrop & Co., anfd in 1881 by Mr. Charles. E Lewis, the present proprietor. The mill employs about sixty men and cut last year 12,500,000 feet of lumber. CHARLES E. LEWIS was born in Cuyahoga County, in the "Western Reserve" part of Ohio. In 1851 he, in company with his half-brother, the late J. W. Whittaker, came to this part of Michigan, and was engaged in working at his trade, that of a millwright. He helped to build what was known as the "Drake" Mill in Bangor, the mill now run by Miller & Lewis at South Bay; also a mill at Carrollton, which was burned down shortly after it started up. In 1860 and 1861 was in the employ of Henry Doty, at what is now known as the "Peter" Mill. Some time afterwards was with the 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, of East Saginaw, bought Mr. Moulthrop's interest, and the business was carried on undler the firm name of Burt & Lewis. In 1881 Mr. Lewis bought out Mr. Burt, and is now sole proprietor of the saw mill and salt works connected therewith. He was married in 1857 to Miss Lucina Topping, of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and they have one child, a girl. JOHN WELCH. This is the mill known for many years as the "Drake Mill." It was built in the Winter of 1851-'52, by Drake[Bros., and in 1853 sold to Kibbee, Whittemore & Co. After that it had various owners, and was finally purchased by Mr. Welch in 1880. In 1881 the mill burned, and was rebuilt the following Winter. It employs about forty men, and cut last year 12,000,000 feet of lumber. built by Mr. George Lord in 1854. Its capacity then was about 25,000 feet of lumber a day, and gave employment to thirty-five men. In 1866, the present company became its proprietors. The present cut of the 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. Johnson, superintendent, West Bay City. F. JOHNSON, superintendent of the Keystone Mill, was born in Salem Co., N. Y., in 1831. In 1847 removed to Maryland with his father, 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 he sold out and came to West Bay City, taking the position which he now holds with the Keystone Lumber & Salt Manufacturing Co. H. J. & C. J. SMITH. This mill was built in 1854 by the firm of Moore, Vose & Co., and at that time had two uprights, a circular and lath mill, with a season capacity of 1,000,000. In 1858 the property was purchased by the firm of Moore, Smith & Co., and in 1862 they enlarged its capacity to 10,000,000 feet a season, giving employment to thirtyfive men. In 1878 the mill'passed into possession of the firm of Peter Smith & Sons. In November, 1880, Peter Smith died, and his two sons, Henry J. and Charles J. Smith succeeded to the business. The average cut of their mill is now 20,000,000 a season, and about eighty men are employed. The firm also manufactures about 35,000 barrels of salt a year. LADERACH BROS.' SAW MILL AND SALT WORKS. The firm of Laderach Bros. is composed of five brothers, Jacob, Rudolff, Charles, Samuel and John. In 1861 they built a stave mill and cooper shop at Salzburgh, and engaged in the manufacture of barrels; the salt business, then in its infancy, creating a demand for that kind of package. After running their stave mill 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 known as a "kettle block," but the present mode of manufacture is by the "steam process." LADERACH BROTHERS are five in number, and are all natives of Switzerland. The whole family, consisting of father, mother, seven brothers and four sisters, emigrated to the United States in 1851, and settled on a farm in St. Clair Co., Mich. The father, mother and the two younger brothers have since gone over to the "silent majority." The five who compose the firm of Laderach Bros., manufacturers of lumber and salt, came to the Saginaw Valley in 1857, living in Bay City for four years. In 1861 they all removed to that part of the township of B angor which was afterward known as Salzburgh. JACOB LADERACH married Miss Elizabeth Ehrson, of Sandusky, Ohio, and they have five children, four daughters and a son. He was the first school director of District No. 3, Bangor. RUDOLFF LADERACH married Miss Catherine 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 he married Miss Katrine Laderach, a native of Switzerland. His family consists of one boy and two girls. I I KE J This mill - B& (9, IYSTONE LUMBER AND SALT MAN'F'G COMPANY. was formerly known as the Lord Mill, having been 6' L.Is 1 - --- -- Z E 1 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 53 SAMUEL and JOHN LADERACH, the remaining members of the firm, are unmarried. L. L. HOTCHKISS. & CO. The mill of this firm is situated a mile south of what was formerly known as Salzburgh. It was built in the year 1869 by the firm of Brooks & Adams, who operated it until 1872, when it came into the possession of the present proprietors. The whole mill property includes about thirty-six acres. They cut an average of 22,000,000 feet of lumber a season, and employ about 110 men. They have three salt wells, and produce about 55,000 barrels of salt annually. L. L. HOTCHKISS is a native of Connecticut. He came to West Bay City in 1863 and entered the employ of Brooks & Adams. On the death of Mr. Brooks, which occurred in 1872, Mr. Hotchkiss became a member of the firm, the style of which was changed to L. L. Hotchkiss & Co., which it still retains. W. H. MALONE & CO. The mill belonging to this firm was built in 1873 by the firm of Malone & Gardner, which firm was succeeded by W. H. Malone & Co. in 1873. The mill employs fifty men and cut last season nearly 20,000,000 feet of lumber. SMALLEY BROS. & CO. This mill was built in 1831, by the firm of Slater & Woodworth, and in the Fall of 1882 sold to the present proprietors. About thirty men are employed. 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 Grind 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 manufac ture 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: Ii - Pt 54 HISTORY OF B'AY COUNTY. SALT STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1864. FIRM. LOCATION. INVESTMENT BARRELS. O. A. Ballou &; Co................... Kawkawlin...$40,000 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 4,000 Taylor & Moulthrop................. "...... 10,000 600 Moore, Smith & Co.................. "...... 5,000 C. C. Fitzhugh....................... Salzburg..... 20,000 17,000 W'; S. Talman................... 13,000 6,000 Fisk & Clark................... "..... 20,000 2,000 Chicago & Milwaukee Salt Co......... "..... 65,000 13 500 H. B. Parmelee........................ "..... 34,000 11.500 Cupola Works....................... Bay City..... 40,000 12,000 Atlantic Salt Co...................... "..... 40,000 11,000 Saginaw Bay Salt Co................. "..... 15,000 8,500 Saratoga Salt CO.................... '..... 30,000 1,306 Fowler & Tucker....................... 30,000 1,300 Dolsen & Walker.................... "..... 15,000 6,000 Lower Saginaw Salt Co............... " C..... 27,000 7,595 Bay City Salt Mfg. Co................. "..... 26,000 11,000 Samuel Pitts........................ "..... 25,000 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,(}00 Portsmouth Salt Co.................. ".. 25,000 3,000 Total................................... $622,000 167,328 The first process of manufacture was by the kettle block, but it was not long before they had to be abandoned. Then came the pan block, and they too, in time, were found to require too much fuel, and gave way for the present system. Between 1864 and 1868 various changes occurred. Some suspended operations and new works were constructed. The manufacturers and products of 1867-'68 were as follows: PRODUCT OF 1867-'68. 1867. N. B. Bradley & Co, Bay City....................... 9 520 Samuel Pitts & Co, "....................... 8,150 Titus Duncan, "(....................... 6,155 Smith & Hart, "....................... 7,000 Bay City Salt Mfg. Co., "...................... 5,369 Dolsen & Walker, "....................... 5,500 Lower Saginaw Co., "....................... 8,500 Atlantic Salt Co., "...................... 10,200 A. Stevens & Co., Portsmouth....................... 6,634 A. C. Braddock, "...................... 7,000 Portsmouth Salt Co., "........................ Taylor & Moulthrop, Bangor....................... 5,100 Leng & Bradfield, ".......................10,000 Keystone S. & L. Co., "....................... 9 006 Moore, Smith & Co., " (............................ F. Fitzhugh, Salzburg.............................. 1,400 H ill & Son, ".................................... Johnson & Walsh, Salzburg......................... 2,000 Huron Salt & Lumber Company, Salzburg............ 7.500 O. A. Ballou, Kawkawlin............................. 9,786 business, and the other where it is a mere parasite of the lumber manufacture. "At the start all the conditions 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 square miles of territory; and for fuel, the dense original forest of Northern Michigan. Accordingly, the business was entered upon in the fullest confidence that if salt would not be made at a profit here, it could not be made anywhere in the United States. "It must be admitted that the investments were not all judicious, and that in the inception of this, as of most new enterprises, some losses were incurred from want of experience; but this was less the case in this instance than usually happens, as the model on which the orignal Saginaw Salt Works were built existed at Syracuse, N. Y., which also supplied all the peculiar machinery and such skill as was required at a comparatively moderate expense. "It should be said that the salt produced at Saginaw, in the earlier period of the manufacture, though not as good as it is now, was a fair article. It had to be sold everywhere alongside the product of the New York works, which had had the benefit of more than a half century's experience; it must, therefore, have compared not very disadvantageously with Onondaga salt, in order to command nearly the same price, which it always did.."However bright the prospects which induced early investments in the manufacture of salt at Saginaw, it was very soon discovered that they were delusive. The expense account of the manufacturers soon swelled to largely more than double its original proportions by the advance in labor as well as in fuel and other materials of manufacture. "The great difficulty in making salt, the tendency to overproduction, began to appear at an early period,and within four years of the commencement of the manufacture it had become a losing business to such an extent that the production largely declined,and salt property had hardly a quotable value. I can not recall a single instance in which an original, independent investment in the salt manufacture in the Saginaw Valley, has offered a reasonable profit as a result of the manufacture itself. This may seem a bold assertion in the face of the fact that the production of salt on the whole has increased, and that it has without doubt added largely to the value of real estate. The annual distribution of large sums in this manufacture has undoubtedly had a favorable influence on the general prosperity, but the business itself has been anything but a profitable one. "After the vast profits of the independent salt business were seen to be imaginary, it was discovered that it might be more profitably conducted as an adjunct of the saw mills. These lumber manufactories make a vast amount of refuse which must be disposed of in some way, or the mills would soon be buried in their own waste. Hence it was found highly economical to employ their slabs, edgings, sawdust and exhaust steam in the production of salt. A manufacture of this kind has now grown up which is more or less profitable in proportion to the skill with which the several manufacturers avail themselves of their advantage in this respect; indeed, the entire manufacture of the Saginaw Valley, at the present time, may be said to depend on the saw mills, because even in the cases where they have no salt works directly connected with them, and under the same management, their refuse is sold at a small figure or given away to the nearest salt works, which are thus enabled to run at a reduced expense; in fact, little or no cordwood is now used for fuel at any of the salt works of the Saginaw Valley." 1868. 9,500 10,000 3,000 4,000 13.000 7,000 8,500 12,000 11,000 11,800 3,500 5,100 15,000 8,000 400 4,000 7,000 3.000 10,000 10,000 118,820 155,800 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 follows: "The salt manufacture of the Saginaw Valley has had an existence of about ten years. Brine was discovered in 1860, but no considerable development occurred till 1861. In that year large investments were made in the new enterprise, and the growth of the business, stimulated by a war demand and war prices, was very rapid. "The production of salt at Saginaw may be considered in two phases; one in which it appears as a separate and independent L __ a -!4 it Ap:d Of (PE ib.:S IEI all HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 55 MANUFACTURERS AND PRODI A. Rust & Co............... Bousfield & Co. H. W. Sage & Co............... Keystone Salt & Lumber Co.. W. H. Malone.. L. L. Hotchkiss & Co. Moore, Smith & Co.. William Peter....N. B. Bradley, (trustee)......... Albert Miller.. McGraw & Co.................. S. H. Webster................. S. McLean & Son.............. Hay, Butman & Co.. N. W. G. & Water Pipe Co...... A. Chesbrough..... F. E. Bradley.................. Eddy, Avery & Co..............,Carrier & Co................... J. R. Hall......:. John McEwan. Dolsen, Chapin & Bro........ Folsom & Arnold............... Chapin & Barber............... Moulthrop & Lewis............. Laderach Bros................. Atlantic Salt Co................ Ayrault, Smith & Co............ Pitts & Cranage................ B. F. Webster................. Murphy & Dorr................ Peter Smith & Sons............. JCT FOR 1877-'78-'79. 1877. 1878. 29,000 29,113 2,698 65,609 67,752 11,047 11,426 22,522 21,367 34,278 30,397 7,543 14,099 18,933 34,874 37,047 47,549 35,536 57,094 51,135 27,794 26,290 26,336 39,189 41,469 19,121 31,492 2,947 1,481 18,885 24,439 53,574 51,304 5,388 16,076 38,422 48,824 17,508 17,888 39,688 48,864 22,918 19,695 45,881 35,747 12,491 17,677 13,243 16,811 X,538 3,346 12,837 2,830 23,376 43,661 707,697 792,352 1879 34,018 61,304 22,202 23,935 35,364 1,788 36,306 62,803 63,713 37,263 37,074 25,744 11,070 11,972 59,522 18,339 48,066 18,337 58,560 22,971 29,885 24,084 14,293 1,050 11,491 52,760 22,578 37,148 15,421 899,061 Total............... THIE SALT DISTRICTS. The salt producing territory of the state is divided into seven districts, having a manufacturing capacity as follows: District No. 1, Saginaw County. —Employs four deputy salt inspectors, has fifty-six salt companies, with forty-three steam, eighteen pan blocks, and 4,000 solar salt covers, having a manufacturing capacity of 1,400,000 barrels of salt. District No. 2, Bay County.-Employs three deputy salt inspectors, with thirty-eight stean blocks, thirty-one salt companies, and 500 solar salt covers, with a manufacturing capacity of 1,300,000 barrels of salt. District No. 3, Huron County.-Employs four deputy salt inspectors, has ten salt companies, with five steam and eight pan blocks, with a manufacturing capacity of 400,000 barrels of salt. District No. 4, Iosco County.-Employs two deputy salt inspectors, has eight salt companies, with eight steam blocks, having a manufacturing capacity of 300,000 barrels of salt. l)istrict No. 5, Midland County. —Employs one deputy salt inspector, has four salt companies, with one steam and three pan blocks, having a manufacturing capacity of 100,000 barrels of salt. District No. 6, MaRnistee County. -Employs one deputy salt inspeetor, has one salt company, with one steam block now in operation, with a manufacturing capacity of 50,000 barrels of salt. District No. 7, Gratiot County.-Emnploys one deputy salt inspector, has one salt company, with one pan block having a manufacturing capacity of 40,000 barrels of salt. L. L. Hotchkiss................... 54,860 Laclerach Bros.......................... 17,217 W. H. Malone........................... 280665 i. W. Sagre & Co............................ 64'352 J. D. Ketcham............................... 5,697 Keystone Salt & Lum. Co.................... 31,593 Burt & Lewis............................. 3,006 C. E. Lewis................................ 23,888 Smith & Sons............................... 28,018 McGraw & Co............................... 29,239 Birdsall & Barker......................... 70,508 A. Chesbrough............................... 58( G. C. Mlyers................................. 17,662 Murphy & Dorr............................... 37,300 Miller & Lewis.............................. 54,079 S. McLean Son & Co........................ 24,930 Hamilton, McGregor & Co................... 25,623 A. Rust & Bro.............................. 58,418 Hay, Butman & Co.......................... 26,298 N. B. Bradley & Sons.................... 61,412 WV. Peter................. 39,588 F. E. Bradley k.i.,.......................... 37,818 Eddy, Avery Z Ecdy........................ 59,081 Pitts & Cranage............................. 55,484 J. F. E wing................................ 13,686 R. J. Briscoe,............................ 321000 Folsom & Arnold............................ 30,349 Eddy Bros. & Co............................ 31,556 Atlantic Salt Co............................. 4,800 Ronse Bros.............................. 18,914 J. R. Hall............................. 53,569 Carrier & Co............................. 26,583 McEwan Bros........................ 34,831 Dolsen, Cbapin & Co........................ 56,675 Total........................ 1158,279 SHIPMENTS BY WATER FOR 1882. April........................................ 53,937 May......................................... 87,722 Juue.................................... 47,194 July.......................................... 32,311 Algust....................................... 62.831 September.................................. 37.629 Oc tob er...................................... 68.225 November.... 50,147 Total................................... 439,996 The shipments by rail during the year were about 500,000 barrels, making the total shipments for the year 939,996 barrels. The total number of barrels inspected in Bay County during 1881 was 1,125,290. The total salt product of the state in 1869 was 560,818 barrels. In 1881 it was 2,750,299 barrels. Most of the production now is by the grainer system. Steam blocks are used and evaporation is procured by the use of exhaust steam from the engines which drive the saw mills. The expense of fuel is thus reduced to the rninimumn, as were the steam not used in the salt manufacture, it would be suffered to escape without further service. This mode of manufacture has practically superseded all others, because of the economy of fuel. In 1873 the product of Bay City amounted to a little more than.32,000 barrels, which was sold at an average of $1.40 per barrel. In 1882 there were thirty-four salt making establishments, and the amount inspected was 1,193,479 barrels. The total product for the year was considerably more than that. In the early days of salt manufacture here, the prices reached as hligh as $3.50 a barrel. The past year the average price has been about seventy cents. YEARLY PRODUCT AND PRICE. The salt manufacture in this state commenced in 1860, and the /- 6 BI NU The 14 port, and does not e;V -A-: I A 9 -ff..- a.0 vid. Lj::; JMBER OF BARRELS INSPECTED IN BAY COUNTY IN 1882. X following table is taken from the state salt inspector's reI shows the amount of salt inspected during the year. This, show the full amount manfactured: I -! I t r - I Ill 56 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. inspection law was not enacted until 1869. Previous to the inspection law the annual product was as follows: Barrels. Barrels. 1860.................... 4,000 1865....................477,200 1861....................125,000 1866....................407,077 1862...................243,000 1867................... 474,721 1863....................466,356 1868..................555,690 1864....................529, 073.............................. The product since 1869, at which time 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, c~ *( 69 ~g ~t( 4 C i g 1866..............................$1 80 1867........................... 1 77 1868............................. 1 85 1869.............................. 1 58 1870............................. 1 32 1871............................. 1 46 1872.............................. 1 46 1873.............................. 1 37 1874.............................. 1 19 1875.............................. 1 10 1876.............................. 1 05 1877.............................. 85 1878.............................. 85 1879............................. 1 02 1880.............................. 75 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., B:ay 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. R-mington, Ezra Rust, Newell Barnard, G. F. Williams, H. A. Batchelor, of the Saginaws; W. R. Stafford and James Ayers, of Port Hope; E. F. Holmes, of Oscoda. Executive committee, H. M. Bradley, J. L. Dolsen, of Bay City; W. R. Burt, W. J. Bartow, N. Barnard, East Saginaw. The capital stock was $200,000, of 8,000 $25 shares. The amount actually paid in was $2 per share. This organization was probably the most successful one in the history of the Saginaw Valley. Its stock-holders numbered forty-eight, twelve of whom resided in East Saginaw, fifteen in Bay City, two in West Bay City, fourteen in Saginaw City, and one each in Port Austin, Caseville, New River, White Rock, and Port Hope. It appointed a committee consisting of Thomas Cranage, Jr., N. Barnard, and one other member, who drafted an amendment to the salt law, which was passed by the Legislature, and it is now considered the best that could be drawn, it covering all the points desired. In 1881, on March 31st, the organization expired by limitation. At that time a new combination was organized under the name of the Salt Association of Michigan. This company is in existence at the present day, and is doing effective work. Its officers are about the same as of the old associaticn. The purpose for which this organization was formed is the manufacture of and dealing in salt, and to engage in the transportation of its products to market. The capital stock is $200,000, divided into 8,000 shares of $25 each. The amount actually paid in is $2 per share. The affairs of the association are managed by the Board of Directors, who are all manufacturers of salt. The places for the transaction of the association's business are Bay City and East Saginaw. Any manufacturer of salt in this state is entitled to become a stockholder of the association by signing articles of association, and designating the number of shares taken, which shall not exceed one share of the capital stock for every barrel of the daily average of his manufactory on a fair estimate. From the proceeds of the salt sold, there is paid an annual dividend of 8 per cent to each stockholder on the amount paid in, payable on the 30th days of March and September, which together with all losses sustained and all expenses incurred in handling and selling, together with the inspection fees, are charged up as expenses before a division of theproceeds 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.,1 I I R SALT ASSOCIATIONS. The association of salt manufacturers of the salt producing counties of Michigan, organized in 1876, under the title of "Michigan Salt Association," and reorganized in 1881, under the name of "Salt Association of Michigan," has, during its few years of existence, met with flattering success on all sides, the consumer of salt as well as the producer being profited thereby. Early in the history of the great industry, associations from time to time were organized and operated, one of these being the lray 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 th saline article. The salt producer during that time saw the -real necessity for an organization. A number of salt manufacturers in the Saginaw Valley haid 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 allysalt its stockhold (3 L I__ _ ~ ~ __ - - - ' Hi fl t::::: s; 0 aV00X004:0::000ff:S::r:U:;;X:ff: 0: A::. I... b. 4 - - ('_ e * -A I I ___ _______ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 57 - 4 I RIVER NAVIGATION. The history of Saginaw River navigation extends over a period of about fifty-two years, and the exhibits of its traffic at the present time indicate to what extent the industries of this region have attained. The first craft to dispute the right of way upon the highway of this river, was a vessel or sloop called the "Savage," probably so called from its appearance rather than anything it was likely to accomplish. This craft was of about forty tons burden, and owned by the American Fur Company. It made occasional trips to the company's station at Saginaw from about 1831 to 1837 or 1838. In June, 1832, a vessel that could carry fifty tons came into the river, and after discharging some freight for the Fur Company, sailed up the Tittabawassee and took a load of potatoes from Duncan McLellan's farm, and carried them to Detroit. This was the first export of farm produce from the Saginaw Valley. In August, 1837, Capt. George Raby sailed into the Saginaw River as master of the schooner "North America." He settled his family at Portsmouth. He died about the year 1860. Capt. J. Davis Smith, brother of Dr. George E. Smith, of Bay City, commanded the "Richmond," formerly the "Conneaut Packet" for a year or two, until she was wrecked on the Canada shore of Lake Huron. Dr. George E. Smith was sailing with his brother on the boat at the time. About this time Capt. Wilson commanded a little schooner called the "Mary," which sailed between Saginaw and Detroit. She 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 of Bay City to rank with any on the lakes. There are now two established passenger steamboat lines —the Bay City & Alpena, and Saginaw Eiver Line of steamers. There are also a large number of tug, propeller, barge and towing lines. THE SEASON OF 1882. The Bay City Ir5ibune 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 Crow Island to Buffalo at $1.25, which rate was accepted in order to fill out the tow of the propeller 'Passaic.' Freights remained steady and quiet at the figures named until September 1st, when a reaction took place, an advance of 25 cents being made upon the demand of owners of lumber carriers. Another 25 cent advance speedily followed and then another, making the rate $2 to Buffalo and $1.75 to Ohio. A brisk demand for Buffalo boats sent the rate up another quarter, only on Buffalo and Tonawanda boats, however. As soon as the chilling Fall winds set, freights again increased a quarter, fixing them at $2.50 and $2, and from then until the close of the season they remained firm at those figures. -Better freights were obtained, in some instances, but as a rule, those were the going rates. The steam-barge 'Ontonagon' and barges '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 'W. A. Sherman' came here and loaded, and they were in reality the last craft for Buffalo, where they reached safely on Monday morning last. The barge 'B. B. Buckllout' was the last craft to load for Ohio. She was towed out to Tawas by the tug 'Cheney' and from there was towed to Cleveland by the steam-barge 'Geo. L. Colwell.' "The season, on the whole, has been a very fair one for lumber carriers. All that were properly managed, made money. The season, as favorable as it was, is a surprise, when the fact that there was nearly 25 per cent increase in tonnage is taken into consideration. The past season some of the best and largest crafts have been added to the lumber marine, each carrying from 400,000 to 800,000 feet. The largest shipments of any season in Bay City's history were made the past season." The boats laid up at Bay City for the Winter of 1883, were as follows: Steamers-"Dove," "Dunlap," "Metropolis," "E. T. Carrington," "Luther Westover,"" Emerald," "Sea Gull." —7. Propellers-"Arundell, " "C. A. Forbes." —2. Steam barges-"Geo. King," "Baldwin," "J. P. Donaldson," "D. F. Rose," "Nelson Mills," "Mayflower," "Fred McBrier,"" Sanilac," "Benton." —9. Barges-" Brightie," "Boscobel," " Marine City," "Racin e," "Jupiter,. "Leader, " " Yankee, " " Bahama, ""Tailor," "Gebhart, " "Florence M. Dickinson," "Lilly May," "Emerald," "Colorado," "Fannie Neil," "Levi Rawson," "C. L. Young," "Galatea," "Ajax," "Oneonta," "E. A. Mayes," "Nelson," "Favorite," "Roscius," "Icsman," "Grace Whitney," "Melbourne," "G. W. Bissell," "J. S. Austin," "Amaranth," "Wm. Treat," "T. G. Lester, "J. L. Ketchum, "L. B. Crocker. "- 4. Tugs-" "Music, ""Ella Smith," "Peter Smith," "S. S. Rumage," "A. F. Bartlett," "William Park," "Charles Lee," "C. M. Farrar," "Marian Teller," "E. V. Mundy," "Witch of the West," "W. E. Quinby," "W. A. Avery," "Annie Moiles," "Buffalo," "Cora B.," "E. M. Peck," "C. C. McDonald," "T. M. Moore," "Geo. B. Dickson," "E. Haight," "Maud S.," "Harley," Challenge," "Laketon," "Toledo."-26. Steam Yachts-"Handy Boy," "Jos. Gordon," "Col. Camp," "C. B. Hull," "J. G. Hubbard," "Cora K. D."-6. I I - I I -90, rt4 I - - -, - - - - - - I. r - as IF _ 58 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. - - SUMMARY. S team ers.......................................... 7 P ropellers......................................... 2 Steam -barges...................................... 9 Barges............................................ 34 T-ugs.............................................. 26 Steam Y achts...................................... 6 Total........................................... 84 THE FIRST VESSEL BUILT ON THE SAGINAW RIVER was built by Nelson Smith in 1846-'47. She was built at Saginaw and named the "Julia Smith," that being the name of the proprietor's only daughter. At that time the Carrollton bar was an obstrue - tion to the navigation of the river, and this vessel was modeled to adapt itself to that difficulty. It was of about seventy tons burden and when loaded drew four and a half feet of water. In 1848, when Judge Miller removed his family from Saginaw to Portsmouth, they made the trip on this vessel in about two days. The "Julia Smith" left the Saginaw trade about 1850, and as Ilte 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 "Java," a small fishing vessel was built atLower Saginaw, in 1854. FIRST STEAMBOAT ON THE RIVER. Of the first steamboat on the Saginaw River, Judge Miller writes as follows: "In July, 1836, the writer of this article, accompanied by Eleazer Jewett, the county surveyor, and one or two other parties who were to assist in making a preliminary survey of the site of Portsmouth, preparatory to making a plat of the village, came from Saginaw in a canoe (accompanied by the late James Fraser, who expected to meet a vessel in the river with some articles on board which he would have need of before the wind would permit the vessel to sail to Saginaw,) to the point where the village of Portsmouth is now located, and after completing a survey of the outlines for a village plat, proceeded down the river to the residence of Leon Trombley, Sr., which was then located at a point near the present corner of Fourth and Water Streets. While there partaking of some refreshments, Louis Trombley (who was then a lad ten or twelve years old,) came into the house crying, 'A steamboat! a steamboat!' We all rushed out of the house to see what had deceived the boy into the idea of a steamboat, when, to our great delight, we saw a steamboat proudly making headway against a south wind and the current of the Saginaw River; these obstacles had been a great detriment to the navigation of the river by sailing vessels, and seriously retarded the arrival of supplies for the citizens of Saginaw. We hailed the boat, which proved to be the 'Governor Marcy,' commanded by Capt. Gorham, piloted by Capt. Rhodes, and chartered by the late Norman Little, who was acting in behalf of himself, and Mackie, Oakley and Jennison, who then owned Saginaw City, and had just commenced active operations in building up the town. Mr. Jennison, who was interested in-the charter of the first steamboat that entered the Saginaw River, was the father of our respected fellow-citizen, Charles E. Jennison. With much ado, after losing some of our things in endeavoring to transfer them from the canoe to the boat, we all got on board, and had the satisfaction of riding on the first steamboat that ever floated on the waters of the Saginaw. The 'Governor Marcy' made regular trips to Saginaw once in two weeks during the balance of that season. Some of the early settlers may remember Capt. Gorham who commanded her. He was a complete dandy; I have known him to change his dress three or four times after entering the river before landing at Saginaw. He would sometimes appear on the pilot house of the boat dressed entirely in white, with a broad brimmed Leghorn hat on, motioning as if piloting the boat, when the wheelsman, Capt. Rhodes, who knew every foot of the ground, paid no attention to him. He was superseded in the command before the season was out. "FIRST STEAMBOAT BUILT ON THE RIVER. "In 1817 the business of the Saginaw Valley had begun to revive somewhat; the lumber business was carried on in a small way, and at that time a great want was felt for a better means of communication between different points on the Saginaw River, and for some mode of navigating the streams that form the said river. It must be remembered that at the time above mentioned every man had to paddle his own canoe; there was no road between the upper and lower towns on the river that any one but the late James Fraser dared to ride over. At this time Capt. Addison Mowry, a native of Pittsburglh, who was well acquainted wih the navigation of the shoal waters of the upper portion of the Ohio River, conceived the idea that a steamboat modeled after those running on the Ohio, would not only serve for the wants of the Saginaw River, but could be made useful in navigating the streams above. At the suggestion of Capt. Mowry, the late James Fraser, Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, DanielH. Fitzhugh, Jr., Emerson and Eldridge, and some SAGINAW, BAY CITY AND ALPENA STEAMERS. other parties entered into the project of building such a boat as has been mentioned; and in the Summer of 1847, Mr. Fraser and Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., went to Pittsburgh and contracted for the engines for a boat, procured a model from which to build one, and commenced in earnest the great undertaking that it then was tobuild a steamboat on the Saginaw River. The work of construction was carried on near Emerson's mill, at Saginaw, on the east side of the river, for the convenience of getting sawed lumber at the mill. The work on the hull had progressed considerably during the season of 1847, but the boat was not launched till 1848, when she was consigned to the element for which she was intended, and named the 'Buena Vista,' upon which occasion there were great festivities at the 'Hall of Montezuma.' I think the responsibility of providing the materials and superintending the building of the boat was assigned to Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., and notwithstanding the many difficulties attending that duty, they were all overcome, and in due time the 'Buena Vista' was constantly employed in carrying passengers and towing vessels on the Saginaw River. Addison Mowry was her first captain, and Orrin Kinney, now of Portsmouth, was engineer. The 'Buena Vista,' notwithstanding her awkward appearance, with her stern wheel, answered the purpose for which she was constructed, with the exception of making money for her owners, and the successful navigation of the upper streams. As an illustration of her failure in the last named point, I will give a little sketch of her first trip to te forks of Bad River. This was before the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad -was built, and the people of Shiawassee County were looking for a means of conveying their surplus produce to market, by constructing a plank road to the forks of Bad River, and from that point the pro 1 (V I - - - IIZI 777, w{ I r HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 59 i duce was to be carried by the 'Buena Vista,' or some other light draught boat, to a shipping point on the Saginaw River. To further the project above referred to, a delegation from that county, consisting of Gov. Parsons, of Corunna, and Mr. Gould, of Owosso, came to Saginaw in the Summer of 1849, and when they got ready to return home, it was determined, in order to show the feasibility of the project, to take the delegation on their way, as far as the forks, on board the 'Buena Vista,' and at the same time give an excursion to the citizens of Saginaw. The writer was notified of the intended excursion and was on hand to start with the boat, upon which had congregated for the excursion, a large portion of the male population of Saginaw City, (East Saginaw then was not.) The boat started out in the morning under favorable auspices, expecting to be back at Saginaw by a little past noon, so no provisions for the comfort of the inner man were made except by those who took their rations of fire-water. The boat proceeded on her trip without encountering any difficulties, till we left the Shiawassee and entered the Bad River. That river was so narrow and crooked in places that it was with difficulty that we made any progress; in a short turn in the river the length of the boat was so great that it would rub both banks at the same time, and she had to exercise all the power of her engines to squeeze through. It was near night when we reached a point in the river where the navigation was attended with less difficulty, when a strange whistling sound proceeded from the engines, and the engineer was walking in the water by the side of the boat endeavoring to accomplish something by punching at its side. It was soon ascertained that the pipe which supplied the boilers with water had been filled with mud in dragging over the shoals, and that the boat was being propelled by heated gas. Had the engineer suec ceeded in letting water into the boilers when thus heated,there would inevitably have been an explosion which would have caused great loss of life. Before reaching our destination all the metal joints in the steam pipes were melted, and so far as the propelling capacity was concerned, the boat was a complete wreck. It was then near night, and we had all fasted since morning, and the prospect for the night was not very pleasant; when Daniel L. (0. Eaton and E. F. Bird volunteered to take a canoe and paddle to Saginaw, sixteen miles, and return with provisions for the famishing crowd. They performed their duty faithfully, for which service they will always be held in grateful remembrance by all who partook of the bountiful supply of provisions, which they brought to the crowd aboutone o'clock in the morning, and which the good ladies of Saginaw City had supplied them with, by emptying their larders of cooked provisions. The next day the excursionists exercised their muscles in performing a pedestrian tour through the wilderness, by way of Swan Creek and the Tittabawassee to Saginaw. The 'Buena Vista' remained at the forks a few days till her steam pipes and boilers were repaired, when she returned to her duties on the Saginaw,which she performed till other boats came to take her place. "The 'Buena Vista' is described as having been a 'homely' affair, being all hold and no cabin, and supplied with rows of benches for seats. "The machinery of the 'Buena Vista' was afterwards transferred to the 'Whitney,' which was the first steamboat built at the lower end of the river. She was built at Bangor by Thomas Whitney & Co., and was commanded by Daniel Burns, of local notoriety. "The next steamboat after the 'Buena Vista,' to ply these waters, was the 'Gen. Wolcott,' brought here in 1850 by Capt. Darius Cole, to run between Lower Saginaw and Saginaw, thus forming the first river line ever operated here. "One of the incidents of the early days was a race between the 'Buena Vista' and the 'Wolcott.' Daniel Burns commanded the l first named boat, and getting in too great a hurry at the outset, started all the joints in his racer before he was five miles out, thus losing the $100 stakes." " CAPT. DARIUS COLE is one of the pioneer vessel men of Michigan, and particularly of the Saginaw Valley. He was born in Wales, Erie -Co., N. Y., October 11, 1818. As early as 1835, before Michigan became a state, he came West to Detroit, and afterwards helped to survey the territory of Iowa. Most of his life has been spent in the management of boating interests, and at an early day he sailed on the lakes. As early as 1848 he came to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, with a vessel, bringing supplies and taking back a load of furs. In 1850 he came here with the steamer "Gen. Wolcott" and ran it between this point and Saginaw, thus forming the first river line ever operated here. Before that the business had been done with canoes and skiffs. In 1854 he bought the steamer "Columbia" and run. her between this point and Detroit. He operated the river line until a few years ago, when he sold out. In company with Capt. Holt he now has three boats and operates a line between Bay City and Alpena. Captain Cole is a genial gentleman and is a well stocked encyclopaedia of early reminiscence and events. He has had a successful business career and amassed a handsome property. He owns considerable real estate in Bay City, but his family residence has always been in Detroit. His business office is in Bay City, and most of his time is spent here, especially during the season of navigation. BRIDGES. Previous to 1865 the only means of transit across the Saginaw River was by row-boats or ferry. In 1863 a steam flat-boat superseded the rope ferry. In 1864 a stock company was formed and a wooden bridge built between the foot of Third Street, Bay City, and Midland Street, Wenona. This bridge was 1,900 feet in length and cost $35,000. It was opened for travel in 1865. In 1876 the wooden structure was replaced by the present magnificent iron bridge. The bridge company continued to' the Winter of 1883, and up to that time it was a toll bridge. At that time Bay County purchased the bridge and the toll system was abolished. In 1876 another bridge was constructed from the foot of Twenty-Third Street to Salzburgh. The bridge of the Detroit and Bay- City Railroad was built in 1873. THE COURTS AND BAR. One of the first institutions established in a community of pioneers has invariably been some sort of a court of justice, where law could be expounded, justice administered, and other kinds of business, too numerous to mention, transacted. The justice of the peace who presided over the principal court of the early days, was necessarily a being of varied attainments, at least in theory if not in fact. It was his business to unite in holy bonds of matrimony such.-as desired to be pronounced, and to separate by solemn decree of divorce such as could show just and sufficient cause. He must also apply the principles of law and justice to the whole range of offenses, from murder to neighborhood quarrels. PRESENT SYSTEM OF JUDICIARY. The present system of judiciary of Michigan is most excellent, bult it has been developed through a tortuous way. From the date of the settlement of Detroit by the French in 1701, the people of the region now included in the state of Michigan have lived to the present time under various forms of governments-edicts of kings, orders of military commanders, decrees of imperial parliaments and provincial governors, ordinances of national congresses, I f1 i1 9 I 40 -- h - i, ] I I I i i I I i 'iIIi -.&- e) I I w __ I 60 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. enactments of territorial governors and councils, provisions of state constitutions, and the laws of the state Legislature. From the coutume de Paris to the last state constitution and enactments of the last state Legislature, the changes of 182 years have left their impress along the devious ways. THE COURTS. The Circuit Court of Saginaw County was established under an act of the Territorial Legislature Assembly, approved February 12, 1835, which provided that a term of court should be held for the county of Saginaw on Tuesday next after the fourth Monday in June, and on the second Tuesday next after the fourth Monday in January in each year. Among the first acts of the State Legislature was one dealing with the Circuit Court. It decreed that "the Fourth Circuit shall be composed of the counties of Oakland, Lapeer, Shiawassee, Genesee, Saginaw, Ionia and Kent, and the counties attached thereto, for judicial purposes." The sessions of the Fourth Circuit were ordered to be held at Saginaw on the third Tuesdays of February and July in each year. Subsequently the- term was changed to May. In after years, a desire to have the Spring term of the court held in April was expressed. Among the bills passed by the Legislature during the Winter session of 1858-'59 was one changing the terms of the Supreme Court and reorganizing circuit districts. The Spring term of the Supreme Court was authorized to be held on the first Monday of April instead of May. Saginaw County was detached from the Seventh Circuit and added to the Tenth, which henceforth comprised Saginaw, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Iosco, Bay and Alpena. June 25, 1857, John Robertson vs. Harvey Williams was the first suit in the Bay County Circuit Court, W. L. Sherman, attorney for plaintiff; May 31, 1858, George Lord vs. Joseph P. Whittemore, W. L. Sherman attorney for plaintiff; June 2, 1858, Andrew C. Maxwell vs. James J. McCormick, Maxwell & Wisner for plaintiff, and James Birney for defendant. No court, however, was held in which to try cases until April, 1859, when Judge Wilber F. Woodworth presided. The Grand Jury empaneled for this session consisted of J. S. Barclay, Henry M. Bradley, John Burdon, Daniel Burns, Jonathan Burtch, Calvin C. C. Chilson, W. L. Fay, Lyman Garrison, B. B. Hart, Christian Heinzmann, Fred 1Keisler, Nathan Knight, Alexander McKay, Gunder Miller, John W..Putnam, Henry Raymond, Harvey Stewart, Edward Vosburg, Albert Wedthoff and Michael Winterhalter. Henry Raymond was chosen foreman. The building used for a court house stood where the south end of the new Denison Block now stands on Water Street. The first man convicted of murder in the county was Peter Van Gestle, for the murder of Peter Van Wert. The murder was committed in Bay County, January 31, 1859. The following April Van Gestle was tried, convicted and sentenced to solitary confinement for life. In 1861, Judge Woodworth resigned, and Hon. James Birney was appointed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term. He was succeeded by J. G. Sutherland, who resigned in 1870 upon his election to Congress. Then came John Moore and T. C. Grier. The latter died in 1872, and was succeeded by Hon. Sanford M. Green, who is still upon the bench. Bay County is now a part of the eighteenth judicial district. The terms of court are the first Tuesday of March, September and December, and the third Tuesday in June. SANFORD M. GREEN, circuit judge Bay City, was born May 30, 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 1843 he removed to Pontiac, and there lie 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 I I I -Il 4 - I.I? 4 et - I O HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY, 61 - - 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; lhe has mastered and digested it as a great moral science. In the administration of it, he is ready without being precipitate, dignified without austerity, patient and attentive to arguments, and independent and uniformly impartial in his decision. He is ever serene and selfpossessed, however the bustle and excitement of important trials may affect parties, council or public. He is popular with the profession and enjoys the fullest confidence of the public. On his retirement from the bench in 1867 he was tendered a public dinner at Pontiac, and the festive occasion was emphasized by the presentation of a beautiful silver service, with toasts and speeches abounding in compliments well merited, and which had the ring of "well done, good and faithful servant." Nor is Judge Green a mere judge or justice; his reading has been extensive. He is, in short, a man of refinement and general culture, with broad and liberal views. PROBATE COURT. At the first election held in Bay County on the first Monday in June, 1857, Sydney S. Campbell was elected judge of probate. The first business transacted in his court was an application for the appointment of Michael Winterhalter as administrator of the estate of Frederick Wintermur, deceased. Mr. Campbell held the office until January 1, 1869, and was succeeded by Hon. H. H. Hatch, who served one term. Then followed J. W. McMath, John Hyde and Thomas E. Webster, the latter being the present incumbent. BAY COUNTY BAR. The first lawyers in Lower Saginaw were W. L. Sherman, C. H. Freeman, James Birney, Stephen Wright and James Fox. W. L. SHERMAN was born in Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 20, 1819; was admitted to the bar in 1837, and began the practice of law at Adams, N. Y. In 1854 he settled in Lower Sag inaw and was engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred June 30, 1865. He left a wife and two children, who still reside in Bay City. CHESTER H. FREEMAN is the pioneer member of the Bay County bar, having begun practice in Lower Saginaw as early as 1855, 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 most of the time for nearly ten years. He has never fully recovered from the effects of it, but for the past thirteen years has been able to attend to his business. In 1872 he built the brick residence and office, which he now occupies, upon the lot before described. At the present time no trace of the swamp, or rough surroundings, remain, but broad, handsome streets, and beautiful homes are there instead. Mr. Freeman has accumulated a large amount of 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 l J e L kq w- I 1+ 74,, O f 62 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 53 i 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 service. James Birney is mentioned in another part of this work. Stephen Wright went to California, where he died. James Fox remained only a short time, ANDREW C. MAXWELL came here in March, 1857, from Lapeer, Mich. He was born in Onondaga County, Nt Y., July 11, 1831. When thirteen years of age he removed to Michigan with his parents, who settled in Oakland 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 Lapeer, where he began the practice of law. December 28, 1853, he imarried Sarall 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 Saginaw, 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. He was a member of the Legislature in 1865 and in the Fall of 1882 was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Tenth district. In 1872 he built a block on Water Street, known as the Maxwell Block. Mr. Maxwell has had more to do with the affairs of Bay County than any other man in it on account of his long service on the Board of Supervisors and his recognized ability as a lawyer. He also took an active part in the organization of the county. As a lawyer Mr. Maxwell long ago had acquired a state reputation, and for upwards of twenty years has had a very extensive practice in the courts of Northern Michigan. To those who know him it would sound exceedingly tame to say that "Maxwell is an ilnveterate joker," when for a quarter of a century accounts of his acts of generosity and interestedness in others' affairs 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. THEOPHILUS 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 January, 1834, and he was consequently in his thirty-ninth year at the time of his death. His parents resided at Ravenna, Ohio, during his early childhood, but they both died when he was quite young. He then resided with an uncle for some time. He was a descendant, on his mother's side, from the Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, and of Pilgrim fame. At fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to Joel B. Brattles, editor of the Trumbull County Democrat, Ohio; after that he attended an institution of learning in Marietta, and studied law in the office of Riddle & Hathaway, at Chardon, Ohio, in 1851. In 1857 he married the lady who was his faithful companion till the day of his death. Shortly after his marriage he was admitted to the bar and removed to Pine Run, in this state, where he commenced the practice of law in the same year. In the latter part of the year 1859 he removed to Bay City. At that time he was in very destitute circumstances, but with that courage and ability he possessed, he soon secured a good practice and continued to increase it until it became quite lucrative. Judge Grier was frequently elected to offices of trust and honor. In 1860 he was elected prosecuting attorney and Circuit Court commissioner for the county. In 1862 he was, however, not fortunate, and was defeated in the election for the same offices. In 1865 he was the attorney for the city, and in 1867 was elected representative to the Legislature from this district. While filling this office he distinguished 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, he was chosen judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. LUTHER BECKWITH is one of the early members of the Bay County bar, having settled here in the Fall of 1860. He is a native of Washtenaw County, and a graduate of the University of Michigan. He was admitted 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 alderman of the city. He is well known and has a good reputation as a lawyer. ARCHIBALD MCDONELL settled in Bay City in June, 1861. He was born in St. Andrews, Nova Scotia, January 1, 1833. He received a grammar school training and taught in his native province about three years. In 1859 lie entered the law department of Michigan University,and graduated in the Spring of 1861. The following June he entered upon the practice of his profession in Bay City. He has held several local offices, among which were thlose of mayor of the city, supervisor, circuit court commissioner, city attorney and alderman. Mr. McDonell has been very successful, both as a lawyer and business man, and ranks among the wealthy men of Bay County. He is a member of the l'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 hIis name from the history of progress in Bay City and County during the past twenty years. He was born in Ireland, January 2, 1839, his father being a small landed proprietor of English descent. His mother maintained and educated the children after their father's death. He determined 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 indomitable 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 the University of Michigan, and graduated in 1861. During a portion of the time he was in the employ of Judge Cooley, with whom he afterwards sat upon the Supreme Bench. After graduating he practiced law for six months at Alma, Gratiot County, where he lost his library by fire. He then practiced for a short time at Ithaca, after which he came to Bay City. His career since coming here twenty-one years ago, has been one of continued improvement, not only in the extent and value of his professional work, but in thile positions of public trust which he has been called upon to fill. March 18, 1863, he formed a partnership with Hon. H. H. Hatch, which continued, substantially, up to 1874, when Judge Marston was appointed attorney-general by Gov. Bagley. This formed the strongest legal firm in Northern Michigan, and both of its well known members have acquired an enviable reputation as well as the more substantial evidences of the esteem in which they are held by the public. Before receiving the appointment above referred to, Judge Marston had acted in the capacity of justice of the peace, prosecuting attorney and city attorney, and was chosen State Representative, in all of them showing the same coln scientious regard to the duties and responsibilities of his position as has characterized him in the higher honors to which he has since been called. In April, 1875, he was elected justice of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Judge Christiancy to the United States Senate, and remained upon the bench until his resignation in February last. He has been a power in promoting \ iI *5(1 I: IN I 7,-, It - i K — b HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 63 3 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. Hateh 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 the 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 Hyde, 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. /I * - 4 - p - I 1 __ 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 thle 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 chieflyin 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, 1837, 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 ineluded in the Portsmouth plat. These formed the stock company and caused the same to be re-surveyed 'and re-platted in 1837 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 Jadge 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 afterwards fixed over for a school house. The first hotel was the "River House," kept by Daniel 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 took 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. { - ip lo (a - - L - ~ D A — N 9 - L H~ISTORY OF BAY COUNT.Y. 65 (BAY CITY IN 1837" wvas attempted to be recalled by an artist in 18741, and the result of the effort has since done duty as the frontispiece of a local'and very creditable publication. The scene pictured is qluite romantic and attractive. The serene repose that pervades the spot reminds one of a New England Satbbath in June. The intense stillness, however, has a depressing influence upon tile future -prospects of the place, sromewhat 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 throughh the water of the river with noiseless strokes of their oars. Judg~e Campbell is seen issuing from the front door of the Globe Hotel to take his accustomed seat in tlhe shazde, but no other evidience 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 he removed to Cass River Bridge in the Spring of 1836. Here he laid out a town and called it Bridgeport; his partner in the business being Mrr. G. D. Williams. A postoffice was estalblished and MSir. Campbell was appointed postmaster. But Bridgeport was blighted by the lifird times, and in the Winter of 1838 he was induced by MSr. Frasetr to remove to tlhe new city on the Saginaw, and start a hotel. Some of h~is Saginaww friends who knew Ills love of ease when not on a, charse for deer, said that "Syd" was too frequently disturbed while at Bridgeport by travelers coming~ along atnd reqluiring entertainment, and that he had openedl a, tavern at Lower Saginaw where h~e 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 first day of M~3arch, I J & I, —A BAY CITY IN FALL OF i838. I i i i I I I -1 DWELLING. B&RN. DWELLING). S S. CAMTPBEIL'S BUILDING LEON TROMBLEVSJ HOUSE. ICE HOUSE. HOTEL. BUILT FOR SMOKE HOUSE. WILD CAT BANK. WABREHOUSE. LOG* HOUSE. ouildings represented did not exist in the year namel. Even the Globe Hotel had not then taken shape, and Judge Campbell wa~s a resiident of Bridgeport. A correct picture of Lower Sagina~w, at March 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 Sacyinaiw Bay Company, near the present corner of Fourth and Water Streets, for a boardling-house. The Globe Hotel building was in process of construction, and Cromwell Barney was at work upon it. N mile or so to the south were the big house of the Trombleys, andl a deserted saw mill. Such was -the birth and birth-place of Bay City. The future has few secrets more securely locked up than those which pertained to the destinies of this germ of enterprise. SYDNEY S. CAMPBELL, or Judge Campbell, as he is generally called, was unquestionably the first to locate in Lower Saginaw and effect a permanent settlement, after the town was projected. He was born at Paris, Oneida and the following day killed a large buck on the opposite side of the river, the last one that be saw for five years. That month, March, 1838, is described b Mr. Campbell as being as warm as is usual for thle month of Juxne. In addition to the lot on which the Globe Hotel was built, a~nd still stands, lie purchased several other lots which lie was wise enough to keep. He had married, M~arch, 1830, Ml~iss Catharine J. McCart, of Schenectady, N. Y. Thev have had three chlildren, twvo of whom are still living. Edlward M.. Campbell, who died in 1879, was the first boy born in Lower Saginaw, 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 orgaiiization. In 1873 lie built a brick business block just northl of 4h G Clobe Hotel, on Water Street, which be rents. He atnd his wife Inow live on Woodside Avenue, anzd twice every day lie visits the Globe Hotel, which he has owned for forty-five years, thoughl it has been considerably enlarged and improved since it was first built. The incidents of Judge Camnpbell's early connection with the place appear at diff erent places in this work. For forty-five years he, has.A p I* I __ 4 - A L Q 1 b II - I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 66 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. er ftecmay aigntin lelf thsdsoash 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. Thelfollowing 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 house 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 Saginaw 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 Sainaw, 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 cam e 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 Cornpany came into the possession of James Fraser, Dr. D. H. Fitzhug h, 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. Fitzllhugh, 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 he 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 F I I i i i iI I i i I i I I — O. 0 A I ZAt I Iz-4b. I ZM ~II, -a q) HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. remnant he went 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 attractions, who, with her parents, had emigrated from London the year previous. In the Autumn of 1.833 he determined to move to Satginaw, and occupy a tract of land he had previously purchased on the Tittabaw~assee River. All that time there was only an Indian trail between Flint and Sagainatw; the usual mode of travel being on Ilorseback. The distance was thirty-eight miles, and Mrs. Fraser hatving a young child must have some easier vehicle than the saddle. Mdr. 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. Soo~n a\fter gettet~ting his family settled,~ he retu~rned to Detroitn~f to purchase some cattle for his farm, and while driving in on foot, between Flint and Saginazw, his cattle got wild and world not keep the trail. H~e chased themr until he got tired, when lie took off his coat and after carrying it a wh~ile, and gettings near the trail once more, as he supposed, lie 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. Mr. Fraser used to say in after years, when lie was worth nearly a million, that "thlis was the greatest loss hie ever had in his life, as his 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 flourishinggin this part of the state. With true Scotch feeling, he wats always averse to parting from that farm, and held it while lie lived. In the division of his estate it went to Mrs. Paine, of Saoinaw, in whose possession it still remains. Mr. Frazser soon found a more profitable occupation than farming in locating and dealing in government lands. During the early part of 1836, he removed his family to Saginaw City, and never returned to his farm. From this time on, his business operations outreach the limits of biography and are traceable through the general history of progress and development in the Saginaw Valley. During 1835 and 1836 land in favorable locations reached almost fabulous prices, and Mr. -Craser's sagacity enabled him to reap a golden harvest. In 1836 he wats a leading spirit in the organization of the Saginaw Bay Company, which purchased the present site of Bay City. The financial crash of 1837 wrecked this company and most of the stockholders, Mr. Fraser being about the only one who survived. His business achievements from 1835 to 1838, including his successful issue from the great panic of 1837, must be regarded as among the most remarkable on record. H-e bought when lands were cheap, and was shlrewd enough to sell when the advance would realize him a handsome profit. It was one of his rules to always keep on band an amount of ready money, and by doing this be was not only prepared for a panic, but was ready to improve thle best opportunities for making a good bargain. After the Saginaw Bay Company went down lie associated with him James G. Biriley and Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, and they purchased considerable of the scrip, and became the proprietors of Lower Saginaw. In 1845 be built a water mill at Kawkaw~lin, and began the manufacture of lumber. Durina the next three vears he was interested in the building and operation of two steam saw mills on the Saginaw River, andi later in a steam mill on the Kiawkawlin River. He succeeded Judge Riggs as Indian agent, and that was the only off~ice with any emolument that he was ever induced to takie. In 1848 Mrs. Fraser died, leaving a family of three sons and three daughters. October 28, 1850, he married 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 thlose davsS 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 datughter. In 1857 they removed to Lower Saginzaw, and hlere in Iris commodious mansion was dispensed a most liberal bospitality. Here Iris great energies were directed, not alone to his private enterprises, but to public improvement and the general develo~pment of the county. About the last enterprise of his life was the erection of the large bricki block that now bears his name, "Thle Fraser House," at the corner of Center and Water Sjtreets, but which he did not live to see completed and occupied. The church edi-fice on Washington Street, in whlich the Baptist Society first w~orshipped, was almost entirely a gift from him. In 1864 he began to feel that lie would like a more quiet life, andJ with his family went to Brooklyn for a few months and thence to Westport, Conon., where he continzued to reside until his death, although much of his tin-e was spent in Bay City. His last sickness commenced with an1 ordinary cold, which developed into typhoid pneum~onia, and resulted in hisdneath January 28, 186i6. 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; M~rs. A. B. Paine, of Saginaw, and Mrs. George T. Blackstock, of Toronto, Canada.. Mrs. Fraser is now the wife of Hon. William Mc~cniaster, a wealthy banker of Toronto and a member of the Dom~inion Parliamenzt. The life and chlaracter of Mi~r. Fraser were truly remarkable in energy, persistency and endurance, although in every respect be was a man of marked traits. It was, however, in his working faculties that he stood most conspicuously before his fellow Dien. It is safe to say that there are few men living capable of enduring even for a short time what he passed through as the daily routine of life. At a time when tile saddle and canoe were alnlost the only means of communication, his business required his presence in almost every part~of the valley, and often at the headquanrters of th~e state in Detroit. He was then literally ubiquitous. He seemed entirely insensible to fatigue, beat or cold, or anything which stood between him and the ob'ect at which he aimed. He more than once rode straight throughl from Saginaw City to Detroit by the light of a single sun,-a distance of about ninety-five miles, —on some occasions never changing his horse. But this was nothing.; arriving at home at nightfall, after toils which most men would have considered a warrant for a long; rest, and finding a letter or a message which required his presence elsewhere, with scarce a pause, he would springs agasin into the saddle, and no matter how dark, or wet or cold, he would plunge into the almost pathless forest with a seenaing recklessness, but with an instinctive sagacity and force of will and power of endurance that always brought him through, and generally, "on t-ime.?' With the land office at Detroit for the goal, a.choice section of land for the prize, it is believed that there was never a man who could beat James Fraser in the race. Often in the dead of night, tile solitary settler at the Cass Crossing would hear a horse thundering 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 M~r. Fraser, sqys: — "The first glimpse I ever had of him was in the trail between Flint anid Cass in 18Sf6. The m~ud was knee dleep, and water was above the mud, but bie passed thlrough at speed with merely a shout. He was with~out a hat, and covered with mud, his head being bound wvith j I i e (. G M* 11 4' 1 J li II I n 68 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 father'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 ninety-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 performled 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 1834, 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 Livingston County, N. Y., in 1821. In 1841 he came to Saginaw in connection with the land interests of his father. The following year he returned hiome and married a Miss'Jones, of Mount Morris. They came to Saginaw, where they remained three years, and then settled on a farm at the forks of the Tittibawassee River. He remained there until about 1855, when he 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. Fitzhufgh, until destroyed by fire. He remained about three years and returned East, and was engaged in the 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 built 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 he removed to Bay City, where he now resides. Like his brother, his business consists of managing real estate interests which he has oni 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 /i. s) r - I I k," _/! I T - - X -: 1 ^I -0 -1 ~ ~ ---- I I —. — ~ -. 1-1 - I- - - rT 0 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 69 sr ___ 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 with 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 1811 he arrived at Saginaw City, where he remained during the Winter. At this point we quote from the recollections of Judge Albert Miller, as follows: 4 I first saw Mr. Birney in the Summer of 1811, when he and C. C. Fitzhugh, Esq., made their first visit to Saginaw, accompanied by Dr. Daniel H. 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 extendced the invitation to him. On performing that duty, Mr. Birney replied that lie 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 whiclhas 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.Lginaw 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 1814 received 62,300 votes, and in 1845 received 8,023 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 liis father at Lower Saginaw, and also made large purchases of land from the government. Mr. James Birney is a native of Dan J __ 7A R bi .4. III j 70 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. i I ville, Ky. His collegiate education was obtained at Centre College, Kentucky, and at Miami University, Ohio. At the latter institution he 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 Law 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 Saginaw to look after his real estate interests, and in the Sumlmer of 1857 removed his family here, and at once interested himself in 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 the Republican Senatorial Convention more as a complilment than otherwise, the district, which extended to the Straits of Mackinaw, being Democratic. The portion of Saginaw embraced within Bay had always been regarded 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 some 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 the manufacture of salt. The bill proposed the payment of 5 cents a bushel, but Mr. Birney presented its merits in such favorable light that 10 cents was granted. In 1860 Mr. Birney was nominated by the Republican State Convention for lieutenant-governor, and elected by over 20,000 majority. He was received with great favor as president of the Senate. During his term as lieutenant-governor, a vacancy occurred in the office of circuit judge, and the Governor tendered the appointment to him. It was accepted, and he presided as circuit judge in a most acceptable manner during the next four years. The circuit embraced Saginaw, Midland, Gratiot, Isabella, Iosco and Bay Counties. He was unanimously renominated by the Republican Judicial Convention, but the district having a Democratic majority, he was not re-elected, and returned to the practice of his profession. In 1871 Mr. Birney established the Bay City Clhronicle, and in 1873 it was i3ssued a3 a dCtily. It was published until after Mr. Birney's departure for the Hague, when it was merged into the Tribune. In 1872 Gov. Baldwin nominated Mr. Birney to President Grant as Centennial Commissioner for Michigal to celebrate the hundredth alniliversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1876. He did not serve upon the commission, having been appointed December 17, 1875, as United States Minister to the Netherlands. He went to his charge in the Spring of 1876, and served his country with distinguished ability and fidelity until he resigned the post a short time since. Mr. Birney. has always been one of the most devoted citizens of Bay City, and has done all in his power to promote its growth and welfare. Few public improvements have been made that he has not aided. He was prominently connected with thle 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 ranks high as an orator. The eldest son, James G. Birney, distinguished himself in the army as captain of the Seventh Michigan Volunteers, and died while an officer of the regular army in 1869. Arthur Birney conducted the C(hronicle for several years, but after it was merged in the lribune, he retired from journalism, and in 1879 accompanied his father to Europe. After an absence of eight months he returned, and went to Montana, where he died in Ja;ruary, 1882. THEODORE WALKER was a tailor in Brooklyn, N. Y., and came to Lower Saginaw about 1860 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 man. He continued a resident of Bay City until his death, which occurred about 1870. FROM 1842 TO 1848. Life in the new settlement during the six years following 1842 was rather monotonous. 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 hungry. 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 table. In 1842 Frederick Backus brought 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 Hampton Township, and the first election was held at the Globe Hotel. W. R. McCormick's hat was the ballot box, 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 Mr. Birney came, he used to conduct religious services in this building on Sundays, and the irrepressible Harry Campbell officiated as chorister. He was an excellent singer but could not be always relied upon to make a judicious selection of tunes. It sometimes happened that after four or five stanzas of a good' old Presbyterian hymn had been reeled off, Harry, with an expression of countenance as intensely solemn as a church covenant, would start with vigorous unction, into some rollicking melody, and be halted by Mr. Birney, who would reprovingly point out his mistake. Harry would be astonished at the impropriety of his selection and repeat it upon the very next auspicious occasion. In the Winter of 1846-'47 the first saw mill was built by Hopkins, Pomeroy & Fraser, and during 18463 the Hampton postoffice was established in Thomas Rogers' house. J. B. and B. B. Hart came this year. P. J. Perrott had arrived in 1845. Mr. Rogers was a justice of the peace, and a couple, whose names are not obtained, presented themselves at his blacksmith shop to have the solemn rite administered. Mr. Rogers was not familiar with the language of the ritual, but knew that a couple under such circumstances must be "pronounced" upon. So, removing his leathler apron, he commanded the radiant pair to join hands, when, with official unction, he said: -"By the power vested in me I pronounce you husband and wife." There was no marriage bell, no orange blossoms, no ushers, no giving away the bride, no reception, but, so far as known, the knot tied by the sturdy blacksmith at his anvil held firmly until loosened by an unseen hand. In the Spring of 1846, Hon. James Birney paid a visit to his father. He was then living in Connecticut, and came to Detroit and thence to Flint. There he took the stage, which 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 -L I k, W I iC~ L 1.1 1 - f - :-p:0 co #A+ E) I:f HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 71 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 aly. 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 18-17, MIr. H. Wd. Sage came to Lower Saginaw to negotiate with Mr. Birney for his interest il 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, althongll the Judge was not keeping it at that tin-e. They found Mr. Birnley sick and unable to attend to any business, but it was too late in the day to return to Saginaw. When it canme time to go to bed they found the only acconmio the drooping clouds, and even thie 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 hidclden beneath a roof of ice. There was a far away look toward Saginaw in the Deacon's eyes as lie turned bzac-k into the tavern. A conflict between duty and inclination was raging fiercely in the Deacon's mind, and he groaned inwardly as lie observed with sinful satisfaction that duty had "taken to the woodls" 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-sis years later, one of the party-the one who slept oi the floor-related to the writer the facts of tile 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. Fitzhulgh, Jr., arrived and built what was then thought to be an extravagant house on the corner of Tlird and Water Streets. FROM 18e348 the prospects of the settlement began to brighten, although it cannot be said with truth, that the arrivals were sufficiently nlimerous 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 ill pursuit of a pleasant and healtllful abode; J. S. Barclay and wife settled here about that time. Life in Lov,-er Saginaw about this time was not altogetber a barren waste. The female society was composed of Mlesdames Ctatlin, Rogers, Barney, Cadly, J. B. Hart, Carney, Campbell, Barclay, and perhaps two or three others. All belonged to "our set" and kept perpetual open house, and dissemiiated the local news wvith conscientious promptness and diligence. A serpentine footplathl dodged along among the sti-mps near the bank of the river, and furnished al ample thoroughfare for the equipages of that tine. The greatest activity, however, prevailed during the mosquito season. The Lower Saginaw mosquito is represented in traditioll as being nil annlal of prodligious size and ferocity, and of a hardy variety. The average fisl story of the present day is made to appear exceedingly insignificant when a robust pioneer unfolds one of his favorite mosquito legends. Baking daylsv, blowever, was the picnic season of these colonized torments. It was the customL of the housewife to "slloo" olut the kitchen, and securely fasten the doors and windows before beginlning the exercises of the day. Tllel, heaping a pile of brown sugar ulpoll the hot stove, she prepared lher bread for the oven, unless driven from her fortress by the smu-rdge of the burning sugar. It is nowhere alleged that these defensive measures ever interfered with the operations of the rnosquitoes, but they had all the elements of formidable demonstration, allnd were therefore comforting to reflect upon ill after years. J. L. Hibbard came ill the Fall of 1848, and for it long time was in the Mlunger store. He is still (l 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, alnd to decide who should have the more spacious but rather uncoolfortable berth, they cast lots, andl Deacon Andrews drew the floor. He was the eldest of the party and in poor health, so Mr. Sage, being robust and -,ccomniodating, induced the Deacon to take the bed, and lie wrapped himself up on the floor. Sunday morning Mr. Sage revolved the situation in his mind and concluded lie didln't care to spend another day, and palticularly another iigilt, in Lower Saginaw. His longing for salt pork was:tppeasedL and lie 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 saidl he could not travel on the Lord's dlay. MIr. 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 MTent out into the holy calm of a Winter's Sabbath in Lower Saginaw. There were no chit.mies of Sabbath beds, 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 JI --- Irx,.__; _ — r- or Q L -a -fp) i I I A. 72 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 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 timne 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 where he has lived so many years. He was postmaster of Hampton from 1850 to 1858, 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 inll Ireland in the year 1827. Inl 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 hlie 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, J L * k9 j g:0: K - -711 (D 4 1 FL fI I i I 4 i! l1 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 73 t3i 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 exter - sively 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 fondless for fun, Mr. Hart was emphatically a hunlane man, and as willing to do 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 IUNGER Twas 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 he, 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 flights 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 to what should be done. Joseph Parkerson proposed they should start iin their open fishboat for Lower Saginaw, as Bay City was then called, and if they could leanh 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 i846, 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 he was nearly ount himself. He gave them one good square meal, and they started in their open boat for Lower Siginaw. 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 unheaded 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 lie 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 aiittle 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: —."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, 18418. 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, anti st-lrtefl lup the bank of the river over the prairie, the snow and i i - i r I -L 1+.* I .0 1!; i 74 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 on 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 Fhlint. 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 Snearer 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 goods, into which they removed in 1873. In 1874 they sold out to Messrs. Cooke & Co., and retired from active business, since which 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., where 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 he 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 andi Fourth Streets, and went into the grocery trade in connection with their cooperage business. It was not long before they founIld their little store was too small to accommodate rapidly increasing trade; they then had to build'a larger store which they filled with a g(neral 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 Mungcr & Co., up to 1861, when Mr. Park withdrew from tlhe firm and went into the hotel business as landlord of the Wolverton House, up to 1862. Previously he had made 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, hlie 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 from the Saginaw Valley to eastern and western ports. JONATHAN SMITH BARCLAY, more familiarly called Uncle John, was born in Northumberland Count.y, Pennl., August 8, 1808. When sixteen years old he went to Mauch Chunk, where hlie learned the trade of mill-wright. When twenty-two years old hlie 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 he 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 lie returned to Albion to help build the first flour mill, and tended it for five years. While here he was elected justice of the peace, which duty lie 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 De troit 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. They purchased their stock and started for Lower Saginaw, where they arrived the 20th of December, 1849. ] MA~ - i"' I a — Y HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 75 r k a 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 by 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, b1uilt 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 cause, 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, assisting in superintending his vast lumlbering 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 hlie came to what is now Bay City,'it was a comparative wilderness. He helped clear the land where the citv 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 lo-ality was stump land. He was married February 9, 1838, at Inverness, Scotland, 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 18,52 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 he 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 mootives, 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 hle has been a resident of California. Col. Ravmond was married A)gYust, 1827, to Miss Mary Alvord, of Massachusetts. Six children were born to them, four of whom are still living-Mils. 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 some of the new prospective cities of the state. In seeking a point at which to locate, his steps,I I 4 4-3~ — - I — Ui~ "i *: O!6.. Io - -;r ---! E; 76 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 mus, 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 he 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 with 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 manufacture 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 just 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 he 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. In 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 on foot in the Fall, when the traveler would sink nearly to his knees in the half frozen mud; 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 been prominent in public affairs. He has been an active advocate of temperance, and of all social and political reforms. In the Fall of 1882 he 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 in 1829. Came North in 1834, and his parents lived in Brooklyn until 1841, when they removed to Danville, Penn. In 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 partnlership for about eighteen months he purchased Mr. Fraser's interest, and 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 his mlanhood 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 actively interested in mercantile pursuits since that time, though he is at present a member of the hardware firm of Tousey & Jennison. During the conltinuanze 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 continue to do so. He was president of the Bridge Companyfor several years, and is vice-president of the Pipe Works. He built the Jennison Block onl Water Street inll 1870. In 1851 hle 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 in 1864, and at the present time is building one of the finest residences in the city, on thlie 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. Jennislon 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 inll 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, he, 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, -k I i i i I i i I i i I i ii i I I i I i I I i iI Ii i I i Ii i i i i i i I I I iI r D:: l 4 0e I F L__ ~2 A. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 77 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 Catlln, 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 Munger 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 lie 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 lie 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 I 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 lie became ticket and passenger agent of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, and continued in 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 phases with great activity. There are few records of jokes an.4 lively experience in the early times in which he does not appear as a participant. Sonme 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, anl emigrated to America in 1818. After stopping about a year at Syracuse, N. Y., lie came to Bay City, or Lower Saginaw as it wae then called. This was in 1819. After settling liere he workel in the mills for about a year, and then started a meat market, the first permanent lmarket 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 p:art of it for llis market, and the remaining portion lie used as a hotel, which was called thle B ly City House. IIe afterwards engaged in the mercan tile business in the salme blozk. He continued in the market until about 1857, anl in tle store until 1868. He built and still owns the blouk of buildings on Center Street, extending west from Saginlw Street. In 1864 lie built his present residence at the corner of Tvcolftllh anJl I dis-) SLreats. When in the meat business he pI)1urh s1i: twenlty-five anre of Ila1n in th:at lo~ality at a nominal Ad1 _ t\ w I:1 _ J! 4-i I i I i I __ I 78 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 Washington Street. Now, however, it is located in a delightful part of the city, and his property is very valuable. He still owns a large number of lots which are a part of the original purchase. By his industry and prudence, assisted by a good wife, he acquired a handsome property during his business career. For several years h hhas not been engaged in active business, but has occupied himself with his property interests. For some time he has been out of health and unable to get about. His family con- I sists of a wife and twelve children. CHRISTOPHER HEINZMANN is a native of Germlany. When lie was about fifteen years of age his parents emigrated to America, and settled in Ann Arbor, where they remained until their death. In the Winter of 1849 Christopher came to Bay City, or Lower Saginaw, as it was then called. At first hlie worked in the mills, then he bought land and cleared it, and then went into business. He went first into the meat business, and was very successful. At an early day he built a frame hotel called the Forest City House, on the corner of Saginaw and Sixth Streets, where Shermian's livery stable now stands. That building was afterwards burned. The present Forest City House, on Waslhington Street, he bought when the lbuilding was much smaller than now, and used for a boarding house. He put the property in excellent shape for hotel purposes, and kept it until the Winter of 1882. His present residence at the corner of Twelfth and Madison Streets he built in 1872. He has several houses which hlie rents, and now busies himself looking after and enjoying the property he accumulated during the active years of his life. He has helped build up the city, and has witnessed all the wonderful changes that have taken place. THE M EWANS. WILLIAM McEwAN is one of the'pioneers of 1850. He was bollrn in Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 18283, and emigrated to this country in 1848. In the Fall of 1850 he settled in Lower Saginaw. His brother, Alexander, had come with him, and they built a mill, since known as the McEwan Mill, 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 themn. In 1853 Alexander died, and the business was continued by William and John. Mr. Williamn McEwan continued in the lumber business until within a few years, when he retired to give attention to his extensive real estate interests. In 1858 he married Miss Annie F. Fraser, daughter of James Fraser. In 1859 he built their present residence on Center Street. At that time the site, now so attractive and delightful, was desolate enough, being covered with stumps, through which wound a tortuous path to the forest just beyond. Mr. McEwan and his brother built and operated the first grist mill in the Saginaw Valley. Mr. McEwan has been active in building up the city. In 1869 he built a brick business block on Water Street, another on Center Street in 1875, and still another on Washington Street in 1881. The latter is an especially handsome building. Aside from these he has extensive real estate interests in the city and county. He has been connected with most of the public improvements that have been made in the county. He is president of the Bay City Gas Company at the present time. JOHN McEwAN died in Bay City, January 26, 1882. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1825. In 1846 he married Miss Margaret Pollock, who still survives him. In 1848 they came to this country with the two brothers, William and Alexander. Upon reaching New York, he had an opportunity to take a voyage as engineer on the steamship "IUnicorn," then about to start for California. He accepted the position, and was absent about two years. In 1851 lie settled in Lower Saginaw, his wife having come with William and Alexander. He then went into business as already stated, and continued it until his death. His wife and six children survive him. He was a prompt and successful business man. The business is continued by three sons, William, John and Alexander, who are young men of excellent business habits, and successful in their operations. W. L. FAY settled in Lower Saginaw in 1854, coming from New York State. Upon coming here he took an interest with Mr. George Lord in the lumber business, but in a short time went into the mercantile business with B. B. Hart. In 1860 lie engaged in the manufacture of lumber with C. W. Grant, the firm being Grant & Fay. This firm continued until 1863, when the mill burned. Mr. S. G. M. Gates then purchased Mr. Grant's interest in the real estate, and the firm became Gates & Fay. The mill was rebuilt and the firm continued until about a year ago, when Mr. Fay, having accumulated a fortune, retired. Mr. Fay was president of the village in 1861, mayor of the city in 1868, and has held several other local offices. He is a native of Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y. RIICHARD PADLEY was born in England in 1824. Emigrated to the United States in 1852, coming direct to Bay City. HTe at first worked in saw mills and on a pile driver. In 1857 he bought a farm on the Tuscola plank road, which he worked, but did not live on it, residing in the city. Selling the farm, hlie went into the shingle business with the late Theodore Walker, continuing in it four or five years. He then again went into farming in the township of Bangor. He has built a number of houses in Bay City. Was one of thie founders of Trinity Episcopal Society. Has been an alderman two terms, on school board two years, and a supervisor for seven years in all. Has a family of a wife and one daughter. JOSEPH TROMBLEY is a native of Quebec, and settled in Bay City in 1849. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade, and has followed it since coming here. In 1861 he built a frame dwelling on Center Street where the Cranage Block 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 built a substantial brick block on the corner of Third and Monroe Streets, which he still owns. He has been an industrious man, and by his labor has contributed liberally and materially to the growth of the city. He owns several buildings in the city which are rented for dwellings and business purposes. He has a wife and four children. One of his daulghters is an 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 monotony, said posterity will be mistaken. The 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 lind. Playing jokes, interspersed with a little fishing, would seem, from the traditions, to have been a leading industry. A man who hadn't the ingenuity to devise a joke 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 whitened, will even now renew their age in going over the humors of those times, while the names of "Jule" Hart and Harry Campbell stand out in bold relief in all the reminiscence of the early settlement. The following will serve to show the spice with which pioneer life was flavored: I I i i i i I i i j i I I i i I i I I Ii -r - 0 - j Y 1~` I - Fl . Z- 40 F I -w 0; 00ff:0f:I *. S 6I - HISTORY OF BuNY COUNTY. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 79 79 HOW IjORD GOT EVEN WITH HART. GETTING A CHEAP HORSE. George Lord anal Julius B. Hart owned fisheries on the 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. Bothll 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 [Lord'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,l 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 anytlling more than he's got." Lord saw that he 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!"said Lo,"Jule Hart you buy um 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 dav 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 he noticed a stranger on board, who was dressed with unusual nicety, and who was evidently a stranger in this country. Hart managed to get into 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 he 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, he 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 conclided, he 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, Lsometimes 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'm gla d you mentioned it, for there's one up 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 inilked before five o'clock in the morning or you can't get her to give down a drop of milk. "Well, I am anl 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 froim 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 hay in the barn, the night before he left." Explanations ensued, and as both realized the sell, both enjoyed a hearty laugth, and were good friends. The lawyer has become a prominent member of the Bay County bar, and has contributed liberally upon I 6 -I v - 80 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. - - 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 fromn the city, and an officer of one of the churches was doing some Winter begging, and knowing about this, asked the lawyer if lie wouldn't let theml have some for the minister. "Why, 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 farnier, but the churclihman didn't know that, and so pleased was he with the donation that he had it hauled to the mninister's vard, forthwith. After a tilme the farmner went to haul the wood to nmarket, but it had disappeared, and when he came to institute a search lie found what the lawyer's burst of generosity had cost hinm. 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 he 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 lmust 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 know. 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 mlouth is a creek of considerable size, we give no further description of it. Harry Campbell resided in early 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's a thundering big mnouth 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, he 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 t0o the science of cookery. Albe Lull, however, did not know this fact when lie came to Portsmouth, and soon after lie came, some of the epicures of the place incidentally mentioned to him that loons were choice eating, and very plenty. HIe told his wife one morning that they 'ould have boiled loon for dinner that day, and he 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 he 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 telder." Mr. Lull wasn't in much of a hurry and waited until about three o'clock, but still the loon was like adamant. Then lie said they would have it for supper. Night came, but the loon was as cornmplacent and tough 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 man 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 (own. His naime 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 he 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 he did not want any more of his Indian whiskey as it was nothing but Saginaw water', so he ordered at 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 hid away in the back part of the warehouse, and had it tapped and was treating his friends. "Jule" told himn he would give himn 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; hlad never come, they answered him that they had Julius Hart's receipt for its delivery at his warehouse. Down he went with blood in his eye to see "Jule." "Well," says "Jule," "I might have overlooked it, but you come down town in an hour or two and I will look through the warehouse and try and find it." Away went Tom up town to play penny ante. It was not long after he had gone before the accustomed crowd came down to take a swig out of old Tom's barrel, when a council of war was held how to get out of the scrape, as old Tom would be back soon. Finally, "Jule" took an empty whiskey barrel and filled it with water, and marked on the head, " Thomas Stevenson, Lower Saginaw." He had scarcely got it finished and had thrown something over it, when down comes old Tom swearing that he knew that the whiskey 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 would go and look the warehouse over himself. He had not looked long before he came across the barrel of water, marked Thomas Stevenson, Lower Saginaw, when his rage knew no bounds, when he commenced at Jule, calling him an old fool. "Here," says he, "is my barrel of whiskey all the time, 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 cellar was the next thing. He finally got some help, telling them he would give them something good to drinkl-"no Saginaw water." They finally got 6- -t as - I1 k, HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 81 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, 4 — 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. Jn 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 stumps 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 gull 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 present 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 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,.44 i 4 -9 MF I I II I -A 82 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 about 700 souls, the United States census of 1860 showing a population in the entire of Bay County, of only 1,519. This population was engaged principally in lumbering and fishing, this latter industry comprising a no meanproportion 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 W. Jennison, Israel Catlin, Henry M. Bradley and Harmon A. Chamberlin, trustees. The first meeting of the council was held in a room over the store of Jennison 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 Daglish, assessors. Among the first acts of the village trustees was the ordering of sidewalks on Washington Street, from First to Tenth 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 declining,Mr. Henry Raymond was appointed in his place June 6th. 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 June 27th, a general tax for village purposes of $1,047 and a highway tax of one-half of 1 per cent was certified to by the assessors. On December 19, 1859, a committee on fire department was instituted, 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 department. 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; re(corder, 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. Scheurmlann. 1864, president, C. Munger; recorder, N. Whittemore; treasurer, C. Scheurmann. 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 Bay City and Tuscola plank road was completed a distance of twelve miles, 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 Monday 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. Hatch. On April 11th the bonds of the i treasurer were fixed at $3,000. Thomas Carney, Sr., was elected street commissioner; Theophilus C. Grier was elected city attorney; C. Feige, city marshal; Andrew Huggins, city surveyor. The! new council rapidly got themselves into working order, but no event! of moment is found on the records until September 12th, when, in i accordance with the decision of the citizens expressed at a special election, a Silsby steam fire engine was ordered to be purchased, which was done-the steamer being accepted by resolution, adopted November 18, 1865. On September 30th, the council determined that the sum of $4,997.47 would be needed for city purposes for the ensuing year. The valuation of city property on the assessment roll of this, the first year of the city organization, was $633,000. BOUNDARIES. According to the original plat of Lower Saginaw, the boundaries were the Prairie Road (now Woodside Avenue) on the north; a line 400 feet south of Tenth Street on the south; Van Buren Street on the east, and the Saginaw River on the west. When the village of Bay City was incorporated, the southern boundary was changed to the section line, which is near Twentythird Street. This was evidently a blunder, 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 I Twenty-fourth Street, and there it remained until Portsmouth was | annexed to Bay City in 1873. %=b :~ i:0 i i r;.l I RES I D E N CE & COTTAGES ofW.H. M I LLE II ';"-~-.1 -;~i~ 4 j,, j J6:..-..~ ~: -::r" 'i- t i: ~~.;-i ~:~ i..%~~;-i"'', I 1. 19 It t LLER - COR.VAN BUREN & 7TMH STS. BAY_ CITY. ___.__lili-.-.1-111. ----(-l.-_li_~__I_.^ _. —.-X...i~_.I_. i._l..I_.._)- I-.^-~.I- -... I -Il-l_.-l-lllll ---i — '5, ~r 1 r c r " * I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 83 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 Nathain 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 custom clothier; but after three years of hard work, believing he could engage in something that would prove more lucrative, lie 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 cornection 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 lie erected works, and commenced the manufacture of salt, which lie has since carried on in connection with his lumber interests. Mr. Bradley has always taken a lively interest in all public enterprises of this city. In the Winter of 186i-'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, lie 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. r - i h -A4 ] 84 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 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 in 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 on 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 on 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 on one occasion in his sermon he boldly denounced such practices, which caused as great an 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 animal'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 in 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 tin-e 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 accessions 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 A I & Z4 r J I __I t/ - 1I STORY OF BAY COUNTY. 85 - @ gationalist, and prevailed on the younger members of tile 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 1850 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 the 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." 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-'58 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. O. Parker; 1864-'65, William Fox; 1866-'67, R. S. Pardington; 1868, George I. Betts; 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 MoEldowney; 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 GERMIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH of Bay City dates back to 1857, when Rev. Jacob, Krellbil visited Bay City, or Lower I r \ '* al - — bwp - 4. - l __ -de i r- 0 86 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. Saginaw as it then was, and held religious service. In 1858 he was succeeded by Rev. John Horst, and his colleague, Rev. Jacob Braun, who continued their labors until the close of 1859. Rev. H. Manz had charge of the field in 1860-'61, and then Rev. A. Mayer officiated from 1862 to 1864. Various other pastors followed, and the society grew in numbers 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 is located, and has a large membership. The present pastor is Rev. John Schneider. THE FREMONT AVENUE METHODIST 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 Portsmouth. In 1865 the present church edifice was dedicated.. The church was built under the superintendence of Rev. William Fox. The present pastor is Rev. 0. J. Perrin, and the membership is 115. The Sunday-school has a membership of about 200. John Simons is superintendent. During the last three years about $1,500 have been expended in repairs on the building. The present official board consists of Albert Miller, George Lewis, Nelson Merritt, J. McKinney, Hiram Marbol, M. A. Rose, C. D. Fisher, John Simons, and J. S. Smart, Jr. THE WOODSIDE 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. Present pastor, Rev. H. G. Persons. Trustees, James E. Like, Oscar Carter, Henry Lockwood, William Sharp, and W. Teall. TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This church owes its establishment first to the Fitzhugh fainmily, Mr. W. D. Fitzhugh having been the earliest leader in the society, and his wife the first communicant. The first male communicant was Israel Catlin. The first services were conducted in 1850, by Rev. (deacon) Joseph Adderly, missionary at Saginaw City. Next came Rev. Daniel B. Lyon, from the same place, and held services about half a dozen times up to 1852. The first regular services were by Rev. Voltaire Spaulding, who became a missionary to this whole region, with headquarters at Saginaw City. The first corporation was made March 4, 1854, under the title of Trinity Church, Lower Saginaw, Saginaw Co., Mich. The corporators were:-Henry Raymond, Israel Catlin, Daniel Burns, John Drake, George E. Smith, E. S. Catlin, J. S. Barclay, B. B. Hart, Henry Young, C. Munger, H. H. Alvord, H. H. Chapman, James Hays, and Richard Padley. Rev. Mr. Spaulding presided at the organization, and Col. Henry Raymond wag secretary; Israel Catlin was elected senior warden, and Richard Padley junior warden; Curtis Munger, George F. Smith, B. B. Hart, Daniel Burns, J. S. Barclay, Henry Raymond, Thomas Carney, and Hiram F. Ferris, vestrymen. Mr. Spaulding departed in June, 1858, and from that time until May, 1860, the parish was without a pastor. At the time Mr. Spaulding resigned his charge there were five communicants belonging to the church. During this inter regnum the few churchmen were not idle. One of the best plats allotted by the original patentees to the church was selected, and through the efforts of Messrs. Israel Catlin, Charles Fitzhugh, and Henry Raymond, a church edifice was erected, and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Samuel A. McCoskey, May 10, 1860. During the same month, Rev. Edward Magee took charge of the parish, giving it every other Sunday, and receiving $300 per year as salary. Next year Mr. Magee devoted his entire time to this parish. His ministry of a year and a lhalf shows a record of fourteen baptisms, six confirmations, one marriage and two burials. The number of communicants at this time was twenty. For a year after this date, or until November 24, 1862, the parish was again vacant, and then Rev. Gilbert B. Haven came to its charge. During his ministry seven were confirmed, and ten were received from abroad, making the number of communicants August 1, 1863, about thirty-seven. Rev. A. M. Lewis was called to the rectorship October 1, 1863. He remained two years, during which the church building 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. From abroad, twenty-four were received into the church, making the number of communicants sixty-five. On the 19th of January, 1866, the Rev. Fayette Royce was called to the rectorship, entered upon the duties at the latter end of the March following, and resigned November 1, 1868. Rev. John Wright became rector April 11, 1869. The church had previously undergone a third extension at an expense of $2,100. Gas had been introduced, the chancel enlarged, a library room added, and the interior of the building thoroughly renovated. The expense was paid mainly by the Ladies' Aid Society, which raised in one year $1,200. Mr. Wright resigned January 25, 1874, and removed to Boston, Mass. In the Winter of 1874 the 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 one of the most active church organizations in the city. Its present auxiliaries in the city are Trinity Chapel, on Grant Street, and St. Barnabas Mission, in tlle Seventh Ward. The present mnembership is 175. The officers are as follows: — Rector, Rev. A. A. Butler; wardens, Israel Catlin, Thomas Cranage, Jr.; vestrymen, John Drake, G. K. Jackson, Charles Maloine, Orrin Bump, Frederick Browne, William Keith, B. E. Warren, F. L. Gilbert. EMANUEL REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH, of South Bay City, was organized March 4, 1881. C. H. Freeman, William Ballance, Israel Harding, and Hiram Leaver were among the leaders in its organization. This church was the outgrowth of- a Sunday-school, conducted by Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Freeman for several years. The school was very prosperous, and was first held at the house of Mr. Harding while a chapel was being built. Mrs. Freeman, who devoted herself to the interests of this school with untiring zeal, was instrumental in securing funds for the building of a chapel which was completed in 1878, Mrs. Freeman digging with her own hands the first post-hole and setting the first post. Since that time services have been held in the chapel, and in 1881 the church organized as above stated. The service is conducted each alternate Sunday by Rev. James Ward, of Detroit, who comes here for that purpose, receiving for his labors but little more than the amount of his actual expenses. The society has a membership of about thirty and a large Sunday-school. LUTHERAN SOCIETIES. THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN BETHEL CHURCH was organized October 31, 1852, under the title of the German Bethel Lutheran Society of Lower Saginaw, by Rev. J. Ehrhardt, who was the first pastor of the church. H. C. Hage, I. T. Westpeinter and H. Moller were chosen and ordained presiding elders. The society consisted at first of only fifteen members, and worshipped in various public places. In the Winter of 1856, a j -- - 1: \ r 0 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. Reuther, 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. Renther. In June, 1871, the church was supplied with three bells. October 2X6, 1871, the church building and schoolhouse were destroyed by fire. This hard misfortune induced the congregation to sell the old church ground and to buy the present place, three lots on the corner of Madison and Eighth Streets. A beautiful brick church was erected on this place. The 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. W. Renther, 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 nlumbering about twenty voting members. In the Autumn of 1867, Rev. Himmler 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 on 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 ltundred. 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 circunmstances as related by Judge Albert Miller: "In 1855 the population of Lower Saginaw and Portsmouth had increased so much that it was thought advisable 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 ta 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 he 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, he 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, Marv 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 was 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 Awere in a public hall, and for a time 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 consunmed. 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 wood, and was originally 40x70 feet inll 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 bly 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 Autumn of 1868, and the main building wias enlarged, with a tier of pews on each side, in the Autumn of 1872. The pews now number 116, and with the orchestra will seat 650 persons. The church grew, while it had a mlinister, 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 eighty. Its resident membership was about forty. In 1870 tile 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 lmore. In 1875 the organ was purchased and other improverments added. I I 1 -I L I Hi 7v p7 0 ,Lr G I 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 326. 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 Williams College, and in 1841 was admitted to the practice of law at Rockford, Ill. From that time until 1855 he was engaged in editorial work, a portion of the time on the Chicago 7Tribulte. In April, 1855, he was licensed to preach, and entered upon ministerial 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, was 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 corm pelled 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. Pattersoil, 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 1,400 pipes, 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 CL 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 313. 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, T ~i — - f \. i\ /i rr I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 89 Ir) 'I I i I I I I j i I I I i i i Ii j.I I I I 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 ior building the fence around the lot, besides paying $10,000 in money toward the building. 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, front a visit to Bay City, she had an interview with Capt. Averell and said she h:ad 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, he 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 house hold 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 astonisllment produced when the ringing peals of a bell issued from the tower of that church cannot be 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 with 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 an arrangement was entered into for preaching half the time. The Sabbath-school, however, did not suffer interruption. After a time 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. The 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 Church in Bay City was held in Gool Templars Hall, June 13, 1875. Rev. l 0. i I J_ 90 HISTO R Y 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 ill Good Templars Hall for a month, after which the use of the court house was procured, where, on 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 Lutheran Church kindly proffered the use of their house of worship on Sabbaths 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 extelded 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 health, 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 Smnalley, George F. Hood, M. M. Andrews, and George Ford: president, T. F. Langstaff; secretary, George F. Hood; financial secretary, L. P. Sperry; treasurer, M. M. Andrews. The average attendance at the Sunlday-school for 1882 was 101. THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION was organized in 1875 by some of the German citizens of 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, Herman Meisel, C. Lindner, Frederick Meier, George Hegar, E. i 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 I. O. B. B. Hall. The pastor is Rev. Wolf Landau. Officers, William Selipliner, 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 Chronicle, 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 tile 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 he 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 the '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, briingng 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. Tile 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 theml 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 seenl. But they had now at least at their head one who could L - W r L V j F HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 91 -I encourage and direct them; and after some time, by his efforts and their own will, the building gradually 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 hotel, 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 between, 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 Saginaw City and East Satginaw, 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 growth of commeroe 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 Schutjes 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 came from everywhere. Besides those, there were many stalwart Hollanders andi 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 1867. At this period it was discovered that not one-eighth part of the congregation could get into St. Joseph's Church, so it was resolved at once to commence the building of a new church. Ground was selected on the present site of St. James Church, and before the close of September of that year, the new church was dedicated, under the patronage of St. James tile 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 appointment of Rev. Thomas Rafter, a native of Monroe County, in this state. "Before the departure of Father Schutjes the Catholics on the west side of the river had increased so much 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 a church, and which, when. the church should be built, would serve as a schoolhouse. This chapel was completed in the early part of 1074, and is now too small for the congregation. Father Van Stralm was appointed to the charge of St. Joseph'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 thie charyge of Fatller Rafter, and attend St. James Church. "The Germans and Poles have, however, lately become so numerous 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-second and Farrlgult Streets, and thle Germans on Lincoln Avenue, between Eighth and Ninth Streets. As the seating capacity of the different churchlls is entirely disproportioned to the number of memlbers-only a cornC) — 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 by Father Schutjes, 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 Septemler, 1873, under the charge of the Sisters of Charity, from Cincinnati, with an attendance of 120 scholars. At the 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 Rev. Joseph Ebert. St. Stanislalus Kots-ka Church was built in 1874, and has a membership now of upwards of 600 families. The present pastor is Rev. Augustus Sklorzik. About 1872 an extensive Polish immigration began, which was greatly aided by Mi. L. Daniels, now a merchant tailor in Bay City. In "Dows' History of Bay City," published in 1875, the organization of Poles is mentioned as follows: "The fact that the Polish language is spoken by none but Poles, and few of them having any knowledge of English, 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 8th of February, 1874, with Mr. Daniels as president, each menmber 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 he and his father and brothers are so noted, gave a site for the church consisting of eight lots on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Twenty-second Street. A contract for thle building of the church was let last July, to Mr. Neil Mahoney, after plans by L. A. Pratt, architect, both of tllis city. The building is now colllpleted, and will be conseorated by Rt. Rev. Casper H. Borgess, bishop of Detroit, on Sunday, the 13th of December next, (1874.) The building will cost about $4,000, is a very lieat and tasteful edifice, and is located on a very fine site, anll convenient to those whlo will worship there. Mr. DaLniels has had the entire control and responsibility of tile work, ancd of providing tlie nmvney for it, and his countrymen in Bay City owe him a very great dlelt of gratitude. ' — - . — A j ^ -L 92 HISTORY OF BNY COUNTY..I SCHOOLS OF BAY CITY. The early settlers of Lower Saginaw and vicinity were for the most part people of educ-ation, who, in 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 on 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 impolitant to extend it that far) on the north, and south to about Twenty-seond 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 no 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 wIts 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:-Margaret Campbell, Emily Campbell, Syrenus Pierce, Joshua Pierce, Cordelia Pierce, Daniel Pierce, John Defo, Kate Defo, Richard Olmustead, 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 names 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 *-;Zm I a_ j 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 thle were put up 011on 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 tlhe 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, 18369, schools were opened in the high school building. The rapid growth of the school establishllment 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. Onl 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 lands 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 Ward School............................... 7,500 00 Seventh W ard School.................................. 6,500 00 Fourth W ard School.............................. 25,000 00 1, I w I CENTRAL SCHOOL BUILDING, BAY CITY. I 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 Sclool 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 scorner 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 lvas 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. Tile 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 between the early and later years: YEAR. NO. SCHOOL CHILDREN. NO. ENROLLED. 1866............................1,063 576 1867...........................1,270 842 1868..........................1,533 1,197 1869........................ 1,941 1,220 1870....................... 2,102 1,822 1871..................... 2,225 1,851 1 -4 - K I -1 I,- b. 94 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. - s 1872.......................... 2,428 1878....................... 4,375 1879..........................4,211 1880.....................5,411 1881............................ 5,153 1882............................6,3 18 1,906 2,160 2,484 2,402 2,628 2,728 BAY CITY POSTOFFICES. MAIL FACILITIES AT AN EARLY DAY. BOARD OF EDUCATION. President, H. H. Hatch; clerk, Thomas A. Delzell; First Ward, Andrew Walton, Alexander Folsom; Second Ward, Lucien S. Coman, George H. Shearer; Third Ward, H. H. Hatch, John L. Dolsen; Fourth Ward, C. F. Newkirk, C. F. Gibson. Fifth Ward, J. M. Laing, William R. McCormick; Sixth Ward, George Lewis, M. A. Rose; Seventh Ward, J. D. Lewis, 0. A. Waters. In addition to the public 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 used for teachers' salaries was $17,000 for thirty-three teachers. We now employ fiftyfive teachers, and paid last year for salaries, $15,000. We had no training school at that time and consequently 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 graduating 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, and who taught one year in the training department under the direction of out training teacher. This department of our schools has evidently been a success, and is still doing good work, both as to furnishing teachers and the quality of the work done by these teachers. We find upon investigation that the pupils from the training 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 rapid 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 doing equally as good work. REAL ESTATE. The Board of Education now own in real estate, at cash valuation, $36,700 and buildings and furniture, $117,848, making a total valuation of school property, $154,548. Ill 1873, the Union School District of Bay City owed $30,000, in six bonds of $5,000 each, since which time these bonds and interest have all been paid, the last one falling due this year. The money is now in the treasury for its redemption. The only indebtedness of the Board is for two school sites purchased last year, one ill the First Ward for $1,000, and one in the Second Ward for $5,000, leaving the entire indebtedness of the School Board, up to this date, $6,000, which is not yet due, and which is drawing interest at 7 per cent." Superintendent Morley submitted a statistical report for the month ending March 30, 1883: Number of pupils enrolled.............................. 2,983 Number of bovs.......................................1,494 Number of girls...................................... 1,489 Number of pupils from eight to fourteen years old.......... 1,712 Average attendance for each day.........................2,056 Percentage of attendance........................ 93.72 People who now wait impatiently in their comfortable homes or places of business for the mail carrier, who visits them twice each day, would feel that life was hardly worth its troubles if they were compelled to return to the mail facilities of forty or fifty years ago. Judge Albert Miller tells how the early pioneers were served, as follows: *"The first postoffice established north of Pontiac was at Grand Blanc, in 1830, which was supplied with mail from Pontiac once in two weeks. Rufus W. Stevens was postmaster, and received the; gross proceeds of the office for carrying the mail, and did not get rich at that. I have heard a neighbor say as the mail was passing, 'There goes the Grand Blanc mail, and I will venture to say there is not a letter in the mtil bag.' The postmaster could not afford to hire a person to take a trip to Pontiac every time the mail should go. So it was agreed among the settlers that any one having business in town during the week the mail should be carried, should transport it there and back without charge. One person having the mail in charge, not requiring the whcle of his wardrobe on his person, solicited the postmaster at Pontiac to put the garment into the mail bag as the most convenient wiLY of carrying it, but when he arrived at Grand Blan~ and the mail bag was opened he was notified by Postmaster Stevens that there was $1 postage due on his coat, but the matter was compromised by the mail carrier paying for the drinks for the company. The postmaster at Pontiac considering it rather a loose way of doing business to deliver the mail to any person who might bring it from Grand Blanc, required any one but a sworn mail carrier to go before a justice of the peace and be sworn before he would deliver the mlail to him. That would cost two shillings, which was a drawback on the free transportation of the mail. After awhile parties receiving the mail at Grand Blanc would be addressed by the postmaster with an oath and directed to take that mail to Pontiac and return with one from that point without delay. Parties under such strong directions, upon being questioned by the Pontiac postmaster as to their qualifications, would state that they had been sworn before leaving Grand Blanc. "Dariing the first three years of my residence in Mi,hig.Lm all my mail. facilities were furnished by the Grand Blanc postoffice. At different periods during that time I resided at Flint, Grand Blanc, and Saginaw. The accommodating postmaster at Grand Blanc was accustomed to forward all Saginaw letters by travelers passing the office and going to that point, and run his risk of collecting the postage afterwards, but I think he never suffered any loss on that account, for the people appreciated his kindness, and promptly paid all demands for postage whenever the opportunity presented itself for so doing. "In 1833, or else in the Spring of 1834, apostoffice was established at Saginaw. Thomas Simpson was the first postmaster, and Joshua Terry was the contractor for carrying the mail. Forty-five years ago, Mr. Terry was known as 'Little Josh.' At that time the adjective had no reference to his size (for he weighed 175 pounds), but was a designation of earlier days given to distinguish him from an uncle of the same name. "Mr. Terry was a natural woodsman and pioneer: if lie had a journey before him in the wilderness, he would be as likely to start at sundown as at any other time of the day. His food while on his journey was simple, and for a stimulant, instead of taking the fire water that was so imuch in vogue in those days, he used tea, and chewed the dry leaves, instead of preparing it by the usual mode of infusion." I __ v4-;i - - I -~~I - FS T O.. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 95 I3' FIRST POSTOFFICE. The first postoffice establislled in what is now Bay County, was at Portsmouth in January, 1837. Judge Albert Miller was doing buisiness there at that tinle, 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 carned 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 tile time of his'dleath, 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 w.is 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 tiup 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 C~ttlin was appointed postmaster, and the offia 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 double 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 frame 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. removed the office in 1871 to commodious quarters in the Westover Block, where it still remains. Mr. Phillips settled in 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 in tlle 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 Slleffield, 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 rents............................... $ 1,298 50 Sale of postage stamps, etc................ 11,756 11 December 1, 1882, the system of free delivery went into operCation, which clothed the service in Bay City with the fullest metropolitan honors. THE PORTSMOUTH POSTOFFICE, now at South Bay City, was re-established in 1857, the business of the place having reacbed a magnitude that warranted a neareroffice than the one at Bay City. The first postmaster was H. D. Braddock. He was followed by Winterlalter, Cummings, and C. D. Fisher, the present incumbent, who has held the office since 1869. Mr. Fisher is not only a veteran in the postoffice service, but is one of the early settlers in the Saginaw Valley. He was born at Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., in 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, lihe married Miss Alvira M. Miller, daughter of Dr. J. T. Miller, who settled in Portsmouth in 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 wa;s 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 in 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. Olte son, Albert W. Fisher, has a cigar and tobacco store in the p)ostoffice 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 Iimes. Some two or three years before that Perry Joslin, of Saginlaw, 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 In 1870 Col. Raymond was succeeded by T. C. Phillips, who A l I -- 14 -,Vl - 1 - q 96 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I Bay City Press. It was not intended to be a permanent institution. The Press and 7Times was discontinued in 1.864, to be succeeded in the same year by the Bay City TJornal, Mr. John Culbert, editor, which, in 1871, became a daily as well as a weekly publication, under the editorial management land 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 Chrolicle still continuing under the charge and proprietorship of Mr. Arthur M. Birney, son of Hon. James Birney, until it was merged into the Tribune in 1879. The Chronicle was Republican in politics, and ably conducted. THE Lumbern zt'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 7li!lbune 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 Krwencke, 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 -Tribune 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 TribuZne is published under the name of the Chronicle and -r'ibune. Edwin T. Bennett, the proprietor of the 7iibutne and Lumberiman's Gazette, and part owner of the 1,vening 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 LLumberman'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 P'ress 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 on the V-ews for a time. The Press is an independent paper, and has a large circulation. The lr'eie Presse, an independent German paper, was started in 1878 by the present proprietor, Mr. G. Reuther, 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. Willso, 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 untilFebruary 5, 1883, when George F. Lewis once more assumed full control, and Mr. Gray continued the job printing business, in which he has been 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. Tile 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 Statesman. Iln 1838 he was folder and carrier for the Mount Clemens Icatriot. In 1845 lie made a journey to Lake Superior with the late Gen. John Stocklton, 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 Commercial lBulleti~n, then just started in Detroit. He helped put in type the first news of a presidential election that ever was transmitted by telegrap —that of Gen. Zachary Taylor in 1848. In May, 1849, he entered on the publication of the Macomb County tieralld, 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 i Advocate, 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 Courier. 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 Morning 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. Ile 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 lhe established Le 'Tribune at Detroit, which he sold two years later, when he started the La Messager 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. Paeaud, its present editor and proprietor. It is the largest French paper in the state, and has already attained a position of commanld I - (C) f 1. Id le) I I I I; RES.OF GEO. H. SHEARER. RES. oF JOHN N.MC DONALD. 1l MCDONALD & SHEARER'S MILL, BAY CITY. L -4 -- HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 97 - - - ing influence. Mr. Pacand was for some time publisher of a daily paper in Quebec, and is at the present time proprietor of a newspaper called Le Pr'ogress, published at Detroit and Windsor. THE Catholic Clr'onicle was started in April, 1882, by its present proprietors, John Hyde and 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 in 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. Mr. Norlis 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 2Michigan Odd Fellow was published by Dr. Joseph Hooper, Edward Newkirk and Charles 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 character of the newspapers of the city are such as to reflect credit upon the enterprise and intelligence of the population. BANKS AND BANKING. The year 1863 opened with flattering 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 on Water Street. Tllis institution was known as the BAY BANK, and the business transacted under the firm name of C. W. Gibson & Co. The capital of the bank was a matter of conjecture. The firm continued to do business until May, 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. W. Gibson, Henry Benson, Harvey J. Clark and R. L. Warren. The capital stock was owned by the five persons named as directors. In August, 1865, 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 member, 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 t? (a ---y a:: r Shearer, president; B. E. Warren, cashier. The directors weie N. B. i:radley, 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 built by 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 February 24, 1883, and it was deemed wise to effect a reorganization, which was 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 $200,000. 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. Moulthrop, H. C. Moore, William McEwan, James Shearer and B. E. Warren. While BANK BLOCK, BAY CITY. the stockholders have materially changed within the past fifteen years, the management of the bank has practically remained in the same hands, James Shearer having been its president until within a short time, when he was forced to resign because of ill health and necessary absence from the city. B. E. Warren, who was the first cashier of the bank, continued in that position until the date of Mr. 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, the community with which it has done business has increased rapidly in size and wealth, because of which it was deemed advisable in 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 98 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. lowing officers \-elre elected:-B. E. Warren, president; Frank Edjy, 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. Cliftf, 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. Jennisonl, E. Kroencke, C. A. Davis, Walter Leavens, C. Moulthrop, William McEwan, John Mulholland, 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:, RESOURCES. Loans and discounts............................ $724,703 75 Overdrafts...................................... 506 02 United States bonds to secure circulation............ 50,000 00 OthLer 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 Fraction.l paper currency, nickels and pennies....... 100 04 Specie.......................................... 26,382 00 Legal tender notes............................... 38,865 00 Redemption fund withl United States treasurer (five per cent of circulation)..................... 2,250 00 Total................................... $1,131,158 08 LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid in............................. $250,000 00 Surplus fund.................................... 50,000 00 Undivided profits................................ 50,-496 88 National bank notes outstanding................ 45,000 00 Dividends unpaid............................... 268 32 Individual deposits subject to check....$429,569 87 Demand certificates of deposit............. 193,462 95 Cashier's checks outstanding........... 2,480 58 625,513 40 Due to'other national banks........... 101,437 30 Due to state banks and bankers........ 8,442 18 109,879 48 Total.................................. $1,131,158 08 tt may be interesting to compare the foregoing with the following report of the condition of the same baik, July 16, 1868. RESOUIRCES. Loan s and discounts............................. $119, 783 34 United States blonds deposited to secure circulation..................... $100,600 00 United States bonds on hInd.......... 6,000 00 106,600 00 Premium account............................... 6,000 00 Local bonds................................... 3,402 88 Over-drafts.............. Due from national banks............... $43,571 52 Due from 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................... 3,683 00 Specie and premium funds............. 372 20 Fractional currency and coill............ 1,407 75 2,947 34 44,650 17 I Cash items...................... 1,058 00 34,763 95 Revenue stam ps................................. 663 34 Furniture and fixtures........................... 2,775 00 Total...................................$321,586 02 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, in 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 inl 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 organlization 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 time he was connected with the Ninth National Bank in New York City, where hle rendered very efficient service. In 1875 he camne 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 lie succeeded to the responsible position of cashier, but one which he is well qualified to fill. Mr. Browne is a genltlemnlan of thorough business habits, and applies himself industriously to the interests of the institution with which he is connected. SECOND NATIONAL BANK. This bank began business in May, 1874, with a capital of $100,000; William Westover, president, and W. L. Pluml, cashier. In November, 1867, the Exchange Bank was started by William and Luther Westover, Charles F. Gibson, James J. McCormick, and H. J. Clark. Inll 1869 Orrin Bump effected the organization of the State Balnk, with W. S. Patrick president, and Orrin Bumlp cashier. Soon afterwards Alonzo Chesbrough bought Mr. Patrick's interest, 1 - -1 j I I L9 ^r HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 99 r 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. Illn 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 $250,000. This bank does the largest business of any bank in the Saginaw Valley, as the published reports show. Its officers are gentlemen of large business capacity, liberal spirit, and it is made an important factor in the business enterprise and prosperity of the city. The office is located in the Westover Block, on the corner of Center and Washington Streets. The directors of the bank are William Westover, A. Cllesbrough, H. W. Sage, Luther Westover, Orrin Bump, W. L. Smith, A. J. Cooke, A. Walton, D. C. Smalley, W. H. Tousey, and S. T. Holmes. The officers are William Westover, president; A. Chesbrough, vice-president; Orrin Bump, cashier; and M. M. Andrews, assistant cashier. A correct idea of the large business done by this bank may be obtained from the following published report of its condition at the close of business December 30, 1882: RESOURCES. Loans and discounts............................$ 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............................. Redemption 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. Westover's connection with the banking interests of Bay City have already been given. He continued in the lumber business only a few years after coming here, 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. WTestover'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 inll 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 consolidation 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 time 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, Deceml)er 30, 1882: Total..................................... $1,133,474 62 LTIABILITIES. 11.. I. I......l,. - Capital stock paid in............................... 200,000 00 Surplus fund.................................. 50,000 00 Undivided profits.............................. 16,992;35 National bank notes outstanding................. 157,500 00 Dividends unpaid.............................. 495 00 Individual deposits subject to check................ 699,209 26 Demand certificates of deposit................... ' Certified checks................................ 500 00 Due to other national banks..................... 8,778 01 Total...................................$1,133,474 62 The capital stock of the bank has since been increased to $250,000. WILLIAM WESTOVER, president of the Second National Bank, is one of the representative men of Bay County. He is a native of Massachusetts. In 1852 he went to Canada, where he engaged in lumbering. Subsequently he removed to Tonawanda, N. Y., still continuing his lumbering business. In 1865 he removed to Bay City, and engaged in lumbering operations here. In 1868-'69 he built the Westover Block, in which the opera house is located. This block is a structure of impozing appearance, andl, at the time it was! - - 0. * Ir, 100 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY..I. 3 r RESOURCES. Loans and discounts.............................. 551,324 Over drafts..................................... 1,726 R eal estate..................................... 6,824 Furniture and fixtures........................ 3,300 Revenue stamps.13.............................. 137 Cash items..........................$ 1,677 86 Due from banks....................... 95,414 98 Co in................................. 11,052 17 Legal tender and bank notes............ 44,449 00 35 07 64 00 26 152,594 01 Total.................................... $715,906 83 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...................i.............. 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 I 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 I tried lumbering some, but finding that his expectations were not realized, he went to making fish barrels at Zilwaukee, and continued I 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 pur- I chased 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 Luilding, 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, $8300. 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. Denison, 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, et,., $2,000 to $3,000; insurance, $3,500 on stock. A. Lovenstein, clothing, over $6,000; insurance,, RI e) @ ^ - I ) I A - s HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 101 _____________ _ 7_ _ $4,100. P. T. Devaney, boots and shoes, $4,500; insurance, $3,000. Frederick Derr, dwelling house, $1,200; insurance, F600. T. C. Prosser, buildings, bakery, etc., $3,900; insurance, $3,000. John O. Brown, tobacco and cigars, $750; insurance, $750. H. Mellins 'k Co., fancy goods, and hats and caps, $1,500; no ilsurance. Western Union Telegraph Co., office fixtures, etc., $50; noinsurance. W. Graffart, barber shop fixtures, $250; noillsurance. John Drake, books and office fixtures, $150; no insurance. Dr. N. Jolinson, 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. Hotchhiss & Mercer, books andpapers, $1,000; no insurance. C. M. Averell, buildings, $2,000; insurance $1,200. W. W. Middaughl, furniture, $200; no insurance. 1). Camupbell, photographer, 20()0; no insurance. United States Telegraph Co., battery and office fixtures, $160; no insulraznce. A. N. Roulech, damage to building, $ 50; insured. Ernst Frank, loss by removal of stock-, $50; insured. The follow-ing persons also sustained losses: Clial-les A. Jay, groceries and provisions, insurance, $1,000; A. Huggins, household furniture; J. J. Richardson, barber; William R. Chapman, clothes cleaner;i Street Railway Co., damage to track. Sunday niorning, April 19, 1871, a fire broke oult ill the salt block of the Newv York Salt CSompally, at Portsmouth. A stronar wind weas blowing, and the fire spread rapidly to other property. The property burned and losses were as follows: - Two salt blocks belonging to the Newv York Salt Company and rented by Albert Miller, loss $.35,()00, 110 insurance. M'r. Miller's loss wvas about $4,000 and no insurance. A. C. Braddock, loss $1,.500(, inasured.| The Cramtpton House, 7f5t,(00; insured for $2,00)0. Mr. Thorp's wagon and blacksmith sloop, $4,000; insured for $800(. Mr. Goslaw's house, $1,()00; no insurance. Mrs. Johnl Cranilpton's house, $1,000; no insurance. Mr. Stewart's house, $t)O0; insured.I Mirs. Raby's house, $1,0()0; 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 Rulst's dock, anid about $30,000 worth of lumnber burlaed; insured for $25,000. The propeller 'Bay City," lying at the dock loaded with lumber, took fire, and had to be scuttled and sullk. The total loss fromn this day's fires, above insurance, was about $;50,()00. About half past four o'clock in tile afternoon of April 11, 1878, a destrllctive fire occurred, which wvas described by the daily 7ribu.ene of the following day as follows: "At about half past four o'clock yesterday afternoon, just as the 7Z')ibune had gone to press, an alarin of fire rang out, and a dense smioke 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 excitemnent and activity. The hose companies tnade quicki timhe to the scene of the conflagration, and it seemed as if the entire population of the city were running towards the locality. ORIGIN O)F THE FIRE. "So far as call le learned, Mr. E. Y. W~illiarls wvas the first man that sawe the flames. H~e is a lumber inspector, and was superin tending, 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 aI 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 tbig 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 (locks. "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 corner, 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-brimimed 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 dangeQr from these devil's missiles, and all members of the family within the threatened districts, bad fuill occupation in extinguishing them, or in wetting dowen their houses with hose or buckets. For more than half a mile back from the fire the meign 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 bay some dread sense of impending doomi,-for if the wind did not abate it was only a question of time whenl their hollses, 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 origfinated. But as it was, they fought at terrible odds. "The beat was so intense that the hose men were obligYed to direct their streams from behind wooden screens, where they stood and f ought, literally, enveloped by sheets of flame. The wvind, 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 engrine and hose put to work flooding the roof and exposed portions. Its salvation seems like a Iniracle, but it was really dtle to persistent and heroic work."A tug came up to the burning dock, hitched oil 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 fiames communicated to A. Grabowsky's residence on Saginaw 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 flyiMY cinders communicated the flames to the residence of F. A. Bancroft, four blocks away, at the corner of Ninth and Wtater Streets, and that fine residence, with the adjoining one occupied by E. J. I I I > i, 1 II k., -— bw '%R-.A I K BAY CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY G A. IJ -.. - 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 ito 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 ascertained 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 & IMurphy, 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. Garlalnd, 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, $8350; 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.Y.I I I;4, i -1 I WATSON BLOCK. Ninth and Tenth Streets, $83,500; insurance, $1,000; barn, $200; insurance, $5(). The residence was occupied by E. J. Wright, whose loss on turniture was covered by insurance. Mr. Stanton had furniture in the residence, of which he lost $700; insured for $500. Mr. Stlanton 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, $800; insured. Universalist Church, on Washington Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, $3,500; ins-ired 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, $800; insured. Steinbaur's old brewery, corner i' ^:: -E;I IvL;:IS i:a~ i0;: I ~:Q I (b1. 4* - AI-!. - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 103 -: 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, boarding house, 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, $300; 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 on 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 will 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. Chaimberlin. 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, 1863, when a fire broke out on the south side of Center Street, betweeni 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 all 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 1873, 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 Company, 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 inhabitants,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. ir, 0 Nk" __ A 9 - 5 I 1 - I ___ __ _________________I__ ___ __ I__ __ _________ _ _ 104 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. __ I 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 in 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. O. 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. Southworth, 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 AIcLaughlin, 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; 0. 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:-Johnl 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 COMIMANDERY, 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. Hitclhcockl, S. B.; A. Cummiings, 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 wag 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. i I i I I I i I I I i i I I i i i I I I I I I I I I i I I I i i l- _ Oatman; permanent secretary; WY. A. Pettipiece; treasurer, L. Anthony. HUMBOLDT LODGE, NO. 154, was organized February 13, 1871, with eight charter members. Present officers:-Ferdinand Hopp, N. G.; J. Ackerman, V. G.; Peter Prior, R. S.; S. Wilhelm, P. S.; Conrad Braunmoeller, 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. McKinnlon, R. S.; J. O. Smith, P. S.; C. Stover, treasurer. The present officers are as follows: —Frank Felton, N. G.; 0. 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 McFarlain, C. P.; D. E. Erb, H. P.; Edward Smith, S. W.; John McCartney, scribe; F. C. Thompso11, 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; Royal Templars of Temperance; and Bay City Reform Club. The latter I 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. O. U. W., organized February, 1882. Officers: —Henry Waters, M. W.; C. W. Maxon, J. F.; D. Jarmin, 0.; Theodore Hinle, 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. O. 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 councilor; 0. 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. Lount, W. H. Gray, George Beard, trustees; 0. W. Booth, D. Campbell, representatives to Grand Council. BAY COUNCIL, NO. 37, Royal Arcanum, organized November 27, ___ -A I I i J -t rF J -A I + PI-' k.. 11 I e) T 'q,,,,jl rrI -Ia ! f:> i I Pp'- V."|N SHEARER'S CENTRAL BLOCK. CENTER ST., BAY CITY. SH'EARER BFROS BLOCK. -j T - X - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 105 1877. Officers:-W. R. Marsh, R.; W. C. Wyckoff, V. R.; C. W. Monroe, O.; J. W. McMath, P. R.; A. J. Bothe, secretary; A. E. Rouech, Col.; M. M. Andrews, treasurer; T. F. Langstaff, chaplain. ARBEITER UNTERSTUETZUN-VEREIN-German —organized 1868; incorporated February 27, 1871. Officers:-Martin Schindehette, president; Peter Prior, vice-president; Joseph Schulte, recording secretary; Frederick Krause, secretary; Simon Zirwes, treasurer; William E. Peters, janitor. GERMANIA GYMNASIUM ASSOCIATION meet at Zirwes Hall. Officers: -Julius Bertch, president; Charles Supe, Jr., vice-president; Emil Wedthoff, treasurer; Charles Mueller, secretary; Otto Supe, sergeant at arms; George Winkler, first turner; Fred. Gudschinsky, second turner. BAY CITY LODGE, No. 178, I. O. B. B., organized 1872. Officers:-J. Sempliner and A. Grabowsky, for president; W. Wolsky, vice-president; J. B. Goldman and H. Bressler, recording secretary; L. Freedman, finance secretary; W. Sempliner and A. Grabowsky, treasurer; H. Pincus, warden; G. Grabowsky, guard. LAFAYETTE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. Officers:-Joseph Cusson, president; Octave Ardonin, secretary; P. N Peltier, treasurer. POLISH NATIONAL SOCIETY, organized October 18, 1880. J. Briske, Pres.; Ant. Prytinski, Vice-Pres.; protocol sec., Joseph Mankowski; financial secretary, Alexander Menezarski; cashier, John Muszynski; patron of the sick, Joseph Jablonski; librarian, W. V. Prybeski; standard bearers, George Kaunts, Frank Wisniewski; council of administration, Andrew Mendrysky, Ig. Szeszyeki, Joseph Wetter, Albert Ryezek; Teopil Platt, porter. ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY, organized August 22, 1876. A. Cuthlbert, president; Matthew Lamnot, vice-president; A. McDonald, treasurer; John Drake, secretary. ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY OF BAY CITY, organized August 22, 1876. Officers: H. Holmes, president; John Saunders, Sr., first vicepresident; Frederick Nichols, second vice-president; A. Bate, recording secretary; C. Williams, financial secretary; George Mansfield, treasurer; John Saunders, Jr., and William Keene, stewards; S. C. Wilson and J. H. Tennant, auditors; 0. W. Booth, chaplain. ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. —J. L. Herbert, president. ST. PATRICK'S MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION, organized March 17, 1865. Incorporated, 1873. POST RALPH W. CUMMINGS, G. A. R., was organized in 1882. Meetings are held in I. O. B. B. hall. Present officers:-B. F. Partridge, commander; A. Jeffery, senior vice-commander; George E. Aiken, junior vice-commander; H. C. Greene, quartermaster; H. Tupper, surgeon; M. M. Andrews, adjutant; F. Lyon, officer of the day; E. A. Eddy, officer of the guard. ARION SOCIETY was organized in 1878, and is one of the most prosperous societies in the city. It has an elegant hall, built in 1880. The present officers are:-J. G. Trost, president; J. Heeke, vice-president; Lorenz Weber, secretary; Theodore During, treasurer. The society organized with twelve charter members, and the present membership is upwards of 1,500. There are in the city a large number of societies of various kinds, which indicate the interest felt in various objects. MILITARY. Company D, Third Regiment of State Troops, under the name of "Peninsulars" is a well drilled, handsomely uniformed body of sixty-five men, made up from the trades and professions of the city. The first meeting at which an organization was effected was held at the Fraser House, October 13, 1873, and Frank H. Blackman nominated for captain. At that meeting application was made at headquarters, which was accepted, and about the beginning of 1874 the company was mustered into service. The armory is on the east side of Washington Street, between Center and Fifth Streets; captain, C. R. Hawley; first lieutenant, H. P. Warfield; second lieutenant, R. S. Pratt. Officers of civil branch: —President, W. T. Smalley; clerk and secretary, W. C. Wyc;koff; treasurer, R. S. Pratt. A PIONEER BUSINESS. The large dry goods house of Romer, Lovell & Co., on Center Street, has a history extending back over nearly the entire mercantile operations of Lower Saginaw and Bay City. The business was first established by the firm of Park & Munger, in the year 1850, in a small building on Water Street. In 1854 A. S. Munger entered the firm, and the style of the firm was changed to C. Munger & Co. In 1862 Edwin Park retired from the firm, and the business continued by Munger & Co. In 1869 Messrs. J. F. Romer and E. H. Bassett entered the firm, but no change was made in the firm name. In February, 1874, the.Mungers retired, and A. J. Cooke and D. A. Langworthy, who were engaged in the same business, consolidated with J. F. Romer, and the style of firm was changed to Cooke & Co. This firm continued until February, 1882, when Mr. Langworthy retired, and the name of the firm changed to Cooke & IRomer. In February, 1883, Mr. Cooke retired, and was succeeded by Messrs. Clifford F. and Frederick L. Lovell. who came here from Boston at that time. The business was also in a measure divided,; Messrs. Cooke and Romer carrying on the carpet department separate from the other business, the dry goods business being continued under the firm name of Romer, Lovell & Co. The business occupies two floors and basement of a double store in the Central Block, and is one of the finest stores in the state. The carpet department occupies the second story. This store has the finest hydraulic elevator used in the city. AARON J. COOKE, of the dry goods firm of Cooke & Co., is a native of New York State, and has been a resident of Bay City since 1866. ' HIIe was in the union service from 1862 until the close of the war, and held the rank of captain when discharged. During his residence in Bay City he has been one of the leading dry goods merchants, and prominently connected with public interests, especially the public library, of which he has been one of the most active supporters. JESSE F. ROtMER, of the firm of Romer, Lovell & Co., is a prominent citizen, and one of the leading business men of Bay City. He was born in the town of Kendall, Orleans Co., N. Y., in the year 1837. His father was a farmer, and one of the pioneers of that county. The subject of this sketch remained at home assisting his father upon the farm, and attending district school during his boyhood. He also attended the academy at Albion, and in 1865 went into a store at Holley, N. Y., as clerk, where he remained between three and four years. In the Fall of 1868 he I came to Bay City on a visit to relatives in this vicinity, and while I here an opportunity to enter the firm of Munger & Co. was offered, and he decided to accept it. Accordingly, in the Winter of 1869 he became a partner in the firm, as already stated. The history of the firm has already been given. In 1858 he was married at Gaines, N. Y., to Miss Lucy A. Reed, of that place. In 1876 he built their present residence on the corner of Eighth and Sherman Streets. Mr. Romer is a successful business man, and one who contributes liberally to the general advancement of the interests of Bay City. He is a leading member and one of the elders of the Presbyterian Church. He is a gentleman of large influence, and a liberal contributor to all enterprises calculated to be a public benefit. -1 L. -j I (b I I _________________I_____I__ I_ _ 1 vT 106 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY is a very flattering testimony to the intelligence and enterprise of its citizens. This institution, which is so great a blessing to the community, owes its existence very largely to the efforts of Mr. Byron E. Warren, low president of the Bay National Bank. Onl the 4th of Decernlber, 1869, articles of associationl were filed with the coun-ty clerk, and on the 10th of January, 187(), the organization was perfected. The first installment of books, consisting of 776 volumes, was received in. May following. Henry A. Braddock was the first librarian, and the library found a temporary habitation ill the court house. The iiumber of volumes at the end of the first year was 2,952. Under tle provision of the state constitution, the Board of Education had accumulated a library fund of $2,899, whllilhl had never been touched, and in Mfarcll, 1874, an arrangem-ent was perfected for a union of the Bay City Library Associationl with the Board of Educatioll. In May, 1877, the associlltion. was re-organized ulnder special act of Legislatllre, and placed il charge of a board of trustees. In Jully, 1878, the library was established in its present quLarters on W~ashlington Street, the building havin.g beell constrlleted for| its llse.{ Tlle present trustees are: -Jamues Shearer, A. McDonell, A. J. Cooke, H. A. Braddock, C. L. Collins, and Prof. J. W. Morley. The mayor of the city is chairm-ani of the board by virtue of his office; the librarian is secretary, and the city treasulrer is treasurer of the association. Miss Jennie Gilbert is librarian, and Mrs. F. H. Whittemore assistant librarian. The librarian's report for March, 1882, shows the number of voltames in the library to have been 8,519; number added the previous year, 848; numnber of books issued durlinv the year, 26,429. Receipts for the year $2,436.24, and excpezlses, $2,13953e2. The selection and pulrcllase of books has been i-nostlyr done by Mr. A. J.Cooke. There is also a public library in. the Seventh Ward, whicl wvas founded in. 1868 by the Ljadies' Library Association, of Portsmouth. Sirs. William Daglish was the first president. Tllis library has always been. well sustained, and is nowe kept in. the front room of the postoffice ill the Seventh Ward. STREET RAILWAY. Ini Deceiibey, 1864, the Common Council of the village of Bay City, granited permission to Thom-as J. Butman, James C. Lockwood and William E. Bates, of Milan, O., to construcet a street railway. The following February a company was incorporated, under the name of the Bay City and Portsmollth Street Railway Company. The first board of directors was composed of Myron. B3utman., James Fraser, W~illiam MeEwan, George Campbell alud N. B. Bradley Mr. Butman. was president and N. B. Bradley seeretary.- Mr. William MeEwau superintended the construction of the road, which was b~uilt froml Third Street, in. Bay City, to the present line of Thirty-fifth Street, and cars commenced running in Nov-el~lber, 186.5. Some changes occurred in. the early history of the company, lout the operation of the road has continued wNitllout, interruption from the first. About the year 1874, the francllise passed into the halnds of a cmllpnally of capitalists who are largely interested il the different enterprises centering in Bay City, who extended the line of track to the north about two niles, to the mills nearest the month of the river, and south to a connection with the track of the }11. it P. M. R. W., at McGraw's mill, crossing the tracks of the Michigan Central R. R., near the railroad bridge, which is near to the center of business il the city. The new company, with all increased capital, laid a light T rail of sufficient strength to enable thell. to do the work of a transit road, and during the Winter of 1874-'75, commenced to deliver emipty and loaded cars, at and from any mnill between the month of the river and MlcGraw's mill (a distance of six mniles), to any of the railroads centering in the city, thus aff ording mnill owners on the river all the facilities for Winter and inland trade enjoyed by mills located on the lines of railroads. The road is operated by dummy enginess which transfer railroad cars by nighit, the track being operated by horses through the day. This road, following the line of Water Street along the river, supplying a river frontage of six miles with railroad connections, has contributed materially to the development of the city. In 1882 the company built one of the largest barns in the state just wvest of the Astor House Corner in South Bay City. The nlanie of the COm.lp~any is now the Bay City Street and Trallsit Railway Coi11pa11Xy. Its present officers are as follows:-Presidenlt, James Clemlellts.; treasurer, H. C:lemlents; secretary,, E. A. Cooley. L-U1RIIAL GROUND S. Earth has no corners beyond the reach of death; no crevice ill which nlan. nlay hide himself, and escape the sentence prollounlced upollall that is mlortal. The last resting place of the dead is always regardedl as a sacred spot by the living, whether a~mollg savage or civilized people. The pioneers died ill lonely places, and thleir graves were unadorned bay the delicate touchles of art. The first b~urial ill Lower SagillawX was some time prior to 1840. A lanll a~med Bellnett, fromt Pinle River, died, and was burliednear wllat is slow the corner of Elevellth aild W~ashingtonl Streets. This was a sand ridge, and was selected on accounlt of its elevatioll. The next death here was that of M~rs. Derr, wcho w~as buried in. the same place, aced these were the only deaths in the settlellent for svalyears. This bulrial place was used until about 1859. At that tin-e Judge Janies Birney purchased and set apart five acres at the east end of Twelfth Street, in order to have a suitable place for the grave of his younger brothers George Birnley, to whom.l lie was much attached. ' This grounld was ellelosed, and has been used since that timie. Tile ground is tastefully laid out, anid is still the property of Jludge Biriley, excepting the lots that have been sold for graves. It is rap~idly filling llp, and shows llow the cities of the living, people the cities of the dead. This spot is known~ as Pinle Ridge (Ceretery. 'To the east of and ad'oinling Pinle Ridge is the Hebrew Cemetery, and a short distance furtller east is 'St. Jaules' Catholic Cemetery, con-prising five acres of groulld, originally donated to the Catholic 'C~hlrcll by Mr. W. P. fFitzbughl. Oil the opposite side of tlle Tusco~la plankl-road from. Pinle Ridge is a llaldsonle cemetery, laid out by Mr. E. Erckermeyer, all enterprising Gerniaun citizen. This& isi callledt Green Ridge Cemuetery.. I Lf ~9 1 1 f F C li: 7: (00: 0000:000:d 0 DX:\ 41 I C i 40 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 107 (i r GAS AND ELECTRIC.LIGHT. As the world progresses there is a marked disposition to light up the darkness of night as much as possible. Blazing hearths and pine knots made the evenings of early times very cheerful, until tallow candles flickered with a dazzling brightness that almost blinded the eyes. That light grew dim, however, when lamps came upon the scene. They were brilliant but liable to explode and scatter disaster broadcast. Then followed gas and electricity. Bay City concluded it would not look well to wear the livery of a city without appropriate facilities for illumination, and early in February, 1865, Thomas Edsall, James L. Ketchurn, James Fraser, Dexter A. Ballan and Henry M. Fitzhugh applied to the Common Council of the village of Bay City for permission to establish gas works in the city. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, but the project was abandoned, and nothing was done until February, 1868, when the Bay City Gas Company was organized with a capital of $40,000, and their works established on Water Street, near Eleventh Street. They commenced furnishing gas the following Autumn. The officers were, William McEwan, president; James Clements, secretary; E. Wells, treasurer. Directors, William McEwan, James Shearer, James Clements, E. Wells, E. C. Seaman. In 1882 the company increased its capital stock to $60,000. The present stockholders of the company are as follows:-James Clements, Philip Bach, Charles Fantle, Moses Seabolt, David Rinsey, Mrs. H. H. Tripp, E. Wells' estate, William Wagner, Mrs. A. Clements and Mrs. H. C. Sackett, Ann Arbor; William McEwan, James Shearer, Luther Westover and Florence Fitzhugh, Bay City. The electric light was introduced here in 1882, Bay City being the first in the state to adopt electricity for general illuminating purposes. The city is brilliantly illuminated with seventy electric lamps, of 2,000 candle power, placed upon telegraph poles, and in addition to these has a central tower over 200 feet in height, surmounted by an electric lamp of 24,000 candle power, which can be seen at a distance of forty miles on the lake. The electric light is in general use in stores, hotels and saw mills. The tower above mentioned is constructed of gas pipe, and presents an airy and pleasant appearance. It is located on Center Street near the courthouse. TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONES. Telegraph communication was first established with Bay City by the Western Union in 1863. In 1874, the Atlantic & Pacific Company established an office here. The telegraph business is very large, and at times has been in excess of any other locality in the state, excepting Detroit. Telephones were introduced here in April, 1879, by the Michigan Telephone & Telegraph Construction Company. Mr. Charles F. Orton, now in the lumber business, was superintendent, and was instrumental in speedily developing a very large business in Bay City. There were at the beginning of 1883, 250 instruments in use in the city. W. D. Greene is superintendent. WATER WORKS. From 1865 to 1870 the population of Bay City more than doubled, and at the latter date was rapidly increasing. The general growth of the city was so marked that the necessity of better protection against fire had for some time been felt, and urged by some of the citizens. The subject of water works was agitated for some two or three years, but nothing definite was done until 1871. Early in that year the subject was investigated under direction of the City Council. One committee, consisting of Judge Birney and George Campbell, investigated the workings of the Holly system, and another committee composed, of L. L. Culver, S. G. M. Gates and George H. Shearer, had estimates prepared and submitted to the Council. A special election was ordered for July 14, 1871, to decide whether the city should have water works or not, but owing to some defect in the order, the election did not take place until August 14th, following, at which time $118,000 was voted as the beginning of a fund for the purpose of supplying the city with water from the Saginaw Bay. September 6th, a board of water commissioners was created, which was composed of James Shearer, Michael Daily, William Westover, John McDowell and H. M. Bradley, with James Shearer president. Numerous places were visited, and the subject thoroughly analyzed; in fact, the care and wisdom exercised in reaching a decision has been of great advantage to the city. The Holly system of direct pumping through the mains to the consumer, was adopted. Mr. F. L. Dunbar was appointed chief engineer and superintendent of construction, January 2, 1872, and about that time a contract was closed with the Holly Manufacturing Company, and the work of construction began at once. The works were located in the northern part of the city about four miles distant from the bay. The inlet from the bay was made about the same distance from the mouth of the river, so that clear and pure water is at all times obtained. The works were finished and the machinery commenced operations in December, 1872. The following balance-sheet shows ledger balances from the commencement of the works, showing net amount expended on each branch of the works since their inception: LEDGER BALANCE-DR. Real estate.......................... $ 6,724 83 Dock, tramway, store shed............ 1,882 63 Engine house, chimney and wells....... 19,097 42 Engine foundations, boiler foundations and arches........................ 4,931 72 Inlet from river...................... 3,218 99 Inlet from bay....................... 84,778 37 Reservoir and breakwater at bay........ 21,491 78 Filter at bay........................ 1,683 13 Pumping machinery.................. 39,109 64 Iron pipe and branch castings.......... 52,743 36 Wyckoff patent pipe.................. 69,569 71 Laying pipe......................... 32,280 79 Valves for street mains................ 8,737 66 Public fire hydrants.................. 7,338 44 Furniture and fixtures................ 601 92 Implements (construction)............. 1,713 61 Engineering and general superintendence (construction)..................... 7,856 17 Traveling expenses (construction)....... 306 29 Interest, discounts and commissions (construction)......................... 4,224 17 Insurance (construction)........... 29 00 W ater meters........................ 4,554 63 Service stop boxes................... 18 85 Water works fund................... 11,793 27 Orrin Bump, treasurer................ 620 17 Thomas Rosa........................ 15 57 A. L. Stewart....................... 15 00 John Young......................... 6 50 Office expenses and salaries............ 17,006 43 Engineers' and firemen's wages....... 35,072 84 Fuel......................... 26,317 68 Oil, packing and engineers' supplies..... 4,038 51 Repairs to pumping machinery......... 1,972 72 Repairs to boiler arches................ 540 93 Repairs to engine house............... 422 89 Repairs to dock...................... 13 38 Repair and care of hydrants, valves and pipes........................... 5,379 43 Repairs to breakwater and reservoir..... 461 86 Implements, (repairs)................. 649 12 Repairs to water meters............... 15 62 q" " tA GI 108 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. LEDGER BALANCES —CR'. Bay City bond account ($377,000 bonds) -$ 368,045 87 Water assessment, front on pipes........ 786 07 Service tap account................... 1,187 64 Water rates, rolls fromn 1872-'78........ 49,587 25 Water rates, roll of 1879.............. 11,702 10 Water rates, roll of 1880.............. 13,127 32 Water rates, roll of 1881................ 14,921 36 Water rates, roll of 1882.............. 16,878 39 Plumbers' licenses..................... 211 70 Rents, dockage, etc.................... 837 33 $477,285 03 $477,235 03 Total construction balances............ 372,893 11 Total maintenance balannes............. 91,891 41 Total water rate balances.............. 106,216 42 The following table shows amount collected and the total of assessment roll for each year since the works commenced operations:.AMOUNT YEAR. COLLECTED. 1873 —Jan. 1 to April 30.... $ 728 82 1873-'74 —May 1 to April 30. 5,440 80 1874-'75-May 1 to April 30. 6,908 16 1875-May 1 to Dec. 31.... 7,269 55 1876.................... 9,571 26 1877.................... 9,599 26 1878................... 10,069 40 1879.................... 11,702 10 1880................... 13,127 32 1881.................... 14,921 36 1882.................... 16,878 89 $106,216 42 UNCOLLECTED 1 i'60 44 85 28 46 82 73 139 19 333 46 142 94 153 67 303 65 641 93 $1,872 48 TOTAL OF ROLL. 728 82 5,442 40 6,953 01 7,298 01 9,653 99 9,738 45 10,402 86 11,845 04 13,280 99 15,225 01 17,520 32 $108,088 90 LENGTH OF PIPE. Total length of main pipe connected with the works: 30-inch stave pipe conduit from Saginaw Bay....... 4 miles 66 ft. 18-inch stave pipe conduit from Saginaw River..... 386 ft. Total stave pipe conduit................... 4 miles 452ft. Distributing mains: t 16 IN 12 IN 10 IN 8 IN 6 IN 4 IN 3IN TOTAL Iron pipe........1..,41l0 4,883 8,422 1 o93814 96 14 66.... 18,2851-2 Wvkoff pip...... 6.1 6. 11 13,2081 149. 1535 / 18.97412 319 88.06612 Total.............. 106,352 Total iron m ailn s........................... 3 miles 2,4451 ft. Total Wyckoff mains....................... 16 miles 3,5861 ft. Total..................................20 miles 752 ft. FIRE HYDRANTS. ' Whole number of public fire hydrants set......... 140 H olly hydrants................................. 99 M atthews' hydrants............................. 40 Brown's hydrants.............................. 1 The pipes, hydrants and service connections are located in the several wards of the city as follows: two, making whole nulmber set at the present time twenty-eighlt. The superintendent in his report for 1882, says: "The experience of the past year has demonstrated beyond a I doubt that the use of meters is the only practical plan for prevent-. ing the waste of water and for equalizing the rates'to be paid by consumers according to the quantity of water used. Notwithstanding an increase of 12 per cent in the number of service connections, the quantity of water pumped has been reduced 18 per cent. It is not to be supposed that the entire amount saved has been from the few services metered; the moral effect upon the smaller consumers of inetering the larger ones, has been salutary, but this will not be permanent unless the meter system is extended as fast as possible." I WATER PUMPED AND COST OF PUMPING. The total amount of water pumped during the year 1882, as indicated by the revolutions of the pumps, was 775,642,466 gallons, which is 168,789,577 gallons less than pumped in the preceding year. 769,705,577 gallons were pumped under the ordinary domestic pressure of forty pounds per square inch, which is equivalent to a lift of 107 feet from the surface of the water in the wells; 5,937,020 gallons were pumped under a fire pressure averaging seventy-eight pounds per square inch, at the pressure gauge, which is equivalent to a lift of 195 feet from the surface of the water in the wells. The cost of pumping this quantity of water has been $7,618.97, which is $9.82 per million gallons pumped; $9.12 for every million gallons raised 100 feet; $4.56 for fuel per million gallons, and $4.12 for fuel per million gallons raised 100 feet. The large reduction in the quantity of water pumped has enabled the works to respond promptly to every demand for fire pressure, and furnish thoroughly efficient fire protection to the city without excessive strain on the pumping machinery. The nuimber of gallons, of water pumped during each year since the works commenced operations is as follows: 1873.................................. 142,477,725 1874.................................. 294,714,798 1875................................. 416,756,579 1876.................................. 518,197,129 e1877............................... 538,847,186 1878................................. 530,197,8397 1879.................................. 672,344,128 1880.................................. 827,067,372 1881................................. 944,382,043 1882.................................. 775,642,466 The number of connections inserted in the main pipes during the year was 114, of which eight are connected with iron mains and 106 with Wyckoff mains. The whole number of service attachments, besides branch castings, connected with main pipes, is 1,034. Main pipes were laid during 1882, as follows:-In alley between Jefferson and Madison Streets from Tenth to Eleventh; on Eleventh Street from alley between Jefferson and Madison to Madison; ol Madison Street from Eleventh to Thirteenth; on Farragut Street from Center to Tenth. ASSESSMENT RATES FOR 1883.. I The regular assessment roll for the year 1888 amounts to $14,236.80; estimating the amount to be received from metered water at $4,500 and from new sources $1,000, makes a total of nearly $20,000. The roll for 1883 embraces the following users of water: Private dwellings.......... 560 Bakeries.................. 4 Families in blocks.........111 Ashery................... 1 Lawn hose................ 226 Banks.................... Urinals...................245 Barber shops.............. 10 Private stables............. 93 Bath houses............. 5 Blacksmith shops.......... 5 Hotels............. 28 First Ward......... Second Ward....... Third Ward......: Fourth Ward....... Fifth Ward......... Sixth Ward......... Seventh Ward....... Totals......... FEET FIRE OF PIPE. HYDRANTS. 18,2071 26 20,894 l 22 28,753 80 11,4014 18 9,6438 14 8,891 16 8,5601 14 106,352 140 SERVICE CONNECTIONS. 114 321 3866 125 55 385 41 1,057 VALUATION ON CITY ROLL. $1,120,000 2,465,000 2,287,00(} 1,144,000 663,000 670.000 735,000 $9,C84,OCO WATER METERS. The number of water meters set during the year was twenty v ~I\Cof ASS, a Boarding houses. Bottling works.. Brewers........ Butcher shops... Court house..... Jail............ Churches....... Coffee roaster... Cracker factories. Cigar factories.. Carriage shops... Drill houses..... Electric light wor Foundries...... Flouring mills... Gas works...... Harness shops... H alls.......... Hospitals....... Stores.......... Street car barn.. Warehouse...... Water closets in h11 etc.......... I Water is sup X 1 police station, cit] fountains, and tw by reason of the or burned and n - - ___ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 109),i r r........... 31................................ 17........... 1.......... 4............................... 3...................... 'ks........ 1....................1.......... 1..................... 7.......... 1........... 90.......... 1 oels, stores,........... 206 Hotel stables............. 5 Elevator................. 1 Laundries................: 4 Library...;............. 1 Livery stables............ 16 Machine shops......... 13 Offices...................98 Paint shops............... 2 Depots................... 2 Photographers............. 4 Planing mills.......... 8 Plumbers................. 3 Printing offices............ 2 Pipe works................ 1 Restaurants............... 15 Round houses............. 2 Saloons..................101 Salt crusher............... 1 Schools..................6 Stone yard................ 1 Telegraph office............ 2 Water motor.............. 1 )plied to the following -without charge:-City hall, y offices, four hose houses, eleven public drinking ro public parks. Twenty-two services are shut off buildings onil the premises having been removed ot rebuilt. Fifty-eight services are shut off for I i i f i i I i i i i i I I Ii I. i -4- m - non-paymelnt of rates. FIRE PROTECTION. HOURS RUN NO. OF GALLONS PUAIPED MONTI. FOR FIRES. ALARMIS. FOR FIRES. DAMAGE. January....... 3: 80 4 564,000,$ 200 February...... 1:38 4 215,228 560 March......... 1:07 2 124,540 700 April.......... 1:38 4 211,068 400 May.......... 1:37 5 175,084... June......... 3:43 7 408,988 410 July.......... 13:24 14 2,165,816 12,675 August........ 8:07 8 1,100,460 800 September.....:01 8 380,792 210 October........ 1: 32 2 164,008 550 November..... 3:03 2 349,752 500 December.....:40 1 82,784 110 Totals... 42:56 61 5,937,020 $17,115 E. L. DUNBAR, superintendent and secretary of the Bay City Water Works, was born in Ellsworth, Conn., in the year 1846(. In 1865 he located in Bay City. Being a practical engineer, and a young man of marked ability, he was selected as a proper person to superintend the construction of the water works, and was appointed to that position in January, 1872. So well adapted is he to that position that he was continued as superintendent, and also made secretary of the board, and is still retained in the same capacity. He is a practical man, and his services have been of great advantage to the city in his admirable management of the affairs of the department of which he is in charge. PRESENT BOARD OF WATER WORKS. First Ward, Andrew Walton; Second Ward, Thomas Cranage, Jr.; Third Ward, William Westover; Fourth Ward, William Snlalley; Fifth Ward, Charles E. Young; Sixth Ward, Duncan McGregor; Seventh Ward, George C. Meyers. OFFICERS. President of the board, William Westover; superintendent and secretary, E. L. Dunbar; first engineer, A. B. Verity; second engineer, Frederick H. Holly. -......... *s —]s MEMBERS OF BOARD SINCE ORGANIZATION. First Waid.-Michael Daily, appointed September 6, 1871, resigned May 13, 1872; Andrew Walton, appointed May 27, 1872; Andrew Walton, re-appointed December 9, 1872; Andrew Walton, re-appointed February 4, 1878; Andrew Walton, re-appointed January 22, 1883, term expires September 6, 1887. Second Ward.-James Shearer, appointed September 6, 1871, term expired September 6, 1873; Thomas Cranage, Jr., appointed November 8, 1873; Thomas Cranage, Jr., re-appointed September 2, 1878, term expires September 6, 1883. Third Ward.-Williarn Westover, appointed September 6, 1871; William Westover, re-appointed March 29, 1875; William Westover, re-appointed October 20, 1879, term expires September 6, 1884. Fourth Ward.-John McDowell, appointed September 6, 1871, died May 11, 1872; William Srnalley, appointed May 27, 1872; William Smalley, re-appointed February 4, 1878; William Smalley, re-appointed December 13, 1880, term expires September 6, 1885. Fifth Ward,-Henry M. Bradley, appointed September 6, 1871; Henry M. Bradley, re-appointed February 4, 1878, resigned May 3, 1880; Charles E. Young, appointed June 1, 1880; Charles E. Young, re-appointed September 5, 1881, term expires September 6, 1886. Sixth Ward.-Andrew J. Miller, appointed August 4, 1873, term.expired August 4, 1874; James Clarke, appointed October 13, 1874, term expired August 4, 1879; William Daglish, appointed October 20, 1879, resigned October 24, 1881; Duncan McGregor, appointed October 31, 1881, term expires August 4, 1884. Seventh Ward. —Thomas H. McGraw, appointed August 4, 1873, resigned September 14, 1874; W. C. McClure, appointed September 21, 1874; W. C. McClure, re-appointed November 8, 1875, resigned March 24, 1879; George C. Meyers, appointed May 5, 1879; George C. Meyers, re-appointed December 13, 1880, term expires August 4, 1885. BAY CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. This association was organized in February, 1882, by virtue of act No. 166 of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, entitled "An Act for the Incorporation of Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce," approved March 19, 1863. Its objectand government are set forth in articles two and three of its constitution, which read as follows: "The object of this association shall be to advance the commercial character of and promote just and equitable principles in trade, to correct any abuses which may exist, and generally to improve the interests of trade and commerce in Bay County. "The officers for the government of this association shall be a president, two vice-presidents, a board of eleven directors, a committee of arbitration, and a committee of appeals. "The president, vice-presidents, committee of arbitration, committee of appeals and board of directors shall be elected by a ballot at each annual meeting, and shall hold their offices for one year and until others are elected in their places, except those first elected under this constitution, whose term of office shall expire on the second Tuesday of January, A. D. 1883. "The president and vice-presidents shall be ex-officio members of the board of directors." The officers and directors, for the first year were as follows: -H. P. Merrill, president; B. E. Warren, first vice-president; L. L. Hotchkiss, second vice-president; L. S. Coman, treasurer; Charles C. Gustin, secretary. - -1 EC "ll y - 4 - 4 LZ g 110 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. Board of directors —Thomas Cranage, Jr., G. K. Jackson, Isaac Marston, John Drake, A. J. Cooke, J. R. Hall, William H. Miller, Albert Miller, William Westover, L. S. Coman, D. C. Smalley. It started with a membership of about 170 of the leading business and professional men of the city, who were willing to unite their energies and means for the promotion of the interests of Bay City and County. The first year of its existence witnessed many beneficial results from the association. Many improvements were originated and others aided by it. At the annual meeting in January, 1883, the president, H. P. Merrill, madean annual report, in the course of which he mentioned the aims of the association, and what it had done during the year, as follows: "A want had long been felt for an association or society that would bring our prominent citizens together to consider matters pertaining to the progress and welfare of our city. It was not a debating society that was needed, but a place where meetings could be had to form or mould public opinion in matters of public concern. nished with prompt and valuable assistance which otherwise they could only have obtained, if at all, with much trouble and expense. HOTEL. "It is well known that about the time of our organization the principal hotel in our city was not open to the traveling public, nor was the prospect for an early opening flattering, yet with the active assistance of this body a change in the ownership of the Fraser House property was accomplished, the house remodeled, repaired, refurnished and opened to the public, and to-day it stands equal to the best in the state, and our people take just pride in referring to it. FREE BRIDGE. "The necessity for a free bridge between the two cities has long been felt, and when the question of raising money by tax was submitted to the people of the county with which to purchase or build a bridge, active work was considered necessary to meet the opposition of interested parties and townships supposed to be opposed thereto. Information was furnished by this Chamber, committees appointed to visit some of the more important polling places, and with the assistance thus rendered the result was favorable. It then became necessary in order to prevent a heavy loss to the stockholders of the Third Street bridge to assist in the negotiations looking to a purchase of the property, which was rendered, and resulted in a purchase being nmade much, we believe, to the advantage and benefit of all parties interested. STONE ROADS. "The Chamber also lent its aid in promoting measures to raise by tax money to build stone roads leading from the cities into the country. This work has been fairly inaugurated, about four miles of the roads have been constructed and the prospects now are that in Ca short time this county will have roads superior to any in the state. MIDLAND RAILROAD. "Some work has been accomplished in the direction of having this completed and the ilndications are that the present season will see the accomplishment thereof. CITY PARKS. "The city parks were in a rude, unfinished and unsightly condition last Spring. This Chamber originated and recommended to the Common Council a plan which at a moderate expense would materially improve the same. The plan was adopted, the small parks on Center Street were improved and made attractive, the larger parks also much improved, and a plan suggested by which-the paved streets could be beautified outside the paved line thereof. These improvements are apparent to the most casual observer." During the year 1882, membership fees to the amount of $1,780 were collected. The association has suitable rooms fitted up on Fifth Street, near Washington Street, where the public can obtain any information pertaining to Bay County. The officers and directors for 1883 are as follows:-H. P. Merrill, president; Albert Miller, first vice-president; T. Cranage, Jr., second vice-president; L. S. Coman, A. McDonell, George Campbell, C. L. Collins, John Rose, Luther Beckwith, D. C. Smalley, John L. Dolsen, John N. McDonald, John H. Wilkins, R. B. Taylor, directors; W. H. Tousey, R. Scheurmann, D. W. Grow, F. A. Bancroft, E. B. Denison, committee on arbitration; George Lord, E. Y. Williams, William Keith, J. L. Dolsen, J. H./Wilkins, committee on appeals; Charles C. Gustin, secretary; L. S. Coman, treasurer. Mr. Gustin has since resigned the position of secretary, and W. M. Kelley is elected as his successor. That the organization has during the past year accomplished much is apparent to those who have watched its proceedings. What it has done cannot in every instance perhaps be seen, as the work which it initiated in many cases has been carried out by others, while in other cases it has but moulded public sentiment, and actually assisted in carrying out, or at least encouraged, others, in measures contemplated for the public good. In this connection I think I am justified in saying that nothing has been done to injuriously affect the rights of any individual or company further than such as must inevitably follow in the march of necessary public improvements in a young and ambitious city. "It is with pride that I mention a few of the more important measures which this organization performed, recommended or assisted in accomplishing during the past year. "First-Valuable statistics pertaining to the agricultural, mechanical, manufacturing industries of the cities and county have been collected, published and distributed. This has resulted in directing the attention to the superior facilities afforded in this county for business purposes-and many have availed themselves thereof. Much good may still be expected from the work already done. Strangers visiting our city on business or -pleasure have been fur iq. -- A - 6 4dF. e-it~ 4::.A HISTOR TO r2Y OF BAY COUNTY. ill MIISCELLANEOU S REV1EW.T The introduction of sadt rmanufatcture in 1860-'61, infused new life into all local projects and enterprises, and brought into existence an important adjunct to the lumbering industry. New capital was drawn here and invested, the value of property was increased, and the residents of the village were encouraged to increase their efforts to improve their advanta~ges and condition. A foundry was started followed by a boiler shop. Mr. A. N. Rouech leased Judge Camp — bell's pioneer tavern, and greatly enlarged it to meet the increasing demand for hotel accommnodations. Mr. Rouech gave it the name of "Globe Hotel." The greatest activity, of course, was in the luluber and salt indunstries. These increased population and consequently enlarged the field for general business enterprises. The first brick building erected in the city was built by Thomas Wactkins, on the corner of Center and Washington Streets. It was begun in the Fall of 1862 and finished the following Spring. It was afterwardsc~ purchatsed bly Jamnes Shearer and remodeled for his private residence. It was torn down about 1879 to m~ake rooml foiMUNGER BLOCK. the elegant four-story block built by M3r. Shlearer in 1879-'80. Mir. Watkins was an early comer to Bay City, and was a lumber inspector. He died July 22, 1868, at the age of fift -two years, leaving a wife and one child. He was a native of New York S~tate. The fire of July, 1863, involved indlividual losses, bout didt not check the growth of the place, andl resulted in better buildingsrS In the Fall of 18163 Mr. James Shearer had a map of Bay City prepared with great care and accuracy, showing every building, with location and description, in the cit.-,. Buildings were scattered over an area extending southl to Twelfth Stureet, north to a line just beyond the Pitts & Cranage M~ill, and east to M~adison, the western boundary being the river. There were four brick buildings in the city, the Watkins house, already nicationed; a t~wo-story building on Water Street, now occupied by Meeker & Adams, built by George Campbell for James Fraser; a two-story building still standing 'ust south of the Fraser House, built, by at mail named Cooper; and the county builiiing, one story, which stood just in front of where tile jail now stands. Th~is latst named building was occupied with the county offices. All these buildings were built in 1863. The principal mercantile business of the place was done on Water Street. between Third atnd Center Streets. The glory of Center Street was not yet even foreshadcowed. On the present site of the Shearer Blockr, on the northwest corner of Center and Water Srtreets, was a, two-story frame store building. Passincy east alon ( tire north side of Center Street, the next building was a one-story frame where the Averell Block now stands; next a2 story and a half building on the northeast corner of Center andd Saginazw Streets; then came C. El. Jennison's residence, and beyondi that on the present site of the Central Block, was the Watkins dwelling. Between Adamns Street and the public square was a story andl a half dwellingr standing balck from Center Street, and the only building in that block. Thlis is all there was on that side of Center Street. On the south side of Center Street was a story alzd a half store building standing about midway between Water and Saginaww Streets; on tile corner where the Munger Block Dnow stands was a two-story bailding, and there were two o~ne-story buildings where the Westover Block stands; between Wasbiliaton andl Adams Street were four small buildings and a two-story dwelling stood next to the public square. The twro-story residence of,W. L. Pay, still standing -ust east of the public sq/uare, completed the list west of Madison Street. Beyond M~adison Street were tbe.!4residence of Willi,,In McEwan, the dwelling built in the wildernless by General Partridge, in 1856, and two or three others. Tlhe MLcEwan grist m~ill stood oil the present site of thle Griswold Block. Within tile area, described by the map referred to there were at that time 535 buildings, including~ barns and ice houses. There were seven churches, four school building~s, twelve saloons and six hotels. During this year the American Express Conapany openled an office here. Previous to this the nearest office was at East Saginaw,~Y and it cost 50 cents to get a parcel to or from'jbhat place. Tire B3ay Batnk was opened this year, in the U~nion Block oii.Water Street. 1865-'66 witnessed many improvements. Miessrs. Sage &1 MIcGraw 2lad a pros' erous town startedl oil the west siiie of the river. Bay City was incorporated as a city. The Tbird'I.Street Bridge was built, a tele~graph office bad been establish~ed; a Board of Trade organ"ized; Portsmouth and Bay City connected by street railway; a county acyricult-aral society organized, and other important improvements noted at length~ upon othler pages. In the Springa of 1866, the first attempt at numbering buildingss was m~ade. NJo system became so general annd permalanent as that adopted in the Fall of 1882L, at thle,'introduction of free delivery system by the postoffice department. ByY the Winter of 1866, the feelings of metropolitan imlportance became so intensified that the public refused to longer wa~de through snow upon sidewalks, andl the city faLthers w~isely and solemnly ordlained that snow upon any sidewalks to at greater depthl thatn one inch must not be allowed to remain more than twelve hours after the storm hrad ceased. Since that time some have shoveled, and, alas! some ha-ven't. January 15, 1866, William A. B3ryce, a forpner publisher of the.1'ress an~d 17m~,es, died at Marine City, Mich. The period of 1865-'66 was most notable as marking the beginning of a new era, in buildings. The fire of 1865 cleared the wvay for new buildings, and men who were able to invest in building came to thre Jront at this time. The business of the place demanded better 2lotel facilities, and James Fraser built the Fraser House Blockr. Tr. Ge~orge Campbell was the contractor. For the city at that time it was an elegant building, costing about $75,000. M~r. Fraser erected it to meet the hotel wants of the place, and to contribute something to the material interests and welfare of thle city that would be of enduring value and aldvantage. Mr.~r James Sheafrer had recently become interested in Bay City, and badn become convinced that a larger growth and development was in store for thee place. On the corner o'_ Center and Walter Streets, opposite the I j:I e' —4 — c --- t 1 -- 0 I - - ---- - I Z I I 112 HISTORY OF B &Y COUNTY. Fraser House, he erected at the same time the first three-story brick business block in the city. The foundation of the city, with respect to its buildings, was now laid. Enterprise is contagious, and in matters of public improvement, if the right ones lead the way, others are sure to follow. Munger & Co. followed with improvements. Union and Griswold Blocks wefit up. Birney Block on Water Street and Averell Block on Center Street came soon after, and a portion of the Campbell House Block, by Mr. George Campbell. A little later, in 1837-'68, other improvements were inaugurated. The first sewer was built by James Shearer, to his block, in 1866. In 1867, a mile in length on Center Street, and the following year a portion of Water and Center Streets were laid with Nicolson pavements. The work of paving was continued until about three miles had been laid, and at the present time Bav City is well supplied with pavements and sewerage. Mr. James Shearer put down the first flagstone sidewalk laid in the city. In 1867, the work of dredging the outer bar of thle river was commenced, and finished the following year. Railroad comllmunication opened, and a large number of new business blocks and private dwellings were built. New streets were opened, and real estate experienced unprecedented activity. During the next two or three years the aspect of the place was entirely changed, banking facilities were enlarged, the Fraser estate came into' market, or, at least, a portion of it. The High School building was erected, also the Court House; gas was introduced in 1868, and water worlis in 1872. In 1868-'69, the Westover Block on Center Street was built b)v Mr. William Westover, the upper stories of which were devoted to an opera house. Tile postoffice is located in this block at the present time. 1872 was a busy year ill building. Among the business blocks erected were the Maxwell dock and warehouse, those of E. B. Denison, H. H. Norington, Smith & Hart, on Water Street; and on Center Street were the Munger Block, First National Bank building and block, and the Cranage Block. There were also a large number of residences erected in 1872-'73. From 1870 to 1874, the population of the city was increased from 7,064 to 13,676. It was during that time, however, that Portsmouth was annexed to Bay City. The increase in population and material wealth has continued rapidly, yet in all respects the growth has been healthful. During the past two years a general spirit of enterprise and improvement has prevailed, and as a consequence a great transformation has been wrought in the general appearance of the city. The streets are wide and well paved, private grounds present an attractive appearance, and the new business blocks are substantial and elegant structures. Among the more recent additions to the wealth and beauty of the city in this direction, are the two four-story brick blocks on Center Street, built by Mr. James Shearer, and described elsewhere in this work, the ornate brick block on Washington Street, built by Mr. William McEwan, and the large block of stores on Water Street, recently finished by Mr. E. B. Denison. Duiring 1881, over thirty miles of new sidewalks, and about two miles of main sewers were built in the city. Upwards of $900,000 were invested in ne w buildings and improvements. During this year the Concordia Block was built, an elegant three-story brick structure on Center Street. At.the annual meeting of tile Chamber of Commerce, held in February, 1883, the president, H. P. Merrill, reviewed the condition of the city and improvements for 1882, to. which was added the report of the secretary, Charles E. Gustin. In the course of his address, Mr. Merrill said: "At no time in the history of this city has there been such ex tensive improvements in the way of paving streets, building sewers, sidewalks and street lighting as there has been the past year. This chamber has encouraged and assisted in mloulding public opinion in favor of all such improvements, and how much of what has been done may fairly be credited to the efforts of this society, I leave to others to determine. We have to-day a city of at least 25,000 people-active, intelligent, industrious and prosperous. During the past year about five miles of streets have been paved and about three miles more ordered paved, at least twenty-five miles of sidewalk have been laid, also over three miles of main and lateral sewers have been constructed in a permanent and substantial manner, costing in the aggregate over $;100,000. Our streets are now lighted with the electric light, our parks improved and beautified. The past season has been a prosperous one, and the coming season gives promlise of still better. If the same spirit of public improvement continues, much that will add to the growth and beauty of our city ma,y 1)be done the coming Summer." BIRNEY (FORMERLY CHRONICLE) BLOCK. The secretary's report contains the following review of the year 1882: "The year 1882 just closed has been one of the most successful in the history of our city, alike encouraging to our manufacturers, merchants, mechanics and laborers. Though at the commencement of the season there was some delay in getting logs, our mill men have manufactured more than last season, prices having been fair the season through, and as a rule the manufacturers are satisfied with the result of the past year. "The constantly increasing sales of our merchants, exceeding, from careful estimates made in the different branches, the sales of 1881 at least 20 per cent, has been very gratifying, and the outlook for 1883 is considered promising. "Our mechanics and laborers have all been employed at satisfactory wages, no strikes have occurred, no serious disturbance between employers and employes, and the numerous houses that have been built by the working classes during the past season, are a standing testimonial to the general improvement that is taking place in our city. Bay City is known far and wide as an enterprising and go-ahead city, the census of 1880 bringing it into promi nence throughout the United States as much as anything of late years. Since 1880 its growth has been if anything more rapid than ever, and I do not think we would be far wrong in claiming nearly 3()0,000 as the population of the third city of Michigan. REAL ESTATE. "Thle real estate malllet has been active during the entire year, J ~i I - I 2 -11 I,?:::.J ad. 7~ -,: i: - a i ~, s! i; _i:: IIIII M- EWAN -BLOCK - WASHINGTON ST BAY CITY, 'MICH. NEW DENISON BLOCK 1883 Fourth & Water Streets - Bay City, Michigan. ' __: ~r' -s '' HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 113 - 9 I the transfers havesbeen very numerous, although we have had no boom, prices have been good, and one very gratifying feature is that the sales have not been made to speculators, but for occupancy by the purchasers. In this connection I will say that there have been more buildings erected during 1882 than in any other year of our growth, the number aggregating 566, and the valuation about $972,092, about $100,000 more than during 1881. At the present time the demand for desirable locations is good, and everything points to an increased business in 1883. LUMBER AND SALT are known as the great staples of our city, and while it makes interesting reading for those in the business, I will not detain you by an itemized report, but give the total product of our city and West Bay City during 1882, and comparing the same with 1881. The season has been a prosterous one, and an increase in mallufacture is shown: 1882. Increase. Lumber, feet............... 578.372,119 24.372.119 Shingles................. 91,258,000 *7,742,000 Lath....................... 59,921,700 15.921,700 Salt, barrel,, about........... 1,500,000 Salt barrel staves.......... 20,000,000 Heading, sets................ 1,607,407 *Decrease. "In addition to.the foregoing there has been cut in Bay County 23,649,900 feet of hardwood lumber. CITY IMPROVEMENTS. "It is a difficult matter to keep track of the numerous improvements going on in our midst, and no matter how careful one may be he is almost sure to overlook someething of interest. Aside from the buildings mentioned elsewhere we have expended during the year on pavements and sewers as follows: Center Street pavemelnt....................$18.380 13 Third..................... 2,280 00 Fifth "..................... 10 631 58 Fourth "...................... 972 84 Eighth...................... 8,470 00 Van Buren...................... 9,239 ( 0 Madison "...................... 13,008 (100 Lord and Campbell Street pavt ment........ 7,411 64 $70,393 19 Sewers in total............................ $17,234 26 "The total iniprovements to the city during the year 1882 amnount to the enormous suln of $1,154,719.55, anl increase over 1881 of $190,424.55. ARRIVALS AND CLEARANCES OF VESSELS. "During the season 1,542 vessels of all kinds with a tonnage of 512,219, arrived at the port of Bay City, and 1,649 with a tonnage of 615,571, cleared from same port. This does not by any means show the entire business done by the custom house here, as there is no record of reports and clearances of vessels within the district for alny foreign ports. "An estimate has been made of the valuation 'of the exports and imports by water for a period of three years, and is as follows: 1880.......... $18,000,000 1881................................... 19,000,000 1882................................... 21,000,000 Of the improvements concerning West Bay City, I have not as yet been able to get any authentic estimate, but it is beyond question that she will make a magnificent showing both as regards improvements during 1882 and contemplated improvements for 1883. "One of the most important things for Bay City and West Bay City created during 1882 was the Bay City Chamber of Commerce. The good work it has done has been told you by our president, and I will therefore not weary you by going over thle salle ground, but simply add thereto an important work of the Chamber. "Scarcely a season has passed but what our manufacturers of lumber and shingles have been robbed enormously by river pirates. This has been known and different means employed to protect their interests but it has not been so successful as desired. Through one of ihe memnbers of the Chamber of Commerce, R. J. Briscoe, a companiy has been formed for the purpose of their mutual protection. It may be said that perhaps this company would have been formed regardless of the Chamber of Commerce. This might have been said of the hotel, of the parks, and of the county roads. But no, the drawing together of the lumbermen by the Chamber caused them on common ground to talk over their interests, and a private matter with Mr. Briscoe became a stock company under the name of the Saginaw River Boom Company, and no one here but will be glad to l(eanl that it has saved to our manufacturers of hlmler and shilgles, over $40,0C0 in logs picked up at tile mouth of the river and cn the bay during tile past season." DIARY OF 1882. Tile following (iary of events of 1882, f'or which we are indebted to the Bay City 'ribune, containls many items of interest: JANUARY. 2-Pubblicatioin of Bay City's building improvements showing the total expenditure nearly a million dollars. 6-Swill milk and small pox under the consideration of the Board of Health. Saginaw Courier begins to kick about Bay City's improvements. 9-A little four-year old daughter of I)David Davison, of Essexville, burned to deatlh. 10-First number of Lamp of Ife issued. 12-West Bay City Presbyterians decide to erect a $15,000 church. 13-Aniual table published showing mianufacture of lumber for 1881 to have been 977,820,317 feet. News from Washington settled the postotffice question, the office to remain in the Opera House Block. Mrs. Capt. Allen, of the barge "Brightie," nearly drowned at night while attempting to board thle boat at thle Industrial Works. 18-Exhibition of West Bay City's improvements. $208,075 expcnded. Marriage of Manager John Buckley and Miss Katherine Welch. Unpleasantness in the Probate Court between a divorced husband and wife over an abducted child. 19-Description of the miniature saw mill, a mechanical wonder. 19-John Zetch found dead at East Tawas. 20-Production of the allegory the "Great Republic" at the opera house. Annual meeting of State Salt Association in East Saginaw. The electric lighlt under consideration of the Common Council committee. 23-Farewell complimentary reception to Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Van Deusen at the Fraser House. Sudden illness of John McEwan, the pioneer mill owner. Grayling comes to the surface with the thermometer 32 degrees below zero. 255-Tenth annual report of superintendent of water works, E. L. Dunbar, showing 944,382,043 gallons pumped in 1881, it being the largest consumption of water since the introduction of the Holly system into Bay City. I I I I I IL L 114 HISTORY OF BA-N COUNTY''\. nr I Iron moulders on a strike for an advance cf twenty-five cents per day. Several cars throwvn from the track at St. Helens. No one in jured. 26- Death of Johll McE+ivan at 8:15 P.M. 27 Death of Arthur AI. Biriney at Fort Keogl, M. T., is announcetl. Finial report of the Bay City Relief Committee published. 28-The $8,000 express package stolen at Grayling. Burial of John McEwain. 30-(Squabble among the superintendents of the poor. Twro sons of Mrs. Ray, of Maple Forest Township, Crawford County, frozen to death in the woods. Col. Hurst's patent double action compound, conglomerated, automaatic, triaglllar bflalled weatler signal inflicted upon a generous public. Eiylhtv dollars' wortll of watches stolen from M. Wendell by a - you g - wollman. Louis Coro found dead in bed in West Bay City. FEBRUARY. Mrs. AWilliam Moots given a reception i the West Bay City Methodist Episcopalian Churcl, after her return from an European tour. 3-Josepli Valley broke through the ice at the railroad bridge and had a narrow escape from drowning. Mackinaw train snow-bound and abandoned. William Forsyth carried over a seventy-five foot bank on the Au Sable River and killed instantly. John Gorman, or "French Johnnly," knocked out of time in a prize-fight with Jack Maloney. 6-Roderick McCloud Lilled in Roscolmmon County bay a rolling log. 8 —Polislhl boy named Recoslky fatally shot while gauning near, Auburn. 14 The extensive lu-rilcr LuSiiEiss of H. WV. Sage & Co. place-'7 on the market. 15 Henry Trombley, a resident of Halllpton Towmship, found dead. Augus McDorald, hostler at Anscobl> House barn, injured by his stallion "Golden Sheaf." 23-Formation of tle Bay Citv Chlamber of Commerce. 26.-John Hayes died suddenly at his home ol Second Street. Willian Maior, of Arenac severely stabbed. MAR.C H. Completion of Hamilton, McClure & Co.'s brine reservoir. Washouts on the Maclinaw division between Ogeniaw and Beaver Lake. 2 Tug "Clara" sank in Saginaw Bay. 9-The tugs "Golden Eagle" and "C. W. Liken" experience a rough time with ice on the Saginaw Bay. 16-The 7'ribune published its annual shipbuilding operations, showing the expenditure of $500,000 in water craft. 17-John Crawford killed on a rollway at Thompson's camp on the Au Sable. 20-Captain Gilbert Travers, master of Blanchard's steam barge. "M}ayflower, " died in Detroit. 22-Thomas Balfour, of West Bay Citv, died. 14-Mhiurder of William Michie, at State Road crossing, made known by tie discovery of his dead body. Stephen Barry killed by an F. & P. M. train at Midland. 15 Mrs. Jolhln WTebber suddenly expired, at her home, corner Eighteenth and Fraser Streets. 16 Commlllon Council visited East Saginaw to examine the electric ligllt system. Tholllmas C:oon run over by a street car and fatally injured, at the soutlh end. 20 - Andrew Levey ruln over by tle cars and Lilled, llear the foot of Jefferson Street. Arrest of Joseph D. Parrellt OI1 the clarge of ulllrdering WTilliam Michie. 23 —G-reenback city nlominations mllade. 27-Teacllers' institute begaii exercises in tle new hligh sclool. APRIL. 3-City election. Child of W. R. Evans, the barber, run over by a street car and killed.. 5-Pulblicatioln of the shocking work done in the lumbzer woods -forty-five men killed during the Winter. Terrific tornado passed over this section. Six men killed. 11-Parrent bomad over to tihe circuit Court for the lurder of William Michie. Dr. Tupper's horse stolen. Jury in Titus ulnrder case at Roscommonz, failed to agree. 28- Schucker & Hopp's saloon, at the bridge, entered and the burglar caiught. 29 —Democratic city convention. 80-Beginning of the Parrelit examination for murder. RepDublican convention. Death of Mrs. Cleora M. Bligll. 81 -Alice Oates and a chosen few desert their company in Bay City. Joseph Borowiak's skull fractured by another Polander. 12 Tug, "Maud S." burned at Bay View. 16 $124,000 appropriated for Saginaw River inmprovements. 18 Waldbauer's tailor shop, il West Bay City, robbed of $600,worth of suitings. 25-St. George's Society's annual feast and banquet. 27-Latince of the steam barge "Nevada." 28-The policemeri's wages raised. MAY. 1-Organization of the Bay City Brick and Tile Company. A little son of John B. Cfastonjuey drowned in a cistern. 4-Wholesale stampede of horses oil Water Street; nine vehicles on the go at one tirrme. John Rowell seriously injured. 8-Two trains collided at Kawkawlin. Damages $5,000. 11-Steam barge "Prindeville" went ashore at Oscoda. 12 Trial of Josheph D. Parrent commenced in the Circuit Court. Frank C. Bruce, a Saginaw forger, absconded. 16-Jesse Hoyt's planing mill, at East Saginaw, burned. First saengerfest meeting held. 17 Michie's murderer found in the person of Parrent. 19 Plunlmer & Bradley's saw mill at Ogemaw, burned. 20 Death of W. S. Gerrish. 22-Parrent sentenced to State prison for life. James St. Charles, of Madoc, Ont., found dead at Pinconiing. 24 Robert Graham killed near Gladwin. 27-Jerry McAuliffe cut his foot at Houghton Lake, and bled to death. JUNE. 1-Forepauall's show in the city. 2-Franfk Foote, foreman of the Saginaw Bay & Northwestern Railroad, fatally injured at Pincouning. l A -: P - HISTORY OPF BAY COUNTY. 115 5-News of the murder of Edward Washington, of this city, near Moorhead, Minn. 8-Cyclone in First Ward. 9 —Murderer of Edward Washington, in Minnesota, lynched. 12-Stone road loan vote carried. 16-Concordia Block visited by burglars. T. B. Donnelly's diamond stolen. 20-Marriage of Ella V. Roosevelt and Capt. J. D. Graham. 21-Bay Citys defeated the Caros, 29 to 6. 28 —Graduation exercises Bay City High School. 28-Launch of James Davidson's steam ship, "Siberia," the largest craft ever built on Saginaw River. 29-Death of Prof. Julius W. Hatch. JULY. 4-Maud, daughter of D. M. Pierce, of this city, fatally burned at Beaver Lake. Drowning of Willie Campbell and Mary Rose, in the Kawkawlin River, at Riverside farm. James Welch given a fatal blow by unknown persons. Judge Birney orates at East Saginaw. 6-Death of James Welch. 14-Sudden death of Frank Vosburg. 17-Three men precipitated from a scaffolding of the new St. Joseph's Church, and badly injured. 19-Detroits vs. Bay City, 24 to 4. 20-Burning of W. H. Lynch's picture store. 21 —McLeod's shingle mill boilers in Saginaw City exploded, killing William Crawford and Ferdinand Scheum. Frightful death of Samuel S. Foss, on Washington Street, by being thrown from his buggy. Nelson Denner drowned at the railroad dock on the West Side. 22-Burning of Birney's livery barn and other buildings on Third Street. Loss, $20,000. 31 —James Ford killed by the cars, at Mount Forest, on the S. B. & N. W. Railroad. AUGUST. 2-Dedication of the Arbeiter Society's new banner. Marriage of Miss Sarah Wendell and Daniel H. Lieberthal. 4-A boy named Vail fatally injured by a runaway horse at Vassar. 7-First day of the fifth annual stengerfest of the Peninsular Saengerbund. 8-Owosso vs. Bay City, 8 to 2 in favor of the former. 9 -Flints defeated Bay City 19 to 7. 10-Lapeers defeated by Bay City, 7 to 16. 15-Johnny Grant, aged thirteen years, shot and killed by an unknown person in broad daylight, near the corner of Fraser and Twenty-first Streets. Return of the Peninsulars from the state encampment. 16 —A tramway at the McGraw mill fell, precipitating seven men, one of whom sustained fatal injuries. 19-Saginaws downed by the Bay Citys, by a score of 18 to 15. 22-Marriage of David Sempliner, of Au Sable, and Miss Annie Sempliner, of this city, in I. O. B. B. Hall. 23-Republican County Convention. 24-Famous Slivers vs. Humming Bird base-ball match. 25- Ionia Club defeated the hometeam 11 to 1. 29-Samuel Henderson, twenty-two years of age, blew his brains out with a revolver at Ai Sable. Bay Citys vs. Zilwaukees; score 23 to 15. 31-Port Huron and Bay City base ball contest. 3 to 2 in favor of the visitors. Meeting of the First Congressional Convention of the Tenth District at the court house. SEPTEMBER. 2.-Nomination of H. H. Hatch for Congress. 5.-Bay City again defeated the Saginaws. 7 —Bay Citys defeated the Flints 10 to 9. 1 — Worcester vs. Bay City, 36 to 4. 12 -Democratic Congressional Convention. nominated. 13 —Democratic County Convention. 15-Electric light tower talked of. Barges "R. N. Rice" and "City of the Straits" Lake Huron. 18-Providence vs. Bay City, 7 to 1. 20-Beginning of the Bay County Fair. 26-First day of the Northeastern Fair. 27-Saginaws defeated by Bay Citys, 7 to 6. 28-Flints ditto, 11 to 7. OCTOBER. A. C. Maxwell let go adrift on 3 —Saginaws defeated, 6 to 0. 4-Body of Colin Blaine found in the river at Carrollton. Saginaws defeated Bay Citys 6 to 1. 9-Body of William Currie, of Roscommon, found floating in Saginaw River, at Bay City. Property of Woods & Reynolds at Saginaw attached. 11-Last game between the Bay Citys and Saginaws; won by the former; score, 20 to 3. 14-Formlation of the Bay City Stock Base Ball Association. Charles Hicks, of Lapeer, killed near Munger Station by the cars. Kawkawlin postoffice robbed of $82. 19 —Rally of the Republicans and speech by Senator Ferry at the opera house. 23-Death of Dexter A. Ballou and Jeanette Heomie. 24-Lottie Stewart struck by an F. & P. M. train and frightfully injured. Steamer "Emerald" broke her piston rod and damaged $2,000. 28-Fire at Hamilton, McClure & Co.'s. Loss $80,000. 31-Thomas MaGuire shot. NOVEMBER. 7-Election. 8-James Burns killed in Kennedy & Culhane's camp in Roscommon. 10-John McCurley drowned at the railroad bridge. 11-Stores of T. A. Hull and E. B. Morehouse, at Sterling, robbed and $700 taken. 15-County count settled and candidates declared elected. 20-John Wilson fatally injured by the cars at Pinconning. 28-Forty head of cattle at H. P. Merrili's farm poisoned. DECEMBER. 1 —Free mail delivery system. L. A. Good garroted and robbed of $190. 4 —Indignation postoffice meeting in Seventh Ward. 7-Death of Remuel Rabidoux. Saginaw Barrel Company's works at Saginaw destroyed by fire. Loss $180. 11 —Patrolman Ryan assaulted by five unknown roughs. 15 —Death of Dr. William Daglish. 16-Death of Major Prescott, ninety years of age, and a pensioner of the war of 1812. - I i -?9 - 116 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 23-Death of Mrs. J. Breckler. 25 —John Wynn stabbed at Essexville. 26-Sale of the bank block to the Bay National Bank. 27-Dolphus Labute killed in camp near Standish. 28-Case of Bay City vs. S. G. M. Gates quashed. 29-Resignation of Captain of Police Simmons. IMPROVEMENTS IN 1882. The following table shows a synopsis of the improvements in Bay City during the year 1882: Residences, brick blocks, etc., numbering 566..$ 967,092 00 Paving, 26,659 feet.......................... 70,393 19 Sewerage, 16,502 feet....................... 17,234 36 Electric light, thirty miles of wire, etc......... 55,000 00 Telephonic wires, etc........................ 2,500 00 Water works, meters and piping;................ 5,000 00 Sidewalks, twenty-five miles.................... 32,500 00 Grand total..........................1,149,719 55 1881....................................... 963,295 00 In favor of 1882...................... 186,424 55 POPULATION AND VALUATION. The following table shows the population and assessed valuation of Bay City for a number of years: POPULATION. ASSESSED VALUATION. REPORTS AND CLEARANCES FOR The Custom House at Bay City shows and clearances for the season of 1882: ENTERED. MONTH Props. B Malcll......................... April................................ 36 AM ay.................................. 72 June............................. 65 J uly................................. 76 1 A llgust.............................. 62 1 September........................... 72 1 O ctober............................. 67 1 N ovem ber........................... 58 December........................... 3 T otals........................ 511 1 CLEARED. 1882. the following reports;'gs Schrs. Total Tonnage 1 1 168 54 30 120 44,509 90 40 202 75,994 85 38 188 69,486 112 32 220 85,451 109 31 202 73,625 116 34 222 54,923 [17 39 223 79,633 65 32 155 55,555 3 2 8 2,875 751 279 1541 562,259 MONTH. M ar ch............................. April.............................. M ay..................................... Jlne.............................. July................................. A ugust........................... Septem ber......................... O ctober............................ November......................... Totals........................ Props. B'g.s Shrs. TotnlTonnsgA.......... 1 1 168. 46 74 33 153 53,334 67 102 43 212 78,297 69 112 40 221 77,341 80 120 49 210 92.131. 64 114 41 219 78,908 71 123 41 235 84,531. 69 130 33 232 81,833 53 66 17 136 49,0)28. 519 841 298 1,649 615,571 1860.......................... 700 1865........................... 3,359 1870......................... 7,064 1874........................... 13.676 1876...........................17,003 1880........................... 20,692 1882...........................23,500 $ 530589.59 663,000.00 1,166,475.00 1,700,250.00 1,718,175.G0 7,722,310.00 9,084,436.00 SCHOOL CENSUS. The school census for three years past is as follows: WARDS. 1880. 1881. 1882. First......................... 1,016 1,186 1,163 Second....................... 738 771 806 Third...................... 948 802 837 Fourth...................... 810 874 933 Fifth........................ 908 1,060 1,199 Sixth......................... 519 663 738 Seventh...................... 472 597 642 Total....................... 5,411 5,953 6,318 BAY CITY SHIPMENTS. The shipments by water from the port of Bay City for the season of 1882 were made as follows: Lumber, feet..................... 582,147,000 Shingles, pieces............................ 112,281,000 Lath, pieces.............................. 21,995,000 Salt, barrels............................. 439,996 Staves................................... 615,882 H oops................................... 3,126,000 Shooks.................................. 1,339,000 Pine and oak timber, feet.................. 7,853,032 Pine and oak timber, pieces............... 448 R ailroad ties............................. 26,050 Cedar posts.............................. 4,030 Pickets................................. 200,000 H eading, barrels.......................... 2,205 Ship knees............................... 100 Lime, barrels............................ 170 Cem ent, barrels........................... 150 Spokes, barrels........................... 70. The following table shows the shipments for a number of early years: RAILROAD FACILITIES. Bay City has had railway communication with the outside world since 1867, at which time the Flint & Pere Marquette Road was extended to this city. The present railroad facilities are as follows: Bay City Division of the Michigan Central R. R.-108 miles from Bay City to Detroit-formerly the Detroit & Bay City R. R. Bay City & East Saginaw Division of the F. & P. M., thirteen miles. Main line of F. & P. M., extending from Monroe to Ludington. By both of these roads we have eastern connection at Detroit. Mackinaw Division of the M. C. R. R., extending from Bay City northward to the Straits of Mackinaw and connecting with the Marquette division of the Northern Pacific, thus making Bay City on the most direct route to the great West. Saginaw Division M. C. R. R., Bay City to Jackson, 115 miles, direct route to Chicago and the South and Southwest. DECEASED. The following are some of the former residents of Bay City, now deceased, and not mentioned in other connections: DR. WILLIAM DAGLISH, deceased, was born Marchli 8, 1828. He was bred and educated in tie city of London, Eng. He early acquired habits of industry and a fondness for study, and all of his life was an indefatigable worker and a close student. Having relatives in the United States, and being imbued with Republican ideas, he emigrated here at the age of twenty-one years. Having had some study and experience in medicine he entered Rush Medical College in Chicago, and graduated. He first practiced medicine in Rockford, Ill., then in Chicago, being in theory and practice a Homeopathist. Visiting in the Saginaw Valley, in 1855, at the time the cholera became an epidemic, he found his services needed, and he continued in the practice of medicine until 1861. To practice medicine in that early day of this valley required courage and self-sacrifice, as the settlers were scattered, roads bad, and pay worse. No doubt -11r. I I~ I 3 Lumn Lath Shin Stave aqke 1863 ber, feet...... 25,730,889.............. 3,281,100 gles.......... 1,383,250 es............ 2,650,015 barrels........ 333,534 ber cubic feet... 144,000 el staves...... 57,384 ets.................... 186 1. 141,806,391 8,831,850 7.321,500 1 794,876 397,295 1868. 217,165,340 12,679,600 7,365,800 2,099,000 359,335 669,900.......... 92,700 555,000 1870. 252,862,785 20,078,254 30,938,645 5,284,267 329,247 1,121,917 8 920,390 Timb Barre Pick< J Hoop:::-? 41 ~ y:4 I N., N'N I-. i N t-k 4 ON N N :A i I IV_ 11 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 117 -I I lie then contracted this disease, "rheumatism," from which he suffered so much. He entered into the law department of the State University, and graduated in the year 18683. He was elected and chosen to several positions of profit, but always declined. He always held some office of trust-was active in establishing the public schools of the city, and served in some capacity until obliged from illhealth to resign as member of the School Board. He was a member of the Council many years, also of the Board of Water Works. He was interested in all matters of public good, giving liberally of time and means. He, with Judge Miller, gave the sites where now stand the Fremont Avenue Methodist Episcopalian Church, the Baptist Church, and Presbyterian Chapel on Twenty-third Street. He was prominent in building the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for years an earnest and zealous supporter. ~ He was peculiarly of a genial, happy disposition, having always a kind, cheery word. His extensive travel, close observation and mirthful disposition made him a most agreeable and entertaining companion. He died December 12, 1882, after long and severe suffering. JAMES RAMSDELL, deceased, one of the most prominent lumbermen of the Saginaw Valley, was a self-made man. He was born in Lubec, Me., January 18, 1818. At the age of fourteen years he left his home to follow sailing on the ocean, at which he continued up to the year 1843, when he went to Buffalo, looking for employment, but could not find any. A gentleman here offered him a situation to go to Canada to work in a saw mill. This was new business for a sailor, but he determined to learn. Here he worked for one year sawing lumber, when lie became so proficient that his employers raised his pay, and elmployed him for another year, 1844. This year he married Miss Agnes Jane Procunier. After working this year, he thought he was capable of carrying on lumbering on his own account. He had an indomitable will, and whatever he attempted he was sure to accomplish. He went in partnership with the Hon. Luther Westover, now of Bay City, in the manufacture and sale of lumber. With his indomitable perseverance, he was very successful. He afterwards went into the same business with the Hon. John Charlton, now a member of Parliament, until their pine lands were exhausted. By this time he was in comfortable circumstances. But he could not bear to be idle, so he made up his mind to go to the Saginaw Valley and go into the lumbering business on a larger scale. He came to Bay City in 1866, where he purchased large tracts of pine lands on the Rifle, Au Gres, and Cheboygan Rivers, and commenced lumbering on an extensive scale on his own. account. He afterwards removed his family to Bay City, where he lived for some tinie. In 1874 he purchased the fine mansion built by the late James J. McCormick, where he removed, and soon afterwards died, his death occurring August 2, 1877. Mr. Ramsdell was an honest man, prominent in his business as in his social relations, possessed of rare business qualifications, and from a poor sailor boy lie became one of the most extensive lumbermen of northern Michigan. He left a competency for his family, consisting of his wife and four daughters. APPLETON STEVENS was a prominent business llan of Bay County for upwards of twenty years. He came to Portsmouth from Deep River, Conn., in 1857, and engaged in lumbering, the firm at an early day being A. Stevens & Co. He started the town of Deep River, about thirty miles north of Bay City, where he had extensive lumbering interests. He was an active and successful business man. He died in 1879, leaving a widow and one son. The latter is now of the lumber firm of Green & Stevens. It is such men as Mr. Stevens that have made Bay City what it is. Mr.!;~ --- —--- Stevens was the first supervisor from the township of Portsmouth, was mayor of Bay City two terms, and was state senator two terms. WILLIAM H. SOUTHWORTH died May 18, 1869, at the age of thirty-three years. He was a native of Deep River, Conn., and a son of Mr. Charles G. Southworth, one of the early lumbermen of Bay City. William came to Bay City in 1856, his father having already settled here in business. For four or five years he relmained in his father's employ. November 28, 1859, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Marsac, daughter of Capt. Marsac, one of the prominent men of his day, and whose biography is given in this work. Mr. Southworth built the house in which his family now reside, on Water Street, before Harrison Street was opened, below where the Astor House now stands. This house was afterwards moved to its present location on Harrison Street. About 1868 the firm of Southworth & Watrous, of which he was a member, built a planing mill on Harrison Street, now a box factory, and operated it until his death. He was at one time clerk of the township of Portsmouth, and was one of the charter members and first officers of the Masonic Lodge of Portsmouth. He was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. He was an excellent business man, and his death deprived Bay City of a useful and enterprising citizen. He left a wife and three children, two sons and a daughter. Their home is still in the house he built on Water Street, and afterwards removed to its present location on Harrison Street. BENJAMIN F. BECKWITH is another of the men who have had an active part in building up the business interests of this region, but who were not permitted to see the fullest results of their labors. Mr. Beckwith was born in New London, Conn., in 1827. He came to Portsmouth about. 1858, and engaged in lumbering. Was a member of the firm of A. Stevens & Co. for a time, and in the lumber business until about a year before his death, which occurred March 24, 1878. July 13, 1864, he married Miss Antoinette Cornelius, of Fort Plain, N. Y., who, with her three daughters, lives in the residence at South Bay City, which he built in 1862, at the edge of the swamp and forest. Mr. Beckwith was a Knight Templar, and one of the charter members of Portsmouth Lodge, F. &. A. M. He was at one time treasurer of the Village of Portsmouth. Mrs. Beckwith was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Ladies' Library Association, and one of its first officers. THEODORE M. BLIGH, M. D., who died in Bay City March 16, 1866, settled here in 1855, and engaged in' the drug business. In the fire of 1863 his store was burned, and his health beginning to fail, he became an insurance agent, and was so engaged until the time of his death. He was a native of Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., and a graduate of the Buffalo and Geneva Colleges, and practiced medicine about two years before coming to Bay City. He was a prominent citizen, and commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death. MRS. C. M. BLIGH, a pioneer of Bay City, died at the residence of her brother, the Hon. W. L. Fay, in Bay City, March 80, 1882. Mrs. Bligh was born in Hamilton, N. Y., in 1832. She was married to the late Dr. Theodore M. Bligh, and came with her husband to what was then called Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, where she has lived ever since to the time of her death. Mrs.'Bligh left no children. She was a most estimable woman, and her memory is fondly cherished by all who knew her. MRS. CAROLINE M. MERRILL, wife of Charles A. Merrill, Esq., died in Bay City May 11, 1882. Mrs. Merrill was the daughter of the late Dr. J. T. Miller, who was a member of the State Pioneer I 3 I.)f" \ - 1 118 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. Society, and whose family at an early day was the only one of English descent residing within the present limits of Bay County. Mrs. Merrill was born at Saginaw on the 13th day of October, 1839. At the age of two years her father removed to Flushing, Genesee County, where she received a good common school education, and at the early age of fourteen years she commenced teaching in the district schools in the vicinity of her home, and continued her occupation as a teacher in Genesee, Saginaw, and Bay Counties, until her marriage to Charles A. Merrill, Esq., which occurred at Bay City on the 15th day of December, 1864. The subject of this sketch at the age of seventeen years joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Portsmouth, and ever after adorned her profession by living a consistent Christianl life, and was always active in her duties in promoting the cause of Christ in the community in which she lived. Mrs. Merrill was a model wife and mother, and leaves a husband, two daughters, and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn her departure. WILLIAM POMEROY, deceased, was one of the early saw mill men of Lower Saginaw. He was one of the firm of Hopkins, Pomeroy & Fraser, that built the first mill at Lower Saginaw. In 1852 he sold out his interest in the mill, and followed fishing for several years. He kept the lighthouse at the mouth of the river for three years. He died in Ann Arbor in 1868. NATHANIEL WHITTEMORE, who died in January of the present year, was a citizen of Bay City for a quarter of a century. He came here in 1856 from Boston, and was in the mercantile business for about three years. He was the second sheriff of Bay County, and afterward county clerk for two or three terms. He also held several city offices, and was held in high esteem as a public officer and as a citizen. He removed to Massachusetts for his health, but received no benefit, and died as above stated. HIRAM WILLMOT, who died in June, 1880, was extensively interested in the manufacture of lurmber, at Bay City, from 1865 until his death, although not a continuous resident of this place. He was a native of Deep River, Conn., and in 1845 married Miss Harriet C. Southworth, daughter of Charles G. Southworth, afterwards a prominent lumberman of Bay County. Mr. Willmot was a member of the firm of Stevens & Co., and afterwards of Watrous, Southworth & Co. His mill interests were at Portsmouth. Mrs. Willmot and one daughter survive him. JOHN MCDOWELL was a prominent business man of Bay City from 1862 till his death, which occurred May 11, 1862. He was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1816, and settled in Bay City in 1862, and conducted a foundry and machine shop. He took an active part in public affairs, and was a most excellent citizen. At his death he left a wife and five children. HENRY S. Dow was a native of New Hampshire, though a greater portion of his life was spent in the West. He served nearly four years in the Union Army, and was mustered out with the rank of captain. After the war he came to Michigan and studied law for a time and then purchased an interest in the Saginaw Advertiser. Six months after he sold out and went to Oil City, Pa. After remaining there awhile he again came West, and graduated from the law department of the Michigan University. From that time until 1871, he was in Chicago, New York, and lastly, Plainfield, N. J. In 1871 he came to Bay City and took a position on the editorial staff of the tJournal, and subsequently was managing editor of the Tribune. In 1872 he established the Lumberman's Gazette. In 1875 he published a history of Bay City, which was a very creditable work. In 1872 he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for clerk of Bay County, but was defeated. In September, 1874, he was elected corresponding secretary of the National -.. Lumberman's Association, which office he held at the time of his death, which occurred February 5, 1875. A. MILLER was born in St. Clair Co., Mic., April 7, 1824, He came to Bay City in 1857, and for some years operated the old Drake mill in West Bay City. He also afterwards operated the mills at present owned by Eddy, Avery & Co., on Water Street, Bay City. Mr. Miller was a prominent man, and in the Spring of 1870 would probably have been elected mayor of Bay City, had not his death occurred to break up tihe aspirations of his friends. He died on March 17, 1870. His widow still lives at the old homestead on Washington Street. Mr. Miller was a kind husband and loving father, and was highly esteemed by his acquaintances. BIOGRAPHICAL. AN ELEIENT OF GROWTH AND THRIFT. Bay City has been favored to an unusual degree in the number of its public spirited citizens, and the degrees of interest and ability with which they lhave entered into all the progressive movements of the city. Well balanced minds have given to its institutions the quality of permanency, while enterprise and taste have combined in multiplying public buildings of more than ordinary architectural merit. It is no disparagement of the efforts of others to say that among this class of men Mr. James Shearer stands prominent. JAMES SHEARER first became interested in Bay City in the Spring of 1863, and since 1865 has been a resident of the place, and one of the most active promoters of a healthy growth and thrift. He was born at Albany, N. Y., July 12, 1823, of Scotch parentage. At an early age he had the advantages of a common school. When about fifteen years of age he emigrated to Michigan, and located at Detroit, where he served a six years' apprenticeship in the art of building, devoting a portion of his spare time to the study of geometry, drawing and architecture, under competent instructors. He then returned to Albany, and spent the Winter and Spring of 1844-'45 at the Albany Academy, studying the higher mathematics, architecture and other branches. After leaving the academy he visited several states in pursuit of more extended information. In the Fall of 1846 he arrived at Montgomery, Ala., where the State Capitol was in process of erection. He obtained employment and was soon appointed superintendent, and as such had charge of its completion. In 1848 he returned to Detroit, and commenced business for himself as an architect and builder. He very soon took rank as one of the most successful business men of that city. In 1861, having been elected for a term of two years, one of the aldermen of the city, the pressure of the various duties of attending to the families of soldiers who were in the field, and with filling his ward quotas, with other public service, rendered it necessary that he should retire from his business. He was very active during the war in rendering assistance, and made several trips South, visiting the wounded inll the field, and distributing needed aid to the suffering. In the Winter of 1863 he visited Bay City, but not with any intention of settling here. However, in the Spring of that year, he purchased the Raymond saw mill, which he almost entirely rebuilt, and operated very successfully until 1874, when he sold the property to the Michigan Central Railway Company. In 1865 he removed his family to Bay City, and established them first in the original Birney and afterwards Fraser residence. He lived there five years, and then purchased the property where his Central Block now stands. The building at that time was a brick house, the first one built in Bay City. His thorough knowledge of archi J V LI T LL: 9s: I f e: '^:; /-ia P: 0: o I 4 4 I I -A I D k ---iw HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 119 tecture and long experience as a builder naturally led him to study the needs of Bay City, and in 1865-'66 he erected the Shearer Block, at the corner of Water and Center Streets. This was the first building of any pretensions in the city. It was considered at the time a great mistake to extend a building to a height of three stories, but he foresaw that the venture was safe, and furthermore, that such a thing was necessary to introduce a spirit of legitimate rivalry, in order to secure such a class of public buildings as the growing importance of the place demanded. In 1876 he completed the elegant brick residence on Center Street, where he now resides. His building is a model of architectural elegance, and is in harmony with the wealth and refined tastes of its builder and occupants. In 1880 he finished the Central Block, on the corner of Center and Washington Streets. This was another advanced step in public buildings, being four stories in height. The block is 100 feet square, and is the finest business block in the city. Another building similar in style and adjoining the Central Block is now nearly finished, and will be known as the Shearer Bros. Block. These two buildings represent not less than $115,000, and testify to a spirit of public enterprise, the value of which to a city cannot be over-estimated. Mr. Shearer's excellent judgment has been exercised in many ways of public benefit, especially as president of the Board of Water Works, from its organization until the works were in operation, and of the First National Bank from 1867 to 1881. In 1871 hie was appointed by Gov. Baldwin as one of the commissioners to select designs and build a State Capitol, and continued to be a member of this commission until the completion of the capitol. The great value of his services in that capacity are thoroughly appreciated. He has been often urged to accept public offices, but has never consented except in cases where his services were important to the public welfare. In 1880 he accepted the nomination for Regent of the University of Michigan, and was elected one of the Board of Regents for eight years. Mr. Shearer is in every respect a self-made man, and his success in life, which has been of the broadest scope, is the fruit of industry, uncompromising integrity, and unswerving fidelity to honorable course of action. He is one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, and takes an active interest in whatever tends to promote the welfare of education and society. In May, 1850, Mr. Shearer married Miss Margaret J. Hutchison, of Detroit. They have had four children, three sons and one daughter, all of whom are still living. The sons, G. Henry, James B., and Chauncey H. Shearer, were born in Detroit, and partake largely of their father's business traits and habits. Under his excellent tutorage they have matured into reliable and successful business men. SHEARER BROS. is the style of the firm under which they continue the business established by their father. The present firm succeeded James Shearer & Sons during the past year. Their business consists in managing their extensive real estate interests,selling, renting, building, etc. These gentlemen are well settled in their business and domestic relations. G. Henry Shearer married Miss Elva Culver, daughter of Descum Culver, of Bay City, and occupies a handsome residence of his own. Chauncey H. Shearer married Miss Marie L. Deshler, of Columbus, and is also established in a commodious home. James B. married recently Miss Amelia Marston, daughter of Judge Isaac Marston, of Bay City. THOMAS CRANAGE, Jr., of the lumber firm of Pitts & Cranage, is a son of Thomas Cranage, a wealthy capitalist of Detroit. He was born in England, but while an infant his parents came to this country, and for many years have resided in Detroit. He was married October 20, 1863, in Detroit, to Miss Julia Pitts, daughter of the late Samuel Pitts, the well known lumber manufacturer. Mr. Cranage had been in the drug business at Detroit for eight years, but soon after their marriage they removed to Bay City, and lie became a partner in the business of Samuel Pitts. The business history of the firm, one of the most prominent in the Saginaw Valley, is given elsewhere. In 1870 he built the elegant brick residence at the corner of Center and Monroe Streets, which is still the family home. This home accords with the refined tastes and ample wealth of its occupants, and is a credit to the city. In 1873 he built the Cranage Block, an imposing three-story brick block on Center Street, having a frontage of 100 feet, and a depth of eighty feet. At the time it was built many of the business men warned Mr. Cranage that it was too far east to ever be valuable for business purposes, but the correctness of its builder's judgment as to location has long since been attested. In 1874 Mr. Cranage's health was in a very precarious condition, and he visited Europe in pursuit of relief. The visit wrought the hoped-for cure, and he returned in good health. He was one of the charter members of the Michigan Salt Association, now called the Salt Association of Michigan, and has been its treasurer from the beginning. They have had three children, two of whom are now living, one a son at the age of eighteen years, just entering college. Mr. Cranage is a gentleman of large culture and refined tastes, at the same time his business philosophy is sternly practical, and his judgment clear and correct. He is public spirited and liberal in all channels that promise healthy and permanent thrift and real benefit. He is the resident member of the firm, and their vast interests here receive his personal attention and direction. The thorough discipline in force in every department of their business shows something of the characteristics of Mr. Cranage. E. B. DENISON has been a resident of Bay City since 1862. His father was Rev. Avery Denison, one of the pioneer ministers of Michigan, who died in Bay City, October 15, 1866, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. E. B. Denison was one of eleven children, and was born ill Macomb County. In 1862 hle removed to Bay City, and in 1864 was married to Miss Elizabeth Fraser, daughter of the late James Fraser. For several years after coming to Bay City he was engaged at teaching and in the mercantile business, and afterwards vice-president of the First National Bank. In 1864 he built their present residence on Center Street. An enterprise of Mr. Denison's was the improvement of a forty-acre tract in the suburbs of West Bay City. Six and one-half mniles of tile were sunk, and the land brought to a very high state of cultivation. The growth of the city brought this tract into market for building purposes, and he platted an addition to West Bay City. He has built four business blocks in Bay City, and for several years has devoted his attention to the real estate, occasionally doing something in insurance. He has been one of the prominent mnembers of the First Baptist Society, and is a man who leads a business life of unusual activitv. BERNARD WITTHAUER wIas born in Germany, June 26, 1834; came to the United States in the Fall of 1852. Landing at New York City, lie made a short visit to frierlds there, and before the close of the year lie was stationed behind the desk as book-keeper for a wholesale and retail boot and shoe business, on Market Street, in the city of Philadelphia, the place of his destination. In the Spring of 1854 he was engaged by the late Maj.-Gen. David B. Birney, then manager of the mercantile agency of B. Douglass & Co., of Philadelphia, as book-keeper for E. B. Ferris & Co., general store at Lower Saginaw, (the General being a mnermber of the last named firm.) When that concern pulled up stakes to move their goods to Scranton, Penn., where Gen. Birney was interested in coal mining, Mr. Witthauer engaged as clerk with Nathaniel Whittemore, general l, i 14 k N, W 1,001, -T& Charlie 14 - "I-: I LI/~ 120 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. store. While acting as clerk lie was also officiating as express agent for Lower Saginaw. On February 1, 1859, Mr. Witthauer was united in marriage to Miss Margaret, the eldest daughter of the Hon. Sidney S. Campbell. From this happy union resulted the birth of three children, the eldest of which is their son Willitam, head clerk with Lucien S. Coman; two daughters, Kittie and Bella, still living with their parents. Mrs. Marga.ret Witthauer, always a very retiring lady, delights now as much as ever in the lmanagenment of her home and the proper training of her children. During the last described period- of Mr. Witthauer's business life, and later on, he occupied various official positions of trust. He was elected register of deeds for three consecutive terms, acting at the same time as deputy for Algernon S. Munger, county treasurer, doing almost all of the clerical duties of that office. During his official term as register of deeds there was added to his duties that of superintending the compiling of the records of the' county into a set of abstract books. After the close of his official career, he opened a real estate and abstract office, conducting with this an extensive business as money broker and conveyancer. He took into partnership with him Henry T. Evans, under the firm name of Witthauer & Evans. This was then the only concern of the kind in town, and nearly all the heavy real estate and pine land transactions and large loans on real estate of those days were effected through this firm. At the same time he was the assistant land agent for the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad lands, under the Hon. O. M. Barnes. Later he purchased some pine land and lumbered the same, selling the logs; he then went into partnership with Charles Scheurlann, under the firm name of Witthauer & Schelm lann, in the same line of lumber business, and subsequently wre find our subject as a partner of the lumbering firm of Kaiser, Witthauer & Co. This firm purchased a large tract of pine on the Kawkawlin River, and after cutting 15,000,000 feet during their first Winter's operation, the subsequent Summer, the firm made sale of their lands, horses and lumebering utensils, etc. Mr.-Witthauer then purchased with Charles Scheurmann the then so-called "Burrows Mill," of Au Sable, which they operated one season and sold out. Mr. Witthauer, with Charles Scheurlmalnn, of Bay City, and Bernhard Stroh and Henry Weber, as partners, purchased the one hundred thousand dollar tract of land of Alexander Swift, of Cincinnati, O., located on Lake Saint Helen, on the northern division of the Michigan Central Railroad. There, under the management of the subject of this sketch, this firm erected a large saw mill with planing mills, dry kilns and box factory, and carried on manufacturing under the firm name of Witthauer, Scheurmlann & Co. By-the further erection of boarding houses, store and a lot of dwelling houses, the village of Saint Helen was called into existence. After two years operation at Saint Helen, the times continuing dull and threatening, Mr. Witthauer concluded, with Mr. Scheurmann, to sell out to the remaining partners, Stroh and Moebs. This sale was consummated in the Fall of 1875, and in the early part of the Spring following, we find Mr. Witthauer boarding an ocean steamship at New York City, for a trip to tlie old country, and, more especially, a visit to his aged mother and relatives in Germany, after an absence of twenty-four years from his birth-place, and the home of his boyhood. He so journed in the old world for a period of seven months and returned home again in October, 1876. From that time on until March, 1877, he traveled extensively through the United States, making a very large collection of articles for an extensive business of export from this country, to be established at a suitable point in the United States and Hamburgh or Berlin, in Germany. having already arranged for a partnership with a wealthy business house in Leipzig, Germany, Mr. Witthauer to act as the purchasing partner in this country. Immediately after the return from this trip to his home lie at once started again for Germany, where his samples and goods were being received at the time. On the day of his arrival at Leipzig, the declaration of war between Russia and Turkey was bulletined through the streets; business was prostrated in consequence of the news, and the parties to the business combination concluded to go no further. Disposing of the samples, Mr. Witthauer returns homre in June of the same year. In the Spring of 1878, we find our subject at the head of the business in which he is at present engaged as lmanager of the Bay City Dry Dock and Shipyard Company. Being musically inclined, and with much of the talent inherent in his countrymen, he was instrumental in organizing the Teutonia Society and Glee Club, and was for many years the president, and through it furnished mluch musical entertainmient to the residents of the city. It will thus be seen that while he is persistent with business affairs of life, he does not omit the enjoyments of the same. He is much respected, not only by his friends, but by the public at large, who appreciate his public spirit and enterprise. CHARLES SUPE, wholesale dealer in groceries, provisions, grain, kerosene oil, etc., is one of the representative business men of the Saginaw Valley, and one who has contributed his full share to the colmmercial prosperity and importance of Bay City. Mr. Supe was born in Prussia, January 12, 1836. In 1850 he emigrated with his parents to America and settled in Saginaw County. What is now Bay City was then known as Lower Saginaw, and the territory now included in Bay County was a part of Saginaw County. In 1868 Bay City had grown to be a city of about 6,000 inhabitants and in March of that year Mr. Supe settled here and opened a retail grocery story on Water Street, in the room now occupied with Stephen son's music store. In 1871 he built the large brick elevator, 40x99 feet in size, which he now occupies with his business. In 1870 he gave up the retail business and about that time made a visit to the Pacific Coast. In December, 1872, he moved into the Maxwell Block, now occupied by Maltby, Page & Co., and also was doing business in the elevator building, corner of Third and Adams Streets. From December, 1872, to December, 1876, the firm was Supe & Rademacher. The magnitude of Mr. Supe's business has fully kept pace with the growth of the city, the annual sales at the present time aggregating upwards of $350,000. To achieve this success has required a large degree of business energy and sagacity, and close personal application. By the exercise of these qualities Mr. Supe has not only established a large business upon a sound and paying basis, but has made for himself an enviable reputation for integrity and financial soundness. In addition to.his private interests he has been called upon to devote considerable time to public affairs. He held the office of county treasurer from 1873 to 1875; was city treasurer in 1877; has been a- member of the Board of Education, and is. at present alderman from the Second Ward of the city. In the discharge of all public duties he has exercised the same clear judgment as in his private enterprises, and served the public as faithfully as lhe served himself. Mr. Supe has a wife and four children. Their family residence is on Jackson Street, between Fifth and Center Streets. It is to the credit of Mr. Supe that whatever public offices he has held have come to him without his seeking,-a fact always worthy of being recorded. JOHN H. WILKINS, late mayor of Bay City, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 22, 1836. In 1853 he graduated from the Philadelphia High School, and immediately thereafter entered the employ of the late Gen. David B. Birney, who was chief manager of the mercantile agency and collection office of B. Douglass & Co., where he remained until June, 1856. Gen. Birney being the principal owner of a store at Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, sent Mr Wilkins here to act as clerk. The store not proving a success, S.I -r F 1 —9 J. ~ W l __ -.A(F r __ ~ I = - — Y i- - HISTOR-Y OF BAY COUNTY. 121 he was instructed to close up the business in 1857, send the stock to Scranton, Pa., where Gen. Birney was interested in coal mining, and to follow in person and open a new store. It was a flattering testimony to Mr. Wilkins' business capacity and integrity that, at the age of twenty-one years, Gen. Birney was willing to entrust him with the management of a business. But he had found the stir and enthusiasm of Western life agreeable to his tastes, and declining the 'tempting offer he went to Detroit and took a position as shipping clerk in the warehouse of the late Capt. E. B. Ward,-one of the best business schools in which a young man could be placed. He remained in that position until January, 1868, and then went to Rockwood, Monroe Co., Mich., as book-keeper for his brother-inlaw, Hon. John Strong, present state senator. He remained there until February, 1873, when he returned to Bay City, and opened a real estate and abstract office, which he still continues, doing a very extensive business. In the Spring of 1879 he was nominated by the Republicans for the office of mayor, and was elected by a large majority, being the first Republican mayor in ten years. In 1880 and again in 1881 he was re-nominated by acclamation and elected. His administrations as mayor of the city have been popular to an unusual degree. Mr. Wilkins is a thorough gentleman, and one calculated to reflect credit upon the third city in the state. He is a man of broad views, andis possessed of a spirit of enterprise which,while mayor, he imparted to all departments of municipal administration. As a consequence, needed public improvements were prosecuted with vigor and prudence, giving to the city not only a high degree of attractiveness, but an excellent sanitary condition and a high place among the well governed cities of the West. O. F. HAMET, lumber dealer and inspector, is a native of Detroit, and came to Bily City from St. Clair County in 1862, three years before Bay City was incorporated as a city. He has done an active business here for twenty years, all of which time he has been identified with the vast lumbering interests of the place. In addition to his business as lumber inspector he does an extensive shipping business. His office is in Union Block on Water Street. J. N. McDONALD, of the firm of McDonald S Shearer, proprietors of the Bay City Flouring Mills, is of Scotch descent, and a native of Canada. He came to Bay City in 1867 and built a flouring mill on the corner of First and Water Streets, with a capacity of fifty barrels of flour a day. In December, 1870, the mill was destroyed by fire and immediately rebuilt. In 1871 he took Geo. C. Fray into partnership, and the firm was McDonald & Fray for several years, when Mr. Fray was succeeded by Mr. George H. Shearer. The present capacity of the mill is 150 barrels of flour a day. Mr. McDonald was one of the organizers of the Agricultural Works, and has in various ways contributed to the business prosperity. He is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church and one of its leading supporters; also a member of the Board of Education. He is in every sense a representative man, and one whose integrity of character and liberal spirit of enterprise reflects credit upon the city. GEORGE H. SHEARER, of the firm of McDonald & Shearer, has been connected with the business interests of Bay City for twenty years. Mr. Shearer is of Scotch descent and a native of Albany, New York State. About the year 1845 he went to Detroit, and in company with his brother James Shearer, was extensively engaged in building from 1850 till 1863, when he came to Bay City to take charge of the Raymond Mill, purchased by James Shearer & Co. in 1863. He remained in charge of the imill, as one of the firm, until it was sold to the railroad company. In 1876 he became a member of the present firm of McDonald & Shearer, proprietors of the Bay City Flouring Mills. Mr. Shearer has been a member of the School Board for ten years, and two years a member of the Common Council. He has been one of the leading Odd Fellows in the state for many years, and'has been a member of the Order since 1847, and has occupied the highest offices in. the Order, including grand patriarch and grand representative. It is in mechanics, however, that Mr. Shearer excels, and during the past twenty years has invented some valuable improvements ini saw mill machinery. He invented improvements in gang saws, lath mill and log turner. His patents date from 1867 to 1874. He is a man of sturdy integrity and one of the most active and useful men in the city. H. A. CHAMBERLIN, lumber inspector and dealer, is a native of Vermont, but at an early day immigrated to Michigan, and settled in St. Clair County. In 1857 he came to Bay City, or Lower Saginaw as it was then called, to take charge of the lumber operations of the firm of Frost & Bradley, at this point. A short time after he went into business for himself as lumber inspector, and has continued in that business ever since. He is the oldest lumber inspector now in business in the city. When Mr. Chamberlin came here, the entire township of Hampton contained a population of not more than 600 people, and the city of the present time had not taken shape even in the dreams of those who were here. He was one of the first trustees of the village of Lower Saginaw, and has held the office of alderman since the incorporation of the city. He has been prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity from the first organization here, and is at present past commander of the Commandery. THOMAS MUNN is a native of Philadelphia, and remained there until ten or twelve years of age, when his parents removed to Canada. After remaining there a short time he came to the States and worked at the millwrights trade. He went to Wisconsin and built several mills, and then went to Port Huron, Mich. January 13, 1852, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Willegar, of Port Huron About 1862 he came to Bay City, where he has since resided. He came here to build the Ballau Mill at Kawkawlin, and afterwards continued at his trade until about 1868, when he bought an interest in the Valley Iron Works. In 1871 those works passed into the possession of Smalley Bros. & Co., and soon after Mr. Munn started a machine shop at the corner of Washington and Eleventh Streets, which he still continues to operate. Mr. Munn has invented several valuable improvements in saw mill machinery, among which are Munn's patent edger, slitting machine and stock gang. These machines are in general use. He was the first to invent the present improved gang. He manufactures these machines and his works employ an average of twenty men. He is very active in public matters and has been a leading member of the Greenback party since 1876. In temperance matters he is very active and takes a prominent part. He has been president of the Reform Club for some time. He is a gentleman of marked ability and devotes himself with great energy and earnestness to any cause that enlists his co-operation. He has four children, three boys and one girl. DR. E. H. GATES is a native of New York State. Choosing the practice of medicine for his life profession, he set about making thorough preparation for its exacting duties and responsibilities. To this end he entered Victoria College,' at Toronto, Canada, where he graduated in 1848. Immediately after graduating he entered upon active practice at Hamilton. In 1866 he settled in Bay City, and has occupied a leading place in the medical profession here since that time. Dr. Gates is a gentleman of scholarly tastes and habits, and during all of the thirty-four years that he has been in active practice has devoted his best energies and talents to his profession. He lias a large practice and his record is that of a skillful and successful physician. He has never held any public office excepting that of county physician. His family consists of a wife and three children. 9 __ - 4 7, 4 -I 1, 122 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I W. H. MILLER, one of the leading merchants of the Saginlaw Valley, has been a resident of Bay City since the Spring of 1867, when he came here fromu Newv Brunlswick, N. J. He hlas been coiltinuously ill the hardwrare business silice coming here. For (l time he was ill company with Mr. C. E. Jennison, one of the pioneer merchants of the county. In 1871 lie establislled himself in his present qntarters, adjoilliag the Campbell House, on WCater Street, the building being erected expressly for his business. He occupies the entire block, tao stores, three stories hiah, besides the basement. Ill addition to this room he has a large brick warehouse oll Saginaw Street, which he built to accommodate the increasing demands of his business in 1880. Mr. Miller is a model type of the enterprising and successful business man.. He has not only been successful il his particular pursuit, but has contributed to the general growth and prosperity of the city. Besides his handsome family residence, oln the corner of Seventh and Van Buren Streets, which lie built il 1870, lie has built six tenement hollses, and anl elegant brick business block, o11 the corner of Fifth and Saginaw Streets. He does a very large wholesale business in addition to his retail trade. It is such men that build up our Western cities, and give health and statbility to general trade. CHARLES A. EDDY, of the firm of Eddy Bros. & Cto., was born ill Bradley, Ale., March 15, 18419, and remained there until 1864, when he came to Saginaw City; after remaining here a short time he moved to East Saginaw. Ill 1873 he went into partnership with W. A. Avery, of East Saginaw, the firm being engaged in running loos from the Cass and Tittabwvassee River boomns. The firm did a large business until 1881. In 1882 Mr. Eddy came to Bay City, and became all active partner in the firml of Eddy Bros. & Co., in which lie is now a partner. He has a beautiful residence at No. 823 Nortl Farragut Street, a view of which appears in this work. He has a wife and three children. GEORGE P. COBB, a proLllinellt mellllber of the Bay City bar, was born April 13, 1811, in Livingston County, N. Y., and shortly afterwards removed to Rocles-ter, N. Y., wlich was his holme until Mtarch, 1855. He then removed to Macon, Lenawee Co., Mich. In 1860 lie removed to Alln Arbor, lyich. He attended tle seminary at Ypsilanti, and the high school at Ann Arbor and taught school in Ann Arborand vicinity. Earlyin 1865 he enlisted in Fifth Regiment Michigan Cavalry, then a part of the famous Custer Brigade, and served one year, being discharged at Salt Lake City in 1866. He graduated from the Law School of the University of Michigan in 1868, and in April of the same year wa's admitted to the bar at Ann Arbor. In September, 1868, he Caniqe to Bay City, where he has since been engaged ill the practice of his profession. He became a member of the firm of Grier, McDonell & Cobb in 1870, and so continued until the election of T. C. Grier to a judgeship in 1871, when the business of thee firm was continued by McDonell & Cobb until 1874. At present, he is a memiber of the firm of McMath & Cobb. He was a member of tile Legislature of 1881, and served oln the committees on ways, and means and insurance; also on the special committees appointed to investigate the management of the State Reformatory at Ionia, and the committee on congressional appointnient. He was married November 1, 1871, to RMiss Laura A. Mulunger, daughter of A. S. Munger, of Bay City. JOHN OLIVER. Everybody in the Bay City region knows "Uncle" John Oliver, proprietor of the Turkish bath rooms. He was liorn in Scotlanld, September, 1807, and came to America ill 1830. He was married April 28, 1831, at Geneva, N. Y., to Miss Ann Goodwiln, of Kent County, England, who camle to this country in 1830. Mr. Oliver pursued farming in New York State until 1843, when lie remioved to Michigan, and settled in St. Joseph County, Iut his llealtl failingsl he genre up farming and took charge of the I Tawvas lighhthouse, remaining ill that position four years. He afterwards went to Kansas, and, returrincg in 1875, settled ill Bay City. HavTing been greatly benefitted by Tulrkish lbatlis during his sickless, lie was induced to establish thea ill Bay City, which be did ill October, 1875, and was the first to introduce them ill the state of Michigan. He has suffered considerably from fire, but has been quite liberally patronized, and is now ill prosperous circumstances. "Uncle" John is a veritable Scotchman, a most excellent citizens and a mail of great personal popularity. They have eight children, all of whlloll are married. LUTHER WESTOVER was born il Berkshire County, Mass., April 24, 1817. His parents, Lutllher and Catharine (Herling) WTestover, were of English and Irish descent. His education was obtained il the comlnon school and at Westfield Academy; when he was twenty years old lie left school. He remained at holne eight years, worling on the farm and helping in the support of his widowed lmotler after the death of his father, wvhicll occurred in 1841. Il 1845 he went to Callada, and bought a cargo of lumber, which he shipped to Connecticut. This venture proved profitable, and he returned to Canada alnd commenced the manulfacture of lumlber. He was eiigaged il this business until 1874, first alone, and afterwards successively ill the firms of Westover & Ralmsal, Westover, Rainsal &7 Co., Smith, Westover & Co., and afterwards Smith & WVestover. In 1865 this last flamed firm bought large tracts of pine land il Bay and Iosco Counties, Mich., and moved to Bay C.ty, where the business was conducted with marlied success until 1874. Il 1867 Mr. Westover organized and established the Excllange Bank, at that time one of the most sound afnd best conducted banks ill the Saginaw Valley. In 1873 this was sold to the State Bank of Bay City, of which Mr. W7estover was a director. In 1869 and 1870 lie was inl the Legislature, and served on the committees of organization of towns, counties and fisheries. He took also ail active part il procurinlg the stock and securinr the locatiol of the Jaekson & Lansill" Railroad, and was a director of the sam ne for three years. Mr. Westover has been more or less identified with all the public enterprises of the city-railroads, churches, and cha~rities have found himn willing and desirous to contribute his time and money in their aid. He is numbered among the wealthy men of Bay City, and is a-genial, social gentleman, kind of heart and easy of access. He is a man who has worked out his own destiny, and from obscure youth has triumphed over every adversity. In 1861 he married Mrs. Amanda Schuyler, widow of the late Calvin Schuyler, of Norfolk County. Canada. C. A. JAY, proprietor of the Campbell House, is a native of England, and was born in 1830. In 1833 his parents emigrated to Caanada, where lie remained until the Winter of 1863, when he came to Bay City. He rented the old Union House, which stood upon the present site of the Calllplbell House, and kept it for about a year and a half. He then sold out and kept boardingi house for a time, and was also in the grocery business. In the Fall of 1866 he went into the Wolverton House, and kept it in company witl Harvey J. Clark for three years, when he took the Camlpbell House. After a short time he sold out, but soon returned andl kept the house until 1875, when he again left it. In 1878 he once more tool; possession, and still continues its proprietor. He was married il Canada, March 26, 1855, to Miss Sarall A. Jones. They have five children, one of whonlt is the wife of Mr. F. A. Schlieper, a druggist of Bay City. Mr. Jay is a veteran landlord, and a very successful one. E. M. FOWLER is a native of Newv York State. In 1862 he came to Bav Citv from Detroit, and became actively and extensively identified with Bay City interests. His first operations-were in the - L - I -r L 1. I u RES. GFC- M. AVERELL. CENTER ST.,BAY CITY, MICH. A ___ _ ___ _ __ AVERELL BLOCK, CENTER ST. X?: t D Hef7@ t I I'l i;i I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 123 __ I manufacture of salt. Shortly after conling here he built a salt block on the present site of Dolsen, Chapin & Co's saw mill. In 1866 Mr. Fowler engaged in the lumber business, and is now one of the most extensive operators in the valley. Aside from his individual operations, he is a member of the firms of Fowler & Chapman, S. Chapman & Co., and also one of the Bay City Lumber Co., organized in 1882. Mr. Fowler has been probably the most extensive dealer in square timber in the West, and is interested in pine lands in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He has been active in promoting public interests, especially in the organization of the public library. During the past year he has removed his family residence to Detroit, but his business headquarters are still at Bay City. H. C. MOORE is a native of Manchester, N. H., and is one of the pioneer business men of Bay City, having located here in 1854. He went to St. Clair from his native place in 1850, and remained there until he came to Bay City in 1854. He was senior member of the firml of Moore, Vose & Co. They built a mill at Bangor in 1854; and in 1855 were succeeded by Moore, Smith & Co. In 1879 Mr. Moore sold his mill interests, and in 1880 the stock company of Moore, Whipple & Co. was incorporated, for the purpose of doing a general lumbering business. Mr. Moore has been closely identified with the development of Bay City. He was president of the Bridge Company one year, and for several years a director of the First National Bank. Mrs. Moore is a daughter of Col. Henry Raymond, one of the early settlers of the Saginaw Valley. RYERSE & McCABE, wholesale commission merchants, Bay City, are among the enterprising business men of the valley. The firm began business in May, 1881, and have already become firmly established, and are doing a very prosperous business. The firm is composed of Orren S. Ryerse and James McCabe, both thorough business men. Mr. Ryerse is a native of Canada, and came to Bay City in 1876, and was employed as salesman until the Spring of 1881. Mr. McCabe is a native of New York State. He served a short time in the army, and was in the express business for fifteen years. In 1880 he settled permarnently in Bay City. The firm occupy a building on Water Street, built expressly for their use. O. F. FORSYTH, of the hardware firm of Forsyth & Pierson, is one of the veteran hardware merchants of 'Michigan. He is a native of New York State. From 1854 to 1874 he was in the hardware trade at Flint, Mich. In 1874 lie settled in Bay City, and in 1876 the present firm of Forsyth & Pierson bought out the hardware firm of Bailey & Orton, the purchase including the large brick block in which their store is located. This block was built by Bailey & Orton in 1869, and is located on Water Street. There is also a warehouse and dock belonging to the property. Mr. Forsyth has tbeen a successful business man, and ranks high in all circles. CAPT. CHARLES M. AVERELL, of Bay City, was born in Philadelphia. His father was a sailor, and Charles inherited his fondness for the water. When but eight or nine years of age he commenced sailing with his father, and followed the ocean for several years. At length his father removed to Buffalo to sail upon the lakes, and he purchased an interest in a vessel called the "Aurora Borealis," and sailed in her as master for a time. His first visit to the Saginaw River was in 1851 or '52. He continued sailing the lakes, and about 1857 he removed his family to Bay City. A few years later he gave up sailing and ran a tug on the river for a short time. I9 "r~"'b"~'" ' Then he engaged in the stave business, and afterwards built a lime kiln, which he operated for about two years and then leased it, and still continues to do so. Since that time he has dealt more or less in real estate. He was assignee of the Pipe Works, and also of the Lake Huron & Southwestern Railway Co., and is frequently called upon to settle private estates. Being a gentleman of sound judgment and unquestioned integrity, his services in matters of this I kind are especially valuable. He also owns a vessel that trades on the lakes. In 1855 lie married Miss Agnes Humphrey, daughter of Judge Humphrey, of Barry County. The Averell Block on Center Street was built by him, and lie has various other real estate interests in the city. He is a leadiLg member of the First Baptist Church, and placed the bell of their new church in position under circumstances that constituted quite an episode in the history of the society, as given in the history of that organization. C. H. WEEKS, well known in connection with the commerce of the lakes, has been a resident of Bay City since 1870, at which time he came here from Detroit, and established a general freight and vessel agency. In this business he has been very successful, aindo nowo ns three vessels, the "John Sllerman," "S. Burchard," and "Star of Hope." His business is mainly in shipping salt and forest products eastward, and coal and stone westward. Mr. Weeks' office is on Center Street, and is one of the most elegantly appointed business offices in the state. E. H. BASSETT, of the dry goods firm of Bassett, Seed & Co., has been indentified with the business interests of Bay City for more than a score of years. He is a native of New York State, and settled in Bay City in the Fall of 1862. The place was then comparatively new, and the few stores here were along Water Street. For a good many years Mr. Bassett was a member of the firm of Munger & Co, dealers il general merchandise, who did an extensive business on Water Street. In 1874 Munger & Co. sold out to Messrs. Cooke & Co. In 1877 Mr. Bassett entered business with the present firm, of which lie is the senior member. Their store is at 406 Center Street, and is one of the finest dry goods stores in the city. S. DRAKE, of the grocery firm of S. Drake & Co., is one of the early settlers of Bay County. He first came to Lower Saginaw about 1851, and built a mill, in company with his brother, Mr. John Drake. He is a native of Scotland andT emigrated to Canada in 1834. He remained there until he came to Bay City in 1851. It was soon after Mr. Drake came here that there was so much sickness and death, and Mr. Drake selected a spot for a burial place, which has since been used as a cemetery, on the West Side. His health failing, he was obliged to seek a different climate, and he returned to Canada, where he remained until 1864, when he again came to Bay City and went into the grocery business. After remaining in this business it short time he retired from it and went on his farm, near the city. In the Fall of 1882 he again went into the grocery business on Center Street, the firm being S. Drake & Co. Mr. Drake is one of the reliable men of the city. ERNST FRANK is one of the pioneers of Bay City. He is a native of Geimany and emigrated to the Saginaw Valley in 1851. For a year he was on a farm and then went to manufacturing and dealing in optical and mathematical instruments. In this business he went to New York, Louisville, and Milwaukee, remaining in the latter place from 1854 to 1863. In 1863 he came to Bay City and opened a tobacco and cigar store and daguerreotype gallery, just north of the Globe Hotel. In 1865 he removed to his present store at 818 North Water Street. For sone vears lie has done an extensive business in tobacco, cigars, wines, liquors, etc., and is also agent for ocean steamship lines and foreign passage, and fire insurance. Mr. Frank was treasurer of the village in 1865, and of the city for four successive years, and has held various other local offices. His family consists of a wife and seven children. His family residence is 500 Grant Street. E. Y. WILrIAMS, lumber inspector and dealer, came to Bay City from Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1863. Bay City was then a village with but few attractions. Mr. Williams lhad recently returned from the army, lhavinlg been in tie-service about a year. Upon comling I I 1I -1 4. I: -% 2 ~~:I It me - 4 - 124 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 124 - here he went into business as lumber dealer and inspector, and has continued in it ever since. He was inspector-gelneral of lumber for three years during the time the inspection law was in force. His office is in the Opera House Block. GEORGE YOUNG, a prominent capitalist of Bay City, is a native of Scotland, and emigrated to this country ill 1840. Ill 1870 he came to Bay City from Albany, N. Y. He has never been engaged ill active business since coming here, but has employed his capital in various ways. He is a large stockholder in the Bay City Bank and has been vice-president for several years. He has four sons in active business-George H. Young, caslier of the Bay City Bank, Charles and Walter D. Young, brewers, and Williaml, superintendent of Mr. William Petei's mllill. J. W. KNAGGS is the senior member of the insurance firm of Knaggs, Clark & Plum. Mr. Knaggs is a native of Monroe County, Mich., and settled in Bay City in 1865. Soon after the breaking out of the war in 1861, lie enlisted at Monroe as a private in Company A, Fourth Michigan Infantry. At the battle of Malvern Hill, July, 1862, lie lost an arm, and after lying for seven days upon the field, was taken prisoner by confederate soldiers. After being confined for a time in Libby Prison lie was exchanged and taken to Bellevue Hospital, New York, where he remlained six months. Iln 1863 lhe received his discharge and returned home. Upon coming to Bay City in 1865, lie engaged in the insurance business, the firm being Knaggs & Denison, and subsequently, Knaggs, Whittemore & Denison, Knaggs, Whittemore & Shannon, Knaggs & Shannon, Knaggs & Clark. and since May, 1881, Knaggs, Clark & Plum. This is one of the most extensive insurance firms in the city. CHARLES F. ORTON, lumber inspector and dealer, is a native of New York State. In 1864 he came to Bay City from Pennsylvania, and operated the property at Salzburg for Geo. II. Rozette in 1865, wvhich was merged into the Huron Salt & Lumber Company in the Fall of that year, continuing there until 1867. At that time he began the business which he still continues. He was engaged in lumbering before coming West, having commenced at anl early age with his grandfather, who was an extensive lumberman, in Pennsylvania. Mr. Orton introduced the first telephone exchange, and also in connection with his brother, the first electric light used in the Saginaw Valley, both of which facts are mentioned in detail upon another page. He is an active and enterprising business man. J. B. McKAY is a native of London, Canada, and came to Bay City in 1865 to get out square timber. It was in the Spring of that year that Bay City was incorporated, and the field was a very attractive one to anyone interested in pine timber or lumber. Mr. McKay engaged in buying and selling pine lands, standing timber and logs, and has continued that business very successfully ever since. His office is on Water Street, at the foot of Fourth Street. ALLEN G. PLUM, of the insurance firm of Knaggs, Clark & Plum, is a native of Honesdale, Penn. At an early age he removed'with his parents to Flint, Mich., where for some time pre S. LITTAUER is a native of Germany. In 1854 he emigrated to Canada, and in 1865 he came to Bay City from Montreal, and opened a tobacco and liquor store on Water Street. He now occupies a large store at the corner of Fourth and Water Streets, and does a successful business. FREDERICK K. GUSTIN, SOni of Henry A. Gustin, came to Bay City in 1865, from Vienna, Canada. He graduated at the University of Michigan in 1876. Ile was admitted to the bar in 1879 and began the practice of law in 1880. In the Fall of 1882 he was a candidate for prosecuting attorney on the Republican ticket, but was defeated with the whole ticket. Mr. Gustin is a gentleman of fine natural abilities as a lawyer, and thorough culture. He is already acquiring a good practice and a most excellent reputation. C. L. COLLINS is a member of the law firm of Holmes & Collins, and a prominent member of the Bay County bar. He is a native of Ohio. He was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law at Knoxville, Iowa, in the Spring of 1869. In 1875 he located in Bay City. R. B. TAYLOR is a native of New York State. In 1865 he came to Bay City from Ashtabula County, Ohio. In 1868 he graduated at the University of Michigan, and soon after entered upon the practice of law in Bay City. His office is at the corner of Washington and Third Streets. Mr. Taylor is a lawyer of excellent ability and large practice. In addition to his law practice lie deals very extensively in regal estate. He is at present clhairmaln of the Board of Public Works. EDWARD W. PORTER, of the law firm of Lindner & Porter, is a native of Oakland County, AMich. In 1875 he graduated at Hillsdale College, and the following year graduated from the law department of Michigan University. In the Spring of 1878 he settled in Bay City and entered upon the practice of law. In October, 1878, lie became associated with Mr. Lindner, the firm being Lindner & Porter. Mr. Porter is a gentleman of culture, and ranks well as a lawyer. JOHN E. SIMONSON, city attorney, is the senior member of the law firm of Simonson & Gillett, and is a prominent member of the Bay County bar. He graduated at the University of Michigan in the class of 1877, and in 1878 came to Bay City from Detroit, January 1, 1879, the present firm was established. Mr. Simonson has held the office of city attorney since 1880. He is recognized as a young lawyer of marked ability. H. M. GILLETT is a member of the law firm of Simonson & Gillett. He came to Bay City from Genesee County, N. Y., in 1876. He had graduated at Cornell University in 1874. In 1877 lie was admitted to the bar. and has been in practice since that time. GROW BROS. Such is the name of one of the most extensive mercantile houses, and one of the largest clothing establishments in Bay City. The members of the firm are E. Palmer and DeWlitt Grow. They were born in Pontiac, and followed farming until about fifteen years of age, attending district schools during the intervals of work. They concluded their educational careers with a course at commercial college; Palmer at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and DeWitt at Detroit. In 1867 E. Palmer Grow entered the employ of J. Seligman, at Pontiac, as book-keeper, and continued with that gentleman for nearly five years. He was afterwards book-keeper for Gustin, Merrill & Co., of Bay City. DeWitt was also in the employ of Mr. Seligman as book-keeper at East Saginaw. In July, 1872, the two brothers purchased Mr. Seligman's Bay City clothing store and embarked upcn a business career which has been and still continues singularly successful. They removed from Water Street to their present location in the Munger Block in December, 1880. Their present apartments consist of two floors, 40x80 feet in extent. 1 vious lie was engaged in banking and insurance. In 1876 he came to West Bay City and was employed as book-keeper for Messrs. Sage & Co. In the Spring of 1881 he became a member of the present firm of Knaggs, Clark & Plum. SAMUEL KAICHEN, alderman from the Fourth Ward of Bay City, is a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1852. In 1868 he came to Bay City from Detroit, and went into the liquor and tobacco business in the Campbell House Block. In 1878 he removed to his present location, 912 Water Street. In the Spring of 1873 Mr. Kaichen was elected alderman from the Fourth Ward, and has held the office continuously since that time. - r - w :-7. HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 125 I _ They are also members of the lumber firm of S. D. Lynes & Co., which commenced operations in 1877, and is doing a very successfal lumbering alid logging business. The firm owns about 1,800 acres of pine land, and the same quantity of farming land on the Tobacco River. Both these gentlemen are an excellent type of the enterprising and successful business men of this Western land. L. E. NOYES, dealer in lumber and logs, is a native of the State of New Hampshire. For several years he was engaged in business at Sparta, Wis., and in 1869 settled in Bay City, then a flourishing place of a little less than 7,000 inhabitants. Since coming here he has been engaged in the lumber trade, buying logs and having them manufactured, and handling lumber. He ships both by rail and water, and sends large quantities as far east as the state of Maine, and handles yearly over 10,000,000 feet of lumber. Mr. Noyes' family consists of a wife and two children, a son who is with him in the office, and a daughter who is the wife of John L. Stoddard, a prominent lawyer of Bay City. JOHN L. STODDARD is a native of Cayuga County, New York; he studied law with Roscoe Conkling at Rochester, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar at Rochester in 1871. In February of 1872 Mr. Stoddard settled in Bay City, and for a time was associated in practice with Judge Holmes, who settled here about the same time. Mr. Stoddard has acquired an extensive practice and has a good reputation as a lawyer. His office is in the Shearer Block, corner of Center and Water Streets. EMIL ANNEKE was born December 13, 1823, in the city of Dortmund, Prussia. At the age of ten years he entered the gymnasium at Dortmund, (gymnasia in Germany are preparatory schools for the univwrsities), and passed his examination of maturity for the university nine years after. He was then admitted to the University of Berlin, where he studied higher mathematics, natural sciences, and law. After completing his studies he traveled for his general information through Saxony, Bohemia, Austria, and other parts of the continent. In 1848 he took part in the revolutionary movements that swept over a large portion of Europe, and, when those struggles had been subdued, and all efforts for the establishment of a German republic had proved unsuccessful, Mr. Anneke, with hundreds of other liberal young men, left his native country and came to the United States. He arrived in the city of New York in December, 1849. He taught school for nine months in Pennsylvania, and then became a member of the editorial staff of the New York Staats Zeitung. He was next corresponding clerk in a large mercantile establishment in New York until 1855, when he assumed the editorial management of a German paper at Detroit, Mich. In the following year he accepted a position as clerk in the office of the auditor-general, at Lansing. His services were so acceptable in this capacity that in 1862 he was nominated by the Republican party for auditor-general of the state. He was elected by a large majority, and acquitted himself so faithfully that he was re-elected in 1864. At the expiration of his second term he was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of law at Grand Rapids. During the Summer of that year he was appointed receiver of public moneys in the Grand Traverse District. This position he held until he removed to East Saginaw. He remained in East Saginaw until 1874, when he went to Bay City, where lhe still resides. He has been engaged in the practice of law and real estate business. He has occupied many important positions, and ranks high as a business man and a citizen. EDWARD E. ANNEKE, son of E. Anneke, is one of the promising young members of the Bay County bar. He graduated at the University of Michigan in the class of 1882, and at once entered upon the practice of law with his father in Bay City. He also does insurance business in connection with his practice. SELIGMAN & ROSSMAN. This is one of the leading clothing firms of the Saginaw Valley, and is composed of Joseph Seligman and Frank Rossman, both business men of long experience. This firm began business in Bay City, March 1, 1881. They occupy two floors at 1004 Water Street, and carry anl immense stock of clothing, cloths and gentlemen's furnishing goods. Joseph Seligman is a resident of East Saginaw, although the most of his time is spent in Bay City. He was extensively engaged in business in Memphis, Tenn., for twenty-two years prior to 1876. At that time he came to Saginaw, and was in business there six years. He has been dealing in horses for many years, and still continues that branch of his business. Frank Rossman came to Bay City at the time the firm began business in the Spring of 1881, from Pontiac, Mich. He is a native of Michigan, his parents being among the early settlers of Oakland. He has been in the clothing business at Pontiac sixteen years, and is still a member of the firm of Rossman & Fox at that place. The firm of Seligman & Rossman do a very extensive wholesale and retail business, and their store is a creditable institution to the city. C. L. KITTREDGE, one of the most prominent boot and shoe dealers in Bay City, is a native of Vermont. In 1873 he came to Bay City from Boston, and opened a boot and shoe store on Water Street. In 1879, seeing that business was reaching eastward on Center Street, he removed in 1879 to his present location at the corner of Center and Saginaw Streets, one of the most central points in the city. Mr. Kittredge is a natural merchant, and takes a leading place among the business men of Bay City. FREEMAN D. ADAMS, of the grocery firm of Meeker & Adams, is a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y., and at an early age removed with his parents to Michigan. In the Summer of 1871 he came to Bay City and opened a grocery commission store in company with Hanford E. Meeker, the firm being Meeker & Adams. The following Spring the firm changed to a retail business. in which they still continue, doing a very large trade. Mr. Adams is second sergeant in the State Militia, and also holds the office of police commissioner. He is an enterprising and successful business man. HANFORD E. MEEKER, senior member of the grocery firm of Meeker & Adams, is a native of Erie Co., Ohio, and has been a resident of Bay City since 1871. In 1856 he went West, and at the breaking out of the war was attending a commercial college at Indianapolis. In 1862 lie raised part of a company at Auburn, Ind., entered the service as a private, and was promoted to first lieutenant of Company A, One Hundredth Indiana Volunteers. He remained in the service until the close of the war, when he was mustered out and came to Michigan. In 1871 he came to Bay City and established the fillrm of Meeker & Adams, and the following year became a permanent resident of the city. The firm do a very extensive business, and Mr. Meeker is recognized as one of the leading business men of Bay City. STUART B. SHANNON, undertaker, 211 Fifth Street, is a native of the state of New Jersey. In 1866 he settled in Bay City, and has been a leading business man of the place ever since. In 1867 he started in the furniture anti undertaking business on Saginaw Street, just back of the Fraser House. In 1880 he went out of the furniture business, and since that time has devoted himself exclusively to undertaking, and is doing a very extensive business. Mr. Shannon made a fine military record during the war. He enlisted in 1861 in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, as second lieutenant, and for some time was in charge of two sections of artillery. He came out of the service near the close of the war, having made a brilliant record as an officer and a soldier. - IR i7 1 ',T 126 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I I. A. SHANNON, wagon and carriage manufacturer, is one of the pioneers in his line, in the city. He is a native of New Jersey, and after remaining for a timle in Oakland Co., Mich., came to Bay City in 1862. Soon after coming here he began manufacturing wagons and carriages, and established a large and successful business. He now has two good shops on Saginaw Street, one for wood and iron work, which he built in 1872, and the other for show-room and finishing, in 1877. Mr. Shannon is well known in this section, and is now doing an excellent business. For several years after' settling in Bay City lie kept a careful diary of the principal public events, and in the preparation of this work his records have contributed considerable valuable information. IRA A. LOUNT was born in Lapeer, Mich., in 1842, and mroved with his famlily to Canada when two years of age. In 1862 he went into the army, enlisting at Lockport in the Twenty-fifth New York Battery. The battery was assigned to the Department of the Gulf of Mexico, where Mr. Lount was selected by Gen. Banks as sergeant of ordnance, serving in that capacity two years, when lie was selected as head clerk for Gen. Sherman, and served in that capacLOUNT BLOCK. ity a little over one year. At the close of the war hlie came to Detroit, where hlie secured a situation as book-keeper in a wholesale clothing house, remaining there two years, when hlie went to Davenport, Iowa. He soon thereafter engaged witll a Chicago wholesale woolen goods house as traveling agent, and remained with them eight years. In 1875 hlie built a shingle mill and box factory at State Road Crossing, Bay County, which he operated about three years, when hlie sold the property. In 1878 he went into the furniture business in Bay City, onl Third Street, and erected there, in 1881, a handsome brick block, which is one of the largest in the city, and a view of which is given in this work. He manufactures all of his new stock, keeps a large force of men constantly employed, and has the largest establishment of the kind in the State. WILLIAM N. TEALL, merchant tailor, onl Harrison Street, South Bay City, is a native of New York State, and came to Bay City from Jackson, Mich., in 1874. When he first came here he started in business on Harrison Street, and has remained in the same location ever since. Mr. Teall was a lieutenant in the army, and his son Henry Teall was also in the service. He has a family consisting of a wife and seven children. One son, William E. Teall, is doing a prosperous merchant tailoring business on Water Street. MARTIN STEWART is a native of Canada, and settled in Bay City in 18683. Since that time he has been identified in various ways with the interests of the place. In the Fall of 1882 hie formed a co-partnership with E. L. Martini and they bought out I. E. Newcomer, who was in the grocery business on Water Street, and about two years previously had bought out Mr. Stewart. The firm of Martin & Stewart do anl excellent business. J. L. TROMIBLEY, of the grocery firm of Hawkins & Trombley, Soutl Bay City, is one of the early comers to this region. His father, Daniel Trombley, came here in 1858 from Romeo, N. Y., and reuai.ned here until his death in 1877. J. L. Trombley has been engaged in various interests in the city. In 1878 he w-ent into the grocery business on Washington Street, and the following year went in partnership with J. E. Hawkins, and since that time they have done business at their present place, 1101 Harrison Street. Louis GOESCHEL is a native of Germany, and emigrated to America in 1854. In 1868 lie settled in Bay City, and soon after went into the grocery business anld still contilnues in that business. At first the firm was Meisel & Goeschel, and later, Goeschel & Hodgkifis, and is the oldest grocery house in the city. Mr. Goeschel is a very active business man and has been very successful. He is a prominent Mason, and has done a good deal toward organizing the Knighlits Templar Band, and has been the manager since its organization; it is one of the best In the State. W. E. VAUGHAN, M. D., is a native of New York State. He served for six years in the army, having enlisted as a volunteer early in the war, and in 1862 was transferred to the regular army. He received his medical education at the medical department of the Georgetown University, Dist. of Columbia, and at the University of Michigan. Inll 1868 lie settled in Kawkawlin, and continued in practice there until 1877, when lie removed to Bay City, where lhe occupies a leading position in the medical profession. C. E. PIERCE is a son of Capt. B. F. Pierce, one of the pioneers of Bay County. He was born here, and educated for the bar. In 1882 hle graduated at the Michigan University, and began the practice of law inll Bay City, in the Spring of 1882. The following Fall lie was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, which office lie now holds. His law office is in the Watson Block onl Water Street. CHARLES E. RHODES, jeweler, Bay City, came lhere in 1865 from Genesee County, Mich., and for seven years was in the employ of Mr. E. Wood, the pioneer jeweler of tile place. Previous to comiing here Mr. Rhodes had been a soldier in the Union Army, and served through the war, from 1861 to the close of the Rebellion, making an excellent record. Inll 1880 lie started in business for himself and is doing a prosperous business. I. F. PLUMSTEEL, boot and shoe manufacturer, is a native of Canada. He first moved to Oakland County, and about 1870 came to Bay City. He started out inll life to take care of himself at whatever offered the best inducement, and was at one time cabin boy on the boat called the "Susan Ward." Afterwards hlie formed a co-partnership with a man to open a boot and shoe shop, and the first night the partner stole what little they had and decamped. Among his early experiences was an attempt to go fromn Bay City to Texas on a capital of 10 cents. He got as far as Logansport, Ind., when he turned around and worked his way back as best he could. About 1874 lie began business for himself inll the basemnlent of thle Wolverton House, and from that time to the present has prospered. He now gives employment to twelve 1hen, manufacturing boots and shoes. In 1882 lie built the Plumsteel Block, a handsome two-story brick building adjoining his store on Water Street. CHARLES BABO, a well known and reliable citizen of Bay City, has been connected with its interests for a score of years. He is a native of Germany, and settled in Bay City in 1863, while it was yet a village. He went into the mercantile business, and for some time the firm has been Charles Babo & Sons, with a grocery store in this city and another in West Bay City. Mr. Babo lhas always maintained an excellent reputation in the community. In the Fall of 1880 he was elected county treasurer, and devoted his time to j e,; J ag W_;4: mmm==- 11||1._ _.011||| t s,:~: I$ I I I I iI i i I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 163 I pine lAnds for lumbermen, which lie still continues. He also has some good pine lands of his own. He was mLarried in 1872 to Margaret Soods, of Canada. HENRY LUTZKE was born ill Germllny, Marich 2, 1835. In 1855 he came to Ba:yCity, purcliased the Franklinl House on Saginaw Street, and co;mmenzsel barillusI. Iu 1803 he sold out and engaged in the joiner business. He afterward started a saloon on Center Street under the old Simons Block, ruln the business for five years, and remroved to Third Street, near the bridge, where he is still in the saloon business. His residence is on Jefferson street, between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Mr. Lutzke was married ill 1856 to Katherina Berkhardt, and has three children. CHARLES G. LAETZ was born in Bay City, December 11, 1856. In 1874 he learned the boating business, which he continued until 1879. He then opened a saloon, wltich he still continues. His fatlier, George Laetz, settlel here in 18,53, and is still living. He lost his arm ill a saw mill a nlullber of years ago. Chllrles G. was married November 11, 1880, and hlias one child. PATRICK OUILETTE was born in Windsor, Ont., August 26, 1826. He mloved to Detroit in 1838, and learned the trade of carpenter with C. Morris of that city, andl in 1819 commenced business for himself. He was married to Margraret Livingston, of Detroit, and in 1879 came to Bay City. WILLIAM D. MCINTOSH was born ill Scotland, January 5, 1844. At twelve years of age lie crossed the Atlantic with his parents, and settled in Glengarry, Canada. In 1865 lhe canle to Bay City and engaged in the lumber business. In 1883 wacs looking land in Minnesota. He was mlarried in 1871. ALEXANDER TROMBLEY was born at Quebec, Clanda, Decelmber 5, 1833. He came to Bay City in 18'52, and worked as a carpenter and joiner. In 1871 he engaged in the manufacture of root beer and all kinds of soft drinks, and still continues the business. ANDREW DALY was born in Canada, May 31, 1836(. He came to Bay City and engaged in the saw nrills. In 1869 he was engaged by Folsom & Arnold as saw filer, which position he still retains. He has a wife and three children. WILLIAM R. SPEIR was born ill Ayrshire, Scotland, ill 1823. He came to Detroit, Mich., in 1851, and to Bay City in 1859. He has been employed as engineer in a number of mills and salt blocks in the valley. Is now employed in that capacity in the American Chemical Works, West B.ay City. Was married in 1814 to Agnes Smith, of Scotland. CHARLES J. BLOOMFIELD is a native of Erie County, N. Y., where he was born in 1814. In 1851 lie removed to Rochester, where he remained eighteen years. He then removed to Warren County, of the saIme state, and about one year afterward came to Grand R-pids, Mich. In 1875 he came to Biy City, where he engaged in the business of city bill posting and advertising. He was married in 1839 to Laurena Beach, of Lyons, Mich. His residence is Twelfth Street, No. 1215. WILLIAM H. SIMPKIN.- was born inl Glengarry, Canada, December 4, 1853, remaining there eighteen years, during which time he elngag(ed inll the flourilgc business. In 1870 hle came to Bay City and engaged in different occupations until 1876, when he engaged with Pitts & Cranage, as circular sawyer, which position he still retains. He was married to Emma McLenon, of Glengarry, Canaida, and has one child. JOHN COMISTOCK is a native of Canadai, born in November, 1834. In 1856 he camle to Bay City,and has since resided here. He was for ten years engaged in saw mills and five years engaged in farming. He is at present engaged in jobbing and tellaming. He was married in 1862, and has eight childreh. Residence 113 Polk Street, South Bay City. FREDERICK C. FI.N was born in Oswego, N. Y., and remained there until he was fifteen, during which time he learned the plumber trade. He then moved to Lowell, Mass., and worked at his trade. In 1873 he came to Bay City and engaged with Tousey, Jennison & Beach, where he still continues. He was married to Maggie Doman, of Bay City, and has four children. Residence, 213 North Adams Street. JAMES W. SWEET was born in Genesee County, N. Y., March 25, 1833. He came to Shiawassee County, Mich., in 1845, and located in Bay City in 1849, where he obtained employment at the carpenter business. He was nine years in the grocery business, which he gave up to assume that of a contractor and builder. Residence on Third Street near Trumbull Street. JOHN RADY was born in Canada, June 19, 1852. Remained there until 1857, then moved with his parents to Detroit, and in 1863 to East Saginaw. He worked in S. H. Webster's mill until 1868, when he came to Bay City, and was employed in the lumber business, which he has successfully followed until the present time, his business for 1883 including a contemplated cut of 23,000,000 feet of logs. In 1880 he purchased a valuable farm of 268 acres in the town of Portsmouth, Bay Co., known as the "McCormick farm," having 200 acres cleared, good buildings and a fine orchard. His residence is 819 Broadway. JOSEPH DECORTE was born in Bordeaux, November 29, 1824, and remained there until he was thirty-three years old. In 1858 he came to Detroit, Mich., was there a short time and in the same year moved to Bay City and worked one year in N. B. Bradley's saw mill. He is now engaged in building sidewalks, and has been successful in his business. He has a fine residence on Madison Avenue, between Second and Third Streets. He was married June 7, 1864, to Miss Barbara Fondel, of Belgium, who died October 22, 1880. ADAM BYERLY was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., July 17, 1852. In 1860 he moved with his parents to Shiawassee County, Mich., and there attended school. After leaving school lie learned the engineers' trade. In 1870 he came to East Saginaw and engaged with the F. & P. M. R. R. Company as fireman on one of their locomotives, and continued as fireman for over a year; then had the care of an engine over a year, being in their employ three years. In 1874 he came to West Bay City, engaged with W. H. Malone as engineer in his mill, remained there a short time and then engaged as engineer on the steamer "John Sherman," on the lakes. He was on her one season, then engaged as engineer on the dummy engine at that time owned by James Clements, and used to transfer freight on the railroad. Remained there one year and then engaged with N. B. Bradley as engineer for a short time. In 1876 he took a trip to California; remained there six months and returned to Bay City. Inl 1877 he engaged with F. E. Bradley & Co. as engineer of the mill, which he still retains. He was married October 10, 1875, to Ella William, of South Bay City, and has two children. JOHN ROSE was born on the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel, April 14, 1828, and remained there until his eighteenth year. During that time he attended school and worked with his father, who was a gardener. In 1847 he came to New Bedford, Mass., and there learned the trade of ship carpenter and worked at it two years. Thence he went to Martha's Vineyard and there built the schooner "Abby B." He remained in Massachusetts seven years; went thence to Missouri and worked at his trade on the Mississippi River. He built the tug "Wonder," the first tug ever built at St. Louis, under the orders of Prince Emerson, the r! qa l.>.i / 1 L: 0 I m r Dry - a- - L Q _ I 6) 164 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. so leading steamboat man of that day. He drew the scale of the Mississippi River steamers, (the same as is used at the present day,) being employed 103 days on this work. At the breaking out of the war he went to Buffalo and worked at his trade until 1867, when he came to Bay City and built the tug "Johnson," for Lapham & Johnson. In 1876 he went to Oregon and remained until 1878, when he returned co Bay City, remained a short time, and returned to Oregon. After two years absence he again returned to Bay City, where he has since resided, working at his trade. He was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret McColic, of Buffalo, N. Y., and has two children. Residence, 441 Taylor Street, South Bay City. FRITZ P. TEPOORTEN was born in Trentoll, Wayne Co., Mich., September 13, 1860. He came with his parents to Bay City in his boyhood, and was educated at St. James Catholic School, of Bay City. October 1, 1880, he entered the employ of James Roberts as shipping clerk, and by his steady habits and faithful and efficient performance of his duties has won the confidence of his employer ~and the respect of the community. He was married November 22, 1881, to Miss Bridget Marron, of Bay City, and has one child.,JOHN H. COLLIER was born in Ohio, July 4, 1845. In 1855 he went with his parents to St. Charles, Mich., anll resided there four years, then moved to Owosso, Mich., and remained there two years, and in 1861 came to Bay City, where he has since resided. After several years labor in saw mills he was enabled, owing to his sober, steady and economic habits, to engage in business for himself. In 1873 he built a mill in Saginaw County, and has since been successfully operating it. He is a hard-working man and a good mechanic, capable not only of directing, but of doing his own work. Residence, on Twenty-third and Bowery Streets, Bay City. LAFAYETTE N. BROWN was born in Middlesex, Ontario, January 9, 1838, remaining there until he was thirteen years old. He then moved to Sanilac County, Mich. While there he was engaged in farming. In 1858 he moved to Port Hope, Hulron Co., and engaged in the saw mill business for three years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Seventh Michigan Infantry as private, and was promoted to sergeant, holding the position two years. He then re-enlisted for three years, and was promoted to first-lieutenant Seventh Michigan Infantry. In 1873 he came to Bay City and engaged in the carpenter and saw mill business, which he continued until 1883. He is at present engaged with Murphy & Dorr, as second engineer. He was married January 10, 1863, to Euphemia Sandust, of Lexington, and has three children. THOMAS ATWELL was born in Ireland, March 29, 1844. In 1848 he settled with his parents in Merricksville, Canada. In 1857 he moved to Bothwell, and while there learned the blacksmith trade, remaining there a number of years. He then came to Bay City, engaged in the blacksmith trade, and is at present engaged with J. R. Hall. He was married to Lolinda Pekerd, of Tuscola Coulity, and has two children. JOHN PHIPP was bo1rn ill Edinburgh, Scotland, rellmaining until he was twenty-two, and learnling the blacksmith trade. Ill 1852 he settled in New York City, (and engaged as blackslmith for the railroad company. In 1855 he moved to Kingston, Canada, remaining until 1856, when he camle to Bay City and engaged in blacksmithing until 1869, when he organized the Bay City Iron Company. Mr. Phipp has been a member of the firm ever since. JOHN A. BOHN was born in New York City, May 16, 1839, and remained there four years. He moved with his parents to Rochester, N. Y., and remained there twelve years, then moved to Ionia, Mich., and engaged in farming. He then went to Grand Rapids, remaining there until 1868, when lie came to Bay City and engaged as fireman in the Northwestern Gas &t Pipe Company. He purchased a teaml of horses and went into the transfer business, which he still continues. JOHN MOONEY was born in Haldimand County, Canada, and remained there a number of years ellgaged onil his father's farm. He then moved to Kawkawliln, Bay Co., and enlgaged with 0. A. Ballou, as saw filer, remaining there until 1877, when lie engaged with N. B. Bradley & Co., in the same capacity, and has remained with them ever since. QUESEBE BOUREZOUR was borln in St. Thomas, New Montreal Co., July 18, 1836, and remained there twenty years, during which time he learned the blacksmith trade. In 1856 he moved to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in his trade for a nuunber of years; then engaged in sailing. Ill 1863 he enlisted as blacksmith in the Rangers Company M., under Capt. Starker; remained there one year and then returned to Minnesota and engaged in farming. He remained there five years, disposed of his property, and returned to Canada. Ill 1867 he came to Bay City. He is at present engaged at his trade. CLARK BARTLETT was born in Ohio, March 6, 1850. With his parents he moved to Port Burwell, Canada, and remained there eight years. Ill 1865 he came to Bay City, engaged with N. B. Bradley, driving cart, and remlained with him until 1879, when he engaged with F. E. Bradley & Co. as sawyer, which position he still retains. JAMES MYERS was bornl in Brant County, Canada, October 1, 1842. In 1859 he moved to Marine City, and engaged in the carpenter and joiner trade. He then moved to Harrisville; then to Canada, in both of which places he was engaged in different occupations. In 1868 he moved to East Saginaw and engaged with W. R. Burt as machinist, where he remained seven years, when he came to Bay City and engaged in saw milling and the manufacture of salt, and is at present engaged with his brother, George C., as foreman of his mill. JAMES P. BARNEY was born in Warren County, state of Rhode Island, July 9, 1836. Ini 1838 he came to Bay City, where ihe has remained ever since. He was engaged at different times in the fish and livery business, and is at present agent for Watts' patent roofing and fire proof paint. 6 ~ ~....-13Nt _ _ \ r 4-niri .6l HISTORY OF WEST BAY CITY. This beautiful and prosperous city is the gem of the valley. Its famle is derived froml triumphs of unsurpassed energy and intelligent enterprise rather thanl froim time-honored associations or possessions having only historic value. In this busy Western land the hurrying crowd but seldom pause to finger simple land-marks, and pay but little heed to things that are lmere finger-boards pointing to the past. Tile market reports quote no value for " hallowed associations," and the traffic in relics is carried quietly on in dingy places aside fronm the noisy thoroughfares of commlerce. Whatever is or is to be awakens the liveliest interest, while that which is past and gone is deemed fit only to busy memory in anll idle hour. So runs the philosophy of the business world. The important part of West Bay City's history extends over a period of not more than twenty years, and is unfiavored with romance or legend. A review of its progress is interesting, however, as showing what may be accomplished by energy and enterprise when properly directed. West Bay City in 1883 has mlany attractive features and presents a truly metropolitan appearlanlce. It is admirably situated on the west bank of the Saginaw River, directly opposite Bay City, with which it is connected by a railroad bridge and two other bridges. The location hlas the advantage of desirable elevation, and affords many delightful sites for residences, particularly along the beautifully wooded ridge parallel to thle river. The four miles of river front, dotted with mills and docks, substantial business!blocks and public buildings, wide and impIroved streets, and attractive homes, are am1ong thle things that constitute the beauty and stability of the place. The present city of West Bay City was constituted by conlsolidating the two incorporated villages of Wenolla and Banks, and the unincorporated village of Salzburghl. Wenona, however, was the germl of West Bay City, and in reviewing the history of the three villages which became the constituent parts of West Bay City, tile reader may see what influences are lecessary to the growth and prosperity of a town. Iln the case of Wenona the location was the imost advantageous that could possibly have been selected. A strong foundatiol was laid in the establishment of a great industry by men who owned the territory and were possessed of (ample capital }land enterprise to encourage the )building up of a village. The character of the men who early settled in Wenona to take part in tie activitie., of the place, also had mluch to do with its prosperity. They were men of energy and good )business capacity, and possessing as well those qualities of personal character that ensured for the communruity a higll order of moral and social advantages. The controlling influences from the start were of a nature to induce enterprise in the direction of thrift, refinement and morality. These have found expression in tlhe public iand private improvements that hlave been made. In order to trace the p)rogress nmade at this point in sluch a way that tlhe reader may have a clear and correct utnderstanlding of its < (g-r history, it is necessary, first, to become familiar with the general career of each of the three villages merged into the city. Prior to 1877, the three villages already named maintained each a separate municipal existence. They were situated upon the west bank of the Saginaw River, and were connected by the great industries along its front. The first saw mill established on the west bank of the river was built by the Drake Brothers, in 1852. Others followed soon after, as will be seen by referring to the history of mills. Then followed the manufacture of salt; but these industries, while they were important factors in the manufacturing of Bay County, did not unite in building up a town. In the review that follows, a simple outline of the career of eachvillage is given, leaving the more m1inute details to be given ill connection with classified subjects. VILLAGE OF BANKS. This place was first named Bangor by Thomas Whitney, who came from Bangor, Me., and, in company with a Mr. Coit, built the first mlill onl that part of the river. That name was retained until the postoffice was established in 1865, when it was changed to Banks, there being another Bangor in the state. Since that time until it became a part of West Bay City, the name of the village was Banks, although it has been called by both names, and to this day but few people know the real facts connected with the change of name. The place was founded by Joseph Trombley, a well-known pioneer, and one of the oldest residents of Bay County. A history of Mr. Trombley's life is given in the early part of this work, in connection with incidents with which he was prominently identified. Mr. Trombley purchased 2,000 acres of land at that point, and gave his attention to it more or less after 1843, and about 1845 began to live there exclusively. Inl 1868 a gentleman gave a brief description of Banks, and recalled all incident of 1849. His sketch was published in a local paper, in February, 1868, and was as follows: " When oil a visit to what was then called Lower Saginaw, ill 184l9, we obtailled a canoe and paddle, taking along also a rifle, with the view of strolling upon the west side of the river. Having crossed, we walked down the stream about a mile, when we met an athletic, stalwart-looking mall. He appeared in the best vigor of early manhood. From his pronunciation we inferred that he was of French descent. Upon the river, near the opposite shore, there was swimming leisurely along a large water fowl, which, from the croaking noise it now and then uttered, we supposed to be a loon. Speaking to our newly-formed acquaintance, we said, ' Is that bird within reach of a shot?' 'I think so.' 'Well, take the gull and try.' He raised the rifle slowly to his shoulder, took ailm and fired. The head of the bird at once fell to the water. When broughlt to the l r -ON F \. A (e) k I - I I 166 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I shore it was found that the ball of the rifle had passed through the top of the head of the loon. That mnarkssman was Joseph Tromblevr, the founder of Bangor." The only house upon that side of the river then was a small white cottage, and occupied by Mr. Trombley. It was finished in August, 1848. The next settler was Benoit Trombley, who came there three years after, now a venerable old man. He has reared a large and intelligent family. "Francis DeFoe next succeeded him. He has been noted as a fisherman. " Joseph Trombley, as proprietor of the land, in 1851 had twentyfive acres platted into village lots. "The first mill was erected by Thomas Whitney, Esq., afterward elected senator from this district. The mill is low occupied by Taylor & Moulthrop. "Mr. Smith, of the firm of Moore, Smith & Co., built the second mill. And the third was built by MIr. George Lord, low known as the property of Johnson & Bolton. Salt works are now connected with these mills. Messrs. Leng & Bradfield also have salt works. "Near the village there is a ship-yard owned and superintended by Mr. Crosthwaite. At this yard, although but recently opened, there have been built some ten vessels for the lake trade. "In the place there are two taverns and four cooper shops. Much is done at the latter in the manufacture of barrels for the salt works. "The Messrs. Benson, and Lourim. & Bro., have good stores, in which a general assortment is kept. "The Methodist denomination have erected a church, andthere is a very good school maintained by the district. "The population of the village is about 600 souls. "4A number of the inhabitants are engaged in the fishing bvusiness, and some seasons, make it very profitable. During the last season there were soldi by Joseph Trombley, and those engaged with himn, fish to the amount of $15,000. "Village lots range in price fromt $150 to $500. "The land in. this vicinity is tillable and very productive." It is well known to some that the course of the Saginaw River has been greatly changed during the past fifty years, and it is pretty well established that, at an early day, the site upon which the village of Banks was built, was at one time in the channel of the river. But little was done aside from the milling interest until about 1862. Messrs. W. F. Benson and Lourim, & Bro., were among the earliest merchants. The postoffice was established in 1864, and W. F. Benson was the first postmaster. The first street improvements were made by Mr. Robert Leng, as highway commissioner. Inl 1864 Willia~m rosthwaite established a ship-yard, and the following year another was established by John A. Weed.,The salt block, owned by Luther Beckwith, A. G. Sinclair and Moore, Smith & Co., burned in November, 1866, involving a loss of about $16,000. BANKS IN 1869. The village of Banks was described early ill 1869, ads follows: "The village of Bangor is situated on the west side of the Saginaw River, a, little below the Bay City bridge, on Section Sixteen, in the Township of the same name, in Bay County; and is reached by means of steam ferry boats, which ply regularly during the season of navigation, between that place and Bay City. "It is a thriving place containing about 600 inhabitants, a large proportion of whom are of French descent, speaking that language and inheriting the contented, yet industrious, disposition of the race I - as observed inl their habits wlherever they have settledl o1 this colltinent. Its principal lusiness is the mlanufaAturing of salt and luinber. There are ill operation at the present time four salt blocks, and three saw nills, whicll are all doing well. Tlere is also a large dry dock and ship-yard, al good sized tannery, a coopers' shop, two boat bluilding establishments, a Methodist Church, a scllool-house ail excellent hotel, four groceries, and a fair representation of professors of law, physic and religion. The fish trade is an important interest also, giving employment nearly all the year round to over 100 men. One dealer here alone paid over $t;,000 freight on fish sent over the J. L. & S. R. R., since the opening of that road; and the growing demand for trout, pickerel, white fish and herring, still meets with prompt supplies at this poilt; so that its three great staples cannot fail to build upthe village shortly to the dimensiolls of a good sized town. - The history of Balngor, its origin, its growth, its prosperity and its struggles are all bound up il "The Life of Joseph Trombley" "In 1843 hebought Section sixteen of the Township of Balngor front the American government, platted it, and il 1846 erected his present dwelling tlleron-which was the beginning of Bangor village; the subsequent additions ill the way of dwellings were made mostly by those engaged in fishinlg. In 1852 the first mill was built, and within the next two years twio more made their appearance. These erections naturally called for more dwellings for theiir employes, and thei ce grew up a trading community into whicl the usual traders and trades established themselves, slowly and silently sharing the fortunes of Bay City, it thus progressed until the discovery of salt.,,Three hundred acres of land llave lately been platted, cleared, leveled and laid out into building lots, wllich are now offered in lots and blocks on reasonable terms. The water frontage is very extensive, anad if inducements are offered, it will no doubt soon be dotted with mills, salt blocks, warehouses and factories ill its entire length. For the manufacturing of salt this. point offers advantages over every other in the valley. Brine call be got- any where inl the nleighlborhood at a depth of front 400 to 800 feet, of a purer quality than any procured elsewhere. Let those who would see Bangor to the best advantage and enjoy the prospect leisurely, bie persuaded to reach it by way of Wenlona, following the highway through what might be aptly described as Druidic Nursery-with its thousands of oaklings, its cool Summzer vistas of light and shade, its green carpet and variegated roof, its mimic groves, and delightful seclusion from sunl, dust, heat, flies and disquiet generally. From W~enona, to Banigor village is a distan ce of about two miles, which affords the pleasantest drive or walk in tlle valley; the mnost inviting places for picnlics, and the pleasailtest spots for residences within view of Bay City. The place is mu-Lch indebted to nature, tlilt absenteeism llas helped her to preserve it in its primitive beaulty; and, if, while roving through the Sylvan Avenule, pedestrians are tempted to aid the feathered choir in their hyn-ns of praise, let the air b~e the appropriate one of "Woodman Spare that Tree," and if druid like they are invited by; the oaks to worship, let them pray that the absentees iiiay long be spared to spare thle dear green trees. WILLIAM CROSTHWAITE'S SHIP YARD AND DRY DOCK. This brancl of industry has been a great acquisition to Bay City and its locality. The enterprising proprietor came from Buffalo il 1864, and il September of the sanae year commenced operatiOllS il Bangor, which afforded good facilities for his trade. In Buffalo lie was long and favorably known in his line, and the lakes bear abunldalt evidences of his handicraft. Since lie came to this point he has floated from Ilis yard-where they were built by him I I i I 86 -1 I -9 id I L ~i i i~ i E i k i I x i p r i j I t_ tg r L a i r I 1 I i i i t IB I i f t: a r r ~ r f t~ r t i ~~la- 40 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 167 ____ several vessels of different sizes, among which were his namesake, a fore-and-aft schooner the " William Crostllhwaite," the threemasted vessel " John Kilderhouse,'" 500 tons; the tug " E. P. Dorr;" the canal boat "Charlie" and the "Amllerican Giant," a threemasted schooner. He has a saw mill connected with his trade, for sawing long oak, and a dry dock 180x40 feet, which he intends enlarging in view of the bar at the mouth of the river, by which vessels of the largest size can come to his dock and be repaired. His ship-yard cove-*s 8 acres of ground, and lie employs about 30 men. He has done a large amount of repairing since he established himself hlere, and turns out a good job every time. WEED S SHIP-YARD. JOHN A. WEED, the head of this young enterprise, came to Bangor ill July, 1865, and began boat building and repairing, in which he had done considerable. One of his feats was the lengthening of the schooner " John S. Minor" eighteen feet. He built the ferry boat "Ben Trudell," and the sail boat " Phil Sheridan;" and imany a craft now riding the waves in safety owes its "tight" character to the influence of Weed. He also turns out spars, booms, flagstaffs and bob-sleighs; when occasions offer, making himself generally useful in the commlunity. Mr. Weed resided in Bay City for a number of years, where he went in 1849. At first he was in the fishing business, then in the carriage building trade. He was the first to start a factory of that kind in Bay City, and was prosperous, when the fire of 1863 swept away his means. He is a nice, frank, industrious fellow, and we wish him prosperity, plenty and peace. SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. BENOIT TROMBLEY, of whom Judge Miller purchased the land where the Sixth ward of Bay City now is, died at his home below Banks in 1873, and at the time of his death was one of the oldest men in the State of Michigan. He was A brother of Leon Trombley, and was born in Detroit, March 31, 1781. His father was a Frenchman and his mother a Dutch woman. He came to Saginaw in 1831, and about two years afterward came to the vicinity of Lower Saginaw. After selling his land in Portsmoutih to Judge Miller, he bought a large tract of land below Banks, where lie resided until his death. His wife died about 1859. Until the last days of his life he was never sick, and had expended but fifty cents for a physician, except upon one occasion when his leg was broken by a fall from his horse. He reared a family of eight children, and left them considerable property. PETER C. SMITH, deceased, was a native of Scotland, but came to Canada with his parents when a mere child, remaining there until 1836, when he came to Port Huron, Mich., wilere, in 1838, he was married to Miss Sarah Cross, of that place. Six years after his arrival in Port Huron he removed to St. Clair, where he resided fourteen years, during which time he was generally engaged in millwright work. In 1854 he came to Saginaw County (now Bay), and built a saw mill in Bangor (now First ward in West Bay City), in which he was a partner, the style of the firm being Moore, Smith & Vose, which was subsequently changed to Moore & Smith, and in 1878, by the purchase of Mr. Moore's interest, to Peter Smith & Sons. The mill did a large and successful business in manufacturing both lumber and salt, the latter product having been added in 1864. Mr Smith took an active part in the management of the mill up to the time of his death, which occurred November 28, 1880, since which time his sons, C. J. Smith and H. J. Smith, have conducted the business under the firm name of Smith Bros. Mr. Smith was a successful business man, but a man of generous impulses and sterling integrity. His memory will be cherished by many friends. His widow still resides in West Bay City. Of their children, two sons are men tioned above; the other, P. C. Smith, is proprietor of the P. C. Smith Tug Line, and an only daughter is now Mrs. J. M. Kelton, of West Bay City. CAPT. GEORGE W. KING was born near London, Ontario, in 1830, and in 1843 removed to Detroit and worked in hotels for some time as office boy. His first experience in boating was on the "Fashion" as cabin boy, between Detroit and Port Huron. The next season he engaged on the "Hendrick Hudson, and for four or five years was on different boats. In 1850 lie married Julia Causeley, of XMooretown, Lambton Co., Ontario, and the same year commenced running a ferry from Mooretown to St. Clair, and two years thereafter built a small steamer, the "Traffic," which he used as a ferry till 1853, when he brought her to Saginaw and commenced towing logs and vessels, locating himself and family in Banks, where he has since resided. The captain has been on the Saginaw River for nineteen seasons, and during that time has owned at least a dozen boats, of which can be named the "Canada," "John Lathrop, " "Tiger, " "Hercules," "Haighlt, " " G. B. Dickson, " and " T. M. Moore." The captain is father of sixteen children, eleven of whomi are living. Four of his sons are boatmen, three of them masters and one an engineer, running with him. ROBERT LENG was born in 1811, in Cheshire, a county in the northwest of England, from whence he emigrated to the United States in 1848. Previous to coming to this country he was a salt manufacturer in his native country, among whose industries were the making of salt and the celebrated Cheshire cheese. After arriving in this country he lived for a time in Syracuse and Oswego N. Y., coming to Michigan in 1862, since when he has been a resident of the township of Bangor, and that part of it afterwards known as the village of Bangor, then Banks, and now a part of West Bay City. Mr. Leng was the senior member of the firm of Leng & Bradfield, who built a salt block in 1862 in Bangor. He has held a number of public positions. He was first president of the village of Banks several years; has been justice of the peace for the past sixteen years, and is now one of the superintendents of the poor for Bay County. He was married in 1849 to Miss Phoebe Ursula Tripp, of Broome, Sclloharie Co., N. Y. Their family consists of five children, four of whom were girls and one a boy, now living, all married and residents of Michigan. The other, the youngest, a boy, died in 1866. W. F. BENSON was born in Manchester, England, and is the son of Henrv Benson, of Bonotuss, New Windermere Lake. His mother was the daughter of John Wilcock, of Manchester. W. F. Benson was married inl853 to Ann Ellen Savage, of the same place. Six months after, lie emigrated to the United States, coming directly to Flint, this state, when his wife joined him two years afterwards. They remained in Flint several years, then moved to East Saginaw and stayed there three years; then they moved back to Flint on account of sickness of the family. Two years after that lie again moved to Bay City, where they remained two years, then he bought and built a general store in West Bay City, and has since continued in the business. Mr. Benson is one of the oldest merchants in Bay County, and the first shipper of fresh fish from that place to the leading cities of the United States. Before West Bay City was incorporated, he held the office of village trustee, and for several years was postmaster at Banks, and named the place after Genl. Banks. Mr. Benson had ten children, but only three sons are now living. CAPT. P. C. SMITH, proprietor of P. C. Smith's Tug Line, came to West Bay City in 1856, where he still resides, in the First Ward. In 1868 Mr. Smith purchased the "Ben Trudell," which he sailed - =-I F I ( —r 168 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. one season, when lhe sold her and bought tile steamer "Wayne," and engaged in towing logs till 1874, when she was burned. In the Spring of 1875 he purchased the tug "S. S. Rumage," and in. 1878, the "Little Ady," a blockade runner built on tile "Clyde, Scotland," which he renamllled the "Peter Smith,":iand in 1882, thle "Ellen M. Smith." Capt. Smith does a large business ill raft towing, having handled upward of 100,000,000 feet of logs the past season ill this vicinity, besides towing to Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo. His vessels and equipments are valued at $50.000 at a low estimate. JOHN M. KELTON, of the firm of J. M. Kelton & Co., general merchants, came to West Bay City in 1865, and for a number of years was with the Keystone Lumber & Salt Co., in charge of their woods department. In 1878 lie opened his present store, and a year later admlitted C. I. Christman as a partner. They are doing a large business and are the leading merchants of thle First Ward. HFENRY S. WALRATH was born in New York ill 1838, and followed farming witll his father until 1862 when lie came to Michigan and located at Saginaw, where lie worked ill saw mills two years, when lie came to West Bay City and engaged with Moore & Smith as filer and remained with themn seven years. He then engaged with the Keystone Mill and remained there until 1882, with the exception of three years he was inll the grocery business. He next engaged inll business with a steam carpet-beater and feather renovator, which he has lately sold to Setll Bournl. He was married to Annie J. Fraszer, also of New York. They have three children. J. HAYWOOD was born ill Dutchess Counlty, N. Y., April 10, 1823, and at Pittsford, near Rochlester, N. Y., did his first work, and afterward, at Rochester, was in the employ of Miles, Force & Barton, as engilneer. Inll the Spring of 1858 hle came to Michigan and engaged witfl V. A. Ripley & Co., of Bangor, with whom he remained one year, when lie entered the employ of Moore & Smith, staying with them seventeen years. For the past eight months lhe hlas beenll engaged at the Keystone Mill as engineer. He married Elizabeth Clark in 1858. Slhe is a native of Ireland. W. BEUTEL is a native of Prussia. In 1856 lie camle to New Baltimore, Mich., remaining two years, when hlie came to Bay City After a short residence there he removed to Banks, (now First Ward of West Bay City,) where he still resides. He worked in saw mills and at packing salt for fourteen years. About 1869 he engaged in fishing, in which business he has been quite successful, and still continues. He was married to Augusta Wolf, also a Prussian. They have a family of eight children, three of whom are SOnS. AARON WELLMAN was born inll Ontario, Canada, inll 1842; the son of George Wellman, who was a native of Vermont, born in 1772; moved to Canada in 1842, thence to St. Clair, Mich., in 1845, where hle resided until his death in 1857, at the advanced age of eighty-five. Aaron lived with his father to the time of his death, and soon after went to Lapeer, and engaged as sawyer in a mill three miles from Lapeer, and remained four years, thence to Bay County, Village of Bangor, in 1861. He sawed for McEwan two years, then engaged in salt-boiling for Leng & Bradfield one year. Since that time hlie has given his attention to buying and selling horses, cattle and real estate, occasionally attending to jobbing busi ness. He has held the office of street commissioner and of constable, also policeman of thle Third Ward, West Bay City. For the past two years he has been a member of the Board of Health. He married Miss Eliza Smith, of Ontario, then living at Bloomfield Junction, Tuscola County, in 1864. Has had six children, three sons an d three daughters, four of wholll are living. Mr. Wellman is pleasantly located, corner of Seventh and Waslington Streets, Third Ward, West Bay City. EPHRAIMI J. KELTON was born ill Salem Co., N. J. Came to Michigan in 1868, since which time he has been connected with the Keystone Salt and Lumber Company as a book-keeper. In 1870 he was one of the trustees, and in 1871 president of the village of Banks. In 1877-'79 he was an alderman for the First Ward of West Bay City, and also president oi the Board. He was married in 1871, to Mary Cminming. They have one child. C. S. FORD is a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y. Came to West BaIy City in 1865, and engaged with the Keystone Company as tally man. In 1870 lie made an engagement with H. Matthis as clerk in his clothing house, and after Mr. Matthis' death took charge of the store under Charles Miller, administrator. In November, 1876, Mr. Ford commenced business for himself in the Tschanner Building. He still continues in the clothing business. DARWIN BROWN is a native of Western, N. Y. In 1871 he came to West Bay City and engaged in the saw mill of Taylor & Moultlthrop, remaining with them eight years, when he entered the employ of Smith Bros., with whom he still continues as head sawyer, in their mill. Mr. Brown owns a farm in thie county, partially under cultivation. He married Sarah Leggett, of Wyoming, Lambton Co., Ont. They have five sons living, and have lost one child, a daulghter. I - EVANDER 13. GILKEY was born in Aroostook Co., Me., inll 1836. I His father having died when he was fifteen years of age, he remained and took charge of the homestead until he was thirty-five, when he came to Michigan and settled in the village of Bangor, now part of West Bay City, and in 1879 bought on State Street in the Second Ward of West Bay City, where he now resides. While a resident of Maine his principal business was farmning, but he devoted a portion of his time to lumbering. Since coming to West Bay City he has | followed jobbing under contract Summers and lumbering inll Winter, sometimes buying the stumpage and getting out and selling the logs. He married Miss Mary Tracy, in 1860, whose birthplace was New Brunswick, by whom he has had nine children, eight sons and one daughter. Seven sons are living. Mr. Gilkey is comlfortably situated for this world's goods, having a pleasant home and convenient surroundings, the results of a life of industry and economy. BANKS INCORPORATED. The village of Banks was incorporated by anll act of the Legislature, approved April 15, 1871, which act defined the boundaries as follows: -"That so much of the Township of Bangor, inll the County of Bay, and State of Michigan, as is embraced in the following described lands, to-wit: Commencing on the north bank of the Saginaw River, where the north and south quarter line of Section Fifteen, Town Fourteen north, of Range Five east strikes said river; thence north onl said quarter line to the northeast corner of the south half of the north half of the northwest quarter of said Section, thence west along the north line of said south half of north half of northwest quarter of said section to the west line of said section, and the northeast corner of the south half of the north half of nlortheast quarter of Section Sixteen inll said town; thence west along the north line of said south half of the north half of said northeast quarter of Section Sixteen, to the north and south quarter line of said Section Sixteen; thence south onl said quarter line to the Saginaw River; thence easterly along said river down stream to the place of beginning." "The village of Banks" was the corporate name specified in the act. Mr. Robert Leng was the first president of the village. In 1875 the charter of the village was amended by an act of t6 [.: I I I hX u: L 1:. Ar r-i ~ 0 a 0i:0: i a L-~ _ -:,~ I. - - It I I _ _I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 169 I~ the Legislature, creating new boundaries as follows:-"All of Sections Fifteen and Sixteen lying north and west of the Saginaw River, and the east half of the southwest quarter of Section Seventeen, all of said lands being in Town Fourteen north, of Range Five east are made and constituted a village corporate by the name and title of the village of Banks." The act was approved March 31, 1875. The charter was also amended ill some other particulars relating to the government of the village, one of which provided for the election of recorder, treasurer and assessor by the people, whereas they were theretofore appointed by the Board. The first election under the new charter was one of unusual interest on account of the election of the three officers named. There were three tickets in the field, but the contest waged especially warm only on the office of Assessor-the regular nominee finally coming out largely ahead. The following officers were elected. President-Fred W. Bradfield, no opposition. Recorder-John B. Pririer, Jr., forty majority. Assessor —Robert Leng, fifty-three majority. Treasurer-Bernard Lourim, no opposition. Trustees-John Brown, Peter Smith, Joseph Trombley; very little opposition. The next important event in the history of Banks was that by which its existence as an independent village was terminated, and it became the First Ward of West Bay City, in 1877. The people of Banks were enterprising, and in matters of improvements were not out-ranked by any village of equal size. The history of schools shows the degree of interest and enterprise exhibited in securing ample educational advantages. SALZBURGH. In 1862 Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, who owned a large amount of land on the west side of the river, platted a strip fronting on the river, and extending from the present line of the Twenty-third Street bridge, north to the section line. He named the place Salzburgh, after a great salt mine and resort of that name in Austria, and because of the salt excitement here at that time. The place never became an incorporated village, and the name was applied to that general location without reference to the platted tract. In 1862 Dr Fitzhugh built a salt block which he operated until about 1868. The first white inhabitant of that locality was Benjamin Cushway, the government blacksmith for the Indians, who came here about 1834 and built a log house a short distance north of where the Twenty-third Street bridge now is. The old house is standing yet, disguised in a covering of clap-boards. Just above were the Indian corn fields. In 1842, the late Capt. Solomon S. Stone and wife, arrived in a canoe, having made the trip around the lakes. He built a bark wigwam on the Indian corn fields, and lived there two or three years. At the end of that time he had made money enough, selling muskrat skins, to buy "Stone Island," where he lived until his death, which occurred in the Winter of 1883. Dr. Fitzhugh, Hill & Son, Johnson & Walsh and the Huron Salt & Lumber Co., were the early salt manufacturers of Salzburgh. The Laderach Brothers settled here in 1861, and built a stave mill and cooper shop. Their history is given as a part of the lumbering history. Jacob Laderach was the first school director of school district The Huron Salt & Lumber Company's.mill commenced running in 1864, and cut that season 1,800,000 feet of lumber.. Stone's mill commenced running in 1866, and cut that season 2,500,000 feet of lumber. In 1866 the salt blocks of C. C. Fitzhugh, Fisk & Clark, Chicago & Co., Huron Salt & Lumber Co., W. S. Tallman and H. P. Parmalee were credited to Salzburgh. All kettle blocks. The blocks of Tallman and Parmalee were not then in operation. In 1867 John Arnold & Co., and the Huron Salt & Lumber Co. were manufacturing lumber, and Jacob Laderach and M. A. & A. H. Root were manufacturing shingles. Laderach & Bro. afterward engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and have been the leading men of that locality to the present time. KOLB & WESTOVER. In 1870, the brewery now owned by the above named firm was started by Mr. George Kolb, one of the early settlers of Bangor. The operations of the gentlemen composing this firm have been as follows: GEORGE KOLB is a native of Germany, born in 1827, followed farming till 1852, when lie came to Amlerica and went to Fort Atkinson, where he resided two years. In 1854 he came to Bangor and worked in mills and on farms till 1870, when he opened a brewery in West Bay City, which he continued until his son Fred erick and his son-in-law Morris Westover, took the business which they are still running. Under Mr. Kolb's management the business increased from 500 barrels of beer per year to 6,000, and in the hands of Kolb & Westover to nearly 8,000. FREDERICK KOLB, soil of George Kolb, was born in Germany in 1850, and in 1852 came to America with his father, and has shared with him in trials, hardships and successes, and is to day a partner in the brewery above mentioned. Married Amelia Rosa, of West Bay City, in 1874; they have three children. MORRIS WESTOVER was born in Germany in 1849, and followed basket making in his native land until 1862, when he came to the United States and stopped in New York three years, during which time he learned shoe making, working at this trade Summers, and Winters attending the Mexico Academy, at Mexico, Oswego Co., N. Y., and afterward a course of instruction in Eastman's National Business College at Poughkeepsie. In 1865 removed to Detroit, Mich., where he worked at shoe making and basket making till 1867, when he came to Bay City, working for a time for the Jackson & Lansing Railroad, then returned to Detroit and worked in a harness shop two years. In 1869 came to Wenlona, and after working about one year at shoe making opened a shop for himself. From 1872 to 1876 drove the beer wagon for George Kolb, after which hlie was proprietor of Westover House, West Bay City, two years, when lie removed to Salzburgh and opened the Westover Hall, after which hlie entered into partnership with Fred Kolb in the brewery, where he still continues. Married Mary Kolb; they have six children. Has been highway commissioner of the Township of Bangor and is now supervisor of the Third Ward West Bay City. JOHN W. BABCOCK, born in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1831. His father moved to Washtenaw County, Mich., in 1835, with whom he remained until the age of twenty-one. In 1851 came to the Saginaw Valley through the woods, having only a compass to direct him, camping out alone three nights out of five. Reached Bay City in November. Came down the west side of the river to the bay, returned to the point where the village of St. Charles now stands, helped make the first clearing there. Spent the winter of '51 and '52 in Flushing, and returned to the Saginaw Valley in March. Engaged to work for Col. Raymond, of Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, during the Summer, and returned to Washtenaw I I I i' C,9 I PI L ii (a;.i No. 2 - 0 9 ) 2. ' -, -I ~~~~~~- - -- - L — k ar I - I i E 170 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 170 County in the Fall. Remained until September, 1853, and has lmade this place his home ever since. In 1858 jobbed on tlleh opening of the Bay City and Vassar road. From 1861 to 1866 jobbed on the Bay City, Au Sauble & Duncan State Road, which name was afterward changed to Au Sauble, Alpena & Duncan, having built 155 miles of said road. Drove the first team that traveled the entire distance from Duncan to Bay City. Received as a larger portion of his pay 72,000 acres of land. Located a part of it himself and sold the remainder of the script to parties to make their own location. During the three years following July, 1867, built for the General Government, a military wagon road from Ft. Howard, Wis., to Ft. Wilkins, Upper Peninsula, Mich. Distance 1781 miles. For which he received three sections of land per mile, or 348,060 acres. Bought the property known as the Huron Salt and Lumber Co., in April, 1868, consisting of saw mill, salt block, boarding house, tenement houses and sixty-five acres of land, having 120 rods river front on each side of the Salzburgh channel. Said company's stock was $100,000, for which Mr. Babcock gave 33,600 acres of the Wisconsin land. In 1873 took up his residence on said property, where he now lives. Exchanged 40,000 acres of the Wisconsin land for an improved farm of 800 acres, valued at $45,000, and stock thereon at $8,000, lying in the central part of Fond du Lac County. Commenced life depending on his muscle and will power, and has thus far continued in active labor. Worked for Mr. James Fraser, helped clear and grub a portion of Center St. Bay City. Married in 18.56 Miss Jane Ellis, of Clinton, Lenawee Co., who died in 1861. Married his present wife, Miss Helen N. Newton, of Oakland County, by whom lie has one son. JOHN ADAIM LIST was born in Frankenmiuth, Saginaw Co., Michdi., in 1847. Came to Salzburgh in 1870, and in 1876, in company with his wife, under the firm name of E. List & Co., opened a general store, and is doing a large business, keeping several clerks employed. Married Elizabeth Hubinger; they have one child, a daughter. THOMAS W. HASTINGS was born at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, and came to the United States in 1851. After living in Chicago until 1861 he removed to Zilwaukee, Saginaw Co., and was manager of the Western Salt Company's works. He was also well known in the valley as "Mayor" of the last named village. In 1868 he was superintendent and book-keeper at Brooks & Adams' Salt Works at Salzburgh now Third Ward of West Bay City, where he remained until 1875. From that time until 1879, he was engaged in various pursuits, when he accepted the position of general manager of the log and lumber business of Mosher & Fisher, who are among the heaviest operators in that line in Michigan. Mr. H. has been married twice, his present wife being Miss Lucretia Lawrence, of Ottawa, Ill., marrying her in the fall of 1882. FREDERICK NEUMANN, born in Huron County, Mich., in 1859. Son of Charles Neumann, of German birth, who came to Huron County, Mich., in 1856, bought land and remained ten years in that county. Devoted his attention to stock raising, for which he found in the new country a ready market. In 1866 sold out and came to Salzburgh, now West Bay City, bought land and elected a residence, where he remained until his accidental death by drowning in the Saginaw river in July, 1880. He married Miss Rosena Patsold, of German birth, by whom he had six children, two sons and one daughter of whom are living. Frederick is the youngest son, twenty-three years old, has secured the advantages of a good English education, studied law and at the age of twenty-one was elected Justice of the Peace of the Third Ward, West Bay City, the duties of which office he has performed satisfactorily to the present time. Is also carrying on the grocery business successfully, assisted by his sister as clerk. In 1868 tile postoffice was established, as mentioned in connection with the postoffice of West Bay City. In 1875 an effort was made to extend the 'boundaries of Wenona so as to include Salzburgh, but it was successfully opposed. VILLAGE OF WENONA. Prior to 1864 the only thing to attract the attention of a visitor to the west shore of the Saginaw River, opposite Bay City, was a beautiful grove of oaks, interspersed with pine. The oak trees resembled in size and appearance those of oak openings more common in the southern part of the State. The ground had a regular ascent from the river, and when covered with Summer's verdure and the cooling shade of the trees, a pleasing landscape was presented and the site appeared an unusually desirable one for dwellings. For a long time the bark wigwams of a few Indians who dame from the interior to trade, erected occasionally and suddenly removed, were the only signs of dwelling that marked the spot. Subsequently, John Hays, more commonly known as Jack Hays, made a home for himself and family immediately upon the bank of the river. His chief business was to superintend the only scow that was available for crossing the river with horse or team, and to furnish refreshment for the weary traveler, or for those who grew dry while making the voyage from the east to the west shore of the Saginaw. He was a jolly fellow. All who expected to reach Midland City, by the trail through the woods crossed here, and if perchance on the return, night should overtake them, they were glad to find lodging for their horses till the morning trip of the scow, while they sought home by the aid of the canoe. The next house built was that of George King, who erected a pleasant cottage upon the edge of the grove. In the year 1860, a donation of a lot was made by the owner of the land for school purposes. A neat little house was built and the pupils from the entire township of Bangor assembled there for instruction. The same house was used for many years as the poll of elections for that township. A little distance back from the river were the Chillson, Sayles and Pierce farms, and to the north was the Drake saw mill, built in 1852. Messrs. Sage, McGraw & Co., residents of New York, had carried on large operations in lumbering in Canada, near Lake Simcoe, but in 1863 determined to acquire a good location for the same business in the Saginaw Valley. Mr. H. W. Sage visited Bay City in 1860, and also each of the two years following for the purpose of purchasing a mill site, but was unable to effect negotiations. The property was in charge of Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, and owned in part by Mrs. Elizabeth P. Birney. In 1863, at the solicitation of the late James Fraser, Mr. Sage again came to Bay City, and after a short interview with Dr. Fitzhugh, the terms of purchase were agreed upon, and in January, 1864, the deed was executed. The entire purchase covered 116 acres of ground, for which the firm of Sage & McGraw paid $21,000. The design of Messrs Sage & McGraw at that time was merely to obtain a good site for their mill, and for the dwellings of those I necessarily connected with it. During the Spring of 1864 they commenced their improvements, and erected a mill, said at the time to have been the largest in the world and was known as the "Big Mill." The extent of the enterprise brought the place suddenly into notice and was the means of its immediate prosperity. The description and product of this mill is given elsewhere in this work. It commenced running in May, 1865. At the time improvements were begun, the line of river I! — I i) ( l\ 17 1 _ --- I ' - - - I i (4 i I i I I i I I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 171 front was just west of where the mill office was built and nearly up X to where the railroad track now crosses Midland Street. The mill was built on piles driven in the water. A store was built on the high ground, which is still standing on the opposite corner from Sage & Co's brick block. It was eonsidered quite a mamllmth structure when built. Mr. Sage purchased 300,000 feet of lumber at Saginaw to use in the construction of the nmill and store, and six weeks were required to get it to this point. About the same amount was taken from the land purllhased by the firm. About the time of beginning work on the mill the ground was platted and laid out into village lots, all of wThich were offered for sale at $200 each, allowing purchasers to select as they liked. The place was first named Lake City, but upon applying for a postoffice it was found that there was another postoffice of that name, and it was necessary to select another. M1r. McGraw and wife and Mr. Sage and wife were here together and they decided upon the name Welnona, ain Indian word of: ignification unknown to the writer. They also designated the streets, with the exception of River and Midland, by their family names. The firm of Sage & McGraw continued luntil 1868, when Mr. Sage purchased Mr. McGraw's interest, and took his two sons into colpany with himn. Since that time the firm has been H. W. Sage & Co. A brief outline of the life of the man who has done so much to bring Bay City into existence will be of interest in this connection. HENRY W. SAGE was born in Middletown, Conn., JLlnuary 31, 1814. His father was a mlanufacturer, and in 1827 remloved to Itlhaca, N. Y. Thle sublject of this sketch received the advantages of a llberal education, and began the study of medicine, intending to make that profession his life pursuit. After pursuing his studies a short time his health failed and he was obliged to give up study. He then engaged in the mercantile business at Ithaca. He remained there several years and then removed to New York, where he lived most of the time until 1880, when hlie returned to Ithaca, whichll place has since been his home. As early as 1845 Mr. Sage began to acquire interests in Miclligan pine lands, but his most extensive purchases were about 1862. He was about the first to ship lumber from the Saginaw Valley to Albany, N. Y. As early as 1847 he visited Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, and some incidents colnnected with that visit are given in the early history of the place. For a number of years Mr. Sage was in poor health. Possessed of ample fortune he retired from active business and was all invalid until told by his physician that an active life was necessary-to his health and happiness. Acting upon that advice, he gave his attention again to business affairs and experienced a speedy and lasting cure. For twenty years he has visited Wenona and Bay City ten or twelve times a year, and still looks upon these visits as the most enjoyable part of his life. Mr. Sage has for many years occupied a high position in financial circles, his fortune long ago having exceeded the amount requisite to constitute a millionaire. In 1872 he built a college for women at Ithaca, Which institution bears his name. His connection with Wenona appears at nearly every step of progress at this point. Although nearly seventy years of age he is vigorous and robust, and but for whitened hair and beard would exhibit no signs of age. He has done a great deal for West Bay City, but the crowning act of his liberality is the magnificent public library mentioned elsewhere in this work. In the earlv days of Wenona, every putblic enterprise of advantage to the place received his liberal encouragement. But in the latitude of this work we are more directly concerned in movements affecting Bay Counlty, and in this particular connection with thle beginning of WVenona. His interest in the welfare of WVest Bay City is as lively now as when he was encouraging the developlment of the village of Wellona. The work of 1864 was preliminary, but so much was accomplished that when the luill started in the Spring of 1865, the general development of the place progressed rapidly. Village lots were in good demand and numerous enterprises were springing up. During 1865 business began in earnliest. A telegraph office and postoffice were established, the Presbyterian Church built and the village was connected with Bay City by the Third Street bridge. A general spirit of enterprise prevailed and the growth of the place wvas so rapid that byv 1866 the people felt that they were entitled to corporate privileges. About this time the planking of the Midland road by the County was of great benefit to the site. Not less so was the road constructed by the State, from East Saginaw to the samle point and nprthward by the avails of a swamp lands appropriation by the Legislature. I I IS1 I If i IS juS::J I0 (I ORGANIZATION. The Village of Wenlona was incorporated by the Board of Supervisors at a meeting of that body held in May, 1866, wthenl a resolution was adopted as follows: " TTWXereals, an application has been mllacle to this Board by the parties interested to incorporate the Village of Wenona, in this County, in accordance with an Act of Legislature entitled "An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Villages," approved Feb. 17, 1857, and WTllereas, it appears that such parties have complied with the provisions of said act in every respect, and no oppositionl having been made thereto, therefore be it Ilesolaced, That said application be grantec! and that the following described territory be, and the same is hereby an incorporated Village, to be hereafter known as the Village of Wenona, to-wit: The east half of the southwest quarter and southeast quarter of the northwest quarter, and southwest quarter of the northeast quarter, and lots one, two and three, all in Section Twenty, Town Fourteen north, Rangre Five east, and be it further Reisolredt, That the first election in said Village shall be held on the first day of June lnext, at the schoolhouse, in School District No. 1, in said Village, and C. F. Corbin, J. B. Ostrander and AV. D. Cllambers act as inspectors at such election." The first election was held Friday, Jule 1st, and the following officers elected: President, Newcomb Clark; Trustees, John G. Emery, William D. Chambers, Martin Brocli, Lafayette Roundsville, Marcellus Faxon, Wm. CT. Ferguson; Clerk, Harrison H. Wheeler; Assessors, John G. Sweeney, Jamles A. McKnight; Street Commissioners, Wilson 0. Craft, Hiram C. Allard, Ainzworth T. Russell; Fire Wardens, William Swart, Ainzworth T. Russell, John H. Burt; Treasurer, Davic G. Arnold; IMarshal, A. T. Russell; Poulnd Master, John B. Ostrander. Tile LJegislature of 1867 granted the village a charter, and the first election llunder the village charter was held on the second of April, 1867. The officers elected were: -President, David G. Arnold; Recorder, Newcombl Clark; Treasullrelr, George A. Alien; Assessor, James A. McKnight; Trustees, John G. Emery, Martin W. Brock, Carlos E. Root, Wilson 0. Craft, Lafayette Roundsville and Harrison H. Wheeler. We append a brief lpersonal sketch of Mr. Clarkl, the first Village President of Wenlona. HON. NEWCOMIB CLARK Twas born in 1840 in Sullivan County, N. Y. When but a year old his parents mloved to Michigan, where they settled on a farm in Oxford, Oakland Co. He received his education at the academies in Oxford and Clarkston. In 1858 lhe went South, and taught school in Mississippi. He relllmained in that State until the rebellion broke out, colming North in August, 1861. Shortly after cominlg back he enlisted in the Fourteenth MIichigan Infantry, and at thle time hle left it held the position of second lieutenant. He was transferred to the One Hundred and second Regrinient of United States colored troops, with the ralnk of -r G PI 17 - 0. I- - \- v y 1L _K _ _4 6 e }, j -As 172 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. | I I Major. He served until the close of the war, and upon retiring from the service ranked as lieutenant colonel. He came to West Bay City (then Wenona) in the fall of 1865. When the village was incorporated the work of preparing the charter was principally done by Mr. Clark. At the first election, in 1866, he was elected President of the village, and afterward held the offices of assessor and recorder. He also held the office of postmaster from 1866 till 1870. In the Fall of 1882 he was elected member of the State Legislature for the Second District of Bay County. After retiring from the postoffice he engaged in the insurance business. From 1875 till 1879 he was special agent for the British, American and Manhattan Insurance Companies, and is now a member of the firm of Knaggs, Clark & Plum, real estate dealers and insurance agents. In 1867 he was married to Miss Ellen Chambers, of West Bay City. The first brick building in Wenona was put up by Mr. Clark in 1867. It was destroyed by fire in 1872. Mr. Clark has a strong hold upon the confidence of the-people of Bay County in general, and West Bay City in particular. He is a gentleman of fine social qualities, and as a citizen of West Bay City has done much to advance its interests. It is such men that have made West Bay City what it is to-day. In the Winter of 1875 the boundaries were slightly changed, so as to take in the southeast one quarter of Section Seventeen. An effort was made to extend the boundaries on the south, so as to take in Salzburgh, but that met with so much opposition that it was unsuccessful. OFFICERS OF WENONA. The following are the names of village officers for the several years: 1866. President, Newcomb Clark; Clerk, H. H. Wheeler; Treasurer, David G. Arnold; Trustees, John G. Emery, William D. Chambers, Martin Brock, L. Roundsville, M. Faxon, W. G. Ferguson. 1867. President, David G. Arnold; Recorder, Newcomb Clark; Treasurer, George A. Alien; Trustees, John G. Emery, M. W. Brock, C. E. Root, W. O. Craft, L. Roundsville, H. H. Wheeler. 1868. President, H. H. Wheeler; Recorder, C. P. Black; Trustees, John G. Emery, W. O. Craft, J. B. Ostrander, W. D. Chambers, L. Roundsville, M. W. Brock. 1869. President, David G. Arnold; Recorder, N. Clark; Trustees, L. Roundsville, C. W. Rounds, W. F. Hicks, M. W. Brock, C. P. Black, W. O. Craft. 1870. President, E. T. Carrington; Recorder, O. J. Root; Trustees, S. A. Plummer, George A. Allen, C. F. Corbin, D. G. Arnold, M. W. Brock, J. A. McKnight. 1871 President, C. F. Corbin; Recorder, E. C. Haviland; Trustees, W. F. Hicks, S. A. Plummer, A. Agen, R. Stringer, W. M. Green, O. J, Root. 1872. President, L. Roundsville; Recorder, N. Clark; Trustees, S. A. Plummer, W. M. Green, P. Irwin, William Moots, George Keisel, George A. Allen. 1873. President, S. A. Plummer; Recorder, T. P. Hawkins; Trustees, J. A. McKnight, W. M. Green, George G. Van Aistine, William Moots, P. Irwin, George Harmon. 1874. President, D. G. Arnold; recorder, C. F. Corbin; trustees, E. T. Carrington, A. S. Nichols, George G. Van Alstine, W. E. Lewis, Alexander Laroche, T. P. Hawkins. 1875. President, J. A. McKnight; recorders, A. S. Nichols, E.- S. VanLiew; trustees, Perry Phelps, E. T. Carrington, R. H. Chase, W. E. Lewis, A. Larocbe, T. P. Hawkins. 1876. President, George Washington; recorder, E. S. Van Liew; trustees, J. A. McKnight, Perry Phelps, D. G. Arnold, John G. Keisel, S. A. Plummer, Benjamin Pierce. EARLY PIONEERS. The following sketches are of two pioneers of Bay County, and also of Wenona. There are but few older residents of the county than Capt. Pierce, and few men are better known. Up the shore a man who doesn't know Uncle Ben Pierce is looked upon with feelings of mingled suspicion and pity. CAPT. BENJAMIN F. PIERCE Was born in 1814, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. He came to Lower Saginaw (now Bay City) in 1839, and in 1846 built the second warehouse in the place. It stood on the bank of the river, near where the present bridge crosses from the foot of Third Street to Midland Street, West Bay City, and engaged in general trade. In 1858 he removed to the West Side and has since then been a resident of what was then in the township of Bangor and is now the Second Ward of West Bay City. Previous to locating on the West Side, he was for a time at Au Sable, where he kept a general store, trading with the Indians and fishermen. While at Au Sable he also built quite a number of the boats used by the fishermen. Capt. Pierce has been more or less of a fisherman and sailor during his life. He brought on the schooner "Julia Smith," from Saginaw, and the first two stationary steam engines that ever came into this section of the country. One was put in a mill which stood where C. E. Lewis's now is, and the other was taken to Saginaw City. IHe is now engaged in farming and looking after his real estate interests. There were five brothers of the Pierce family who were among the early settlers on this river. Benjamin F., above mentioned; Charles, who also lives in West Bay City; Cyrene, at Au Sable; Joshua, in Detroit, and Daniel M. in Bay City. Benjamlin F. Pierce was married to Miss Jeannette R. Weaver, of Erie Co., N. Y., in 1853, and they have had five children, three of whom are living, viz.:-Curtis E., a promising young lawyer; Nettie, now the wife of John S. Taylor, Jr.; and Kaddie, who lives at home with her father and mother. The only office Mr. Pierce ever held was that of the first clerk of the township of Hampton, then in Saginaw County, at that time the-only organiz, d township between here and Alpena. Capt. Pierce was also extensively interested at Au Sable at an early day, in fact was a pioneer of that place, having erected some of the first buildings there. He has sold his buildings from time to time, but still retains real estate interests in the village. As elsewhere stated in this work, Capt. Pierce brought the tug "Lathrop" here, the first tug that was ever brought here. The captain is one of the very few remaining early pioneers of this region. An excellent view of Capt. Pierce's residence, together with a portrait of himself, appears in this work. CALVIN' CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CHILLSON. deceased, was born in the township of Ticonderoga, Essex Co., N. Y., in the year 1812. His father, with his young bride, had some years previous come from Vermont and settled, the first one, upon a hill which to the present day bears the name of Chillson Hill. Here their numerous 4,2- - w - >:- - _L _.., :: I i:f l; }g in l '! > 00 IZ co I - a) n 3: rJ LL. 1l. m q U. UL QQ oi Q ch i? ooI '~~' s t ~ ~ -' ~ =s._ _ . —.! ), I~ J e -4 I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 173 family, numbering sixteen children, was born, received their long names, which did not impede their growth, and from here went forth, as they grew up, to all parts of our broad land. In the town of Breadport, Vermont, lived Benjamin Moore. His dwelling stood on one of the beautiful hill slopes that sweep down to the waters of Lake Champlain. Here the ninth of his large family of children was born, on St. Patrick's Day, in the year 1814. As was the fashion at that time, they gave the baby a long sonorous name, calling her Elizabeth Ovanda Jane Moore. In course of time, Cupid in wandering about, whether by design or not, sent his arrows flying direct to the hearts of the young manil and maiden. As a natural result they were married April 5, 1834, in Ticonderoga. Mr. Chillson's life had until then been spent in the region rendered famous by the adventures of Gen. Putnam with the Indians. One of the most beautiful of mountain streams waters this region. By its banks and in its adjacent dells, occurred some of the most thrilling adventures of the general. Hence the stream is called Putnam's Creek. In this brook the subject of our sketch was baptized by immersion when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Believing that the West offered great opportunities to the young and able, he took his few household goods, and with his wife came by way of Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence onward to the almost unknown wilds of Michigan, reaching the state sometime in September, 1836. A short stay at Belle River convinced him that he did not wish to remain there, so he moved to Flushing, Genesee County. Here tney were often entertained by the music of howling wolves, their wild concerts being varied by the more hideous music of the savage Indians who came from time to time to hold their pow-wows a few rods from their dwelling. In this home were born their two daughters, all the children they had. Cornelia was born October 14, 1843; Caroline June 13, 1846. During these years Mr. Chillson was trying to be a farmer. He had cleared and improved some acres, and had a good home well begun; but agricultural pursuits were not at all to his taste, and hearing of the great lumber region of Saginaw Valley, which was just being opened, he came to Lower Saginaw prospecting, in the year 1849. As a result he returned, packed his goods and looked around for the best means of conveying them to Saginaw. At this time a merchant named Clark occasionally sent various products to the valley. His way of doing this was to build a rude square boat, load it with produce, and taking advantage of high water float the cumbersome thling down the Flint and Saginaw Rivers. Here was Mr. Chillson's opportunity. He with his family and household effects embarked in the early Spring for their future home. Passengers and crew named the boat "The Ark," and with the aid of the current and long poles this Noahchian party made a journey of some sixty miles. Many a snag was only just safely passed, and they narrowly escaped serious damage by the falling of a burning tree into the stream just behind them. One night severe cold came on, when thle carpets, bedding and every available article on "Ark" board was called into requisition to keep crew and passengers, especially Mr. Chillson's two small children, warm. The journey over at length, Mr. Chillson bought a house and some lots on what is now Water Street, Bay City. They were between First and Second Streets. Establishing his family here, he found employment in one of the mills, a business more congenial to him than farming. He was a keen-sighted, good business man, and if hlie had had a little capital to start with would have laid the foundation for a very large fortune. The prosperity and future greatness of Bay City seemed to be as plain to his mental vision, as now in the fulfillment of his predictions years after his decease. He was one of the first in helping to establish the first Methodist Church organization in Bay City, and for years acted in i;he capacity of class leader. He was as fully alive in temperance work as in religious affairs. Like every sea-port town, Lower Saginaw was cursed with the rum traffic, which among the rough hordes gathering in such places, causes a wretched state of affairs, unknown in quiet inland towns. Good laws were on the statute books but Lower Saginaw lacked sufficient good public opinion to enforce them. Mr. Chillson was elected justice of the peace, and, assisted by Rev. P. 0. Johnson, then missionary among the Indians settled along the Kawkawlin River, sought to enforce the law forbidding the selling of intoxicating drinks to the red men. The long lines of Indians and squaws sometimes twenty at once, issuing from the saloons and reeling and screaming through the streets, was a matter of extreme annoyance to the order-loving class of citizens. Yet while many wished for better things, scarcely one, save these two, dared stand forth opposed to the whisky sentiment and demand compliance with the law. For many months these two did the best they could; at length Rev. Johnson moved away. About this time Mr. Chillson was taken seriously ill. Just before night, one day during his illness, he was moved from the apartment in which he had been hitherto into another room. No noise disturbed the household, yet the next morning revealed the fact that the windows of his abandoned room were broken, while several stones were lying on the floor in such places as to indicate that if the invalid had been there he would have suffered martyrdom for his temperance principles. About this time, Mrs. Chillson was one afternoon walking from her door down the path to the gate. A man from a neighboring saloon came forth with a gun in his hand. He aimed toward Mrs. Chillson. She, realizing that flight would be useless, continued slowly advancing. The miscreant turned the gun a little to one side and fired, the ball wlizzing uncomfortably near her head. Mr. Chillson could endure persecution when directed to himself, but would no longer endanger his family. After several years' residence in Bay City, he sold his property there, and with part of the proceeds purchased forty acres on the West Side. This piece of land was owned by a Mormon named Smith, who wished to move to some place where other Mormnons lived. Mr. Chillson paid him;$450 for the forty acres. Now it forms part of West Bay City, and many fine residences are built upon it. Tramping through the woods with compass and line for his guide, Mr. Chillson looked over the neighboring wild lands quite thoroughly. A road was talked of being put through to Midland. He purchased a half of Section twenty in Town Fourteen North, of Range Five east, saying that if ever a road was put through to Midland it would follow the quarter section line, dividing his purchase in halves. Others contended that the road would follow the section line north of this. After years proved the wisdom of his choice, the present road following the very line he indicated. Becoming weary of farm life again, Mr.. Chillson rented his farm and purchased a sash and blind factory located on the river bank just above Center Street, in Bay City. This was afterward sold to Thomas Carney, Jr., and during his ownership was destroyed in the first extensive conflagration that visited Bay City. In all public enterprises Mr. Chillson used his time, means and influence as far as he was able, but now for him life was nearly over. r — I — b I -4 % I r-7_ ^s~ —r ] lI I 174 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. To his family he had often remarked: ( Bay City will some day be a large city. You will live to see it, but I shall not." Now good roads led out of Bay City, railroads were tallied of, regular passenger boats came from and went to various ports, a bridge across the river was commenced, and H. W. Sage had begun his great mill. Four days Mr. Chillson worked about the beginning of this mill, then returned to his home, one March night, feeling ill. This was in 1864. He lingered in suffering and pain until the 3d of May; then, as the sun was setting brilliantly in the west, he closed his eyes to earthly scenes forever, leaving behind remembrances of a noble character, unsullied reputation, and a name from friend and foe alike cf being an honest man. In all the struggles of life Mrs. Chillson had been a friend and helpmeet for her husband. Now she was left to bear the burdens of a state of affairs financially appearing very unpropitious. Endowed with a remarkable business capacity and sound judgment, she brought order out of chaos, and now, at the age of near sixty-nine, manages her estate with good success. She believes that we each have a mission in life. Her labor of love seems to be the caring for homeless children. Besides bringing up her own two, she has adopted four others, and has kept in her home, giving them all the privileges of her own children, for a period of from one to four years, thirteen other children. At the present writing three of these remain with her, while others have found good and profitable ways of earning their own living. Mrs. Chillson, in the year 1870, married Alexander Terbosh, a pioneer of Genesee County, and at the present time they reside on a farm one mile west of West Bay City. WILLIAM MOOTS was born in the year 1840 in Langensalza a city in Prussia. When he was eight years old, with his parents and the other members of the family, he came to America, and, after a few changes of residence, settled il Lansing, Mich. Upon reaching his majority, having learned the trade of a tinsmith, lie, with Paul Ruppf, commenced business together, opening a small hardware store. Convinced that there were better business places than Lansing, they began looking around the Michigan towns, and at last moved their little stock of hardware into a small wooden store in the then village of Wenona. It was the first hardware store in the place. Mr. Moots was not wrong in his opinions about the growth of the place. Not a great while elapsed before he purchased a lot on Midland Street, and he, with Mr. Charles Babo, built the first brick block erected in West Bay City. Into this building he moved his stock, where he remained until purchasing the block now known as Moots' Block, on the corner of Midland and Linn Streets. William Moots was a public spirited man, remarkably far-seeing in business, and using his utmost endeavors for everything calculated to benefit the city of his choice. He came to West Bay City in the year 1867, was married to Cornelia M. Chillson in April, 1870, and passed away from earth December 26, 188e, leaving his wife and little daughlter to miourn his departure. THE YEAR 1867 Was an important one in many respects, and was, in a certain sense, a kind of formulative period. The building of the new school-house, mentioned at length elsewhere, was an event of considerable interest and significance. The first serious fire occurred this year, and the first brick store was erected. The railroad was completed, an event which gave shape to the future of Wenona. We give herewith some of the general occurrences of the year 1867 not mentioned elsewhere, in connection with the dates upon which they were recorded. JANUARY 19- The firm of Moore & Chapman has dissolved, Franklin Moore retiring fromn it. The business will be continued by Alexander Chapman, with Mrs. E. O. J. Chillson as a special partner. Messrs. Sage, MASGraw & Co. are going to cut a canal through the middle ground from the west to the main clannel, where they will erect a dock and warehouse. The same firm intend to put up a shingle mill this Winter. JANUARY 26-Dr. I. E. Randall, formerly of Saratoga Co., N. Y., has located here for the purpose of practicing his profession. The whislkey question has been much agitated for the last few davs. One saloon keeper of the village, was brought before justice U. A. Ladd on Saturday last, and fined $10 and costs for selling intoxicating liquor. The citizens are determined to put down the traffic in Wenona, and those who refuse to discontinue selling will have an opportunity of testing the law, as the temperance people are in earnest, and intend to ascertain whether the prohibitory law is worth anything or not. The big mill started on Tuesday, the 22d, instant, and is doing a good business for Winter sawing. H. H. Wheeler has resigned the clerkship of the village in order to enter upon his duties as county clerk. Mr. A. Allen has been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Wheeler. The excellent sleighing has caused a great increase of business on the Midland road passing throiuh Wenona. Over 1,000 teams passed the toll gate during the week ending January 19th. The immense quantities of logs, ship timber, staves, fire wood, etc., on the line of this road gives employment to a large number of men and horses. FEBRUARY 16-A donation will be held at the residence of Rev. A. C. Shaw, for his benefit, on the evening of Thursday the 21st, instant. The sapper will consist of oysters and such other good things as the generous ladie? of Wenona may in their liberality and linow'ledge of the tastes of the public see fit to provide. Mr. N. Clark, wa3 sent as a delegate to Lansing last week by the Board cf Tirstees, with a petition for a special charter for the village of Wenonea, the present one not conferring sufficient power to enable the Board and officers to govern the village in as efficient a manner as its citizens desire, and as the public good demands. The petition and charter were placed in the hands of the Hon. N. B. Bradley. The difficulty between the School Board and the Good Templars has been amicably addjlsted. The keeper of the saloon who was prosecuted and fined, a few weeks since, for selling liquor in violation of the state prohibitory law, has left. Another individual has taken his place who declares lie will sell in defiance of those who are opposed to the traffic. If the citizens maintain their resolve to enforce the prohibitory law, he will occasionally find it necessary to disburse a few stamps for the benefit of the county treasurer. In order to carry on his business he will need funds to meet these sort of incidental expenses. MARCH 2-A donation for the benefit of the Rev. D. B. Campbell, will be held at his residence, on next Tuesday evening, March 5th; all are invited. Refreshments will be provided. It is to be hoped that the worthy gentleman may be the recipient of a liberal sunm. "Railroad on the Brain" hlas broken out here to a considerable extent, but as yet there have been no fatal cases reported. The disease is contagious, and in a few days spread throughout the community. There is very little abatement yet, although there are a few individuals who are considered convalescent. The village board has granted tle rilghlt of way through the corporation, in case we ~r+ - - -I 1-1 -_ 4 Gt. it l lIL 1 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 175 get a road on our side of the river firsts The Wellona people feel get a road on our side of the river firstk The Wenona people feel disposed to act magnanimously toward the Bay City folks, -by allowing them to come over to our side and take the cars for East Saginaw on our railroad whenever they wish to travel in that direction. It is also proposed should Bay City at some future period apply to Wenona to be annexed, that the application be granted. The firm of Clark & Allen has dissolved. The business will be carried on by Messrs. Alien & Hicks, who have formed a co-partnership. MARCH 16 — N. Clark has commenced the foundation of a new store on Midland Street, it is to be of brick, and two stories high. It will be the first brick store in Wenona, M. & H. Bunnell are about to erect a building 35x75 feet, and two stories high, to be used as a hotel. APRIL 6-Repairs and improvements are being rapidly pushed forward in the big mill with a view of starting in a few days. It is very dull times ill Wenona, in consequence of the mill being idle so long. A few nights since, some person whose propensity for unsurpassed meanness is largely developed, hacked and pulled up by the roots five maple shade trees in tront of the residence of Dr. Chase. Whoever did it has earned the execration of the law abiding citizens, and if found cut will find a serious joke. MAY 11-Sage, McGraw & Co's mill started on April 20th, and has cut onl an average 125,000 feet per day since then. The increase over last year's average is due to improvements made during the past Winter under the direction of Mr. J. G. Enmery. Miss Jewell hlas opened a millinery store on the corner of Midland and Henry Streets. A very fine stock of goods is displayed, and the ladies of Wenona will be able to supply their wants in this line nearer at home than formerly. The Railroad Company have decided to lay the track on Henry Street, which has given much dissatisfaction to the property holders on it, and a protest against it is being talked of by them. Mr. R. H. Rich, from Bangor, has rented Sage, McGraw & Co's boarding house, and in addition to regular boarders will accommlodate transient customers. A donation party was held at Johnson & Bolton's boarding house in Bangor, on Thursday eveninij, the 9th, and the sum of about $50 was realized for the benefit of the Rev. A. C. Shaw. OCTOBER 12-A young man named Henry G. Williston was drowned near Sage, McGraw & Co's warehouse, about 12 o'clock on Friday night, the 4th instant. He and Mr. C. E. Root, his brotherin-law, were engaged ill moving a scow down stream, in order to enable the steamer "Emerald" to come up to the dock. It being quite dark at the time, he accidentally fell overboard, and the scow is supposed to have passed over him. He was heard to shriek as he went over, and althoulgh assistance was promptly on hand they were not able to find him. The body was found on the following day near the bridge. An inquest was held on it by Justice Clark and the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the foregoing facts. He was buried on Sunday, the 6th instant. Deceased was formerly from Turin, N. Y. The injunction served on the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad Company, by L. Davenport, to prevent them from laying a track through Henry Street, has not as yet been raised. A proposition has been made by certain parties in conjunction with the village council to plank the street under the track and for sixteen feet on each side thereof, provided the Henry Street people will withdraw their opposition to the road. Whether they will accept the compromise or not remains to be seen. The School Board have sold the old school house groun(ds and bougllt a new site of Mr. C. Moulthrop, across the bayou, and are erecting a fine brick school house on it. The contract for building it was let to Mr. George Campbell, for. the sum of $9,500. The work is progressing rapidly and the walls will be completed in about two weeks. The sum of $10,000 was voted by the district to build the schoolhouse, also a tax of $1,500, which is to be applied to seating and otherwise completing and furnishing it. NOVEMBER 23.-A destructive fire occurred in Wenona about 2 o'clock on Sunday morning, the 17th inst., by which the Bunnell House, Charles Miller & Bro.'s meat market, and John Keith's barber shop were totally destroyed. The fire was first discovered in the building used as a ineat market. A portion of the furniture of the Bunnell House was saved, also of the barber shop, but nothing was saved from the meat market. The loss of the Messrs. Bunnell is about $6,000, on which they had $2,000 insurance. Miller & Bro's loss is $1,000; no insurance. Keith's loss, $200; no insurance. Rev. D. B. Campbell owned the meat market building, and his loss is estimated at $300, which includes damages done to his dwelling house which was only saved by strenuous exertions. The origin of the fire is not known. The steam fire engine from Bay City came over, but was too late to save the buildings. A considerable amount of pilfering was done during the fire. Mr. Melancthon Hicks, a much respected resident of Wenona, died at his residence on Wednesday, after an illness of only two days. He was sixty-two years of age, and his loss was deeply felt by the entire community. His funeral took place on Friday, the 22d inst. Services were held at the Presbyterian Church. Work on the depot buildings is progressing rapidly. Messrs. Sage, McGraw & Co., entertained about 125 of their employes at the Bunnell House, on Saturday evening the 16th inst. A very pleasant and sociable time was had. DECEMBER 7.-The walls of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Depot are completed, and the framue work is being rapidly put up. It is hoped that the road will be open for traffic by January 1st. The Messrs. Bunnell have already commenced the foundation walls of a new hotel on the site of the one recently burned. It is to be built of brick, 40x90 feet, three stories high, with a basenent. C. & 0. Miller have erected a new meat market on Linn Street. J. Keith has built a new barber shop on the site formerly occupied by him. Both of these parties were burned out at the late fire. Water Street has been planked with sixteen feet plank, from Midland Street to the railroad depot. The Methodists of Wenona are about taking steps to erect a church during the coming year. WENONA IN 1868. About the first of February, 1868, some observations of Wenona were noted, from which we make the following extracts: "The present plat of the village is about three-quarters of a mile square, and it is divided into blocks of 400x200 feet in size, each block containing sixteen lots, 50x100 feet. SAGE, MIC GRAW & CO'S MILL, ETC. The most prominent feature of the place is, of course, the great saw mill of Sage, McGraw & Co., it being the nucleus around which has gathered this flourishing and prosperous village. The work of building this mlill was begun ill May, 1864, and it commenced running on the 17th of May, 1865. The main building is 80x120 feet in size, two stories high. On the south side is a wing 20x30 feet same height, in which are the lath and picket mills. On tlie north side is the boiler room, built of brick, and, 14 l ( I_ ~_ [ Gl ' Z ----,r " - - -: ) I -l". I - I 1'76 HISTORY OF BAY COITNTY. constructed wvith great care to avoid danger froln fire. Tile whlole building is coveredi with a slate roof. Ini the first story of theI main building are the engines, five inl member, which drive the saws. In the second story are two stock ganlgs, two slabbingt gallgs, one circular and one mluley saw, besides it nmlmer of edging and butting saws. Each gang has all engine to drive it, and by this arrangement, the breakingo down of all eninle does not have the effect of stopping the whole mnachillery of the mlill. Great care is takenl ill the mannfacture of lumbler at this mill. All boards are cut to exact lengthis, and it is piled oin the docks inl such a manner as to, render the seasoning of it very rapid. T~he total amount of lumber sawed since the mill has beels in operation is 51,875,200 feet, and of this quantity 22,6)01,051 feet were cut inl the year 1807. During the sable year, the manulfacture of lath and pickets was comnilenlced, and 1,783,800 pieces of lath and 21,904 pickets were made. The numb~er of men employed inl the mill is oil the average 120. Tile docks sullroundina, the mill foot up 7,814 feet ill lellgtll, and an addition of 3,000 feet laore is b~eillg made. There are also one and three-quarters miles of tramway. A stock of 33,0()0,000 feet of logs will b~e got out for the cominag season, and if run night and day the capacity of thle estabulishmenit for eight mollths' works is not less tllan 40,000,000 feet. Thlere is llow on the docks 6,50(),000 feet of lumbller, and in the b~ooms about 3,000,000 feet of logys. Considerable inlprovemellts are being made ill the mill this winters A solid fou11datioll of stone anld cemzellt is being put under the -machinery. In addition to the mlill, Sage, McGra~w &t Cto., have b~uilt a largre numb~er of other buildings, aluong which are a store 3()X60 feet, two stories higll; a warehoulse attaclied 24X60 inluelding wing; a boarding House, two stories high, 80X80; a brick office, near the mlill, 20x60, two -stories higll, roofed with slate; twenlty-thlree dwelling houses of various sizes; a tenement house 400 feet long and twenity-four feet wide, two stories higll, divided inlto twenty-five suits of apartments, each having a back yard and wlood shed. These dwellings are constructed for the use of persons inl the companly's employ. These improvements have cost mlolley, alld it 'is not probably an overestimate to say that the compally's illvestmlellt in W~enoona is not much short of $1,000,000. ARNOLD & CO'S MILL. A short distance south of Sage, McGraw & Co's nliffl, is the planing mill, sash, door, bulilld and molding factory of D. G Arnold & Co. It was commlellced in the Fall of 1864, and wa completed ill ]December of that year. It is twco stories high and 44x82 feet inl size. M~r. Israel Catlinl, of Bay City, owsnls a llalfinterest in it. RAILROAD DEPOT. The depot of the Jackson, Lansinlg & Sagillaw Railroad is situated near the mlill of Sage, McGraw & Co., betwveenl the river and Water Street. It is built of brick, is 200 feet lollg, f orty feet vide, eighteen feet to eaves and roof ed witli slate. In the north end are the ticket office and ladies' and gentlemens' waiting roonis. It was built by Mr. George Campbell, and cost $10,500. Trains leave for Jackson at 9 A. M. and 2: 40 P. 1%I. Ali accom modation train leaves for Saaiuaw City at 8 P. M. which connects wcith a train at 6 A. M. front there to Jackson. Trains arrive at 8:30 A. M1., 1: 50 P. M. and 7 P. M. MrP. O. J. Root is station master. In addition to having one of the finest depots for freight on the road, the company are having slips dredged at the south end of Sage, McGraw & Co's b~oom. on the sides of which they will have some 3,000 feet of dock, wvitll water enough to allow the largest vessels to comze tip to themen CHURCHES. Thle only chulrch ill the village act present is the Presbyteriall olle, but the Metllocists colltemlplate erecting a building as soon as they call raise the necessary nleanls. Tbev hold tlleirB meetings in Faxoll's Hall, and their pastor is the Rtev. A Gee. SCHOOLHOUSES. Dulrillg the past Suniner, a finee brick schoolhouse has been erected. Tile maill buildinlg is 30x60 feet, twvo stories highl. It has two waings of the salve height, 10X30 feet. Thle lower part is divided illto two roonils, and the upper into one large rooml w^ithl small recitat~ionl rooms off it. Tile lowler story is thirteen feet from. floor to ceilhing, and the upper fifteen. It w~ill accommodate 360 pllpils. It is situated in the center of a block about 300 f eet square, olle-half mile fromt the river, on the Bay City & Midland Plank Roard. It wvas built by Mr. Geo. Campbell, and cost $59,500. The furniture cost $1,200. Tt Wsas opened on Monday, Jailuarv 27thl, and the number of scholars wvho attended on that day waas 180. As there are some 350 children in the district, the attenldanlce wsill probably increase. The superintendent is Mr. A. L. Ctinminiing, whom previous to taking charge of the Wenoina schools, was prillcipal of the High Schlool at East Sagillaw. Mr. (J. has earned for him-self the reputation of being one of the most accomplished teachers ill the State. He is assisted by Mliss Stocking, in the Intermediate Departnllent, and Miss Lester in the Priniary. The old wooden schoolhouse is to be removed fromt its, present location to one -near the brick building, and after undergoing soule alteration will afford accommodations for1 ab~out fifty children. The present School Board consists of J. A. M~c~night, Director; Chas. W. Rollnds, Moderator; Richard Anlgell, Assessor; L. Rounldsville, E. D. Blend and W. D. Cllambers, Trustees. PUBLIC HALL. Tile only public hall ill the village is Faxon's Hall, which is ill the second story of the building occulpied b~y A. Chapman &T Co. It is 22x36 feet in size, and will hold fromt 150 to 200 persons. HOTELS. The "Irwin House," at the end of the bridge, is the only one which is open at present, the Bsunnlell Louse having been bulrned down on the 17thl of Noveniber last. Messrs. M. & H. Bunnell are building a b~rick hotel oil the corner of Linln and Johll Streets. The b~asemenlt walls and part of those of the first story are pllt up. Its dinmensions are 42X90 feet, three stories Iiig-h and a basemnent. The b~asemlellt is nine feet in. the clear, the first story twelve, the second eleven, and the third tell. The front of the hotel will be forty-onle anld a half feet above sidewalk. The dining room will be 58x25 feet, office 24x24, reading room 18x24, parlor 18X24, reception room 17X20;J. It is expected to have it completed by May, 1868. The building will cost $16,000 and the fulrniture absolt $5,000 more. Campb~ell & Hennessey have the contract for the b~rick work and S. Wheeler for the wood work. STORES, ETC. The various kinds of iusiness are well represented. Sage, Mc(:raw & Co. have an extensive dry goods and grocery house, as also have Allen &- Hicks, Chapman kt; Co., groceries and boots and shoes; H. H. Aplin, groceries and clothing; Moots & Rupff, hardware; Neil Brown, groceries, etc.; Wim. SwTartz, groceries, drugs i r I. - r j -9 -ib. ^ I 6l 1i 1' '- ' _ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 177 - and medicines; Hicks & Co., flour and feed; George Nickels, boots and shoes; Miss Jewell, millinery; C. H. Langmeyer, tailor; G. F. Conklin, harness maker; I. S. Huckins, jeweler; C. & O. Miller, butchers; Mr. O'Brien, baker; W. H. Warren, shoe maker; Lankey & Aubry, blacksmiths. TELEGRAPH OFFICE. An office of the U. S. Telegraph Company was opened in Wenbna in 1865, and on its consolidation with the Western Union Company the latter took possession of the office. Mr. J. H. Plum is the manager. SIDEWALKS, ETC. During the past year a large amount of sidewalk has been laid, amounting to over 10,000 feet in length. Midland, Water, Henry and Linn Streets are planked sixteen feet wide. POPULATION, HOUSES, ETC. The total number of houses cannot be less than 150, and the population will probably reach 1,000. There are no vacant houses in the place, and there is a constant demand for dwelling houses from persons who are desirous of becoming residents. VALUE OF LOTS. On the main business streets lots 50x100 feet in size are valued at from $1,500 to $2,000, and in other parts of the village the range is from $150 upward. NEW BUILDINGS. There are a large number of new buildings in process of erection at the present time. On Linn Street, near Midland Street some parties from Lansing are about to put up two frame stores 20x 50 feet, two stories high. On the corner of Linn and Midland Streets three brick stores are being built. They are to be two stories high with a basement. Mr. H. C. Allard puts up one of them and WVm. Moots and Chas. Babo the other two. In various parts of the village we notice preparations for buildings. THE PROFESSIONS. The medical and legal professions have a fair representation. The doctors numberfour, Messrs. Balker, Chase, Reid and Randall. Of lawyers there are two, Messrs. C. P. Black and T. F. Shepard. THE RAILROADS. The great event that settled conviction as to the future of Wenona was the certainty of a railroad. The oldest inhabitant had hardly dared hope that such a thing would happen during his lifetime. The prospects of the road for business are good. The passenger traffic is growing rapidly, and the freight business is already quite large. Some 6,000 to 7,000 barrels of salt have been sent by this route to Chicago within the past month. SOCIETIES, ETC. In December, 1866, a lodge of Good Templars was organized in Wenona, and is known as "Wenona Lodge," No. 446. It meets every Tuesday evening in Faxon's Hall, and has eighty-three members. The officers are: T. M. Carter, W. C. T.; Miss Lester, W. V. T.; E. H. Boynton, W. S.; D. C. Braman, W. T.; Mrs. L. Roundsville, W. I. G. ITS FUTURE. Of its rapid growth and the extension of business there can be no doubt. If its railroad should be extended southward to Fort Wayne, and northward to Mackinaw, it will form the most important point upon a great southern and northern route. The mineral wealth of the Northern Peninsula may be brought here for forges and mechanical purposes, and the provisions of the South to sup ply the operatives. Such a road would intersect all the east and west railroad lines between Southern Ohio and Indiana and Saginaw. The railroad will have here as large and as convenient a depot for shipment as any other in the country. The following additional news items of 1868 will be of interest, as indicating the general tenor of life in the village at that time. FEBRUARY 26.-Matheson & Comstock, from Lansing, have erected a building on Linn Street and opened a wholesale and retail flour and feed store. They also do a general commission business in their line of trade. A Lyceum has been organized and denominated the "Wenona Lyceum," for the benefit of the school and all who desire to join it. It meets every Friday evening at the schoolhouse and is open to all. The question for this week is: "The Expediency or Inexpediency of Negro Suffrage at present." The prohibitory liquor law question will probably be the next for discussion. The election which was to come off to vote on the loan to aid in the construction of the J. L. & S. R. R., failed to take place, as the election inspectors were not present and no one seemed disposed to have a board of inspectors organized. The store of A. Chapman & Co. was closed to-day, the 27th, by Sheriff Perrott, for thle benefit of their creditors. MARCH 7-The Wenona charter election, held on Tuesday, the 3d inst., resulted in the following candidates to the several village offices being elected:-President, H. H. Wheeler; recorder, C. P. Black; assessor, J. A. McKnight; treasurer, G. A. Allen; common council, W. D. Chambers, J. G. Emery, J. B. Ostrander, M. W. Brock, L. Roundsville and W. O. Craft. Whole number of votes polled, eighty-eight; number of candidates run, twenty-five; number of tickets run, four; number of tickets printed for ballets, 800, which were not quite all used. The common council, whose term of office has just expired, assessed, collected and expended during the past year $4,500, mostly for grading and planking streets, repairing sidewalks, ditching, etc. Trains on the J. L. & S. R. R. have been detained more or less this week in consequence of snow drifting on the track. MAY 16-The twenty-five cottages commenced by Sage, McGraw & Co., a short time ago, are nearly all completed, and are occupied as fast as finished. Mr. Shanahan has opened a drug store on Midland Street. C. P. Ayers is building a block of three stores on Mill Street. Mr. J. F. Willey has established a livery and sale stable on Linn Street. Tile new Bunnell House is being pushed forward with much energy, and bids fair to be soon completed. Sage, McGraw & Co's mill commenced running day and night on the 14th inst. On the 7th inst. John Freeman had his left leg broken below the knee and his right one fractured by a pile of lumber falling on him, while engaged in loading a vessel. He was attended by Drs. Chase and Marlatte. A lot of freight, destined for Owosso, was brought by Hurd & Co's line and delivered at Wellona. The course of things is changing. The Wenona & Jackson railroad is forming a union with the Central road at Jackson, by which cars with freight can go through. JUNE 20 —The formal opening of the Bunnell House will take place Thursday evening, June 25th. A supper and ball on the occasion. Tickets.$5. M. A. Hance, from Lapeer County, has opened a grocery and provision store in the Ayers' Block. Sage, McGraw & Co's mill cut upwards of 1,300,000 feet of lumber last week. WhVo can beat it? WI -7 w - 178 HISTORY OF BAY COUNT Y. GENERAL GROWTH. From this time on the growth of the village was rapid, and the character of improvements may be learned from the history of the various interests treated separately. The year 1873 was particullarly a prosperous one, and it was also mnarked by a disastrous fire, which occurred May 6th, and by which upwards of $15,000 worth of property was destroyed. The fire started in the meat market of Van Alstine Bros., on Linn Street, and burned six business places. The fire occurred in the morning, and the same night the firm of McKnight, Craft & Avery, whose store was burned. had a small frame building enclosed, and the remnant of their stock safely hoiused. WENONA IN 1875. A birds-eye description was made of Wenona late in 1875, as follows: "In a business point of view, the most noticeable of Wenona's advantages is her long stretch of river front, affording the best facilities for shipping by lake. This front is already well improved in many places. Upon it are located the mammoth saw r,,ills of H. W. Sage & Co., and all the other appurtenances of a first-class lumber and salt manufacturing establishment. The Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad has extensive slips just south of the Sage property, and still above these are the ship-yards of Capt. James Davidson and Capt. P. B. Hitchcock. Below Sage's is the ship-yard of Ballentine & Co., the most complete establishment of the kind in the valley. From these yards have been launched some of the finest specimens of naval architecture of which the lake marine can boast. Besides the above-named establishments, there is a plaster mill operated by Smith, Bullard & Co., and supplied from their plaster beds at Alabaster, and the Litchfield estate's saw mill. "Midland and Linn Streets are the principal business streets of Wenona. They have a number of handsome brick blocks, prominent among which are the Sage Block, and the Babo, Aplin, Campbell, Allard(, Moots and Bank Blocks. These are all well constructed business buildings, and would ornament the principal street of any Western city. Several of the best of these were completed in 1874, the village sharing in the prosperity which made Bay City an exception among the cities of the state during that and the preceding year. "In the way of educational facilities, Wenona is well provided. Her central school building is a handsome three-story brick, costing about $20,000, and capable of seating 500 pupils. There are several churches and more are soon to be built. St. Paul's Episcopal society has a chapel and will soon erect a church edifice upon a fine site, centrally located. There is a Baptist mission, and full organizations of the Methodist and Presbyterian denominations, with comfortable and commodious church buildings. The Catholics also have a prosperous organization, and the German Lutherans have lately built a church. "Wenona is well supplied with hotels, both in number and quality. The traveler will find few houses more comfortably and neatly provided, and better administered, than the Rouech House, a three-story brick on Linn Street, and the principal hotel of the village. It is a first-class house. The Irwin House is located on Midland Street, at the crossing of the J., L. & S. railroad, and is a commuodious and well-kept house, having a fine livery stable attached, and affording generally all things necessary for the transient guest. These are the most prominent of the hotels, though there are several others to make up the bountiful supply of Wenona in this line. "The project of a water supply, principally for protection from fire, was agitated in the Fall of 1874, and the prospect was that the village would have such a supply before long. Several plans were under consideration, either of which would answer the purpose. At present the fire department consists of an excellent Clapp & Jones steam fire engine, with an efficient company. "Wenona has a fine flarmlling country back of her limits, and this is being rapidly developed. The prosperity of the village is therefore well assured. When it is known that in 1863 there were but two bulildings in Wenona, thle malgnitude of her growth since that time will be apparent." ANNEXATION AND CONS()LIDATION. From about 1871 until 1875 the question of annexing Banks, Wenona and Salzburgh to Bay City was agitated. Meetings were held at intervals, and the zeal of those in favor of the proposition suffered but little abatement until thle utter hopelessness of their cause was established beyond a doubfT.' 'The people on the west side of the river were largely opposed. In 1875 Wenona looked upon Salzburgh with covetous eyes and made an effort to change the soutllern boundaries of the village so as to include that territory, but tlit attempt failed. EARLY RESIDENTS OF WENONA. The following are personal sketches of some of the early residents of Wenona. Others are mentioned elsewhere in conlforlity with the arrangement of our work: J. H. PLUM was born in New York City in 1839. His father, a carpenter and joiner, moved to Pennsylvania when John was four years old. He was placed in a store at the age of fourteen. Earned $60 dollars and board the first year. Second year, $80, at the close of which time his father moved to Flint, Mich., wh^ere hle entered the store of Grant Decker, general merchant. Salary first year, $100; second, $200, incrasing $100 a year for five years. He next clerked for James Henderson, at Flint. First year's salary, $500; second $600; then two years at $700; at the end of which time 1864, he came to Wenona as manager of the store of Sage & McGraw, at a salary of $1,000 per year. At the end of a year and a half lhe became partner in the business, which continues to the present time, and is decidedly the leading mercantile house in the city, doing a heavy wholesale as well as retail business. He married Miss Marian A. Knickerbocker, of Flint, a native of Oakland County. He has five children, two sons and three daughters. In 1875 lhe bought lots on Midland Street, Chillson Addition, where hle erected a splendid dwelling, the surrounding lawn being well cared for and ornamented. Mr. Plum has been an ardent supporter of all inmeasures for the improvement of the city, and its people. He has been a member of the School Board for the past seven years: Mr. Plum's successful career affords a laudable example to those who begin life poor. It shows what may be done by perseverance and a firmness of purpose which aims high. LAFAYETTE ROUNDSVILLE Was born iil Deerfield, Tioga Co., Pa., June 24, 1833. His father was an invalid miechanic, and Lafe's boyhood days were strewn with few advantages. At ten years of age he was stricken with rheumatism of the hip, and remained partially crippled for twelve years. His father died in 1816, leaving a wife and five helpless children, Lafayette beingr the oldest. He left his humble home that same winter on crutches, being but thirteen years of age. A young farmer by the name of Alfred Congdon, who lived near by, took a liking to the boy cripple and offered him a home, which was accepted, and in the course of a few months he was partially restored to health and able to help about the farm; and before the year was out could peforll hard labor for a youth of his years. He remained w-itl Congdon three years, when Congdon quit farm - - i 4 - I vv l-~ -V - - - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 179 ing and young Roundsville went to live with his brother, Benj. D. Congdon, who was also a farmer, and remained four years. About a year after leaving Congdon's, he concluded to finish his education, so he attended what was known as the Union Academy for three months when his health failed and his education postponed indefinitely. After recovery he headed for a steam saw mill, a little one-horse affair in a dense forest in the township of Lawrenceville. His first position was that of a lumber piler. The mill cut from 4,000 to 5,000 feet per day. Being ambitious, he aspired to be a fireman or sawyer. The first vacancy as sawyer was given him, and he became an expert in handling the " bar," but the heavy lifting necessary in handling lumber in those days proved too laborious for his " physique," and he abandoned the saw and obtained a position as fireman, firing and learning to stop and start the 9x18 inch engine. This mill was owned by C. H. L. Ford, a relative of C. and B. F. Orton, of Bay City. Roundsville continued firing and running small engines in Tioga and Bradford counties during the next three years when he emigrated to Canada, and in the little village of Belle Evart, in tile Winter of 1857, obtained a position as fireman in what was considered a large mill in that village on the shore of Lake Simcoe, owned by Sage & Grant. He was soon promoted to the position of second engineer. Roundsville continued in the Canada mill until the fall of 1864, when Mr. Sage induced him to come to Michigan and manage the engines in his present mill in West Bay City. He gave her engines their first steam in the Fall of 1864, and has run them up to the present time. Mr. R. asserted that during all these years the relations between himself and his employer have been of tile most friendly and cordial nature, and he feels some pride in the fact that he has so long enjoyed the confidence and esteem of a firm that ranks among the first in the country. Mr. Roundsville was married to Mrs. Isabell A. Roy, April 29, 1858. Mrs. Roy was the widow of Monroe Roy, of Wellsborn, Pa., and had one son, John M. Roy, by her first husband, and by her present husband one daughter, Ada. Both are married. Mr. Roundsville has held several positions of public trust, as well as to run engines since he came to this valley. He was elected as one of trustees of the village when organized, about 1866, and served four consecutive years. Afterward he became president of the village of Wenona. He has held the position of treasurer of the Wenona Graded School continuously since its organization in 1867. He has also been collector in Wenona Council, No. 38, Royal Arcanum since 1878, and at present as alderman represents the Fourth Ward, West Bay City, in the City Council. C. F. CORBIN was born in Scipio, Tioga Co., N. Y., He was the youngest of four children, and the fourth generation from English emigrants who settled in Berkshire Co., Mass. When three years old he removed with his father to Batavia, Genesee County. He remained at home, attending district school as other farmers' boys, working Summers, after ten years old till sixteen, when he went to work at carpenter work. The next year he carried on plain work, building barns, putting up house frames, etc. In 1830 he attended two terms of school at Wyoming Academy, and the following Winter commenced teaching district school at $11 a month and "board round." He followed teaching till the Spring of 1834, when he engaged in traveling and collecting for the firm of Pettibone & Howe, clock dealers. He traveled in the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and the then Territory of Michigan, for five years, with the exception of teaching for three Winters in Ohio. He returned to Batavia in the Spring of 1839. He continued teaching till 1842, when he married Miss Julia A. Joslyn, a native of Lerov, Genesee County, and settled on a farnm near Batavia, still teaching Winters, and in the Summer of 1847 most of the time in the village of Batavia, teaching fourteen terms in the schoolroom, successful in all respects save in growing rich. In 1847 he bought wild land in Erie Co., N. Y., and in the Spring of 1848 commenced improvements thereon. He also bought soon after, in company with his brother-in-law, a shingle mill. His health failing in 1854, he sold out and returned to Batavia, purchased land and a home near the village and engaged in the raising of grapes and other small fruits. In the Fall of 1863 he came to the Saginaw Valley to visit a brother. Soon after his return he sold out, and came to Bay City in the Spring of 1864. The same season he purchased twelve acres of land on Section Twenty, which is now known as Corbin's Addition to Wenona. He commenced building in the Summer of 1866, and took up his residence there in 1868, where he still lives, surrounded by the comforts, if not the luxuries, of life. He has two daughters. At the first election under the city charter of Bay City he was elected justice of the peace. He served one term and a portion of second. He was under sheriff two years, under P. J. Perrott, member of the School Board of Wenona graded school for seven years, president of the village one year, recorder one year, assessor one year, supervisor of Second Ward two years. He is still in active business at the age of seventy. David Corbin may be mentioned as one of the early farm pioneers of the valley. He was born in New York in 1805. He served as an apprentice at the shoemaker, tanner and currier trades from the age of fourteen to twenty-one receiving only board and clothes and at the end of the term $100 for his services. He learned the trade after the good old style, filled out his contract, accumulated some means by journeyman work, married and set up business for himself. He came to Michigan, Lapeer Co., in 1853, and in 1855 made the first purchase of land of the government in Town Fourteen north, Range Six east. He settled thereon, where he remained, carrying on his farm to the time of his death in 1880. A man. held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, often entrusted with public responsibilities, but preferring a life of quiet and seclusion. JAMES A. McKNIGHT is a native of Niagara Co., N. Y. In 1862 he entered the United States'seivice in the Sixteenth Michigan Regiment. After his discharge he came to West Bay City in 1865, where he engaged in mercantile business-built the third store building in town. He has been chief revenue clerk for the Sixth Congressional District, gauger of spirits and inspector of tobacco and cigars for five years, after which he engaged in the wholsale liquor business. He has held nearly every town office, including county treasurer, president of village and school director. He is now engaged in luembering and putting down cedar block pavement-he has done nearly all the cedar block paving in West Bay City. He was married to Miss Kate Atchison, of Pontiac, Mich. WILLIAM SWART came to West Bay City in 1864, and as that date will suggest, was one of the pioneers. Soon after his arrival he opened a general store and continued in the business till 1876. He built the second store in West Bay City. In 1877 he was elected town clerk for the town of Bangor, and served one term. At present Mr. Swart is engaged in farming, market gardening and looking after property interests in West Bay City. He was born in New York, June 8, 1835, and in June, 1872, was married to Miss P. A. Burtless, of East Saginaw. EVANDER S. VAN LIEW, of West Bay City, is a civil engineer, and one of the most noted men in his profession in the West. He is a native of Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., and was educated in the seminary in that place. He came to Wenona in 1866, and has been prominently associated with the affairs of West Bay City and Bay County. From 1875 to 1882 he was recorder of the city and -..-k f j e) " -11 I I - _^~g 4, - - 180 180 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. of the first to "veteran," and marched with General Sllerman Oll his is city surveyor at the present time. Mr. Van Liew is a master of his profession, and has been in the employ at different times of several of the largest railroad corporations in this country. His local basiness now is but a small part of the interests entrusted to his judgment and management. He is married and has a family of four children. ISAAC E. RANDALL, M. D., was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y. He graduated at the Albany Medical College, in 1866, also at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1873, between which dates he had been practicing medicine in Wenona, where he settled in 1867. He married Miss Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of the late Rev. D. B. Campbell, and their family consists of three children. HENRY C. THOMPSON is a native of Ohio, and came to Bay City in 1862. Moved to West Bay City in 1864. He was elected city recorder in 1882, also surveyor for Bay County in 1878, and still occupies that position. He also held the office of school inspector prior to attaining his majority. MARTIN W. BROCK was born in Danby, Tompkins Co., N. Y. His early days were passed partly in New York and partly in Pennsylvania. He came to this state in 1856, remaining in Oakland County until October, 1865, when he removed to Bay County. He was elected an alderman when Lake City (afterward Wenona) was incorporated, and continued to hold that office for four years —he was a supervisor from 1871 to 1874. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Bay County, holding that office four years, Is now manager of the West Bay City Manufacturing Company, and also farms. He was married in 1860 to Miss Sarah J. Armstrong, of New York State, and they have a family of two children living. W. O. CRAFT was born in Palmyra, N. Y., November 7, 1832. He came to Oakland Co., Mich., at four years of age with his parents. His father named the town of Rose, in said County. Remained there one year then moved to Plymouth, Mich., where his father engaged in the hotel business and afterward continued the business at Swartzburg, four miles below, and subsequently at Leoni, Mich., where he remained five years, at the end of which time he returned to Plymouth and engaged in distilling. A year later he returned to the town of Rose, and was oil a farm for a year and a half. About this time W. O. Craft came to Saginaw and thence to Bay City, helping to start the Drake Mill, and was in Drake's employ two years. He afteward engaged in fishing two or three seasons for his health. In 1861 and 1862 he was filer for Moore, Smith & Co. After leaving their employ built a residence in West Bay City. In 1866 he engaged with Sage & McGraw as filer, remaining with them till the Winter of 1871, when he formed a partnership, known as McKnight, Craft & Avery, for carrying on a wholesale liquor business. After being burned out in 1872 the firm was dissolved. He then built on Linn Street, where he now does a retail liquor business. He was married to Mary Sheley, who died in 1872, and afterward to Carrie Gardiner, of Greenbush, Mich. They have four children. GEORGE A. ALLEN was born in Macomb Co., Mich., May 4, 1835. His parents removed to Clarkstotl, Mich., where he spent his early days. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was in the southern part of Mississippi, and to escape being conscripted into the Southern army he returned to the North. He enlisted in Company A, Tenth Michigan Infantry, from Shiawassee County, in the Fall of 1861,as a private. He was in camp with the regiment at Flint, Mich., until Aptil, 1862, when it went to Pi.tsburgh Landing,Miss. He was with the regiment during the fighting around and taking of Corinth, Miss., when it was sent to Nashville, Tenn. Here he received a commission as second lieutenant, dated March 31,1863. He was one of the first to "veteran," and marched with General Sherman on his famous "March to the Sea," meeting with many narrow escapes-once having his horse shot under him —but escaping without a wound, nor ever having been made a prisoner. Was mustered out February 5, 1865. Remained in Detroit a year and moved to Wenona in 1866, engaged in the mercantile business, continuing in it for several years, during which time he held the office of township clerk for several years, also city treasurer, and at different times was a member of the Common Council. Selling out his mercantile business he engaged in that of fire, life and accident insurance and real estate agent. Is married to Miss Emma Hicks, of Southfield, Mich., and their family consists of three boys and one girl. JUSTUS ACKERMANN was born in Kurilessen, Germany, in 1845. At the age of fourteen he commenced service to learn the tailor's trade. He served three years. He served the government two years as soldier, and then worked at his trade in Germany for two years. He came to America at the age of twenty-five, stayed a short time at Saginaw City, and then came and established business, merchant tailor, in Wenona. In April, 1880, he bought the Wheeler brick block on Walnut Street, where he now resides and carries on a popular clothing establishment, manufacturing to order from an extensive stock of the best quality of goods. He was married in 1872, to Miss Margaret Keiser, of Salzburg, a native of New Jersey; has five children, two sons and three daughters, all living. Without parental assistance Mr. AckerWnann has accumu lated a comfortable property, and is one of West Bay City's prosperous self-made men. JOHN MILLER was born in 1827, and is a native of Germany. He emigrated to America in 1853, going to Alpena, where he spent thirteen months working in a saw mill, after which he removed to Marine City. He came to West Bay City in 1855, and worked in the Drake mill. In 1856 he purchased a farm of forty acres which is now within the corporation of West Bay City, where he still resides. Mr. Miller has been highway commissioner three years, and road commissioner one year, for the Township of Bangor. Is married and has three children. GEORGE HARRISON of the firm of George Harrison & Sons, contractors and builders, came to West Bay City in 1862. Was ' born in Prince Edward County, Canada, in 1838, and was married in 1857 to Miss Hannah P. Minaker, of the same place. They have three children —two sons and one daughter-all residing in West Bay City. Harrison & Sons do an extensive business, keeping in their employ from sixteen to twenty men. Mr. Harrison is one of the pioneers of the place, the wing of his present residence being the first dwelling erected in the place, the lumber for which, he brought from Frank & Lewis' mill, by a road he cut through for the purpose. Of the many buildings in West Bay City erected by Mr. Harrison are fifty-three of the first dwellings, the first stores, the first and present postoffices, and fifty dwellings for Sage, McGraw & Co., besides many others. GEORGE WTASHINGTON was born in 1850 in Roscolmmon County, Ireland, and was brought to Canada in 1852, living in Wentworth County, near Hamilton, Ontario, until 1867, when he removed to West Bay City, where he was in the employ of H. W. bage & Co. for a time. In 1873 he engaged in the grocery trade, and is at present at the head of the firm of George Washington & Co., dealers in clothing, etc. Mr. Washington has held a number of public positions; was at one time a member of the Board of Trustees of the village of Wenona, and in 1876 was president of that body. In 1878 he was elected mayor of West Bay City, and in the Fall of that year was also elected sheriff of Bay County. In 1880 he was re-elected sheriff, liolding the office until the close of 1882, when by law he could not again be elected. In all positions of 3. __ "C4 7 (R - 6 l a 16 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 181 trust in which he hlas been placed by the people, Mr. Washington has shown himself a thoroughly trustworthy official. LoUIS ZAGELMEYER was born in Gernmany in 1825, and il 1850 emigrated to the United States, stoppilg first in New York two years, when he came to Saginaw and was employed as clerk in a store for a year and a half, after which he engaged in the manufacture of vinegar, and later cleared up a farm. In 1866 he came to West Bay City and opened a lime kiln, and il 1875 organized the Marine Ice Company which has now passed into the hands of his soiis. Mr. Zagelmeyer was treasurer of the township of Bangor the year previous to its being merged il the corporation of West Bay City. He married Matilda Grahllow. They have had five children, four of whom are living. MRS. REBECCA KING, wife of Eusebins King, of West Bay City, died at their family residence in November, 1882, at the age of seventy-eight years. Speaking of her death a local paper said: "She had passed more than the allotted three score years and ten, having been born at aMount Clemens, Mich., on the 12th day of August in the year 1805. At sixteen years of age she was married to Eusebius Killg, who is still living in the enjoyment of reasonably good health, thoullg eighty-two years old. For sixty-one years they trod life's path together, mingling alike its joys and sorrows. There were born to them twelve children, of whom there are now living( Capt. George V. King, Capt. Frank King, Alexander King and Mrs. Sarah Haddock, of Clicago, all of whom with the venerable father, gathered about the bedside to receive the parting blessing of a loving wife anld kind mother. The aged couple had resided for twenty-seven years in West Bay City, wvlere the subject of our notice was widely known and- highly esteemed for her many social qualities and Christian virtues. A deep gloom has been cast over her wvide circle of friends who feel the deepest sympathy for the family in their sad bereavemnent. Her taking away was not the result of any apparent disease, but she passed from earth and its cares in the ripeness of her years, the machinery of life seeming to have performed its alloted work and stopped. GEORGE G. VAN ALSTINE was born at Adrian, Mich., in 1846, He lived there till sixteen years of age, attending school, when he enlisted in the service of the Union as a member of Company L, First Regiment, Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, serving until the close of the war. In the Fall of 1864 he was taken prisoner and taken to Alndersoliville, Ga., where he remained until the war closed. During the Winter of 1864-'65, half the inmates of the prison died, while he survived and reached home in June, 1865, where he had been long mnourned as dead by his people and friends. When he was let loose from the Rebel prison he was but a skeleton, weighing only ninety-six pounds, but being possessed of a good pair of lungs and a strong will it brought him through. After his arrival home he gained one pound per day for seventy days, but, as the doctors say, it proved to be poor flesh and he again became a skeleton for three years when through the advice of a friend in April, 1869, he went on the lakes for his health, and in one of his voyages came to the SagiLaw Valley, and saw thus early the advantages of the location. Oll his return trip the vessel encountered a severe storm and was reported lost with all on board, but she nobly rode out the gale and on the fourth day of the storm entered the Detroit River. In May, 1869, he was married to Miss Christina Revenaugh, of Detroit, and soon took up his residence in West Bay City. He has been thoroughly identified withl its rise and progress. In 1873 he was a member of the village council. In 1874 he was treasurer of the township of Bangor. He has mainly been employed as contractor and stevedore on the Saginaw River, ernploying a large nnmner of men, the management of wlom seems to be his especial forte. Since 1881 he has been employed by the the 'United States Government in the internal revenue service, where he has shown good judgment and skill, wherein he has received the commendation of his brother officers, and Gen. Green B. Raum who had charge of this department of the government service,b h a hving many letters testifying to his rare skill and courage in hunting moonshiners where they make so much illicit whiskey. GEORGE L. MOSHER was born in West Troy, N. Y., became a citizen of Wenona, now a part of West Bay City, in 1871, and engaged in the hardware trade in 1875. He built his present place of business in 1881. It stands on the northwest corner of Midland and Linn Streets; is three stories high, 100x25 feet in size, with a wing 30x35 feet, used as a tin slop. It is one of the handsomest business blocks on the city. Mr. M. occupies the first story and the wing for his extensive hardware, stove and tin trade. The second is cut up into offices, and inl the third are the rooms of Wenona Lodge, No. 256, F. & A. M. He has also an extension on the West Side, facing Midland Street, 45x75 feet, two stories high. The facing of the buildings is of red brick with stone window caps and dressings. Mr. Mosher was married in 1865 to Miss Sarah J. Locke, of West Troy, N. Y., and their family consists of two boys. In public life Mr. Mosher was, during the years 1878-'79, chief engineer of the fire department. THEODORE F. SHEPARD was born in Livingston County, N. Y., in 1844, He was educated at Alfred University, Allegany County, N. Y. He then read law with Marshall B. hllamplin, attorney general of the state of New York, at Cuba, N. Y. He also attended a course of law lectures at the Albany Law University. He afterward practiced his profession with Mr. Champlin, having been admitted to the bar in 1866. In 1867 he left Allegaily County and can-le to Michigan, locating in what is now West Bay City, since which time he has been known as one of the most successful members of the bar in Bay County. The following are among sole of the public positions he has held: -city attorney for Wenona and West Bay City several terns; member of the School Board for the Second Ward of West Bay City and Wenonta for ten years; chairman of the School Board for seven or eight years; prosecuting attorney for Bay County in 1873-'74, and president of the Board of Water Works for the past three years, 1879-'82. He is also a member of the law firm of Shepard, Lyon & Clark. Mr. S. is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a leader in its Sunday school affairs. He was married to Mary MI. Randolph, of Cuba, N. Y., in 1868. They lave two children living-a boy and a girl. WILLIAM M. GREEN was born in Norfolk C'ounty, Canada, il 1840, and came to the Saginaw Valley in 1862, where he engaged in "soowing" till 1868, when he engaged in the livery business in Wenona, now known as West Bay City, where he still continues and is doing a good business. In 1877 he was married to Miss Jane McKee, of Dunville, Canada. He has held several important qffices, including alderman two terms, recorder to fill vacancy, village treasurer in 1875 and 1876, and city treasurer from 1877 to 1882. JOHN S. MCMULLAN was born in Kingston, Out., of Irish parentage. He remained at Kingston until twenty, at which time he left the parental roof and came to Detroit. He married Miss Margaret Holland, of Irish descent, then living in Detroit. He settled at Sault St. Marie. He remained two years, employed as engineer on the steamer "Baltimore," plying between the Sault and Ontonagon. From thence he went to London, Ont., and engaged il keeping a hotel for five years. The ensuing three years he farmed at Stratford, Ont., thence to Saginaw and engcaged in jobbing at the lumber I -1 I I - I 3V 4 -;c- be I 182 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. business. In 1869 he came to Wenona, continued in the same business, and in 1873 bought property on the Litchfield addition, and erected a dwelling, which is still his place of residence. He has recently added to and improved the same, making it one of the most pleasant locations in the neighborhood. He has had six children, four sons and two daughters, all living. The oldest son is a mechanic, second a physician, and the other two are in partnership with their father in the lumber business. The oldest daughter is a graduate of West Bay City school, and since, teacher therein, and the second daughter is a pupil in the same school. E. C. Moss was born in Perth County, Ont., in 1857, and is a carriage-builder by trade. He came first to West Bay City in 1864, but in 1870 came to reside permanently. He was connected with Mr. Phelps in livery and carriage shops, but having purchased Mr. Phelps' interest, is now conducting the business alone. Mr. Moss is doing a good business and merits the patronage of the public. E. JACOB PFEIFER was born in Lima, Allen Co., Ohio, in 1846. He remained there until twenty, then came to Lansing, Mich., where he stayed a few months, then came to West Bay City in 1869. He bought lots in 1870 on Blend's addition, where he now resides. He has followed the business of carpenter and joiner, and for the past four years contractor and jobber at that business. He married Miss Harriet L. Tolfree, of Bay City, in 1873, a native of Ithaca, N. Y. He has one child, a daughter, eight years old. He has passed a life thus far upright and- industrious, and at the charter election, 1883, under the re-division of the wards of West Bay City, was elected alderman of the Second Ward without opposition, being nominated by each party. THOMAS P. HAWKINS was born in May, 1839, in Hume, Allegany Co., N, Y., where he lived until 1866, though serving a part of the time as clerk in a dry goods store in Buffalo. In 1866 he married Miss Mary A. Bennett, of Hume, a native of Dryden, Tompkins County, and removed to Wenona, Mich., now West Bay City, and engaged as clerk for Sage & McGraw. He remained in their employ about one year, and soon after started in the grocery business for himself. He continued in the business until 1877, when he was appointed resident agent for a portion of the late John McGraw estate in West Bay City and vicinity, at the same time engaged for himself in lumber and timber business. Mr. Hawkins was obliged to give up active business in consequence of declining health, resulting from a complication of diseases, dropsy and consumption, which terminated fatally in April, 1881. He was a member of the village council three years, recorder one year, and member of the city council one year. He took a lively interest in all matters for the general good of the village, and afterward of the city. He left a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, all living. Mrs. Hawkins is well and pleasantly situated in a good home, corner of John and Crapo Streets. CARLOS E. ROOT was born in Lewis County, N. Y., in 1839. He lived with his father until 1862, when he married Miss Charlotte J. Williston, of the same place. After the usual course at the commoni school, Mr. Root attended the academy at Lowville, and afterward followed teaching for a number of years. In 1863 he engaged in a retail grocery business at his native place, which he followed until the time of his coming to Wenona in 1865. He soon bought an interest in some lighters and gave his attention to that business, the boatts plying from Saginaw and other points on the river to the bay, making up vessel loads. He followed that business until 1870, when he engaged in scaling logs for J. W. Babcock, Winters for three years, after which he gave his entire attention to putting up ice, principally for retailing, but wholesaled some to the South. In 1882 he established the manufacture of Root beer, ginger ale, pop, etc., for wholesale trade, which business he still carries on. Mr. Root was for some years a member of the village council, being one of the first under the village charter, and for the past two years alderman from the Second Ward in this city. He has a fine residence on Midland Street. WEST BAY CITY INCORPORATED. We come now to an event in which the three villages disappeared from the map to be succeeded by a city well equipped for a race with any rival. The consolidation was a forcible illustration of the oft-repeated maxim: ---"In union there is strength." In connection with this change there is a very natural tendency on tha part of curious minded people to inquire why the musical and beautiful name of Wenona was dropped and the present name adopted in its stead. The organic history of West Bay City is substantially as follows: —The Legislature of 1877 passed an act entitled "An Act to consolidate WenorLa, Banks and Salzburgh, to be known as the city of West Bay City," which provided that so much of the township of Bangor, in the County of Bay, in the State of Michigan, being formerly the incorporated villages of Banks and Wenona, and such other territory as is included in the following limits, to-wit:Beginning at a point in the middle of the Saginaw River, where the north line of Section Fourteen, Town Fourteen north, of Range five east, crosses said river; thence southwesterly along the miliddle of said Saginaw River, to a point wlhere the south line of Section Thirty-two, Town Fourteen aforesaid crosses said Saginaw River; thence west on the south line of said Section Thirty-two, to the southwest corner thereof; thence north along the west side of Sections Thirty-two, Twenty-nine and Twenty, Town Fourteen aforesaid, to the northwest corner of said Section Twenty; thence east along the north line of said Section Twenty, to the quarter post (f said Section Twenty; thence north along the quarter line of Section Seventeen, Town Fourteen aforesaid, to the north line of said Section Seventeen; thence east along the north side of the east half of said Section Seventeen, and north line of Sections Sixteen, Fifteen and Fourteen, to place of beginning, be and the same is hereby set off from the aforesaid Township of Bangor, and declared to be a city by the name of West Bay City. The wards were divided as follows: -The First Ward embraced all that portion of the city within the following-described limits:Beginning at the center of the Saginaw River where the north line of Section Fourteen, Town Fourteen north, of Range Five east, crosses said river, running thence west on the north line of Sections Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen, to the northwest corner of Section Sixteen; thence south on the section line between Sections Sixteen and Seventeen, to the southwest corner of Section Sixteen; thence east on the section line, between Sections Sixteen and Twenty-one, to the point where said line crosses the south line of the property belonging to Ballentine, Moore & Co.; thence southeasterly along the south line of said Ballentine, Moore & Co's property, to the center of Saginaw River. The Second Ward shall embrace all that portion of the city contained in the east half of Section Seventeen, entire Section Twenty and that part of Section Twenty-one not included within the boundaries of the First Ward. The Third Ward shall embrace all that portion of the city contained in Sections Twenty-nine and Thirty-two. The first election was ordered on the first Monday in May, 1877, at the village hall in said First Ward, and the inspectors of election were:-Patrick Lourim, Robert Leng, Alexander B. More, Thomas B. Raymond and Ephraim J. Kelton. In the Second Ward the election was ordered held at the common council room in said ward, and David G. Arnold, Thomas P. Hawkins, James A. J - I?) L 9 - Id1~ -- I -S 1 ' 4_ b7 4 - A - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 183 McKnight, Spencer O. Fisher and George G. VanAlstine, inspectors. In the Third Ward the election was ordered held at the hotel of William Davis, and Frank Fitzhugh, John W. Babcock, Bartholomew Staudacher, Aaron Wellman and Robert Elliott, inspectors of election. David G. Arnold, an old resident of the place, was the first mayor of the city. Officers of the city for the several years are given elsewhere. A slight amendment was made to the charter in the Winter of 1880, affecting the matter of salaries of city officers, but making no other material change. In the Winter of 1883 the charter was amended materially, by act of Legislature, and the number of wards increased from three to five, and their boundaries described as follows: "The First Ward shall embrace all that portion of the city within the following-described limits, to-wit:- Beginning at the center of the Saginaw River, where the north line of Section Fourteen, Town Fourteen, north of Range Five east, crosses said river, running thence west on the north line of Sections Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen, to the northwest correr of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of said Section Sixteen; thence south on the subquarter line to the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section Sixteen; thence south forty-one degrees and twenty minutes east between the lands of John Bourn and the Keystone Lumber and Salt Manufacturing Company to the center of Saginaw River. "The Second Ward shall embrace all that portion of the city contained in Section Sixteen not included in the First Ward, the east half of Section Seventeen, the north half of Section Twenty, and all of Section Twenty-one north of the center line of Dunbar Street, in Litchfield's addition to the village of Wenona, to said road track, and north of the north line of said Dunbar Street, if extended easterly from railroad track to the center of the Saginaw River. "The Third Ward shall embrace all that portion of the city contained in Sections Twenty and Twenty-one north of the center line of Jane Street, extending in a direct line east through Fitzhugh and Kissell's sub-division of the west half of the southwest quarter of said Section Twenty and the plat of Lake City, to the center of the Saginaw River, and not included in Second Ward. "The Fourth Ward shall embrace all that portion of the city contained in Section Twenty south of the center line of Jane Street as described for the Third Ward, the north half of the northwest quarter of Section Twenty-nine, and that part of the plat of Salzburgh north of center line of Ninth Street, to the center of the Saginaw River. "The Fifth Ward shall embrace all that portion of the city contained in Section Twenty-nine not included in the Fourth Ward. and all of Section Thirty-one." The salaries of city officers are fixed in the new charter not to exceed the following sums:-"Recorder, $600, an increase of $200; comptroller, $800; city attorney, $600, an increase of $400; marshal, $600, an increase of $300 (the above providing for extra pay for police duty is stricken out); harbor master, $100, same as before; mayor and aldermen, $1 per session, an increase of 50 cents. It is also provided that any physician reporting diseases dangerous to the city's health shall receive remuneration for the service." The election of officers is provided for as follows:-"At the annual election for the year 1883 there shall be elected a mayor, treasurer and recorder for a term of one year and a comptroller for two years. The comptroller shall be elected at the annual election held each two years thereafter; at the annual election in 1884 there shall be elected a mayor and recorder for a term of two years and they shall be elected each two years thereafter, also a treasurer who shall be elected annually thereafter, these shall also be elected annually thereafter; there shall also be elected at the annual election in 1883, two school inspectors, one for one year and one for two years, and each year thereafter there shall be elected one school inspector for two years. At such election there shall also be elected in each of the several wards, one alderman who shall hold his office for one year, and one alderman who shall hold his office for two years, one supervisor, one constable and three inspectors of election. "In the year 1885 it is provided that four justices of the peace shall be elected for terms of one, two, three and four years respectively, to succeed the present incumbents." The other amendments relate to the government of the city and seek to remedy some evils theretofore existing. OFFICERS OF WEST BAY CITY. For each year since it was incorporated: 1877. Mayor, D. G. Arnold; Recorder, E. S. VanLiew; Treasurer, William M. Green; Aldermen, E. J. Kelton, C. E. Root, William Davis, William Marin, W. I. Tozer, Michael Hufnagel. 1878. Mayor, George Washington; Recorder, E. S. Van Liew; Treasurer, William M. Green; Aldermen, E. J. Kelton, J. A. Braman, W. I. Tozer, Frank Fitzhugh, J. G. Keisel, R. H. Chase. 1879. Mayor, William I. Tozer; Recorder, E. S. Van Liew; Treasurer, William M. Green; Aldermen, J. A. Braman, T. P. Hawkins, Frank Fitzhugh, J. D. Beebe, John Brigham, Jr., R. Laderach. 1880. Mayor, William I. Tozer; Recorder, E. S. Van Liew; Treasurer, William M. Green; Aldermen, John Bourn, John Brigham, Jr., Frank Fitzhugh, D. W. Johnson, S. 0. Fisher, R. Laderach. 1881. Mayor, Wlliam E. Magill; Recorder, E. S. Van Liew; Treasurer, William M. Green; Aldermen, John Bourn, S. 0. Fisher, Frank Fitzhugh, F. X. Dubois, C. E. Root, R, Laderach. 1882. Mayor, William E. Magill; Recorder, Henry C. Thompson; Treasurer, Andrew Weir; Aldermen, Bernard Lourimn, S. 0. Fisher, R. Laderach, F. X. Dubois, C. E. Root, Charles Anderson. 1883. Mayor, Spencer 0. Fisher; Recorder, William H. Phillips; Treasurer, Andrew Weir; Aldermen, First Ward, E. J. Kelton, George Portt; Second Ward, E. J. Pfeifer, George Boston; Third Ward, F. D. Pierson, M. Hagarty; Fourth Ward, L. Roundsville, J. A. Braman; Fifth Ward, George Hogan, Charles Anderson. SPENCLR O. FISHER, Present Mayor of West Bay City, was born at Camden, Hillsdale Co., Mich., February 3, 1843. In his boyhood he received a common school education and worked upon a farm until eighteen years of age. From that time until twenty-one years of age he was in the employ of Sutton & Fisher, buying hard-wood lumber and shipping it East. From twenty-one to twenty-three years of age he was clerk in a general store at Hillsdale for tihe firm of Hall & SMar vin. His salary for the first year was to be $200, but at the end of the year they paid him $600, and for the remaining two years $1,000 per year. He then engaged in the mercantile business for himself at Hillsdale, and remained there about six years when he sold out and removed to West Bay City, at that time the village of We11nona. June 26, 1867, he married Miss Kate H. Crane, of Hills-. 4 - L i -IV r [:s ].t A 6 I i i I 1i I I.W. 184 HISTORY OF B&AY COUNTY. dale, and they now have three daughters. Mr. Fisher was alderman in the city of Hillsdale two consecutive terms of two years each. He arrived in Wenona in October, 1871, and engaged in the lumber and timber business. He was one of the charter members of West Bay City, formed by the consolidation of Banks, Wenona and Salzburgh, and gave the new city the namie it now bears; has been an alderman two terms, run for mayor on the organization of the city, but was defeated by D. G. Arnold, the strongest manl in the city, by eleven votes. He was the unanimous choice of the Democratic congressional convention for the tenth district last Fall, but his business arrangements were such that he could not accept. He built his present dwelling in 1873, bought the ground June 30th, and was living in the house October 1st, of the same year. Cost of building $6,000. He joined with H. H. Nbrrington in building thie opera house in 1876, and in 1877 bought Norrington's interest; value of opera house $20,000. Burned December 19, 1881, insurance only $6,000. After the fire he bought seventy-five feet adjoining the opera house site, and rebuilt what is now known as Fisher Block, at a cost of $35,000. Also built in 1881 the bank building, occupied by Lumberman's State Bank, and Mosher and Fisher as an office, at a cost of $15,000. He built two or three dwellings, which he has rented, and barns and warehouses amounting in all to $15,000, and built in Williams, in 1872, a mill costing $20,000. The details of his lumber operations since comining to West Bay City are substantially as follows, and they tell their own story: First year handled 1,000,000 feet of square timber; next year added short logs and handled from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 feet. During the panic of 1873 he slacked up somewhat, and for six years handled from 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 feet a year; in 1879 he increased his business, handling from 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 feet, in 1880, 20,000,000 feet, and inll 1881, 35,000,000 feetoakand pine timber and short logs, the firm, as we should have said, being Mosher & Fisher. Their sales and shipments of lumber in 1882 aggregated 34,389,943 feet; square timber 3,000,000 feet board measure; oak timber 1,000,000 feet. For 1883 they have under contract 50,000,000 feet of new short logs and 10,000,000 feet of last year's logs inll boom limits, also 5,000,000 feet of square timber, pine, and 1,000,000 feet of oak; this being the estimate for Winter lumbering only. In addition to this they will realize from Summer lumbering, having purchased last Fall S. McLean's entire stock, 40,000,000 feet, all to be cut within three years; 5,000,000 feet of logs which they expect will be available late in the Fall, and expect to purchase at least 5,000,000 feet of pine short logs, beside what they already have in stock and under contract. As another side issue in addition to the one at East Tawas, M. & F. purchased last year 4,000,000 feet of logs at Ludington, which, not having been thus far available, will figure in the aggregate of operations for 1883. He is also president of the Lumberman's State Bank, and in the Spring of 1883 was elected mayor of the city. He is one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church, and has contributed liberally of his time and means to the building of the elegant new church edifice now in process of erection. At the organization of the bank of which Mr. Fisher is president, mention was made of him as follows: "It is only niecessary to state what is well known, that its president, S. O. Fisher, is reputed to be one of the most successful lumber operators in this section of the state, and that by his energy and rare business talents he has acquired within a few years a large fortune, and which entitles him to rank among the lumber kings of the Saginaw Valley as a future millionaire. To his enterprise and push West Bay City is more indebted for her fine paved streets, handsome buildings and metropolitan eclat than to any other citizen she possesses, and his motto that "a man should spend his money where hlie makes it" is exemplified in his construction of the opera house and the elegant block in which the Lumberman's State Balnk takes up its quarters" POST OFFICES. In the consolidation of Wenlona, Banks, Salzburgh, each place retained its postoffice, that of Wenona being changed in name to West Bay City. THE WEST BAY CITY OFFICE was established by the postoffice department in February, 1865, in the village of Wenona, and appointed Mr. George H. Bates postmaster. He held the office until June, 1866, when he resigned, and Mr. J. H. Plum was appointed to fill the vacancy. During the official terms of these two gentlemen the office was kept inll a part of Sage, McGraw & Co's store. Mr. Plum, in October, 1866, was succeeded by Major Newcomb Clark, who held the office until the Fall of 1869, when he was succeeded by Henry Aplin, the present incumbent. The office was removed from the store of Sage, McGraw & Co. to a building on Midland Street, near John Street. It was afterward removed to Linn Street, and inll July, 1881, again removed to its present location, in the Aplin Block, on Midland Street. When Mr. Aplin took the office in 1869, there were thirty-eight boxes, and in 1883 there are 1,089 boxes. The salary of of the postmaster then was $490 a year, and at the present time it is $2,000. The business of the office at that time aggregated about $800, and in 1883 it has reached between $8,000 and $9,000. These figures indicate something of the general growth of the place, and it must be remembered that within the city limits are two other postoffices. HENRY H. APLIN, the present postmaster, was one of the early business men of Wenona, and has been one of the active men in building up the city. He was born in the city of Flint, Mich., and at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, serving until its close, and was mustered out as quarter-master's sergeant. In 1865 he came to Bay City and engaged in the grocery trade, subsequently removing to the west side of the river. In 1869 he was appointed postmaster of Wenona, succeeding Col. N. Clark, and has held the office up to the present. The name of the office has, however, been changed to West Bay City. He also is engaged inll the news and stationery trade, in the same building with the postoffice, which was built by him especially to accommodate the two different kinds of business. He is married and has one child. THE BANKS POSTOFFICE was established about 1865. Up to that time the place had been called Bangor, but there being another office of that name in the state it was necessary to choose another one, and Banks was selected in honor of Gen. N. P. Banks. The first postmaster was William F. Benson, a merchant of the place. The office was kept in his store. The mail was carried from Bay City to Banks in a skiff every day, for which Mr. Benson received $15 a year. His salary as postmaster amounted to the magnificent sum of $35 a year. Mr. Benson held the office about four years and was succeeded by David Trombley. Following him were Joseph Marchaneo, Henry S. Walworth, George McKoy, George McKoy, Jr., and William Stewart, the present postmaster, who received his appointment in 1880. The present salary of the postmaster is $320 a year. WILLIAM STEWART, the present postmaster is one of the few l.4 -, 11 - l — / .;! -:. —'I,; ",:;. ':"-:, —"., FISHERS BANK BLOCK. RES. OF S.O. FISHER. 1 1 FISKER BLOCK-WEST BAY CITY. -4^ I,,.q-., - wm HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 185 m e n h o a r t c i p a e d n t e c i i l a r r o n t i t s c o m n e n c m e l t t men who participated in the civil war from its commencement to its close. He enlisted in April, 1861, and remained in the service until April 1865. He saw a great deal of active service, and lost a leg while in service. He has been a resident of Banks since 1867. THE SALZBURGH POSTOFFICE. This office was established in the year 1868 largely through the efforts of Mr. Charles Orton, who was then a resident of the place. The first postmaster was Mr. George Staudacher, who held the office until 1879, when he was succeeded by Mr. Michael Riegel, the present incumbent. MICHAEL RIEGEL was born in Germany, in 1852, and there learned the machinist's trade. He emigrated to America in 1871, and for a short time worked at his trade in Brooklyn, N. Y. Coming to West Bay City the same year he entered the employ of George Staudacher & Co., general merchants, and in 1878 engaged in the same business for himself. In 1879 was appointed postmaster for Salzburgh, which position he yet retains. He was president of the German Working Men's Society four years and is at present one of its trustees. He married Annie B. Schmidt of Frank enlust, Mich. They have three children. WEST BAY CITY CHURCHES. The early settlers in Wenona were fully alive to the beneficent influences of churches upon a community, and particularly during its formative period. Hence, we find that while the outlines of a town were being marked out, church organization was being contemplated; and even before the village of Wenona was foreshadowed, Rev. D. B. Campbell was doing missionary work in the township of Bangor. Following are historical sketches of the several churches now represented in the city: THE WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WEST BAY CITY. Until recently this church was called the First Presbyterian Church of Bangor. About November 1, 1863, the Rev. D. B. Campbell was sent as a missionary by the Presbytery of Saginaw, to the lower part of the Saginaw River. His field of labor comprised Bangor, Kawkawlin and Portsmouth. Services were held in the schoolhouses at Banks and Wenona, for the convenience of people living in the township of Bangor. At that time there was no such place as Wenona, either in fact or prospect. In January, 1864, after Sage and McGraw had purchased the site of the village, the Rev. Mr. Campbell called on Mr. H. W. Sage, and asked a donation of two lots upon which to erect a church. The request was promptly granted and two lots on Catherine Street were donated, and on behalf of the firm Mr. Sage generously agreed to double any subscriptions that could be raised for the purpose of building the church. Early in 1865, a call, signed by ten persons, was issued for a meeting to organize a church society. The meeting was held at Mr. Campbell's house, and an organization effected. The first elders of the church were Stephen Buchanan and J. H. Plum. First trustees, J. S. Taylor, J. B. Ostrander, John G. Sweeney. The efforts to raise money for a church edifice were successful, and the work of building was vigorously pushed forward. On the 23d of August, 1865, the corner stone was laid, and on the 3d of the following December it was dedicated, the Rev. J. Ambrose Wight, of Bay City, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The cost of the building was $3,500, furnishing $500 more. Of this amount Sage, McGraw & Co., contributed about $2,000. The Rev. Mr. Campbell continued with the society until some time in 1868, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. T. Sanford, of Schenectady, N. Y., who resigned the pastorate in January, 1870. The church was then without a pastor about a year. In April, 1871, a call was extended to Rev. L. W. Chapman, who began his labors with the society soon afterward, and continued until May 1, 1880. In October following the present pastor, Rev. Donald L. Monroe. entered upon the pastorate of the church and has been very successful in his labors. About 1879 or 1880, the question of building a new church edifice that should better meet the increasing requirements of the society, and be more in harmony with the progressive spirit of the city, began to be agitated. It was finally decided that the work should be undertaken, and a building committee consisting of Spencer 0. Fisher, J. H. Plum and E. T. Carrington, was appointed. TIhe question of location was very easily decided, by the offer of Mr. H. W. Sage to donate two and one-half lots on Midland Street, and sell the third lot for $500. The offer was accepted, and in June, 1882, work upon the new edifice was begun. It is expected that it will be completed in September, 1883. The cost of the church, when finished, will reach fully $20,000. It is built of red brick, after a semi-Gothic style of architecture, and presents a unique and attractive appearance. The interior finish is rich and costly. The auditorium is semi-circular, and is expected to seat 500 people. The structure is a credit to the enterprise and liberality of the society and is an ornament to the city. The present membership of the church is 126. The Sabbathschoolhas an average attendance of about 150. The superintendent of the Sabbath-school is E. T. Carrington. The present elders are Henry Coffin, J. H.' Plum, Frank W. Wheeler, Harrison Miller, George A. Allen, John McNiel. Trustees: —Spencer O. Fisher, E. T. Carrington, F. W. Wheeler, J. H. Plum, John M. Kelton, H. S. Ingersoll. The history of the society has not beern marked by any unusual events. For the most part the church has prospered, and at the present time its affairs are in a healthful and prosperous condition. In its m embership are included some of the leading financial and business citizens of the city, who take an active interest in the welfare of the society. The first members of the church were as follows: —J. H. Plum and wife, Sethl Bourn and wife, Peter Smith and wife, Mesdames Margaret Sweeney, Delia Huckins, Emily Algoe, Emeline Ostrander, Isabella Campbell, C. Gilbert, and S. A. Buchanan, and James McDonald. Of that number eight have died or removed from the place. Those who remain are Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Plum, Mr. and Mrs. Seth Bourn, Mrs. Peter Smith and Mrs. Margaret Sweeney. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY. Wenon a charge was formed in the Fall of 1866, and the Rev. A. C. Shaw appointed pastor. The charge includes Portsmouth and Banks. The first societies were formed at Wenona and Bangor, by Rev. William Fox and his colleague, Rev. E. Wigle, in the Winter and Spring of 1866. e evs. Fox and Wigle were then of the Bay City charge. The former particularly is held in affectionate remembrance by those who knew him. He died at Bancroft, Shiawassee County, March 28, 1881. During the pastorate of Rev. Shaw, a church was erected at Banks and dedicated by Rev. B. I. Ives, of New York. In the Fall of 1867 Rev. Shaw was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Gee. In 1868 the work was divided, Portsmouth being taken off, and Rev. Gee was succeeded by Rev. Joel B. Goss. Until a short time before Rev. Gee's removal the society had worshipped in a hall which they were obliged to vacate in August, 1868. After Rev. Goss arrived h e held services at Bangor until November 18th, when Babo Hall was rented, and the following Sabbath a Sunday-school was organized, of which J. S. Taylor was superintendent. J L WV " - -- _ e 186 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. The trustees began building a church at Wenona about this time on some lots given to the society by Mrs. Chillson. She also circulated a paper and procured money to erect and partly enclose a building. It remained unfinished for want of funds until July, 1869, when a meeting of the trustees was held and J. S. Taylor requested to circulate a subscription paper, which lie did, and wTork upon the building was resumed. September, 1869, Rev. Jacob Horton was appointed pastor, and in November following the church was dedicated. Rev. Horton was returned in the Fall of 1870, and during the year that followed the chapel was built with lhalf of its cost provided for. In the Fall of 1871 Rev. W. Q. Burnett was appointed pastor. At the close of that year the financial affairs of the church were investigated, and it was found that the society owed a debt of $2,500. A subscription paper was circulated and so liberal was the response that the entire debt on both church and chapel was paid. Inl the Fall of 1872 Rev. Burnett was returned, and during the next year about $600 was expended in improvements. Mr. Burnett remained until the Fall of 1874 wvhen he was succeeded by Rev. R. Woodhams. The following year was one of great financial depression, and the church suffered by reason of it. During this year Mrs. Augusta C. Lester, wife of Capt. T. G. Lester, and one of the oldest members of the church, was removed by death. She was a woman greatly beloved, and her death was deeply mourned. The financial condition of the church was improved about this time by the bequest of $400 of Duncan Lothian. Two mission schools welre established one at the Oak Ridge Cemetery Mission, and the other the Salzburgli mission. September, 1875, Rev. Woodhams was returned, and during the following year the membership of,the church was largely increased as a result of revival meetings. In 1876 Mr. Woodhanls was succeeded by Rev. D. W. Misner, who remained one year. In 1877 Mr. J. S. Taylor removed from the place, and the society lost one of its most liberal and zealous members. He had been superintendent of the Sunday-school from the beginning, and was ever active in the interests of the church. From that time to the present, the society has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. The church at Banks was attached to the Woodside Avenue Church, at Bay City, and in 1881 the building at Salzburgh was soldto the German Lutheran Society. In the Fall of 1877 Rev. William Dawe was appointed pastor. He remained three years, and was succeeded by Rev. L. P. Davis who is still in charge of the work. In 1883 the society purchased a house and lot adjoining the church for a parsonage. The house has been enlarged and improved since the purchase. The present membership of the church is 120, and that of the Sunday-school about the same. The trustees are T. F. Shepard, H. H. Aplin, David Lusk, T. G. Lester, John Brigham, H. S. Lewis. Dr. N. R. Gilbert, George L. Mosher and George Lester. LUTHERAN SOCIETIES. The German Lutheran Church of West Bay City was among the early institutions of the place, and has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. The church was built in 1868, and is located on Alp street, south of Midland street. Rev. Mr. Wiest is the pastor. The church has seventy-five members. The Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church at West Bay City was organized in 1880. The church building located on the corner of Henry and Thomas streets, was built in 1881. The pastor is Rev. H. R. Miller. The church now has one hundred and fifty members, and is in a flourishing condition. EPISCOPAL SOCIETY. St. Paul's Clhurch was organized inll 1872 as a parochial parish, by Trinity Church of Bay City, under charge of Mr. Geo. A. Cooke as Lay Reader. There were two missions, one at Wenona and another at Banks. The first rector was Rev. Lewis L. Rogers. In 1874 a neat church edifice was built at Wenlona, upon the lots preselitedl by Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Sage. Rev. J. E. Jackson received anll appointment as missionary in October, 1874. Rev. Wilson succeeded Mr. Jackson. For some tilue past there have been no regular services, and only Sunday schools kept up; the mlelmbership not being sufficient to sustain the society. ST. MARY'S CHURCH. The early history of the Romanl Catholic church inl Bay County has already been given ill connlection with the history of Bay City. In November, 1873, the building affterSward used as a sclloolhouse was dedicated as ria' church by St. Mary's society of Wenona. It was designed to be used until the permllallellt church edifice should be comllpleted. The present church bluilding wvas dedicated ill Decelmber, 1881. The event was mentioned at the time by the local paper as follows: so Without doubt one of the largest gatherings ever assembled inll this city took place onl Wednesday upon the occasion of the dedication of St. Mary's church. Long before the time appointed to cormmenlce the impressive services the large and conmodious edifice was filled to overflowinig while hlundreds were compelled to remain outside during the entire services. The Right Rev. Bishop Borgess of Detroit blessed the church and dedicated the rame to the service of God. At the conclusion of which the Right Rev. Bishop McMullen of Davenport, Iowa, delivered one of the ablest as well as eloquent sermons that has been heard in MIichigan for many years. The erection of this church has been a wonlderful work. Costly and beautiful, and a very large share of the credit is due to the untiring energy and enterprise of the Rev. Fathller Schllutjes for this magnificent structure in our young and prosperous city." The parish was set off from Bay City inll 1873, and thle first pastor was Rev. M. G. Cantors. The present pastor is Rev. Fatller Schutjes. EVANGELICAL. The First Evangelical Reformed Church of WTest Bay City dates from the Spring of 1881, when articles of association were filed at the court house. They showed that Rev. E. W. Henlschell, of Manlitowoc, Wis., was pastor; Godfrey KLubach, Rudolph Laderach, and Johann Tschlmann, trustees; Jacob Laderach and Conrad Baulmveller, elders, and Jacob Grunldger and Johann Baumlllan, deaColls. The society was first organized in 1880. They purchased the building erected by the M. E. Society ill 1875 for the Salzburgh Mission. The church has one hundred and twenty-five members, and is in a flourishing condition. The Elders are Frederick Eckert and Richard Burnl; Deacons, Adolph Kusch and J. L. Hofman; Trustees, Otto Kusch, David Schueppach and John Schroeder. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WEST BAY CITY. This society has just begun its career having effected all organiization in April of the present year. Thursday evening April 19, 1888, about twenty of the leading menmbers of the Baptist delnonmination of West Bay City assembled at the residence of Dr. Marsh, and organized the First Baptist Church of West Bay City. The following officers were elected: Clerk, Dr. J. P. Webster. Board of Trustees, A. C. Haven, chairman; F. E. Hixsonl, Dr. J. P. WVebster, F. D. Pierson and Capt. A. Neal. A call was extended to the Rev. Willis Clark, then in Cheboygan, to become the pastor of their church. II j J~ i..~ _ - A, r I IN f!) ,m.. I I 1, I I i HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY 187 I NON-DENOMINATIONAL. Walter Silms, evangelist, non-sectarian, began preaching in West Bay City, Nov. 1879. There is now an assembly of over one hundred and twenty, who meet oil tile ecclesiastical ground of the early church of the New Testament. Walter Sims, tile evangelist, came to Bay City from Detroit in the autumn of 1879, opening a series of meetings in Rouech Hall, at which lie energetically preached the gospel, and, to use his own language, earnestly contended for the faith once delivered unto the saints, which, lhe claims, has been, and still is entirely ignored ill the sectarian organism of Christianity. He is, by birth, a native of Canada, with English parentage, receiving from his parents the invaluable boon of a good education. Subsequent to the labors in whllich lie is at present engaged, in fact lbefore even the thought of his ever preaching had crossed the horizon of his life his occupation was varied. Soon after the completion of his educational course, lie devoted himself to teaching. After a few years of practical experience as a teacher, in which lie proved Ihimself a very successful educator, he was appointed to a very responsible position on the staff of one of thle leacling newspapers of the Dominion, in which position he remained for some years, During the time of these secular occupations lie has traveled much, ill both this and foreign countries, acquiring a store of general knowledge of jboth places, peoples and things, which proves to be of invaluable service to him in his evangelical labors. The work which he began, upon his arrival llere, has been notably successful. Upwards of one hundred and twenty-five, in this place alone, have acknowlecdged the faith as taught in the Scriptures. He labors incessantly, preaching on an average six times each week, and to large audiences of interested hearers. CEMETERIES. Oak Ridge Cemetery is one of, if not the oldest burying grounds in the county. In 1851-52 the Drake Bros. built their mill on the west side of the river, and soon after they set apart a tract of about twenty acres for a burial place. The location was admirably adapted to that purpose, the ground being high and beautifully wooded with oak trees. The name Oak Eidge was given to the place by Mr. John Drake. The first person buried there was one of the workmen in the Drake mill. Mr. Drake kept the property until about the year 1866, wvhen he sold it to the towvnship of Bangor. In 1877 after the incorporation of West Bay City, the city purchased the property, and had it re-platted antd improved. It is under the control of a board of cemetery trustees appointed by the city council, of which the city Recorder is an ex-officio member and clerk. The present members of the board are Robert Leng, C. F. Corbin, Morris Westover, and the city Recorder. Oak Ridge is situated on section seventeen between the Au Sable State road and Henrv street. The annual report of the trustees, March 31, 1883, shows: Whole number of lots sold during the year, 34, for which the city received cash $341.50, and there is still due on same, $30.00. There has also been received in cash during the year, on account of amounts due on sales previous to this year, the sum of $28.80, and there is still due on the same, $87.60. The entire number of lots laid out in the old cemetery grounds according to the platting thereof is 789. The whole number of lots for which deeds have I been given, as appearing from official records of same is 291, from " which it would appear that many are yet unsold; but a reference to said lots nominally unlsold, however, reveals the fact, that a great number are now occupied as burial lots, for wlhich no owners call be found. The diligent inquiry and notices printed calling upon parties claiming ownerships to said lots in said cemetery to appealr and claim and prove titles have been of little avail. During the year many of the lots in the same platted cemetery grounds, have been taken and fenced with board strips six inches wide, numbered and painted, and material improvements made throughout the said celmetery grounds by clearing away stumps, rubbish, undergrowth, etc. During the same time many lots have been tastefully and permanently improved by their owners by the addition of new soil, the setting of shrubs, flowering plants, etc., while not a few costly and elegant monuments have been erected, materially beautifying the general appearance of that part of the cemetery grounds. The past tell years services of the present sexton, Mr. Coy, have been very satisfactory to all concerned in the management of the cemeteries, and we cheerfully recommend him to your honorable body for reappointment, whilst we cannot close our brief report without testifying in most unqualified terms to the valuable services rendered this board in its official operations, by your late Recorder, Mr. Henry C. Thompson. St. Joseph's Cemetery belongs to the Catholic society, and is situated near Oak Ridge. It was purchased of Mr. B. B. Hart, and has received that careful attention for which Catholic societies are noted. CITY AND TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS. The first schoolhouse in the township of Bangor was built about 1860, on a lot given for that purpose by the owner of the land. It stood back from the river a distance of a quarter of a mile and was used for various public purposes other than schools. The sovereign people of Bangor gathered there to vote at an early day, and the zealous missionary assembled the pioneers within its walls and proclaimed to them the glad tidings of salvation or the appalling terrors of a judgment to come. About this time a school was started in the village of Banks, called at that time Bangor. A diminutive shanty was the temporary temple of learning. About 1863 the town hall was finished, and the school was kept there until 1868. Further toward the south were still other youth thirsting for knowledge, and a school for their benefit was started in the Salz. burgh District. This place had just been "salted," and was a candidate for metropolitan proportions. In 1864- Wenona bloomed forth, and grew so famously that, in 1866, the place ripened into an incorporated village. The necessity for better school accommodations was felt, and an effort was made to induce the district to build a new schoolhouse. The pioneer in this movement was Mr. J. A. McKnight. There was a large element opposed to tlhe project; but after a hard struggle, which called into play persistent determination and some strategy, the friends of the measure gained the victory, and bonds to the amount of $10,000 were voted. The morning following the meeting at which this result was reached Mr. McKnight started for Detroit to negotiate the bonds, which he did, and work was begunl on the new school building, which, with some additions is the one now in use near Midland Street in School District No. 2. It was built by Mr. George Campbell, of Bay City, and cost about $9,500. The furniture cost $1,200 more. It was opened Monday, January 27, 1868, with Mr. A. L. Cumming as Superintendent. There were about 300 pupils in the district, of whom about 180 attended school. The old wooden building was removed to a lot nearer the brick building, and fitted up for further use. In 1868 a schoolhouse was built at Banks, then School District No. 2 of Bangor. This building was a credit to the intelligence and enterprise of the place. It must be remembered that a considerable portion of the population of the district were temporary residents and non-taxpayers. The school flourished and was liberally sustained. In November, 1877, that building was destroyed by fire, and the following year the present elegant brick building was erected at a cost of $8,000, including ground. The school has a j J31 I I9 I a I0 188 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. fine library, and the people of the district take great pride in the prosperity of their schools. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. The schools of West Bay City are organized under the State law, and the territory of the city of West Bay City and township of Bangor is divided into three school districts. Efforts have been made to separate the schools of the city from those of the township, but never have succeeded. The provision of the city charter relating to school districts is as follows: SECTION 1. All the territory within the limits of West Bay City included in sections fourteen, fifteen and sixteen, and sections nine, ten and fractional section eleven of the township of Bangor, are hereby organized for school district purposes into a graded school district to be known and designated as school district number one of the city of West Bay City, and all the territory included within the limits of the east half of section seventeen, and all of section twenty, section twenty-one, and the north half of section twentynine in the city of West Bay City, and sections seven, eight, the western half of section seventeen and sections eighteen and nineteen of the township of Bangor are hereby organized for school district purposes into a graded school district, to be known and designated as school district number two of the city of West Bay City; and all the territory included within the limits of the city embraced in the south half of section twenty-nine and the whole of section thirty-two is hereby organized for school district purposes into a school, to be known and designated as school district number three of the city of West Bay City, and as such school districts numbers one, two and three respectively of the city of West Bay City, they are hereby made owners of all the property now owned by districts now numbered one, two and three respectively of the city of West Bay City, and subject to all contracts made with and by said districts respectively, and are hereby declared liable respectively for the payment of all bonds, notes, debts and liabilities of said school districts numbers one, two and three respectively of said city, whose legal successors said school districts numbers one, two and three respectively, of the city of West Bay City are declared to be, and the officers of said school districts, numbers one, two and three respectively, of the city, are hereby declared to be and are hereby created the officers of said school districts numbers one, two and three respectively, of the city of West Bay City, and shall continue to hold their offices till the expiration of the terms for which they were elected as officers of said school districts numbers one, two and three respectively of the city of West Bay City. SECTION 2. The full amount of all the taxes to be levied for school purposes upon the taxable property of said school districts numbers one, two and three respectively of the city of West Bay City shall be certified by the officers or boards of trustees of said districts respectively to the supervisors of said township of Bangor and the comptroller of said city, who shall each certify to the other the amount of taxable property in those parts of said districts lying in his, township or city, and such comptroller and supervisor shall respectively ascertain the proportion of such taxes to be placed on their respective assessment rolls according to the amount of taxable property in such parts of such school districts, and the same shall be spread upon the assessment rolls accordingly. SECTION 3. No trustee or officer of either of said school dis tricts shall be directly or indirectly interested in any contract as principal surety, or otherwise, the expenses or consideration whereof are to be paid under any act of ordinance of the board of school officers or trustees of which lie is a member, nor be surety or bondsman on any contract or bond given to said board of school officers or trustees. SECTION 4. All provisions of the general laws of the state relative to common and union or graded schools shall apply and be in force in said city, except such as may be inconsistent with the provisions of this act or with the by-laws and ordinances of the board of school officers or trustees of either of said districts made such under this act." There are now in the three school districts six school buildings belonging to the districts. and one rented building in district No. 2. Two sites for buildings have recently been purchased in district No. 2. OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES. District No. 1: F. W. Bradfield, moderator; Robert Leng, director; Bernard Lourim, assessor; F. W. Johnson, D. C. Starr, F. W. Beebe. District No. 2: T. F. Shepard, moderator; J. A. McKnight, director; L. Roundsville, assessor; S. O. Fisher, J. H. Plum, W. M. Green. District No. 3: B. Staudachler, director; Charles Anderson, moderator; Rudolph Laderach, assessor. TEACHERS. District No. 1, E. J. Dellorest, superintendent; Mary Abernethy, Emma Abernethy, Jane Kern, Mollie Donohue, Anna Revenaugh. Total number of pupils in this district is 850; number enrolled, 400. District No. 2. F. W. Lankenaw, superintendent; Mrs. C. C. Faxon, Lucy Swift, Marcia Davis, Ida Scofield, M. Silsby, M. Dwyer, Avis Johnson, Ada E. Talbot, Maggie McMullen, Etta Ostrander, Mrs. (C. A. Thomas, Miss N. L. Coy. Total number of pupils enrolled in this district 1,076; number belonging 713. District No. 3. Frank C. Thompson, Principal; Misses Wilma Burton and Effa Weatherby. Number of pupils enrolled 190; average attendance 160; total number of school children in the district 240. The total number of school children in the three districts, according to the school census of 1883, is 2,642. SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. The various societies represented in West Bay City are in an unusually healthy condition, evidently sharing in the general prosperity of the community in which they are located. Their early organization and present condition is sketched as follows: TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. The history of temperance societies on the west side of the river-corresponds with that of similar societies elsewhere. Like individuals, they have lived and died. The first temperance society was a lodge of Good Templars, organized in Wenona in December, 1866, of whichDr. J. A. Chase was Worthy Chief Templar. In May, 1867, we find the following record: "On Wednesday evening, the 18th inst., G. W. D. D., Thomas Carney installed the following persons as officers of the Wenona Lodge of Good Templars for the ensuing quarter: W. C. T., J. A. Chase; W. V. T., Mrs. Davenport; W. S., A. Chapman; W. A. S., M. Carter; W. C., Rev. D. B. Campbell; W. F. S.,L. Roundsville; W. I. G., Miss Anna Eligh; W. O. G., Reuben Eligh; W. R. S., Mrs. R. H. Case; W. L. S., Mrs. T. Carter. This lodge now numl bers over seventy members, and is increasing by the addition of new ones at every meeting, a fact which is not very encouraging to the venders of the "vile stuff" on this side of the river." After a time disagreements arose, and the lodge was divided, which eventually resulted in the downfall of both. In November, 1881, Rev. Charles Russell, Grand WVothy Chief -r jI wi r )I, I r — 4 — L 1 ~a - - P HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 189 I Templar of the state, visited West Bay City and instituted a lodge of forty-seven members. The officers elected were as follows: — W. C. T., Rev. L. P. Davis; W. V. T., Mrs. T. P.' Hawkins; W. S., Edwin Van Tuyl; W. T., Miss Lucy McNeil; Fin. Sec., Miss Avis Johnson; W. M., C. Kaynor; W. I. G., Miss Mary Chillson; W. O. G., George Lusk. The firstlodge meeting was held November 25, 1881. The present membership is eighty-six Present, W. C. T., Rev. L. P. Davis; W. S., A. E. R. Bush; W. T., John Todd; F. S., Eugene Clark. MASONIC. Wenona Lodge No. 256, F. & A. M., is one of the pioneer institutions of West Bay City. In November, 1868, a dispensation was granted to Neil Mathewson as W. M., H. Bunnell and C. P. Black as wardens, with power to organize a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the village of Wenona. At a meeting held November, 12, 1868, a lodge was organized with the following named persons as charter members: —N. Mathewson, C. P. Black, George A. Allen, I. E. Randall, H. P. Baker, William Moots, N. Clark, John H. Blakeley. The lodge received its charter in January, 1869, and February 11th, following, elected officers as follows: -N. Mathewson; W. M.; H. Bunnell, S. W.; C. P. Black, J. W.; D. G. Arnold, Treas,; N. Clark, Secy.; George A. Allen, S. D.; I. E. Randall, J. D.; William Moots, tyler; M. W. Brock and 0. J. Davis, stewards; John Davis, chaplain. Meetings were held in a room in the Moots & Babo Block until 1882, when the rew hall in the Mo3sher Block was secured. The present membership is about eiglty. Present officers are as follows: -W. M., D. G. Arnold; S. W., George L. Mosher; J. W., Aretus Corbin; treasurer, C. S. Ford; secretary, D. B. Perry; S. D., George A. Allen; J. D., E. W. Light; tyler, Ezra Phelps. I. O. O. F. Wenona Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 19, 1874. The event was mentioned at the time as follows:-"Past Grand Master Thomas E. Doughty, of East Saginaw, assisted by members of Bay Lodge, No. 104, and Valley Lodge No. 189, of this city, last evening instituted a new Odd Fellows Lodge at Wenona, to be known as Wenona Lodge, No. 221. The ceremonies commenced at 3 P. M. and continued until 5, at which time an adjournment was made for supper. The lodge was again called to order at 7 o'clock and the ceremonies proceeded. Eleven candidates were initiated, making the total membership sixteen. At 12 o'clock those present, to the number of over a hundred, adjourned to the basement of the Ernst Block, where a bountiful repast had been prepared by the ladies of the village. The tables were filled, and all did ample justice to the supper, after which volunteer toasts were proposed and responded to as follows: E. Newkirk proposed: "The Ladies of Wenona, who provided such a bountiful repast." Dr. Hooper responded in an excellent speech. Mr. Newkirk proposed: "The Past Grand Master and the brethren from Saginaw," and called upon T. E. Doughty, P. G. M., to respond. Mr. Poughty made sote well timed remarks. Mr. Crabb, of East Saginaw, proposed: "The Brethren of Bay and Valley Lodges," which was responded to by Thomas J. Kelley in his usual happy manner. At this juncture one of the large number of gentlemen who had not partaken of the repast called upon Mr. Newkirk to propose a toast regarding them. The hint was a good one and was taken immediately, as was evinced by the lively manner in which those seated at the tables made way for their fasting brethren. It was supposed that all were seated at the table, I - or an adjournment from the tables to an adjoining room would have been made sooner. "The lodge was again called to order at 2 A. M., and while waiting for some of the charter members, Mr. Newkirk, being called upon, made a speech giving the lodge some sound advice. "The following officers were then installed, and at this morning the lodge adjourned: —N. G., John Pelton; V. G., Amos Hewitt; R. S., M. A. Dowling; T.,R. Van Tuyl; W., J. Ernst. " The new lodge starts out with brilliant prospects for the future, and it will, no doubt, make a shining light in the Odd Fellows' firmament. The hall, which is in the Ernst Block, is tastefully fitted up, the regalias are handsome, and, in fact, everything is the best." The lodge has continue'd in a flourishing condition. The officers for 1883 are as follows:-N. G., John McCartney; O. G., Thomas L. Jewell; R. S., Charles Anderson; P. S., S. L. Brigham; treasurer, R. Laderach; representative to grand lodge, H. Hifield. There is also a lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah. ROYAL ARCANUM. Wenona Council, No. 31 Royal Arcanuml, is one of the prosperous institutions of West Bay City. It was organized December 3, 1877, with thirty-one charter members. The officers for 1883 are as follows: Regent, G. H. Francis; vice-regent, J. B. Kanouse; orator, F. W. Lankenaw; secretary, E. S. Van Liew; collector, L. Roundsville; treasurer, H. H. Aplin; guide, Wallace Gerow; warden, George Harrison; sentry, A. Perkins; physicians, Dr. W. E. Magill, Dr. J. W. Hauxhurst; representative to grand council, H. H. Aplin; alternate, G. H. Francis; trustees, T. F. Shepard, G. H. Francis, F. A. Peak. The lodge has a membership of ninety. Two deaths have occurred in the lodge since its organization, S3,000 being paid in each instance. KNIGHTS OF MACCABEES. Sir Knight Hugh Elliott, deputy grand commander of the Knights of Maccabees of the World for Michiganl, instituted a tent of that order in West Bay City, in March 1883, with twenty-six charter members, and installed the following officers: Past Sir Knight Comlmander, Allen G. Plum; Sir Knight Commander, Luther B. Edinborough; Sir Knight Lieut. Commander, John B. Kanouse; Sir Knight R. K., Allan H. Stillman; Sir Knight F. K., Charles B. McCloy; Sir Knight Pro., Charles S. Ford; Sir Knight Phy., J. W. Hauxhurst; Sir Knight Sergt., William McCloy; Sir Knight M. at A., James A. Scott; Sir Knight 1st of G., John E. Austin; Sir Knight 2d of G., Harry Smith; Sir Knight Sent., Eugene Adams; Sir Knight Pick., William H. Lurm. This tent is composed of the representative young men of West Bay City. THE BACHELORS' CLUB. A history of West Bay City would be lamentably incomplete without some notice of an organization that, for a brief moment, fiercely threatened the matrimonial interests of this fair city with disappointment and disaster. Bachelors have cast their shadows upon the path of life in all periods of the history of mankind. At divers and sundry times they have banded themselves together in order to more successfully resist the arch enemy of single blessedness. It is both singularly true and truly singular that a matrimonial epidemic never raged among a community of bachelors with such sweeping fierceness as immediately after the organization of a bachelors' club. Bay City has a bachelors' club, though its decimated ranks revive the proverb that history repeats itself. The'history of the Bachelors' Club of West Bay City is about as follows: 4f - 7-" I 4 - I " I I _ \ i ' 6) \..r - II 190 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. December 25, 1877. —C. S. Ford, thell a young man living in single blessedness in this city, gave a Christmas dinner at his hotel, to which were invited the gentleman friends who now compose the club. After the party had banqueted and were presumably lingering over the wine in the true convivial style peculiar to bachelor dinners, some one moved that a resolution be drawn up and signed by the gentlemen present, requiring each signer to give a reunion supper at any time during the first year of his future wedded life, to celebrate his advent into the "reign of terror," commonly called matrimony. The suggestion was suitable to the spirit of the party and was drawn up with all due legal extravagance of terms and technicalities, after which the company separated. The following are the names of the gentlemen who composed the club:-C. S. Ford, G. H. Francis, Curt Pierce, J. S. Taylor, Jr., S. L. Brigham, George Young, James Sayles, Fred Ward, Dr. J. H. Hauxhurst, W. W. Vedder, H. Weber, R. Green, J. R. McNeil; and they have renounced bachelorhood in the following order: —Francis, first in less than one year from signing the resolution; Hauxhurst, next in quick succession; Ward, third; Ford, next; Taylor, next and McNeil, sixth. The members have become scattered somewhat, but with the exception of the last reunion have generally managed to participate in the pleasures of the meetings. Young is in Texas, where he has been located for a couple of years. Ward is in Flint and Sayles is in Oscoda; the rest still reside in this city. Since that Christmas dinner in 1877, of the thirteen bachelors who signed the agreement, six have married, and almost regularly every year the dinners have been given by the benedicts. At every reunion new resolutions are adopted, and as the conditions require each member to be present with his family, the company gradlually increases and new faces are present at every meeting. As Dr. Hauxhurst laughingly said when giving the history of the club, "Heaven help the last, unless he gets there pretty soon, for he'll be obliged to lease an opera house to hold 'erm." The last reunion occurred at the residence of Capt. B. F. Pierce, father of Curtis Pierce, Thursday evening, October 5, 1882, the occasion being the marriage of J. S. Taylor, Jr., which occurred some time ago, but which was not celebrated at the time, owing to Mr. Taylor's departure from the city, almost immediately after his marriage. Whether any of the original members will still remain good and regular at the time this sketch meets the eyes of the reader is a query fraught with too much uncertainty to warrant the writer in recording an opinion. PUBLIC LIBRARY. At the annual school meeting in 1873, the directors called attention to the fact that there was in the treasury $250, belonging to the library fund, and proposed that $250 more should be raised by tax that year for the purpose of starting a public school library; but this proposition was immediately voted down. Nothing daunted, however, the School Board at one of their meetings determined to expend the money on hand and purchase what books they could for such a library, and immediately sent for catalogues to various publishers, from which they made selections as far as the money would go, and were rewarded by seeing that it was going to be a valuable auxiliary to the schools. At the annual meeting in 1874, the librarian, Mr. Whitmore, made a report showing that there were in the library 351 volumes; and at that meeting the board were instructed to purchase a complete set of Appleton's American Encyclopedia, which was done, and quite a large numlber of other books were also added out of funds onil hand. Froml that time to this the library has been increasing until iinow it contains about 1,700 volumes, and this number will be illncreased to 12,000. When the library was first started it was placed in the brick school building, but that place proving to be insufficient, the fine library room on the second floor of Aplin's building on Linnl Street was rented and a librarian hired to take charge of it. This has nearly all been accomplished without direct expenditure of the people's money, the funds being received from the money paid for fines by the law breakers. A year or so ago, Mr. H. W. Sage concluded to leave something to West Bay City besides docks and saw mills, and it was very natural that his mind should turn to some enduring benefit in which all classes might share. Having the youth of West Bay City uppermost in his thought he decided to give them a good public library, and forthwith proceeded to carry out his benevolent designs. His gift was to consist of a library building costing $22 -000, the lots occupied by the building and $10,000 worth of books. The building was commenced in 1882 and is to be completed in September, 1883. It is situated on Midland Street, opposite the new Presbyterian Church, and when finished will be a. rich addition to the possessions of the city. In this institution the citizens of West Bay City are endowed with a legacy of great and enduring value, and one that will remain a fitting monument to the memory of the founder of Wenona. The control of the library is to be placed with a board of trustees, of which, ministers in charge of churches in the city, the mayor and president of the Board of Education are to be ex-officio members. THE PRESS. By 1869 the village of Wenona had arrived at a degree of iLmportance such as seemed to warrant the publication of a newspaper, and in the Summer of that year Mr. J. B. TenEyck started the Wenona Hercald. He afterward sold his office to Messrs. Cowles & McMullen, who, in 1872, removed the office to Bay City. In November, 1872, Mr. S. H. Egabroad entered upon the field with a paper bearing the same name as the one that swam the river a few months before. April 5, 1873, William J. Ward, a journalist of long experience, purchased tile office and published the Hercld until November, 1879, when he removed the office to Dowagiac, where he published a daily paper for a short time. In 1881 he returned and has since then been connected with the daily papers of Bay City. He is now upon the staff of the 3Iorlinl C(all. Mr. Ward worked at the case thirty years ago. November 19, 1879, a few weeks after the ler'ald office was removed, Messrs. Dowling & Stuart started the E.xamier. They were succeeded by the firm of M. A. Dowling & Co., and May 1, 1882, the firm was again changed to Dowling & McLaod. July l, 1882, Mr. Dowling retired and Mr. McLaod ran the paper alone until the following December, when the present firm of McLaod & Platts began. At the same time the publication of a daily was begun, which is still continued. The present publishers are young men of good ability and enterprise and their business is in a flourishing condition. The EA' aminer office was one of the victims of the great fire of 1881. BANKING. The Lumberman's State Bank of West Bay City is an institution deserving of more than passing notice. The elegance of its business apartments is in hlarmony with the high order of cornmer -Y -I he -rem -, I HISTORtY OF B Y COUNTY. 191 cial and social eilterpirise which characterizes tile commllnity in which it is established, alnd its milincgement i's so uniformly successfu1 that it has attainled high rank among the banking intstitutions of the state. It shares the general prosperity of the place and affords the business of WTest Baly City ample and safe banking facilities. The history of bankillg in Whest Bay City dattes fron January, 1872, when H. H. Norringtoll, of Baly City, and John S. Taylor, of the lumber firul of Taylor & MIoulthrop, formed a company partnership for the purpose of carrying on tile business of banking in the village of Wenona. At that time Wenonil possessed less than 2500 inhabitants, but Mr. Norrington was far-seeing enough to behold ill the future a thriving city, and an unusual opportunity to control a good field for a lucrative investlment. It is needless to say tlat the Bank of Weriona fully justified his expectations, and that it was not loncg before it becamue necessary to increase its capital in order to meet the requirements of its fast increasing bIsiness. As a result of its prosperity it was not a difficult task for MIr. Norrington to induce capitalists to subscribe sufficienlt looney to organize a bank of $50,000 capital; the stock beitig rapidly taken by parties in WVest Bay City, Bay City, Detroit and other places. Thle Bank of Wvenona then became merged into the Lurmberlllan's State Bank of W7est Bay City, the stockholders electing S. O. Fisher for its president atlCi H. H. Norriligtoil its cashier; both of these gentlemen being the present incnlllbents and retaining, as then, tile entire confidlence of its stockholders and the business community. The antllagenuent of tile affairs of the banik has devolved upon Mlr. Norringiton, MIr. Fisher hraving extensive business interests requiring all of his time and strength. Few young men have a more successful business career to record than Mlr. Norrinlgton, of whom we give a brief personal sketch as follows: HENRY H. NORRINGTON, banker, althOug11 a YOTI1g inall, I1avin1g been born in 1847, may be considered among the representative men of Bay County. Being left an orphan at an early age lie was placed under the guardianship of Col. H. A. Morrow, low of the United States Army, b t then an eminent lawyer at Detroit, for the purpose of being educated in the legal profession. The war of the Rebellion breaking out, he entered the famous "Loomilis Battery" at the early age of sixteen, with the rank of quartermaster's sergeant, participating in thirty-two engagements, being wounded at tile battle of Stone River, and also taken prisoner. After his exchllalge and recovery he waS ordered to report to Gen. Heintzelman, at Cincinnati, by whom he was made assistant ordnance officer in the canllpaign against Morgan in his raid through Ohio. In tile report of Gen. Reynolds, commanding the department of WVestern Virginia, September, 1861, he was recommended to tie secretarv of war for a commission for bravery in having carried dispatches through the lines of the enemy after six attempts of the same nature hadl failed. "For this service he was placed on the general staff and received a sword from his commanding ofticer. The incident was published at the time, in full, in the New York papers as one of the bravest deeds of the war. Oil his return he was given an appointment in the postoffice department, which he resigned after one year's service, for the purpose of making the tour of Europe. On his return he finished his legal studies, and after admission to the bar, located at Bay City il the Fall of 1867. In 1868 he was elected circuit court commissioner and re-elected in 1870. Becoming interested in the growth of the west side of the river, through an investment in real estate, he decided to enter into the banking business and organized the Bank of Wenona, which was afterward merged into the Lumberman's State Bank of West Bay City. His reputation as a financier is second to none in the state, and thle institution of whichl he is a large stockholder possesses the confidence of the community. Mr. Norrington has done much toward the growth of the city by erecting a hllnldsomue block of stores and several dwelling houses, and also by identifying himself with several nzanllfacturing industries. A personal sketch of Mr. Fisler is given in connection with the present administration of the city. REPORT OF THE CONDITION of the Lumberma+ll's State Bank at West Bay City, Mich., at the close of business, Monday, July 2, A. D., 1883, made hi accordance with Sections Eighteen, Nineteen and Sixty-seven, of the general ballkinclaw as amended ill 1871. RESOURCES. Loans dll.l discotllts..................... $217,838 59 Overdrafts.............................. 104 62 Furniture andd fixtures.................... 3,310 35 Expenses............................... 750 89 Due from bank s......................... 11,965 839 tash On hand........................... 29,465 79 LIABILITIES. CaLpital paid i........................... Surplus................................. Bills re-discolnted....................... Dividends unpaid...................... Profit and loss........................... Due depositors.......................... THE BANK BUILDING $263,436 13 $28,550 00 13,000 00 33,500 00 1,427 50 7 88 186,950 75 $263,436 13 and the appointments of the business apartments of the bank are particularly fine. Tle block is the property of Mr. S. O. Fisher, and was built in 1881. We find the following very faithful description of it which was written soon after its completion:-"Located in the most central part of the city, on the corner of Midland and Linn Streets, all elegant three-story red brick building of modern style, desigrned by Watkins, Hidden & Arnold, attracts the eye of the observer. The half basement, surrotunded by a massive iron railing, is reached by a flight of wide, stone steps, and a pair of heavy oak doors with elaborate ground glass panels discloses to us the offices of Mosher & Fisler, in which the large lumber and timber business of that firm is transacted. After a cursory glance at the oiled flooring of the front office and the elegant furniture of the private office, we return to the street, and passing up a short flight of heavy iron steps to the second floor we reach the office of the Lmrnberman's State Bank. With the evident purpose of security, the outside double doors are of great thickness and strength, while the interior doors of frosted glass and polished oak seem constructed more for the purpose of harmonizing with the elegance displayed witllil. Outside a counter of elaborate workmanship designed and built by Messrs. Weller, Brown 4z Mesner, of Buffalo, N. Y., and costing a trifle over $1,000, the material of which is red oak and Hungarian ash of fine polish, decorated With oak leaves and the monogram of the bank, is a flooring of encaustic tiling of various designs, whilst inside the counter is a flooring of inlaid specimens of the various kinds of oak found in the forests of Michigan. Indeed tie only wood used in the interior of the building is oak of different varieties, intended we presume to be typical of the institution as possessing firmness and solidity. "At the extreme end and extending from hall to hall is the large fire-proof vault constructed by John Donovan, of Flint, and lined with plates of thick boiler iron made at the works of John Mclinnon & Co., of Bay City, inside of which is the burglar-proof safe, an appropriate receptacle for the storage of books and papers, leaving a sufficient space for the erection of small steel boxes for I I V s l L i e~ Il.4 -f7 'o q iA -* -' 1 i, 192 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. r I d special deposits, which will be rented to persons desiring to store their valuables in a safe place. "Connected by a double folding door of unique design, constructed by the West Bay City Manufacturing Colmpan y and uniting the banking office with the director's room, is all elegant railiug of carved oak, and over the doors elaborate carved woik done by George Earl, of Bay City. Within the room, furnished with a rich Brussels carpet from the house of Phelps & Co., is appropriate furniture of the Japanese style, and surmounting the swinging windows of French plate glass is a beautiful arch of stained glass furnished by George Misch, of Chicago. Messrs. Thompson & Peake, of West Bay City, are entitled to much praise for the skillful manner in which the carpenter work was performed, and A. W. Green, of the'same place, whlo executed the necessary painting and polishing. "The third floor is occupied by the order of Odd Fellows. The entire building is lighted by gas manufactured on the premises, and is heated throughout by Martin's improved stealn heater, whilst the excellent plumbing and ventilating arrangements were designed and constructed by George L. Mosher, of West Bay City. Too much credit cannot be bestowed upon the good taste and enterprise displayed on this building, and West Bay City may well take pride in an institution so closely connected witll its general welfare and prosperity." HOTELS. The Arlington House is the principal commercial hotel in the city, and was known in early days as the Bunnell House. In the Summer of 1867 Messrs. M. & H. Bunnell erected a framle two story building on the present site of the Arlington, for a hotel, which was burned in the fire of November following. The owners proceeded immediately to rebuild of brick; the substantial three story building still standing. It was formally opened in June, 1868, and the event was noticed at the time as follows: "The Bunnell House was formally opened on Thursday evening, June 25th, by a ball and supper which was numerously attended by citizens of that place, this city and various neighboring towns. This house is on the corner of John and Linn Streets, on the same site as the hotel of the same name which was burned down. It is built of brick, three stories high, with a basement in which are the billiard room, bar-room and barber shop. On the first floor are the office, reading, dining rooms, kitchen, etc. On the second, parlors and a number of sleeping rooms. The third story is divided up into sleeping apartments. The building presents a fine appearance on the outside, and its inside arrangements are very convenient. It is furnished in good style. The total cost of building is $17,000, furniture about $4,000 more. It will be kept by Messrs. M. & H. Bunnell." The house was kept by them for several years. Subsequently Mr. A. A. Rouech kept it and changed the name to the Rouech Hou'se." Still later the name was changed to the "Wells House." In thile Summer of 1882 Mr. Louis Potter purchased the property and changed the name to the "Arlington." This property has recently been purchased by Thomas Toohey, the present proprietor. THOMAS TOOHEY, who is at present proprietor of the Arlington House, West Bay City, is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, where he was born in 1888. In 1840, he, with his parents, came to South Burgess, Leeds County Canada, where he remained fourteen years, then removing to Greenick, Bruce Co, living there eight years. He came to Detroit, Mich., in 1862. From there went to Ypsilanti, and in 1864 went to South Saginaw, where he was in the employ of Flagler & York as agent three years, at the end of which time lie came to West Bay City where lie has resided for the p:tst fifteen years. During that time lie was general agent for J. M. Ballentine & Co. three years and six months, the field of his operations being the Saginaw River during the Summlner and the lumber camps during the. Winter. He afterward built the Toohey House and was proprietor of the same ten years. For., the past six years Mr. Toohey has been engaged in the lumnber business, and on December 1, 1882, he took in Michael Hagerty as a partner. Mr. Toollhey has held the office of village treasurer, and was supervisor during the years 1879, 1880 and 1881. THE FIRE OF 1881. The mlost destructive fire which has ever visited West Bay City occurred December 19, 1881, alld was described by the Bay City Ti'biol,, as follows: -"At 11:15 o'clock last night, as S. L. Brigham was passing up Midland Street, in West Bay City, on his way home from this side of the river, lhe discovered a fire in tlle tailoringl establishment of Waldbauer & Szysperslki, and it proved to be the beginning of the worst conflagration that has visited the West Side. Mr. Brigham at once broke in the door with the intention of subduing the flames, but after la hasty examination found them too fierce to control. He immediately ran to the engine house and sounded an alarm. By this timne a slmall crowd had congregated in front of the store, and when tile hose cart and engine turned out, gave assistance. The engine Defiance, was run to the tank on Linn Street, and had on a stream as soon as possible under the circulmstances. Other lines of hose were laid from the water works hydrants, but the works, which were located in Sage & Co's mill, were shut down, and it was fully a half hour befole steam was raised and everything in running order. Before this timle the w-llole building, in which the tailor shop was located, was in flames, and a general alarm was sounded. Mayor Wilkins then ordered out the deplartment of this city, and the Second and Fourth hose companies, the hook and ladder truck and Neptune steamer repaired to tle scene. The flames rapidly gained headway and the firemen concluding that the building was to be totally destroyed, turned their attention to the Fisher Bank and Postoffice building, mid to the Fisher & Norrington Block, situated on the west and east sides respectively. Despite the strenuous efforts of the firemen, the flamles invaded the store of Phelps & Co., in the Fisher & Norrington Block, and as if by magic swept through from rear to front, in an instant. At 12 o'clock the building was one mass of flames, and in a few minutes later the front wall fell crashing into the street, scattering fire in all directions. The furious flames were carried to the eastward by the light wind prevailing, and to the surprise of all found their way into tile brick block of AW. W. Vedder, on the corner of Walnut and Midland Streets. Previous to this advancement on the part of the fire, the powder cask in the hardware store of Henry Weber exploded, making a terrific noise. Several persons were in the block rescuing'l goods at the time, and became so frightened as to jump through windows on the pavement regardless of results. C. D. Vail, of the firm Eddy & Co., of this city, was one of the last to issue frolm the store, and informed the Tribune reporter that he saw no one behind hilll and thought no lives were lost, though there were reports to that effect on the street. At 1:15 o'clock the fire was thought to be under control, having been confined to the west store in the Vedder building. The fire department had now got down to work, and was doing good service, though the water works were not perforlming as they should. A half hour later the danger of the fire spreading was over, and at 2:15, A. M., was fully under control. j - J 6 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 193 THE BURNED BUILDINGS AND LOSSES. Commencing in the Aplin Block, with Dr. A. Cunningham; who. had only the day before finished fitting up his cffice. His loss to furniture, electric apparatus, books, etc., will be in the neighborhood of $150, with no insurance. Justice Golden loses about the same amount on his office furniture and books. He also was uninsured. Justice Flynn's loss by water and damage, will be covered by $50. H. H. Aplin will lose $1,500 on his building and stock, which will be fully covered by insurance. J. F. Street & Co. come next in order. Their loss will foot up about $2,000, on which there is an insurance of $1,000. Next again was the barber shop run by Henry Hawkins, and who lost nothing, however, but his razors. The furniture and fixings belonged to T. F. Shepard, who loses $400, with no insurance. Just east of this store was the tailoring establishment of Waldbauer & Szysperski, where the fire originated. Their stock was valued at $2,000, on which there was $1,000 insurance. Over the drugi store, W. Munshaw resided, and lie lost all his furniture valued at $900, together with $24 in cash. A man named Smith and another named Bates, also lost their furniture, worth about $500. Following next was the opera house block, built at a cost of $20,000. This was occupied on the ground floor by Phelps & Co., as a double grocery and dry goods store. In this building there was a $40,000 stock, most of which was destroyed. There was an insurance of $22,200 on this stock and $6,000 on the building. Over this store was Emery Bro's office, who lose about $300, which is thought to be covered by insurance. Directly above wais tie council chamber and the city surveyor's office. The loss here will reach $1,500 with $800 insurance. Continuing eastward, the flames entered the Vedder block, first attacking Henry Weber's hardware store, which soon fell a prey. The total loss on this building, stock and fixtures, was about $9,000, on which there was $4,500 insurance. M. A. Dowling occupied the rear of the upstairs as the E.xcamlier office. This involved a loss of $1,500, on which there was no insurance. The next building attacked was the drug store of W. W. Vedder, over which was the residence of S. Phelps, and the insurance office of G. A. Allen. There was a loss of $1,200 on Phelps' household furniture with $500 insurance. On Allen's office furniture there was a loss $150 and no insurance. Vedder's, on block and stock, will be in the neighborhood of $8,000 with $5,000 insurance. Underneath the drug store was the job printing office of McConnelly & Co. Their loss by water and damage will be covered by $100, but loss by being thrown out of a season's work will double that amount. It was thought at one time the blocks on the opposite side of the street would fall a prey to the devouring element, nearly every pane of glass in four buildings cracking to pieces in the heat. The front of H. W. Sage & Co.'s store was coveied with wet blankets which prevented the store being extensively damaged, though they claim a loss of $400 or $500, which is covered by insurance. Going south on the same side, A. Laroche sustained a loss of $250 in the damage of glass, cornice, etc., but it is covered by insurance. Charles Fitzhugh's building which John Ehle occupies as a shoe store was damaged $200 worth; insured. Mr. Ehle claims a loss of $300 on stock and furniture. Next west is the extensive drug store of Perry & Woodward, owned by Dr. Lewis of Rhode Island. Every pane of fine plate glass is smashed causing a loss of $225, which is not insured. Ford's clothing store sustained a nominal damage; $50 will fully cover the loss on this building. LIST OF LOSSES. Dr. Cunningham........................$ 150 John Golden........................... 150 Justice Flynn........................... 50 H. H. Aplin............................ 1,500 J. F. Street & Co......... 2,000 Henry Hawkins......................... 30 W m. Phillips........................... 50 T. F. Shepard.......................... 400 Waldbauer & Szysperski.................. 2,000 W. AMunshaw........................... 925 Smith & Bates........................... 500 Fisher & Norrington..................... 20,000 Phelps & Co............................ 40,000 Emery Bros............................ 300 City Property........................... 1,500 Norrington............................. 4,000 Henry W eber........................... 5,000 M. A. Dowling.......................... 1,500 S. Phelps.......................... 1,200 G. A. Allen........................... 150 W. W. V edder.......................... 8,000 M cConnelly............................. 100 H. W. Sage & Co........................ 400 A. Larocle............................. 250 Charles Fitzhugh........................ 200 J. E hle................................ 300 Dr. Lewis.............................. 225 Ford & Co..o..................... 50 Total................................$90,930 What is left to compensate this immense loss is $45,650 insurance money, about half the actual loss. By the foregoing sum it will be seen that the loss sustained will nearly reach the "enormous sum of $100,000, which at this time of the year will greatly hinder the prosperity of the city." The energy and enterprise of the losers were fully equal to the emergency, and the following year the burnt district was rebuilt with handsome brick blocks. WATER WORKS. The subject of water works was agitated by the citizens of Wenona as early as 1874, but nothing was done until 1880, when a contract was made with the firm of H. W. Sage & Co. for pressure, and pipe has been laid from time to time. In 1882 it was decided to put in water works to be operated by the city under the Holly system. It is expected to have them ready for operation during the Summer of 1883, at which time there will be about six miles of pipe. The following description is as full as can be made at the present date:-Thlle building will be located according to direction of the board and will occupy an area equal to that shown on ground or basement plan, namely, 50x72 feet, and have an altitude equal to that shown per elevations and sectional drawings, namely, 25 and 18 feet for main building and engine rooms respectively. There will be but.two rooms, designated on basement plan as boiler and machinery rooms, both of which will extend as high as the plates and into the roof which will leave an inclination of forty degrees. The boilers will be placed in position as shown and the pumps and machinery on their proper beds and in exact place. There will be an entrance to the boiler room from Linn Street, also one to machinery room; the machinery room will also have an entrance from Henry Street opening onto a balcony, the floor of which will be nine feet wide, extending entirely across the front, with guard rail and balusters. From this a descent of fifteen steps will be made to the floor of rooms which will be eight inches lower than the thresholds of doors opening at opposite ends of the building. The boiler-rooms will be floored with hard-arched brick set on 1 L 3 i zv I ~, 4 v - ~ -- I 194 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. - - I I r end. All the stone work below the gralde lines will be of the best rubble construction, and of a good sound quality of blrick, Sandusky limestone, or some other article equally as capable of resistilng the great weight to be put upon it, of good size and in such sllape that the walls will be thoroughly bonded. Thle walls will be eighteen inches in thickness, to start on footings not less than twenty-four inches square and eight inches in thickness. The exterior of the front wall, as well as that on the south side of the building, will be of stone, while the interior will be of brick. There will be a coping stone to elgine beds thlat will extend over their entire surface of foundation, eight inches thick; all cut stone work (excepting quoins and copings) will be of first-class quality of blue or buff Ohio sandstone, perfectly clear of flaws. All corners and angles of the building aLre to be carried up level, plumb and square, accurate measurements to be made from time to time from center to corner around the building in order to iinsure a uniform height of courses, so that a, "llog" of any proportions whatever will not be permitted to "squeal" on the job. The gable ends of the bu lilding will be coped with galvanized iron, which will also b)e used in the construction of cornice. The roof will be slated with 12x24 inch slate, variegated, of a good, sound quality, laid with tenl and one-half inch margin. From thle architects specifications and drawings it is intended that a satisfactory job will be done, and being as they are complete in every particular, no extras for any case whatever will be allowed. The water works board are at present considering between thle construction of an iron and brick snioke stack. BOARD OF WATER W()RKS. The Board of Water Works is colmposed of T. F. Shepard, C. Smith, Morris Westover, J. A. McKnight, Charles Smlart. T. F. Shepard is President and E. S. Van Liew Secretary. FIRE DEPARTMIENT. The fire department of West Bay City dates from 1869, when the steamer " Defiance" was purchased, and a citizens' fire company organized, with S. A. Plummer as chief. As is the result of all similar experirments, the system did not prove a success, and, after about two years, the company disbanded. The Council of Wenona village then tried a paid fire department, and afterward changed to the plan of paying firemen when they turned out. Finally the present system of hiring a chief and paying firemen while on duty at fires was adopted. The department consists of the steamter and three hose companies, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. John Charters is chief of the department, and L. Roundsville engineer of the steamer. Since 1880 the city has been practically supplied with water works, through the contract with H. W. Sage & Co. to furnish pressure, and after the present season will have the Holly system in operation. WEST BAY CITY INDUSTRIES. The most extensive industries of West Bay City, very naturally, are the manufacture of lumber and salt, and ship' building. The mill now owned by John Welch was the first saw mill built on the west side of the river. It was built by Drake Bros., in the Winter of 1852. The next was built by Whitney, Coit & Co., at Bangor, in 1852, and is now owned by C. E. Lewis. Then, in 1854, fol owed the mills of the Keystone Lumber and Salt Manufacturing Company,-and H. J. & C. J. Slmith. The former was built by Mr. George Lord and the latter by the firm of Moore, Vose & Co. These were the early mills. There are now7 eleven saw mills belonging to West Bay City, and their history is given in connection with the general lullbering interests. SHIP BUILDIN(;. This is anll important industry, and is treated fully among the general resources of the county. The pioneer ship builder of the West Side is Williaml Crosstllhwaite, who commenced operations at Banks in 1864, an accounlt of which is given with the historyof Banks. John A. Weed started a ship ylard at Banks in 1865. CAPT. JAIES DAVIDSON, ship builder, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., and has followed sailing from his youth up, two -years of w]lich lie spent on salt water, makingl several voyages between New- York and Liverpool, and, in 1861, to Calcutta. In his twenty-second year lihe commanded the schooner Sea Gull, and afterward purchased an interest ill the schooner Philena Mills, and took command of her. For the past thirteen years he has been engaged in ship building il thle Saginaw Valley, during which time lie built alnd sailed the schooner Kate Winslow (at the time the largest sailingo vessel on the lakes), schooner E. M. I)avidson, anld steamers Jas. Davidson, Oceanica and Siberia and also several tugs. He is now engaged on the largest steamlship on the lakes, the dimensions of which are, length, 285 feet; breadth of beam, 40 feet; average depth of hold, 211 feet, with a carrying capacity of 2,500 tolls, exclusive of fuel, machilnery and outfit. Slie is fitted with fore and aft comlpound engines, high pressure cylinder, 30 inches bore, 42 inches stroke; low pressure cylinder, 50 inches bore, 42 inches stroke, and two steel boilers 81 feet shell, 16 feet long, and will be fitted with all oderin improvements. Tile captain resides with his falllily in Buffalo, N. Y., but owing to his large ship building interests in West Bay City, and the time he necessarily spends there, he is loolked upon as a resident of the place. WHEELER & CRANE, ship builders, have been in business since 1879, the location of their yard being conveniently situated on the Saginaw River in the First Ward of West Bay City. They do a large business in ship building and repairing, having had during the past three years upward of twenty boats on their docks, among which may be mentioned the Lycoming and Connamiaugh, belonging to the Erie and Western Transportation Company. They furnished the timbers for the steamer Clyde, and built for Jamfles MIcBrier, of Erie, Pa., the propellers Fred MaacBrier and Galatea, and the Osceola for the Ward Line of steamers, and are nt present engaged on a large steamn barge for William Forbes, of Port Huron, to cost $75,000. Frank W. Wheeler and Albert A. Crane are the members of the firm. FRANK W. WHEELER is a native of New York, but when twelve years of age came to Saginaw with his parents wbhele he reim-ailled ten years. After acquiring anl education lie sailed about three years, after which le engaged witll his father in ship building. In 1875) he removed to West Bay City and opened a ship yard, and in 1879 formled a partnership with Albert A. Crane, the style of the firm being Wheeler and Crane. Married Eva Armstrong of Salginaw. They have one child, a daughter. ALBERT A. CRANE was born in the State of New York in 1849), and in 1861 removed to Hillsdale, Mich., and in 1874 came to West Bay City and engaged with Wmi. Moots in hardware, also doing business ill the line of logs and timber. In 1879 entered into partnership with F. W. Wheeler in ship yard. Married Josey K. Keefer, of Hillsdale, Mich. They have one child living, a daughter. THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL CO. Under the firm name of J. D. 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I*Q i I -, - , , - - ,,- I.I..,.I — ez"'N.", I,. ,,:,,, -j", —., " —,, —,.'d. !,.I, '. :3!,;I;.,:I1 1. I .. -,...., 1 -,;' '-,e,. I,;, 11'1:-, —L,.,,',,,.I..,.,.," —,! 4 1,;,.II.1,I.:,,,,i. 'M, III.,,, " I-I i, - -,.; —,.-,..,?.,,: "i -,;,-,,;-, ".I II1, III1(, — 41. 1 ',., -, -'t ", I.,-,-..- - - -I.-. i-.;'," - k- -4 —, i -,,,`if,-,i:;,;' I I"I, -I - w.I "m .I.,V ', .., I 1,, -i I it - , —,. -ts,-, i, 4: t ' H i w L'~ i t F::: i ittf 3ii 5 irii i," III I i i; i i I I I i I III II i i1,I I I II I I I I I I {? A: iF ^ At i::0\ 0 `i HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 195 I I I I i I i I I I i i I I i i i I I i I I i i i i i i i i i I II I I i I i i I i i i i i I t I i I -I organized, the firm of J. D. Ketchllm &t Co. ceasing to exist. The capital of the concern is $400,000, and the following are its present officers: J. D. Ketchum, treasurer aind general manager; Hermnan Frcash, superintendent; C. H. Morgan, assistant superintendent. lanufacture refined alkalis (ammonia, process), sal soda, bi carb. soda, carb. magnesium, sllphbate magnesia, magnesium chloride, calciumu chloride, precipitated cllalk, basic magnesia lining for Besseilier converters and salt, producing of the latter 90 bbls. per day. Elmploy 40 men. THE WILSON HOOP CO. The knife hoop matchine whichl is operated by The Wilson Hoop Co., is tle result of two years hard and peculiarly exhaustive llbor known only to inventors. Money, time and energy have been spent in perfecting it, the ridiclule of those who believe that nothing new canl succeed hils been overcome, nad to-day it is believed to be thle best machine for the purpose known. As there are il this section something like 18,000,000 hoops used annually, niany of which are brought in from outside, this industry must prove a very valuable addition to the growing prosperity of the city, as well as a credit to the inventor and owners. Tile first tiim of the inventor was to save timber —ain important question to all manufacturers of wooden articles —anld as hoops are formed thicker on one edge than on the other, he conceived the idea of cutting directly from a round or nearly round log, and has adapted his machinery to that end. The advantages of the machine are that it wastes no timber as in sawing, and hoops can be made with less labor. 1ii the beginning Mr. Wilson, the inventor, made his plans and interested his partner, Mir. Alex. Bnsh, in the enterprise. Thely were at this time, July, 1880, associated withl the Saginaw Barrel Co. of Saginaw City, in the manufacture and sale of the Wilson washboard. When the plans were perfected and a machine constructed, it was not at first a success as many details had to be changed, and it is thought that the first 20 coils of hoops cost not less than $10() each. But at length every obstacle was overcome and a strong, simple and easily operated machine was the result, which during, 1881 cut one million hoops. Owing to poor facilities for steaming, and prejudices existing in the minds of coopers against clut hoops, the growth of the enterprise was slow. A new machine with improvements was added at the place in the Fall of 1881, and about three million more hoops were made up to Nov. 1882, at which time the factory was entirely burled down. In Feb., 1882, Messrs. Wilson &P Busl formed a copartnership with H. Al. Williams, under thle name of The Wilson Hoop. (Jo., and established their business il West Bay City. In Dec. 1882, Mr. Williams soldl his one-third interest to William G. Pierce, of Watertowvn, N. Y., and Mr. Isaac Pierce of Alma, Mich., purcllased a quarter interest. The capacity of the machine is from 25,000 to 30,000 hoops in 10 hours, and the works employ at present (1883) 30 hallds. WEST BAY CITY MANUFACTIJRIN(G COMPANY. This company ivas organized Marcl 16), 1881, with a capital stock of $24,000, divided into 96)0 shares of $25.00 each. It purchased the planing mill formerly operated bsy Arnold & Catlin, and is engagred in the rnannufacture of sash, doors, blinds, mlouldings, etc., doing also a general planing mill business. The products of the establishment find a ready market in the northern part of the State. Tile nfficers of the company at this date (1882) are John Bourn, president; E. T. Carrington, secretary; H. H. Norrington, treasurer; NT. W. Brock, manager, and the following named directors: J. Bourn, E. T. Carrington, H. H. Norrington, M. W. Broclk, J. H. Plum, and E. M. Fowler. The whole number of stockholders at present is thirteen, whose names are, L. E. Noyes, Geo. L. Mosher, Reullbenr Green, H. S. Ingersoll, J. Thomplson, D. G. Arnold, The Lumberman's State Banlk, and the above mentioned officers. The bookkeeper is Mr. I. C. Thompson. Tle property of this company was sold March 21, 1883, to S. O. Fisher, who subsequently sold an interest to F. P. Cob and A. A. Crare. These gentlemen continue the business under the name of the West Bay City Manufacturing Company. There are also a flouring mill, tannery, tvvo breweries, etc. All these industries are solid institutions and prosperous. BUSINESS BLO1CKS. The public buildings hlave already been described as has also the elegant bank block, which adorns the central part of the city. The business blocks are substantial brick structures, and give an air of solidity and thrift to the city. Those erected since the fire of 1881 are particularlv attractive ill style of architecture. The Fisher block was built in 1882. This block contains the Opera House and Council rooms, both of which are unusually elegant. Another block belonging to S. O. Fisher was built il 1880. Views of the Opera House and Bank blocks are given in this work. The Norrington, Aplin, Mosler, and Westover blocks, all brick, were built in 1882. Another block belonging to H. H. Aplin, the Van Alstine, and George Reing blocks were built in 1880. Mirs. Moots' block, also the Babo, Rose, Fitzhugh, Allen, and Tscllauner blocks were built in 1869. Thle Davis block was built in 1870; the Vedder block in 1872; the Sage block in 1873; another Tschauner block in 1878, and the Larouche block in 1879. These are the principal brick business bloclks ill the city. IMPROVEMENTS OF 1882. In February, 1883, the Bay City Chess contained a carefully prepared review of the improvements made in West Bay City during the year 1882, which we copy, as follows: "The West is noted for the renlarkable growth ani prosperity of its young and flouyrislbing cities; but we doubt if in all the vast territory of the Western country, a parallel can be found with that of the enterprising city located on the west side of the Saginaw River, opposite the Ithird city' of Michigan. Certainly cities of mushroom growth, which spring up in a night as it were, and disappear with equal rapidity and facility, with an abnormal growth, may be cited, but we -illhesitatingly affirm our belief that nlo place on the continent call be lial-led which exceeds the young and prosptrous city of West Bay City, which is rapidly forging ahead, and is even fow the 'third city of the Saginaw Valley' ill population, manufactures, and permanent city improvements. Unlike many Western cities, with a forced, unnatural growth, WAest Bay City eras been permanently planted, because a city is absolutely demanded. Her natural resources have impelled her natural but unrivaled growth in population and wealth and all the other elements which insure an endurinp foundation and continued advancement. Until six years ago the place was knllown as the village of Wenona, and although its advancement as a village was remarkable, its unequaled development did not receive its present wonderful impetus until its incorporation as the city of West Bay City. The change seemed to have a magic influence, and frot the day of its incorporation to the present, each succeeding year has outrivaled its predecessor il present development as well as in insuring a permanent future. Her citizens have proven theiselves men of enterprise, waith publicspirited proclivities, and possessed of that Western characteristic recognized as 'push.' They have labored for the success of their city, and deserve the eminence they have achieved. The city has increased in population from 3,000 to 8,000 in six years; nearly eight miles of cedar block pavement has been laid il the past three years, the city is lighted by electricity, extensive water works are being I I IC - V I H — -' re: 0 -. 4.4 — ------— f -I I6F I e I & ~ 196 HISTORY OF laid, and all the improvemtents denmanded by a live city are being or have been secured. Her system of sewerage is excellent, and is extended to meet the necessities of every situation. "Her location is unequaled on the Saginaw River, being more elevated than any of her sister cities. Her busilness men and capitalists are enterprising and public-spirited, as is evidenced by the extensive and tasty brick blocks which hl.ve been erected, and many of which anticipate future necessities and are built after the most improved and modern style of architecture, both for adornment and permanence. Her city officials have proved themselves the right men in the right place, as they have succeeded in avcomplishing the grand results melltioned, while they have also succeeded in keeping the city virtually free fromn debt. In fact West Bay City stands without a rival to-day in the country in every element which insures present success and futuie greatness. Below is given in detail a statement of the illlprovements for 1882, and we leave the BAY COUNTY. reader to examine carefully and draw his own conclusions:" FIRST WARD. IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED, BUILDINGS, ETC,. Wm. Benson, Second treet, frame addition to residence, one story......... George McCoy, Second Street, one story frame addition to residence........ Casper Moore, Second Street, one story frame addition to meat market...... A. C. Smith, Second Street, one story frame addition to residence and interior improvements....................................................... S. H. Davis, Water Street, frame fish house, one story, on dock.............. C. E. Lewis, Water Street, mill improvements, new machinery, etc.......... James Reeves, Second Street, two story frame residence.................... James Kerr, Second Street, one story frame addition, etc..................... American Chemical Company, Second Street, frame warehouse, $2,000, machinery, etc. $S,000; total...................................... Joseph Jean, Second and Franklin Streets, one story frame residence....... Wheeler & Crane. Washington Street, improvements to mill machinery and ship yard................................................................. H. S. Walrath, Third Street, frame addition to residence, one story.......... Lourilm Bros., Water Street, frame barn...................................... Daniel Starr, Third Street. frame addition to residence, etc................... Joseph Haywood, Third Street, brick cellar................................... Thos. Donahue, Third Street, improvements to residence.................. Joseph Trombley, Third and Sophia Streets, frame addition to residence, balcony, etc................................................................ Albert Beadle, Third and Bangor Streets, frame barn and improvements to reside ace.............................. Joseph Trombley, Water Street, frame mill, one story........................ Caspar Moore, Water Street, frame addition to tenement, one story.......... Smith Bros., Water Street, mill improvements, new machinery, etc.......... Tuffield Valley, Bangor Street, frame house, one story........................ Joseph Villaire, -- -- StreAt, frame addition to house, one story........ Emery Villaire, frame residence, interior completed, --- Street, one story Louis Globensky, Fourth Street, two frame houses improved................ Frank Jean, -- Street, frame house, one story............................. Mrs. Lucy Beebe, -- Street, frame addition to house, one story........... Thomas Oakler, Bangor Street, frame residence, two stories................. John W. Smith, Fourth Street, frame house, two stories.................... Geo. Port, Fourth Street, frame house, one and a half story.................. FIRST WARD. BUILDINGS IN PROGRESS. P. C. Smith, Water Street, new docks, warehouse, etc......................... Wilson King, Bangor Street, frame residence, two stories.................. Morris Abare, Bangor Street, two story frame residence...................... Jas. Trombley, sr., First Street, frame addition to house, one story.......... N. Delil, -- Street, frame house, two stories.............................. John Les Perons, Frank Street, frame house, one and a half story............ Henry Pelkey, Frank Street, frame residence one and a half story............ Tuffield Pelkey, Frank Street, frame house, one and a half story............. Joseph Abare, --- Street, frame house, one story........................... Frank Phillips, Transient Street, frame house, one story..................... Knight Baker, Fifth Street, frame house, one story........................... SECOND WARD. IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED, John Welch east of Au Sable Street, frame mill and machinery, $45,00()0; docks and piling grounds, $1,000; yard and improvements, $1,000); total Alex. Russell, Au Sable Street, frame portico etc. to residence................ N. Clark, Au Sable and Indiana Streets, frame residence, two stories, $'2,900}; barn, $600; total.......................................................... H. H. Norrington, Litchfield and Ohio Streets, frame dwelling, one and a half stories, $1,200; Indiana and Litchfield, frame dwelling, one and a half story, $S0(; total............................................ S O. Fisher, Midland Street, between Walnut and Linn Streets, brick block SOx150, tw o stories........................................................ W:. W. Vedder, Midland and Walnut Streets, brick store rebuilt, two stories, H. H. Aplin, Midland and Linn Streets, new postoffice interior $0(); im-. provement to residence. Au Sable and Ohio Streets, $1,200; total........ Aplin and Westover, brick block, Linn Street, two stories................. H. W. Sage &f Co., River Street, frame salt sheds, two stories, $3,000; frame drill house, Water Street, $1,500; brick boiler house and mill improvements, Jane Street, $5,000;( total......................................... 'S. E. Burnham, Midland Street at bridge, frame boat house and residence, three stories................................................................ Moses Howe, Midland and Au Sable Streets, brick dry shed, $30(): yard improvements $3(00; total................................................... H. H. Norrington, Midland and Linn Streets, brick block 75x80, two stories, Geo. Kalb, Midland and Henry Streets, brick clock 25x8(), two stories....... Mayor W. E. Magill, Walnut and Ohio Streets, frame office, and residence improved.................................................................. Capt. H. Hawgood, Litchfield and Indiana Streets, frame residence three stories................................. F. Morrell, Walnut Street, frame residence, two stories, $.3,(00(; barn, etc., $ 1,(}000; total.............................................. Andrew Thompson, Walnut and Indiana Streets, frame residence, two stories J. S. McMullen, frame residence rebuilt with addition, two stories........... John McNeil, Linn and Ohio Streets, two stories............................. * 300} 4501) 500 500 1,200(} 450 l (},()0() 7(() 1,5(0 400 25i) 600 200 ')5() 350 1,(00 300 ',()}{ 250 300 250 1,000 1,(000 60( 250 400 300 500 500 500 350O 250 50,000 200 3,500 2,000 30,000 1,200 2,000 6,000 9,00(} 3,000 600 9,000 (i,(8OO 800 6,000 4,000 3,000 1,100 1,500 Dr. Marsh, Linn and Ohio Streets, framlle residence, two stories.............. Morris Westover, Linn and lichigan Streets. frame house one and a half story Wm. M. Green, Linr and Ohio Streets, frame residence, two stories......... R. (reen, Linn and Ohio Streets, frame residence, two stories.............. H. S. Ingersoll, Linn and Indiana Streets, two frame dwellings, two stories, M. Flahive, Henry Street, frame house, one story............................ Beamlander & Moore, Linn and John Streets, improvements on b)rick block, F. H. Blackman, Walnut and Indiana, frame residence, two atqries......... George Pierce, Henry and Ohio Streets, frame residence, one story........... Perry Phelps, Henry and Indiana, two frame houses, one story each......... H. J. Willis, Henry and Indiana, frame house, one story..................... R. C. Palmer, Henry Street, frame house, one story........................ Mrs. Chamblers, Catherine Street, frame residence, one and one-half story... H. Weber, Midland and Walnut Street, improved brick shol................. John Walch, Henry Street, frame residence, two stories.................... Dr. I. E. Randall, Henry and Ohio Streets, frame dwelling, one and( one-half story, $1,(}}000; residence imp)roved, $2,000); total........................ David Marchon, South Union, frame residence improved, two stories........ J. H. Plum, Elizabeth and Carrie, frame dwelling reluilt....................... Swift electric light compl)any, city, wire, poles, lamps, etc.................... Louis Potter, Arlington House, brick hotel, refitted and improved.......... Wm. Swart, Linn and John Streets, frame saloon, two stories............... Geo. Von Tuyl, Catherine Street, frame dwelling, two stories................ John Brigham, Catherine Street, frame dwelling, one and one-half' story.... Wm. Munshaw, Catherine Street, frame cottage, one story................... A. B. Hopper, Catherine Street, north, frame cottage, one story.............. W. E. Boyce, Center and Elizal)eth Streets, frame residence rebuilt.......... Captain D. Cole, Center and North ITnion Streets, frame residence and barn, two and one-half stories................................................. Captain A. Neil, Center and North Union Streets, frame residence rebuilt... St. Mary's Church Society, South Union and Walnut Streets, implrovements to interior of building............................................. Peter Lind, Corbin Street, one story frame addition to residence............. John Lungberg, Corbin Street, two story frame residence.................... Mrs. L. Bush, King Street, one and one-half story frame residence.......... Mrs. Ingalls, King Street, one story frame house............................. Nasworth Mayou, King Street, one and one-half story frame residence...... P. Bouchard, King Street, frame house rebuilt................................ F. Lemuel, Au Sable Street, frame house, one story........................... Chauncey Smith, Au Sable road, one story frame house...................... Peter Lachence, Au Sable road, one story frame house....................... C. Allen, Au Sable road. one story frame residence............................ Geo. Harrison, Linn and Jenny Streets, one storv frame house................ L. Roundsville. Linn S treet. between Jane and Jenny, one story frame cottta-e C. Campbell, Linn Street, b)etween Jane and Jenny Streets, two story frame residence rebuilt......................................................... Henry, Bouchey, Linn Street, between John and Jane Streets, two story fram e residence............................................................ Patrick Callaghan, Linn Street, bletween Jtlin and Jane Streets, imp)rovement to Callaghan house and grounds, $1,20(0; frame drive barn and stables, $2,30 }0; total..................................................... Babo & Sons, Linn and Midland Streets, b)rick stables and store illmprovem ents, one story........................................................... Telephone and Telegraph construction company, hose and wire, etc......... L. Gallino, Washington Street, between South and Maple Streets, frame house, one and one-half stories............................................ D. B. Cardy, on dock foot of Linn Street, frame mill and machinery, $S,500(() hoisting apparatus in mill vards, $501); total............................. Capta.in T. G. Lester, Cornelia and Moore Streets, })rick residence, two stories, Mansard roof......................................................... George Washington, Cornelia and Faxon Streets, frame dwelling rebuilt. two stories, $50(}; frame dwelling, corner Faxon Street and Chillson Avenue, two stories, $1,700;: frame dwelling, Faxon Street, near Chillson Avenue, one and a half story, $8(0)0; total.......................................... Ezra Phelps, Faxon Street and Chillson Avenue, frame residence, two stories Phillip Keller, Chillson Avenue and South U. ion Street, frame dwelling, one and a half story.......................................................... AldinF. Spear, Cornelia and Florence Streets, frame cottage, one story...... James Chartres, Cornelia and Blend Streets, frame house, one story........... Frank Sloat, Carrie and Moore Streets, frame house, two stories............. Allan Prato, Carrie and Moore Streets, frame grocery, one story.............. William Mitchell, Carrie Street, between Midland and Moore Streets, frame house, rebuilt, $275; frame barn, $2(00; total............................ S. Phelps, Moore Street and Chillson Avenue, frame residence improved, $6;()0; frame dwelling house, Chillson Avenue, b)etween Moore and Elizaleth Streets, rebuilt, 400; total............................................... J. A. McKnight, Carrie and John Streets, frame house, two stories........... D. B. Davis, Raymond Avenue, between Jenny and Jane streets, frame cottage, one story............................................................. Wm. Dowling, Raymond Avenue and Jenny Street, frame dwelling, one story John Jamieson, Jenny Street and Raymond Avenue, one story frame house Wm. Harcourt, Thomas and Kiesel Streets, frame house, two stories......... Frank Marshall, Hill Street, near Jane, one and one-half story frame house.. H. M. Williams, Midland and Carrie Streets, two story frame residence, Mansard roof.................................................................. E. H. Stone, foot of Cornelia Street, one story frame residence................ Wm. Billings, Crapo Street, between Jane and Jenny Streets, one story frame residence, $500; frame barn $150; total........................... - Ross, Crapo and Thomas Streets, one story frame house................. S. Johnson, Henry and Thomas Streets, one and one-half story frame store Scandinavian Lutheran Churcfi Society, Henry and Thomas Streets, frame church completed, $14}00; church parsonage on Thomas Street, b)etween Henry and Catherine Streets, $600;()( total................................. John Burt, Center Street, near Thomas Street, frame house, one story....... Charles Johnson, Jane and Catherine Streets, frame cottage, one story...... Michigan Central R. R. yards, on Saginaw and Mackinaw divisions, extension of track and yard iml)rovements..................................... Rev. Walter E. Simms, private school bluilding, and addition to Sirmnite ch u rch..................................................................... SECOND WARD. IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTGRESS. Sylvester Bird, Carrie and South UTnion Streets, frame dwelling, one story.. --, Carrie and Flora Streets, frame house, one story...................... --, Carrie and Flora Streets, frame house, one story...................... Josaph Abare, Carrie and Faxon Streets, one story frame house.............. Geo. Tomlinson, Thomas Street and Raymond Avenue, two story frame resid en ce...................................................................... Arthur Ridd. Jenny and Hill Streets, one story frame house................. Antoine Almonde, Hill and John Streets, two story frame house............ Peter Hayes, Hill and Jane Streets, one and one-half story frame house..... Edward Ulshoeffer, Hill and John Streets, two story frame residence........ Chas Upell, Park Avenue, near Jane Street, one and one-half story frame residence..-................................................................ A. Shaver, Thomas and Crapeo Streets, one and one-half story frame house W. J. Ream, Thomas and Dewitt Streets, one and one-half story frame house N. Rivers, Thomas and Crapo Streets, frame house, one story................ P. Shompine, Crapo, near Thomas Street, frame house, one story............ Geo. Strachen, Crapo, near Thomas Street, frame house, one story.......... Andy Polson, Crapo and Jenny Streets, frame house, one story.............. 1,2)(0 1,`200 3,500 4C ) 3,0oo 2,(000 500;5.)(1 1,0(0404 1 I),()() 1,5)00 7)(}t o00 1,.000 2,500 0() 00t) 300 3 (,() 4,000 1, 400, 50) 1,30)()0 o()(} it) 1,0()() 3,50()() 1,200 I 225 700 1,000,()(} 700) 500 500 5)00( 3,5(00 1,000 1,500 500}>1 200}( 700) _50,0,s')oo 700 1,000 700 400 600 200 250 2'00 200 k 0-\ -- J _ e),t 1 - I - L HISTORY E. M. Donavin, Crapo and Jenny Streets, frame residence, one story........ Luke Prine, Crapo Street, b)etween Jenny and Thomas Streets, frame house, two stories.................................. Thomas Raymond, Center and Thomas Streets, frame house, one story...... City Water Works, building machinery, pipe, etc............................ Geo. L. Mosher, Midland and Linn Streets, addition to Mosher brick block, two stories................................................................ Captain Arthur Hazen, South Union and Litchfieldl Streets, two frame cottages, two stories................................. Peter Prior, Linn and South tJnion Streets, frame residence, two stories.... Wm. McIntosh, Linn and South Union Streets, frame residence, one and a h alf stor.................................................................. John Gates, Linn and Indiana Streets, frame residence, one story............ Louis Boucher, Henry Street, frame house. one story........................ Peter Harmon, Henry and South Union Streets, frame house, one story...... Michael Kelley, Henry and South Union Streets, frame house, one story..... John McMullen, Henry Street, frame residence, two stories.................. John Visenau, Catherine street, frame house, one story...................... John McRae, Catherine Street, frame house, one story....................... Dr. A. F. Hagadorn, Henry Street, frame residence, two stories............. M. Flahive, Henry Street, frame residence, two stories....................... Geo. Renig, Henry Street, frame residence, two stories....................... Chas. Ayers, Henry Street, frame residence, two stories...................... Allan Russell, South Union Street, frame residence, two stories............. Allan Russell, South Union Street, frame addition to house, one story....... I ames Brown, Catherine Street, frame house, one story...................... Captain Geo. Jo-dan, Catherine Street, frame house.......................... Westminister Presbyterian Church. Midland and Center Streets, two stories I b r ick....................................................................... H. W. Sage, public library, Midland and Center Streets, opposite Westminster Church, stone and brick, two stories with fixtures................... L. Revelle, King, Street, frame house, one story............................... I. Blair, King Street, frame house one and a half story....................... Peter Bruett, King Street, frame residence, one and a half story............. Geo. Blanchard, King Street, frame house one story.......................... Wm. McDonald, King Street, frame store, one story.......................... James Shay, King Street, frame residence, two stories........................ G(eo. Dean, Au Sable State Road, frame house, one story..................... B. Larraway, Au Sable Road, two frame houses, each $400, one storv....... Thos. Whittaker, Au Sable Road, frame house, two stories................... C. Allen, Au Sable Road, frame cottage, two stories........................... j THIRD WARD. t IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED. Laderach Bros., South Washington and State Streets, mill impl)rovements to buildings and m achinery.................................................. Slater & Woodworth, South Water Street, mill improvements............... Wilson Hoop Company, Water and Ninth Streets, frame factory and machinery, tw o stories............................................................ W. H. Malone & Co., Washington and Eighth Streets, frame barn and new m ill m achinery............................................................ Frame hose house. South Washington and State Streets.....................! C. A. Klemm, State and South Washington Streets, frame store and residence Otto Kusch, State Street, near South Washington, frame house, one and a h alf story.................................................................. James Wellman, Main and Washington Streets, frame cottagehotel, two stories...................................................................... Mike Murphy, Main and Jackson Streets, frame hotel, two stories........... John Peterson, Washington and Eighth Streets, frame hotel, two stories.... G eo. Sturm, Washington and State Streets, frame liquor store, two stories.. David Shupach, State and South Washington Streets, frame house, one and a half stories............................................................... M. Henningher, First Street, frame house, one and a half stories............. L. Heath, State and South Washington Streets, frame houise, one story...... M. Heath, State Street, frame house, one story................................ H. Campan, Center Street, between Campau and Third Streets, frame house tw o stories................................................................. I John Miller, Center and Alexander Streets, frame house, one and a half stories Patrick McKnight, Alexander and Crapo Streets, frame house, one story..... Cutting and Crump, Ninth and Lafayette Streets, frame warehouse two stories...................................................................... Harry Watson, Alexander and Cral)o Streets, frame house, one story......... Geo. Ance, Crapo and Center Streets, frame house, one and a half siory...... John Nelson, Center and Alma Streets, frame house, two stories............. Fred. Newmann, Henry and Jackson Streets, frame store, one story......... i THIRD WARD. IMPROVEMENTS IN PROGRESS. John Cedar, Jackson Street, between Sixth and Seventh Streets,frame house, i on e story................................................................... John Polo, Center and Alexander Streets, frame house, one and a half storv John Miller, Center and Alexander Streets, frame house, one and a half storv PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.! FIRST VWARD. W ashington Street pavem ent................................................$ South Street pavem ent..................................................... Second Street pavem ent.................................................... Street Crossing pavem ent.................................................. East Saginaw and Au Salble, State road pavement........................ W ard Sew ers............................................................... OF BAY COUNTY. 197 I (;50 650 1,00)( 25,000 7,000 1,200 1,000 350 250( 250 1,200 300 300 3,500 350 2,000 1,200 250 400 1,000 25,000 30,00 25) 30O S()O 300 600 80( 300 s(0 1,200 1,400 5,00() 7,000 25,000 1,000 2,500 750 1,300 1,50(} 1,500 400 350 200 200 400 300 500 200 65(0 50(}() 500 500 400 5,37S 11 225 25 3,610 76 967 48 814,09 1,291 55 Frame Fish house......................................... 1 M ills im proved.......................................... '.. American Chemical Company's warehouse and machinery.. 1 Frame barns................................................. 2 Brick Cellar..............................I................ I F ram e m ill................................................. 1 Totals.................................................... 29 IN PROGRESS. H ouses....................................................... 9 Dock, etc................................................. 1 T otal.................................................... 10 Com pleted....................................... 2 Total................................................. 39 SECOND WARD. COMPLETED. Itlpr-'o 1e'- e xt1. Ao. Saw m ills.................................................... 2 Brick blocks...................................... 4 Drill house...................................... 1 Boat house and residence.................................... 1 Barns......................................................... 4 A dditions....................................................12 S alt sh ed.................................................... 1 Residences, cottages, etc.....................................6s M iscellaneous................................................ 15 T otal.................................................... 1 ) IN PROGRESS. R esidences................................................... 49 W ater w orks.................................................. 1 Church....................................................... 1 B rick block................................................... L ibrar y....................................................... 1 T otal.....................................................5 3 Com pleted................................................... 10s T otal.................................................... 16 1 THIRD WARD. COMPLETED. fi[lpr)- ol texlt. V0o. R esidences................................................... 12 S tores......................................................... 3 H ose house.................................................. 1 H oop factory............................................... 1 H otel........................................................ 1 M iscellaneous............................................... 4 | T otal......................................................22 * IN PROGRESS. | Houses....................................................... 3 T otal.....................................................2 5 * SUMMARY. 500 2,300( 10,0f)O 600 250 1.,000 $22,900 4,400 4,000 $ 8,400 22,900 $31,300 Cost. $59,0()0( 51,ooo 1,500 3,000 4,700 9,225 3,000 79,425 40,200( $251,050 $34,650 25,000 25,000 7,000 30,000 $121,650} 251,050 $372,700( Cost. $ 6,15() 4,5()0 1,00() 25,000 1,500) 22,500 $ 60,650 $ 1,400 $ (;62,050 First Ward...................................................................$ 31,30 Second W ard.................................................................. 372,700 T hird W ard.................................................................... 62,050 Public Im provem ents....:.................................................... 33,114 Sidew alk s, etc.................................................................. 11,00() Grand Total................................................................$ 510,1 ( 64 BIOGRAPHICAL. WILLIAM PATTERSON was born in Ireland in 1832, and is the son of William Patterson. At the age of fourteen lie was bound out for four years as a sailor boy, and then entered Her Majesty's service as a marine. At the end of two years he left the service and shipped as a sailor on a Peruvian vessel. He sailed on the coast of Peru for two years, then returned to England and next to Charleston, S. C. He engaged as first mate on an American vessel for two years, and then as commander of a vessel for two years. In 1858 he came to Canada, bought a Canadian vessel, the "Christiana," sailed her two years and lost her in a storm while attempting to enter Oswego Harbor. He has been in command of different vessels on the lakes since that time. He has been eminently successful, not having met with any serious accident since that time, twenty-two years ago. In 1877 he settled in West Bay City, and in 1880 bought a house and lot on William Street, where he now resides. He was married in 1857 to Miss Wary Mulholland, of New York, a native of Ireland, by whom he had one child, a son, now living. He lost his first wife in 1878, and in 1876 married Miss Mary McCormick, of Ontario, by whom he has had three children, one son and two daughters, all living. He has succeeded in making a good living and enjoyed the full confidence of vessel owners by his strict attention to incumbent duties. JOHN D. SMITH is a native of Canada. He was born in the Total..,................................................................... 12,287 24 SECXOND WAIDI). Cemetery Imlrovements, public vault, etc................................$ 5)1) (( Henry Street pavement......................................................... 3,454 75 Litchfield Street pavem ent................................................. 752 9 Street crossings pavem ent................................................... 324 76 Au Sable State road pavement............................................... 2, 01 s 7s W ater pipes (for city inclusive)............................................. 7,500 ()()00 Total.............................................................. $14,551 25 THIRI)D WVARi). Jackson Street pavem ent.................................................... $ 2,393 65 I ashington Street pavem ent................................................ 1,997 MI ain Street pavem ent.................. —. —.-. ---................... 754 79 Ward Street crossing pavement............................................ 809 S9 W ard sew ers................................................................. 321 OS T otal.....................................................................$ 6,276 4 7 RECAPITULATION. FIRST WARD. COMPLETED). lp1'o0 t'l ent. X.V Frame houses.............................................. fi New additions to dwellings................................. 1 I j $ (wost. 2,95) 5, 300 It 1 V r )8 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. i} Province of Quebec, July 17, 1818, and c-rme to Bay City September 26, 1866. He was married in 1874 to Mrs. Taitt, of Bay City, who formerly came from the vicinity of Mr. Smith's nativity in Canada. For twelve years Mr. Smith remained in Bay City, during which time he worked at lumbering about seven years, which includes five years in the Pitts & Cranage mill. He afterward kept the Hamblin House three years and the Phelps House about the same length of time. At present he is keeping the Clifton House, West Bay City, but in Tuscola County, ten miles east of Bay City he has a fine farm which he expects to devote almost exclusively to stock raising. At present he is feeding thirty head of cattle. Louis GAYLLAINOW was born in Paris, France, 1836, and lived there until five years of age. He came to America with his parents, landed at New York, remained there two years and a half, when his father removed to Montreal and engaged in ship building. One year and a half later he removed to Boston, Mass. At the age of eighteen Louis left home and went to New Orleans, engaged as ship carpenter for four and a half years, after which he was chief repairing officer of a line of steamers plying from New Orleans to St. Louis and ports above on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. He held this position nine years at a salary of $75 a month and found, for two years, then $90 a month for two years, then $125 a month for five years. In the Spring of 1865 he came to Detroit and worked six months at ship carpentering, when he learned that his father and family were at Montreal, and he accordingly proceeded there. He remained there five years engaged in main post store. He had the control of the repairing of a line of ocean vessels till the Spring of 1871, when he came to Wenona. He bought a lot on the Birney property, Second Ward, erected a comfortable dwelling with his own labor and a fellowworkman of the ship yard, each making full time at Moore & Ballentine's ship yard during the erection of the house. He has continued to follow ship building. He has purchased adjoining lots and erected two more good dwellings; purchased other lots in the neighborhood and erected two stores. He married Miss Mary Ann Porton, of Montreal, in 1857, who lived only nine months. He afterward married Miss Emma La Belle. Has had eight children -four sons and four daughters- of whomn the four daughters are living. Mr. Gayllainow has made his way in the world by industrious hard work, and has secured a handsome property for his declining years. W. E. CALLENDER, contractor and builder, came to Bay City in 1874.. He was born in Fayetteville, Ohio, November 11, 1839, and in 1868 was married to Martha Prentiss, of Syracuse, N. Y. They have two children, a daughter of thirteen and a son of eleven. In 1840 Mr. Callender removed to Williams County, Ohio, remaining there until 1874, with the exception of the time he spent in the army. During his residence in Williams County he was under-sheriff, constable and city marshal four years. In 1861 he enlisted for three months in the Cleveland Grays, and afterward re-enlisted with the Sixth United States Cavalry, serving two years, at the end of which time he received a commission as second lieutenant and was transferred to the Ninth Ohio Battery, Veteran Volunteers, serving to the close of the war, four years and two months, earning and receiving a captain's commission before his discharge. As a contractor Mr. Callender makes a specialty of erecting drill houses and salt blocks, and is the principal builder here in that line. He has done more or less work for nearly every mill owner on the Saginaw River. For N. B. Bradley he constructed two salt blocks and five drill houses, for L. L. Hotchkiss two salt blocks and two drill houses, and many others. DAVID H. YOUNG, foreman for H. W. Sage & CO. ill their salt business, came to West Bay City in 1871, and llas been in the employ of the above named firm silnce that timle, with tile exception of eighteen months lie spent oil his farm ill Monitor Townshipl. He was born Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1833. He lived in Syracuse, N. Y., twenty-six years, and duril.g that time was engaged seven years in salt business. In 1862 lie came to East Saginaw. He was married to Elizabeth Davis, of East Saginaw, in the Spring of 1872. At the first city election Mr. Young was elected alderman and served the term. ANDREW THOMISON, colltractor iand builder, is a native of thle north of Scotland, and was born in 1840. He came with his parents to Canada in 1843, and in 1872 came to Bay City, and in 1874 to West Bay City. Mr. Thomson was married in Canada to Miss Flora McQuarrie, and at Goderich colnmmenced his present business of contracting and buildinlg. Of the notable buildings lihe has erected can be named tile Mosher Block, Fisher Bank Block, Fisher Block, Lafayette Hall, Presbyterian Church, Library Building, Westover Block, Norrington Block and an addition to the Mosher Block in West Bay City. In Bay City the Taylor and Rose Block, Jennison Block and McEwan Blcck, besides hundreds of private residences. JOSEPH PAGOT was born ill Sandwich, Essex Co., Canada, ill 1842. He came to West Bay City in 1869 and ill 1872 returned to Canada and was married to Miss Philom.elle Parrent. They have five children, all boys. Mr. Pagot has a carriage and blacksmith shop which he has conducted for a number of years. As he came here with but small means he hlas demonstrated that independence can be reached by industry. He owns 200 acres of land in Monitor Township, where he will probably remove with his family next:f Spring, giving up his business in town. HENRY C. WILLIS was bornl ill Livingston County, N. Y., in 1834. He came to Michigan in 1860, locating in Ovid, Clinton Co., where he was married to Miss Mary J. Winfield in 1862. Mr. Willis is a mason by trade and does a large amount of work by colltract, employing several men. When he first came to West Bay City it was then but a. small village without a single brick building. Since that time hundreds of such buildings have been erected and as he is an industrious man lie has fould profitable enmployment and has earned a good reputation. FREDERICK A. PEEKI was born ill Oakland County, Mich., in 1845. He came to West Bay City inl 1871 and entered the employ of Arnold & Catlin as foreman of their planing mill, acting for them in that capacity ten years. He now does a large business ill contracting and building, making fine dwelling houses a specialty. In connection with Andrew Thomson he built the Fisher Bank Block. Mr. Peek is a member of the MLasonic Lodge and the Royal Arcanum. He was married May 3, 1876, to Miss Anna, C. Chapman. CHARLES GLASER was born in Germany in 1839, and studied civil engineering before coming to the United States, whicll was in 1866. In 1869 he came to Michigan, and engaged with the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad as civil engineer, remaining with them till 1873, when the road was leased to the Michigan Central, after which he opened an office for himself in Wenona, now West Bay City, and continued in business as a surveyor and civil engineer till the Spring of 1882, when he engaged with the Michigan Central Railroad as clerk of the locomotive and car department. He married Mary Ketelson, also a native of Germany. They have two children. JOSEPH SUREDICT was born in Saginaw City, Mich., September 26, 1833. In 1860 he cane to West Bay City, then called Bangor, and J -. A - * Ob HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 199 engaged in the fish business, which lie has followed ever since. He has been successful and has accumulated property. He has a good fishery at Tobacco, on the west shore of the Sagillnaw Bay, where he carries on his fishing business. He lives in the First Ward of West Bay City, on the Prairie Road. Has a wife and six children. Louis POTTER, recent proprietor of the "Arlington" hotel, came to Michigan in 1841, from the state of New York, of which lie is a native. He has resided in the Saginaw Valley some thirty years, the last ten of which have been passed in West Bay City. He was married in 1855, and is the father of four children, all of whom are liv ing. HENRY CAMPAU was born ill Windsor, Ontario, April 13, 1837, and while quite young moved with his parents to Saginaw City. They remained there until 1843, when they removed to Crow Island, same county, and in 1846 to East Saginaw. Iln 1848 lie came to West Bay City where lie has since resided. In the Fall of 1859 he commenced working in saw mills which he has since followed. He was with the late James J. McCormick eleven years as circular sawyer, and has also been in different mills, being at present engaged in the caplacity of circular sawyer with thle firm of Hay, Butman & Co. Mr. Clampan is an industrious manl, and is the owner of a good home ill the Fourth Ward of West Bay City. He was married November 21, 1860, to Miss ietrumew, of West Bay City, and lha;- four children. JOHN GOLDEN was born ill Cork, Ireland, and came to the United States when very young. He lived in New York City for two years, and near the city in Westchester County for some time. He went from there to Syracuse and weint into the boot and shoe trade. He removed to Michigan in 1854, going to Corunna. In 1864 lie came to Bay City, and in 1864 started a boot and shoe shop in Wenona. During his residence in Wvenona and West Bay City he has held the office of justice of the peace for about eleven years, and is now a practicing attorney. John frequently refers with pride to the excellence of the boots he used to make, particularly one pair which lhe says were worn fourteen years, and if any hearer is incredulous as to the truth of the story, triumphantly refers him for proof to the man who wore them. He was married in 1867 to Mary Bessonette, and they have a family of eight children. PERRY PHELPS is a native of Wayne Co., N. Y. He removed to Bay City in 1859 and remained there until 1862 when he entered the United States service. He returned in 1870 and engaged in keeping a hotel, after which he was in the lumber business four years. At present he is not in business, having sold his interest in a livery stable which he had been running for some little time, but expects to open a restaurant in West Bay City where he resides, the first of February, 1883. He was married to Sarah A. Tolfree, of Ithaca, N. Y., in 1862. Mr. Phelps has held the office of village alderman four years. SETH BOURN was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1833. He moved to St. Clair County, Mich., in 1862, stopping there three years, when he moved to Bay City, remaining two years, then going to Tuscola County, he remained there eight years. Returning to Bay City in 1875 he entered the employ of his brother as foreman of his tannery, acting in that capacity till 1882. In June last, he commenced business on Linn Street, West Bay City, where he has a steam carpet beater and feather renovater. He has held the office of inspector of election in the First Ward. He was married in 1860 to Mary A. Sweet, of Vassar, Mich. They "have one daughter, who is married to Capt. Henry A. Hawgood. W. W. VEDDER, druggist, corner of Midland and Walnut Streets, is a native of Albany, N. Y. He came to West Bay City in the Spring of 1873 and engaged in the lumber business as inspector, but only continued for a short time, going into the drug business ill the Fall following his arrival here. He met with a loss by fire in 1881. JOSEPH McMAHON, proprietor of the Toohey House, corner of Henry and John Streets, came to West Bay City in the Fall of 1870, and for a time was engaged in lumbering. He was born near Toronto, Ont., and married Margaret Cashin, also of Ontario. They have one child. B. W. MERRICK was born in London, Ont., November 4, 1837. In 1861 lie left honle and enlisted in the Fifth Michigan Infantry, Company E. He was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg in 1862, by a shot in the shoulder, and remained in the hospital for five months, when lie was mustered out of service on accoult of his wounds. In 1864 he again entered the army as first lieutenant, and was afterward promoted to a captaincy. He remained until the close of the war and was discharged at Detroit, Mich. He came to Bay City in 1872 and engaged in lumbering, jobbing, etc. He has been proprietor of the Wolverton House, on Water Street, Bay City, but at present is keeping a restaurant in West Bay City. He was married ill 1865 to Estillo Livis, of Detroit, Mich., and has five children. WARREN B. FULLER was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1835; son of Edson Fuller. His father removed to Geauga County, Ohio, in 1844. Warren worked out by the month till he was fourteen, commencing at the age of nine. He then came to Royal Oak, Mich.. and from there to Bay City. In 1850 he went to Au Sable and engaged in fishing for P. J. Perrott. He returned to Bay City and worked the following Winter in cutting the pine timber on the land subsequently purchased by Sage & McGraw, where they platted Lake City. In 1851 he commenced sailing; followed sailing Summers; lumber woods Winters for three years. He next engaged in fishing in Georgian Bay, Big Manitou Island, and in July was taken prisoner with ten others, schooner, and five sail-boats. They were kept about three months under the impression that they were Mormons from Beaver Island, Lake Michigan. They were then released with schooner and boats, and returned to Au Sable in the Spring of 1854, remaining there fishing and sailing till 1857. He was mate in 1856. He has followed sailing as mate or commander since that time Summers, and lumber woods Winters. He was married in 1858 to Miss Josephine McKay, of Sebewaing, a native of Nova Scotia. He has had five children, one son and four daughters, three of whom, son and two daughters, are living. He bought lots on the Blend addition to Wenona in 1867, and erected the first dwelling on said plat, where lie now resides, frugal, industrious and colmfortably situated. KARL G. A. KUSCH was born in Germany ill 1846. At the age of twenty-five lie came to America. He landed in New York; thence to Chicago; then to St. Louis, and from there to Saginaw City. He worked at harness making there four months, then came to Wenona in 1872 and established harness making business, being the pioneer ill that department of industry for Bay County. PAUL R. T. KUSCH was born in Germany in 1851. He came to America in 1871; landed in New York; thence to Saginaw City. He remained there nearly one year, and came to Wenona in 1872, and joined his brother in the harness business, under the firm of A. Kusch & Bro., who have made steady advancement in business and erected a commodious brick shop. The younger, Paul, has a sub stantial brick house, and the older, Karl, owns two good frame dwellings. Karl G. A. married Miss Elizabeth Laderach, of Salzburgh, in 1874. He has four children, two sons and two daughters, all living. Paul R. T. married Miss Rosa Schumaiinn, of Bangor, in 1877. He has three children, one son and two daughters, all living. J -4 7 - -r. f 200 I, HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. I I JONATHAN SMITH was born ill Ulster County, N. Y., in 183()0. He resided there until tile age of twenty-two. He married Miss Rachael Ann Burger, of the same place, in 1851, whose age was twenty. In 1852 he removed to Laporte, Ind., and worked at car- I pentering tand joinery. He remained there fifteen years and then moved to Three Oaks, Berrien Co., Mich. He carried on butcherin-g business for three years. He came to Bay City in 1870, and lived there eight years. He came to West Bay City in 1878. He now resides onil the corner of State and Fulton Streets, Second Ward. His principal employment is jobbing. He has had six children, of whom only one son and daughter are living. The daughter. Mary Lovina, Mrs. George H. Watson, is a resident of Bay City, and has four children. The son, C. C. Smith, of Tawas, married Miss Mary Rouech, and is superintendent of the car works and road. JAMES N. BRADFORD was born in Onondaga Couznty, N. Y., in 1824. At the age of twelve years he went to worli with a brother at Binghampton, at the goldsmith business. He continued at it four years; thence to Otsego two years as a blacksmith; thence to Cazenovia, where lhe worked for two years in a machine shop; thence to Watertown, where lie worled as a journeymlan machinist for two years; thence to Oswego, where he was superintendent of a machine shop for seven years. He returned to Watertown and remained until 1855. He then removed to Mississippi, where lie erected lmachine shops, of which hle was proprietor, for the manufacture of plantatioll machinery, where lie rem ained until 1871, being for a few months of the time in New Orleans during the occupation of that city by Gen. Butler. He then returned to Watertown, remained two years, and came to Bay City in 1873. Here he continued in the machilery -business with the Smalley Bros., Saginaw Street, Bay City. He was married to Miss Diana F. Babcock, of Oswego, N. Y., in 1848, a native of Otsego County, N. Y., who died in Mississippi in 1871. He married the second time Miss Katie M. Scutt, of Imlay City, Lapeer Co., Mich., a native of Erie County, N. Y., in 1874, by whom he has had four children, one son and three daughters, the youngest daughter having died in 1882. Mr. Bradford has in his possession a genealogy of his ancestors, dating back to. the landing of the pilgrims and tracing his descent from William Bradford, second governor of the Plymouth Colony, of which colony he was chosen governor in 1621 and held the office for thirty-one years. James N. is by direct descent of the seventh generation from the early governor. He now resides in West Bay City, King Street, where he has a pleasant and comfortable home. FELIX YOUNG was born in Seward, Schollarie Co., N. Y. He moved with his father to Bay County when twenty-three years old. He engaged the first Winter at lurnbering for H. W. Sage, after which he worked in Sage & Co's salt block for three years. He was foreman of the same the next year. He then in company with two brothers established a meat market; continued for two years and sold ont to his brother, and accepted the appointment of policeman for Second Ward. The following June, 1882, he was appointed marshal of West Bay City, which office he still fills. He keeps house with his mother on the corner of Linn and Michigan Streets, as anll officer giving satisfaction to the public by strict attention to the duties thereof. JAMES NORTON was born in Vermont, inll 1823. At the age of seven his father moved to Franklin Co., N. Y. He left home at the age of seventeen, and came to Jackson Co., Mich. He remained there four years, and returned home. He moved with his father to Cleveland, 0., and remained eight years, till 1852, when he caLme to Saginaw City, and engaged in the manufacture of shingles with at cutting machine. He remained at Saginaw until 1871, when he came to Wenona. and bought lots in the Fitzhugh & Keisel's Addition, and erected a dwelling. He lost his house by fire in 1878, after which lie bought and built a good residence on Jennie Street, in Raymond's Addition, where he now lives. He married Miss Louisa Quantrel, of English birth, then of Cleveland, in 1847. He has had eighlt children, five sons and three daug]lters, four sons alnd one daughter of whom are living. JAMES ]FRED NORTON was born in Saginaw City, in 1853; remained with his father and came to Wenona in 1871. He had worked at engineering in Saginaw, and soon engaged in the business here, on a dredging machine, which was llis principal business until 1879). He then opened. a retail fruit and confectionery store on Midland Street, being the owner of lot three, block twelve, Litchfield's Addition. He returned to engineering for the Summer of 1882, and in December he received the appointment by the City Council, of street commissioner, for the Second Ward, which posisition lie still occupies. He married Miss Barbara Schwartz, of Saint Clair, ini 1875, a native of New York. DO.MINICK JEAN was bo rn in Green Island, Canada, in 1847. He lived there until he was thirteen years old, and then went sailing. First trip to Bordeaux, France; thence to New York; thence to Liverpool; thence to New Orleans; thence to Havre De Grace, Bombay, Calcutta, and then back to New York; thence to Califorfornia and back to New York. He then spent three years in the West India trade with the United States. Thence to Marseilles and back to Philadelphia, and then coummenced sailing on thelakes. He was two months at the wheel and the balance of the season was second mate. The next season he served before the nmast on a sail vessel. The next two seasons as second mate, since which time, for twelve years, he has been master of different vessels, and had the extraordinary luck through care and. attention to never lose a man by accident, or suffer any disaster to his vessel of any consequence. He married Miss Etta Goodson, of Toronto, in 1876, whose age is now twenty-eight. No children. Residence, First Ward, West Bay City, corner Joseph and Seventh Streets. NICHOLAS EMERY came to West Bay City eighteen years ago, where he worked about two years when lie went to Willow Island, now Melborn, where he remained nine months, working for W. R. Burt & Co. He returned to West Bay. City in 1873, and engaged with H. W. Sage & Co., as foreman, holding that position up to the present time. He was born in Monroe, Maine, in 1829. He has been twice married, first to Miss Oaks, and afterward to Miss Abbey A. Carr. FREDERICK W. LANKENAW was born February 2, 1846, at Fort Wayne, Inld. He received careful instruction from private teachers, and at an early age entered Concordia College, in his native city, graduating therefrom in 1865. He adopted the profession of a teacher. He came to Michigan ill 1866 and to Bay City in 1867, and has been connected with the educational interests of the county longer than any other teacher. He taught in the Bay City schools from 1867 until 1880, when he accepted the position of superintendent of schools for District No. 2, West Bay City, formerly Wenona, which position he still holds. In 1872 he was elected superintendent of schools for Bay County, in which capacity lie worked diligently to promote the interests of the public schools. He was miarried in 1869 to Miss Ellen Rogers, a native of Bay City. They have two children, a boy and a girl. Mr. Lankenaw has eairned an enviable reputation as an accomplished and pains-taking teacher, and as such possesses in a remarkable degree the esteem of the commiu nitv in which he resides. ROBERT BATESON was born in 1824, and is a native of Scotland. While yet a lad he emigrated to Canada with his grand-parents, and settled in Lanark County, Ontario, oil a farm where he remained until 1866. He then came to West Bay City, and worked five years in Sage's llill. Inll 1872 he purchased a lot in Bangor, onl which he i - - - -, 40 _ Y!: IIISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 201 201 built a small house, land afterward two lots and blilt a residence oil Au Sable Street, in Salzburgh, where he now resides. He also purchased a farm of 160 acres in the township of Monitor, whichl he has divided witl his solns, retaining eighty acres for himself. He married Jenette McDonald, of Canada, ill 1858. The/ have had eleven children, tell of whom are living. JESSE A. BRAMAN was born at New Baltimore, Macornl Co.. Mich., where he learned the trade of an engineer. He came to Bay City in 1862, and for the last ten years has been the engineer atthe steam saw mill and salt works of Moore, Smnith & Co., and their successors, Smuitll Bros. He was married in 1868 to Elizabeth Cox. He has a family of three children, one of them by a first wife. He was an alderman for the First Ward of West Bay City in 1879-'81. CAPT. H. A. HAWGOOD was born in Wales. At five years of age he went to Milwaukee, Wis., with his parents, where he has since resided. At fifteen years of age he colnmenced sailing in the capacity of porter oil the propeller "Bradburg," and afterward engaged in tugging on the Chicago River and also the Saginaw River. The Captain has an interest in the steam barges "Belle P. Cross" and "D. W. Powers," and the consorts of the "B. P. Cross," which are the "Chicago Board of Trade," "Stephen Clement," George H. Wand," "Little Jake" and "Henry W. Hoag." Captain Hawgood has recently built all elegant residence in West Bay City, where he will hereafter make his home. CoNRAD A. KLEMM was born in Saginaw City, February 18, 1859. At the age of fourteen he engaged with G. D. King in the grocery business. In 1879 he removed to West Bay City, where lie has a general store. He was married in 1880 to Barbara M. List, of Frallkenmuth. DANIEL C. STARR was born ill Cuyalioga Co., Ohio, January 1, 1831. In 1852 he moved to Indiana, and engaged in farming, remainilug there seven years. He then moved to New York State, and remained there until 1861, when he entered the transportation department of the army, remaining there eighteen months. In 1862 lie came to Bay City and engaged in different occupations until 1875, when he engaged in boat building, which he still continues in the First Ward of West Bay City. He was married December 12, 1864, and has two children. JOHN H. LITTLE was born in Mercer County, Pa., July 11, 1818. Three years later he accompanied his parents to Silver Creek, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he lived for sixteen years. He learned the tailoring business, and in 1838 left home, and commenced sailing on the lakes. He followed sailing for a number of years, after which he engaged in business as a harlness maker in Ohio. He came to Bay City in 1849, and in 1861 engaged in the grocery business in company with John Cottrell. In 1854 he purchased the property where the First National Bank now stands, and there carried on the grocery business. In 1868 he sold out to Smith & Travers, and in 1874 built the store now occupied by J. S. Hogle, and carried on business there for three years. He then retired from business, and removed to West Bay City, where he now resides. SWAN JOHNSON is a native of Sweden, and was born November 1, 1846. In 1870 he moved to New York, and remained there six years engaged in a wire spring factory. In 1876 he came to South Bay City, and was engaged at John McGraw & Co's mill two years, and the Wooden Ware Works three years. In 1882 he purchased a lot on the corner of Thomas and Henry Streets, in West Bay City, and erected a store, and engaged in the grocery and provision business, which he still continues. He was married in 1872, and has three children. Residence, over store. ALLAN H. STILLMAN was born in Rome, N. Y., August 31, 1856, and remained there until 1875, attending school and em ployed in his father's store (wholesale and retail grocery). In 1875 he went to Saint Louis allnd into the employ of the Pullman Car Company, continlluing in their employ three years. He then returned to Rome, N. Y., and was employed as book-keeper in the State Bank of Rome, in which position he remained until 1879, when he came to Bay City, and engaged as book-keeper with Gates & Fay, with whom h.e remained until 1882. He was then employed by H. W. Sage & Co., of West Bay City, as book-keeper, which position he still Ifolds. He was married February 10, 1880, to Miss Anna L. Adalms, of Rome, N. Y. CAPT. T. G. LESTER is a native of England, where lie was born in 1831. At two years of age he came with his parents to Port Hope, Ontario, but soon thereafter they went to New York, remaining two or three years. In 1848 he learned the ship capenter's trade in Clayton, N. Y., working at it for a number of years. In 1852 he went to the Isthmus of Panama, in the employ of the Panama Railroad Company, remaining four months, when he returned to New York. In the Spring of 1854 he went to California and worked in the United States Navy-yard at San Francisco, after which he engaged in mining, visiting -British Columbia and Vancouvers Island. He returned to San Francisco, and in 1860 to New York. Soon thereafter he came to Shiawassee County, Mich., and purchased a farm, and two years later returned to New York and married Miss Augusta Wetherbec. In 1864 he entered the employ of the Government, building transports, but during the year sold his farm and visited Philadelphia, New York City and other Eastern cities. In the Fall of 1866 he came to Bay City, and has since been engaged in building barges. THE LATE JOHN GRATTAN SWEENEY was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1822. He came to this country with his uncle when only eight years old, and located at Rome, N. Y. In 1850 he enlisted in the regular armly as a private in the Sixth Infantry, and saw service in Mexico and on the frontier. In 1851 he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and later in the year to sergeant. He received an honorable discharge in 1855, and coming to this state located at Banks in 1863. He married Margaret. McKittrick, of Detroit, bringing her to Banks. Subsequently he removed to Wenona, and in 1866 was elected sheriff of Bay County. After serving a short time in that capacity he resigned and was elected supervisor of Bangor Townshlip, which office he held nine years. His wife and four boys survive him. His domestic relations were always happy and agreeable. He was a kind father and affectionate husband. Mrs, Sweeney is deserving-of much praise in having kept her boys together and teaching them habits of industry. They are all good workers, and make their home with their mother at the old homestead on Midland Street, West Bay City. JOHN BRIGHAM, SR., was born November 21, 1806, in Lowville, Lewis Co., in the state of New York. His father, David Brigham, was of New England origin, having emigrated from Massachusetts to Lewis County about 1795, and was one of the pioneers of that section of the state. His mother was, before marriage, Sarah Veeder, daughter of Judge Veeder, who is mentioned by James R. Paulding as the Patriarch Veeder who presided over the first settlement on that portion of the Mohawk, "the advance guard of civilization." He was twice driven from his holme by the Indialls, and his buildings and personal effects either burned or carried away. She was therefore familiar with the hardships of pioneer life, and was a descendant of the early Dutch settlers of the Empire State. Mr. Brigham was one of the early pioneers of Michigan, he having emligrated to Michigan Territory in November, 1833. He brought with him only the little sum of money he had been able to save while working out by the month, and first settled in what is now the township of Atlas, Genesee County, but in November, 1836, re J L -4. - - - -n - w -- -t 4 - I - I 202 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. moved to Hadley, Lapeer County. Here hlie cilearedl tie finle farln of about 300 acres which is now ocecul)ied by his oldest son, Aalroll (T. Brigham, anlld hlere his homlle has been ever since that time except aLout two years, froln 1841 to 1843, when lie livedl onil a farnL in Atlas, Genesee County. Novelmber 21, 1838, hlie was married to Eliza S. Goodlrich, daughter of Levi H. and EunIlice (toodiricl, wllo, withl her parellts and lbrothers lhadd emigrated to Atlas, Genesee County, in May, 1836. She was born in the town of Semllpronius, Cayuga Co., in the state of New Yorlk, September 12, 1809. Wlen she was about six years of age her falllily removedl to whitat was then knowll as the Niagaral Frontier, and settled on anew farm in Clarence, Erie Co., in the same state. Here she continued to reside till the time of her emigration to Michifgan. She died of cancer, March 3, 1874, after enduring three painful surgical operations. She was a \womllan of strong mind, resolute will, unalssllming virtues and of remarkalble devotion to her family. She lthad six bIrotllers, whose namnes in the order of their ages artle as follows: I Moses Goodrich, Aaron Goodrich, Levi W. Gooodrich, Enos Goodrich, John S. Goolrich lland Reuben Goodrich. All of these except Levi W. and John S. are now living. Moses and Levi W. were farmers, Aaron anld John S., lawyers, (tled Enos and Reubenll, merchlants and men of general business. Aaron Goodricih is authllor of a work eiltitled "A History of the So-called Cllristopher Colmnbus land his Discoveries ill America;" has been chief justice of thle supreme court of Minnesota, secretary of legation to Belgiumll unlder Lincolni's admrninistration, one of the Presicdential electors of Tennessee, member of the Legislatu'e of Tennessee and lha-s hleld otlhler positions of hlonor and trust. Enos and Reuben have both been mlembers of the Legislature of this state, and John S. nwas elected jukdge of thle Seventh Jludicial District of Michigan, but died at'tlhle age of 36, before entering oil the duties of his office. John Brillamn had four sons and one daiughter, viz: Aaron G. Briglhan, John Brigllal, Jr., Elizal Jane Brighain, Salmuel L. Brigham and Charles S. Brigham, all of whonirl were born at Hadley, Lapeer County, except John, Jr., who was lborn durilng the sojourn of thle family in Atlas. Of these children three; are now living, Eliza Jane and Charles S. halving died in infancy. AARON G. BRIGHAI was born May 12, 1840, and was married to CaroliIle Vantine January 7, 1869). They have three sons and one daughter. JOHN BRIGHAM, JR., was blornll Allgust 29, 1842, in what was then Atlas, Lapeer, but now Genesee County. He graduated at the law department of Michigtlan University, March 25, 1868, and was admitted to tile bar at Lapeer in the Summer of 1868. After graduating he returrled home and remained till the Spring of 1874, when he wentinto the law office of Hon. J. B. Moore, of Lapeer, where he remained a few months, after which lie came to what was then Wenona, now West Bay City, and opened a law office February 1, 1875. He has continued to practice law, keeping his office in West l-ay City from tllhat day to the present time. In Spring of 1879 lie was elected an alderman of West Bay City, and is now the city attorney. He was married October 9, 1878, to Barbara M. Aitken, of St. Clair County, Mich., whose parents were from Glasgow, Scotlanld. SAMiUEL L..BRIGTHAM, juniorl member of thelaw firmn of J. & S. 'L. Brigham, was born in Lapeer County, Mich. He graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1874, and came to West Bay City in 1876, when he formed a co-partnership with his brother in the practice of law. He is also a justice of the peace, for which position his legal attainments well qualifyll him. EUGENE BIRR was born in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., in 1842. He remainedthere until the age of twenty-one. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union Army, Company C, Thirtieth Michiganll r Infantry, for three years, or durinlg the wvar. He remain1ed oni detail service ra1der (Ger. Cutler, wit1h headquarLterS at Jackson, Mich., until the close of the war. He work1ed at fnr11ni11g in various places until 1871, when lie 11mar1ried Miss Nellie Rogers, of WalTford, Ontario,andci ill 1872 came to WVenona, and engageld in mill labor, principally on boom. He continued i11 this capacity ni1til 188(). Was then elected constable of Third Ward, West Bay City, also appointed policeman by the council. In 1882 was appointe1d harbor nmaster, and in 1883 street commissioner of Fifth Ward. Residence, corner Ninth (and Jack~son Streets, West Bay City. HLas two children, sons. BARTHOLOMEW STAUIDACHIER WaS lbornl ill Germany in 1828, and worked with his parents, who were farlmers, llntil 1851, when lie emigrated to America, conting (directly to West Bay City where lie worked in saw mills four sealsons. In 18.55 lie purclhased 250 acres of land in Hamlipton Townshllip, Sa(iinaw Co., which he has improved until 1now lie lhas 12(0) acres Lunder cultivation. Mr. Standlacller hlas Ibeen hilghway comilissioner five years, and is now school director. Has been marriedl twice, acnd has eleven children. STEPHEN SWART was horn iln Lapeer County, fMich, and becalme a citizen of Westl Bay City in 1879, at whllich time lie ellngaged in the watcll, clockl alld jewelry busilless. He is also a practical watchmllnlaker, and is doing a tllriving trade. He married MIiss Charlotte Woodruff, and has one child, at boy. JACs)B SWART was born in Charlton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1819, and came to Michigan in 1836, settliln in Lapeer County, and enTagillng in farming. In1 1814 he embarked in the mercantile teade at Goodrielh,.OGenesee Co. —For tile past eiglht years hlie has lived in West Bay City, lllakilg hlis 1home witll hlis son, Stelphllen Swart, the jeweler. JAMES CXAMIPBELL WiS bornI ill Roclhester, N. Y., in 1839. Family moved to Niagara Comuty when hle was tlhree years of age. His father died in 1842, when the familv Imoved to Irent C(,., Canada, where he lived until seventeen years of age, after wlhichl he engaged ill sailing Summers, and worked in thle lulmber woods Winters until the age of twenty-one, when lie engaged in the hllnber and square timber lbusiness for himself. Followed it until 18(;5, when hle came to Bay County, alld settled in Salzburghl. Engaged in the Hulronll Salt & Lumlber Co's. mllill as head sawtyer for two years. Having lhad but limitedl advantages of educatior, hlie applied himlself dluring the Winters to thle study of arithllmetic anl(d book-keeping, under the instruction of A. L. Cureiming, then principal of Wenona, graded school. Soon after hle establislled af billiard room in the Campbell House Block, Bay City. Coltinled the blsiness there andl in tile Ernst B3lock, West Bay City, until 1874, also carryinrg onl lurbering for himself on the Kawkawlin River, ilI pine aLnd oak square timber, and erected a two-stolry brick block onl the corner of Midland and Linn Streets, where the Mosher Block nlow stlandls. Inl 1878 lie erected a hotel at West Bralnch, Ogellaw Co.; moved his family there and kept the hlouise olle year, after which lie rented it and in a few mlontlls it was lost by fire. In 1875 lie sold out his interest in thle billiard business and gave his whole attention to lumber and sqluare tilmber till 1878. He then commenced jobbing for S. O. Fislher, which he still continues. He married, in 1863, Miss Bridget Brophy, of Kent County, Ontario. Has head three children, two daugllters and one son, '11 living. Has a comlmodious residence onl Midland Street, West Blay City, whicll lhe bouglht in the Spring of 1882. HOMER P. CHASE was born0111 ill thle TowVnship of Prairie Ronde, Kalfamazoo Co., Mich., Decemlber 25, 1850, and came to West Bay City in the Spring of 1865. Is a carpenter by trade and has been sailillng onl the lakes. For the past three years hlie has been with Cllarles Babo & Sonls as clerk inll their store. Married Saallah E. j. ~ W4 - k -I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 203 _ _ Lester, of West Bay City, formerly of Chatham, Ontario. They have two children. C. E. SMIART was born in the town of Rochester, N. H., and came to Michigan in 1856. He stopped in Niles about one year, working in a machine shop, after which he traveled West and South, passing two years on the island of Cuba. In 1874 he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad as engineer, which position he held about one year and a half, when Jle took the position of Division Master Mechanic of the locomotive and car department at Saginaw, which he still holds. He married Mary Dugan, of Niles, Mich., and they have two children. J. A. BEHMLANDER, proprietor of the City Meat Market, West Bay City, was born in Frankenlust in 1853, and has always resided in the Saginaw Valley. For a while Mr. Behmlander worked in a shingle mill, and about 1872 engaged in the butcher business. In 1874 lie commenced for himself, and is having a large trade. He married Barbara Hutchenroider, and they have one child, a daughter. Geo. Paul Behlmlander, father of J. A. Behmnlander, was one of the earliest settlers, having come here in 1838. PATRICK CALLAGHAN was born in Bruce County, Ontario, in 1848, where he remained till twenty-one years of age, when he came to the Saginaw Valley and engaged with Mr. Toohey, with whom he remained about five years driving team, after which he worked in the Sage Mill for a while. Then engaging in the hotel business he was proprietor of the American House three years and the Callaghan House, his present stand, four years. Was married to Miss Annie Cook in 1872. They have one child, a son. GRIFFITH H. FRANCIS was born in Oneida County, New York. He graduated at the Oneida Conference Seminary in 1872; also from the Michigan Law School in 1874. He commenced practicing law at Saline, Mich., but removed to West Bay City in 1876, and soon thereafter was appointed superintendent of schools to fill vacancy occurring by resignation of Dr. Magill. He was elected justice of peace of said city and served as such from 1877 to 1881, and is now (1882) supervisor for Second Ward. In 1878 he was married to Miss Harriet A. Hyne, of Brighton, Mich. They have one child, a girl. the state of Maine, and came to Michigan in 1864. He is a member of the firm of Emery Bros., who are largely engaged in lumbering. They also operate a steam since resided. Ine1874 he engaged in the liquor business on Linn Street, where he still continues it. He married Mary Rose, of West Bay City. They have two children, a son and daughter. MICHAEL HUFNAGEL was born in Germany in 1842, and before leaving his native land learned the miller's trade. In 1865 he came to West Bay City, and in 1880 rented the Salzburgh Flouring Mill from F. Fitzhugh & Co., its location being' the east side of Water Street, foot of Main. Mr. Hufnagel employs three men about the mill and is doing a good business, grinding at least 200 bushels per day through the season. In 1869 he married Barbara Heuman, of Bay City. They have one son and three daughters. DR. N. H. WEBATER was born' in Ohio in 1828, and in 1850 graduated in dentistry at Cleveland. After a brief practice in Ohio he removed to Indiana, and in 1859 to Hudson, Mich., where he remained till 1865; then coming to Bay City he practiced his profession till 1880, when, on account of poor health, he retired. In 1879 he came to West Bay City to reside, and built a handsome residence on the corner of Hart and Au Sable Streets. In 1854 he married Julia E. Brockett, a native of Ohio. They have one son, who has taken his father's practice in Bay City. D. McLAUGHLIN, is a native of Canada. He came to Bay City ini 1870, remaining one year, when he removed to West Bay City. His early days were spent on a farm with his father. He married Josephine Donohue, of West Bay City, in 1879. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. McLaughlin has been for some years in the employ of H. A. Emery, and has risen 'from a subordinate situation to a good position. A. F. HAGADORN, M. D., is a native of the state of New York. Graduated from the Ann Arbor Medical College in 1875, and immediately commenced the practice of medicine in South Bay City, where he remained till the Spring of 1878, when he removed to West Bay City, where his office and residence can be found on the corner of Henry and Ohio Streets. He married, in 1875, Viola LaRue, also a native of New York. They have two children, a son and daughter. CAPT. J. S. MCNEIL 'was born on Prince Edward Island in 1843, and at fourteen years of age commenced sailing. In 1863 he sailed on a lake vessel loaded with kerosene oil from Port Sarnia to Liverpool. He first took command of the "Frances Ada," and has been mate and master of vessels since that time. In 1874 he sailed as captain the steamer" V. H. Ketchum,"at that time the largest vessel afloat on fresh water, and sailed her three years, when he purchased an interest in the "D. F. Rose" and two barges, "Boscobel" and "Marine City." He is captain of the "Rose." He resides on Center Street, West Bay City. HARRISON LEWIS is a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1816. While young he went to Western New York with his father's family and remained until he was nineteen years of age. In 1835 he started out for himself, going first to Oakland County, Mich., and afterward to Genesee County where he cleared up several farms. In 1873, together with his son Henry S., came to West Bay City and opened a grocery store, which in 1880 they changed to hardware and are doing a successful business. Their store is on Midland Street. Harrison Lewis married Nancy L. Van Tuyl, of New York. She is still living. Henry S. Lewis married Ada A. Johnson, of Genesee County, Mich. CAPT. JAMES KERR was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1837, and served his time there as machinist. In 1869 he came to Bay City bringing the "Hattie Brown," of which he was captain, and continued in that position until 1874, when he sold out and went to Wisconsin where he remained about a year, then returned taking up! fI — 4k, I l 3) saw mill at East Tawas.. In addition, he owns and works a farm in the township of Bangor, Bay County, on which he lives. Is married to Eunice Anderson, also a native of Maine, and has a family of four children. M. C. DANFORTH was born in Oswego County, New York, in 1836, and in 1865 came to Mason County, Michigan, and engaged in lumbering, remaining there two years, when he went to Ovid, Clinton Co., Mich., where he farmed and also manufactured brick. It is worthy of note that the second house built in Ovid was constructed from brick of Mr. Danforth's make. In 1876 he came to West Bay City and opened a cooper shop. He still continues the business, employing six to seven men. Mr. Danforth was married in 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Dennis, of New York. They have one SOIl. JAMES RINGWOOD was born in Syracuse, N. Y., and about 1867 removed to Saginaw, where he remained but a short time, when he came to Bay City, and from there to West Bay City where, soon thereafter, he opened a -blacksmith shop and livery stable. About 1876 he moved his business to Bay City, where he is still doing business. In 1876 he married Elizabeth Robinson, of Bay City. CHRISTOPHER MOHR is a native of Germany. In 1867 he enmigrated to America, and until 1873 was engaged in a tannery in New York, after which he came to West Bay City where he has ( t-~ I I' --- L -r --- — -. ~ - J l 1 i ii I.A [ 204 HISTORY OF B Y COUNTY. his residence in West Bay City. He has been master of thie "J. G. Hubbard," and is now mnaster of the C. A. Forbes," which runs between Bay City and Port Lookout, touching at Pine River, Rifle River and Au Gres. He married Sarall A. Temple, a native of New York. They have a son and daughter living, and have lost one daughter. CAPT. GEORGE McKAY is a native of the North of Scotland, where he was born in 1834. At nineteen years of age he emigrated to the United States and after sailing two years between New York and Liverpool he was on the propeller "Hantar," and later on the ill-fated "Lady Elgin." When she was lost on Lake Michiigan, Capt. McKay was one of the few who survived that terrible disaster. In 1875 he came to West Bay City and now resides on Kawkawlin Road. He married Mary Anln McCartv, of Hamilton, Ontario. JOHN KOHLER was born in Germany in 1838, aud was brought up on a farm. In 1862 he came to Bay City and worked at salt making ten years; when he removed to West Bay City and purchased a brewery which he operated two years and a half, when he sold out. Mr. Kohler is married and has had seven children, five of whom are dead. CAPT. ALLSON TRUDO is a native of Ontario, Canada. About the year 1861 he came to Bay City, and at sixteen years of age commenced sailing on the lakes. He first took command of the schooner "Rival," and sailed her five years. In 1879 he purchased the "S. P. Ames," and in 1880 the "McLelland" which he sold in 1881. He now owns the "Joseph Enright" and "Ames," the latter being sailed by his father. He married Bessie Thorington, of Wayne County, Micll. DOMINICK MINNIE was born in St. Clair, Mich., September 5, 1836. In 1851 he moved to East Saginaw, remained there two years, then moved to Marine City engaged in the engineer business, remained there a short time, then moved to Saginaw City, engaged on the steamer "Alida" as engineer. He was also a number of years on the "L. G. Mason." He then moved to the state of Indiana and engaged in business for three years. He then returned to Bay City, and engaged with William Peter as engineer. He was one year on the steamer "Bay City," and is at present engaged with L. L. Hotchkiss in the same capacity. He was married to Elizabeth G. Diem, of St. Clair County, and has four children. Residence, in the Fifth Ward. GEORGE F. RUSSELL was born in Vermont, January 23, 1853. In 1855 with his parents moved to Detroit, Mich., remained there two years, then moved to Flint, Mich., then to East Saginaw, remained there until 1862 when he came to Bay City. In 1863 he was engaged with Pitts & Cranage, sawing lath and remained with them two years. He then moved to West Bay City, engaged with Sage & McGraw as tally boy, and remained in that capacity five years. He then engaged as lumber inspector, which he continued for four years. He had charge of the Tittabawassee boom. In 1875 he took charge of Sage & Co's mill boom, which position he still retains. He was married in 1877. GEORGE G. CADY was born in Macormb County. Mich., September 18, 1835, remaining there thirty years, during which time he was engaged in farming and saw milling. He then moved to Port Huron, where he also engaged in the saw mill business. In 1872 he came to Bay City and engaged in the manufacture of salt and saw milling. His father is one of the oldest settlers in Michigan. Mr. Cady was married August 7, 1863, to Alice E. White, of Birmingham, and has four chiliren. Residence, corner of Crapo and Johnson Streets. WILLIAM MCCLOY was born in Albany, N. Y., September 3, 1854. In 1867 he was engaged with H. W. Sage & Co., in the A. lumber yard; remained there until 1874 when lie came to West Bay City. where he has since resided. Mr. McCloy is at present engaged with H. W. Sage inspecting lumber in the Summer season, and scaling logs in the Winter time, having been in their employ sixteen years. He was married to Nettie Russell of Bay City, August 28, 1877, and has one child. Residence on Henry Street. JOHN R. CAMERON was born in Sarnia, Canada, November 6, 1856. He came to Bay City with his mother in the same year. He was for some years engaged in the lumber business, and in 1879 was appointed mail agent on the Mackinaw branch of the M. C. R. R., which position he still holds. Mr. Cameron resides with his mother at 305 Bowery Street. DAVID B. CARDY was born in New Bedford, Mass., Janualry 29, 1817, where he remained until 1852. He was engaged in getting out and speculating in vessel spars and masts, and was also in the employ of the government for some time in the southern states. In 1853 he removed to Canada, and in company with Messrs. Campbell & Wood, continued the business of getting out spars. In 1859 lie came to East Saginaw and engaged in the lumber trade, and shortly afterward built a saw mill in Midland, Bay Co., where he resided until 1881. He then removed his mill to West Bay City upon the property of H. W. Sage & Co., where he conducts the business of his mill. He resides on Linn Street, West Bay City. JOHN W. RHODES was born in Wayne County, N. Y., March, 1834. He remained there with his parents eleven years, when he moved to Jackson, Mich., and was engaged with his father in farming. In 1863 he was a guard at the Jackson State Prison, which position he held for one year. In 1865 he learned the carpenter trade, and in 1873 moved to West Bay City where lhe still remains. Mr. Rhodes helped to build the largest steamer ever built on the Saginaw River. He was married February 11, 1861, to Martha L. Fowler, of Jackson, and has five children. Residence, on Linn Street. D. H. MCMULLEN, of the firm of McMullen & Co., was born in Stratford, Canada, July 5, 1858. He came with his parents to West Bay City in 1868. He graduated from the West Bay City' High School in the class of 1877, after which he was associated with his father in the lumber business. Last season (1882) the firm lumbered at Forest, oil the M. C. R. R., and ill 1883 operated on the north branch of the Au Sable River, near Grayling, where they will get in about 10,000,000 feet of logs. Mr. McMullen was married August 15, 1882, to Miss Sadie Curry, of West Bay City. FRANK PUDDY was born in Somersetshire, Eng., _February 2, 1851, remained there twenty-two years, during which time he was engaged in farming. In 1872 he came to Bay City, and engaged in gardening which he continued until 1883, when he opened a saloon on the corner of Linn and John streets, which he still continues. He was married to Minnie V. Reynolds of West Bay City, has one child. CAPTAIN SAMUEL MURDOCK was born in Jefferson county, State. of New York, October 15, 1844. In 1857 be engaged as cook onl the steamer Reindeer, remained in that capacity two years, and was four years before the mast. Sailed as mate one season on the bark Danube. In 1860 he came to Bay City and engaged in sailing, which he still continues. Capt. Murdock was at one time part owner of the propeller Dunkirk, barge, Bay. City, and owner of the barge, Helenstine and Morton, and is at present master of the schooner Winslow. He was married Nov. 28, 1876, to Miss Goodson, daughter of the late James O. Goodson. Residence on Midland street. CHARLES E. HARMON was born in Chatham, Ont., December, I i I I i Ii II ii I i i i i I i i iI I I i I i Ii I I I I i I II I I i i ii I II I I I I i I I i i I I e 1 9L - - _ <4T 4 T 4 1 - -1 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 205 1853. Moved with his parents to Baptist Creek in Essex county, remained there tell years, then' returned to Chatham, then moved to Bothwell, Canada. In 1865 he came to Bay City and engaged as fireman on the steamer Little Essex; was also engaged on other boats as fireman. In 1879 he became a licensed engineer and still continues the business, is at present engaged at H. W. Sage & Co.'s mill, West Bay City. He was married to Ada S. Hunter of Aylmer, Canada, and has three children. Residence corner Dean alnd Thomas streets. AINSWORTH T. RUSSELL was born in Townsend, Middlesex county, Mass., April 18, 1811. At the age of eleven he moved to Lowell, Mass., remaining there two years engaged in a woolen factory. Then moved to Wilmington, while there learned the baker trade; then moved to Lancaster, then to Boston, Mass.; engaged with A. T. Blake as foreman of his bakery; remained with him two years and six months. Then took charge of the Revere House, remained there until the Mexican war broke olit, enlisted and remained nine years in the U. S. service. He afterward came to East Saginaw as First Lieutenant of the second dragoons regiment, Company A, under Capt. Lyons, remained there a short time then moved East. In 1861 he returned to East Saginaw, engaged in the bakery business, and furnished bread for the 23d Michigan infantry, which were being drilled for the war. He then came to Bay City and engaged in the same business for a short time; then moved to West Bay City where he has since resided. He is at present engaged at the carpenter and joiner trade, and has a fine residence on Henry street. He has a wife and six children. JAMES CORBIT was born in Liverpool, England, May 9, 1833, remained there until he was seven years old, then with his parents moved to Dumplin Pond, Connecticut, was there two years working in the wire factory then went to Delaware county, York State, was there six years farming, after which he returned from York State to Connecticut; he remained there one year and then moved to Toronto, Canada, and worked in a brick yard about four years; in. 1854 moved to Lakeland on Lake Simcoe, Canada, for the purpose of manufacturing brick, but -the clay was a failure. Then worked in Vances sawmill for six months; he then engaged with Sage, Grant & Hicks in their sawmill, was there eight years as head sawyer, then in 1866 came to East Saginaw, was head sawyer in Shaw & Williams' mill; in 1868 came to West Bay City and was eight years with H. W. Sage & Co. as head sawyer; he then spent four years getting out square timber at Averell Station on the Tittabawassee River; he then returned to West Bay City and resumed his old position in H. W. Sage & Co.'s mill, which place he still holds. He was married May 17th, 1855, to Miss Theresa A. Renney of Toronto, Canada. He resides on the corner of William and Jennie streets, West Bay City. JOHN H. WILLS was born in Eastport, Maine, and came to Michigan in 1871. Lived in East Saginaw for four years, and then removed to Bay County. He was at first in the employ of J. M. Kelton of Banks, and afterward clerked for Phelps & Crane. In 1879 he went to work for E. J. Kelton, who is in the hardwood lumber trade, and is now (1883) in his employ. Hc was married to Fanny Gayllainow of West Bay City in 1881. PETER PRIOR was born in Germany in 1847; came to America in 1867, landed in New York. Established as a carpenter in St. Clair, Mich., laboring at the trade in a planing mill. Came to the Valley in 1869, and soon to Bay City. Married Miss Catharine Reinhardt of Monitor in 1872. Has two children, one son and one daughter, both living. For the past three years has been located in the Nickel Block, West Bay City, where he has succeeded in maintaining a popular sample room. CHARLES A. BLACKMAN, bookkeeper for C. E. Lewis, is a native of Eddington, Me., and came to Michigan in 1869. He lived in Bay City for about two years, and then removed to the west side of the river to accept the position of bookkeeper for Taylor & Moulthrop, lumber manufacturers, and has continued in that capacity for the several firms who have succeeded T & M. He was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Gray, of his native place, in 1875. They have two children, both boys. ALONZO M. PERKINS was born in London, Ontario, and came to Michigan in 1854, and, after residing in various places, located in West Bay City in 1870. By trade lie is a millwright. In 1875 married Miss Hannah Herrington, of Valparaiso, Ind. They have one child, a boy. HENRY W. WEBER was born in Detroit, Michigan, and became a citizen of West Bay City in 1873. He learned the trade of tinsmith in the shop of Moots & Rupff. In 1877 he was a member of the firm of Rtlpff & Weber, dealers in hardware, etc. In 1880 he bought his partner's interest and continues the business. Was burned out in the large fire of December, 1881, but the store was rebuilt, and he now does a large trade in stoves, tinware, hardware, etc. Was married to Miss Charlotte A. Padley, of Bay City, in December, 1882. SAMUEL W. Pix is a native of London, Ontario, and came to this country in 1869, locating in Bay City. He removed to West Bay City in January, 1881, where he opened a harness shop. Was married in 1878 to Miss Kate McLaughlin of Dutchess Co., N. Y. Their family consists of two children, girls. ALEXANDER LAROCHE was born in Loraine, France, and came to the United States in 1852. Remained in Syracuse, N. Y., for two years when he went to St. Louis, Mo., and from thence to New Orleans, where he was at the breakifig out of the war of the rebellion. He served two years and a half in the Confederate service as a member of the 1st Louisiana Infantry. Came North in 1863, to Syracuse, N. Y. Left there in 1867 for Bay City, Mich. In 1869 he opened " Lafayette Hall," West Bay City, which is well known as a first-class restaurant. He was a member of the board of trustees of Wenona (now West Bay City) for two years, also foreman of " Defiance" steam fire engine company in 1875-6. In 1864 was married to Miss Eleanora Morell of Syracuse, N. Y., and they have one child, a daughter. CHARLES ANDERSON was born in Sweden, and landed in the United States in 1863. Lived in Portland, Me. for a short time. Was in the U. S. employ for a brief while during the war, as a teamster. Came to the Saginaw Valley in 1864, and to Salzburgh in 1865. Has charge of Laderach Bros.' salt works in the Third Ward of West Bay City, of which Ward he is one of the Aldermen, holding office until the Spring of 1884. Was married to-Miss Frances Causley in 1866, and has a family of three children living, all boys. FREDERICK A. MEYERS was born in the state of New York, and came to Michigan in 1862. At first he lived in Bay City, but a number of years ago removed to the West Side. He has held a number of public offices, and is now a deputy sheriff. He was married in 1858 to Jane North, of London, Ontario, and has a family of two children. HARRISON MILLER was born in Monroe County, Penn., in 1841, and while quite young removed with his parents to Eastern Pennsylvania, and thence to Bushell Tannery, Penn., where he remained until twenty-three years of age, when he went to Philadelphia, where he remained three years. Removing to Beech Creek, Penn., le there engaged in the lumber business, which has been his occupation up to the present time. In 1867, with two others, took a contract of Taylor, Day & Morey for manufacturing and shipping lumber, and continued with them until the Fall of 1876. In Feb 1 kV I,% ---.-,d %- - 11-I Al( T 46. A -\ I, I I 206 HISTORY OF BAY COUNT Y. ruary, 1877, lie came to West Bay City and comlmenced the mualnufacture of lu1?ber and salt, under a contract wvitl the Kevstone Lumber and Salt Mlanufacturing Convpany, which lie continued one year, since which time he has been in the employ of the comnpany. He married Sarah A. Linn, of Beech Creek, Penn. They have four children, two sonls and two daughters. HUGH COYLE is a native of Albany, N. Y., where lie was born November 27, 1830. Early in life lie canve to St. Clair, Mich., and engaged in lumbering. Was with the firm of Oaks & Hollalld two years, Mr. Oaks eight years, and Steel, 9taks & Lee five years, when lie cane to the Saginaw Valley. During 1873 lie was foreman for Dolsen & Chapin, of Bay City, but ill 1874 came to West Baly City and engaged with the Keystone Lulmber and Salt Malaufacturiiig Company as foreman of their mill, wThicll position le occupied three years, since which time lie has had cllarge of the company's sales and shipping. GEORGE HANNAH is a native of Canada, born il the county of Haldimarnd, Ontario, in 1844, and-early in life engaged in the lumber business. In 1865 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and engaged in the wholesale liquor business with Thomas Clark, remaining there six years, at the end of which time he came to West Bay City and entered the employ of Taylor & Moulthrop, in the salt business. He is now with C. E. Lewis, at the same place. He married Annie E. Hamilton, of Canada. They have had five children, only a son and daughter now living. AUGUST BRUNNER was borl ili New York City in 1858, and il 1865 came to West Bay City, with his parents. When about twelve years of age heentered the employ of H. W. Sage & Co., and worked ill their mill five or six years, after which he was with his brother in. the grocery business for a time, when he went South, working ill Arkansas and Mississippi. Returning worked again for his brother, b~ut now is engaged in the grocery business for himiself, on Linn Street. Married Miss Phoebe Bruete. THOMAS WALSH is a native of Cayuga, Ontario, where he was born in 1858. His occupation was farning until 1880, when he came to West Bay City and opened a boot, shoe and grocery store on the corner of Washington and South Streets, where be still continues. Married Eliza Finlen, of Ontario. FRANK A. SCUTT was born ill Colden, N. Y., in December, 185(). In 1865, with his parents, came to Bay City, but soon removed to Lapeer and engaged in farming. Returned to Bay City in 1867. In 1871 ble taught the Aulburn school, retaining the position two terms, after which he went to Gralld Rapids and engaged in dairying two years. In 1875 lie purchased two lots on the corner of Washington and South Streets, Wlest Bay City, on which he erected a store and engaged in doing a general mercantile bousiness, dealing also in hoops. Married Alice Lewis, of Drydenl, Lapeer County. They have one child. S. E. BURNHAM WAS born in Maine in 1831. In 1862 he enlisted in the First Maine Artillery and served to the close of the war, first as second lieutenant and later as captain. On account of a w ound received in the battle of Petersburg, be was confined in the ho spital two months. In 1865 he located ill Saginaw and engaged-in boat bulding, remaining thlere about fifteen, years, when he came to Bay City, and soo11 thereafter to West Bay City. He was married in 1860 to Miss Mary Hewins, of Maine. Mr. Burn-,. ham now owns twenty-five boats, which he lets principally to pleas ure-seekers. HENRY ROGERS was born in Lockport, N. Y., March 23, 1858. In 1861 he moved with his parents to Cattaraugus County, N. Y. Remained there until he was eighteen years of age, during which time he learned the engineer trade. In 1880 he came to West Bay City and engaged with James Davidson as engineer, which position he still retains. He was mla - EI - 5 -- A i~ -4An 244 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. mauga he received a gun shot wound, directly beneath the collar bone, chipping it slightly, passed through the upper part of the right lung and lodged beneath the shoulder blade, where it still remains. At the close of the war he came to Bay City and engaged in mill labor, and followed it mostly for ten years. In 1866 he bought land on Section Fifteen and made some improvements; sold it in 1872 and bought on Section Three, where he now resides. He has thirty acres improved, comfortable buildings, and a thrifty young orchard. He married in 1869, Miss Emma Gregory, of Bay City, by whom he has had six children, five of whom, three sons and two daughters, are now living. DAVID JONES was born in South Wales, England, 1811. He remained in England until 1829, when he came to America. He landed in New York and settled in Rochester, N. Y. He remained in that county seventeen years, thence to the township of Williams, and purchased land on Section Three. Subsequently he bought land on Section Two where he now lives. He moved directly upon the land after purchasing and commenced improvements. He has 130 acres under cultivation, large frame house, good barns, etc. He married in England, in 1835, Miss Rachael Morgcn. Has had ten children, five sons and five daughters, seven of whom, four sons and three daughters, are living. Mr. Jones was the fifth settler in the north part of the town, and shared the usual vicissitudes of pioneer life, but is now surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His son, Mr. Philip H. Jones, born in Riga, N. Y., 1846, now having charge of the homestead, was married in 1876, to Miss Maria Winfield, of West Bay City, by whom he has had two children, a son and a daughter; both living. Mrs. Philip Jones was elected township superintendent of schools in the Spring of 1880, one other lady in the county sharing a like honor. Mrs. Jones filled the office with satisfaction to the township and credit to herself, refusing a re-nomination the ensuing year. HIRAM B. BECKER was born in Painesville, Ohio, in 1840. He commenced sailing when twelve years of age with a brother, making regular trips with the sail vessel "Emory Fletcher," of Cleveland, between Saginaw River and Cleveland, carrying lumber. He became mate under his brother in 1863; was master of the " J. C. Hill," running between the same ports, for two seasons, and the following two years sailed the "Colorado," loading with supplies up and lumber down. During the season of 1863 he brought the brick for the Thomas Watkins house, corner of Center and Washington Streets, Bay City, which was the first brick structure in Bay City, and in 1865, the stone for the Fraser House. During the same year he purchased a farm on Section Eleven and commenced improvements, and erected the first frame dwelling in the north part of the township. Mr. Becker has been steadily improving his farm though engaged a part of the time in the lumber and timber business. He has forty acres of improvements, comfortable buildings and excellent orchard. He married Miss Lucy Hardy, a native of Painesville, Ohio, then living in Bay City, in 1865. He has had three children-two sons and one daughter, only one son of whom is now living. JAMES H. SOPER was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., in 1819. At the age of fourteen his father moved to Ulster County, having bought a farm there. He continued to work on the farm, having charge of it after his father's death, in 1846, until 1866, when he came to the town of Williams, and purchased a farm on Section Thirty-four, and commenced improving it at once. He has about forty acres under cultivation, good buildings and fine orchard, being now after years of hard work and close economy, very comfortably situated. He was married in 1847 to Miss Penelope Oakley. He has had ten children, of whom seven, four sons and three daughters are now living. JAMES GALLAGHER was born in Donegal. Ireland, in 1825. He remained in Ireland until the age of thirty-five, when lie came to America, landed in Philadelphia, but soon came to Fort Gratiot, Mich., and for two years followed the business of boiler making; thence to Oakland County, rented land and farmed for two years, when he came to Bay County and purchased a, farm on Section Thirty-five, in 1863. The next year he commenced improvements and settled thereon. He has now fifty acres of improvement, good dwelling, barn, etc., and thrifty orchard. He married, at the age of thirty-seven, Miss Mary Toomay, of Irish birth, then a resident of Detroit. He has had four children, three of whom, one son and two daughters, are now living. ALBERT H. BECKER was born in Painesville, Ollio, in 1845. He lived there until the age of twenty-six. Married Miss Jeanette McAdams, native of same place, in 1864. He came to Williams in 1869, bought land on Section Three, built a house and commenced improvements. He sold it in 1871 and bought on Section Sixteen. In 1874 he sold it and bought eighty acres on Section Nine, with slight imnprovements, where he has since lived. He has forty acres under cultivation, good barns, out-buildings and orchards. He is about to commence the erection of a new dwelling. Besides workirg his farm he has followed lumbering in Winters. In early life lie commenced sailing at the age of ten years, was second mate at seventeen; at twenty, captain of a vessel. He continued sailing some, after coming to Michigan. He has two sons, aged eighteen and sixteen; excellent boys, a credit to their parents, and fitted to become good citizens of their native town. Mrs. Becker is the true type of the pioneer woman and much credit is due to her for the self-sacrificing spirit and perseverance under difficulties that she has always evinced. Inl her home, truly a Martha, devoted to its best interests. WILLIAM DINGMAN was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., January 9, 1829. At the age of four years he went with his parents to Fairport, Ohio, where they remained four years. In 1837 they moved to Detroit, Micl. At the age of tenll years he sailed as cook on the schooner "Blackhawk," commanded by Capt William Hayes. At the age of eighteen he was captain of the schooner "Isaac B. Rust," sailing her two seasons. He was one season second mate under Capt. Barse. He sailed six years as mate of the brig "Matilda Taylor," under Capt. James Taylor. Then for two years he was employed at millwright work. He then went to Buffalo and bought a tug for E. L. Stoddard, of Canada, and sailed her five years as master. He then sailed the steam barge "Illinois," as captain. Bringing her to Bay City he engaged in the millwright business, which he has followed for several years. He has been engineer in the chemical works ever since they were started. His life has been a successful one. He has a farm in the town of Williams, where his family, consisting of a wife and five children, resides. ARENAC ANLD BANGOR. Arenlac was the first toiwnship organized after the organization of Bay County. It was erected by the Board of Supervisors in February, 1859, and in March following, Bangor and Portsmouth were erected. The affairs of Portsmouth being so intimately con nected with those of Merritt, we give the history of those two townships together. Previous to the organization of Arenac, the county Board had but two members, one of whom was chairman, while the other member conducted the deliberations of the body comprised in himself. The township of Arenac was erected in February, 1859, when Ij -AIeI L ~9 4 --- 0* f.- 4 - 1 - Xr I I I I i I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 245 I the Board of Supervisors, at a meeting held Felbruary 5, 1859, adopted the following resolution: It is resolved by the Board of Supervisors of the county of Bay, that all that portion of Bay County lying ill townships, Town Seventeen nortl, of Range Three east, Town Eighteen north, of RRange Three east, Town Nineteen. nortl, of Range Three east, Town. Twenty north, of Range Three east, also Town Seventeen north, of Range Four east, Town Eighteen north, of Range Four east, Town Nineteen north, of Range Four east, Town T wenty North, of Range Four east, also fractional Township Eighteen north, of Range Five east, Town Nineteen north, of Range Five east, Town Twenty north, of Range Five east, also Town Nineteen north, of Range Six east, Town Twenty north, of Range Six east, also flra~ctional Town Nineteeli north, of Range Seven east, and Towl- Twenty lorth, of Range Seven east, being territory heretofore attached lay said Board of Supervisors to the township of Halmlpton, be, and the same is hereby set off from the residue of said towllship, in a sepaiate township by the name of Arenlac, lad the first election for township officers in said township sllhll be held at the house now occupied by Daliel Williams in said townships on the first Monday il April next, and Daniel WVilliams, N. W. Lillibridge and Daniel Shaw are hereby appointed to comprise the board of inspectors ant salid election. Peter Miarksman was elected the first supervisor but he resigned, and M. D. Bourasso was appointed to fill the vacancy. i renac of the present time comprises Town Nineteen north, of Range Five east, and a portion of Town Nineteen north, of Range Sis east. It is bounded north by Mfasoll and Au Gres, east by Al Gres, south by Saginaw Bay and Standish, aLnd west by Deep River. The Rifle River, all important lumlbering stream, flows through the township fromll northwest to southeast. Tle Saginaw and Au Sablf e state road also passes through the township. OMER VILLAGE. WTe find a paragraph descriptive of Omer in. December, 1873, as f ollow~s: Omer, formerly kinowni as Rifle River Mills, is situated on Rifle River, six and a half mliles northeast fromn Standishl, and is at present composed of ogle saw, grist and floulring mill, with wood turning and planing works attached, one store, general assortment, one llotel, one 30x4() schoolllolse, being erected, one saloon, two blacksmitl silOps, two wagon. shops, and some ten. residences. The townl was platted one year ago, and being situated as it is, oni the crossing of the Air Line Road and the Rifle River, in the heart of a fine lumber district, and the soil in the vicinity being good, gives promise of becoming a flourishing village. Tile place started with a saw mnill about 1866, at which time Mr. George Carseallell and George L. Gorie located at this point and built a saw mill, the Rifle River being an attractive lumbering regionl, and at the point selected by Mr. Carscallen wa~s a magnifienl-t water p~ower. The followlvin sketches of Mr. Carscallen andl Mr. Gorie are interesting in connection with the early history of }the place: GEORGE L. GoRIE, mill. owner, wEDs born in the Orkney Islands, in llScotland, August 31, 1836. He came to Canada in 1861 and to Detroit in 1862. He settled in Onler in 1866, and with Mr. George I arscallen opened the large lumbering and flouring enterprise in which they are still engaged. He was married to Miss Margaret Muir, of Scotland, in 1870. She died ill February, 1873. He wvas married, April 12, 1876, to Miss Catharine Burt, of Canada. He has had five children, Mary, now deceased, Margaret, Irvine, Mary and George. Mr. Gorie has been justice of the peace two years, and is serving his fourth term as highway commissioner, and takes pride in the improvement of the highways of his township. GEORGE CARSCALLEN, farmer and mill owner, was born ill Hastings, Ontario, November 29, 1828. He went to Oswego in 1850, end engaged mostly in the manufacture of sash and blinds. He returned to Canada it 1859 and came to Bay City January 22, 1863. Here he spent some three years in millwright work. He left there for Omer, August 17, 1866, and at once comlllenced the erection of his saw mill. It has a capacity for sawing some 25,000 feet of lumber per day. Next in order was the erection of the flouring mill. The building is 24x52 feet, two stories high, and has ground 117 bushels of wheat in a day. Its average work is about 290 bushels of wheat in twenty-four hours, and of feed, fifty bushels per hour. This enterprise is conducted by the firin of Gorie & Carscallen. There is at this point one of the finest water powers in our state, inviting the attention of other capitalists who may desire large returns fron mechanical investments. Mr. C. was married to Miss Anil Gorie, of Scotland, February 7, 1877. They have three sons, George F., Thomas W., aad Charles Wesley. Mrs. C. resided three months in Omer, without seeing any woman whatever. The first one she saw was one who was going through to a shanty to serve as cook. It was nearly two years before any ladies came there to reside. One lady, hired by Mrs. C., was married to Mr. C.'s brother. She obtained another front Scotland and her brother married this one, and several others have married wives from their employment sin e then. Mr. C. has, beside the mill enterprises, 280 acres of farming land in Arenac, with about sixty cleared, stumped and under fine cultivation, and with an excellent dwelling and other buildings. Mr. C. kept the first store in Omer, nalued the place, has served two terms as justice of the peace, is school director, and has been postmaster ever since the origin of the office. Thle postoffice was established in 1872, and the first postmaster was George Carscallen. The present postmaster is J. H. Belknap, a prominent nlercharlt of the place. JOSEPH H. P3ELKNAP, merebal-t, was b~orll in Macomb) CouInty, Mich., September 18, 1854. He resided there until eighteen years of age, then camle to Standish, Bay Co., and engaged in teaching school for one year, afterward taught for a year at Omner, and then engaged in mercantile business with Mr. F. E. CJarscallen, of Omter. After three years he purchased his partner's interest, and for the last three years has conducted the entire business with pleasing and increasing success, dealing in dry goods, groceries and general merchandise. He was married August 23, 1880, to Miss Mary Collins, of Omer. Mr. Belknap has served as township clerk ever since he settled in, Omer. There are the saw and grist mill of Gorie & Carscallen, two general stores lby George Miller and J. H. Belknlap, hardware store of W. L. Gorrie, drug store of W. R. Cloustonl, schoolhouse anid the usual village shops. There is no church building in the village but the Methodist Episcopal Society hold services il the schoolhouse. Rev. A. E. Kemp is pastor. When the name of the place was changed from Rifle River Mlills it was designed to call it "Homer," but there being another postoffice by that name in the state, and iin order to comply with the requirements and still preserve as much as possible of a favorite title, the "H" was dropped and Omer retained. The situation of Omer is particularly favorable. It commands -1 I % I: I:J, 1 i I i, 47 _I. - ---------- i; --- —-- d J4 246 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. a wide sweep of country, and as lumbering diminishes, agricultural interests are developed. WILLIAM L. GORRIE, wheelwright and hardware merchant, was born in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, October 30, 1839. He began sailing when sixteen years of age, and followed the sea seventeen years, sailing around the world several times. He was captain ten years. He came to the United States about fourteen years ago, and spent some six years in Detroit. Six or seven years since, he came to Omer and engaged in the mechanical and mercantile enterprises which he is still conducting. He was married to Miss Catharine Ann Clouston, also of the Orkneys, August 13, 1867. Their living children are Catharine A., Aggie, Maggie, Rosa, Minnie, Ransom W., Belle and Magnus Christopher. Mr. G. has beside the hardware store, wagon and blacksmith shop and other village property, fdrty acres of land in Section Sixteen, in Arenae. He has been school superintendent, and is now serving as justice of the peace. WILLIAM R. CLOUSTON, merchant, was born in Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland, June 21, 1844. He came to America in 1873. He spent about a year in Boston, and in 1874 came to Vassar, Mich., and was for eighteen months engaged in jewelry business. Afterward he lived some four years in Port Hope, following the same employment. He then again visited his home in Scotland, and returning came to Omer in November, 1880, erected a store building, and has since then conducted a store of general merchandise, drugs and medicines. He has also eighty acres of land in Section Fifteen, which he expects to prepare for agriculture, but at present he devotes his time closely to the business already in hand. ARENAC VILLAGE. Is situated south of the center of the township. The place was started about 1865, and the saw mills of Capt. J. P. Phillips and John Lentz are located near here, There are two stores and a schoolhouse, but no important interests. ALEXANDER C. MUNRO, merchant, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, June 21, 1846. He has resided in Bay City eleven years, and seven years in Arenac. He was married to Miss Ruth B. Moore, of Kirtland, Ohio, February 28, 1874. They have one daughter, Ina Bay, born July 5, 1876. Mr. M. is engaged in conducting a store of dry goods, groceries, and general merchandise in Arenac, on the state road. He also has 240 acres of timbered land, valuable both for timber and for agriculture. When he first came to Bay City there was only one brick residence and one brick store, and there were just a few houses in West Bay City, and Arenac had a few settlers. He records with great satisfaction the rapid growth of the settlement and wealth in the entire Saginaw Valley. PERSONAL SKETCHES. HORACE DECKER was born in Oswego County, N. Y. He came to Michigan in 1866 and went into the farming business, in the township of Arenac. He is a justice of the peace now, (1882) having held the office for six years, and also school inspector. He served as supervisor from 1867 until 1875. In 1882 he was re elected supervisor. He married Matilda B. Avery, of Chenango County, N. Y., in 1839. They have had two children, both grown up, married, and with families. G. LANGDON was born in Flushing, Genesee Co., Mich., December 2, 1850, and came to Bay City in 1865. After eleven years residence in the city he purchased a farm at Pine River, Arenac Township, Bay County, and collmmenced farming. He also carries on the grocery business on his farm premises, and deals quite extensively in lumber. He was married in 1875 to Mary A. Williams, of Oswego, N. Y., and has one child. JOHN. BAIKIE, carpenter, was born in Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland, Sept. 21, 1836. He came to America in 1866. He lived in Detroit two years, and came to Arenac fourteen years ago. He was married to Miss Betsy Gorrie, also of Stromness, July 4, 1858, Their living children are John T., George W., James P., Eleanor and David C. They have over eighty acres of land with a pleasant dwelling and rising home improvements. ANDREW KENT, lumberman, was born in Scotland, Sept. 22, 1849. He came to Arenac in March, 1868, and has been engaged chiefly in lumbering since that time, in the firm of Norn & Kent. Their mill, located in Sterling, has been running some seven or eight years, and can cut some thirty-five thousand feet of lumber per day. They purchased it in December, 1881. They have in this county over nine hundred acres of pine and farming lands, and-are at present conducting an extensive and increasing business in the lumbering enterprise. LUMAN S. HARRIS, farmer, was born in Lapeer Co., Mich., Oct. 26, 1837. He left there when eighteen years old, and resided in Shiawassee County until Oct. 8, 1861, when he enlisted in the 10th Michigan Infantry, Company A. He served his country until Dec. 22, 1862, when he was honorably discharged because of disability from injury received near Pittsburgh Landing. He was married to Miss Frances Brown, of Shiawassee County, Aug. 6, 1864. Their living children are Franklin A., Eva A., George A., Lillie E., Herbert H., and an infant daughter. They settled in Arenac on Section Nineteen in May, 1867. They have forty acres of fertile land, with thirty-two under cultivation. They have a comfortable dwelling and pleasant surroundings for themselves and family. JAMES S. HAZEN, superintendent of Rifle Boom, was born in Norfolk Co., Ontario, Nov. 25, 1843. He came to Saginaw when eighteen years of age and spent one year. He then came to Bay County, where he has resided ever since. He has been in the employ of the Boom Company for fourteen years. He has been foreman four years and superintendent the last two years. He was married to Miss Mary McDonald, of Au Gres, Marchll 29, 1881. In Summer they employ from eighty to one hundred men in work of the Boom company, with whom he is engaged. The township of Arenac has superior advantages of soil alnd location, and offers desirable opportunities for farming. The population of the township, according to the government census of 1880, was 578. TAXES FOR 1882. Contingent fund...................................$ Highway and bridges, ~ of 1 per cent.............. 1881 Statute labor, do do.............. School District No. 1 ) Teachers' wages........... do do Contingent................. School District No. 2 Teachers' wages............. do do f Contingent................. School District No. 3 ) Teachers' wages............ do do Contingent................. School District No. 4 Teachers' wages............ do do Contingent fund............ do do Furniture.................. School District No. 5 Teachers' wages............. do do Contingent fund............ 50()0 00 432 75 444 00 200 00 14 95 225 00 94 00 100 00 15 00 275 00 125 '00 75 00 200 00 50 00 BA NG OR. At a meeting of the Board of bupervisors held at the office of S. S. Campbell, March 22, 1859, the following resolution in relation J Ie I L lg __ HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 247 to the organization of the town of Bangor was adopted by said Board, to-wit: WHEREAS, application having been made to the Board of Supervisors of the county of Bay, by petition of eighteen freeholders, living in that part of the township of Hampton which lies north and west of Saginaw River, and fifteen freeholders living in that part of the township of Hampton which lies east of the Saginaw River, to organize said territory north and west of said Saginaw River, comprising Town Fourteen, north of Range Four east, all of Town Fourteen north of Range Five east, lying west of Saginaw River, and fractional Town Fifteen north of Range Four and Five east, and fractional Town Sixteen north of Range Four and Five east, into a new township, a notice in writing signed by not less than twelve freeholders having been posted according to the statute in such cases made and provided; Therefore, iJesoledl, That the above described territory north and west of the Saginaw River be and the same is hereby duly organized into a township to be known and designated by the name of Bangor, and that the first township meeting for the election of township officers be held on Thursday, the seventh day of April next, at the school house situated on Section Twenty, Town Fourteen, north of Range Five east, and that S. W. Sayles, John Raymond and Frederick Kieslex are hereby appointed to preside at such election and perform all the duties required by statute in such case made and provided. Scott W. S-Lyles was the first supervisor from Bangor. The history of Bangor township is given in the organization of townships which Ihave divided its territory, and in connection with West Bay City which has swallowed up its villages of Banks, Salzburgh and Wenona. It has parted with its territory until only six full sections and two fractional sections are left. Its interests are all united with those of West Bay City, which furnishes churches and schools for the people of the township. In 1864 Bangor's portion of the county tax was $6,457.40; in 1882 it was $744.02. In 1866 the number of acres of land assessed was 35,862, and its equalized valuation was $259,885. In 1882 its total valuation of real and personal estate was $110,161. The population of the township in 1880 was 271. A portion of the township near the Saginaw River and Bay is marsh, but the remainder of the township is good farming land, and under good cultivation. The Midland stone road passes through Section Nineteen, and the Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad, and the Kawkawlin road passes through Sections Seven and Eight. The present supervisor of Bangor is George A. Meed. The history of the territory organized into Bangor Township, commenced at the village of Bangor, afterward Banks. The name Bangor was given to the place by Thomas Whitney who came from Bangor, Maine, and built a mill on the east side of the river. The mills on the river front preceded all other industries. he came to Bangor, now First Ward, West Bay City, where he has since resided. In November, 1873, his wife died, and about a year later he married Mary A. Agnew, a teacher in Bangor, an occupation she had followed for fifteen years. Mr. Meed has been village school director of Bangor and town clerk of the township of Bangor two years, and for the past two years supervisor. He has a daughter eleven years old, child of his first, and a son seven years old, child of his present wife. JOHN GIES was born in Wurtumburg, Germany, in 1827 and at the age of twenty-one came to America, stopping at Ann Arbor where he worked on a farm three years, when he came to Bay County and purchased a farm on Section Nineteen, Bangor Township, where he now resides. He married Christina B. Goodrich, of Ann Arbor. They have had twelve children, of whom ten are now living. Mr. Gies has passed the hardships and privations of pioneer life, being one of the first settlers of the township, and by hard labor, strict economy of himself and family, is now comfortably situated on the west line of West Bay City, and instead of the surroundings of the primeval forests, can look abroad over one city of ten thousand inhabitants to the third city of Michigan. MATTHEW MILLER was born in Prussia in 1833, and at the age of nineteen came to America with his mother and three brothers, reaching Michigan in 1852. Stopping for a time in New York, Detroit, St. Clair and Forestville, he arrived in Bay County in 1854, and thereafter worked in the Drake mill two years and the Keystone mill five years. In 1858 lie purchased a farm on Section Nineteen, Bangor Township, where he now resides. He commenced improving his land while not in service in the mill, and in 1860 married Polly Lovidskie, of Bay City, formerly of Prussia. In the Fall of 1860 they commenced housekeeping on said farm and began active improvement of the land. They have four sons and three daughters. Mr. Miller, by hard labor, has secured the surroundings of a comfortable and valuable home. FRANK COLE was born in Bay City, in 1854, and has resided there the greater part of his life. He is the son of Capt. Darius Cole, and no doubt inherited a desire for a sea-faring life. He commenced sailing at eleven years of age, which has been his general business since. He commanded the wrecking barge, Monitor, from 1876 to 1879, and in 1880 was master of the "Metropolis." For the past two years he has been on his farm on Section Seventeen, Bangor Township, and has erected a fine dwelling and other buildings thereon. He married Carrie Simonto, of Detroit, April 4, 1880. They have one son. JOHN GEORGE KIESEL was born ill Wurtumburg, Germany, in 1807. He married Miss Mary Kiesel, of the same place, in 1837. He came to America in 1851, and stopped in Baltimore about one year; thence to Seneca County, Ohio, where lie remained four years and then came to Bay County. He leased ten acres of land of Mr. C. Cilillsonl, of Bangor, for five years. and in 1855 bought on Section Eighteen, and commenced improvement thereon, with no road save a footpath to the river. Subsequently he bought other lands on said section, where they still live. They have had nine children, six of whom died in Germany. Three are still living, two of whom were born in Germany, and one in Ohio. Gottlieb Kiesel, the present owner of the farm, was born in Wurtumburg, Germany, in 1848. Mr. Kiesel and family have endured the hardships of early pioneer life, but have lived to see what was an unbroken wilderness converted into well improved farms, with occupants surrounded by the products of patient industry. CHARLES NICKEL was born in Germany, in 1820. He came to America in 1850, landed in New York, where he remained four years, and thence to Lower Saginaw (now Bay City), in 1854. He made TAXES FOR 1882. Contingent fund..................................$ 150 00 Highway, one-fourth of one per cent, 1881............. 215 07 Statute labor, one-fourth of one per cent, 1882....... 275 40 Fractional School District, No. 1.................... 179 00 do do do 2..................... 1,011 00 Amount to be spread on township for highway and sanitary purposes on Drouillard extension ditch........ 61 00 BIOGRAPHICAL. GEORGE A. MEED was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1844. Wlhen twenty-one years of age he went to Athens, Calhoun Co., Mich., and in 1865 came to Bay City. Returning to Morristown, he remained there two years and in March, 1867, married Sarah A. Wilson, of that place. Two years thereafter 84 l - Ir 6 I 248 HISTORY OF BA Y COUNTY. r his first purchase of land on Saginaw Street, and lived in Bay City twelnty-six years, laboring as a carpenter. In 1880 he took up his residence ill the town of Bangor, on Section Seven, where he bought lands ill 1873 and still resides there, engaged ill farming. In 1855 he married Miss Mary Ann Hubner, of German birth, then of Bay City. He has had eleven children, only five of whom are living, two Sons and three daughters. The oldest daughter married Sebastian Pfrunner, of West Bay City, who died in 1882. Mrs. Pfrunner continues the business of her husband. Mr. Nickel, having been here twenty-eight years, has experienced the privations of the early settlers and witnessed the rapid growth of our cities, surrounded by productive farms. BEAVER TOWNSHIP. The township of Beaver was organized by an act of the Legislature in 1867, and comprised all that part of Bay County known and described as townships Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen and Twenty, north of Range Three east. The first township meeting was ordered held at the house of Levi Willard, on the first Monday in April, and Levi Willard, Josiah L. Wellington and Oscar H. Kellogg, appointed inspectors of election. The township is boulnded north by Fraser, east by Kawkawlin, south by Williams and west by county line. The population in 1874 was 170 and in 1880, 350. The first supervisor was Levi Willard, and for 1883-'84, John Farquharson. The total valuation of real and personal estate in 1882 was $82,930. In October, 1873, the township was described as follows: The town of Beaver is located fifteen miles from Bay City-ten miles west and five miles north; the land is as good as can be found in the state; we raise the very best of crops; our hay crop was rather light this year on account of the dry weather; there is a large amiount here, however, for which we can get a higher price, at our own doors, than we canll. get in Bay City, as there is a large amount of lumbering done near by and the lumbermen are glad to buy of us, thereby saving themselves the trouble and expense of a journey to Wenona or Bay City. Our town has been organized about six years, and in that time we have opened up about twenty-five miles of roads, four rods wide, the most of which are passable at any time of the year; we have three organized school districts, one of which has been recently orgainized, and has not held school yet, but will do so as soon as the schoolhouse which is being erected shall be completed, the others have been in running order for several years; the number of scholars in attendance at both schools is about fifty; in one of our schoolhouses we have preaching and Sunday-school every Sunday.; Seven years ago there were but two families in the town; since that time about forty more have located here, and still they come, yet there is room for more; there are some excellent farms here considering the short time there has been to improve them in; some have about sixty acres cleared while others have from twenty to forty; I think this is doing pretty well. Frame barns and dwellings are taking the place of those that were first built of logs; we have some as fine barns as can be found in Bay County; there are two handsome dwellings being erected this Summer-one by Mr. John Bacon and the other by Mr. John Shreve-which will add materially to the appearance of the town; Mr. M. W. Jones built a house last Summer that cost about $2,000. We are bound to make improvements, as we have a fine coun try here, and there is no one better aware of the fact than ourselves; there is plenty of vacant land to be had cheap-the prices ranging from $2.50 to $5 per acre-with good roads running past it, and in some cases there are improvements at that price; there is also some Government land here which may be taken under the Homestead Act; we are alxious to have settlers come here to locate, and will gladly inform them where to find land, and how to get it. We are but five miles from the graded bed of the Bay City & Midland Railroad; when the iron is laid it will only take us about an hour to reach Bay City; we have a postoffice, stores, saw mills, etc., near by; therefore, taking all things into consideration, we have advantages here for settlers that are not offered anvwhere else in the county. TAX LEVY FOR 1882. Contingent fund............................$200 50 Highway and bridge, I of 1 per cent, 1881.. 304 72 Statute labor, do do 1882.. 339 56 In point of schools and general improvements, Beaver is fully up to other townships, according to population. Branches of the Kawkawlin River thread all parts of the township. LEVI WILLARD was born ill Portage County, Ohio, in 1825. His father was a native of Maryland; born of Danish parents on their route to settle in the United States. Mr. Willard lived to age of sixteen in Summit County, Ohio. He then worked by the month on a farm for three years. He then learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for twelve years. At the age of twenty-nine he married Miss Sarah Ingraham, of Medina County, Ohio. In 1856 he came to Michigan and bought land on Section Thirty-three, Town Fifteen north, Three east, being now in the township of Beaver. The following year he settled thereon, and commenced improvement. He remained the only settler in the township for nine years. About 1865 settlers began to come in, and in 1867 the township was organized. Mr. Willard was elected the first supervisor ill 1868, and has held the office for six years since that term. Also the office of justice of the peace nearly all the time since the organization of the township. He has been identified with all the improvements of the community. During the time of his services as supervisor he was on important committees, and did his work well. As a pioneer, few have had more hardships to endure or more obstacles to overcome, but with a determination to succeed he has remained. He now has fifty acres improved; a good brickl residence, extensive barns and a fine orchard of various fruits. He has had four sons and four daughters. The eldest son takes to farming. Two are carpenters. Three daughters are teachers. All have a good, practical education. JOHN FARQUHARSON, supervisor, is a native of Perthshire, Scotland. He emigrated to America in 1852. He first settled in Lamlllbton County, Ontario, where he remained about nineteen years. In 1871 he came to Bay County, and in 187 lhe bought a farm in the township of Beaver, and still continues to cultivate the same. He was clerk of the township in 1873-'74; supervisor for the years 1875, 1876, 1878, 1879 and 1882, and moderator, and also director of schools. He was married to Catharine Forbes, in 1852. They have had eight children, six girls and two boys. Of the boys, but one is living. KAWKAWLIN TOWNSHIP. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Bay County, held January 7, 1868, an application for the erection and organization of a new township to be named Kawkawlin, was granted as follows: "In the matter of the application of 0. A. Ballou, Samuel Woods, l & J I, I i12..4 eel - - - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 249 John Sutherland, Charles Radcliff, Patrick Reynolds, Jeremiah Mack, Alexander Baird, A. G. Sinclair, Charl'es Powell, E. E. Gill, Paul Leme and Owen A. Maloney, for the erection and organization of a new township, it appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has been made, and that notice thereof has been signed, posted up and published as in the manner required by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, the board order and enact that the territory described in said application, bounded as follows, to-wit: All that territory of the township of Bangor, Bay County, Mich., which lies north of a line commencing at the northeast corner of fractional Section number Ten (10), in Town Fourteen (14), north of Range Five (5) east, and running on the section line west to the northwest corner of Section number Seven (7), in Town Fourteen (14), north of Range Four (4) east, in said State of Michigan, be, and the same is hereby erected into a township, to be called and known by the name of the township of Kawkawlin. "The first annual meeting thereof shall be held at the office of 0. A. Ballou, in the village of Kawkawlin, in said Bay County, on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1868, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of said day; and at said meeting 0. A. Ballou, John Sutherland, and Dennis Stanton, three electors of said township, shall be the persons whose duties it shall be to preside at such meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same powers tas the inspectors of election at aly township meeting, as the law provides. " The present township is bounded north by Fraser and Saginaw Bay, east by Saginaw Bay and River, south by Bangor and Monitor, and west by Beaver and Williams. The principal stream of the township is the Kawkawlin River, so named by the Indians on account of the large quantities of pike found in its waters. The Indian name O-gan-con-ning meaning "place of the pike." EARLY DAYS. That portion of Kawkawlin, near the mouth of the river, is a region of some historic interest. It was one of the places visited by Indians to hunt and fish. It was here thatNeh-way-go, a noted Saginaw brave, had his home during the later years of his life. In the treaty made at Detroit, in 1837, 6,000 acres of land on the north side of the Kawkawlin River were ceded to the United States by the Saginaw tribe of Indians. In 1842, "Uncle" Harvey Williams, a well-known pioneer of the Saginaw Valley, removed to the mouth of the Kawkawlin River, and engaged in fishing and trading with Indians. His dealings with the Indians were very extensive. He was generous and kind in all his intercourse with them, and was greatly beloved by them in return. He lived there until 1864. In the Winter of 1844-45, James Fraser and Cromwell Barney erected a water mill, at what is now called the village of Kawkawlin. Mr. Israel Catlin superintended its building, and run it about two years. At that time, and for many years afterward, this whole region was a pine forest. In 1847, the Indian Mission Church was built here, being the first church in what is now Bay County. The church was located at the Indian settlement, about midway between the village and the mouth of the river. The settlement is still there, though diminished in numbers. They number about forty families, and have a very good church. Rev. Mr. Cloud is the pastor. In 1849, Frederick A. Kaiser settled in Kawkawlin, and is now the oldest resident of the village. We give herewith a short sketch of Mr. Kaiser's life: FREDERICK A. KAISER, one of the oldest settlers of Kawkawlin, was Oorn in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany, in 1815; came to America in 1849, and settled in Kawkawlin, Bay County, Michi galn, and worked for James Fraser in his saw mill, at eleven dollars per month. In his native country he was a linen manufacturer, and it was hard at first to handle lumber, but he was determined to make his way in the world, and he continued in this way for about four years, when he was promoted and his wages increased, till he was able to do business on his own account. Mr. Kaiser has been a thorough business man, and Kawkawlin owes much to his energy, enterprise and liberality. In 1862 he commenced boring for salt, and lie expended about twenty thousand dollars before he realized any returns. In 1867 he went into the lumber business, which he still follows. In 1870 Kaiser & Co. located mills on the Pinconning River and one on the Kawkawlin River, about twelve miles apart, and connected the two by a railroad. He built the towns of Pinconning and Glencoe, besides being engaged in clearing up a large farm. Kawkawlin, where he now resides, was in its wild state wlhen he first went to it, and he not only saw it grow but helped it to be a thriving manufacturing town. In 1836 he married Miss Salome Miller, of his native place in Germany. Mrs. Kaiser did not come to America till 1851. She died in 1859, and in 1860 Mr. Kaiser lmarried Mrs. Eleanor Miller, of Kawkawlin. In 1855, MR. JOHN SUTHERLAND settled in the village, or more properly, near where the village was afterward. He bought land on the south side of the river. Mr. Sutherland was born in Dornoch, the county seat of Sultherlandshire, Scotland, in October, 1820. Came to the United States in 1852: first settled in Shullsburg, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, and became a citizen by naturalization. In 1855 lie went to the state of Michigan, and settled in Kawkawlin, Bay County, on Section One. Mr. Sutherland was not a man of large means, and worked clearing his farm in the Summer time and worked for Mr, James Fraser as cook in his camps in tile Winter. In April, 1845, he married Miss Mary A. Taylor, of Dundas, Canada. Miss Taylor was born in Glastonbury, Sonmersetshire, England, 1824; came to America with her parents in 1832. Mrs. Sutherland is the mother of thirteen children; seven are living. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have not escaped the hardships of pioneer life, but have by industry and frugality accumulated a fine property. He was of a speculative turn of mind, and engaged in buying and selling land to quite a large extent. Besides a farm of two hundred acres in Kawkawlin, where he resides, he owns property in Bay City, which brings him in good returns. Mr. Sutherland has been identified with all the enterprises of his town, and has seen Bay City and the surrounding country rise from the wilderness to its present flourishing condition. His arrangements about his farm buildings are as good as any to be found in the county. He keeps nothing but the best breeds of stock, which are in fine condition. When Mr. Sutherland and wife settled here, there were the old water mill and a small steam mill, five houses and two sllanties. Messrs. Kaiser and Pomeroy are the only two living in the township who were here at that tiime. The pine timber had been cut on the ground now covered by the village, but on the south side of the river was undisturbed forest. In 1859, MR. EDWARD McGUINNESS arrived, and is still a resident of the township. Mr. McGuinness was born in the town of Lanclster, Maryland, February 17, 1836. When quite young his father went to Pennsylvania. He went to Kawkawlin, Bay County, Michigan, and commenced work for the Ballou Lumber Company, MIay 13, 1859. At the time he went to the town there were but three settlers in it, outside of the little village, and only one had made any improvements. There was a small saw mill, run by water, and a steam mill, and the company had a small store. He says that the mosquitoes were so numerous that one had to keep his head covered, even at table. AIr. McGuinness has been identified with all the improvements made in building dams, mills, factories, etc., that at one:1t ~ a( -----—. — -I I — " i~ XIy Ai I1@ — -1 4 -I I I I i i 7l 250 HISTORY OF BAYT COUNTY. I I I time flourished in the town. The townsllip was entirely wild, inhabited only by the red man. October 13, 1865, he bouglht 320 acres of land in Section Two, of Kawkawlin, then Bangor, for six dollars per acre, and has made a fine farm, on which lhe resides. In 1866 he nmarried Miss Anna Brisbow. Miss Brisbow was born in Detroit in 1850, and is the mother of five cllildren. Mr. McGuinness has raised himself by his industry and econolmy, from a day lalborer to a man of wealth. Michael McGuinness also settled in the village in 1859, and worked for the Ballou Colmpany for several years. In 1871 he built a hotel and named it thle McGuinness House, which he still keeps. For the past ten or twelve years he hlas been an extensive jobber in square timber, logs, etc. He was born ill Virginia, in the year 1833. Cronmwell Barney, prominently mentioned in this work, was one of the original owners of the water mill, alnd lived here several years. Mr. A. G. Sinclair and Thomas Munn, now of Bay City, were also here at anll early day. About 1857, Mr. Fraser sold the Kawrkawlin property to O. A. Ballou. About 1861, the first school was taught in a little frame shanty, by Miss Carrie Chelsea, now Mrs. Faxon, of West Bay City. The schoolhouse was a primitive affair, but its facilities for "smoking out" the school, were as perfect as the mlost ambitious urchin could desire. Thle present schoolllouse was built in 1873. There are six schoolhouses in the township, all of which are good buildings, and the schools of the township are of a high order. The first store was kept by the Ballou Comp.any, A few articles had been kept for sale before Mr. Fraser sold the property, but no regular store was kept. Tile postoffice was established in the Spring of 1868. It was kept in the store of 0. A. Ballou & Co., and Mr. D. Stanton was postmaster. The present postmaster is George Staudacher. The old water mill was torn down about 1862, and a steam mill built on its site. There was another steam mill built, and near it a planing mill. The last vestige of the saw mill was removed in 1880 to Bay City. The planing mill was removed to the railroad, and built over into a saw mill by Mr. John Schwartz, who also has a grist im-ill, which is run in connection with the saw mill. The first church service, aside from that held at the Indian mission, was held about 1863. The Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal denomirnations had services about the same time. The Methodist Episcopal Society built a church in, 1873. The Free Methodists have services in the township. ODD FELLOWS SOCIAL LODGE No. 148, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted December 13, 1870. The officers for the first term were as follows:- Cartle Boker, N. G.; Samuel Wood. V. G.; T. F. Brown, R. S.; Ira S. Stiles, treasurer; Charles Powell, P. S. The members the first evening were two by card and seven by initiation. At the end of the fourth year the lodge numbered sixty-one members. The lodge is still in a prosperous conditiOD. TEMPERANCE. The first temperance society was the Pine Grove Lodge of Good Templars, organized in January, 1868, with twelity-six charter members. Thomas Munii was Worthy Chief Templar. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse, and afterward in the Odd Fellows' Hall. Some time in 1872, being unable to obtain the use of the hall for a longer time, meetings were discontinued, although the lodge was in a flourishing condition. In May, 1883, Riverview Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized with thirty charter members, and is a strong institution. The W. C. T. is N. Lawson; W. V. I - T., Mrs. Johll Sutllerland; secretary, Mrs. Bradley; treasurer, Mrs. Carter. Meetings are held in the chllurcll. In 1872 a colmpany was organized for thle mallnullfacture of lemlock estract. The officers were 0. A. Ballou, president; A. IM. Switzer, secretary; W. E. Taughnl, M. D., treasurer. They built the Chelmical Worlks and operated tllen about two years, whllen they discontinued operations. The first hotel in the village was kept by Alexander Baird. FIRST WHEAT RAISED. In 1859 Mr. John Sutherland lbouglht four bushels of lwheat in Bay City, and after cleansing it had albout three and one-half bushels left. This he sowed on about three acres. People tllought it a wild experiment, but he thought differentlv. In the Fall lie harvestedl 150 bushels of wheat, averaging sixty-four pounds to the bushel. This was the first wheat raised in the township, and fronm that time to thle present Kawkawlin has been noted as a good Twheat producing towniship. RIVERSIDE FARMI. Situated in the south part of the townslhip of Kawkawlil, on the bank of the Kawkawlin River and about four miles fromi, West B13ay City, is the property of the Hon. Isaac Marston, late justice of the Supreme Court. Judge Marston began his career as a farmer boy, anld lie has always taken a deep interest in the developluent of Bay County's agricultural resources. The farln contains 160 acres, and is being rapidly ilmproved. The Mackinaw divisioll of thle Michigan Central Railroad crosses it and the Kawkawlinl plank road runs through it, leaving a fine strip onl thle bankl of the river. Situuated back from thle road a few rods, on thle river balnk, and in the midst of a beautiful grove of forest trees, is the residence of this farmer. Eventually the farm will be devoted to pasture and hay. Judge Marston lnow has a very fine herd of Jersey cattle. HANDSOME RESIDENCE. One of the finest residences in the county, outside of Bay City, is that of F. A.'Kaiser, Esq., situated near the bank of the river. This building was erected by an insurance company to replace one burned, upon which they had issued a policy. The present build ing, although very fine, is somewhat inferior to the one built by Mr. Kaiser and destroyed by fire March 24, 1880. The Bay City Triibtwe, of March 25, 1880, contained an account of the burning of Mr. Kaiser's residence and a description of the building. as follows: "Yesterday about noon, news reached this city that the hanidsome residence of F. A. Kaiser, the well known lumbermian, ait Kawkawlin, had been destroyed by fire. A Tribune reporter hearing of the same, procured a conveyance and departed for the scene of destruction. WVhen he arrived there, about 3 o'clock, the spot where a few hours previous stood one of the finest residences iin Bay County, was but one mass of smoldering ruins. Mr. Kaiser, who was on the premises, was interviewed by the reporter, and fromt him was learned the following: -At the time of the fire Mr. Kaiser was at Bay City, and his wife was visiting a daughter at some distance away. A son and daughter were the only persons about the premlises, save a hired mail. The fire was discovered at about 10 o'clock, coming from, the south side of the building, near the roof, and a general alarm was sounded, bringing a number of men and boys to the spot. The wind blew from the northeast and for this reasoln the fire was not nourished as much as it would have been had it come from ally other direction, yet the building was soon enveloped in flames, and it was with considerable difficulty that its contents were removed. The greater portion of the furniture and houshold goods wvere taken out, also muantel pieces, doors, etc. In the haste of i I I I I - f_ - & se i I e). 4. I - -A 4 - I _ _ - -C - \ - Iy AII j J - HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. -I 251 taking out the furniture, some of it was broken, and otherwise ever, thought ev damaged, but most of it is in good condition. The large barns, a success of the t] few rods to the southwest of the residence were on fire several lady, and finally times, but the citizens were on the alert and extinguished the formed. The s, flames before they got under full headway. The grass, trees and short time Jones the surroundings of the building were burned. The fire orig- man. inated evidently, from a spark from the furnace. There is no other About this conclusion to be arrived at. paneled for a se The residence was erected in 1873, and was then considered of the trial, ant the finest, having gas, a furnace, a commodious cellar, and all room and claim modern improvements. The inside work was especially fine, and wife. She was when being built, Mr. Kaiser spared no means to have everything and sentenced 1 made as near correct as possible. He was on his way home when frantic; he crie, lie heard of the fire, and could 'hardly believe that such a thing ity. As the off could occur. originating as it lhad, after he had taken pains and oner, however, paid contractors to see that the flues were sound. There was an off her bonnet, insurance of $7,000 on the building; $3,500 in the Franklin, of loud cries wen Philadelphia, and the same amount in the Detroit Fire and Marine, badly he had be issued by C. B. Cottrell, of this city. The furniture was covered that "court roo by an insurance of $5,000, equal amounts in the German Amer- perpetrated upo ican, of New York, and Insurance Company of North America, of was precipitate, Philadelphia, issued by Daniel Shannon, of this city. This is not him no more fo sufficient, hower, to cover the loss which is placed at from $12,000 to $16,000. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Kaiser will The poet ire ild.he may immo] A strange circumstance of the fire is that the flames were dis- muse led him covered by Mr. Kaiser's son-in-law, who lives fully a mile distant. the historic Ka He happened to be looking in that direction and noticed smloe to finds and wi pouring from the side of the house. Thinking something was the attractions wrong, he mounted a horse and rode under the whip the full distance, when within a few rods from the house the horse fell to To thos the ground and expired immediately from sheer exhaustion." A home Regardi EXPERIENCE OF A LOVE-SICK STRANGER. The lan: Life in Kawkawlin has occasionally been flavored with episodes, To pure one of which is related as follows: —"It was during the breezy month of November, 1873, that a stranger, in the person of a love- No figh sick young man, for charitable reasons called Jones, suddenly ap- ut Pe peared upon the scene, heart in hand, eager to love and be loved. 'Tis the The heavenly effulgence of love beamed in his smile, and his atti- Gives tl tude seemed inspired by the holy passion. He proceeded directly And gro to business, and in a few weeks had proposed to all the young Canadi; ladies of the village, and by all had been rejected, lie being blessed With o: with a very small amount of common sense. At length, however, Are fee the "sports" of the village resolved to play a jokle on Jones, and To' wa accordingly one of their number, a beardless youth of twenty-two To find or twenty-three Summers, agreed to dress in female attire, and personate a woman who was smitten by Jones' charms. (?) The A bouW keeper of the boarding-house where Jones boarded was let into the Of all S secret, and the first scene in the drama was inaugurated by the While boarding-house keeper, handing Jones a note from the young lady, Or fear who he said was his cousin, was in love with him, and was coming Its curl up from Wenona to pass a few days at his house. To pass over in- Altllou tervening incidents the lady came, and Jones made love to her, took We're her on walks through the snow, went visiting with her to all the So bra( houses in the village, and finally, while returning home one evening, tlwafd i the lady was insulted by a man whose name was Smith, (but isn't) TMI I_ and who pretended to be drunk. Jones next day made complaint against Smith before a man whom he supposed was a justice, but Wfae tu who wasn't. A mock warrant issued, Smith was arrested, and on To hel a mock trial lie was fined $15 and costs. It might be stated here, Each l that nearly every person in Kawkawlin was aware of the game that Is scri] was being played on Jones, except the victim himself. He, how- Despit - Despit verything all correct, and was highly elated at the rial. Jones was next advised to marry the young y it was arranged that the nuptials should be perervices of one of the ring were procured, and in a s and the young lady were pronounced man and time Smith appealed his case, a jury was emcond trial, and he was acquitted. Just at the close )ther of the ring, disguised of course, entered the ed that Jones' newly wedded spouse was his legal accordingly arrested on a charge of bigamy, tried to state's prison for a term of years. Jones was d, he yelled, he kissed her, and swore eternal fidelicer was starting from the court room with his prisone of the persons present flew at the woman, tore cloak and dress, and as they fell to the floor, and as t up from those assembled there, Jones saw how een sold. Roar after roar of laughter went up from m," and as Jones saw the cruel joke that had been >n him, his wrath knew no bounds. His departure, and the places that had recently known him, knew )rever. FOR POSTERITY. is ever abroad in the land seeking whom and what rtalize in verse. In one of his hopeful moods the through the glad fields and by the clear waters of wkawlin; and he ast adrift a waif which we chanced 11 here preserve for the sake of posterity. It chants of Kawkawlin in a melodious strain, as follows: KAWKAWLIN. e who are seeking ~ I am speaking ing this valley, in which I now dwell; id's a fair sample, ances are ample chase a forty, or forty to sell. tin' or brawlin' d in Kawkawlin. ace reigns triumphant, the whole township o'er; ere that the white man he red man his right hand, eets him with friendship, as Penn did of yore. ans in dozens, ld country cousins, eing the maple leaf, thistle and rose; estwardly sally, Nvkawlin Valley,. richer homes, where the prairie grass grows. ve a fair river, ltiful giver, sorts of fishes that dwell in the seas; placidly resting, lessly breasting rent, the wild duck is waiting for me. gh we're not wealthy, strong, stout and healthy, cing the air floating over the vale; le breeze off Lake Huron, ted so pure, on ealth-giving charms of each eastern gale. rn out together, or foul weather, p any neighbor we think is in need; man to the other, ptural brother, be nationality, color or creed. I I - r ~\ -4 rz. V I I -- -- -":l 'T <~\16 I 252 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. STATISTICS. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,118, and valuation of real and personal estate in 1882: $298,462. Number of school children in 1883: 452. For the year ended December 31, 1882, there were sixty-seven births in this township, of which thirty-eight were males and twenty-nine females, including three pairs of twins, a very commendable showing in this respect. The deaths for the same period were only twelve, which proves that the township is a very healthy one. The number of bushels of wheat raised during the year -were 13,4341, on 543~ acres, or about twenty-three bushels to the acre. Corn is also raised in large quantities, 27,429 bushels being raised on 1,440 acres, an average of nineteen and a half bushels to the acre. Potatoes are the best crop, in point of productiveness, showing that the soil of the township is peculiarly adapted to the growth of this class of vegetables. Number,of acres planted: 327; number of bushels raised: 26,803 —an average of eighty-two bushels to the acre. Hay is something that can always command a fair price, and as a consequence there were produced'for the year ended December 31, 1882, 1,107 tons, on 993 acres. Oats avetaged thirty-six and one-half bushels to the acre. There were 408 acres sown, producing 14,930 bushels. Taxes were levied in 1882 as follows: Contingent fund...................... $ 700 00 Building and repairing bridges........... 303 00 Rejected tax of 1880.................... 573 67 Agricultural tax of 1881................. 22 70 Highway tax.......................... 1,031 50 Statute labor tax, i of 1 per cent......... 2,063 00 Fractional School District No. 1 their proportion of......................... 400 00 School District No. 3.................. 175 00 Fractional School District No. 4, their proportion of......................... 175 00 School District No. 5.................. 300 00 do do 6................... 250 00 do do 7................... 300 00 Amount to be spread on township for highway and sanitary purposes, Chip Road ditch............................. 67 39 TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. The election of township officers for the year 1883, resulted as follows: For supervisor, N. Hembling, 165; C. Bedell, 68; J. McCuddy, 4. For township clerk-A. Wheeler, 197; Francis, 85. For highway commissioner-P. J. McGrauh, 191; J. Laracey, 91. For treasurer-Carl Schmidt was elected without opposition. For justice of the peace (full term) E. M. Parsons elected without opposition. For school inspectors —P. Murphey and J. G. Schmidt one and two years respectively. For drainage commissioner (to fill vacancy)-Henry Rodcgers, elected without opposition. Alex. Anderson, A. Colson, Frank Guillott and J. G. Schmidt were elected constables. BIOGRAPHICAL. DR. D. A. MCTAVISH was born in Middlesex Co., Canada, Feb. 17, 1855. His parents were from Argyle, Scotland. He attended the common school till he was fifteen, and in 1872 and 1873 attended the Normal School at Toronto. He taught a common school till the 8th of October, 1877, when he entered Trinity Medical College where he obtained a fellowship in 1880. The same year he graduateJl at Trinity University and at Toronto University. In 1881 he went to Scotland and studied at the Royal Infirmary, and in November of that year graduated at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh, and on April 12, 1882 went to the State of Michigan and established himself in Kawkawlin, Bay County, where lie is practicing his profession. JONS JACOBSON, son of a Swedish farmer, was born in Sweden, June 17, 1850. Until he was sixteen years old he went to school, after which he went to work for the farmers till lhe was twenty-one, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York. He went to Hancock and worked on the railroad about five months, then was given the charge of a gang of men and held that position seven months, when he wenit to Au Sable. From there he went to Kawkawlin, then to Bay City, and finally purchased land in the town of Kawkawlin, Bay County, in 1873. His cash capital when he commenced in the town was ten dollars, but by industry and prudence he is worth a fine property. In March, 1875, he married Miss Mary Jansen, of Sweden. They had two children; one died on the ninth of January, 1881. AMOS WHEELER, one of the old settlers of Kawkawlin, was born in Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 9, 1825. His father was a farmer, and he had to work in the Summer as soon as old enough, and went to school three or four months in the Winter. He lived at home till he was about twenty-one. When about twenty-two he married Miss Marrinette E. Briggs, of Castleton, Rutland Co., Vt., in which place he settled and engaged in farming till he went into the charcoal business as a contractor. In the Fall of 1853 he moved into Addison County and built a saw mill onl Middlebury River, which he run six years and sold, and built another further up the river, which he run six years. He was in the county thirteen years, during which time he was a magistrate nine years and a representative in the state Legislature one year. In the Spring of 1872 he went to the state of Michigan to see a daughter who had been there three years. After seeing the energy, industry and enterprise manifested, so different to that he had seen among the mountains of New England, he concluded to become a settler and in the Fall of 1872 he moved his family to Bay City, and the following Spring moved to Kawkawlin, Bay County, to the house in which he resides. In the Spring of 1874 he was elected a magistrate and held that office till July, 1882, and during that time he made thirty-two couples happy by makillng them husband and wife. He is the father of four children, all born in Rutland Co., Vt. Two are living and reside in Kawkawlin. In the Spring of 1880 he was elected town clerk, which office he now holds. CALVIN E. BEDELL.- The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in England, and emigrated to America, settled in the State of New Jersey, and married a lady from Holland. His sonCalvin's father —was born in New Jersey, and when he started in life for himself settled in the northern part of the state of New York. Calvin was born inll Royalton, Niagara County, January 10, 1826. His father was a farmer, and gave him only a common school education. He stayed at home till he was twenty-four years old, at which time he married Miss Maria Hartranft, of Niagara County, N. Y. Ten children were born to them; six girls and four boys. All are well settled in life. He followed farming in Niagara County till he was thirty-three years old, when he sold out and went to the county of Grey, Canada. He again sold after a residence of ten years, and went to the States in April, 1875, and bought forty acres of good land in the town of Kawkawlil, Bay County. He raised on Seven and three-eighths acres, 352 bushels of wheat, in 1882. He has taken from one acre, 520 bushels of potatoes. One year he raised thirty-six bushels of wheat to the acre and one year thirty-eight bushels. Mr. Bedell is ita man that believes in doing what he does,well. He is the supervisor of tlie town. r,. *[T- r I -! "- - 1 (s HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 253, I CARL SCHMIDT, an old and enterprising settler of Kawkawlin, was born in the province of Brandenburg, Germany, in 1826. He learned the cooper's trade and worked at it till 1845, then went to sea till 1853, when he came to New York and worked at his trade. In 1858 he went to Monroe County, Mich., and engaged in buying staves for the European market. In '1860 he went to Genesee and bought staves till 1866. In that year he went to Kawkawlin, Bay County, worked one year in the village, and in 1867 bought a farm in Section Twenty-three, where lie lives. In 1853 lie narfied Miss Eliza Kateslan, of Hamburg, Germany, by whom he has six children living. By his industry and economy he is in comfortable circumstances. EDWIN M. PARSONS, one of the first settlers of the north part of the township of Kawklawlin, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1848. His early life was spent in working Summers and going to school in the Winter. He worked at nome on his father's farm, in which lhe had all interest, till November, 1872, when he went to Terry Station on the M. C. R. R., and in Kawkawlin, Bay Co.;, and worked for Terry, Seely & Co., as general overseer of the lumber company's business, station agent, nIld postmaster. In August. 1871, he married Miss Myra Seely, of East Saginaw. Miss Seely was born in the town of Onondaga, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1850, and came with her father to Saginaw in 1867, and in the F11ll of 1875 went to Kawkawlin. Her great grandfather was cousin to John Spaulding, who took the papers from Major Andre's boot. Her great grandmother was the daughter of Mabel Todd, of Revolutionary fame. She is on her mother's side a descendant of the Griswolds, of England, and the Woodfords, of Connecticut. Mr. Parsons' mother was one of the Armstrongs of Connecti:ut, and related in direct descent to the Hydes, of England. He owns 1,000 acres of good farming land in Fraser and Kawkawlin. The village of Linwood is in the center of his farm. Mrs. Parsons has a fine apiary from which she received for honey and bees $340 dollars in the Fall of 1882. ALEXANDER HOWE, an old settler of Kawkawlin, was born in the county of Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1823. He came to America in 1851, and settled in the county of Hastings, Canada, and remained there till the Autumnl of 1865, when he went to the state of Michigan, and worked in Bay City two years. He then went to Kawkawlin, worked in the mills for some years, and in 1878 bought a farm in Section Four of that town. In March, 1857, he married Miss Mary Ann Wiggins, who was born in the county of Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1824, and came to America in 1850, and found her intended husband. OSCAR J. BEDELL was born in the township of Royalton, Niag. ara Co., N. Y., August 18, 1841. His early life, like that of most other boys, was spent in working on the farm and in going to school. In May, 1863, lie married Miss Eliza J. Hildebrand, of Royalton, N. Y. In 1866 he went to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., Mich., and bought a farm in Section Twenty-seven. He sold this, then bought in Section Six, sold again and bought in Section Twenty-eight, where lie lives. Miss Hildebrand was born in Royalton, N. Y., in 1842, and is the happy mother of seven children. WILLIAM D. EVANS was born inl Buffalo, N. Y., in 1832, and at thirteen years of age went to Oshkosh, Wis., where he remained seven years engaged in rafting Summers, and in the lumber woods Winters. He went thence to Canada where lie spent two years, and subsequently to La Crosse, Wis., stopping there three years. After following the Mississippi River four years lie came to Bay City in 1857, and leased the Drake property, West Bay City, below the Drake Mill, which lie planted to corn as far down as where now stand the Chemical Works. He then leased the Farmer's Home, corner of Saginaw and Third Streets, Bay City, keeping it one year, since which time he has been engaged in fishing and jobbing in the lumber woods. In 1874 he purchased 115 acres of land at Tobacco Bay, two miles north of the Kawkawlin River, a portion of which he has under cultivation. He was in the Union Army by enlistment, thirteen months prior to the close of the war. He married Miss Jane Deenes, of Detroit. They have one son and two daughters. MOSEs TART, one of the old settlers of Kawkawlin, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, January 12, 1832. He went to the state of Michigan when he was about five years old, to live with a gentleman in Grand Haven. He was with him till he w,ts eleven and then went to Detroit to live with a sister,- and did for himself as best he could after he was twenty-one. He married Miss Ann Du Pont, April 27, 1853. He was in Port Huron and Saginaw awhile, and in 1861 moved to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and bought a farm of O. A. Ballou, on Section Thirty-four. The land was in its wilderness state, but he cleared it up and paid for it by days work. GEORGE A. SCHULTZ was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1844. He came to the United States with his parents in 1846, an'l first settled in Niagara County, N. Y., where he lived twelve years. From there he went to Erie County, N. Y. In 1861 he went on the lakes and sailed. In October, 1863, he.enlisted in Company K, Second Michigan Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. In September, 1875, he bought a farm in Section Thirty-two of Kawkawlin, where he resides. In 1872, Julne 2d, he married Miss Minnie Stentze, of Monroe County, Mich. Miss Stentze was born in 1853. Mr. Schultz was in the battle of Nashville, Lost Mountain, near Atlanta, and other general engagements. He came near being captured at Franklin, and had other narrow escapes. He has been the treasurer of the town two years. PETER BROWN was born in the county of Penobscot, Maine, September 25, 1809, and went to New Brunswick in 1842, thence to Canada, and settled in the county of Norfolk in 1849. In 1862 he went to Zilwaukee, in Saginaw Co., Mich., and in 1864 he took the lighthouse at the mouth of the Saginaw River, which he kept till his death in 1873. In 1831 he married Miss Julia R. Toby, who was born in Hallowell, Maine, February 10, 1816. They had seven children. hfter her husband's death she continued to keep the lighthouse. In 1876 she married Mr. George N. Way. GEORGE N. WAY was born March 3, 1829, in Oakville, Canada; his early life being spent on the ocean, first as hand before the mast. He was afterward captain of a vessel on the lakes. September, 1862, he married Miss Wright, who died in 1874, and in 1876 he married Mrs. Brown, of Kawkawlin. Mr. Way has seen much of the world, and is now in comfortable circumstances, having a very pleasant home. Pine Grove Place, his home, is situated on the north bank of Kawkawlin River, about four miles northwest from Bay City. Mrs. Way has a grand-son, Leonidas B. Charlton, born in Elgin County, Canada, in 1862, who is developing quite a genius for ship building. He has made and rigged a fine model of an ocean sloop that is well worth seeing. PETER L. MEEKER, one of Kawkawlin's best inhabitants and an old settler, was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1815. When quite young his parents moved to the town of Middleburg, Schoharie Co., N, Y., His early years were spent in working on the farm in the Summer and going to school in the Winter. When he was seventeen he was apprenticed to a blacksmith in Middleburg where he stayed two years, and then worked as a journeyman awhile. About 1842 he opened a shop on his own account and run it five years. In 1851 he went to Pennsylvania and settled in Bradford County, on a farm, and worked at his trade, remaining there about fifteen J 14 - P ) is -- -- J i I I I 254 HISTORY OF BAY COUINTY. years. In 1866 he sold his property in Pennsylvania and went to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., Mich., and took up a homestead in Section Thirty-four. In January, 1842, he married Miss Margaret A. Silvernall, of Schoharie County, N. Y. They have eight children. Four are living; the oldest is in Sanilac County, Mich., the others are settled in Kawkawlin. Mr. Meeker had to undergo many hardships when he first settled in his new home, working at lis trade ten hours, then one-half day in the mill. This was trying to him, and finally broke him down in health. His eldest son Lester, enlisted at first as home guard, and was captured in a skirmish at Harrisburg. He then enlisted in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, was in the army six months when he was taken sick and died in the camp hospital at Old Point. LUMAN M. BRALEY was born in Royalton, Niagara Co., N. Y., in June, 1834. When about nine years old his parents went to Indiana and settled in Miami County. In 1857 he went to Saginaw, Mich., and in 1862 went to Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and settled on a farm in Section Two, for which he paid $7 per acre or agreed to pay. He paid $100 down and worked for the Ballou Lumber Company to pay the balance. In 1857 he married Miss Lydia M. Smith, of Royalton, Niagara Co., N. Y., by whom he has thirteen children. He has not been without his trials as a new settler in a new country, without roads and a market some miles away, but hle has lived to see a different state of things in Bay County. SAMUEL WOOD was born in Salem, Washtenaw Co., Mich., April 14, 1831. His parents moved to Milford, Oakland Co. When he was about nineteen he went for himself and worked at various occupations until he enlisted in the army of the North, September 12, 1864, and was discharged September 16, -1865, and returned to his family in Flint. In August, 1869, he settled in Kawkawlin, Bay Co., and worked for the Ballou Lumber Company till 1879. Iln 1854 he married Miss Eliza Seavern, of Seneca County, N. Y., and has two children. JOHN C. WESTPOINTER was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 7, 1842. He came to Bay City in 1852. He was salesman in a dry goods and grocery store for fifteen years, and conductor on the street railway for two years, and is at present in the fishing business. He resides at the light house at the mouth of the Saginaw River. MONITOR TOWNTSHIP. An act to organize the township of Monitor was passed by the Legislature of Michigan in the Winter of 1869. It provided that "all that part of Bay County, in the state of Michigan, known and described as follows, to-wit: —"All of Township Fourteen north, of Range Four east, excepting Sections One and Two, and Sections Thirty and Thirty-one of Township Fourteen north, of Range Five east, be and the same is hereby set off and organized into. a separate township, to be called and known as the township of Monitor. The first township meeting in said township shall be held at the house of Owen C. White, on the first Monday in April next; and said Owen C. White and William H. Needham and William Hemmingway are hereby authorized to act as the first inspectors of the said election to elect township officers, and in case of any vacancy in said number of inspectors, from absence or other cause,. the electors present shall choose an inspector to fill such vacancy by viva voce vote." The subject of taking that territory from Bangor and organizing a new township was the occasion of something of a conflict. I It was strongly opposed on the ground of being attempted for political purposes. The effort, however, was not defeated, and the organization was effected in pursuance of the act copied above. The present boundaries are as follows: —"North by Kawkawlin and Bangor, east by Bangor and West Bay City, south by Frankenlust and west by Williams. EARLY SETTLEMENT. In 1845 there was a large German emigration to the Saginaw Valley. Other colonies followed, and in 1850 Frankenlust was founded by Rev. Sievers. Frankenlust now joins Monitor on the south, but at that time this whole territory was in Saginaw County. A number of those Germans settled upon land now in Monitor, and were the first settlers of the township. Soon after Thomas Kent and five sons came from Canada and settled upon this territory. Then came James Felker, William H. Needham, and William Hemmingway who settled upon his land in 1858. Jeremiah Waite and John Hunn came soon after, then Frederick Shaw, William Gaffney, Owen C. White, T. C. Phillips and others. The region of country now included in Monitor did not present a very inviting appearance. The land was for the most part low and swampy, and in many places covered with water a good portion of the year. It may be easily understood that such a state of things was not conducive to good health. The soil, however, was naturally rich, and only energy and enterprise was wanting to clear away the forest and drain the land. Tlhe first settlers found a wilderness and in the midst of it they made their homes. The following sketch of Mr. Hemmingway indicates something of the character of early life in Monitor. WILLIAM HEMMINGWAY waS born in Yorksllire, England, in 1828, remained there until the age of thirty, and came to America. Landed in New York, and in twenty days from the time of sailing, found himself in the wilds of Williams Township, and soon made the purchase of the land he now occupies on Section Thirtyone, Monitor, in 1858; commenced improvements, and in 1864 bought forty acres on Section Thirty-two. At the time of his purchase the region was an unbroken wilderness, there being nothing but a footpath through the forest to reach other settlers. He soon had with the assistance of some others, cut away the logs and underbrush, so that a road was made for an ox-team He had to reach his place with goods and supplies by the way of Kawkawlin, thence up the south branch to the south bend of that stream, by dug-out canoe, thence through the woods by a meandering track to his place, four miles. He was married in 1861 to Miss Martha Fletcher, of English birth, then of Williams; has had nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom the five sons and three daughters are living. He has now eighty acres under improvement, good substantial brick dwelling, large barns and fine orchard of various fruits, being in good circumstances-what the world calls a well-to-do farmer-the result of persevering toil. Mrs. Hemmingway's father, Mr. Richard Fletcher, came with his family from England at the same time as Mr. Hemmingway, and now lives with them, an old man of eightyone, enjoying good health, and capable of considerable active exertion. In 1872 the equalized valuation of real estate was $45,508, and personal, $2,515-total, $48,023. In 1882 the total valuation of real and personal estate was $274,220. The population of the township in 1874 was 554, and in 1880 it was 931. The first two years of its organization the township suffered considerably on account of its financial condition. There was a t 4I - _i I I -A - S - - - M -r V - I 'S I HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 255 i I great quantity of railroad land in the towniship exempt from taxa-' tion, and the burden of taxes was very oppressive upon the actual settlers who were trying to make farms and maintain a township organization. The effect of this was to retard the prosperity of the town for a time, but the citizens succeeded in extricating themselves from their embarrassment, since whichl time general prosperity has been experienced. The soil is naturally rich and productive and a system of ditching has been vigorously followed until the swamps have been reclaimed, and fine farms now yield rich returns where a few years ago were soaking swamps, yielding only malaria. Thus is the energy and enterprise of man converting the waste places of the land into productive fields, which are yearly adding the treasures of their harvest to happiness and wealth. The township is well supplied with drainage and roads. The Midland stone traverses the township from east to west, and along this splendid thoroughfare are many fine farmus. Among the leading farmers of the township are William Gaffney, present clerk of the county, Chas. Basmann, Henry EKralner, Williamn Hemnmingway, W. H. Needham, Joseph Dell, Fredelick Shaw and P. Graul. Archibald McDonell and Hatch & Cooley, of Bay City, also have extensive farming interests in Monitor. The farm of Hatcllh & Cooley consists of 840 acres, 100 acres of which is under cultivation. Upon the farm are two dw-ellings and one of the finest barlns in the county. It is the intention of the owners to make a stock farm. They already have a small held of Holstein cattle which are considered exceptionally fine. The farm is situated on the Midland road near the center of the townshlip. The best farms in the township are found in the German settlement. Another settlement is being founded in the southwest part of the township, and, German church and school were established in 1880 preparatory to such a settlement. The first schools in the township were in the central and southwestern portions. There are now four schoolhouses. The school report for 1882 showed 252 children between the ages of five and twenty years, 146 of whom were attending school. Tile school directors for 1882 were Samuel Hardy, Bernard Carroll, William Gillett and Henry Moeller. 'There is no church building in the township, but the Free Methodists have an organization. William Gillett is present clerk, and Henry MIoeller treasurer. TAXES FOR 1882. Contingent Fund................................... $600 00 Bay County Indebtedness............................ 600 00 Highway Fund.................................... 500 00 Bridge Fund....................................... 500 00 Statute Labor I of 1 per cent, 1882.................. 660 55 Fractional Schcol District No. 1 of Monitor, their proportion of........................................ 282 00 School District No. 2................................ 275 00 Fractional School District No. 3 of Monitor, their proportion of........................................ 150 00 School District No. 4......................... 100 00 Fractional School District No. 1 of Frankenlust, their proportion of.................................. 270 00 Fraclional School District No. 1 of Kawkawlin, their proportion of...................................... 400 00 Fractional School District No. 4 of Kawkawlin, their proportion of...................................... 175 00 BIOGRAPHICAL. T. C. PHILLIPS was born in Novi, Oakland Co., Mich., in 1838; lived with his father to the age of seventeen; worked at farming. At that age his father gave him his time to go forth and act for I himself. His first movement was to learn the carpenter's trade, with the intent to become a millwright, and succeeded in mastering the trade in one year, to that degree that he bossed the business the following year witl his brother, on the borders of Oakland and Wayne counties. Went from there to Lyons, Ionia County, and aided in building an iron bridge across Grand River. During the years 1858-9 built one of the best flouring mills ever erected in that county-having six run of stonlle, each propelled by a turbine waterwheel, and one separate wheel for the machinery. From that time till 1862 carried on the business of building and repairing mills at various places. Located in Bay City in 1862. Worked as a millwright during the first year. The following five years carried on a grocery and provision store. In 1866, in company with John Brooks, built the north half of the Union Block, on Water Street, opposite the Fraser House; carried on business there till 1868, when he disposed of his interest in mercantile business, and the following year devoted his energies to the purchase and sale of real estate, having, during preceding years, come into possession of considerable land in the city and county. In 1870 he was appointed postmaster of Bay City, and filled the position for eight years satisfactorily to the department and citizens interested. He resigned on the issue of President Hayes' Civil Service measure. The following is a copy of said resignation: "I hereby tender my resignation as postmaster of Bay City, Mich., to take effect as soon as my successor shall be appointed and qualified, for the following reason: —I am a member of the Republican State Central Committee of Michigan, also chairman of the Bay County Republican Committee, and your Civil Service order obliges me to resign either the position of honor or profit. I therefore resign the one of profit." On leaving the position of postmaster, Mr. Phiflips took the active management of the Bay City Tribile, having been previously int rested in its publication, and rendering the necessary material aid in establishing the paper. He continued the management of the Tr14icltun till June, 1881, when he made preparations to remove to his farm in Monitor, it being the south half of Section Nineteen, Township Fourteen north, Range Four east, a portion of which he has owned since 1864; has now 100 acres under improvement, comfortable dwelling, extensive barns, etc. Mr. Phillips named his farm Ne-bo-bish, which, being interpreted, signifies "Father-farm." In 1861 he Married Miss Catharine H. Stevens, of Lyons, Ionia County; has had seven children, six of whom —four sons and two daughters —are nlow living. He says he has now reached the dream of early years, to be the owner and manager of a good farm. Much could be said of the energy and perseverance of Mr. Phillips; his readiness to respond to genuine calls of charity, and for the adclvancement of all measures for the good of humanity. In 1863 Mr. Phillips was appointed enrolling officer of Bay County such being the eighty-fifth sub-district of Michigan, aud with Isaac MIarston deputy marshal, and Ransom P. Essex supervisor of Hampton, which then included Bay City, constituted the enrolling board of Bay County. By the application of Mr. Phillips to the War Department, Bay County's quota was reduced forty-five men, being a saving, all things considered, to the county of about $15,000. In addition to this the untiring, determined effort of the board to enlist single and non-resident men, was in all probability a saving of more than three times that amount to the tax payers of Bay Countv. WILLIAM H. NEEDHAM was born in Erie County, N. Y. His father soon moved to Batavia, N.Y., and remained there eleven years, then came to Inghlam County, Mich., thence to Flint, where he lived - Lit I I - ill I. —; I I:: T T - 1 1. a- ol 1 - -N J * i - 256 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. twelve years, thence to South Saginaw, whllere his father soon after died, in 1857. William remained with the family, at Saginaw, nine years, but bought land on Section Thirty-two, Monitor, in 1856, and in 1862 moved on the land and commenced rapid improvements. He married Miss Martha Van Slyke, native and resident of Flint, in 1857. Has had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, all living. Mr. Needham was supervisor of the town of Monitor the first two years after its erection from the town of Bangor; township clerk two years, justice of the peace one term; held other town and school district offices; has enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community by his strict integrity and commendable citizenship. He has sixty-five acres of land under a good state of cultivation, good dwelling, barns, orchard, etc.; conmfortzbly and pleasantly situated. JOSEPH DELL was born in Canada in 1831; remained at birthplace until seventeen years of age; lost his father at the age of three; came to Kalamazoo in 1851; remainetl two years; returned to Canada for one year, then came to the Saginaw Valley; labored in mills, and in 1855 bought land in Section Fourteen, town of Williams. In 1856) commenced improvements. In 1859 built a log-house, split out oak for flooring, and roofed it with oak "shakes." Married, in 1858, Miss Mary J. Teeple, of Canaldian birth, then living in Flint, and settled on tile farm. Has had five children, one son and four daughters; the daughters are still living. Sold the Williams farm and bought eighty acres of land in Section Twenty-two, Monitor, and took up his residence there in 1861. Has at this time fifty-five acres under a good state of cultivation, extensive orchard and good, barn; bought property in Bay City in 1878; had the misfortune to lose his farm-house by fire in June, 1881. He then established his family residence in Bay City; built a house on the farm occupied by tenant, Mr. Dell, giving his personal attention to the farm, which they call "Elem Grove." Mr. Dell, as a pioneer of Williams and Monitor, has succeeded in tile accumulation of a competency, through the industry and economy of himself and wife. FREDERICK G. SHAW was born in Canada in 1810; lived at the place of his birth until fifteen years old, when he came to the township of Williams with his brother William, bought eighty acres of land on Section Twenty-four, and commenced improvements thereon in 1855. Remained on said land sixteen years, until 1871. Sold out and bought eighty acres in Section Twenty, township of Monitor, where he now resides; then entirely wild. Has now sixty acres under a high state of cultivation; good residence, large barns and other out-buildings, with extensive young orchard of various fruits. Married Miss Betsey A. Stone, of Farmer's Creek. Lapeer County; native of Madison County, N. Y.; has one son, eleven years of age, Mr. Shaw and brother were among the early pioneers of the town of Willitams, and endured the privations incident to all the early settlers. It is worthy of note that Mr. Shaw planted, at an early date, a fine row of hard maples, the whole street front of his farm, an example for other farmers to emulate. His home is surrounded with choice shade and ornamental trees. HENRY KRANER, a native of Prussia, was born in 1827, and when twenty years of age came to America, stopping first at Fredonia, Mich., where he worked at farming three years, when he came to Saginaw, remaining one year, during which time he married Miss F..Machensen, of Lower Saginaw, now Bay City. Returning to Fredonia he purchased a farm, and remained their seven years, when he sold out and came back to Bay County, and worked three years in the Drake mill. In 1861, purchased a farm on Section Twentyfour, Bangor Township, where he still resides. They have had six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are now living. Mr. Kraner has endured the hardships of pioneer life, but has been successful, adding to his farm twenty acres of adjoining land. His farm is under a high state of cultivation, exhibiting the characteristic industry of his nationality. THOMAS WOOLVERTON was born in Cambridge County, N. Y., 1816. At the age of three his father removed to St. Clair County, Michigan. Lived at holme until twenty-two years of age, at which time he married Miss Phoebe Scott, of English birth; then a resident of St. Clair. Had three children, one son anld two daughters; one son and one daughter are now living. Came to the Saginaw Valley in 1866, and settled in the the village of Portsmouth; followed the business of carpenter and mlillwright. In 1875, purchased a farm on Section Nineteen, and about one year thereafter moved on the land, where he still resides, having now a comfortable and tasty home, surrounded with evidences of thrift and industry. CHARLES BAXMANN was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1827, and when twenty-six years of age came to America, stopping six months in New York City. In March, 1855, went to Oakland County Mich., thence to Detroit, and in thle Fall of the same year came to Bay County and entered the employ of Mr. Fraser, of Kawkawlin, working in his mill at that place five years. In 1858, purchased a farm on Section Twenty-four, Monitor Township, where he now resides. At the close of his service with Mr. Fraser, colmmenced improving his land, and in 1860 married Miss Caroline Machenseln, of Frankenlust. They have had four children, three daughters and one son, of whom two daughters are living. Mr. Baxmann is a man of energy and perseverance, and with the assistance of his wife and famly has succeeded in making a pleasant home, surrounded by all tile comforts and conveniences, and able to enjoy the luxuries of life in declining years. AU GRES AND CLAYTON. Au Gres Township was organized by the Board of Supervisors in 1870, the same year as Clayton. The first supervisor fronl tllis township was W. R. Bates, a young lawyer, who subsequently represented the county in the state Legislature. This is also one of the north tier of townships, and is bounded north by the county line, east by Whitney, south by Saginaw Bay and Arenac, and west by Arenac and Mason. The population of the township in 1874 was 123, and in 1880, 816. The total vote of the township in 1882 was 61. The Au Gres River, an important lumbering stream runs through the e st tier of seztionl anll empties into the Sa.gintw Bay. The state road crosses Township Nineteen in the town of Au Gres. A considerable portion of the town is still covered with pinle timber, and extensive lumbering operations are carried on. The early history of this town is similar to the general pioneer history of new regions. Indians and wild beasts were first occupants of all this section of country. A portion of the town iS covered by the Au Gres swamp, which is still both a dread and dismal swamp. In the Spring of the year it is covered to quite a depth with water. The land in that part of the town is naturally good, and the time will come when it will be a productive farming region. The first team in the town was owned by Mr. E. Bradley, one of the first settlers. URI MUDGE was one of the very early settlers in the town, and is now one of its prominent and prosperous citizens. Mr. Mudge was born in Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 21,1834. He resided there until 1865. He was married to Miss Mary F. Town, of Detroit, July 31, 1858. Their children are Mary E., Frances P., William C., IR - -- - - t,A - r HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 257 Emma J., David U., and Martha Laura Lydia Lillian. They came to Au Gres sixteen years ago, when, with the exception of a few buildings and small beginnings, the place was a dense forest. There was not then three acres cleared on the Au Gres, and only one team in the place, Mr. E. Bradley's. The main population was Indians and wild beasts. The state road was cut out but not prepared. Mr. Mudge, shortly after his arrival, took a leading part under Mr. J. F. Willie in making it passable. He has been overseer of highways, highway commissioner, school director and moderator, and justice of the peace. Au Gres village is a flourishing place, situated on the Au Gres River, and on the line between Au Gres and Whitney townships, near Saginaw Bay. It has four or five general stores, postoffice. telegraph office, hotel, school house, etc. There is a lodge of Good Templars, which was organized in 1880, having now about fortyfive members. Also a Loyal Orange Lodge organized in 1878, which has about forty-five members. The present officers are John E. Bradley, W. M.; Ed Johnston, D. M.; J. T. Robinson, secretary; E. Bradley, treasurer. The Methodist denomination have had an organization eight or nine years. The present pastor is Rev. A. E. Kernp. Albana G. Billings, now foreman of the Au Gres Boom, was one of the very first settlers lhere. Mr. Billings was boln in Maine, July 20, 1842. In early life he spent some ten years inll sailing. Five years were spent at sea, and five on the American Lakes. He was married to Miss Laura A. Barrows, of Bangor, Maine, Dec. 17, 1865. Mrs. Billings was born Feb. 18, 1817. Their children are Edward, Bertha E., Edith I. (now deceased), and Cora I. They came to B:ay City in 1867, and one year later they settled inll Au Gres. Mr. Billings has ever since been in the employ of the AuL Gres Boom company. He has in their village home sixteen acres of fertile land, with a delightful dwelling and pleasant home surroundings. The place which is now theirs, was, when they first came to Au Gres anll Indian village. They themselves lived two years in the house formerly occupied by the chief of the Chippewa tribe of Indians. The Indians have now removed to Saganing. Mr. Billings was the first township clerk of Au Gres, and served two years. Mrs. Irene Roberts, mother of Mr. Billings, was born in Penobscot, Maine, April 17, 1813. She and Mr. Roberts, her second husband, also came to Michigan in 1867 and afterward settled in Au Gres in Section Thirteen. When they came there was only one small shanty onl thle state road above the bridge. It belonged to Mr. Raymond. Seventeen persons all lodged in the shanty one night. Mr. Roberts and family stayed four days with Mr. Raymond until they could prepare and enter their own house. They took their land as a homestead, lived on it twelve years, cleared about thirty acres and erected comfortable buildings. Mrs. Roberts frequently assisted in the work of clearing the land, dropping seed and taking care of the crops. Mr. Roberts died in 1880, and Mrs. Roberts resides with her son and his family. Au Gres is one of the stations on the stage route between Standish and Alpena, and is an excellent business point. Harmon City is located on the Bay Shore. There is a mill and lime kiln in operation here. The present supervisor of Au Gres is Matthew L. Maxon, a prominent citizen of the town, of whom we subjoin the following brief sketch: MATTHEW L. MAXON was born in 1849 in Jefferson Co., N. Y. When fourteen years of age he enlisted in the 186th New York Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Petersburgll, Va., April 2, 1865, and remained in captivity but one week, as on Lee's surrender, April 9, he was released and returned to his regiment. He was one of five brothers who enlisted in the Union army, all of whom, save one, returned from the South, that one being killed. At the conclusion of the war lie came to Bay County, where he has remained since, with the exception of three years he was in Texas. Mr. Maxon has for three years past been engaged in the shingle manufacturing business at Au Gres, and was in the same business for four years previous to going there. In 1881 he was elected supervisor for Au Gres, which office he now holds. He was married in 1878 to Emma J. Stevens, of Ann Arbor, Mich. They have two children. The present town officers are as follows: Clerk, M. C. Stanton; treasurer, Warren Scott; school inspector, Joseph Crawford; justice for full term, Louis Duby; highway commissioner, Joseph Proult; constables, G. Shotwell, Thomas Sanders, John Freeland, T. Dougherty. The taxes in Au Gres for 1882 were as follows: Contingent fund.......................$1, 000 00 Highway and bridge, I of 1 per cent, 1881 554 48 Statute labor do do 547 08 School District No. 1 ) Teachers' wages 400 00 do do ) Contingent fund 150 00 School District No. 2 I Teachers' wages 200 00 do do t Contingent fund 125 00 BIOGRAPHICAL. ARCHIBALD RICHARDS, farmer, was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Oct. 6, 1841. He came to Saginaw in 1864 and engaged in working in lumber. He came to Au Gres in 1880 and is farming for himself and his father, Sylvester Richards, who was born in Canada, and came to Au Gres in 1878, and has six acres of farming land under cultivation in Section Twelve. Mr. S. Richards was married to Miss Eliza Hudson, of Canada, Sept. 14, 1840. They have eight living children, Archibald, Robert, Nancy, Achsah, Susanna, Benjamin, Adelaide and Emma. SYLVENUS D. SCHLOSSER, farmer and lumberman, was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1849. He was married to Miss F. G. Gregg, of Ohio, August 7, 1869. She was born Sept. 2, 1847. They have one son, Frederick Allen, born July 17, 1876. He came to Au Gres about ten years ago. Mr. Schlosser has built a fine steam sawmill adjacent to Au Gres village, capable of sawing some twenty thousand feet of lumber per day. The building is thirtytwo feet by one hundred in size, and hlie intends forthwith to put in machinery for the manufacture of staves for barrels. He has been highway commissioner and justice of the peace. He has 120 acres of farming land in Sections Twelve and Thirteen, with a good dwelling and about sixty acres of improvement. DANIEL D. ELLIOTT, farmer and sailor, was born in Canada, Nov. 15, 1820. He left his native country at the age of twenty years, and spent some twenty four years in Ohio, mostly in the employ of mercantile firms. He afterward returned to Canada, and for some eight years was engaged in farming, and came to Au Gres in October, 1871. He is now serving his third term as clerk of Au Gres Township. He has two living children, Stephen W. Elliott, and Ella, now Mrs. Seymour, of East Saginaw. He, with his brother, John H. Elliott, has an excellent coasting boat, of fifty or sixty tons burthen, with which they ply between Bay City and Alpena on the coast of the Saginaw Bay. JOHN H. ELLIOTT, of Canada, was married to Miss Amanda Matthews, of Canada, May 13, 1849. Their children are Alma, James, John, George, Franklin, Davis and Dorin. Alma, George and John are now deceased. In 1873 a destructive fire occurred, commencing near Mr. Elliott's, in Section Thirteen. It swept over thousands of acres of the forest, roaring like a train of densely 1i * k! J) L?) 4 - L G i - l I 258 HISTORY OF BAYt COUN TY. f loaded freight cars. Tley put a floor il the well above the water and stored their goods thereinl covering it with dirt. At Mr. Mooli's, where Mirs. Elliott and others sought refuge in the hlouse, the fire actually warped the glass in the windows until it caused deep ridges therein. A. WHEELER, nmerchallt, was )ornI1 il1 Watkins, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1855. He came to AU Gres, April 7, 1880, and engaged ill telegraplly. He was married to Miss Rebecca Marsh, of Roclester, August 1, 1878. Tley have one daughter, Estller, born July 29, 187'3. Mir. Whceeler is now conducting a store of general lmerchalndise il the village of Au Gres. He owns with his store two acres of land, a beautiful plot for a village hollle. WILLIAM A. HILL, builder, was born ill Canada, July 1, 1841. He spent his youth and learned telegraphy in his lative country. He was married to Miss Sarall A. Hill, of Owen SOUnd, Onltario, Oct. 24, 1867. Their living children are Lillie, May, Rose, Ida, Daisy and Rolland. Alexander W., and Frederick C. are flow deceased. Mr. Hill first came to Bay City il 1868, and settled more permanently there two years later. Still later on tley returned to Canada. for a short time, and came to Au G1res in 1876, where. lie hlas now a store and postoffice building and also a telegraph office alld a pleasant village llonle. Mr. Hill has served two years as deputy sheriff, but declined to serve longer because of the pressure of his other business. Mr. Hill has built most of the elegant dwellinls in the village of Au Gres, and seems to have enough energy il reserve to build as many more. JAMES GRIMORE, lulrlbermall, wVas bsorI1 ill Toro11 to, Canada, il August, 1845. He went from there to Venango Co., Penn., and was engaged ill the oil enterprise for over two years. He came to Bay City Nov. 18, 1877, and engaged iln lunilbeting, ill wllicll business he has continued ever since. He was mlarried to Mfiss Catharine M. Hill, of Barrie, Ontario, Dec. 14, 1869. She diedl March 3, 1881, and lie and Miss Elvira C. Twvininga, of Maine, were miarried Nov. 30, 1881. He has hlad five cllildren: Walter J., Florence E., and Charles G. (now deceased), and George H. and Emilyr M. He has 200 acres of land in Sections Thirteen and Thirty-five in All Gres, with one hundred improved, and all elegant dwelling and out-buildings worth $;3,000. He has been superinltendent of the Au Gres Boom CJompany for the la-,t twelve years, alld towliship treasurer seven years. WARREN SCOTT, log scaler, was born in Portville, N. Y., March 31, 1845. He enlisted in the 85th New York Infalltry, Company A, in September, 1861, and served his country through the entire conflict of the late rebellion and was honorably discharged July 15, 1865. He took part in the battles of Willianrsburgli, and Fair Oaks, and the Seven Days' fight during Mc(:lellan's retreat, and accompanied General Foster in hils raid in Nortll Carolina. During the'last year of the war he, with his company, was on garrison duty at Roalloke Islalld. He camne to Aul Gres in 1870 and has since then been employed in scaling logs, serving six years for the Rifle Boons Company, and six for the Au Gres Boom Company. H~e was married to Mrs. Demand Wasco, of Syracuse, N. Y., April 15, 1879. They have one daughter, Mabel. He has a pleasant village home in Au Gres, and is a member of Joppa Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Henry REID, farmer, was born in England, Julie 23, 1847. Hle came with his parents to Canada when two years of age, and has lived in Saginaw and Bay Counties, Mich., since lie was eleven years old. He was married to Miss Jane Marsh, of Canada, July 2, 1882. He has 125 acres'of land, mostly in Section Ten, of Au Gres, with twenty-two acres under cultivation. He has been highway commissioner three years and is now health officer, school moderator, school inspector and justice of the peace. CHARLES J. THOMPSON, farmer, wAS lbor1 in Finlan1d, Feb. 22, 1844. He cainle to America ill Julie, 1866, spent six years at sea, and in 1872 he canie to BuffLlo. Later he spent two years ill sailing oil the American lakes. Still later he located lands ill Au Gres, where lie llow resides. He owvns altogether 240 acres, ten of which are already under cultivation. JOHN A. ROGERS, merchant, was born ill South Bay City, June 1, 1841. He spent his youth in that vicinity and received his education in Bay City. He has devoted several years of his life to steamboating, occupying one boat, the L. G. Mason, thirteen years. He was inarried to Miss Belle B. Thompson, of East Sagiliaw, Jan. 7, 1880. They have one infant daughter, born June 15, 1882. Ill October, 1882, Mr. Rogers purchased a shingle mill and store of general merclhandlise in the rising village of A-l Gres, and is now conducting the double enterprise with energy and pleasing success. EL1SHA G. COLE, lumberman, was born in WTinterport, Maine, March 8, 1850. He has resided ill Bay City five years, and ' six years il Au Gres. He was married to Miss Sarah Twining, of Maine, Feb. 11, 1873. Tley have one dauLg~hter, Blalche, born Feb. 27, 1875. Mr. Cole has spent four years in illarcaltile business il All Gres, but now devotes his whole time to the lllbumering interest, in which he is engaged with Mr. Grimore. He las been township clerk, and is now township treasurer and notary public. He has in his village home five acres of land, with a pleasant dwelling and desiralble appurtenances. CL AN TONT. Clayton is one of the north tier of townships, and is bounded as follows:-North by county line, east by Mason, south by Deep River, and west by Moffat. The township was erected by the Board of Supervisors ill 1870, and William Smith, one of its hardy pioneers, wvas its first supervisor. The first permanent settler was Lulther P. Daniels, who settled here ill the Spring of 1865, and was the sole resident of tlle towllship, with the exception of C~hapmall's ILimber camp, situated two miles distant, until the Spring of 1867, when the Grosvent family arrived, and they were soon followed b~y the Claytonls, Smiths, Defords and M~olroes. The first road ill the township was built ill Augulst, 186tS. The early settlers lead a hard struggle to procure the nlecessaries of life. The nearest store anild postoffice were at Pille River, a distance of seventeen miles, and the roads wveIre such as where common in those days. A frequent experielace of 'the early settlers was, that after making the joulrney to the store, the very articles thley most needed were not to be bad. It wlas not anl ulicominlon thincg to see Michigall multton oil the table, though there woas not a sheep in the township; neither are there any at~thle present time. The soil of the township is a clay loaus, underlaid with clay, except the northwest corner which consists of sandy plains. The timber is beech, maple, ashl, b~asswood, elmn, hemlock anfl cedar. The pine has nearlyall1 been cult. There are three religious organizations in the township, but only one church building. The M. E. Society organized in 1871, Wesleyan Methodist, 1879, and Free Methodist, 1882. Aboult tlle first religious service in the township was conducted in 1871 by Rev. Mr. Clark, on the premises of Mr. George Fish. i There are now sixty-four farms in the township, under iniprovement, varying in size fromn 5 to 140 acres each. There are about forty miles of good roads. Maple Ridge is a flourishing village, situated on the township r-6 - I -.! -- -at HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 259 line of Clayton and Mason. It has one hotel, five stores, various shops, and postoffice. There is also at saw mill near the village. The postoffice of Maple Ridge was established in 1874. The postmaster is Dr. C. H. Mills. There is an. M. E. Church, of which Rev. Mr. Perkins is pastor. In 1873, Township Twenty north, of Range Three east, was attached to Clayton by act of Legislature. WILLIAM SMITH, one of the early settlers of the township, was the founder of Maple Ridge and gave the village its name. Mr. Smlith was born in Tompkins, N. Y., January 30, 1844. He went with his widowed mother to Vermont whlln seven years of age; resided there seven years, then spent four years in Illinois, then was two years at, sea, was shipwrecked on the east coast of Africa, and came home and enlisted in the service of his country in July, 1861,.u1dl served until dischlarged;t the close of the war. In October, 1862, he was promoted to the office of captain for victorious conduct in the field. He cau:e to Bay County -in May, 1869, and located in what is now the township of Clayton. He named the i village of Maple Ridge, and owned three of the four corners where it is situated. He was married to Miss Sarall Scott, of Tompkins, N. Y., Jaiuary 20, 1866. Their children are Clara E., Lela, (now deceased,) Rosa A., Lulu M., and Lena M. He has in his farm home on Section Thirteen, in Clayton, forty acres, all under cultivationll and immediately adjacent to tile rising village of Maple Ridge. He has been supervisor eight years, justice of the peace, and highway commissioner. and in 1880 was Greenback candidate for Congress. In first settling in Clayton he and his brother Stillman were, for want of roads, compelled to bring in their goods by hand, two miles on a stretcher. Wild bears were then very plentiful. One day Mr. Smith came in with bloody hands saying he had killed a bear. He and Mrs. Smith and a lady friend all tried, but tried in vain to drag Bruin to the shanty, but with more help he was brought home and dressed; and some of the oil was sold for $16 per gallon. FERDINAND FULLER was born in Lewis County, state of New York, March 15, 1849. He remained there nineteen years, during which time lie attended school and was engaged on his father's farm. In 1868 he came to Bay City and engaged in the lumber business. In 1869 he purchased a farm in the town of Clayton where he still resides. He was imarried in 1871 to Miss Daniels, of Clayton. GEORGE EYMIER, hotel keeper, was born in Wisconsin, June 5, 1852. He came to Bay County in 1874, and located in what is now Maple Ridge, there being then only two houses at the corners where the village now is. He was married to Miss Belle Monroe of Clayton, July 4, 1879. They have one infant son, born December 25, 1882. Mr. Eymer has purchased and now occupies the Maple Ridge Hotel, capable of accommodating at least forty guests. He is also enigaged in lumbering. He has a portable steam saw mill, just north of the village, which rans all the year round. He also runs a daily stage from Sterling to the Tawas Railroad. He has been supervisor of Mason and clerk of Clayton. He landed here with only an old gun and q$25, but thlrough industry and enterprise lie has now beside his hotel and mill, 120 acres of land in Mason, and valuable personal property as the reward of his efforts. ABRAM SCOTT merchant, was born in Tompkins, N. Y., Decem Ier 23, 1842. He spent his youth in his native state, enlisted in the United States army in 1862, and served until March 16, 1863, when he was discharged for physical disability. He was married to Miss Fanny Sison, September 27, 186f3. She died March 10, 1877. He was married September 26, 1877, to Miss Maitha Hartman, of Springwater, N. Y. She was born August 15, 1848. Thev have one daughter Susie, borln October 28, 1879. Mr. Scott settled in Richland, Ogemaw Co., in the Fall of 1870. He has there a valuable farm of 120 acres, which he has improved and fitted for a pleasant home. It has on it a beautiful dwelling, fortytwo feet square and two stories high; also two excellent barns, furnishing full accommodations for the crops and the stock. He now resides at Maple Ridge, in Clayton, Bay Co., where he has opened an inviting and well furnished store of dry goods boots and shoes, crockery, furniture, etc., and has already a prosperous patronage. DAVID MARTIN, teacher, was born in East China, Mich., Decemlber 25, 1855. He left there when ten years of age and came to Standish, and shortly afterward went to work on the Rifle Boom, where he spent two years. From there he returned to St. Clair County and for two years attended school, and then engaged in teaching, which has since then been his leading employment, but he is now clerk in the store of Thomas White, in Maple Ridge. STILLMAN E. SMITH, retired merchant, was born in Tompkins, Delaware Co., N. Y., September 12, 1815, and went thence to Vermont with his bereaved mother when about six years of age. On November 21, 1861, lie enlisted in the Eighth Vermont Infantry, Company H, to serve his country in the late civil war. After about sixteen month's service as a private he was for valorous conduct promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in Company H, Second Louisiana Volunteers (white), comm-inded by Col. (J. J. Paine. He continued in that regiment until the assault on Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and while commanding the compllly during that assault he received a desperate shell wound it his right thigh tearing off some four pounds of the flesh from the limb. He was taken to the St. James Hospital, New Orleans. In September following he was brought home and remained one year, then returned and reported for duty. After remaining there a short time he was honorably discharged from service, and for sixteen months from the date of injury he could not step on the wounded limb. After the war he spent nearly two years in Illinois, awent back to Tomplins, and after a trip to Michigan was married to Miss Anna E. Roak, also of Tompkins, March 24, 1869. Their son, Burton Lee, was born September 29, 1873. Just after marriage thev came to East Saginaw, and two months later to what is now the township of Clayton, when it was all a wilderness and he had to carry their provisions sixteen miles on his back, and un(lergo many of the severest hardships of pioneer life. He now owns 120 acres of land with sixty improved; and though he has lost one valuable house by fire, they now have another excellent dwelling and enticing home comforts. He has been postmaster ten years, justice of the peace, school superintendent, school inspector and township treasurer. GEORGE W. KEENEY was born in Parkville, St. Joseph Co., Mich. He was educated at Geauga Seminary at Chester, Geauga Co., Ohio. His father removed to Bay County in 1863, and they located in the township of Arenac, where they engaged in farming, which o33upi.tion they are now following. He was a justice of the peace in Arenac, and afterward in the township of Clayton, when it was organized He was elected supervisor for Clayton in 1881, and now (1883) holds that position. CLAYTON IN 1880. In January 1880 a correspondent of the Bay City 'lTribille wrote about Clayton as follows: "We have one of the finest timbered towns in the state. While quite a large portion of the town is being improved, there are yet large tracts of fine timbered lands for sale. Our timber is maple, beech, hemlock, etc. Our soil is a clay loam, very produc I < I J I,4 & II I L r. d~ * T@-A _ -43 NoO A 260 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. tive, growing solve of the finest wheat in the state; in filet, all crops grown ill this latitude do well here. Good farming lands can tive, growing some of the finest wheat in the state; in fact, all crops grown in this latitude do well here. Good farming lands can be bought at from $1.50 to $5.00 per acre, with small payments down and long time with low rates of interest. Our schools are in good condition and well attended. We doubt whether any town in the county has more enterprising settlers than can be found in Clayton. What may be said of Clayton is true of Mason, directly to the east of us and Deep River to the south. The natural outlet of this section of the county is Sterling or Dunham, and when the time comes, which it will, in the near future, to build a railroad from some point on the J. L. & S. road up the shore to Taw as and Alpena, there is no point that would open out tile country more than to start somewhere near Sterling. There is no point on tile road between Bay City and the west branch, that is building up more rapidly by those who have come to stay, than this point. To give some idea of the business done there as a point to receive goods and supplies, we will state that the very gentlemanly agent at Dunhaml, Mr. Russell, has given us the figures for the shipments of some months past, received at that point and Sterling. As they are one hundred rods apart they form almost one station. The following figures represent the number of pounds of supplies received. 1879. January.............. 559,992 July................ 87,753 February.............. 400,866 August.............. 71,672 March................ 341,152 September.......... 114,241 April.................203,635 October............ 367,769 May..................146,652 November...........471,337 June.................. 80,331 December...........610,188 This makes a total of 3,455,583 pounds for the year, or 287,965~ pounds on an average per month. In addition to this a great amount of freight goes north by express. A railroad running from Sterling, or near there, would open up the Rifle River coal beds, which, there is no doubt, would develop one of the most extensive mines in the state. It would also pass through one of the finest farming regions in the state, until reaching the alabaster plaster beds, which would furnish an immense amount of freight-also employment to men. The road would be, I believe, one of the best paying branch roads in the state, and every year become more profitable. There is no portion of the state settling so rapidly, and one can readily imagine what it would be with easy access by rail. Maple Ridge is twelve miles from Sterling, with a stage running every Saturday between the two points. Two good country stores can be found at Maple Ridge, one owned by M. H. Eymer, and the other by George Eymer & Brother. A nice hall is situated over the latter store. Clayton taxes are light, without a dollar of indebtedness, and for three years every order has been paid as soon as issued. The township officers for 1882-3 are as follows: Supervisor, Geo. W. Keeney; treasurer, Nelson Deford; clerk, Philo P. Clayton; commissioner of highways, William Haley; justices of the peace, I. S. Davis, Luther P. Daniels, Geo. W. Keeney, William Smith. There are a number of fine orchards in the township, and it promises to be a good fruit growing region. TThe population of the township in 1874, was 177, and in 1880, 249. In 1878, the total equalized valuation of real andnpersonal estate was $44,000, and in 1882, $77,450. The total vote in 1882 was sixty-seven. Melita village has one store, postoffice, saw and shingle mill, and blacksmith shop. The postoffice of Melita was established in 1881. The postmaster is Geo. Winnie. Clayton, like other northern townships, offers unsurpassed opportunities for successful farming. Persons with limited means are able to secure land at low prices, and in a, few years, if industrious, can provide themselves with good homes. About four years ago, a man with a wife and four small children left the'cars at Sterling, his. available capital consisting of seventy-five cents. He made his way across the Rifle river into Clayton, where he had bargained for forty acres of heavily timbered land, and without team or other auxiliaries, save an ax, entered upon the task of clearing his land and securing a home for himself and family. He now has a good farm with comfortable buildings. Many such instances have occurred in the history of the northern townships. TAXES FOR 1882. The taxes levied in Claytoin for 1882 were as follows: Contingent fund.............. 400 Highway and bridges,. of 1 per cent, 1881............. S46 Statute labor. " 1882............ 481 School District, No. 1 } Teachers' wages.............. 150. " ( Contingent fund............... 50 School District, No. 2 ) Teachers' wages............... 205. " L' Contingent................... 30 School District, No. 3 ) Teachers' wages............... 250.. ". Contingent.................... 25 DEEP RIVER. 00 32 50 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 67 00 00 00 00 00 H ighway fund..................................... Statute labor, I of 1 per cent, 1882................... School District, No. 1 } Teachers' wages............" " Contingent fi. nd............... School District, No. 2 ) Teachers' wages............... ".. ( Contingent................... Bridges over Rifle river............................. 450 1,612 360 50 360 350 PO() RT S NMOUTH AN ) MI ERtrITl'. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held Marchl 25, 1859, the following resolution in relation to the organization of the township of Portsmouth, was adopted to-wit: In the matter of the application of Thomas Stevenson, William Daglish, and others, for the erection of a new town. It appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has been made, and that notice thereof has been signed, posted up and published, as in the manner required by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, the Board order and enact that the territory described in said application, as follows, to-wit: All that portion of the township of Hampton comprising the north one-half of Township Thirteen north, of Range Five east, lying east of Saginaw River; also the north one-half of Township Thirteen north, of Range Six east; also Sections Thirty-four, Thirty-three, and all that part of Section Thirty-two lying east of Saginaw River, in Township Fourteen north, of Range Five east, being, and the same is hereby erected into a township, to be called and known by the name of the township of Portsmouth. The first township meeting thereof shall be held at tlie schoolhouse situated on fractional Section Thirty-two, in Town Fourteen north, of Range Five east, on Monday, the llth day of April, 1859, and at s'aid meeting Jesse M. Miller, Appleton Stevens, and William Daglish, three electors of said township, shall be the persons whose duty it shall be to preside at such meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same powers as the inspectors of election at any township meeting, as the law provides. The early history of the territory included in this township has already been given. In 1866 the total equalized valuation of real and personal estate was $152,800. In 1882 it was $288,705, but several geographical changes had occurred during the intervening years, and the present town of Portsmouthl is but slightly related to the parent organization. j J l I I.:, ,_ g o ---/- -i 7. 7 '-/ /'' I _- G.flL, c — I I - -a 1, II I i HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. 261 - - I In 1871, certain territory was detached from Sagillaw County and attached to the township of Portsmouth, by an act of Legislature approved April 15, 1871, which was as follows: "That Sections Nineteen to Thirty-sis inclusive, the same being the south half of Township Thirteen nortl, of Range Six east, be, and the same are hereby detached from the county of Saginaw, and attached to the township of Portsinouth in the county of Bay." The two sections that followed provided for settlement by the Supervisors of tile two counties namled. MERRITT ERECTED OUT OF PORTSMOUTH. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors held July 8, 1871, the following resolution, erecting the township of Merritt, was adopted: WHEREAS, It alppears to tie Board of Supervisors of Bay County., Michl., that application hlas been inade for the division of the township of Portsmloutll, Iby twelve freeholders of eahll township to be affected thelely, and that notice thereof has been signed, posted and published il the ilal-iner and form required by law, and this Board having been furnished. with (a nap of all the townships to be affected thereby, showing tle proposed alterations, and having duly considered the matter of said application, therefore, be it I-esolr~eld, ordlered and enacted by said Board, that all of Township Thirteen north, of Range Six east, also Sections One, Two, Three, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteell. Fourteen and Fifteen, in Township Thirteell north, of Range Five east, be and the same is Ihereby erected illto a new towllship, to b~e known and called by the name of Merritt, aind the first township m-eeting of said township of M~erritt shall be beled at the house of Joseph Gerard, at the first! ulnCtioll SO called- ol, thle Bay City and Tuscola plank road, on the first Monday of April, 1872, and at the said meeting Beiij. F. Partridge, Henry Hess, and Martin Powell, three electors of said townVsllip, shall preside at said meeting, appoint a clerk, open and keepD the polls, and exercise the same powers as -the inspectors of election at aly township meeting, as the law provides. myTlle application for the erection of Merritt Township was made to the board at the meeting of June 8, 1871, and was signed by thirty-one residents of thle territory affected. The proposed division wats opposed and thle following remonstrance was made to thle board immediately followingt the application for its erection: "Thle llndersigned, citizens andl freehloders of thle township of XPortsmouth in said county, respectfully bllt earnestly remonstrate iagainst such at division of the township of Portsmouth and the formation of a new township with such b~oundaries as are proposed by a petition and various charts and documents nowe before your honorablle b~ody. Alxnong, mainy retasons for ollr oppositioll wie beg leave to ask your consideration of the followving: i "1. We con~cedle the propriety of the erection of a new town|shlip, to embrace aell the territory in Towllship Thirteen north, of Range Six east, andl maintain that it shouldl embrace no more. " 2. The proposed division is obnoxious to those citizens |generally who live in that part of the new township found in Township Thirteen north, of Range Five east, viz., Sections One, Two, IThlree, Tenl, Elevell, Twelve, Tllirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen. "3. The sections last above named make aln awkward sand nn11atulral. addition to thle proposed new towntship, wri-ile a simple inspection of the snap will show treat they ouglht to remain in the Iold township. " 4. Schemes for public implrovemellt, affecting essentially our public highways and those of the sections in Range Five, are on foot, and cannot but suffer harin if this territory- is placed under the jurisdiction of another body. ".5. The Union School District of Portsmouth will lose a large portion of its territory by the change, and as the school, with its buildings and grounds, has been erected by incurring a great expense, it cannot lbut be wrong and oppressive to take away so large a part of the territory relied upon to help sustain such expense. " 6. Some of our citizens will be removed from said school district and thus be debarred the privileges of a school which they have contributed to build up and sustain. "To the above and such other reasons as may be presented, we beg your careful consideration, and trust that you will be enabled to settle this natter so as to do us justice while you do no injustice to our neighbors." "Dated June 13, A. D. 1871." Two weeks later eleven of the signers of the remonstlarce petitioned the board to the effect that their signatures to the i remonstrance had been procured through misrepresentation, and they therefore revoked "any such signing," and stated further that they were in favor of the erection of the territory described iii the application into a township. At the meeting in July the application was granted, as already stated. The board also authorized the tax levy of Portsmouth for all taxes, including that for building a town hall. In 1878 Portsmnotlh village, was annexed to Bay City and a new town of Portsmouth was created. THE NEW PORTSMOUTH. An act was passed by tile Legislature and approved April 1, 1873, as follows: "That all that portion of the township of Merritt, inl the county of Bay, which lies in Township Thirteen north, of Range Five east, and Sections F'our, Five, Six and Seven in Township Thirteenl north, iof Range Six east, and Sections Thirty-one, Thirty-twzo tand Thirtythree in Township Fourteen north, of Range Six east, in the township of Halipton, and also Sections Thirty-five and Thirty-six in Township Follrteen north, of Rangre Five east, in the township of Hampton, be detached fromn said townships, and attached to the township of Portsmouth. The next annual township meeting of said townlship of Portsmouth, shall be held at the schoolhouse in-!said township, known as the District Number Three Schoolhouse, and Nelsoll Merritt, Samuel Henry, and Benjalmin F. Partridge shall be the inspectors of said elections.' Such were the orgalnie changres of the territory ab~ove described. The present boundaries are as followxs: Portsmouth is bounded: north, by Hampton and Bay City; east, by Hamlptonl and Merritt; south, by Merritt and county line; and west, b~y Saginaw River and Bay City. Merritt is bounded: north, by Portsmouth and Hampton; east and south, by county lilles; and west, by coulity line and Portsmouth. ADJUSTING RELATIONS. Tile tax levy of Portsmouth for all taxes, inluelding that for building a towll hall, was authorized by the board at the sa1]19 time tile towvn of Merritt waIs erected. In 1873, as already stated, the town of Portsmouth was again divided, taking the village of Portsmolth illto the city of Bay City, leavinog a small territory of less than two sections unlorganlized between the town of Merritt and the city, and in order to dispose of that a b~ill was introduced into the House of Representatives taking nine sections of Merritt and this small territory left of Portsmouth for a new town, and the b~ill was passed by the Houlse. But the people remonstrated because the territory making the'new towl of Portsmouth was too small, and the bill was amended bly the Senate so as to inclulde five and threeqclurters sections from Hampton and four more from Merritt, and the bill passed tile Senate and was concurred in by the House and became a law on Thursday before town election in April, 1873, and the new town of Portsmouth was duly organized in April, 1873, p II 3 - FI. i f, v" C_., I a, A A),I i-,- - L _ Ad \IE 262 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY r with B. F. Partridge supervisor, Henry Hess town clerk, Nelson Merritt treasurer, vice Samuel Henry resigned, since which time for each year to 1883, T3. F. Partridge has been elected supervisor. In 1869 the original town of Portsmouth issued bonds for $5,370, but the divisions of the territory naturally divided the responsibility of paying the debt and interest. At the organization of Merritt a large amount of money remained in the treasury of Portsmouth, and the town hall tax was levied on the territory and the tax collected and the town hall built. At the organization of the new town of Portsmouth there was a large amount of money in the treasury and the town hall had been completed. As soon as the new town was orgianized the old officers of the town of Portsmouth, who all resided in the city of Bay City, now illegally got together and issued orders to finish paying for the town hall and the land, and the deed was made to Bay City of the lot and building, without consulting the officers of the new town. On a suit commenced by the new town of Portsmouth against the treasurer and his bonds for the money in his hands, the money he still held and the orders for balance on town hall, lot and building was paid over, but the city authorities of Bay City have entirely refused to settle the differences in reference to the bonds, though several efforts have been made to that end by the officers of Portsmouth, and no part of the debt has been paid, except the share or proportion assigned to new Portsmouth, which has been paid so far as is due. The new town has never been without money in its tre.asury to pay all its obligations on demand since its organization, and the town, consisting of about twenty sections, was almost an entire wilderness when first organized with its present territory, but now scarcely any woods are left in the town, many farms entirely without wood for fuel, with large fine brick and frame houses and barns; in place of shanties and log houses and barns, with good-and some extensive-orchards everywhere, and fine roads and drains that have cost many thousands of dollars all over the town. Portsmouth has three schoolhouses, but all its other interests are identified with Bay City. Edward Cartwright is clerk of the township and Frederick Wagoner treasurer. Some of the finest farms in the county are in Portsmouth. The magnificent enterprises of Miller & Daglish and Thomas H. McGraw, fully described elsewhere, are located in this township. Among the leading farmers are Gen. B. F. Partridge, Nelson Merritt, Job Trombley, Samuel Henry, S. S. Fitzhugh, Henry Brandt, C. L. Mix, Frederick Meier, Robert Potter, Henry Hess. E. B. Denison and William MeEwan, of Bay City, also have fine farms. TAXES FOR 1882. BIOGRAPHICAL. HON. BENJAMIIN F. PARTRIDGE was born in the town of Shelby, Macomb Co., Mich., April 19, 1822. He is the son of Asa and Sarah C. Partridge. They came from Scotch-Irish ancestors, who emigrated to this country several generations back. His parents were from Vermont, but were married in Detroit, Mich., soon after the war of 1812. They lived there for a time, and then removed to a farm in Shelby, wlhere they remained several years, and finally removed to the village of Palmer, now St. Clair City, in St. Clair County, Mich. There his father died in 1827, leaving an invalid wife and four children, of whom Mr. Partridge, then five years old, wa:s the second. From this time we find him living any place which suited him best, until when about fourteen years of age, having had no educational advantages, he commenced attending the common schools, doing chores and working about for several years. As soon as he became competent to teach, lie took charge of a school, at the same time studying law, mathematics and engineering unlder private teachers, and learned type-setting and printing before he reached the age of twenty-two years. About this time he began the mercantile business and studied shipbuilding and carpentry for two years. He then engaged in civil engineering and surveying for a year, when he left the mercantile business and gave his attention to surveying, dealing in real estate and lunbering. In 1845 he married Miss Olive M. Wright, from New Hampshire. He lived at Lexington, Mich., until the Spring of 1854, when lie removed his family to Lower Saginaw, now Bay City, Mich., where he had engraged largely in lumbering. During the next two years he built two large steam saw mills, and made various other improvements at Bay City, becoming interested in vessel property. The financial crisis of 1857 was disastrous to his interests and swept away nearly all his accumulations of the previous fourteen years. After many vain efforts to arrange his business matters satisfactorily, he again commlniced surveying and engineering and continued it in connection with selling new lands until the civil war came on. In September, 1861, lie commenced recruiting men for the First Michigan Lancers, in which he enlisted as a private under Col. Rankin. In February, 186.2, he was mustered in as second lieutenant of Ciompany H. When the lancers were disbanded, he obtained orders to enlist men from the lancers with Capt. J. M. Mott. They raised a company, and were assigned to the Sixteenth Regi menit of Michigan Infantry. The company being thus transferred he was mustered in as First lieutenant of Company I, in the Sixteenth Michigan. He was subsequently commissioned and mustered from time to time, as captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel of the Sixteenth Michigan Veteran Volunteer infantry. While major, he had command of the Eighty-third Peninsular Volunteers, and was wounded in the neck by a ball at the battle of Peeble's Farm. He was then brevetted colonel of United States Volunteers. January 18, 1865 he took command of the Sixteenth Michigan, and was brevetted brigadier general of United States Volunteers. In March he was in command of a brigade and was wounded by a ball in the left side of his head at Quaker Road, but resumed his command the next day and continued until Lee's sur render. On that occasion he received twenty-eight of the seventyone flags surrendered. While on the march from Appomattox Court House to Richmond, Gen. Partridge's horse fell, and two of his ribs were broken. Notwithstanding this, he remained in camp until his final recovery. After the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia, he was sent in command of a detachment of seven regiments to Louisville, Ky. There he was appointed presi i I! I s>. Contingent fund...................... Roads and bridges.................... Statute labor tax..................... Fractional School District No. 5 of Portsmouth, their proportion of........... Fractional School District No. 5 of Portsmouth their proportion of............ School District No. 2.................. do do 2 of Hampton, their proportion of....................... Amount to be spread on township for highway and sanitary purposes on Russell ditch............................. Amount to be spread on township for highway and sanitary purposes on Vanderbilt ditch......................... Amount to be spread on township for highway and sanitary purposes on George Young extension ditch............... $;oo00 1,000 928 00 00 56 250 00 200 00 250 00 400 00 51 20 27 00 432 00. ei.*-% *; - l9 - * I I l/ ~l ~J j I i i i I I l - 2063 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. r ~ dent of general court martial, and continued to hold the court until he was mustered out of service with his regiment at Jeffersonville, Ild., in July, 1865. He participated in all but two of the fifty-four engagements on the record of the regiment, thirty-six of them being considered heavy battles, and was at the entire siege of Petersburg, except Hatchers' Run, October 27, 1864, being in the hospital at that time. Before the war he served eighteen months as sheriff of Bay County, and was also county surveyor. After the war he was four years assessor of internal revenue in the. Sixth District, Michigan, and resigned in 1871. He was also president of Bay County Agricultural Society two years; during the same time in 1871, lie resumed farming on his place, near Bay City, and in 1872 was elected supervisor of the town. He has been elected every year since, and was also president of the Board of Supervisors of his county three years in succession, which office he still holds. In the Fall of 1876, at the general election, lie was chosen commissioner of the state land office of Michigan, to serve two years. During the existence of the order of Sons of Temperance, lie was an ardent supporter of its principles and a member of the society. He was also a member of the Temple of Honor, another higher temperance order. In early life he joined the masonic fraternity and has also been a prominent Odd-fellow. While quite young he became a member of the Congregational Church, of Algonac, Mich. In the soldiers who fought for the Union in the late war he takes a lively interest, being one of the "boys in blue" and vice-president of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Association, of Michigan. He takes great interest in agriculture and horticulture, and is a prominent member of these societies. He is also master of a grange of the patrons of husbandry, and member of the State G;range of Michigan. He belongs to the order of Stars and Stripes, of the State of Michigan soldiers, and is a Republican in politics. General Partridge is a man of strictly temperate habits, never using stimulants er tobacco in any form. He is of a calm and even disposition, rarely disturbed by undue excitement. One of these cards were presented to each member of the regiment when discharged: HEAD-QUARTERS SIXTEENTH MICHIGAN INF. VET. VOLS. July 17, 1865. SIR: --- Accept my congratulations and thanks for having so nobly and successfully performed your duty during your perilous term of service, and for having been connected with an organization which has with honor to itself participated in the following named battles: 1. Siege of Yorktown, April, 1862. 2. Hanover Court House, May 27, 1862. 3. Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. 4. Gaines Hill, June 27, 1862. 5. White Oak Swamp, June 30, 18.,2. 6. Malvern Hill, June 30, 1862. 7. Turkey Bend, July 1, 1862. 8. Bull Run, No. 2, August 30, 1862. 9. Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862. 10. Shepardstown, Va., September 19, 1862. 11. Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. 12. Chancellorsville, April 30, 1863. 13. Middleburg, June 21, 1863. 14. Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. 15. Williamsport, Md., July 12. 1863. 16. Wapping Heights, July 21, 1863. 17. Bristow Station, October 14, 1863. 18. Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863. 19. Mine Run, November 27, 1863. 20. Wilderness, May a, 1864. 21. Laurel Hill, May 8, 1864. 22. Spottsylvania, May 18, 1864. 23. North Anna, May 23, 1864. 24. Tolopatomoy Creek, May 30, 1864. 25. Magnolia Swamp, June 1, 1864. 26. Bethesda Church, June 2, 1864. 27. Battle of Petersburg, June 18, 1864. 28. Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad, July 30, 1864. 29. Weldon Railroad, August 18, 19, 21, 1864. 30. Perbles' Farm, September 30, 1864. 31. Hatchers' Run, October 27, 1864. 32. Dabneys' Mill, February. 6. 1865. 33. Hatchers' Run, No. 2, March 25, 1865. 34. White Oak' Road, March 29, 1865. 35. Quaker Road, IMarch 31, 1865. 36. Five Forks, April 1, 1865. 37. Appo nmattox Court House, April 9, 1865. 38. Lee's Surrender of the army of Northern Virginia, April 13, 1865. The Siege of Petersburg from June 16, 1864 to March 29, 1865. With many good wisles for your future, I am Respectfully yours, B F. PARTRIDGE. Colonel Con1im'g Sixteenth Michigan Vet. Vols. Infantry. HENRY HESS was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1829. When about sixteen years old he moved to New York, where he remained three years, engaged in farming. In 1851 hie came to Bay City, where for fourteen years he worked in the muills. He bought 240 acres of wild land in the township of Portsmouth; lie has now one of the finest farlms in the county. Mr. Hess was married in 1854 to Minerva Schafer; they have two solns. W. B. GREEN was born in Ohio, in 1838. The family soon after moved to Illinois, and from there to Indiallna and Missouri. In the latter place his father died, leaving a widow with five small children. They moved to Wisconsin, and from there to Lapeer County, Mich., in 1853. In 1862 Mr. Green came to Bay City, where for several years he was engaged in gettin, out wood. He was appointed marshal of Bay City in 1871, and was deputy sheriff from 1872 to 1875. In 1872 lie moved on his farm in the township of Portsmouth, where lie now resides. He is a -justice of the peace and school director; married Elizabeth Courter, of Lapeer County; they have five sons living, one daughter dead. JOB TROMBLEY was born in the province of Quebec, Canada. in 1826. When about fifteen years of age he Lmoved with his father to Montreal, and while there learned the trade of ship carpenter. In 1848 the family moved to Detroit, Mich., where they remained about two years. In 1850 they settled in Bay City, where Job, in 1852, married Ann Trombley, a daughter of the first settler of Bay County. In 1860 lie purchased eighty acres of land;.n Portsmouth township, where he now resides with his family of seven boys and one girl. ROBERT POTTER was born in Ireland in 1827, and came to the United States about 1849. In 1851 he married Mary Jane Mahaffy. He spent two years in Pennsylvania, farming. From there he went to Lowell, Mass, where he remained about five years. He then moved to Michigan, stopping in Macomb and Lapeer Counties, and from there to Bay County, where lie purchased land. He has betnl school assessor for fourteen years. They hlave a family of six children, four of whom are mrrried. JOHN GARRISON is a native of Canada, but has been in Bay County about seventeen years. He married Catharine Heinzmann, of Bay City. He is engaged in lumbering and farming having a fine farm of seventy atres in thle township of Portsmouth. They have four children. C. F. REICHLE, butcher, was born in Wurtumburg. At the age of seventeen and a half years lie came to America, and in 1864 enlisted in the Federal army. In 1865 he came to Bay City anlld opened a butcher shop in 1869, which business he has followed since; married Catharine Keisel, of Ohio; they have five children three of whom are boys. He now lives in Portsmouth township, where lie has a farm of twenty-two acres. ADAM BEYER was born in Germany in 1812. When about thirteen years of age hie emigrated to the United States. He spent a short time ill Illinois, and from there went to Bay City. In 1864 lie married Mary Dashlien, also of Germany. In 1868 he pur chased land in Portsmouth Township. He now has two fine firms of forty acres each, one in Portsmouth and one in Merritt. JAMES W. HOGLE was born in Orleans County, Vermont, December 7, 1812, and was married to Mary L. Dixon in 1840. In 1856 he moved to Illinois, and from there to Michigan in 1865. U_ r i I I I I I) 9 r I.~- 7 I - -^ ---- X - I 264 HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY. From tlhat time lhe resided in (and near Bay City until his deqtli. He united with the order of Odd Fellows in 1856 and with Bay I Lodge No. 104, in 1872. During his life, by honest industry, lhe acquired a handsome property. He died March 15, 1872, leavingr a wife and three children, one son who is in business on Center St., Bay City., and two daughters, married and living in Indiana. His widow, since his death, has taken entire charge of the four toll gates on the Bay City, Watrousville and Vassar plank road, which I was owned by her husband at the time of his death. WILLIAM SYRING was born in GkErma1ny in 1382G, and c 1ne to Bay City in 1854, where for five years lie was emlployed in the different saw mills. In 1856 he married Catharine Hart,,a native of Ireland. In 1869 he bought a farm in the township of Portsmouth. They have three children living and one daughter dead. FIREDERICK MEIER was born in Germany in 1829. In 1861 lihe camlle to Bay City, and the same year purchlsed eighty acres in the township of Portsmouthl fifty of this he hlas now under cultivation. Mr. Meier was married in 1861 to Maggie Kirchner, also a native of Germany; they have four children, three of whom are girls. He has been treasurer of the township for four years. CASPAR KNECHT was born ill Germany in 1821. In 1846 lie came to Detroit, where he married Margaret Kourc, also of G(ermany. After spending two years in Windsor, Canada, they moved to Ohio, but returned to Detroit. About 1857 he settled in Bay County; he has a farm of niinety acres iil the township of Portsmouth; lie has three sons and one daughter. Louis KNEeCHT, soil of Caspar Knecht, was born in Windsor, I Canada, in 1849. In 1857 lie settled with his father inll Bay County; lmartried Eleanor Conoly, of Chatham, Canada; they have four children. He hlas sixty acres of land in the township of Portsmouth, nearly all under cultivation. WILLIAM WAGNER is the second son of Carl Wagner, and was born in Germany, in 1843. He married Annie Stenc, of Monroe, Mich., in 1869. They have had four children, three of whom are now living. Mr. Wagner is treasurer of the township, and has also been school director, highway commissioner and justice of the peace. CHARLES DIEHL was born in Germany, in 1822. In 1852 he came to America, stopping a short time in New York and about three years in Ohio. In 1855 he came to Bay City, where, for about three years, he was engaged in the saw mills and on the river. In 1858 he bought land in the township of Portsmouth, which he has cleared, making a fine farm of eighty acres. Mr. Diehl has been married twice and has a family of ten children. SOLOMON R. PRESLEY was born in Clayton, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1829. At the age of nineteen he went West to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained one year, going from there to Lower Saginaw. From that time until 1872, he was engaged in milling and lumbering. In 1862 le purchased a farm in the township of Portsmouth, two and a half miles from Bay City. In 1872 he moved to his farm having given up lumbering, he has devoted his attention to farming. He was two years a director of the Agricultural Society. Mr. Presley was married ill 1854, to Miss Matilda McEwan. They have eight children, four of whom are sons. ALBERT BIRCH is a native of New York. He was born in 1848. Five years of his early life he spent in Canada, and from there he moved to Pennsylvania. About 1856 he came to Bav City. He was engaged in photographing for three years. About eight years ago he bought eighty acres in the township of Portsmouth, sixty of which is now under cultivation. He was imarried in 1879, to Elizabeth Simpson. They have four children. WILLIAM B. HAYWARD was born in England, June 8, 1809. In 1830 he came to Amnerica and settled in Pennsylvania, and engaged in the merchandise and railroad business. He then moved to Cleveland and engaged in building roads. In 1855 lie moved to Detroit, Mich. In 18(67 lhe came to Bay City and the year following he purchased a farm in the town of Portsmouth, where lie still lives. He is married and has six children. DANIEL HALLOCK was born in Steuben County N. Y., August 29, 1837. He came to Bay City in 1856, and worked for J. J. McCormick six years as operative in a saw mill. He then engaged in teaming and draying. In 1870 lhe purchased a farm in the town of Portsmouth, Bay County, and removed to lns new property. MI.E 4I I4 1 1' Merritt occupies the southeast corner of the county. It is being reclaimed from the swampy condition which it was forlllerly in. The Quanicassee ditch descriled amnong tle county improvements, drains the township. Among tile leading farmers of Merritt are Martin Powell, B. Schabel, Robert W1hiteside and C. c& A. S. Munger, of Bay City. The Detroit & Bay City Railroad and the Tuscola Plank Road extend across the township. On the former are the two stations of Munllger and Am. A Methodist class was organized in Merritt, in 187(; by Rev. A. B. Clough, Rev. Mr. Parner is now pastor. There is a Baptist Society at Munger, of which Rev. Mr. Taylor is pastor. There is also preaching by the Rev. Mr. Daiwson, Congregational iinister, at Essexville. The first preaching service in Merritt was by Rev. Thomas Histed, and the next seems to have been by a Rev, Mr. Andrews. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1883. Merritt.-Supervisor, F. Schoof; clerk, C. A. Howell; treasurer, J. Fennely; school inspector, Horace Blodget; justice, full term, E. Kleinart; justice, to fill vacancy, F. R. Tennant; hiilghway commissioner, F. Beyer; constables, F. Laclee, Frank Paine, William Pommerville, P. Brown. TAXES FOR 1882. Contingent fund................................... 1,2 42 00 Highway and bridge fund........................... 770 00 Statute labor fund.................,............... 670 62 School District No. 1.............................. 250 00 Fractional School District No. 3, their proportion of.... 270 00 School District No. 4............................,, 300 00 5............................... 175 00 Amount to be spread on the township for highway and sanitary purposes on the Russell ditch.......... 304 00 Fractional School District No. 3, of Portsmouth, their proportion of............................... 200 00 There are twenty-six farms in the township. BIOGRAPHICAL. MARTIN POWELL, farmler, was born in Louisville, Saint Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 27, 1826. He remained there during his youtih and early manhood, and went from there to Canada, and from there he came to Shiawassee County in this state. From there he went to Grand Rapids and thence to Bay City, in 1847, when it was called Lower Saginaw, and has taken a prominent part with the other pioneers of Bay County, in the improvements that have been achieved since that time. He was married to Miss Mary Stephens, of Ireland, April 14, 1845. They have had seven children, Sarallh, John, Lydia R., William M., Albert H., Anarew and Ida; but Johnnie was early stolen away from the parental embrace by death. I. J.d od 9i__ __ __~ I t" ~ i~ Read the Prospectus on the Back of this Contract. — t _ - f~ -----—; --- —-- -~ --- — ----------------- a *Messrs. 1t. R. PAGE & CO., Chicagro, II.:. I When published, please deliver to.f.;-.-v;one copy of your proposed -Illustrated History of Bay County, for which. a...agree to pay to you, or your ' E.order, the sum of TWELVE DOLLARS; provided, it is gotten up in accordance with the o. ". Prospectus on the back of this order, which we have seen and read. Payment to be ca made on the delivery of said History, at my residence or place of business, or when - |tendered to me in person. /y g c /, Signature..../.........,........:: Occupation..'.,, -.. *. /' P. 0. Address..'...'!: No agent is allowed to take orders for aforesaid History on different terms thlf those hereinbefore named. We 0 v agree to deliver the above within a reasonable length of time after publication. H. R. PAGE & UCi., Pubs. ' i -- :n~olr ilrl rLii II ' 'nam~grIplsrP~1 rrl iIII I" lI r'' s ~rsrIP-lII' Ir ~ll~rTF7~r' A111~rl9'1~1~' 91'B R~; r~ ~;lPi""!i!~